Schakowsky gives Trump 'a big fat F,' while Elleson says 'he's done a good job'

President Donald Trump is a source of disagreement between longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Republican opponent John Elleson in next month's election.

Elleson, an Arlington Heights pastor, is seeking to end Schakowsky's tenure in the 9th Congressional District. It includes parts or all of Evanston, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Golf, Park Ridge, Wilmette, Morton Grove, Des Plaines, Glenview, Chicago, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Northfield and Northbrook.

Voters will decide Nov. 6 whether Schakowsky, an Evanston resident, should receive her 11th 2-year term or send the first-time candidate Elleson to Congress.

Elleson and Schakowsky touched on several issues in a joint Daily Herald editorial board endorsement interview Friday. Trump was one of the topics they addressed.

Schakowsky said she gives "a big fat F" to Trump for his White House performance. She said Trump is the opposite of what most Americans would want as a role model for their children.

"Part of my objection to him is the kind of bullying, the kind of language," Schakowsky said. "We're seeing it right now with Dr. (Christine Blasey) Ford, of women. The victims now, according to Donald Trump, are the men and the boys who are risk."

She said Trump's policies have resulted in the isolation of the United States from the rest of the world, and she criticized him for trying to "sabotage" the Affordable Care Act that former President Barack Obama championed.

Elleson said he's on board with the president and no longer apologizes for him. He said Trump has done well with the economy.

"Has he made some mistakes? Has he said some things that are troubling to people? Yes," Elleson said. "But many of the people knew what they were getting when he was elected. At one time, I said I would never vote for him after he said something about Ben Carson. But he's done a good job, I think, on the issues that I care about."

Schakowsky's encounter this week with Chicago police also come up during Friday's interview.

Police said Schakowsky was cited with an ordinance violation for disorderly conduct at 12:55 p.m. Thursday in front of McDonald's Corp. headquarters on the 100 block of North Carpenter Street while with Service Employees International Union members protesting over better pay for restaurant workers and their right to have collective bargaining. She said she was cited with about 50 others in what she called a peaceful protest.

Schakowsky "remained in the public way in a manner that blocks customer access to McDonald's commercial establishment after being asked to clear the entrance by the person in charge of such establishment," according to police. She's due in Cook County court Nov. 13.

"I believe that we will not reinstate a robust middle class in this country unless we rebuild the power of organized labor, people being able to gather together to fight for better wages, for better working conditions, for a reasonable retirement," she said.

Elleson said he appreciated Schakowsky's stance against McDonald's.

"Actually, I like that part of Jan because you've got to have a part, and what you believe in, you've got to fight for," he said.