* Riverbender…

Republican Don Tracy is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Illinois, and he recently shared more about his platform, his major concerns, and his plan if he takes office. […]

As Tracy has traveled up and down the state as a candidate and as chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, he has gained a better understanding of constituents’ concerns. Tracy pointed to cost of living as a major issue. He acknowledged that most people in the state, regardless of party or location, can agree that cost of living is high. […]

As Tracy prepares for the primary on March 17, he encourages people to vote. He said Republicans are “complacent” while Democrats are “mad as a hornet.” He believes Democrats are “upset” because “minors can’t get gender surgery all over the place” and Republicans are “backing law enforcement,” monitoring the borders, fighting against “extreme environmentalism” and “want to bring common sense solutions to the healthcare problems.”

“They’re mad as hornets. They’re radicals, and they have time because a lot of them don’t have jobs. So they’re out there and they’re going to vote in numbers and get other people to vote,” Tracy said. “Everyday Americans, everyday Illinoisans, working people, it’s important to support your families. It’s important to raise your kids. It’s important to do your jobs. It’s important to help your employers. It’s important to help your communities. But you’ve got to take care of the foundation that supports all this. You’ve got to vote.”

* Press release…

Today, the Illinois Pipe Trades Association (IPTA) endorsed State Representative Margaret Croke in her campaign for Illinois State Comptroller. Representing tens of thousands of skilled pipefitters, plumbers, sprinkler fitters, welders, and HVACR technicians across Illinois, the IPTA is a statewide leader in training, safety, and high-quality workforce development in the building trades.

Throughout her tenure in the General Assembly, Rep. Croke has been a steadfast advocate for organized labor. She has supported investments in Illinois’ infrastructure, championed policies that expand apprenticeship and training programs, voted to protect fair wages, and advanced measures to help working families.

“The 21 local unions and 30,000 members of the Illinois Pipe Trades Association are proud to endorse Representative Margaret Croke for Illinois Comptroller,” said IPTA Executive Director Billy Allison. “Representative Croke has a long record of standing up for workers in Illinois and we are confident she will make protecting working families a top priority in her role as Comptroller.”

A member of the General Assembly since January 2021, Croke chairs the Financial Institutions & Licensing Committee and is a member of the Revenue and Finance Committee, chairing its Income Tax Subcommittee. She has centered her legislative priorities around making Illinois a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting small businesses and incentivizing investment, while advocating for balanced budgets that reflect Illinois’ values. Croke has led efforts to expand access to affordable childcare and passed legislation to address cyberbullying in our public and private schools.

* Politico…

— State Senate race: State Sen. Sara Feigenholtz is being endorsed by Ald. Brian Hopkins in her reelection bid.

— Board of Review race: Commissioner George Cardenas has withstood a challenge to his signatures. The hearing officer recommended that Cardenas has sufficient signatures and that his name can appear on the ballot, according to Cardenas’ team.

* Moving on to the congressionals. Evanston Now…

Kat Abughazaleh took some heat from her own supporters this week over double-booking herself last Friday, bailing on a Democratic Socialists of America candidate forum at the last minute for a dinner with Palestinian community members at a restaurant on the southwest side of Chicago.

In her campaign Discord server, an online open-to-the-public forum for streaming and group chatting, several of her own supporters called the lack of communication about missing the DSA forum a “really bad move.”

“How do you schedule something months in advance, remind people that it’s happening less than 2 weeks before it, then ‘accidentally’ schedule something else and not say a word about it?” one post read.

The campaign pointed to a scheduling conflict, and a DSA spokesperson told Evanston Now that the campaign “owned the decision for prioritizing the other event” and apologized for double-booking.
State Rep.Hoan Huynh was also a no-show at the forum after being slated to appear, citing a family emergency, according to event organizers.

State Sen. Mike Simmons and Skokie School Board member Bushra Amiwala were the other two candidates who appeared, speaking to a crowd of over 100 at Sketchbook in Skokie.

* Chicago Painters District Council 14 have endorsed Daniel Biss in the 9th CD…

* Two Tammy’s have now endorsed Juliana Stratton for Senate. Press release…

Today, United States Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI) announced her endorsement of Juliana Stratton for U.S. Senate. Senator Baldwin joins Senator Tammy Duckworth as the second sitting senator to endorse Juliana, in addition to Governor JB Pritzker, Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun, Congressman Danny Davis, Congressman Bobby Rush, Secretary Jesse White, Speaker Chris Welch and more.

“Juliana is the kind of leader who doesn’t just talk about our values – she lives them. She’s a fighter, and she’s also someone who listens, brings people in, and builds the kind of coalitions it takes to get things done. Juliana has spent her life serving her community and delivering for Illinois families,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “She’s defended the LGBTQ+ community, protected reproductive freedom, strengthened access to affordable health care, and fought for the middle class. I know she’ll be a strong partner for me and Senator Tammy Duckworth as we work to protect our shared values.”

* More…

* RiverBender | Holly Kim Hosts Voter Meet and Greet in Alton: Holly Kim, Lake County Treasurer and candidate for Illinois Comptroller, will host a Meet and Greet from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at the Alton Sports Tap, 3812 College Avenue. The event will include free light bites and offers an opportunity for voters to engage directly with Kim. Kim currently manages Lake County’s finances and performs duties akin to those of a comptroller, including issuing checks and overseeing fiscal accountability. She is running to become Illinois’ next State Comptroller, aiming to continue the legacy of Susana Mendoza by bringing “strong, independent leadership” to the office.

* Press release | Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim Announces over $3 Million in Interest Revenue for TY24 Payable in 25: The Lake County Treasurer’s Office is pleased to announce that for Tax Year 2024, through strong negotiation and prudent management of public funds, the County Collector earned 3,222,519.71 in interest revenue. This additional interest income has been distributed among Lake County’s 278 local taxing bodies — including school districts, municipalities, libraries, fire protection districts, and others — providing each with revenue beyond their levied property taxes. Distribution amounts are determined by each district’s levy relative to the total levies countywide.

* IPM News | Petition objection derails campaign for Rep. Eric Sorensen’s primary opponent: Democrat Montez Soliz of Rockford posted on social media that he has been removed from the ballot in the Illinois’ 17th Congressional District race following an objection to his petitions. That district includes parts of Bloomington-Normal, Greater Peoria, the Quad Cities and Rockford. “Being taken off the ballot is a setback, not a verdict on our vision. It says more about how our system treats new voices than it does about the power of this movement,” Soliz said in the post. Illinois State Board of Elections spokesperson Matt Dietrich said no official action will be taken on the objection until the board meets Jan. 8. He said a hearing officer typically will discuss the case with the candidate and share their findings and recommendation. The board’s general counsel will also provide a recommendation, but those do not become public until the Board of Elections agenda appears online.

* Daily Herald | 33rd state Senate candidate removed from ballot: The Illinois State Board of Elections ruled that he did not have enough valid signatures on his petition. It said that after signatures were checked, Holt fell 120 signatures short. Former St. Charles alderman Rita Payleitner and Patrick Carroll of St. Charles had filed the objection, questioning 225 of the 1,047 signatures Holt submitted. The board agreed that 167 were invalid for various reasons. … Danielle Penman of St. Charles and Jessica Breugelmans of unincorporated Geneva remain on the Republican primary ballot. The winner will face Democrat Michele Clark in the fall. The current senator, Don DeWitte of St. Charles, did not seek re-election.