Question Clash And A Stumble At Legislature Candidate Forum Friday

State Sen. Dan Duffy called a question about politicians interfering with women's medical decisions  "leading" and "Pro-Choice" at Friday's McHenry County College League of Women Voters Candidate Forum.    Elgin moderator Barbara Mullikan argued there were "lots of women's health issues that don't involve abortion," but Duffy refused to answer.

His Democratic opponent in the 26th Senate District, Amanda Howland, and Dee Beaubien, Independent candidate for State Rep.in its 52nd District western half including part of Algonquin and Lake in the Hills, both semi-sidestepped whether the question was about abortion. They said  a woman's health decisions ought to be between her and her doctor.  But 52nd District Republican candidate Dave McSweeney replied, "I'm opposed to late-term abortions."

The rest of the hour-long forum included questions centering on Illinois' State pension woes, jobs and taxes but, with a one-minute time limit, the answers were short on detail.  All four candidates motormouthed and Beaubien went so fast she probably outran her own mind on one answer.  "I would support a bill that would freeze taxes if your property value goes down," said Beaubien outlining a remarkable position if that's what she really meant.

The forum was originally intended to include District 14 Congressional candidates Randy Hultgren and Democratic challenger Dennis Anderson but Hultgren said he had a prior commitment. He was listed  appearing Friday evening at a Patriots United panel discussion in Crystal Lake.  Oddly, McSweeney was listed as a headliner at that event, too.

In the pic:  (l to r) Dan Duffy, Amanda Howland, Dave McSweeney and Dee Beaubien at MCC's League of Women Voters candidate forum Friday.