Budget, education, and crime top issues in State Rep races
January 28, 2010The State of Illinois’s budget deficit, education, and gun violence top the list of concerns for many of the Democratic candidates running for state representative in the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 9th, and 10th State Legislative Districts.
2ND DISTRICT
Over his 14-year tenure as state representative for the 2nd District, which encompasses Pilsen, Bridgeport, Little Village, and McKinley Park, Edward Acevedo has made combating crime a top priority.
4TH DISTRICT
State Representative Cynthia Soto of the 4th District, which includes West Town, Ukrainian Village, and the Grand Avenue area, sponsored the Living Wage Act, which requires that employees at companies receiving state contracts earn at least $8.20 an hour. She also sponsored the Family Care program, supported extending Medicaid to low-income women for breast and cervical cancer treatment, and sponsored legislation creating a task force to allow parents to provide input before schools can be shut down.
5TH DISTRICT
In office since 2002, Kenneth Dunkin has focused on reducing domestic violence, sustaining and creating new businesses, preventing identity theft, and providing affordable child care and health care for the residents of the 5th district, which encompasses Washington Park, the Gold Coast, Old Town, Bronzeville, the Near South, the South Loop, and Chinatown.
9TH DISTRICT
The race in the 9th District is crowded as six candidates vie for the seat left vacant by State Rep. Arthur Turner, who is running for Illinois lieutenant governor.
10TH DISTRICT
In the 10th District, incumbent Annazette Collins is looking to hold onto her post, in which she has helped expand mammogram coverage for women ages 18 and older who do not have health insurance. She also supported increased funding for preschools and the Monetary Award Program for college students.
