(2 of 3) Jeanne Ives just called me threatening to call the IL Family Institute amd the Right to Life orgs and have them withdraw their support of me because we are calling out Raunerites. This is the same Jeanne Ives who said Rauner was a disgrace and NOT a republican in the
This is the mailer that @McCann_Sam is using to help Speaker Madigan win House races. It may have just cost him the endorsement of the pro-life Illinois Family Institute. pic.twitter.com/uzcshGtcZ6
* The mailers are paid for by the Conservative Party of Illinois, but Local 150 of the Operating Engineers Union is behind this, of course. And those guys have a lot more money than the Illinois Family Institute, which had $383.12 in its PAC at the end of the quarter. Plus, the “Conservative Party” is about to do pro-life mailers for McCann slamming Rauner.
And Rep. Morrison isn’t the only Republican who will be getting hit with these mailers, I’m told. Any conservative House Republicans who endorsed Gov. Rauner and are in tough reelection battles could get the treatment. That’s a target-rich environment.
Never mess with the trade unions.
* Meanwhile, I tipped subscribers about this earlier today…
Democrat J.B. Pritzker has pumped more of his own money into a campaign than any other self-financing candidate in U.S. history.
The Gold Coast billionaire’s $146.5 million has bought him a place in the record books, breezing past Republican Meg Whitman, who set the previous record in 2010, when the former eBay honcho churned $144 million of her own fortune into her losing battle against Democrat Jerry Brown.
The combined $234 million that Pritzker and Gov. Bruce Rauner have raised in their bitter battle falls short of the combined $280 million that Brown and Whitman ultimately spent.
But with three weeks left, the meter is still running. And expensive television ads remain the top expenditure fueling spending in this year’s gubernatorial contest.
Among some of the more interesting expenses found on the quarterly reports filed by the major gubernatorial candidates were a few items from Rauner.
He spent $459 for a T-shirt cannon, $600 on a petting zoo from Wild Times Exotics of Springfield and $4,360 to rent a party boat on the Chicago River and paid $3,750 for a plane-towed aerial banner.
An October-surprise lawsuit filed by some J.B. Pritzker campaign workers alleges “discrimination and harassment,” prompting the Democrat’s camp to call the claims “baseless.”
The story broke late Tuesday night. According to the Cook County Record newsletter, the lawsuit, filed Oct. 16 in Chicago federal court, alleges some black and Latino campaign workers are “packed into majority minority neighborhoods, often in unsafe working conditions, and are denied benefits and advancement opportunities available to their white colleagues.” […]
In a statement to POLITICO, Pritzker running mate Juliana Stratton called the suit “baseless” and describes the lawsuit in terms of extortion or a shake-down
The lawsuit is here. The letter from the staffers’ attorney demanding $7.5 million and personal letters of recommendation from Pritzker by Monday, October 8 is here.
Saying the Illinois gubernatorial frontrunner’s campaign has routinely “herded” and “marginalized” its workers of color, a group of African American and Latino workers for Illinois Democratic gubernatorial nominee JB Pritzker has sued Pritzker’s campaign organization for discrimination and harassment.
“JB Pritzker for Governor has a serious race problem,” the lawsuit said. “Contrary to the candidate’s many public avowals, rather than working to meaningfully address discrimination, racism is perpetuated, condoned and ratified by the Campaign.”
The lawsuit, filed Oct. 16 in Chicago federal court, specifically alleges the black and Latino campaign workers are packed into majority minority neighborhoods, often in unsafe working conditions, and are denied benefits and advancement opportunities available to their white colleagues.
Named plaintiffs in the action include Maxwell Little, Jason Benton, Jelani Coleman, Celia Colon, Kasmine Calhoun, Erica Kimble, Nathaniel Madison, Tiffany Madison, James B. Tinsley and Mark Walker. All of the plaintiffs either currently work or have worked for the Pritzker campaign as field organizers in 2018, according to the complaint. The complaint also asserts many of the plaintiffs also worked on past Democratic campaigns, including on the presidential campaigns of former President Barack Obama and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Democratic campaign organizations for candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in Illinois and other states. Others also worked as social justice and reform activists, and for labor unions, according to the complaint.
