Chicago City Wire

Ammie Kessem, a 19th District state House candidate, responded directly on social media after her opponent, Rep. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) accused her of being a “dishonest, pandering” politician.

In an Oct. 11 Facebook post, Martwick linked to a column in the Chicago Sun-Times by Phil Kadner criticizing Republicans for backing a plan to cap property taxes at 1 percent of a home’s value. Kadner argues that strategy will result in underfunded schools, putting children at risk.

“Dan Proft and Ammie Kessem are the same type of dishonest, pandering politicians who caused this mess,” Martwick said in the Facebook post.

Democrat Rep. Robert Martwick

However, neither Proft nor Kessem is now or was in the legislature when lawmakers approved the budget, facts Kessem pointed out in her response. Proft is a principal in LGIS, which owns this publication.

“Excuse (me) Mr. Representative, but unlike you, I am not a ‘politician,’ and neither is Dan Proft,” Kessem said. “We are citizens who are tired of career politicians like you and your boss man Madigan, misusing your public office and abusing the public’s trust.”

Martwick shot back that Kessem became a politician when she decided to run for office, and accused Proft of using fear-based propaganda to rally her supporters.

Kessem countered by pointing out Martwick ran six years ago, promising to reform pensions, but has done little in the meantime.

“You added to this crisis by not living up to that promise and now we’re faced with the repercussions,” she said. “Neither you nor your Democrat colleagues are doing anything to make the necessary reforms needed to (get) our state back to being one that will attract new businesses and increase revenue.”

Kessem and Martwick are opposing each other in the Nov. 6 election for a House seat in the 19th District. The 19th District includes the city of Chicago and the townships of Leyden and Norwood Park.