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The live video from CBS2 is now up and running.

Also, Judy Baar Topinka has just conceded.

Use this as a new election results open thread.

*** UPDATE *** Want a good idea what kind of a day it’s been? With 47 percent of the vote counted, Tony Peraica is barely ahead in his re-election bid for Cook County Board Commissioner. This is not the president’s race we’re talking about. He’s barely ahead in his own commissioner’s race. 16,916 for Peraica (50.66 percent) to 16,473 for Democrat William Gomolinski (49.34 percent). Lots of votes to count.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Holy Moly. Cook County Board of Review Republican incumbent Maureen Murphy, a former state Rep., is losing badly to Democrat Brendan Houlihan, 56.7 to 43.3 with 69 percent counted.

*** UPDATE 3 *** AP has declared Alexi Giannoulias the winner. That’s a sweep for the Democrats, who were swept 12 years ago. And Senate President Emil Jones is closing in on a veto-proof majority as I write this.

*** UPDATE 4 *** If you’re still up at 12:49, you really should be watching Chicago TV right now. This Cook County thing is getting more bizarre by the minute. Tony Peraica and a crowd of angry supporters are heading over to the County Building. ABC7’s feed is still on.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:08 pm

Comments

Oy…

Comment by Lovie's Leather Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:11 pm
It’s a sad sad day for Illinois…I will be ashamed to be from a state that has a sitting governor indicted…

Comment by ISU REP Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:12 pm
Listening to Blagojevich talk about what he inherited–deficits, pension funds, medicare debt, underfunded education–I don’t see much that has changed.

Comment by Fan of the Game Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:14 pm
blech

Comment by kimsch Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:15 pm
Will Blago get to be inaugurated before he is indicted? We may be inaugurating Quinn by then.

Comment by Nearly Normal Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:15 pm
I, I, I, I, I….It’s all about him. I agree with kimsch..blech

Comment by Fan of the Game Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:17 pm
This guy is incredible.

Comment by Jim in Accounting Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:17 pm
How pathetic. He knows his speech is so full of crap that he can’t even deliver it with a straight face.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:19 pm
Good night and good luck.

Comment by Nearly Normal Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:20 pm
I can’t stop laughing…..I agree….all I heard was I, I, I, I, I…..that’s right Governor….you aint seen nothin’ yet!!!

Comment by Laughing Outloud Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:20 pm
Blago down to 49… I told ya… no way this guy reaches 50!

Comment by Lovie's Leather Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:20 pm
I know they say the camera adds ten pounds but man look at the head on Hoffman.

Comment by LMAO Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:21 pm
I’m sick to my stomach.

Comment by anon1 Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:21 pm
Hey Bill, I’m conceding. Little Egypt Native, sorry I couldn’t make it to 17th Street tonight at 8 pm but I was there Sunday night and had to spring for the family deal anyway. You just didn’t get to enjoy it with me. I did tell the cashier to expect you tonight though.

But this election absolutely pales in comparison to the wonderful visit with Little Little Egypt who is going back to Baghdad on Thursday.

Comment by Little Egypt Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:22 pm
Denny on the tube. “I’ll have a statement tomorrow.”

snort

Comment by HappyToaster Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:23 pm
I DEMAND A RECOUNT!

Comment by GWM_GOP Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:24 pm
The Call are puking knowing their great song “Let the Day Begin” is being played at this victory celebration.

Comment by Fan of the Game Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:25 pm
At least when he looks at his numbers outside of Cook County, he’ll know how the STATE feels. Way to go GOP, the guy is going to finish under 50% and still unchallenged. Disgusting.

Comment by Jim in Accounting Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:26 pm
I have read this blog for months, but I have rarely posted. Congrats to Blagojevich’s handler’s for the win. I wish I could say something positive about the people he surrounded himself with… Good luck with the next 4 years or 3 years or 2 years or whatever months you have left.

Comment by Toxman Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:29 pm
“Way to go GOP, the guy is going to finish under 50% and still unchallenged. Disgusting.” Jim in Accounting

Yet the GOP couldn’t find a candidate to beat him. Take what little pleasure you can get tonight, I guess.

