Illinois Candidates Gather At Weekend Forums

The mid-term Illinois primary is coming up on March 20, which means candidates are turning up the heat trying to win your vote. Here are area candidate forums and meet-and-greets taking place in south suburbs this weekend. The last day to register to vote in the Illinois primary is Feb. 20. Early voting will take place March 5 through March 19.

Southwest Suburban Activists are hosting a union strong meet-and-greet Friday, Feb. 16 at Deja Brew Bar and Grill, 5219 W. 95th St, in Oak Lawn. Hang out during happy hour and enjoy appetizers, comradery and flair. Meet the candidates and ask questions, the tougher the better. Confirmed candidates so far include Marie Newman in the Illinois 3rd Congressional District race, Abdenasser Rashid for Cook County Commissioner (Dist. 17), Bob Fioretti for the Cook County Board President, and Fritz Kaegi in the Cook County Assessor’s race. The event runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Residents of Chicago’s 19th Ward have organized a forum for Democratic candidates in two of the most competitive races in the Chicago area. The forum will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17 at St. Xavier University's McGuire Hall. 3700 W. 103rd St, Chicago. The event is sponsored by St. Xavier University's History and Political Science Department. The forum will give each candidate a chance to deliver a "stump speech" and make the case to attendees as to why he or she should have their vote in the Democratic primary. A question-and-answer session with audience-submitted questions will follow. The Q&A will be moderated by Scott Smith, host of the popular South Side storytelling series The Frunchroom. RSVP for this event on Facebook now.

The Arab American Democratic Club will host candidates running for a wide range of offices from congress to governor at a Candidate’s Breakfast which will be held at Niko's Banquet Hall at 76th and Harlem Avenue on Sunday, Feb. 18, beginning at 10 am. More than a dozen Democratic candidates vying for contested races in the March 20 Illinois primary election have confirmed their appearance. Read more about the AADC Candidate's Breakfast.

Register to Vote:

• Register online by Sunday, March 4 at the Illinois State Board of Elections.
  
• Paper/PDF postmarked by Feb. 20
  
• In person by Feb. 20, at one of the Cook County Clerk's six locations; a village, city or township clerk or an Illinois Secretary of State’s driver’s license facility.
• Print off a voter registration form for a friend.