Today, Nikki Budzinski, Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District, released her 4th and final TV spot of the campaign.
Titled, “Work for a Living”, the spot focuses on Republican Regan Deering’s recent announcement of support for making cuts to social security and Medicare. The TV and matching digital ads will run on broadcast television in the St. Louis, and Springfield, Decatur, and Champaign markets. Budzinski was the first candidate in the race to begin paid communications and has significantly out-communicated Deering in every platform. The ad can be viewed here.
Nikki Budzinski made the following statement: “I am proud of the issue-focused campaign that we have run. I want to go to Congress to fight for working families and protect them from people like Regan Deering that would cut Social Security and Medicare. We cannot afford to send Regan Deering to Congress.”
Times are tough. Especially if you work for a living.
But Regan Deering – the wealthy heiress who inherited millions – doesn’t get it…
Deering wants to slash the Social Security and Medicare you paid into.
Cutting the retirement benefits you earned.
Regan Deering’s not for us.
Nikki:
I’m Nikki Budzinski. I grew up middle class and the only thing I inherited was my mom’s common sense.
I approve this message because I’ve spent my life fighting for working people.
…Adding… Whitney Barnes…
Hey, Rich. I wanted to personally respond to the most recent hypocritical, sexist (and boringly unoriginal) campaign ad from the Budzinski camp.
Regan was adopted into a loving family and is proud of her career giving back to her community as a science teacher, small business owner and advocate.
Nikki Budzinski campaigned and worked for heir to the Hyatt fortune Gov. JB Prtizker and now, in an overwhelming display of sexism and hypocrisy, she’s spending millions of her special interest dollars painting Regan as an ‘heiress’ because apparently to Nikki, inherited wealth is only ok if you’re a man.
She’s desperately trying to use Regan’s finances to distract from a week of bad press around the fact that she can’t answer simple questions like, “What services did you provide as a consultant to lobbyists and special interest groups to earn half a million dollars?”
‘Working people’ in the 13th District can generally say what they do for a living, and I assure you their response is never, ‘I followed all ethics laws.’
Nikki is out-of-touch and out of time and the people of the 13th Congressional District are not going to be fooled by her sexism or lies.
The IL Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in Illinois with respect to employment, financial credit, public accommodations, housing and sexual harassment, as well as sexual harassment in education.
Sec. 2-101. Definitions. The following definitions are applicable strictly in the context of this Article.
(A) Employee.
(1) “Employee” includes:
(a) Any individual performing services for remuneration within this State for an employer […]
“Employee” does not include: […]
Elected public officials or the members of their immediate personal staffs
* Sen. Melinda Bush introduced Amendment 1 to SB576 in February of 2017. It passed the Senate 56-0, but went nowhere in the House because Speaker Madigan bricked it…
Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Deletes language providing that “employee” does not include members of the immediate personal staffs of elected public officials. Effective immediately.
Bush introduced the bill again in 2019 and it went nowhere.
* Whether you believe Elly Fawcett-Neal’s story about Rep. Jonathan Carroll or not, it just seems obvious to me, at least, that elected officials’ personal staffs should not be specifically exempted from the Illinois Human Rights Act.
Your thoughts?
…Adding… Press release…
Today, Jack Vrett, candidate for State Representative in the 53rd district, called on State Representative Mark Walker to donate $21,250 in tainted funds from accused abuser, State Representative Jonathan Carroll.
Carroll is accused of firing a staffer who refused to have an abortion, subjecting her to a toxic and abusive work environment where she endured the type of harassment, intimidation, and retaliation known to occur in state government under Democratic rule.
“Mark Walker continues to benefit from Springfield’s most corrupt politicians,” said Vrett. “Whether it is Mike Madigan, Kim Foxx, or Jonathan Carroll, we must turn the page on corruption and purge Illinois of self-dealers and unethical politicians who put families at risk.”
In taking funds from Carroll, Walker continues his pattern of funding his campaign with donations taken from questionable sources. Walker previously accepted $1,924,914 from indicted former Speaker Michael Madigan, even after investigations, indictments, and arrests of Madigan’s closest allies.
