* Dave Dahl talked with Republican state treasurer candidate Rep. Tom Demmer…
Demmer is part of a “slate” headed by Aurora mayor Richard Irvin and funded by Chicago hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin. The candidates have been unavailable to reporters until now, but Demmer dismissed a question about that, saying it will be a long campaign for all of the candidates to talk about all kinds of things.
Demmer said Irvin has won the mayor’s race twice and is a proven leader.
* ILGOP…
With news this week of an effort to save taxpayer money and eliminate redundancies in state government by consolidating the state Treasurer and Comptroller’s offices, we thought it would be helpful to explore all the different positions Treasurer Mike Frerichs has taken on the issue.
Frerichs confusing consolidation history:
FOR: In 2011, Frerichs voted to consolidate the office as a state senator in the 97th General Assembly. Good job Mike!
AGAINST: In 2014 during his first campaign for Treasurer, he flip-flopped and criticized a plan to consolidate offices. Mike, what happened?
FOR: Immediately following the above referenced flip-flop, Frerichs restated his previous support for office consolidation. The State Journal-Register noted the change saying, “Frerichs again supports combining state’s fiscal offices.” Mike, now it’s time to follow through!
AGAINST?: After finally landing on the right position of support for office consolidation, Frerichs hasn’t lifted a finger to make it happen since being sworn-in as Treasurer in January, 2015. Treasurer Frerichs has not supported any of the legislative efforts to consolidate the offices of Treasurer and Comptroller even though his party has held majorities in the General Assembly his entire time in office. You’ve let us down, Mike.
“The only thing Mike Frerichs stands tall for are tax hikes and the status quo of bloated and wasteful state government,” said ILGOP Spokesman Joe Hackler. “Frerichs aggressively supported Governor Pritzker’s 2020 tax hike amendment, spoke positively of the possibility of taxing retirement income, and has done nothing to save taxpayer dollars by consolidating offices, despite ample opportunity.”
* Red meat…
* ILGOP…
The Illinois Republican Party calls on JB Pritzker to end his silence on his Madigan corruption.
Will Pritzker release all communications between the Office of the Speaker of the House and the Governor’s office, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, and/or the Illinois Department of Transportation?
Will Pritzker release all communications between the Governor’s Office and both the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Transportation regarding Rebuild Illinois projects?
Will Pritzker release the full Madigan project list?
The governor did a press conference today, but not a single question was asked on this topic. Reporters might be reading the releases, but they don’t care enough to ask about them.
* NRCC…
Hi there –
The DCCC added seven new names to its list of vulnerable members today, bringing the total number to 32.
Among the new additions: Bill Foster.
NRCC Comment: “It’s no surprise that Bill Foster is one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the country. At every turn, he continues to support Nancy Pelosi’s toxic socialist agenda that has led to skyrocketing inflation and rising crime.” –NRCC Spokeswoman Courtney Parella
Courtney Parella
NRCC
Regional Press Secretary
* Press release…
When Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau announced his candidacy on November 22nd, it was already more than halfway through the fourth quarter of the campaign fundraising calendar. Yet in the span of only six weeks, Pekau’s campaign raised $130,000. This impressive fundraising haul reiterates Pekau’s frontrunner status in the GOP primary for Illinois’ 6th Congressional District.
Keith Pekau offered the following statement on his fundraising announcement: “This is just the beginning in our fight to put people over politics. From the moment I announced my candidacy, it was clear that Marie Newman, Sean Casten, and Nancy Pelosi were seriously threatened by our campaign. On both sides of the aisle, I am the only candidate in the 6th District that has a proven record of making our neighborhoods safe, improving the economy, and lowering taxes. People throughout the district agree our mainstream values aren’t represented by the far-left and it’s time to put the needs of our families over politics.”
Pekau’s fundraising momentum continues into 2022, with major fundraisers being hosted throughout the district by respected local leaders. Pekau’s fundraising news follows the rollout of a massive endorsement slate including state representative Tim Ozinga, former state representatives Jeanne Ives and Margo McDermed, Cook County Commissioner and Cook County Republican Party Chairman Sean Morrison, 10 local mayors, former Orland Park Police Chief and Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy, and Will County Board Member Mike Fricilone.
As mayor, Pekau has established himself as the suburban bulwark against the frightening increase in crime because of politicians like Kim Foxx and other members of the far-left. Pekau has enacted reforms in Orland Park that brought crime in the village to its lowest rate in a quarter century. He has cut spending, lowered taxes, and grown the local economy, earning him high marks and support not just from his village but the surrounding region.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Friends of Mark Curran, the official committee to elect Mark Curran, Jr. to the Illinois Supreme Court, District 2, has announced today, the launch of the official campaign website: www.curranforcourt.com
Visitors may donate, volunteer, download the petition to secure Mark’s name on the ballot and read the case for his being the best choice in the primary and the best fit on the court.
