This west suburban district has been represented by Democrat Suzanne Glowiak Hilton since 2019. She faces a challenge as she seeks a third term from Republican Linda Polacek, a former Marine who serves as a York Center Park District commissioner and who says that she believes “Illinois families are being ignored by career politicians while struggling under rising costs and high taxes.” They certainly are struggling.
A mechanical engineer from Western Springs, Glowiak Hilton, 68, has been a moderate in the state Senate, reflecting a district that was represented by a Republican before her. She defeated her GOP opponent, Dennis Reboletti, by nine points in 2022.
We endorsed the moderate Reboletti in that race but we also recognized Glowiak Hilton’s centrist, bipartisan approach, reflected in votes against the state budget in each of the past three years. She has sponsored legislation, co-sponsored by Republican state Sen. Chris Balkema, to cap state spending growth at no more than growth in the state’s economy. She tells us in no uncertain terms that she opposes the proposed 3% surcharge on incomes over $1 million, backed by House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. We could not agree more.
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Polacek’s campaign has, to our minds, been less than vigorous.
Suzanne Glowiak Hilton is endorsed.
Read all of the Tribune Editorial Board’s endorsements for the 2026 Illinois general election here.
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