* Background is here if you need it. More to come, but these are the Richard Irvin campaign ads “that will be running moving forward,” according to a campaign spokesperson. This first one was from March…
I’m Richard Irvin. When I ran for mayor, Mike Madigan campaigned against me. I beat him. Now Governor Pritzker is afraid that I’ll beat him, too. There’s nothing the left fears more than Republicans who look like me and think like us; that all lives matter; that cops should be defended, not defunded; that handouts keep people down. But maybe that’s what liberal politicians want. I’m Richard Irvin. And I’m their worst nightmare.
* According to a search of Facebook’s ads, Richard Irvin’s campaign has been dark on that platform since May 27th. Irvin currently has $960,000 [UPDATE: It’s now $937K, down from $960K, but that was down by about half from $1.8 million] of ads on Chicago broadcast through next Monday, but has nothing on the air and nothing booked Downstate at the moment except for a little bit of cable. This explanation is kinda weird since he has so much Griffin money and Griffin said he was going “all in.” And if he stops talking to Downstate voters, he will lose even more of them to Bailey…
NEW: @IrvinBourne4IL will NOT air TV ads downstate for the next week, says 52% of electorate is in ChicagoTV markets. Irvin team points to —Pritzker/Dems/GOP challengers expected to spend $75M in the GOP Primary, that’s the most Dem spending ever in GOP primary ever.
I just didn’t buy that explanation, so, when pressed, the campaign told me they’re “reassessing” their ad strategy. Apparently, this darkness isn’t permanent. That would be a good thing because what they’ve been doing clearly isn’t working. They’ve been caught red-handed on their ridiculous claims that Darren Bailey is a Democrat. Crime is not polling as voters’ top interest.
“I’m willing to bet he’s up with all new creative and a more right wing brand to court the Bailey voters,” said one Dem operative, who I think could be correct.
But with 20 days until June 28th, and early voting happening now, it’s awful, awful darned late for a reboot. If that’s what is really going on.
*** UPDATE *** Here’s what I have been told since the post went up: Pritzker’s hard-hitting ads have put Irvin in the spot of either taking a hard right turn and risk killing his general election chances, or just say to heck with all this, be who he is on Chicago broadcast TV (because doing so Downstate would hurt him) and let the chips fall where they may. The Democrats would love him to lean hard to the right, but apparently, he isn’t gonna do it.
WTTW News today announced the launch of a comprehensive digital VOTER GUIDE in advance of the June 28, 2022 primary elections. Along with comprehensive digital resources, WTTW will produce and present a series of candidate forums and extensive, daily political coverage and analysis. The forums, which will feature candidates for federal, state, and county offices, will be part of WTTW’s flagship news and public affairs program Chicago Tonight. Viewers can watch on television at 7:00 pm each night (except June 9) and stream live and on-demand on wttw.com/news, Facebook, and YouTube.
Throughout the election season, Chicago and regional residents can rely on WTTW News and CHICAGO TONIGHT to gather facts, and present trusted information and analysis. WTTW News is committed to creating a forum for fair, balanced and commercial-free discussion from different perspectives.
“This election will have a significant impact on residents in our region, and as a leading public media organization in Chicago, it is our responsibility to ensure that voters have the information and resources they need to make informed choices when they head to the polls,” said Jay Smith, News Director for Chicago Tonight and WTTW News.
— Iris Martinez, clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County and 33rd Ward Committeeperson, is endorsing Fernando “Sergio” Mojica for the 13th state House District. Mojica, a queer Afro-Latino who was formerly a Chicago Public Schools principal, is running to succeed Majority Leader Greg Harris.
— State Rep. Tim Butler, who’s running in the 95th Illinois House District, says he’s secured the endorsement “of every Republican official elected countywide in Sangamon County.” Republicans hold eight of the nine county offices.
— Protect Our Future PAC launched a new ad for Democrat Nikki Budzinski in IL-13. Protect Our Future is a new PAC funded mostly by a young cryptocurrency billionaire who spent $11 million on an Oregon congressional race for a Dem candidate who lost.
Today, Governor JB Pritzker met with leaders from the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois to discuss how his administration’s fourth balanced budget is helping first responders in every corner of the state. Alongside AFFI President Chuck Sullivan and area fire fighters, the governor reaffirmed his gratitude and commitment to Illinois first responders and their families.
“I’ve been proud to put Illinois on the side of first responders, not just in name but in action, by signing legislation that supports and invests in both active and retired first responders,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “So long as I am in office, Illinois will continue to champion the needs of fire fighters, paramedics, and all first responders whose life-saving work keeps our communities safe and healthy.”
“Since day one, Governor Pritzker has stood with fire fighters and paramedics across the state,” said AFFI President Chuck Sullivan. “His support of issues that affect our retirement security, worker injury protections and ability to collectively bargain has never wavered. His record speaks for itself, and it is reassuring to know that the Governor has our best interests at heart.”
