There is a lot of political chatter stemming from allies of Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., that ex-President Donald Trump might be headlining a rally in Quincy for Miller, locked in a GOP primary battle with Rep. Rodney Davis in the 15th District. Miller is the only Illinois candidate Trump has endorsed, and she was in Mar-A-Largo for a fundraiser with Trump last month. Davis was a 2020 co-chair of Trump’s Illinois campaign.
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin took organizers of the Aurora Pride Parade to task Wednesday for their decision to ban uniformed police officers from marching in the parade next month.
Irvin said he was “extremely distressed and disappointed to learn that you have chosen to ban uniformed law enforcement from participating in the annual Pride Parade this year.”
This year, to further this goal, after much discussion, we made the decision that while we would continue to allow and encourage participation in the Aurora Pride Parade by law enforcement officers, we would ask that they participate without service weapons (our rules forbid all weapons), out of uniform, and without the presence of any official vehicles.
Why did we do that?
In short, many members of the community feel uneasy in the presence of official law enforcement vehicles, as well as uniformed officers, due to negative experiences they themselves or someone they know have had. Some of these experiences may be with the Aurora Police Department, some may be with other departments. APD is absolutely ahead of many other departments, but there’s still work to be done. There will already be uniformed officers and vehicles present outside the parade route, and we want the parade route to feel as welcoming as possible for everyone.
* The Peoria Journal-Star asked the gubernatorial candidates how they would bring down health care, prescription and drug costs. Here’s part of Jesse Sullivan’s answer…
Healthcare workers have labored tirelessly over the past few years. Now they are being faced with mandates that put the government between them and their patients. We should be thanking these frontline workers, not punishing them. I will end these vaccine mandates.
I support initiatives to expand healthcare access and lower costs. During the pandemic, we saw a massive acceleration in telemedicine and at-home testing. We must look for ways to modernize our healthcare system, which will give people more options and drive down costs. We need to identify where state regulations may be stifling innovation and work with the General Assembly to cut the red tape. The state should absolutely use its market buying power to negotiate lower costs for prescription drugs in Medicaid and state employee group health. While state governments have limited ability to impact national and global drug pricing, I would join with other governors in urging the Securities and Exchange Commission to take a closer look at so-called ‘pay-for-delay’ agreements between brand-name and generic drug manufacturers where pharmaceutical companies pay generic manufacturers not to market generic drugs past the expiration of a drug’s patent.
On policy, Irvin suggested that the FOID system in Illinois needs reform in order to function.
“The system is broken and it definitely needs fixed,” said Irvin. “But we need background checks to ensure that guns don’t get in the hands of criminals and folks with mental illnesses.” […]
For Sullivan, he cited the importance of renewing Illinoisans faith in God and supporting people in the role of fatherhood.
“When you remove God from our society, these are the types of things that happen,” said Sullivan, referring to the shooting in Texas.
Maybe, but the government can’t force people to believe in God, Jesse.
* I shared a story with you yesterday about how GOP secretary of state candidate Rep. Dan Brady said he wants to offload the Motor Voter program to local election authorities. Here’s a fundraising email from Democratic SoS candidate Alexi Giannoulias in response…
At a forum earlier today, I called out Republican Dan Brady for his plan to “offload” the hugely popular and successful Motor Voter program. Motor Voter has given Illinoisans an easy, convenient option to register to vote or update their registration, so why is Dan Brady trying to get rid of it?
Republicans across the country are systematically limiting access to registration and voting, and now Dan Brady is pushing the same anti-democracy agenda here in Illinois. Brady is walking in lockstep with the Trump wing of the Republican Party and trying to make every aspect of voting — including registration — harder.
Motor Voter is a federal law that has helped millions register to vote, and one of the success stories of the office. I’ll build on that success, expand voter registration, and, if elected, will do everything I can to protect and expand voting rights.
* Meanwhile, from Rep. Brady…
Key education, public safety and GOP organizations have endorsed Dan Brady, a Bloomington Republican, for Illinois Secretary of State.
“I am honored and humbled to have the support of those who teach our children and protect our citizens in Illinois,” Brady said. “I am also pleased to receive the latest in a growing number of endorsements from area Republican organizations.”
The Illinois Education Association (IEA), comprised of more than 135,000 members including elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty and staff, educational support professionals, and retired educators has endorsed Brady for Secretary of State. In their endorsement, the IEA cited Brady’s pledge to modernize services at the department of motor vehicles, making it even easier to register to vote, and Brady’s pledge to upgrade libraries, especially those in rural areas, with more technology and internet.
So, in that press release, Brady is touting his support for Motor Voter. Maybe pick a lane?
…Adding… From Rep. Brady…
The Secretary of State office is bound to motor voter, because of federal law. I can not change that. I think local election authorities are best prepared to register voters. However, the Secretary of State office could share a digital photo from a license or ID card, which is done now with your signature on your voter ID card from your license. This would further help to protect the voting process and help election Judges.
* CD6…
Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten released his second TV ad of the cycle to highlight his 100% pro-choice record. The ad is part of the campaign’s nearly 7-figure television ad buy & will be seen on both broadcast and cable channels.
With the pending decision from the Supreme Court to strike down abortion rights, voters across the 6th District will be reminded of Congressman Casten’s 100% pro-choice record in Congress and his commitment to protecting a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. He is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Marcie Love (the founder of Personal PAC), and numerous other pro-choice leaders across Illinois.
* Apparently, Mary Miller is now a fake Republican…
Friend,
Biden and the Radical Left’s America-LAST agenda has left our Southern Border WIDE OPEN. To make matters worse, Conservative Congressman Rodney Davis’s FAKE Republican opponent stands with Radical Democrats like Pelosi on illegal immigration!
Rodney’s opponent even said, “If there’s an illegal alien - or illegal immigrants that lives next door and they need something, it is our responsibility as individuals to help those people.” This is why we need to support a REAL Republican like Rodney who will STOP Open Borders.
STOP THIS FAKE REPUBLICAN
Instead of this radical Pelosi-backed plan Rodney Davis proposes we finish President Trump’s Border Wall, ban Sanctuary Cities, and STOP illegal immigrants from voting in our elections.
Help Rodney Davis get tough on immigration and STOP his FAKE Republican opponent from gaining power before it’s too late.
