January 29, 2010 Southwest News-Herald - City
36th State District Representative Race
Empty Chairs at Forum Hosted by Area Chambers
The Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn chambers of commerce held a candidate forum on Jan. 20 for Illinois State Representative of the 36th District.
The forum began at 7 p.m. at the Oak View Center, 4625 W. 110th St., Oak Lawn.
The only candidates who were present were Richard Grabowski, who is running unopposed as a Republican, and Kelly Burke, a Democratic candidate.
Fellow Democratic candidate Michael Macellaio declined his invitation, and the two remaining candidates, Angela McMahon and Karen Casey, did not respond to the invitation.
The League of Women Voters of Palos-Orland moderated the event.
The League read written questions from the audience to pose to the candidates, giving each candidate three minutes to respond.
Prior to audience questions, each candidate gave opening statements.
In Grabowski’s opening statement, he explained that he is an ordinary citizen who believes in helping others.
“I’m one of us,” said Grabowski. “I decided to run for state representative because I am tired of watching how widely and irresponsibly Illinois Democrats have spent their tax money.”
He finished his statement by saying, “Let’s stop the bleeding now.”
Grabowski then said that he attended Moraine Valley and currently lives in Bridgeview with his family.
In Burke’s opening statement, she stated that she grew up in Chicago and currently lives in Evergreen Park.
She attended the University of Illinois-Champaign and then went to John Marshall Law School.
She currently works at St. Xavier University.
“We need to get people back to work,” said Burke. “We want to improve education and make it more accessible.”
Burke then finished by saying, “With my experience, my background, my independence and my hard work, I can make a difference as state representative for the 36th District.”
Several questions were submitted to the candidates. Many were concerns of raising taxes, gun control, the state budget and the use of video gaming systems.
The first question addressed towards the candidates was, “Given the state’s finances, which do you prefer: raising taxes or cutting spending?”
Grabowski responded, “Lowering taxes would be the better alternative. It would be less of a burden on the middle class.”
Burke responded, “What we need to do to get our state budget back on track is to look at every program that can be cut.”
The next question asked the candidates whether they were for or against video gaming machines.
“The video gaming portion is problematic for a couple of reasons,” said Burke, “mostly having to do with the practicality of it. And the revenue stream will be doubtful.”
“I do not think it is a very good idea,” said Grabowski. “It is very much open to many problems of corruption.”
The next question asked the candidates what the three most important issues were to them.
Burke responded, “Job creation, pension and fiscal activity. We have to bring our state budget under control so we do not get into this situation again.”
“Jobs, getting people back to work and inviting businesses to come back to Illinois with tax cuts,” said Grabowski.
The final question had to do with gun control. The League asked, “What are your feelings about gun control, ownership among regular citizens?”
“I am in favor of restrictions on gun ownership and also the amount of guns one can buy,” said Burke.
Grabowski said, “I am pro-second Amendment. The people who have guns in their hands are those who do not have registered weapons. Those who would normally have registered guns are law-biding citizens who should be able to defend themselves.”
In their closing statements, Burke summed herself up as “an independent, informed, hard-working voice for the people of the 36th District.”
“You have been holding the key this whole time and now it is time to turn it,” said Grabowski. “As state representative, I will be an advocate for the voice of the ordinary citizens.”
For more information, contact the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce at (708) 424-8300 or at the following: office@oaklawnchamber.com.
The forum began at 7 p.m. at the Oak View Center, 4625 W. 110th St., Oak Lawn.
The only candidates who were present were Richard Grabowski, who is running unopposed as a Republican, and Kelly Burke, a Democratic candidate.
Fellow Democratic candidate Michael Macellaio declined his invitation, and the two remaining candidates, Angela McMahon and Karen Casey, did not respond to the invitation.
The League of Women Voters of Palos-Orland moderated the event.
The League read written questions from the audience to pose to the candidates, giving each candidate three minutes to respond.
Prior to audience questions, each candidate gave opening statements.
In Grabowski’s opening statement, he explained that he is an ordinary citizen who believes in helping others.
“I’m one of us,” said Grabowski. “I decided to run for state representative because I am tired of watching how widely and irresponsibly Illinois Democrats have spent their tax money.”
He finished his statement by saying, “Let’s stop the bleeding now.”
Grabowski then said that he attended Moraine Valley and currently lives in Bridgeview with his family.
In Burke’s opening statement, she stated that she grew up in Chicago and currently lives in Evergreen Park.
She attended the University of Illinois-Champaign and then went to John Marshall Law School.
She currently works at St. Xavier University.
“We need to get people back to work,” said Burke. “We want to improve education and make it more accessible.”
Burke then finished by saying, “With my experience, my background, my independence and my hard work, I can make a difference as state representative for the 36th District.”
Several questions were submitted to the candidates. Many were concerns of raising taxes, gun control, the state budget and the use of video gaming systems.
The first question addressed towards the candidates was, “Given the state’s finances, which do you prefer: raising taxes or cutting spending?”
Grabowski responded, “Lowering taxes would be the better alternative. It would be less of a burden on the middle class.”
Burke responded, “What we need to do to get our state budget back on track is to look at every program that can be cut.”
The next question asked the candidates whether they were for or against video gaming machines.
“The video gaming portion is problematic for a couple of reasons,” said Burke, “mostly having to do with the practicality of it. And the revenue stream will be doubtful.”
“I do not think it is a very good idea,” said Grabowski. “It is very much open to many problems of corruption.”
The next question asked the candidates what the three most important issues were to them.
Burke responded, “Job creation, pension and fiscal activity. We have to bring our state budget under control so we do not get into this situation again.”
“Jobs, getting people back to work and inviting businesses to come back to Illinois with tax cuts,” said Grabowski.
The final question had to do with gun control. The League asked, “What are your feelings about gun control, ownership among regular citizens?”
“I am in favor of restrictions on gun ownership and also the amount of guns one can buy,” said Burke.
Grabowski said, “I am pro-second Amendment. The people who have guns in their hands are those who do not have registered weapons. Those who would normally have registered guns are law-biding citizens who should be able to defend themselves.”
In their closing statements, Burke summed herself up as “an independent, informed, hard-working voice for the people of the 36th District.”
“You have been holding the key this whole time and now it is time to turn it,” said Grabowski. “As state representative, I will be an advocate for the voice of the ordinary citizens.”
For more information, contact the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce at (708) 424-8300 or at the following: office@oaklawnchamber.com.