Group to sponsor candidates’ forum

BY BRIAN L. HUCHEL
Commercial-News

DANVILLE October 03, 2008 01:18 am

— Residents can get their look at the stance of candidates on political issues during an upcoming event.
The long-running Candidate Forum will feature a number of political offices this year. Scheduled for the event are candidates for Illinois senator, 15th District congressman, 104th District state representative as well as the county offices of auditor, circuit clerk, coroner and state’s attorney.
The forum, conducted on the Danville Area Community College campus, is a 20-year event first sponsored by the American Association of University Women. Several organizations have since joined in.
Ruth Koenig is publicity chair of the Danville branch of the AAUW. She said the forum is a valuable opportunity and a service to the community.
It offers the chance to get information about the candidates and where they stand.
“You see them dealing with questions and having to confront concerns that they had never been aware of before, concerns the voters have,” she said.
As part of the event, each candidate will be given a chance to speak to the crowd for a few minutes. Then, once each candidate has spoken, they will field written questions submitted on cards from audience members.
The event will be moderated by Janet Cornelius, who will read the questions to the candidates.
In addition to specific audiences, Koenig said those people running for county board seats will be introduced to the audience and available for conversation following the event.
Koenig said whether an incumbent or challenger, the event gives candidates an “equal voice” to the people.
Candidates scheduled at this point include challengers Steven Sauerberg for Illinois senator and Steve Cox for 15th Congressional District; incumbent Bill Black and challenger Lori DeYoung for 104th state representative; challengers Randy Brinegar and Dan Brown for state’s attorney; challengers Dennis Gardner and Darla Cruppenink for circuit clerk; incumbent Peggy John-son and challenger Michael Rortvedt for coroner; and incumbent Linda Anstey and challenger Stephen Green for auditor.
Two incumbents will not attend Monday’s event. Koenig said Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Timothy Johnson will be attending a debate in another part of the state.
WHAT’S NEXT
The American Association of University Women’s Candidate Forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday in Bremer Conference Center at Danville Area Community College.