Two Democratic hopefuls differ on reviving economy

Two Democrats vying for the 9th Congressional District seat have different ideas for reversing the economic downturn gripping the nation.

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky of Evanston has served the district since 1999. She supports doling out more federal money for infrastructure projects, Medicaid and increased unemployment benefits.

"To put money in people's pockets so they can continue buying consumer goods and keep the economy going," explained Cathy Hurwit, Schakowsky's chief of staff.

Increasing money for infrastructure repairs also will create jobs and free up money for states to pay for other things, including health care, she said.

Likewise, Hurwit said if states don't have to foot additional Medicaid payments, they have additional money for projects.

John Nocita, her challenger in the Feb. 5 primary, supports more tax credits.

Nocita also would like to eliminate what he calls tax "loopholes" that benefit corporations.

Nocita, a Chicago attorney running for his first public office, supports giving tax credits to parents or guardians sending children to private schools. He also wants to issue tax credits to small business owners who extend health benefits to their employees.

Nocita said it's important to give parents a choice on whether they want to send their children to private schools so as not to overburden the public school system.

"If we all put our kids in public school, it would go under," Nocita said.

But Schakowsky opposes that idea.

Since it's not creating new dollars to encourage something that Americans aren't already doing, it rewards only parents who already have children in private schools, Hurwit said.

"As an economic stimulus, it's not going to be effective," Hurwit said.

Des Plaines and Rosemont are part of the 9th Congressional District.