North Cook News

Ammie Kessem hasn't decided whether she will support Gov. Bruce Rauner's re-election or turn to another viable GOP candidate, such as Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), she told the North Cook News.

“I like some of her ideas,” Amelia Kessem said about a possible run by Ives. She also said she had mixed feedback on Rauner’s first term. 

Kessem is running for state representative from District 19 against incumbent Robert Martwick (D-Chicago), taking on what she describes as wasteful spending and establishment politics. District 19 includes parts of Chicago and Harwood Heights.

Kessem said she talked to Ives at a recent party event for the Northside GOP about some issues that she feels are important to constituents in the district.

One of these issues, Kessem said, is the protection of pensions. Some politicians, she said, are talking about changing the Illinois Constitution in a way that would put some of the plans in danger. That makes people nervous, she said.

“It could open up a lot of issues,” Kessem said. “A lot of people are concerned about it.”

Adding that officials do need to look at areas where they can make positive financial changes, Kessem said local police, teachers and firefighters want to know that they can rely on the municipalities and the state to follow through on promises that were made to them in the form of awarded pensions.

Another big issue, Kessem said, is sexual harassment.

“There is no place for sexual harassment in Springfield,” Kessem said, adding that she spoke with Ives briefly about how to combat sexual harassment in the workplace.

Although Kessem has been active in speaking out against sexual harassment in the wake of disturbing accusations against Harvey Weinstein, Mark Halperin and others, Kessem said she has never felt any of this kind of discrimination or disrespect from the core group of people around her in the Republican Party.

“Everyone has treated me with the utmost respect,” Kessem said.