* Politico…

The NRA says it casts a blind eye to party affiliation, but of course all the Democrats were given F’s (and one D).

Top of the gun class: Two Republicans, Congressman Darin LaHood and Congresswoman Mary Miller, received A’s. And Congressman Mike Bost earned an A-, of all things. Republican challengers who filled out the questionnaires received AQ’s (A on questionnaire).

Worth noting: In a year that’s been plagued by mass shootings, including in Highland Park, there are some Republican candidates who didn’t fill out the questionnaire at all.

One Republican candidate who did answer is Chris Dargis, who’s running in the 8th Congressional District against Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (He got an F from the NRA.). Krishnamoorthi’s campaign has written a letter urging Dargis to publicly release the questionnaire so voters know why he got the A. Dargis’ campaign dismissed the letter as a “political ploy.”

At least one Democratic state legislator, Rep. Lance Yednock, received an “A” and was endorsed.

Anyway, expect the Krishnamoorthi campaign to amp up pressure on Dargis to release his questionnaire.

* Darren Bailey also received an “A” from the NRA, as did Tom DeVore. Pritzker campaign…

Today, pro-gun extremist Darren Bailey received an A rating from the National Rifle Association––an organization that is bankrupt both morally and literally. Whether he is raffling off AR-15s at campaign events, or telling mass shooting victims to “move on and celebrate,” it is clear Bailey’s radical positions are out of touch with a vast majority of Illinoisians.

Bailey is so pro-gun that teachers at his private school, Full Armor Christian Academy, were armed with guns with signs at the school’s entrance reading: “Staff heavily armed and trained. Any attempt to harm children will be met with deadly force.”

Bailey has consistently used violent and callous rhetoric when discussing firearms, even in the face of devastating tragedy. While speaking at the Illinois Gun Lobby Day in 2019, Bailey riled the crowd by saying, “I promise you, when that line is drawn on the sand, we are going to be one of the first ones there…because I will never, ever, give up my AR-15, or any other gun.” In 2021, Bailey proclaimed, “I will die on my porch before I give up my guns.”

Rather than express sympathy and mourning after a shooter killed seven and wounded dozens at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Bailey was unsympathetic, calling for everyone to “move on and celebrate” a mere 90 minutes after the shooting.

As a legislator, Bailey has repeatedly pushed reckless legislation that would have made it easier to acquire firearms in Illinois while eliminating key safeguards. Bailey has led efforts to repeal the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, which requires Illinois residents to have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification Card in order to possess or purchase guns or ammunition. He again sponsored a bill to accomplish this goal in 2021, claiming that the cards “serve absolutely no purpose.” Bailey has even supported efforts to lower the age required to purchase a gun.

“Darren Bailey would rather shoot down the budget than pass a balanced one,” said Pritzker Campaign Spokeswoman Natalie Edelstein. “Bailey should be ashamed of his A rating from the NRA, an organization that has consistently blocked common sense gun legislation that is supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans.”

* Allow an unnamed “political insider” to accuse a state legislator of committing an illegal act on the slimmest of reeds. Just another day in the Proft paper world…

State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) is being accused of offering jobs for political support as she faces GOP challenger in the 92 House District.

Gordon-Booth is the Deputy Majority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives.

“This is an example of how Illinois Democrats have learned to operate after decades without accountability,” a political insider said of the tape.

Tape of the robocall by Gordon-Booth is being used an example of how the political playing ground in the state is controlled by Democrat interests given applicants were asked to obtain more information at Gordon-Booth’s campaign headquarters.

“One day, one day only I am partnering with IDOT to host a hiring pop-up open house at my community headquarters in Campus Town, suite 7 this Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. – this Sunday 1 to 3 pm. IDOT is hiring for the highway maintainer position,” Gordon-Booth said in a message to voters.

“Of individuals in this region, to be eligible for this job, you have to have a valid driver’s license and a CDL. It is an amazing opportunity for someone who’s always wanted to get one of those big jobs working for IDOT. It’s a great way to get you foot in the door.”

Gordon-Booth invited WMBD-TZV into her headquarters to promote the event.

IDOT personnel were on command to process applicants.

Brandon Higgins told WMBD he felt the event was geared towards minority hiring.

* Speaking of Proft, here’s CBS2…

We first showed video of a woman being attacked on a North Center community sidewalk because the robbers were wanted for a dozen other attacks.