SUPPORT RODNEY FOR CONGRESS
Thank you,
Team Rodney
* DPI…
In the aftermath of this week’s horrific massacre at a Texas elementary school, the usual pattern continued as major gun-related stocks surged in price. For Ken Griffin, Richard Irvin’s biggest donor, that means big returns on his investments in Smith & Wesson, Vista Outdoor, and Sturm Ruger.
Just last week, newly-filed records showed that Citadel and Citadel Securities — of which Ken Griffin is founder and CEO — expanded their holdings in gun and ammunition manufacturers by 62% during the first quarter of 2022, totaling $139 million.
Citadel’s holdings in Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. and Sturm, Ruger and Co. Inc., two of the nation’s largest gun manufacturers, are valued at nearly $23 million combined, and the new filing showed a more than three-fold increase in holdings for ammunition manufacturer Vista Outdoor.
A report released earlier this year revealed that guns manufactured by Citadel-linked companies were responsible for one in four recovered firearms from Chicago homicides in the past five years.
Griffin is profiting off of one of the most violent and deadly massacres in American history and what does Richard Irvin have to say about it? Nothing.
When will Richard Irvin stand up to his megadonor and say enough is enough?
* CD17…
Today, Jonathan Logemann, Democratic candidate for Illinois’ 17th Congressional District, announced the endorsement of the Painters District Council No. 30. PDC 30 comprises nine locals throughout 29 counties in Northwest and Central Illinois, and represents the 14th local labor endorsement Jonathan has received during his campaign.
* Taxes are too high and spending is too low, says this Democrat…
The “change” she backs is a property tax cap, which won’t do much to increase services.
Yesterday’s sentencing of Luis Arroyo is just the latest example of Kwame Raoul’s failure to keep his campaign promises. In 2018, Raoul promised that he would tackle corruption, and yet he has taken the backseat and shown no initiative to take on his corrupt cronies like Mike Madigan.
Attorney General candidate Steve Kim released the following statement following the sentencing:
Kwame Raoul has proven that his ‘promises’ are just empty words. What has he done to tackle corruption in this state? He stood idly by while federal investigators took action. There is a reason Illinois remains the most corrupt state in the country: career politicians protecting their cronies time and time again. I’ve attacked corruption throughout my legal career, and I will tackle it as Attorney General. Unlike Kwame Raoul, when I make a promise, I intend to deliver.
* From an insider at Comptroller Mendoza’s operation…
If you’re doing a round-up of stories on Luis Arroyo’s well-deserved sentence, feel free to note that his final, sleazy act as state rep, post-dating his resignation to take effect the following day so he could get an extra month’s salary, prompted a law banning the practice. Comptroller Mendoza was not happy to learn she’d have to pay him & Marty Sandoval an extra month’s salary and championed a bill to end the “exit bonus”:
Luis Arroyo was sentenced to 57 months in prison yesterday for his role in attempting to bribe public officials to help with gambling machine legislation. Arroyo’s conduct is indicative of the corruption that has destroyed the public’s trust in our state government.
It shows exactly why we need John Milhiser, a corruption busting career prosecutor, as our next Secretary of State in the office that touches more lives than any other in state government. Illinois can’t afford to go backward with more career politicians.
John Milhiser released the following statement following the Arroyo sentencing:
From 1970 to 2010, there were more than 1500 corruption convictions in the state of Illinois. Obviously that trend is continuing with the indictment of powerful politicians like Ed Burke and Mike Madigan, and further illustrated by the sentencing of Luis Arroyo. Our state can’t go backwards with more career politicians. The Democrats in this race are pointing fingers at one another, each accusing the other of being more corrupt. We need a Secretary of State who knows what it takes to root out corruption from the inside. I’m the only candidate in this race who can get the job done.
They’re all missing an obvious angle here.
* One thing that could be done right now is for Chicago and/or the state to actually get serious about eliminating those ubiquitous and shady sweepstakes machines. Illegal or even kinda-illegal gambling breeds corruption. Period. The city and state turns a blind eye to the sweepstakes machines, but the city won’t opt-in to legal video gaming so that small businesses can make legitimate money off of something people are gonna do anyway. It says more about city leaders than they may believe. WTTW…
Former Illinois state Rep. Luis Arroyo, who last year pleaded guilty to a bribery scheme in which he offered a member of the Illinois Senate monthly payments to support a bill that sought to legalize sweepstakes machines, has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison
U.S. District Judge Steven Seeger issued the sentence during an in-person hearing Wednesday afternoon in the Dirksen Federal Building downtown, nearly seven months after Arroyo pleaded guilty.
“You took bribes, you corrupted yourself, you corrupted the political process,” the judge said. “You tried to corrupt the law itself. You tried to change Illinois for a corrupt reason. … What you did was a frontal assault on the very idea of representative government. The public did not get what they deserve.” […]
On top of the prison time, Arroyo must also forfeit $32,500, the amount Seeger determined he had received in bribes from Weiss’ company. Arroyo must turn himself in by Aug. 31 to begin serving his sentence.
According to the 15-page indictment, Weiss paid bribes to Arroyo beginning in November 2018 in exchange for Arroyo’s promotion of legislation beneficial to Weiss’ company, Collage LLC, which specialized in the sweepstakes machines.
Weiss was also in business with another sweepstakes machine company, V.S.S. Inc., run by an ex-Chicago cop who was fired for consorting with a drug trafficker, the Tribune has previously reported.
The bribes were paid via off-the-books lobbying payments to Arroyo’s consulting firm, Spartacus 3 LLC, which Arroyo failed to report to state regulators, according to the charges.
Both Weiss and Arroyo also conspired in 2019 to pay then-state Sen. Terry Link $2,500 a month in kickbacks in exchange for the senator’s support on the proposed sweepstakes game legislation.
Arroyo and Weiss allegedly tried to enlist Link in the scheme, and Arroyo gave Link a $2,500 bribe payment in August 2019. But Link turned out to be cooperating with investigators in hopes of leniency at his own sentencing hearing. He has since pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return.
“You betrayed the public, you betrayed the people that you promised to serve, you sold out your office, you sold out your constituents, you sold out yourself,” Seeger told Arroyo.
