(A. Gerik / Journal Star) more photos

YATES CITY, ILL., Nov. 16 – With the 18th District Congressional race heating up here in central Illinois, I was sent to the tiny community of Yates City (pop. 751) to cover a town hall meeting with lone Democratic candidate Dick Versace. This is the same Versace that coached Bradley University basketball and eventually made his way into a cushy job as an NBA executive. About a dozen people show, all very pleasant and jovial toward Versace as hands are shook, hugs doled out and smiles exchanged. Then came the open forum portion of the meeting:

“If you can’t speak English within a year, you’re going back to Mexico!” yells a portly bald man in glasses. “I’m talkin’ about the illegals.”

Illegals. Should someone should tell him that “illegal” is an adjective?

Before I give this town a bad name, I do give credit to another guy in a hunting jacket who mentioned his energy concerns. He wants to produce wind energy on his properties, but finds it hard to begin due to red tape and local regulations.

“I haven’t seen anything that says we have an energy problem,” another balding guy retorts. This starts a back-and-forth where everyone is gravely concerned with gas prices, ignoring any political ramifications or environmental concerns.

“I heard that they got these cars that run on water!” yells the portly bald man again.

With gritted teeth, Congressional hopeful Dick Versace tries his hand at archery as he visits a local Yates City business Monday night during a stop on his ‘Common Sense Express’ tour of the 18th District. (A. Gerik / Journal Star)