* Illinois Review…
The question everyone interested in Illinois’ conservative politics is wondering is “Where’s Dick Uihlein?” and “Who’s the key influencer that is apparently steering Uihlein’s political investments away from Darren Bailey’s bid to oust JB Pritzker?”
It’s a fair question. Conservative gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey is fighting hard among the state’s grassroots to win support against Pritzker, who is nationally recognized as a Leftist COVID tyrant and a radical criminal comforter - exactly the kind of political figure Uihlein would be happy to defeat.
But nothing from Uihlein?
After all, Uihlein has been writing checks this summer to certain, specific House races, one specific Chamber leader, two statewide races (including Tom DeVore and Dan Brady), and a couple of countywide races.
* Open Secrets took a look at fundraising by Generation Z candidates and found that Nabeela Syed easily topped the list with $251,000…
At least 14 Gen Z candidates have collectively raised more than $734,000 for their state races so far this election cycle, an OpenSecrets analysis of campaign finance filings found.
A new generation of state leaders could challenge existing legislatures that remain predominantly male and white. The average age of all state leadership is 58, despite the average American being only about 38-years-old. […]
Run for Something recruits and supports young progressive Democrats running for city, county and state offices through mentorship and direct funding.
Two Run for Something-endorsed state House candidates, Nabeela Syed in Illinois and Joe Vogel in Maryland, are two of the three top Gen Z state candidate fundraisers during the 2022 midterm election cycle.
Syed raised over $251,000 for her primary race against Chelsea Laliberte Barnes to represent Illinois’ 51st District in the statehouse. After winning her June primary with over 73% of the vote, Syed will face off against incumbent state Rep. Chris Bos (R-Ill.), who has raised only about $34,000.
In an emailed statement to OpenSecrets, Syed said that her campaign spent the vast majority of money raised leading up to the primary election and is now pivoting to focus on the general election.
Gaining endorsements from several state senators as well as Everytown for Gun Safety, Syed has utilized her platform to advocate for gun violence prevention, access to abortion and empowering Muslim women to lead.
Syed said there was initial hesitation among some voters given her younger age, but her team knocked on doors and talked with the community. She’s received over $33,000 in political contributions of $150 or less.
She’s quite something.
* Press release…
Today, the Chicago Board of Elections released new ward and precinct maps for the City of Chicago ahead of the upcoming November 8, 2022 General Election. A ward-by-ward break down of precinct changes is included at the end of this press release.
The new ward boundaries were adopted by the Chicago City Council on May 19, 2022, as required every 10 years after the U.S. Census. The Illinois General Assembly recently passed legislation that gave the Board the authority to create new precincts containing up to 1,800 registered voters.
The Chicago Board of Elections is now creating 1,290 precincts across all 50 Wards in Chicago, for a reduction total of 779 precincts. The average number of precincts per ward is 26, and the average number of voters per precinct is 1,165.
Just previously, the City of Chicago had 2,069 voter precincts, with an average of 550-750 voters per precinct. For comparison during the last redistricting process in 2010, the Chicago Board of Elections reduced its precincts from 2,570 to 2,069, for a total reduction of 501 precincts.
Please click here to view and download the new City of Chicago ward and precinct maps
Text from Rickey Hendon, slightly modified by me….
The Chicago Board of Elections is trying to close 1,100 polling places!! It’s HORRIBLE!! People won’t know where to vote, Seniors can’t go far to vote and Black people lose. Meet me at 69 West Washington 9AM Wednesday (tomorrow) outside the Board of Elections with Willie Wilson for a press conference where we will have Attorneys there threatening to sue they *ss!!
If this was Georgia the Democrats would be screaming!!! Voter Suppression!! Racism!! Etc.
* IDCCA…
* Politico…
— Alexi Giannoulias, the Democratic nominee for Illinois secretary of state, is getting an endorsement and campaign support from AFSCME Council 31, the public services employees union that represents more than 90,000 active and retired members in Illinois. AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch praised Giannoulias for his work as former state treasurer, saying “he’s experienced, energetic, and he values working people and their unions.”
*** UPDATE ***
The ad is here.
* More…
* Arlington Heights residents want the Bears — but they don’t want to foot the bill, poll finds: “Our polling shows Arlington Heights voters strongly believe they shouldn’t be forced to foot the bill as taxpayers,” added Costin, who tells Sneed the ARW survey was a phone poll of 300 voters living in the village — population 77,000 — with a margin of error of 5.6 percentage points.
* Koehler, Anderson make their cases for representing the new 46th State Senate District: Anderson said she thinks a decision on how what direction the state takes on abortion rights should be up to the citizens. “That’s the beauty of having a democracy like this: Voters get to turn out and vote on amendments they want, and you’ve got individuals that are running that should hopefully represent what their constituents want. That is up to the voters and whatever voters decide and whatever way that goes, and so be it,” she said.
* Illinois voting rights landscape widens with permanent vote by mail option - As in the last two elections, Illinois voters will be in for some changes when they hit the polls on Nov. 8, 2022.