Sparks Fly in 11th District Democrats Debate in Aurora
There was some friction between the three Democratic candidates in the 11th Congressional District at a forum in Aurora on Thursday night.
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For the second time this week, the three Democratic candidates running in the new 11th Congressional District shared a stage Thursday night, this time in Aurora. And this time, some sparks flew.
The forum was sponsored by the Aurora Township Democrats, and held at the headquarters of Painters District Council #30 on the northwest side of Aurora. The candidates answered questions from the audience, and spent much of their time outlining the differences between them.
Bill Foster, the Naperville scientist who represented the 14th Congressional District from 2008 to 2010, described himself as a “thoughtful moderate” with an eye on “the long-term best interests of the country.” Jim Hickey, the president of the Orland Fire District (the largest district in the state), called himself the only working-class candidate, and said he would be the best choice to stand up for the middle class.
And Juan Thomas, attorney and former Aurora Township clerk, painted himself as the candidate least likely to compromise with the Republicans. He blasted Foster’s centrist record, and said Democrats are “in a fight for the future and values of this country.”
“When I find a reasonable Republican, I’ll work with them,” he said. “Right now, I don’t know any.”
The three Democrats differed on several issues raised Thursday night. Answering a question about the role of the United States in keeping peace around the world, Thomas adamantly stated that all U.S. troops should be brought home. Hickey said he would not be in favor of that, since it might leave a breeding ground for terrorists.
And Foster said the role of the United States should be “providing leadership and security in an increasingly multi-lateral world.” He contrasted the campaign against Libya with the invasion of Iraq, calling the former “competent and thoughtful leadership” and the latter “misguided self-importance.”
In response to a question about lowering the number of people in prisons, Foster touted a new experimental drug that he said could reverse the effects of drug and alcohol addiction. Hickey suggested giving every immigrant full citizenship, and concentrating on education.
Thomas took the opportunity to address a 2006 incident that saw his license to practice law suspended for 90 days. Since then, he said, he has had difficulty “getting people to give me another chance.” He said his election to Congress could be an inspiration to released felons working to resume their lives.
Thomas said he supports 9th District Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s Emergency Jobs to Restore the American Dream Act, which she says would create 2.2 million jobs, paid for by higher taxes on the rich and eliminating subsidies for oil companies. Hickey said that if elected, he would tackle the still-struggling housing market first, while Foster said he would protect the Wall Street reform law he worked on while in Congress, “so the lobbyists don’t get their claws into it and water it down.”
One audience member asked Foster if the workers in his lighting company, Electronic Theatre Controls, are union, and he said they are not. Foster explained that while the workers have considered organizing before, the benefits ETC provides are “equal to or exceeding” those provided by other, similar shops, and employees haven't moved forward with a union.
But Thomas took the opportunity to blast Foster for this admission, saying he is “appalled” that ETC’s workers are not union. Thomas and Hickey both adamantly pledged their support to unions, and Foster said he supports free choice, and that at some companies, a union is “the only way to get justice in this country.”
The candidates will meet twice more before early voting starts on Monday. North Central College in Naperville will play host to a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Naperville tonight at 7 p.m., and a 1 p.m. Sunday forum at AmericInn in Oswego is also scheduled. The primary election is March 20.
The winner of this three-way primary will go on to face the winner of the Republican contest between Rep. Judy Biggert and Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham. The State Board of Elections had initially removed Cunningham from the ballot for a clerical error on his petitions, but a Kane County judge reinstated him earlier this week.
There is no incumbent in the newly-drawn 11th District—Biggert currently represents the 13th. The new district includes portions of Aurora and Montgomery to the west, goes as far east as Woodridge and Bolingbrook, and extends south of Joliet.
Roseann
7:41 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
Crazy. You got one guy who'd be happy to force prisoners to use an experimental drug (which, he should volunteer to be tested with.) Then you have another guy willing to sell out citizenship on the backs of those who did it legally. And what's wrong with forcing people into unions that don't want to be in a union? Afterall, unions are great at taking a chunk of your involuntary dues to contribute to political campaigns you don't agree with. Perfect.
Andre Salles
7:53 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
Roseann, I believe Foster was talking about this experimental drug as a possible way to treat addiction, and keep people from going to prison. He never once mentioned forcing anyone to use it.
Roseann
8:23 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
Ok Andre. Whatever you say. Treating drugs with drugs so criminals don't commit crimes while on drugs or drinking and keep them out of prison. Oh and I wonder how much stock Foster owns in the company producing this experimental drug? Anyhow, he should just volunteer to try it. I'm sure it's perfectly safe and won't have any side effects or ever be recalled. Politicians to the rescue, again.
jaskie1505
8:33 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
Based on this story I've eliminated Juan Thomas. He appears to be very narrow minded. We need people in office that are willing to work with both sides and come up with solutions that are best for all of us and not just for the party you represent. I also agree that employees should have a choice to be union or non-union. Apparently Thomas and Hickey feel otherwise and believe we need to start forcing people to do something they don't want to do.