The judge said, “You can’t read the Chicago Tribune or the Chicago Sun-Times for very long without coming across a story about public corruption. The federal courthouse in Chicago is a beehive of activity when it comes to public corruption.”
But Gillespie wrote in one brief that Arroyo was undeterred from his crime by such news reports. Seeger didn’t like that comment, either.
…Adding… Delia Ramirez…
Below is a statement by 3rd Congressional District candidate Delia Ramirez on the sentencing of former State Representative and 36th Ward Alderman Gil Villegas’ mentor, Luis Arroyo.
“The sentencing of former State Rep. Luis Arroyo is the latest example of an elected official going to jail for betraying the public trust. While former Rep. Luis Arroyo bribed elected officials in Springfield over sweepstakes legislation, his protége Alderman Gil Villegas introduced similar sweepstakes legislation in the City of Chicago. Villegas did this at the request of James T. Weiss, the same individual who has been charged as the source of the bribes in the Arroyo corruption scandal.
“Although these charges have been public for over two years, Alderman Gil Villegas has never denounced the corrupt behavior of his political mentor, Luis Arroyo. Villegas has unapologetically taken more than $40,000 in campaign contributions from Arroyo. Voters deserve an explanation for these connections. Villegas’ silence speaks volumes.
“Our families can not afford to be represented by elected officials who are beholden to corporate interests and corrupt politicians. If Alderman Villegas can’t even condemn his personal mentor who has been convicted and sentenced for corruption, why should 3rd district voters trust him to stand up for them in Washington?
“The voters of the 3rd Congressional District deserve to be represented by an accountable and ethical leader in Washington. I am that leader and I have the proven track record of getting results for working families.”
* I’m told the pro-choice groups will endorse Nancy Rotering, who was rated “Not Recommended” by the Illinois State Bar Association…
PRO-CHOICE GROUPS GATHER TO ANNOUNCE ENDORSEMENT IN ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT 2nd DISTRICT RACE
WHEN: Thursday, May 26
TIME: 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Planned Parenthood Illinois Action Administrative offices, 17 N. State, Chicago 5th Floor
SPEAKER LIST:
Kelley Foxx, Board Chair, Planned Parenthood Illinois Action
Terry Cosgrove, President & CEO of Personal PAC
Representative Anna Moeller, Representative Dan Didech, Representative Joyce Mason, Representative Sam Yingling
DETAILS:
In light of the leaked SCOTUS draft opinion on Roe V. Wade, Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) and Personal PAC are gathering to publicly announce their endorsement for the Illinois Supreme Court in the 2nd District race.
With Illinois remaining as the last line of defense to ensure people in the midwest have access to safe abortion, it’s more important than ever before to support pro-choice candidates for the Illinois State Supreme Court.
Maybe this means she will finally have the cash to compete. We’ll see.
* Meanwhile, from one of her Democratic primary opponents…
Today, the Judge Rochford for Illinois Supreme Court campaign released the first digital ad in the Second District race. The ad highlights Judge Rochford’s deep credentials and decades-long experience in the courts, which include more than 35 years practicing law and serving as a judge for the last decade. It also highlights Judge Rochford’s recent “highly recommended” rating by the Illinois State Bar Association, the only Democratic candidate in the race to receive it.
“This first ad represents the launch of an aggressive paid media campaign to engage voters across the Second District about Judge Elizabeth Rochford’s unparalleled depth of experience in the race for Illinois Supreme Court,” said Steven Campbell, campaign manager for the Rochford campaign. “As the only Democratic candidate in this race to be rated highly recommended by the Illinois State Bar Association, it is more clear than ever that Judge Rochford is the Democratic candidate who is best positioned to win this seat in November. There is too much at stake in this race to risk nominating a candidate who does not have the qualifications necessary to serve on our state’s highest court and make that case to voters this Fall against a very well funded Republican nominee.”
The ad spotlights the strong coalition of support Judge Rochford has built from leading labor organizations, elected officials, and pro-choice legislative leaders. She has been endorsed by nearly every major union, including the Illinois State AFL-CIO, Local 881 UFCW, Plumbers Local Union 130 United Association (UA), Teamsters Joint Council 25, and the Lake County and McHenry County Building & Construction Trades Councils and their affiliates, which together include 44 local affiliate trade unions.
In addition to labor support, Judge Rochford has been endorsed by Secretary of State Jesse White and Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court Iris Martinez, as well as current and former state legislators that include Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, Senate Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz, Senator Melinda Bush, Senator Sara Feigenholtz, Senator Elgie Sims, Assistant House Majority Leader Marcus Evans, former Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, former State Senator and State Representative Susan Garrett, and former State Senator Heather Steans.
I cannot see how that ad will possibly stand out in the growing ambient noise. But, maybe you think differently.
…Adding… From Rochford’s campaign…
Today, the Judge Rochford for Illinois Supreme Court campaign released the following statement on behalf of both current and former Illinois State Senators who endorse Judge Rochford’s candidacy and have served as vocal advocates in protecting and expanding access to women’s reproductive healthcare here in Illinois. Those lending their name to the statement include State Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, State Senator Melinda Bush, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz, former State Senator and Cook County Clerk Iris Martinez and former State Senator Heather Steans. Their statement is as follows:
“For years, we have been on the frontlines of the fight to protect women’s reproductive rights here in Illinois, work that has become more important than ever as we witness our freedoms coming under attack across the country. To ensure Illinois stays strong when it comes to protecting the rights of women across the state, we need proven and experienced leaders at every level of government. That includes the Illinois Supreme Court. We support Judge Elizabeth Rochford in the Second District, whose qualifications are unmatched by any of her opponents, which is underscored by the fact that she is the only Democratic candidate in this race rated ‘Highly Recommended’ by the Illinois State Bar Association. Judge Rochford is not just the best candidate to serve on the highest court in the state, but our best chance at winning this seat in November.”
Personal PAC has been on the opposite side of influential pro-choice women legislators on more than one race this year. It’s an interesting development.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Meanwhile, on the other side of the spectrum…
Illinois is drawing nearer to the most important election in years. With life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness on the line, voters have the power to make historical change with office-holders. Pro-life, pro-family, and pro-liberty David E. Smith, Director of Illinois Family Institute, announced his full endorsement of Republican Judge John Noverini for Illinois Supreme Court 2nd District in the June 28th Republican Primary.
