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When U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald announced earlier this year that he would not seek re-election, the Republican Party scrambled to find replacement candidates. Democratic efforts have also ignited, and there are currently eight candidates to oppose the GOP.
Gery Chico, former president of the Chicago Board of Education, is a U.S. Democratic candidate for the 2004 Senate elections.
"The cornerstone of this campaign is improving education," said Michael Golden, campaign manager for Chico. "He has had experience and success with Chicago Public Schools, and he hopes to use that experience to improve education standards for the entire state."
Chico has visited areas in Southern Illinois, including Murphysboro and East St. Louis, to tell the area about the Teacher Initiative Bill. The bill is a policy to recruit teachers and keep them within the teaching field to increase the quality of education for students.
"This will definitely affect universities in the long run," Golden said. "There are more education planks to come, and under these plans, students will be better prepared students for higher education."
The Chico for U.S. Senate campaign has reached $2.25 million. As of March 31, his campaign has raised more money than any other non-incumbent in the country, according to the campaign's website.
Golden said that the expected budget for Chico's campaign is anywhere between $6 million and $8 million.
Blair Hull, 60, has said that he is dedicated to leveling the playing field for the underdog.
"He is one of the most interesting candidates," said Jim O'Connor, spokesman for the Hull campaign. "He has never been in politics, but he has been a teacher, union worker, a soldier for four years and a business owner."
O'Connor said that Hull's three main concerns are providing universal health care, improving the economy by increasing the number of available jobs and education.
O'Connor said that Hull has made an ongoing commitment to Southern Illinois. Hull said that in order to get the region's economy going, the coal industry must be revitalized.
"He understands that the state of Illinois is larger than just one city," O'Connor said. "Carbondale was where he set up his first regional office and where he did his first TV appearance."
According to an Associated Press story, Hull has collected more than $1 million, nearly all of which is his own money. Hull said he would not accept contributions from any political committees or more than $100 from the general public.
"He is willing to spend whatever it takes to be successful," O'Connor said. "But this is not about spending the most money. It is about accomplishments and the candidates' ability to serve the state."
Matthew O'Shea, 44, hopes to bring the voice of Middle America back to the Senate if he is elected.
O'Shea, who is the current mayor of Metamora, said he hopes to improve the national energy policy. He feels the current policy is lacking and needs improvement because it directly affects the population and the environment. He said he also hopes to increase awareness about education, employment and the present health care crisis.
O'Shea said he also hopes to improve the condition of colleges and universities across the state.
"I plan to look at ways to help improve funding for more grants to increase the amount of funding for research through grants," O'Shea said. "There has also been tuition increases across the nation of 18 to 20 percent. For some reason, the nation has not been able to keep up with Pell Grants and Stafford Loans like it should be able to."
O'Shea plans to come to Carbondale within the next 30 days.
State Comptroller Daniel Hynes, State Sen. Barack Obama, Maria Pappas, Joyce Washington and John Simmons, who are all running for the seat, were not available for comment.