But then, the video went to another level when the woman became the center of a political ad. And we have now learned the woman was never contacted to be a part of the advertisement. […]

Kozlov: “I’m here to talk to you about if you feel that it was the right thing to do ethically to use that video in an ad without getting the victim’s permission, considering victims’ advocates…”

Proft: “I don’t need their permission.”

Kozlov: “I know you don’t need it legally, but ethically – considering victims’ advocates also say that its use – the use of that video – was abhorrent in this purpose.”

Proft: “Like I said, when everybody’s sensibilities are such that they’re not going to broadcast acts of violence, then you can come back and talk to me. But until then, nope.”

* ABATE…

ABATE of Illinois Political Action Committee (ABATE PAC) announced their endorsements of candidates in the November 2022 General Elections today. ABATE PAC grades candidates and makes endorsements based on candidate responses to surveys, existing relationships with ABATE of Illinois members, voting record, and advocacy on behalf of motorcyclists and off-road riders in Illinois. The full ABATE PAC voters guide including grades for all candidates will be posted on the ABATE of Illinois website at www.abate-il.org in the next few days.

Kwame Raoul has been endorsed for another term as Attorney General alongside Susana Mendoza for Comptroller and Michael Frerichs for Treasurer. All three candidates have a long legislative history of working with ABATE and being responsive to issues affecting motorcyclists in their current roles. Attorney General Raoul has shown interest in protecting the civil liberties of motorcyclists, while Comptroller Mendoza and Treasurer Frerichs have been responsive to ABATE concerns surrounding the Cycle Rider Safety Training, and Off Highway Vehicles Trail funds.

In the race for Secretary of State, ABATE PAC has endorsed Dan Brady. Representative Brady met with ABATE several times demonstrating a nonpartisan, service-oriented approach to running the office of Secretary of State. His knowledge of the office, combined with previous experience in advocacy for modernizing similar offices, along with a campaign focused solely on issues related to the Secretary of State’s office leads ABATE PAC to believe that he would be a great Secretary of State.

ABATE PAC did not make an endorsement recommendation in the race for Governor. Senator Darren Bailey is a rider who has been an advocate for motorcyclists ever since joining the General Assembly as a Representative with a spotless voting record on ABATE supported bills. Governor JB Pritzker has signed every ABATE supported bill presented to him into law, along with working to get motorcycle safety classes restarted during the pandemic, and having ABATE represented on autonomous vehicle issues. ABATE PAC had concerns with statements attributed to the Pritzker administration regarding motorcycles not being a primary mode of transportation, but recent moves to include electric motorcycles in infrastructure and incentives programs along with improved communication are seen as a positive step. Both Candidates are rated A by ABATE PAC.

* Press release…

Besides featuring the Party’s first-ever Spanish-language ads, a new Democratic Party of Illinois ad campaign launched this week targets Black and downstate voters in over 230 zip codes across the state ahead of the November election.

“As Chair, one of my top priorities is to ensure that we’re connecting with diverse, often-underrepresented communities across Illinois,” said Chair Lisa Hernandez. “Our new ad campaign, which is reaching Black and downstate voters in over 230 zip codes, is just one of the many ways that we’ll continue to engage with voters in every corner of our state ahead of November and beyond.”

The campaign, focused on minimum wage and support for working families, consists of six 16-second digital videos running on YouTube. The campaign includes variations on each piece of creative to separately highlight the following candidates: Susana Mendoza, Kwame Raoul, Mike Frerichs, and Alexi Giannoulias.

“I’m proud to see the Democratic Party of Illinois’ bold investment in reaching Black communities across Illinois,” said State Representative and State Central Committeeperson Maurice West. “Every day, Democrats are working to uplift and support working families. It’s critically important that we share our message, our progress, and our vision with voters in every corner of our state — especially those who are too often left out of the conversation. That’s what we’re doing with initiatives like this targeted ad campaign, and it’s what we’ll continue to do with more programs to come.”

“With this new ad campaign, the Democratic Party of Illinois is speaking directly to our downstate communities on the issues that matter,” said State Central Committeeperson Vivian Robinson. “I’m glad to see this investment in downstate Illinoisans, and I look forward to our continued work to engage and mobilize voters in every part of the state ahead of November.”

With two months to go until the election, the Democratic Party of Illinois is making bold investments in traditionally underrepresented communities across the state. The Party will continue to invest in creative, innovative initiatives like these to reach and mobilize diverse voters ahead of November.

* More…

* Republican candidate withdraws from 49th State Senate race: Keagle said she withdrew due to health issues.