10th congressional candidates scheduled for 6 public debates
The Democrats vying to represent Illinois' 10th Congressional District are set to go head to head at six public forums ahead of the March 15 primary.
Nancy Rotering and Brad Schneider will face off at venues in Lincolnshire, Waukegan, Round Lake Beach and Highland Park.
Rotering is the mayor of Highland Park. Schneider is a former congressman from Deerfield.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face U.S. Rep. Robert Dold of Kenilworth in November's general election.
When asked about the busy debate schedule, Schneider said he feels it's important to directly engage voters in the political process, especially in light of court rulings that have given political action committees more freedom to fill the TV airwaves with negative ads.
"I am looking forward to attending the upcoming debates and forums to talk about gun safety, job creation, and the issues most important to residents of the 10th Congressional District," Schneider said through a spokeswoman.
Rotering said she is similarly eager to debate Schneider in public.
"I am looking forward to discussing our positions on reducing gun violence, providing access to health care and the Iran (nuclear) deal," she said through a spokeswoman.
The first two debates are next week.
Congregation B'Nail Jehoshua Beth Elohim in Deerfield will host the candidates Tuesday, Feb. 2. That debate is set for 7:30 p.m. at 1201 Lake-Cook Road.
The following night, Rotering and Schneider will appear at Stevenson High School, 1 Stevenson Drive, Lincolnshire. That forum, organized by the school's Political Action Club, will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Other joint events will follow.
A group called the Small Business Advocacy Council will host a meet-and-greet with Rotering and Schneider on Friday, Feb. 19. That's set for 8 a.m. at the Bonnie Brook Golf Course, 2800 N. Lewis Ave., Waukegan.
The League of Women Voters of Lake County and the Round Lake Area Public Library are holding a candidate debate Sunday, Feb. 21. It's set to begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center, 2007 N. Civic Center Way.
The Men's Club at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El will host Rotering and Schneider on Sunday, Feb. 28. That event will begin at 10 a.m. at 1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park.
Finally, the League of Women Voters of Highland Park/Highwood will host a candidate forum Feb. 28. That gathering is set for 1 p.m. at Highland Park Country Club, 1201 Park Avenue West.
The 10th District includes parts of Cook and Lake counties. It stretches from Lake Michigan into the North and Northwest suburbs.
Rotering is making her first bid for Congress. Schneider defeated Dold to with the 10th District seat in 2012 but lost the post to Dold in a 2014 rematch.