* WTTW…
State Sen. Ira Silverstein, D-Chicago, who lost his position with Democratic leadership after having been publicly accused of sexual harassment, faces four primary challengers in the 8th District. His accuser, victim rights advocate Denise Rotheimer of Ingleside, is one of three Republicans hoping to win the Republican nomination for the 62nd House district; Democratic state Rep. Sam Yingling of Grayslake is the only member of his party to have filed.
* From yesterday…
Today, Caroline McAteer-Fournier announces that she will file over 2,800 signatures to be on the March 20 primary election ballot in Illinois’ 8th State Senate District.
Caroline announced her campaign after allegations of sexual harassment against State Senator Ira Silverstein emerged.
In just three weeks, Caroline was able to collect almost triple the number of necessary signatures to get on the ballot.
“I am energized and determined after the outpouring of support I have received in the past few days. If we want to change the culture in Springfield, then we need to elect more women.”
Caroline McAteer-Fournier is building a grassroots campaign that will bring a fresh voice in Springfield. Caroline was endorsed last week by Alison Leipsiger, who was also passing petitions for the IL 8th State Senate District.
* Also yesterday…
Today, Democratic Candidate for State Senate, Ram Villivalam (IL-8) announced the endorsement of U.S. Congresswoman Brad Schneider.
“I proudly and enthusiastically endorse Ram Villivalam for State Senate. Ram has long been a key contributor to my success as a Representative,” said Congressman Schneider. “As my Outreach Director, Ram demonstrated his ability to learn the key-issues and bring proven results to the community. As your State Senator, I know Ram will not only be an outstanding legislator but use those same skills to create a positive impact for hard working middle-class families in our community and throughout Illinois. Ram Villivalam will be an effective advocate for the 8th District and its range of diverse neighborhoods and I wholeheartedly endorse Ram for State Senate.”
“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of U.S. Congressman Schneider,” said Ram Villivalam. “Congressman Schneider has led efforts to protect the Affordable Care Act against Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans, protect and expand the rights of people in the LGBT community, ensure there is a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, and advocate for sensible gun violence prevention measures. If elected, I look forward to continuing the work we have collaborated on.”
Last Monday, Ram filed 2,700 petition signatures, more than 2.5 times the amount needed and which was collected by more than 50 grassroots volunteers to become an official candidate for State Senate in the 8th District of Illinois. Having banked more than $50,000 in donations in the first week of his campaign, Ram also announced the endorsements of U.S Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, State Senator Laura Murphy, State Representative Theresa Mah, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Commissioner Josina Morita, the Illinois State Association of Letter Carriers, and UFCW Local 881.
The other candidates are here. Zehra Quadri placed a distant third to Silverstein’s wife in the 2015 50th Ward aldermanic race.
* Also yesterday, from Denise Rotheimer’s Facebook page…
What an accomplishment! I just filed my petitions to be on the ballot. Remember to vote March 20, 2018. Also I am meeting with Eric Zorn tomorrow and am glad we were able to put aside our differences and move forward on a clean slate. Time for some coffee for the long drive home.
Rotheimer has yet to file any campaign finance disclosures. Also, publicly mixing her case with her campaign is either going to turn out to be a brilliant political move or not. We’ll see.
* Related…
* Don’t Rush New Sexual Harassment Policies, Some Women Lawmakers Warn: [Rep. Kelly Cassidy] herself, never knew who to report violations to. “That speaks to the culture of the building, that it never occurred to me to figure that out. Those complaints are the tip of the tip of the tip of the iceberg.”
- LizPhairTax - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:18 am:
Today, Democratic Candidate for State Senate, Ram Villivalam (IL-8) announced the endorsement of U.S. Congresswoman Brad Schneider.
What tipped it for you, Brad? His attention to detail?
- Grand Avenue - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:19 am:
The race to replace BFC is a doozy - 9 candidates!
- Uhh - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:03 am:
4 challengers? Will that split the anti silverstein vote?
- Just The Facts - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:18 am:
=Today, Democratic Candidate for State Senate, Ram Villivalam (IL-8) announced the endorsement of U.S. Congresswoman Brad Schneider.=
Umm. Recycled press release from Schakowsky? Last I checked Brad Schneider was a CongressMAN
- Anon E. Moose - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:24 am:
And Rotheimer’s platform is?
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 12:58 pm:
A man endorsing a man for the seat of the man accused of misusing his power to flirt with a woman. OK. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but you’d think Schneider would hedge his bets a little and endorse a woman if he was going to bail on Silverstein. A lot of women live in the 10th, and maybe it’s just me, but Schneider doesn’t seem terribly secure in that seat.
I bet he never unpacked all of the moving boxes when he went to DC.
- Springfieldish - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 1:25 pm:
Anon E Moose - That she’s a victim, with a dash of recycled Tea Party baloney for flavor.
- JB13 - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 1:48 pm:
The tip of the tip of the tip of the iceberg…
What iceberg is this she refers to? Because, so far, all we have is Sen. Silverstein and some hastily passed CYA changes to ethics policies to finally make the General Assembly’s rules somewhat mirror those imposed on the rest of the world for years and even decades in some cases.
For an iceberg, it sure has proven easy to hide. Wonder why that is? Clearly because Bruce Rauner is in charge, right?
- Anon - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 1:57 pm:
== And Rotheimer’s platform is?
Could it be.. “me first?”
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 2:12 pm:
The weirdest filing at the Illinois State Board of Elections yesterday was by Corri D. Fetman. The divorce attorney who was notorious for posting racy billboards in the Viagara Triangle and posing for Playboy wants to be a Cook County Judge.
- Twan - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 7:43 pm:
2800 is almost triple, but 2700 is more than 2.5 times. Missed that math lesson.
- Sigh - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:09 pm:
== And Rotheimer’s platform is?===
Rotheimer and Rauner might have the same platform. If you scroll through her social media accounts, she is usually a victim.
The last time she ran for state rep, she said the subject matter for the infamous victims rights bill was cancelled bc she announced that she was running for state representative, but was then re-scheduled when she decided to run for county board.
Hopefully she submitted the original signature petition pages this time instead of some photocopies. If I recall, she threatened to sue the retail store that photocopied her petitions the last time she wanted to run.