I’ve never seen anything like this anywhere in all my years watching politics.
With less than 3 weeks to go — a civil lawsuit has been filed by 10 staffers who work for Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker’s campaign. The suit alleges repeated racial discrimination and harassment.
The allegations include that one of the Pritzker field offices is located in an area that was not safe for staffers. The suit, announced Tuesday night, alleges Pritzker himself would not even visit and staffers were allegedly told “he’ll visit when they stop shooting.”
* From JB Pritzker…
To be clear, this is just not true. I am incredibly proud of our campaign, how diverse it is, and how inclusive our administration will be.
* From Rep. Juliana Stratton…
I am very proud of the campaign that JB and I have put together. The majority of our senior team are African American and almost 45% of our entire staff are people of color. When people feel like they have been harassed or discriminated against, they have the right to come forward and have their voices heard. In this case, we had a letter delivered to us asking for $7.5 million dollars in 24 hours or they threatened legal action and to go to press. That’s not a good faith effort.
The incidents listed in this complaint are baseless and make offensive claims in regard to several members of our staff. We stand by our staff and that’s why we are not afraid to litigate this to the fullest extent of the law. I couldn’t be prouder to be on the ticket with JB and of the statewide, grassroots campaign we’ve built.
*** UPDATE *** ILGOP…
“The lawsuit filed against JB Pritzker’s campaign is simply the latest in a long line of incidents that prove that when it comes to the African-American community, Pritzker’s actions don’t back up his words. Here, we have his own staffers — seasoned political operatives — alleging racial discrimination and harassment. We have heard from Pritzker’s own mouth referring to Black elected officials as “offensive” on an FBI wiretap with Rod Blagojevich. It’s finally time for JB Pritzker to answer for his actions.” - Illinois Republican Party Executive Director Travis Sterling
Other allegations in the lawsuit said field organizers were told to “go round up 40 black guys” for an event, and were told that Pritzker would visit an campaign office in a low-income Chicago neighborhood when “they stop shooting.”
Then ask whether a second-term Rauner would do exactly what he has tried to do in his first term: deprive those Democratic leaders of their wretched excesses in spending and taxing.
That answer to that is yes, as the Democrats know.
They loathe Rauner. He often stalemates them. Armed only with a veto pen and a bully pulpit, he blocks their exclusive dominion over lawmaking.
Which is precisely why we endorse Bruce Rauner, and urge you to re-elect him governor of Illinois.
Yet, if Gov. Bruce Rauner wins re-election, it’s likely Illinois will have another four years of political rancor and disagreement over the state budget. That’s mostly because the governor was unwilling to back down when sent a deficit-spending budget forced through the General Assembly at the last minute.
Rauner’s most important policy position is a demonstrated commitment to blocking tax hikes and restraining spending rather than increasing it faster than taxpayer incomes.
* The Daily Herald editorial board is about as rib-rocked Republican as you can get, but they’ve had enough…
But the reality is, under Rauner, not only has progress not been made, but problems have gotten worse.
It’s not the desire or the will Rauner lacks, but the skill and the understanding of how to make government work.
A year ago, the conservative National Review put him on its cover with the headline, “The Worst Republican Governor in America.” Unfortunately, Rauner has shown no indication that he has learned from his first dismal term.
We can’t afford another four years of confrontation and stalemate.
* The National Review story referenced above was published in December of 2017 and it had Tillman’s fingerprints on it…
On June 20, the governor announced that he’d accept an increase to the state income tax, raising it from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent. Madigan pounced. Democrats drew up a budget that raised taxes in precisely this way, offered none of Rauner’s proposed reforms, and passed it with the votes of impatient Republicans. Rauner vetoed the bill, but a bipartisan supermajority overrode him. Conservatives were flabbergasted. “The ‘Turnaround Agenda’ went from 44 reforms to none,” says John Tillman, the CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute. “Rauner once talked about reducing the income tax to 3 percent. Instead, he opened the door to the biggest income-tax hike in state history.”
I guess Rauner wasn’t so bad after all?
