* US Senate candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi…
Former Lieutenant Governor of Illinois Sheila Simon announced her endorsement of Raja Krishnamoorthi for U.S. Senate in a video released today, becoming the latest downstate leader to join the rapidly expanding coalition uniting behind his campaign.
“Raja is the kind of leader who listens to and fights for every Illinois community, not just the ones closest to Chicago,” said Former Lt. Governor Simon. “Raja is ready to not just represent the state of Illinois, but to be the kind of national leader we need right now. He is primed to step into the traditions of some amazing U.S. Senators — Dick Durbin, Barack Obama, and my favorite, my dad.”
* The Edwardsville Intelligencer: “Seven questions with Senate candidate Juliana Stratton”…
Q: Turning to the campaign, there are a couple of big names seeking the Democratic nomination and a lot of lesser-known candidates — some of whom have brought up how unpopular the Democratic party currently is. What are you doing in this campaign to stand out, not just among the big names but among this pretty enormous field of candidates?
“First of all, let me just acknowledge the big night that Democrats just had here in America, all across the country. People made it very clear that when you talk about the issues that matter to people, when you talk about affordability, when you listen to the people, and when they see what’s happening in Washington right now — people came out in droves and Democrats were wildly successful in lots of different ways. And so I just want to point that out, that people are feeling what’s happening in Washington is not taking our country in the right direction.
“But having said that, in terms of what I talk about — first of all, I’m the only candidate that has represented all of Illinois for the last seven years. And that’s important because I’ve been in these communities. I’m not showing up for the first time. I’m going back multiple times to communities. And even on this campaign trail, there’s been seven years. I’ve told you I’ve led the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council. That’s something new that’s distinct.
“But I think the other thing that’s important to point out, in addition to saying that I’m the only one that’s a leading candidate, is that I’m not accepting corporate PAC money. The other thing is that I have not just been about… I’ve not just been out there for the last eight, ten years raising money — I have been focused on getting things done as a true partner in governance to our government.
“So what have we done for the people of Illinois? Not just talk — we’ve delivered. We’ve raised the minimum wage, so we’re raising wages. We’ve passed paid leave for all workers. We’ve protected workers’ rights and the right to collectively bargain. We’ve protected women’s rights. We’ve made sure that we’ve created thousands of good-paying jobs all across our state. We’ve made child care more affordable. We’ve lowered the cost of prescription drugs. To me, Illinois is the blueprint. What Governor Pritzker and I have done here in Illinois is the blueprint that I want to take to Washington, D.C., and I want to fight for Illinoisans just like I’ve done for seven years.”
* Evanston Now…
The Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC announced Tuesday its support of Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss in his bid for Congress in the 9th Congressional District.
Biss is the seventh congressional candidate the PAC has announced support for this cycle, including State Sen. Robert Peters, who’s running for Congress in the 2nd District, and Rep. Adelita Grijalva, the newest member of Congress from Arizona, who was sworn into Congress earlier this month.
“In his decades of service to Illinois as an educator, activist, legislator and as a mayor, Daniel Biss has been a bold progressive change agent and a critical ally for working families,” caucus co-chairs Rep. Pramila Jayapal of California and Rep. Maxwell Frost of Florida said in a statement. […]
Incumbent Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston, who’s yet to endorse any candidate in the crowded Democratic congressional primary to replace her, is a member of the Progressive Caucus but not a member of the PAC’s board, which is made up of seven House Democrats, including two Illinois representatives — Rep. Delia Ramirez (3rd) and Rep. Chuy García (4th).
* Evanston Now…
Sunrise Movement, one of the nation’s largest climate activist groups, has endorsed Kat Abughazaleh in the Illinois 9th District U.S. House Democratic primary.
Abughazaleh in a statement Monday morning said she was “incredibly honored” for the group’s support.
Sunrise Movement Chicago volunteers reportedly plan to phonebank, canvas and organize on college campuses to back Abughazaleh and State Sen. Robert Peters, who’s running for Congress in the 2nd District. […]
Avi Horwitz of Sunrise Movement Chicago called Abughazaleh the “kind of courageous leader the Democratic Party continues to have far too few of.”
* Politico…
In IL-07: State Rep. La Shawn Ford has been endorsed by the Cook County Teachers Unions and Ald. Derrick Curtis, who’s also a Democratic committeeperson.
* Evanston Now political reporter Matthew Eadie…
According to the State Board of Elections, Sigcho-Lopez would need 10,816 valid signatures to run as an Independent. He could collect up to 17,304 signatures.
* More…
* Journal & Topics | State Board To Rule On Congressional Candidate Objections Next Month: Voters most likely won’t know how many candidates running for 3rd, 8th and 9th congressional districts will end up on the upcoming primary election ballot until early December. […] According to the copies of the objection filings provided by ISBE, most objections follow a standard format and arguments, alleging that the candidates don’t have enough valid signatures on their nominating petitions to meet the legal minimum, which varies depending on the district and which party primary the candidate is running in. The objections specifically list which signatures they believe are invalid and any potential reason why.
* Sun-Times | Dolton mom turned away from hospital during labor calls for changes to maternal health: “After being kicked out of the hospital and begging to stay but still being pushed away was hurtful, disgraceful,” Mercedes Wells told reporters Tuesday. “I felt unheard. I felt ignored. I felt treated less than human.” She was joined by U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, who said she plans to file a bill to make sure what happened to Wells does not happen again to anyone else. “It’s clear that Mercedes’ story isn’t an isolated incident,” Kelly said. “This is not a Franciscan Health problem but rather a systemic issue.”
* Advocate | Illinois Democratic candidate glitter bombs anti-LGBTQ+ Christian group: In his campaign for the state’s 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, Reed Showalter, 32, recently received a survey from Christian nonprofit the Illinois Family Institute. The form asked for his stance on various issues, including LGBTQ+ and abortion rights — with an obsessive focus on trans participation in sports. […] “If it weren’t already clear, this organization is gleefully transphobic and homophobic, so I think it’s only fair that they get a little sparkle in their life,” Showalter concluded in the video.
- Don't lose Sight - Monday, Dec 1, 25 @ 9:55 am:
“So what have we done for the people of Illinois? Not just talk — we’ve delivered. We’ve raised the minimum wage, so we’re raising wages. We’ve passed paid leave for all workers. We’ve protected workers’ rights and the right to collectively bargain. We’ve protected women’s rights. We’ve made sure that we’ve created thousands of good-paying jobs all across our state. We’ve made child care more affordable. We’ve lowered the cost of prescription drugs. To me, Illinois is the blueprint. What Governor Pritzker and I have done here in Illinois is the blueprint that I want to take to Washington, D.C., and I want to fight for Illinoisans just like I’ve done for seven years.”
She forgot to cover the part about how they raised taxes on Illinoisians to pay for their record spending…..