Gun Control: Where Does Your Congressman Stand?

Patch contacted 10 newly elected representatives to find out what they plan to do to help curb gun violence in our country in the wake of last week's mass killing in Newtown, CT. Those who actually wanted to discuss the issue say it's time for a change.

When members of the 113th Congress take their seats in January, one of the top items on their agenda very well could be a new look at federal gun control laws.  In the wake of the Newtown, CT, tragedy of one week ago today, President Obama on Wednesday set a January deadline for his administration to "create concrete proposals" to curb gun violence in the United States. Obama also called on Congress to reinstate an assault weapons ban that expired in 2004 to "pursue the possibility of limiting high-capacity ammunition clips" and to "close a gun show loophole that allows people to purchase firearms from private dealers without a background check."  What will come of this renewed debate is yet to be seen, but what is certain is that …

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Two More Announce for 11th District Race

Democrat Juan Thomas and Republican Chris Balkema both want to represent the newly created district, which includes all of Plainfield.

Petitions don’t need to be filed until Nov. 2, but the race for the newly created 11th Congressional District is already starting to heat up. On Monday, former Aurora Township Clerk Juan Thomas announced his run for the office, the third Democrat to do so. He follows on the heels of Republican Chris Balkema, a Grundy County Board member from Channahon who announced his bid over the weekend. The newly drawn 11th District has no incumbent. Those who have already thrown their hats in the ring are Democrat Bill Foster, former 14th District congressman; Orland Fire Protection District President James Hickey, a Democrat; and Republican Aurora Alderman Richard Irvin. Thomas, a native Auroran, returned to the city in April after spending 18 months…

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About Town

GOP Winners May Be Key to Freeing Up Cash to Study River Flooding

Plainfield Township has been seeking a federal grant to begin looking at ways to curb DuPage flooding, but so far without success.

The political current may be surging to get the long-anticipated DuPage River study started.  An initiative launched by Plainfield Township and U.S. Rep Judy Biggert (R-Hinsdale) in the summer of 2009 for a comprehensive storm water study has been stalled, waiting for legislators to find the $200,000 needed to get the project off the ground.  In total, the cost for this type of study runs into the millions. Now that the mid-term elections are behind us, there is likely to be renewed political appetite for passing big spending bills. Township officials think Republican Adam Kinzinger's upset over incumbent U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson (D-Crete) in the 11th District, and a new Republican majority in the U.S. House, will be the impetus needed …

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