Media coverage of IL political races in The Chicago Tribune


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OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Kathy Salvi: Takes traditional party positions, opposes abortion.     Mark Curran: Opposed partial-birth abortion.     Daniel Biss: Criticized governor for attempt to ban abortion.     John Kasich: Ban abortions after 20 weeks; but no "heartbeat bill".     John Kasich: Require abortion clinics to have nearby hospital & doctor.     Richard Durbin: Abortion is a private decision.     Steven Sauerberg: Provide women with an alternatives to abortion.     Elizabeth Dole: No litmus test for judiciary appointments.

Budget & Economy     Ron Johnson: $184B stimulus drove the country deeper into debt.

Civil Rights     Cynthia Nixon: History of pro-gay rights with established credibility.     Ameya Pawar: Rename Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day.     Eric Holcomb: Supportive of the LGBT community: zero discrimination.

Corporations     Jim Oberweis: Corporations go overseas when taxes & governments bully them.     Sharon Hansen: Lower corporate tax rates prevent companies going overseas.

Crime     Eddie Melton: Restore state scholarship eligibility to felony offenders.

Drugs     Gary Johnson: War on Drugs is a miserable failure; $6M for treatment.

Education     Eddie Melton: Reduce private school vouchers; increase teacher pay.     Merrick Garland: Middle school reinforced my sense of community.     Donald Trump: Skeptical of use of affirmative action in college admissions.     Jeff Sessions: Harvard misuses affirmative action in college admissions.     Joe Walsh: Eliminate teacher tenure & favor teacher accountability.

Energy & Oil     Joe Walsh: Low-cost energy sources is vital to our economy.     Wesley Clark: US energy overuse causes worldwide resentment.

Foreign Policy     Napoleon Harris: Shift focus of foreign aid from Mideast back to the Americas.     Doug Truax: End Obama's "lead from behind" approach to foreign policy.

Free Trade     Donald Trump: FactCheck: yes, Ford plant in Mexico, but no U.S. job cuts.     Russell Feingold: Protect jobs from being shipped abroad via free trade.

Government Reform     Daniel Biss: Political system favors billionaires & machine politicians.     Jill Stein: We need ranked-choice voting in presidential elections.     Chuy Garcia: Implement financial and performance audits.

Gun Control     Mark Curran: Focus on mental health & video games, not guns.

Health Care     Daniel Biss: Criticized governor for attempt to repeal ObamaCare.     Ron Johnson: Running for Senate based on fierce opposition to Obamacare.     Russell Feingold: Brags about having voted for Obamacare.     Joe Walsh: Opposed to government sponsored health care system.     Richard Durbin: Large-scale expansion of taxpayer-subsidized coverage.     Steven Sauerberg: Vouchers to make health care portable and less job-dependent.

Homeland Security     Adam Kinzinger: Republicanism means stronger defense and smaller government.     Joe Walsh: Keep prisoners at Guantanamo; try them in military tribunals.     Joe Walsh: All provisions of the Patriot Act should be renewed.     Richard Durbin: Apologizes for comparing Guantanamo to Nazis & Soviet gulags.     Steven Sauerberg: Ultraliberals hate America; focus on patriotism.

Immigration     Mark Curran: Backed bipartisan legislation with path for citizenship.     Daniel Biss: Criticized governor for attempt to curb immigration.     Eric Holcomb: I won't be xenophobic on immigration policy.     Doug Truax: First secure the border, then no comprehensive reform.     Jim Oberweis: Visas for illegal immigrants, but no path to citizenship.

Jobs     Jim Oberweis: Minimum wage of $10 (and less for those under age 24).     Richard Durbin: Raise minimum wage to $10.10 & same pay regardless of gender.     Sharon Hansen: No minimum wage; & no set pay based on gender.     Ron Johnson: Proven record of creating jobs at his private company.     Russell Feingold: $184B stimulus created jobs, especially highway construction.

