We continue highlighting the differences between Alexi and Rep. Mark Kirk by showing their answers to the questions posed to them by the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board. Today’s topic: education.

The question asked by the Chicago Tribune:

Saying they no longer trust Congressman Mark Kirk to lead on issues important to them, leaders from several Illinois reform and advocacy-based groups joined together today to show their support for U.S. Senate Nominee Alexi Giannoulias in the Nov. 2 election.

The Illinois Education Association, Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, League of Conservation Voters, Human Rights Campaign, NARAL and Defenders of Wildlife had all endorsed Kirk during his previous campaigns for the U.S. House.

CHICAGO – At tonight’s ABC 7 debate, Congressman Mark Kirk once again falsely described himself as a moderate and independent voice for Illinois. The reality is that during his 10 years in Washington, Congressman Mark Kirk has proven co-dependent on corporate special interest cash and has voted their way every single time. 

Champaign - Congressman Mark Kirk is lying to Illinois voters yet again today, traveling to Champaign-Urbana to tout an agenda that is as flimsy as the poster board he puts it on. 

In his latest act of claiming one thing and doing another, Congressman Mark Kirk touted several "priorities" today in Champaign-Urbana that he actually voted against as a Congressman, including university research funding, protecting Medicare, funding local infrastructure, aid to small businesses and cracking down on crime.

CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Nominee Alexi Giannoulias expressed his disappointment today in the Senate's failure to pass the DREAM Act, a key component of immigration reform that will provide a legal path to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of immigrants who came to the United States as children.

CHICAGO - Just yesterday, while in Chicago, Congressman Mark Kirk told the media he would support the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act being brought to a vote in the House of Representatives today. Just 24 hours later and back home in Washington, D.C., Congressman Kirk broke that promise and voted against saving thousands of teachers' jobs and critical state education funding.
 

Alexi Giannoulias for U.S. Senate : video

Alexi visits the kids at the Fosco Park Community Center with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

CHICAGO - Kicking off Mother's Day weekend today, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias discussed his agenda to help Illinois parents balance work and family and ensure they aren't faced with a choice between keeping their job and caring for their children. He also criticized Republican Congressman Mark Kirk for voting for tax breaks for companies that ship American jobs overseas, forcing families to take jobs with lower pay and fewer benefits.

Have you done your part today to help elect a Democrat in Massachusetts? If you're in Massachusetts, there's still time to phonebank. And if you're out-of-state, check out OFA's phonebank from home tool here.

There's still time to help get out the vote.

"Peace of Mind" (Ad) : video

 Alexi Giannoulias took Illinois' college savings program from one of the worst in the country to one of the best.