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More DoC trouble; Dillard, Quinn endorsed by ISRA; Hoffman gets IEA; Preckwinkle goes up

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Illinois

* I sure hope this story gets picked up by the AP and other outlets, because this is just ridiculous…

Illinois Department of Corrections Director Michael Randle has issued a warning to state prison workers: If you talk to the media, you could be fired.

In a Jan. 13 memo to the agency’s 12,000 employees, Randle says all requests for information should be routed to a designated department spokesperson in order to best coordinate the prison system’s message.

“Employees are reminded that they are not to release information except to the extent required in the performance of their job duties,” Randle wrote.

Corrections spokeswoman Januari Smith says the memo, obtained by the Lee Enterprises Springfield new bureau last week, does not amount to a gag order on employees.

Yeah. Not a gag order. Right. As the story notes, Quinn spoke out against a similar gag order at the Illinois State Police when he was lt. governor. At the time, the state police were in the midst of a blowup over then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s security detail.

* The Illinois State Rifle Association has a huge mailing list and can be a factor in close races, so its endorsements are always closely watched. Here are a few…

In the Republican primary race for Illinois Governor, the ISRA-PVF has endorsed the candidacy of Kirk Dillard. The board found this a very difficult decision in light of the fact that the crowded field of candidates included long-time friend Sen. Bill Brady and exciting newcomer, Adam Andrzejewski.

In the Democratic primary race for Illinois Governor, the ISRA-PVF board of directors has expressed a preference for candidate Pat Quinn over his opponent, Dan Hynes.

In the Republican primary race for Illinois Lt. Governor, the ISRA-PVF board of directors has expressed its preference for candidate Jason Plummer.

In the Democratic primary race for Illinois Lt. Governor, the ISRA-PVF board of directors has expressed its preference for candidate Art Turner.

Another big boost for Dillard. Conversely, being endorsed by ISRA might not be such a good thing for Gov. Quinn if the media picks this up and Dan Hynes uses it in targeted mail. Otherwise, it’s a plus for Quinn downstate. The full endorsement list is here.

That ISRA endorsement will also be golden for down-ballot candidates like lt. governor hopeful Jason Plummer, who has a new TV ad. Watch it…

* Speaking of endorsements, US Senate candidate David Hoffman finally got a big, institutional nod over the holiday weekend. The IEA is stepping up…

“We were very impressed by David Hoffman. His intelligence and commitment to public education make him our strong choice for the Democratic nomination,” said IEA President Ken Swanson.

* Rep. Art Turner and Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole were endorsed for LG by the Sun-Times today.

* Toni Preckwinkle’s second TV ad…

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 18, 10 @ 2:11 pm

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