Schoenberg hides from forums

KENILWORTH -- Republican challenger Brendan Appel is frustrated with Democrat Senator Jeff Schoenberg who's determined he's too important, too comfortable, too confident or too illusive to face 9th Senate District voters in candidate forums.  Lurking in the shadows, he's safe, he assumes. 

Appel has challenged Schoenberg to five debates -- one in each of the district's townships and Chicago's 49th Ward.  Schoenberg hasn't shown up at any district forums and this week, the Wilmette League of Women Voters canceled their scheduled October 26th forum because Schoenberg refuses to attend.

“I can understand why Jeff Schoenberg does not want to debate me – if I had his record of raising taxes on working families, voting to ease sex-offender registration requirements, helping Rod Blagojevich to raid pension and highway funds, and failing to reign in out-of-control spending, I wouldn’t want to face the voters either.

"I will debate Jeff Schoenberg and his failed policies anywhere, anytime. I challenge Jeff Schoenberg to come out of the shadows and defend his record to the residents of the 9th District,” said Appel. “For the last six years, the working families have wanted hear from their state senator, now is their chance.” Schoenberg has lacked an opponent for state senate since 2002.

Schoenberg has been largely absent from the district this election cycle, making relatively few appearances, with the exception of a press conference in Northfield that highlighted the Willow Road expansion, and a press conference in Northfield with Senator James Meeks, when he provided his assistance with busing children from the City of Chicago to New Trier High School. By contrast, Appel has attended several town hall meetings and candidate forums and has been talking with residents of the 9th District by going door-to-door.

“If Jeff Schoenberg feels he has a strong record, he should be willing to defend it,” added Appel. “The residents in this district have the right to hear from their elected officials.”

The 9th Senate District includes all of Evanston, Golf, Kenilworth, Northfield, Wilmette, and Winnetka; along with parts of Chicago (Rogers Park), Glencoe, Glenview, Morton Grove, Northbrook, and Skokie.