DANVILLE — The competition to be the representation of the 104th district in Illinois between Brandun Schweizer (Republican) and Mary Catherine Roberson (Democrat) is fierce.
Both Schweizer and Roberson are new to running for election. Schweizer is the incumbent after being appointed to the position in May of 2024. Roberson is not new to political campaigns with her past work in Champaign County as well as with U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly from the Second District.
Roberson says her record sets her apart from Schweizer.
“I bring a combination of lived experience, grassroots organizing, and professional experience working at multiple levels of government that uniquely prepares me for this position,” Roberson said. “I’m a lifelong Danville resident, the daughter of a public school teacher and a General Motors worker, and a single mother of three daughters. I understand the challenges working families face because I’ve experienced many of those same challenges myself.”
Meanwhile, Schweizer says his experience sets him apart — with 21 years as a United States Marine, including multiple combat tours. And he is raising his family in Danville as well.
“We are also small business owners, and I am a member of IBEW Local 538, which has given me an appreciation for the challenges facing both employers and working families,” Schweizer said. “I didn’t spend my career preparing to become a politician. I spent it learning how to serve and lead others. That’s the experience and perspective I bring to Springfield every day.”
Schweizer says his military service is really what led him to politics.
“Serving others had been such a large part of my life that I couldn’t imagine simply walking away from it,” he said. “When the opportunity came along to serve in the Illinois House, I saw it as another way to give back to the community we chose to call home. I wasn’t looking for a career in politics, and I certainly didn’t have aspirations of becoming a politician when I retired from the Marines.”
Roberson also says her experience working for the city of Champaign sets her apart when it comes to gun violence reform.
“I helped lead the development and implementation of a multimillion-dollar community gun violence reduction initiative, bringing together community organizations, law enforcement, service providers, and residents to address violence at its roots,” Roberson said. She served as the Director of Constituent Services for Kelly’s office.
“I’ve seen government from the perspective of someone who needs help and from the perspective of someone responsible for delivering it,” Roberson says. “I don’t have to imagine what effective constituent services should look like. I’ve been doing that work for years.”
Roberson says that experience is what led her to politics.
“Growing up in Danville, I watched families struggle when good-paying jobs disappeared. When General Motors closed, my own family experienced the economic consequences and displacement,” Roberson said. “As I got older, I saw the impact of poverty, disinvestment, and violence on our neighborhoods and young people. In 2016, after the murder of 16-year-old Devon McClyde, the son of my childhood friend, I became increasingly involved in organizing around gun violence prevention. I saw firsthand how often the people most impacted by public policy were excluded from the conversations about solutions.”
As for her priorities, she says they center around making life more affordable with more opportunities, as well as improving access to healthcare and making communities safer.
Schweizer says economics are also a priority for him.
“Families are paying more for property taxes, utilities, groceries, fuel, and just about everything else,” Schweizer says. “According to the latest federal figures, inflation is running at 3.7%, while hourly wages have only increased 3.0% over the past year. That means the average worker’s paycheck isn’t keeping up with rising prices. If affordability is truly a priority in Springfield, then we need to take a serious look at why we continue passing budgets that include additional taxes and fees.”
He also adds that the state must implement a favorable environment for businesses to come instead of leaving the state.
“We’ve experienced significant job losses in Vermilion County, and we need to do a better job of supporting existing employers, attracting new industries, and making sure our workforce has the training necessary to fill those jobs,” he said. “That includes strengthening partnerships between employers, community colleges, and vocational training programs.”
Schweizer adds the focus must shift from Chicago.
“What works in Chicago isn’t necessarily what’s best for Danville, Rantoul, Savoy, or our rural communities,” he said. “Local elected officials and residents should have a meaningful voice in decisions involving economic development, housing, and land use.”
Both Roberson and Schweizer agree changes need to be made for farmers to keep family farms going.
“Just because a family farm may be valued at several million dollars doesn’t mean that family has that kind of money sitting in the bank,” Schweizer said. “Much of that value is tied up in land, buildings, and equipment that are necessary to keep the operation running.”
Schweizer added that he supports increasing the state’s estate tax exemption from $4 million to match the federal exemption at $15 million.
