* From Aldertrack…

The 12th Ward Democratic Committeemen campaign got hotter today, as the Muñoz and Cardenas campaigns lobbed charges of vote buying at one another while allies of one campaign launched an attack website.

Incumbent 12th Ward Democratic Committeeman and State Senator Tony Muñoz’s campaign released a letter to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office alleging vote buying by the campaign of challenger and 12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas. The letter was accompanied by a video showing what seems to be a Cardenas campaign worker handing out books and Cardenas’ palm cards to voters outside the 12th Ward early voting polling place. The book, Red Rising by Pierce Brown, is part of a post-apocalyptic trilogy in the same genre as the Hunger Games.

“If donating a book constitutes voter fraud, then the Senator is guilty of the same thing for handing out tax rebates at the polling place,” responded Cardenas campaign manager and 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez. “I don’t think of what he’s alleging as voter fraud.”

Lopez’ comments referred to a flyer distributed by Muñoz’ 12th Ward Democratic Organization promoting a property tax rebate seminar scheduled for this Saturday at the McKinley Park Field House, the same location as the 12th Ward’s early voting polls.

…Adding… From Tom Shaer, Deputy Assessor for Communications at the Cook County Assessor’s Office…

This seminar is one of over 125 standard Taxpayer Outreach events which the Cook County Assessor’s Office annually does for many community organizations and elected officials in all townships.

All aspects of property valuation, assessment, the appeal process and exemptions will be covered. No ‘rebates’ are being offered and qualifications for all exemptions are subject to State of Illinois statutes governing such exemptions.

* The letter to the state’s attorney is here. And here’s the video…

* The alleged inducement is kinda bizarre. From Amazon…

A lot happens in this first installment of a projected trilogy. Darrow, living in a mining colony on Mars, sees his wife executed by the government, nearly dies himself, is rescued by the underground revolutionary group known as Sons of Ares, learns his government has been lying to him (and to everybody else), and is recruited to infiltrate the inner circle of society and help to bring it down from within—and that’s all inside the first 100 pages. This is a very ambitious novel, with a fully realized society (class structure is organized by color: Darrow is a Red, a worker, a member of the lower class) and a cast of well-drawn characters. Although it should appeal to all age groups, there is a definite YA hook: despite being a veteran miner and a married man, Darrow is 16 when the novel begins. If told well, stories of oppression and rebellion have a built-in audience, and this one is told very well indeed. A natural for Hunger Games fans of all ages.

I’m figuring somebody had a bunch of free copies laying around.

* Meanwhile, from a blast e-mail by state Senate candidate Angelica Alfaro, who claims to be taking the high road…

We’re now less than two weeks from primary Election Day here in the Second Senate District. Normally this would be a time for optimism for the future of our neighborhood and state.

But, wouldn’t you know it, the other side in this race has nothing but negativity to offer. No optimism in sight, just personal attacks on me and my campaign, with no vision or ideas to fix our state’s problems. For a race as serious as this one, I am disappointed that the other side has nothing positive to offer.

We need to ensure the Second District has a Senator in Springfield who will fight for all of us, not simply call people names. Can I count on your vote before Early Voting closes?

My opponent – Omar “Machine-O” Aquino – will do anything to get elected, including his endless attacks on me. He even gave a campaign job to a convicted felon. His godfather, Political Machine Boss Joe Berrios, was fined for ethics violations – for putting his family on the government payroll.

But Machine-O’s desperation doesn’t end there. He even supported tax hikes on hardworking families in our district, all while his own family got a 50% property tax break (even though an identical building across the street didn’t). All thanks to his godfather, Political Machine Boss Joe Berrios. The rest of play by the rules. Machine-O gets political favors from his godfather Political Machine Boss.

His desperation sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the honest, hardworking families of the Second Senate District.

My neighborhood-focused campaign needs your vote. I voted early already, but join me and Vote Early today.

The choice in this election is crystal clear. Don’t get stuck with a political hack like Machine-O, doing the bidding of his Political Machine Boss godfather.

- Angelica

Um, OK.