* Press release…
Democratic candidate for Governor, Bob Daiber, announced that Jonathan W. Todd, a Chicago Social Worker, will join him on the ticket for his bid for the 2018 nomination. Daiber said. “Jonathan is a person who knows the issues of Chicago because he works to solve them every day in his job.” The Daiber campaign has interviewed a long list of possible running mates. “Jonathan Todd is a good choice because of his working knowledge” stated Daiber.
Todd is 49 years old and is married to his wife, Stacy. The couple lives on the west side of the city in the Austin community and are parents of their four-year old daughter. Todd has worked for the Association House of Chicago for thirteen years. Todd has been politically active in Democratic politics as a community organizer, campaign volunteer, and strategist for numerous candidates. While Todd has never held public office, Daiber indicated that he is comfortable with him in the Lieutenant Governor’s spot because of his knowledge of social services and his understanding of government to help solve social problems. Daiber also welcomes the volunteer base that Todd will bring to his campaign.
Daiber stated, “Jonathan has a background to help lead the charge to end violence in Chicago and around the state. I feel very good that Jonathan has worked with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Department of Human Services (DHS).”
Todd holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from Roosevelt University. He has over twenty years of experience in social work.
Todd stated, “I am excited to join Bob Daiber in this gubernatorial race because Bob has an extensive background in public service and education. I began to follow Bob in his campaign last spring and have been impressed with his knowledge and detailed answers. We will be a good team because we will work to move the state forward and unite Illinois.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** Another running mate problem…
I was excited to read your recent post that a Governor candidate selected a social worker to be his running mate, one problem – Johnathan Todd is NOT a social worker in Illinois. Social work is a title protected profession in Illinois that requires either a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (not sociology), supervision hours and passing the ASWB test for the Licensed Social Worker, or a Master’s degree in Social Work, supervision hours and passing the ASWB test for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Mr. Todd has none of those qualifications.
In Illinois you must be licensed as a social workers to call yourself a social worker, it is violation of state law to represent yourself as a social worker without those qualifications. I am asking that you please correct this inaccuracy.
Kyle Hillman
Director of Legislative Affairs
National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter
*** UPDATE 2 *** From Bob Daiber…
On behalf of the Daiber Campaign for Governor, it was not the intent of our announcement today to misrepresent the qualifications of Jonathan Todd our running mate or to misuse the title of social worker. As a candidate for Governor, I apologize to any one who was offended by the misuse of this title. As a licensed professional myself, I uphold the greatest respect for all who have earned licenses to practice their professions. Mr. Todd does hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and has worked for the Association House of Chicago for thirteen years.
- blue dog dem - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 9:44 am:
Is this Honeybears’ real identity?
- Arsenal - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 9:49 am:
Sounds like a good guy, but it’s probably too late for Daiber to get his sigs.
- illini - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 9:55 am:
Maybe it is a little too late, but probably a very good choice.
In looking at the level of competence, experience and dedication to public service I would not trade any of the Democrat LtGov selections for another Slip and Sue.
- Levois J - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 9:59 am:
WHO?
- Thoughts Matter - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 10:01 am:
Honeybear works in Metro East St. Louis area and has a military background.
I’m glad this guy is married to his own wife. As opposed to someone else’s wife. ( re-read 2nd paragraph, first sentence of press release). /s
In all seriousness, I’m impressed by his background.
- @MisterJayEm - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 10:04 am:
“Sounds like a good guy, but it’s probably too late for Daiber to get his sigs.”
We’re only about half-way through the petition gathering period plus he only needs 5,000—10,000 signatures, so if Daiber’s at all viable, I think it’s still doable.
– MrJM
- VanillaMan - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 10:05 am:
Good choice.
For whatever it was worth.
- Arsenal - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 10:08 am:
==We’re only about half-way through the petition gathering period plus he only needs 5,000—10,000 signatures, so if Daiber’s at all viable, I think it’s still doable.==
If he were in Chicago, I’d say he can do it no problem. But he’s a regional candidate from something besides the population center and he has no ground game. There’s definitely 10,000 signatures in Madison County, I just don’t think he has time to find them all.
- Anonymous - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 10:09 am:
RICH….why do we get these kind of people running it just gums up the system…yes yes everyone has access to the ballot but really>
- Thoughts Matter - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 10:10 am:
Arsenal- reread the press release. He is a Chicago Social worker.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 10:16 am:
Arsenal is talking about Daiber. Daiber is a virtual unknown in Chicago.
- Huh? - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 10:22 am:
Levois beat me to it. Who are either of these guys?
- DuPage Bard - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 10:23 am:
5,000 signatures is not an issue at this point. He takes the volunteer base from his downstate area, who are obviously the ones keeping him thinking he’s got a shot. Then take his new Lt. Gov candidate being from highly populated Austin area he can get those signatures easily.
- Fax Machine - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 10:27 am:
Getting 5,000 good signatures when you can only turn in 10,000 is actually pretty tough - it means that you can’t totally rely on paid circulators because you’d be lucky to get 50% good out of them.
- Peters Post - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 10:43 am:
Having a Sociology degree does not make one a Social Worker. Working at Association House does not make one a Social Worker. Holding a Masters degree in Social Work and being licensed by the IDPR makes one a Social Worker.
