A Message from our News Director

A Statement from our News Director

On behalf of the entire team at ABC7 News Chicago, I want to welcome you to our ABC 7 Online Candidates Forum. The Internet has created opportunities to expand our news coverage well beyond what we report on our newscasts. Election coverage is a key area in which the Web dramatically increases what is possible to share with the public. That's what this online resource is all about.

ABC7 Chicago has offered candidates in the 2nd Congressional District the opportunity to address voters directly with a video statement, up to five minutes in length. This offer has been extended to candidates competing for your vote in the April 9, 2013 special election to fill Jesse Jackson Jr.'s vacated seat.

ABC7 Chicago believes it is in the public interest to create an environment in which candidates can connect with voters through a meaningful, accessible format. Extending this type of coverage to candidates is another way to broaden public debate over issues of vital importance.

We want to thank you for coming by and hope you agree this resource is a significant step forward in creating a more meaningful dialogue between voters and their representatives.

Jennifer Graves
Vice President & News Director
WLS-TV / ABC7 Chicago