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* I knew who this was just by reading the Sun-Times headline…
Congressional earmarks are back! Illinois delegation — except for one member — hauls in federal cash […]
All 13 Illinois House Democrats requested projects. Four of the five Illinois House Republicans also asked for earmarks.
Freshman Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., is the only Illinois member to not apply for any earmarks. She joined her Freedom Caucus colleagues in objecting to the revival of earmarks. Once they became available, she didn’t apply for any.
That denied her district — based in southern Illinois — a lot of federal money for worthy projects. […]
Miller is locked in a June GOP primary with Rep. Rodney Davis. Davis, among other earmarks, got $1 million for security screening improvements at Willard Airport in Champaign and $3 million for the city of Gillespie.
This is a national gig for her.
* I told you a little about these folks last week, but here’s the Sun-Times…
A suburban high school staffer. A former Chicago Police sergeant. A South Side college professor.
None of them believe the 2020 election results were legitimate. Some of them seem to promote the spread of much darker conspiracy theories even more detached from reality — namely, that a global cabal of Satanic pedophiles plotted to prevent former President Donald Trump from winning a second term.
And they all want your vote.
A slate of far-right conspiracy theorists have filed to run in June’s Republican primary for nominations for Illinois public offices ranging from governor to a seat in Congress, aiming to amplify baseless claims of rampant voter fraud and to “take back” the government.
Their website features a slogan and symbol linked to QAnon supporters, although one of the candidates sought to downplay the connection.
* These folks will never be appeased…
McHenry County’s elections this year will include new processes — including counting by hand a randomly selected race — which officials hope will improve both election integrity and voters’ confidence in the system.
County Clerk Joe Tirio, who has come under fire for his office’s handling of recent elections, said he thinks McHenry County is the first to implement such changes.
The changes are meant to address concerns raised by voters about the accuracy of the equipment used in the elections, which they hope to “quell” with the new process.
The hand count will be in addition to the state-mandated audit, Tirio said in a news release.
* Eric Krol on how we got an off-year statewide election…
Illinois Constitutional Convention delegates had a choice of when to put the plan in motion—either 1972 or 1976 would become a two-year term for governor. They chose 1976, meaning 1978 would be the state’s first election where the governor candidates didn’t have to follow the presidential contenders on the ballot.
During the proceedings, however, Constitutional Convention delegate Paul Elward tried to undo the switch. Elward, an ally of then-Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley and a state representative who became a judge the same year as the convention, predicted a drop off of about 20% of voters if Illinois separated its election for governor from the one for president.
“The purpose, quite frankly, is to make sure that we do not downgrade state government into something that is secondary of consideration to the general public,” Elward said during debate.
Delegate Jeanette Mullen of Barrington took the opposite view.
“It seems to combine the state election with a national election does not emphasize state government. At that time, everyone is more concerned with national issues and who is going to be the next president, and I suggest that greater emphasis can be put on our state affairs by electing our state officials in an off year,” she said.
The push to keep things the same failed, with only 30 votes in support to 74 against. One of the delegates voting for the status quo? Michael J. Madigan, who was months away from winning his first term representing a Southwest Side district in the Illinois House on his way to becoming the nation’s longest-serving speaker. He’s now fighting a federal political corruption racketeering charge. […]
Midterm general election turnout hit a low of 48.6% in 2006 following a nasty campaign full of attack ads between then-Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich and then-Republican Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka. The high point since the split was the close contest in 1982 between then-Gov. Thompson and former Democratic U.S. Sen. Adlai Stevenson III. Nearly 65% of registered voters came out as Thompson was re-elected by just 5,000 votes.
Since then, the state’s biggest turnout percentage-wise was in 2018, when Democrat J.B. Pritzker downed then-Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Turnout was 57.2%, a feat notable because polls had Pritzker way ahead and he won by nearly 16 points. Then-President Donald Trump’s unpopularity in Illinois was a big factor in the relative mid-term surge.
* WCIA…
Democrats running for a chance to replace U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Illinois) in Congress are struggling to excite donors and raise funds, and face a steep uphill climb in the fundraising fight against Republican candidate Esther Joy King.
