OAK LAWN, Ill. Somewhere between day-drinking together at the local VFW and my personal tour of the 9/11 memorial around the corner, Sandra Burys pride in her community became palpable.

Its a true neighborhood, Bury, the Democratic mayor of this Chicago suburb, beamed as she sipped her iced white wine at the veterans watering hole, greeting every person who came in. Its a small town with the amenities of a big city. We have a Level 1 trauma center. Its great if you have a problem. For example, Ive got a disabled brother, and he swallowed part of his dental partial. It had to be surgically removed. It was really nice having that just a mile away.

So, she said, we have more pluses than minuses.

About 57,000 people live in this mostly Catholic, blue-collar community. The economy is very much at the mercy of the railroad, as Bury put it, which runs right through town and carries people to and from Chicago. When the trains used to run at all hours, blaring their horns, it was a huge problem for residents. Bury and other local leaders held a big meeting with Metra transit officials, demanding that something change. In the end, it was their congressman, Democrat Dan Lipinski, who got them a quiet zone.

Hes a highly responsive elected official in this community, Bury said. Hes always at the schools, always supporting first responders, active with seniors, always doing town halls. I feel he represents the core values of this community.

But just 14 miles away in Western Springs, a more affluent part of Lipinskis district, if you bring up his name to people milling about in the parking lot of Marianos, a local grocery store, some arent as pleased with him. Especially if issues like abortion or LGBTQ rights come up both of which are fueling controversy about him in Washington, D.C., since Lipinski is one of very few in his party opposed to both.

Its more than just about a candidate being pro-life, said Nina, a 46-year-old physician and mom, piling bags of food into her van. Its about the right to choose and women having the independence of what they do and dont want to do. Its men or politicians deciding what we should do. Its part of that larger issue that I take issue with.

Asked if Lipinskis record on abortion was enough to make her vote for someone else in the Democratic primary, Nina said, If there was a viable candidate that also met that threshold for believing in the principles that I support, then yeah. Absolutely.

I openly love gay people and transvestites, added Patty Wade, 63, as she plopped bags of cheese bratwurst into her trunk for a barbecue at her daughters house.

If theres a Democrat who supports LGBTQ rights, Wade said, I will be voting for them.