Comment by doubtful Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:32 pm
Anyone see Chris Kelly up there? It’s hard to see around Pat Quinn, but I didn’t see him this time…

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:32 pm
So I wonder if Whitney didn’t take away more votes from Topinka than Blago after all.

Anyway, tomorrow we all go to work and smile like they do in those commercials about “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”.

And begin the plans for 2010.

Comment by Mandate my you know what Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:33 pm
Screw 2010, what about 08?

Comment by Lovie's Leather Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:35 pm
Bill, Wyndy, Silverback, congratulations and enjoy it while you can.

I’ll open the indictment pool with February 9th.
“Let the healing begin”.

Comment by Gregor Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:36 pm
I’ll second the indictment pool with April 15.

Comment by Lovie's Leather Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:37 pm
BTW, how do you wash this purple ink off the thumb, anyway?

Goodnight!

Comment by Gregor Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:37 pm
Indictment Guess: Dec 17th.

Comment by OAD Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:41 pm
Oy is right, Lovie.

Someone send Fitz a ton of coffee. He needs to work faster.

Comment by Angie Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:42 pm
Someone in the Blago crowd kept saying, “Nice!, Nice!” And when he talked about his family, that person was like, “Nice family!.”

That was funny.

Comment by ceed Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:42 pm
What is the deal with Lake County?! Giannoulias won it… this does not compute. I know Lake is trending more and more toward Democrats. But that is ridiculous.

Comment by Lovie's Leather Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:42 pm
It has been a fun and enjoying time blogging with everyone on this blog for the last 6-7 months. I am very, very happy with the results from tonight-in state and nation wide. I will leave you all with one last phrase which I believe I have said before, “numbers do not lie, people do.” Illinois is a Blue State! Praise God.

Comment by SilverBackDemocrat Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:42 pm
I felt like I had a split personality this evening while tracking the votes in Illinois and nationally. I was rooting for Democrats in all races except for our current Governor. I guess we can only wait for the indictments to continue. His will come within the next year.

Comment by So Blue Democrat Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:43 pm
Not the end of the world. Blago is not likely to survive this term. I’m not broken hearted about Topinka’s loss. She was never my first choice anyway. I heard from a reporter on Channel 2 that the IL GOP has to go back to the drawing board. While Blago won’t win with 50% of the vote, he really did just blast Topinka out of the water.

BTW, a lot of peole were calling it for Peraica’s seat. He was going to have trouble there more so if not as much as he might for County Board President.

Comment by Levois Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:43 pm
Lovie, I too am perplexed by the results in Lake. My precinct was highly Red in the primaries and it turned deep blue for this election.

Comment by kimsch Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:45 pm
Jim in Accounting said, “At least when he looks at his numbers outside of Cook County…”

One of my profs called it “Crook County” in class.

Yeah. No matter which party, they keep electing the worst of ‘em.

Thank you for embarrassing us all. Now Rod will continue to fight with, I don’t know, Lisa Madigan even? About the subpoenas? About the charity care issue that he won’t work WITH her on? Sad.

Comment by Angie (post-script) Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:45 pm
Lovies Leather - Alexi won because he is the better candidate. A clean sweep all up and down the statewide races.

Comment by Way Northsider Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:49 pm
CNN called the 8th for Bean.

Comment by Lovie's Leather Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:49 pm
Schnieder(R)lead for Cook Board 15th is under 800 votes. He ran out Carl Hansen in the primary.

Comment by HappyToaster Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:50 pm
Way Northsider, I am not going to debate candidate credentials at this point. The fact is, the better candidate doesn’t always win. That is why we need to restrict the amount of spending candidates can do so people can really get to know who is the better candidate… someone with experience… or someone that is “old money.”

Comment by Lovie's Leather Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:52 pm
Maybe Judy should have tried to define what an assault weapon really is

Comment by Downtown Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:54 pm
It’s so comforting to know that the media was so concerned about the balance of power at the national level and IL is left with the party of indictments.

Comment by Mandate Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:56 pm
Well well well. Blago sure is Not welcome in Springfield. He should take note and stay up yonder. We (75%+) really only want to see him in prison orange. Bye bye Blago !

