Peoria County is up 170% in Vote by Mail from 2017 and already at 60% of 2017 for Early Voting. Local School Board and City Council races pushing turnout.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 9:33 am:
The Springfield mayor’s race has been heating up. While a lot of people are not all that thrilled with Mayor Langfelder, his opponent, Frank Edwards continues to spout the GOP line of anti-taxes but when asked point blank by the SJR, he could not name one cut he would make or state he would remove the last city tax increase he is railing against.
Then you got Langfelder who can’t seem to understand why residents of the city are ticked off when they drive on roads that have been falling apart for years and the city can’t seem to come up with a plan to address infrastructure needs.
The SJ-R has finally started to release their endorsements - only two weeks late. How do you sell ads to candidates that way? Add this to the list of problems leading to buyout offers for the ONLY reporters (5) left at the SJ-R.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:06 am:
Hoping the endorsements pan out. These are interesting races, as they’re runoffs. Looking forward to Chicago’s 33rd Ward runoff (Ald. Mell vs. Rodriguez) and hoping the challenger wins.
= Then you got Langfelder who can’t seem to understand why residents of the city are ticked off when they drive on roads that have been falling apart for years and the city can’t seem to come up with a plan to address infrastructure needs. =
Shortly after Springfield raised its sales tax by 0.25%, billed as being for street and sidewalk repairs and improvements, the city repaired the awful section of Monroe Street just west of College Avenue. No more of the temporary patches that lasted maybe 2 weeks at a time, a real reconstruction.
Yes, there are still roads in need of repair - South MacArthur, especially the outside lanes, really needs some attention.
Springfield, like many municipalities in this state, has been facing increased public safety pension contribution requirements. Squeezy isn’t just affecting the state budget. There are no easy answers, as Frank Edwards (maybe inadvertently) demonstrated.
- Collinsville Kevin - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:15 am:
The School District 86 referendum in the western suburbs is really close. Referendum #3 is $140M. Personally it’s about 1/2 needs and 1/2 wants.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:32 am:
Cover, South MacArthur and Walnut between South Grand and Monroe are absolute full of busted up concrete, pot holes and curbs that are beyond repair.
These are major arteries of the city and neither Langfelder and Edwards have laid out a plan to address it. But they sure talk about new development to the west of the city, you know, the new strip malls that are empty while developers keep building new ones.
I think one of the reasons why Lightfoot is leading is because people, in general, are satisfied with Toni’s reign at president of the ccb, and want to see her remain there.
It’ll be interesting to see how both Lightfoot and Preckwinkle comment on charges being dropped on Jussie. Did they just not have enough evidence, or did prosecutors just decide that the bad PR wouldn’t be worth it?
mercy move by Foxx - bad form not informing the police supt. how many of us rubes out here could pay for the lawyers/fines he has in such a short period of time. he pulled a stunt. got caught, got nationally embarrassed, got fired, got charged with felonies, paid a boat load of money in bail, and because he is a first time offender he is getting cut loose. NBD. Move on America
Property taxes seem to be the big issue in most races here in Oak Park. Having Ralph Martire actually on the ballot has made it interesting to say the least
==NBD. Move on America==
I would agree, except for the hundreds (thousands?) of man hours spent on the case that could have been better spent elsewhere. I don’t want to see him rot in jail, but should he reimburse the city? Absolutely.
Springfield has a mascot running for mayor that actually has a platform statement, so we’ve got that, which is something. https://www.jrblues.com/gilly
- A Non E. Moose - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 11:48 am:
There is a nineteen year-old independent candidate for Glenview village trustee that I have been canvassing for. Hoping that he gets elected. We need to send messages in support of change at all levels of government.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:32 am:
Cover, South MacArthur and Walnut between South Grand and Monroe are absolute full of busted up concrete, pot holes and curbs that are beyond repair.
———–
Also 5th Street at least between South Grand and Ash has plenty of potholes too.
And also early in his term, Langfelder’s administration removed traffic lights in various parts of Springfield, including near the Capitol Complex and on strategic shortcuts to work for state employees (e.g., Spring and Laurel–which was replaced with only a 2-way stop at Spring but with poor visibility on Laurel). Also the lights at 2nd and Edwards, and Spring and Monroe, were briefly converted to flashing yellow/red only but this led to rush hour congestion when state offices closed.
