93 Comments - Amalia - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 1:37 pm: Rob Sherman Green Party for Congres….OMG. Bobby Rush has a primary. - paddyrollingstone - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 1:40 pm: Not only is Howard Brookins running against Bobby Rush, but so is O. Patrick Brutus. Et tu? - Anon - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 1:41 pm: Rep. Cheri Bustos (IL-17) has not filed yet. - Gruntled University Employee - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 1:46 pm: I thought Reggie Phillips vowed to take his ball and go home to Florida? - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 1:47 pm: Flynn Rush filed…according to the Twitters… against Leader Currie. - NW Illinois Democrat - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 1:50 pm: Surprise candidate in the 72nd State Rep primary on the Dem side. - Stephen Decatur - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 1:52 pm: Waiting to see if Dane Thull files in the 96th. - Just Me - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 1:53 pm: No one has filed against Dunkin. - sigh - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 1:54 pm: Just Me, Also waiting for that primary challenge! - SRM? - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 1:57 pm: Very few if any IllinoisGO candidates. - Jimmy CrackCorn - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 1:57 pm: Urlacher! Bring on the media circus. Will you north/northwest suburbanites be able to say “no” to a yard sign when it is Lance Briggs and Tommie Harris on your porch? haha - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:00 pm: IllinoisGO candidates, if filling together, will be no earlier than 3 pm, at the earliest. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:02 pm: To the Update, That was fun. Love me some “National” input on what’s happenin’ outside the beltway. - Reality Check - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:04 pm: I would hardly call Newsmax journalism. I mean, no more than the Illinois Policy Institute, anyway. - KJ - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:05 pm: Would hardly call a Newsmax employee a journalist. That’s like saying that you were disappointed in your McDonalds cheeseburger, and it’s indicative of how there are no good chefs out there anymore. - Chicago Cynic - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:07 pm: Yes, that’s it. Kirk is going to withdraw without a fight. Dream on. - chi - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:07 pm: You can pass anything off as news by prefacing the outrageousness with “Hearing that xyz”, or “Rumors swirling that xyz”… - too obvious - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:07 pm: This Kinzinger rumor is ridiculous. Everyone knows it will be Robert Dold getting the spot. - zatoichi - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:09 pm: But Mr. Gizzi wears his hat at a snappy angle. - Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:12 pm: ===hat at a snappy angle=== Yeah. I wish I could do that. - wordslinger - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:15 pm: That would have been quite a double-ought-spy signature drive Kinzinger put on for the Senate seat. If he could pull that off, they should make him head of the CIA. - SRM? - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:16 pm: ==IllinoisGO candidates, if filing together, will be no earlier than 3pm== If there are any IllinoisGO candidates, why would they file together? All of the IllinoisGO boogeyman theories suggest that the group will operate in the shadows, clandestinely backing Republican friendly Dems. If they all file together that would be a giveaway. I highly doubt there will be any IllinoisGO sponsored candidates filing against Dem incumbents. - Spliff - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:17 pm: Bustos just filed - Spliff - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:18 pm: The HGOP chosen candidate in the 76th district (Mautino and soon to be Skoog) has not filed yet. But the candidate they tried to push out of the race has filed. - Century Club - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:20 pm: Contested election for the Green Party nominee for the 5th Congressional district! I’m tempted to mock, but I’m guessing the Green establishment (is that a thing?) is not crazy about having Rob Sherman on the ticket. - Anon - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:24 pm: ===“Totally ridiculous,” says the Kirk camp.=== But this is exactly what they would say! The plot of this fake news story thickens! - Bigtwich - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:29 pm: Mark Kirk “I’ve got this thing, and it’s (bleeping) golden.” - Anon2U - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:31 pm: Ives with a general opponent?!! Can a Dem win in Wheaton? - Art Jones - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:41 pm: I’m Back Baby. - train111 - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:42 pm: Anon2U Ives’ opponent can put a sign in my yard! - train111 - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:44 pm: Three way primary for the Green spot in CD-5 - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:47 pm: ===If they all file together that would be a giveaway.