Comment by Citizen A Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:58 pm
Man, it is just a really bad year to have an R next to your name… Even for Mr Macaca himself….
99% Precincts Reporting
Jim Webb Democrat 1,141,052 (50%)
George Allen (i) Republican 1,138,676 (49%)
Glenda Parker Independent Grassroots 25,512 (1%)

Comment by Lovie's Leather Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 10:59 pm
My indictment pool date. December 8th - it’s my birthday. What a great present!!!!

Comment by First Timer Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 11:03 pm
Yeah… I picked tax day… but it also happens to be my birthday as well…. It is also the day Abe Lincoln died and the Titanic sunk. So I thought we would just add one more disappointment to my birthday.

Comment by Lovie's Leather Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 11:05 pm
It’s Bill’s night for vindication. Enjoy dude!

BTW. Did it sound to anybody else like Blago is still in campaign mode? Turn him off for a night or two. Please.

Comment by Buck Flagojevich Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 11:06 pm
CNN declares King(pin) Alexi as winner of the treasurer’s race. Well that is pretty much it for me. Maybe there will be some sense of this in the morning. Well, congrats Democrats. It definately is your year.

Comment by Lovie's Leather Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 11:07 pm
Bill, I’ll be buying the round at Brown’s.

Congratulations.

AA

PS: I’ll bet on February 14 for I-Day.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 11:13 pm
to cranky old self-serving Maureen Murphy, goodbye and good riddance. she should be sentenced to a year of nonstop listening to her stupid leprechan radio spot.

Comment by LG Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 11:18 pm
Looks like it’s time for Frank Watson to find some new digs. Maybe Dillard will bring his caucus back in line with what this state represents, See ya Frank

Comment by Downtown Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 11:37 pm
Congrats to the Dems. According to the Trib website right now, in addition to the statewide office sweep the Dems have won or are winning 20 of the 25 contested State Senate seats. I don’t think Illinois can get any bluer — and neither can I…

Comment by Sarge Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 11:40 pm
In case nobody noticed, Whitney broke 20% by a good margin in Boone and Winnebago counties. Guess the RR Star does influence people up there.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 11:44 pm
Don’t hold your breath waiting for a quick indictment of Gov. Sleazy. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this process drag on for two or even three years. Before they go to trial against a sitting Governor, the feds are likely to be more careful than ever. But in the end, I expect them to nail Blagojevich to the wall. Unfortunately, Illinois will suffer in the process.

As for Cook County, it looks like we have a repeat of the vote-counting fiasco of the Primary. It is mind-boggling that people went ahead and voted for that incompetent County Clerk, David Orr. Fortunately for Orr, gross incompetence in not a federal offense. He will simply have to settle for being the clown prince of vote-counting officials here in America, now that Ken Blackwell has been whipped in Ohio.

RANDALL SHERMAN
Secretary/Treasurer, Illinois Committee for Honest Government
Chicago

Comment by Randall Sherman Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 11:58 pm
It’s going to be an interesting 4 years for sure with GoverNOT Hairdo. He’s going to have a tough time keeping track of who is friend or foe, who is indicted, who is soon to be, who he got money from and for what job/contract, etc. He is going to be looking over his shoulder ALL the time, second guessing his every decision, and still doing stupid things because he doesn’t know any better. And now he has to also get Mrs. B. to watch her back side because they are both in so deep they will never get out.

Elvis also has to figure out how to come up with teh $45+ million that he doled out during the campaign to buy votes. Apparently it worked. And he has to figure out a way to pay back the pension system and pay for all the programs he began but the legislature didn’t fund. I’m anxious to see how long he can go without a tax increase and what song and dance he will give us when he realizes he has to pass one onto us.

Yep, it’s going to be an very interesting 4 years. I do agree with Randall Sherman. Fitzgerald won’t work quickly. He has one pace and that is deliberate. It may take him 4 years to get Elvis - - - but he WILL get him!!!

Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 12:13 am
Get over it! The people spoke and Road was re-elected! It is the system. You are more than welcome to move to utah!!