…Adding… From February…
Assuming that’s because Diana won’t allow him to donate to us. Regardless, we wouldn’t accept his donation. Our members believe in balanced budgets, responsible gov't and reducing taxes on Illinois’ middle class – all of which @GovRauner has failed to achieve since taking office
Grammy Award-winner and Chicago activist Chance the Rapper today endorsed Amara Enyia for Mayor of Chicago and announced plans to co-campaign with a new vision to empower all Chicagoans — from Rogers Park to Austin to Hegewisch — and lead with progressive values. During the City Hall event Enyia and Chance announced plans to:
Push for a more equitable public school funding formula that doesn’t punish low-population schools and reimagines a school system with more equitable programming, capital investments, and the restoration of arts, libraries and social / emotional learning initiatives.
Create bold economic reform that shores up city finances, creates a public bank as a vital part of our economy, invests in small business through cooperative ownership and explores community land trusts that promote local ownership and expands affordable housing.
Build on Enyia’s history in workforce development to expand high-value sectors of the economy such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, healthcare and other STEM fields with a focus on the South and West Side. (Enyia has been working on programs of this nature through Blue 1647 for several years.)
“Amara and I share values and a vision for Chicago that includes equitable education for our kids, reforming our criminal justice system, and bringing new kinds of economic opportunities to our communities without causing displacement. I am proud to stand with her as we work toward bringing new leadership to City Hall.'’
Chance donated $1 million dollars to Chicago Public Schools in 2016 and recently donated another million to local mental health services. He started the non-profit Socialworks helping elementary school students learn through music, has worked to reduce gun violence, and has been a tireless advocate of reform in his hometown.
“Chicago is in serious need of reform, but this election is about more than just Chicago. It holds national significance and we can lead the nation in new visions that work for the people,’’ Enyia said. “This belief and this movement represent the future of Chicago and we are both dedicated to building the Chicago we deserve.’’
Enyia and Chance will host a forum, “Creating the Growth Economy of the 21st Century’’ with economic development experts, labor groups — including former Treasure Island employees — on Oct. 22.
Enyia, a resident of Garfield Park, runs her own public policy business consulting governmental bodies around the world, serves as the executive director of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, has worked as a Chicago City Hall policy analyst, and founded the Institute for Cooperative Economics. She holds a master’s degree in education, a law degree, and a Ph.D in education policy.
…Adding… From Toni Preckwinkle…
When I decided to run for Mayor, one of my first calls was to Ken Bennett. Having known him since my days in City Council, I’ve seen first-hand his commitment to our city, his dedication to those he believes can make a difference and his drive to build the coalitions that turn ideas into reality.
I’m honored to have Ken as an advisor and chair of my campaign. Ken has served in the Harold Washington administration, helped elect Barack Obama as Senator and President, and served in the Obama White House. I’m grateful to be among those whom have benefitted from Ken’s incomparable experience and unfailing commitment.
Ken is a dedicated and loving husband and father who has clearly passed on his love for his city and his value in public service and advocacy. I respect his son’s commitment to our city, his eagerness to engage in the issues impacting our communities and his willingness to use his platform to express his opinion.
…Adding… Chance’s father Ken Bennett…
I’m immensely proud of my son Chance, not only for pursuing his success with a clear, individual point of view but for continuing to use his success to advocate for his City. We may have different views on this race, but we share an unshakable love for each other and this city.
I continue to support Toni Preckwinkle for Mayor of the City of Chicago. I first met her when she was representing the South Side in the City Council. I saw in her a humble, fearless, no-nonsense approach to service and leadership. I knew then that she would one day be our answer for reform. Reform that would challenge and change a system of government and politics that has perpetuated inequities throughout its history. I’m honored to serve as an advisor and chair of her campaign. There is no one else who has the experience, expertise and work ethic to bring real reform to our City.
I have had amazing opportunities to work with historic leaders, such as Harold Washington and Barack Obama, who have had vision, determination, drive and compassion. They have not only impacted me, but my family.
* Meanwhile, from Chicago City Treasurer Kurt Summers…
Serving as Treasurer of the City of Chicago over the last four years has been one of the great honors of my life. This experience has given me an opportunity to truly lead with the values that I hold dear - integrity, transparency, and a strong belief in equity for all Chicagoans. We’ve strengthened the financial position of our city, while still leading the charge on investing with impact, holding institutions accountable and creating opportunities for every neighborhood.