Federal election records show King has already raised $1.6 million this cycle, while Democratic candidates Jonathan Logemann, Eric Sorensen, Angela Normoyle, Litesa Wallace, and Marsha Williams have combined to raise just $416,011. More than half of those funds sit in the campaign funds for Logemann and Sorensen who each raised just over $100k so far.
Why aren’t donors more excited about backing a Democratic candidate in the primary contest?
“That’s a good question that I’m still trying to figure out as a state central committeeman,” state representative Maurice West (D-Rockford) said.
* And, finally, remember Jesse Sullivan’s campaign video that mentioned the non-existent Tuscola County? Well, Richard Irvin upped the ante while talking about border states and sales taxes during a recent Quincy radio interview…
Host: And, of course, when you’re in a border community like Quincy it’s really easy to slip across the river and get [gas] for, you know, fifty cents cheaper.
Irvin: Exactly right. And there are a lot of borders around the state, the state of Missouri, you know, Indiana, you know, Ohio, you know, all these states right around, Kentucky, you know, and Tennessee. So, it’s easy to go to those other states that don’t have the same tax rate as we do and we have to recognize that.
He was right on the concept, but fabulously wrong on the geography. Ohio and Tennessee are not border states except in this special map drawn by a pal…
*** UPDATE *** Fritz Kaegi…
Recent reporting by the Daily Line shows video of Cook County Assessor candidate Kari Steele handing out cash alongside right-wing Republican Jeanne Ives. The following is a statement from Assessor Kaegi:
“I ran for office as a progressive Democrat because I wanted to make our property tax system transparent, fair and equitable for everyone in Cook County. Progress is hard work, and undoing generations of corrupt politics that put wealthy property owners ahead of middle class families won’t happen overnight—but we’ll never get there by going backwards. And no one in this state is more backwards than Jeanne Ives.”
…Adding… Press release…
Hi Rich,
Below is a statement from Kari Steele’s campaign in response to Fritz Kaegi and the capfax post on the Willie Wilson event from a few weeks ago. Thanks.
Attribute to Kari Steele’s Spokesperson, Isabelle Dienstag:
It’s going to be a long desperate campaign for Fritz Kaegi if he’s spending his time worried about who his opponent is standing next to in a hallway.
He’s had a string of bad press and this is his bumbling attempt to distract from his failed record of botched COVID relief and the fact that he’s raising assessments on homeowners by 26%.
Jeanne Ives’ views are repugnant and do not further polite discourse. Kari was surprised to see her in a room at an event for seniors who she consistently voted to deprive of vital services. The event was about assisting seniors who are living on $2 a day–that was Kari’s sole focus. She cannot control who Willie Wilson invites.
Kari has no interest in appearing at events with Ives, but when there’s a greater purpose–meeting people in need and hearing their stories–she will always put people above ignorant politicians.
Unlike Fritz Kaegi, whose failed policies are hurting the Black community.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 9:54 am
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==during a recent Quincy radio interview…==
The largest city in Forgottonia.
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 9:58 am
I recall an Illinois Issues interview with former Speaker Madigan when he mused that his vote in the con-con to keep the constitutionals in the off-year cycle was a mistake in retrospect. (I hope my memory is accurate.
Comment by Dan Johnson Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 9:59 am
==Democrats running for a chance to replace U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Illinois) in Congress are struggling to excite donors and raise funds,==
Still thinking Nikki would have been better off returning to Peoria and running in the 17th instead of the 13th.
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:03 am
Maybe Griff can spring for an Atlas.
Starting to think Irvin might be a bigger gaffe machine than Bailey, with the money to realllly get it out there.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:06 am
Mary Miller is self serving, serving her district means caring for others.
The national type propaganda Mary Miller spews isn’t to be a darling here, it’s to those who need her to be one that can be seen as making vile words acceptable.
Governing? That’s like 832nd on her list of things to do.
If Miller wins, her district and the state will lose… I mean… what exactly is she bringing back now?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:07 am
Children of friends moved to St. Louis, as taxes are “lower” (except for income tax). Then they registered their vehicles in Missouri … and discovered local government personal property taxes on vehicles (something the Illinois Constitution prohibits). Kentucky also has them.
Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:12 am
I am surprised Sulivan didn’t slip and list Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and Tijuana.
