Hear candidates at debate forums
League of Women Voters of the Elgin Area members, in conjunction with the Gail Borden Public Library, will host two open debate forums in the community rooms at the library, 270 N. Grove, Elgin.
"As we approach the Nov. 2 election, the LWVEA is working hard to register, educate and encourage voters to fulfill their most precious civic responsibility," said Sigi Psimenos, president of the LWVEA.
"This year, we are proud to host actual debate formats between the candidates - something that hasn't been done here before. The citizenry has demanded, and we hope to provide, getting more in-depth answers to the issues facing us rather than short sound bites."
On Thursday, Sept. 30, the election debate forum at 6:30 p.m. will center on the 22nd Legislative District for state senator, wherein incumbent Michael Noland will debate Steve Rauschenberger; for the 25th Legislative District incumbent Chris Lauzen will debate Leslie Juby; and a question-and-answer format will be used for the candidates for judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit, John Dalton and David Akemann.
On Sunday, Oct. 3, debates at 2 p.m. will center on candidates for the 43rd Representative District, where incumbent Keith Farnham will debate Ruth Munson, and for the 49th Representative District, where incumbent Tim Schmitz will debate Jennifer Barconi.
Through a merger earlier this year, the LWVEA expanded its coverage area, which now includes Bartlett, Carpentersville, Dundee, Elgin, Sleepy Hollow and Streamwood. A candidate forum dealing specifically with education was held earlier this month by this league in Bartlett.
Additionally, the LWVEA (Rutland/Dundee Committee) will host a candidates forum Thursday, Oct. 14, at the Dundee Township Senior Center for the offices of Kane County Clerk: Jack Cunningham, Jose Luis DelBosque and Mavis A. Bates; Kane County Treasurer: David Rickert and Joseph Lowery; Kane County Sheriff: Donald Kramer and Pat Perez; Kane County Board 19: Catherine Schick Hurlbut, Jim Shales and Victor La Porte; Kane County Board 21: John P. Fahy and Joseph R. Haimann; Kane County Board 23: Margaret Auer and Linda M. Nuneman; and for the 16th Judicial District: David R. Akemann and John G. Dalton.
"From educating and registering voters, this local League has worked for 82 years to actively engage voters in building a better nation, and this election season is no different. So it's in voters' best interest to come to these forums and ask questions," Psimenos said.
The LWV also has an easy-to-use, nonpartisan voter information website, www.VOTE411.org. The site provides a polling place locator and information related to voter registration, absentee voting, early voting, ID requirements, voting machines and contact information for elections officials.