“If donating a book constitutes voter fraud, then the Senator is guilty of the same thing for handing out tax rebates at the polling place,” responded Cardenas campaign manager and 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez. “I don’t think of what he’s alleging as voter fraud.”
Lopez’ comments referred to a flyer distributed by Muñoz’ 12th Ward Democratic Organization promoting a property tax rebate seminar scheduled for this Saturday at the McKinley Park Field House, the same location as the 12th Ward’s early voting polls.
* And then I posted this from Tom Shaer, Deputy Assessor for Communications at the Cook County Assessor’s Office…
This seminar is one of over 125 standard Taxpayer Outreach events which the Cook County Assessor’s Office annually does for many community organizations and elected officials in all townships.
All aspects of property valuation, assessment, the appeal process and exemptions will be covered. No ‘rebates’ are being offered and qualifications for all exemptions are subject to State of Illinois statutes governing such exemptions.
* Late yesterday, Ald. Ray Lopez sent me an e-mail…
Does this look like a typical flyer for a “standard Taxpayer Outreach event” to you?
FEC reports came out in IL-10 and it’s just as ugly on the Democrat side as we expected. Brad Schneider has spent over $900,000 while Nancy Rotering has shelled out more than $650,000, and there are still nearly two weeks until Election Day! While Schneider and Rotering burn through cash attacking each other, Bob Dold has stockpiled more than $1.6 million for the general election.
Here’s a look at cash on hand as of the latest report:
Bob Dold $1.6 million in cash on hand
Brad Schneider: $296,000 in cash on hand
Nancy Rotering: $452,000 in cash on hand
In the final two weeks, Schneider and Rotering will ramp up their spending even further, ensuring the eventual nominee is damaged and far behind in the cash race on the morning of March 16th.
NRCC Comment: “While Brad Schneider and Nancy Rotering burn through cash attacking each other, Bob Dold has stockpiled more than $1.6 million for the general election. Whoever is the eventual Democrat nominee is sure to be damaged, broke, and facing an uphill climb in the expensive Chicago media market.” – NRCC Spokesman Zach Hunter
That’s wishful thinking if they believe whoever wins that primary won’t have the money to compete this fall. It’s gonna be one of the very top races in the country, after all.
* But, money aside, check out Rotering’s new press release…
Nancy Rotering for Congress launched “Values,” the campaign’s third television ad of the 2016 primary election cycle. The :30 second TV ad highlights the difference between Rotering and Schneider on access to health care, Schneider’s voting record against President Obama and touts Rotering’s endorsement by the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times.
“When given the opportunity to increase access to health care, Brad Schneider chose to side with the Republicans and diminish the opportunity for nearly half a million people to finally receive access to health care and effectively deny women access to birth control,” stated Stacy Raker, Campaign Manager for Nancy Rotering for Congress. “Brad cannot run away from his record. It is an undeniable fact that Schneider voted with Republicans to undermine Obamacare. Nancy Rotering would never stand in the way of increasing access to preventative care or birth control.”
* Schneider has been complaining about Rotering’s ads for weeks. From February 12th…
Yesterday, Brad was added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) competitive “Red to Blue” program because Democrats nationwide consider our race as one of the BEST opportunities to flip a seat this November.
But right now our opponent is spending thousands on a vicious and deceptive ad campaign that is misrepresenting Brad’s progressive record.
*** UPDATE *** Schneider response to Rotering ad…
“Nancy Rotering is behind in the polls and has resorted to desperate, dishonest tactics to try to hurt Brad,” said Campaign Manager Magen Ryan. “His 100% ratings from Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America say it all; Brad always has and always will stand with women to ensure they have full access to quality, affordable healthcare. Implying anything different is playing politics with an issue that is too important to us all. We have enough Republicans trying to do that – we don’t need our fellow Democrats doing it too.”
Rotering Claim:
Schneider voted to effectively deny women access to birth control.
Fact:
Schneider earned perfect, 100% ratings from Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America for his votes in Congress.
