Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont Independent with ties to key backers of Democratic congressional candidates Delia Ramirez and Jonathan Jackson, is endorsing them, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned. […]
In a statement, Sanders said, “Ramirez has been a champion of working families in Illinois. As a state legislator, she has expanded Medicaid for all seniors regardless of legal status, has secured millions of dollars for affordable housing and defended reproductive rights by codifying Roe Vs Wade in Illinois. I am proud to endorse her campaign for Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District.”
???? NEW AD ALERT - The past two years, the PEOPLE have been paralyzed by FEAR and allowed J.B. Pritzker to rule as a KING. I'm running for Attorney General to Educate, Empower, and Equip the PEOPLE to take back their GOVERNMENT and restore the power where it belongs… within the hearts and minds of the PEOPLE of this great state. The time is NOW to restore the POWER to the PEOPLE and Law and Order to society.
With gas prices hitting record numbers in Illinois, local Republican lawmakers addressed the pain at the pump and potential solutions.
Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Darren Bailey held a press conference on the state’s soaring gas prices. He said one of the biggest issues is Illinois’ gas tax.
In 2019, the gas tax doubled and now sits at 39 cents per gallon. Bailey said the first step toward relief is cutting out the taxes that he said are exacerbating the problem.
* CD1…
Today, the New Democrat Coalition Action Fund announced its endorsement of Karin Norington-Reaves to represent Illinois’ 1st Congressional District. Karin announced her run following Rep. Bobby Rush’s decision to retire from the House of Representatives.
A third-generation Chicagoan with an unparalleled passion for workforce development and decades of experience as a law professor, advocate, and non-profit leader, Karin is uniquely qualified to represent the families in Illinois’ 1st District. She recognizes the potential of individuals and communities in Illinois and has dedicated her life to connecting Chicagoans with economic opportunities. Under Karin’s leadership as the CEO of the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, roughly 100,000 people have been placed in lasting careers. She will be a fierce advocate for Chicago workers, families, and businesses in Congress.
“Over her 30 year career as a public servant and change agent, Karin has demonstrated an unmatched commitment to creating economic opportunities for all Chicagoans,” said Congressman Brad Schneider, Chair of the NewDem Action Fund. “In Congress, Karin will be a strong voice for strengthening the middle class and ensuring every American can climb the economic ladder.”
“My life’s work has been to create jobs and connect people to pathways to economic empowerment, giving them the hope and opportunity to better themselves and care for their loved ones,” said Karin Norington-Reaves. “With innovative solutions and hard work, I’ve seen that these jobs create thriving, safer communities. Being endorsed by the NewDem Action Fund is recognition that my work is making a difference, and that my experience is needed in Congress. When I’m elected to office, I will continue supporting working families and finding new ways to support economic growth in the 1st District.”
The New Democrat Coalition is the largest ideological caucus amongst House Democrats, counting more than forty percent of the caucus as members. The 98 NewDems represent a central core of the Democratic Party and advocate within Congress, and the party as a whole, for innovative approaches and constructive solutions to move America forward. Formed by Members of the New Democrat Coalition, the NewDem Action Fund helps re-elect NewDems and elect new, like-minded leaders who can help develop a positive policy agenda and message.
The state chair for former President Donald Trump’s 2016 Illinois primary campaign is challenging a member of the state Republican leadership in the Illinois House in a battle of contrasting styles in the new 95th District.
Kent Gray, a local attorney who has served as a Republican operative, member of the Lincoln Land Community College board and member of the advance office in two separate presidential administrations, is challenging state Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, in the June 28 Republican primary in the newly redrawn district.
Gray is positioning himself as a more conservative, Trump-friendly option to Butler, who is a relatively moderate member of Republican leadership in the General Assembly.
Gray and Butler have known each other for 30 years, but the key difference between the two comes down to a fundamental matter in the modern Republican Party: to what extent should one support Donald Trump, in his prior, present and future roles in American society?
* CD1…
Alderman Greg Mitchell of Chicago’s 7th Ward is announcing his endorsement of Pat Dowell for Democratic Nomination for Congress in the First District of Illinois.
“Ald. Dowell and I share a vision for safe streets, quality schools, and economic development that ensures every community - especially those longest denied - thrives. I know she will be a workhorse in Congress to deliver resources to every corner of the district. It has been a pleasure to work with her on City Council to build coalitions and implement solutions that deliver real results for people. I look forward to continuing to work with her when she is in Congress,” said Mitchell, 7th Ward Alderman.
“Everyday Alderman Mitchell and I give voice to the residents of our wards. We have worked together to find solutions and then make sure those plans are turned into action,” said Ald. Pat Dowell, candidate for the Democratic nomination for Illinois’ 1st Congressional District.
* More…
* GOP candidates for secretary of state offer contrasting messagesin bid for a post their party hasn’t held for more than two decades : In an interview, Milhiser offered few specifics about his vision for running the office, aside from improving technology and streamlining services for customers. Instead, he emphasized a need to “restore faith in government,” something he said he learned was needed, in part, from his most recent job teaching at the Lawrence Education Center in Springfield. … While praising White, Brady said the secretary of state’s office needs better computer systems and a greater focus on cybersecurity to more effectively prevent driver’s license or state ID data theft. With the secretary of state being Illinois’ official librarian, Brady has also talked about developing a better system for broadband Internet connectivity in libraries throughout the state, especially those in rural areas. He’s also called for more mobile driver’s services for senior citizens.
When Democrats redrew the state’s Supreme Court districts last year for the first time in 58 years, they hoped the new map would maintain their party’s majority on the court.
A longtime Democratic justice had just lost his seat, and state legislators from his party knew that maintaining their 4-3 dominance of the state’s top court would require the party to win just one of the four districts outside of Cook County, which has already sent three reliably Democratic justices to the court.
