* From Paul Fichtner…
Rich, never wrote you before. I am an incumbent candidate for DuPage County Board. Imagine my surprise when driving through my district all my 4×4 signs were down. All of my signs and the dem’s signs too. Both parties, but since the Dems had so very few signs up to begin with (1 out of 5 I would say) we were clearly hurt more. The message was clear. We must be doing well. Winger, me, Cronin.
I got a tip they were all at the IDOT HQ in Oak Brook. I drove out there, gate was open saw what you see in the picture I took, took my signs back and put them up again.
IDOT crew was confronted as they were taking some signs in Addison township. Signs that were clearly on private property. In fact ALL signs of our candidates had permission from property owners. Didn’t matter. They said they had orders from Cook County (IDOT HQ I presume). 2 more days!
The signs…
I’ve reached out to IDOT for comment. I’ll let you know what they say.
*** UPDATE *** From IDOT…
The signs were removed following complaints that they were interfering with motorist visibility. They were found to be in the public way and in violation of IDOT motorist safety policies. They were moved to the local IDOT yard where they will be available for pickup for 30 days.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* From a reader…
Greetings,
We received a Robocall from Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates) last night claiming that a mailer that made offensive racist assertions (and supposedly from the Crespo campaign) had been sent to his constituents by an “unknown party.”
The call didn’t mention his opponent’s name and stated that the state AG and election board would look into it.
We hadn’t noticed any such mailer (but that stuff hits the bin on sight, from both parties). Have you heard of this? Is there such a mailer out there?
We’re satisfied with Crespo’s representation, but would like to know if this is a dirty trick, or damage control.
Thanks!
[Name redacted]
Hoffman Estates
The House Democrats say the mailer, which is here, was obviously made to look like a Crespo piece, but most definitely wasn’t theirs. They’ve traced the bulk permit to a Glendale Heights printer/mail house.
* From a reader…
Interesting piece of mail today. Doesn’t say who paid for it, had my wrong polling place, and says I can change my voter registration at my polling place on Election Day, which I don’t think is accurate?
He’s correct, that’s not accurate. But I talked to someone else today whose wife received the same mailer. Her polling place was accurate.
It’s one of those “voter shaming” mailers we’ve talked about. But the shamers need to get a better polling place list and learn Illinois law…
* From a Republican reader…
Rich, in the Yingling-Drobinski race, it looks like the Realtors (of which Sam is one) are falsely sending out mailers identifying Yingling as a Republican. I have to believe this is on purpose and it’s consistent with many stories of Sam self-identifying as a Republican at people’s doorsteps when he feels it is advantageous, not only this cycle but the last one too. I am trying to get the other side of the mailer for you but I wanted to give you the heads up.
We expect the candidates to lie but a group like the Realtors is a little different.
It’s either a shenanigan or a big goof…
[If you’re having trouble seeing that mailer, click here.]
* And a Democratic reader sent this mailer along…
His note…
Dude the Rauner people need to get the targeting right.
1. Pat Quinn is happy because I voted…for him. Voted the first day of early vote.
2. I am an elected Democratic PC, scrub your lists man.
3. HRO and DPI both stopped mailing after I early voted. Apparently Rauner didn’t pull the record.
…Adding… Tribune…
Earlier, Quinn announced the state would spend $2 million to help build a new homeless shelter in Humboldt Park and another $2 million for a health center in Garfield Park.
Quinn doled out money following a weeklong blitz of jobs announcements, including those from several businesses that received state tax breaks or incentives to grow or relocate in Illinois. The good news tour sparked criticism from Rauner, who said the governor was using his government office to help boost his political campaign, attacks Quinn shrugged off.
* Other stuff…
* Bernard Schoenburg: Bell accuses Scherer of ‘illegally’ taking tax break while he got same exemption
* Little Pavel Gets a Letter - Join us, as our young campaign volunteer learns about voter intimidation
* Former Bustos staffer caught making racist remarks blames others
* Carol Marin: Campaign hits, runs and errors
- Oswego Willy - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 12:32 pm:
===3. HRO and DPI both stopped mailing after I early voted. Apparently Rauner didn’t pull the record===
lol.
