* Press release…

About a hundred volunteers drawing from organized labor, community organizations, and local residents turned out for a major petition drive on Saturday at the IATSE Union Hall on Northwest Highway in Chicago’s 41st Ward and collected approximately twice the requisite number of signatures needed, squarely placing Merry Marwig’s name on the ballot in her rematch against Rauner-ally Mike McAuliffe.

“I am grateful for the support of the working men and women who came out today to put my name on the ballot in my rematch against Rauner-backed Mike McAuliffe,” said Marwig. “Since the last election, I have continued to walk door to door and talk to residents about McAuliffe’s atrocious voting history and the thirst for change is greater now in my community than ever before.”

Since the last election, 20+ year Republican incumbent Mike McAuliffe has been keeping up his end of the bargain in his pact with failed Governor Bruce Rauner. After taking millions of dollars from Rauner-allies, McAuliffe has spent the last two years carrying the water for Rauner, Inc. Voting against legislation to protect a woman’s right to choose, driving the state further into debt while also slashing services for veterans and senior citizens, as well as voting to increase class sizes to more than 40 children per classroom in local schools like Ebinger Elementary. In addition to acting as an accomplice to Rauner’s anti-middle class agenda, ****McAuliffe did not even bother to vote on the bi-partisan budget plan that recently passed, ending the years long budget stalemate.***

“Despite where you stand on the issues, everybody I’ve talked to since that vote is furious that McAuliffe didn’t even bother to take a vote on what should have been the most important bill of his career,” said Marwig. “He is collecting his paycheck and he’ll have his pension, but when people find out that he cannot even bother to cast a vote they ask, ‘why is he even there?’”.

McAuliffe has not issued a statement on his dereliction of duty and has not responded to constituents who have called his office looking for a response. After Saturday’s successful petition drive placing Marwig’s name on the ballot for the upcoming election, neighborhood residents are eager to hear if a new election will force McAuliffe to explain his actions over the past two years.

Marwig lost the 2016 race by about 5,600 votes, 56-44, in a high-dollar race that saw the incumbent going on Chicago network TV in August. But, supporters of the candidate said two years ago that Marwig had agreed to run twice, figuring she’d do better the second time around. We’ll see.

* Meanwhile, Chicago Public Schools recently sent out a letter praising the incumbent Republican…

       

17 Comments - NIU Grad - Tuesday, Sep 12, 17 @ 1:41 pm: I wonder which candidate CPS will endorse… …wait, what? Very inappropriate for the continuation of these political letters coming from a government agency. - The Captain - Tuesday, Sep 12, 17 @ 1:50 pm: You can’t really fault the effort of her or her supporters in 2016 but it wasn’t in the cards. McAuliffe significantly outperformed the rest of the ticket in 2016, it just might be that he’s personally popular in his district and there isn’t much you can do. - AuH20 - Tuesday, Sep 12, 17 @ 1:50 pm: Government money was spent to send out a letter from CPS supporting particular candidates, and I’m struggling to see how that’s legal. Presumably some sharp legal minds can explain, but IMHO it *shouldn’t* be legal. If CPS had simply sent out a letter encouraging parents to contact their legislators and voice their opinions on school funding (whatever those opinions might be) this would be kosher, and in Chicago most parents would be friendly to the Democratic viewpoint. This is a little heavy-handed for my taste. - LouLecture - Tuesday, Sep 12, 17 @ 2:33 pm: Did a similar letter go out in the other legislative districts that represent CPS? - Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Sep 12, 17 @ 2:39 pm: Recall https://capitolfax.com/2017/02/07/cps-students-sent-home-with-letter-blasting-rauner/ - Amalia - Tuesday, Sep 12, 17 @ 3:02 pm: Will be interesting to see if she tells us who she really is. - DuPage Bard - Tuesday, Sep 12, 17 @ 3:22 pm: So according to ILGA McAuliffe voted against the budget implementation bill SB42 3 separate times, voted No on the tax increase SB9 plus amendments 3 seperate times and the budget bill SB6 2 out of the 3 times including voting No on the override. I’m amazed all these constituents know so much about the votes when he made 8 out of 9? They must super informed on the Northwest side of Chicago? - Sideline Watcher - Tuesday, Sep 12, 17 @ 3:57 pm: This isn’t a political letter. They could have kept the line…”some in Springfield tried to pit”…because its dancing on the pin there. However, it does not endorse candidates. It does not ask for money. It speaks about a Dem and a Republican who voted for a piece of legislation that is now law. There is nothing illegal about this. Its civics. Can anyone site the rule/statute that would make this illegal? I’m honestly asking…not trying to start a fight. LOL! But I seriously don’t see it. - Dazed & Confused - Tuesday, Sep 12, 17 @ 4:03 pm: check the records Merry Marwig lost her home precinct… - BuckinIrish - Tuesday, Sep 12, 17 @ 4:20 pm: People from that district don’t vote for McCauliffe because of his political views, they vote for him because he is a “neighborhood guy.” Running against McAuliffe is seen as a personal affront to his family because they all grew up and know each other. A lot of good candidates there won’t run against him because the neighborhood will turn on them. Old school city neighborhood politics at its finest. - Amalia - Tuesday, Sep 12, 17 @ 4:56 pm: “Merry Marwig lost her home precinct….” wow - Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 12, 17 @ 4:58 pm: Interesting. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 12, 17 @ 6:26 pm: DuPage Bard - Obviously they read Russ Stewart … - Mayor Quimby - Tuesday, Sep 12, 17 @ 7:01 pm: It is going to be quite the uphill climb on this one. McAuliffe won handedly even after the Democrat operation was boasting a big, easy win last time around. I don’t see the City or suburbs turning on him. Can’t do the same thing and expect different results. Best of luck. - Brighton Park - Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 6:30 am: The issue of missing votes can stick. Just ask Senator Chuy Garcia. - hmm - Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 8:35 am: hmm - Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 9:43 am: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fAa94IRijQ0 Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.