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*** UPDATE 1 *** SJ-R…

Staffers for Illinois House Democrats were first in line, having had volunteers outside the door since Thursday. They carted in petitions for more than 100 candidates, said Tim Mapes, chief of staff to House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, and treasurer of Democratic Majority, a committee that helps elect Democrats to the House.

The House GOP campaign operation also was on hand, with staffers in line since Saturday. They were filing about 100 sets of petitions Monday. […]

Incumbents Reps. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, and Michael McAuliffe, R-Chicago, each joined their respective staffs before 7 a.m. Monday. […]

McAuliffe said that when collecting signatures, he didn’t hear much about the budget standoff, though some people said, “’I want to get my lottery money,’ or ‘I can’t buy a lottery ticket,’” because many payouts are on hold due to the impasse.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Lynn Sweet…

Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton is running Illinois delegate slates packed with some of the best-connected political figures in the state the Sun-Times has learned. […]

In Illinois, the delegate selection process was led by two diehard Clinton allies, Kevin Conlon, the president of Conlon & Dunn Public Strategies, and attorney Kevin O’Keefe. […]

A sampling of the Chicago-area Clinton delegate slates shows among the elected officials: Cook County Board President Toni Precwinkle, Chicago Treasurer Kurt Summers, state Sens. Kwame Raoul, Mattie Hunter, Jacqueline Y. Collins and Terry Link, state Reps. Sara Feigenholz; Jack Franks, Linda Chapa Lavia, Lou Lang, Mary Flowers and Barbara Flynn Currie, and from the City Council, Ald. Leslie Hairston.

Among activists and operatives are Lauren Beth Gash, Anna Valencia and Rick Garcia.

Among the wives of elected officials are Caroline Rush, the wife of Rep. Bobby Rush; Soraida Gutierrez, wife of Rep. Luis Gutierrez; Aesook Byon, the wife of Rep. Bill Foster, and Shirley Madigan, wife of Illinois House Speaker and state Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 8:30 am

Comments

One of my absolute favorite days of a year, no snark.

Best of luck to those filing.

Now things start getting a whole lot “real-er”.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 8:36 am
A shame that Biss decided not to run. He would have been much better in that role than Mendoza, who was drafted by party leaders to balance the ticket.
I blame Madigan.

Comment by Keyrock Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 8:37 am
From Jim Walz’s filing I learned that there is a street called Brown Circle in Gurnee. hehehe.

Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 8:51 am
I think the Caribou Coffee next to the HyVee in Springfield sold enough coffee this morning to keep them in the black for months.

All those candidates and their peeps clogged up the lines this morning and greatly disrupted my schedule.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 8:55 am
- Keyrock -,

The Munger-Mendoza race gins up turnout with a Chicago Latina, and it gives the Labor Movement and Democrats a larger and longer window to frame the race beyond Munger, beyond Mendoza.

I do like Biss, but he’s right, it’s not his time, and the writing was on the wall. If there was a primary, and Munger sitting out there watching both camps deplete the cash of the other, that would’ve been disaster for Biss or Mendoza.

Munger is the clear favorite, today;

Unlimited resources - TV, radio, monies for Staff & Crew
The Rauner statewide pluses list
The Topinka skeletal Crew running the campaign

Munger is the 9/5 favorite.

Mendoza needs large city numbers (Presidential race is a big boost), a strong coordination of Labor, Social Service Advocates and their groups, and Democrats making sure the come out to vote. Mendoza requires people… talking to people and having the tough conversation about Gov. Rauner… while being outspent, quite possibly by a 4-1 margin.

This is THE race. It has my complete and undivided attention.

Kirk’s race is the national referendum, the POTUS race is in that prism too. The congressionals will probably be, overall, a big ole yawn, and the micro districts, “IllinoisGO & Raunerites and ‘Fire Madigan’ v. Democrats, Labor and Social Service Advocates and groups” for state House and Senate districts will be fought at the street level…

… Munger v. Mendoza… It could be a referendum, it could be the continued steamrolling of the Rauner statewide juggernaut.

Biss, it wasn’t his race. Mendoza makes it a race.

With respect.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 8:56 am
Who is Kenyatta Nicole Vaughn? Missed a lot over
the last month and she filed for the 6th District.

Comment by Illinoisvoter Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 9:02 am
OW - I agree with your political analysis. I’m just an old-fashioned, sentimental goo-goo. (Ok, an extremely cynical, but sentimental goo-goo.).

Comment by Keyrock Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 9:06 am
Did we know Jaime Andrade would have a primary?

Comment by Stan Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 9:13 am
Stan, yes. Subscribe.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 9:14 am
I think the GOP primary in the 31st Senate District is going to be a bruiser.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 9:22 am
Not to throw water on anybody’s parade-but 300 candidates have filed and nothing has stood out so far.