“John Noverini is a man of integrity, a family man who has a strong Christian faith, and unwavering principles. We need jurists like him on the bench in Illinois because we know that he will defend the Constitutions of Illinois and the United States,” stated Smith. “I have every reason to believe that Justice Noverini will uphold our civil rights of life, liberty, and the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession will have no better guardian.” David E. Smith is the executive director of the Illinois Family Institute, an independent 501c(3) non-profit ministry dedicated to upholding and re-affirming marriage, family, life, and liberty in Illinois since 1992. David is a Republican precinct committeeman and the Crete Township Republican Organization chairman.
“Receiving the personal endorsement from David Smith, the head of one of the most influential and important organizations to voters, is received with sincere appreciation. Dave, and those who work with and for IFI, are regularly bombarded with hostility from those opposed to their firmly held religious beliefs, yet they stand firm in their cause and never give up on God’s calling for them. I have tremendous respect for David.”
Judge Noverini was elected in 2008 as a Circuit Court Trial Judge and retained in 2014 and then again retained in 2020. Judge Noverini has experience in Family, Criminal and Civil courtrooms. During his judicial tenure, he has served as the Presiding Judge of the Family Law Division, Criminal Division, where he has presided over close to 100 criminal jury trials, Probate Court, Guardianship Court, Traffic and Mental Health Courts. He and his wife, Saray Rodriguez Noverini, are long-time residents in Kane County. Judge Noverini is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and holds a Master’s degree in History from Northeastern Illinois University and a Juris Doctorate from IIT Chicago Kent College of Law.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Personal PAC just sent a blast email to supporters. Here’s the only reasoning the group pointed to for why they’re backing Rotering to be an Illinois Supreme Court Justice and not anyone else in the district…
Nancy served on the Planned Parenthood Illinois board from 2016 until declaring her candidacy, demonstrating her deep commitment to reproductive rights.
…Adding… Natalie Edelstein at the Pritzker campaign when asked for a statement…
Richard Irvin has repeatedly urged the public to examine his record, which is exactly what this ad does. The more we learn about him, the worse it gets.
…Adding… Eleni Demertzis at the Irvin campaign…
This ad is nothing more than proof that JB Pritzker is running scared because he knows Richard Irvin will beat him in November.
DURBIN, DUCKWORTH, DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF ILLINOIS DELEGATION URGE CENSUS BUREAU TO INCORPORATE INCREASED POPULATION COUNT IN FEDERAL DATA AND FUNDING DECISIONS
The Census Bureau’s Post-Enumeration Survey shows that Illinois likely was undercounted at a rate of 1.97 percent in the 2020 Census, potentially negatively impacting federal funding over the next decade
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today led 13 Democratic members of the Illinois delegation in sending a letter to U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert L. Santos urging him to incorporate the Census Bureau’s Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) data into the 2020 Decennial Census after Illinois was shown likely to have been undercounted at a rate of 1.97 percent. The 2020 Census is projected to have undercounted Illinois by 250,000, which inaccurately reflects Illinois’ roughly 13 million residents – the highest the state has ever recorded. In addition to today’s letter, Durbin is working to convene the Illinois delegation for a meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Director Santos in the near future to discuss the delegation’s asks and the correction of the Census’ miscount of Illinois.
“We are writing in regard to the Census Bureau’s Post-Enumeration Survey (PES), which found that Illinois likely was undercounted at a rate of 1.97% in the 2020 Decennial Census. With this knowledge comes the striking fact that Illinois did not lose residents, but rather, the State’s population is now at its largest in history with about 13 million residents. We are concerned about how this undercount may affect the people of Illinois,” wrote the lawmakers.
As a result of the error, Illinois is in danger of losing valuable federal funding over the next ten years. The Census is used to allocate roughly $1.5 trillion, through about 100 programs including Medicaid, SNAP, Medicare Part B, Highway Planning and Construction, and Pell grants.
“As such, we would like to learn how the findings within the PES will be used going forward, in both allocation of federal funding and in preparation for the next Decennial Census. As you know, Census Bureau data determines how $1.5 trillion of federal funding will be allocated over the course of a decade. Illinoisans rely on roughly 100 programs that use this data to allocate funding, particularly for health care, nutrition assistance, and education programs, among others,” the lawmakers continued.
The lawmakers went on to ask Director Santos what corrective actions the Census Bureau will take to ensure that Illinois receives equitable federal funding based on its true population.
The lawmakers asked, “Any federal entities disregarding Illinois’ revised population estimate in determining these funding allocations could have grave consequences for those affected by such underfunding. As such, we request a response to the following questions no later than June 15.
1. How does the Census Bureau plan to incorporate the PES findings into data products that inform federal funding allocations?
a. What the timeline is for doing so?
2. Will the Bureau commit to ensuring that all of its federal partners understand any errors that may have occurred during the Decennial Census, including Illinois’ estimated undercount, so that they may have full knowledge to inform their funding allocation decisions?
3. Will the Bureau commit to taking into account the PES projections in its yearly Population Estimates following the Decennial Census?
a. Further, how will the Bureau ensure Illinois does not receive anything less than its fair and full share of federal funding over the next decade?”
House members joining Durbin and Duckworth on the letter include Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), Sean Casten (D-IL-6), Danny K. Davis (D-IL-7), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-8), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Bobby L. Rush (D-IL-1), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-4), Bradley Schneider (D-IL-10), Marie Newman (D-IL-3), Mike Quigley (D-IL-5), and Robin L. Kelly (D-IL-2).
Mary Ann Ahern: Should we get rid of the gas tax altogether? But then how do you fund road improvements? Mr. Irvin?
Richard Irvin: Well, there’s two portions of the gas tax: One that goes straight to road improvements and the other portion that goes to our General Fund. We can get rid of the portion that goes to our General Fund and still allow the road improvements and infrastructure to continue.
Mary Ann Ahern: Get rid of it all together.
Richard Irvin: Absolutely. Give some relief to our residents here in the state of Illinois.