Following the previous administration’s devastating budget impasse, Governor Pritzker has made historic investments to support first responders across Illinois. By putting pen to paper and signing meaningful legislation that funds fire departments from Chicago to Carbondale, Governor Pritzker has transformed Illinois into a state that respects and uplifts the tireless work of first responders. The Governor remains dedicated to putting public safety first, recognizing that it starts with those who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe.
The Democratic Party of Illinois is making a strong pitch to the Democratic National Committee to become one of the first states to hold a presidential primary, highlighting in its bid, obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, that Illinois, on a variety of fronts, is a “microcosm” of the nation.
DPI chair Rep. Robin Kelly submitted a bid to the DNC on Friday, the deadline, and if successful, the 2024 primary in Illinois will be in February. […]
The DNC has to be convinced a state can switch primary dates, and Illinois has that one nailed.
The Illinois primary date is set by the Illinois General Assembly and is usually in mid-March. This June primary is an exception — due to late 2020 census results needed for redistricting.
The bid contains letters from Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Senate President Don Harmon and Gov. J.B. Pritzker basically promising the Democratic supermajorities expected in both chambers will, as the bid said, “pass the requisite legislation.”
We favor Casten, who stands firm on his liberal convictions on issues like immigration, gun control, government spending and - his particular field of expertise as the former owner of an environmental company - climate change, but presses his case with calm persistence that leaves room for reasonable debate and discussion.
Newman is not necessarily lacking in that department, but her campaign so far - including a notably tasteless TV ad built around a defecating dog and questionable, sometimes downright incorrect claims about Casten’s record - seems shaped to highlight inflexibility and pugnacity, even in defense of a congressional ethics investigation of claims leading back to her 2020 campaign that she adamantly denies.
* CD3…
Today, Abby Pariser, a long time reproductive rights advocate and member of Jane - the abortion counseling service, an underground network of women in the early 1970s who helped over 11,000 women obtain illegal abortions prior to Roe vs Wade, endorsed Delia Ramirez in her candidacy for 3rd Congressional District. In 1972, Abby Pariser was one of seven Chicago women arrested and charged with abortion and conspirancy to committ abortion. Their story is featured in Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes documentary The Janes, which premieres on HBO Max on Wednesday, June 8th at 8 pm.
“As someone who knows first hand what it is like to live in a world where women are not allowed the freedom to make decisions over their own bodies, I know that women across the country will be greatly hurt if Roe vs Wade is overturned. Elections matter, voting matters and this is the time to support only those candidates who have shown total unwavering commitment to women’s reproductive rights”, stated activist Abby Pariser. “Delia’s opponent - Gil Villegas, has a record on abortion and reproductive rights that raises serious concerns over his ability to represent women at this crucial time. He has taken money from pro-life Republicans and he voted to give 5.5 million dollars in TIF dollars to religious clinics that prevent women access to abortions and contraceptives. Other aldermen stood up for reproductive rights and Gil did not”.
“I am proud to receive the endorsement of Abby Pariser, someone who exemplifies courage in a time when women were robbed of bodily autonomy. We enjoy the freedoms we have today because of women like Abby and we cannot reverse course on reproductive justice. I will fight to the end to make sure bodily autonomy remains for all those who seek abortions.”, said Representative Delia Ramirez.
*** UPDATE *** The First District Appellate Court has kicked Cook County Sheriff candidate Carmen Gercone off the ballot after she was reinstated by a lower court. Click here for the decision.
* More…
* Police were ‘coached’ to make Jan. 6 Capitol incursion look like a siege, candidate says: One of the Republicans running for Illinois’ 5th Congressional District seat claims police serving at the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, incursion were coached “to make it appear that the Capitol was under siege.” Tommy Hanson of Chicago also claims he’s spoken with senators and congressmen who “knew it was not a harrowing event.”
Now the only way things are gonna change in Illinois is a political tidal wave. Only someone as arrogant and delusional as Pritzker would think he deserves to be reelected, reelected in November. Well, our next guest aims to send him packing. Joining me now is Richard Irvin, Mayor of Aurora, Illinois, and GOP gubernatorial candidate. Mayor, great to see you. Now back in March, there was something described as a Scared Straight incident in a House Democratic Caucus. A poll was floated showing Pritzker was facing big suburban headwinds and even trailing you. And the poll also showed that crime was driving his push for change. It’s only gotten worse since then. Does any of this surprise you?
Um, that “poll” was taken in the most conservative areas of the suburbs, including Republican-held districts. It was designed to scare House Democrats into working harder by essentially pulling a fast one on them.
The top item was not crime. The crime and violence issue was tied for 4th place with the price of gas and the cost of living, and 6th place if you look at those who were “extremely concerned,” similar to that Senate poll we talked about a while ago. The crime numbers were still very high, however. But, again, this poll was designed to frighten members, not to enlighten them about what’s actually going on in most of their districts.
