State & County Endorsements
Saturday, November 21 & Sunday November 22
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Below the Fold:
I've been following the Ron Paul / Alan Grayson effort to get the Federal Reserve audited for the first time in it's history. It's an effort to shed some light on where our bailout dollars are going. Ron Paul of course has an additional agenda as well but in this [...]
The story titled "Transparency in Action - How a'" [...]
In an interview with television station WREX in Rockford [...]
Two-thirds of Americans disagree with the Obama administration's decision to try Khalid Sheik Mohammed in a civilian court rather than a military court, according to a new national poll.
This story has flaws ranging from minor to serious.
My big beef with the story: if Americans don't know the [...]
One of the most interesting parts of the two hearings on the Taylorville Energy Center (TEC) was learning about the process of coal gasification and carbon capture. The TEC, proposed by Tenaska Inc, uses a gasification process that turns coal into syngas, which is converted into Substitute Natural [...]
MEET & GREET AT OLD TOWNE BOOKS AND TEA, OSWEGO, FRI., 12/3, 5PM to 7PM
The Kendall County Democratic Women will host a meet and greet event at Old Towne Books and Tea, 61-63 S. Madison Street (across from the Post Office), in Oswego on Thursday, December 3rd, from 5PM until 7PM. The [...]
Late last week, House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, Representative Sara Feigenholtz, and Representative Karen May released the following letter endorsing Robyn Gabel for State Representative, 18th District.
Josh Kilroy
Campaign Manager
Friends of Robyn Gabel
Dear Friends,
It is with great excitement that we announce our support for Robyn Gabel in [...]
They withheld endorsement in the Cook County Board President's race, a seeming slap in the face to Board President Todd Stroger. But they also postponed' [...]
I got an email with their endorsements. It's in the extended entry if you didn't get it.
Labor is really the 800lb gorilla in the room of progressive politics. It's also a very arcane sort of politics, at least to me. I mean like, I totally support the concept and [...]
Today I met with John Burros and Jeff Smith. Burros is running in the 9th Representative District (Lawndale-Near West Side) which is an open seat because Rep. Art Turner is running for Lt. Governor. Smith is running in the 18th Represenative District (Evanston-Rogers Park-North Shore), which is [...]
Julie kicked off the week at the Hadassah-sponsored congressional candidates debate at Am Shalom synagogue in Glencoe.
Connecting with the crowd of more than 150 men and women, Julie shared her family’s story of escape from Communist Hungary during the 1956 revolution. She also discussed how, as the daughter of [...]
When the Cook County Democratic Party met, it decided not to endorse any candidate in the race for President of the Cook County Board.
If Ald. Toni Preckwinkle assembles a strong organization, she's free to support challengers for the Cook County Board of Commissioners and other county offices. If she was [...]
Cook County Commissioner Deborah Sims has been all over the news lately. She betrayed her promise to her fellow County Commissioners and voted to save Todd Stroger's tax increase -- just another "Soldier for Stroger" -- giving Cook County "the highest sales tax rate in the" [...]
Mark Kirk IL-10 Stupak Amendment - Yes.
Mark Kirk (IL-10) has a 100 rating from Planned Parenthood. And he has a zero (0) rating from the National Right to Life Committee. Kirk appears to be the only Republican to earn the 100 rating from Planned Parenthood.
And not just Planned [...]
A challenge filed Monday afternoon by an attorney for Joseph Laiacona, the only other remaining candidate in the' [...]
On Thursday night HACIA (Hispanic American Construction Industry Association) hosted a candidate forum that included Todd Stroger, Toni Preckwinkle, Terry O'Brien, Tom Tresser (Green) and John Garrido (Republican). WLS-TV covered it. And the Chicagoist has links to raw stuff.
I wrote about it on Proviso Probe.
Longtime progressive activist Andrea Raila has folded her campaign for Cook County assessor. In a letter to friends and supporters last night, Andrea said, "This decision was made for personal reasons, with the understanding of the challenges and expense of pending legal objections to our petitions." Raila thus joins [...]
Digby has an entry about filibusters. Short version: she doesn't like Senate filibusters and she favors eliminating them.
But the minority is unlikely to agree to eliminating the filibuster. And enough Democrats favor protecting the filibuster that it's not going away.
But what about modifying the filibuster? In 1975 [...]
As reported by the Washington Post's The Fix by Chris Cillizza, Mark Kirk is seeking an endorsement from ex-governor Sarah Palin. Of course, what he really wants is an under-the-radar endorsement, a promise to not get his nuts teabagged. He wants just enough endorsement for a loud and clear [...]
