* Nothing quite like a full-on embrace of the concept. From appellate justice candidate Tom DeVore’s not for profit Facebook page…

* Madison County Record…

Michal Kasper of Chicago, who rescued three St. Clair County judges from likely denial of retention in 2016, represents legislators defending a law that tilted the scales of justice in Madison County toward Democrats.

Kasper, an elections lawyer with deep, longstanding connections to the state Democratic Party and former Speaker Michael J. Madigan, petitioned to intervene in Madison County’s challenge to the law, as counsel to House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Chicago) and Senate President Don Harmon (D-Chicago).

In his Feb. 7 filing, Kasper identifies himself as a special assistant attorney general.

* Not sure if it’ll help much, but…

I am honored to receive @RandPaul's endorsement of my campaign for U.S. Congress.

Senator Paul is a true champion in the fight to protect and promote liberty.

On day one, I will take on Dr. Fauci and the unconstitutional mandates coming out of Washington. pic.twitter.com/UlaS1Jh8mi

— Catalina Lauf (@CatalinaLauf) February 10, 2022

Lauf is a past contributor to Sen. Paul.

* Crain’s…

While GOP gubernatorial hopeful Richard Irvin has been raking in big donations from the likes of former Abbott CEO Miles White ($150,000), Pathways founder Shirley Ryan ($250,000), and major donors like Sam Zell and Craig Duchossois, other members of his statewide GOP slate have yet to log any.

All of the candidates have established fundraising committees, but have not recorded what are known as A-1s, a report of any contribution of $1,000 or more. Those must be reported to the State Board of Elections within five days of receipt. That’s raised some eyebrows as Irvin has raked in money and the campaigns have been up and running for more than a month now. Irvin and others could transfer funds over to other campaigns, too, but that hasn’t happened yet either.

The campaigns are still being built out, a spokesman for Secretary of State candidate John Milhiser, Attorney General candidate Steve Kim, and Comptroller candidate Shannon Teresi said in an email. All three share a campaign treasurer with Irvin. “Fundraising events are being planned right now. In the meantime, each of the candidates is continuing to have important conversations with voters every opportunity they are able to.”

Not sure where those “conversations” are taking place, and most of their Twitter posts look like they were written by bots. Maybe they could fill their time by doing interviews with reporters.

* Politico…

Police union raises dues to beef up PAC: The board of the Fraternal Order of Police in Chicago voted yesterday to raise union dues by $10 per check to beef up the organization’s political action committee fund. FOP President John Catanzara said on a Facebook post last night that the goal is to create a $2.5 million fund to help political candidates beat “the crooked politicians.” Catanzara added: “Enough is enough. … Whether it’s Springfield or City Hall, change is coming. You were warned.” […]

Israel takes center stage in Newman v. Casten race: “[T]he ongoing investigation into whether Rep. Marie Newman gave a job to a potential rival has damaged Newman ahead of a June primary with Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) — and her vote against funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense had already set up a brutal primary. Casten, a two-term Democrat from another part of the Chicago suburbs, is endorsed by the Democratic Majority for Israel and other groups that want to defeat candidates who, like Newman, have broken with the party’s position on Israel to oppose military aid or criticize the Jewish state,” by the Washington Post.

* Not a bad idea…

Farewell to Champaign County’s longtime “I voted” stickers.

The next stickers to be handed to voters at the polls are going to be works of art designed by local kids and adults.

County Clerk and Recorder Aaron Ammons has launched a contest inviting kids from kindergarten on up and adults to submit their original sticker designs using the theme “this is what democracy looks like.”

Ammons said the county has used the same stickers for at least a decade, and he’s seen other counties use more creative designs.

…Adding… I completely forgot about this email from early today until a commenter jogged my memory…

Republican candidate for governor Paul Schimpf released the following statement regarding Governor Pritzker’s recent action in support of General Iron and urged the Mayor of Chicago to reject his efforts to issue a permit to a known polluter.

“It astounds me that in today’s age of environmental awareness, the Governor would ignore concerns from a local community and approve an operating permit for a company with a track record of pollution. The past actions of General Iron do not warrant any assumption of safety or environmental compliance on their part. Illinois needs leaders who will listen to communities and insist upon following proper procedural safeguards. I urge the Governor to reconsider his callous disregard of local concerns about the General Iron permit and the Mayor of Chicago to deny this permit.”

* More…

* Jonathan Swain kicks off bid to succeed Rep. Bobby Rush in jammed Democratic primary

* Barack Obama kicked off presidential campaign 15 years ago in Springfield: A look back and forward