(WICS/WRSP) – The 2026 election is three weeks away. Some voters from Springfield up to Champaign will be able to vote on who represents Illinois’ 13th district in the House of Representatives. The incumbent, Nikki Budzinski, will be running against Jeff Wilson.

We spoke to both candidates about important topics to Illinois residents. We asked them the same questions.

One of the questions: “How will you help the working man?”

Wilson said it’s about affordability. "Energy, believe it or not, is about 20 percent of our affordability equation," Wilson said. "We can improve that by decreasing energy costs. And you decrease energy costs by making more energy sufficient, feasible 24 hours a day."

Wilson said energy, housing, job creation and reducing taxes are 60% of the affordability equation.

 Budzinski said raising wages is key to helping the regular citizen. "I think we need to raise the federal minimum wage," Budzinski said. "I think the other thing we need to address this broken healthcare system. I believe health care is a right. It’s not a privilege in the richest country in the world. We need to make sure that coverage is something that’s universal and affordable for everyone."

Budzinski added that bringing down prescription drug costs and generating more clean energy is important.

We also asked the candidates: “Will the tariff conflict with Canada impact Illinois businesses?”

Budzinski said she has spoken to small businesses in central and southern Illinois. She said they prepared for this more than two years ago, and they can’t account for it now. "I mean they’re having to face these increasing costs, and a lot of small businesses operate in the margins anyways," Budzinski said. “So, all of these tariffs are really leading to increasing costs not just for small businesses and their bottom lines, but also in the grocery store."

Wilson said that the tariffs will eventually work out for the United States. "Tariffs do three things: one is they protect the market, the U.S. market," Wilson said. "And number two, it generates revenue for the country. And number three, it’s used as a negotiating tool. So maybe instantaneously there may be an issue … but I believe I’m pretty convinced that over time it’ll all work out."