“Call me Maybe?” Winnetka style.
- Louis G Atsaves - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 12:37 pm:
Repeated reports here in Lake County of Yingling telling voters while going door to door that he is a Republican. Or even better: “I’m really a Republican.” Why does the realtor mailing not surprise me?
- William j Kelly - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 12:37 pm:
More rauner lies, I bet that picture was taken before the signs were put up. You can’t trust anything from Rauner HQ. just read Diana’s emails any your understand all you need to know about these two.
- walker - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 12:51 pm:
IDOT can police and remove all signs from their own parkways. And they do every election cycle. Note, most roads are not theirs to cover, but villages and townships can do the same for “their” roads. Also note that “parkway” extends some feet inside the curbs, depending on the size of the roadway. In my area it is about eight feet.
Campaigns face this every year, and the person from Dupage should know this. All suburban campaign staff with experience know that signs placed in the “parkway” by the local definitions might be removed, and therefore place them well inside the curbs.
- Paul Fichtner - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 1:11 pm:
“IDOT can police and remove all signs from their own parkways. And they do every election cycle.”
These signs were well outside the IDOT right of ways on private property.
- walker - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 1:29 pm:
Paul: You’re sure none of them were near the curbs? Almost all of the signs around me on IDOT roads have been. I have watched IDOT trucks do this, and never seen them get very far off the roadway picking up signs. Many villages do the same thing before elections, and it does hit both parties.
Sorry if you got hit unjustly. Best wishes.
- Come on man! - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 2:00 pm:
The realators often use Cookie Cutter pieces. I would chalk it up to that.
- Union Leader - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 2:05 pm:
One last thing, I had the opportunity to speak with a Republican candidate for state representative. I called the number from my caller id and she answered the phone.
Now I have been in politics for over 40 years as a campaign worker, precinct captain and I have even run for office. One thing I learned is to never ever argue with constituents. This candidate asked me a couple of questions- “Am I okay with Speaker Madigan (she said Boss Madigan) being in power for over 40 years?” My answer-YES. She also told me Rauner was pro-union and was not going to convert pensions into 401K’s. I asked her what she was smoking and what planet she was living on. SHe proceeded to argue with me on every issue, as I calmly answered her questions. I felt like I was on an interview.
I told her very respectfully, even if I were to consider voting for her, she had just lost my vote. She already is an elected official in Plainfield Township when I asked her about her ties to the Tea Party she denied it.
Gave her two pieces of advice-never lie to your constituents (facts can be checked and the funny thing is you can’t change facts) and never ever argue with constituents either on the phone or in person.
By the way, I was proud to cast my vote for Natalie Manley!
- MrJM - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 2:51 pm:
Are we to believe that the IDOT villains sorted the signs by candidate as they stole them from people’s lawns — or that they sorted them into those neat columns after they returned to their lair?
– MrJM
- Connect the dots - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 2:58 pm:
If Rauner wins, there should be a bunch of heads rolling.
- Casual Observer - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 3:32 pm:
So did the Rauner crew that is really working for Quinn just save IDOT the trouble and stack them up neatly for them?
- foster brooks - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 4:15 pm:
we used to take down politcal signs down on the state right of way all the time, these guys were nice about because everyone we took down ended up in the dumpster.
- Jeeves the Cat - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 5:23 pm:
Signs were up Thursday night, most (ALL 4×4’s) down early Friday morning. Probably didn’t see some of the smaller yard signs in the dark. However, signs that were more than 10′ back WERE still in place on Friday. All the signs (with few exceptions) that we noticed were taken down were inside the right-of-way on designated state highways or US highways that IDOT maintains. Never seen this happen before. Also, it was just Friday morning (wind advisory?). Bag signs that were left up on adjoining streets in exposed areas all blew away leaving just the stakes. Also - oddly - saw state troopers parked along the same streets on Friday - they NEVER patrol municiple areas. All GOP signs were back up early Saturday. Dem signs were not replaced.
- MIMI - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 6:11 pm:
If the GOTV is big in Chicago, which I have heard it has been, be this should help the Democrats
- LakeviewJ - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 6:48 pm:
Had a friend wait 1.5 hours at the West Side early vote side today. He said the line was even longer when he left.