OK, the problem with this idea is that the state sales tax revenues on fuel are being transitioned over time to the Road Fund. In the coming fiscal year, that amounts to about $230 million, according to the governor’s office. That number gets higher every year until all of the state revenues from the sales tax on fuel are sent to the Road Fund. So, if you “get rid” of the non-road portion of sales tax revenues, you’d have to increase the sales tax on fuel every year to make sure the Road Fund got all the money coming to it. Also, a portion will still go to local governments even with this planned revenue switch, so what do you do about them?
* I reached out to Operating Engineers Local 150, which has endorsed Irvin in the primary and has been a stalwart defender of Road Fund revenues…
In his response, Mayor Irvin was quick to defend the importance of Illinois’ motor fuel tax and its critical role in maintaining Illinois’ infrastructure.
Local 150 opposes reducing or eliminating the sales tax on gasoline. Part of the most recent capital improvement plan was the gradual shift of sales tax revenue from the General Revenue Fund to the Road Fund, so reducing or eliminating the sales tax would negatively affect the overall safety of Illinois’ infrastructure.
We will work with Mayor Irvin to ensure that he and his team are familiar with the nuances of Illinois’ infrastructure funding sources and the importance of protecting these investments.
* The Irvin campaign explained today that what the candidate actually meant to say was that he supported a bill sponsored earlier this year by his running mate…
State Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) introduced House Bill 5723, which looks to cap the sales tax on gas at 18 cents per gallon for motor fuel, with 80 percent of that amount for gasohol and biodiesel blends.
Local governments might not like that idea, unless they’re made whole. And that’ll cost money.
And, it likely has the effect of cutting money that is supposed to go to the Road Fund.
*** UPDATE *** From Local 150…
We oppose that legislation and the concept of capping revenue streams set aside for infrastructure improvement. While most inflationary discussions focus on the consumer price index, construction costs are more closely tied to the producer price index, which is rising at more than twice the rate of the CPI. The state’s goal has been to make long-term sustainable investments in the safety of our infrastructure, and the spirit of the last capital spending plan was enabling revenues to keep up with rising costs, which is why the motor fuel tax is now indexed to inflation. Many parties worked tirelessly earlier this spring to find a revenue-neutral way to postpone that inflationary increase in order to provide temporary relief to taxpayers, yet lawmakers determined that keeping revenue in line with costs is a priority, so that inflationary increase will go into effect after the temporary revenue-neutral plan expires. Simply capping revenues without a plan to offset the losses to the Road Fund is not a responsible approach.
So, the walk-back and clarification just led to more problems with Local 150. Notice, however, there’s no mention of Irvin in that statement.
* Related…
* VIDEO: Rep. Batinick Solutions for High Gas Prices
* If you want to glimpse what could’ve been if NBC5 and WGN didn’t cave to the GOP gubernatorial candidates and move forward with holding two separate “debates” tonight, you should watch the Daily Herald editorial board’s virtual debate of all the candidates. There was some good back and forth and Richard Irvin held his own. Click here.
For instance, at one point Sen. Darren Bailey claimed that Caterpillar closed down its Aurora plant “because of regulations and taxes.” Irvin quickly countered that Caterpillar did not leave Aurora. It actually left nearby Montgomery. “So,” Irvin retorted, “you might want to get your facts straight.”
Bailey talked about how Irvin supported COVID mandates, but Irvin shot back that Bailey mandated mask-wearing on his megafarm. Bailey later claimed that, despite his son signing a federal pledge under oath to mandate masks, he didn’t actually do it.
Jesse Sullivan talked at one point about how he felt “betrayed” by former Gov. Bruce Rauner and noted that much of Irvin’s team ran Rauner’s 2014 campaign. Irvin replied that Sullivan was living in California at the time, so if he was betrayed by a governor, it was a whole different governor. Not a bad zinger. Irvin prevented Sullivan from responding immediately and then noted correctly that Rauner’s 2018 campaign was helmed by the same guy who’s at the top of Bailey’s campaign food chain. Bailey accused Irvin of lying, and Irvin said the response meant “You know how to tell a lie yourself,” and chuckled. Bailey eventually just smiled and laughed at that one.
And when Gary Rabine brought up a Crain’s Chicago Business story headlined “Aurora homeowners are taxed at the highest effective rate among 53 U.S. cities included in a new study,” Irvin claimed the Illinois Department of Revenue’s figures show Aurora isn’t even in the top 50 in Illinois.
Anyway, it’s worth a look. Bailey and Sullivan could’ve easily called Irvin’s bluff and appeared on the Channel 5 debate with the frontrunner. They didn’t, and that may have been for good reason.
One year later, Irvin refuses to answer for his corrupt comments. Instead, he openly contested the police report, telling the Tribune the report was “actually incorrect” in its characterization of his comments.
Looks like the “law-and-order candidate” only backs the blue when it works for him.
“While Irvin parades around as the ‘law-and-order’ candidate who’s ‘tough on crime,’ the truth is clear: he only cares when it’s politically convenient,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “Mayor Irvin’s corruption runs deep — and a Governor Irvin would be no different. Illinoisans deserve better.”
* Valencia…
Democratic Secretary of State candidate Anna Valencia announced today that she has earned the endorsement of the Illinois National Organization for Women (NOW) PAC, a major endorsement that highlights Valencia’s unwavering commitment to protecting and advancing women’s rights, especially access to abortion and reproductive justice. The endorsement comes as extreme politicians across the country are passing laws undermining a woman’s right to reproductive health and just weeks before a U.S. Supreme Court decision that is expected to undermine these rights in a significant way.
“Illinois NOW PAC is pleased to endorse Anna Valencia for Illinois Secretary of State,” said Laura Welch, President of IL NOW PAC. “Especially now, Illinois must elect leaders like Anna who fully support women and our rights to privacy. She has a proven track record of uplifting those most often disenfranchised in our state—women, people of color and people whose voices aren’t always heard by our elected officials.”
* CD1…
This evening at an Indivisible Chicago candidate forum, Karin Norington-Reaves condemned Jonathan Jackson’s support of defunding the police amid our city and nation’s crime epidemic.
Jackson touted his endorsement from “Our Revolution,” in a release just last week, an organization that supports defunding the police. “Jonathan checks all of the boxes,” an Our Revolution spokesperson confirmed of his positions being consistent with their priorities. Jackson said, “The issues the organization espouses… are in alignment with my beliefs about the type of policies that will deliver the best long-term benefits to the 1st Congressional District.”
