Candidate Comparison
Jan Schakowsky (D) – Incumbent / Joel Pollak (R) – Challenger
| Issue | Jan Schakowsky (D) | Joel Pollak (R) |
|---|---|---|
| Stimulus | Believes the stimulus created millions of jobs, wants even more federal stimulus spending | Criticizes the stimulus for its size and composition, opposes more federal stimulus spending |
| Spending | Rated #1 biggest spender in the House, rated last in jobs and growth, worst in waste | Supports $1.3 trillion in cuts to discretionary spending, strong stand for fiscal responsibility |
| Budget | Does not believe balancing the budget is an urgent priority, and opposes federal spending cuts | Wants to cut federal spending with goal of balancing federal budget and paying down debt |
| Taxes | Wants to allow Bush income tax cuts to expire, and to raise corporate & capital gains taxes | Wants to extend Bush income tax cuts, and to lower corporate and capital gains taxes |
| Regulations | Wants to increase the size and scope of federal regulation, voted for financial regulation bill | Wants to limit regulations and put job creation first, opposed financial regulation bill |
| Trade | Against free trade, supports protectionist measures such as “Patriot Corporations” bill | Supports free trade, opposes protectionism, urges ratification of trade agreements with allies |
| Bailouts | Voted for TARP and auto bailout, also pushed for special bailout for ShoreBank | Opposes bailouts, including TARP and auto bailout, helped stop ShoreBank bailout |
| Corruption | Supported Charlie Rangel, backs earmarks, voted for ACORN, favors to donors | Proposes new ethics rules in House to allow the minority to take the lead on investigations |
| Health Insurance | Voted for ObamaCare, wants to add “public option” and achieve goal of single-payer system | Wants to repeal ObamaCare, replace with tort reform, allow insurance across state lines |
| Afghanistan | Opposed troop surge, wants to cut defense funding drastically and pull out troops immediately | Supported troop surge, wants to maintain defense spending and ensure American strength |
| Israel | Believes Israel must make concessions, blames Israel for poor relations with Obama | Believes Palestinians must make concessions, criticizes Obama’s treatment of Israel |
| Terror Trials | Wants terror detainees tried in federal civilian courts, and to move prisoners to Illinois | Opposes civilian trials for terror detainees, opposes moving prisoners to U.S. homeland |
| Education | Opposes merit pay & school vouchers, skeptical of charter schools, wants more federal spending | Supports merit pay & school vouchers: money follows the child, expansion of charter schools, spending alone not the answer |
| Environment | Voted for Cap-and-Trade, no to oil drilling in Alaska or offshore, supports alternative energy | Against Cap-and-Trade, yes to safe oil in Alaska and offshore, supports alternative energy |
| Immigration | Wants amnesty for illegal immigrants, opposes additional border security & enforcement | Opposes amnesty, supports border security first, reform to streamline legal immigration |
| Abortion | No restrictions on abortion, vowed to vote against Stupak amendment in health law | Abortion not a federal issue, against constitutional ban and also against federal funding |
| Gay Marriage | In favor of allowing same-sex marriage at federal level, repeal Defense of Marriage Act | Marriage not a federal issue, favors allowing states to decide for themselves by law or vote |
| Guns | Favors strict federal gun ownership restrictions, opposes concealed carry legislation | Opposes restrictions on gun ownership except for military guns, favors concealed carry |