Multibillionaire Democratic Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker and his allies are spending tens of millions of dollars to stop a black Republican veteran from challenging the incumbent in November.
In the last five weeks alone, Pritzker and the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) have dropped more than $12 million on TV ads meant to sink Republican Richard Irvin, an Army veteran who became Aurora, Ill.’s first black mayor in 2017—and to elevate his Republican primary opponent, state lawmaker Darren Bailey. Those ads attack Irvin’s record as a defense attorney and call Bailey “too conservative for Illinois,” an attack intended to boost him in the June GOP primary. With digital ads factored in, Democrats are on pace to spend a total of $32 million on similar spots before the primary’s conclusion, ad spending data obtained by the Washington Free Beacon show.
The massive spending shows just how much Pritzker fears a general election fight against Irvin, who was raised by a single mother in Aurora’s housing projects. The DGA started its anti-Irvin assault in March, just days after a Tulchin Research poll showed Pritzker trailing the Republican mayor in the state’s all-important suburbs.
*facepalm*
…Adding… From comments…
The Drudge Report picked up the Washington Free Beacon story with the ridiculous headline, but that wasn’t over the top enough, apparently, and needed a photoshopped picture of Irvin with boxing gloves.
Today, Rodney Davis’ campaign for Congress in the 15th District released a new ad titled “Coddle,” which highlights Mary Miller’s disturbing record, including her rhetoric that has encouraged illegal immigration and her allowing a convicted pedophile to serve as her personal driver and represent her at community events.
“Mary Miller and her DC allies are lying about Rodney Davis because they are trying to hide Miller’s disturbing record. Just like Joe Biden, Miller says it’s our responsibility to care of illegal immigrants. Miller even has a convicted pedophile working on her campaign, and she refuses to answer questions about it. Mary Miller isn’t who she says she is. She’s a fake conservative and can’t be trusted.” - Aaron DeGroot, Davis campaign spokesperson
Rodney: I’m Rodney Davis, and I approved this message.
Narrator: Fake conservative Mary Miller has DC insiders lying about Rodney Davis to hide her disturbing record.
Like Biden, Miller coddles criminal illegals and says it’s our responsibility to care for them.
Miller knowingly hired a convicted pedophile to be her driver, prowling our neighborhoods, putting our kids at risk.
Giving aid to criminals who illegally cross our border, embracing a convicted pedophile. Fake conservative Mary Miller can’t be trusted.
* Alexi Giannoulias fundraising appeal…
Dear Rich,
With less than three weeks before Election Day, we released our final television ad of the campaign today.
And, yes, the kids finally get their ice cream. […]
The ad — entitled “Double Scoop” — is the fourth of the series that features me teaching a group of kids the fundamentals of basketball and teamwork.
While our first two ads highlight my plans to modernize the office to cut down wait times and protect voter rights and expand registration opportunities, this one focuses on how I intend to curb political corruption by strengthening ethics laws.
As I say in the ad, “political corruption… it’s like ice cream. If you don’t act fast enough, it can get really messy.”
While fake conservative Mary Miller sided with DC liberals to defund our military and oppose pay increases for our troops, she was also getting rich at taxpayer expense. Miller’s family business pocketing $1 million in government bailouts, on top of her six-figure taxpayer-funded salary. Enriching herself with taxpayer money, abandoning our troops. Not Right. Not conservative. That’s the real Mary Miller. Illinois Values PAC is responsible for the content of this advertising.
What we need is a permanent reduction in taxes. We should permanently roll back the JB Pritzker / Avery Bourne gas tax. But if we can’t do this, we should at a minimum eliminate the sales tax on motor fuel. Friends, here in Illinois, we tax tax. That’s wrong. It’s an insane way of doing business. And even if gas prices were lower as a matter of principle, we should not place a tax on a tax. The sales tax on motor fuel is even more infuriating now that gas prices are soaring. Instead of finding meaningful solutions to this problem, JB Pritzker chose campaign year theatrics over genuine relief. JB’s plan to suspend the expected gas tax increase on July 1 is temporary and it is an absolute insult to working families. To combat inflation, we must reduce state spending and lower taxes. I proposed to start this process through a zero-based budget because Illinois families deserve real meaningful and permanent solutions to the crushing inflation, high taxes and rising gas prices.
I call on the House and the Senate leaders to bring the lawmakers back to Springfield to address the record high gas price in Illinois immediately. Today. I’m ready to go back to work so that Illinoisans can afford to go to work.
Please pardon any transcription errors.
Sen. Bailey also said “I have tried to reach out to Speaker Welch and to no avail.” Welch’s spokesperson said she checked with Speaker Welch and his staff and all said they hadn’t heard from Bailey.
Anyway, I’ve asked the four leaders and the governor’s office for comment. I’ll let you know what they say. In the meantime, what’s your reaction?
