Hatcher, Healy plan appearances in 50th House race

So far, the mailboxes of voters in the state House 50th District race are not overflowing with fliers from the candidates.

It's a vast departure from the spring Republican primary, where incumbent Kay Hatcher was fending off two challengers.

Now it is just her and Democrat Linda Healy seeking the seat.

Voters looking for campaign-related information from the two have a couple of options: candidate websites, Hatcher's Facebook page, and public appearances by the two.

Both intend to attend a League of Women Voters forum at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 in St. Charles. It will be held at the Norris Cultural Arts Center, on the campus of St. Charles East High School, 1040 Dunham Road.

Healy will also take part in Saturday's Oktoberfest in Montgomery, and at a "meet and greet" with the Oswego Chamber of Commerce from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Fox Bend Golf Club.

The Kendall County Farm Bureau has planned a forum for 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Kendall County Courthouse, 110 W. Madison St. in Yorkville, which Hatcher said she plans to attend.

Healy is the former director of the Mutual Ground shelter in Aurora. It serves victims of domestic violence. She retired in 2009. She also worked for several years as a schoolteacher.

Hatcher, who is seeking her second term, was senior marketing services director for Senior Services Associates. She has also done consulting and media relations work, including being a community relations director for Illinois Bell.

Hatcher, who lives in Yorkville, has served on a school board, the Kendall County board and the Kendall County Forest Preserve Commission. Healy has not held elected office.

Both consider themselves to be pro-choice when it comes to abortion.

Healy, who lives in Aurora, cites "restoring fiscal responsibility" to Springfield as her No. 1 campaign issue, including balancing the budget and "adequately" funding school and social services for families, senior citizens, veterans and victims of crimes like domestic violence. During the state's 2009 budget-making stalemate, Mutual Ground closed its residential shelter for two weeks because of a delay in state reimbursement for services rendered; it reopened with a gift from a private donor.

Hatcher says creating a stronger job market is her primary campaign issue.