“At a time when our District is grappling with almost unprecedented gun violence and crime, defunding the police is an incredibly dangerous proposition,” said Norington-Reaves spokeswoman Samantha Keitt. “We need candidates who will invest in real solutions to our crime problem, not create more opportunities for violence.”
* CD3…
Today, Alderman Gilbert Villegas received endorsements from Sheet Metal Workers Local 73 and IBEW Local 134 in his race for Illinois’ 3rd Congressional Seat.
President and Business Manager of Sheet Metal Workers Local 73, Raymond Suggs, expressed the union’s support for Villegas.
“The members of Sheet Workers Local 73 are proud to endorse a fellow brother Teamster who is running to represent working people in the US Congress. We are confident that Gil Villegas will serve the workers of this district and the country well, as he understand what it means to work hard and fight for fairness in the workplace,” said Raymond Suggs, President & Business Manager for Local 73.
Don Finn, Business Manager and Financial Secretary for IBEW Local 134, spoke in support of Alderman Villegas.
“Experience, leadership, professionalism and integrity are all important aspects in a candidate, but the shared values and dedication to protecting Workers’ Rights (including the right to collectively bargain conditions of employment, especially for those employees’ seeking representation in their workplace), preserving area standard wages, and ensuring workplace safety are what distinguishes his candidacy and solidifies our endorsement,” said Business Manager & Financial Secretary Don Finn.
Villegas reacted to the support.
“Driving a bakery truck as a Teamster was one of the proudest experiences of my life, and having support from two strong organizations of the Chicagoland labor movement is especially important to me. This campaign is about getting things done for ordinary working people and their families, and with this support, I know we’ll be successful in this race for Congress” said Alderman Gilbert Villegas.
…Adding… Pritzker campaign…
Tonight, the Republican candidates for governor will finally meet to answer questions from the public and reporters––but not on the same stage. Throughout the messy and divisive primary contest, the GOP candidates have lobbed brutal attacks at each other but have spent little time discussing their policies and records. Although the candidates are unwilling to actually meet on the same debate stage, tonight’s two “debates” will be a long-awaited opportunity to demand answers from those running for office who have spent the primary ducking, dodging, and running away from tough questions.
Voters are still waiting for answers to major questions such as:
• Do you support the nationwide abortion ban proposed by Republicans?
• Do you think Roe v. Wade should be overturned?
• Did you vote for Donald Trump?
• Will you support Donald Trump in 2024?
• Do you support background checks for gun purchases and the FOID card?
• Did Joe Biden win a free and fair election in 2020?
• Do you consider the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol an insurrection?
• Do you support a $15 minimum wage?
• Do you support the Workers’ Rights Amendment?
• Do you support the Black Lives Matter movement?
• What would you do as governor to protect Illinoisans from the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Do you support LGBTQ+ Illinoisans’ constitutionally-protected right to marry?
During the 2018 primary, Governor JB Pritzker had already participated in more than 36 forums, six televised debates and 10 editorial board sessions with his Democratic primary opponents. Republicans have made it clear that political points and sneaky campaign tactics are more important than sharing the same debate stage to publicly discuss the issues most important to Illinois families.
*** UPDATE *** A new IE for Karin Norington-Reaves…
* In May of 1997, after more than 20 years of Republican Illinois governors, the US Census Bureau laid out its predictions of the states that would have the highest net loss of population due to interstate migration in the 30-year period between 1995 and 2025 per 1,000 people…
California -4
Massachusetts -4
Illinois -5
New York -9
DC -10
While Americans frequently move among the states… Florida, Texas, and North Carolina will each gain 1 million or more persons over the 30-year period through net interstate migration, with Florida gaining nearly 4 million. Georgia and Washington will each gain slightly less than 1 million. Four states will have a net loss of at least 1 million persons to other states. New York will lose 5.0 million; California, 4.4 million; Illinois, 1.7 million; and Michigan, 1.1 million. Over the 1995-2025 period, nearly one-quarter billion people are projected to move from one state to another. […]
California is projected to add the largest number of international migrants (more than 8 million). … Other states projected to have gains of 1 million or more from immigration are New York, Florida, New Jersey, Illinois, and Texas.
International immigration slowed way down under President Trump and then because of COVID, which has obviously hurt Illinois, and that may have been partly why the 1997 projection was off by about a hundred thousand people when the Census estimated Illinois’ 2020 population to be 13.121 million. As you know, the latest corrected Census number has Illinois right around 13 million.
* Point being, the fundamentals have been against Illinois for a very long time. This ain’t a new issue. And maybe some folks in Massachusetts should take a look at that 1997 report as well.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From the governor’s office…
Governor Pritzker today urged President Joe Biden and the federal government to ensure that Illinois receives federal funding that reflects its growth of 250,000 residents, lifting the state’s population to more than 13 million for the first time in its history.
Illinois’s population was undercounted by roughly 2% in the 2020 census. The adjusted Census results show an increase in Illinois’ population as people move to the state in pursuit of expanded economic and employment opportunities.
“Illinois is growing, and our federal funding should reflect that reality,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Nearly 250,000 Illinoisans—the majority of whom are from historically disenfranchised and underserved communities—were not represented in the Census results. That’s why I have urged President Biden and the federal government to ensure that the local communities of Illinois receive the federal dollars they are entitled to—and deserve. I thank the President for his commitment to an accurate Census count, and I look forward to working with him to guarantee that our state secures its fair share of federal funding.”
Governor Pritzker’s letter to President Biden calls for adjusted population counts to be considered when allocating over $1.5 trillion in federal funds for Medicare, affordable housing, homeland security, and other essential programs. Census undercounts often disservice Black, Latino, and minority residents who are historically underserved by federal resources such as these, making the correct appropriation of these funds even more important. The letter requests that President Biden support any efforts to factor the new data into equitable funding allocations.
The Census Bureau’s Post Enumeration Survey (PES) is a follow-up survey to the census count meant to examine the results for accuracy through additional statistical sampling. The original census count, which inaccurately showed a population decline, resulted in Illinois losing one congressional seat, making accurate appropriation of funds even more essential to ensure Illinoisans can access the resources they need over the next decade.
