The following is a transcript of a press conference held July 5th at the Government Center in Geneva by Democratic State Senate Candidate Frank Craig:

Thank you for coming today. My name is Frank Craig and I am the Democratic nominee for State Senate for the 25th District. I have a brief statement and then I will be happy to take some questions

For too many years, Illinois’ 25th Legislative District has been represented by an ultra-conservative, ineffective State Senator (Chris Lauzen - R Aurora) whose repeated contribution to the political discourse has been to attack those with opposing views and support wedge issues that divide, rather than unite us.

I have been spending every day campaigning in the 25th District (47 precincts so far) and I am hearing the same thing from Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike...they have had enough of mediocre representation from the current state senator and feel it is time for a change. People are tired of the ideological posturing from the incumbent and are looking for a leader to actually solve the important issues facing our area and our citizens. The hard working families of this area need and deserve better representation.

No one I have spoken with during this campaign has ever raised the issue of an IL gay marriage ban or denying gays their civil rights, no one has ever raised the issue of cutting off access to health care and education for immigrant children. My opponent has used all of these issues as wedges to divide us and to cater to his extremist base.

My opponent has also proven to be incredibly ineffective with dealing with the many issues that are facing the area that people are talking about. Instead of working to reform the way we fund public education to move away from our over-reliance on the referendums that place an increasing burden on our property owners and discourage economic development, my opponent's solution is private vouchers. Instead of working to reduce our dependence of foreign sources of energy by promoting home-grown sources of renewable energy, my opponent asks for a voluntary sales tax cut. Instead of working to bring back our tax dollars to improve our infrastructure, he consistently votes against initiatives to fund transportation projects, then complains that it's all the fault of the "Chicago Democrats." Kane County received a total of $200K in 2005, while other counties received millions. I submit the fault lies not with "Chicago Democrats," but with Kane County's current State Senator.

The citizens of this area deserve a legislator who can work effectively with the leaders of both parties to ensure that the concerns of the area are properly addressed. They deserve a state senator who knows the difference between contributors and constituents. This will not happen unless we make a change and elect a State Senator who can reach out to all parties and develop common sense solutions to the urgent issues at hand.

The choice this November could not be more clear...more of the same ineffectiveness and predictable excuses from an out-of-touch incumbent or a new path which stresses common sense solutions that actually address and begin to solve our problems.

I pledge to work with all legislators, regardless of party affiliation, to address and solve the real issues facing our families. No one party has the answers to all of the problems facing the area, but by working together in a real spirit of partnership, we will achieve real results.

My name is Frank Craig, and that is why I am running for state senate.

Rgds,

Frank Craig

Democratic Candidate for IL State Senate

25th Legislative District

Office: 630-897-4330

Email: frankcraig@email.com