…Adding… Press release…
Today, Rich Janor, candidate for State Representative in the 41st district, called on Rep. Janet Yang Rohr to donate $35,800 in tainted funds from accused abuser, State Representative Jonathan Carroll.
Carroll is accused of firing a staffer who refused to have an abortion, subjecting her to a toxic and abusive work environment where she endured the type of harassment, intimidation, and retaliation known to occur in state government under Democratic rule.
“After taking over a million dollars from Mike Madigan, Janet Yang Rohr continues to fund her campaign with donations from men who do not respect women,” said Janor. “While Springfield corruption continues unchecked, Yang Rohr not only stands by silently, but is part of the financial ecosystem that allows these men to stay in positions of power.”
Yang Rohr previously accepted over $1 million from indicted former Speaker Michael Madigan, even after allegations swirled around Madigan and his closest allies, including a rape cover-up and allegations of sexual harassment in Madigan’s 13th Ward office.
“If your daughter, at age 13, had become pregnant, would you not have wanted to be notified of it, so you could process it with her and work through this with her?” Craig Wall asked Pritzker.
“Sure, but my daughters’ going to come talk to me if that happens and most daughters will,” he answered. “It is those under threat by family; victims of incest are a perfect example of that.” […]
“I do make the exception, always, when the life of the mother is at stake,” Bailey admitted, but he wouldn’t say the same for cases of rape or incest. “Personally, in my heart, I don’t. But regardless of what I think, nothing is going to change in Illinois because of the makeup of the legislature.” […]
“Amendment One is a hostile, liberal, it’s a takeover by special interests, because now, teachers unions, instead of bargaining just for wages and benefits, see, that’s not under threat in Illinois, but teachers unions now can begin to bargain for curriculum,” Bailey said.
* I cannot believe they let Bailey get away with saying this without so much as a mention that he pledged to “roll out the red carpet” for Trump in 2024 earlier this year…
Bailey, who appeared with Trump at a rally prior to the June primary, says he is proud of the endorsement, but does not know whom he’ll support in the 2024 election.
Friends, I’ve made a promise to President Trump that in 2024 Illinois will roll out the red carpet for him because Illinois will be ready for President Trump.
He locked himself in. But, down the memory hole it goes since the candidate doesn’t wanna talk about it.
Recently, the Pritzker campaign has paid for yard signs noting former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Bailey in the primary.
“Are they embarrassed because Darren Bailey is supporting Donald Trump?,” [Pritzker] asked.
* Dan Proft-funded yard sign…
* Going strong in DuPage…
DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek announces a record-breaking start to voter turnout for the Nov. 8th election, with 2022 nearly doubling 2018 so far. At the start of today, voter turnout was 49,177 voters out of 615,626 registered voters for a turnout percentage of 8.0 percent. At the same point in 2018, two weeks out from the General Election, total voter turnout stood at 27,915 voters out of 639,752 registered voters for a turnout percentage of 4.4 percent. Total voter turnout in 2018 ended up at nearly 58 percent; turnout in 2014 was 49 percent.
The expansion of mail voting has made a significant difference. So far, 82,060 voters have requested mail ballots.
Of those who have voted so far in the 2022 election, 12,370 voters have voted early in-person and 36,807 vote-by-mail ballots have been returned. At the same point in 2018, 15,986 voters had voted early in-person and 11,929 vote-by-mail ballots had been returned.
“I’m pleased with the numbers, but not surprised,” Kaczmarek says. “My top priority as county clerk was to increase voter turnout. To achieve this goal, I had to increase voter access. Promoting mail voting and doubling the number of Early Voting locations has us off to a strong start, and voters also will have the option to Vote Anywhere on Election Day.”
Voters who have applied for a mail ballot are urged to complete it and return it via mail or drop box as soon as possible.
“Voters who have not yet applied for a mail ballot can still do so, but should not wait until the last minute,” Kaczmarek says. “It takes times for a mail ballot to be processed, printed and delivered to a home. After this week, voters should instead consider voting in-person at one of our 22 Early Voting locations or any of our 269 polling locations on Election Day.”