- A. Nonymous - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 8:03 pm:
@ Mr. Fichtner:
Re the “IDOT” thing… Parkways are not private property. They are gov’t property.
Local villages throughout the suburbs (each of the villages I’m thinking of are currently run by Republican ‘non-partisan’ mayors) are also having their road crews pull signs from parkways.
Happens every election.
They almost always make them available at their local public works facility if a campaign is ambitious enough to go get them. (It’s also helpful for candidates-to-be who are strapped for cash and need frames… just saying.)
Get over it Mr. Fichtner - and encourage your workers to place signs legally.
- Freeze up - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 8:37 pm:
(605 ILCS 5/9-112.1) (from Ch. 121, par. 9-112.1)
Sec. 9-112.1. No person shall place or cause to be placed any sign or billboard or any advertising of any kind or description upon any State highway or on any other highway outside the corporate limits of any municipality except as may be required by this Code or “The Illinois Vehicle Code”, as now or hereafter amended. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Section shall be guilty of a petty offense and fined not less than $10 nor more than $100 for each offense.
(625 ILCS 5/1-126) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1-126)
Sec. 1-126. Highway. The entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel or located on public school property.
- Oneman - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 9:24 pm:
The $5 question is, how many of the early voters are folks who always vote and would have voted regardless…
Would love to have a crack at the early voter data at some point..
- anon - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 9:58 pm:
OH…”Ok IDOT…wink wink…nice “story”…what a joke…”interfering with motorists views”…yes…because they are SO tall….
- Freeze up - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 10:25 pm:
Political signs don’t belong on state right of ways whether they block the view or not. As I posted above, it is illegal.
I could care less if someone puts a sign in front of their house and it is a bit too close but the ones in medians and ditches really bug me.
And they will still be an eyesore in spring when the snow melts because the busy bee sign setters won’t go remove them this week.
- Bluefish - Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 10:27 pm:
After mass this morning found each car had been hit with a Ramiro Jaurez flyers on each car. Besides desecrating the sanctity of my church he added to the litter in my community as most of my fellow parishioners threw the flyers on the ground in disgust. Know Ramiro’s personal history I would think he’d keep away from a church.
- DuPage Bard - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 12:06 am:
I love how Fichtner claims how many more signs he and the R’s have up. When you look at his picture it’s almost like he put his signs in with everyone else’s to make himself feel good.
- Springlieldish - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 1:31 am:
@ Louis Atsaves: Repeated reports? And you’re supposedly a trail lawyer? Pure bull. I’ve canvassed throughout the 62nd since the middle of July for Schneider and two county-wides and no one has said that. I showed your comment to an Avon GOP committeeman today and he dropped his clipboard from laughing so hard. But, we know where you got that gem and when measured by who you listen to, you’re coming up way short.
- Wumpus - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 9:10 am:
Fred(o) Crespo (Madigan property) is also of hispanic heritage. Besides his post election party switch after GOP volunteers worked to get him elected, he is a decent guy. I know Fredo would not do some stuff like this!
- Black Ivy - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 1:55 pm:
I am stuck on IDOT’s shennigans. Interfering with motororist visability? REally? This is the reason you take Republican candidates’ signs down? #shameful
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 2:44 pm:
== All of my signs and the dem’s signs too. Both parties==
Reading comprehension is a great thing.
By the way, there are laws about signs in the public right of way you dope.
But you keep on playing the victim.
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 2:45 pm:
That comment was directed at Black Ivy. #dope
- The Colossus of Roads - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 2:56 pm:
Sight distance problems. What a low down dirty way to remove signs. Let’s cut down all the corn at intersections and heaven forbid someone piles snow at one of these locations. Engineers should run IDOT, not politicians.
- low level - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 5:41 pm:
Louis- I’ve had repeated reports and seen the ads to match of Bruce Rauner claiming to be a pro choice Democrat on the Chicago Metro Area and a staunch anti choice conservative downstate. Or is that Diana?
Just sayin…
- Scott Liss - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 6:07 pm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wB0dYbpw24&feature=youtu.be