* Lynn Sweet on a Celinda Lake poll taken for a progressive group supporting Delia Ramirez in CD3…

If the vote was taking place now, 66% said they were undecided; 19% said they were for Ramirez; 11% for Villegas and 1% for Chehade. […]

Putting together the “very favorable” and “somewhat favorable” responses showed “Medicare for all” with a 83% favorable; Sanders, the Vermont Independent and two-time Democratic presidential candidate with a 74% favorable; Gov. J.B. Pritzker, at 73%; Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., 71%; Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, D-Ill., at 59%; the “Green New Deal” at 49%; Chicago Police Department, 45%; former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, 39%; Lightfoot, 37%; Fraternal Order of Police, 26%; and Lincoln Yards, the North Side real estate development at 13%. […]

For Ramirez, an endorsement from Sanders — the progressive champion — could be game changing in a district where voters — for now — seem interested in progressive issues. Garcia, who is close to Sanders, endorsed Ramirez last month, telling me, “Certainly there’s the potential for a Bernie endorsement as well. I will be exploring that with Bernie.”

Villegas was once Lightfoot’s floor leader, resigning the post on Feb. 2, 2021. Still, since there is no statute of limitations in politics, Villegas could be saddled with an association with the relatively unpopular Lightfoot and Emanuel and votes he has taken dealing with the Chicago police and Lincoln Yards.

It’s just one poll, but I do think this could show that the district’s Democrats may not be quite as “moderate” as Team Villegas has been claiming. Also, the governor essentially polling even with Sanders in that district is notable, as is the CPD out-polling Lightfoot, who is out-polling the FOP.

* Press release…

Joint Statement from the Democratic Party of Illinois and Cook County Democratic Party on GOP Hate Crime Candidate

Yesterday, news broke that Republican Kevin Ake has filed petitions to run for Cook County Commissioner. According to the Chicago Tribune, Ake was found guilty of a felony hate crime in 2002 after he left more than 100 phone calls harassing a lesbian YMCA director about her sexual orientation. Ake is running against Kevin Morrison, the first openly gay Cook County Commissioner in history.

Ake currently serves as treasurer of the Elk Grove Township Republicans. Elk Grove Township Republican committeeman Russell Nowak dismissed Ake’s hate crime, telling the Tribune, “What they did years ago shouldn’t matter…People have done stupid stuff when you were younger, you know?”

Democratic Party of Illinois Executive Director Abby Witt and Cook County Democratic Party Executive Director Jacob Kaplan released the following joint statement:

“Hate and homophobia have absolutely no place in the politics of Cook County or the State of Illinois. It is extremely disturbing to learn of Mr. Ake’s background and candidacy, as well as the Elk Grove Township Republican Party’s dismissive attitude towards his hateful past. This is especially troubling after we saw a neo-Nazi win the Republican nomination for the 3rd Congressional District in 2018 and run again in 2020. Not only must must Mr. Ake withdraw his candidacy immediately, but he should be removed from his Republican leadership position and unequivocally denounced by the Cook County Republican Party and Illinois Republican Party at once.”

I’ve asked the ILGOP for comment.

*** UPDATE *** From the ILGOP…

Joint statement from Republican Party leaders in the 15th Cook County Commissioner District:

“The Republican Party does not condone the reprehensible behavior of Kevin Ake - whether it was yesterday or years ago. We have endorsed Ake’s opponent in the Republican primary, Chuck Cerniglia. We look forward to supporting Chuck in the general election.”

Sean Morrison - Cook County GOP Chairman
Joe Folisi - Schaumburg Township Republican Committeeman
Mike Baumer - Hanover Township Republican Committeeman
James Stinson - Maine Township Republican Committeeman
Aaron Del Mar - Palatine Township Committeeman
Russ Nowak - Elk Grove Township Committeeman
Peter Kopsaftis - Barrington Township Republican Committeeman

* This was an odd press release considering that Nicolosi has not yet filed petitions to run for the Senate against fellow Republican Dave Syverson…

At their Tuesday, March 8th Executive meeting, the Winnebago County Republican Central Committee (WCRCC) condemned a fraudulent letter of no confidence to Chairman Eli Nicolosi that was circulated to the public and the media on February 9th. The unsigned letter was a blatant effort to undermine his bid for election to the Illinois Senate’s 35th district.