This updated count reflects Illinois’s rising status in the region and the country as a site of innovation and opportunity. Increased investment by the Pritzker administration in training and apprenticeship programs in manufacturing and aviation have created jobs and attracted new residents across the state.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Monique Garcia on behalf of the Illinois Municipal League…
Hi Rich,
As you continue to cover what the Census undercount means for Illinois, I wanted to bring your attention to this letter from the Illinois Municipal League to Gov. JB Pritzker seeking clarification about whether the administration intends to ensure municipalities are made whole for the purposes of state-shared revenues. The letter also raises the need to address the pending loss of population-established home rule authority in several communities across the state, which could be resolved if corrections to undercounts are made.
But there is an early example of Irvin trying to be all things to everyone. It came in his successful 2017 run for the nonpartisan position of mayor of Aurora, through a pair of near identically designed mailings — one sent to Democrats and another sent to Republican households.
Each mailer is labeled, “The Choice is Yours” with the words appearing atop a donkey representing Democrats and an elephant representing Republicans.
In the mailer sent to Republicans, an arrow points to the donkey with the words, “Rick Guzman is endorsed by entrenched Chicago Democrats like Dick Durbin.” The arrow pointing to the elephant says, “Richard C. Irvin is endorsed by Local Elected Officials who actually have a stake in Aurora’s future.”
The reverse side touts GOP endorsements he received and says, “The reasons are clear. Richard C. Irvin has a solid conservative record.”
But in the mailer that went to Democrats, the arrow pointing to the elephant warns Guzman, a former mayoral chief of staff, is “endorsed by Tea Party Republicans.” Under the donkey arrow appear the words: “Richard C. Irvin is endorsed by Local Elected Officials who actually have a stake in Aurora’s future.”
On the opposite side, appears a list of Democratic elected officials and groups supporting him for mayor — but there was no mention of his “solid conservative record.”
…Adding… The latest Irvin campaign mailer…
* Also, Irvin has now changed his story from March of 2020, when he claimed he had “spoken” with Gov. Pritzker. Now, he says he spoke to Pritzker’s staff because Pritzker wouldn’t return his calls.
When I asked, the governor’s spokesperson said Pritzker called Irvin around March 12, 2020 to check in and see how it was going in Aurora and to say his office was monitoring the situation and working to keep people safe. Then, I was told, Pritzker called Irin to check in on him in April when Irvin tested positive for the virus. And Pritzker talked to him again around the middle of July. The governor called Irvin again on November 14 and got his voicemail, but Irvin called him back. Pritzker called again on Dec. 10 and got Irvin’s voicemail. More documentation is here.
* But, to be fair, in the spring of 2020 just about everyone was on board the mitigation train. Even Darren Bailey was telling his Facebook followers on March 21 to stay safe...
Please just, just take this serious. I’m, as I compare what we’re doing here in Illinois, and then I watched President Trump with many of his recommendations. We just we really need to take this serious so we don’t get to the point where Italy and other countries are at. […]
We really need to take this serious so we don’t get to the point where italy and other countries are at. […]
And you know, there is reason to be concerned. So I am satisfied with what the governor is doing as we watch what he is suggesting and compare that with what President Trump is doing.
I wanted to ask everyone to please stay home from church tomorrow. If your church is considering having services, please call your pastor and, and talk about it, you know. For the next few weeks, we need to take this serious.
And then in May of 2020, Bailey offered up his own mitigation plan, including for places of worship…
Places of Worship
All staff and worship leaders shall have temperature checks when arriving to work.
Occupancy allowed at 25% capacity ensure not less than six feet distance between attendees
Distancing between family members is at their discretion
Avoid contact with common items (items open to use by all attendees)
Disposable hymn handouts
Avoid physical contact between attendees
No greeters/No physical contact
No Offering Baskets passed among attendees
No waiting area
All surfaces touched by attendees shall be sanitized between each use
Continued Virtual worship is recommended
Self-Contained communion practices are acceptable
Organized dismissal should be implemented
…Adding… Irvin says in the article that his support for mitigations waned over time, but he declared a special day for Dr. Ezike when she was in Aurora this past October for a vaccine event.
The leaked draft decision on Roe V. Wade sent a shockwave across our country, reminding us that elections have consequences, especially in the newly drawn 3rd Congressional District that is densely populated by Latinas, who will be severely impacted by Roe V. Wade being overturned. Alderman Gil Villegas’ record on abortion and reproductive rights has raised serious concerns about his ability to represent women and trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people who seek abortion access and reproductive healthcare.
Below is a statement by one hundred women in the 3rd Congressional District, including State Senator Karina Villa, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Representative Maura Hirschauer, and Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, condemning Alderman Gil Villegas’ anti-abortion record and cautioning voters.
“This election is especially critical because the candidate we send to Congress has to be an unapologetic fighter for reproductive, abortion, and LGBTQ+ rights. Unfortunately, Alderman Gil Villegas has demonstrated that he is not a committed partner in protecting reproductive rights. His ties to anti-choice Republicans are troubling.
“In 2017, Alderman Gil Villegas voted to give $5.5 million of taxpayer’s money to subsidize clinics that banned women from obtaining abortions and access to birth control. It is reprehensible that he voted to use public dollars to fund inadequate healthcare access, knowing that Black and Brown women in the 3rd Congressional District would be severely impacted.
“Additionally, Alderman Gil Villegas has taken campaign contributions from anti-choice Republicans, including Gubernatorial Candidate Gary Rabine and Dan Cronin.
“The 3rd Congressional District can not afford to send a tepid Democrat to Congress when our freedoms are under attack by Republicans, so it is essential that we send someone to Congress who we trust will fight at all costs to ensure that Roe V. Wade is codified. We ask voters to support Delia Ramirez, a real progressive and champion for reproductive and abortion rights in this race.”
Today, IEA - NEA and SEIU Local 73 announced their endorsement of State Representative Delia Ramirez in her campaign for Congress in the newly drawn 3rd Congressional District of Illinois. Illinois Education Association represents 3,000 educators in the 3rd District; SEIU Local 73 represents more than 3,100 frontline, essential workers in the 3rd Congressional district.