Mark Curran has served as the Attorney General’s Gang Crimes Bureau Chief, a senior prosecutor, the longest elected Sheriff of Lake County and most recently, he was the Republican Candidate against Dick Durbin for U.S. Senate.
Lots of 1/6 stuff on his Facebook page.
…Adding… That’s a big local…
Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-Downers Grove) announced he has been endorsed by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 881, which represents tens of thousands of workers employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Illinois.
“Rep. Sean Casten is a progressive champion who always stands with working people and has a clear record of bringing people together,” said Steve Powell, President of UFCW Local 881. “We can’t afford to lose his voice in Congress and that’s why we’re proud to endorse him.”
Rep. Casten has previously been endorsed by seven other unions and also received the recommendation for re-election by the DuPage County Build and Construction Trades Council, which is composed of 30 unions throughout the Chicagoland area. Working people and labor unions across the 6th District are strongly backing Rep. Sean Casten and his record of fighting for working families.
- Dotnonymous - Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 2:56 pm:
Darren appears out of his depth…deeply.
- Long Time Independent - Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 3:04 pm:
$130,000 since the 3rd week of November doesn’t seem overwhelming to me in a Congressional race. Pekau might have to file another losing law suit against Pritzker and the State of Illinois to raise more money.
- Perrid - Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 3:08 pm:
So according to Darren, you either publicly avow to commit legally sanctioned murder as revenge for the death of cops, or you don’t respect them.
It is always incredible to me how much people can twist the word “respect” to turn everything into an insult against them personally.
- Blue Dog - Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 3:14 pm:
I would be in favor of reinstating the death penalty.
- Don't Bloc Me In - Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 3:18 pm:
Bailey’s gathering in Effingham was billed as official business, not a campaign event. ‘Political’ questions were not allowed, his spokesperson said in introducing him. Who was he fooling?
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 3:34 pm:
Why is Bailey in Effingham? That should be his rock solid base, seems he should be in Chicago and burbs looking to expand his base and add supporters.
Could it be Mr. Tough guy fears being asked questions about his bank account and the fed money he likes to deposit into it?
- Payback - Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 3:38 pm:
“Sen. @DarrenBaileyIL files SB3899, a bill to reinstate the death penalty to anyone who commits first degree murder against an #Illinois police officer.”
I’ll agree to that when Bailey or anyone else files a bill to instate a death penalty for police torturers like Jon Burge. Then create a state charge of 30 years/Class X felony for any cop or prosecutor who conceals and/or fails to report such torture, like Richie Daley. And oh, make the statute of limitations for prosecution on that 30 years, since Burge is still destroying lives from the grave, and the cops, judges, and prosecutors who covered for him have never been charged.
- Dave Dahl - Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 3:41 pm:
The event in Effingham began with an announcement that since it was an official state event, there would be no political or campaign questions.
I’m told that there were no questions about Illinois’ record of wrongful convictions, which some people would discuss in a debate over whether Illinois should reinstate capital punishment.
- Chicago Blue - Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 3:54 pm:
If Pekau is so brave and ready to take on Nancy Pelosi and the far left, why can’t he mention which party he belongs to on his candidate’s page?
- Party Cut Pizza - Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 4:11 pm:
130k for Pekau. Didn’t Casten raise 700k? Will he have outraised Newman and all the Republicans combined?
- Demoralized - Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 4:33 pm:
==The event in Effingham began with an announcement that since it was an official state event, there would be no political or campaign questions.==
Um, he’s an elected representative. The nature of his position is inherently political. And, the man doesn’t speak a sentence without something political coming out of his mouth.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 4:35 pm:
“Pekau has enacted reforms in Orland Park that brought crime in the village to its lowest rate in a quarter century.”
It will be interesting to see how the Mayor details this for eager readers. Street Justice or Burge Era Station Adjustments. Since local crimes are prosecuted by the county courts, bad guys housed in county jails some details. Might be helpful.
- Long Time Independent - Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 5:11 pm:
Annonin 4:35pm So Pekau and the new chief about 18 months ago decided to issue tickets and not make arrest reports for certain retail crimes at the mall. He has played with the stats for 2 years or so. It came out in his mayoral race earlier this year but didn’t gain much traction for some reason.
- JoanP - Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 5:39 pm:
Darren Bailey might want to have a chat with Jackie Wilson about that proposed legislation: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/criminal-justice/ct-jackie-wilson-trial-ruling-20201219-dg4d5lecxjejbf5hbb6rlui6fm-story.
- Frank talks - Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 6:04 pm:
Ah Curran starting to be the PQ of the GOP. It’s petition time what’s Curran running for?
So death penalty for anyone who kills an officer does it go the other way? Any officer convicted of first degree is subject to the death penalty? Would be interesting to see that conversation. Hopefully someone asks him that.
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 6:51 pm:
===I would be in favor of reinstating the death penalty.===
Guessing you’re from a smaller county. Before the death penalty was abolished, smaller counties wouldn’t use it because of the public defender costs. Logan County had to sell multi-year bonds to pay for the public defender defense of Beason Illinois mass murders.