Illinois 6th Congressional District Candidates At A Glance

WHEATON, IL — As the 2018 primary election approaches, all eyes are on Illinois' 6th District. The District, which elected Rep. Peter Roskam (R) in four times since 2006, but voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 is positioned to possibly flip that Congressional seat.

Roskam has received criticism from some constituents because he has not held an in-person town hall in more than two years, despite ongoing demands from residents. Seven Democrats are chomping at the bit to challenge Roskam in November. Here's a look at the Democratic candidates who are hoping to win the primary election in District 6.

Sean Casten

Background: Lives in Downers Grove, attended Downers Grove schools, plays in cover bands

Education: Bachelors Degree in Molecular Biology from Middlebury College, Masters Degree in Engineering Management and Biochemical Engineering from Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College.

Experience: 2007 chairman of the US Combined Heat & Power Association, co-founder of Recycled Energy Development LLC (“RED”), founding chairman of the Northeast Combined Heat & Power Association

View on gun control: "When I’m elected to Congress, I’ll shut my door to the gun lobby and their bloodstained millions. Instead, I’ll stand up for the sane gun laws that the people of the Sixth Congressional District demand," Casten states on his website.

Climate Change: "I have written and spoken at length about these barriers and can say with confidence that to fix them is simply a matter of political will. It is time for facts to inform policy."

Carole Cheney

Bio: Grew up in Illinois, got her first job at age 16 at Wendy's, did humanitarian work in Haiti

Education: Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Journalism from University of Illinois-Urbana and University of Illinois-Springfield, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

Experience: Chicago Advisory Board of Feed My Starving Children, Boys & Girls Club and a Children’s Advocacy Center, District Chief of Staff for Illinois’ 11th District Rep. Bill Foster (D)

Views on gun laws: "We need to implement universal background checks, ban the sale of military style guns like AR-15s and modified weapons designed to cause mass casualties such as 'bump stocks,' take steps to keep guns out of violent offenders and the dangerously mentally ill, and pass “no fly, no buy” laws so that individuals on the no fly list cannot purchase firearms," Cheney stated on her website.

Affordable Health Care: Supports public health care options, lowering age for Medicare eligibility, improving ACA to make health care accessible to all

Becky Anderson Wilkins

Bio: Grew up in Naperville, co-owner of Anderson’s Bookshops, breast cancer survivor,

Experience: Member of Naperville City Council, co-founder of "Naperville Reads"

Views on gun laws: "I will stand up to the NRA and fight for common sense gun violence prevention measures. I will also focus on helping small businesses in our district because I’ve seen that is where we can grow our local economy and create more good paying jobs."

Affordable Health Care: Supports ACA and improvements to make it more affordable, supports Medicare health exchange; She says, "As a breast cancer survivor, I know how important it is to have access to affordable quality care. "

Immigration: Supports DACA and "comprehensive immigration reform"

Amanda Howland

Bio: Civil rights attorney, former special education teacher, renal cancer survivor

Education: Bachelors of Science in special education and psychology from Central Michigan University, Masters in Psychology from Michigan State University, Masters in Educational Administration from Northern Illinois University, Chicago-Kent College of Law

Experience: ISBA Judicial Evaluation Committee, Lake County and DuPage Democratic Organizations, Illinois 6th Democrats, Illinois 10th Congressional District Democrats, and the Illinois Democratic Women, College of Lake County board member.

Views on gun laws: In favor of reinstating assault rifle ban, “Amanda strongly believes that Congress needs to stop just sending ‘thoughts and prayers’ after tragedies and start taking real action that could stop these senseless acts of violence," her website states.

Affordable Healthcare: Supports improvements to ACA, supports curbing prescription drug costs and permitting Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies, supports re-importing prescription drugs from Canada

Howland's website states, "No person should go bankrupt when a family member gets sick, no person should be shackled to a job just to keep their health insurance, and the emergency room should not be anyone’s primary medical provider.”

Climate Change: “Amanda recognizes that environmental devastation disproportionately affects low-income communities, and she will fight in Congress to protect communities disproportionately affected by climate change,” according to her website.

Ryan Huffman

Bio: Grew up in Elgin, lives in Palatine, data analyst for health care communications startup, former journalist at Crain's Chicago

Education: Honors Masters Degree in Public policy from University of Chicago

Experience: Former White House intern, worked on White House Council on Environmental Quality (2009)

Views on gun control: “The second amendment protects our citizens’ right to keep and bear arms, and I do not believe the government has any authority to take guns away from lawful, responsible citizens. But that does not mean we should sit on our hands and pretend like we have no responsibility for the tens of thousands who die each year from gun violence”

Supports prohibiting mentally ill individuals from purchasing guns, supports closing the "gun show loophole."

Affordable Health Care: Supports single-payer, Medicare for All health system, but suggests a "careful transition," his website states; in favor of Medicare opt-in for 55 and over

Immigration: Supports DACA, opposes Muslim ban, "We should welcome all who come, not just the “best and brightest," his website quotes him as saying.

Climate Change: Calls climate change an "existential threat" to Earth, supports limiting carbon emissions by starting a cap-and-trade system; proposes $30-$50 tax per ton on carbon emissions

Kelly Mazeski

Bio: Grew up in Indianapolis, has lived in Barrington for 27 years, breast cancer survivor

Education: Bachelors Degree In Biology, Chemistry minor

Experience: Barrington Hills plan commissioner, Served on Illinois Environmental Council, Energy and Environment Outreach Coordinator for the 2008 Obama campaign

Views on gun control: In favor of universal background checks, supports repealing Dickey Amendment, believes "anyone convicted of domestic violence should be unable to purchase a gun," her website states.

Affordable healthcare: Supports Medicare-for-All public option, aims to help lower prescription drug prices and crack down on "Big Pharmacy"

Climate Change: Wants to reinstate Clean Power Act, supports rejoining Paris Climate Accord

Jennifer Zordani

Bio: Born in Oak Lawn, lived in Burr Ridge and Lisle while growing up; lives in Clarendon Hills

Education: Bachelors degree in Economics from University of Chicago, Kent Law School with honors

Views of gun control: Supports ban on bump stocks, high capacity magazines, assault weapons, and silencers; Opposes gun show loophole; Supports universal background check and repeal of Dickey amendment

Affordable Health Care: Opposes ACA repeal, in favor of improvements; " While we seek to protect Americans who require health care, we also recognize that health care providers must be paid," she states on her site.

Watch the candidates spar with words at the League of Women Voters Glen Ellyn Forum in the video below:

>>>Image via YouTube, League of Women Voters Glen Ellyn