Henry T
8:47 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
Come on the image of a Mad Scientist Bill Foster giving prisoners anti-drug abuse drugs is entertaining :-)
Actually what he is talking about isn't anything new Danny Bonaduce of all people was talking about it on CNN a couple of days ago (and mentioned the ones he takes for that purpose)
Roseann
9:15 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
Danny Bonaduce on CNN? Oh boy. Sorry I missed it.
You should really read this:
Congress Gives States the Right to Drug Test the Unemployed
(and here's my favorite part...)
"Some opponents of the bill have proposed that members of state legislatures who approve drug testing applicants for unemployment benefits should themselves be tested for drugs since they too receive government benefits."
http://www.allgov.com/Top_Stories/ViewNews/Congress_Gives_States_the_Right_to_Drug_Test_the_Unemployed_120221
Roseann
9:30 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
"In response to a question about lowering the number of people in prisons, Foster touted a new experimental drug that he said could reverse the effects of drug and alcohol addiction."
Maybe, the problem isn't about lowering the number of people in prisons, but the overzealous laws these politicians come up with to turn everyone into criminals in the first place! Do they EVER wonder why the politicians approval ratings are tanking??? Enough already!!!
(Dang-even kids are designated criminals.)
19 Crazy Things That School Children Are Being Arrested For In America
http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/19-crazy-things-that-school-children-are-being-arrested-for-in-america
Jon Zahm
11:23 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
Cunningham is the best choice in the Republican primary, and Hickey in the Dem Primary. They are the only two candidates who have any respect or belief in protection for innocent human life.
Charles Teeter
11:39 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
I've decided to support Juan Thomas for a number of reasons. The most important reason is that he is progressive, while the other candidates really are not. Mr. Foster is far too conservative for my taste, and Mr. Hickey, while somewhat more progressive than Foster, isn't a resident in the district, and I will not vote for anyone who is running here out of political expediency. I think that Thomas wil work with Republicans, but as anyone who has paid attention knows, the Republicans have had one goal only, and that is to oppose anything the President or the Democrats want, regardless of its benefit to the country. Republicans want things their way and will NOT compromise. I don't want a Congressman who will roll over in order to play with Republicans. I want a Congressman who will stand up for the people he represents and tell it like it is. I believe that Thomas is the ONLY candidate who can do that.
Roseann
11:39 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
and best of all, he's a lawyer!!!! Yippie. We need MORE lawyers as politicians. Yup.
Roseann
11:51 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
Thomas said he supports 9th District Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s Emergency Jobs to Restore the American Dream Act,
Congressional Progressive Caucus Pushes Communist Inspired “Jobs” Scam
http://www.trevorloudon.com/2011/09/congressional-progressive-caucus-pushes-socialist-jobs-scam/
Socialist Party USA and the U.S.’s largest Marxist organization Democratic Socialists of America – which works largely inside the Democratic Party
■Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) http://www.trevorloudon.com/2010/08/socialists-in-the-u-s-congress/
Mary Cummings
12:58 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
When one party has made it perfectly clear that they are only concerned about the interests of the top 0.01% and a tiny group of religious fanatics, there is no route of "compromise" that is "best for all". The Repubs have made it clear: their principle goal is making Obama a one-term president. To that end, everything they do is designed to bring the economy back into recession. Any "compromise" with these folks is an injury to the rest of us. The anemic and watered-down legislation we got in 2009 when we desperately needed (and still do) a New Deal scale overhaul of this economy was entirely the work of the blue dogs and moderates in their quest for "compromise" with the Repubs. How many Repub votes did that get? ZERO. And as a bonus, cataclysmic losses in 2010 in the House and Senate. The "moderate" in this group would better serve the community by running against Ms. Biggert in the Repub primary.
Jimmy J
4:59 pm on Monday, February 27, 2012
Mr. Foster was one of many Democrats who voted for Obamacare..they waited until the last minute to vote in favor ..even though 60% of the American people were and are against Obamacare. He is liberal/socialist/big government snob who thinks he knows what is best for us. We need Jack Cunningham to stand up for us. Biggert should run in the Democrat primary. She is a big spending "moderate."
River Talk
9:37 am on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Judy Biggert is the worst rep we have ever had. Where are the Jobs Judy? And why do you continue to work for the 1%? So many of you republicants keep voting for this woman who does NOT represent your interests. What a sad joke. She does noting for us at all. According to the Naperville Sun of February 3rd (read the paper much?) Biggert voted AGAINST Scientific research, against the environment and greenhouse gases, FOR THE RYAN BUDGET FOR THE RICH, Against unions and the middle class, and against consumers ability to sue. She has been the WORST representative we could ever have. People, protect yourself and vote Bigger out.
jaskie1505
9:51 am on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Total agreement on Biggert. She does not represent her constituents well, unless they are big business owners.