- Arsenal - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 10:49 am:
==Then take his new Lt. Gov candidate being from highly populated Austin area he can get those signatures easily.==
Err, there’s a couple more steps to it than that. Just ’cause he lives in a dense neighborhood doesn’t mean he can get a lot of signatures.
- In 630 - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 10:57 am:
To Peters Post’s point: I’m not finding Jonathan Todd as a licensed social worker. Or licensed anything with IDPR, unless I’m searching wrong.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 11:07 am:
Unless you are somehow exempt from licensing, it is unlawful to hold yourself out as a social worker without a license in IL. 215 ILCS 20/10 and 10.5.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 11:08 am:
I mean 225.
- TopHatMonocle - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 11:13 am:
Oh man, these comments. This pick went from meh, to terrible. Although I doubt this is a press-worthy controversy.
I guess the guy’s saving grace is that he’s not on video saying he’s a social worker.
- downstate commissioner - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 11:23 am:
Did NOT know that “social worker” was a title of anything. I thought it meant that one worked with disadvantaged persons in some context.
Wonder if you guys know that a “Crescent” wrench is a particular brand of adjustable wrench? In popular slang, Crescent wrench has become the reference to any brand of adjustable wrench….kind of like “social worker.”
Nitpickers….
To the post: I had never heard of either of these guys before today; if either were on this blog before, I missed it. Had never heard if Pritzger, either before this campaign seaseon, but at this point, I will probably be voting for him….
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 11:24 am:
–Nitpickers–
Take it up with the Illinois General Assembly.
- The Muse - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 11:45 am:
Roughly 7 weeks to collect 10,000 signatures is doable but that’ll be tough he stays downstate to do it.
- Thomas Paine - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 1:31 pm:
That is quite possibly the most poorly crafted news release I have ever seen from a statewide candidate in Illinois.
Daiber is “comfortable” with his runningmate’s inexperience?
“Jonathan is a person…” thank goodness he meets that qualification!
O boy Bob. You are a nice guy, but stop writing your own releases and hire a pro.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 1:43 pm:
Here’s a reality.
Wallace, Stratton, Joy… Todd
Is Todd more like “Wallace, Stratton, Joy” right now or more like “Slip and Sue” when she was “hired”
Is it unfair? Yep. Probably. But, the LG’s sole reason to exist is to become governor if, heaven forbid, something happens to the sitting governor.
While a wordy, at times, rambling, statement, I dunno if Todd is up to that task, the lone task, of being Lt. Governor.
I wish both Diaber and Todd well.
- Simple Simon - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 1:58 pm:
It doesn’t generally work out well when a person who has never held office starts at the top. Rauner is the latest example, but other current candidates (D and R) fit the bill (Pritzker, Harold, Kennedy, etc.). Choosing one as a running mate shows poor judgment.
- Pampered - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 2:19 pm:
=To Peters Post’s point: I’m not finding Jonathan Todd as a licensed social worker. Or licensed anything with IDPR, unless I’m searching wrong.=
Same here - Nothing
- John Rawlssss - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 2:27 pm:
Who cares, we should get rid of the licensing anyway. Government licensing is just a way for special interests to keep poor people out of jobs
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 2:31 pm:
–Government licensing is just a way for special interests to keep poor people out of jobs–
Or a way to protect the public so they know the people claiming to be professionals (doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, social workers, etc.) have a minimum level of competence and they will not be harmed physically, psychologically or financially by their actions. I’ll go with this one.
- Pampered - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 2:32 pm:
=Who cares, we should get rid of the licensing anyway. Government licensing is just a way for special interests to keep poor people out of jobs=
Should we call you Dr. John Rawlsss today and John Rawlsss Esq. tomorrow? I guess the market will sort it out after you leave a trail of ruined lives.
- NorthsideNoMore - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 2:45 pm:
“We don’t want nobody that nobody sent” That is all.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 3:05 pm:
To the update - Not Rich’s inaccuracy to correct, if it is one. He’s just quoting the campaign press release.
- mean spirited observation - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 3:09 pm:
“long list of possible runningmates” = He dialed the entire Chicago phone book until someone finally said “yes.” It took him until letter T.
- STLine - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 3:38 pm:
Just gonna guess Hillman’s position doesn’t require a license.
- Kyle Hillman - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 3:59 pm:
Responding to STLine:
I have to be registered with the state but no, I am not a licensed professional. Nor would I ever say that I am.
The response from Bob Daiber is appreciated.
Professionals who get licensed, go through the necessary education and testing to meet the standard of professionalism for their license.
We don’t want anyone to just say they are a Doctor and operate on people, nor do we want anyone to say they are a social worker and work with individuals working through mental health issues.
- Kyle HIllman - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 4:00 pm:
^ …Unless they have met the rigorous standards set by the state.
- Dave W - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 4:15 pm:
Daiber was never a serious candidate anyway.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Oct 13, 17 @ 4:28 pm:
Sounds like ere is a good chance that Jonathan will be dropping out soon.
Most social-worky activities at Association House are probably funded in part by the federal government.
and the Hatch Act prohibits any employee whose salary is funded in part by the federal government from running for public office, does it not Kyle Hillman?
i like Bob, and hope I am wrong.