Principles & Values     Adam Kinzinger: Protesting Electoral College is "scam"; accept Trump losing.     Tammy Duckworth: I answer the call when asked to serve my country.     Merrick Garland: Sold his comics books to help pay for Harvard Law tuition.     Jill Stein: Greens overcame ballot laws designed by Democrats and GOP.     Jill Stein: Majority of Americans want a four-party debate.     Chuck Grassley: My re-election ensures Iowa is not denied Senate seniority.     Roxanne Conlin: Republicans only offer more of the same.     Alexi Giannoulias: Accuses Kirk of economic treason for fundraising in China.     Mark Kirk: Raised $6,000 from 12 U.S. citizen businessmen in China.     John Roberts: Volunteer adviser to Bush in 2000 Florida post-election.

Social Security     Chuy Garcia: Social Security is essential but needs wage limits increased.     Daniel Biss: Alter public employee pensions to reduce state pension debt.     Joe Walsh: Gradually raising the retirement age beyond 67.     Alexi Giannoulias: Gradual fixes: raising the cap; phase-down benefits for rich.     Joe Walsh: Individuals set aside portion of own income for retirement.

Tax Reform     Daniel Biss: Initiate a state graduated income tax.     Joe Walsh: Reduced tax rates will increase economic activity.

Technology     Mike Pence: Riverboat gambling ok, but no electronic wagering.

War & Peace     Andrea Zopp: Supports the Iran nuclear deal.     Tammy Duckworth: Iran is our enemy, but nuclear deal prevents Iranian nukes.     Joe Walsh: Provide the troops needed in Afghanistan, like Iraqi surge.     James Durkin: Remove Saddam Hussein, with US troops if needed.

Welfare & Poverty     Debbie Stabenow: Administration out of touch with struggling families.     Donald Trump: New rule will cut SNAP benefits for 688,000.     Nancy Pelosi: Instead of draconian rules, combat food insecurity.     Sonny Perdue: Give helping hand, not infinitely giving hand.     Joe Walsh: Abolish Fannie Mae; too much focus on home ownership.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Adam Kinzinger Republican U.S. Rep Illinois-16 Alexi Giannoulias 2010 Democratic Senate Challenger; currently State Treasurer Illinois Ameya Pawar Illinois Democratic candidate for Governor Andrea Zopp Democratic Senate candidate Illinois Chuck Grassley Republican Sr Senator Iowa Chuy Garcia Democrat U.S. Rep Illinois- 4 Cynthia Nixon New York Democratic candidate for governor of New York Daniel Biss Illinois Democratic candidate for Governor Debbie Stabenow Democratic Sr Senator Michigan Donald Trump Republican Presidential incumbent Doug Truax Republican Senate Challenger (lost primary) Illinois Eddie Melton Indiana Democratic Gubernatorial Challenger Elizabeth Dole North Carolina Former Cabinet Member (Labor Sec'y) and Senator Eric Holcomb Indiana Republican candidate for Governor Gary Johnson New Mexico Libertarian Gubernatorial Challenger James Durkin 2002 Former Republican Senate Challenger Illinois Jeff Sessions Alabama Attorney General 2017-2018 Jill Stein Green Challenger Jim Oberweis Republican Senate Challenger Illinois Joe Walsh Illinois Republican presidential primary challenger John Kasich Ohio Republican Ohio Governor John Roberts Republican Appointee to Supreme Court Kathy Salvi Republican Challenger Illinois Mark Curran Republican Senate challenger Illinois Mark Kirk Republican Jr Senator Illinois Merrick Garland Attorney General Mike Pence Indiana Republican Vice President Nancy Pelosi Democrat U.S. Rep California-12 Napoleon Harris Democratic Senate candidate Illinois Richard Durbin Democratic Sr Senator Illinois Ron Johnson Republican Sr Senator Wisconsin Roxanne Conlin 2010 Democratic Challenger Iowa Russell Feingold Democrat Sharon Hansen Libertarian Challenger Illinois Sonny Perdue Georgia Former USDA Secretary Steven Sauerberg Republican Challenger (2008) Illinois Tammy Duckworth Democratic Senate candidate Illinois Wesley Clark Democrat