A couple years ago, IDOT did a feasibility study on MacArthur from S. Grand to Wabash. Nothing beyond the study was funded,
———-
There’s also plans to widen South 6th between STanford Ave. and I-72 near Southern View on the south side of Springfield, which is a bottleneck during rush hours plus about 10 or so stoplights in about a 1.5 mile stretch
In early 2015 before the budget impasse it looked like some early work related to the project was starting to take shape (including what appeared to be a possible eventual realignment of Hazel Dell Road between 6th and 2nd streets south of Southern View Park–which hopefully could eventually be extended to Scheels with a RR overpass). But nothing done since the budget impasse began.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 12:22 pm:
Charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped. All of them. I’m glad to hear it.
Even though it has happened before, that people staged their own attack, I thought the overeagerness of the Chicago Police was a red flag. When Smollett chose to plead not guilty I figured he really did get attacked. Had he actually staged his own attack he would have wondered what mistakes he made or people he talked to that could’ve been used against him. It would have made more sense to plead guilty and get felony changed to misdemeanor charge.
It makes more sense that someone who was genuinely attacked would take the risk of having a felony conviction by going to trial.
He’s out 10K to the bail bondsman. I wonder if he can tap into the Illinois Crime Victim Compensation Act Fund to make some of that money up.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 12:26 pm:
Oops sorry. You wanted to know about local elections, not local events. I guess I got carried away.
re local elections, this Jussie incident should bounce onto Preckwinkle because her creation Kim Foxx is messing up the SAO. of course, since Kim recused herself (after taking a phone call from an attorney for the family and calling the family - does she do that for every victim?), I’m sure she will blame her assistants. but the truth is, the office is a mess since Foxx was elected.
what will the two Chicago mayoral candidates say in tonight’s debate about JussieGate? support the police? denounce the State’s Attorney’s Office? will be fascinating to listen to.
Lincoln land community college board district 2 the voters have the opportunity to not only elect a women to the board but they also have the opportunity to elect a qualified candidate
Vicki Davis has a doctorate in education from Vanderbilt university and was a professor for 16 years, served in the Illinois ain’t national guard for 33 years. Without graduating from LLCC she could not have gone down this path. Now she hopes to give back to the community college that help her achieved so much.
It is refreshing to have the opportunity to elect a qualified candidate.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Mar 28, 19 @ 9:37 am:
Cadillac@just so you know, all prosecutors do this, not just Chicago prosecutors. They pick and choose the cases they can win beyond a reasonable doubt. Most cases don’t go to trial.
If you want to change the law so each and every arrest goes to a jury trial go ahead. Good luck to you. But expect your property taxes to increase a lot to pay for for all those trials.
- Tom - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 9:31 am:
Peoria County is up 170% in Vote by Mail from 2017 and already at 60% of 2017 for Early Voting. Local School Board and City Council races pushing turnout.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 9:33 am:
The Springfield mayor’s race has been heating up. While a lot of people are not all that thrilled with Mayor Langfelder, his opponent, Frank Edwards continues to spout the GOP line of anti-taxes but when asked point blank by the SJR, he could not name one cut he would make or state he would remove the last city tax increase he is railing against.
Then you got Langfelder who can’t seem to understand why residents of the city are ticked off when they drive on roads that have been falling apart for years and the city can’t seem to come up with a plan to address infrastructure needs.
- Gerry Manders - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 9:34 am:
Is Madigan on the ballot?
- Bob - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 9:42 am:
https://media.giphy.com/media/7yoAIR7CdWOUE/giphy.gif
- SPI Transplant - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:00 am:
The SJ-R has finally started to release their endorsements - only two weeks late. How do you sell ads to candidates that way? Add this to the list of problems leading to buyout offers for the ONLY reporters (5) left at the SJ-R.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:06 am:
Hoping the endorsements pan out. These are interesting races, as they’re runoffs. Looking forward to Chicago’s 33rd Ward runoff (Ald. Mell vs. Rodriguez) and hoping the challenger wins.
