7th District candidates seek Proviso Democrats’ support

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From left Emmanuel "Chris" Welch, Sherby Miller, and Rory Hoskins listen to questions during a candidate forum hosted by the Proviso Township and River Forest Democratic Committies on Jan. 5, 2012, at the Sheet Metal Workers Lodge No. 73 in Hillside. All three candidates are running for the 7th District State Representative in the Democratic primary. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

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Updated: February 13, 2012 8:20AM

Three of the five candidates in the 7th District state representative race competed for Proviso Township Democratic Organization’s endorsement during a forum Thursday in Hillside.

Rory Hoskins, Sherby J. Miller and Emanuel “Chris” Welch answered questions during the event at Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 73 headquarters in Hillside.

Education, jobs and taxes were among the issues discussed.

Miller, of Westchester, said her priorities were ensuring adequate health care for those who can’t afford it as well as providing mental health care for returning war veterans and their families. A Navy veteran herself, she said Illinois veterans are returning home without help in assimilating back into society.

Welch’s priorities were jobs, education and crime, saying education pays a big part in the equation.

“Without education no one will give you a job,” he said.

Welch touted his 10 years as Proviso Township School District 209 board member and current board president. The entrance to the union hall off Roosevelt Road was lined with his election signs.

Hoskins, of Forest Park and a member of the Forest Park village board, said he would target the economy and the crumbling infrastructure. He touted his six years working for KPMG Inc., an audit tax and advisory firm.

“I would leverage all of my years in economic development to make the 7th District an attractive area for development,” he said.

Hoskins and Welch supported tax incentives to attract businesses and jobs to the district. Welch said developing a good relationship with local mayors is a good place to start.

Hoskins said he would create a Proviso Area Economic Development Partnership, which would be a public and privately funded partnership to attract business to the district.

Miller said she would partner with local universities to provide training for people seeking employment and making sure the training gets them employed.

“I would work with the colleges and create a curriculum so the student would have the skills to get the job,” she said.

The three were also asked how they would fund the state’s underfunded pensions.

Hoskins said the state’s pension debt needs to be refinanced.

“We need to gain consensus on tax reform through a progressive tax reform,” he said.

Miller said the debt needs to be restructured as well. “It’s a position the state should take, our pensions are underfunded and restructuring of the debt is the best way to do that,” she said.

Welch said the state’s flat income tax is killing taxpayers and concurred with Hoskins saying a progressive tax system is needed.

When asked about initiatives, Hoskins talked about how he worked with area youth, especially young boys, who were new to the district and were not prepared for the work.

“We had a growing number of students that weren’t performing,” he said. “We found resources for the school. We broke down cultural barriers especially with the boys and we were able to provide a remedy,”

Miller, who is Proviso Mental Health Commissioner and member of Westchester’s Ethics Committee, said she did not have a specific initiative, but believes she’s a coalition builder and would work to build the community in a positive way.

Welch pointed to the Proviso Math and Science Academy as one of his initiatives along with providing free bus transportation to and from high school for the students. “We provided free breakfast and lunch to students,” he said.

He said while others talk about what they are going to do, he said he has done it. “The only one that has got things done over the past 10 years is Chris Welch,” he said.

The candidates were given the chance to ask each other questions, but Miller and Hoskins opted out.

Welch, however, questioned Hoskins on how he would get things done if elected after a local newspaper (the Forest Park Review) gave him a lackluster endorsement for a local election saying he was “prone to grandstanding and complacency.”

“The paper endorsed me,” Hoskins said several times.

Welch asked Miller to give the audience an example of where she worked as part of a coalition to get something done.

“I worked with Proviso Township Mental Health Commission,” she said. “We don’t always see eye-to-eye and disagree on what agencies receive funding, but we come together for the good of the community.”

In closing the candidates explained why they should receive the Democratic organization’s endorsement.

“I’m truly the person who wants to represent you in the seventh district,” Welch said. “There are a lot of things you can say about Chris Welch, but you can’t say I didn’t get things done.”

Hoskins once again touted his experience in government.

“I have the experience to do the job,” Hoskins said. “I’m a lot like all of you. I can identify with working parents and every decision I make in Springfield I will have you in mind.”

Miller said being a political newcomer has its advantages.

“I will bring a sense of integrity to the office,” she said. “I’m a visionary and will advocate on your behalf in Springfield. I also have no baggage to bring along with me as well.”

Proviso Township Democratic Organization committeewoman Karen Yarbrough, who is leaving the state representative seat in the 7th District to run for Cook County recorder of deeds, said ballots will be e-mailed to members of the organization and they have two days to respond via e-mail. She said they should know who would be endorsed by Monday.

Miller, Hoskins and Welch are all members of Proviso Township Democratic Organization.

Two other state representative candidates did not appear at the forum: Princess Dempsey and Beyonca Johnson.

Princess Dempsey said she was not invited to the event. Johnson said she was contacted and a message left on her voicemail.

The 7th District includes River Forest and Westchester.