Sycamore | Rep. Randy Hultgren (R – Winfield) discussed health care and the national debt at the Sycamore town hall meeting Tuesday evening.

About 70 people attended the town meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Sycamore City Council Chambers, 308 W. State St. The evening consisted of a 20 minute update about Hultgren’s first 100 days in office, followed by 40 minutes of questions from members of the community.

The first topic Hultgren addressed was the national debt, which will be at $15 trillion by the end of the year, Hultgren said.

“Forty-two cents of every dollar is borrowed,” Hultgren said “That means from July 27 through the end of the year we are using borrowed money.”

Hultgren said he wants to help the national debt by eliminating earmarks and raising employment.

Another major topic at the meeting was health care. Hultgren said he voted to eliminate parts of the health care bill, including requirements to fill out the 1099 tax forms by some employers. He said he also voted to approve a bill to fix certain parts of the health care reform, but was not specific about what parts.

Hultgren called for the meeting so that he could hear directly from his constituents and said more town meetings will follow in the future.

“I want to be available and accessible,” Hultgren said. “I am following through on a commitment.”

Some residents in attendance were happy that Hultgren held a town meeting.

“We are very concerned about the direction of the country,” said Sycamore Resident Earl Schumaker. “It’s a good way for representatives to find out what’s on peoples minds.”