We are at a critical time in our city and in need of better leadership and a new direction from our future mayor, elected officials, and other leaders in our community. For the last several weeks, I’ve contemplated how I can best continue to serve the people of Chicago. I’ve connected with folks from across the 77 neighborhoods of our city and heard directly your views on what Chicago needs. I’ve spent time with family, friends, and supporters to determine how I could best contribute to shaping the future of Our Chicago.
After careful consideration with my family and loved ones, I have decided not to seek re-election as City Treasurer or to run for Mayor. I’ve had so many great examples of service in my life, starting with my grandfather. Over time I’ve learned from him and others that there are many ways to serve your community and often the greatest contributions come from those not holding public office. I believe the best opportunity for me to serve in this next chapter will be outside of elected office; however, my focus on serving Chicago and addressing issues of economic disinvestment and lack of capital access will continue to be at the forefront of my work. As I continue to serve as your City Treasurer over these next seven months, I look forward to driving more value and more investment for all Chicagoans and doing my part to shape the future of our city for the years to come.
During the third fundraising quarter, Raoul gathered more than $2.8 million, much of which has come from unions, including the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the LiUNA Chicago Laborers’ District Council PAC, and other Democratic lawmakers. One of Raoul’s largest individual donors is Michael Sacks, CEO of global investment firm GCM Grosvenor and a former Emanuel donor. He made a $150,000 donation last month and has supplied Raoul with a total of $250,000 since June. But Raoul’s biggest financial supporter is Pritzker, who made two $500,000 transfers to Raoul’s campaign during the fundraising quarter. In total, Raoul has received nearly $1.9 million from Pritzker, which is 20 percent of the $7.5 million he has raised this election cycle.
Raoul’s campaign spent more than $2.8 million during the third fundraising quarter. Approximately 87 percent of his expenditures, $2.5 million, went to advertising paid to Adelstein & Associates’ Chicago office. He had $653,311 on hand on September 30.
Harold, a Champaign County-based attorney, raised about $1.9 million between July and September. Some of her largest donations include $200,000 from Ken Griffin; $100,000 from Patrick Ryan, CEO of insurance solutions provider Ryan Specialty Group; and $50,000 from Todd Ricketts, co-owner of the Chicago Cubs. Harold’s largest donor during the fundraising quarter, however, was Rauner, who made a $1 million contribution in August. In total, Rauner has supplied Harold with $1.8 million since March, which is 52 percent of the nearly $3.5 million she has raised this election cycle.
Harold spent $1.95 million between July and September, with $1.8 million, 94 percent of her campaign expenditures, going to advertising. She had $174,593 on hand on September 30.
Today, Governor Rauner is releasing his 2017 tax information. Click here and see below for details. The governor is releasing his tax information this year as he has the past three years in office.
After JB Pritzker did not pay state income taxes in 2014 and used a “scheme to defraud” Illinois taxpayers, the Rauner campaign is now calling on Pritzker to release his tax information.
Below are details on Governor Rauner’s taxes:
Total Income on Federal Return: $52,983,842
Adjusted Gross Income on Federal Return: $52,681,342
Taxable Income on Federal Return: $40,872,748
Federal Income Taxes Paid: $13,946,017
Federal Effective Tax Rate on Adjusted Gross Income: 26.5%
Federal Effective Tax Rate on Taxable Income: 34.1%
Illinois Taxable Income on State Return: $54,162,372
Illinois Income Taxes Paid: $2,154,870
*** UPDATE *** Well, that was quick. From the Pritzker campaign…
Reporters – please see attached for JB Pritzker’s 2017 tax returns where he paid federal taxes at a rate of 36.2%.
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has consistently maintained through his first term that he has the correct prescription for Illinois but hasn’t been able to deliver his message to voters.
On Monday, he continued that theme. Appearing on the Steve Cochran Show on WGN AM-720, Rauner said he needs to communicate better to voters if he wins a second term.
“I have two things that I would do differently. One is to focus very much on lots of baby-step improvements and announcing ‘em, playing ‘em up more than we’ve done. That would be No. 1,” Rauner said in response to a question about his biggest first-term mistakes. “No. 2, I would have been much more focused with my time on communications. I spent my time doing, not communicating. I would do far more communicating.”