“We are proud to endorse Delia Ramirez for Congress. As a state representative, Delia was instrumental in finally bringing an elected school board to the City of Chicago,” said Dian Palmer, President of SEIU Local 73. “Delia has dedicated her life and career advocating for working families. As an accomplished community leader and coalition
builder, we know we can count on her to fight for our members in Congress.”
“It is an honor to receive the endorsement of SEIU Local 73. Their commitment to fight for dignified, fair wages and working conditions for the thousands of frontline workers they represent is inspiring. I am proud to receive their support and look forward to working with them to continue this fight in Congress” stated Leader Ramirez.
Leader Ramirez is running in the newly drawn 3rd Congressional seat. The Democratic Primary takes place June 28th. She has been endorsed by Senator Elizabeth Warren, Congresswoman Schakowsky, Congressman Chuy Garcia, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, SEIU Healthcare, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Congressional Progressive Caucus, PODER PAC, Mijente, End Citizens United, EMILY’s List and the United Working Families and Working Families Party.
* Judge Rochford…
Today, Teamsters Joint Council 25 announced its endorsement of Judge Elizabeth Rochford for the Illinois Supreme Court’s Second District. Teamsters Joint Council 25 represents over 100,000 working men and women in Illinois and Northwest Indiana. The endorsement builds on Judge Rochford’s strong labor support, including the Illinois State AFL-CIO, Local 881 UFCW, Plumbers Local Union 130 United Association (UA), and the Lake County and McHenry County Building & Construction Trades Councils and their affiliates, which together include 44 local affiliate trade unions. […]
Recently, the Illinois State Bar Association released their rating of Judge Rochford as “highly recommended.” Judge Rochford is the only candidate in the Democratic primary for the Second District seat to be rated “highly recommended.”
Judge overrules Cook County Electoral Board, says rival to Sheriff Tom Dart should be put back on ballot: “Carmen Navarro Gercone’s successful appeal of a decision by the Cook County Electoral Board comes with little more than a month to go before the June 28 primary. Dart’s campaign had argued that she was ineligible to run under a controversial new state law that requires sheriff’s candidates to be registered law enforcement officers,” by Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner. […]
— OPEN SEAT SCRAMBLE: The Democratic group VoteVets is launching a $360,000 buy supporting Chicago Ald. Gil Villegas in the open Democratic primary in IL-03. The ad, which will start airing today, highlights Villegas’ service in the Marines and his work on the city council. It is set to air for two weeks. The district is open after redistricting turned it into a Latino opportunity district in the city. […]
— Gov. JB Pritzker has endorsed Eileen Dordek in her bid for the 13th state House District seat now held by retiring Majority Leader Greg Harris. Four other Democrats, all men, are also in the race. […]
— Charise Williams has been endorsed by state Rep. Rita Mayfield and Dixmoor Mayor Fitzgerald Roberts in the IL-01 Democratic primary.
* Press release…
SEIU Healthcare Illinois is proud to announce the union’s endorsement of Illinois Senator Jacqueline Collins for the 1st Congressional Seat.
“The over 90,000 home care, child care, nursing home and hospital workers joined together in our union have benefitted from Jacqueline Collins’ dedicated advocacy on behalf of healthcare workers, care recipients and the communities within our state most in need of and dependent upon care,” said SEIU Healthcare Illinois President Greg Kelley. “Nearly 12,000 of our members live in the 1st Congressional District and would directly benefit from Collins’ advocacy in the nation’s capital. Additionally, her leadership in areas of concern to working families would have a positive impact for all the union’s membership, and for struggling low-wage earners across the state.
“Collins has shown exemplary leadership in Springfield standing up for nursing home reform—both in calling for safe staffing in long term care facilities backed by real consequences for owners who fall short and in advocating for living and sustainable wages and working conditions for workers.”
Frontline healthcare workers appreciate Collins’ grasp of the importance both of their work and of increased investment in wages and benefits. “Senator Collins gets that our working conditions are the care conditions of residents and patients,” said Francine Rico, a certified nursing assistant at Villa at Windsor Park, a long-term care facility. “She also understands that when we fight for higher wages and a voice on the job, we’re fighting for racial and gender equity. Like me, most nursing home and frontline care workers are women of color and our work has been devalued for too long.”
“Too often, our elected leaders will say the right thing when it comes to lifting wage and working standards but fail to act,” said Kelley. “But in Collins, we have a leader who has proven she has the courage and integrity to do the right thing, by fighting for real accountability for staffing levels in Illinois nursing homes—and for all of the issues that matter the most to working families. Her election to Congress would be a real win for frontline caregivers and for all those who receive care in the state and beyond.”
…Adding… Litesa Wallace…
First-term Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman on Tuesday announced his endorsement of former state Rep. Litesa Wallace for the 17th Congressional District Democratic nomination, citing Wallace’s history of advocacy and willingness to stand up to the establishment on behalf of everyday Illinoisans.
Schwartzman said he did not easily give out endorsements, but was drawn to do so for Wallace after hearing her personal story, her record of progressive advocacy and seeing her intent to focus on “real challenges,” ones that face all of us.
In an endorsement statement Tuesday, Schwartzman, a Knox College environmental studies professor, said:
“I don’t give out endorsements lightly or frequently, but Litesa has impressed me with her background, with her personal history and with her values. She’s not part of the Democratic establishment, but she has a strong sense of the everyday things we should do for each other. She understands that economic growth is true when it includes everyone. She’s a real person with a very high level of integrity.”
“We need people like her who are fighting for us, and not just for the special interests. This is a very important race and we’re at risk of losing this seat, so we need to put forward the best candidate–and that’s why Litesa Wallace has my endorsement.”
Rep. Wallace previously served three terms in Springfield as the State Representative from Rockford’s 67th District. She gained national attention in 2018 when she ran for Lt. Governor alongside Daniel Biss in the Democratic primary for Governor.
She previously has been endorsed by Indivisible, Our Revolution Illinois, SEIU Illinois, Winnebago County Citizens for Choice, the Collective PAC, Democracy for America, and a long list of elected officials in the 17th District and across Illinois.
Rep. Wallace is running to represent the newly drawn 17th District, which includes most of Peoria, Rockford, Freeport, the Quad Cities, Bloomington-Normal, Macomb, and Galesburg.
