Ammie Kessem
Ammie Kessem
Ammie Kessem argues that Rep. Robert Martwick’s actions are proof that he views voters in the 19th House District as second-class citizens.
“As property assessments and tax bills have arrived in our mailboxes, I am deeply disturbed by the enormous conflict of interest and unethical behavior by my opponent and the law firm he works for as a property tax attorney (Finkel, MARTWICK & Colson), who have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to our county assessor and his daughter, Joe and Maria Berrios, in previous campaigns [sic],” Kessem posted on Facebook.
Kessem is running against Martwick (D-Chicago) for the House's 19th District in November’s general election.
Illinois State House Rep. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago)
Martwick and his father, Robert Martwick Sr., are part of a group connected to property-tax law firms in Cook County who specialize in lowering tax bills for corporate clients, according to the Illinois Policy Institute (IPI).
Although Martwick bills himself as an advocate for the middle-class, he was one of a handful of state lawmakers to vote against a property-tax freeze in April, IPI said.
Kessem has long argued politicians like Martwick have caused many Illinois voters to become disenfranchised and disinterested. She insists that once she arrives in Springfield she will always put what’s best for the people ahead of everything else.
A report by the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce found approximately 30 million jobs across the country that pay an average of $55,000 per year and don't require bachelor’s degrees.
“I’ve said this for a few years now ... while getting an education is important, not everyone is cut out for it,” Kessem wrote in a separate Facebook post. “We need to do a better job of supporting the trades and start leading our youth to some of these advantageous opportunities.”
The 19th House District includes parts of Chicago's Northwest Side as well as Norridge and Harwood Heights.