Today’s the day we stand up for the middle class, for women’s rights, for the environment, for our figure prosperity and security. Today’s the day we stand up for our children’s generation, for seniors, for working families, for all Americans…to get our Congress working again. Today’s the day we make ourselves heard.

Today’s the day to get out and vote, to get out and win!

We voted today. Have you?

—Brad

Traveling around this district, meeting folks and hearing their stories, has been one of the great privileges of my life.

I’ve heard uplifting stories of opportunity and heartbreaking stories of struggle. More than anything, people are telling me they’re tired of business as usual in Washington while businesses continue to close at home. People can’t find work and growth is screeching to a halt, and the people of the 10^th district are losing faith in Congress’s ability to recognize the problem and do something about it.

There’s the wife whose husband had been laid off for a second time, and all they’re looking for is a fair shot.

There’s the man who wrote to me saying that for 30 years he’d worried about being fired simply for being honest about his sexual orientation.

There’s the mother who’s concerned her kids won’t have clean air and clean water.

There’s the couple who was getting worried they couldn’t send their kids to college and plan for a secure retirement.

These stories are becoming all too common in the 10^th district and across the country. If we don’t take action right now, change the direction of Congress right now, and break the gridlock right now, then we’ll break the generational promise that our kids will have a brighter future than we were given.

Reversing this direction is a matter of having the right priorities and acting.

When groups like the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, the Fraternal Order of Police, Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, NARAL Pro-Choice America, and the Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs Committee–all of whom previously endorsed Mark Kirk–endorsed me, they cited my experience and my priorities.

Two decades of experience helping small and family-owned businesses succeed and plan for the future have given me the skills to bring people together, find common ground, and solve tough problems. I’ve seen the impact of an overly complicated tax code, and I’ve seen how burdensome rather than smart regulation can get in the way. I know how to help businesses overcome their obstacles.

By focusing on rebuilding the middle class, improving our infrastructure, offering incentives to small businesses, improving education, preserving our environment, and keeping our promises to seniors, we will break through this stubborn gridlock and achieve real results.

But obstructing this progress is a slew of Republican policies based on the wrong priorities.

In two years, Congressman Dold has sided with Republicans – and the extreme of his party – on issue after issue. He has voted to defund Planned Parenthood, allow drilling in Lake Michigan, slash $250 million from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, end Pell Grants for a million students, repeal healthcare provisions preventing insurance companies from denying coverage to those with preexisting conditions, and replaced the Medicare guarantee with a voucher system. And all these votes, all these cuts funded tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and subsidies for big oil companies.

Rep. Dold talks the talk but doesn’t walk the walk: “F” from the Sierra Club; 34 percent from the League of Conservation Voters; 35 percent from the Human Rights Campaign; and 0 from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

The record is clear: these policies are on the wrong side of history and must be defeated.

This won’t be easy, and our opposition will be fierce. But I’m optimistic about the state of the American spirit, and I’m confident that we can get this done.

I honestly believe that adopting the right priorities will mean opportunities for that woman and her husband, all Americans feeling secure in their employment, the environment preserved for our children, and families resting a little easier knowing their kids can be educated and their retirement will be safe.

I hope to earn your vote this Tuesday.

—Brad

Elections seem simple, straightforward.

Truth is, the amount of work, hours, and sheer manpower of a grassroots field operation is astonishing.

During the summer, there were 87 college and high school interns and fellows making phone calls every single day in the office. Dozens of volunteers knock on doors every day, reaching out to voters. Volunteers, interns, and fellows have collectively reached more than 550,000 phone calls and door knocks, telling voters about Brad.

But this all comes down to our effort to get folks out to vote. And in the last week of the campaign, with early voting going on each day, we need to make sure that everyone actually goes to the polls and casts their ballot.

I have people ask me every single day, “Reed, what’s the best way to help out in the last few days?” My answer: Help us get out the vote.

Phone calls and door knocks getting people to the polls in the last few days can make a real difference in the outcome of this election and mean real change in Washington for years to come.

I know the results matter – for you, for our neighbors, for our parents, and certainly for our kids and their future.

