Green Party slates veteran to face Foster, Oberweis

Robert Hill knows he has an uphill battle ahead of him.

Last month, Hill, a 25-year-old Iraq War veteran from DeKalb, filed as the Green Party's candidate in the 14th Congressional District.

That race has so far been dominated by the two major parties, as Democrat Bill Foster and Republican Jim Oberweis spent millions battling it out in two primaries and a special election so far.

Hill knows he's not going to be able to match the money Foster and Oberweis will spend leading up to November's general election. So he's banking on a grass-roots campaign strategy, and he vows to stay away from the negative campaigning that marked the primary and special elections.

"I don't believe the two big candidates represent the people, ideologically or economically," he said. "I don't think a millionaire will ever understand what goes on in my daily life."

Hill, a student at Waubonsee Community College and a former employee of Lyon Metal Products Inc. in Montgomery, sees low turnout in recent elections as a sign that voters want something the two main parties aren't offering.

Like most Green Party candidates, he's concerned about the environment and wants to see a new public transportation system that would reduce harmful emissions from cars. But he also believes he offers a different perspective on issues facing the 14th District, including the economy and health care.

On that last score, he offers an alternative to Oberweis' free-market philosophy and Foster's universal health-care proposals.

Hill is suggesting medical care systems run by state governments.

"We do have people who need health care, but one run by the (federal) government is not a good idea," Hill said. "The advantage with having 50 health-care programs is that the best ones will rise to the top, and the worst ones will fail and be replaced."

Hill believes his background offers him a strong perspective on the war in Iraq -- he served two tours there between 2002 and 2006.

Hill believes the war is being mishandled. He questioned the troop surge, pointing to an old military adage: "You never reinforce a failure."

While Hill believes his message is one that will bring voters out to the polls, he knows it will be difficult to get that message out there. His fundraising, he said, will all come from grass-roots supporters -- he won't take money from corporations.

According to Hill's campaign manager Adrian Frost, himself a Green Party candidate for the Kendall County Board, the campaign will purchase radio ads, but will concentrate on walking neighborhoods and knocking on doors.

"We're obviously not going to combat them with money," Frost said. "None of our supporters are wealthy. But we will try to combat them with a positive message."

Kane County Democrat Chairman Mark Guethle has filed an objection to Hill's petitions. A hearing is scheduled for May 23.