In fact, the legislation Rotering references dealt with funding the ACA through penalties. The cited bill would have delayed the employer mandate and fine for one year, until 2015, just as the Obama Administration itself had done earlier by executive order. Furthermore, under the law, employees whose employer did not provide compliance coverage in 2014 could purchase subsidized coverage on the exchanges. As Healthcare.gov notes, “Plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace must cover contraceptive methods…”
Today, local veterans and two Illinois Congressmen with decorated military records spoke out about Sen. Sam McCann’s false claims of military service.
In 2010, Sam McCann claimed to have served in the United States Marine Corps. He claimed to have enlisted in November 1989. He called himself a “veteran” and said he learned “courage” in the Marines.
Since 2010, McCann has been unable or unwilling to publicly provide documentation to prove his military service. (Bernard Schoenburg, “McCann Camp Calls Demuzio Tax Charge A ‘Diversion’,” The State Journal-Register, 10/14/10).
It has been 6 since years since McCann first claimed military service on the campaign trail, and yet his record continues to be shrouded in doubt and secrecy.
Statement from Kevin Rachford, Army Combat Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient:
“These allegations are very serious. Anyone who would steal the valor of our American heroes is unfit to hold elected office. It’s hard to fathom that a politician would stoop so low to win an election.”
Statement from Jim Mathes, Army Combat Veteran:
“I spent more than a year in Vietnam. I sacrificed for my country. How could any politician demean the service of brave men and women just to win a few votes?”
Statement from Congressman Adam Kinzinger, Major, United States Air Force
(2003-Present):
Congressman Adam Kinzinger has served in the United States Air Force since 2003 and has been a member of the Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, Air National Guard and was progressively promoted to his current rank of Major.
“I am deeply disturbed to hear Sam McCann lied about his service in the US Marine Corps,” said Kinzinger. “For an elected official to use military service for political gain is beyond reprehensible and offends all those who have actually served and sacrificed in our armed forces. Our veterans and those currently serving deserve a full explanation and an apology. Bottom line: the people of Illinois deserve better.”
Statement from Congressman John Shimkus, Graduate of United States Military Academy (1976-1980); United States Army (1980-1986), US Army Reserves (1986-2008):
Congressman John Shimkus, a graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point), served over five years active duty in the Army (1980-1986), then entered the Army Reserves (1986-2008). While in the Army, Shimkus earned the Expert Infantry Badge, Ranger tab and Parachutist Badge and served overseas with the 54th Infantry Regiment in West Germany
“As an Army veteran and graduate of the US Military Academy, I recognize the importance of electing public servants who will sacrifice for the common good and make the tough decisions to get our nation and state back on track,” said Shimkus. “It’s sad that anyone would attempt to sell himself to voters as someone who served in uniform without even attending boot camp. ”
At the age of 73, Madigan was first sworn into office in 1971 and, with the exception of two years, has been Speaker of the House since 1983.
At the age of 42, Gonzales, an innovation consultant, is a first-time candidate.
“His base is waning. It’s not as powerful as it used to be,” Gonzales said in an interview with NBC 5 at his Southwest Side campaign office, when asked about his opponent.
Maybe so, but the 13th Ward has now early voted a total of 1,709 people.
* Gonzales, however, thinks that’s a good sign. ABC 7…
On the southwest side, in House Speaker Micheal Madigan’s district, early voting numbers are off the charts. Madigan’s opponent Jason Gonzales believes high turnout helps him.
“I think early voting numbers show that I’m a real threat to Speaker Madigan and that I can very well win the race,” Gonzalez says.
Or not? Helen Snow is early voting for the convenience and she is sticking with Madigan.
“His office has been good to the seniors, so that is why I’m voting for him,” says Snow.
Election officials say because early voting is so popular it is no longer a reflection of turnout on Election Day, but is more representative of voters that have already made up their minds.
Jason Gonzales says it’s fear that’s motivating the turnout.
Jason Gonzales: Certainly he’s pressuring his base to come out and vote early and to vote for him. I think Speaker Madigan is very worried that I may just win.
Voter John Vyhnenek isn’t buying it.
