10/31/02 -- With the drawing of new boundary lines following the 2000 U.S. census, the 9th Congressional Dist. has pushed further west from the Evanston Skokie area into most of Des Plaines, Niles, Rosemont and Park Ridge. Republican Henry Hyde's 6th Dist., too, has been move to the west to include western Des Plaines and a large part of Elk Grove Village. In the 9th Congressional Dist., incumbent Jan Schakowsky, a liberal who's considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, is facing a challenge from Park Ridgean Nicholas Duric and Libertarian hopeful Stephanie Sailor. The feisty Duric, a former Maine Township High School Dist. 207 board member, is putting up a stiff fight, especially in the more conservative western section of the district. Schakowsky, a former Illinois state representative, who was elected to replace long-time U.S. Rep. Sidney Yates, has mad! e a name for herself in Congress championing issues such as affordable prescription drugs, improved nursing home care for senior citizens, handgun control and abortion rights. Locally, since redistricting, Schakowsky has made it her business to become familiar with issues close to the hearts and minds of homeowners such as flood relief. Duric, an attorney, is more conservative politically than Schakowsky. He advocates controlled federal spending and the 2d Amendment's guarantee to bear arms. On other matters, however, he has a more moderate leaning. For instance, he supports a woman's right to choose abortion, favors a prescription drug plan for seniors, and opposes privatization of the Social Security system. In the 9th Dist., we like both Schakowsky and Duric. However, Jan Schakowsky, we feel, warrants a return to Congress. She has clearly shown that she understands the issues, is highly energetic, and will be a representative in Washington who will be close to her constituency.