Attempts to speak directly with Duckworth fail

I read in the Daily Herald last February about Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth and sequestering and decided to contact her. On her website I located the phone number for her office in Washington. I spoke to her scheduler (Kesley) and was told to put my request in writing, which I did. I wanted to discuss three things: energy, jobs and health care.

After a couple of weeks with no response I called the office to follow up and was given a runaround as to why I could not speak to the congresswoman. Again, after another two to three weeks of no response I called and was forwarded to her press secretary, who said I could talk to him. Not to be rude, I said that I did not care about his opinion since I did not vote for him.

I attempted to again contact Congresswoman Duckworth after an article about the Affordable Care Act on Nov. 5. I was directed to call her local office in Schaumburg, which directed to me put my request in writing (which I did). I received a response via email from her scheduler saying, “Please allow time for an approval and consideration period of your request.” Upon no response in over a month I attempted to contact Congresswoman Duckworth’s office and was told that her scheduler has left and my request had fallen between the cracks.

I have requested and received numerous calls from my previous Congressman (Peter Roskam) to discuss various items mentioned that to the staff and was told that I should be lucky to receive that prompt attention. This is the response you get from Congresswoman Duckworth, who will be running for office in 2014. Her website says I am here for you and because of you — this is not exactly true!

Jim Giordano

Bartlett