Comment by train111 Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 9:30 am
Just don’t yet see the number of Republican candidates challenging Dems in the House, that some expected. Are they later to file? Very selective only to the most competitive seats, as usual.

Comment by walker Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 9:34 am
Hastings has a primary? Was that expected?

Comment by The Muse Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 9:38 am
==Just don’t yet see the number of Republican candidates challenging Dems in the House, that some expected.==

You probably will not see anything extraordinary.

Comment by NOTFUNNY Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 9:41 am
It’s early but at first take…

It already seems unlikely that ILGO was recruiting candidates. Greg Goldner would be smart enough to get his candidates to file on day 1. Possibly some will emerge, but the rumors had always been that they would try to take out vulnerable African-American legislators. Don’t see any evidence of that, unless Justin Slaughter and Bobby Rush’s kid were recruited.

No one has filed against Dunkin yet.

Sauer and Spain all without primaries on the GOP side.

Sonya Harper hasn’t filed yet. She may have an uphill climb against Genita Robinson, who ran against Fioretti for 2nd ward alderman.

Comment by Rahm'sMiddleFinger Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 9:58 am
Bob Romanik, a local radio talkshow host in the Metro East, filed to run as a Republican for Eddie Lee Jackson’s now open seat.

Comment by downstater Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:05 am
===Bob Romanik, a local radio talkshow host===

I was looking for a particular appearance on that show and listened online to several episodes in an attempt to find it.

Whew, baby. That show is quite something

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:07 am
Brad Halbrook (state rep.) - ousted an incumbent in 2012. Didn’t run for re-election in 2014.

He has just filed for 2016.

Comment by Downstate Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:07 am
Are any of them going to Chuck-E-Cheeses after to celebrate?

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:11 am
No Napoleon Harris for U.S. Senate yet .

Comment by Archiesmom Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:11 am
Downstate - if my memory serves me correctly, Mr. Halrbook didn’t run for reelection due to residency issues. He wasn’t really “ousted” and he backed Reggie Phillips in the 2014 primary.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:14 am
Andrade’s primary challenger is not an ILGO (at least not how he’s portraying himself). More on the Guzziardi-independent-”progressive” camp.

Could be an interesting campaign. We’ll see.

Comment by 40th District Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:22 am
If I’m IllinoisGO, I file on the last day, last hours.

No reason to give extra days for the Democrats to go who they are, and what the strategy is until absolutely necessary.

Plus, depending in the raw number of IllinoisGO candidates, why be “the talk” if the filings while the process is ongoing.

The “worry” of who, how many, where, strength of petitions… why tip that hand? The scare, sometimes, is worth more than the statement.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:26 am
I tend to agree with OW 10:26. And there’s always the slating process.

Comment by Archiesmom Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:33 am
===I was looking for a particular appearance on that show and listened online to several episodes in an attempt to find it.

Whew, baby. That show is quite something===

Very entertaining show, and I have no idea how he’s stays on the air. There have supposedly been dozens of FCC complaints filed against him by St. Clair County elected officials.

Comment by downstater Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:34 am
ILGO will file on last day to limit time for challengers to review petitions.
I disagree with the sage wisdom of OW on the Munger race. I think it would be quite an upset if she wins, even with the Gov money. Mendoza will win comfortably.

Comment by Fan Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:38 am
OW: Guessing that you’re right.

If IllinoisGO is not waiting to file last on GA spots, then not sure just what their mission will be. State-level officers and city folk? Or will they directly support GOP candidates?

Comment by walker Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:41 am
=== And there’s always the slating process ===

You cannot slate candidates to run in primaries against incumbants.

Comment by Anonymouth Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:44 am
- walker -

I think you are asking “the” right question;

===…not sure just what their mission will be.===

Right now, the one thing, the only thing I absolutely know, IllinoisGO is the parking spot for $9 million.

That’s it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:47 am
- Fan -, I do hear ya, I respect your opinion too.

I’d just be very careful dismissing Rauner’s money, and what Rauner can do with it when all the stops are pulled.

That’s why this race has my complete and undivided attention.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:50 am
For What It’s Worth does a nice job of listing all the committees and many legal ramifications of filling judge spots, but there are some fun political ones too….

there is a Lipinski running for judge in the Elrod vacancy. any relation to the Cong and former Cong?

Jim Hanlon is running as a Dem for judge in sub circuit 12, the same sub where his wife Kay Hanlon ran, and won….. as a Republican.

Dan Duffy running for the Ruscitti Grussel vacancy. he is the husband of Sheila O’Grady, former Chief of Staff to Mayor Daley.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:54 am
It’s worth remembering that Leslie Munger couldn’t beat Carol Sente.

