(The Center Square) – Democrats and Republicans are focused on different issues as they try to attract undecided voters in Illinois.
State Rep. Marcus Evans, D-Chicago, told The Center Square at last week’s Democratic National Convention that there needs to be more infrastructure construction in the United States.
“I think the issue that people want to look for is at the kitchen table. Am I gonna have a decent-paying job? Are these businesses going to sustain? Transportation: we gotta talk about infrastructure, right? Across the world, they’re focused in infrastructure. I visited Panama. They’re building new buildings and roads. What are we building in the United States? Where are all the cranes in Chicago? Where are the cranes across this country,” Evans asked.
Sean Dwyer is a Republican candidate for state representative. Dwyer told The Center Square that public safety is a big issue.
“It’s a lot about how people feel as they leave their homes. We’ve got 2,000 badged positions in the Chicago Police Department right now that Mayor [Brandon] Johnson has said he’s not going to hire for,” Dwyer said.
Dwyer added that elected officials need to hire more cops and call a crime a crime.
Democrats hold a super majority in Illinois, but Evans said it’s important for Democrats to refine their message.
“Politics is going to be full of agendas, lies and innuendoes. We want people to say, ‘Is my life going to be better under this particular leadership?’ Is this sustainable leadership?” Evans asked.
Evans said Democrats believe they have the best presidential ticket and a solid leader in Vice President Kamala Harris.
Dwyer said it’s important to talk about education.
“Let’s educate our kids so that they can be more successful in their careers and spend the dollars that they make. Remember, nationally, we’ve got four percent unemployment. If we can turn out employable kids, they will get jobs. In Chicago, of course, given our administration, unemployment is about six, six-and-a-half percent, I think, so literally 50% above the national average. The point being, let’s educate our kids. Let’s give them the choice that enables them to succeed at the highest level they can,” Dwyer said.
Dwyer told The Center Square that the Invest in Kids scholarship program could have been instrumental in ending cycles of violence in cities like Chicago.
Illinois Democrats allowed the school choice scholarship program to end last year.