“I spent my time doing, not communicating.”
Sigh.
…Adding… React from the governor’s former chief of staff…
After the debate, Rauner told reporters he’s cried over the deaths at the Illinois Veterans Home and he does not believe he’s trailing by 20 points as a recent poll suggests.
While not wanting to make light of the people who lost their lives at Quincy, I have heard the governor talk about weeping several times, so I took a quick look at the history and asked around for some help.
“Waiting for Superman” — a documentary billed as the “Inconvenient Truth” of public education — will debut in New York and Los Angeles. But a select group of Chicagoans has already seen the film by Davis Guggenheim, who also directed “An Inconvenient Truth.” […]
“I’ve seen it twice, and I’ve cried both times,” Bruce Rauner said. “I think it’s very powerful.”
One of the most emotional times here in Springfield, two teachers came up to me at an event after I became governor. One of them started to cry. I gave her a hug and I said, ‘What’s wrong?’ and she said, ‘You are healing a wound in this community that you don’t fully appreciate.’ I said, ‘Really? Well, God bless you.’ We hugged and I was tearing up. I said, ‘Don’t make me cry. I’ve got to go give a talk here.’
“I watched the video when it came out last week. I cried,” Rauner said. “That video is shocking, terrifying. I cried for the young man who was brutally shot. I cried for the thousands of police officers who are honest and hardworking, who put themselves in harm’s way to serve and protect us and whose reputation gets damaged by the behavior of a few bad people. I cried for the violence that is tearing apart so many of our communities.”
I took my Swedish grandfather back for his 90th birthday. I had never been to Sweden. He had been writing to his relatives his whole life from Wisconsin and he’d never been, or at least not since he was like two years old and I took him over and we spent a week. I cried every day.
They came to my office in the Capitol a number of months back and we sat, a large group of youth and myself and Director Sheldon. And we just had a talk about their lives, what’s going on, what their issues are. And it was one of the most emotional but uplifting and inspirational discussions I’ve ever had in my life. Many of us cried.
I travel the state, seven days a week, and everywhere I go, people come up to me and say, ‘Governor, stay strong. You’re on the right track. Don’t give in, stay persistent.’ One woman came up to me with tears in her eyes, and I started to cry, too. She said, ‘You’re our last hope. Don’t give up.’ I said, ‘I’m not gonna give up. I’m the most persistent son of a gun on the planet. I’m very competitive.’
One of the most special times for me every year is going to Honor Flights to welcome our heroes home here in Springfield, and in Peoria, and in Chicago. I have to tell you, it brings tears of joy to my eyes when our heroes come through that airport door to be reunited with their children and their grandchildren and their great-grandchildren.
Most emotional moment was last year, an elderly woman saw me shopping in Schnucks, the grocery store. She came up to me, grabbed me by both hands, looked up at me and she started to cry. I said, ‘What’s wrong?’ She said, ‘Governor, you’re our last hope. Please don’t give up.’ I kind of lost it. I started crying, I gave her a hug and I say, ‘I will never give up, I can’t. I’m doing this, this is a labor of love.’
Back before being governor, I would love the classics, like for example I would always like to see “The Dick Van Dyke Show” or some other classic, family shows the 60s. I love that stuff, it’s kinda teary-eyed to me, and it’s a great way to relax.
Today, the Chicago Tribune reported that JB Pritzker used non-union workers during the renovation of his mansion. This is just the latest in a long line of hypocritical actions from Pritzker following union busting at Seadog Cruises and turning on the heat lamps on striking union workers.
In response, Governor Bruce Rauner issued the following statement:
“This is not surprising. Pritzker’s support of union workers is all talk – he’s a hypocrite. Pritzker has made it seem like he’s looking out for working people, but between this and his scheme to defraud hardworking taxpayers of $330,000, it’s clear he’s only looking out for himself.”
Billionaire Democratic governor candidate J.B. Pritzker has portrayed himself as a champion of working families and received substantial support from organized labor, but he used nonunion workers to remodel his Gold Coast mansion.
