Campaign notebook
Monday, Feb 7, 2022 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Democratic Party of Illinois…
On Friday, the Republican National Committee described the violent January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol as “legitimate political discourse” while censuring two Republican members of Congress, including one from Illinois. In the time since, Illinois Republicans have been in hiding, hoping no one will ask them what they think of that disgraceful description. Here are a few simple questions the Illinois Republican Party and Illinois Republican candidates — especially candidates for Congress — must answer:
• Do Republican candidates agree with the RNC that the January 6 attack on police officers and the United States Capitol was “legitimate political discourse?”
• Do these candidates agree or disagree with Congresswoman Liz Cheney who said, “The leaders of the Republican Party have made themselves willing hostages to a man who admits he tried to overturn a presidential election and suggests he would pardon Jan. 6 defendants, some of whom have been charged with seditious conspiracy.”
• Do these candidates agree or disagree with former presidential candidate and current U.S. Senator Mitt Romney who said, “shame falls on a party that would censure persons of conscience, who seek truth in the face of vitriol.”
• If elected, would these Republican candidates for Congress vote to keep the current Republican leadership in the U.S. House?
Illinois voters deserve to know if Republican candidates and the Illinois Republican Party are willing to take a stand against the shameful downplaying of the January 6 insurrection, which was in no way “legitimate political discourse.”
* The former employer of Jesse Sullivan’s new running mate won’t endorse her in the primary…
Sullivan’s choice for lieutenant governor, Kathleen Murphy, served as the director of communications for former Republican state Rep. Jeanne Ives, who pledged “there will be a reckoning,” when she launched her 2018 challenge to Gov. Bruce Rauner after he signed into law a bill that expanded public funding of abortion in Illinois. […]
Murphy was the president and co-founder of Breakthrough Ideas, a conservative political advocacy group that “connects the dots on public policy,” until she resigned Thursday, according to a statement from fellow co-founder Ives.
But despite working alongside Murphy for a decade, Ives declined to endorse her and Sullivan at this time. The conservative firebrand from Wheaton said she was considering the Republican candidates in the race before she’ll make her own personal endorsement.
* Sullivan was asked in Quincy about the governor’s proposed tax cuts…
The arsonist has become the fireman. That’s how I see it.
* WCIA…
Gary Rabine, a Republican primary candidate running for governor in Illinois, said he opposes state spending on expanding early childhood education programs, and suggested families should “figure it out” on their own.
“Early childhood education, I’m not not a fan of, number one,” Rabine said in an interview on Capitol Connection. “I think there’s a lot of money spent there. I think parents need to raise their own kids and our government shouldn’t be raising kids.”
Rabine was responding to Governor J.B. Pritzker’s recent State of the State and budget address where the incumbent Democrat called to spend an extra $54 million on early childhood education in the upcoming fiscal year, and funnel another $350 million to the most severely underfunded local K-12 school districts.
Rabine called higher state spending on K-12 education “a good idea,” but suggested that money shouldn’t go toward paying teachers higher wages.
* Rabine press release this afternoon…
After witnessing what’s happening in schools across Illinois today – parents, don’t blame the teachers, superintendents or kids – this chaos is the sole responsibility of failed Governor, JB Pritzker. This ruling has been pending for a week and had been in the courts for months. Illinois kids are paying for JB’s failed leadership.
* From last month…
Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that a Sangamon County judge has granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) halting the implementation of the recently-enacted legislation creating new judicial subcircuits in Madison County.
The Fourth District Appellate Court overturned the TRO today…
Because we conclude plaintiffs did not make the requisite showing that they would suffer an irreparable injury if a temporary restraining order did not issue before the merits of their claims could be adjudicated, we reverse the circuit court’s order.
* NRCC…
Hi there –
A court ruling in Springfield on Friday granted a temporary restraining order against Gov. JB Pritzker’s executive order mandating masks in schools.
However, students without masks are getting kicked out of school today, and teachers’ union bosses like Randi Weingarten are celebrating.
Are Illinois Democrats staying silent because they don’t want to upset their megadonors?
NRCC Comment: “Marie Newman, Sean Casten, Bill Foster, and Lauren Underwood should stand up for children instead of their teachers’ union megadonors.” – NRCC Spokeswoman Courtney Parella
* This is an open-seat race in a heavily Republican district…
The Republican primary for the 105th district Illinois House race will be crowded if all the candidates who have announced stay in.
