Chicago Democrat Takes Heat at Town Hall

Amid boos and cat calls at a rowdy town hall meeting in Skokie, Illinois, last night, Rep. Janet Schakowsky used the forum to rip on the health insurance industry and vowed reform will pass in Congress.

"I did not promise to protect the profits of the very rich insurance companies," Schakowsky told the crowd of more than 1,200, most of which were supportive of her and the Democratic health reform.

But the event drew plenty of angry participants who tried to shout down the congresswoman and people who spoke in favor of health reform. When Schakowsky evoked Ted Kennedy's name at the beginning of the meeting, loud protesters booed, setting the tone. At least 500 people were turned away from the standing room only Niles West High School auditorium last night.

One woman accused Schakowsky of filling seats with her supporters early to keep dissenters out - the auditorium and the high school's large parking lot were full at least a half hour before the meeting. Schakowsky denied doing that but admitted later that her office bused a group of seniors to the meeting. Another man said the reform plan was putting the country on the road to socialism.

"I'm opposed to socialism and I believe our president is a socialist," Richard Schulte of Evanston told Schakowsky.

Other concerns centered on how to pay for the $1 trillion plan, disruption to the present health insurance system and coverage of illegal aliens. One woman asked if the reform would lead to more abortions.

A disabled World War II veteran told Schakowsky that care for vets wasn't being addressed. "I don't see you doing anything for the veterans," said Fred Seidel of Skokie.

Some spoke in favor of the plan. When Schakowsky said some people in the audience had some "poignant stories" about their struggles with the health care system, detractors booed loudly. She backed off and didn't invite those people to talk.

Schakowsky told the crowd that reform would get done despite polls showing negative sentiment toward fixing the system. She insisted there are more people who favor the Democrats' plan and said there's "a lot of support for universal health care" in her congressional district, which includes near-north suburban Chicago.