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Tribune, Sun-Times endorsements reveal the papers’ priorities

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* The Tribune’s endorsement of Erika Harold for attorney general focuses almost entirely on corruption…

Voters this year can make a declaration: We want an aggressive attorney general who will expose, investigate and prosecute public corruption, no matter where it lies.

That’s a key reason the Tribune endorses Erika Harold of Urbana, an attorney with the Champaign-based firm of Meyer Capel, for attorney general. She is a Harvard Law School graduate — winning the 2003 Miss America pageant helped pay for her education — with experience in commercial litigation, criminal law, class action, fraud and contract disputes. On policy, she has been outspoken on the need for criminal justice reform and prison rehabilitation. […]

We are confident Raoul would be an aggressive attorney general for the citizens of Illinois — on some fronts, none of which would offend Illinois politicians. But he oddly downplays the role of the attorney general in pursuing public corruption — “I’m not going to go fishing for it,” he says — and he defends the thin anti-corruption record of the departing attorney general. […]

Voters: If you’re looking for a smart, well-rounded and self-reliant watchdog in state government, Harold is it. She also is a Republican in a state that, with Democrats controlling most levers of government, needs checks and balances on that one-party dominion. Erika Harold is the superior choice for attorney general.

* The Sun-Times focuses on the need for a check on President Donald Trump…

It’s a new era for attorneys general in states across the nation as they step up to fight for the environment, workers’ rights, access to health care, consumer protections, and a free and open internet.

Illinois’ next attorney general will have to take the lead in these battles and others, countering the retrograde policies of President Donald Trump’s administration.

Kwame Raoul, the Democratic candidate for Illinois attorney general, gets our endorsement. We believe he is the best qualified — and most inclined — candidate to lead the charge, following in the footsteps of Lisa Madigan, who is retiring from the office. Raoul’s Republican opponent, Erika Harold, has signaled far less enthusiasm for taking on such important broader issues. […]

Madigan has sued to stop the separation of families at the U.S. border, to reinstate energy efficiency standards for home appliances such as fans and air conditioners, and to prevent young adults who were brought to our country illegally as young children from being deported.

Action by state attorneys general, including Madigan, also recently stopped the Trump administration from permitting designs for untraceable, homemade 3D-printed guns to be distributed online.

Raoul has demonstrated the ability to work effectively on a wide range of big issues.

* Related…

* Why The Next Illinois Attorney General Could Shape Chicago Police Reform

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 9:37 am

Comments

== he oddly downplays the role of the attorney general in pursuing public corruption ==

Or maybe he’s actually taken the time to read about the duties of the AG in the state constitution and law, which severely limit the AG’s ability to act as a prosecutor.

Lisa Madigan’s “criminal” probe of Quincy is phony for the same reason.

Comment by Roman Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 9:47 am
Trump is running for Governor? How is he going to “fight Trump”? Is Illinois going to secede like the Confederacy? Or is it all political B.S.?

I don’t see KR talking about fraudulent business or labor law violations. Just federal issues, nothing on state issues. His future ambitions come through loud and clear. Being AG is just a stepping stone.

Comment by Streamwood Retiree Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 9:49 am
Trib edit board spreads the snake oil that the Illinois AG office has, or will ever have, the resources to pursue criminal investigations all over the state.

Once a tronc, always a tronc.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 9:50 am
Hmmm, the brain trust at Tronc endorsed a Republican, proving once again that as a wholly owned subsidiary of the upper one percent right wing Republicans in the state, that they are nothing more than an agenda driven propaganda unit.

Comment by Trapped in the ‘burbs Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 9:52 am
Where is the evidence the “corruption” in Springfield that the GOP keeps citing? If Trump were Madigan he’d call this “winning”, and in this case I’d agree.

Comment by Highland IL Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 10:00 am
===Being AG is just a stepping stone.===

Like the commercial says, “he’s just getting started.”

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 10:03 am
Trapped - Remind me again who owns CS-T?

Comment by City Zen Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 10:05 am
==She also is a Republican in a state that, with Democrats controlling most levers of government, needs checks and balances on that one-party dominion.==

Lol. Because Democrats have a tradition of working together? My recollection is the Speaker and Dan Hynes served as pretty good checks on Blagojevich. Or is it that Katrina and her merry band of Troncs think it’s only Democrats who need supervision? Maybe she should google George Ryan or Lee Tristano or Bill Cellini.

Comment by John Deere Green Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 10:08 am
Illinois AG office has, or will ever have, the resources to pursue criminal investigations all over the state.

I guess the AG only has the resources to investigate a Republican Governor (announced coincidentally the day after the Democratic candidate is accused by the IG of an intent to defraud Cook County taxpayers), not the Democratic Speaker (her father) or the Democratic candidate for Governor.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 10:10 am
As a former AAG, I wish the Republican candidate and the Tribune took the time to understand the duties/responsibilities of the office. Raoul is undoubtedly the best choice.

Comment by Mike K Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 10:17 am
== Hmmm, the brain trust at Tronc endorsed a Republican, proving once again that as a wholly owned subsidiary of the upper one percent right wing Republicans in the state, that they are nothing more than an agenda driven propaganda unit. ==

Thanks much, Trapped in the ‘burbs. You’ve also explained the companion endorsements today for upper one percent Republicans Susana Mendoza, Jesse White and Michael Frerichs.

Comment by Moody's Blues Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 10:49 am
==not the Democratic Speaker==

For what, genius? Give us the dope. You apparently have the goods that the feds never have had. And the things you make up in your collective Raunerite heads don’t count.

Comment by John Deere Green Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 11:12 am
==I guess the AG only has the resources to investigate a Republican Governor (announced coincidentally the day after the Democratic candidate is accused by the IG of an intent to defraud Cook County taxpayers), not the Democratic Speaker (her father) or the Democratic candidate for Governor.==

Another victim statement. Dude, you really need to seek medical or law enforcement help with the number of times you get victimized.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 11:21 am
Hey, I respect the Trib’s argument - but what’s all this about her actual legal experience? By her own admission, she’s argued like 1 case, and whatever the merits of her candidacy, she hasn’t exactly set the world on fire in her practice of law since Harvard. She’s not even a partner at her Firm, but the Trib would have you believe she’s some legal wizard.

Comment by DarkHorse Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 11:31 am
==not the Democratic Speaker==

For what, genius? You have the goods on evidence the feds or Jim Ryan never had? Don’t keep us in suspense.

Comment by John Deere Green Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 11:33 am
Fair criticism of my post. I have a strong bias against the Trib and I reacted from that bias. They’re not always producing blatantly partisan articles, but they are always suspect in my mind. Endorsements are nice, but neither the Tribune or Sun Times move many voters in Cook County.

Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 11:34 am
Unfortunately endorsements from CTrib or SunT aren’t worth the paper they are printed on to candidates anymore. Also Mr. Deere I’m guessing you confused MIKE Tristano with Lee Daniels or perhaps Lee Trevino neither of the latter were indicted as far as I know ?

Comment by NorthsideNoMore Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 12:11 pm
–I guess the AG only has the resources to investigate a Republican Governor…–

Stinks of political opportunism, does it not?

She should have reached out to the Adams County SA to get on it back in 2015, don’t you think?

I’ve said that from the get-go.

That’s one of the many advantages of not being a shallow, dishonest BOT. You can call ‘em as you see ‘em.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 12:26 pm
Oops! Sure enough, Northside. And my apologies to any improperly accused Lee Tristanos.

Comment by John Deere Green Friday, Oct 12, 18 @ 12:58 pm