North Cook News

Jessica Tucker is a Republican running for the Illinois House in District 18.

That alone is a challenge, as the state's General Assembly map has traditionally been drawn by the Democratic opposition. Tucker understands the challenge, but she remains optimistic because of the varied demographics in her district.

Jessica Tucker believes the best candidates are those who don’t rely on their political affiliation to solve the state’s problems. | Contributed photo

 

“I know it’s kind of tough,” Tucker recently told North Cook News. “I mean, we have a very unique district from the small-town charm and character like a Glencoe or a Kenilworth or a Winnetka … and then you have the more urban landscape of Northbrook, Glenview, as well as Evanston. So, it is quite varied.”

 

While District 18 is a diverse area, Tucker asserts that voters share a common worry.

 

“The common concern I found among voters throughout the district is Springfield,” she said. “So there is a lot that unites us right now. Springfield is not working for our state. It’s dysfunctional. It’s broken. It’s not working for our district. It’s not working for our constituents.”

 

Among the problems Tucker laments are the decimation of social services and the lack of funding in higher education.

 

“We can go through the list of the difficulties right now,” she said. “So, there is a lot in common that I think it’s not a partisan issue anymore. It’s really, ‘Who are the best candidates that are going to look at the issues and solutions?’”

 

Tucker believes the best candidates are those who don’t rely on their political affiliation to solve the state’s problems.

 

“One of the things when I served at the local level in Winnetka (is that) we run as independents,” she said. “We don’t bring partisan politics into the conversation at the local level. We focus on issues and the concerns of the community. We work together cooperatively and with compromise to get the job done and move the community forward in a good way and in the best interests of all.”

 

Her fight is not with Democrats but with the problems the state is facing. She wishes to work with everyone in resolving its troubles.

 

“When I look at District 18, I’m really not concerned about partisan politics or who is a Democrat or who is a Republican,” Tucker said. “I look at who is concerned about the state of the state: who is concerned about the economy, the unemployment rate, the low credit ratings, the high unfunded pension liability and the high property taxes -- that list of things that we need to work on together.”

 

Tucker believes this perspective resonates throughout her district, and that people are looking for someone who is going to look at the issues and solutions rather than at the party or partisan politics.

 

Partisan politics has also created turmoil within the Democratic Party, allegedly causing those who refuse to follow House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) to be blacklisted or forced out. Tucker admits that -- while she stands firm on her belief that what matters is the result and not party loyalty -- it can be difficult at times.

 

“It is tough,” she said. “A lot of people just see it as ‘which party’ or ‘which side are you on’ instead of ‘we should all be on the same side and all on the same team’ to work together for once. It’s like kids in a sandbox throwing sand at each other all the time. So it is difficult in that sense.”