Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

* UPDATED x1 - Rep. Jones declares victory * Biss wins, Jones not on the board yet

Posted in:

Illinois
Updated Posts

Former state legislator Daniel Biss declared victory Tuesday in the election for Evanston mayor.

Meanwhile, incumbents appeared to have held off primary challenges in Waukegan and North Chicago, according to unofficial totals.

In a speech to supporters over Zoom just after 9 p.m., Biss claimed victory in the three-candidate race.

“I of course want to thank the community of Evanston for this remarkable victory,” Biss said.

He received nearly 74 percent of the vote that’s been counted so far in the three-way race. Gov. Pritzker endorsed Biss, which probably didn’t matter much but it did prompt this quote…

Biss’ challengers are Evanston resident and grassroots activist Lori Keenan and 2018 Evanston Township High School graduate Sebastian Nalls. Last Sunday, Evanston Fight for Black Lives published a statement on Facebook endorsing Nalls.

Nalls responded in a statement Thursday that Pritzker’s endorsement of Biss showed “desperation.”

* Southtown…

Results for the Democratic primary election for Calumet City mayor were unclear Tuesday, according to unofficial results.

State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, had recently been returned to the ballot to challenge incumbent Mayor Michelle Markiewicz-Qualkinbush, who is seeking a fifth term.

With all 24 precincts reporting, the Cook County clerk’s election website showed Markiewicz-Qualkinbush had 100% of the vote but no totals for Jones.

The Cook County Clerk’s site says 3,029 ballots were cast. Qualkinbush received 1,374.

Anything else out there you’ve seen?

*** UPDATE *** The Illinois Supreme Court ordered the results suppressed yesterday because the other side asked it to take up the appellate court decision that restored Jones to the ballot. So, while Rep. Jones is declaring victory today, it’s up to the top court to decide whether he was on the ballot legally to begin with…

The results of the elections in Calumet City are clear, I have won the Democratic Nomination to become the First African American Mayor in the 120-year history of Calumet City! I want to thank the voters of Calumet City for believing in me and for wanting a new direction for Calumet City. I want to thank my family and friends for their loyalty and support. My wife Saprina and sons Thaddeus Jr and Preston Jones. I also want to thank Speaker Chris Welch, Senator Napoleon Harris and Rep Rita Mayfield who played a enormous part in this election. Today, it is time to get to work on behalf of all residents of Calumet City.” Jones received an estimated 1655 (54%) votes out of the 3,029 ballots cast and the Mayor received 1,374 votes. Jones will be having a zoom announcement at 10:30am today.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 2:47 am

Comments

His win was inevitable. But I wonder what office he’s going to start running for next.

Comment by Southern Skeptic Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 3:21 am
Congratulations to Dan Biss. He seems like a good guy.

Comment by Benjamin Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 7:35 am
=But I wonder what office he’s going to start running for next.=

Perhaps Treasurer as an “administration-backed” candidate against Frerichs? After his support of taxing retirement helped sink the Fair Tax?

Comment by Essential State Employee Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 8:09 am
Daniel Biss will be a very good mayor for Evanston and set up nicely to take on Northwestern University and their police department. Biss has evolved nicely from a pension benefit buster into a solid progressive. Will labor ever come around for Biss for his future runs?

Comment by northside reformer Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 8:43 am
The Biss win is good for Evanston. But he seems like another young guy who may be so rooted in the idea of being a politician that he will be eternally running for something. Evanston would benefit from some continuity so I hope Biss is content to stay put for a while.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 8:43 am
=But he seems like another young guy who may be so rooted in the idea of being a politician that he will be eternally running for something.=

Kind of like Pat Quinn became about 40 years ago.

Comment by Essential State Employee Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 9:06 am
==Evanston would benefit from some continuity so I hope Biss is content to stay put for a while.==

Seems like a good launching pad for Congress if and when Congresswoman Schakowsky retires. Doing a good job taking care of a super progressive town should be his top priority if his interests lie in DC.

Comment by Ice Quoob Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 9:31 am
Looks like new mayors for Dolton and Lynwood.

Comment by SouthSide Markie Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 9:36 am
Good for Biss. I learned one of my favorite terms from Biss- sub-optimal.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 9:44 am
I hope he can raise the profile of Evanston as not just a strong neighbor of Chicago, but a community of note in itself. I’ve always hoped that our non-Chicago communities could engage with issues that get national attention and raise awareness of our communities.

For context: Mayor Pete ran a city of just over 100K…we have at least 8 cities with a bigger population statewide.

Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 9:53 am
Agree with IQ. Biss is positioning himself to run for Jan’s seat. Now he has to do a good job in Evanston.

Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 9:56 am
It appears Hispanic votes came in strong for Thaddeus

Comment by cal city wonk Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 10:08 am
The rare person in authority who sticks with real numbers and arithmetic is always welcome. Good human being too, that Mr. Biss.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 10:23 am
Once Jan retires look for Daniel to throw his name in for that position.

Comment by Etown Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 10:54 am
Anybody have an idea how many mail in ballots are still outstanding in these races?

Comment by Been There Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 10:55 am
I happened to drive by Jan’s house today. There’s a Biss sign out front, with the bottom covered by snow.
(No metaphor here; just reporting.)

Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 12:23 pm
Poor Burt Odelson took a bath yesterday. Losing Dolton and his cash cow of Calumet City.

Comment by Tiny Violin Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 12:59 pm
Riverdale incumbent Mayor Lawrence Jackson easily beat former Mayor Deon Dean in the primary by approx. a 3-1 margin. Dean has tried at least twice now to challenge Jackson, and been beaten badly both times. Dean’s record while Mayor included resigning from his State job after denying politicking on State time and being caught repeatedly in his lies by OEIG investigators.

Comment by thisjustinagain Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 1:53 pm
=== Once Jan retires ===

Do not hold your breath.

Jan has only held office for 21 years, and she’s an energetic 76 year old, very tight with Pelosi.

Her predecessor, Sid Yates, served 35 years and served until he was 90 years old, dying at age 91.

It would be surprising if Jan didn’t stick around quite awhile longer.

Comment by Fly on the Wall Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 4:14 pm
I think Biss was always a thoughtful legislator and having the ability to grow/evolve on the executive side on friendly political turf is a solid move. Whether he eventually goes for another office doesn’t change the fact that he can move many progressive policies yet to be tried in Evanston, especially on the racial equity front. Good story to keep an eye on.

Comment by Veil of Ignorance Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 4:31 pm
My sincere congratulations to Mayor-Elect Biss.

Oswego Willy

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 4:36 pm
Anyone know who Thornton Township Dems backed in these races?

Comment by Southsider Wednesday, Feb 24, 21 @ 6:03 pm
Thornton Township Democrats backed Quaukinbush in Cal City,Henyard in Dolton and Jackson in Riverdale. Burt Odleson lost Lynnwood also.

Comment by In the house Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 11:50 pm