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Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

I met Deanna Demuzio on a hot summer evening in 1995 at the Macoupin County Fair. I was in college—her husband Vince took a liking to me and invited me to the fair with him to watch the queen pageant. I was nervous that night driving to Carlinville from Bunker Hill. This was way out of my comfort zone and I didn’t know the Demuzios and they really didn’t know me. Vince was late getting to the fair so I found myself roaming aimlessly around the entrance to the grandstand—the only person wearing a pair of khakis and a polo shirt in the blazing heat. That must have made me stick out like a sore thumb. Debating in my head how long I should stick around, a woman walked up to me as if she was on a mission. Armed with a smile, she said in the most pleasant of voices “You must be Andy. I’ve heard so much about you.” She handed me my ticket and said “follow me.” As we made our way through he grandstand, Deanna must have sensed my nerves were shot. But I suddenly felt at-ease. Immediately I was struck by her warmth and grace, her smile, her ability to make me feel comfortable. I think that was perhaps her greatest attribute and that’s how I will always remember her. She was such a caring person.

Deanna Demuzio was a central figure throughout my life, always there to help, inspire, and mentor. And I by no means was alone in that regard. Deanna was admired by so many. She was a trailblazer and her name is synonymous with Carlinville and Macoupin County. Deanna was a fierce advocate for the things she believed in and represents the best that we all strive to be as public servants. Words cannot fully encapsulate all that she has given to causes greater than herself over the course of her lifetime.

The picture posted here was taken last year on the Floor of the Illinois Senate. Mayor and Senator Deanna Demuzio spent the day with me talking with many of her former colleagues and members of the staff that held her in such high regard. I really enjoyed that day and I think she did as well.

My deepest sympathies go out to Stephanie and the entire Demuzio family.

Rest in peace my friend. I will miss you. We all will miss you.

* Senate President Don Harmon…

“Deanna Demuzio dedicated her life to community and public service. Along the way, she made great friends and taught us all so much about how to be better. She fought hard to improve our education system after years spent working at Lewis and Clark Community College and to fight for better health care given how it affected her family. She took up all of this after tragically losing another great friend of Illinois, her husband, Senator Vince Demuzio.

“I was honored to know and work alongside her in the Illinois Senate. She will forever be remembered for her dedication and commitment to the people of Illinois. Anyone who knew Deanna and Vince automatically thinks of them whenever driving through Carlinville. My condolences to her family and friends.”

* Macoupin County Democratic Party Chairman Pam Monetti…

Former state Sen. and Mayor Deanna Demuzio was a part of the most dynamic Illinois political team in decades to come from Macoupin County. She learned from the best, especially when it came to working tirelessly for her constituents. Everywhere you look in Macoupin County you will find evidence of the Demuzio legacy. Deanna was a remarkable woman who didn’t know a stranger and if you told her you needed help, she would do everything she could to help. She was a true public servant to the end and the Macoupin County Democrat Party will miss her terribly. Our heartfelt condolences to her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

…Adding… Michael Madigan in his role as DPI Chairman…

Shirley and I are extremely saddened to hear of Deanna Demuzio’s passing. Deanna was a true leader - in Carlinville and across the state. Deanna cared deeply for her community, worked passionately to improve life for everyone around her and exemplified what it means to be a dedicated public servant. Deanna’s family, friends and everyone she touched in her incredible life are in our thoughts and prayers.

…Adding… Secretary of State Jesse White…

We have lost a wonderful and caring person with the passing of former State Senator and Carlinville Mayor Deanna Demuzio, and I have lost a dear friend,” said Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. “I have been privileged and blessed to have known Deanna for many years and always found her to be kind, generous and thoughtful. As a public servant, she was committed to helping those in need and fighting for causes she believed in. I would be remiss not to mention that her son, Brad, who passed away in 2014, served with distinction as the director of the Illinois Secretary of State Police. The Demuzio family will always have a special place in my heart. My condolences to her family and to her many friends.

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*** UPDATED x1 *** Release the hounds

Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* A.D. Quig…

Patrick G. Ryan, the billionaire founder of Aon, has chipped in $1 million to the Coalition To Stop The Proposed Tax Hike Amendment, according to Illinois State Board of Elections records.