…Adding… Jaclyn Driscoll…
The Office of the Speaker doesn’t comment on Republican primary fodder. But as Senator Bailey knows, we’ve taken steps to freeze the gas tax and continue to explore additional options for relief for families dealing with the effects of global instability.
…Adding… House GOP Leader Jim Durkin…
This spring my caucus introduced several measures that would have provided relief from inflation and lowered gas prices for Illinois families - the Democrats refused to call them for a vote. If the speaker calls us back in session, we will be there.
…Adding… Ellie Leonard with the SGOPs…
Leader McConchie and the Senate Republican Caucus introduced and supported a measure during the spring session that would cap the sales tax on gas, preventing the state from receiving a windfall of cash and taking advantage of consumers in a time of crisis. That proposal, offering about $1 billion in relief, was ignored and instead, Democrats and the Governor are delaying the automatic two cent Motor Fuel Tax increase to trick Illinoisans ahead of the election that they are providing “relief.” Senate Republicans were ready four months ago to provide real relief to consumers and would return to Springfield in a heartbeat to do the same.
…Adding… Jordan Abudayyeh at Gov. Pritzker’s office…
As the nation grapples with high gas prices, providing meaningful relief to working families remains the Governor’s top priority. That’s why the Governor worked to enact Illinois Family Relief Plan, which suspends the gas tax increase, the grocery tax, and doubles property tax relief.
Background:
• The gas tax funds road improvements, which were ignored for more than a decade resulting in poor road conditions that cost consumers hundreds of dollars a year in repairs. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of jobs are supported through this work.
• With regard to the Illinois Family Relief Plan, 97 percent of Illinois tax filers will receive hundreds of dollars in property tax and income tax rebates in 2022 because of the $1 billion in tax relief Governor Pritzker signed into law in April as part of the FY23 balanced budget.
• Consumers will see relief from:
o A one year grocery tax suspension – saving consumers $400 million
o Six month motor fuel tax freeze – saving consumers $70 million
o A one-time, $520 million property tax rebate – 5% of property taxes paid, up to $300 per household
o Permanent expansion of the earned income tax credit from 18 to 20 percent of the federal credit while expanding the number of households covered – putting $100 million per year back into the pockets of working families who need it most.
o Direct rebate checks to working families
* $50 per individual
* $100 per dependent, up to three children per family
…Adding… John Patterson with the SDems…
The outrageous price gouging perpetrated on the motoring public needs to end. Nothing in Illinois caused prices of $5 or more a gallon. Washington needs to act. While we examine what else could be done here, I hope the senator and his allies will join the millions of Americans across this great country in calling on Washington to stand up to foreign oil interests, get to work and finally do something to address this national gas price problem.
Governor Pritzker: “Margaret Croke has devoted her career to fighting for women, working families, and the LGBTQ+ community. She has been an invaluable asset to the General Assembly, leading the way on reproductive rights, economic opportunity, and public safety. I know that Margaret will continue to be a force for change and never stop fighting for Illinois and the 5th District. I am delighted to endorse Margaret for the State Central Committee.”
Margaret Croke: “I’m proud to have Governor Pritzker’s support in my campaign for the Democratic Committeewoman of the 5th District. Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, we have made Illinois the most pro-choice state in the country, passed balanced budgets to put our state back on a path to fiscal sustainability, and implemented commonsense reforms to help keep Illinoisans safe. I look forward to fighting to make Illinois the best place it can be for all who call it home as a member of the Democratic Party of Illinois.”
Croke is up against two other candidates, incumbent Nancy Shepherdson and MWRD Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos. Shepherdson has been endorsed by DPI Chair Robin Kelly.
Rep. Croke said she plans to use the money to mail to women primary voters. Croke had $59K in the bank at the end of the first quarter and has raised $77,000 since then, including the Pritzker check.
After a third police officer was shot in less than a week, the trend of heightened violence and brazen disregard for police shows just how empowered criminals really are in J.B. Pritzker’s Illinois. Yesterday’s shooting comes just days after another officer was shot in the same neighborhood and a U.S. Marshal and his K-9 dog were shot while serving an arrest warrant.
The ever-prompt Gary Rabine sent out a release last night in response…
Three police officers have been shot in the same week in one of the most dangerous periods in history for law enforcement. The only person in this gubernatorial race who has actively represented an individual who attacked a police officer is Fake-GOP-Candidate, Richard Irvin. This is in addition to his decade and a half long career representing sexual predators and wife beaters. Richard Irvin has no idea how to deal with the crime problem in this state because for too long he has been part of the problem. It’s time we fully support law enforcement, hold criminals accountable, and get rid of horrible prosecutors like Cook County State’s Attorney, Kim Foxx.
Yikes.
