March 28, 2024
Local News

Kennedy who is running for governor of Illinois makes stop in Morris

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MORRIS - Chris Kennedy made a stop in Morris Friday night as part of his fundraising tour for the next gubernatorial election.

Kennedy, son of Ethel and Robert Kennedy, is currently running as a Democrat for governor, but will be facing off in the primary against JB Pritzker and others.

When asked why the people should vote for him over his opponent or current Governor Bruce Rauner, he said because of the fundamental differences between Democrats and Republicans.

"I can be a force for good, I want to take care of the kids and the elderly as well as invest in our economy," Kennedy said.

He said Rauner is just wearing a disguise with his many outfits to fit in with the crowd he is in, when in reality he is just trying to privatize things such as prisons and make them into profit centers for his friends.

Morris native Martha Shugart, who ran as a Democrat for a State Representative position, hosted the event along with Remzi Jaos and Kim Sangmeister Puckett and said she loves the fact that Kennedy is genuine and a real person.

"You wouldn't know he's a Kennedy. He's so approachable," Shugart said. "He's for the people and he is genetically a leader and a genius at business."

Kennedy said his No. 1 priority is the way that schools are funded by property tax instead of with a progressive income tax.

"It's fundamental. We don't educate our kids," he said. Our schools are so underfunded that students need remedial classes before they can even go on to their college courses."

He said the reason for the underfunding is because we pay for it at the expense of taxpayers rather than at the state level where he feels it should be paid.

He said the hand full of power leaders on both sides of the aisle in Springfield are getting rich because on top of serving in Springfield they also deal in property tax appeals, people like Madigan.

"We have to stop the racket in Springfield," he said.

Kennedy said he hopes to stop back in Grundy County soon on his travels as he seeks election.