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* Greg Hinz…
Is U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush going to be the second Chicago congressman in a week to hang it up? […]
As of [yesterday] morning, with filing due to close in just four days, on Dec. 3, neither Rush nor anyone else seems to be circulating petitions in his 1st District, which stretches from the South Side of the city past Joliet into Will County. And Rush’s office isn’t returning phone calls or emails asking what’s up.
In talking to insiders here and in Washington, I’ve picked up two theories. The first is that Rush is running, but is intentionally filing late this time, having almost been knocked off the ballot by a petition challenge two years ago. The second is that he really is retiring, and perhaps is trying to work out a way to hand off the seat to his son, Flynn Rush, who had been viewed as a likely candidate for the Illinois House seat being vacated by Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, but hasn’t yet filed.
If petitions aren’t out circulating yet, it will be very, very difficult to get enough valid signatures just over the weekend.
He’ll need 1,230 valid signatures, according to the Board of Elections.
* NBC 5…
Representative Bobby Rush is the only Illinois Congressman not to file his petitions for re-election, but this isn’t the first time that he’s put off filing.
In his re-election bid for the 2016 race, he waited until the very last day to file his petitions. If he chooses to do that again this year, Monday would be the last day that he can turn them in to be eligible for the March ballot.
Despite the delay in filing, those close to the congressman, including community activist Hal Baskin, say that “he’s in.” Even Rush’s Congressional colleagues have asked him if he is retiring and he has told them no.
Rush’s son Flynn Rush has not filed yet either, but he is circulating petitions for the first time to replace State Rep Barbara Flynn Currie, as she will not be seeking re-election. Some skeptics have insinuated that there could be a switch in plans for Rush, but those whispers remain rumors as the deadline date approaches.
* Sneed…
Ending weeks of speculation, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush tells Sneed exclusively he will file for his 14th term in office on Monday. […]
“We must go back and protect the legacy of President Barack Obama, in the area of jobs, health care, education and environment,” he said.
Rush, who has been in office for 25 years, also told Sneed that his son Flynn will also file his nominating petition on Monday to run for the seat of retiring state Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, who is the majority whip of the Illinois Assembly representing the 25th District.
In response to the BGA investigation of a church owned by Rush, he told Sneed, “It’s all in the Lord’s hands, it’s always in God’s hands.”
That BGA story is here.
*** UPDATE *** Mary Ann Ahern…
Ald. Howard Brookins has decided at the last minute to circulate petitions for the March primary to run for Congress in Illinois’ 1st District, he told NBC 5 Friday.
That’s the seat held by longtime Congressman Bobby Rush.
While those close to Rush say he plans to file his petitions on the last day — Monday — Brookins told NBC 5 he began circulating petitions because “something doesn’t seem right.”
Rush is the only Illinois Congressman who has not yet filed his petitions for re-election, but this isn’t the first time that he’s put off filing.
Brookins lost badly to Rush in the 2016 primary.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 2:30 am
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Bobby Rush needs to retire (I mean he can’t, because how else is he going to make $174k/year and re-pay this judgement?) How many other members of Congress would wait to file on the last possible day because they are worried about petition challenges? Usually more time in DC means more clout, but with all his missed votes, he has the least amount of impact of any of the IL Dem Congressional delegation. Are there no other Dems willing to take the plunge and challenge him? Rush only has $82k in his campaign account and it’s been 17 years since he turned back Obama.
The BGA investigation is eye opening. Financial troubles can happen to anybody, but using campaign money as donations to buy and then operate a church is just plain sketchy, not to mention the $1 million from AT&T that went to build…nothing.
Comment by Lunchbox Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 7:46 am
==I mean he can’t, because how else is he going to make $174k/year and re-pay this judgement?==
He could lobby and payback that judgment in about a week.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 9:00 am
Haha lobby for what/who? Rush has no meaningful influence on Capitol Hill. Not all members of Congress can cash in after retirement, it helps to help pass bills/ write legislation/ show up for votes. Since this post, Howard Brookins is going to try to gather petitions–could be interesting.
Comment by Lunchbox Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 9:12 am
Bobbie Rush is the poster child for term limits.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 9:34 am
Reports that he hasn’t been circulating are wildly inaccurate. If that reporting goaded anyone into circulating I feel sorry for them.
Comment by TopHatMonocle Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 9:35 am
Some of the South Side signature gathering groups could get him 5,000 signatures in a weekend, easy.
Whether 1,230 would be valid or not would be the question.
Comment by titan Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 9:35 am
Is there a sorrier congressional delegation than the Chicago delegation?
Comment by JP Altgeld Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 9:39 am
No
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 9:49 am
==Haha lobby for what/who?==
Whoever. Plenty of firms that would pay just to have 12-term Congressman on their letterhead, regardless of actual accomplishments. “The Only Man to Ever Beat Barack Obama” could get paid, don’t you worry about that.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 9:55 am
“Ald. Howard Brookins has decided at the last minute to circulate petitions for the March primary…”
First question for both candidates: Spell “Mokena”
Comment by City Zen Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 10:29 am
CZ, why do you think they can’t spell Mokena?
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 10:33 am
Rush has done almost nothing for his district over all these years. Time for him to go.
Comment by Ron Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 10:35 am
“Is there a sorrier congressional delegation than the Chicago delegation?”
You mean the entire Illinois delegation, right?
Quigley is ok, but that’s about it.
Comment by Ron Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 10:36 am
==Quigley is ok, but that’s about it.==
If I were a Republican, I’d probably be OK with Davis.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 10:50 am
Ok I take my previous statement back, I don’t feel sorry for Howard Brookins wasting his time on this.
Comment by TopHatMonocle Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 10:55 am
Can Rush and Brookins both go away?
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 11:40 am
==If I were a Republican, I’d probably be OK with Davis.===
Danny or Rodney?
Comment by A guy Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 12:06 pm
==CZ, why do you think they can’t spell Mokena?==
It’s probably easier for them then finding Mokena on a map.
Comment by City Zen Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 12:33 pm