September 1, 2010 - Congressman Phil Hare (D-Rock Island) today released the following statement in response to Sangamon County Democratic Party Chairman Jim Moody filing a complaint with the Federal Election Commission alleging illegal coordination between Veterans for the Constitution and Bobby Schilling for Congress. The complaint alleges that Veterans for the Constitution registered improperly, failed to comply with disclosure requirements, and may have exceeded campaign contribution limits.

“These are serious charges.  I urge the FEC to quickly and judiciously investigate any illegal coordination between my opponent and Veterans for the Constitution.  I call on Mr. Schilling to emerge from the shadows and demonstrate the courage to challenge me directly.  Hiding behind front groups like this speaks volumes about what type of leader he’d be in Congress.”

August 31, 2010 - Congressman Phil Hare (D-Rock Island) today released the following statement in response to Republican Congressional candidate Bobby Schilling’s insistence that debates take place in Macomb and Quincy.

“As I said in my initial letter, the debate that will take place at WSEC's studio in Springfield will also be carried on affiliates WQEC-Quincy and WMEC-Macomb. Furthermore, the broadcast will reach Decatur, a major city in the 17th Congressional District that my opponent's proposal left out. I join Mr. Schilling in calling for an open media policy that allows any outlet to broadcast the debates. I also believe Green Party candidate Roger Davis should be able to participate so all viewpoints are heard. However, debates are not about distributing tickets, rallying supporters, or creating a partisan atmosphere, which the Schilling campaign has only been too willing to promote. Their purpose is to educate ALL voters about where we stand on the issues. My proposal best accomplishes this and I am sticking to it. Anyone who wants to watch these debates will be able to do so. That is the definition of transparency.”

August 27, 2010 - Congressman Phil Hare (D-Rock Island) today sent a letter to Republican Congressional candidate Bobby Schilling responding to his request for debates.

“I agree that debates are an important way for voters to learn more about our positions on the issues and the stark differences between our governing philosophies,” the letter reads. “As far as I’m concerned, the more substantive the discussion we can have the better it is for the voting public.”

“I accept Mr. Schilling’s challenge to debate the issues and look forward to having a discussion that provides voters the insight necessary to make the best possible decision about who should represent them in Congress,” Hare said.

Below is the text of Hare’s letter which outlines his offer of two debates on WQPT-Quad Cities and WSEC-Springfield. Combined, the two PBS affiliates cover the lion’s share of the 17th Congressional District. 

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August 27, 2010

Bobby Schilling for Congress
367 Avenue of the Cities, Suite D
East Moline, IL 61244

Dear Mr. Schilling:

I have received your request for a schedule of debates. I agree that debates are an important way for voters to learn more about our positions on the issues and the stark differences between our governing philosophies. As far as I’m concerned, the more substantive the discussion we can have the better it is for the voting public. This requires avoiding some of the hyper-partisan atmospheres that have unfortunately dominated our public discourse in the last year. In an effort to provide the most thoughtful and objective discussion of the issues possible, I am offering you the following: 2 hour-long in-studio debates in October on public television (WQPT-Quad Cities and WSEC-Springfield) that will be moderated by an agreed upon neutral party. WQPT reaches the Quad Cities media market and WSEC reaches Springfield, Macomb, Quincy, and Decatur. Combined, these debates will encompass all of the areas you requested and then some and can be made available to affiliates across the district. I look forward to receiving your response so we can find 2 dates that work with our schedules.

Sincerely,

Congressman Phil Hare

July 21, 2010 - Congressman Phil Hare (D-Rock Island) today commented on President Obama signing into law the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, landmark legislation to reform our financial system by ending taxpayer funded bailouts, bringing transparency in the trading of complex financial products like derivatives, creating a an independent agency to protect consumers and taking steps to prevent firms from becoming “too big to fail”.

“This landmark legislation will help guarantee that we never put working families at risk because of Wall Street greed and abuse,” Hare said.  “I was proud to support this legislation that will take the steps necessary to prohibit the excesses that led to the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression.”

Hare stated that this is another issue where he has a strong disagreement with his opponent.   Asked by the Chicago Tribune editorial board for his view on government intervention in the private sector as it pertains to the financial and economic crisis, Bobby Schilling said: “The problem with this crisis was actually too much government involvement…Congress needs to stop interfering with the private sector and the problem will fix itself.”

“The bottom line is that Bobby Schilling thinks the answer to this historic financial crisis—which cost our economy 8 million jobs—is to do nothing,” Hare said. “He opposes common sense reforms such as prohibiting unfair lending practices or requiring a mortgage lender to ensure a borrower’s ability to repay a loan. Furthermore, the suggestion that this problem can fix itself demonstrates Mr. Schilling’s view that government should be a Wall Street cheerleader instead of a regulator.”

“Bobby Schilling is clearly out of touch with the damage done to the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans by letting Wall Street run wild,” Hare concluded. “He continues to show that his extreme views do not reflect the values of our area.”