Republican Rhys Read, 69, a former controller and treasurer for Wespath Pensions and Investments, brings valuable financial experience to his challenge against Democratic incumbent Michelle Mussman of Schaumburg. He supports pension reform, property tax relief and stronger oversight of government misconduct, and is opposed to new taxes. Good.
Read is not a perfect candidate. His proposals on school choice and pretrial detention go considerably further than we’d like. But Mussman’s solution to Illinois’ problems seems to be more revenue, and we previously criticized legislation she sponsored that threatened the independence of private schools that remained open during COVID.
Rhys Read is endorsed.
Read all of the Tribune Editorial Board’s endorsements for the 2026 Illinois general election here.
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