The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce hosted a “Meet the Candidates” breakfast at Hawthorn Suites on Thursday, allowing candidates for midterm election positions a platform to voice their positions on policy to the Chamber.

Attendees included candidates seeking elected positions in Congress, the Illinois state legislature and Champaign County government. Each candidate was allotted three minutes of speaking time.

Politicians at the breakfast offered their experience in business, government and commerce to members of the chamber, a business interest group that represents more than 1,200 members and employs over 67,000 people.

Many of the speakers also highlighted their involvement within the community of Champaign County and the University, as well as their abilities to work with politicians on both sides of the political spectrum.

State Rep. Rodney Davis, freshman representative of Illinois’ 13th Congressional district, was the first candidate to address the Chamber, emphasizing his support of a strong agricultural industry in Champaign county and his role in passing the 2014 Farm Bill, which he said saved taxpayers $23 million.

Democratic challenger, Judge Ann Callis, also spoke at the breakfast, voicing her support for veterans and efforts to create a more transparent court system.

Callis also emphasized her support for increased business investment in higher education, and said that if elected, she would be an advocate for the University of Illinois and community colleges within Champaign County.

Several candidates for the Illinois House of Representatives also gave speeches at the event, such as Republican Adam Brown for the 101st House district, Republican Kristin Williamson and Democrat Carol Ammons for the 103rd House district. Candidates expressed support for redistricting, diversification of business and advocacy of business interests in state government.

Republican Dan Jackson and Democrats Pattsi Petrie and Pius Weibel, who seek election to the Champaign County Board, discussed their support of small and local businesses as well as their own experience within the private sector, focusing on their own positive attributes rather than attacking their opponents.

Democrat Scott Hays, candidate for Champaign County Clerk, discussed his experience in Illinois elections, expressing his desire to make voting more easily accessible for all eligible voters. Republican Gordy Hulten, incumbent, didn’t not attend the event.

Josh can be reached at [email protected].