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* 20th Senate District…
Today, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced his endorsement of Graciela Guzmán in her candidacy for the Democratic nomination in Illinois’ 20th State Senate District. Sanders’s endorsement, coming just a week before Election Day in the primary race, provides a major boost for Guzmán’s campaign in one of the most progressive state senate districts in the state.
“Graciela will stand up to the political and economic establishment, fight for housing justice, and serve as a fierce ally of the working class,” said Senator Bernie Sanders. “From fighting for health care as a human right, to demanding that the wealthy pay their fair share, Graciela has the courage to challenge the status quo. I hope that the people of Illinois’ 20th district will join me in supporting her.”
“I am so proud to have the endorsement of a progressive icon like Sen. Sanders,” said Graciela Guzmán. “The 20th State Senate District deserves a fighter who will advocate for justice for our communities without being beholden to party leaders or corporate donors. Bernie’s endorsement sends a clear signal to 20th District voters about who the true and proven progressive champion is in this race. I look forward to joining Sen. Sanders and progressives in Illinois and across the country as we fight for healthcare for all, affordable housing, increased community investment, and more.”
Graciela Guzmán is the most progressive candidate in the 20th District race and is proud to have earned the endorsement of the Chicago Teachers Union, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Planned Parenthood, the Sierra Club, and more. Guzmán faces three challengers in the race, including one candidate who has taken millions of dollars from Springfield insiders and corporate PACs and another who has dumped hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own wealth into his campaign. Election Day is March 19.
The incumbent is appointed Sen. Natalie Toro (D-Chicago). Sanders has consistently performed quite well in that part of the world.
* Speaking of the 20th…
it's officially silly season @capitolfax https://t.co/rSVyOwg6Uf pic.twitter.com/7HkSeCsxNE
— jackfruited bug (@PotatoesOGrady) March 12, 2024
That’s so bizarre. A friends and family program apparently without any actual friends or family members.
* I’m not sure this will mean much of anything because it’s very late and the group isn’t exactly flush with cash and not well known. But Spyropoulos is up against a Latina incumbent, Iris Martinez, and the Latino Leadership Council is also backing Sen. Natalie Toro, Martinez’s 20th Senate District candidate, so that makes it mentionable here…
Cook County Circuit Court Clerk candidate, Mariyana Spyropoulos, has received the endorsement of the Latino Leadership Council. The organization, which is made up of Latino elected officials, business and community leaders, was formed in 2018 to get more Latinos involved in the political process from running for office, running campaigns fundraising and voting.
A three term incumbent on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, this is Commissioner Spyropoulos’ first time running for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk. The office is one of the largest unified court systems in the United States.
“Our slating process first and foremost considers the track record and qualifications of individuals seeking elected office,” says LLC spokesperson Jocelyn Nevarez. “Commissioner Spyropoulos is a clear choice for Clerk of the Circuit Court.”
Currently, the clerk’s office has 1,400 employees and an operating budget of $130 million.
“I believe my background as former president of the MWRD and as an attorney gives me the understanding of how to run a large agency and what is needed for users of our court system to navigate it efficiently and effectively,” says Spyropoulos.”
Last week, Spyropoulos was endorsed by U.S. Representative Delia Ramirez (3rd CD) along with other progressive elected officials from Chicago’s Northwest Side.
* Politico…
— In IL-07, Kina Collins is holding a presser today to push back against super PAC efforts to push back against her campaign. United Democracy Project, affiliated with AIPAC, has spent $44,000 on mailers opposing Collin. …. Nikhil Bhatia remains on the ballot in the race after the Board of Elections voted unanimously to keep him on. It concludes what Bhatia calls “frivolous challenges” by City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, the third candidate trying to unseat veteran Congressman Danny Davis.
— In IL-17, Joe McGraw has been endorsed by U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana. McGraw is running against Scott Crowl in the GOP primary.
* A few more stories…
* 2022 rematch, see who’s competing in the 105th statehouse seat in the 2024 GOP primary: Rientz cited several aspects of illegal immigration and asylum-seeking as a key issue and wants the repeal of Public Act 103-035 (a bill Tipsword served as co-sponsor) which allows for non-citizens to serve as members of law enforcement. He calls for public education reform to encourage economic success and a more light-handed approach to governance.
