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* Nothing quite like a full-on embrace of the concept. From appellate justice candidate Tom DeVore’s not for profit Facebook page…

* Madison County Record…

Michal Kasper of Chicago, who rescued three St. Clair County judges from likely denial of retention in 2016, represents legislators defending a law that tilted the scales of justice in Madison County toward Democrats.

Kasper, an elections lawyer with deep, longstanding connections to the state Democratic Party and former Speaker Michael J. Madigan, petitioned to intervene in Madison County’s challenge to the law, as counsel to House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Chicago) and Senate President Don Harmon (D-Chicago).

In his Feb. 7 filing, Kasper identifies himself as a special assistant attorney general.

* Not sure if it’ll help much, but…

I am honored to receive @RandPaul's endorsement of my campaign for U.S. Congress.

Senator Paul is a true champion in the fight to protect and promote liberty.

On day one, I will take on Dr. Fauci and the unconstitutional mandates coming out of Washington. pic.twitter.com/UlaS1Jh8mi

— Catalina Lauf (@CatalinaLauf) February 10, 2022

Lauf is a past contributor to Sen. Paul.

* Crain’s…

While GOP gubernatorial hopeful Richard Irvin has been raking in big donations from the likes of former Abbott CEO Miles White ($150,000), Pathways founder Shirley Ryan ($250,000), and major donors like Sam Zell and Craig Duchossois, other members of his statewide GOP slate have yet to log any.

All of the candidates have established fundraising committees, but have not recorded what are known as A-1s, a report of any contribution of $1,000 or more. Those must be reported to the State Board of Elections within five days of receipt. That’s raised some eyebrows as Irvin has raked in money and the campaigns have been up and running for more than a month now. Irvin and others could transfer funds over to other campaigns, too, but that hasn’t happened yet either.

The campaigns are still being built out, a spokesman for Secretary of State candidate John Milhiser, Attorney General candidate Steve Kim, and Comptroller candidate Shannon Teresi said in an email. All three share a campaign treasurer with Irvin. “Fundraising events are being planned right now. In the meantime, each of the candidates is continuing to have important conversations with voters every opportunity they are able to.”

Not sure where those “conversations” are taking place, and most of their Twitter posts look like they were written by bots. Maybe they could fill their time by doing interviews with reporters.

* Politico…

Police union raises dues to beef up PAC: The board of the Fraternal Order of Police in Chicago voted yesterday to raise union dues by $10 per check to beef up the organization’s political action committee fund. FOP President John Catanzara said on a Facebook post last night that the goal is to create a $2.5 million fund to help political candidates beat “the crooked politicians.” Catanzara added: “Enough is enough. … Whether it’s Springfield or City Hall, change is coming. You were warned.” […]

Israel takes center stage in Newman v. Casten race: “[T]he ongoing investigation into whether Rep. Marie Newman gave a job to a potential rival has damaged Newman ahead of a June primary with Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) — and her vote against funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense had already set up a brutal primary. Casten, a two-term Democrat from another part of the Chicago suburbs, is endorsed by the Democratic Majority for Israel and other groups that want to defeat candidates who, like Newman, have broken with the party’s position on Israel to oppose military aid or criticize the Jewish state,” by the Washington Post.

* Not a bad idea…

Farewell to Champaign County’s longtime “I voted” stickers.

The next stickers to be handed to voters at the polls are going to be works of art designed by local kids and adults.

County Clerk and Recorder Aaron Ammons has launched a contest inviting kids from kindergarten on up and adults to submit their original sticker designs using the theme “this is what democracy looks like.”

Ammons said the county has used the same stickers for at least a decade, and he’s seen other counties use more creative designs.

…Adding… I completely forgot about this email from early today until a commenter jogged my memory…

Republican candidate for governor Paul Schimpf released the following statement regarding Governor Pritzker’s recent action in support of General Iron and urged the Mayor of Chicago to reject his efforts to issue a permit to a known polluter.

“It astounds me that in today’s age of environmental awareness, the Governor would ignore concerns from a local community and approve an operating permit for a company with a track record of pollution. The past actions of General Iron do not warrant any assumption of safety or environmental compliance on their part. Illinois needs leaders who will listen to communities and insist upon following proper procedural safeguards. I urge the Governor to reconsider his callous disregard of local concerns about the General Iron permit and the Mayor of Chicago to deny this permit.”

