Illinois Legislative District 109 candidate forum helped voters decide

Pictured are District 109 candidates Adam Niemerg, John Spencer and Andy Hires at Wabash Valley College. Photo courtesy of Wabash County Farm Bureau.

Wabash Valley College, in conjunction with Illinois Eastern Community Colleges and Illinois County Farm Bureau including Wabash County Farm Bureau, hosted an Illinois Legislative District 109 Candidate forum on Feb. 6 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.

With approximately 100 people in attendance, the candidates, Andy Hires, John Spencer and Adam Niemerg, addressed a wide variety of subjects, from worker’s compensation reform to how to increase foreign trade of Illinois products. They also discussed their positions on many Illinois tax-related issues, such as property tax, Farmland Assessment and progressive tax. Questions were not taken from the audience but attendees were able to visit with each candidate after the forum.

Several attendees approached the Farm Bureau staff and expressed their gratitude because before attending the event, they did not know whom they were going to vote for, but by listening to the candidates during the forum, they had made a decision.

The forum moderators selected their questions prior to the forum, and the candidates did not receive questions in advance.

WVC’s News Channel 15 also covered the event, broadcasting the forum live for those who could not attend.