* Very few voters often decide fate of tax referendums, report finds: A new report from Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas — whose office mails out property tax bills — found that in 75 binding property tax-related referendums put on ballots between 2020 and 2023, the average turnout was 32% of all registered voters. That number always fell below the overall election turnout, meaning that some voters skipped those questions entirely. In all, 70% of the referendums were approved.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 12, 24 @ 11:15 am
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is it true that Chicago Public Schools are holding an elections forum for students on Friday sponsored by only one side of the referendum on the Chicago ballot? this seems wildly suspect. could it violate laws?
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Mar 12, 24 @ 11:31 am
===this seems wildly suspect===
As is the source for these claims.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Mar 12, 24 @ 11:33 am
The 33rd Ward is ground zero for an epic grudge match between insurgent socialists and establishment Democrats. Ald. Rodriguez Sanchez is battling Iris Martinez for committeeman, backing Spyropolous for clerk against Martinez and Guzman over Toro, who is being backed to the hilt by Don Harmon and a lot of major establishment groups.
I think Nayak hurts Toro more than Guzman FWIW.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Mar 12, 24 @ 11:39 am
I received the exact same typed Dr.Dave endorsement letter in the mail from a different and definitely not fake neighbor.
Shockingly, their address and mine has the same handwriting as in the picture.
I
I already thought it was funny because he has sent just as many mailers and it’s a junk mailer complaining about junk mailers. My mailbox has been working overtime this season.
Comment by Hawksfan Tuesday, Mar 12, 24 @ 11:59 am
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/some-claim-conflict-chicago-teachers-union-student-voting-rally/ per your caution Rich, I googled. If Dick Simpson has issues with it, it seems to be a wrongly constructed event.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Mar 12, 24 @ 12:21 pm
=== If Dick Simpson has issues with it===
lol
OK.
Again, I’m gonna wait a beat.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Mar 12, 24 @ 12:23 pm
Saw a WGN story on Clerk’s race last night. Spyropolous called out Martinez for patronage. Martinez denied, then goes on to say she hired people in positions that she has know for years which sounded like in fact she does have patronage.
Comment by BigLou Tuesday, Mar 12, 24 @ 12:35 pm
=== Martinez denied, then goes on to say she hired people in positions that she has know for years which sounded like in fact she does have patronage. ===
It is not surprising that an elected official will hire people that they have a history with for their senior management positions. To me, its a non-story unless WGN was talking about rank and file court clerk positions.
Comment by Hannibal Lecter Tuesday, Mar 12, 24 @ 1:25 pm
“Some postage paid for by . . .” What kind of disclosure is that?
Comment by Lakeview Lawyer Tuesday, Mar 12, 24 @ 1:28 pm
== It is not surprising that an elected official will hire people that they have a history with for their senior management positions. To me, its a non-story unless WGN was talking about rank and file court clerk positions. ==
Agreed to an extent, though with Martinez in particular there seems to be a pattern of these hires being people whose previous experience included major ethics violations. Jennifer Lin, Eduardo Garza, Adam Monreal, Erik Mackowiak, Shawn Hallinan, off the top of my head.
https://www.wbez.org/stories/lawyer-in-evanston-abuse-scandal-gets-cook-county-job/13f5c951-4f40-4075-af5b-6f4e7124f1e3
https://www.npr.org/local/309/2019/08/22/753393489/former-head-of-daley-college-cited-for-behavior-unbecoming-of-a-public-employee
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2012-10-24-chi-suit-alleges-kangaroo-court-juvenile-parole-system-20121024-story.html
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2015/10/2/18597807/two-parole-board-members-removed
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4508279/whelan-v-mackowiak/
https://cpdp.co/officer/11222/shawn-hallinan/
Comment by JC Tuesday, Mar 12, 24 @ 1:36 pm
I see my note did not post about Iris. You know I’m not lying how unbecoming of an elected official she is. Oh well.
Comment by Jacinto Ryan Tuesday, Mar 12, 24 @ 4:53 pm
We recently moved to the 20th from West Town, and I’ve seen a couple of these letters - one in my own mailbox and one that a neighbor received. Just weird. I do agree that unfortunately, Nayak will impact Toro more than Guzman. Obviously too late to drop out, and I’d have to think that votes for him would be votes siphoned from Toro rather than Guzman. We’ve only been in the neighborhood since January, but it’s been incredible to see how much mail, signage, etc., we’ve seen around this race.
Comment by Just a guy Tuesday, Mar 12, 24 @ 5:18 pm