- cover - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:12 am:
= Then you got Langfelder who can’t seem to understand why residents of the city are ticked off when they drive on roads that have been falling apart for years and the city can’t seem to come up with a plan to address infrastructure needs. =
Shortly after Springfield raised its sales tax by 0.25%, billed as being for street and sidewalk repairs and improvements, the city repaired the awful section of Monroe Street just west of College Avenue. No more of the temporary patches that lasted maybe 2 weeks at a time, a real reconstruction.
Yes, there are still roads in need of repair - South MacArthur, especially the outside lanes, really needs some attention.
Springfield, like many municipalities in this state, has been facing increased public safety pension contribution requirements. Squeezy isn’t just affecting the state budget. There are no easy answers, as Frank Edwards (maybe inadvertently) demonstrated.
- Collinsville Kevin - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:15 am:
There are local elections coming up?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:16 am:
In the 43rd in Chicago Lindbloom has sent out at least 30 mailers between the first and 2nd round. He is a buddy of Rahm??? Lots of $$$$$
- Bogey Golfer - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:24 am:
The School District 86 referendum in the western suburbs is really close. Referendum #3 is $140M. Personally it’s about 1/2 needs and 1/2 wants.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:32 am:
Cover, South MacArthur and Walnut between South Grand and Monroe are absolute full of busted up concrete, pot holes and curbs that are beyond repair.
These are major arteries of the city and neither Langfelder and Edwards have laid out a plan to address it. But they sure talk about new development to the west of the city, you know, the new strip malls that are empty while developers keep building new ones.
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:42 am:
I think one of the reasons why Lightfoot is leading is because people, in general, are satisfied with Toni’s reign at president of the ccb, and want to see her remain there.
- Actual Red - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:51 am:
Agree with Grandson on the 33rd. I went out canvassing for Rodriguez and the folks I talked to seemed interested in her ideas. We’ll see.
Also, how is Lindblom on TV more then Toni Preckwinkle? Who’s spending this much money to unseat Michelle Smith?
- Steve Rogers - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:57 am:
A couple years ago, IDOT did a feasibility study on MacArthur from S. Grand to Wabash. Nothing beyond the study was funded, so I’m sure we’re looking at years before something is done, but if you want to dream, here are the seven alternatives: http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/IDOT-Projects/District-6/MacArthur-Blvd/files/MacArthur%20Handout%204-21-16.pdf
- Stuntman Bob's Brother - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 11:15 am:
It’ll be interesting to see how both Lightfoot and Preckwinkle comment on charges being dropped on Jussie. Did they just not have enough evidence, or did prosecutors just decide that the bad PR wouldn’t be worth it?
- simple fix - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 11:23 am:
mercy move by Foxx - bad form not informing the police supt. how many of us rubes out here could pay for the lawyers/fines he has in such a short period of time. he pulled a stunt. got caught, got nationally embarrassed, got fired, got charged with felonies, paid a boat load of money in bail, and because he is a first time offender he is getting cut loose. NBD. Move on America
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 11:38 am:
Property taxes seem to be the big issue in most races here in Oak Park. Having Ralph Martire actually on the ballot has made it interesting to say the least
- Stuntman Bob's Brother - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 11:44 am:
==NBD. Move on America==
I would agree, except for the hundreds (thousands?) of man hours spent on the case that could have been better spent elsewhere. I don’t want to see him rot in jail, but should he reimburse the city? Absolutely.
- Plow our streetse - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 11:45 am:
Springfield has a mascot running for mayor that actually has a platform statement, so we’ve got that, which is something. https://www.jrblues.com/gilly
- A Non E. Moose - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 11:48 am:
There is a nineteen year-old independent candidate for Glenview village trustee that I have been canvassing for. Hoping that he gets elected. We need to send messages in support of change at all levels of government.
- Leatherneck - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 12:09 pm:
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:32 am:
Cover, South MacArthur and Walnut between South Grand and Monroe are absolute full of busted up concrete, pot holes and curbs that are beyond repair.
———–
Also 5th Street at least between South Grand and Ash has plenty of potholes too.
