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Summing up the 14th Congressional race

It can be easy to lose track of what candidates have really done and said as voters in the 14th Congressional District get bombarded with political mailers and highly-spun advertising on television in the final days of the contest.

Here's a look a back at where incumbent Democrat Bill Foster, Republican Randy Hultgren, Green Party candidate Dan Kairis and Libertarian write-in Doug Marks stand on some key positions:

Jobs, economy

Foster is the only candidate in the race who is a fan of the federal stimulus programs and bank bailouts. He's repeatedly said the moves were necessary to avoid an even worse economic catastrophe. Foster has said it's only a matter of time before consumer confidence is restored and the economy and jobs rebound. That said, he's admitted there's still work to be done when it comes to lowering unemployment numbers in the district.

Hultgren, Kairis and Marks all view the stimulus and bailouts as mostly failures that wasted billions in taxpayers dollars. None have an instant solution for the economy and unemployment, instead offering broad approaches of reducing government spending, not sending jobs overseas and cutting taxes. Hultgren has come out in favor of extending “Bush tax credits,” forming a job creation tax credit to spur employment and increasing tax credits and deductions for married couples with children.

Kairis speaks at length about favoring alternative energy sources, especially a plan to create gas stations that feature battery replacement for electric cars. Marks supports repealing the 16th Amendment, which allows a federal income tax, and abolishing the Federal Reserve, Department of Education and Department of Energy.

Healthcare

Healthcare reform is another major area where Foster stands alone in his support for President Obama's proposals, many of which have yet to take effect. Foster has stood by his vote as the best current path for providing a basic level of health insurance for everyone, while eliminating the pre-existing condition roadblock for many seeking coverage. Hultgren and Marks have both promised to fight for a repeal of the new reform laws. Hultgren has cited the reform as one of the major reasons businesses aren't creating new jobs. He favors a la carte approach involving cracking down on medical lawsuits. Marks views the new laws as a basic violation of personal freedom because they force people to have health insurance. Kairis is taking a wait-and-see approach with the new laws, but believes a national health tax and government takeover would be better than anything existing insurance companies can provide.

Immigration

Immigration reform is one area where there is much agreement among all four candidates. All believe in streamlining the citizenship process, the need for immigrants to have some level of English proficiency and finding some method for businesses and/or law enforcement to quickly determine a person's immigration status. None of the candidates support an immediate mass deportation. Marks has made statements that the only public benefit illegal immigrants should receive is lifesaving medical care. Welfare, public education and U.S. citizenship should not be automatically given to illegal immigrants or their children, Marks said. Both Foster and Hultgren favor some level of fines as punishment for illegal immigrants. Kairis favors deportation for any illegal immigrants who don't leave on their own within two years.

Social issues

Social issues have been little-discussed in the race, but some of the candidates have taken public positions on several topics. Foster opposes the military's “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy, but also gay marriage. He favors civil unions instead. Foster has been endorsed by the NARAL Pro-Choice America group.

Hultgren is the only candidate in the race who supports “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.” He opposes gay marriage, stem cell research and legalization of medical marijuana. He's also voted in favor of a daily moment of silence in public schools and Illinois' expansion of video gambling to fund capital projects. Hultgren is endorsed by the NRA. Kairis opposes “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” and supports civil unions. Marks supports the legalization of marijuana and believes abortion should be a state, not federal, issue. He believes the federal government should stay out of all legalization of marriage, but believes religious institutions should be able to marry gay couples if they want.

Dan Kairis
Bill Foster
Randy Hultgren