* Politico Pro…

A super PAC funded by the cryptocurrency industry is inserting itself into a closely watched Senate primary in Illinois with a multimillion-dollar ad campaign targeting Democrat Juliana Stratton, who is a leading contender to replace Sen. Dick Durbin.

The PAC, Fairshake, said Wednesday it is launching “a robust effort to educate Democratic primary voters across the state over the next three weeks about Juliana Stratton’s record and hypocrisy.”

The campaign against Stratton, who is currently serving as Illinois lieutenant governor, is one of the crypto PAC network’s first big moves in a Senate race this cycle. The group, which includes three affiliated super PACs, is armed with more than $190 million to help industry allies and go after potential critics.

Stratton herself appears to have a limited record on crypto policy, having served in the state Legislature for just two years, but she is endorsed by two prominent industry critics: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a top crypto opponent in Washington, and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who signed a digital assets law last year that some in the industry oppose.

* Speaking of that race, click here for a statewide poll conducted by respected Democratic pollster Tulchin Research taken February 14-19 of 600 likely Democratic primary voters. Yes, it’s several days old, but it shows Krishnamoorthi leading Stratton and Kelly respectively 39-23-8. It’s redacted because the survey was actually commissioned by someone not affiliated with that race.

* Press release…

Today, State Representative Margaret Croke released new ads in her campaign for Illinois State Comptroller. The ads feature Governor JB Pritzker’s endorsement of Croke, touting her commitment to transparency and record of bringing people together to get things done. “Worked Together” and “Long News,” along with the previously released “That’s A Lot” are running on television statewide, and “Good Hands” will be running across digital platforms.

“Worked Together”…

“Long News”…

Rate ‘em.

* Darren Bailey’s comments here were apparently clipped from a 2022 Wirepoints Gubernatorial Pension Discussion. From Ted Dabrowski: “An endorsement of sorts”…

Transcript…

Bailey: Ted, I’ve made no bones about it since the beginning, late June of 2017. And you have a lot of responsibility for me entering into government as a state Representative, and I was totally checked out. Gosh, I’ve been sharing Wirepoints information since day one. I just want to thank you so much for allowing this, for your research, for your concern about Illinois. Thank you.

Dabrowski: Thank you, Darren. I appreciate the kind words.

* Ted’s running mate…

* Sheriff Mendrick asks for money to put this video on TV…

Mendrick has reported raising just $14,000 for his gubernatorial campaign since the beginning of the calendar year.

* Bailey pledges to halt infrastructure spending at the Obama presidential library, which will likely be all or mostly spent even if he does win…

* The Illinois Auditor General is a constitutional officer. While the position is not elected by voters, an appointment requires three-fifths super-majorities in both chambers, so we’ll put this Tribune story here…

Illinois lawmakers approved the appointment Wednesday of a new leader of the state agency tasked with conducting audits of other departments that fall under state government.

Christopher Meister, the executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority, was approved 51-0 in the Senate and 97-1 in the House to succeed Frank Mautino, who is retiring as the state’s auditor general.

The legislative appointment begins May 1, when Meister will take over as auditor general, a constitutional office tasked with reviewing the use and management of public funds by state agencies from the Illinois Department of Corrections to the Illinois Department of Human Services. The office reviews financial records for agencies, as well as compliance with state and federal laws and program performance.

The only legislator in either chamber to vote against Meister was House Deputy Minority Leader Norine Hammond.

* From Isabel…

* Tribune | As primary looms, Illinois Republican governor candidates say they oppose abortion-is-murder bill: But the four say the package of bills introduced by downstate Republican state Sen. Neil Anderson goes too far, as it would classify a fertilized egg as a “person” and criminalize the disposal of eggs used in in vitro fertilization with no exceptions for rape, incest or the health of the woman. Anderson’s legislation, which has no co-sponsors, also would allow family members to sue over the death of an unborn child, leaving open the ability of a sexual assault perpetrator to sue his victim if she has an abortion. Overall, Anderson’s proposals have virtually no chance of passage in the Democratic-controlled General Assembly.