Brad has worked hard every single day since this campaign began nearly 18 months ago. He’s received support from all over the district, and this race has been watched by folks all across the country. I know how much your support has meant to him – the hours you’ve volunteered and the work you’ve done.

Now, we’re nearly to the finish line. Please run with Brad through the last stretch.

The future of the middle class is on the line. The security of Medicare is on the line. The health of our environment is on the line. The ability to create and keep good 21st Century jobs in this country is on the line.

We know Brad will stand up to the Tea Party ideology that has pulled Congress to the extreme and thrown it into gridlock. He will stand up to right-wing attempts to turn Medicare into a voucher or repeal important healthcare provisions, like preventing insurance companies from denying those with preexisting conditions or charging women more for the same coverage as men. But most important, Brad will stand up for you.

We’re so close to Election Day, and yet there’s still so much work left to do. And then the real work will begin on November 7th.

A democracy demands the attention of its citizens – to stay active and informed. You have a voice. For two years you’ve said that the middle class is being hammered and that gridlock is preventing any progress from being made.

Now please stand up and let all the politicians in Washington hear you. Please help us make sure that everyone stands up and is heard.

Brad hears you.

Now let’s go win together.

Onward,
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Reed Adamson
Campaign Manager

Budgets reflect our priorities, what we consider most important.

As our nation looks to the future, we all know we must make difficult decisions to bring discipline and balance back to the budgeting process. But these decisions should be guided by our values, not the undue influence of a few special interests.

I believe that my opponent, Rep. Bob Dold, and Congressional Republicans have adopted the wrong priorities. The most telling example: twice in 20 months, my opponent has voted for the Ryan Budget. That means twice he made it clear that an additional $250,000 tax break for the most fortunate Americans, and billions in subsidies for oil companies are more important than protecting the Medicare guarantee we promised to our seniors.

Last week, I hosted a seniors roundtable with Senator Dick Durbin and Max Richtman, President of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. We were joined by 10th district residents – current and future Medicare recipients – all with the same concern: “What do we do about Medicare?”

It’s clear that Medicare can’t remain on its current path forever, and we must address the issue to ensure the promise made to our seniors. It’s a promise worth keeping.

That’s why I supported the President’s plan to extend the solvency of Medicare by eight years without sacrificing a single benefit. We need to continue stamping out fraud, waste, and abuse in the system, guaranteeing access to quality care. I also think it’s time to look at allowing Medicare to negotiate the costs of prescription drugs to increase savings. Flexibility and efficiency must be the hallmarks of Medicare moving forward.

But reforming Medicare can’t mean ending its guarantee or shifting the cost burden to seniors.

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what the Ryan plan would do – a plan my opponent voted for twice. Congressman Dold voted twice to hand seniors a fixed check and say, “Deal with the insurance companies; you’re on your own.” Congressman Dold voted twice for a plan the AARP and the Congressional Budget Office agreed would hurt seniors, that it would force seniors to pay thousands more.

The Ryan Budget’s voucher system is bad for seniors – to say nothing of the million students who wouldn’t have Pell Grants or the local governments who would lose $10 billion in federal aid – and Republicans know it.

That’s why 10 Republicans stood up against it. Congressman Dold wasn’t one of them.

And even though Reps. Ryan and Dold try to pretend that their plans would have absolutely no effect on people 55 and older, they would. All people – current and near enrollees – would be subject to as much as $6,400 more in prescription drug costs from the Ryan reopening of the “Donut Hole.”

This approach hasn’t worked in the past, and it won’t work now. But unfortunately, Congressman Dold has shown no indication that he will stand up to Rep. Ryan’s plans. Make no mistake: defeating these irresponsible voucher plans won’t be easy. But nothing could be more important than defeating them.

In order to do it, we need a new direction and a renewed commitment to the promise of Medicare, for this generation of seniors and for generations to come.

Near the end of our roundtable discussion, Max Richtman handed me a pair of boxing gloves. He told me to prepare for a fight. Not just over the next week, but once I get to Congress as well.

