* Daily Herald…
Facing a federal tax evasion charge, state Sen. Terry Link has announced he will resign as leader of the Lake County Democratic Party effective Sept. 15.
But some prominent Democrats — including Lauren Beth Gash, a former state representative who’s the first vice chair of the party in Lake County and in line to succeed Link — aren’t pleased with that timetable as campaigns for the Nov. 3 presidential election are heating up.
“We are working hard to elect Democrats who share our values in the fall. We don’t want distractions,” said Gash, of Highland Park. “We are communicating with Terry about an earlier resignation or a special meeting to accomplish that.” […]
“While some of you might assume my resignation is related to what you may have read in the news, those who truly know me and know my character and loyalty to the Democratic Party know there has to be more to the story,” [Link] wrote. “I can assure you that there is a lot more to the story. Unfortunately, at this time I am unable to comment on any of this.”
He won’t be able to appoint his own Senate replacement if he doesn’t resign his legislative seat pronto. No word yet on that.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Fifty percent of Lake County Democratic precinct committeepersons call for a special meeting
Today, more than 50% of Lake County Democratic precinct committeepersons called for a special meeting of the Lake County Democratic Party to confirm new leadership.
In order to call a special meeting, only 25% of precinct committeepersons are needed, according to Lake County Democratic Party rules. In less than 24 hours, already more than 50% percent of the committeepersons united to call for the meeting.
Lake County Democrats will be setting a meeting shortly to ratify this transition.
- DuPage Saint - Thursday, Aug 20, 20 @ 3:03 pm:
“I can assure you there is a lot more to the story “. Has to be in running for understatement of the year.
- Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Aug 20, 20 @ 3:10 pm:
““We are working hard to elect Democrats who share our values in the fall. We don’t want distractions,”
Link is one of many corruption-related distractions for the D’s.
- Frank talks - Thursday, Aug 20, 20 @ 4:12 pm:
@Donnie. Link isn’t on the ballot. Trump is.
With today’s Bannon arrest and the many others as well, I’m guessing that’s one of the many corruption-related distraction for the R’s?
Top of the ticket says Donald Trump (Manafort, Bannon, Stone, Flynn etc) Come Nov 6 the public won’t even remember Terry Links name in the voting booth.
- Disgruntled IL Democrat - Thursday, Aug 20, 20 @ 4:23 pm:
– Top of the ticket says Donald Trump (Manafort, Bannon, Stone, Flynn etc) Come Nov 6 the public won’t even remember Terry Links name in the voting booth. –
The election ends on Novemeber 3rd, not 6th, and his name certainly will come to mind among many Lake County voters if Republicans message on it, which I’m sure they will. That can impact some of the county board races with a very split county board and it strengthens the Vote No argument that Democrats can’t be trusted with a graduated income tax, as flawed as that argument may be.
Democrats in Lake really shot themselves in the foot by not calling for his resignation as county party chairman sooner. This day was inevitable.
- Just Observing - Thursday, Aug 20, 20 @ 4:41 pm:
=== The election ends on Novemeber 3rd, not 6th, and his name certainly will come to mind among many Lake County voters if Republicans message on it, which I’m sure they will. That can impact some of the county board races with a very split county board and it strengthens the Vote No argument that Democrats can’t be trusted with a graduated income tax, as flawed as that argument may be. Democrats in Lake really shot themselves in the foot by not calling for his resignation as county party chairman sooner. This day was inevitable. ===
Link will be a non-factor in Lake County (except as it relates to his seat). The typical swing voter thinks both parties have their fair share of corruption — and Link’s alleged improprieties (and I get there could be more) are among the less concerning when it comes to corruption.
- T.J. Brown - Thursday, Aug 20, 20 @ 4:43 pm:
per state law, if he resigns his Senate seat before Sept. 11 (28 months before end of term), his replacement is selected via Special Election Nov. 3.
He’s resigning between 9-11 and 9-15 and appointing a pal.
- Lake County Dem - Thursday, Aug 20, 20 @ 4:45 pm:
===Democrats in Lake really shot themselves in the foot by not calling for his resignation as county party chairman sooner.===
Don’t think the average voter counts the days between indictment and when the process of forcing a resignation starts. We are going to be as strong as ever in Lake County this year
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Aug 20, 20 @ 4:46 pm:
I dunno if the local angle works with national headwinds if a corrupt Republican administration, but all politics are local.
Is there enough dough to make some hay?
- Frumpy White Guy - Thursday, Aug 20, 20 @ 4:47 pm:
Link is a man of subpar character. He wore a wire and lied to all of us by denying that he was the one. In his own creepy way he now delays a resignation that should happen Immediately. He makes a slinky cryptic statement that when the time is right he will share details that will make us all respect a man who is an accused criminal. Mr. link please go away.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Aug 20, 20 @ 4:50 pm:
===but all politics are local===
Not in a year like this.
- T.J. Brown - Thursday, Aug 20, 20 @ 4:50 pm:
Lake County voters will know that such a high profile proponent of the tax amendment simply doesn’t pay taxes on his income over 250k… but everyone else should. Link will be famous up there.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Aug 20, 20 @ 4:52 pm:
=== Not in a year like this.===
Aw, I was being polite.
The headwinds nationally, yikes.
- Frank talks - Thursday, Aug 20, 20 @ 6:11 pm:
National headwinds are what will drive this election.
I’ll believe the local politics line when I see higher than 25% turnout for municipal and school board races. Property taxes decided by Mayor and School Board. Lowest turnout of all elections. Maybe primary is less would have to check numbers.
- Chicago Cynic - Friday, Aug 21, 20 @ 12:01 am:
That hed still needs to end after the third word.