* By comparison, Chicago’s vote totals are abysmal…
The most up-to-date Early Vote and Vote By Mail totals in Chicago, night of Wednesday, October 26, 2022.
The Early Vote total stands at 25,829 ballots cast.
Additionally, 44,142 Vote By Mail ballots have been returned to the Board – total VBM applications stands at 196,958.
The grand total is 69,971 ballots cast so far in Chicago for the November 8th General Election.
And then on election day, most Chicago voters are gonna have to deal with the fact that the board just recently moved their polling places.
…Adding… Statewide…
The @illinoissbe has updated early vote totals (10/27/22): Total VBM requested: 826,189 Total VBM returned: 336,511 Total VBM outstanding: 489,678 Return Rate: 41% Total Early Vote: 182,316 Total Grace Period: 2,588 Total Already Voted: 521,415https://t.co/44ga6AxRbY
* Candidates will often go to train stops during busy times to show their faces to as many people as possible…
This morning we had an awesome, early stop at the Fullerton CTA station meeting with voters on their commute alongside Tommy Hanson! Friends, I promise you we are working hard every dayto meet new people no matter where they are at. We will #firepritzker on November 8th! pic.twitter.com/hiBCpsCXRc
* Can Bailey win over suburban voters to become governor as Republicans have in the past?: Suburban Cook and collar county voters were crucial when the governor’s mansion flipped in elections won by GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2014 and Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2018. And there’s no doubt the suburbs loom large in the Nov. 8 throwdown between Pritzker and Republican challenger Darren Bailey.
* Labor vs. big business(man)? Most corporate interests AWOL in battle with unions over workers rights amendment: Business lobbying groups have declined to spend money against the proposal, leaving the fight to a conservative policy group and megadonor Richard Uihlein. Other major donors spent heavily during the primary and expect more funding requests from mayoral candidates. “It comes down to donor fatigue,” a political consultant said.
* Pritzker gives state Dems another $2 million as campaigns hit the home stretch: For the third time this month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s campaign gave $2 million to the Democratic Party of Illinois, an infusion of cash as candidates up and down the ballot enter the home stretch of the election cycle. According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, JB for Governor made the transfer on Oct. 24. This follows contributions made by Pritzker’s campaign of $2 million each on Oct. 20 and Oct. 14.
Newly released court records show the ex-wife of powerful Illinois State Sen. Michael Hastings accused him last year of elbowing her in the face in the presence of their small children and harassing, intimidating and threatening her in a series of text messages during their highly contentious divorce. […]
In the newly unsealed divorce files, Kathleen Hastings provided further details regarding that alleged incident two years ago. Her lawyer wrote that Michael Hastings “slammed Kate’s head against the door leading to the garage multiple times and put her in a choke hold — all because she asked Mike where he was working that day,” according to a filing in the divorce case in October 2021.
Kathleen Hastings alleged the assault took place at about 7 a.m. on Nov. 9, 2020, “in front of” one of their children and woke up their other child, according to the filing.
“Not wishing to disrupt Mike’s political and social image, and frankly not knowing what to do, Kate did not report the abuse to the authorities at the time,” wrote Kathleen Hastings’s lawyer Brett Buckley.
In the same court filing, Kathleen Hastings alleged that “Michael cannot control his anger in front of the children,” and the lawyer wrote that the senator “elbowed Kate in the face in front of the children.”
I’ve asked the Senate President’s office for comment.
“Sen. Michael Hastings has been on the receiving end of every type of personal and political attack and misrepresentation throughout this divorce, and each of the accusations are inherently false and just not true,” Hanania told WBEZ. “To use a family’s divorce in a political manner as it has been, to influence an election, is reprehensible.
“Sen. Hastings continues to work tirelessly for his constituents throughout the South suburbs and will continue to defend his family and reputation from these baseless personal and political attacks.”
