by BRIAN NADIG

On the Far Northwest Side Chicago, state representatives Lindsey LaPointe (D-19) and Mike Kelly (D-15) face Republican challengers John Zimmers and Mark Albers, respectively.

State Representative Brad Stephens (D-20) has no Republican challenger. His district includes Edison Park and Rosemont, where he serves as mayor.

LaPointe is a former social worker turned policy advocate who has served in the House since 2019. She chairs the House Mental Health and Addiction Committee.

“I am leading a bill that would grow behavioral health commercial insurance networks by increasing reimbursement rates to providers while cutting the red tape they face. The goal is to increase the number of therapists and psychiatrists who take a variety of commercial insurance plans so Illinoisans can actually use the insurance they already pay for.

“Additionally, I intend to tackle removing prior authorization for outpatient mental health support which would include youth, adults and first responders,” LaPointe said, explaining her legislative priorities for 2025.

LaPointe added, “On the topic of ethics reforms, I support a two-year ban on the revolving door between legislators and lobbyists, more empowerment of the legislative inspector general and legislation to create more uniformity in the vacancy appointment process for statehouse (and other) seats.”

On public safety, she said that she supports the passing of “Karina’s Law” to remove firearms from the hands of abusers who have orders of protection with firearm remedies filed against them. “This current loophole, where abusers lose their FOID card, but still have their guns, results in tragedy for too many families,” she said.

Her Republican challenger is John Zimmers, a realtor, who on his campaign Web site lists education, public safety and taxes as among the top issues in Illinois. 

Zimmers calls for trade programs to be reinstated at Chicago schools, criticizing the system for its low percentages of students who can read and do math at grade level.

Zimmers calls for the repeal of the Safe T Act. He said that his son graduated in 2020 from one of the top college law enforcement programs in the country with the intent of joining the Chicago police force, but circumstances changed. “This is of course is when the leadership of Chicago and the state began the defund the police campaign. … (The act) increased violent crime (and) created 1,000 vacant Chicago police positions,” he said on his Web site.

Zimmers also said that taxes are too high in Illinois in large part because of a high number of government entities. “Illinois has nearly 7,000 government units. … Texas, the second largest state, has 1,800 less.”

The 19th District includes all or parts of Jefferson Park, Portage Park and Gladstone Park.

Kelly is a Chicago firefighter who has served in the House since 2021. The 15th District includes Mayfair, Edgebrook, Sauganash and parts of Gladstone Park and adjoining suburbs.

“When I am at the doors or at events within the district, the number one concern I hear is always public safety. I have been and will continue to work with all invested parties, police departments, and community organizations to create a platform of safety for all.

“While in office I have helped fund ‘license plate reader’ devices for the Morton Grove Police Department, the Niles Police Department, and 16th, 17th and 20th districts in the Chicago Police Department. These are just some of the items needed by the police to create a safer environment for all,” Kelly said.

Kelly added that protecting women’s healthcare is another top concern among voters. “I am committed to ensuring women’s rights in Illinois stay untouched, and a woman has the ability to make her own decisions on her body.”

Kelly said that he also is committed to working with County Assessor Fritz Kaegi and other stakeholders to help address the problem of rising property taxes.

Kelly also said that he plans to continue to fight for increased funding for mental health care across the state. He proposed legislation that would make immunizations more affordable and create a 24/7 hotline for doctors to access mental health care resources for their patients.

Albers, a small business owner, ran unsuccessfully for the 15th District seat in 2022. He said that his legislative priorities include addressing concerns about education, taxes and affordability in Illinois.

“We are leaving our children behind with failing test scores from failing schools. Every child deserves access to an excellent education. I want to introduce ‘Universal School Choice’ which will empower parents to move their children to competing educational options. Parents can choose public school, public charter school, private school, tutoring or home schooling that best suits their child’s needs. School choice will pressure the schools to improve education, maintain safer environments, become accountable to parents, and increase vocational and career training,” Albers said.

Albers also said, “Our economic growth is fourth worst in the nation. I would introduce legislation to lower corporate tax rates from 9.5 to 7.5 percent or less, to keep businesses alive and stop these from moving out of our area.

He added “Our property taxes are second highest in the nation. I will introduce a cap on property taxes at 1.5 percent of market value and force the bloated local taxing districts to operate as efficiently as the private sector.”

Albers said that he also would introduce legislation that would stop the creation of tax increment financing districts that divert residential properties tax funds to commercial and industrial areas, arguing that a lower corporate tax rate eliminates the need for TIF subsidies.   

 

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