Stratton and Tracy meet in only forum of Illinois U.S. Senate race

The two major-party candidates for Illinois’ open U.S. Senate seat met Tuesday, Oct. 20, in an hourlong WTTW News forum, their only face-to-face appearance of the campaign.^{1, 2} Democrat Juliana Stratton, the lieutenant governor, and Republican Don Tracy, a former chair of the Illinois Republican Party, are running to succeed Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, who is retiring.^{1, 2}

“Chicago Tonight” anchor Brandis Friedman moderated the forum at the Renée Crown Public Media Center in Chicago, WBEZ reported.² Whitfield Harrington of the American Center Party, also on the ballot, did not meet the station’s polling threshold to take part, according to Capitol News Illinois.¹

President Trump

Stratton called Trump a “wannabe dictator” and said, “I will be a check on this president,” pledging not to vote to confirm his nominees, Capitol News Illinois reported.¹ She said she supports impeaching Trump but noted that conviction requires a two-thirds vote of the Senate, according to WBEZ.²

Tracy said he wondered “if my opponent is running against me or against the president,” and said Stratton would “do everything she can to impeach” Trump.^{1, 2} He said he would accept a Trump endorsement but was not seeking one, Capitol News Illinois reported.¹

Tariffs and prices

Stratton said “the jury is not still out” on tariffs, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that Trump could not impose them on his own, and said refunds are owed to Americans, according to Capitol News Illinois.¹ “These refunds are going to big corporations like Amazon,” she said, according to WBEZ.²

Tracy said “the jury’s still out” on tariffs and described them as a tool to reset trade on fairer terms.^{1, 2} He called the rise in gas prices a “temporary spike,” and said it would be justified if the war with Iran stopped Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, Capitol News Illinois reported.¹

Wages and health care

Stratton backed raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $25 an hour, calling it a “livable wage, not just the bare minimum,” and supported a tax on income over $1 million and a Medicare-for-all system.^{1, 2}

Tracy said a $25 minimum wage would be “a death sentence for small businesses everywhere,” WBEZ reported.² He said the U.S. health care system is “too expensive” and said, “We need more market competition,” according to Capitol News Illinois.¹

Immigration

Stratton repeated her call to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, criticized the federal immigration operation known as Operation Midway Blitz and called for a “real path to legal citizenship, including for Dreamers.”^{1, 2}

Tracy called Operation Midway Blitz “ugly and chaotic” and said the administration “should have figured out a better way,” while blaming Illinois Democratic leaders and protesters for not cooperating with federal agents, Capitol News Illinois reported.^{1, 2}

Farm bill and food aid

Both candidates said they support a new five-year farm bill, Capitol News Illinois reported.¹ Stratton said “Republicans are holding SNAP benefits hostage.”¹ Tracy blamed Democrats for the delay and defended stricter work requirements for SNAP recipients, saying, “There is dignity in work.”¹