Just over one month before the March 17 primary election, the two Democratic candidates for Illinois Senate in the 9th district seek to distinguish themselves based on political experience. 

Candidates Patrick Hanley and Rachel Ruttenberg, who agree on most policy issues, have increased focus on contrasting their past work experiences. 

Ruttenberg mailed out flyers last week characterizing Hanley as a “former management consultant” with “no applicable experience” in healthcare policy.

On Thursday, Hanley posted a series of Instagram stories responding to what he called the “goofy negative mailer.” He wrote that his campaign was “founded in optimism and positivity,” while the flyer was “soaked in negativity and misdirection.” 

Ruttenberg previously served as deputy chief of staff under Cook County Board of Commissioners president Toni Preckwinkle. She has also worked as a policy advocate for Chicago Public Schools and several nonprofit organizations. Currently, she serves as the Democratic Party of Evanston’s deputy committeeperson.

Hanley holds board positions on several local nonprofits and has led community organizing efforts. He co-founded the voting advocacy program Operation Swing State with Preckwinkle and outgoing U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston).

Ruttenberg told The Daily Thursday evening she had not yet seen Hanley’s Instagram stories because she had been out knocking doors all day. 

“I have a lot of relevant experience, so that’s what we’re trying to point out in our mailers,” she said. “I think we’re getting the message across.”

Hanley told The Daily he viewed the flyer as a “disappointing mischaracterization” of his campaign. 

He added its depiction of his healthcare policy experience did not account for his collaboration with state agencies, National Guard units and local government during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Politics can be better than that,” Hanley said of his opponent’s strategy.

Debate over experience also emerged during a candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters at the Glenview Public Library Thursday, where the two candidates pitched their platforms to around 100 attendees, according to event organizers.

Both agreed on various policy issues, including a progressive income tax, increasing affordable housing and employing local agencies to combat federal funding cuts and immigration enforcement. Neither candidate used the two rebuttals available to them throughout the forum.

But in her closing statement, Ruttenberg pitched herself as the choice with more “relevant direct experience.” Several of her answers throughout the night referenced her former role as Preckwinkle’s deputy chief of staff.

“I’ve done the real work for more than 20 years,” she said. “That’s not to say that I’m the super old candidate. I believe we’re only eight years apart. By the time I was my opponent’s age, I was running a legal aid organization and filing civil rights lawsuits.”

Hanley pushed back on Ruttenberg’s claim in his own closing statement. The position soon to be vacated by State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview), he argued, requires someone “with a diversity of experiences.”

“I think what folks are looking for, what they are so desperate for at this moment, is active, energetic leadership that is engaging with the community,” Hanley said.

DPOE President Kathy Hayes said she knew both candidates through previous work in the community. 

She declined to say which candidate she plans to vote for but said she wants someone who can effectively “write legislation.”

“We need people that are primed and experienced in handling policy and intergovernmental affairs,” Hayes said. “It can’t be a guessing game.”

The forum remained focused on policy over politics, and there was no animosity between the candidates. Both took similar stances on issues, including not spending public money to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois. 

Hanley told The Daily the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board’s endorsement of him Thursday morning was a “good characterization” of the race so far. 

“I appreciate that they called both of us too progressive,” he said. 

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