From a Democratic oppo book…
ALEXANDER NUNEZ
Nunez “Kicked” Police Officer On The Face And Shoulder. “[Alexander Nunez] knowingly caused bodily harm to Ofc. Shettles in that he kicked OFC Shettles on the left shoulder and left side of the face, knowing said victim to be a peace officer, while performing his official duties.” [People of the State of Illinois v Alexander Nunez, Count 1, 7/5/16]
Nunez Punched Victim In The Face. “[Alexander Nunez] knowingly caused bodily harm to Moenkemier, Michal J, a family or household member of the defendant, in that said defendant punch Michael in the face with a closed fist.” [People of the State of Illinois v Alexander Nunez, Count 3, 7/5/16]
Tom DeVore, an attorney who is running for Illinois Attorney General’s Office, is accused of having a sexual relationship with a married 27 year old woman, while legally representing her during COVID-19 mask mandates and business shut-downs. According to police reports and body camera footage that we have obtained, DeVore, who is 52 years old, is being accused by the family of a 27 year old woman of manipulating her and telling her that she would receive a big settlement from the state in order to have her “doing things.” Although both individuals are consenting adults, the Illinois Supreme Court has a rule that prohibits such conduct and has even said that it could result in disciplinary proceedings against any attorney involved in such conduct.
According to a recent incident report, there was a disturbance between DeVore and his girlfriend, Riley N. Craig, age 27, that required police response while they were staying at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Downtown, Springfield on April 20, 2022.
Just your normal, everyday, run-of-the-mill attorney general candidate.
The first topic addressed was the prison situation. Irvin is familiar with what has been taking place but isn’t happy with it.
“I know they’ve been closing down a couple of wings, which to me suggests eventually they’re going to try to close the whole prison,” Irvin told The Leader. “To do that without talking to the community and recognizing how valuable those jobs are to the community, I think is wrong.
“This governor has done that — done executive orders and made decisions without including the other leaders. As next governor, I’ll definitely give everybody a seat at the table and make sure we talk about things before we make decisions and insure that when jobs are getting taken away from a community, which they should never be, that I’m going to talk to people first before it happens.
“As governor, I’ll make sure that we don’t take away jobs, that we actually bring jobs to the city.”
At issue is organizers' request to ban police from wearing their uniforms while marching; organizers then came up with a "soft uniform," but Irvin and police said no. Irvin, who is running on law enforcement endorsements, said he wouldn't attend and pulled the city's float.
When it became apparent that Aurora Pride organization would have difficulty recruiting the remaining required officers willing to take additional shifts, APD and the City met with organizers of the Pride Parade and began working closely with them to mitigate the issue. APD introduced Aurora Pride to other police departments and organizations which could provide sworn law enforcement personnel.
On Monday, June 6th, Aurora Pride informed APD that after reaching out to neighboring jurisdictions and state law enforcement agencies, they were unable to fill the additional sworn law enforcement slots needed for the overall safety of the parade.
Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara is demanding that three of his union’s strongest City Council supporters choose between their loyalties to his group and their allegiance to the firefighters union.
At a stormy meeting last week, Catanzara insisted that the three council members, all former firefighters — Nick Sposato (38th), Anthony Napolitano (41st) and Jim Gardiner (45th) — pledge their support to Erin Jones, a Chicago Police Department detective challenging incumbent state Sen. Rob Martwick (D-Chicago). […]
Napolitano added that he doesn’t support Martwick — he just didn’t like how Catanzara handled the situation.
Last night, Napolitano endorsed Martwick’s opponent. Click here.
* Raja…
The Daily Herald’s editorial board wrote, “In his three terms in Congress, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg has quickly established himself as one of the most prominent Democrats on Capitol Hill, a legislator who can lead on tough issues while still working collaboratively across the aisle. He’s an accessible, hardworking left-of-center politician who has earned a positive ranking in the Bipartisan Index calculated by the nonprofit Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University.”
The Editorial Board continued, “At a time of growing partisan and extremist rancor in the House, Krishnamoorthi has found ways to work effectively with colleagues of both parties to address the dangers of vaping, build workforces and address stock trading by members of Congress. He’s helped protect the nation from COVID-19 and advance technical education. He is an able and likable problem solver who gets things done — someone with the experience to understand how to work effectively when his party controls the House and when it does not. Why would Democrats in Illinois’ 8th Congressional District want to lose those skills?”
They concluded, “We have endorsed Krishnamoorthi in previous elections and we have been happy with his performance. We strongly endorse him in the June 28 Democratic primary.”
* CD1…
Democratic candidate for Congress Karin Norington-Reaves today announced the endorsement of the Teamsters Joint Council 25, who represent more than 100,000 members in Illinois and Northwest Indiana with 25 local union affiliates.
“As the daughter of a sheet metal worker and granddaughter of both a carpenter and ironworker, I will always stand with the working men and women of this district,” said Norington-Reaves. “As the head of workforce development for Chicago and Cook County, I helped more than 100,000 people find a quality job, many of them union jobs. Unions are the gateway to a strong, stable economic future for so many families. I am proud to have The Teamsters’ support for my campaign, and will be a champion for them in Congress.”