Comment by very old soil Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:13 am
There was a story recently about Missouri government employees who cross the border to work in Illinois due to much higher pay. That’s the thing with the “lower tax” states, less taxes but lower incomes. You don’t get something for nothing.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:14 am
“So, it’s easy to go to those other states that don’t have the same tax rate as we do
See you all tomorrow, since it’s so easy I’m going to drive down to Tennessee from the Chicago suburbs and get some gas for fifty-cents cheaper.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:18 am
Love the map
Comment by Cheswick Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:19 am
I had someone tell me yesterday that people were still opening investigations into election fraud from the 2020 election. He admitted that that already completed investigations hadn’t found anything, but felt opening investigations proved something. I explained that just because anyone could open an investigation didn’t mean there was fraud. It just meant that people refused to accept the results and move on. You can’t convince people of a negative is they keep believing in conspiracy theories. It wears on my nerves.
Is it really that hard to understand a map and know what states we border?
Comment by thoughts matter Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:20 am
Boy, that bridge from Illinois to Ohio across the Indiana river is loooooooooooooooong. Why not throw Michigan and Minnesota in as neighbors too? #Genius
Comment by New Day Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:22 am
First it’s math, now it’s geography.
Next thing we know colors and letters will be confused in color wheels and the alphabet.
Stop searching for the yearbook answers for every question, actually answer questions… with logic and grasping the issue “simply”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:25 am
Obviously Irvin is talking about tax comparisons on a broader level than gas taxes. This is an intentional misreading of the statement by Irvin.
Comment by The Fellow Edgar Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:32 am
Another sterling performance from RichieRich (aka I think we are done here” Love to know the BlankSlate campaign masters are billing for media prep.
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:33 am
=== This is an intentional misreading of the statement by Irvin.===
“So, it’s easy to go to those other states”
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:33 am
Not only does this midterm system currently favor the incumbent but it also leads to more polarization and power for activist groups who push candidates to the ends of the spectrum. Incumbents know the electorate is full of diehards and can’t upset the activist groups (not in the middle), so they become closer to the groups, and you end up with more extreme rhetoric and governance. Then everyone pretends they’re not extreme when the electorate is different in presidential cycles.
Comment by Torco Sign Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:33 am
==Their website features a slogan and symbol linked to QAnon supporters, although one of the candidates sought to downplay the connection.==
Well, this is always the trick, isn’t it. That thing doesn’t mean what you think it mean, unless you like what you think it means, in which case *makes “OK” hand gesture*
Comment by Roadrager Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:35 am
===Obviously Irvin is talking about…===
Irvin can speak for himself, can’t he?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:42 am
This is fair game. Judge pols on what they say. Frerichs will forever have to defend his ““One thing a progressive tax would do is make clear you can have graduated rates when you are taxing retirement income,” statement.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:49 am
Irvin: “I hereby call out the National Guard to navigate me to the Illinois-Tennessee border.”
Comment by Strategy Geek Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:50 am
A tip for Richard Irvin…it’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt. A. Lincoln
Time for a speech coach, you know.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:53 am
IL map oddity - despite many who would happily claim MI as our next neighbor thanks to our waters, it’s faster & shorter to drive from Cairo IL to South Fulton TN than it is to get from the southeastern Chicago border to the MI stateline.
Comment by Humboldt Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 10:58 am
I live in Mary Miller’s district. She walks in local parades. That is the total list of what she has done for the people who elected her. She may be against earmarks but there are in district project that could use any available funding. Just gotta wonder if she feels that same about fed subsidies for her farm?
Comment by zatoichi Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 11:12 am
“Why aren’t donors more excited about backing a Democratic candidate in the primary contest?
“That’s a good question that I’m still trying to figure out as a state central committeeman,” state representative Maurice West (D-Rockford) said.”
Just gobbed smacked, does “the appointed” Mr. West understand that it is perhaps part of HIS responsibilities as SCCM to help the candidates with his proven to work suggestions, use of his staffers/community volunteers, and HIS on the ground expertise on how to best drum up enthusiasm and support for the Dems? Oh where, oh where is DPI, and perhaps a few county chairs from safely blue counties who have the space and time to help keep that district blue? The meddlers, planners, and claiming to be helpless hand sitters who want a more controllable DEM SCC stocked with already serving electeds and “professionals’ suggested by big donors may need to open them wallets to go on to try and pay for commitment and passion to the Democratic Party ideas to keep this district blue.
