Politics

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?

Romney Wins Illinois

Northern Public Radio | By Associated Press

Published March 21, 2012 at 2:29 AM CDT

Front-runner Mitt Romney called the Illinois primary an ``extraordinary victory.''
     The former Massachusetts governor won the contest with ease, defeating Rick Santorum and padding his delegate lead in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. Romney spoke last night in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg.
     Romney told supporters he believes in the American people and knows ``our future is brighter than these troubled times.''
     Preliminary exit poll results showed Romney preferred by primary goers who said the economy was the top issue in the campaign. Exit polls also showed Romney was overwhelmingly favored by those who said an ability to defeat Obama was the quality they most wanted in a nominee.
     Neither Newt Gingrich nor Ron Paul campaigned extensively in Illinois.