* Former Democratic state Rep. Mary Edly-Allen has been taking heat from the Legislative Black Caucus for missing votes on the Black Caucus’ “Pillars” during the January, 2021 session, particularly the SAFE-T Act. Members have been announcing support for Rep. Sam Yingling in his state Senate primary race against MEA. She wrote this and sent it to at least one BC member…

I was not able to attend the last few days of session in January 2021 because I immediately needed to go back to work teaching on January 4, 2021. Perhaps members aren’t aware, but while I was expected to serve until January 17, 2021 all of my benefits stopped December 31, 2020 including my medical insurance for myself as well as my sons. (I cover my under 26 year old children as a single mother) I was also not receiving a salary for January 2021. I wasn’t made aware of the cancellation of medical benefits and loss of income until the last week in December 2021.

Rep Slaughter called me around January 10, 2021 and asked if I could drive to Springfield to vote for the Black Caucus pillars. I explained the difficult position this put me in since I just started back to teaching, but I told him if he needed my vote I would arrange to come down. I requested the time off from my principal and attended session on January 12, 2021 with the sole intention of voting for the Black Caucus pillars. As I walked in, I was stopped by a reporter and asked why I was there. My response is recorded on Twitter saying, “It’s time for us white people to show up for our Black friends.” I stayed until 3am when Craig Willert came to me and said they had the votes and if I needed to, I could leave to go back to work. Only after I knew the bill would pass did I leave so I could get back to my new job.

* Irvin campaign…

As crime escalates throughout the state, Richard Irvin is reinforcing his commitment to both law enforcement and Illinois families by launching a petition to repeal JB Pritzker’s dangerous anti-police policies that have empowered criminals and crippled law enforcement.

Just yesterday, JB Pritzker was giving lip service at a press conference about making expressways safer as a shooting took place on the Dan Ryan at the very same time. It’s clear criminals are running rampant throughout Illinois knowing there will be no accountability for their actions. The threats to public safety will worsen as more parts of this law take effect.

“From this disastrous anti-police bill to letting child killers back into our communities, it’s clear that criminals know they will not be held accountable for their actions in JB Pritzker’s Illinois,” said Irvin. “We need to repeal cashless bail, stop anonymous complaints against officers, and make sure we are protecting law enforcement and victims of crime.”

Irvin has been a strong advocate for police, standing with them in Aurora to defeat the local Defund the Police movement and hiring more cops to effectively reduce crime. He brings a record of proven success compared to JB Pritzker’s record of high crime. Irvin is calling for residents to join him in supporting police and encourage repealing these dangerous policies.

* Sullivan…

Gubernatorial candidate Jesse Sullivan issued the following statement:

“Today we stand with families throughout the state who are letting their voices be known, demanding that J.B. Pritzker follows the science and lifts statewide mask mandates,” Republican candidate for governor Jesse Sullivan said.

“The images from schools across the state are deeply concerning: administrators locking kids in gyms and preventing entry for those exercising their right to come to school without a mask. The Pritzker administration and local districts must respect the TRO ruling, and Pritzker should be clear in ending his mask mandate once and for all.”

* “I’m a fiscal-social-constitutional conservative,” Jesse Sullivan told Brenden Moore. But he then clammed up when asked an insurrection question…

Sullivan, however, was mum when asked about a resolution passed last week by the Republican National Committee that declared the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol “legitimate political discourse.”

That day, supporters of former President Donald Trump violently stormed the Capitol in an attempt to stop the certification of President Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory. About 140 police officers were injured and one was killed in the attack. More than 750 have been charged in connection with the riot.

“I do not pay attention to national politics at all,” Sullivan said. “I genuinely have no interest right now in fixing D.C., I have every interest in fixing Illinois. And my entire attention and focus is on my neighbors here in Illinois…”

Sorry, but no sentient, involved American adult can possibly be that ignorant of national politics.

* Politico…

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Attorney ShawnTe Raines-Welch, who’s married to Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, is throwing her hat in the ring for a Cook County judge seat. She’s so far self-funding, writing her campaign a check for $100,100, according to the State Board of Elections. Raines-Welch is a partner at the Ancel Glink law firm in Chicago. Her husband also is of counsel there, according to the company’s web site.