“Karin has 30 years of experience in community development, advocacy, and job creation,” said Terrence J. Hancock, President of Teamsters Joint Council 25. “We have seen Karin’s work in our communities, adding to our membership ranks, and helping working men and women find family-sustaining careers. We know Karin will stand with us every step of the way as our next Congresswoman and continue to support policies and programs that create good-paying jobs, support working families, and spur economic growth in the 1st District. We are proud to stand with her.”
* More…
* Republican attorney general candidate: ‘Where they do not enforce the law, we will enforce it’: David Shestokas, an Orland Park attorney and former assistant Cook County state’s attorney, said during an interview with the Daily Herald editorial board that he would assign attorneys from the attorney general’s office to monitor “people like Kim Foxx in Cook County and Eric Rinehart in Lake County and other prosecutors around the state who fail to enforce the law.”
Invitations by Lightfoot staffers to donors and supporters, obtained by the Tribune, have made clear Tuesday’s event in River North is her campaign launch.
The mayor currently faces five challengers, all of whom have raised questions about high crime and criticized her leadership as being unnecessarily divisive. So far, her opponents include South Side Ald. Roderick Sawyer, son of a former mayor; former Chicago Public School CEO Paul Vallas; Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner; Southwest Side Ald. Raymond Lopez; and businessman Willie Wilson.
During more than three years in office, Lightfoot has faced spikes in crime, has not run as transparent an administration as promised and engaged in constant fights with unions representing teachers and police — all while struggling to forge good relationships with politicians or leaders in the city’s business community.
* The most puzzling game in politics is predicting which side of her face the mayor will be talking out of on any given day. For instance…
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot escalated her ongoing feud with the Cook County criminal courts system on Monday when she said judges shouldn’t allow people charged with violent crimes out on bail because they are guilty if they have been charged.
“We shouldn’t be locking up nonviolent individuals just because they can’t afford to pay bail. But, given the exacting standards that the state’s attorney has for charging a case, which is proof beyond a reasonable doubt, when those charges are brought, these people are guilty,” Lightfoot said. “Of course they’re entitled to a presumption of innocence. Of course they’re entitled to their day in court. But residents in our community are also entitled to safety from dangerous people, so we need to keep pressing the criminal courts to lock up violent dangerous people and not put them out on bail or electronic monitoring back into the very same communities where brave souls are mustering the courage to come forward and say, ‘this is the person who is responsible.’ ”
Letting people who have been charged with violent crimes out on bond “undermines the legitimacy of the criminal courts,” she said.
But…
Over 1 in 4 murder trials ends in a not guilty in Cook County. Over 1 in 3 robbery trials.
But homicides are up all over the country, not just liberal cities. In fact, the pandemic-era murder rate has increased far more in red states that supported Donald Trump in 2020 than blue states that voted for Joe Biden. Crime has also increased in cities that are home to traditional “tough on crime” prosecutors, including Oakland, directly across the bay from San Francisco.
According to John Pfaff, a law professor at Fordham University, the dramatic rise in homicide rates between 2019 and 2020 was essentially uniform in 69 large jurisdictions, regardless of whether they were home to progressive prosecutors. “It’s really an attempt by opponents of reform to leverage the increase in crime and the fear that has generated, and to blame the wrong thing,” says Nicholas Turner, president of the Vera Institute of Justice, a progressive nonprofit that works to combat mass incarceration.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Today, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced the launch of her re-election campaign for the office of Mayor of Chicago.
“I don’t look or sound like any other mayor we’ve ever had before, and I’ve had to fight to get a seat at the table. And, like so many in our city, I’ve had to fight to have my voice heard,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “That’s why I’ll never back down from fighting every day to turn your voice into action.”
“When we got knocked down by COVID, we came together as a City and we got right back up. Because that’s who we are – and that’s how we’ve been able to make so much progress, despite all that’s been thrown at us.
“Of course there are tough challenges ahead. We have a lot of work to do, because change just doesn’t happen overnight. But together, we will make our city safer, fairer, and more equitable for all. Now, let’s get back to work.”
Since assuming office following her historic election in 2019, Mayor Lightfoot has undertaken an ambitious agenda of expanding opportunity and inclusive economic growth across Chicago’s neighborhoods and communities. She has led the city through the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic with tough, fair leadership – all while keeping her campaign promises. Mayor Lightfoot has:
Increased Chicago’s minimum wage to $15 an hour for hundreds of thousands of workers.
Expanded funding for community-based violence prevention and implemented measures to combat gang violence.
Championed the creation of a new civilian police oversight body, advancing Chicago on a path toward police reform.
Forged an equitable and inclusive vaccine distribution program and made unprecedented investments in public health, with a particular focus on the communities most devastated by the virus.
Passed transformative, unprecedented budgets, including historic investments in affordable housing, youth programs, mental health and environmental justice.