Illinois Senator Michael Hastings lost his battle to keep his court records sealed and it only took moments to reveal serious problems. Within those records is a document that reflects Hastings earned $108,901.00 in 2020 from Geld Solutions, LLC, a company for which he is listed as the Agent of Record and Manager. Hastings did not disclose these earnings on his 2020 or 2021 required Statement of Economic Interest Documents.
That failure is part of an OIG complaint filed against Hastings last week.
Hastings’ spokesman told WBEZ that “Everything was done by the book,” on that topic. He didn’t explain what the company did or why Hastings didn’t disclose any income from it.
* On the campaign front, Hastings is busily sending out negative mailers against his opponent. Just FYI, a court overturned that IG finding against Don Tracy. Click here to read it…
…Adding… ILGOP…
“This is yet more behavior unbecoming of a State Senator. Our legislators are supposed to exemplify the very best of Illinois. Senator Hastings has repeatedly demonstrated behavior this year that shows he is unfit to hold public office.
He should do the honorable thing and resign to save South Suburban voters the trouble of throwing him out of office in disgrace. However, as Hastings’ past behavior has proven, doing the right thing seems to be something he is not capable of doing.
Further, Governor Pritzker has already done the right thing and called on Senator Hastings to resign. It’s a partisan sham that Senate President Don Harmon continues to stay silent regarding whether or not he feels Senator Hastings is still fit to serve in his caucus and hold public office.”
Harmon said of Hastings in July of 2021 after Hastings dropped out of the race for Secretary of State, “Though I am saddened the people of Illinois won’t benefit from the leadership and dedication to working families Senator Mike Hastings would bring to the office of Secretary of State, I’m happy that the people of the 19th District and our colleagues in the Senate Democratic Caucus will continue to have him fighting for Democratic values in the General Assembly.”
Harmon kicked Hastings out of leadership, so it’s not like he’s done nothing.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Senate President Don Harmon…
“There have been a series of troubling elements brought light by Senator Hastings’ ongoing personal divorce case.
Accusations of domestic violence are to be taken seriously. I took immediate action to remove him from Senate leadership given the circumstances. The situation remains under review.
This week, I asked my staff to reach out to Senator Hastings regarding his ethical disclosure filings and to recommend he update them if needed. At first glance, it appears this situation may very well highlight how ineffective the previous forms were and why Illinois Senate Democrats led efforts to update them and make them relevant.
Good government practices built around meaningful ethical disclosure and a safe workplace are necessary steps toward rebuilding public trust in state government.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Leader McConchie…
In light of new allegations found in recently unsealed court documents obtained by WBEZ, Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) has made the following statement:
“These new troubling and disturbing allegations against Senator Michael Hastings further prove why he should step down from office—just as he should have weeks ago. Even Governor Pritzker has called for his resignation, but instead, Sen. Hastings has put his ego over what is best for his constituents. These allegations are so beneath the office he holds, and the people of the South Suburban district deserve representation that is beyond reproach.”
Elly Fawcett-Neal, a former staffer to Democratic state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, says she was wrongly fired in June after getting pregnant.
In an interview with Playbook: Fawcett-Neal, who now lives in the United Kingdom, said she filed a complaint with the Legislative Inspector General earlier this month.
“It was awful,” she said of working in Carroll’s office. Before she was fired, Fawcett-Neal said Carroll’s chief of staff, Michael Amarilio, urged her to get an abortion.
Carroll denied the accusations, telling Playbook, “I want an investigation. Full stop.” Amarilio didn’t immediately return a request for comment.
To be clear: In a separate statement, Carroll said, “I take these allegations very seriously and I believe they should be reviewed by the Legislative Inspector General. While I have not been informed of any official complaint, I plan to request such an investigation myself. My office and I will cooperate fully, and the investigation will guide further actions.”
Timing of Fawcett-Neal’s story is curious, given the approaching elections, but the former legislative aide said that’s coincidence. She told Playbook she had been pursuing different avenues to complain and turned to the “Dear White Staffer” anonymous Instagram account to see if someone could guide her.
How it became public: A person with the account asked if her emailed message could be posted. Fawcett-Neal said she agreed. Her story first appeared in Rich Miller’s newsletter, Capitol Fax.
