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* Talk amongst yourselves.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 4:32 am

Comments

Pritzker won, Bailey zero. Sanity prevailed in Illinois.

Comment by Bob Meter Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 4:51 am
Whew.

Comment by Dysfunction Junction Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 4:58 am
Does Alexi keep much of Jesse’s top staff–including Benigno–at SOS or do many of them leave or retire along with Jesse?

Comment by Stuck in Celliniland Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 5:07 am
It would be foolish for Alexi to keep any of them for more than a few months. SOS is a mess. Benigno has been the defacto SOS for two terms he should be going out with Jesse.

Comment by Cubs in 2026 Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 5:46 am
Ah, another beautiful fall day dawns here in Clay County. Enough leaves are off the trees that southbound motorists on Route 45 at the north edge of Louisville can catch a glimpse of Johnny Bob Harrell’s replica of Washington’s Mt. Vernon on the hill overlooking the Little Wabash River just before passing Darren’s Full Armor Christian Academy. Two monuments to rightwing political and religious fanaticism viewable from one quarter-mile stretch of highway.

Comment by MoralMinority Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 6:23 am
Bailey says he’s going to roll up his sleeves and continue focusing on the things that unite us. That’s cool. At least he won’t be Governor.

Comment by XonXoff Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 6:25 am
I’m happy that the likes of Bailey and DeVore are in our electoral rear view mirror. But I’m appalled that over 70% of the voters in our precinct voted for them.

Comment by DirtLawyer Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 6:29 am
I’m pretty sure if your first thought *this* morning is of the staff of Jesse White…

… you are not a serious person to the discussion of what happened last night.

Last night?

Last night wasn’t about “Will Alexi keep…”

Last night was about an overwhelming “wow”

All 8… eight statewides… Democrats.

14-3 congressional advantage… Democrats hold majority in the delegation

5-2 Illinois Supreme Court… Democrats hold majority on the bench

The statehouse… supermajorities hold, dare I say this morning, growth too?

“Will Alexi keep…”

Stop. Voters didn’t care about that.

Even this morning, these type of benchmarks, I’d look to these heights during a Blue Wave, not the lows of a Democratic midterm.

That’s the story. And it ain’t just a story in Illinois either.

Massachusetts governor? Blue

Michigan House? Blue… Michigan, Wisconsin governors? Blue

My point? Don’t wanna hear… “Illinois is blue”

I still can’t name the ILGOP slate that ran… yesterday… in full, let alone the slate that ran with Rauner… without looking up who I forgot.

Historically, a midterm I’ve never seen. Historically, a midterm that can’t be defined like any other since World War II

Good morning. Democracy won in Illinois. That can’t be denied.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 6:33 am
==Bailey says he’s going to roll up his sleeves and continue focusing on the things that unite us. ==
Maybe, just maybe, if he would have done that before the election, even after the primary, his numbers would have been better statewide. He did get upwards of 86 percent of the vote here in Clay County though. Trouble is he needed about a thousand Clay Counties.

Comment by MoralMinority Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 6:43 am
I apologize for not paying more attention when it was discussed, but I don’t understand what had to happen for the constitutional amendment to pass- was it 60%?

Comment by Occasionally Moderated Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 6:46 am
At this point the most interesting tally in IL is the union amendment. Trailing but very close with votes still to be counted.

Comment by The Velvet Frog Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 6:46 am
Uihlein, Proft, and Nowlan. Glad to see them lose big (and little).

Comment by Not a Superstar Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 6:48 am
Sun is shining here. Good day for the blue.

Comment by Stormsw7706 Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 6:50 am
Thank goodness for streaming on tv. I promised myself I would not watch any of the election results and kept my word until this morning.

Illinois results are great. National results so-so. But it’s a beautiful day here in DuPage County, so we will go with that.

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 6:51 am
Huge win for Speaker Welch, actually picking up a significant number of seats.

Maybe, maybe, maybe, it was Madigan holding them back all those years…

Comment by Ok Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 6:57 am
A “so so” national result is vastly better than the disastrous night most expected for democrats. Hugely outperformed expectations.

Comment by The Velvet Frog Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 6:58 am
Once again, Jim Durkin proves he is the king of the grifters.

Comment by Flying Elvis'-Utah Chapter Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 7:02 am
ABC 7 is calling amendment 1 as a win with 88 percent of the vote in. Seems like a lot of votes out but I assume they’re looking at the specifics.

Evanston approved ranked choice voting.

Comment by The Velvet Frog Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 7:03 am
- Not a Superstar -

Proft didn’t lose.

It has been a Green Wave season for Proft.

His core folks will still feel aggrieved, angered, and appalled.

