With Black History Month and the South Carolina primaries taking place in February, the personal finance website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2016’s States with the Highest Political Engagement Among Blacks.
To determine where black Americans are most engaged in the political process, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 48 states across six key metrics. They include black voter turnout and registration during the most recent midterm and presidential elections as well as the proportional representation of blacks in the state legislature and national party conventions.
Political Engagement of Blacks in Illinois (1=Most Politically Engaged; 24=Avg.)
4th – Black Voter Turnout (2012 Presidential Election)
17th – Black Voter Turnout (2014 Midterm Elections)
7th – Black Voter Registration (2012 Presidential Election)
31st – Black Voter Registration (2014 Midterm Elections)
1st – Proportional Representation of Blacks in State Legislature
Look at that horrible number for 2014 voter registration. Pat Quinn’s campaign depended on a heavy African-American turnout, which didn’t happen, and high voter registration, which also didn’t happen. It was a complete failure.
* That last number is pretty interesting to me. I’ve been told by African-American legislators that their counterparts in other states are often amazed at how many black people are in the Illinois General Assembly. It’s one reason why some African-American leaders here are skeptical of the remap reformers’ intentions. They have built something that no one else has matched, and they don’t want it taken away.
With 11 weeks remaining in the petition drive for redistricting reform, the Independent Maps coalition has exceeded the 507,500 petition signatures collected in the 2014 effort and is on target to reach the new coalition’s goal of 600,000 signatures.
“Support for the Independent Map Amendment has been phenomenal,” said Dennis FitzSimons, Chair of Independent Maps. “We’ve collected 510,000 signatures so far and will turn in many more signatures than the previous campaign, which fell short of the number needed to qualify for the ballot. We’re confident our petition signatures – well in excess of the required 290,216 signatures – will withstand challenges by opponents of reform.”
* Juliana Stratton’s campaign just sent this one out. As you’ll see, it uses the allegations made in the second Ken Dunkin restraining order, which has not been recanted…
* Maze Jackson has responded on Facebook, by the way…
I have remained pretty quiet on the Ken Dunkin material that was mailed by Alderman Brendan Reilly to get points with the boss Speaker Madigan. But I must say that as a Black man, I am HIGHLY offended at what was depicted in the mailer/flier that Reilly distributed.
To tell you the truth, I got into some trouble as a young man and if your dig really deep I am sure you can find a mugshot and charges, but that does not define who I am today. I know many Black men and women who faced some relationship challenges early on and have learned from those mistakes and gone on to be productive members of our community, but if someone took a look into their past, they could probably find something. An argument that got loud with an ex, a DUI, or a marijuana charge. Could you imagine if someone decided to dig it up from 20 years ago and try to define you as that TODAY? Do you know how many people, particularly Black people would be screwed.
Alderman Reilly spliced together a police report (if you want to discuss police reports ask LaQuan McDonald or David Koschman how those work out) and a mugshot (we know how they use Black people mugshots) to paint Dunkin as an abuser, although in the report the alleged victim categorically denies Reilly’s portrayal.
So we are clear…Black people will accept a White North Side Alderman criminalizing Dunkin in that manner? Are we that gullible? Are we that stupid? Clearly Reilly thinks so. Look, you can disagree with Dunkin’s politics all day long, but the man has a family and kids. To have that that crap mailed to their house and for them to see it at school is unconscionable. And for Dunkin’s opponent to suggest that she did not authorize the mailer, but she heard whispers, and that it should be looked into while claiming to be an advocate for criminal justice reform should be an offense to our community. Political lynching in full effect…
He does make a very good point that people can be a whole lot different now than they were 20 years ago.
* Myself and several others tried to reach out to Rep. Ken Dunkin yesterday about the mug-shot attack mailer launched by the 42nd Ward, but he wouldn’t talk to anyone else except ABC 7’s Charles Thomas…
The return address on the cards is the Northside’s 42nd Ward Democratic Organization. It is headed by Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly. Reilly is a former aide and most-of-the-time loyalist of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
“If the speaker’s successful with me, he’ll have every member intimidated for the next 10 years,” Dunkin says. […]
According to documents provided by Alderman Reilly, Dunkin was convicted of violating orders of protection battery and sentenced to probation. But the victim in the 1996 case, who wished to remain anonymous, said the charges were exaggerated.
“He is not violent. He is not an abuser,” she said. “He has done an amazing job in the community. It’s unfortunate that something that happened 20 years ago would service to tarnish his character and who he is today.”
* But not mentioned in the story is that in April of 1998 another woman named Anita Harris alleged this, according to the 42nd Ward’s oppo file and accompanying documentation…
Yikes.
Keep in mind that Dunkin was never actually convicted of those allegations. The orders of protection were based on the words of two people on two occasions - although judges apparently found those words credible enough to issue the orders.