But the retirement of a Republican justice created a rare open seat race in the northwest suburban 2nd District. And that could tilt the Democratic leaning 4-3 court into Republican hands — if the race in the 3rd District, where Democratic Justice Thomas Kilbride lost his bid for retention two years ago, also goes Republican.
The 3rd District does not have a contested primary.
That is far from the case in the 2nd District, where four Republicans and three Democrats are vying for the seat previously held for two decades by retired Justice (and former Chicago Bear) Bob Thomas. That district now covers a large part of northeastern Illinois, including DeKalb, Kendall, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties.
* Here’s Personal PAC’s social media ad for Supreme Court candidate Nancy Rotering…
* The Illinois Judges Association voted to elevate Rotering’s Democratic primary opponent…
Lake County Associate Judge Elizabeth Rochford was installed as 3rd Vice President of the Illinois Judges Association during the annual meeting on June 3, 2022. The Illinois Judges Association, which represents 1,250 active and retired Illinois state court judges, was founded in 1972 to provide services, support, and education to its member judges and raise public understanding of the Illinois judicial system.
Judge Rochford has been a judge for 10 years and is also an active member and past president of the Lake County Bar Association. Judge Rochford took the leadership role in Access to Justice by establishing the first family law courtroom committed to serving self-represented litigants, the Guardianship Help Desk, and the “Page It Forward” initiative to advance literacy.
Judge Rochford has been recognized by legal and social groups for leadership, advancing diversity, access to justice, and as a Woman of Vision.
* Same district, Republican Party…
The Lake County Bar Association released ratings this week of candidates for the Illinois Supreme Court, giving Judge Daniel Shanes their highest rating, “highly recommended.”
The Lake County Bar Association joins a growing list of organizations praising Shanes’s qualifications for the state’s highest court. The Illinois State Bar Association also rated Shanes “highly recommended,” and Shanes received the highest overall rating in a survey conducted by the ISBA among lawyers and judges in the Second Judicial District, easily outperforming his primary opponent as well as the Democrats running for the seat.
The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police also endorsed Shanes, citing his “deep commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law.” As a major crimes prosecutor, Shanes earned the respect of law enforcement for his fair and impartial application of the law.
Businesses know that an even application of justice impacts their environment as well, which is why Judge Shanes has also been endorsed by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. They know that when the rule of law is supported in our state, businesses can thrive.
“I am profoundly grateful to the Lake County Bar Association for their faith in my qualifications for the highest court in our state,” said Judge Dan Shanes. “I have dedicated my career to supporting the rule of law and ensuring justice is done in the courtroom. To have these attorneys, judges, and members of law enforcement acknowledge my qualifications for the bench is an honor, and I promise to represent the people of the Second Supreme Court District with distinction as their Supreme Court Justice.”
Judge Shanes has received endorsements from legislative, law enforcement, and community leaders from across the Second District including former Rep. Jeanne Ives, the Lake County GOP, Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Sue Rezin, Sen Don DeWitte, Sen Craig Wilcox, Rep. Mark Batinick, Rep. Dan Ugaste, Rep. Chris Bos, Rep. Jeff Keicher, Rep. Tom Weber, and many more. See more endorsements of Judge Shanes HERE.
STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE: FUNDING TO BECOME THE EARLY FRONTRUNNER
• Provides instant credibility to a political newcomer, while raising name ID
• Unlocks the next round of large Chicago donors who will back the leading candidate
• Dissuades new entrants by establishing a dominant position
• Avoids a long primary that forces candidates to take more extreme positions that leave them unelectable in the general
Yeah, well, that didn’t happen.
And Sullivan has moved far to the right as Irvin took over the slot he hoped for. But now with Irvin fading in the polls and pulling his Downstate ads, can Sullivan make a move?
* Lately, Sullivan has been trying to poach Darren Bailey’s voters. Let’s look at some ads. Here he says “schools are the “front lines in this battle against the left’s woke agenda”…
Script…
Today, Illinois schools are the front lines in this battle against the left’s woke agenda. Our children aren’t allowed to say prayers at school, yet boys are allowed to play in girls’ sports. Our students are failing the basics, but they’re teaching sexuality to second graders. It’s crazy. As a parent, it is my right to have a say in my child’s education. As governor, I’m going to push back against the left injecting their ideology into our curriculum. And bring excellence back to our schools.
in 2004, I road a bus to March for Life. Today, my wife and I are foster parents because we try to live our pro-life values. But Governor Pritzker, he celebrates a culture of abortion over a culture of life, using our tax dollars to turn Illinois into the abortion capital of the Midwest. That’s wrong. I’m Jesse Sullivan. I will never apologize for my faith. And I will always fight for life.
* The Question: Considering all that’s happened this week, what’s Jesse Sullivan’s best path forward?
* Background is here if you need it. More to come, but these are the Richard Irvin campaign ads “that will be running moving forward,” according to a campaign spokesperson. This first one was from March…
I’m Richard Irvin. When I ran for mayor, Mike Madigan campaigned against me. I beat him. Now Governor Pritzker is afraid that I’ll beat him, too. There’s nothing the left fears more than Republicans who look like me and think like us; that all lives matter; that cops should be defended, not defunded; that handouts keep people down. But maybe that’s what liberal politicians want. I’m Richard Irvin. And I’m their worst nightmare.
When one of us is at the table. That’s when change happens. Like when Delia Ramirez went to the Statehouse. Delia banned politicians from becoming lobbyists. In Congress, she’ll ban shady money too. But not Gil Villegas. He is a lobbyist for big oil, private prisons and for ComEd, which was caught giving out bribes. Gil is part of the problem. We need to send one of us like Delia Ramirez to Washington. I’m Delia Ramirez. I approve this message.
