Lake County Gazette

Kenny Idstein has tunnel vision when it comes to his Republican primary run in the 62nd District for the seat held by Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake) and his overall mission of helping to revive the state of Illinois.

“All of my efforts are focused on getting to Springfield to represent District 62,” Idstein told the Lake County Gazette. “I have not paid attention to this issue," he said of the controversy about leaders of the Democratic Victory Fund recently moving to contribute more than $55,000 to the re-election campaign of Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago).

The organization’s decision to support Silverstein comes as he continues to be dogged by allegations of sexual harassment.

Grayslake Republican Ken Idstein

Longtime local activist Denise Rotheimer filed the allegations that became public in October, when the legislative inspector general's post in Springfield that handles such investigations had been vacant for nearly three years, during which time 27 allegations of harassment reportedly languished.

Since then, Julie Porter was installed in the post and recently concluded that Silverstein did not commit sexual harassment but did violate the legislative code of conduct. She recommended that he receive counseling from the Senate’s ethics officer.

While some have not hesitated to describe Silverstein’s punishment a slap on the wrist, Idstein said he has other matters to concern himself with, namely the welfare of the people of his community.

“Real estate taxes is the top issue,” he said, adding that a growing number of people are concerned with not being able to afford retiring in Illinois.

 “I had an older gentleman crying in his driveway as he spoke about his kids and grandkids living here but he cannot retire in Illinois,” he said.

Idstein said he plans to spend the last weeks of his campaign communicating with voters to make sure his message about more fiscal responsibility and greater government accountability totally resonates.

 “We’re working our butts off to listen to the citizens of District 62 and the state of Illinois,” he said.

The 62nd District includes parts of Grayslake, the Round Lake communities, Hainesville, Wauconda and Gurnee.