U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk has well served residents of the 10th Congressional District since first being elected in 2000. Voters should return the Highland Park Republican to Washington for a third two-year term in this highly diverse district.

While a Republican loyalist, Kirk isn't totally in lockstep with the administration nor his GOP colleagues in the House on number issues, including the environment. Kirk has worked hard to bring federal funding to rebuild the Waukegan lakefront, helped save the North Chicago Veterans Affairs Medical Center, aided in getting $500 million to double-track Metra's North Central Line through central Lake County, introduced legislation so save Lake Michigan bluffs at Fort Sheridan for park land. These are just a few of the things he's accomplished in his short tenure in the nation's capitol.

Kirk has placed constituent services as a high priority and has labored on behalf of his constituents. Democrat Lee Goodman, a Northbrook attorney, has tried to make the congressman's links to the Central Intelligence Agency a major campaign issue. As a Naval Reserve intelligence office, Kirk was attached to the CIA in the 1990's. So much for a fresh campaign issue.

The congressman has been an outstanding representative of district interests in Washington. He, again, is heartily endorsed for re-election.

...Kirk, of Highland Park, is keenly aware of local issues, something Goodman has not proved. Kirk has secured federal funds for the double tracking of the North Central commuter railroad line, for example, and is helping to lead the way for funding the STAR line - connecting suburbs on the Northwest Tollway from O'Hare International Airport to Hoffman Estates and then south to Joliet.

For the 10th Congressional District, which includes southeastern Lake and northeastern Cook counties, we endorse Mark Kirk. We believe he is an moderate Republican voice in Congress attuned to the needs of his district.

"Mark Kirk has had an impressive...term and should be returned to Congress."

Kirk is youthful and vigorous, firmly implanted in the middle of moderate Republicanism...It is a distinct plus for residents of the 10th District that Kirk is the only member of Congress who continues to serve as a Naval Reserve intelligence officer. He has helped obtain funding for the northern Illinois commuter rail line, brought together forces combining the North Chicago VA Hospital and Great Lakes Naval Hospital. Perhaps his most enduring accomplishment has been his bi-partisan efforts to improve Lake Michigan water, principally the reduction of mercury pollution. He pushed the administration for new defenses for Israel... Lee Goodman, Kirk’s opponent, has framed his campaign right out of the liberal Democratic playbook, running a tasteless campaign of well worn national issues that hasn’t connected with residents of one of the most diverse socio-economic districts in the nation. Lake County and neighboring areas have been served well by...Mark Kirk.