…Adding… Rep. Buckner…
Candidate for Mayor Kam Buckner today released the following statement in response to Lori Lightfoot’s re-election announcement:
“Mayor Lightfoot has proven to be utterly ill-equipped to lead Chicago. Carjackings and violence are at record highs, economic disinvestment is drying up our neighborhoods, our schools are under-resourced, our police department is over-extended and under-staffed. Instead of a public safety plan, she’s raised bridges, put up barricades and demanded curfews. Yesterday, three years too late, she announced a single piecemeal public safety measure, which is once again not part of any strategic vision for making Chicagoans safer.
“When Chicago votes for a new Mayor, they’re picking a new direction for our city. I’m a skilled negotiator who’s brought people together to get things done and passed groundbreaking, comprehensive laws around clean energy, banning ghost guns, and public safety and justice.
“As the son of a CPS teacher and law enforcement officer who grew up on the South Side and as State Representative for a district that spans South Chicago to the Gold Coast, I know our people and our communities. And I know we can only thrive if we have a Mayor with a plan.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker continues to take heat from political opponents about crime in Illinois and Chicago.
Republican candidate Jesse Sullivan, who faces five others in the GOP primary for governor, called for emergency federal involvement in the crisis by opening an investigation into the activities of Chicago’s more than 50 known street gangs under the USA PATRIOT Act, the post-9/11 law that facilitates investigations into domestic terrorism.
“Last October, you acted on a letter from the National Association of School Boards calling for an investigation into the activities of lawfully-assembled parents, concerned over strenuous COVID restrictions and the discovery that schools across America were integrating Critical Race Theory (“CRT”) into their curriculum,” Sullivan said in a letter to President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland. “To the best of my knowledge, those protests resulted in zero fatalities.”
Sullivan then noted in Chicago alone, there have been more than 250 lost lives this year. He urged prompt deployment of the National Guard after three police officers were shot in less than a week.
“Somehow, 28 months in [to the COVID-19 pandemic], J.B. Pritzker is still signing monthly COVID disaster proclamations, but he is unwilling or unable to act on an even more pressing crisis – the senseless violence ravaging the streets of Chicago,” Sullivan said. “It’s time for Governor Pritzker to immediately declare a state of emergency and bring out the National Guard to help our undermanned and outgunned police department.”
Pritzker was asked about that Monday and said he has never failed to do what’s been asked of him.
“I will tell you that I have never once hesitated when asked by local law enforcement or by local mayors to provide help from the National Guard. I have never ever hesitated to do that, and I’ve done that several times,” Pritzker said.
* More from yesterday…
Q: Some of the Republican candidates have asked for the National Guard to be called out to combat recent violence involving law enforcement. And so what do you say to that?
A: Well, I think you know that I have called up the National Guard whenever local mayors that I’ve spoken to have wanted that done, have needed that done in their local communities. And I’ll continue to make the National Guard available whenever it is necessary.
* And from Pritzker’s second appearance yesterday…
Q: It has been a wild weekend, we have had another police officer shot at… Your Republican opponents are saying it’s your fault, that you have not been tough enough on crime, and you have not been standing with the police.
A: Let me start by offering my sympathies and my solidarity with officers and with their families. They are heroes. They really are. They do amazing work on the streets of Chicago and our police all across the state of Illinois. And I support that work with everything that I am working on. I want to remind you that we’ve made major investments in support of police. In particular in building back our Illinois State Police, which provides so many officers to backup Chicago Police Department, as well as police departments all over our state, was, as you know, devastated and decimated under the prior administration. We’ve been adding back hundreds of officers. And they’re doing terrific work. They were out when there was looting in 2020. They were called upon, we even brought in the National Guard to support local police. We continue to do that whenever we’re asked to. Maybe most importantly, we’ve been addressing the underlying causes of crime, fighting poverty, making sure we’re providing health care for communities most in need. And that also is an enormous support for our local law enforcement. So you know, for people who talk, that’s easy, we’re actually doing things and the people that stand with me that are in Springfield have voted to help our local police.
* He was also asked about Sullivan’s other point…
Q: COVID extension on emergency orders? Why sign that? What’s that all about?
A: You’re talking about our disaster declaration. Yeah, well, let me remind all of you that, like a flood, you know, floods don’t have a time limitation to them. They end whenever they end. So in Illinois, COVID-19 is like a massive flood that has taken place. It has been going on for a couple of years now. People getting the disease are needing to treat it, are needing to use the executive orders of the office of governor in order to help people get through this terrible time. Ianybody who’s paid attention, and I think the people who have been complaining about this have not been, can see that the disaster declarations and the executive orders have been ramping down over many months now. And so as we ramp them down, we’re also providing the supports that people need beyond the executive orders. But we’re in a different situation now than we were months and months ago. And we’re going to continue to provide support. We’re still in COVID-19, we still have a pandemic, there is still a federal disaster that’s been declared. And so we’re going to keep providing the services that people need and ramping down because we can see that there are fewer and fewer people who are needing hospitalizations when we get surges. Thank God
* Pritzker was asked about his COVID game plan earlier in the day as well…
Q: As you know well, hospitalizations are going up for COVID. As cases going up, you know, what’s your game plan for going ahead, any thought about masking?
