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Mandatory reading assignment
Thursday, Feb 4, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller * Jonathan Kaye is a Republican candidate for the Illinois House running against incumbent GOP Rep. Reggie Phillips. Kaye hammered Phillips the other day for missing a vote on higher education funding, but that’s not what this post is about. What I’d like you to do is read something that Kaye wrote about himself. Yes, it’s long, but it’s utterly fascinating. Kaye has lived a remarkably interesting life. And he wrote his story at a time when he was apparently being attacked by Rep. Phillips for his arrest record, which he explains as well. I doubt that he has much of a shot in this campaign. He hasn’t raised much money. And he’s up against a super-conservative incumbent in a super-conservative area. But, click here anyway. It’s worth every minute. I promise.
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- btowntruth - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 5:20 pm:
I can’t find the words to fully explain what ai think after reading that…
- Last Bull Moose - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 5:21 pm:
Great read. Thanks Rich.
Suggest he post some documents online that verify elements of his story. His military discharge papers would be good. Court decision of course.
He is the type of person we would get in the Legislature if we still had cumulative voting.
- Former State Employee - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 5:21 pm:
Wow, just wow. I would love to just sit down and talk with this guy.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 5:30 pm:
Fascinating read. It begs the question, how long does he think he’ll be interested in serving as a state rep? It seems like he might also benefit from Ritalin.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 5:32 pm:
Whoa.
The self-reflection while taking us on the journey of his life, it’s many… experiences… it’s a reminder that life… is far better than fiction, and life is sometime far more tougher than what we can imagine.
Worth the time? Yep, and I’ll go back and read it again probably too.
This is one of those examples, where a person has a story to tell but the story is a “chapter book”, winding, with flashback, reconnect, new friends, old friends, but the main character is the constant.
He’s already lived 2 lifetimes.
- Centennial - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 5:43 pm:
Thanks for posting. Interesting read. I would buy his book.
- somalia - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 5:47 pm:
He is a good writer too
- Downstate - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 6:09 pm:
I’ve never met Mr. Kaye, but I’ve met his wife. Remarkable lady.
Regarding some of the ancillary characters of his story (corrupt judge - horrible state’s attorney), he treated them much more gently than they deserve. Judge ended up doing serious jail time. And the back story on the state’s attorney is disgusting as well. He left out details on both these gentlemen that are repulsive.
Again, I’ve never met Jonathan, but I love his story!
- Elliott Ness - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 6:14 pm:
ABP is in his favor in this election! Anybody But Phillips….
- Abe the babe - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 6:30 pm:
This is from my neck of the woods. So close it’s scary. I don’t know mr Kaye but elements of his story rung my bell. It could have been me and it was me in small ways.
This blog is fantastic. I’ve been around the state and around the country and portions of the globe. But it took me coming back to capfax to hear a genuine, honest, heArtfelt, story in my back yard.
I don’t know what this man’s platform is or what policies he espouses. But I will tell you this. I will support this man. I don’t live in the district anymore but this man surely has the experience to represent my fellow neighbors.
- Sir Reel - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 6:31 pm:
I’d vote for anyone who climbs Colorado 14′ers. Unfortunately I don’t live in the district.
- Jax - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 6:32 pm:
Sounds like someone who would be interesting to meet.
- Bored Chairman - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 6:34 pm:
Too bad I can’t vote for him. Illinois needs more people like Mr. Kaye in Springfield. Shame on his opponent.
- wayward - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 6:45 pm:
He does sound like he’d be an improvement over Reggie Phillips.
- FormerParatrooper - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 6:53 pm:
Wow. If these are the true facts as he states them, someone deserves to have his convictions overturned. There must be one heck of a story about the Judge being represented by a mob lawyer, and who else this lawyer represented in the political body of the State. He is not in my voting district, but he is someone I would want to listen to and see his positions.
I agree with the other posters above, I will also be reading again. And hopefully be able to find more information and back stories on the other characters.
- Ray del Camino - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 6:54 pm:
I’d trade him in a heartbeat for the rep. who represents where my house is.
- RNUG - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 9:02 pm:
Interesting story …
- Land of Lincoln - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 9:32 pm:
😳
- Anonymous - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 9:49 pm:
Let’s see…shady political family ties, check; sketchy past, check; ex-felon, check; bloviation to the extreme, check. Sounds like he’d fit right into the Illinois legislature, no wonder he’s running. At least he’s honest about his past.
- AC - Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 10:36 pm:
I’m not sure if that would change my opinions in that race, If I were a voter ther I’d have to learn more about the specifics, but on a personal level, what a great story. I really do want to read more.
- Would Like To Know More - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 8:52 am:
If it is true that a cop fired for beating an inmate managed to get a law license, that speaks volumes. Cops who beat inmates should be prosecuted so that they cannot become lawyers. And if it is true that a state’s attorney employed a prosecutor who had been censured, that is also remarkable and speaks volumes. Prosecutors should be required to have spotless records.
- old time independent - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 8:57 am:
What a story. If its true, then he would be a good choice for political office. If not elected Rauner should bring him on his staff to help fix the budget problem. Sure seems like he is a problem solver!!!!!
- StateWorker - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 9:00 am:
You were absolutely right, this read was worth every minute! Fascinating!! I would like to meet him…great read, thank you for posting!