From LaSalle County, former State’s Attorney Karen Donnelly announced her run last month. A former Congressional candidate from Benson, Donald Rients, is also asking for the nomination. So is Livingston County Board member Mike Kirkton. Dennis Tipsord is a Woodford County sheriff’s deputy. And Kyle Ham is the former executive director for the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council.
* Politico…
— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Four noted Black leaders are endorsing Anna Valencia in her bid for secretary of state. They are former CEO of Chicago Public Schools Janice Jackson, former state Sen. and adviser to the governor Toi Hutchinson, former state Sen. James Clayborne, and Alton Democrats Chair Steven Kimbrough.
— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Delia Ramirez has been endorsed by PODER PAC, a national political action committee dedicated to electing Democratic Latinas to Congress who support abortion rights. Ramirez is a state senator running for Congress in the newly created 3rd District.
— Will La Shawn Ford run for Chicago mayor again in 2023? “His supporters may be clamoring, but for Ford, 2023 could be another tall order,” by Sun-Times’ Laura Washington.
— Republican state Rep. Sandy Hamilton is announcing her plans to seek reelection today in the 99th District.
That would be news to Rep. Hamilton, who was recently appointed and therefore isn’t seeking reelection. More importantly, she’s not even running for the House…
Today, Illinois State Representative Sandy Hamilton announced her campaign for Illinois’ 48th State Senate district. The newly-drawn district covers portions of Sangamon, Macon and Christian counties, including the cities of Springfield, Decatur and Edinburg.
- Cheryl44 - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 2:12 pm:
I’ll bet every one of the anti-mask people consider themselves pro-life.
- Amalia - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 2:14 pm:
“legitimate political discourse” comment from the RNC is fueling actions at other levels with cover of legitimacy. it is disgusting.
- Pius - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 2:14 pm:
CITY of Edinburg has about 1100 people…..
- Arsenal - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 2:18 pm:
==but suggested that money shouldn’t go toward paying teachers higher wages==
…then what should it be spent on, Gar?
- Joe Bidenopolous - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 2:20 pm:
=That would be news to Rep. Hamilton, who was recently appointed and therefore isn’t seeking reelection. More importantly, she’s not even running for the House…=
Another day, another Shia-invented fact or mistake. Probably speaks to the state of journalism. I mean, Politico is a trash outlet generally, but they can’t even find a replacement-level reporter for that slot.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 2:21 pm:
Let’s be very crystal clear where the ILGOP is/was/will be.
Chairman Tracy, upon being elected;
===“…So, whatever your political leanings, wherever you live - if you want to fight corruption, restore fiscal sanity, grow our economy, and stand for law and order - you’re on our team. It’s time to suit up, work together, and bring home some wins for the people of Illinois.”===
There will be no rebuke of the RNC. There will be an embracing of those who agree with the RNC about the insurrection… and a want for them in the ILGOP.
There’s no daylight in the state party welcoming insurrection apologists, or this rewriting the RNC now wants.
- Steve Rogers - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 2:32 pm:
In the announcement for the 48th Senate district, I wonder why they didn’t mention the booming metropolis of Boody? /s
- Hahaha - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 2:34 pm:
OW - I find it hilarious everytime you quote that Don Tracy blurb because it reads as totally benign and generic political rhetoric about uniting Republicans, independents, and disaffected Dems against the Dem machine in IL. The fact that you so desperately want it to be about insurrectionists and the like says more about you than Tracy. Tracy presides over one of the least crazy GOP state parties in the nation.
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 2:43 pm:
Re: The subcircuit TRO being tossed out.
It is interesting to read in the decision how the court wasn’t swayed by the complaints of not being prepared put forth by the Madison county SA.
In the bigger picture, I’d be interested in seeing a breakdown of TROs granted and the eventual final outcome of the cases. I don’t want to rely on my perception of the most obvious cases seemingly always having the TROs overturned - so I’ll have to start collating some data - might be a fun project. On the surface, there does seem to be a pattern worth investigating further.
