* As is often the case, the Sangamon County GOP didn’t go along with the program. Instead of appointing someone favored by the Senate Republicans who would use the time in office to set up a run against Democratic Sen. Doris Turner this year, they chose Sandy Hamilton…

When asked why she applied, Sandy Hamilton, the newly sworn-in representative for the Illinois 99th District, turned the question around.

“A friend called me and asked me about it and after a couple of days of talking it through with my husband, Bob, the real answer was why not? Why not do this?” said Hamilton, a real estate broker at RE/MAX Professionals and former volleyball coach at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School.

Hamilton emerged from a group of 20 candidates to claim the vacancy created by the resignation of Rep. Mike Murphy, a Republican from Springfield. […]

Hamilton said she would be open to running for reelection. Barghouti Hardwick previously said “it would be good” if the candidate was interested in running for that office again or interested in seeking another office.

Hamilton, who lives on the west side of Springfield, would be in the 95th district if she ran in 2022.

Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, who also attended the swearing-in, said he planned to run for reelection, but hadn’t made a formal announcement.

Um.

* Press release…

Today the Villegas for Congress campaign released a preliminary estimate of the total funds raised in the 4th Quarter of 2021, the first fundraising quarter since Alderman Gilbert Villegas entered the race for the newly created Third Congressional District of Illinois. Villegas announced his candidacy on the Marine Corps birthday, November 10th, 2021.

The campaign expects to file more than $382,000 raised once all final contributions are received and tallied. The campaign also expects to report approximately $360,000 cash on hand once accounting for expenses.

Campaign manager Magdalena Fudalewicz released the following statement:

“Alderman Gilbert Villegas’s service as as a Marine, working class background driving trucks for the Teamsters, and public service is clearly resonating with supporters across the district. We’re thrilled that in just seven weeks and with several major holiday breaks, we’ve seen such a tremendous response to this campaign,” said Magdalena Fudalewicz.

* Press release…

Today, Nikki Budzinski announced that her campaign raised over $475,000 in the fourth quarter of 2021. Budzinski raised an additional $455,000 in the first five weeks of her campaign in the third quarter. Since announcing her campaign 133 days ago, Budzinski has raised over $930,000. Budzinski’s fundraising numbers are fueled by grassroots supporters from across Central and Southern Illinois and put her in a strong position to run an issues-based campaign and win in November.

Budzinski made the following statement: “I am honored and humbled by the support I’ve received since announcing my campaign in August. I am committed to being a champion for working families in Central and Southern Illinois, who for too long haven’t had a voice in Congress. The support I have received allows me to be laser focused on running the kind of issues-based campaign it will take to reach voters and win this district back for working families this November.”

* This is Courtney Parella’s first day on the job as the NRCC’s regional press secretary…

Hi there –

The Chicago Teachers Union is threatening to prevent students from returning to the classroom.

The union’s 25,000+ members are voting today to only work virtually, despite the devastating negative effects school closures have on students and families.

Will Sean Casten and Marie Newman stand by their teachers union donors and allow schools to be shut down?

NRCC Comment: “Sean Casten and Marie Newman refuse to stand up to their teachers union donors, despite the well-documented challenges for children and families that come with school closures. When will Democrats end their war on children?” – NRCC Spokeswoman Courtney Parella

* Politico…

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Former Democratic Congressman Jerry Costello is endorsing Alexi Giannoulias for secretary of state in the Democratic primary. Costello served 12 terms before retiring from Congress in 2013, and before that he served eight years as St. Clair County Board chairman.

— State Rep. Maurice West announced his re-election campaign to the 67th District in the Illinois House. “Since 2019 I have focused my efforts in bringing opportunities and progress to the west, south and southeast sides of Rockford.” West, a Democrat, said in a statement.

— State Rep. Tom Bennett announced his re-election campaign to the 106th District in the Illinois House. “I’m proud to work on issues important to this region, including improving roads and infrastructure, increased funding for K-12 schools, economic development, and supporting public safety,” Bennett, a Republican, said in a statement.

— Former state Rep. Mary Edly Allen announced her run for the newly drawn 31st District seat in the state Senate. State Rep. Sam Yingling, a fellow Democrat, is also running for that seat.

— Grayslake Trustee Laura Dias is running for the IL-62 seat being vacated by state Rep. Sam Yingling.

— Justice Liam C. Brennan of Wheaton has announced his bid for the 3rd District Appellate Court vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Vicki Wright. Brennan was unanimously appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the 2nd District Appellate Court in March 2020. He is now running for the 3rd District Appellate seat as a result of recent remapping of the appellate districts. The new 3rd District Appellate Court encompasses DuPage, Will, Kankakee, Iroquois, Grundy, LaSalle, and Bureau County.

…Adding… Subscribers know more about Dordek…

Facing one of the most important election cycles in its 33-year history, Personal PAC has named a new chairperson.

Natalie Federle replaces Eileen Dordek, who resigned the post after announcing her candidacy for Illinois’ 13th state House District this week. Federle’s appointment comes as Personal PAC welcomes an unprecedented influx of young volunteers, further evidence of a national trend of Millenial and Gen Z voters galvanizing over restricted access to reproductive rights.

Federle, 38, is a Chicago attorney with a background in employment law. Currently the General Counsel of Sermo, she has practiced law in Chicago since 2011, beginning her career at DLA Piper.

In addition to her legal practice, Natalie has served on the Board of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, and has volunteered for many years as a voter protection attorney on election days.

Natalie has two daughters, a rescue dog, and is married to Julian Federle, the Director of Government Affairs at United Airlines.

She has been involved with Personal PAC since 2014, joining the board in 2017 before becoming vice chair in 2019.

“My time spent working on behalf of Personal PAC has been some of the most rewarding work of my life and I’m honored and excited to step into a leadership role,” Federle said. “The 2022 elections across the state and down the ballot are crucial in fighting back against the Federal attack on abortion rights. We must ensure Illinois elects a pro-choice Supreme Court, Governor, and General Assembly in November.”

…Adding… Press release…

On the eve of the one-year anniversary of Mary Miller’s infamous quotation of Adolf Hitler and her vote not to certify electoral college votes - one of the main drivers of the January 6 insurrection – President Kristina Zahorik of the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association released the following statement:

“A year ago Mary Miller quoted Adolf Hitler to make a political point, and later could not even unequivocally apologize after being repudiated by both Republicans and Democrats for it. A day later, she acquiesced to the demands of the insurrectionists who attacked police and the U.S. Capital, and voted against certifying electoral college votes lawfully electing President Joe Biden.”

“While the news cycles may be shorter, our memories must remain long – Mary Miller is unfit to serve in Congress.”