Nonunion labor from three trades was hired to work on the yearslong, $25 million renovation of Pritzker’s 20,000-square-foot residence, according to a June 2007 email filed as part of a court dispute that arose between Pritzker and the general contractor.
“A note of caution,” wrote construction consultant Douglas Kaulas to Pritzker’s brother-in-law Thomas Muenster, who oversaw the renovation. “Now that the front yard is screened off and scaffold is going up, the jobsite has a much higher visibility. We’re perfectly legal with our permits, but we do have a non-union mason, demo contractor and roofer working. We are a little concerned that the union (business agents) may come to visit.” […]
“It’s important to finish the exterior work in the three months allotted by the scaffold contract so we can resume our lower profile,” wrote Kaulas, who also told Pritzker’s brother-in-law that “we’re putting a priority” on finishing the exterior work to both hold down scaffold rental costs and “to limit our visibility.”
As part of that renovation project, Kaulas occasionally met with Muenster and J.B. Pritzker to give updates.
…Adding… The governor is holding a press conference on this topic at 10:30 this morning. Stay tuned.
…Adding… “Hypocrisy” rarely works in campaigns, but you go with what you got I suppose…
SMN reporting from Chicago where Gov. Rauner called a presser to condemn his competitior Pritzker for using non union workers to renovate his mansion…then says he used non union workers to renovate his own mansion.
*** UPDATE *** Greg Hinz says today’s press conference is a metaphor…
Rauner exposed himself to new attention on his own union record—and the fact that not one major labor group in the state is backing him for re-election.
He conceded under questioning that he, too, has used nonunion labor in construction jobs on his own property. And he suggested, with a straight face, that he is the real pro-labor candidate in the race for governor.
Yes, he really did that: charge straight ahead without consulting with advisers and associates who might have urged him to be a little less risky. While attention on this issue won’t help Pritzker any, Rauner’s handling of it isn’t likely to help him much, either. In fact, it might hurt.
We can’t afford another four years of confrontation and stalemate. […]
Progress must come from somewhere, and we know that because of Illinois’ political realities, it will not be through Rauner’s re-election.
Hope for change rests only with Democrat J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire heir of the Hyatt hotel family fortune.
We’re not without reservations about Pritzker. We’re concerned about the lack of specificity in his graduated income tax vision. We’re offended by toiletgate. And we’re troubled by his ability to buy not just the governorship but also most of the legislature.
But Pritzker and Pritzker alone, among the four candidates on the ballot, can drive the change within the Democratic Party itself that must take place to solve Illinois’ enormous problems.
He has the wealth to maintain his independence, the personal skills to build collaboration, the breadth of ideas necessary to address the issues and the ambition to make a difference.
We endorse Pritzker because status quo is not an option.
It’s not saying much, but House Republicans have seen more bright spots in the past week of polling since the Kavanaugh confirmation fight than they saw in over a month. Both sides agree Democrats’ enthusiasm advantage has narrowed, and Republicans are benefiting from their base “waking up” in red districts. However, there’s little evidence of movement in blue and swing districts.
Republicans suddenly feel more confident about several incumbents who have previously been tied or behind but have the luxury of sitting in Trump-won districts: Reps. Mike Bost (IL-12), John Faso (NY-19), Claudia Tenney (NY-22) and Steve Chabot (OH-01). They’re also newly optimistic about Toss Up open seats in Trump country, like Kansas’s 2nd CD and North Carolina’s 9th CD.
However, it shouldn’t come as a shock that the highly charged Supreme Court fracas has barely moved the needle in high-income, Clinton-won suburbs. Republicans are especially concerned about Reps. Mimi Walters (CA-45) and Peter Roskam (IL-06), who now appear to be narrowly behind. In fact, there’s evidence the map was beginning to polarize before the Kavanaugh fight.
Republicans continue to face especially strong headwinds in states where gubernatorial races aren’t going well for them. Illinois, where GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner trails by more than 15 points is a particular concern as Roskam and Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) face an onslaught of Democratic cash in the Chicago media market. […]
Rating Changes
IL-06: Roskam - Toss Up to Lean D ←
IL-14: Hultgren - Lean R to Toss Up ←
Yikes. If a traditional Republican like Randy Hultgren could conceivably lose to a young African-American woman who was previously unknown in an 86 percent white and 3 percent black district encompassing most of McHenry County, parts of DeKalb County, northern Lake, western Kendall, etc. then we may be in for one really weird election night, campers.
