United States Senate

Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Springfield, is the 47th U.S. Senator from the State of Illinois, the state’s senior senator, and the convener of Illinois’ bipartisan congressional delegation.

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Durbin also serves as the Democratic Whip, the second highest ranking position among the Senate Democrats. Senator Durbin has been elected to this leadership post by his Democratic colleagues every two years since 2005. Elected to the U.S. Senate on November 5, 1996, and re-elected in 2002, 2008, and 2014, Durbin fills the seat left vacant by the retirement of his long-time friend and mentor, U.S. Senator Paul Simon. Durbin sits on the Senate Judiciary, Appropriations, Agriculture, and Rules Committees. He is the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration and the Appropriations Committee’s Defense Subcommittee.

17th Congressional District

Since Cheri was first elected in 2012, she has gone out on “Cheri on Shift” job shadowing stops.

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During those visits, she has walked in the shoes of hardworking men and women from all over our community. She listens for their insight, their ideas and their input so she can bring their voices to Washington. Now in her fourth term in Congress, Cheri is the only member of elected Democratic House Leadership from the Midwest. She also serves on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. In both of these roles, she is a relentless advocate for steering the Democratic agenda to address the very real economic challenges millions of Americans struggle with at the kitchen table each night. Cheri knows that if we want to put hardworking families first once again, we need Washington to spend a lot more time listening to the Heartland.

34th State Senate District

Steve Stadelman is an award-winning TV news anchor and father of four who ran for a seat in the Illinois Senate because his experiences as a journalist and parent convinced him of the need for fresh, common-sense representation in Springfield.

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Citizens in the Rockford-based 34th District elected him with 64 percent of the vote in 2012, and his public policy achievements have twice since earned him recognition as Legislator of the Year. In his freshman year, Stadelman passed a bill to upgrade local youth sports facilities after first resolving a longstanding disagreement between the Rockford Park District and local union leaders over responsible bidding practices. Subsequent efforts protected consumers, patients, abuse victims and students. In 2019, Stadelman prevailed on two key economic initiatives that had been stalled for years: He co-sponsored and helped pass legislation to allow a casino in Rockford and secured $275 million toward development of passenger rail between Chicago and Rockford.

67th State House District

Maurice A. West II has a B.S. in psychology and sociology from Illinois College and a M.A. from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in industrial and organizational psychology. 

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He is an expert in career and workforce development having worked at Rockford University as the Director of Career Development for five years and Rock Valley College as a Career Counselor for the Dislocated Workers Program for over three years.  He is a product of the Rockford Public Schools having graduated from Jefferson High. He is active in his community, founder of Share the Warmth-Rockford, and an ordained minister in his church. He is also an award-winning music composer and founder of TheWESTMelodies.  A month before being sworn-in for his first term, Maurice married his beautiful bride, Leslie.

68th State House District

Dave Vella is a local attorney who is running for State Representative in the 68th District, which includes all or part of Loves Park, Machesney Park, Rockford, and Roscoe.

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Mr. Vella’s family has a long history of public service and community engagement. Dave, his wife Michelle, and their two children live in Rockford, where Mr. Vella is the managing partner of Vella & Lund, PC and a Rockford Township Trustee. He also has served on numerous community boards, including the Literacy Council and Keith Country Day School. Dave’s grandfather, E.J. “Zeke” Giorgi, served the Rockford area as State Representative for almost 30 years. Dave is focusing his campaign on working people, meaning he wants to bring good-paying jobs to the Rockford area, ensure schools have enough resources, and reduce crime. You can read more about Dave’s positions at his website.

Winnebago County Auditor

County Board District 1

City of Rockford Mayor

Tom McNamara was sworn-in as the 41st mayor of Rockford on May 1, 2017.

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Prior to becoming Mayor, Tom served the community as 3rd Ward Alderman, representing constituents on Rockford’s east and west sides, as well as downtown.  As Alderman, Tom introduced and sponsored key legislation to invest in neighborhoods, make our community safer, and protect taxpayer dollars. As Mayor, Tom focuses on developing and implementing plans to reduce crime, increase police technology and training, strengthen neighborhoods and schools, and encourage economic development. He advocates for lower tax rates and appoints members to taxing bodies who are fiscally responsible and share a likeminded responsibility to use taxpayer funding efficiently and effectively. Tom was born and raised in Rockford and is a graduate of Rockford’s Boylan Catholic High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree in sociology and criminology and a master’s degree in non-profit administration, both from John Carroll University in Cleveland.