Campaign info

• Name: Ernest B. Fenton
• Position sought: Illinois Second Congressional District Representative
• Website: fentonforcongress.com
• Email: fenton4congress@gmail.com
  

Personal info

• Age: 42
• Education: Chicago State University, BS Business Administration, Harvard Law School, JD
• Occupation: Managing Attorney
• Political Party: Democrat
• Official name of campaign: Fenton for Congress
• Previous Elected or Appointed Offices: None

Candidate Questions

Is there any additional experience you believe qualifies you for the position?

I started a retail business during my 1st year of Law School at Harvard- importing goods from Africa and Mexico. After Law School I ran that business in 2 locations for over 7 years. 

I have been a practicing attorney for over 10 years. I have the largest law firm in South Chicagoland that handles foreclosure defense, loan modifications, and consumer advocacy. I have helped over 20,000 clients to date, saving them upwards of $20 Million in mortgage expenses. Many call me, "The Social Justice Attorney". 

Thus, I have a 17 years of practical business experience. 10 years of legal experience.

What would your priorities be if elected to this office?

• Principal Reductions on All Mortgages where the value of the home is less than the mortgage.
• Jobs & Jobs Training - Primarily technology training for manufacturing jobs and IT jobs.
• Early Childhood Education
• "No Touch Policy" on Medicare and Social Security
• Gun Control

Which of Jackson's 2nd District plans do you agree with and plan to continue?

Peotone Airport

How do you define a small business, and what can government do to support them that isn't being done?

Revenues 0 - $100 Million (although analyst say upwards to $500MM)

I think there is much being done for small businesses. I think their is a disconnect with the communication channel it's being funneled through. Most of the laws supporting small businesses that are made in Washington reaching the people in the districts they served. I think most of this is due to communication channels. 

That's why I plan to set up a "Community Cabinet". 100 community members from the district who are channels of communition when there are laws that helps small businesses.

What steps would you take to reduce the federal deficit? If it includes tax increases, what taxes? And if it involves federal service cuts, which?

The solution is Simple - raise Revenues and lower Expenses.

As a business owner, I know this task all too well.

What should the government do to create more jobs?

Support the private sector. We need entreprenuers to create jobs, not just the government. 

That's why we need Centers of Entreprenuerialship in the 2nd District that are visible.

Should the federal government set different measurements than now for economically disadvantaged students, special education students, students learning English as a second language, etc?

It's not a matter of different measurements, but of opportunity. 

Everyone is born into a different situation. We must acknowledge that situation and set up steps that can help them succeed. 

This is America "The Land of Opportunity" for everyone. It shouldn't matter the race, economic status, or disability. Everyone deserves at least an opportunity in America.

Bi-partisanship is often mentioned by congressional members. Tell us how you would work with members of the opposite party?

I already do! Much of my clientale and even some of my employees are of an opposite party. 

I've learned that people are not as concerned partisanship when they know that we have a common goal. 

However, I would like to see a Congressional District Swap Program established. Different parties from congressional districts would spend a week in the other party's district so that they can understand their constinuents' issues.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony, sued successfully or had a restraining order placed against you? If so, please explain.

NO