* I told you Friday about the PPP poll taken for Our Revolution Illinois/Chicago that had Fritz Kaegi leading Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios 44-27. The group, which supports Kaegi and appears to be leaning toward Sen. Daniel Biss, did not release its full poll, however. It also surveyed the governor’s primary…
If the Democratic Primary Election for Governor were held today and the candidates were JB Pritzker, Chris Kennedy, and Daniel Biss, who would you vote for?
JB Pritzker 31%
Chris Kennedy 25%
Daniel Biss 22%
Not sure 22%
Keep in mind that these are only Cook County Democratic primary voters.
If that poll is accurate, then Biss absolutely has to find a way to appeal to the state’s largest county’s African-American voters or he cannot win. And, remember, neither Biss nor Kennedy are yet advertising in Downstate markets.
Also, Kennedy has done almost nothing to target younger Democrats, but if this poll is accurate then his “change” message is certainly resonating with them.
Joe Berrios has been fined $41,000 recently by the Cook County Ethics Board for taking political contributions from those who do business with his office. They have received massive tax breaks while property taxes for homeowners have skyrocketed. He has taken pay-to-play to a whole new level.
More likely 6%
Less likely 69%
Doesn’t make a difference 15%
Not sure 11%
* Meanwhile, the Chicago Reader’s Adeshina Emmanuel made a big splash with his new column about that infamous FBI wiretap recording…
When I first heard the audio recording there was something that struck a chord in me, something I know I’m not alone in feeling.
Beyond the coded language, as the two men brainstorm ways to mitigate or eschew black political power, a smug and mocking tone permeates the conversation.
It’s like they’re both in on some joke.
It feels like one of them is about to laugh and say, “You know how n****rs are.”
* In other news, word has been going around for days that Rep. Jeanne Ives is about to get another $7 million or so from GOP moneybags Dick Uihlein. That would put her at $10+ million and she therefore may very well be in the hunt. She’s still the underdog, but don’t count her out if the cash comes through. Ives’ new TV ad…
* Script…
[Screen text: Brian McCann - Brother was murdered by an illegal alien]
My brother – Denny, we called him – he was crossing Kedzie Avenue…
Saul Chavez, who was severely inebriated, hit my brother and dragged him the better part of a block.
[Screen text: Dennis McCann - Killed on June 8, 2011]
My brother died a violent death.
Saul Chavez bonded out and he absconded to Mexico, where he remains to this day.
[Screen text: Governor Rauner made Illinois a sanctuary state. He stands will illegal immigrants over Illinoisans. Jeanne Ives stands with you.]
* Related…
* J.B. Pritzker continues apology tour at Black Women of Illinois forum: Martese Chism, a South Sider who attended the forum, said she didn’t accept the apology and that “the great civil rights leaders weren’t ‘safe blacks.’” Chism is a board member of National Nurses United, which endorsed Biss. “Pritzker is young, so to hear him say that after all these great leaders have done is unbelievable,” Chism said. “If he wins the primary, I’d vote for him, but he would have to invite ‘unsafe blacks,’ people who are outspoken, to a meeting and put those same people in cabinet positions. That’s how we get our fair share.” Deborah Cosey-Lane also attended the forum and said Pritzker’s focus on the labor movement, “reforming our prison system and protecting the environment” help make him the only candidate who can get the state back on track and beat Gov. Bruce Rauner. “JB acknowledged that he made a mistake and I stand with him and know that he will fight for all working families as governor,” Cosey-Lane said.
* On apology tour, Pritzker pledges an administration with ‘African-American leaders at all levels’: More than just speaking about issues of race, Pritzker went further to make a commitment of large-scale participation in his administration if he becomes governor. Saying his campaign is one “where the voices of every community are heard,” Pritzker pledged that “we will build an administration like that, with African-American leaders at all levels making the decisions that guide us forward and the decisions that affect the economic health of the African-American community.” … During a Friday appearance before the Crain’s Chicago Business editorial board, Pritzker said he believed that people “understand that you can make a mistake, but that you’re actions over decades are really what speaks louder than a single conversation.” “I’m not going to get every vote in the African-American community, but I feel very strongly that I’ve earned the support and (am) receiving the support of many, many people,” he said.
* Under siege, Pritzker rips Rauner but is vague on Madigan: If elected, Pritzker said he would submit legislation to impose term limits for top legislative leaders. But asked about what he would do to insure that the new maps are not gerrymandered like current ones, Pritzker said only that he would back an eventual constitutional amendment and “work with the Legislature” in the short run. He did not say he would hire his own remap consultant, hold public hearings or submit his own plan. But, in an answer to a question from Crain’s, he did say he’d consult with Republicans.
* Democratic Candidates Attend Church Services to Shore Up African-American Support: Today, Bishop Trotter told his congregation why he told Pritzker he was no longer welcome at Sweet Holy Spirit. Trotter says “we have an insult level” and “what he did was wrong.” Pritzker has asked Trotter to pray for him and hopes to meet this week with Trotter. Trotter said “I decided to un-invite him” because “if you don’t stand for something, you fall for anything.” … [Kennedy] said “dignity comes with the job, dignity that comes with respect” and told the Holy Spirit parishioners that he sees government’s role is to “bring everyone along” and “we see government as an extension of that family.” … [Biss] also introduced Wallace, who spoke of the candidates who are “coming up on our television screens… with empty promises” and “never every come back and never being held accountable.” Wallace noted that in the African American community she and Biss want to “amplify their voice” because “we deliver votes time and time again; get nothing that’s promised back to us.”
