North Cook News

U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) has endorsed Joan McCarthy Lasonde of Wilmette, who is running to represent Evanston, Skokie and parts of Northern Chicago and Cook County in Congress.

Lasonde, a fiscal conservative hoping to lead Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, shares many of Ryan’s beliefs, particularly as they relate to alleviating poverty. Rallying behind Lasonde — who is challenging incumbent Democrat Jan Schakowsky — Ryan lauded Lasonde’s commitment to helping the vulnerable.

 

"Joan believes in finding solutions to our nation's problems, because she is results-oriented," Ryan said. "She has worked within her community to help those who are struggling – to positively impact people’s lives.”

                                           

As Speaker, Ryan created a plan entitled “A Better Way” to restore America's economic growth and financial stability and to nurture a culture of equal opportunity.  

 

“Her willingness to bridge differences and bring people together has made her effective in her community,” Ryan said. “I am happy to endorse Joan McCarthy Lasonde for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District."

 

Lasonde has worked with several community groups to help those in need. Together with her husband, she is also a DCFS-licensed foster parent to a 7-year-old girl. Her platform embraces health care repair, national security upgrades and tax reform.

 

Reiterating issues foremost on Illinois residents’ minds, Lasonde also prioritizes education, economy and job security alongside homeland security. She would like to see job growth restored to previous levels of between 3 and 5 percent, rather than the current low figure of 0.8 percent.

 

"I am honored by Speaker Ryan's endorsement," Lasonde said. "As Congresswoman, I will work with Speaker Ryan and other members of Congress from both parties to restore our economic strength without leaving our most vulnerable behind.”

 

The candidate calls herself “pro-women” and “pro-children,” advocating a woman’s right to make choices with privacy. As a board member of the Illinois State Crime Commission, she would like to see more universal background checks on arms purchases, along with restrictions on assault weapons.

 

Additionally, she favors term limits to discourage career politicians.

 

Lasonde also views U.S. relations with the Middle East as critical in this election cycle. She recently responded to her opponent’s view on relations with Israel, taking issue with Schakowsky’s stance. Stating that Israel is “a huge issue” in the 9th District, Lasonde averred that her rival has “betrayed the Jewish community twice since … November of 2014.”

                                   

Specifically, Lasonde said, the Democratic contender failed to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech before a joint session of Congress in March; additionally, she voted in favor of President Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran.

 

"I find it unbelievable that she would vote yes for the Iran nuclear deal -- unbelievable," Lasonde said, calling Jewish constituents to action to send a clear message in November. "To me, that is game over…because both of these votes have come since the last time she won the election."

 

Regarding legislative boundary issues, Lasonde said her district has existed in its current U-shaped form for less than three years.

"It is a crazy, gerrymandered district," she said of her district, which includes Evanston, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Golf, Park Ridge and Wilmette, in addition to portions of Morton Grove, Des Plaines and Glenview — and much of the north and far northwest side of Chicago. According to its most recent iteration, the 9th District also includes all of Winnetka, Kenilworth and Northfield; and portions of Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights and Northbrook. About 30 percent is within Chicago city limits, Lasonde said.