North Cook News

Republican State House District 18 candidate Charles Hutchinson lost to incumbent Democratic Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston).

Hutchinson wanted to address taxing and spending by Springfield, give parents the final authority on how to raise their children, and ensure the opportunity for children to reach their highest potential through education.  

“We put the message out there and will continue to do so,” Hutchinson said on Facebook. “Education is the opportunity we give to children for a better future. Parents must have every option to educate their kids. Illinois needs balanced budgets and smarter fiscal policy, including real and lasting pension reform, if we are to be fiscally strong as a state. Tax burdens and regulations must be reduced for our business and families to thrive. People want to live in safe neighborhoods, regardless of how much they earn. The state must work to provide that for them. Parents are the head of the family and they have the right and obligation to make decisions which are best for their family. The vote count did not go our way. Thank you to all who supported the campaign and who voted.” 

Hutchinson notched 19% of the vote with 7,224 votes to Gabel’s 81% of the vote with 30,848 votes, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Hutchinson is a 53-year-old Barrington lawyer. In a candidate Q&A, Hutchinson said he decided to run because he has seen legislation come out of Springfield that totally lacks common sense. He said he ran because the legislature is letting the governor run roughshod over the state and because of the high tax burden in the state. He said that the first bills he would sponsor would be about school choice and required parental notification if a minor gets an abortion.

Hutchinson was endorsed by the Chicago Tribune in the race: "Hutchinson has a strong understanding of Illinois’ fiscal woes, and believes a pension reform amendment must be integral to solving the pension crisis. He’s on the mark when he says that ever-rising property taxes in Illinois are a function of the massive redundancy in taxing bodies, along with the continuing exodus of people, businesses and jobs from the state."