MARION -- In the race to represent the 117th Illinois House district, voters have a choice between Republican incumbent Dave Severin of Benton and Democratic challenger Jason Woolard of Carterville.
Severin said his background as a small-business owner and his experience in local government have provided him "with a wide range of experiences and skill sets that have helped make me and effective legislator" during his first term.
Woolard, a member and business representative of the Illinois Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 702, said his experience in the family business let him "watch firsthand the hard work that goes into making a living."
Severin wants to address the overall tax burden that he says is crushing the middle class, and says he has signed the "People's Pledge" that supports putting legislative term limits on the ballot.
As well, he pointed out he helped secure $700,000 for the Williamson County Early Childhood program when it was faced with closing, and found $1.1 million in tax credits for Heartland Regional Health Center.
Woolard says if he is elected, he sees his role to protect and create job opportunities.
"I'll find ways to encourage workers and employers to work in a collaborative way to prosper together," he said, "while at the same time providing products and services that are second to none to the people of this district, and others."
Woolard said he will focus on finding answers to equitable education funding in Illinois.
"What we need most," he said, "is to provide a quality education for the citizens of this state."
Both candidates say they are anti-abortion and pro-Second Amendment.