Just the way Proft likes them… as Proft counts his own cash.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 7:24 am
- It has been a Green Wave season for Proft. -

You got that right, as usual he’s the only winner in his races.

Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:00 am
=Proft didn’t lose.=

And that suits Proft just fine. Dan Proft would have no place in a functioning party. He’s merely cashing in on the disarray that defines the ILGOP. If and when that’s fixed there’s no place for Dan Proft. What remains to be seen is whether or not the party is capable of fixing the many problems that ail it. Until then Proft will continue to be the Kevin Trudeau of the ILGOP selling whatever message lines his pockets.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:02 am
- Pundent -

You understand. I know you do.

I look at Durkin leaving as the hole that Proft thinks he can fill as a Kingmaker of Primary winners.

Proft will decry, from Florida no less, that Illinois got “fooled”, and Illinois needs folks like *him* that understand the GOP base to unite with those who left (like… me)

It’s not like Proft is hurting for his next meal. He can wait this out.

Be well, bud.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:06 am
I’m not sure whether to be glad all the political ads are done for a while or to dread how many Camp Lejeune ads are going to take their place.

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:10 am
It would appear the dreaded Red Wave hit a sandbar at the national level.

In West Central Illinois, McDonough County, there was an slight uptick in voter turnout, and it appears to have been an increase in Awake, IL, er, I mean Republican voters. We voted dramatically in favor of DeVore and Bailey and the other list of statewide losers.

If there were one consolation here, it was that Mary Miller kept her seat, and Brown County voted to explore ways to leave Illinois.

Comment by H-W Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:13 am
There is a lot to process but I think a compelling narrative for Illinois is that at a time when the GOP was running on hatred and bigotry the voters of Illinois appear to have chosen an openly gay man to represent them in Washington DC.

Lets hope his lead remains as the final votes are counted.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:15 am
Not election related, but in case you want a change of pace read for the day. The Atlantic has article about Chicago man Henry Gerber, a pioneer in gay rights. There are a million small and important pieces of history in our state: tinyurl.com/2p852zsb

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:16 am
Thanks for the great coverage in this morning’s Fax Rich and Isabel. I went to bed early and now I feel all caught up. CapFax continues to outshine all other outlets and is worth every penny. Well done and very much appreciated.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:30 am
Second - 47th Ward -‘s thoughts.

I was wrong about the drawing of the congressional map “14-3”

I thought it could be too much, too big a bite.

I was wrong. Impressive from map to ballots.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:34 am
Doesn’t the result in the governor’s race throw some doubt on the capabilities of the polling company that showed Bailey only trailing by 2% and within MoE?

Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:34 am
This seems like a very good idea.

https://www.gocomics.com/frazz/2022/11/09

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:35 am
Maybe just maybe the Illinois House results will put a stake thru the it’s Madigan trope.

Comment by Annon3 Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:37 am
I wonder how embarrassed beetle was when the AP called the governor’s race right after the polls closed and before the vote counts had started.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:40 am
76 percent turnout in Effingham County.

Comment by up2now Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:42 am
Still having a hard time wrapping my mind around the Lake County margins. 20+ is pretty impressive for Dems.

Comment by SIUEalum Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:43 am
The sun is shining bright here in West Central Illinois. “Looking good, Lewis. Feeling good, Billy Ray”.

Comment by oifredleg Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:44 am
Regarding Jim Durkin stepping down so that the party can “rebuild,” how many times has this been said for the Republican Party after an election? Maybe, just maybe, they lose because the people don’t like their ideas (if they have any; it seems that they can only run on the other guy is bad). I have an idea for how Republicans can rebuild. Put up better candidates and get better ideas. Until then you’ll remain in no mans land as far as governing goes.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:45 am
Actually glad Tharp didn’t win. I really feel like Labor leadership tried to force feed him to the rank and file. Rank and file interviewed him and didn’t like him. He was FOP through and through. Right now labor leadership needs to abandon the thought that an FOP cop will attract right leaning voters or right leaning labor. It didn’t work.

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:57 am
= CapFax continues to outshine all other outlets and is worth every penny. =

Seconded. And I’d rather read the commenters here than listen to the TV pundents talking just to fill the air time.

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:01 am
In Madison County I was glad to see Stuart kept her seat and Budzinski won. Sadly some outright elections deniers won seats on the County Board, and the County Clerk Office. The new County Clerk is the most troubling. If I were the state party I’d send in a team to start rectifying this situation.

Comment by Highland IL Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:01 am
Why does the Cook County board’s 10th district only have 747 registered voters? Next smallest district is like 60,000.

