Democratic candidates support our values
It's time to say goodbye to the incumbents who represent the Congressional IL06 and the IL Legislative 48th districts respectively. They don't hold town halls, they don't meet with constituents, and their views on women's health care are sexist, based on personal religious beliefs.
Roskam won't support the Violence Against Women Act. Breen won't support the ERA or equal pay for women. Both are afraid these bills will result in abortions; yet, they won't support efforts to prevent unwanted pregnancies by making birth control and sex education more available. They say they're for privacy, fewer government regulations, but when it comes to women's bodies, they don't care about privacy.
On the day Dr. Ford testified about her sex abuse before a Senate Committee, I overheard Breen tell his supporters at a candidate forum he is worried about the impact these allegations will have on boys. Really? I have a husband and a son. They would agree with me 100 percent that these sex abuse allegations are a teaching moment for boys, an opportunity to turn around a culture of sexual harassment and abuse.
Additionally, we have a candidate running for sheriff in DuPage County who sent out hateful anti-immigrant flyers in the primary. Illinois passed the Trust Act in 2017, which prevents law enforcement from detaining individuals based solely on their immigration status and limits cooperation with ICE. Mendrick would violate state law if he followed up on the anti-immigrant messages from his primary's flyers.
We need to elect candidates who share our values. I'm voting for Sean Casten for Congress, Terra Costa Howard for state representative, and Gregory Whalen for DuPage County Sheriff.
I'll be voting for all Democratic candidates on my ballot, in races for circuit court judge, county board, county offices, and state. You should, too.
Kim Hesterman Reed
Glen Ellyn