A lot more money will make it a different race in 2016, but still. Couldn’t beat Sente.

Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:56 am
In Cook County, Dorothy Brown has filed for Clerk of the Circuit Court, so it looks like she’s not backing away even after the federal indictment of her staffer.

Alderman Michelle Harris, who was endorsed by the CC Democratic Party after they pulled the Brown endorsement, has not filed yet.

Comment by Century Club Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 10:56 am
Liz - good take, but what I think was play was the typical question: who would want to give up a spot for something that is one guaranteed for 2 years? Yes, there’s a pay increase from Rep or Senator to Comptroller, but you’d be under the gun for pretty much the entire two years and you’d have to run a Presidential cycle instead of the normal Gubernatorial cycle.

Look at who typically runs for statewide office: Senators in the middle of a four year term. Radogno and Rutherford in 2006, Rutherford in 2010 and Frerichs in 2014. Tom Cross is the outlier because he screwed the pooch, panicked and had to do something to validate his decision to step down as House GOP leader. Otherwise the candidates are mid-termers or a surprise (Alexi G).

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 11:02 am
Oh - and, of course, Bill Brady in 2010 and 2014.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 11:03 am
No Urlacher yet

Comment by Jimmy CrackCorn Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 11:13 am
I’m no expert on election law, so maybe I’m completely wrong…but if ILGO is an independent expenditure committee, they can’t co-ordinate with candidates, right? Helping a candidate get on the ballot is the very essence of co-ordination. Don’t they have to sit back and see who gets on the ballot and then help them with big dollar non-coordinated efforts? Assuming they want to act legally, of course.

Comment by Luke Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 11:14 am
5th Appelate Court is the race I’m watching. They are over the St.Clair County court where us union folk like to do our business. Two seats open and it flips to Republican if they win. Go Weber and Bleyer! AFSCME stands with you! They came and spoke to our local on Thursday. Great people!

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 11:18 am
We appear to have all the 8am filings in. Correct? No Smiddy in the 71st along with his fellow caucus members??

Comment by Anon2U Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 11:24 am
===We appear to have all the 8am filings in. Correct?===

The HDems typically submit all their petitions at once. They’re usually first in line. They’ll be processed sometime today.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 11:26 am
It appears that all the other Hdems are in. That’s what I find odd. Well, that and Smiddy.

Comment by Anon2U Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 11:35 am
=Hastings has a primary? Was that expected?=

No, but it certainly is deserved. He ran as a conservative, but legislated about as far left as you can go. He’s the one who knocked off Maggie Crotty and her machine, and her IBEW sponsors.

I knew of Hastings when he was on the school board. As sharp, and as manipulative, as they come.

I once went to one of Crotty’s fundraisers, when I saw a bunch of IBEW guys who looked like they could break legs for a living buying rolls of “raffle tickets” for thousands of bucks of untraceable cash. They walked away with a bunch of TVs and golf clubs.

That’s when I found out that Maggie was bought and paid for, and started my push to the right side of politics in Illinois…

Comment by Arizona Bob Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 11:53 am
So why does one have to file with the State BOE to be on the Prairie Dupont Levee and Sanitation District?
Inquiring minds want to know.

Comment by train111 Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 12:04 pm
==- Arizona Bob - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 11:53 am:==

So your deeply held convictions and years of experience began in 2012?

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 12:20 pm
===5th Appelate Court is the race I’m watching. They are over the St.Clair County court where us union folk like to do our business. Two seats open and it flips to Republican if they win. Go Weber and Bleyer! ===

This should be interesting. The Republicans are running two solid candidates, John Barberis, a Madison County Circuit Judge, and Randy Moore, a recent appointee to the Appellate Court and a former Circuit Judge from Carterville. They’ve spread things out geographically, too, which is smart.

Comment by downstater Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 12:25 pm
Was at a fundraiser in so illinois last year.wasnt particulary impressed with Bliss. Pretty much business as usual. Need more revenue,need more revenue…….

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 12:27 pm
- blue dog dem -

You do know Rauner’s own budget thoughts… need more revenue, needs more revenue…

You also realize the 67 GOP GA members will be “green” for, arguably, the largest tax increase in Illinois history… to be signed by… Bruce Rauner… right?

Are purposely ignorant or blissfully unaware?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 12:32 pm
BDD - normally, I’m with you. However, with Senator Biss it’s different. His math skills and ability to reason his points means that he’s not just spouting talking points.

He won me over quite a bit during his introduction of and debate regarding his consumer protection bill. He knew everything in the bill and didn’t need a piece of paper or many notes. He did the same thing with the gay conversion therapy ban, and he came across as even-keeled and willing to hear extreme criticism from his opponents.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 12:59 pm
If the HDems submit all their petitions at once, does that mean Madigan’s machine was/is helping Dunkin?

