Campaign notebook
Thursday, Jan 6, 2022 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Zero surprise…
Leading Trump critic U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., who in October said he would not seek another term in the House but left open the potential of running for senator or governor, on Wednesday said he will, in his next chapter, devote himself “full time” to working against the extremism that led to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
Kinzinger closed the door to a statewide Illinois run the day before the first anniversary of the Capitol insurrection, where a Trump-supporting mob tried to prevent Congress from formalizing the election of Joe Biden as president.
* Some “plausible deniability” in Politico…
Chicago CEO and Illinois political donor Ken Griffin wants to set the record straight. He hasn’t backed, endorsed or funded any candidate for statewide office yet, according to a source close to him. “Ken is watching and waiting to see how things unfold.” The only thing Griffin stands by right now is wanting to see Gov. JB Pritzker defeated, the source said.
Call it misplaced speculation. Griffin has been linked to some potential and current GOP candidates for statewide offices because of their connection to GOP campaign consultant Mike Zolnierowicz, known as Mike Z. (He’s the former chief of staff to Gov. Bruce Rauner.) Griffin’s name has become connected to Mike Z in recent weeks in part because the Citadel CEO largely funded the opposition campaign that Mike Z led to defeat the graduated income tax measure in 2020. Griffin philosophically supports Mike Z’s work to identify potential candidates for various races, but that’s it — for now.
Yes, Griffin has not yet written a check or issued any formal endorsements. Yet.
But, c’mon.
* Press release…
In the midst of consecutive successful terms as Orland Park’s Mayor, Keith Pekau has built a reputation as a leader who puts people over politics. Mayors from throughout the 6th District and surrounding area believe that reputation is well-deserved, endorsing Pekau’s run for Congress. This group of leaders expressed their support for Pekau’s candidacy this week, highlighting aspects of his qualifications and experience.
• Tim Balderman, Mayor of New Lenox: “In my experience working directly with Keith Pekau as mayor, he makes decisions based on what he believes is best for his community’s safety, economy, and growth first. That’s the type of local leadership we need in Washington.”
• Michael Einhorn, Mayor of Crete: “Under Keith Pekau’s leadership, his community has led the charge in reducing violent crime in neighborhoods. I know he’ll bring those same solutions to Congress which is why he has my full support.”
• John Egofske, Mayor of Lemont: “Over the past four years I have seen firsthand Keith’s work ethic and progress in recruiting and developing new economic development into Orland Park. I am supporting Keith because of his hard work in growing quality businesses along with his fiscally responsible policies. Both of these qualities are much needed in Congress.”
• Frank Fleischer, Mayor of Mokena: “Having worked with Keith Pekau the last four-plus years, I have been very impressed by what he has accomplished in his first term as mayor. His instincts as a successful small businessman have served him well and will continue to do so in Congress.”
• Bob Kolosh, Mayor of Thornton, President of South Suburban Mayors and Managers: “Keith Pekau is a true leader who knows what it takes to grow jobs and bolster the economy. He has my full support as he runs for Congress.”
• Gary L’Heureux, Mayor of Midlothian: “Keith Pekau and I share a deep concern about growing violent crime trends in and around Chicago. That’s why we’ve fought to keep our residents and businesses safe. That’s why I support Keith Pekau for Congress.”
• Steve Streit, Mayor of Lockport: “Keith Pekau is one of those rare political figures that can critically think about a situation, formulate a plan, and then have the courage to act upon it. Keith would be a pragmatic and tireless advocate for the people of the 6th Congressional District.”
• Mary Werner, Mayor of Worth: “Keith Pekau’s approach to fiscal and economic policy is sorely needed to push back against high taxes and runaway inflation. I support his candidacy, and I look forward to seeing what he’ll do to help grow the economy and create good-paying, middle-class jobs.”
• George Yukich, Mayor of Homer Glen: “Keith Pekau simultaneously managed to cut taxes and invest in local infrastructure using his experience as a successful small businessman. He has had a positive impact on our entire region as mayor and will be able to do even more for the region in Congress. We need a man like this and he keeps his word.”
• Ed Zabrocki, Former Mayor of Tinley Park: “With the extremism we’ve seen from many in Washington, a common-sense voice like Keith Pekau’s will be a welcome and necessary change. He’ll fight back against those who put ideological partisanship first—and he’ll put people over politics.”
This list is a “who’s who” of south suburban local leaders, and their endorsement of Keith Pekau reflects a deep belief in his proven track record as an effective leader. For a full list of endorsements and quotes, visit KeithPekau.com/Endorsements.
“I sincerely appreciate the kind words of my colleagues and fellow mayors,” Pekau said. “I look forward to having the opportunity to show that their belief in me is well-founded. By putting people over politics, we can bring a welcome change to Washington.”
Related…
Some municipalities in Cook County have decided they will not enforce the county’s vaccine requirement for citizens to enter indoor businesses.
The vaccine requirement was issued on Dec. 23, 2021, and went into effect on Jan. 3. The COVID-19 mitigation requires indoor businesses to enforce a vaccine requirement for patrons ages five and older. So far leaders from Orland Park, Niles, Morton Grove and Lincolnwood have chosen to not enforce the vaccine mandate in their towns.
