Tribune Endorses Lieberman for State Rep Over Incumbent Gabel

The Chicago Tribune officially endorsed Republican candidate Eric Lieberman of Evanston Wednesday in the race for State Representative of Illinois’ 18th District.

The article, which also presents the publication’s picks for several other contested Illinois House races, criticizes incumbent Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-18) for failing to commit her vote for pension reform while advocating for the continued funding of FamilyCare and the Department of Children and Family services.

The piece calls Lieberman “a straight shooter who favors shifting pension costs to local school districts and moving new state employees into a 401(k)-style retirement plan, gets the endorsement.”

Both candidates have criticized each other in the past. Lieberman has called Gabel a follower who doesn’t possess the persuasive power necessary to enact change. Gabel criticized Lieberman’s tax reform plan that would allow Illinois resident’s to earmark their tax dollars for specific purposes, saying such a system would leave worthwhile and necessary programs grossly underfunded.

The Chicago Sun-Times announced earlier this year that it would no longer endorse political candidates.

Read the full endorsement on the Chicago Tribune website.

Earlier: 18th IL District Candidate Lieberman on Government Transparency and Tax Reform

Earlier: 18th IL District Incumbent Gabel on Job Creation and Budget Cuts