Comment by The Hills 60010 Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 11:17 am
When my aunt retired, she moved from Missouri to Illinois. The reason? Illinois does not tax retirement income like Missouri.
Comment by Transplant Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 11:27 am
NonAFSCME- Sorry to say, but I had forgotten about Forgottonia… Next someone will be mentioning Lincoln County.
Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 11:32 am
**I am surprised Sulivan didn’t slip and list Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and Tijuana.**
Good try… but it was Irvin, not Sullivan, listing the states.
Comment by SaulGoodman Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 11:37 am
Irvin looking more and more like a joke candidate every day. None are ready for prime time.
Comment by left of what Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 11:40 am
ooops. my bad. I need to get new glasses
Comment by very old soil Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 11:43 am
**Oh where, oh where is DPI, and perhaps a few county chairs from safely blue counties who have the space and time to help keep that district blue?**
You think that DPI should step into the primary?
But lets be honest - no one is that excited about any of the Dem candidates in the 17th CD, and none of them have distinguished themselves, so folks have been holding back. But I have no doubt that folks (and money) will back the winner of that primary.
Comment by SaulGoodman Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 11:45 am
I’m still looking for Tuscola County.
Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 11:50 am
“Irvin: Exactly right. And there are a lot of borders around the state, the state of Missouri, you know, Indiana, you know, Ohio, you know, all these states right around, Kentucky, you know, and Tennessee. So, it’s easy to go to those other states that don’t have the same tax rate as we do and we have to recognize that.”
Mr. Griffin, just burning up hard-earned money, and possibly thoughts that he has good commonsense, over some chest thumping match between him and Governor Pritzker that most of us will never understand. Sad.
Comment by The Hills 60010 Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 11:52 am
“That denied her district — based in southern Illinois — a lot of federal money for worthy projects.”
The Prince of Pork would be appalled.
Comment by Red Ketcher Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 11:55 am
Its Willie Wilson again giving his “charity”
Comment by Unionman Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 12:02 pm
The “far right conspiracy theorists” should just form a new party. My suggestion: the Moronic Party.
Comment by Sir Reel Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 12:11 pm
When the state constitution was adopted we still had straight party votes. I wonder if they decoupled so people voting for President just would not vote straight party and thus realtor pay attention to statewide stuff and the presidential voters would overwhelm the party control of local elections
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 12:18 pm
I’m sure Kari Steele will also find a way to comb over.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 12:24 pm
Please keep Rauner/Irvin in front of crowds and the media as much as possible. Hopefully, after the primary we can focus on a Republican nominee and not a Democrat pretending to be one of the GOP.
Comment by Primate Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 12:30 pm
- Primate -
Who exactly are the Republicans?
Can they beat Pritzker?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 12:35 pm
==The Prince of Pork would be appalled.==
They had their opportunity to vote for Kent Gray instead of Miller and thus confuse the electorate into thinking he was the resurrection of Ken Gray, or his son.
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 2:09 pm
- SaulGoodman -”You think that DPI should step into the primary?”
DPI, not the office bureaucrats, but the SCCM and SCCW should be free to be deployed to offer areas assistance in a manner that does not favor any candidate in primary battles. These people on the SCC are supposed to be the base level party generals and organizers to structure and help keep and gain ground for The Party. They are the structure builders on the local level. Too busy to do that, then you end up with no strong foundation.
You can go on and pay sell swords persons, but they work for coin, not as true passionate adherents.
Comment by The Hills 60010 Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 2:53 pm
- SaulGoodman - And no matter what amount of cash is thrown at the winner of a messy primary, this Esther is going to have a powerful appeal and space to be ever so strong. Dems, infighting and squandering energy and resources, gonna lose ground in some places.
Comment by The Hills 60010 Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 3:00 pm
Saw DeVore filed today. Did he swing by Springfield on his way to Orlando?
Comment by West Side the Best Side Monday, Mar 14, 22 @ 3:00 pm
Somehow both Kaegi and Steele miss the fact that handing out cash is more important than Ives here…
Comment by Davesurance.com Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 8:43 am