* A June 28 primary has no precedent in Illinois’ political memory, so, yeah, Ruttenberg could very well be right. From Kate Walter at the Daily Northwestern…

While primary elections usually take place in March, the Illinois General Assembly voted to push the primaries until June 28 to account for delayed 2020 census data.

Rachel Ruttenberg, the board president for the Democratic Party of Evanston, said she is worried that this delay could impact voter turnout in Evanston.

“Even though I know that Evanstonians are typically politically active and passionate about governance, I am concerned that we will be challenged to turn out the votes in late June,” Ruttenberg said.

* From Pearson’s story on the revamped Democratic Party of Illinois…

The modernization of the party also is reflected in a comprehensive post-primary campaign for Democrats across the November ballot that is expected to be unveiled in coming days. Funded and led by the billionaire Pritzker, the coordinated campaign will also enlist the state party organization, the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association and other ancillary groups.

“You know, this is a challenging year and we shouldn’t take anything for granted,” Durbin said. “So let’s all get it together.”

The party’s evolution from the Madigan era also is seen in the development, from scratch, of a digital program, something Witt called a “core part of how campaigns need to communicate in 2022.″

Witt said Kelly “had this vision for a modern professional party” and how it communicates its message, as well as “trying to engage volunteers and organizers and activists who will get that message to their network.” The party is six months into developing its email program, and its mailing list now totals more than 100,000 people, she said.

They definitely have some major knots to untangle during the primary season to get their thing ready for November. But they’re also not alone in that.

* House Republican Leader Jim Durkin was asked by WCIA last week about his support for Richard Irvin in the GOP primary…

Q: What is it about the rest of the field that you believe makes them unable to beat Gov. Pritzker?

A: We’ve got to be able to win in the suburbs and also in Chicago. None of them have that type of quality or appeal that is strong enough as Richard’s to be able to reach into areas where we traditionally have not won. So that is why I think Richard, on balance, is clearly the strongest candidate to compete against JB Pritzker. And here’s also why: The DGA, the Democratic Governors Association, is not running TV ads against Darren Bailey, or Gary Rabine or Jesse Sullivan. They’re running against Richard Irvin. They are scared of Richard. They don’t want to run against Richard. That is why they’re making this huge investment.

Q: So you’re saying Democrats aren’t scared of any of the other candidates, only Richard?

A: No. Clearly. They’d be running television commercials against them as well.

He ain’t wrong.

* Speaking of Richard Irvin, this mailer is from the same guy who hasn’t yet said, despite being asked multiple times, for whom he voted for president in 2020 and 2016, or, for that matter, in any of the many Democratic primaries he took part in…

* Politifact says congressional candidate is telling the truth…

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau claims the village’s crime is the lowest it has been in 27 years.

Since Pekau first announced his GOP bid last year for Illinois’ 6th Congressional District, he has repeatedly touted Orland Park’s low crime numbers.

“We’ve reduced crime to its lowest level in 27 years,” Pekau said in a recent Facebook campaign ad with more than 88,000 views. […]

Pekau claims crime in Orland Park is at its lowest level in 27 years. Index crimes are currently at their lowest, but the crime problems in some areas remain. Pekau also did not mention the high number of violent crimes reported in 2017, the year he took office.

We rate this claim True.

* On to the SoS race…

Secretary of State Candidate David Moore is proud to receive the endorsements of two people who are synonymous with good government and integrity. At a news conference Monday, May 2, 2022, 10 a.m., at the Hotel Allegro, 171 W. Randolph St., Orpheum Room, 3rd Floor, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (7th CD) and former Chicago Alderman Dick Simpson will endorse Moore as their choice for the next Illinois Secretary of State. Both men believe Moore’s record of integrity and good government are the two most important characteristics for the person seeking to replace Secretary Jesse White, who is retiring after this term.

At the news conference, Moore will outline his plans to keep the office transparent and accountable to prevent it from returning to a political seat instead of a servant’s seat.

The recent media revelations showing elected officials using their political positions to enrich themselves is why the secretary of state’s seat must remain a servant’s seat and not a steppingstone for people’s political resumes or ambitions,” says Moore, who also serves as Chicago’s 17th Ward alderman.

* Illinois Family Action has traditionally been the hardcore of the hardcore on the far right…

Jim Marter for Congress (IL-14) Receives Illinois Family Action Endorsement

Oswego, IL (April 30, 2022) – “I’m excited and grateful to receive this important endorsement from Illinois Family Action. Their mission in part is to make sure our politicians and representatives honor the values of family, faith and freedom. For too long, we’ve confined the voice of people of faith to their houses of worship. Then, we started seeing big government locking them out of their churches. Pro-family, pro-faith, regular Americans, deserve a voice in Congress and in society. They pay taxes, make their communities better and try to raise their kids as productive citizens who love America and their fellow man. I share these values and I hear their voice. Freedom, family and faith are pillars of our society and policies should favor them, not undermine them,” said Marter.

* National poll…

* The education culture war is raging. But for most parents, it’s background noise: That satisfaction extends to hot-button topics. In the poll, 76% of respondents agree that “my child’s school does a good job keeping me informed about the curriculum, including potentially controversial topics.” “It really is a pretty vocal minority that is hyper-focused on parental rights and decisions around curriculum,” observes Mallory Newall of Ipsos, which conducted the poll. Just 18% of parents say their child’s school taught about gender and sexuality in a way that clashed with their family’s values; just 19% say the same about race and racism; and just 14% feel that way about U.S. history.

* From the poll: More parents believe their child’s school is teaching about race and racism, the impact of slavery, and sexuality and gender identity in a way that is consistent with their values than not. However, a sizeable portion – roughly one in three – indicate they don’t know. Republican (26%) parents are more likely than Democratic (11%) and independent (17%) ones to say their child’s school is not teaching about sexuality and gender identity in a way that is consistent with their values. This is the only issue in the survey where there is a significant difference in opinion between Republican and Democratic parents.

…Adding… We’ve already discussed the Jesse Sullivan endorsement, but here are other Lake County GOP endorsements…

1. Governor/Lt. Governor: Jesse Sullivan/Kathleen Murphy (68%);

2. Attorney General: David Shestokas (60%);

3. Secretary of State: Dan Brady (84.6%);

4. U.S. Senator: Kathy Salvi (92.3%);

5. U.S. House (CD-5): Maggie McGonigal (100%);

6. U.S. House (CD-11): Mark Carroll (60%);

That AG candidate has not yet reported raising a single thin dime.

…Adding… Planned Parenthood made just one endorsement in the SoS primary…

Democratic Secretary of State candidate Anna Valencia announced today that she has earned the endorsement of Planned Parenthood of Illinois Action (PPIA), a major endorsement that highlights Valencia’s unwavering commitment to protecting and advancing reproductive rights. In previous elections, PPIA has endorsed multiple candidates in races, but is only endorsing Valencia in the primary for Secretary of State.

“The Planned Parenthood Illinois Action board of directors is proud to endorse pro-choice champion, Anna Valencia, for Secretary of State,” said Jennifer Welch, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois Action. “Valencia is a stalwart supporter of sexual and reproductive health and in this moment, when access to essential health care is on the line, Illinois needs leadership that has strong pro-choice values.”