Democratic state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, 48, faces Republican John Paul Augustynowicz, 48, in this west suburban district.
Augustynowicz, who works with adults with disabilities and previously served as a legislative staffer, offers a refreshing combination of fiscal restraint and thoughtful solutions. He opposes a millionaires tax, wants greater accountability for school spending and supports tighter restrictions on electronic monitoring for potentially dangerous defendants.
We particularly appreciate his willingness to challenge Springfield’s leadership. He has called for Speaker Welch’s resignation and supports giving the legislative inspector general independent subpoena authority. “Staffers should never have to choose between speaking up and protecting their jobs,” he told us. We agree.
Hirschauer deserves credit for her work on consumer protections, specifically her focus on privacy violations and algorithmic discrimination, but her support for higher taxes and additional spending gives us pause. Springfield needs more lawmakers willing to question those priorities.
John Paul Augustynowicz is endorsed.
Read all of the Tribune Editorial Board’s endorsements for the 2026 Illinois general election here
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