- MadCo - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 2:43 pm:
Pretty amazing that the TRO on the Madison County Sub Circuits was overturned. Looks like a pretty compelling case the tap the breaks, since the filing period is in 1 month. The next hearing in court is Feb 16. There was bipartisan opposition to this in Madison County, including the Democrat County Clerk, who made a very clear case that it would be difficult to re-issue voter registration cards, create new ballots county-wide, etc. Especially since the legislature used outdated precinct lines.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 2:43 pm:
=== I find it hilarious everytime you quote that Don Tracy blurb because it reads as totally benign and generic political rhetoric about uniting Republicans, independents, and disaffected Dems against the Dem machine in IL.===
So, you and Chairman Tracy welcome racist thinkers, insurrectionists, and conspiracy theorists… along with Trumpkins?
Don’t see in that quote any denunciation of any of those folks.
Thanks for reminding me, you welcoming these folks.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 2:46 pm:
===The fact that you so desperately want it to be about insurrectionists===
Why do you feel the need to embrace and welcome them?
It says a great deal about yourself… you know… the party of Lincoln, confederate flags in the Capitol, the attempt to overturn a fair and free election… and you’re cool with it.
Wow.
- Arsenal - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 2:48 pm:
==In the bigger picture, I’d be interested in seeing a breakdown of TROs granted and the eventual final outcome of the cases.==
Taken as a whole, TROs probably highly correlate with success on the merits because, well, the judge is supposed to consider the likelihood of success on the merits when deciding on the TRO.
I suspect, tho, that in your red ball cases, that relationship breaks down a bit because the red ball cases are more likely to be appealed.
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 3:03 pm:
@Madco
Regarding the supposed bipartisan objections to the redistricting, look at it from another point of view.
It is in the best interests of the county board members, no matter which party, to publicly oppose this for reasons that distract from the county not properly preparing for this.
=== Especially since the legislature used outdated precinct lines ===
I do not think that is the case, but I’d be interested in being pointed at this information. To my understanding the county is upset that the GIS data they do have is not granular enough to assign the new districts properly. That is the fault of the county GIS department, not the fault of the legislation. This should have been done by the county long ago. Even without the redistricting the county is going to have a problem with issuing ballots if this is not fixed, so either way this has to be fixed.
As to the claim of using outdated precinct lines, subcircuits are not required to follow precinct lines. This is an irrelevant objection.
Just because there was someone who holds office as democrat also opposed to this redistricting doesn’t automatically lend it support in my eyes. Democratic office holders can be wrong too. I found my democratic state senator to be wrong in their reasons given for voting against cannabis legalization.
- Hahaha - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 3:10 pm:
OW - you are the undisputed champion at slaying straw men (and/or the voices in your head). Keep killing it, King.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 3:12 pm:
===you are the undisputed champion at slaying straw men (and/or the voices in your head). Keep killing it, King.===
It should be noted that - Hahaha - refused… twice… to denounce insurrectionists in the GOP… and made it about “me”.
Thank you. Appreciate you keeping things crystal clear…
:)
- Socially DIstant watcher - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 3:21 pm:
If there were no Republicans at the Equality gala, that’s certainly a problem. I can see why ILGOP would want to claim that was a Dem function for the mask issue, but it wasn’t a Dem function and Republicans should have been there, too
- hisgirlfriday - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 3:26 pm:
Good for Bob Dold, Joe Walsh, and Ray LaHood speaking out against the Jan. 6 whitewashing by the RNC.
https://renewamericamovement.com/statement-of-republican-leaders-and-former-officials-on-the-rncs-censure-of-representatives-cheney-and-kinzinger/
- JoanP - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 3:31 pm:
= Tracy presides over one of the least crazy GOP state parties in the nation. =
It’s a very low bar.
- G'Kar - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 3:33 pm:
I posted this earlier in the Open Thread comments. I hope it is allowed for me to repost it here.
I watched Mark Maxwell interview Gary Rabine on Capitol Connections yesterday. Maxwell described Rabine as the current GOP “front runner.” Based on what? Also, Rabine came out opposing funding for early childhood education. He also believed it was a mistake to spend extra on paying down the pension debt. And he showed he doesn’t understand the difference between Tier I and Tier II pensions. He did look splendid in his orange coveralls./s
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 3:34 pm:
===presides over one of the least crazy GOP state parties in the nation.===
How welcome does Kinzinger feel in the ILGOP?
I mean… isn’t it crazy that Kinzinger isn’t welcome… or is that the norm for seemingly all state parties?
So what exactly are you… touting?
