photo by steed media service

When people rush to the polls this year to place their votes, choosing a candidate who has the best interest of the community in mind is crucial. As a Democratic candidate for state representative in Illinois’ 26th District, William Burns is hopeful that his platform for giving the people what they want and addressing community needs will be rewarded on Feb. 5, 2008. Burns will square off against other political hopefuls in what is sure to be an election day to remember. “I’m 34 years old, so I’m the youngest candidate in the race. But I think I’m the emblem of a new generation of political leaders that [are] emerging all over the country and all over the city,” he says. “We have to change education[al] funding, expand access to health care and get sensible gun control. [I also] want to be a spokesperson in our community on the issue of educational achievement and encouraging people to become entrepreneurs.” With an impressive résumé that includes being deputy chief of staff for Senator Emil Jones Jr., vice president of programs at the Chicago Urban League, education and tax policy manager with the Metropolitan Planning Counsel, and deputy campaign manager for Barack Obama in his 2000 run for Congress, the University of Chicago graduate has proven that he’s qualified to lead the great people of the 26th District. “Being a legislator is more than passing laws; it’s also being a leader who’s willing to try to shape and change attitudes in the community,” he says. “That’s what I look forward to being a part of.” –jason thompson

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