84th District Candidates Talk Education, Pensions

Last week, the three Democratic candidates in the 84th State House District shared a stage for the second time, as guests of the Aurora Township Democrats. And once again, the big topics were education, pension reform, and the state budget.

The three candidates—Alex Arroyo, flight attendant and former chair of the Aurora Township Democrats; Carole Cheney, attorney and vice president of the Naperville Township Democrats; and Stephanie Kifowit, 3rd Ward alderman in the city of Aurora—are competing for the chance to face off with Republican Pat Fee in the November election.

The winner will represent the newly-redrawn 84th District, which includes the east sides of Aurora and Montgomery, and parts of Naperville and Oswego.

At Thursday’s forum, the three candidates answered questions from the audience, an audience made up mainly of fellow Democrats. The first, from moderator Vincent Gaddis, a professor of history at Illinois Benedictine University, was about education reform, and each had their own ideas of building up the K-12 school system.

Cheney said schools need to become the center of the community, and administrators need to look at the progress of individual students, instead of focusing on the whole. Arroyo suggested a progressive tax, which would mean higher rates for richer residents, and could pump more money into the schools.

And Kifowit, a substitute teacher in the East Aurora School District, said the state needs to pay its fair share to the schools, and stop relying on property taxes to fund them.

The forum’s one tense moment came when an audience member asked about campaign support from State House Speaker Michael Madigan. Kifowit’s campaign has had thousands of dollars worth of expenses paid by Democratic Majority, a campaign fund Madigan chairs.

She said she’s accepted the support of House Democrats, the same way she accepted support from the various labor unions and organizations that have donated. But Cheney, who said she has raised all of her campaign funds through grassroots efforts, said that support may make Kifowit more beholden to the party, should she be elected.

“I think we need independent people in Springfield, willing to stand up to the party in a primary, and stand up for the community in Springfield,” she said.

Kifowit said later that her independent voting record in Aurora shows a willingness to stand up to leadership and speak for the people.

Arroyo described himself as “the brokest candidate up here,” and State Board of Elections records bear him out. By the end of last year, Arroyo had raised $4,216, as compared with Kifowit’s $19,783 and Cheney’s $33,027. But he said regardless of support, all stakeholders in the state need to work together.

Pension funds have been a repeat topic at state candidate forums. Pensions at the state level are underfunded to the tune of $81 billion, due to years of underpayment or non-payment from the state. Cheney said pensions are a long-term problem that requires a long-term solution, and concessions from all parties.

Arroyo agreed, but added that the state must continue to fully fund each year’s pension obligations. And Kifowit said it is important to root out fraud and abuse of the system, and bring everyone to the table to craft an answer.

On the subject of taxes, Kifowit touted her experience as an alderman, going through city budgets line by line to find savings, and partnering with other organizations to get things done without tax increases.

Cheney said Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposed tax hike needs to run its course, and legislators can reassess it at the appropriate time. And in addition to a progressive tax, Arroyo suggested eliminating taxes on food and medicine.

Early voting is underway in the primary election, and runs until March 15. Election day is March 20.