Jefferson announces candidacy
Shellie Berg
Jefferson announces candidacy
By Shellie Berg
By Shellie Berg
Staff Reporter
Rep. Chuck Jefferson (D-67), hoping to retain his seat in the state Legislature and promote Rockford, announced his candidacy at a fundraiser that attracted 160 people on Wednesday, Aug. 22, at City Plaza, 555 N. Court St.
Jefferson was appointed to the seat after former representative, Doug Scott, won the mayoral race in April. Jefferson believes that for the duration of his term as representative, hes done a good job.
Scott said Jefferson has endured, focusing on where he left off.
I think Ive put Rockford first, Jefferson said. He said he wants to sustain his focus, continuously stating that his platform is Rockford.
Jefferson also said that hes taken an active role in promoting the expansion of the Greater Rockford Airport. He told our Editor & Publisher Frank Schier, that the Rockford Airport is his priority.
He serves on the Illinois House Aviation Committee and was involved in the hearings on the proposed third airport in Peotone near Chicago and the GRAs future. Hes also written letters to the Illinois Department of Transportation officials in an effort to augment the airports uses.
Another issue he has delved into is affordable health insurance for families.
Democrat Lisa Madigan, who is running for Illinois attorney general, visited Rockford on Aug. 22. She attended several engagements to promote her ideas, including Jeffersons event. She agrees with Jeffersons plan to diverge the KidCare insurance program, which financially aids low-income children, into the Family Care program. She said that 1.7 million of the states 12 million people lack insurance.
Jefferson agreed and said he was disappointed the Senate failed to move legislation for the plan past Senate chambers. He said he will continue making strides for such legislation.
Jefferson was born in Waco, Texas. In 1966, he joined the U.S. Army, completing four years of service. He became a sergeant and was a military policeman, serving in Virginia, Japan and Germany.
Afterward, he moved to Rockford. He married his wife, Geneel, who died last year. He has three sons, Carl Edward, Curtis Lamar and Charles, Jr. He has worked in automobile sales since the 1970s. In the early 1990s, he became active in community organizations. He is the president of New Zion Day Care Center and the Rockford Sportsmen Golf Association, which creates after-school programs for under-privileged youth.
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