Illinois Senate District 25 has been a comfortable spot for the Republican Party over the past three decades.

The current occupant of the seat, Jim Oberweis, is running for the 14th Congressional District, leaving an opening between two candidates from West Chicago.

The Democrat, state Rep. Karina Villa, and the Republican candidate, Jeanette Ward, are both former school board members and share some similarities when it comes to policy.

Neither supports a tax on retirement income, both believe members of the Illinois General Assembly should not be allowed to lobby for other levels of government, and both are in favor of full implementation of body cameras for law enforcement.

Villa has shown a clear commitment to listening to a diverse set of voices when it comes to policy implementation. She’s been approachable to her constituents while serving in the Illinois House and wants to negotiate in good faith to reduce the pension burden, although she is light on ideas to do so.

Ward brings plenty of pro-business policies to the table but, in our view, appears less willing to collaborate in an environment where the minority party has to at least be willing to make some compromise to get any meaningful legislation passed.

Villa is endorsed.