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January 12, 2006--District Six in Illinois, Rep. Henry Hyde's former seat, is up for grabs in 2006. Several candidates have thrown their hats into the ring, but one candidate stands out above all. Christine Cegelis, single mother of two, pushed Hyde into early retirement with her run in 2004 by gaining 44% of the vote in this district that is supposedly unwinnable for Democrats. In 2006, Cegelis is running again, and this time she fully intends to win.
Christine Cegelis is a progressive to be admired. She speaks eloquently of her opposition to the Iraq occupation, and of the need for the United States to join the global community by joining the community of nations in support of the Kyoto Protocol. The issues closest to her political heart, the issues that matter most to the sixth district, center on job creation and the establishment of a robust economy for her constituents.
"I listened to my sons and their friends when they came out of college," says Cegelis, "heard about all the debt they were carrying and how hard it was to find jobs. All the jobs that young people can take in areas like Information Technology are being outsourced. We are heading in the wrong direction economically."
"I have always believed," says Cegelis, "that you are supposed to hand over the country to your children in better shape than you received it. We are not doing that. I went to a state college and worked a minimum wage job for $2.50 an hour. Even with that small wage, I was able to afford an apartment, a car, tuition and books, and was able to graduate in four years with no debt. That is impossible now, and that has to change."
Cegelis has specific plans for the development of economic vitality in her district. "This district is losing jobs for the first time in 50 years," says Cegelis, "and a lot of that has to do with O'Hare Airport. O'Hare has been the economic anchor of this district for years, but thanks to Henry Hyde, the airport stopped expanding and those jobs disappeared. O'Hare used to be the transportation hub for the country, but we have fallen behind, and I intend to change that."
"I see the development of alternative sources of energy as another job creator for this district," says Cegelis. "We have one of the largest bases of light manufacturing in the country here in this district, and some of the best engineering schools to be found anywhere. Developing an alternative energy industry in the Sixth District will not only help the environment, but will create many jobs for the people here."
The political beliefs of Christine Cegelis combine broad, progressive ideals with the kind of pragmatic wisdom that the people of her district need. Her elevation to the House of Representatives would be a tremendous boon not only to the Sixth District of Illinois, but to the entire country. Following the endorsement by PDA's Chapter in Illinois' 6th Congressional District, national Progressive Democrats of America warmly and enthusiastically endorsed Christine Cegelis in this race.
Note: To receive national PDA endorsement, a candidate must be endorsed by each PDA Chapter that has representation in the geographic area covered by the office the candidate seeks. For example, a candidate for House of Representatives would be officially endorsed by the Spokescouncil only if each Chapter with members in the Congressional District involved endorsed the candidate. Similarly, a candidate for statewide office would be officially endorsed if each Chapter within the state endorsed the candidate. The endorsement process begins with individual Chapters and is then ratified by the Spokescouncil.
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