Democratic candidates vying to fill outgoing U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat said tariffs under U.S. President Donald Trump have hurt small businesses and farmers.

Trump’s tariffs, or import duties, were among the topics discussed at a candidates forum Sunday at International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Hall in Joliet .

The candidates running for Durbin’s seat in the 2026 Democratic primary include Jump Shepherd; Kevin Ryan; and U.S. Reps Robin Kelly, 2nd District, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, 8th District.

Sunday’s forum was hosted by Illinois Democratic Women of Will County . Michelle Stiff, a candidate for Will County clerk, moderated the forum.

When asked about Trump’s tariffs, Ryan, a Chicago Public Schools teacher and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, said he’s seen how they

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