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* Press release…

Today, the independent expenditure committee All for Justice (AFJ) placed its second buy for the General Election Cycle with the ad “Oath.”

The ad highlights the risk Republican Supreme Court candidates Justice Michael Burke and Mark Curran’s pose to all Illinoisians from a doctor’s perspective. This buy builds off the previous ad, “One Seat,” highlighting the horrific records of Burke and Curran on abortion.

“Rochford and O’Brien are right for Illinois. It is the goal of All for Justice to ensure that voters know the distinct differences between them and these two men. We have the resources to set the record straight in both districts and intend to over the final weeks,” said Luke Casson, Chairman of All for Justice.

Justice Michael Burke faces Justice Mary Kay O’Brien in the 3rd District, which includes DuPage, Will, Grundy, LaSalle, Bureau, Livingston, Iroquois, and Kankakee Counties. Mark Curran faces Judge Elizabeth Rochford in the 2nd District, which includes Lake, McHenry, Kane, Kendall, and DeKalb counties.

* The spot…

* Script…

Pregnancies are complicated and every situation is different. My job is to do what’s best for my patients.

But Mark Curran and Michael Burke want to criminalize abortion in Illinois, and they’ll get that chance if they’re elected to the State Supreme Court.

Criminalizing abortion will put women’s lives at risk. To think that I could be put in jail, that women could be put in jail for making their own medical decisions. Where does this end? Mark Curran and Michael Burke are too extreme for the Illinois Supreme Court.

…Adding… We’ll just have to wait and see if they file suit. ILGOP…

Statement from ILGOP Executive Director Shaun McCabe on false and defamatory “All for Justice” TV Ad:

“The latest false TV ad from ‘All for Justice’ is even more defamatory than their first false ad. This Madigan Machine-backed group is lying about Michael Burke and Mark Curran because they’re attempting to cover up Mary K. O’Brien’s and Elizabeth Rochford’s ties to the Madigan Machine. Don’t be fooled, Illinois voters. If elected to the Supreme Court, Madigan Machine judges O’Brien and Rochford will put their political cronies before the people of Illinois.”

* Meanwhile, here’s WTTW…

Former state legislator Jim Nowlan is part of the Judicial Fairness Project, and was involved with the effort to oust Kilbride after he and “his fellow Democrats sullied their robes in 2016 with a preposterous decision that knocked off the ballot a citizen’s initiative to put an independent mapping question before the voters.”

Nowlan said Democrats drew the judicial map to favor their party back in the ’60s.

“Since then, continuously, Democrats have had a majority on the Illinois Supreme Court and they have used that majority reliably to back the positions of (Chicago Ald.) Ed Burke and (former Illinois House Speaker) Mike Madigan on redistricting, term limits, pensions,” Nowlan said. “And so, it’s time for a change.”

For the first time, Illinois’ Democratic-controlled legislature and Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker last year redrew the Illinois Supreme Court districts, in a manner that Nowlan said will make it more difficult — but not impossible — for Republicans to win them.

He adds that the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade has changed the landscape and made it more difficult for the GOP judicial candidates.

Some Republican groups and donors that had been expected to come through with heavy funding backed away after Curran, who has never been a judge, won the primary instead of the party’s establishment-backed Lake County Judge Daniel Shanes.

They didn’t back away because he’s never been a judge, but whatevs.

* Center Square…

Officials from different Illinois judiciary groups across the state have introduced a Declaration of Judicial Independence to inform the public of the threat of misinformation before the election.

The Illinois Judges Association, representing 1,250 sitting and retired judges in Illinois, introduced the declaration on Tuesday during a virtual meeting about the document.

The document’s purpose is to provide voters with accurate information on judicial candidates ahead of the November election.

Chicago Bar Association President Timothy Tomasik said it is an issue that has been going on for years.

“We are so concerned about the reckless and sometimes ruthless number of politically motivated attacks that have been occurring on our judiciary over the past several years,” Tomasik said.

The press release is here.

* Fox 32…

The Chicago and Illinois Bar Associations are urging voters to consult their evaluations of the candidates, which claim to be non-partisan.

