On Oct. 3rd, several organizations on NIU’s campus will be cosponsoring a Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Forum at 5:30 p.m. in the Sandburg Auditorium. The Forum will feature seven candidates vying to be the Democratic Nominee for Illinois Governor next year. The primary election will be held in March of 2018, with the general election being held in November of 2018. It is very important that college students from across the state of Illinois make their voices heard in these elections. As the Northern Star outlined in the most recent issue, Illinois colleges and universities remain in critical shape, despite Illinois having a budget in place for the first time in over two years. As President of the NIU College Democrats, I strongly encourage the students and faculty of NIU to attend this Candidates Forum and ask tough questions of the people seeking the highest office in the state. This election will shape the dynamics of Illinois politics for the next four years, and we need to know which candidates have what it takes to lead Illinois through tough times, with a commitment to higher education and the voices of the students of Illinois in mind.