Comment by Suburban Mom Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:05 am
==I don’t understand what had to happen for the constitutional amendment to pass- was it 60%?==

It’s 60% of those voting on the question, OR a simple majority of all votes cast in the election. It appears it will meet the latter.

Comment by Anon324 Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:06 am
Has anyone ever had a worse plan than Jim Nowlan?

Comment by Golden Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:12 am
=“The House Republicans ran on the message of fighting for lower taxes and safer communities for families and businesses across the state,=

Huh? I wonder what state Durkin was watching? Because that was not their message. Fear and hate was their message.

I am glad Pritzker et al won, and won decisively. But I am sad we do not have two functioning parties and that the ilgop has, for the most part, gone over to the cult. And for many gop voters they seem mystified. I saw one tweet that claimed that “most of us” are not represented and the tweet included a state map showing how most of it is red. I guess simple math is also a mystery to these folks.

=the voters of Illinois appear to have chosen an openly gay man to represent them in Washington DC.=

My hope is that people no longer consume themselves with people’s sexuality and just try to elect the best candidate. Which they did.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:14 am
I’m no fan of Doris Turner but glad she beat Hamilton. Hamilton crew putting up so many signs on public land was terrible. Plus her anti worker and pension stance are not great selling points in this district.

Maybe my favorite part of Wednesday, no national re-count blah, blah, blah…

Comment by BTO2 Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:15 am
== If there were one consolation here, it was that Mary Miller kept her seat ==

When Miller, an incumbent in one of the most GOP districts in the Midwest, is your only consolation, it has been a bad night.

Comment by Geezus Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:20 am
==I have an idea for how Republicans can rebuild. Put up better candidates and get better ideas.==

Geez, it sounds so simple when you put it like that. Can’t be that easy. Can it?

Comment by Dysfunction Junction Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:24 am
===one of the most GOP districts in the Midwest===

CD12 might be more GOP, but yeah https://twitter.com/ILElectionData/status/1453884048519143433/photo/1

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:32 am
=== Why does the Cook County board’s 10th district only have 747 registered voters? Next smallest district is like 60,000. ===

This is only the suburban Cook County portion of the district. The rest of the district is within the City of Chicago.

Comment by Hannibal Lecter Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:36 am
I did not turn on the tv last night. I came here for news. thank you Isabel and Rich.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:41 am
Nikki Budzinski & Katie Stuart showed Dem women can win in Madison County https://apps.co.madison.il.us/CountyClerk/Elections/Results/search/

Comment by jimbo26 Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 9:48 am
===Good morning. Democracy won in Illinois. That can’t be denied.===

Democrats won in IL because IL is blue

Comment by Tombrady Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:00 am
===Democrats won in IL because IL is blue===

You’re adorable.

Name the Republican candidate for Comptroller, no Googling, LOL

McConnell said it best in DC, “Candidate Recruitment”

If you even remotely think the GOP slate were the better candidates…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:05 am
The NW Suburbs went very blue last night.
When the GOP loses in Barrington and Palatine, you know there was a drag on the ticket.

Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:16 am
There are going to be big shoes to fill with Durkin leaving that post. The GOP needs to reassess how they can become relevant again. I don’t think the midterms here in IL were so much a referendum on Pritzker/ the dem as they were local races being swept up by national trends (like most of the down ballot races). However having a really out of touch MAGA candidate at the top of the ballot did not do the GOP any favors.

Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:24 am
===Nikki Budzinski & Katie Stuart showed Dem women can win in Madison County===
Budzinski only received 660 more votes, and Stuart has the one district drawn for her. You might want to look at the rest of the County.

Comment by Highland IL Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:29 am
So the major statewide races last night generally are all running very similar totals of about 54-44 or so. Not much difference between candidates (Mendoza a little better), so it looks like party is the deciding factor rather than candidate. Similarly, you could argue that no one in particular is madder at JB than at any other generic Dem.

Comment by Jibba Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:31 am
===Mendoza a little better===

Mendoza is winning 57-41. And all votes haven’t been counted yet.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:49 am
Rich and Isabel, thank you. Was able to avoid cable’s chattering class and get a good night’s sleep, knowing what would be available here.

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 11:24 am
Anonymous 1:16 was me.

Comment by Jaguar Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 1:17 pm
I’m interested in seeing how ranked choice works out in Evanston. I was not impressed by NYC’s attempt. It tooks days.
I think it would help me be more comfortable voting for Green or independent parties. Right now I don’t want to risk a GOPer winning, if I didn’t need to worry so much about that, I’d be more comfortable. Especially if the Greens can do something about their connection to pro-Russian elements.

Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 1:30 pm