- thechampaignlife - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 3:35 pm:
===The arsonist has become the fireman===
How much of the current tax burden can actually be placed on Pritzker? There is certainly loads of blame to spread around, but it seems like JB had little impact on the overall burden.
This is like calling someone an arsonist for sneezing in the forest, possibly blowing the flames of a forest fire, when the fire has long been raging.
- Rudy’s teeth - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 3:42 pm:
Could someone tune in Gary Rabine to the crisis in education.
Shortages of certified teachers and substitutes throughout Illinois and other states leave classrooms devoid of teachers.
The corporate sector gladly hires teachers for skills and organizational ability. Do legislators who control funding realize that their children and grandchildren are affected by this shortage of teachers.
These individuals develop critical thinking skills and logic through a variety of lessons and activities for students. Qualified teachers have a long term-term impact on students’ lives.
Time to support teachers for the responsibility and effort they put forth to educate your children.
- JS Mill - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 3:44 pm:
=Tracy presides over one of the least crazy GOP state parties in the nation.=
State Rep. Conroy would beg to differ once it is safe enough to leave her secure location. But, I am sure you are fine with the “peaceful discourse”.
Do you have evidence that ‘publican party leader Tracy has denounced the bad behavior of their party members? Otherwise, it sounds like Don tacitly endorses the behavior.
But you know…they had it coming./s
- Arsenal - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 3:45 pm:
==Shortages of certified teachers and substitutes throughout Illinois and other states leave classrooms devoid of teachers. ==
One thing the “Virginia changes everything” crowd seems to be missing now is that Youngkin ran on giving teachers a pay raise.
- Replace Shia - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 4:03 pm:
Honestly there is a mistake in the Illinois playbook nearly every single day— everything from typos in major players’ names (see “Jessie Sharkey” last week) to gross mischaracterizations of policy. She needs a better editor or her editors need a better journalist
- Dotnonymous - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 4:07 pm:
“connects the dots on public policy,”
Wait just one minute…that’s… my job?
- Pundent - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 4:10 pm:
I thought the whole argument for getting Kathleen Murphy as a running mates was that it was going to bring with it all of those Ives supporters. If you can’t snare Jeanne’s endorsement with this it’s even more of a head scratcher.
- Techie - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 4:13 pm:
“Gary Rabine…suggested families should ‘figure it out’ on their own…’I think parents need to raise their own kids and our government shouldn’t be raising kids.’”
That’s going to go over well with parents of young kids! /s
It would be much easier for us parents if today’s economy made it feasible to have a middle-class life on a single income, but given economic realities (two major recessions in recent years, exorbitant cost of higher education and resulting student loan debt, rising housing/food/medical costs, etc), that’s increasingly difficult to do. I think I know of only one couple with young kids in which only one parent is employed, and that’s simply because they have low costs of living out in the country and an exceptionally high income.
Also, perhaps someone should inform Rabine that “government” isn’t helping raise kids in these cases, but teachers at private daycares/preschools.
- DuPage Resident - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 6:34 pm:
These very same questions needed to be addressed and answered publically by the DuPage County Republican Organization or they will loose moderate Republicans and others even in local County Board Office holders elections. Many Republicans tell me it is time for Republican leaders at all levels move away from Trump and Trump lovers
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 7:46 pm:
“Early childhood education, I’m not not a fan of, number one.”
If I am a primary candidate against him I have my ad shop get an 30 second ad with that clip on a loop….”Here is what Rabine thinks of your kids education.”
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 8:29 pm:
==In the announcement for the 48th Senate district, I wonder why they didn’t mention the booming metropolis of Boody==
They also forgot that Chatham (all but a small portion of the village limits) is now also in the 48th.
- Moral Minority - Monday, Feb 7, 22 @ 11:00 pm:
Around here the only people you see in orange suits are either mowing the grass at the courthouse lawn or trying to hide from sheriff’s deputies.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Tuesday, Feb 8, 22 @ 8:24 am:
===That would be news to Rep. Hamilton, who was recently appointed and therefore isn’t seeking reelection. More importantly, she’s not even running for the House…=
Another day, another Shia-invented fact or mistake.==
Shia must have thought (or imagined) that Hamilton was going to move to Ashland, Alexander, or even Jacksonville.
- Typo - Tuesday, Feb 8, 22 @ 8:24 am:
Delia Ramirez is State Rep. Not all Latinas look alike. Wink.