“I would also like to see Illinois keep that exemption aligned with the federal level as it adjusts for inflation,” he added. “We should also examine how Illinois calculates the tax so that we aren’t unintentionally penalizing families for holding onto property that has increased in value over time.”
Roberson agrees with Schweizer.
“For many farming families, their wealth is tied up in land, equipment, and agricultural operations rather than liquid assets,” Roberson says. “We should not create situations where families are forced to sell portions of their farms simply to meet tax obligations after the death of a loved one.”
Roberson is in support of reviewing the state’s estate tax exemption and exploring reforms to protect small family-owned businesses.
However, when it comes to the controversial SAFE-T-Act, Roberson says she supports the legislation while Schweizer opposes parts of the legislation.
”Under our previous cash bail system, someone accused of a relatively minor offense could remain in jail simply because they couldn’t afford bail, while someone accused of a more serious offense might be released because they had the financial resources,” Roberson said. “I don’t believe that’s an equitable approach to public safety.”
Schweizer does agree that a financial burden should not be part of the burden of proof to hold someone in custody.
”I believe there are parts of the SAFE-T Act that have merit, particularly the idea that someone’s financial situation shouldn’t be the deciding factor in whether they remain in jail while awaiting trial,” he said. “At the same time, I understand the concerns that have been raised about public safety, particularly when it comes to repeat offenders and individuals who may pose a danger to our communities. I believe we have to take those concerns seriously while also protecting the constitutional rights of individuals who are presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
Schweizer said he has had many conversations with law enforcement about their concerns, but wants to hear more from state’s attorneys, judges, public defenders, and anyone involved in the justice system to make improvements where necessary.
”Rather than simply calling for the entire law to be repealed or proposing changes without fully understanding their consequences, I believe we need to bring those individuals together, listen to their experiences, and identify where changes are actually needed,” he said. “If there are provisions preventing our criminal justice system from adequately protecting the public, then we need to address them.”
The State of Illinois adopted a no cash bail policy in September of 2023.
”I do not support repealing the law simply for political purposes,” Roberson says about the legislation. “I support examining the data, listening to judges, prosecutors, public defenders, law enforcement, and community members, and identifying improvements where evidence demonstrates they’re needed.”
Roberson said there needs to be more done to distinguish who is a ‘genuine threat to public safety,’ which she says she will implement through evidence-based improvements.
As far as what Roberson says is the biggest problem facing Vermilion County constituents, she says it circles back to economic opportunity.
”We’ve experienced the loss of major employers, including General Motors, Quaker [Oats Factory], and Hyster-Yale,” Roberson said. “When those jobs disappear, the consequences extend far beyond the individuals who lose their paychecks.”
She says she will approach this by strengthening partnerships with the state, local organizations such as labor unions and Danville Area Community College.
”I believe Vermilion County has tremendous potential, but realizing that potential requires intentional investment and leadership willing to advocate for our communities,” Roberson said. “I support expanding registered apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, career and technical education, and opportunities for students to earn industry-recognized credentials.”
She adds Vermilion County’s biggest strength is the people who make up the county.
”What makes Vermilion County special is the resilience of the people who call it home,” Roberson said. “We’ve experienced economic challenges, but people haven’t stopped investing their time, energy, and resources into making this a better place.”
Roberson adds transparency is a big part of her campaign platform.
”I believe transparency also requires being willing to acknowledge when something isn’t working or when additional information changes your perspective,” Roberson said. “No elected official is going to make every constituent happy with every decision. But people should never have to wonder whether their representative is listening or acting in good faith.”
”I want every resident of the 104th District to know that their voice matters, their concerns deserve attention, and their representative is accessible to them,” Roberson said.
And Schweizer had a similar statement to pitch, stating:
”If you’re unhappy with the way the state is being run, then you need to get out and voice your opinion and vote to make the changes that are necessary.”
He adds, “My responsibility as a legislator isn’t to pretend I know everything. It’s to listen, ask questions, make informed decisions, and work toward solutions that protect both our communities and the constitutional rights of the people we serve.”
So come Tuesday, voters in the 104th District will have a choice to make at the polls.