I have one message for the people of the 10^th district: I’m ready.

—Brad

I am a proud Latina, born and raised in Mexico City. I now reside in the U.S. and am the liaison for the Latino community to several organizations. My goal is to represent our culture and the best interests of the Latino community. Nearly 20 percent of the new 10th Congressional District of Illinois is Latino, and it is important to understand Brad’s message and why it is beneficial to our community.

As a Latino woman, one of my biggest concerns is immigration reform. That’s why I need to make sure that as Latinos we vote for Brad Schneider who will fight to make sure that immigration reform is on the table in Congress.

In addition, we need to ensure that the Affordability Care Act is not repealed. We need someone in Congress who will fight for the rights of the people. Brad will help preserve this important legislation that will benefit both Latinos and our community as a whole. As a Latino mother, I support Brad because it’s important to keep our families healthy and to have continuous health care coverage.

Education is vital for the future of our kids. I know that Brad will support the Dream Act, which will allow undocumented children brought here at a young age the opportunity to a quality education.. By educating our kids and allowing them this access, we can have more skilled workers in the American workforce and continue to grow economically.

Brad will support the growth of small businesses, which will increase the rate of employment. More jobs means that families will be able to maintain their homes and have peace of mind that they can afford their mortgage payment or rent and be able to provide for their loved ones.

Brad is an advocate for women’s rights. He believes that a woman has the right to make her own decisions, especially when it comes to health care.

I encourage every one of you who are registered to vote to join me in having a voice, showing we are ready, and having the strength to make a change in our community. It’s an easy task–all we have to do is show up on Election Day and vote for Brad.

I hope I will have the pleasure of seeing many of you on Tuesday, November 6 and that you’ll cast your ballot for Brad Schneider for Congress.

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Fanny Herman

(more…)

I am a Fellow for Brad Schneider’s campaign. I come to work every day just like everyone else. I give my undivided attention to this office to ensure that we send the right man to Washington DC. The only problem for some people is that I am not able to hear. You heard it right: I am Deaf.

For the 29 years that I have been Deaf, I’ve only known an era where our minority has hardly been recognized. I watch television like everyone else, yet not every channel has closed captioning. I go see stage performances, yet not every stage provides an interpreter. I go to job interviews with hopes of obtaining a position, yet sometimes the meeting ends right when I’ve shared that I’m Deaf. I share this experience with every Deaf person in this country.

I was raised with a Deaf family. I was warned of the obstacles I may deal with. I was warned of the barriers I may face. When I was a little boy, I watched my family suffer the discrimination that has been passed for generations. The only reaction my family could share was that it was commonplace for us, Deaf people, to be neglected. America has dealt with a history of discrimination, where some were forced to give up their dreams.

With this matter, anyone may oscillate his or her goals. With this limitation, I was acquainted with two choices. I could walk up to my peers and complain how oppressed we are and hope for someone to break this stubborn trend. Or I could stand up for what I believe in and get involved. I know where I stand, and I ask you to choose wisely, to simply choose the right man for this job.

I believe in Brad Schneider. I believe this candidate will fight to end discrimination. I believe this pro-equal rights Democrat will ensure that the people with disabilities are not forced to the back of the line. I believe this man who dedicated his free time to learning American Sign Language – just to communicate with me – will help us reach the American Dream. The People of Disabilities deserve equality and accessibility, and Brad Schneider is the choice to make that happen.

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Willis Cook Jr.

Mine isn’t a unique story. How many of us have been inspired by a special, caring, charismatic teacher?

In my case, the person I am today follows a clear line back to many teachers who inspired me, who shaped me, who helped me define and articulate who I am and what I believe. To name but a few:  Mrs. Hogan at Slavens Elementary who instilled a passion for learning; Mr. Dunn in eighth grade cultivated my interest in science that carried through to Mr. Mackey’s Senior AP Physics; Mr. Remes set me on a lifetime path of studying the world, especially American history; and, among my many great English teachers, Mrs. Wasserstein helped me develop my ability to effectively put my ideas and thoughts in writing.

