But perhaps the biggest skirmish came over Meals on Wheels, a program for senior citizens.

The shot came as Durkin was criticizing Durbin for failing to pass a federal prescription drug plan for seniors, saying he'd done more to help seniors get drugs by expanding the state's own program in the Illinois House than Durbin had in his entire career in Congress.

Durbin demanded to know why Durkin, in "one of the most incredible votes of your career," voted for a budget proposal in Springfield that cut funding for Meals on Wheels, a popular program in which volunteers bring hot meals to seniors.

"So before you're posing for holy pictures before the AARP, you need to explain that vote," said Durbin, 57, of Springfield.

Durkin stumbled with his answer, saying he didn't recall taking that vote and had "no idea" what Durbin was talking about. He suggested that Durbin was taking his vote out of context.

After the debate, a Durbin spokeswoman said the vote in question was in May 1996 to approve the entire $34 billion state budget. Daily Herald accounts at the time showed senior groups seeking an increase of $2.9 million over the $2 million a year the state had been providing. The requested increase did not pass, but it's unclear how much money was provided for Meals on Wheels.

The exchange provided a surprise moment even during a debate in which the two candidates illuminated vast differences on a wide array of issues.

Unlike the contentious contests for governor and attorney general, the U.S. Senate race has been somewhat low-key. The hottest issue has been Iraq - Durbin opposes President Bush's Iraq war resolution and Durkin supports it. Then there's the matter of voters not getting confused, given the one-letter difference in the candidates' last names.

Durbin, who participated in the WBBM-AM (780) forum by phone as the Senate continues to debate Iraq, staked out liberal positions on economic issues. Durkin, a 41-year-old state lawmaker from Westchester, took conservative stands.

Durkin said Congress should continue with the Bush tax cuts it approved last year. Durbin, who voted against the tax cuts because he said they favored the rich, said tax relief should go toward allowing taxpayers to deduct the cost of paying for college and giving small businesses incentives to provide health insurance for employees.

Durbin came out in favor of increasing the national minimum wage of $5.15 an hour. Durkin opposed that, arguing it would send businesses out of the country and that collective bargaining is a better solution to the wage issue. Durbin responded that most minimum-wage workers are not in labor unions.

Durbin also favors taxing merchandise bought over the Internet, something Durkin opposes as a new tax that would penalize the new economy.

Durkin favors stricter bankruptcy rules to encourage personal responsibility, while Durbin said he opposes them because it's people who've lost their jobs in a tough economy or who have medical bills that are most likely to end up in bankruptcy court.

The two will debate again live at 10:30 a.m. Sunday on WLS-TV Channel 7.

Publication: Daily Herald
Date: October 9, 2002
Author: Eric Krol

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