* More…

* Jonathan Swain kicks off bid to succeed Rep. Bobby Rush in jammed Democratic primary

* Barack Obama kicked off presidential campaign 15 years ago in Springfield: A look back and forward

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 1:30 pm

Comments

If he is admitting that he is a grifter hasn’t he pleaded himself out of his defamation case?

Comment by Big Dipper Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 1:36 pm
It’s long been clear that even though the Griffin Gang built out a whole slate, Irvin is going to get the vast majority of the love.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 1:39 pm
Lauf is a peddler of misinformation, often retweeting conspiracy theorists, so seeing Rand Paul, one who’s battles with Dr. Fauci, allowing folks to know “who you are” by the side you choose between them…

… the Lauf campaign is one big grifting gravy train, as the burn rate and embarrassing ways this campaign rolls seems more inclined to “taking people’s money” then “asking for people’s votes”

It’s bad enough Illinois has Mary Miller and Newman, Lauf would further put Illinois in a bad place.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 1:39 pm
This?

=== The campaigns are still being built out, a spokesman for Secretary of State candidate John Milhiser, Attorney General candidate Steve Kim, and Comptroller candidate Shannon Teresi said in an email.===

I am *VERY* intrigued to the building of the Crew(s) and the larger apparatus than maybe everything except… Pritzker replicating his *own* infrastructure and Crew going forward.

I can’t be more serious.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 1:41 pm
How can the FOP directly use union dues for their political PAC? My wife gives a separate PAC amount to the CTU each paycheck.

Comment by Chicago Blue Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 1:45 pm
Built out? Everything is bigger in Texas

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 1:50 pm
I watched Obama’s campaign kickoff in front of the Old State Capitol. His speech was awe inspiring that day. Until then, I did not think he had a realistic chance of becoming President.

Comment by Stones Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 1:57 pm
Devore is on a winning Streak

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 2:02 pm
Chicago Blue, I am curious about that, too. For some reason I thought there was something in election law that stipulated that dues couldn’t be used for that and it had to be a voluntary contribution that you opted into for a PAC.

Also, love what Ammons is doing over in Champaign County with the updated stickers. Good use of community engagement.

Comment by Fixer Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 2:06 pm
====Barack Obama kicked off presidential campaign 15 years ago in Springfield: A look back and forward ====

I saw they were clearing the north stairs of the Old Capitol yesterday. Going all the way end to end. Made me think of when Obama announced (I was not there though). I guess now I know why after reading the story.

Comment by Been There Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 2:16 pm
#GrifterOccasionallyWinsTemporarilyBeforeHeAlwaysLoses doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 2:21 pm
Mayor Irvin appears to be off to a strong start to his campaign. His initial fund raising is impressive.
I thought his introductory video was about as good as it could be.
It is nice to have a candidate that younger people can look to as an example of starting out in a hard spot and going on to living the American Dream. Also a lesson for parents and grandparents that you can make a significant impact by being a good example for children.

Comment by Back to the Future Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 2:31 pm
Remember when I temporarily won?…that one time.

Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 2:47 pm
When people put in writing who and what they are…believe them.

Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 2:48 pm
Before The Grifter makes big plans to spend out of state or dark money running for the Appellate Court he might want to check out the For What It’s Worth blog of January 22. That deals with an article in the Illinois Judges Association newsletter The Gavel written by 1st District Appellate Court Justice Mathias Delort. Justice Delort writes about changes to the Illinois Election Code (10 ILCS 5/9-1 st seq.) which prohibits judicial candidates from getting contributions from dark money groups and also from “out of state persons”, which would include corporations and associations. I suppose he can always go back to satisfied parent clients, unless he ends up losing in court. That might put a crimp in possible fundraising.

Comment by West Side the Best Sid Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 3:30 pm
Ask Local 150 about how you can use paycheck deductions for PAC money. They’ve got the formula down.

Comment by Tomorrow is yesterday Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 4:09 pm
==Ask Local 150 about how you can use paycheck deductions for PAC money. They’ve got the formula down. ==

Different rules for public sector vs. private sector unions.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 4:57 pm