* And the man whom Dunkin was convicted of punching isn’t in a forgiving mood…
The April 1996 incident began when Dunkin approached a woman — the mother of his child — and the two began arguing. A man tried to intervene and was punched, the records show. […]
Some 20 years later, victim Matt Hawkins, now a 48-year-old community activist in East St. Louis, said he vividly remembers the altercation, which left him with a scar, a broken nose and dental plate. He also recalls that Dunkin bragged that he had political connections.
* Even so, the lawyer who represented the child’s mother says all’s well that ends well…
The Sun-Times was unable to reach the complainant, but her lawyer, Lester Barclay, said that the case was amicably resolved and that Dunkin remained a “stand-up guy.”
“All I know is he met his obligations, and he has been a standup guy and a great father,” Barclay said. “Once we worked everything out, it was fine … he provided for his child.
That’s very good to know.
* However, keep in mind that the cold political reality here is these news stories are one-offs and were aired/published on a Friday night/Saturday morning, when most people aren’t paying attention. But that negative direct mail is gonna keep pounding Rep. Dunkin through March 15th.
On the other hand, if you actually watch Charles Thomas’ report, he’s got plenty of stuff that Dunkin can use in a response TV ad with Dan Proft’s $500K, especially the mother’s voice. She sounds extremely sincere. That’d be a killer response piece if they decide to address the issue.
Although, as subscribers know, Dunkin’s Rauner connection polls very badly.
* By the way, Rep. Dunkin’s 50th birthday party looked well-attended last night, although his friends and supporters woke up to this today…
* Subscribers have a copy of this mailer, plus another harsh one from the Stratton campaign…
The Democratic lawmaker who broke with Michael Madigan, depriving the House speaker of his supermajority and ability to override gubernatorial vetoes, is the target of a new campaign flyer out today in his district, and there’s only one word for it: “brutal.”
The flyer, prepared and paid for by Ald. Brendan Reilly’s 42nd Ward Democratic Organization, features what apparently is an old police mug shot of Rep. Ken Dunkin. It talks about jail sentences, being a “deadbeat dad” and more. And it prominently notes that Dunkin, who faces a difficult primary race against the union-backed Juliana Stratton, is getting tons of financial help from allies of Gob Bruce Rauner.
“Why are groups tied to Governor Rauner and the Republican Tea Party spending $750,000 to re-elect ‘Democrat’ Ken Dunkin?” the flyer asks on one side, picturing Dunkin with a “thumbs up,” hiding behind a pile of cash.
The flyer then answers its own question: “To help Ken Dunkin hide from his very disturbing record.”
On the back side, next to the mug shot, it says the representative’s “legislative record is disturbing but his criminal record is even worse,” with Dunkin allegedly having “twice violated orders of protection and served jail time.” He failed to pay child support and voting against a bill to make it easier to collect interest on delinquent child support, the flyer says.
In [a radio ad] that debuted Wednesday, Rep. Ken Dunkin was criticized for allegedly colluding with Gov. Bruce Rauner and Mayor Rahm Emanuel and acting against the interests of his constituents.
“Ken Dunkin has sold you down the river to Gov. Bruce Rauner and his boys,” the ad by Citizens Against Corruption chairman William J. Kelly says.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Could a walk-back possibly be in the works? I’m told by IllinoisGO, which has spent a ton of money supporting Rep. Dunkin, that they’ve seen the pieces and are looking to establish the facts.
“He [Ald. Brendan Reilly] did not consult with me before those were sent out,” Stratton said.
But Stratton added: “The information is relevant. It’s relevant to the voters of the 5th District who have a right to know all of the information to help them make an informed decision in this race about who should represent them in Springfield.”
Stratton said she’s heard “rumblings in the community” about the allegations in the fliers, but “I didn’t know any of the details.”
Asked if it’s fair to bring up alleged incidents that, in some cases, occurred two decades ago, Stratton said she’s “an advocate for a second chance,” but also believes that candidates and those holding public office should be held to “a higher standard.”
Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) Director Candice Jones today issued the following statement:
“The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice today announced it will be closing its Youth Center in Kewanee. The decision to close IYC-Kewanee was difficult, but it is the right decision for the State of Illinois. We considered many factors in arriving at this conclusion, including: national best practices; optimal youth outcomes; ongoing challenges at the facility as highlighted by court-appointed juvenile justice experts and costs to the State. An analysis of each area supported an overall decision to close.
“This decision is about transitioning Illinois to a new model of rehabilitating youth that aligns with national best practices and improves community safety.
“What we know from national research and other states is that youth do best when we work with them in the most appropriate, least-restrictive setting. For misdemeanants and youth with other low-level offenses, that means partnering with proven, effective non-profits to provide resources and work with youth in their communities. It also means that secure custody in state facilities should be reserved for only the highest risk youth who pose a threat to the community.
“The Department’s facilities have historically mirrored adult correctional institutions in policy, programming and procedures, failing to take into account the unique needs of adolescent brain development. By closing this large, maximum-security facility, we will be able to transition to developing smaller, treatment-focused facilities that are proven to be more effective in rehabilitating youth.
