Learn about the people running your new home
July 23, 2006
For those who cannot get enough of the political process, or are looking to be involved in it for the first time, the Champaign-Urbana area will have plenty of opportunities for democracy-oriented students this fall.
Currently, the cities of Champaign-Urbana are represented by Naomi Jakobsson in the Illinois House, Rick Winkel in the Illinois Senate and Tim Johnson in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Jakobsson and Johnson are running for re-election in November, but Winkel decided against running for another term.
The city of Champaign is led by Mayor Gerald Schweighart and Urbana is led by Mayor Laurel Prussing.
The following is a guide to let you know more about those running and representing the cities that will be your home during your stay at the University.
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Champaign and Urbana
The city of Champaign is run by Mayor Gerald Schweighart and the Champaign City Council.
Schweighart has served as mayor of the city since 1999 and his current term will expire in 2007.
The city council is made up of nine members – Schweighart and eight elected members. Three are elected by the entire city and five are elected in districts.
The city operates using the City Manager form of government. The city manager oversees all nine department heads that direct administrative functions for the city.
On the other side of Wright Street, Laurel Prussing is the mayor of Urbana.
The city is run by a seven-member council with all seven representing different wards. Prussing serves as the chair of the council.
52nd State Senate District
Current State Sen. Rick Winkel (R) announced he would not seek re-election in August 2005 and since then three candidates for the seat have announced a bid for the position.
Democrat Mike Frerichs is currently serving as the Champaign County auditor and is a two-time member of the County Board.
Frerichs has said he would advocate increased funding for higher education and will work to expand affordable health insurance if elected. www.mikefrerichs.com
Republican Judy Myers has served in the state senate before, but in the 53rd District instead from 1997 to 2002.
Myers has also said she would work to increase higher education funding and would help create a better economic climate to create jobs and encourage business growth. www.judymyers2006.com
Socialist Equality Party candidate Joe Parnarauskis is the third-party challenger in the 52nd state senate district race, but it’s not completely certain if his name will appear on the ballot since Democrats are challenging his petition signatures.
Parnarauskis’ central platform focuses on withdrawing all American troops from Iraq, which he said will allow money being spent on the war to be used for other programs in the homeland.
103rd Assembly District
Democrat Naomi Jakobsson is the incumbent and has served in the Illinois General Assembly since 2002.
Recently, Jakobsson has called for the state to study the potential effects of the sale of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s loan portfolio. (no campaign Web site)
Republican challenger Rex Bradfield is a business owner in Urbana and has no prior government experience. Bradfield has said he supports more funding for higher education because it allows for people to pick themselves up and get smart people thinking. www.rexbradfield.com
Green Party candidate Tom Abram is a University employee as an engineer and recently has filed a petition to be on the ballot in November. www.tomabram.org
15th Congressional District
Incumbent Republican Tim Johnson has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2001 and also served as a state representative for the 104th District starting in 1976.
He is a University of Illinois graduate and recently announced a $2 million grant for the University for nanomedial technology. www.timjohnsonforcongress.com
Democrat challenger Dr. David Gill is once again squaring off against Rep. Johnson after losing in 2004 with 39 percent of the vote. Gill, physician and a University of Illinois alumnus, is an advocate of universal health care and opposes the invasion of Iraq by the United States.
