Candidates to take gloves off in debates

The only thing missing from a series of League of Women Voters of the Elgin Area events might be sets of boxing gloves or an octagon cage.

In preparation for the Nov. 2 election, the league has organized a series of debates that will cover a buffet of Kane County offices, along with several state representative and state senator races.

"It's going to be an actual debate. Normally we would do Q & A with the candidates and ask questions by the audience," said League President Sigi Psimenos. "This time we're going to square off the candidates. (Past forum attendees) were tired of sound bites. They want to know where the candidates really stand."

Psimenos said the league will ask questions of candidates ranging from illegal immigration to campaign finance reform. Audience members also will be able to ask questions at the end.

Two debates will be held in the Community Room at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. They are:

• Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m., featuring 22nd District State Sen. Michael Noland, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Steve Rauschenberger; and 25th State Rep. Chris Lauzen, a Repbulican, and Democratic challenger Leslie Juby. A question and answer format will be used for the candidates for open position of Judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit, Democrat John Dalton and Republican David Akemann.

• Oct. 3 at 2 p.m., with 43rd District State Rep. Keith Farnham, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Ruth Munson and 49th District State Rep. Tim Schmitz, a Republican, and Democratic challenger Jennifer Barconi.

• Another forum for Kane County offices will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Dundee Township Park District Senior Center, 665 Barrington Ave., Carpentersville. This will be a Q & A instead of a debate.

Candidates are: Incumbent Republican John A. Cunningham, Green Party candidate Jose Luis DelBosque and Democrat Mavis A. Bates for county clerk; incumbent Republican David Rickert and Democrat Joseph Lowery for treasurer; incumbent Democrat Pat Perez and Republican Donald Kramer for sheriff; incumbent Republican Catherine Hurlbut, Democrat Jim Shales and Independent Victor LaPorte for the 19th Kane County Board district; Republican Timothy Haley and Joseph Haimann for the open District 21 county board seat; and Republican Margaret Auger and Democrat Linda M. Nuneman for the open 23rd district county board seat; along with Akemann and Dalton.

Pisimenos said all the candidates said they will attend, but Lauzen and Barconi are iffy.

Through a merger earlier this year, the LWVEA expanded its coverage area to also include Bartlett, Carpentersville, Dundee Township, Elgin, Sleepy Hollow and Streamwood.

For details, visit vote411.org or email sigiusa@yahoo.com.