With the 14th Congressional District of Illinois up for grabs, candidates are currently campaigning to succeed Dennis Hastert.

Kevin Burns, the Geneva mayor, is among the candidates vying for the republican nomination.

Burns, an Arlington Heights native, said he plans as congressman to represent the district best by understanding the people.

Burns said he wants to take advantage of congress and get things done.

Since the 14th District includes DeKalb, the upcoming election will affect issues that exist within the NIU community.

The issue of growing tuition and dwindling help from the government is a major concern of students. Because he has three teenage daughters, Burns says he knows the challenges of college intimately.

Burns suggested one option is to make low interest rates more available to students and to stop predator loans from banks only looking to profit.

“The government cannot play the only role,” Burns said.

If elected, Burns will also be taking on national and world issues in Washington.

Burns believes the climate change should be taken seriously, but should not bring a halt in our economic advantage.

On his Web site, www.burns4congress.com, Burns lists his views on major issues that concern the nation, including his position concerning the war in Iraq. Burns says the Iraqi people should do more to defend their own land and determine their own future.

“America must maintain a flexible military, able to stand up to threats both internal and external, respond to aggression in any form and be prepared to come to the aid of our allies in a moment’s notice,” Burns stated on his Web site.

To Burns, characteristics a congressman should possess are to be accessible, visible and approachable. Remaining centered is a trait Burns says he admires in Rep. Dennis Hastert, whom he hopes to succeed.

Burns noted that he still announces at high school sporting events. If elected to congress, he plans to remain connected to the people who sent him to Congress.