The Village of Orland Park and its town officials have been against the enforcement and Mayor Keith Pekau criticized the way Cook County officials have handled the situation.
* Back to Politico…
— Rep. Marie Newman has been endorsed by seven congressional colleagues in her bid to win reelection in the new 6th District: House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Rep. Kai Khele (D-Hawaii), Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.).
— Rep. Mary Miller has been endorsed by FreedomWorks for America, a conservative advocacy group. Miller is running in the 15th Congressional District.
* Another candidate emerges for Rep. Yingling’s seat…
Local 10th Congressional Democratic State Central Committeeman Thomas Maillard announces today that he is running for the 62nd Illinois State House District. The seat is currently held by Representative Sam Yingling who is running for Illinois Senate. Thomas serves in local government leadership for the City of Waukegan and has experience guiding environmental protections, infrastructure improvements, economic development, and expanding community internet access. Thomas is the youngest Democratic State Party leader, who along with his family of community organizers, has helped Democrats win elected office for over fifteen years.
“I have the proven track record of getting things done to improve the lives of our residents, and I’m just getting started,” said Maillard. “High property taxes are forcing our neighbors to move out of the state or live with less. Hard working families are suffering and need a real fighter. I will relentlessly advocate for the residents in Grayslake, the Round Lakes, Libertyville, Gurnee, Waukegan, Lindenhurst, Hainesville, Old Mill Creek, Gages Lake, Lake Villa, Ingleside, and everywhere in between.”
“I want to ensure we keep our children and future generations in Illinois, and we will do that by pursuing meaningful change. I will help families get through COVID-19 so we can return to normal instead of accepting a new normal, protect our towns from polluters who destroy our communities and precious waterways, support our unions who ensure a quality and dignified workplace for our families, protect a women’s right to choose, fight rising prescription drug prices, and be an advocate for all the people of the 62nd District. There’s so much work to be done, and with my experience and energy, I will hit the ground running.”
…Adding… Missed this one…
A complaint has been filed with the U.S. Department of Defense against Congressional candidate Esther Joy King, accusing King of violating DOD policies by wearing her military uniform in several campaign ads.
King is a Republican candidate for Illinois’ 17th Congressional District and a member of the U.S. Army Reserves.
Jim Garbett of Moline is a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves and Illinois National Guard. He filed the complaint last week with the DOD Office of Inspector General. […]
“As a member of the military, Esther considers it her duty to hold high standards,” Tuttle said. “Throughout the campaign, she has consulted her ethics officer, her Army commander, legal counsel and members of Congress who also serve in the Reserve.”
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:03 am:
Did Newman forget any endorsements from Illinois members of Congress?
I’ll leave it at that.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:07 am:
Re: Keith Pekau - he makes decisions based on what he believes is best for his community’s safety, economy, and growth first. That’s the type of local leadership we need in Washington.”
Anyone want to pull up the population numbers for Orland Park? It would be rather embarrassing for him if his town was declining in population while the chicago metro region is growing.
Or is he referring to another type of growth? The kind you would usually want to have removed by a doctor.
The neighboring village of New Lenox has grown, so surely Orland Park has grown too.
oops, looks like Orland has been declining in population since 2017. Which year did this guy become mayor again?
- Commisar Gritty - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:12 am:
I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Thomas Maillard for a few years now. He’s a fantastic organizer, and really, really knows his stuff. Rep. Yingling will be missed in the House but I’m encouraged to see he has a strong candidate running to replace him.
- thoughts matter - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:34 am:
I would have voted for Kinzinger because I respect him. I’m sorry he’s not running for statewide office.
As for Ms. King, she chose to be in the reserves. She should have made herself aware of the policies and rules that regulate her position. She’s one of many these last few months that have made choices in speech or behavior that are in direct conflict of those rules. Not over moralistic situations that require a decent person to disobey orders, but over political nonsense. Then they or their family complain because they are disciplined. I’m not in her propose district, so expressing my displeasure means nothing.
- Been There - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:35 am:
=====This list is a “who’s who” of south suburban local leaders,=====
While this is a pretty impressive list of mayors it would be a lot more effective if they were actually from the 6th CD. From the list I think only Mary Werner from Worth and Zabrocki the former mayor (twice removed) of Tinley are in district. A small part of Midlothian and Homer Glen might be in the district but bulk of those towns and the rest of the mayors/towns are not.
- Blue Dog - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:56 am:
Not sure I would want to be endorsed by the squad. But maybe that’s what that district craves.
- Fav Human - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:57 am:
Some municipalities in Cook County have decided they will not enforce
I strongly suspect it won’t be enforced in the part of Elgin thats in Cook Co.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:02 pm:
===endorsed by the squad===
Says the “Independent” phony.
No need to respond, this wasn’t meant to feed you.
I am intrigued with the run Keith Pekau wants to make.
For me, this could be a “Pree-Mo” race to Covid in an area/region seemingly split to how Covid is and what it means.
- Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:07 pm:
“Jim Garbett of Moline is a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves… He filed the complaint last week with the DOD ”
He is also a regular donor to Democrat candidates and concerns…
FRIENDS OF CHERI BUSTOS – Democrat
ACT Blue
Biden for President
STOP REPUBLICANS
https://www.campaignmoney.com/political/contributions/james-garbett.asp?cycle=20
- SaulGoodman - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:26 pm:
**Not sure I would want to be endorsed by the squad. But maybe that’s what that district craves.**
Not sure, but maybe you’re not the target audience?
- Pundent - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 1:07 pm:
=“Ken is watching and waiting to see how things unfold.”=
This has to be a bit gut wrenching for Ken to watch. Because as things stand right now, based on the announced field, the best candidate for Ken Griffin personally is - JB Pritzker.
And as daylight continues to burn it’s going to take a whole lot of resources to change that.
- Chicago Blue - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 1:11 pm:
You really have to work hard to find out that Keith Pekau is running as a Republican. It’s very courageous to not list what party you’re a part of in any of your campaign materials.
- Long Time Independent - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 1:16 pm:
As pointed out by - Been There - Pekau’s endorsements are from only one Mayor that is in the 6th CD. Pekau will have many questions he must answer in both the Primary and General.
1. His military background that he claimed for years he was a pilot now says he was a weapons officer.
2. Why would he leave the Air Force 18 months short of being promoted and getting a pension and medical benefits? That just doesn’t happen unless!!!!
3. His opponents will insist he releases his tax returns since being elected. His old business was cold grounds keepers and he has stated over and over he sold it prior to being Mayor. However a law suit involving him and his company claims differently.
4. He is presently being sued personally by the former village manager for defamation. This case stems from the former Manager hiring a law firm to investigate Pekau for bid rigging.
5. Recently he also referred to a young man as public enemy number one because he questioned Pekau about his views on masks at a board meeting. That young man is now suing the Village because he was fired from public works soon after. There is another part to this terrible story that I won’t repeat on order to give this young man some privacy.
6. Pekau is unelectable and I’m sure both Casten and Newman are praying he wins the Republican primary.
- Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 1:21 pm:
“You really have to work hard to find out that Keith Pekau is running as a Republican”
Not unusual - When Suzanne Ness (D)
66th District was running - her campaign mailer didn’t mention her party and her issues made her look conservative.
- Lake villa township - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 1:26 pm:
Things are going to be tense here in northern lake county for sure, Mary Edly Allen vs Sam Yingling for senate 31 and Thomas Maillard vs Grayslake Trustee Laura Dias. Hope these contested primaries juice up dem turnout going into November…
- Lt Guv - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 1:48 pm:
So Jim Garrett is a Democrat. So what? That’s his right (at least in a society that still claims to be a democracy) and it certainly doesn’t diminish his service & standing as a veteran. Likewise, Ms. King is a Republican. So what? Again, her right and that does not diminish her service. What Mr. Garrett is questioning is the use of the uniform as a campaign tool. That should be questioned. Simmer down.
- Professional First Responder - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 2:34 pm:
1. As a first responder Keith Pekau has endangered all our lives lwith his total disregard for Masks. It’s about the publicity not what’s best for us citizens of OP. I will vote for any candidate regardless of party before I vote for this con artist.
2. I voted for this guy the first time and he bold faced lied and campaigned against the $150,000 salary the old Mayor wanted. He said he would NOT take the salary and did.
3. In the midst of two consecutive terms he claims. Well drive through Orland Park and you will see thats another lie. Btw he just raised the water rates and recreation fees on the whole village right after he was re-elected. Prior to the election he rebated $25 per family then afterwards pull a typical political stunt.
4. He’s running for Congress because he’s out a pension with his military early retirement and because last time he won by less then 300 votes. Any other candidate but the old Mayor he would have been toast.
5. Buyer beware should be his campaign slogan
- JJJJJJJJJJ - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:50 pm:
With a username like blue dog I suppose I’m not surprised about your opinion of the squad. Say what you will about em, but the squad and other elected justice democrats typically emerged from heated democratic primaries… so perhaps they can help.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:51 pm:
Griffin’s statement makes me realize that allowing weeks and weeks of a “Ken Griffin and his high finance pals are searching for a candidate” narrative to fester does that eventual candidate no favors. Really a hell of a thing to already have negative narrative out there before the candidate is even identified.
- Long Time Independent - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:17 pm:
-Arsenal- the candidate has been and still is Mayor Irwin of Aurora. The issue I see is the leak has caused concern for some in the GOP. His Dem voting history in primaries, pro immigration and few other issues that I will refrain from giving credence to for the time being. Those are extremely tough issues to sell with hard core Republicans. Griffin might be better off letting all the candidates fight it out then write a check for the General. JMO
- Been There - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 10:41 pm:
===His Dem voting history in primaries, pro immigration and few other issues that I will refrain from giving credence to for the time being.====
On paper you would think that since he is African American there could be substantial Dem crossover. Reality says otherwise. I asked a friend who is AA about the Derrick Smith General Election while another AA candidate was running against him as an independent. Even though he was under indictment he said Snith would get 62-63% because that was just the way blacks tended to vote. With a D next to the name. I didn’t believe him. He got 64%.