Here's what people are saying about politicians and campaign issues. You can weigh in by posting your comments below or clicking on the story links.

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Sheriff's deputy escorts Cahokia students voting for the first time. Readers responded:

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My question is, why are these kids encouraged to vote early? Who arranged this? What is wrong with voting on election day? I smell a rat! Jeff Lucas

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Same mean crowd here. Good job students. It is your right to vote and your duty. Early voting is legal and you can't tell eighteen year old young adults anything. Good luck telling them who to vote for. I wish all schools would help kids register when they turn eighteen and urge them to vote. They should use BND voter guide in class. The99Percent

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Police escort really? What a joke and waste of resources. Saluki09

* County Board candidate Dennis Renner, who installs his own political signs around the metro east, should stop accepting publicly funded disability payments and go back to his county truck driving job, his opponent in the Nov. 6 election said. Readers responded:

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Another government leach who is playing the system and milking the hardworking taxpayers. Gives many of the other county workers who work hard and decades without a claim a bad name. If he can hammer in signs he can drive a truck. If he had any moral character he would go back to work or resign, but I doubt that will happen. bndelvis

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Workmans Comp is there for folks who need help when injured at work. This allows folks to continue to pay bills and maintain some standard of living. It is temporary and should be, like it has been for Mr. Renner. People's bodies break down over time and his physician has proven that. Mr. Renner is a good man who has done much to help the community and will do so for the county. I am amazed at the type of politics some people will use to try to get a leg up. Good luck Mr. Renner and keep you head up, you are a good man. CombatVet

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Seven worker compensation claims? That is way out of line. Mr. Renner is abusing or taking advantage of the system and a good man does not do that. SB14

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It seems to me we have a serial suer on our hands here, we have to ask ourselves do we want someone like this representing us on the board. baicas

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I'm surprised that he passed the physical exams required to obtain the jobs with the state and county. Bruiser

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An unlikely match-up between two conservatives is taking shape in the new 15th District between incumbent U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, and Angela Michael, D-Highland. Readers responded:

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If you look at their positions, they almost agree on everything. Michael could easily run as a Republican. libdefeater

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It might have been useful to have included a little bit about Shimkus' stand on abortion, or show how they differ on this single issue. It looks to me like she's running against another pro-life candidate, so what's the point? smalltowndude

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Candidates for state representative, St. Clair County board chairman spar in debate. Readers responded:

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After watching this debate tonight, there is NO question in my mind that Jon McLean has my vote. Kern talked about what he's done. McLean talked about how what Kern has done has negatively impacted our county and what he would do to fix things. He had a plan and I'm all for giving the young man a shot. He certainly can't do any worse than Kern has. JoeSmithStClair

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I have know Jon McClain for more than two years. He is good person who will make a great county chairman. He certainly has my vote! rbw27

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McLean ... like so many others, is using some fairly silly, if not downright ignorant, appeals to reach out to people. Not taking a pension from the IMRF ... Great !!! Nice that you can afford that. But that just isn't a solution. On the flip side - wouldn't it be nice to hear McLean say that he would curb the ridiculous amounts that people on public sector pensions are paid ... bring them in line with private sector pensions and benefits. FireDogLake

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Folks around here are DONE with political corruption at the hands of the Democrats and will be at the polls pulling those Republican levers like slot machines! politicorrectnot

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I'm tired of the Ends Justifiying the Means. In the case of Mid-America Airport, the Ends haven't even worked out. OfficialsStopChoosingWinnersLo

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13th District race draws plenty of attention from outside the district. Readers responded:

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David Gill should win this district, albeit in a nail-biter. JGibsonDem

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Talked to Hartman last night at a forum. We had a good laugh when I told him he was probably too smart, wise and independent to be electable. He did not say a word about his opponents but gave a detailed report on his very thoughtful positions. Since he is both a CEO-grade businessman and a humanist intellectual, he can't be put into a categorical box. That too makes him unelectable. There is no way that an electorate that is miles below him in their education and understanding the world will elect him. SteveJellen

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Luechtefeld, Bigler say state must get handle on state budget crisis. Readers responded:

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The State of Illinois can thank Rod Baglovach for the budget fiasco. I would have to say that Illinois has some of the most roughest interstates that i have ever driven on. But i doubt it if they will get them to where they are supposed to be. wizard133

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Judge to Enyart: Apologize and all will be forgotten. Readers responded:

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if he intentionally pushed her, she should receive an apology. EveDallas1

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if i were the republicans i would steer clear of this lady. she has lost all credibility with the mainstream voters. cls62221

