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* Vote count…

(Association president says that doesn’t add up to 102 because some counties didn’t vote or have bylaws that preclude endorsements.)

— Brian Mackey (@BrianMackey) October 7, 2017

I asked: "The vote was done in Executive Session so we are not releasing the breakdown of the votes"

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) October 8, 2017

* Press release…

Today, the Illinois Democratic County Chairmen’s Association (IDCCA) and its 102 members met to vote on an endorsement in the Democratic Primary for Governor. With an unprecedented show of support, the IDCCA voted to endorse JB Pritzker for Governor representing nearly 70% of the County Chairmen.

IDCCA President Doug House released the following statement in reaction:

“At the start of the primary campaign I asked the candidates to travel to each of the Counties and meet with our members and the voters. To beat a candidate like Bruce Rauner, Democrats needed to be inspired by their vision for Illinois and their plan to win. I have been impressed with JB Pritzker and his strong, progressive message. JB is connecting with voters who share our core beliefs throughout Illinois and they believe that he can fix the mess that Bruce Rauner has created.”

“Each of the candidates submitted credentials to be considered for endorsement. The County Chairs of the IDCCA have voted, and I wholeheartedly agree, that JB Pritzker is the best candidate to beat Bruce Rauner. We are proud to support him for Governor.”

“The IDCCA is made up of volunteer, grassroots organizers who are committed to getting Democrats elected up and down the ballot. While Bruce Rauner, Donald Trump and Republicans are continuing to hurt our country, County Democratic Parties will be knocking on doors and talking with our neighbors about a positive way forward for our communities. With JB at the top of the ticket, 2018 will be a strong year for Democrats in every county in Illinois.

“We are proud to stand with the next Governor of Illinois and we are ready to get to work,” said IDCCA President Doug House.

* ILGOP…

“The IDCCA has done it again. Their endorsement of Pritzker today is the latest chapter in a years-long pattern of bending to Madigan’s will. The IDCCA has long been an instrument to support Madigan’s vulnerable House members, and now they’re being used by Madigan to coronate Pritzker with the Democratic nomination for governor.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

…Adding… Biss campaign…

In a video shared with supporters this morning, Daniel Biss unveiled “Rewriting the Rules,” a set of policy proposals designed to restore power to the people of Illinois.

“With a billionaire businessman in the White House, another in the Governor’s Mansion, and two more of the super rich running for governor, it’s time for us to ask some serious questions about what kind of democracy we want to have,” said Daniel Biss. “Do we want to have elections, or do we want auctions?

“The wealthy and well-connected have built a system that keeps them in charge while the rest of us fall further and further behind. From the way we fund our campaigns to how the district maps get drawn to the basic way you get on the ballot, the system is designed to push us out. Insiders will tell us it’s too complicated and that we should let them make all the decisions. Really, it’s quite simple: the system is rigged against us and it’s time to rewrite the rules.”

“Rewriting the Rules” includes the following policy proposals:

Grassroots selection of the party chair: If we want a Democratic Party that’s accountable to Democratic voters, we can’t rely on a closed door coronation. To bring in new faces and new ideas, we need a new process for electing party leaders that starts with local activists.

Small donor matching: With a system of public financing through matching small donations, grassroots candidates can run for office based on their ideas, not their bank accounts.

Ballot access: Measures to expand access to the ballot will create more competitive elections and ensure that political machines can’t limit third party access or throw ordinary people off the ballot based on technicalities.

Fair maps: Illinois needs an independent redistricting commission to draw fair maps while protecting the voting rights and representation of diverse communities in the General Assembly—because voters should pick their elected officials, not the other way around.

Ranked-choice voting: Implementing ranked-choice voting will give voters more opportunities to select independent and third party candidates who share their values and ensure that the candidate who gets elected is the candidate with the most support.

Term limits for leadership: Rather than allowing the Senate President, Speaker of the House, and minority party leaders to consolidate power over years and even decades, we must implement term limits to encourage the flow of new ideas and restore power to rank-and-file legislators.

More on “Rewriting the Rules” can be found at DanielBiss.com/Rewriting-The-Rules.

…Adding… Pritzker campaign…

Today, the Illinois Democratic County Chairmen’s Association (IDCCA) endorsed JB Pritzker and Juliana Stratton for governor and lieutenant governor after 70 percent of chairs across the state voted for them. The IDCCA is made up of the elected Democratic party chairs from all 102 counties in Illinois.

“Juliana and I are humbled to receive the endorsement of the Illinois Democratic County Chairmen’s Association as we build our statewide, grassroots campaign,” said JB Pritzker. “We need to elect Democrats up and down the ticket in 2018, and no one knows that more than the 102 Democratic chairs of the IDCCA. I’m so excited to partner with local leaders to beat Bruce Rauner and get fellow Democrats elected in towns, cities, and counties across the state.”

“JB Pritzker and Juliana Stratton are building a campaign that’s ready to take on Bruce Rauner, and we’re going to need that kind of leadership and commitment to win in 2018,” said IDCCA President Doug House. “JB has the background and the vision to get big things done for the people of Illinois. He’s spent his life fighting for what’s right, and he has real plans for our state’s future. We need a strong leader with an unwavering commitment to turn our state around after Bruce Rauner has spent the last few years damaging it, and I know that JB Pritzker is the best choice for the job.”