* I explained this in detail to subscribers earlier today, but here’s Politico…
Another FEC advisory opinion is issued on Kelly as Dem Party Chair: The opinion is out before the Federal Election Commission meets Thursday. At issue is to what extent Rep. Robin Kelly can continue to lead the Illinois Democratic Party given FEC rules don’t allow a federal officeholder to raise local funds.
The latest advisory calls for a “special committee” to be formed “without review or approval by Congresswoman Kelly and Congresswoman Kelly has no role in the appointment of any member of the special committee.”
The proposed advisory opinion is here. Kelly had initially suggested that she be allowed to appoint a minority of the special committee’s members, which will have sole authority over raising and spending all money that isn’t federally regulated. But the FEC is moving away from that idea.
So, the state party chair can’t be directly involved in any state and local campaigns. Brilliant.
* Back in May, some remap reformers criticized Democrats for not asking the Illinois Supreme Court to somehow set aside the constitutional timeline to craft a new map. Well, some Michiganders tried that avenue and lost…
The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday denied a petition to grant relief to the state’s redistricting panel, who expects to adopt new congressional and legislative maps months later than allowed by the constitution.
The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in April asked the state Supreme Court to extend the existing Nov. 21, 2021 deadline to redraw districts in the state, as census data required for redistricting has been significantly delayed amid the pandemic.
* Press release issued yesterday morning…
Secretary of State candidate Pat Dowell is announcing the members of the Finance Committee for her campaign for Secretary of State. “I am honored that these community and business leaders have committed to help our campaign,” said Dowell. “While I just joined this race only a short time ago, I am humbled by the support and generosity of so many. I look forward to more events around the state including the suburbs, southland and the city.”
Dowel entered the race recently and her fundraising during second quarter outpaced others in the race. This committee will build on this fundraising progress achieved in the second quarter with $375,000 raised and $440,000 cash on hand.
* Back to Politico…
Congressman Adam Kinzinger has raised a whopping $1.3 million in the second quarter of the year, according to a source close to his campaign. Broken down, that’s $800,000 for his re-election campaign and $500,000 for his leadership PAC.
In the past six months, Kinzinger has raised $3.6 million, nearly all from individuals, and more than $700,000 from within Illinois.
* WVIK…
Tim Arview from West Frankfort ran unsuccessfully last year in the Republican primary for state representative.
“I’ve always been interested in politics, always voted, always followed the issues, but never felt like that was something that I would want to do or feel like I need to do. But just the way things are going now, and through prayer and consideration, we decided it was the time to do it.”
He doesn’t want to challenge any fellow Republicans again, which eliminates running for state house or senate or even Congress in southern Illinois, so the only Democrat left for him to run against is Senator Duckworth.
Arview is pro-life and pro-gun rights, and thinks Duckworth has not done enough to help veterans, despite being a veteran herself.
“Ran unsuccessfully” is a pretty huge understatement. Dude got 14.4 percent against Rep. Dave Severin in the 2020 primary.
*** UPDATE *** Oops. Forgot to post this media advisory…
Judge Elizabeth Rochford to Announce Candidacy for Illinois’ 2nd Supreme Court District
WHAT: The Hon. Elizabeth M. Rochford, a sitting judge in Lake County’s 19th Judicial District, is announcing her candidacy for the newly redrawn Supreme Court seat that encompasses the counties of DeKalb, Kendall, Kane, Lake and McHenry. Judge Rochford has been an associate judge in Lake County since her appointment in 2012, hearing civil and criminal matters, with a significant focus in family law. She is currently sitting in probate court.
Judge Rochford is a former assistant state’s attorney and solo practitioner. She has served on the Illinois Judges Association (IJA) Board of Directors since 2015 and is currently Secretary, in addition to chairing literacy and access to justice initiatives.
Judge Rochford also served on the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) Board of Governors, and as Secretary and past President of the Lake County Bar Association (LCBA). She remains active in both organizations. Her recent distinctions include the 2020 ISBA Carole K. Bellows Woman of Influence Award, the Lake County Women’s Association (LCWA) 2019 Woman of Significance Award, and the LCBA’s 2019 Access to Justice Award.
* Related…
* With remap of Chicago wards pending, Latino aldermen aim to protect, and expand, their City Council footprint
- SpiDem - Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 2:50 pm:
Kelly needs to step down as DPI Chair. It is ridiculous to expect the part organization to construct an intricate Rube-Goldberg type operation to get around the fact that the party selected someone who cannot functionally perform the job.
- Tammy - Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:04 pm:
From that Trib Latino-focused redistricting story:
“Chicago’s Black population has been falling and Latino numbers having been on the rise for years.”
Not so sure about the latter. According to the ACS data, all the Latino population growth is in the burbs, not the city. The Northwest Side Latino population centers have shrunk due to gentrification, while years of population expansion has stagnated on the Southwest Side.
- The Dude Abides - Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:04 pm:
I’m guessing that Kinzinger is receiving some money from Democrats too for having the courage to stand up to Trump and his lies.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:05 pm:
Kelly has yet to be officially the party chair?
This is embarrassing. Pathetically so.
- Nancy - Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:07 pm:
Who cares if Kelly can’t participate in state and local campaigns. Dems already have strong state and local non-party organizations because DPI was never involved.
- Give Us Barabbas - Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:11 pm:
Agreed that it doesn’t seem to make any sense to put in a party leader so hobbled. What was the original justification for that choice?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:18 pm:
=== So, the state party chair can’t be directly involved in any state and local campaigns. Brilliant===
Can’t get more “anti-Madigan” than that, amirite?
- MZ - Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:19 pm:
===I’m guessing that Kinzinger is receiving some money from Democrats too for having the courage to stand up to Trump and his lies.===
That could be but me thinks it’s more likely that there is a group of donors within the Republican party that don’t want to affiliated with the more wingnut Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mary Miller and Matt Gaetz. Speaking out against the quasi-fascistic sounding America Frist might be political damaging but donating quietly may be safer.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:30 pm:
===Dems already have strong state and local non-party organizations because DPI was never involved===
You’re kinda unclear on the concept of this new era thingamabob, I think.
- Shytown - Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:36 pm:
Kelly needs to step down. This is actually in her own best interest because this cloud will be hanging over her for eternity. If she’s got an advisor who actually cares about her future they should do their job and say what needs to be said.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:40 pm:
=== So, the state party chair can’t be directly involved in any state and local campaigns. Brilliant===
It’s the LTJG Sam Weinberg, USN, School of Leadership;
“I have no responsibilities here whatsoever”
- NotAKaren - Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 4:06 pm:
If DPI is so important to Rep. Kelly, nothing is stopping her from resigning her congressional seat.
- Responsa - Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 4:24 pm:
Of his 3.6 million raised only 700,000 coming from Illinois is pretty telling for Kinzinger. (Unless he’s planning to run in Wisconsin where he’s Air National Guard.)
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 4:55 pm:
As someone said back on March 3:
It’s past time for all involved to face the unhappy facts.
– MrJM
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 4:57 pm:
Kinzinger needs to get through a GOP primary. That’s gonna be tough when he speaks truth to the big lie supporters.
- EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham - Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 6:28 pm:
==Kinzinger needs to get through a GOP primary. ==
Could Kinzinger decide to run as a Libertarian instead, perhaps for Governor?
- Independent - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 7:29 am:
Kinzinger wants to help reclaim the Republican party from Trump and Trumpism. Running as a Libertarian would not help that cause. It would be better if he fought hard and lost a Republican Congressional primary. Then hope the party returns to a more normal state, at which point he could be one of its leaders.