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This is the place for stories about races for the U.S. House and the Illinois Senate and House from districts in the WNIJ listening area.As we have done in the past, WNIJ News staffers interviewed both candidates for Congress in the following districts:District 6: Peter Roskam (R,I) vs Leslie Coolidge (D) District 8: Joe Walsh (R,I) vs Tammy Duckworth (D)District 11: Judy Biggert (R, I13) vs Bill Foster (D)District 14: Randy Hultgren (R,I) vs Dennis Anderson (D)District 16: Adam Kinzinger (R,I11) vs Wanda Rohl (D)District 17: Bobby Schilling (R,I) vs Cheri Bustos (D)All candidates were asked to answer the following questions:Economy What do you see as the correct approach to handling the federal budget and deficit?Jobs What kinds of jobs would you like to see created in your district?What role should the federal government play in creating those jobs?Labor-management relations What is your position on right-to-work laws?What should the relationship be between governments and their employee unionsDomestic energy What course should the United States take on domestic energy?Social agenda How should the federal government deal with abortion rights?What role should the federal government have regarding marriage?Foreign policy What foreign policy issues do you see as paramount for the U.S.?Qualifications What sets you apart as the best choice for your district?Other What other issues do you see as important to the district, the state and the nation?

Voter Turnout for Illinois Primary

 

Illinois election officials say it appears voter turnout was weak for Tuesday's primary. 

The warm weather wasn't enough to entice voters to head to the polls and cast their ballot.  The state board of elections won't release the final statewide number until next month.  But, a spokeswoman says they've heard from all over Illinois that crowds were light.

DeKalb County Clerk, John Acardo, says in his jurisdiction, voter turnout was nearly 23-percent.  He says while the numbers were better than he expected, they are still discouraging.

" I think a lot of it boils down to what candidates say in their messages.  I think from our perspective, we do everything we possibly can to make it as easy as possible for people to vote.  We've increased the early voting locations.  We've extended the hours in which people can vote."

Other observers say another possible factor for low turnout was the lack of statewide races beyond the GOP primary for president.