Chris Bowers has obtained a list of Bart Stupak supporters who would kill health care reform unless it further limits reproductive care. Bowers:
The reason for this, unsurprisingly, remains Bart Stupak. He is, as Natasha described this morning, working to block the entire bill unless none of [...]
Since the 2002 redistricting, the northern half of the 18th Representative District lies in the 10th Congressional District, so naturally (I thought) it made sense, despite the odd date, to hang out on Halloween with the district-wide group, 10th Congressional District Democrats, that Lauren Beth Gash has [...]
Candidates for this under-the-radar office need 7,981 signatures--more than required for a gubernatorial candidacy.
Connor, 31, a Progressive Democrat [...]
Governor Pat Quinn's job disapproval ratings have hit 53% and his approval ratings have skidded to 45%, according to a new Rasmussen poll in the Illinois 2010 governor's race.
Meanwhile, Quinn's primary opponent, Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes, upped his [...]
Tonight's panel presentation at the Chicago Architectural Foundation on plans for high speed rail in Illinois and the Midwest was very informative. Good questions from the audience added to what the three speakers had shared. For example, Wisconsin has ordered two high speed trains from the Spanish manufacturer, and because [...]
Happy Nominating Petition Filing Period Opening Day!
After dithering over whether to run for his US Congressional seat, or for Cook County Board President, Danny Davis today submitted his petition to run for the later. In fact, he said that his "mind is made up." Kinda. BEZ has the exact [...]
I just found this out when I was friended by Max G. Bernard, an old "real life" friend that I now find that I share with bored [...]
They will need to depend upon two types of pixel delivery devices. One a large format device suitable for laying [...]
H R 2647 RECORDED VOTE 8-Oct-2009 3:24 PM
QUESTION: On Agreeing to the Conference Report
BILL TITLE: Department of Defense Authorization, FY 2010
Link to Full Vote - Expand federal hate crimes legislation to cover [...]
Just so' [...]
So if you are in Indiana and especially in Joe's districe give him a call now (Friday early afternoon): Joe Donnelly (IN-2): 202-225-3915, 574-288-2780
When Joe was running in 2006 against Count Chocula, buckinghamfan wrote many diaries here [...]
I am disappointed with Foster. He's an intelligent guy. But ever since the get got he's had Blue Dog leanings and he's been willing to say so out loud. Still he's a scientist. That should count for something.
Lipinski's' [...]
Yesterday wathomasson asked if Burris was prepared to vote against cloture. Good question answered not yes, not no. So basically bored hit the nail on the head: Burris is looking for attention.
[...]
I assume that the tactic will happen here in the Chicago area shortly. As Kevin Zeese reports:
Just a few weeks ago the Mobilization for Health Care for All was announced (www.MobilizeForHealthCare.org). The Mobilization focuses on the denial of doctor-recommended care by the insurance industry. Sit-ins were planned at [...]She started off talking about [...]
Team Illinois placed second in this years Solar Decathlon held on the D.C. Mall. Considering that the first place finisher was an entire country, Germany, I'd say that was pretty darn good. The Solar Decathlon is a U.S. Department of Energy event.For three weeks in [...]
Now is the time.
Jim Pistorius, a progressive democrat is running for Congress in IL 14th district. He will be challenging incumbent Bill Foster for his seat. Jim says "the people of the 14th district have spoken. Now it's time to have someone in office who will listen. When a king" [...]
We're in the midst of a deflationary economy. Social Security for the first time since Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) were instituted in 1975 are not increasing benefit' [...]
Hinz is reporting that Michael Madigan is allowing a vote on two bills (HB4624 and HB4625) which would place limits on Todd Stroger's power, both which would effectively reverse his sales tax increase:One bill would outright repeal the increase, overriding Cook County's home-rule authority. The other would [...]
Hamos had previously spoken before the group, but this time as a candidate for Congress in the Democratic primary. Questions were again pointed, but handled with [...]
Seals spoke before a friendly audience, answering questions and giving his take on the Democratic primary. Questions were pointed, but deftly handled.
Members of [...]
Just as surely as the leaves turn red in the fall, candidates are now looking to The Internet People for much-needed primary support. Unlike in the general, when most of them Cha-Cha Slide to the right, primary candidates here have a vested interest in understanding the objectives and arguments of [...]
A bunch of progressives are sponsoring a bill to prohibit any increase in Afghan troop levels. At this time there are no Illinois co-sponsors.
