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40th, 47th Ward Democrats split evenly on filling Steans seat

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Illinois

* Press release…

On February 1, 2021, the 40th Ward Democratic Organization and the 47th Ward Democratic Organization held a joint virtual forum to allow community members to meet the candidates vying for the appointment to the 7th state senate district. The vacancy was created by the retirement of Senator Heather Steans. Afterwards, the 47th Ward Democratic Organization held a Recommendation committee vote to determine who to support for the 7th Senate district appointment:

The forum was attended by over 60 community and Democratic party activists from the North Side neighborhoods that make up the 7th Senate district. The forum was publicized on many media and social media outlets and six candidates applied for the position through a process that was created by the Chairman of the 7th district appointment process, Committeeperson Harry Osterman (48).

Each candidate was given 20 minutes to introduce themselves, share their vision, and answer questions from the audience. All six shared core beliefs in progressive policies and causes. Committeeperson Maggie O’Keefe (40th) said, “we have learned that our community wins when we create an open and inclusive approach. This appointment process is another example that we have ended the era of old machine style politics in our community.”

Afterwards, the 47th Ward Democratic Organization (comprised of 20 people) held a Recommendation committee vote to determine who to support for the 7th Senate district appointment, resulting in a tie between Rep. Kelly Cassidy and Mike Simmons. Committeeperson Rosenfeld said, ”It was great to see all six candidates, who are truly committed to public service, attend our candidate forum. However, two of the candidates, Kelly Cassidy and Mike Simmons blew us away! I have no doubt that either of these candidates would be an incredible State Senator for our community. I will be honored to cast my vote for either of these candidates.”

The Democratic Committeepeople who make up the 7th Senate district will meet on Saturday, February 6th, to decide on who shall fill the vacancy. Rosenfeld and O’Keefe will be seeking more input for their communities before making their final decision.

The two wards combined have about 38 percent of the weighted vote. Add in Sean Tenner’s 46th Ward and they’re at about 48 percent. Tenner is part of this trifecta. Might be an interesting Saturday. Stay tuned.

Comments

Mike is a really good guy. Nothing against Rep. Cassidy, but it would be good to see him in the legislature.

Comment by Montrose Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 12:47 pm
Why would we want an openly gay, Black small business owner dedicated to eradicating social injustice in the Illinois Senate when we could have a political insider?

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/awards/mike-simmons

Comment by Ferris Wheeler Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 12:52 pm
“Paul Rosenfeld, Speaker Welch on line 2.”

Comment by Colin O'Scopy Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 12:53 pm
Ummm, if the 40th and 47th wards are split, and the 48th and 49th are overwhelmingly supporting Cassidy, this seems like it may not be that interesting on Saturday after all.

Comment by Ok Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 12:54 pm
Also, I love Chicago, where payday loan lobbyist, and “Lobbyist #2″ in federal indictments, Paul Rosenfeld is taking a moral high ground.

Comment by Ok Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 12:57 pm
Ferris- Simmons may be all those things, but a guy who has worked for Obama, Gainer, and Durbin, and spent FIVE years working for Rahm, is very much a political insider too.

Comment by Former Downstater Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 1:08 pm
Ok ~~
Let’s not forget the whole “judicial consulting” business that Tenner and Rosenfeld have going. Oh you wanted to be slated for judge…..I can vote for your endorsement and by the way you may want to hire my consulting firm.

Comment by Helm Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 1:09 pm
48th and 49th still have more than 50%, as I recall.

Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 1:10 pm
Mike Simmons is very impressive. Would love to see him in the state senate.

Comment by Disgruntled IL Democrat Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 1:16 pm
Kelly Cassidy is a great representative but doesn’t change the fact that that northsiders (more politically engaged after Trump) are tired of progressivism by appointment. The 40th and 47th ward Committeepeople understand their electorate. They’ll probably end up with Kelly after going thru the motions to help Simmons. He will then a formidable campaign against her and Osterman will have a real race in 2023.

Comment by northside reformer Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 1:29 pm
Simmons is incredibly impressive. That being said, the Cassidy, Ronen, Walling and Steans Cabal should not be underestimated.

The Cabal will bully through Cassidy for Senate and Walling for House. Osterman will do whatever they say for his own survival which is tenuous at best.

I’d watch for Simmons to be a replacement for Leader Harris in the next year or two. Simmons would be an excellent addition to the ILGA.

Comment by Helm Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 1:31 pm
I like Mike and Kelly and know them both. Can I go hide in a bunker or something?
Both of them are great!

Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 1:36 pm
I’m sure that’s what Rosenfeld was thinking too when he helped select Senator Feigenholtz last year.

Comment by Former Downstater Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 1:38 pm
I mean come on you want the votes at slating you got to know who to pay…no different than attending an alderman’s fundraiser two weeks before slating.

Comment by Shakedown Sean Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 1:45 pm
The mid-term appointment process - the progressive machine process - shows the anti-reform nature of the clique. As someone once said, we’re a club and you’re not in it.

Comment by west wing Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 1:49 pm
====He will then a formidable campaign against her and Osterman will have a real race in 2023.====

Depends on what the new maps look like

Comment by Been There Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 1:54 pm
To those who think the midterm appointment process is unfair, let me introduce you to the inexpensive, magical and totally democratic process of the open seat State Rep primary lol

Comment by Nazano Sakana Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 2:11 pm
I don’t think appointments are bad and prefer them to special elections. No one votes in those. I believe some of the angst here is the idea that Cassidy should get the seat because she’s a progressive, and then name her successor because that person is a progressive environmentalist.

Comment by northside reformer Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 2:21 pm
So the angst is you can’t then beat them in a primary? I don’t understand.

Comment by Ok Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 2:47 pm
Honestly, Indivisible groups should run candidates for ward committee. Great way to break the cycle, and establish an independent process…. until the day comes when the reformer committeeperson thinks, “ya know maybe I should run for Rep”

Comment by Nazano Sakana Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 2:56 pm
A few comments here about Osterman being vulnerable.

I was a fan of his when he was in Springfield, but have not paid attention to his aldermanic career, so I looked up his electoral history:

84 % of the vote in ‘19
Unopposed in ‘15
81% in ‘11 (against four opponents)

We should all be that vulnerable.

Comment by Roman Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 2:56 pm
After not supporting and calling out now Speaker Welch’s on his allegations, Rep. Cassidy better hope she wins the senate seat……just sayin’

Comment by Pizza Man Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 3:32 pm
I don’t see how members from ONE party are allowed to select the replacement for an elective office that serves democrats, republicans, and independents. At the very least republicans should be allowed at least some weighted vote. I won’t even bring up how independent and green party are being disenfranchised.

Comment by Groucho Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 5:03 pm
Groucho, maybe try nominating a Republican in this district once in a while before you complain that you’re shut out of this process.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 6:00 pm
=== I don’t see how members from ONE party are allowed to select the replacement… ===

LOL. When it’s a Republican elected that resigns, it’s the Republican committeepeople/county party chairs that get to select the replacement. Not a single Republican even stepped up to run for this seat in ten years. Despite that, the Republican Party is still entitled to slate a candidate after the primaries and give the voters a choice in the November election. They never bothered in any of those three elections for this seat. Spare me your complaints here, they’re ridiculous.

Comment by Disgruntled IL Democrat Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 6:31 pm