But from a long list of great teachers, one teacher stands out—my high school counselor, Kathy Smith. I graduated from Cherry Creek in 1979. My academic record was good, but certainly not stellar. Yet, Dr. Smith believed in me. She saw potential in me that I didn’t see in myself. She always seemed to be there for me when I needed someone most. It was with her help that I applied and was accepted to Northwestern, and it was with her help that I laid the foundation for the rest of my life. Looking back, I’m not sure I’d be where I am today without Dr. Smith’s belief in me.

While she and I shared a special bond, Dr. Smith certainly didn’t single me out. She served as a mentor, an advisor, and a friend to many students. She recognized that a student’s character or a young person’s capacity to accomplish great things is not necessarily represented by just grades or test scores. She encouraged hundreds of students every year – helped them find their dream and then realize it.

Thanks to Dr. Smith’s help and effort on my behalf, I attended Northwestern, got my bachelor’s degree and MBA, made a career, raised a family, and now am running for congress.

Dr. Smith retired last year after 16 years as the principal at Cherry Creek.

I just want to say thank you, Dr. Smith. Thank you to all the teachers who helped me become the man I am today. Thank you to all the teachers out there now who continue to inspire a new generation of thinkers and innovators.

I think each of us can point to teachers who inspired us. My wife, Julie, can, just like I can. My parents can. My sisters can. I want my sons, my nieces, and my nephews all to be able to.

Let’s not lose these stories. Let’s not give up on improving American education.

Let’s work even harder to guarantee that the next generation can still write this story.

—Brad

I am an educator for Brad Schneider who retired in January 2012 after more than thirty years of teaching computer technologies, business, and management at Oakton Community College. 

Even though my parents never went to college, I learned the value of higher education and the difference it can make in people’s lives from them.  I was fortunate to have excellent teachers as models who encouraged me to become an educator.  As an adult, I went back to school and earned an MBA from the University of Chicago and a doctorate in community college administration from Northern Illinois University.  Yesterday, while reading my Northern alumni magazine, I learned that my first professor in the doctoral program at Northern, Phyllis Cunningham, who taught the Sociology of Higher Education, had passed away. From her I learned about the role of the community college and higher education in helping all people reach their potential. Reading her obituary reminded me of how she influenced my career.  She taught me to demand high achievement from all students regardless of their background, race, or ethnicity.  Her lessons were not forgotten as I taught community college students and hopefully made a difference in their lives, their futures, and our future as Americans.

Republicans blame teachers, unions, and pensions for much that is wrong with our society and our economy.  They want you to believe that public education is a failure and that the only solution is to get rid of unions, fire more teachers, and privatize public education through vouchers.  Yes, our system of public education has problems, but Tea Party solutions are not the answer. 

Quality, accessible, and affordable public education is a necessity if we are to continue to be globally competitive.  It prepares ALL Americans for the economy of the future.  It prepares us to be informed and capable of being leaders in our ever-shrinking world. Good and accessible public education frees us from discrimination and marginalization, teaches us to appreciate and participate in a democratic society, and helps makes the American Dream a reality for all Americans. 

I support Brad because he shares my values and will work across party lines to improve the quality, affordability, and accessibility of education for all Americans from birth through adulthood.

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Laura Saret

Visit Teachers for Brad to learn more.  

I am the Sierra Club’s Political Chair of the Woods and Wetlands Group that includes the 10th Congressional District, and in the upcoming general election, we will be supporting Brad Schneider.

The unprecedented attacks on the environment are unacceptable to me as an environmentalist and as a mother. We analyzed more than 200 anti-environmental votes since Congressman Dold was elected, and he only supported the environmental position 15% of the time – and of that 15%, only 4 of those votes were on bills or amendments to bills that actually passed. These were not procedural votes as Congressman Dold maintains, but votes on bills and amendments to bills.

It is a false choice to maintain that we have to pick between a good economy and a clean environment and Brad Schneider fully understands that.

