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WesternCourier.com
Monday, February 17, 2020 - Vol. 120 Issue 56
@WesternCourier
Getting to know 93rd District State Representative Candidate Scott Stoll By Devin Brooks NEWS3 reporter
RUSHVILLE, Ill. (NEWS3) — In less than 30 days, some Illinois residents will head to the polls to vote in the primary election. Two men are battling in the 93rd district to see who will receive the ballot spot against Republican incumbent State Rep. Norine Hammond in November. NEWS3 recently talked with both democratic candidates who are trying to campaign hard before the March primary. Scott Stoll explained why he chose to run and why voters should elect him into office. “I just think everybody has their calling. For me, it was the calling to serve people and help people,” Stoll said. Helping all people is what 40-year-old Stoll is campaigning on. “I want to do what’s right for the people,” he said. Stoll lives Rushville, where he’s an alderman and sits on multiple city and county boards. He also is the chief operating officer for Moreland and Devitt Pharmacy company in Rushville, where he’s worked for 11 years.
“For me it’s all about the experience,” he said. “The experience I have, the experience I’m bringing to the table.” Stoll said he wants people in the 93rd district to know he has the experience to go to bat in Springfield with his 20 years of working in business. “We want somebody that’s going to take action,” he said. “Somebody that’s going to go out there and be an active participant.” Stoll said his mind is set on moving the district forward by including everyone, no matter what side of the aisle. “Do the right thing for all the people,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what your political party is when it comes to the health of the people in your community; when it comes to the housing, and just the good will of people in your community.” Rushville resident Joe Ackman said it’s time for a change and Stoll is the person he wants in office because he says he knows what it takes to serve communities. “I think we do need some fresh blood, we need some younger people in office, that have different views or new
views or ideas about what the smaller communities are getting involved in,” Ackman said. Stoll said he’s fighting for a lot of what his opponent cares about, but he says there still are differences that set him apart. “He’s a working families first candidate, and I wouldn’t say I’m not,” Stoll said. “I’ve talked through legislation as it relates to pharmacy before, I can’t say that he has.” Stoll said his priorities are economic development, healthcare and education. “There are opportunities to increase not only the jobs that we get through industries, but also our businesses in our towns,” Stoll said. “I can’t personally say that Representative Hammond has been active in all of our communities. I think she’s active in the groups she wants to be active in.” Stoll said his goal is to make life better for all people.
remembrance of the Underground Railroad at 4:30 p.m. in Horrabin Hall. The Black Student Association has been active on social media all month for Black History Month. On their Twitter account, the BSA has started a thread entitled “29 Shades of Black,” where they have posted a significant person, quote or questions relating to African American heroes and icons. The thread includes commemorations to Shirley
Chilson, who was the first black congresswoman in the United States and was also the first major party black candidate to run for office, Trayvon Martin, a teen who was killed on Feb. 26, 2012, Rosa Parks, a civil rights activist who fought against segregation and more. The BSA is not the only African American student organization shining a spotlight on influential African American people in the world. Western’s National Association for Black
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Scott Stoll is currently an alderman and city board member.
Black student organizations celebrate Black History Month
By Devon Greene editor-in-chief
Black student organizations are celebrating people, places and events during Black History Month and students and community members have a chance to remember one of the most important institutions in the fight against slavery. The festivities are continuing today as the Western Illinois University Black Student Association hosts an event in
Journalists have also started a thread on Twitter where members of their organization pick a broadcaster that has significance in their life. Names like Tameron Hall, ESPN’s Steven A. Smith, ABC’s Val Warner and Terrence J. have been the first to be recognized by members of NABJ with more to come as Black History Month rolls along. Black organizations have been hosting events all over campus to begin the month
and more are planned going forward. The WIU Nation Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has held a Super Bowl Party, Black History Trivia Night and the Essence of Black Love discussion night where they discussed what love means to them and the importance of “black love.”
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