Comment by I love it Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 12:17 am
Dems should be more worried about the Green Party at this point.

Comment by Green Day Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 12:30 am
AAMOF, Whitney actually broke 20% in four counties (Boone, Winnebago, Jackson and Ogle) and came close in several others, mostly college-town counties.

And JBT won a majority or plurality in 2/3 of Illinois’ 102 counties.

But Rod proved that Cook, while it is hemhorraging residents in numbers higher than any other county in the U.S., is still the top dog to be reckoned with.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 12:49 am
Alexi better be careful if he ever wants to run for a higher office. I have a feeling that as soon as he declares his candidacy, his opponent will cut an ad calling him “Rod Blagojevich’s Treasurer”.

Speaking of which, for those who were wondering, ALDERMAN DICK MELL WAS AT THE ALEXI RALLY! Even more ironic, as he was giving a speech, CLTV was on the big screen right next to him, with Rod giving his speech. That kind of blew my mind.

For what it’s worth I was at the Alexi party, and his older brother is a much better speaker than he is. However, Alexi on the other hand is a much more handsome man.

Comment by Nickname Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 12:55 am
And by the way, that Peraica speech was hilarious. WATCH CHANNEL 5 to see Peraica leading his flock to the county building.

This guy is Illinois’s version of Howard Dean. I am totally glad I voted for this guy.

Comment by Nickname Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 12:57 am
This might be dangerous - large crowds of unruly people (all thinking the others are crooks )… converging on a small room filled with reporters.

Comment by JohnR Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 12:59 am
This Peraica thing is hilarious. Thanks for pointing out this ABC7 feed, Rich!!!

Comment by LOL Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 1:08 am
No one is going to believe this tomorrow morning.

Comment by Ivory-billed Woodpecker Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 1:29 am
Wow! It’s a gonzo zoo scene over there. Crazy. Have they let Periaca upstairs yet? Now I see they brought in the security. Man, he’s bigger than any Chicago Bear.

Only in Chicago.

Comment by Buck Flagojevich Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 1:42 am
Too bad the governors race wasnt this close…I could see JBT and Tony down there singing we shall overcome…Gotta love politics in Chicago!!

Comment by ISU REP Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 2:10 am
I cannot believe that, for the second time in 8 years, the “knowledgeable” voters of Illinois have elected a governor whom conventional wisdom says will soon be indicted. These people deserve the royal screwing they’ll continue to get, and I wish I didn’t have to live in a state where the majority gives its “leaders” a license to steal.

PARALLEL: Otto Kerner was the last D to be elected to a 2nd term as Gov. He later was imprisoned. The matter may well continue.

Comment by Snidely Whiplash Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 8:12 am
Um, the “pattern” may well continue, that is.

Comment by Snidely Whiplash Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 8:13 am
There is a gradus to public service taken by effective politically elected officials - they are successful.

The voter, has been talked down to by the incubated and hatched ‘reformers.’ Incubated and hatched by university think tanks, study groups, and other tweedy wonders who could care less what the average voters wants in a punlic servant.

The Coalitions, Mobilization Cadres, Peoples Movements and all that sort of nonsense is not and never has been grassroots - grassroots is Mrs. Bobich with a cracked driveway and two sons home from Iraq looking to take the Cement Finishers test and want the Precinct Captain to reachout to Aldo Parreti the BA with Laborers until the test is talken and the Precinct Captain calls the Alderman about Mrs. Bobich’s problems and the Alderman ‘gets on it’ and the Precinct Captain delivers. That’s Grassroots.

The ‘Machine’ like it or not is Grassroots its called government service.

So, before Sqweaker or Mousey gets the Haines in a knot with ‘Pay to Play, or Insiders, or Royal Families - read the numbers, Sweetheart - Grow up!

Want to be a public servant? Serve. Want to be a big-time Reformer like Forrest and no Tony Peraica - Shoot your foot off.

Comment by Pat Hickey Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 8:25 am
Every Illinois GOP party official should tender his/her resignation after this one.