A resolution by the party states that the claims contained in the anonymous letter directed at Chairman Nicolosi were “a blatant smear against the Republican Party, its members, and its Chairman.” The media seized on the narrative of a rift within the party that was clearly an attempt by a political opponent to use the WCRCC to further his political position.

The WCRCC Executive Committee further condemned the distribution of such a letter as an effort to spread lies about the members of the WCRCC and its Chairman. Chairman Nicolosi stated that he is happy that he has the full support of the executive committee and county voters and denounces the letter as a political attack.

“The people of Illinois deserve change and not smear tactics to stay in office another decade. The state has grown tired of these old tricks being used by career politicians who can’t seem to find anything new up their sleeve when it comes down to actual work, so instead, they rely on manipulation and shameful rumor-mongering about their opponents.” said Nicolosi.

* Eventually, even a blind person should be able to see that the folks who run the far-right agitprop Dupage Policy Journal are firmly behind Greg Hart’s campaign for county board chair…

DuPage County Board Chairman Pete DiCianni is throwing his support behind opponent Democrat Rep. Deb Conroy in the face of harsh criticism and alleged death threats after she filed a bill that would allow for the detainment of the unvaccinated.

“You know what? (Deb Conroy) is my friend,” DiCianni said on WBBM. “I mean, we may be opponents in the general (election), but she’s still my friend and I don’t agree with every bill she sponsors. She’s helped me sponsor other bills with Medicaid and autism and epinephrine, and we’ve gotten a lot done together. But nobody deserves what she went through. It’s embarrassing, and I called Greg (Hart) out.”

Conroy’s bill, HB 4640, would give local health departments and state politicians formal legal authority to fully control the behavior of any individuals who don’t follow COVID-19 restrictions and rules, including keeping people isolated and under police guard.

Local health departments can “adopt any rules” necessary, according to the bill synopsis.

We’ve been over this a number of times before, but that’s just a stupid and, by now apparently deliberate misreading of the bill’s language. Also, DiCianni is a Republican candidate for board chair who’s running against Hart. Sheesh, these people. Hart really ought to disavow all this crud.

* Press release…

Today, Elect Democratic Women (EDW), the only member-led political action committee dedicated to increasing the number of women in Congress, announced their support for Delia Ramirez in the newly drawn 3rd Congressional district. additional candidate endorsements for U.S. House of Representatives in midterm elections in 2022.

“Elect Democratic Women is proud to endorse Delia Ramirez for Congress. With women’s rights under attack across the country, it has never been more important to elect more pro-choice champions to Congress. Delia is a proven fighter for women and working families, and we are looking forward to having her in Congress,” said Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL), EDW Chair.

“I am beyond proud to receive the endorsement of Elect Democratic Women. I look forward to working side by side with the brilliant women who lead this caucus to foster and support more women leaders.,” said Delia Ramirez.

Elect Democratic Women is the latest to endorse Representative Ramirez who has also received the endorsements of Emily’s List, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, and the United Working Families and Working Families Party.

* I told subscribers about this a while ago…

WMBD’s Matt Sheehan spoke exclusively with State Rep. candidate Travis Weaver before Weaver filed petitions at the State Board of Elections in Springfield. […]

Weaver will be challenging Rep. Mark Luft in the Republican Primary.

Weaver is the son of former State Senator Chuck Weaver.

And Rep. Luft is the son of former state Sen. Dick Luft. They’ve got a real legacy primary going in that area.

* A new Republican slate filed petitions this week. It’s just a weee bit to the right of the Grif slate. That is, if the word “bit” could be translated as “light years”…

The slate is comprised of various fringe types, including a QAnon follower a 1/6 participant, a possible QAnon+1/6 exacta and etc.

* More stuff…

* Press Release: Maine Ethics Commission Votes to Subpoena ALEC Over Its Campaign Software Scheme

…Adding… I posted the press release yesterday, but here’s the Daily Herald…

Republican congressional candidate James Marter on Friday touted an endorsement from a downstate congresswoman who quoted Adolf Hitler in a speech last year and denied Democrat Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election.

U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, a first-term lawmaker from Oakland, is backing Marter in his bid for the 14th District seat, according to a news release from Marter’s campaign. Miller’s team confirmed the endorsement.

In the release, Marter said he’s “excited and grateful” to have Miller’s endorsement. […]

Marter is an Oswego Public Library Board member who chairs the Kendall County Republican Party. He ran for the 16th Congressional District seat in 2018 and for U.S. Senate in 2016.