While our neighboring districts are getting their second and third rounds of solar and wind development, the 71st�District is woefully behind. This is due to incumbent Tony McCombie’s poor choices in Springfield.

Ms. McCombie is focused on allowing gas and oil pipelines to flow through our district enriching multinational corporations with no real investments in our communities.

The devastating environmental impacts of pipeline failures are well-documented and impossible to ignore. Investing in renewable energy pushes economic development locally; high paying jobs, higher property values, more money for social projects, and economic security for farmers are just a few of the benefits.

We cannot allow our district to keep falling behind others in combating climate change and investing in a healthy Earth for future generations.

Joan Padilla will work hard for the people of the 71st. Unquestionably it is who she is. She has helped the most vulnerable people in the Sauk Valley for decades. That is the kind of leadership we need now more than ever. Someone who values life. Someone who values the environment. Someone who believes in the people of our district.

Please consider voting for Joan Padilla for 71st District state representative on Nov. 3.

Andrew Walrath

Rock Falls