H.R.3699Is it a paradigm shift? Two weeks ago I asked if Schakowsky was betraying Obama because of a conflict of interest? I used a rhetorical shift in the headline because I could and because I knew it had some punch.
My goal was to egg Schakowsky on to sign up [...]
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.c...
Hmmmm. One concern was how hard it's become for tourists to cross our U.S. border.
' [...]
Anti-Olympics organizers sprinted into the home stretch with a City Hall rally yesterday ahead of Friday's International Olympic Committee vote on which city will get the 2016 games. About 300 attended the protest which - not to take anything away from the talents and hard work of the [...]
By most reasonable readings the column is advocating the U.S. military [...]
One does not have to go around the 18th state house district long to recognize we have an intolerable struggle going on between developers and those wishing to preserve the natural beauty of the area. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to notice that Illinois needs new ideas and new [...]
If you have ever been lucky enough to enjoy the opportunity to ride France's SNCF rail system then you will be excited to hear that they are taking high speed rail in the U.S. very seriously.
The SNCF has just submitted a proposal elaborating their interest in [...]
One cause of the controversy over high-speed rail in Springfield is the popular view that passenger rail is primarily a Chicago-area issue. The impact and possibilities for downstate seem to be considered an afterthought, if at all.
A few news articles suggest that Springfield isn't the only [...]
Frontier will get 4.8 million phone lines, 900,000 high-speed Internet lines, and become the new employer of close to [...]
Even more over the jump:
Be careful not to drink coffee or other liquids while watching this video:
And finally, something that proves laughter is the best 'medicine'.
The open seat in the solidly Democratic and progressive 18th District has attracted several good progressive candidates. But let's face it, the Illinois general assembly is full of good progressives that are powerless on the big issues. Why? Because of current leadership that is almost psychotically dictatorial and past leadership [...]
Jan represents a strong single-payer district. If you argue with my belief on that then I will come back with a strong public-option district retort. My [...]
Robyn Gabel is a progressive. Robyn is a woman. Robyn is a long time friend. Robyn is endorsed by Jan Schakowsky.
Last August 5th I was riding the el home with several others after' [...]
A rally is set for Saturday, September 26, from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at UIC College of Pharmacy, Lecture Hall 134, 833 S. Wood, Chicago.
The Town Hall meeting is sponsored by the Illinois Single Payer Coalition and the UIC Gradute Student Council with support from the Chicago Single Payer Action [...]
Once more all eyes (ok a lot of Illinois eyes) will be on Representative Jan Schakowsky and her fellow Illinois progressive representatives as the leadership of the Congressional Progressive Caucus conducts a whip count of who will be willing to stand firm for a public option. Firm meaning willing to [...]
The Swamp reports that a few minutes before Obama's speech ended last night, Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) stood up and walked out.
The Swamp explains that Shimkus' spokesman rationalized the walkout this way: "Congressman Shimkus was frustrated that the president was not offering any new ground and" [...]
After Bernie Sanders. Sherrod Brown may be as progressive but drawing a map of the U.S. from memory is symbolic of his respect.
[...]
‘Tis the season of charge and counter charge, thrust and parry, lob and return, impression and sometimes even slur. It’s not my favorite political season, but it’s upon us, and with this year’s commencement came a report that caught my attention.
My former rival and now State Senator, Heather Steans, [...]
Family BBQ & Pig Roast www.kendall-democrats.org
Saturday - September 19th - 2 to 6pm
On the beautiful grounds of Floribunda Gardens, 2093 Collins Road, Oswego
Come and enjoy Food - Music - Family Activities - Cash Bar - Special Guests
Bring the Family, Friends, & Neighbors!
[...]
Sims is as loyal to the Strogers as' [...]
From a source inside the Kirkpatrick campaign: he's dropping out.
Robin Kelly is the only announced Democratic candidate who I know about.
Cook County Commissioners who favored repeal of the 1% tax increase thought they had the votes (14 of 17) to override President Todd Stroger's veto.
However, Commissioner Deborah Sims switched positions and voted to uphold Stroger's veto. Sims provided the following explanation to Sun-Times (Lisa Donovan).
Sims said [...]
Rep. John Fritchey (Dem Committeeman 32nd Ward) posted the following on Facebook:
The newly appointed County Commissioner for the 8th District is Edwin Reyes. He'll vote to override the tax repeal veto.The vacancy existed because the previous commissioner Roberto Maldanado accepted appointment to the Chicago City Council.