* Capitol News Illinois | Republican candidates for governor — minus Bailey — try to distance themselves: “That’s what I would call, in a way, pay-to-play politics, which is you benefit from doing deals with Democrats, with Republicans,” Dabrowski said. Heidner further bashed Dabrowski, telling the former Wirepoints researcher “you sit in front of a computer and hit Google, OK? Click, click, click.” Dabrowski also faced heat about the conservative purity of contributions to his campaign. He has received contributions from several people who have also donated to Democrats in recent years. He defended the individuals as “Chicago executives or Chicago reformers,” rather than Democrats.

* Sun-Times | Four Democrats battle in March primary to succeed Susana Mendoza as Illinois comptroller: Kim, 45, from Mundelein, said the state needs a “weathered sea captain at the wheel” — a description she says she fits. She steered the state’s third largest county through the pandemic as treasurer, which in Lake County operates similarly to comptroller. Kim’s own financial hardship as a single mother in college, and a victim of identity theft, has shaped her into “a fierce protector of people and their money,” she said. But the three legislators said Illinois requires a comptroller who has a background in state government and understands the complexities of massive budgets during a crucial moment of financial unpredictability. The Trump administration has frozen or cut billions of dollars in federal funding to Illinois for various services over the last year.

* Daily Herald | Candidates discuss issues in legislature for Senate Dist. 33: The candidates for the Republican nomination for Illinois Senate District 33 met recently with representatives of the Daily Herald Editorial Board and a news reporter to discuss issues in the campaign. Jessica Breugelmans and Danielle Penman discussed issues ranging from the state budget and tax policy to the Bears stadium proposal and election security.

* Press release | Uniejewski Campaign Launches Second Digital Ad: Democratic State Senate candidate Nick Uniejewski announced the launch of his second digital advertisement in the 6th District race. The new ad underscores his recent endorsement from the Chicago Tribune and draws a clear contrast with his opponent as voters cast ballots ahead of the March 17 election. In endorsing Uniejewski over incumbent Sara Feigenholtz, the Tribune praised his “clear chops on housing” and said his “energy and desire to bring change within his own party are much needed.”

* Sun-Times | Senate race to replace Dick Durbin heats up with 10 Democrats on the ballot: In debates, Krishnamoorthi, Kelly and Stratton have shown voters some of their key policy differences. They include differing opinions on future nominations made by President Donald Trump, the minimum wage, age limits for members of Congress and how to handle the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation campaign. Stratton supports a $25 an hour minimum wage plan, while Krishnamoorthi and Kelly support a $17 an hour plan, which they said would have a more realistic chance of passing in the Senate. When it comes to a retirement age for members of Congress, Krishnamoorthi said he supports a limit, while Kelly and Stratton reject the idea.

* Press release | National Nurses United endorses Juliana Stratton for US Senate: “Juliana Stratton has spent her career fighting for working families and standing up for the dignity and safety of our communities. As nurses, we know that real leadership means listening, showing up, and delivering results – and that’s exactly what Juliana has done for Illinois,” said Mary Turner, RN and President of National Nurses United. “She understands that healthcare is a human right and has been a champion for policies that protect patients, strengthen public health, and support frontline workers. National Nurses United is proud to endorse Juliana Stratton for Senate because we know she will be a bold, unwavering advocate for nurses and the people we care for every single day.”

* Press release | Raja Krishnamoorthi’s Downstate Coalition Expands as Alexander County Democrats Endorse Raja for U.S. Senate: In Illinois’ southernmost county, Democrats are making their choice clear. Today, the Alexander County Democratic Party announced their endorsement of Raja Krishnamoorthi for U.S. Senate, adding powerful new momentum to the fastest-growing downstate coalition in the U.S. Senate democratic primary. “In Alexander County, we need an experienced leader who will fight for our values and uplift our communities. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi is that leader, and I am proud to endorse his campaign for the U.S. Senate” said Alexander County Democratic Party Chairman Phillip Matthews. “During Raja’s childhood, his family relied on food stamps and public housing. His personal experience and proven record on issues like cracking down on rising costs and protecting our seniors show that Raja will be a champion for working families across Illinois. I look forward to working with him here in Alexander County when he joins the U.S. Senate!”