CANDIDATES FOR ILLINOIS 13TH SENATE DISTRICT PARTICIPATE IN FORUM
Candidates for Illinois 13th Senate District participate in forum
BY TIA CAROL JONES
Indivisible Chicago South Side hosted a 13th District Candidate Forum that included Illinois State Senator Robert Peters and challenger Ken Thomas on Monday, March 2, at First Unitarian Church of Chicago, 5650 S. Woodlawn.
The forum was moderated by Esther Peters, co-leader of Indivisible Chicago South Side, and covered the need for more mental health services, Obama Presidential Library, as well as what both candidates have learned.
The 13th Senate District covers parts of the Gold Coast to the north, Wolf Lake to the south, Bronzeville, South Chicago and Calumet Heights. Peters was appointed to fill the seat left vacant when Kwame Raoul was elected Illinois Attorney General in 2019.
In his opening statement, Peters talked about his upbringing, his time as a community organizer, working to increase the minimum wage, as well as his accomplishments during his first year in office.
“I was able to pass 13 bills, the most for any freshman senator, elected or appointed,” he said. “I still feel like this isn’t enough.”
Thomas talked about being raised primarily by a single mother and struggling financially. He talked about his hard work and education and his faith and what led him to become a lawyer.
“I became a lawyer. I never forgot where I came from, I never forgot who I was growing up and the resources I had. So, I made a promise to keep as a part of my law practice to represent low-income tenants. I also kept that promise by representing victims of domestic violence,” he said.
When asked what he learned while in office, Peters said he has learned a few things.
“We don’t have as much power as we should. I also learned more people up in the district need to know what is happening in Springfield,” he said. “When you come to Springfield, my office is open to you.”
Thomas said since he has been on the campaign trail, he learned that South Shore has the most evictions in the city. And, that only about 12 percent of low-income residents are represented by lawyers, but 80 percent of the landlords are represented by lawyers during the eviction hearing process.
“We know it’s affecting women of color, Black and brown women,” he said.
Thomas added that there should be a change to the eviction laws. He said criminal justice and political reform are also huge issues for him.
Peters said that he would be happy to meet with residents and talk about the Obama Presidential Library and Jackson Park.
“I support the Obama Center. I think, yes Jackson Park is a jewel,” he said.
Peters added he understands the importance of Cornell Drive and it is dear to him because it is where he used to play soccer.
Thomas said he has become concerned with some of the proposed developments in the neighborhoods. And again, called for transparency in the process. “We want development in our neighborhoods, but we don’t want people displaced,” he said.
Election day is Tuesday, March 17. Early voting began on Monday, March 2.
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