Candidates in 43rd Dist. tout their platforms

Candidates for the 43rd District state representative seat stated their cases for election on Nov. 4, with Republican Ruth Munson promising to continued tenacity while her challenger said it was time for a change.

"Tell me it can't get done and I'm going to make sure it gets done," Munson told a crowd at an Elgin church Thursday night.

Munson, who is seeking her third two-year term after being appointed in December 2002, pointed to fighting to get Route 20 improved and tougher legislation to fight identity theft and gangs.

The Democratic nominee, Keith Farnham, said he would work hard to deliver funding for various social service agencies in Elgin that will inevitably be called upon to help people in tough economic times.

He also said a fresh approach was needed to break through the impasse in Springfield.

"(We hear) it's the Republicans, it's the Democrats. Guess what, it's both," he said. "It's a total breakdown of government."

Munson said she's worked with local leaders and made Elgin the location for her home and business. She also stressed she was able to secure state funding for local agencies as well.

"I deliver results for this community," she said. "I want to see us prosper."

Farnham harped upon bringing new businesses to the routes 31 and 25 corridors, filling empty storefronts, adding another Metra station, luring a college to downtown Elgin and changing people's perception of the city as a whole.

"We need to thing outside the box in our community otherwise we're going to slide backward," Farnham said.

Both candidates agreed that illegal immigration was a problem.

Munson said fighting it is the federal government's duty and it needs to have a comprehensive plan.

Farnham said more can be done locally, such as increasing the penalties for businesses that hire illegal workers to a level where the fines outweighs the potential profit.

The district includes Elgin, Carpentersville, South Elgin and East Dundee in both Kane and Cook counties.

The forum was organized by the Near West Neighbors Association.