State, U.S. candidates argue immigration reform
Kirk, Kyle skip Hispanic forum

January 28, 2008
By RYAN PAGELOW rpagelow@scn1.com
Immigration was the central theme of a forum Sunday for candidates running to represent Waukegan in state and federal positions in the Feb. 5 general primary election.

The Waukegan Leadership Council, a group of Latino business and professional leaders, hosted the forum at the San Luis Mexican Restaurant Hall in Waukegan attended by about 175 people.

Both candidates vying for the Democratic nomination in the 10th Congressional District -- Dan Seals of Wilmette and Jay Footlik of Buffalo Grove -- said they support comprehensive immigration reform that grants a path to citizenship to undocumented immigrants.

Two Democrats candidates in the 60th Illinois House District race took different positions on Waukegan's decision to apply for federal power to initiate deportation proceedings against serious criminals who are not citizens. They also differed on whether illegal immigrants should be eligible for a driving certificate in Illinois.

Incumbent Eddie Washington of Waukegan supported driving certificates for undocumented immigrants who would have to pass a driver's test. He didn't support Waukegan's decision to apply for training for two officers to initiate deportation proceedings under the federal 287(g) program.

"In spirit, I think Waukegan should have left well enough alone and let Bush and the federal government worry about that," Washington said.

Challenger Tony Elam, a retired naval veteran from Waukegan, supported 287(g).

"I don't think anyone wants a convicted felon to remain in our community without serving their sentence," Elam said.

The third Democrat vying for the nomination, County Board Commissioner Angelo Kyle of Waukegan, did not attend the forum.

The Waukegan Leadership Council has been an outspoken opponent of 287(g) and was formed last summer after Waukegan applied for the program.

Washington and Elam also discussed school funding and methods of keeping Waukegan-area businesses from moving to Wisconsin.

"The state of Wisconsin has been stealing our employers by aggressively recruiting our companies," Elam said. "We're overtaxing our companies and running them out of the state."

Washington said he has been working on a plan to create a bio-tech medical district in North Chicago.

10th Congressional District
Dan Seals, a business consultant who nearly defeated Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk two years ago, said securing the border between Mexico and the United States is important, but a border wall is not the most effective way to do that. More people guarding the border would be more effective, he said. Additionally, more needs to be done to address the employers who are hiring illegal immigrants, he said.
"We've talked very tough but have done very little," Seals said.

For the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants, Seals said he supports a path to legalize their status if they pay a fine, pass a background check and have the means to be financially independent.

Jay Footlik, a Skokie native and former White House Jewish liaison under President Bill Clinton, also supports a path to citizenship for the nation's undocumented immigrants and the Dream Act, which would allow high school graduates who were brought to this country illegally as young children to earn legal status by attending college or serving in the military.

"It's not just a policy initiative, it's people's lives," Footlik said.

Both candidates also said they favor overhauling the federal No Child Left Behind mandate.

"I would not vote to reactivate No Child Left Behind unless it's given more money," Footlik said.

Both candidates also said they favor health-care reform for the nation's estimated 47 million people who don't have health insurance.

Seals recommended letting the uninsured buy into the Medicare system, while Footlik said they should be able to pay into the same federal insurance program available to members of Congress.

Kirk was invited to the forum but did not attend, said moderator Yolanda Torrez of Waukegan.


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