Ryan is now chairman and CEO of Ryan Specialty Group, an international holding company he founded “specializing in wholesale brokerage, insurance underwriting managers and other specialty services to brokers, agents and insurers,” according to its website. Forbes estimates his net worth at $3.2 billion. Ryan has also donated to Gery Chico’s 2011 mayoral bid, the Illinois Republican Party in 2005, 2006, and 2009 and Richard M. Daley’s campaign committee in 2006, according to state board records.

Citadel founder Ken Griffin has by far been the coalition’s biggest benefactor, chipping in just under $47 million total so far. But others on Illinois’ wealthiest list, including Craig Duchossois, Dick Uihlein, Muneer Satter, Jay Bergman and Sam Zell have donated as well.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s cousin, Col. Jennifer Pritzker, chipped in an additional $250,000 to the coalition’s cause, bringing her total donations to the group to $750,000.

* Ray Long…

The Democratic Party of Illinois led by Speaker Michael Madigan has started to pour money into an effort to keep Illinois Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride on the bench with two weeks until Election Day.

Election records filed Tuesday night showed the Democrats put $550,000 into the Nov. 3 Kilbride retention campaign. That pushes the total political spending by both sides in the contest to nearly $7 million.

The contest is critical for Democrats because a Kilbride loss could jeopardize the party’s 4-3 majority on the state’s high court. With money from billionaire donors, Republicans are waging an anti-Kilbride campaign in hopes of knocking him off the court and getting a chance to capture the open seat in the 2022 election. […]

Madigan’s decision to pump in big money now may give anti-Kilbride forces even more reason to push the Madigan-Kilbride connection, Redfield said.

For Madigan, “the upside of being able to increase party spending outweighs the downside of the anti-Kilbride people being able to link him more directly to Madigan,” Redfield said.

…Adding… Jim Nowlan, Chairman of Citizens for Judicial Fairness…

Like he did in 2000 and in 2010, Mike Madigan is coming to the rescue of his favorite judge Tom Kilbride. The $550,000 Kilbride received from the Democratic Party of Illinois is just the latest in millions of contributions from Madigan and his allies. This is exactly why Kilbride must not be retained. We need to bring independence back to the judiciary, not another 10 years of Madigan control.

And from Ryan McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Kilbride for Supreme Court Judge Committee…

Wealthy individuals and special interests who want to own the Supreme Court are spending millions, including out-of-state dark money from unknown sources, to smear Justice Kilbride and mislead voters about his record. By law, Justice Kilbride is not allowed to solicit campaign contributions. To further maintain his impartiality, he has no role in fundraising – all such decisions are made by his treasurer – and no knowledge of the donors to his retention committee nor of those to the opposition committee. Justice Kilbride is proud to have support from Republicans, Democrats and Independents, and to have been endorsed by a bipartisan group of law enforcement leaders and police officers from across the district.

* Dan Petrella…

The intensifying controversy surrounding Madigan, which includes calls for his resignation from a handful of House Democrats, hasn’t turned off the tap of campaign contributions. The four funds together raised nearly $4.3 million in the key preelection quarter, campaign finance records show. More than half of that, $2.4 million, was raised by Friends of Michael J. Madigan, which took in $1.7 million from labor unions and other political action committees.

The four funds ended the third quarter on Sept. 30 with nearly $20 million in the bank. […]

For comparison, the main campaign fund of House Republican leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs and two others supporting House GOP candidates raised nearly $1.2 million in the third quarter and spent more than $3 million, ending the period with less than $1 million in the bank. More than half of the money spent by Durkin’s campaign fund — $1.6 million — was transferred to the state GOP.

*** UPDATE *** Billionaire Ken Griffin just contributed $100K to Republican Pat O’Brien, who’s running for Cook County State’s Attorney. O’Brien disclosed a $196,800 haul this morning.

…Adding… State’s Attorney Kim Foxx reported $102K in contributions today. She’s reported about $350K in the past few days.

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