NEWS ARTICLES | July 28, 2009
Hamos announces House run to enthusiastic crowd
By Bon Seidenberg | Pioneer Press | Link to article
To chants of "Julie, Julie, Julie!" from enthusiastic supporters, State Rep. Julie Hamos, D-18th, officially announced her candidacy Tuesday for Congress in the 10th Congressional District.
Hamos, since 1998 state representative of the 18th District -- which includes a small southern part of the 10th Congressional District -- was flanked by an impressive array of fellow legislators as she gave her announcement speech at the Heller Nature Center in Highland Park.
Included in the group were State Sen. Jeff Schoenberg, D-9th; State Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-57th; State Rep. Karen May, D-58th; State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-12th; Buffalo Grove Mayor Elliot Hartstein; Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, D-13th; and some new supporters, including Lake County Commissioner Anne Bassi.
Some had worked with Hamos, a noted "policy wonk," in Springfield on complex policy issues.
"I am really excited to have someone of the caliber of Julie Hamos represent us," said May. "With Barack Obama in the White House, it's just frosting on the cake to have someone like Julie representing this area."
In Springfield, "Julie was our leader, putting together coalition blocs to either pass something or roadblock them until we hammered it out the way we wanted it. So we really are grateful she is willing to do this."
"I can't think of anybody who would be more prepared and with the skill set to be a leader from the day she starts," added Nekritz. "She demonstrated that time and time again in the General Assembly. She will hit the ground running."
In her speech, Hamos, 60, a public interest attorney and then an assistant Cook County state's attorney before taking office, cited the leadership roles she has played throughout her public career -- from forging the state's first domestic violence laws to her work on opening access to medical records, and shepherding the solution to last year's transit funding crisis.
She also spoke of hope of joining President Obama. Hamos and Obama stood side by side as the only two public officials at an anti-war rally in Federal Plaza in late 2002, speaking out against the impending invasion of Iraq.
"I would be proud to support the president's reform agenda in Washington. Today, Congress is tackling health reform. If I were in Congress right now I would be supporting President Obama's initiative rather than stalling it as (Republican 10th District U.S. Rep.) Mark Kirk has done," she said to cheers from the audience.
She listed "kick starting" the economy, a commitment to clean energy and clean water, reduction in violence in the streets and homes, and access to quality health care, "including reproductive health care," as strong goals.
"As a daughter of Holocaust survivors, I am passionate about Israel as the Jewish state that has a right to co-exist with safe and secure borders -- and I am committed to supporting human rights and democracy throughout the world," she said.
"Clearly, the economy is not improving as fast as we would like, and President Obama has asked us to be patient with the Stimulus Plan. But I will demand fiscal responsibility in government -- as I have done as a state legislator -- making sure that public dollars are being spent wisely and laws are being implemented effectively."
Hamos currently lives in a condominium building in downtown Evanston, located in the 9th Congressional District. About a third of her state representative district, however, is located in the 10th District.
Hamos has put her Evanston condominium up for sale and plans to move into the 10th District as soon as she sells it, a campaign aide said Monday.
Democrat Dan Seals of Wilmette, who ran unsuccessfully against Kirk in 2006 and 2008, announced July 21 that he, too, will seek the 10th District seat.
"Dan Seals had two opportunities in the most favorable time for Democrats," observed Feigenholtz. "I don't know him but I do know Julie. I think she brings an extraordinary skill set.
"She's a great negotiator. She's a coalition builder and I think right now with the Democrats grappling with health care, really the most important issue facing the country, she's got the skill set. I'm really excited."
"I supported Dan Seals in the past, I respect him," said May. "Julie is proven and she's a leader and knows all the issues. That road test is what sways me."
Kirk, R-10th, of Highland Park, announced July 20 that he would be running for U.S. Senate and would not seek re-election to the 10th District seat in 2010.