A: So I want to remind you that at the height of Omicron, really at the height of COVID-19, we had about 7400 people in the hospital. Today, we have around 1600 people in the hospital. What I watch most closely around COVID, to determine whether we need to take state action is the situation in our hospitals, and whether we’re keeping people safe and healthy. As you know, one of the big differences between a year ago and several months ago and now is we have widespread availability of treatments, of therapeutics. So if people do get sick from COVID, we have for example that is available, widely available, you can have your doctor prescribe it to you, and specifically within the first five days of feeling symptoms. Very importantly, we’re trying to keep people safe and healthy and remind them that if you haven’t been vaccinated, now’s a great time to go do it. If you haven’t received your booster, now is the perfect time to go do that. I’m somebody who’s of an age over 50. So I’ve had a second booster. And I encourage anybody over 50 to go get that booster. But that is one of the reasons why even though you’ve seen case numbers go up, you have not seen hospitalizations go up commensurate with that.
There is also federal relief available for states with emergency orders, including SNAP benefits. Without a state order, those federal benefits go away.
…Adding… The governor’s office pointed to this example…
Beginning April 2021, all eligible SNAP households are eligible to receive a minimum EA [emergency allotment] of $95. … EA will continue as long as the COVID-19 public health emergency is in effect. When the public health emergency ends, EA will only be available for one additional month.
* A 150 official told me last night that, depending on how well the companies have planned for this strike, “projects will shut down pretty quickly over the next week or so. Most projects in need of aggregate will try to do other things on the project to wait out the strike, but there’s only so much that can be done without aggregate.” Official 150 statement…
This morning, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 commenced a strike against three major material producers at facilities across Northern Illinois in protest of unfair labor practices committed against its members.
In recent days, Local 150 filed federal unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board against the three companies – Lehigh Hanson, Vulcan Materials, and Lafarge Holcim – for bad faith bargaining and violations of employees’ federally protected rights. These companies began busing in replacement workers yesterday at several locations, despite having negotiations scheduled today and tomorrow.
The companies produce aggregate materials including sand, gravel and crushed stone that are essential to the production of asphalt, concrete, and many other construction materials. Collectively, they operate approximately 35 quarries and facilities across Northern Illinois that employ approximately 300 Local 150 members, who were classified as “essential workers” throughout the pandemic. These workers operate heavy equipment that is critical to the routine operation of these facilities.
Local 150 President-Business Manager James M. Sweeney issued the following statement:
“The companies’ aggressive encroachment against their employees’ rights has damaged decades of goodwill and cooperation in our industry. They have disregarded these workers’ health and safety and appear unwilling to negotiate in good faith.
These workers take pride in the tireless work they have done to keep critical construction work going throughout the pandemic, and despite their efforts, their employers have taken unilateral steps to treat them more like adversaries than partners.
As we prepared for this week’s negotiations, we received reports that several companies began importing replacement workers from across the country. We remain willing to negotiate in good faith with the companies and have offered several dates to work toward a fair and equitable resolution, but these workers demand to have their rights, their health and their safety protected at work.
These men and women are highly skilled professionals who cannot simply be replaced and who will not be treated as commodities by multinational corporations more concerned with continuing to generate record profits rather than protecting the safety of the very workers who are the bedrock of their success.”
The companies are using non-union employees/management to load at the quarries. We’ll see how long that lasts. I’ve asked the governor’s office for a statement.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From the companies…
Hello Rich,
Please see below for a statement from the Chicago Area Aggregate Producers Association, comprised of Lehigh Hanson, Vulcan Materials and Lafarge:
“We are proud of our strong relationship with Local 150, evidenced by 55 years without a work stoppage. We value our employees and provide them with competitive wages, comprehensive benefits and a safe work environment. We remain committed to moving forward with a new contract and urge cooperation from our Local 150 partners.” - Spokesperson for Chicago Area Aggregate Producers Association
The union says about 300 members are on strike.
…Adding… Geneva sped up a project because of the strike…
Due to a pending strike by construction material suppliers, the City of Geneva has adjusted the work schedule for the Third Street sanitary sewer system repair project. […]
The City accelerated the schedule to make sure the roadway would be fully repaired in a timely fashion well ahead of the Swedish Days festival later this month.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Jordan Abudayyeh…
The Governor urges the companies involved to return to the bargaining table ready to negotiate in good faith with workers who deserve fair wages and safe working conditions. Illinoisans deserve the work of restoring their roads during this important season to continue uninterrupted.
