Highland Park City Council Candidate Debates Debated

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — On the morning of the first candidate forum featuring all three candidates for the open seat on the Highland Park City Council, one candidate publicly called for additional debates before the April 4 election.

"We are lucky enough to have so many Highland Park residents who are engaged voters, and who want to make informed decisions about their vote," wrote Davis Schneiderman in a Thursday release.

"All three of us are also currently not serving on City Council, and since the result of this race will result in a new member of Council, there is no Council record for voters to turn to in making their choice. Therefore, I am writing to respectfully invite my opponents to engage in a public debate."

Schneiderman, a Lake Forest College professor, suggested collaborating to "determine schedule, venue and format."

His two opponents, Laura Saret and Adam Stolberg, did not reject the invitation but seemed bemused by the timing of Scheiderman's request, which came the morning of the Ravinia Neighborhood Association forum that saw all three candidates together on stage.

They both said they learned of the request for additional debates within minutes of when it was sent.

"There are already opportunities to present our points of view tonight at the RNA forum and at the League of Women’s Voters Forum," Saret, a professor and educational consultant, pointed out in an email.

She said it was more appropriate for any additional debate to be organized by an outside group rather than from a challenge from one candidate. "If a neutral, independent party held another forum or debate, of course, I would be happy to participate."

Stolberg, the president of a property management company described the March 19 candidates forum as a debate and suggested he was open to scheduling another one without requiring outside sponsorship.

"I have reached out to Davis to discuss his thoughts on the venue, format, ground rules and timing of his proposed debate," Stolberg wrote. He took issue with Schneiderman's suggestion there was a lack of "Council record."

"I have an almost six year record of public service as a City of Highland Park Commissioner and former Chair of the Plan Commission," Stolberg wrote. He said he was proud of his record and suggested voters visit the city's website to see the minutes of the planning commission.

After the RNA forum Thursday, Schneiderman pointed out the format of the upcoming LWV forum doesn't differentiate between the three candidates seeking one seat for a two-year term and the four candidates seeking three seats for four-year terms.

"My call is for an event specific to the two-year term candidates, which follows a more traditional debate model," Schneiderman said via email. It would serve the electoral process, he said, to have "an appropriate space for a deep dive into the issues."