* Rep. Lindsay Parkhurst (R-Kankakee) posted this last night on Facebook…
It is with bittersweet emotion to announce I will not run for state representative in 2020, but instead run for judge. Being a judge is a dream and goal I had since law school and I am thrilled by the opportunity to run for judge. It is the pinnacle of any legal career.
I am proud to serve as State Representative and I am committed to completing my term and working hard for the 79th District. I believe my skills and commitment to public service will be best served on the bench at this time in my legal career. Thank you for your continued support.
The 79th was originally drawn as a Republican-leaning district, but Democrat Kate Cloonan managed to win it in 2012. Parkhurst defeated Cloonan in 2016 by 7 points and then defeated former Democratic Rep. Lisa Dugan by 13 points last year. Maybe the Dems make a run at that, but with President Trump on the ballot, I am not seeing a clear path unless the Republicans nominate an unelectable candidate. Trump won the district by 13 points and Bruce Rauner won it by 11.
* Meanwhile, from a press release sent last night…
On the heels of a historic session, State Representative Aarón Ortíz announces that he is running for Democratic Committeeman of the 14th Ward. Ortíz, a lifelong resident of the Gage Park neighborhood, shocked the political establishment in 2018 after he defeated former Rep Dan Burke, the younger brother of Ed Burke, who held that position since 1991.
“Alderman Ed Burke is an embarrassment to the City of Chicago and State of Illinois. His shameless reign of shakedown politics is over. Ed Burke is being charged with using the City of Chicago as his criminal enterprise. I’m calling on Ed Burke to resign from his position as Committeeman and Alderman. He is unfit to continue holding public office. The Burke family has held the 14th Ward for 66 years. We’re prepared to mobilize thousands of voters to get rid of them or their proxies running for Committeeman or State Representative.
I ran for office to bring honesty, transparency, accountability, and progressive values to the southwest side. As a full-time elected official, I am devoted to public service and representing constituents. The people of the southwest side deserve a leader they can trust. Ed Burke, Martin Sandoval, Jeffrey Tobolski, and others have disrespected our community and have damaged the public’s faith in government. Our community deserves an honest public servant. I’m prepared to fill that role, that’s why I’m running to become the next Democratic Committeeman of the 14th Ward”
* Tribune…
Burke pleaded not guilty in June to more than a dozen federal charges, including racketeering, extortion and bribery. Federal prosecutors have alleged Burke used his position to steer work to his tax-appeals law firm.
Burke and his attorneys have denied any wrongdoing.
Burke’s 14th Ward political fund had nearly $457,000 in cash at the start of October and has raised another $24,500 since. Burke’s aldermanic campaign fund reported $652,000 in cash on hand at the end of September plus another $8 million in investment income.
Ortiz reported $5,265 in his campaign fund at the start of October and has received another $13,000 since.
- Red Ketcher - Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:39 am:
Republican Parkhurst run for Judge maybe explains why the Republican Coroner and Republican Sheriff endorsed the Incumbent Democrat for State’s Attorney. He may have been very strong Candidate if ran for Judge.
- Billy Sunday - Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:46 am:
…”Ed Burke, Martin Sandoval, Jeffrey Tobolski…have disrespected our community and have damaged the public’s faith in government…” ouch.
Brotherly love: Round 1) Dan..Round 2: Ed..
- Dan Johnson - Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:05 am:
That’s another big loss to the General Assembly. Representative Parkhurst will be missed, especially as an informed export on juvenile justice matters.
- Stacey's mom - Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:13 am:
@Red Ketcher, Kankakee’s Democratic State’s Attorney is a great guy but is also a conservative Dem who could easily pass for a Republican and has in the past…
- {Sigh} - Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:22 am:
Can we prohibit with members of the General Assembly being elected/appointed committeeman? Guessing that’s not in the ethics bill that’s being discussed.
- the Edge - Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:41 am:
Wow, $8 million. I presume the Fed’s will gobble it up by making Fast Eddie spend spend spend for his defense.
- Levois J - Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 11:11 am:
Is it too soon to talk about the end of Ed Burke as a political force?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 12:12 pm:
The Dam party leader Speaker Madigan needs to take lead on this matter just as he has with Arroyo.
Who is the businessman who listed McCalin in the memo of his checks to Quinn? Is he a close ally to Ald Burke? The tribune knows who the businessman is listed in the Com ed debacle. Thats where this may all start. The property tax business person affilated with Madigans law firm.
Term limits are needed to move forward so this ends.
- Chris - Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 12:19 pm:
“ Term limits are needed to move forward so this ends.”
Are we going to term limit donors, too?
I don’t see how term limits alone deal with this sort of problem, or are even the best first step.
- SouthSide Operator - Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 1:16 pm:
Aaron Ortiz is a soon-to-be rising star for his community and the GA. The Burke’s need to go away. They’ve done their work, Some good, some not so much.
The community and D’s alike need to align with Ortiz as the future of Chicago Latino community.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 1:21 pm:
===Aaron Ortiz is a soon-to-be rising star for his community and the GA.===
What has he done this first session downstate to garnish such praise?
I’m curious.
Also…
Alderman Burke isn’t Rep. Burke… especially in the ward Alderman Burke just carried… again.
- Union4thePeople! - Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 1:52 pm:
Fare thee well, Rep. Parkhurst…I will miss the air quotes, depicting “career politicians” and the double-pinching, moving air quotes describing “status quo”.
You’ve brought indecision and muckraking to the 79th. However, we should thank you for bringing home several millions of $$$ of funding for our much-maligned roads and bridges (though you chose to vote against it)!!