BN Trades hosts candidates' forum, makes local endorsements

On June 5 the Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly (AFL-CIO) and the Livingston & McLean Counties Building & Construction Trades Council hosted a local candidates’ forum. Specific questions were given to candidates in advance so delegates could compare their answers.

Candidates from both parties for the Illinois 46th Senate District and the 91st and 105th House Districts were invited, along with all McLean County Board candidates.  Of the 26 candidates invited, half appeared. Courtesy was shown to all candidates.

In advance, all candidates were given these three questions and asked to prepare a three-minute response. The three questions were:

1. Will you work toward, and do you support Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for local governmental construction projects?
2. For public employees in your governmental unit, do you support neutrality to allow the workers to make their own decision on union representation, without negative pressure or outside consultants hired to thwart their democratic rights?
3.  What commitment will you make in your elected position to support the effort to fix or even undo Tier II pensions?

46th Senate District Democratic incumbent Senator Dave Koehler led the evening, positively answering all three questions. “This is a union state and we’re going to keep it that way,” he proclaimed.  He was followed by 91st House Representative Sharon Chung, an American Federation of Musicians member.  She was also affirmative on all three questions.  Neither Koehler’s or Chung’s opponent participated, nor did any 105th House District candidates.

They were followed by McLean County board candidates.  District Three candidate Democrat Rob Ogburn answered the questions affirmatively and noted his family’s union roots, saying “You’re there fighting for all of us.” Laborers 362 Democratic District 4 incumbent Jim Rogan was at a union training but submitted positive responses in advance.

McLean County District 5 has two elections, one for a two-year term, another for a four-year term.  Two-year term candidate Democrat Buck Farley also answered positively and added, “Unions are part of the thread of this nation’s fabric.”  His opponent, Republican Randy Knapp, was supportive of PLAs and hiring local, saying “if you work in this county, it feeds the local community.”  He admitted that pension reform was necessary but wanted business expansion to help cover costs.

Four-year term Republican candidate Chad Berck described himself as “very pro-union” and noted his youthful years in Taylorville, where he heard many stories of coal miners’ struggles.  He supported PLAs and suggested 401K accounts as a pension solution. Current District 5 Democratic representative Elizabeth Johnston, an Illinois Education Association member, supported all three questions and said that Tier II pension reform was critical so that “people can retire with dignity.”

In District 6 Illinois State University student Alex Duffy, a Democrat, is unopposed.  He characterized himself as “unapologetically pro-union.”  For Tier II pensions he commented that “something has to be done – elected officials should support our teachers.”

Current District 8 Democratic board member Eric Hansen supported labor on all three questions.  “If we support our local unions our local counties do better.” Hansen noted that his soon-to-be husband is a Tier II public school teacher, so he understands the needed reforms. His Republican opponent, Gary Stevens, was negative on all three questions and called for abolishing pensions, replacing them with 401K plans.

United Steelworkers 787 member Sean Fagan is the Democratic candidate for District 9.  He supported labor on all three questions and besides PLAs, wanted a “buy local” provision in county budgets.

Democratic candidate Ericka Larkin in District 10 was also labor supportive.  As a substitute teacher, she noted that Tier II pensions have a detrimental effect, forcing teachers to work more years and inhibiting new hires.  “We have to get more people in those jobs,” she said.

Earlier that day the Illinois AFL-CIO held their endorsement session and supported Senator David Koehler in the 46th District, American Federation of Musicians member and Representative Sharon Chung in the 91st and candidate Morgan Phillips in the 105th district. 

After hearing from the candidates, the two councils’ delegates convened and debated endorsements.  They voted for the Democratic candidates; Laborers 362 members Raul Martinez in District 2 and Jim Rogal in District 4; Rob Ogburn in District 3; for District 5 Buck Farley and Elizabeth Johnston, an Illinois State University Education Association member, were endorsed; Alex Duffy received the nod in District 6; District 7 candidate Val Laymon was endorsed, as was Eric Hansen in District 8; United Steelworkers 787 member Sean Fagan was endorsed in District 9 and Ericka Larkin in District 10.

At the event’s conclusion, Livingston and McLean Counties Building & Construction Trades Council President and IBEW 197 Business Manager Mike Raikes thanked the candidates for attending and commend their courage in running for public office.