Roland Burris Not seeking reelection in 2010 Party: Democrat Political experience: Illinois Comptroller (1979-1991), Illinois Attorney General (1991-1995), Senator (2009–now) Employment: Vice President of the Continental Illinois National Bank (1964-1973), Administrative Officer – Central Management Services of Illinois (1973-1977), Burris and Lebed Consulting, LLC “Make no mistake that I love serving in the United States Senate. I love serving the people of Illinois,” Burris said in a press release. “But in making this decision I was called to choose between spending my time raising funds, or spending my time raising issues for my state. I believe that the business of the people of Illinois should always come first.”

Alexi Giannoulias Party: Democrat Political Experience: Illinois State Treasurer (2006–Present) Employment: Vice President/Senior Loan Officer of Broadway Bank Key Issue: Equal rights “Everyone is part of the American family, regardless of sexual orientation, and must be treated equally under the law,” according to Giannoulias’ Web site. “As a U.S. Senator, I will do everything I can to protect those rights.”

David Hoffman Party: Democrat Political Experience: Assistant U.S. Attorney (1998–2005), Inspector General for the City of Chicago (2005–2009), Appointed by Quinn to the 15–member Illinois Reform Commission (2009) Employment: Attorney Key issue: Government transparency “If he is elected, the public will know what Hoffman is doing throughout the entire day,” said Campaign Spokesman Thom Karmik. “He is the only candidate in the race who is taking no money from lobbyists or pacts, state or federal.”

Cheryle Jackson Party: Democrat Political Experience: Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications – Blagojevich Administration (2003–2006), Chicago Urban League President (2006–Present) Employment: Vice President of Communications – National Public Radio (1996-2003), Vice President of Communications and Governmental Affairs – Amtrak (2000–2003) Key issue: Economic reform “She is focused on the roles that small businesses play,” said Spokeswoman Susan Chandler. “As president of the Chicago Urban League, she shifted the focus from providing social services to economic empowerment.”

Jacob Meister Party: Democrat Political Experience: Served on staff of both a U.S. House of Representatives member and a Wis. senator Employment: commercial litigator – Gottlieb and Schwartz; (1991-1993), Schwartz & Freeman (1993-2001), Best & Friedrich, LLC (2001-2002), Law Offices of Jacob J. Meister (2002–now) Key issue: Economic reform “The first thing we need to do is stop focusing on short-term fixes and find long term solutions,” said Spokeswoman Karen Craven. “We need more students graduating, finding employment and rebuilding the state’s manufacturing base.”

Stan Jagla Party: Independent Political Experience: None Employment: Worked for a large Chicago–based bank (1996-1999), small business owner (1999-2000), consultant (1999–now) Key issue: Political reform “There aren’t two parties, there’s only one party; it’s money,” Jagla said. “We have to take money out of politics. It is like a legalized mafia.” John Arrington Party: Republican Political Experience: city of Harvey, Ill. Alderman (1995–2003) Employment: Community organizer, Thornton Township School District High School Administrator, consultant Key issue: Reinstating conservative values Arrington could not be reached for comment. Patrick Hughes Party: Republican Political Experience: Chairman of Sensible Taxpayers Opposed to Increased Taxes Employment: real estate developer, commercial litigator – Gardner, Carton and Douglas and Tressler, Soderstrom, Maloney and Priess Key issue: Economic reform through tax reform “I fundamentally believe that when we forfeit the moral virtues on which our nation was founded we damage our national soul,” according to Hughes’ Web site. “When government grows and claims dominion over more and more aspects of our lives ... we forfeit our liberty.” Mark Kirk Party: Republican Political Experience: U.S. House of Representatives member, 10th Congressional District of Illinois (2000–now) Employment: Naval Reserve Intelligence Officer – holds rank of Commander and served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Haiti and Bosnia Key issue: Lower health care costs without public option “Let us be clear – a government–run insurance program will not compete with the private sector; it will replace it,” according to Kirk’s Web site. “By the laws of economics, the private sector cannot fairly compete with the U.S. Treasury. Once a government–run health care system is in place, costs will be controlled by squeezing the suppliers of health care – that is, by rationing care to all Americans.” Andy Martin Party: Republican Political Experience: Political Activist, Foreign Policy and Intelligence Analyst Employment: Executive Director – Revolutionary War Research Center, author Key issue: Reclaim the Republican Party “The two parties are equally corrupt and it’s clear that the people of Illinois want the corruption to be gone,” Martin said. “But we’re getting the same political payrollers running for office, they need someone outside the system.”

Tom Kuna Party: Republican Political Experience: Political Activist Employment: teacher (retired), member of the Illinois Federation of Right for Life (1989–now), non–fiction editor Key issue: Economic reform “Unemployment will not be fixed through deficit spending,” Kuna said. “20 hours work for 40 hours pay works using Milton Friedman’s earned income credit plan, the working poor would get a supplement at the end of the year or added to their paycheck from the federal government.” Don Lowery Party: Republican Political Experience: Circuit Court Judge in Illinois’ First Judicial Circuit (1980–2006), State’s Attorney (1977-1980) Employment: public defender, Military Captain/Vietnam War veteran Key issue: Economic reform “We have generated billions of dollars in taxes that will have a marginal effect on the economy,” Lowery said. “If the Cap–and–Trade bill passes the Senate it will have a disastrous, inflationary effect on the economy.” Kathleen Thomas Party: Republican Political Experience: New Berlin, Ill. school board member Employment: Professor of humanities – Florida State University, Florida A & M, and Lincoln Land Community College Key issue: Restoring relationship between public and politicians “Earlier this year, Biden was asked about TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) and he said ‘the American people don’t even know what that means’ and for me that was the last straw,” Thomas said. “I think politicians have lost respect for the people.” Robert Zadek Party: Republican Political Experience: None Employment: mortgage broker, corporate auditor, United States Coast Guard member, real estate broker Key issue: Tax reform “My way of increasing the number of jobs is proposing a flat tax,” Zadek said. “It is the sum of all federal costs divided by the gross income of all individuals and comes to 11.1 percent. Lower taxes means more jobs.”

LeAlan Jones Party: Green Party Political Experience: Political Activist Employment: Contributor to BBC World Services, documentary filmmaker Jones could not be reached for comment.