By Adam Studzinski
NORMAL – Chicago alderman and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ameya Pawar wants to offer Illinois voters a “new deal” – not unlike the one created by FDR.
Pawar represents Chicago’s 47th ward. He spoke Monday night with potential voters at the Normal Public Library.
Pawar explained he’s tired of watching elected leaders tell people how different they are.
“Cities against small towns, farmers against factory works, one race against the next, this is wrong. It’s a race to the bottom,” said Pawar. “What we should be doing is uniting and focusing on income inequality, and lifting all boats.”
Pawar’s proposals include investing more in education, creating a new childcare subsidy, implementing a jobs and capital bill, and criminal justice reform. He added he plans to relate to downstate voters by simply talking to them, which is how he first got elected in Chicago.
“Most people just want stability. They want to be able to send their child to a good school, hopefully send them to college, save for the future and their retirement, maybe get ahead,” said Pawar. “That’s all that most people want. In Chicago, in Cairo, in Rockford or in Bloomington, that’s all that people want.”
Pawar explained he would work to end the budget impasse by bringing Republicans and Democrats together. He said it will take a combination of cuts and new revenue to find a balanced budget.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
