Expressing mostly frustration over the first two months of President Donald Trump’s second term, more than 400 people showed up at the first live town hall this year put on by U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, to learn what the congressman is doing in response to the president’s unprecedented executive orders.
Both questioners and Schneider received applause — nine for the congressman and six for those asking questions — though dissatisfaction was voiced twice, but was eventually turned into approval after an explanation was offered.
Schneider spent more than 90 minutes talking about what he is doing in the U.S. House of Representatives and answering questions at the town hall Wednesday night at the College of Lake County in Grayslake.
The gathering came as town halls held by some congressmen around the country have devolved into screaming matches, with the election officials being shouted down by critics of Trump’s approach since taking office or how Democrats have responded.
“One of my goals tonight is to try to bring some uplift, to bring some hope, to finding common ground,” Schneider said. “Not so much in Washington, but here at home among neighbors and communities. To focus on common-sense ideas and policies that will lead to the common good.”
Several people asked Schneider why the Democrats did not have a common, cohesive message to offset what Trump and Elon Musk — the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — are doing.
During his opening remarks, Schneider was critical of Trump and Musk. He said he is worried about the damage they are doing to the U.S. Constitution, and to the alliances the U.S. has built since the end of World War II. Musk was the subject of the most criticism.
“I see an unelected, uninformed and I would argue dangerous oligarch running amok throughout the government taking actions,” Schneider said. “If ever there was an example of ‘ready, fire, aim,’ this is it.”
Ashley Beasley of Highland Park was one of the people who asked Schneider to take a stronger stand and help his fellow Democrats to do the same. She said people like U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Missouri, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, were presenting strong messages.
“They are screaming,” she said. “We want to see you take your gloves off. Say something to give us hope. Don’t back down. We’ll be right there with you.”
Schneider said people like Crockett are playing their roles well, and he has his own part to play. He praised the way she picks a fight and makes headlines. It is part of the way the Democrats are trying to oppose the Trump agenda. His role is different, he said.
“Imagine me, sitting in a hearing, snapping back at Marjorie Taylor Greene,” Schneider said “I can’t get the words, have the cadence that Jasmine has. They would not have gone viral, and if they had, it would not have gone viral for the right reasons.”
Now a part of leadership as the chair of the New Dems — a 115-member caucus of moderate Democrats who are willing to work with Republicans — Schneider said working in a quieter way helps to get things done. Like in the military, everyone has a role and together it works, he said.
“I’m good at bringing people together,” he continued. “I’m good at sitting in the leadership meetings with (Minority Leader) Hakeem Jeffries and talking about how we synthesize. My best skill is strategy. That’s what I did in my (business) career, and it’s what I’m doing now to make sure we get from where we are to where we have to be.”
Earlier in the meeting, Schneider talked about how he was working with Republican colleagues to remove the SALT (state and local tax) ceiling from the tax laws. There were some boos among the crowd when he mentioned communicating across the aisle, then he elaborated.
“That is double taxation,” Schneider said. “That is penalizing people in states like Illinois, who have more than $10,000 in property taxes or state income taxes who are paying taxes again to the federal government on taxes they are paying to the state,” he added, prompting applause.
While conversations with Republicans are not bearing fruit now because of their fear, Schneider said he is hopeful the time will come when a few — the GOP has a slim majority in the House — are willing to speak out.
“Everyone knows where I stand, and where the Democrats stand,” he said. “We need you to speak out. I said I will get in the foxhole with you. I will give you what cover you need. I don’t know when we’ll see the turn, but I do know many of my Republican friends’ stomachs are turning.”
Admission was handled with free tickets distributed online. Caitlin McNamee, Schneider’s communications director, said there were 500 given out, with a waiting list of 1,000. Those who did not get tickets were sent a link to the livestream.
Questions were allowed through a lottery system, where everyone was given a ticket when they arrived. They were drawn at random and the questioners walked to the microphone when their number was called.