This is arguably the worst managed state political party in the US, INCLUDING the “Party of Silly Walks”

One more thing,

“Maur-een good ni-i-ight, Maureen good night. Good Night Maureen, Good Night Maureen, there goes those lawyer fees…..”

Does your campaign staff have to get real jobs outside the BOR now?

Comment by PalosParkBob Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 8:49 am
Thanks for the posting about the parallel, Snidely. The thought of Blago being the next Otto Kerner put a bit of a smile on my face. Did anyone else see the Tribune’s breakdown of how the votes went in Illinois counties? Practically every county outside of Cook and Metro East voted republican for Governor. Wish we could get Cook to secede the state. Then they could elect all the crooks they want and leave downstate alone.

Comment by Walking Wounded Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 8:52 am
Incredible how Peraica and Proft complained about the chaos at the Cook Co. Bd of Elections.

They incited much of it by encouraging a bunch of mostly drunken goons to storm the building!!

The GOP cause has just been set back another 30 yrs in Cook County.

Comment by Peachy Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 9:46 am
As much as I wanted to see someone stick it to the Cook County Dems for the Stalinesque coverup of John Stroger’s infirmity and the annointing of Todd Stroger, this Peraica stunt last night was bush league. If you have a beef with the election results, send in the lawyers not the drunken goons.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 10:53 am
Blago may have gotten the plurality, but I would hardly call failing to achieve even a simple majority a mandate. In fact, by definition, more people voted AGAINST Blago than voted for him.

We need a system of majority elections in Illinois.

Comment by Squideshi Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 11:04 am
Look on the bright side. Now that the Democrats are in total control, they have no one to blame for anything.

The rest of us should expect to see a bunch of shiny, happy people behaving as cuddly little bunnies from here on out. No k’vetching about policy at the state level. Right? (rolls eyes while laughing)

Rod had better have some bunnies in that hat of his, because the last political cartoon I saw was one of Rod reaching for the bunny, only the bunny was dead. Being an ardent fan a warped, twisted, cynical, sarcastic and black humor, that was one of my all-time favorites. lol

Comment by Angie Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 11:35 am
Peraica made a boneheaded move, agreed. I don’t see how those numbers make any sense, though, and between that and missing suburban returns and boxes of ballots with broken seals, there does seem to at least be some reasonable basis for a degree of suspicion. But, as Burgandy said, you send in the lawyers, not the drunken buffoons.

Comment by Snidely Whiplash Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 11:38 am
Squideshi,

Since the outstanding precincts are mainly in Cook County, Blago will probably hit the 50% threshold. In any case, this is the system we have. Let’s just hope Fitzgerald has got the goods.

Comment by Realist Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 12:19 pm
Regardless of whether the Governor hits 50% or not, it was a blowout. To call it anything short of a mandate is almost delusional. Squid, more than half the registered voters didn’t even vote: do you need a majority of those, too, not to mention the eligible but not registered? By your math we could never elect anyone unless we made voting mandatory.

Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 1:49 pm
I work at a state agency. Our hack executive director brought in donuts today. But no one’s feeling all that celebratory here.

Comment by Just me Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 2:19 pm
Now that Blago has had the office for 4 years…Do you think we are going to no longer hear about how he inherited the Ryan Corruption. I’m so tired of hearing about how he has done so much for our state and how Ryan is the fault of everything!!!

Comment by Country Girl Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 2:52 pm
Country,
Blago will stop blaming Ryan [who’s Build Illinois destroyed the state’s budget] when Republicans stop blaming Bill Clinton for everything.

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 3:52 pm
First time post. Longtime Democrat from Southern IL….not Metro East. Not happy with Rod. However, as far as I am concerned Republicans had this coming when they elected George instead of Poshard as Gov. That was the beginning of the end for the Republican Party in Illinois.

Comment by Josh Lyman Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 10:14 pm
You will never stop hearing Blagojevich talk about what the mess he inherited. He will say anything. He’ll be touting this when he announces his run for President of the USA.

Comment by Deck Marker, Potluck & Roly Poly Wednesday, Nov 8, 06 @ 11:21 pm