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She's not the one going around pushing women and children... literally. mrillinois

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She is a judge. She should know that criminal cases should not be tried in the media because to do so has potential to taint the jury pool. Has she committed an ethics violation in that regard? Heckbound1999

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I love these comment pages. More exciting than the actual candidates in the various races! The Dems spin one way, the Repubs spin the other. And everyone is an expert ........... ! SandCop

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Eckert: Belleville will remove political signs placed in public right of way. Readers responded:

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Every election the city gets these things wrong. If a sign is on city property then remove it. If the sign in on PRIVATE PROPERTY then leave it alone. The city may have a "right of way" to enter onto and etc... but the right of way is not ownership, if so I guess you don't have to pay taxes on the part of your lot then do you. TryThinking

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Oh PA-LEEZE. How about just removing the signs because it's the LAW. sickandtired

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Had to remove six signs, sounds like it's totally out of control. Bet they were republican. Dogdays

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If you remove these signs, then all signs should be removed, auctions, yard sales, homes for sell, craft fairs at the fairgrounds, chili cook off, October fest, Shriner's parade and circus,this city project funded by ( your taxes ) will work for food. .Don't start something your not going to finish. Dogdays

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I personally think they should all be removed. I do not see any reason that an exception should be made for any political signs. All this does is encourage someone to vote for someone because they have more signs or by name recognition. No one should vote for someone because of seeing their name more often. The only signs that should be allowed are "Vote on DATE" OfficialsStopChoosingWinnersLo

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12th U.S. House candidates spar during third debate in Waterloo. Readers responded:

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Having attended last night's debate I can, with all honesty and void of opinion, say that Bill Enyart was the clear winner. Simply put - he was focused on issues and stated his views and goals ... clearly. FireDogLake

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I couldn't be more excited about Jason Plummer being the next Congressman for the 12th District. He is a breath of fresh air for southern Illinois. He is young, smart, ambitious and working his butt off! Great job tonight! beep_beep

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I think Paula has actually made some really good points. It is clear she has no experience with public speaking. That and her nervousness really show. I have to give her credit though for getting up there and debating with candidates from the major parties. Many of us complain and sit on the sidelines. At least she is actually getting involved. JohnW67 *

Judicial candidate Laninya Cason files ethics complaint against opponent; foe Zina Cruse denies allegation. Readers responded:

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No judge should ever preside over a case in which his/her spouse has an interest, waiver or not. smalltowndude

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I am an attorney and I know for a fact that Judge Cason is one of the most intelligent and ethical Judges in the Courthouse santa

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it explains why nothing gets done. everyone is busy pointing fingers and cheating the system tmb

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Illinois House candidate Julie Bigham Eggers says she won't take insurance, pension, salary, and she challenged her competition Jerry Costello to do same. Readers responded:

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This is the first time in my life I've wished I weren't an American. No choices worth voting on. Sad time for our country. Lililgal

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This lady has clearly lost her mind, in the past week or so she has changed her position so many times she cant even keep it straight. It must be nice to have enough money or have someone financing you that you wouldnt have to take a salary for a job(wonder if that means she will sign up not to take the retirement then as well). It has been proven over and over that anyone that has ever said i will not take a salary or the insurance, that they will get paid some other way. I dont care who you are, if you are willing to do it for nothing you clearly have a agenda and will have to do the work of the one that is paying your bills. Nathan Brice Lee

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She already has health insurance, and she apparently wishes to save for her own retirement. What a novel idea. Over_Taxed

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Take the money, Jerry. Just do something that makes us feel like its worth giving it you. TownPride

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Dear Julie Bigham Eggers ... don't you think that you're being a bit silly here? Afterall, who among us - yourself aside - has the wherewithall to decline those things? Maybe you're among those who are well off and can go without those things - but that' doesn't make you any better than another at serving. FireDogLake

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Third-party candidate Curtis McCall Jr. emerges in County Board District 25 -- and the Democrats are backing him. Readers responded:

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Unbelievable but typical St. Clair County Democrat politics! closemidamerica

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So let me get this straight, you can be convicted of voter fraud, and then turn around and get signatures on a petition in an election? Hmmmmm, I would have thought that maybe that would have been one of his restrictions. Oh well, this is St. Clair county. It's funny how he was given another job with Cahokia. ffd95

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So in effect we have two Democrats running for the office, since he has the Party's backing! plaintired

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The country would be better off without the DEMS or REPUB parties. They control everything. No room for the middle! onenation