=== lol. How long do you think IllinoisGO candidates are going to be “secret”… 13 minutes? Maybe 14 minutes? If they aren’t Madigan or Cullerton backed, and their filings are structured the same… The one and only thing I absolutely know at 2:46 pm today is $9 million is parked for IllinoisGO. That’s it. Today could shed some serious light… - SRM? - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:57 pm: ==If they aren’t Madigan or Cullerton backed, and their filings are structured the same…== That’s asinine - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 2:58 pm: - SRM? - Use your words… lol - Spliff - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 3:02 pm: Why would two republicans file against Franks …. he’s the biggest republican in that district? - Rockford - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 3:29 pm: Lots of primary challenges in Rockford area, both R and D. - walker - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 3:32 pm: SRM: Serious question: If IllinoisGO are not going to support pro-Turnaround Democratic candidates, then what is their mission? How will they spend their money? (e.g. Are they really primarily pro-Charter schools?) - The Captain - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 3:37 pm: Oberweis just filed, still no Avery Bourne. - train111 - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 3:41 pm: No Dave Harris in Rep 53 either - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 3:42 pm: Lots of last minute filers I guess… - sigh - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 3:44 pm: still waiting for Andrade’s (House 40) ILGO Dem primary. All this anticipation! Don’t let me down Bruce and Charters. /s - nyny - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 3:44 pm: What time is the close of business today at the State Bd of Elections? - The Captain - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 3:48 pm: There is a lottery for the bottom spot for anyone who files from 3 to 5pm on the final day, presumably to head off the big game of chicken at 5pm, so unless someone is either still getting signatures or stuck in traffic there’s no reason to wait any longer. link To avoid candidates playing chicken with the clock and trying to file last right at 5 p.m. that day, there is also now a lottery for the final positions on the ballot for anyone who files between 3 and 5 p.m. Nov. 30. - Dirty Red - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 3:51 pm: Benton in against McCann. - Team Sleep - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 3:53 pm: Mel Thillens, Blake Hudson and Michael P. Madigan all filed for Senate. - SRM? - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 3:54 pm: Walker: Serious answer: That’s a question for Greg Golder. I suspect their expectation was that dem candidates would file and run on their own. IllinoisGo would subsequently come in and spend money independent of the campaigns, as the law requires them to do. Unfortunately for IllinoisGo and those of us who have an insatiable appetite for politics, that probably isn’t going to happen. - Just Me - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 3:54 pm: ILGO has no chance of fielding candidates. The whole purpose was to scare dems into voting with the gov, for fear they might have a primary challenger. It didn’t work. At this point for them to fund candidates would be a huge waste of money. Democratic candidates associated with Rauner? One, maybe two mailers and they are toast. When the gov’s numbers were better, maybe they could have done it. Now, it might be put to better use bribing more pastors or propping up that poor church that lost half its flock. - illini - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 3:58 pm: Just checked - seems that John Shimkus does have a Primary opponent. Kyle McCarter has filed. Should be an interesting race to watch. I have known JS for over 25 years ( beginning in MadCo )and Kyle for the past 6 years. Should be interesting to see how this unfolds! - Urban Girl - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 4:00 pm: Did Ald. Erwin’s wife file to run against Rep. Reaves-Harris? - The Captain - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 4:01 pm: Three Republicans whose names I don’t recognize filed to run in the 8th CD, along with Pete DiCiani who filed on the first day. I’m surprised there weren’t any bigger Republican names in this race, yes Duckworth did well here but she is personally popular, Rauner won the district by 11, Topinka by 9 and Cross by 7. It won’t be as favorable in a Presidential year but it’s still a winnable seat for the Republicans. - Anonymous - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 4:19 pm: -Urban Girl- Yes, she did. She was mentioned as a candidate against Derrick Smith before. She also hosts a book club: http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150115/north-lawndale/28th-ward-book-clubs-next-read-gone-girl - sigh - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 4:28 pm: Omar Aquino against Sen. Willie Delgado. Really? You failed the aldermanic race. The Arroyo Family really wants to own the Northside Latino neighborhoods, don’t they? - sigh - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 4:30 pm: I think I figured it out, ILGO is actually funding all these Green candidates. Duh. - The Captain - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 4:34 pm: Dunkin challenger: STRATTON, JULIANA 2613 SOUTH INDIANA AVENUE, UNIT A CHICAGO, IL 60616 5TH REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRATIC 11/30/2015 5:00:00 PM Active - SRM? - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 4:42 pm: ==The Arroyo Family really wants to own the Northside Latino neighborhoods, don’t they?== Aquino was Berrios’ candidate. - Century Club - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 4:50 pm: Here’s an interesting last minute filing: GONZALES, JASON 22ND REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRATIC Um….who represents the 22nd House District again? I forget. - Anonymous - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 4:52 pm: Primary challenger to the Speaker: GONZALES, JASON 3723 WEST 59TH STREET, APARTMENT 2NW CHICAGO, IL 60638 - SRM? - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 4:57 pm: ==Here’s an interesting last minute filing== Interesting indeed. The district is over 60 percent Hispanic. Let’s see if this guy or any of the other candidates in that district can make the ballot. - Anonymouth - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 4:58 pm: === The district is over 60 percent Hispanic. === Rahm still beat Chuy in the 13th Ward - The Captain - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 4:58 pm: 3 people just filed as Democratic challengers in the 22nd. - Who's the Boss? - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 4:59 pm: 18 Contested Republican Ward Committeeman contests in Chicago (as of 3:33 p.m.). Smells like people want Rauner money! - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 5:01 pm: Either Madigan will knock them all off or keep them all in and use that advantage. As pointed out; staying on the ballot will be the next hurdle for some. - SRM? - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 5:03 pm: ==3 people just filed as Democratic challengers in the 22nd.== At least one is a Madigan plant. Oswego Willy would instruct you to check if their filings are, “structured the same.” Lol - The Captain - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 5:06 pm: They all filed right at the end (literally within minutes of each other) and none of them have D-1’s on the books (and probably never will), I think it’s easy to see what happened here. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 5:08 pm: - SRM? - You’d be surprised how often “Terrence Goggin” and “Michael J. Madigan” petitions were structured the same. Are you new to the processes of petitions or are you just speakin’ to make a funny? - Century Club - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 5:14 pm: They don’t really think they’re going to distract Madigan with this, do they? - low level - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 5:16 pm: Polling must show wide support for an elected school board in the 6th RGA district as newly appointed (and sure to file) Rep. Sonya Harper as two mailings arrived today regarding this subject. One was a petition form for the elected board that she asked recipients to sign and send back into her office. However, there were so many staples in it that one could not open it without ripping the bottom of the form. Oops - Anon2U - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 5:23 pm: Nick Sauer uncontested. Nice work keeping it clear Ed. - low level - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 5:29 pm: Juliana Stratton - good. I hope Dunkin enjoys the new job with the administration when he loses. The north side of that district will be appalled once they see his votes to raise his own pay and the floor comments he has made. Goldberg and the gang just better make sure the Governor isn’t planin’ on makin’ it a supervisory position as that could cause a serious catastrophe in whatever agency he was placed. - Dupage Bard - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 5:44 pm: Let’s not kid ourselves Dunkin is safe. If he loses the Gov will never get anyone to switch again….ever. If he can’t protect the first one to switch and turn how’s he going to protect subsequent jumpers? Just like if he can’t beat McCann how’s he going to hold any other R to the threat of Primary if they jump ship on votes? - Dupage Bard - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 5:49 pm: I also like the Chair of the Trump Campaign going against the Gov pick for Poe’s seat. I’ll see your $58 million/yr + being Governor and raise you $450 million/yr + being President. How do you like that big time? - low level - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 5:55 pm: Anyone who thinks Dunkin is safe does not understand the dynamics of that district, especially the south loop, downtown and north loop areas. Not only is Dunkin hampered by his past antics, but also Stratton is a perfect fit for the diverse nature of the area. - Team Sleep - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 6:12 pm: Bard - I’ve known Kent Gray for years. He’s a good guy but has now run for about anything possible in the area. And given his current employer, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t care if he’s knowingly going against the Governor’s person. - SRM?! - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 6:54 pm: ==Rahm still beat Chuy in the 13th ward== What’s your point sir? The district Madigan represents is comprised of 4 wards which have a total of 89 precincts. Go check the numbers and see how well Rahm did in those precincts. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 6:59 pm: The Speaker will be fine. Those 89 precincts will be 2,3,4 deep with Madigan Captains. The plant or two to help will help too. - anon - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 7:51 pm: I bet it won’t be fun for Madigan’s Captains to have to actually work hard, as in take no chances, in a Democratic Primary Election for the Speaker. I’m sure that is energy that would have been best preserved for the Fall House Races. Is there a long game here? - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 7:53 pm: - anon -, you doing shots again? The Speaker’s captains, do you think they take the Primary “off”, ever? If anything, it allows some to be close to home. - Georg Sande - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 8:07 pm: Willy sure always seems to be at the ready to promote the Speaker. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 8:09 pm: Nah, I just don’t underestimate his Crew, and I know facing them how good and deep they are. - Georg Sande - doesn’t your trolling of me get tiring? lol - justacitizen - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 8:27 pm: ==Willy sure always seems to be at the ready to promote the Speaker.== I’ll second that Georg Sande (Fire Madigan) - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 8:30 pm: Incumbents flood primaries when facing challenges. All do, it’s a campaign tactic you do if you can. Are you two saying Madigan Captains are… poor… at working precincts? Guys, honest assessments of strategy and strength are how you win races. - justacitizen - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 8:36 pm: Madigan’s captains are good at working precincts and probably at breaking kneecaps too. - SRM?! - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 9:21 pm: ==I’ll second that Georg Sande== Beat me to it - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 9:26 pm: LOL. I’m not on any of your lawns… - SRM?! - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 9:29 pm: ==Anyone who thinks Dunkin is safe does not understand the dynamics of that district, especially the south loop= You’re way off on this one sir. Go take a look at the numbers. The 42nd ward pulls Republican ballots during presidential elections. The dynamic you’re referencing does not exist. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 9:30 pm: If the three of you buy “Fire Madigan, 2.0″ t-shirts, I’ll throw in a 4th for free. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 9:35 pm: - SRM?! -, Dunkin will have Rauner’s money. That “dynamic” has yet to be seen in that district and in a Democratic statehouse primary. So… there’s that. - AlabamaShake - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 9:43 pm: **Dunkin will have Rauner’s money. That “dynamic” has yet to be seen in that district and in a Democratic statehouse primary.** Didn’t Quinn win that district with 80% or more? - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 9:49 pm: - AlabamaShake - The Democratic primary dynamic is at play, the Rauner money is the asset for Dunkin. We’ll all find out how far Rauner’s money will go here. - Who's the Boss? - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 10:09 pm: Sleepless nights ahead for Michael Kasper as he scrutinizes so many petitions. - SRM?! - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 10:09 pm: == Dunkin will have Rauner’s money== Yea and IllinoisGo is fielding 20 Democrats - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 30, 15 @ 10:11 pm: - SRM?! - Um, that $9 million is still there, and very, very real… - low level - Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 5:44 am: “the 42nd Ward pulls GOP primary ballots during Presidential election years” So you mean that % that is Republucan will now get Dem ballots just to save a Democratic state rep??? It’s going to take a heck of a lot of money to get them to do that. There is a Democratic primary for president as well. There is a certain candidate in that race that appeals to middle and upper middle income Democratic voters. They will vote for her and in all likelihood will vote for Stratton, especially when the mail pieces come out with Dunkin and Blago’s photo on them. Also note that Rauner isn’t particularly popular with Dem primary voters. But, go with your theory. We’ll see in March. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.