* From Fawcett-Neal’s Instagram post…
Amarilio told me “I dispute these allegations,” and pledged to cooperate with any LIG probe.
Also, Rep. Carroll does not have a significant opponent. The dude running against him only raised five grand in the third quarter and the HGOP did one mailer for him a couple of weeks ago. The 57th District is pretty solidly Democratic, so the timing is basically irrelevant.
* House Speaker Chris Welch released this statement yesterday…
“I take all allegations very seriously and I want to encourage Ms. Fawcett-Neal to file a report with our Legislative Inspector General, if she hasn’t done so already, so a full, fair, and thorough investigation can occur.
“I want to be clear that those involved in these allegations are not employees of the Office of the Speaker and no employee of my office was made aware of these allegations against Representative Carroll or his Chief of Staff prior to them being made public. Representative Carroll has expressed how seriously he takes these matters, and he is prepared to cooperate fully with the Legislative Inspector General.
“Restoring trust in Springfield and in the Illinois House of Representatives has been one of my top priorities since I was elected Speaker. In addition to passing a comprehensive ethics package, we’ve appointed a well-respected judge with a reputation for fairness and accountability to fill that role as LIG and provided his office with the resources it needs to do this important work. Restoring trust in government is a continuous effort and I don’t take that responsibility lightly.
“In the coming weeks my staff will conduct additional ethics and workplace harassment trainings for all members and their staffs. As always, my office, our HR Department, and our Ethics Officer are at the disposal of the LIG as he thoroughly investigates these allegations.”
* The House Republicans released this statement today…
Illinois State Representatives Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) and Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) respond to the revelations of harassment and emotional abuse at State Representative Jonathan Carroll’s office after a victim came forward who detailed harassment, sexism, and pressure by office staff to have a medical procedure against her wishes.
“The toxic and hostile work environment that Ms. Fawcett-Neal was subjected to by Rep. Jonathan Carroll and his staff is unacceptable and we wish her the best as she deals with the hurt and pain this experience has caused her,” said State Rep. Tony McCombie. “This situation amplifies the culture of harassment, intimidation, and retaliation that we have seen permeate state government for decades under Democratic majority rule. We are hopeful the Legislative Inspector General will be swift in their investigation, and we urge anyone with additional information or knowledge of this to please put their loyalties aside and share the information with LIG. Representative Carroll and his staff who were complicit in this untenable situation should consider resigning immediately.”
“We seem to have yet another example of how Springfield Democrats’ supposed political principles end once political insider power begins,” said State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi. “Ms. Fawcett-Neal has alleged horrible experiences involving Representative Carroll and his staff. She claims that she could not get meaningful relief because his political allies would protect him. But is anyone surprised that Springfield’s culture of corruption constantly creates fresh stories of victims who feel knocked down, locked out and hopeless? To protect their corrupt practices from real oversight, Democrats rendered the Legislative Inspector General toothless. As we saw with the Special Investigating Committee involving Mike Madigan, they refuse to call out their own. With no accountability, it is inevitable that abusive practices will continue go unchecked.”
* NASW-IL has withdrawn its endorsement…
The Illinois Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-IL) was dismayed to hear of the allocations against Representative Johnathan Carroll this week. The NASW-IL Political Action Committee (PAC) has publicly endorsed Representative Carroll for the 2022 election, the serious public accusations have resulted in the PAC questioning the candidate’s alignment with social work values and, as such, feel it is important to rescind the endorsement. The representative has been notified of this action.
NASW-IL PAC supports women in sexual harassment allocations and women’s rights in the workplace. The endorsements of the PAC reflect those values.
…Adding… A question was raised in comments about Fawcett-Neal’s employment status when she left for the UK. She saw the comment and then reached out to confirm she “was still completing all my work while in the UK and was working 14 hour days in some cases due to time zones.” She also attached an email as an example.
These allegations are very troubling and the behaviors alleged are unacceptable. The Governor urges that these allegations be fully and quickly investigated. Anyone who has committed any wrongdoing should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
