By Mike Crouch
IV Leader Staff, Jan. 31, 2008
Interested students, staff and faculty came to meet the two Democratic candidates running for state senate of the 38th District on Jan. 23.Rudy Martin and Steve Stout answered questions and explained their views and plans for Illinois if they were given the chance to be in
office.
The two candidates were given an hour to speak to their audience and explain where they stand on issues concerning Illinois. Both candidates expressed unhappiness with those currently elected, particularly in the arena of
budgets.
“We need to get away from the personalities in Springfield and get to the issues. We need to return to common sense,” Stout
said.
They fielded questions detailing their plans to increase tourism to the area, increase sales tax to eliminate debt, restructure the public school system and possibly convert IVCC into a four-year
institution.
The forum gave the opportunity for students to become acquainted with their local politicians and the issues surrounding the Illinois
Valley.
“One of the goals of the college is to make students more responsible citizens and a big part of that is in the political process,” said College Democrats sponsor Mike Phillips, who also took the role of mediator in the day’s event. “Students say they feel uncomfortable and don’t know the candidates. Allowing students to meet the candidates increases the chances of them
participating.”
Students did indeed seem to learn about the candidates, and had some new insight on them then before. “Steve Stout definitely was the more energetic speaker, but both Stout and Martin gave powerful insight and ideas to help better our area and Illinois as a whole,” remarked Lauren Kollaritsch, one of the students who went to see the candidates.
Another student, Josh Margowski, had a more personal opinion of the speakers; “Steve was more in-your-face, while Rudy looked
nervous.”
Of course, the candidates themselves had a lot to say. During their turns at answering questions, both pointed out that Martin was a better negotiator, while Stout was a more hands-on type of person who got things done on his terms, and both gave interesting insights on issues, such as tax increases, welfare form, and dealing with Gov.
Blagojevich.
The winner in the Democratic primary on Feb. 5 will face incumbent Sen. Gary Dahl, a Republican.