“As of February 10, the Department had 436 youth in its care. Our capacity to room youth in single bunks without using confinement, a manner considered to be a best practice, is 989 bunks. Closure of IYC-Kewanee would leave 683 beds. That is enough capacity to comply with best practices, and account for seasonal fluctuations in the number of youth confined. We cannot continue to operate six facilities when the numbers are so clear.
“This closure will also allow IDJJ to reinvest a portion of the cost-savings into community-based programming and reduce overall costs to the State. It will also allow the State to explore repurposing the facility to continue to provide services [to citizens, other populations, etc.]. That’s good for taxpayers, youth, families, our communities and the entire State.”
I’m sure react will be forthcoming.
*** UPDATE *** From the ACLU…
We welcome the announcement that the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice will close the detention facility at Kewanee due to a falling population at the youth center. The ACLU of Illinois always intended our consent decree with the IDJJ (RJ v. Jones) not only to address the services that juveniles receive in facilities like Kewanee, but also to cause the Department to re-examine whether they need to detain so many young people. Clearly that re-examination is yielding results.
With the decision to move youth out of Kewanee, we are hopeful that the IDJJ will now have more resources to improve services and conditions for young people at the remaining five (5) facilities, and to provide necessary services to youth offenders in their own communities. We hope that this is just the first announcement regarding the closing of a youth detention facility, and that we can move to a day when Illinois detains fewer juveniles in far-flung parts of the state.
Edwin C. Yohnka
Director of Communications and Public Policy
American Civil LIberties Union of Illinois
A top Senate Republican strategist laid out how the party plans to portray U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth should she win the March 15 Democratic primary and face Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk in the general election.
Speaking at a Thursday breakfast, Ward Baker, executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said the GOP will seek to tie Duckworth to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, whose popularity has plummeted, and “Chicago-style politics.” Emanuel led the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee during Duckworth’s first, unsuccessful bid for a House seat in 2006 against Republican Rep. Peter Roskam.
Also running in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary is Andrea Zopp, the former head of the Chicago Urban League, and state Sen. Napoleon Harris. The breakfast was hosted by the Christian Science Monitor.
The mayor’s numbers are just horrible. I’ve never seen anything like this.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From Wordslinger in comments…
Has the RSNC checked in with Kirk?
Because Kirk gave Emanuel a ringing endorsement last year as a “strong capable leader” with “gravitas.” A mayor who can move the markets and the only one who could prevent…. you guessed it, Chicago from becoming “another Detroit.”
–”The people who are running against Rahm don’t have the gravitas with the bond market. I would worry about the value of the Chicago debt if Rahm was not re-elected,” Kirk, R-Ill., told reporters at an event celebrating Casmir Pulaski, the Polish general who fought gallantly in the American Revolutionary War.
……”It’s a concern if we had one of the less-responsible people running against him,” Kirk said at the event in Chicago. “None of them could command the respect of the bond market. The collapse of Chicago debt — which already happened with Detroit — would soon follow if somebody who is very inexperienced replaced Rahm. …You’ve got to have a strong, capable leader and the people I’ve seen running against the mayor are not that leader.”—
And that’s just one reason why I love my commenters so much.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Duckworth campaign…
“The truth hurts: Mark Kirk helped lead the charge into the Iraq War, and that disastrous decision created the conditions which gave rise to ISIS. He was wrong then, he’s wrong now, and his bizarre Twitter tantrum and subsequent statements reveal that he doesn’t appreciate being challenged or held to account for how he’s been wrong on just about every critical national security issue of the past 15 years, or for his irresponsible rhetoric. When Kirk fear mongers over Syrian refugees or says criticism of Iran will just “bounce off their turbans” — or when Donald Trump says we should ban all Muslims from entering the country — these politicians are dividing people and running counter to an America that welcomes people of good will from all faiths. They’re also doing groups like ISIS a favor by painting a phony picture that America is anti-Muslim, which only serves to recruit more terrorists who hate us and want to kill our soldiers and civilians.” — Matt McGrath, campaign spokesman
[ *** End Of Updates *** ]
* In other news, Sen. Kirk was on WLS this morning…
* Some quotes supplied by the Senator’s campaign…
I would say that for Tammy Duckworth to blame the junior Senator for Illinois for Islamic terror, shows she is a naive fool, not fit for office in the Senate with this threat that’s growing to the United States.
There’s a statement she made that she said of the 900,000 refugees who were let in the country not one has had a problem with law enforcement which is directly wrong, and she knows that in Bowling Green, Kentucky the FBI busted 2 Iraqi refugees who were plotting to conduct terror operations here in the United States. And that was already public record and already broadcasted by ABC news.
Saying that the Jr. Senator from Illinois was responsible for Islamic terror. You know, it was just so dumb. You just lay it out there. So blindingly idiotic to say that the people of Illinois would think that…