John Vyhnenek: No, he won’t lose. He’s got the people with him that are important.
Discuss.
…Adding… As noted in comments, Gonzales tells one reporter that high turnout helps him, then tells another reporter that Madigan is behind the big early voting turnout, but tells a third reporter that Madigan’s base “is waning.”
Dunkin has been preening that Madigan is after him because he has a mind of his own… That contention would be more persuasive if Madigan were trying to oust other Democratic reps with minds of their own, such as Jack Franks, 63rd, of Marengo, and Scott Drury, 58th, of Highwood, both of whom have also cast key votes against Madigan during the standoff with Rauner. He’s not. They’re unopposed in the primary.
Madigan is after Dunkin because Dunkin is an unapologetic defector. In an apparent effort to become a power broker, he became a reliable Republican vote in a district that went 4 to 1 for the Democrats in the 2014 election. […]
Madigan tries hard to keep his caucus in line (as does Rauner, whose allies are also spending big to try to defeat a downstate incumbent Republican lawmaker who dared to cast union-friendly votes), but it’s a myth that Madigan’s unique personality and power is all that keeps his members in line.
If Dunkin wins, rank-and-file Democrats will still oppose Rauner’s pro-business, anti-labor agenda, and the stalemate will go on.
Zorn also thinks that Dunkin might win. I don’t disagree. It’s really difficult to oust an incumbent in a primary, particularly one who is as well-funded as Dunkin is.
…Adding… An informed dissent in comments…
Both Drury and Franks are in Purple Districts. Zorn’s analysis is bunk.
Knocking out Franks in a primary would likely lead to a lost seat. So, that’s true. Drury? Maybe not, but I can most definitely see a backlash in that north suburban district against Madigan’s hand-picked candidate in the general.
So, I’ve altered the lead-in to remove my agreement. Many thanks to the commenter.
Provides for the election of the Chicago Board of Education at the general primary election in 2018 only as a nonpartisan election on a separate ballot. Provides that a member of the Chicago Board of Education shall be elected at each consolidated election thereafter. Makes related changes. Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Provides that a person shall be a U.S. citizen and registered voter and shall have been a resident of the city and the electoral district for at least one year immediately preceding his or her election. Sets forth provisions concerning nominating petitions and ballots. Sets forth provisions providing that the City of Chicago shall be subdivided into 20 electoral districts by the General Assembly for seats on the Chicago Board of Education. Sets forth provisions providing that in the year following each decennial census, the General Assembly shall redistrict the electoral districts to reflect the results of each decennial census.
I’m currently awaiting a response from the Senate President’s office about where he, a staunch Mayor Rahm Emanuel ally, stands…
Senate President John Cullerton is the Senate sponsor of this #ERSB bill - he's friends with #Rahm, Sandack says, so will it stall?
* Bruce Rauner had this to say to a crowd of millennials back in 2014…
“You guys, your generation, young voters are going to suffer the most, from the failures in Springfield. You’re going to get stuck with high taxes. You’re going to get massive deficits. You’re going to get stuck with de-funded, deteriorated schools,” Rauner said.
Could Cupich become an arbiter in the state budget battle between House Speaker Michael Madigan, and Gov. Bruce Rauner — a third-party whisperer in the ear of two hardheaded men used to getting their own way?
“I’ve heard the archbishop’s name being discussed in that way,” a top Sneed source said.
“It’s being discussed by people who feel everything is getting out of hand; that a voice of the common good is desperately needed,” the source added.
“Think about it. A whole range of programs for the suffering and the underprivileged are hanging on by their fingernails. Someone has to be the voice of moral authority.
“Cupich could be the voice for the voiceless,” the source said. “Catholic Charities. Lutheran Services, Misericordia are suffering. Catholic Charities isn’t about Catholics. . . . It’s about the poor.”
“I would think the archbishop might be the person these guys might want to invite to tea,” the source said. “Or the other way around.”
Thoughts?
…Adding… Wordslinger in comments…
Now if the archbishop can flip about a half dozen GOP House members, that’s a different story.
