Meet the 4 primary candidates in the redrawn 91st House district in Illinois

There is no incumbent to beat in the redrawn 91st state House district.

Pekin Mayor Mark Luft, a Republican who currently represents the district, doesn't live in the redrawn district – so the seat is open.

Two Republicans and two Democrats are running in the June 28 primary election to earn their party's nomination for the Nov. 8 general election.

The candidates are Republicans Scott Preston and James Fisher, and Democrats Sharon Chung and Karla Bailey-Smith.

Each lives in the Bloomington-Normal area.

The new 91st District encompasses much of the Bloomington-Normal area along with several communities to the west including Carlock, Goodfield, Washington, East Peoria and Bartonville.

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Preston, 34, became the youngest person elected to the Normal Town Council in 2013 and was reelected in 2017 and 2021.

Fisher, 64, an Army veteran, lives on a small farm outside Hudson. He was a delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention and he serves on the executive committee of the McLean County Republicans.

Chung, 43, of Bloomington, has been on the McLean County Board since 2018. She's a professional violist and violinist who has performed in orchestras across central Illinois, including the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and she teaches in a private studio in her home.

Bailey-Smith, 54, of Bloomington, is a small business owner, activist and advocate who lost to veteran Republican state representative Keith Sommer for the 88th District House seat in 2021.

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Here's more about each 91st District candidate, leading with what they consider the most important issue in their district and how they plan to attack it:

Scott Preston

The biggest issue facing District 91, Preston said, is the high cost of living imposed on families because of inflation and high taxes.

"I support pro-growth policies that will reduce the financial burden on families," he said.

Preston said his time on the Normal Town Council has given him the experience to be an effective state representative.

"I've seen first-hand how a functioning government can solve problems for people, which sometimes includes government getting out of the way," he said.

"I can bring a pragmatic, no-nonsense approach to the problems facing Illinois families, workers, job creators and taxpayers."

Preston said he has a passion for business and education.

He owns Preston Property Group, which oversees a growing portfolio of properties.

"By building a small business from the ground up, I understand the importance of being financially responsible and the importance of innovation to succeed – topics missing in the discussions at our state capital these days," he said.

His mother was a special education teacher in District 87, he said, "which gave me the utmost respect for those working in education."

Preston and his wife Ali are expecting their first child in August.

James Fisher

"Taxes, taxes and more taxes," Fisher said about the hot-button issue in District 91.

"Illinois is the second-highest taxed state in the nation. It's also one of the highest exodus states because of taxes," he said.

"I will never vote for a bill that would raise taxes. I also will look for ways to reduce state spending by eliminating committees, commissions and departments that serve no useful purpose."

Fisher said he isn't a career politician "engulfed by Springfield's political gains. I actually will stand my ground on conservative values and once the job is done, return to my farm, the way Lincoln saw fit for politicians."

Fisher criticized Preston for voting seven times to raise property taxes and voting to raise fuel taxes in Normal during his time on the Town Council, "but the streets in Normal are full of potholes."

Sharon Chung

Chung said she's knocked on more than 1,500 doors in the district during her primary campaign and an issue that comes up frequently is the rising and prohibitive costs of healthcare.

"People feel helpless and at a loss as to what the future looks like for healthcare," she said. "I'd like to make sure their needs are met and people don't fall through the cracks."

She said she has a broad coalition of supporters, including House Speaker Chris Welsh, "who are excited to support my campaign because they're ready for a new era of leadership and representation from our area in Springfield."

Chung said she has proven record of getting things done and advocating on behalf of the community during her time on the McLean County Board.

Karla Bailey-Smith

A combination of some of the highest property taxes in the country and relatively low state contributions to the state's public school systems is a major problem, according to Bailey-Smith.

"Because voters didn't pass the Illinois Fair Tax amendment to the state constitution in 2020, the burden remains on property owners instead of requiring higher earners to pay their fair share," she said.

"We need to close loopholes that allow corporations and high earners to avoid contributing to the public good. We need to set more rigid tax liability structures for corporations so they can't 'bargain down' their tax liabilities so easily.

"Local school districts lose much needed property tax dollars from businesses when the businesses are allowed to negotiate their contributions."

Bailey-Smith said her experience as a lifelong renter, self-employed person, partner of a person with a chronic disease, and someone who has made her living in a skilled trade for 22 years and who goes home tired and dirty would provide a valuable viewpoint in the General Assembly.

Steve Stein can be reached at (248) 224-2616 or stevestein21@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpartanSteve.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: 2 Republicans, 2 Democrats seek 91st Illinois House district seat