District 7 Congressional Forum Held In Austin
District 7 Congressional Forum Held In Austin
BY TIA CAROL JONES
Candidates vying for the District 7 Congressional seat participated in a forum on Thursday, Jan. 30, at Chicago Public Library – Austin Branch. The forum was hosted by Northeastern Illinois Chapter of Americans for Democratic Action and Northside Democracy for America.
Kina Collins, Anthony V. Clark and Kristine Schanbacher gave their views on voting rights, childcare, economic development and how they would legislate if they were elected to the office. Seventh District Congressman Danny K. Davis was not in attendance, but Ira Cohen served as his surrogate. Richard Means, chair of ADA Northeastern Illinois, served as the moderator.
Congressional District 7 stretches from Merrionette Park, Near North Side, Oak Park and Westchester. It also encompasses Austin on the West Side and Greater Grand Crossing on the South Side. Davis has represented the district since 1997.
Anthony V. Clark, a teacher and non-profit founder and director, said he supports voting rights and his campaign has debuted a reparations packet. He did acknowledge that low voter turnout and low voter education are a problem.
“The Democratic party, particularly in Chicago, benefits from low voter registration. The establishment benefits from low voter registration,” he said. “It’s important we invest in our people.”
Cohen said when it comes to getting out the vote and organizing, Davis has been at the forefront. “The congressman was a driving force in making sure there were majority/ minority districts,” he said. “There’s a long history of the congressman being involved in this issue.”
Schanbacher talked about campaign finance laws.
“We need to comprehensively change our campaign finance laws. This district is extremely economically diverse. Our campaign is resonating with everyone,” she said.
Collins said full representation in the district is important.
“We have the largest life expectancy gap in the country,” she said. “Representation does matter. Think long and hard who says they’re going to represent all of us.”
Clark said he supported Election Day as a holiday and automatic voter registration.
When it comes to adequate childcare in the district and the country, Cohen said Davis is in favor of free public school education, as well as free childcare.
Schanbacher said she is in favor of paid parental leave and an increase in maternal health care.
“We need to do better with our childcare,” she said. “We need to require (paid parental leave) on a federal level.”
Collins said she sponsored HB5544, the Illinois Council on Women and Girls Act. The legislation sought to create a new council dedicated to researching and investigating the social and economic factors that hold Black women and girls back in society.
“I will fight for Universal Pre-K, and in our district, ending the school-to-prison pipeline,” she said.
Clark said he supported free lunch and breakfast, as well as adequate childcare.
“It is extremely important because I see firsthand how our parents and families are struggling,” he said.
When it comes to economic development, Schanbacher said there needs to be an affordable housing boom in the district. She said she supports the Green New Deal, which would address economic inequality and climate change.
Clark also said he supports the Green New Deal.
“Anyone who wants to work, should be able to work. We have working homeless in Chicago, we need a livable wage,” he said.
Collins said there is a need to identify opportunity zones in the district for real estate and for small businesses. She also suggested bringing more small businesses to Madison Blvd.
“We saw communities deteriorate in real time here on the West Side,” she said. “We need to bring back manufacturing jobs.”
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