Meet Kenny Williams: State Senate 14th District Democratic Primary Candidate

Kenny Williams aims to unseat longtime State Sen. Emil Jones III, one of two challengers in the March 17 Democratic primary.

It is the first time Jones faces a contested primary since he was first elected to the 14th District in 2009. Early voting is already underway.

The district stretches from Roseland on Chicago's South Side to include all or parts of Alsip, Blue Island, Calumet Park, Chicago, Crestwood, Dixmoor, Dolton, Harvey, Homer Glen, Merrionette Park, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Posen, Riverdale, Robbins and Tinley Park.

CANDIDATE

Kenny Williams

TOWN OF RESIDENCE

Roseland

POSITION SOUGHT

State Senate 14th District

PARTY AFFILIATION

Democrat

FAMILY

No answer provided.

EDUCATION

Trades

OCCUPATION

Self-employed

PREVIOUS OR CURRENT ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICE

Board president

CAMPAIGN WEBSITE

people4kenny.com

The single most pressing issue facing our district or state is ___________, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Taxes and Healthcare

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I do not know the other candidates, like that.

Do you support redistricting in a non-census year?

I'm open for conversation.

If you support tax cuts in Illinois, what spending should be eliminated to offset those cuts? Please be specific.

Yes, I support tax cuts, but I believe we should stop over promising and spiking the states debt and really focus on a realistic method for the pension problem.

Do you believe an inequity exists between funding for wealthy and poor schools? If so, what would you do to address the disparity?

Inequity exists in zip codes.

What specific steps should be taken to reduce the state's massive unfunded liability in its pension systems?

It's going to take serious lawmakers that really want some real improvement to be elected.

What would you do to help constituents struggling with the ever-increasing cost of living, housing and healthcare? What specific legislative actions will you take to increase the supply of affordable homes and lower monthly costs for both renters and potential homeowners in our community?

As a freshman Legislature I want to build relationships and see who is really serious about the state and our way of living. That are really attempting to make it right.

Do you support the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement in the Chicago area and beyond? Why or why not? If not, what changes do you think should be made?

I believe the people in these key seats should be sitting down with each other first before they engage in talking about each other. I know I have not given direct answers to some of your questions, but I respectfully choose not to answer something I cannot make happen being that I am only one VOTE.

Do you support the repeal of the SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail? Why or why not, and do you think wealthier defendants should have an easier route to release?

I don't agree with every part of it, but I do understand what is being said and believe there should always be partisan agreement instead of one side.

Would you push to repeal the TRUST Act, which bars local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement? Why or why not?

There is already too many laws on record that hurt people, and I believe we should not be focusing our efforts on more laws that will sometime down the line have to be changed because it was put in place because of someone the party didn't like because of who they were, color, position neighborhood etc...

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I do not like to promise anything that I have to do with other people, but I can promise that you will get 1000% from me for my constituents to have what they need in each town or area I represent.