Comment by curious Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:16 pm
OW @ 12:32 said…
“You also realize the 67 GOP GA members will be “green” for, arguably, the largest tax increase in Illinois history… to be signed by… Bruce Rauner… right?”

Not without major reforms they’re not.

Major.
Reforms.

Comment by Anon2U Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:32 pm
- Anon2U -

Dear ‘Major. Reforms.’

What does The Owl say?

@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate.

Ron Sandack agrees, but ‘Hang In There’… yeah, um… that failed, so there’s that.

Major. Reforms.

… those ‘Major. Reforms.’ are really going to be what deal is agreed to.

Good luck with that!

OW”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:39 pm
In the 75th house race it appears the nurse from Morris, Martha Shugart is taking another shot at Rep. Anthony. This will be a race to watch.

Comment by Tumbleweed lines Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:40 pm
OW,
Get to 60 right? Remember that number? No way a budget gets done before Dec. 31. The bigger the tax hike the bigger the reforms. 30 is the top end in the House and I’m betting it’s more like 20. R yes vote totals are a direct proportion to the reforms. No reforms, it’s a D budget and revenue increase. Reforms=R votes. All 47 in the House going green ain’t gonna happen unless the wise owls win the day. Hard to comprehend??

Comment by Anon2U Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:00 pm
were any Dem primary candidates NOT in the House Dems batch? as in folks going it alone without Madigan?

Comment by Amalia Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:43 pm
Oh - Anon2U -

Structured roll call will demand 67 GOP “green”.

Rauner owns the voting keys. The agreed structured roll calls will demand 67 GOP “green”, it would be malpractice to let any GOP member off the hook…

… while Jack Franks laughs at all the Raunerite mandatory “green”.

Madigan will insist.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:45 pm
So does the State Board have a typo or did someone from St. Charles really file to run against BFC in her south shore Chicago district?

CURRIE, BARBARA FLYNN
5650 S. HARPER AVENUE
CHICAGO, IL 60637 25TH REPRESENTATIVE
DEMOCRATIC Active
11/23/2015 8:00 AM

PIEROG, CORINNE M.
93 WHITTINGTON COURSE
ST. CHARLES, IL 60174 25TH REPRESENTATIVE
DEMOCRATIC Active
11/23/2015 2:03 PM

Comment by The Captain Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:47 pm
OW-”blissfully unaware”. Good one. It’s obvious a LARGE revenue increase is on the horizon. I do expect an equally as large expenditure reduction. The cuts have to be painful and spread out across the board. If there is no pain, then there is no gain (ooh! That’s bad), and we will repeat this tax increase process in approx three years.

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:59 pm
Bissfully unaware….

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:01 pm
Captain

Typo on behalf of the BOE
Pierog is running in the 25th SENATE race against Oberweis. It appears that it is already fixed on the website.

Comment by train111 Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:11 pm
The Captain - I think that is 25th Senate.

Comment by muon Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:15 pm
- bdd -

I fed you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:33 pm
OW- just remember, I am more than likely, one of the few true independents who subscribe to this fine institution of higher learning. By the way, did anyone hear if the RAUN Man killed Bambi? One of the few things he and I have in common…..

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:37 pm
===just remember, I am more than likely, one of the few true independents who subscribe to this fine institution of higher learning.===

What does that even mean?

I don’t think you’re an Indie, I think you just get confused a lot. Either way, I don’t know what you said up there, but you said it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:43 pm
Ow- I brew my own brand of kool-aid. Ya see, I am a small time business owner. I know first hand how tough it is to survive in a tough tax, work comp, litigation frenzied state. I have all blue collar unionized employees that in no way are the cause of this states problems. Couldn’t have survived the big 08-09 depression without the unions support. I don’t mind a big property tax bill every year, but deep down I know it can’t keep escalating at the rate it’s been going. Thats why when I hear guys like Biss (and the RAUN Man for that matter) talk about revenue increases without expenditure cuts, well, it makes a bit nauseous.

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:58 pm
==talk about revenue increases without expenditure cuts==

Nobody is talking about that.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:30 pm
- Demoralized -

Thus my… responses. Ugh.

- bdd -

With respect,

I do wish you well, just read what you write, think about the logic, bud.

That’s why I say you’re confused as to what’s going on, at times.

With respect.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:35 pm
Downstater,
What happened to “The Gerbil”?

Comment by Blago's Hare Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:52 pm
A couple of interesting HDem primaries in the Chicago area (Acevedo & Mah; Patel & Andrade, just to name a few…)

Comment by InTheKnow Tuesday, Nov 24, 15 @ 12:52 am