On Thursday, Feb. 7, I met Charles Rayburn at Governors State University, just after a candidate debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters. Rayburn declined to be videotaped but shared a lot of his views via an audio interview. The candidate was as passionate as ever about his stance on the issues as well as his beef with the way this election has been handled thus far. Key Issues Housing Rayburn says as an insurance producer he has done more to stop foreclosures than his opponent Ernest B. Fenton, because he lets people know up front when they can't afford to buy a home and gives them …

On Tuesday, Feb. 12, I met Fatimah Muhammad on the South Side of Chicago. Muhammad is an assistant professor at Chicago State University and was inspired to run for office when she found out some of the problems at the school could be solved at the legislative level. Muhammad noted that she is not a politician and considers a vote for her to be a vote to elevate the people of the 2nd District to power. Visit Fatimah Muhammad's candidate profile on Patch to watch his speech about the 2nd District. Key Issues Education Since she is a teacher, it's no surprise Muhammad placed education as her …

On Monday, Feb. 11, I met Cliff Eagleton at his campaign office in Harvey. Eagleton is a longtime business owner that has a bone to pick with the campaigning process, and he spent a good portion of our interview expressing his distain for the power of money as it relates to winning elections. Visit Cliff Eagleton's candidate profile on Patch to watch his speech about the 2nd District. Key Issues Fairness and Equality Eagleton is all about everyone getting a fair shake. He spoke at length about all men being create equal, stating that should be true even if one man is born with a "$10 billion …

On Monday, Feb. 11, I met Eric M. Wallace at his home in Flossmoor. Wallace is not the left leaning Republican we sometimes see in Illinois. He presents himself as very conservative in his views and applies his personal values to his stance on many of the issues. Visit Eric M. Wallace's candidate profile on Patch to watch the extended video of the interview. Key Issues Economic Development Wallace said he is opposed to "giving things away" by doing things like increasing minimum wage and taxing the rich. He said he would rather look at ways to get people thinking about how they can succeed in…

On Wednesday, Feb. 6, I met Victor Jonathan at International Bible Fellowship Church on the South Side of Chicago. Jonathan had a lot to say about creating jobs in the 2nd District during the interview, and he touted his background in business as a major strength going into the Feb. 26 election.  Visit Victor Jonathan's candidate profile on Patch to watch the extended video of the interview. Key Issues Jobs Jonathan said jobs were not being discussed enough by the other candidates, and that the companies that can create jobs in area are redlining the South Suburbs to produce opportunities in …

On Thursday, Jan. 31, I met Larry D. Pickens at his home on the South Side of Chicago. Pickens spoke about a myriad of issues within the district and seemed to have a strong working knowledge them all, but one of the most interesting things he address was accountability. Pickens spoke of forming a panel of 2nd District community leaders, just to keep him in check, if elected.  Visit Larry D. Pickens's candidate profile on Patch to watch the extended video of the interview. Key Issues Education Pickens took aim at the problems within the Chicago Public Schools system, as well as those of …

On Monday, Jan. 28, I met the Rev. Anthony W. Williams at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Robbins. Williams is in a unique position, going into this election. He has run for the 2nd District seat every election year since 2004. During the interview he spoke very little about past elections but said the district knows him well because of them. Williams dove right into his key issues, possibly because he's been explaining them to people for so long.  Visit Anthony W. Williams's candidate profile on Patch to watch the extended video of the interview. Key Issues Pension and Social Security …

Monday, Jan. 28, I met with Ernest B. Fenton at his law office in Homewood. Fenton exuded confidence throughout the whole interview. For example, when asked how he would distinguish himself from the other candidates, Fenton quickly replied, "I don't know about any other candidates." Despite not being mentioned among the candidates likely to win this election, Fenton carries himself like a frontrunner. Visit Ernest B. Fenton's candidate profile on Patch to watch the extended video of the interview. Key Issues Stability in Housing In much the same way Robin Kelly ties a lot of her key issues …

On Tuesday, Jan. 29, I met with Debbie Halvorson at her campaign office in Steger. During the interview, Halvorson focused heavily on finishing what she started as a U.S. representative for the 11th District. She talk about returning to Washington to continue supporting President Barack Obama on divisive issues, including healthcare. At the same time, Halvorson explained why she diverges with Obama on the assault weapons ban. Visit Debbie Halvorson's candidate profile on Patch to watch the extended video of the interview. Key Issues Jobs Halvorson said her No. 1 concern is jobs in the 2nd …

On Thursday, Jan. 24, I met with Patrick Brutus at his South Side Chicago home. Brutus revealed early in the interview that, while he is a Chicago resident and City of Chicago employee, he spent 30 years of his life in the South Suburbs. The candidate said his current residence and his University Park roots would give him a unique perspective when it comes to representing the city and the suburbs equally.  Speaking of the city, Brutus also touted his current role in economic development for the City of Chicago, as well as several previous public sector roles, has given him a wealth of work …

On Thursday, Jan. 24, I met with Ald. Anthony Beale at his campaign office on the South Side of Chicago. Beale focused heavily on his experience as an alderman during the interview, citing past Chicago alderman who have gone on to become United States representatives. He drew on his 14-year history in his current role and used examples of his work in the city to convey what he would do for the 2nd District. Visit Anthony Beale's candidate profile on Patch to watch the extended video of the interview. Key Issues Education Beale placed education squarely at the top of his list of important …

I met with Republican candidate James Taylor Sr. on Tuesday, Jan. 22, way down in Hopkins Park. I interviewed him at the office of Kankakee County Board Member John Howard.  Taylor talked extensively about race and even acknowledged the possibility that he might be labeled a racist because of his beliefs. Regardless, the candidate focused heavily on the plight of young African-American males in poor communities and feels improving their situation will curb youth violence. One of Taylor's biggest concerns was the poverty-stricken municipalities of Pembroke and Hopkins Park, which he feels have…

On Friday, Jan. 25, I met Robin Kelly at an office in downtown Chicago. We talked about a number of things including the possibility of a woman representing the 2nd Congressional District for the first time, ever. It didn’t take long for Kelly to give a clear picture of her priorities going into this upcoming election.  Visit Robin Kelly's candidate profile on Patch to watch the extended video of the interview. Key Issues   Gun Violence By now, it's no secret that Kelly has made gun control a massive focus of her campaign. To sum it up, I've copied and pasted her recently unveiled "Five Point…