By Tom Weber, KWMU
St. Louis, mo – The treasurer of the City of Alton is expected to be named an Illinois State Representative today (Monday). A committee of Democrats will meet to pick a replacement for Steve Davis. Dan Beiser, the current Alton City Treasurer, is expected to be named to the seat.
The most important issue Beiser says the 111th district faces is doctors leaving because of high medical malpractice insurance rates. He says he could support some caps on jury awards that other Democrats in Illinois might not because he says the issue is based more on geography than party.
Beiser also supports expanding slots at casinos to help the state raise money. One difference between him and Davis is that Beiser opposes abortion rights.
Davis, 55, just won re-election last month but left before starting the new term. He says he's leaving on his doctors' recommendations because he has coronary artery disease.
But Davis's opponent in this year's race wondered why Davis didn't step down earlier so that voters could pick a replacement, instead of the Democratic party. Because Davis is stepping down after the election, his seat must be filled by a fellow Democrat.