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Question of the day

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Illinois

* During an international pandemic, mass unemployment, often violent racial division, rising drug abuse, child abuse and suicides and God only knows what else, Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) was asked this question by the Daily Herald…

Q. What is the biggest challenge facing your district and how do you propose tackling it in the legislature?

A. Lobbyists, patronage political workers, and significant Madigan funded special interests are already operating in McHenry and Kane Counties. The people of the 66th Legislative District need their local newspapers to report how much money has been spent by Speaker Madigan on my opponent.

* The Question: What would your answer be to the Daily Herald’s question?

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:05 pm

Comments

==What is the biggest challenge facing your district==

Tone deaf politicians at the State and National level with priorities completely out of whack, who ignore the need for immediate government responses during a legitimate national crisis.

Comment by fs Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:08 pm
Maybe he could have thought thinks that people actually care about, such as:
(a) Jobs - many people lost them, and those that still have them are finding companies starting to repurposed or eliminated because of the pandemic (this is just beginning and the fallout will be chatastrophic for many families);
(b) schools - the struggles of e-learning; struggles of not allowing kids to participate in sports; and mental health issues children will face because of the pandemic; and
(c) lack of childcare to help with a and b.

Just 3 quick and easy answers that resonate more than patronage.

Comment by southsider Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:13 pm
“The biggest problem facing my district, and Illinois is clearly the virus.

We can’t have an economy without addressing the virus. Educating children, the challenges facing education are brought upon by the virus. As I look at unemployment and closed businesses, the virus has caused damage with long term damage. Unemployment could lead to homelessness, the virus is putting families who had income, a roof over their heads, children going to school… in 2019… possibly in a position that none of those securities in life are firm.

The biggest problem? The virus.

Wear a mask, stay socially distant, and I’ll work tirelessly to help in the time now until we can function to help constituents cope. We all are in this, me included. We’re all effected. No one is immune.

We’ve lost over 8,000 Illinoisans, tens of thousands have been or are currently infected. We all need to be better, and I’m committed to serving this district to help with this challenge.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:15 pm
Political tribalism, disdain for science, and viewing compromise as capitulation.

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:16 pm
Getting the pandemic under control, because until that happens, it will be impossible to address all of the other economic challenges we face.

Comment by ILPundit Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:16 pm
Biggest challenge?

The incumbent.

The solution?

Voting him out.

Comment by Leigh John-Ella Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:17 pm
The ban on foreclosures that prevent evicting Madigan from inside so many peoples heads? S/

Comment by Retired And Still in Illinois Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:18 pm
“Jesus, you want me to pick one? Listen, we can walk and chew gum.”

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:18 pm
That’s all you need to see why Ness received their endorsement.

Comment by Blue to the Bone Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:34 pm
The utter and complete disconnect of these Illinois defeatists…

For Allen specifically, his number one priority to tackle if reelected is the same as always: Complain.

Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:37 pm
===their local newspapers to report how much money has been spent by Speaker Madigan on my opponent===.

Quid Pro Quo — The local newspapers to report on how much money has been spent by the Uihleins, Kochs, etc. on Skillicorn’s, Ives, etc. behalf. I didn’t know they had glass houses in East Dundee.

On to the QOD: Not much more to say than what fs and OW said.

Comment by Big Jer Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:40 pm
Turn on your TV and watch these ads funded by Mike Madigan touting political newcomers who will go to Springfield to fight corruption.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:42 pm
Unfortunately, I live in district where the Rep. is one of the “blame everything on Madigan” people.

In fact, the biggest challenges facing our district are:

1. Covid related impacts on business in Downtown Arligngton Heights; and

2. Like the rest of the state, we need to take the IL budget seriously. “Blame Madigan” and “No Taxes” will not fix the budget and until we do so, Illinois residents and businesses will have a lack of long term visibility when it comes to the state’s financial condition.

How do I propose tackling those issues? Well, that’s why I’m not running for State Rep.

For the first one, I genuinely don’t know.

For the second, we need to increase revenue and that means taxes need to go up. We can’t wish it away.

Comment by Gooner Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:44 pm
Keeping the pandemic under control to minimize its negative impact on our economy and ability to participate in community life. The biggest threat to that is our current president and the frightening ability of social media to radicalize a segment of our population against basic precautions like wearing masks.

Comment by Earnest Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:46 pm
Right now, COVID 19. Before COVID 19, just the overall divisiveness of America the beautiful.

Comment by pool boy Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:50 pm
Our biggest challenge is identifying and electing people who actually want to govern and are willing to do the work it entails.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:50 pm
===What is the biggest challenge facing your district…===

Clearly, the biggest issue is whether the incumbent state representative plans to quit and move out of Illinois or stay and do something (anything) productive for the voters. The uncertainty isn’t helping.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:54 pm
We have temporarily lost the ability to recognize that our fellow Americans may often be opponents but are almost never enemies.

The Greatest Generation had its flaws, but after fighting Germans and Japanese, they knew the difference between an opponent and an enemy.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:57 pm
Q: What is the biggest challenge facing your district?

A: People’s inability to care about and unwillingness to care for others, especially those unlike themselves.

Q: How do you propose tackling it in the legislature?

A: …

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 3:06 pm
Surprised Skillicorn didn’t answer:
“The lack of a more direct route between Springfield and Harvard”.

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 3:06 pm
Keeping the state out of bankruptcy.

Comment by Collinsville Kevin Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 3:08 pm
===… out of bankruptcy.===

States can’t go bankrupt.

Unless it’s snark, then well played

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 3:13 pm
The absolute amazement I have that public health has become political football. Whatever happened to caring about your fellow man and woman?

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 3:20 pm
So sad that ones political obsession becomes the driving force

Comment by Frumpy White Guy Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 3:23 pm
Covid 19, jobs, and the unwillingness of politicians to find a way to actually work together.

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 3:24 pm
Southsider times a billion. Kids need to be in school. Full stop. Schools in Dupage are full remote. Full in person. Guess what hasn’t happened? Deaths and hospitalizations. Take a stand for the kids. Easy answer. If you aren’t a politician or teacher union member.

Comment by Fighter Of Foo Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 3:25 pm
Given that Public Official A has been in news, I think it would be appropriate for the news reporters to put the endorsement and the amount of money contributed or raised for GA Candidates By Public Official A in news articles.
Not sure it is the most important area to cover, but it seems to be an area that the Daily Herald routinely ignores.

Comment by Back to the Future Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 3:40 pm
===but it seems to be an area that the Daily Herald routinely ignores===

https://www.dailyherald.com/search/?query=madigan

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 3:43 pm
Good point by Mr. Miller. Their have been a lot of stories on Springfield governance issues and that was important to clarify.
My concern was the Daily Herald’s coverage about all the money going into these local races that has been raised by Public Official A.
Again, maybe not the biggest issue, but informing the general public on the amount of money going into these races and where that money comes from is important particularly in light of the ComEd agreement with the USDA.

Comment by Back tot he Fture Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 3:56 pm
High school football.

In all seriousness, General cooperation amongst constituents. I think discussion can exist on a lot of things with how things are being handled, but the unwillingness to commit to wearing masks and socially distancing is troublesome.

Comment by Mr. Hand Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 4:00 pm
The pandemic and all it touches. first and foremost the health and welfare of my constituents. making sure masks are available, advocating for testing, and ensuring that first responders are given all they need to help people. the problems with the unemployment system in Illinois must be corrected to ensure that people have money for food and shelter and food pantries to help fill in the gaps. Preparing for when there is a vaccine, making sure that the area hospitals have the extra cold storage necessary to keep vaccine in supply.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 5:55 pm