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More than 500 elected officials, others say “No” to Kilbride

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Illinois

* ILGOP…

Today, the Illinois Republican Party is proud to announce the formation of the Vote NO on Kilbride grassroots coalition. The coalition is made up of more than 500 elected officials, community leaders, and activists from across the 3rd Judicial District who publicly urge a NO vote on the retention campaign of Madigan’s Favorite Judge, Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride.

“I’m honored to be joined by so many leaders and reformers in calling for an independent state Supreme Court where the people of Illinois have a fair shake. Right now, they don’t. Justice Kilbride is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Madigan Machine. After receiving $2.8 million in campaign cash from Mike Madigan, Justice Kilbride delivered results that were great for the Speaker’s pursuit of power and disastrous for the taxpayers of Illinois. That’s why Kilbride is Madigan’s favorite judge and why he must be defeated in November.” - ILGOP Chairman Tim Schneider

Justice Kilbride’s Illinois Supreme Court under Madigan’s control has blocked every major economic reform that could improve the state’s legal and business climates – namely pension reform, tort reform, and medical malpractice caps. Time and again, Kilbride has sided with government insiders and special interests over taxpayers, leading to higher taxes and more corruption.

And the biggest payoff for Madigan’s $2.8 million investment in Kilbride’s judicial career has been weaponizing the Supreme Court to block any challenge to his political power. Kilbride successfully blocked term limits in 2014. In 2001, Kilbride was the deciding vote to uphold Madigan’s gerrymandered map, and in 2016, Kilbride wrote the majority opinion striking down the citizen-led ballot (“Fair Maps”) initiative that would have given voters a say in redistricting and taken the power away from Madigan to draw gerrymandered maps.

Justice Kilbride is Madigan’s Favorite Judge because the judge has been one of the Speaker’s greatest instruments for amassing and maintaining his immense power in state government and politics.

Coalition Members

Illinois Republican Congressmen

Adam Kinzinger, IL-16 Congressman
Darin LaHood, IL-18 Congressman
Mike Bost, IL-12 Congressman
Rodney Davis, IL-13 Congressman
John Shimkus, IL-15 Congressman

Statewide Leaders

Jim Durkin, House Minority Leader
Bill Brady, Senate Minority Leader
Tim Schneider, ILGOP Chairman
Richard Porter, RNC National Committeeman
Demetra Demonte, RNC National Committeewoman
Mark Shaw, ILGOP Co-Chair & President of Republican County Chairman’s Association

3rd Judicial District Legislators

Neil Anderson, 36th State Senate
Chuck Weaver, 37th State Senate
Sue Rezin, 38th State Senate
John Curran, 41st State Senate
Jil Tracy, 47th State Senate
Jason Barickman, 53rd State Senate
Margo McDermed, 37th State Representative
Grant Wehrli, 41st State Representative
Tony McCombie, 71st State Representative
Ryan Spain, 73rd State Representative
Dan Swanson, 74th State Representative
David Welter, 75th State Representative
Tim Butler, 87th State Representative
Keith Sommer, 88th State Representative
Tom Demmer, 90th State Representative
Norine Hammond, 93rd State Representative
Mark Batinick, 97th State Representative
Thomas Bennett, 106th State Representative

The full list (it’s quite long) is here.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 2:09 pm

Comments

I’d be most shocked if this list was a list of Republicans condemning Amy Grant’s racist comments.

Comment by Reallly Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 2:22 pm
This is the biggest race for the IL GOP this cycle. They might get beat bad in the Suburbs in Legislative races, but if they knock out Kilbride it would be a big deal.

Comment by CubsFan16 Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 2:23 pm
Kilbride is not sitting still - he took out a 110K, loan to fund his campaign. The usual suspects are also raising funds - Operating engineers dropped 10K on him 9/2/20.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 2:36 pm
Biggest disappointment is Ray LaHood decision to join Mr. Empty Suit in opposing Justice Kilbride. He also mixes in ComEd gibberish in his statement. Apparently forgot to check on which GOP leader voted for ComEd, took campaign cash and watched staff and members hired as lobbos. Di we call this a gaffe? BTW the answer is 4

Comment by Annonin' Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 2:39 pm
I always vote not to retain Judges. But this might force me to make an exception.

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 2:59 pm
I tend to just skip the judge retention stuff because the various bar associations can’t get the recommendations out in time for early voters (and yes, I’m saying this in the hopes they’ll get their act together) but I just put “retain Killbride” in my calendar so I’ll remember to do that when I early vote next month.

Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 3:13 pm
Disappointing to see this level of partisanship over a state Supreme Court .. but, wait, the GOP is doing the same thing at the national level with the US Supreme Court …

Comment by west wing Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 4:08 pm
A list of people I wouldn’t listen to regarding any subject

Comment by Morty Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 4:46 pm
==Disappointing to see this level of partisanship over a state Supreme Court .. but, wait, the GOP is doing the same thing at the national level with the US Supreme Court …== these are partisan elections big guy.

Comment by Anon Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 4:50 pm
@Cheryl44. The ISBA has its ratings out for Justice Kilbride and Justice Mary McDade. Justice McDade sits on the appellate court. The ISBA recommends a “Yes” vote for both.

The ISBA ratings for all the counties are on its website.

Comment by Bourbon Street Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 5:31 pm
==Disappointing to see this level of partisanship over a state Supreme Cour==

The guy has been 100% funded by Madigan allies then ruled in his favor on every issue. Democrats made the rules, they can’t be angry if Republicans wake and play a hand once in a while.

Comment by the Patriot Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 5:50 pm
==these are partisan elections big guy. ==

Judges seeking retention run without a party affiliation

Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 7:08 pm
==Judges seeking retention run without a party affiliation== Lol, do you think they stop holding their party affiliations or something?

Comment by Anon Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 7:53 pm
Can’t win legislative seats or constitutional offices, might as well try for a judge.

Comment by walker Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 8:47 pm
If Kilbride is in Madigan’s pocket, then why did he, along with the other six justices, vote to strike down Madigan’s 2013 pension bill?

Comment by Andy S. Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 9:38 pm
I watch the 3rd Appellate closely- McDade seems to be the writer of opinions reversed by Il Supreme Court far too regularly.

Comment by McDade Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 9:47 pm