* Meanwhile…
U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, running for re-election in the 14th Congressional District, has released his third ad of this campaign season.
As a senior member of the Science Committee and Chair of the STEM Caucus, Randy Hultgren is focused on training the next generation of leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
“I am working to make us a leader in STEM, by providing our kids with the building blocks for success and strengthening our economy with good and high paying jobs. That means encouraging innovation in our schools and businesses, and establishing scholarship initiatives so our kids are prepared to succeed.” Said Rep. Hultgren. “To keep us competitive in the future, we have to be working at it today.”
…Adding… One of my best guys tells me this ad is only on cable and he only put $50K behind it. Apparently, Hultgren has only spent $187k since 9/11. Meanwhile, Underwood is pushing 250 points a week on broadcast.
* Incumbent, challenger in Illinois’ 14th Congressional District stake out positions on health insurance: Underwood has said during numerous campaign events that her decision to run for office was motivated by a promise from Hultgren to support repealing the portion of the Affordable Care Act that protected health care coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, which she felt was broken when Hultgren voted for the American Health Care Act.
* Election 2018: A year for women in McHenry County?
* GOP-Held Illinois District Pounded with Outside Money as Election Nears: The independent spending arm of the environmentalist League of Conservation Voters political action group is dropping $291,000 to run negative advertisements against Roskam on digital platforms throughout the district. Naral Pro-Choice America, another national liberal organization, will shell out $148,000 over the coming weeks on digital advertising opposing the incumbent. The group is also mobilizing its supporters this weekend to canvass for Casten. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars supporting Casten, is pouring another $109,000 into the district against Roskam. … The independent expenditure arm of the Koch brothers-backed group Americans for Prosperity is injecting $55,700 into the district to support Roskam with advertising and canvassing. And the House GOP’s campaign committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee, is adding a cool $1.5 million to its budget for the district over the next several weeks, Roskam told the Tribune.
Voters this year can make a declaration: We want an aggressive attorney general who will expose, investigate and prosecute public corruption, no matter where it lies.
That’s a key reason the Tribune endorses Erika Harold of Urbana, an attorney with the Champaign-based firm of Meyer Capel, for attorney general. She is a Harvard Law School graduate — winning the 2003 Miss America pageant helped pay for her education — with experience in commercial litigation, criminal law, class action, fraud and contract disputes. On policy, she has been outspoken on the need for criminal justice reform and prison rehabilitation. […]
We are confident Raoul would be an aggressive attorney general for the citizens of Illinois — on some fronts, none of which would offend Illinois politicians. But he oddly downplays the role of the attorney general in pursuing public corruption — “I’m not going to go fishing for it,” he says — and he defends the thin anti-corruption record of the departing attorney general. […]
Voters: If you’re looking for a smart, well-rounded and self-reliant watchdog in state government, Harold is it. She also is a Republican in a state that, with Democrats controlling most levers of government, needs checks and balances on that one-party dominion. Erika Harold is the superior choice for attorney general.
It’s a new era for attorneys general in states across the nation as they step up to fight for the environment, workers’ rights, access to health care, consumer protections, and a free and open internet.
Illinois’ next attorney general will have to take the lead in these battles and others, countering the retrograde policies of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Kwame Raoul, the Democratic candidate for Illinois attorney general, gets our endorsement. We believe he is the best qualified — and most inclined — candidate to lead the charge, following in the footsteps of Lisa Madigan, who is retiring from the office. Raoul’s Republican opponent, Erika Harold, has signaled far less enthusiasm for taking on such important broader issues. […]
Madigan has sued to stop the separation of families at the U.S. border, to reinstate energy efficiency standards for home appliances such as fans and air conditioners, and to prevent young adults who were brought to our country illegally as young children from being deported.
Action by state attorneys general, including Madigan, also recently stopped the Trump administration from permitting designs for untraceable, homemade 3D-printed guns to be distributed online.
Raoul has demonstrated the ability to work effectively on a wide range of big issues.
