Kelly says Dems set to ‘offer better deal’

Re-elected U.S. rep. takes oath of office, speaks to supporters

With she and fellow Democrats in control of the U.S. House, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly said they are “ready to offer a better deal” and that the “onus is on us to lead this Congress.”

Speaking to supporters Monday in Matteson, Kelly, re-elected in November, said that “new opportunities are yet to be realized,” and that she hoped the swearing-in of Democrat J.B. Pritzker as Illinois’ governor could advance plans for an airport in the far south suburbs.

Although she had already been sworn in for a new term Jan. 3 as part of the 116th Congress, Kelly again took the oath of office, administered by Cook County Judge Anna Demacopoulos, before a standing-room-only crowd of more than 200, including several mayors and other elected officials, such as Cook County Commissioner John Daley and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.

In a nod to the November election that saw a record number of women elected to Congress, Kelly said she wanted to “show a little girl power” in having “The Voice” contestant and Matteson resident Melinda “SandyRedd” Bussie perform the national anthem before the swearing-in ceremony and Kelly’s remarks.

While noting that “no party has a monopoly on good ideas,” Kelly criticized the current administration for erecting “walls of distrust and division” and taking actions to “please a frenzied few.”

“Our future is in our hands,” she told the audience. “Together

we can get things done.”

After Jesse Jackson Jr. vacated his seat after winning re-election in November 2012 as the 2nd District representative, Kelly won a February 2013 primary followed by a special election in April of that year. Kelly handily won re-election in November against her Democratic challenger.

Kelly thanked supporters “for having faith in me.”

“You all challenge me to work harder,” she told the crowd.

She said that in the House the 2nd District will “be a little louder and a lot more influential” due to her election last November as Region 4 representative to the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.

The committee is responsible for things such as recommending committee assignments and setting the Democratic agenda.

Kelly said she has requested to be a member of the Energy committee. She currently is ranking member of the subcommittee on information technology and is on the subcommittee on Health Care, Benefits and Administrative Rules.

After her remarks, Kelly said she was concerned about the prolonged federal government shutdown, and that Democrats are “going to have to pressure Trump” to resolve the issue.

Kelly said she was uncertain how many federal employees live in the 2nd District, but was concerned that if the shutdown lingers and employees go without pay, that could hurt the area’s economy.

“Any employee who is not getting paid, if you don’t have money you can’t pay your bills or shop,” she said.

The south suburbs also were welcoming a new state legislator, as former Olympia Fields Mayor Debbie Meyers-Martin was scheduled to be sworn in Wednesday in Springfield to represent the 38th District.

She had defeated three Democratic challengers in the March primary and was uncontested in the November election as no Republicans filed to run in the district. Al Riley did not seek election to a seventh term.

The district includes all or portions of Country Club Hills, Flossmoor, Frankfort, Hazel Crest, Harvey, Homewood, Markham, Mokena, Oak Forest, Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Richton Park and Tinley Park.

During an interview Monday, Meyers-Martin said that “there’s a lot of work to be done representing the people of the 38th District,” with residents telling her that issues such as education funding and economic development are priorities.

“We are certainly so much in need of having business creation and maintaining the businesses we have,” she said.

Meyers-Martin said that it is “so challenging to create a vibrant business community in the Southland,” and that high property taxes are a factor although “as a (state) legislator I don’t have control over that.”

Like Kelly, MeyersMartin said she also looks forward to the potential advancement of plans for a third airport, and that Pritzker “realizes that is a very important economic development tool” for the region.

“I think he (Pritzker) has a very good grasp about what some of our challenges are,” MeyersMartin said.