There have been 1.7 million jobs created and $300 billion in revenue generated in industries related to environmental protection alone since 1970, when the EPA was established (with only one vote against in both the House and the Senate, by the way).  In fact more jobs are projected to be created by the EPA ordered cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay than by the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline (and with a positive environmental impact, not negative, to boot). Since the EPA was formed in 1970, the economy has grown tremendously. Our GDP has risen 3 times over while raising our public health and environmental protection standards. The Clean Air Act alone saves 160,000 lives each year with a projected savings of $2 trillion in economic benefits by the year 2020, resulting in a 30 to 1 cost-benefit ratio.

Bob Dold voted to strip protections against mercury and other toxic airborne pollutants from cement kilns and other corporate polluters. According to the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, the asthma hospitalization rate in Chicago is nearly double the national average. 400,000 children are now born with mercury toxicity in their systems.

And he falls behind on clean water as well. Congressman Dold received a failing grade on the Sierra Club’s Congressional Clean Water report card.

My decision is not just a position against Congressman Dold’s voting record, however.  If we weren’t convinced that Brad Schneider will be an outstanding advocate for and supporter of the environment, the Sierra Club would just stay out of the race and so would I.

I have gotten to know Brad well over the past few months and I am continually impressed with him. He is thoughtful, committed to the environment, and strikes me as a person who wants to protect the environment, not just because it polls well, but because he believes in it to the very core of his being. He wants to be remembered as someone who was a champion for the environment and for education. He wants to create 21^st Century jobs in a green industry that is a sustainable and growing sector of the economy. He is passionate about protecting and conserving not just our natural resources, but the health of our children and citizens. He believes that everyone in all parts of the district and country deserve clean air, clean water, and a safe climate and that our natural resources and open lands are a vital part of our country, which can’t be bargained away for a few jobs at great cost to our future generations and to our public health. He embraces science, sees a clear path, and has a vision to move our district and our country in a direction to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and embrace and encourage renewable energy. Perhaps most important of all, I believe that he will translate those beliefs into action and provide real leadership and cooperation to accomplish a brighter future for our district and our country.

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Barbara Klipp

Visit Environmentalists for Brad to learn more. 

This past weekend, I joined some 50 volunteers and organizers and some of my own staff at the Fort Sheridan beach to clear and collect shoreline debris as part of the Great Lakes’ September Adopt-a-Beach event. Seeing the committed volunteers in action reinforced my own commitment to protecting our Great Lakes now and in the future. Good environmental policy is a start, but good policy is nothing without boots on the ground. I met dozens of dedicated environmental advocates and concerned citizens, all willing to lend a hand and a few hours.

The Adopt-a-Beach initiative, as part of the Alliance For The Great Lakes, sponsors debris cleanup and collection around the Midwest. This essential work for our ecosystem and environment plays a major role in guaranteeing clean water and safe shorelines in the Great Lakes area. In 2010, Illinois Adopt-a-Beach volunteers collected more than 130,000 items of debris; and, last year, in six Great Lakes states, 10,000 volunteers removed more than 31,000 lbs. of trash.

The sheer magnitude of debris is astounding. But more impressive is the passion and diligence of the volunteers.

The EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the largest federal investment in the Lakes in 20 years, is a five-year action plan to clean areas of concern; defend against invasive species, like silver and bighead carp; prevent pollution and run-off; restore natural habitats; and build beneficial partnerships for the future of the Lakes.

One-tenth of the population depends on the Great Lakes for clean drinking water. Countless businesses depend on the Lakes to remain open. Think about that for a moment – in a country bordered by the two largest oceans, 30 million people depend on just five lakes for clean water.

In this election, more than just seats in Congress are up for grabs. Funding for these plans is at risk. My opponent voted to slash $250 million from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. And while I agree that we need to get our fiscal house in order, sacrificing funding for the Great Lakes when we’re still giving handouts to big oil companies is unacceptable. We owe it to the 30 million people who depend on the Great Lakes to secure the necessary protections that will keep their drinking water clean and safe.

Last year, 10,000 people “adopted a beach.” This year, I’m proud to say I joined them. Next year, in Congress, I will fight to protect their mission.

—Brad

Visit my environmental issues page to learn more.