And also early in his term, Langfelder’s administration removed traffic lights in various parts of Springfield, including near the Capitol Complex and on strategic shortcuts to work for state employees (e.g., Spring and Laurel–which was replaced with only a 2-way stop at Spring but with poor visibility on Laurel). Also the lights at 2nd and Edwards, and Spring and Monroe, were briefly converted to flashing yellow/red only but this led to rush hour congestion when state offices closed.
- Leatherneck - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 12:14 pm:
- Steve Rogers - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:57 am:
A couple years ago, IDOT did a feasibility study on MacArthur from S. Grand to Wabash. Nothing beyond the study was funded,
———-
There’s also plans to widen South 6th between STanford Ave. and I-72 near Southern View on the south side of Springfield, which is a bottleneck during rush hours plus about 10 or so stoplights in about a 1.5 mile stretch
http://springfieldsouth6thstexpansion.com/
In early 2015 before the budget impasse it looked like some early work related to the project was starting to take shape (including what appeared to be a possible eventual realignment of Hazel Dell Road between 6th and 2nd streets south of Southern View Park–which hopefully could eventually be extended to Scheels with a RR overpass). But nothing done since the budget impasse began.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 12:22 pm:
Charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped. All of them. I’m glad to hear it.
Even though it has happened before, that people staged their own attack, I thought the overeagerness of the Chicago Police was a red flag. When Smollett chose to plead not guilty I figured he really did get attacked. Had he actually staged his own attack he would have wondered what mistakes he made or people he talked to that could’ve been used against him. It would have made more sense to plead guilty and get felony changed to misdemeanor charge.
It makes more sense that someone who was genuinely attacked would take the risk of having a felony conviction by going to trial.
He’s out 10K to the bail bondsman. I wonder if he can tap into the Illinois Crime Victim Compensation Act Fund to make some of that money up.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 12:26 pm:
Oops sorry. You wanted to know about local elections, not local events. I guess I got carried away.
- Regular democrat - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 12:42 pm:
Big bad wolf cmon u dont actually believe that do you? I hope that was done tongue in cheek
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 12:51 pm:
I do believe it. I hate to admit it, but I get carried away every now and then.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 1:11 pm:
re local elections, this Jussie incident should bounce onto Preckwinkle because her creation Kim Foxx is messing up the SAO. of course, since Kim recused herself (after taking a phone call from an attorney for the family and calling the family - does she do that for every victim?), I’m sure she will blame her assistants. but the truth is, the office is a mess since Foxx was elected.
- Indy in IL - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 1:17 pm:
The Schaumburg mayor’s race got heated this week when Nafees Rahman sent out a mailer accusing his opponent of not being qualified because he’s white and doesn’t reflect the village. I was shocked. https://www.facebook.com/citizensfornafees/posts/2110543825695128?hc_location=ufi
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:11 pm:
Preckwinkle created Kim Foxx? Adam and Eve were first drafts I take it.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:32 pm:
what will the two Chicago mayoral candidates say in tonight’s debate about JussieGate? support the police? denounce the State’s Attorney’s Office? will be fascinating to listen to.
- Citizen - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 4:04 pm:
Lincoln land community college board district 2 the voters have the opportunity to not only elect a women to the board but they also have the opportunity to elect a qualified candidate
Vicki Davis has a doctorate in education from Vanderbilt university and was a professor for 16 years, served in the Illinois ain’t national guard for 33 years. Without graduating from LLCC she could not have gone down this path. Now she hopes to give back to the community college that help her achieved so much.
It is refreshing to have the opportunity to elect a qualified candidate.
- Cadillac - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 8:42 pm:
=== - Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 12:22 pm:
Charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped. All of them. I’m glad to hear it. ===
Glad to hear Chicago and the entire State of Illinois is a national laughingstock?
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Wednesday, Mar 27, 19 @ 6:35 am:
Glad to hear our system of checks and balances works.
- Commander Norton - Wednesday, Mar 27, 19 @ 7:45 am:
I’m running unopposed, so that’s nice.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Mar 28, 19 @ 9:37 am:
Cadillac@just so you know, all prosecutors do this, not just Chicago prosecutors. They pick and choose the cases they can win beyond a reasonable doubt. Most cases don’t go to trial.
If you want to change the law so each and every arrest goes to a jury trial go ahead. Good luck to you. But expect your property taxes to increase a lot to pay for for all those trials.