IL-03 Congressional Democratic Candidates Face Off In LWV Forum

The League of Women Voters of the La Grange Area, Palos-Orland Area and Chicago forum for candidates running in the Democratic primary for the 3rd Congressional District is set for Feb. 20. The forum runs from 7 to p.m. at Lyons Township High School, South Campus, 4900 Willow Springs Road in the Performing Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Two Democratic candidates — Rush Darwish and Charles Hughes — plan to participate. Lipinski did not respond to the League’s invitation and Marie Newman bowed out after initially accepting the League's invitation when learning that Lipinski would most likely not participate.

Asked if the Newman’s recent endorsement by the Sun-Times in the IL-03 Democratic primary might persuade her to change her mind, Newman’s campaign manager Ben Hardin said Newman still hopes to participate, but only if Lipinski is there too. Her campaign sent a certified letter to all four of the congressman’s campaign offices in the district, asking Lipinski to reconsider his decision or to accept Newman’s terms of a separate debate at a time that is more convenient.

“He has yet to respond back,” Hardin said. “We truly do hope to participate in the forum … however, what we believe is most important is that this forum includes Congressman Lipinski because his record has been damaging on so many fronts and voters need to hear about our platform in contrast.”

Should Newman reconsider, she will need to seek the League’s permission to participate in the forum. The Illinois Primary is March 17.

Participating candidates will make brief presentations on their backgrounds, qualifications and interest in running for office. This will be followed by questions from the audience and the League of Women Voters submitted to the LWV Moderator. Additionally, questions submitted by
citizens in advance of the forum will be asked of the candidates. To submit a question,
please email LWV2020District3@gmail.com.

The League will host a forum, also at Lyons Township High School, South Campus, in Western Springs, for candidates running in the IL-03 Republican primary on Friday, Feb. 21.