Illinois Election 2012

This is the place for stories about races for the U.S. House and the Illinois Senate and House from districts in the WNIJ listening area.As we have done in the past, WNIJ News staffers interviewed both candidates for Congress in the following districts:District 6: Peter Roskam (R,I) vs Leslie Coolidge (D) District 8: Joe Walsh (R,I) vs Tammy Duckworth (D)District 11: Judy Biggert (R, I13) vs Bill Foster (D)District 14: Randy Hultgren (R,I) vs Dennis Anderson (D)District 16: Adam Kinzinger (R,I11) vs Wanda Rohl (D)District 17: Bobby Schilling (R,I) vs Cheri Bustos (D)All candidates were asked to answer the following questions:Economy What do you see as the correct approach to handling the federal budget and deficit?Jobs What kinds of jobs would you like to see created in your district?What role should the federal government play in creating those jobs?Labor-management relations What is your position on right-to-work laws?What should the relationship be between governments and their employee unionsDomestic energy What course should the United States take on domestic energy?Social agenda How should the federal government deal with abortion rights?What role should the federal government have regarding marriage?Foreign policy What foreign policy issues do you see as paramount for the U.S.?Qualifications What sets you apart as the best choice for your district?Other What other issues do you see as important to the district, the state and the nation?

Congressional Race: 6th District

Northern Public Radio | By Jenna Dooley

Published October 24, 2012 at 6:00 AM CDT

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Democrat Leslie Coolidge is facing incumbent Republican Peter Roskam. Coolidge, a Harvard educated CPA, says she has the fiscal wherewithal to help make the economy a priority in Washington. Roskam campaigns in a Democrat-drawn district which largely keeps a Republican stronghold of voters. The district includes portions of McHenry and Kane counties.

Roskam's campaign was contacted repeatedly for an interview, but did not respond to WNIJ's request.

Leslie Coolidge says she would like to see investment in research projects such as Fermi Lab. Coolidge is opposed to right-to-work laws, and believes in the right of unions to collectively bargain.

Domestic Energy

Coolidge would like to see an overall plan focusing on reducing consumption. She points to the new fuel economy standards as a model for a solution to reducing energy consumption.
She also would like to see the production tax credit continue.

Foreign Policy

Coolidge is supportive of the Obama administration and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's stances on foreign policy.
She sees a need to maintain a strong military, but says using those assets should be the "last course of action."
Roskam has stated the federal government can be competitive with other countries by overhauling its tax code.
Roskam supports strong sanctions on Iran.

Marriage

Coolidge says from a civil perspective, she believes people should have the right to marry who they choose.
She says it is discriminatory for same-sex couples to be denied the ability to file a joint tax return
Roskam supports the Defense of Marriage Act as current law.

Abortion

Coolidge favors offering women access to contraceptives and education in order to make abortions more rare. Ultimately though, Coolidge says it should be a women's decision with her doctor.
Roskam opposes abortion.

Medicare/Healthcare

Coolidge does not support turning Medicare into a voucher system.
According to his website, Roskam wants to give people the ability to purchase insurance across state lines and expand the use of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).