A debate between the candidates was sponsored by "Chicago's Young and Powerful". The group aims to get young people involved in the political process.
"We need to be educating our young people. We need to be figuring out how we get guns out of the hands of criminals now," former Congresswoman and candidate Debbie Halvorson said.
"We have a systemic problem that we have to deal with," State Senator and candidate Toi Hutchinson said. "And it's going to take all hands on deck and it goes from mental health to education to common sense gun legislation we can all get behind."
The special primary election for the seat will be held on February 26.
It will determine which Democratic and Republican candidates will be on the ballot in April.