Four Democrats to debate 15th District forum in Jacksonville

Four candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for Illinois' 15th Congressional District will meet in Jacksonville on Feb. 10 for a public forum organized by the Morgan County Democrats. The event begins at 6 p.m. in Illinois College's Sibert Theatre at the McGaw Fine Arts Center and is being billed as an opportunity for voters to hear detailed plans and engage directly with contenders.

Candidates scheduled to participate are Jennifer Todd of Edwardsville, Randy Raley of Highland, Kyle Nudo of Glen Carbon and Paul Davis of Collinsville. Each will have time to present their platform and answer questions prepared by the forum organizers. Audience members may submit written questions during the event, and candidates will be available for one-on-one interactions after the forum concludes.

Organizers say the forum is focused on voter information and engagement ahead of the March 17 Democratic primary. The winner of that primary will go on to face the Republican nominee in November, making the forum an early chance for local voters to evaluate the choices who could represent the 15th District in Washington.

Topics likely to be covered at the forum include health care, voting rights, and transparency and accessibility in government. For Morgan County voters, those issues intersect with everyday concerns at the county level: access to local health services, maintaining clear lines of communication with elected officials, and ensuring that voting remains straightforward and accessible for residents across the district.

The format—timed presentations followed by questions and a meet-and-greet—gives attendees both a structured way to compare policy positions and an informal setting to follow up on specifics. For many local voters, face-to-face interaction with candidates makes campaign promises more tangible and helps residents weigh which platform best reflects Morgan County priorities.

The forum also serves as a civic touchpoint for Jacksonville and nearby communities within the 15th District. With primary turnout typically lower than in general elections, events like this aim to boost voter awareness and participation at a moment when decisions still shape the final November ballot.

Our two cents? If you're deciding how to cast your March 17 ballot, show up Feb. 10 with a few written questions, listen for concrete plans on health care and voting access, and use the post-forum time to clarify stances one-on-one. Being there in person is the best way to size up the candidates before the primary.