“They are not asked are you Republican or Democrat, do you like the current president or the past president, do you believe in the death penalty or not believe in the death penalty — there is nothing political about the judicial evaluation process,” Tomasik said.

A leader of the pro-abortion rights group, Personal PAC, pushed back. Terry Cosgrove said television advertising focused on what a judge has said or done about the abortion issue, including outside the courtroom, is appropriate.

* Related…

* Illinois Chief Justice Anne Burke Discusses 40-Year Legal Career as She Nears Retirement: Burke also addressed controversy surrounding her husband, Chicago Ald. Ed Burke, who is facing a federal corruption trial next year. She says that the trial “absolutely did not” influence her decision to retire. “My decision was my decision,” she says. “We’ve been married for 54 years and as I always said, for better or worse, but not for lunch. We have to figure out how to do lunch now!” When asked about how well she did in fulfilling her promise to keep her work separate from her husband’s, Burke says “perfectly. Well, not perfectly, but the best I could.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:42 am

Comments

I had assumed Burke was anti-choice like Curran and I know why Democrats would want to say that. What is the evidence of that position other than going to a rally? Did he ever say he’s against abortion in all cases? I wouldn’t be shocked but there are people who support exceptions. Anyone know the basis for this criticism?

Comment by Torco Sign Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 10:46 am
Jim Nowlan and conservatives need to stop crying.

Comment by low level Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 11:11 am
What is preposterous is Nowlan’s characterization of the 2016 Supreme court opinion in the independent maps case. The proponents of the fair maps amendment didn’t take into account the court’s precedent. They could have crafted an amendment that passed constitutional muster. They didn’t.

Comment by Facts Matter Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 11:12 am
Judicial Fairness to Nowlan is when the justices agree with his opinion.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 11:15 am
Dear Jim Nowlan,

You won. I was told you won. You showed everyone.

If the ILSC flips 5-2, Dems, you should take pride in your significant role in that.

Sincerely,

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 11:16 am
To the post. The ad hits the mark and deserves an A.

The criticism would be that it crosses some judicial neutrality line. Over the last few years, that ship has sailed.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 11:19 am
The Illinois Judges Association’s presentation of a Declaration of Judicial Independence is admirable.

But expect it’s a futile act. The most important aspect of Democracy’s checks and balance system has been destroyed at every level by politics>

Comment by Red Ketcher Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 11:51 am
the ad gets an A. hearing from a doctor makes an impact. I won’t be surprised if someone starts reminding people what was emphasized in the documentary The Janes: Cook County Hospital had a septic abortion ward until Roe was decided. A patient a week died there. It’s frightening. Almost all Republican electeds want to take us back to the days where abortion was illegal. And women died.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 12:32 pm
The ad is an A-

Why?

Even the targets of the ad know how damaging that message is in this climate. Opening up multiple seats with abortion framing is a disaster waiting to happen… “We’ll see”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 12:46 pm
B+ for sure, but only because I just saw the “puppy killer” anti-Oz ads on Politico. Holy cow.

Comment by granville Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 12:52 pm
Speaking of clean elections lets remember
(1) ISBE webiste says Nowlan resigned from the committee in May.
(2) The group, funded by Griffie’s slime money, is run bt two guys from Ohio GA.
(3) Waiting to see if they can find Ray LaHood to reprise his ‘20 role, whether he explain his sweetheart deal from Trump and his confession concerning the payment from the foreign oil honcho.

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 1:40 pm
I concur with OW on both points.

The fact that proponents know they can run a blanket abortion ad on broadcast t.v. instead of targeted mail tell you their polling shows it’s an issue that overwhelmingly moves voters.

And as for Nowlan: the irony. Justice Kilbride was a pro-life Catholic. Had they not forced him out with a brutal partisan campaign, the map would not have changed, and you’d have a 4-3 court that favored abortion restrictions.

The Grifters #1 priority is getting paid. They get paid for tactics not strategy, and they do not get paid as much for tactics that mean their services are no longer needed.

Uhlein and Griffin have learned nothing from their mistakes.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 1:41 pm
They couldn’t find an Illinois doctor to comment on Illinois Supreme Court justices?

Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Oct 12, 22 @ 2:40 pm