Fine Defeats Frank in 17th IL House District Race

FINAL UPDATE AT 11:22 p.m.:

Laura Fine (D-Glenview) has defeated Kyle Frank (R-Skokie) to take the Illinois’ 17th district legislative seat.

With 85 of 86 precincts reporting, Fine has 65.5 percent of the vote.

“I’m just thrilled," Fine said. "We just worked so hard. I started knocking on doors last November and talking to people and finding out what their different issues and concerns were. All that hard work and staying positive in our campaign paid off. I was in many of the precincts today, and I can’t tell you how many people I bumped into that I remember when we talked at my door. And I just feel like I have a good grasp of what people are really concerned about in our district. And I hope that I can properly represent everybody and just do a good job.”

Fine celebrated her victory at Wildfire restaurant in Glenview.

Frank could not be reached for comment at the time of publication and made no official concession of defeat.

RESULTS (UPDATED AS THEY COME IN TUESDAY NIGHT):

UPDATED AT 9:19 p.m.:

Over 9,000 more votes have come in since the last update, but each candidate holds nearly an identical percentage as before. Fine still leads by about 31 percentage points.

UPDATED AT 8:46 p.m.:

The results remain nearly identical despite seven more precincts and a few thousand more votes coming in. Fine still ahead by about 31 percentage points.

UPDATED AT 8:22 p.m.:

With only 22 of 86 precincts left to report, Fine maintains a nearly two-to-one lead over Frank.

UPDATED AT 8:04 p.m.:

Fine's lead has widened by a point to make it a 31 point margin with 45 or 86 precincts reporting.

UPDATED AT 7:51 p.m.:

Twice as many votes and nearly twice as many precincts reporting as last update, Fine has widened her lead to nearly 30 percent.

UPDATED AT 7:31 p.m.:

With 16 of 86 precincts reporting, Fine has an 19 point edge over Frank.

EARLIER:

Newcomers Laura Fine (D-Glenview) and Kyle Frank (R-Skokie) are vying for Illinois’ 17th district legislature seat, which became open after current State Rep. Daniel Biss gave up the seat to run for state senator in the 9th District.Fine currently serves as the clerk in Northfield Township, and is an instructor in political science at Northeastern Illinois University. She has campaigned on a platform of creating jobs, reforming the state budget and making it harder for state legislators to raise their salaries.

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ABOUT THE 17TH DISTRICT ILLINOIS HOUSE RACE:

Frank, an attorney, has also called for state budget reforms, specifically limiting school administrator salaries, privatizing some state services and changing the state constitution so that Illinois can switch its pension program to a 401(k) style plan for state employees.   

Both Fine and Frank said at a candidate forum in Evanston that they would not raise taxes in the near future. Fine has said he would like to phase out the state income tax entirely during his first term, while Frank has said she would like to introduce a law that would freeze property taxes when home values decline. 

The 17th district incorporates parts of Evanston, Glenview, Golf, Morton Grove, Northbrook, Northfield, Skokie and Wilmette.

PAST COVERAGE OF FINE & FRANK:

• Tribune Endorses Fine Over Frank in 17th District House Race
• Illinois House Candidates Vie for Votes During Public Forum
• Get to Know State Rep. Candidate Laura Fine
• Get to Know State Rep. Candidate Kyle Frank
• Opinion: Laura Fine for State Representative 'Stands Out From the Rest'
• Election 2012: Kyle Frank
• Election 2012: Laura Fine
• Election 2012: State Representative for the 17th District in Illinois