Now, here’s something you don’t see every day
Tuesday, Feb 25, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* A.D. Quig at Crain’s profiles Eli Stone, an 18-year-old high school senior heading communications for appointed Rep. Yoni Pizker’s campaign…
The “supervolunteer” turned spokesman is now on his eighth campaign, managing communications for Rep. Yoni Pizer, who is running for a permanent seat in the Illinois House in a race that has pitted some Illinois Democrats against each other. […]
“I don’t remember the last time I got home before 8 p.m. the past three years,” the 18-year-old says. This primary will be the first election he votes in, and could fall after an all-nighter. He sometimes works on campaign to-dos until midnight, and homework until 2 a.m. “I don’t know why I did this to myself. I can’t really stop it.”
His first campaign was helping Mark Tendam in his losing 2017 bid for Evanston mayor, followed by Ald. Ameya Pawar’s gubernatorial run, then Daniel Biss. He interned in state Rep. Kelly Cassidy’s legislative office, then on state Rep. Bob Morgan’s campaign, for 46th Ward aldermanic candidate Marianne LaLonde, “then I got roped into this long-shot candidate named Lori Lightfoot’s race,” where he helped manage peer-to-peer texting. He also worked on Paras Parekh’s Lake County board race.
Stone works around his school’s block schedule—ten minutes here, an hour there during lunch and prep—and can often be spotted between classes catching up on news, Beacon’s Dean of Students Siobhan Allen says.
I’ve been working with Stone via email and I had no idea he was 18. He’s good at what he does.
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 10:09 am:
Great to see younger people involved in Politics in Illinois.
Some of my best times and memories were when I worked in campaigns in my late teens and early twenties.
Hopefully other younger folks will see this story and sign up to work in a campaign.
- Flapdoodle - Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 10:16 am:
More like Mr. Stone, please.
- Fixer - Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 10:20 am:
Good for him. I hope he doesn’t burn himself out though. That kind of schedule isn’t something one can keep up indefinitely.
- Lt Guv - Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 11:34 am:
God help him. Many of us here have lived a similar story. I hope as he gets older he can look back and say, “I’ll never do that again, but I’d never give that time back either.”
- Morningstar - Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 12:32 pm:
In Charleston, a high school student has developed an online guide for local elections. News article:
https://tinyurl.com/vhpzlvv
- DTAG - Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 12:32 pm:
I’ve met Eli, very impressive.
- Just Observing - Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 1:34 pm:
I hate kids that put me to shame
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 2:30 pm:
Mr. Stone,
Some very serious people that I take very serious tell of how impressive and professional you are, and speak glowing of you as you navigate being a flack in one of the hottest ground game races in this state. It’s going to be fun watching you move on as your talents will lead you to greater heights and loftier places.
Cannoli for you. Keep plugging. Be well.
OW
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 3:25 pm:
I’ve heard this is a very good school. Good for Eli.
- Rumors - Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 4:58 pm:
Rumor has it that Eli began posting as “Oswego Willy” at the tender age of 3 and a half.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 5:02 pm:
=== Rumor has it that Eli began posting as…===
If Mr. Stone commented as “Oswego Willy” it would be immediately known, as the thoughts and writing would be far superior than currently written.
- ^^^^ - Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 5:04 pm:
Don’t sell yourself short, OW. A statewide treasure.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 5:27 pm:
Appreciate that, humbly, but… the treasure, skill, talent of Mr. Stone will be something for us all to watch well after this cycle.
:)
- 37B - Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 6:37 pm:
Let’s hope he uses his powers only for good.
- Just Another Anon - Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 8:25 pm:
Always good to see young people involved, Plenty of great volunteers and staffers on the R side as well, though none who have received quite Mr. Stone’s accolades.