Davidsmeyer challenged by Adams in District 100

Dylan Suttles, dylan.suttles@thetelegraph.com

Published

10:20 am CDT, Saturday, October 10, 2020

JACKSONVILLE — On Nov. 3, voters will decide who will be state representative for the 100th Legislative District.

Incumbent state Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, is challenged by Brandon Adams, a Democrat also from Jacksonville.

Davidsmeyer has served as state representative for Legislative District 100 since 2012. He did not respond to The Telegraph’s questionnaire.

Adams was appointed as a precinct committee member in 2018 and re-elected this year. He was elected a Jacksonville alderman in 2019.

He graduated from Jacksonville High School, received a professional welder certification from MTI, and earned AWS endorsements in Structural Steel Welding, Bridge Welding, Pipeline, and Aerospace Welding inspection.

Adams said that, after contracting the West Nile virus, Adams was put into a two-month coma and woke up to a $321,639.93 medical bill. He was able to receive vocational training in welding inspection while in medical rehab.

“Giving back to my country by becoming a public servant was extremely rewarding and postponed my previous career,” Adams said. “I personally realized the serious need for improvements in healthcare, education, job training, and housing, like so many of our friends and family are currently experiencing.”

Adams biggest three issues are healthcare, education and living wage employment. He believes the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the “massive inequalities” in these three areas.

“Medicaid must be expanded to all Illinoisans. Improve fiberoptic infrastructure in every residence, school, college, business, and hospital is essential during this pandemic,” he said. “In-home learning, working from home, and telehealth have just made us realize how essential these are to all of the people in our communities. Paychecks need increased to $20/hr by 2030 with paid sick leave for every worker. Passing all three initiatives would tremendously help during this tumultuous time.”

Adams said he currently receives help through programs such as Medicaid, public housing, DRS vocational training, food assistance, and power assistance because of his recovery from the West Nile virus.

”All of those plus others human services deserve better funding, more assistants, and lower the requirements to help those in need,” he said.

He also wants to encourage more “average” citizen to run for public office.

“The majority of recent elected officials just don’t represent the community that elected them,” he said. “Being a public servant, at its core, must include standing up to fight for the majority, not the corporations and lobbyists that dictate to politicians what laws get passed.”