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Alexi Giannoulias picked up the endorsement of elected leaders from across Illinois. State Rep. LaToya Greenwood and state Sen. Chris Belt, both of whom represent East St. Louis. State Rep. Marcus Evans Jr., who chairs the labor committee in the State House, Chicago. Ald. Greg Mitchell (7th) and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson.

— Rep. Marie Newman has won endorsements from state Sen. Emil Jones III, state Rep. Mike Zalewski, Bremen Township Supervisor Kathryn Straniero, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar, in her bid for the 6th Congressional District. Here’s the full list

— Sam Yingling, a state representative running for the state Senate’s 31st District, has been endorsed by state Sen. Robert Peters, Senate Chair of the Illinois Black Caucus.

I told subscribers on January 24th that Ms. Raines-Welch was running for a current judicial vacancy.

* The 53rd District is represented by Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights). From the HGOPs…

Today, Jack Vrett launched his campaign for state representative in the 53rd District, encompassing portions of Elk Grove, Maine, Palatine, and Wheeling townships in Cook County.

“Illinois is on the wrong track, and I am running for state representative to restore sensible policies and push back against the extreme agenda that has led to rising crime, closed schools, and higher taxes,” said Vrett. “I support a balanced, common-sense approach that builds on core values we all share, whether it is fighting on behalf of victims and the police, parents and students, or the middle and working class families who have been left behind.”

From 2009-2014, he served in the U.S. Army J.A.G. Corps, including nearly four years with the storied 101st Airborne Division. In December of 2010, Jack deployed as a Captain to eastern Afghanistan where he contributed to U.S. counterinsurgency operations as an international and operational law attorney.

Following his return from Afghanistan in May of 2011, Jack served as adjunct faculty to the U.S. Defense Institute for International Legal Studies and was sent on missions to Ukraine and Slovenia where he helped train U.S. allies on the laws of war and international human rights law. He also served as an instructor at the Pentagon where he taught operational law to deploying J.A.G. officers. He was a contributing author to U.S. Military Operations: Law, Policy, and Practice, published by the Oxford University Press in 2015.

After his service in Afghanistan, Jack was assigned as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting crimes committed by civilians in and around Fort Campbell, Kentucky, including domestic violence, shoplifting, and driving under the influence. He received additional training in criminal advocacy and counter-espionage prosecution.

Jack left the U.S. Army in 2014 and accepted a position as a civilian attorney with the U.S. Department of Defense. The following year, he accepted a position as Deputy General Counsel for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services. Jack left public service in 2017 and joined the Arlington Heights-based law firm, Hodges Loizzi. Jack is now a Partner at Honigman LLP.

Jack graduated from Northwestern University and earned his law degree at Marquette University Law School. He is admitted to practice in Illinois and Wisconsin and various federal courts, including the Trial Bar for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and has been recruited by the federal court to represent a prisoner’s civil rights case on a pro bono basis.

Jack resides in Arlington Heights with his wife Rose Marie and their rescue puppy Coco. He was born in nearby Woodstock and has two children from a previous marriage. Jack and Rose Marie are active members of the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, where they first met, and serve on its Parish Council.

…Adding… Press release…

Today, community leader, small business owner and south side native, Jonathan T. Swain, launched his campaign for Illinois’ 1st Congressional District. Serving in leadership roles throughout the public, private, and non-profit sectors, including his most recent role as President and CEO of LINK Unlimited Scholars, Swain has sought to solve the unique problems facing Chicago’s underrepresented families and communities. He intends to bring that same ethic and commitment to Congress.

Swain launched his candidacy via a video that chronicles his life as a proven leader with unique experience across government, business and community sectors while lifting up Chicago’s Black youth through his non-profit work. Watch the video here.

“More is at stake for our community, our country and our democracy than perhaps ever before. I’m running for Congress to bring a nonprofit, business and civic lens to this position and provide the kind of proven leadership that our district needs today,” said Jonathan T. Swain. “As a lifelong Chicagoan and South Sider, I understand the life experiences and values of the 1st District – I grew up here, I lead a business here, I have served here and I am raising my children here. I hope to earn the opportunity to continue my life’s work of expanding opportunity and uplifting the community I call home as its Congressman.”

Since filing for his candidacy two weeks ago, Swain has raised just over $200,000, demonstrating confidence and hope that has inspired donors to support the first-time candidate for elected office.