-By Warner Todd Huston
I’ll be poking in to show that Illinois loves their politics crooked and live blogging the poor, poor turnout in the 2010 primary.
(The newest post will appear on the top for ease of viewing.)
Won’t you click… Continue reading “
Live Blogging the 2010 Illinois Primary Returns”
-By Warner Todd Huston
It’s Groundhog’s Day, do you know where your election ballot is?? Well, it’s at your polling place so go fill it out. TODAY is the Illinois Primary!!
I know, I know, who knew, right?
Here are my endorsements (and here is the post explaining the choices):
SENATE
Patrick Hughes – www.patrickhughesforsenate.com
GOVERNOR
Dan Proft – http://www.proft2010.com
(second choice Adam Andrzejewski)
Continue reading “
Illinois Primary Election TODAY! Go Vote”
When I first set out to lend this space to Republican candidates for the primary I decided that anyone that sent me a press release would have the courtesy of having it posted here.
I did this for several reasons: 1). because I had yet to make my own endorsements and wanted to see what everyone was saying, 2). so that others out there who, like me, wanted to see what was going on with the field of candidates could do so, and 3). to serve as an open forum for all Republican candidates.
Well, now we are at only two days before the voting begins and since I have made my endorsement (see them HERE) I have decided that from this point forward only those candidates I endorse will get this space. It is crunch time and time for me to put forth only those candidates I feel are the best ones.
Thanks for sticking with Publius Forum through the run up to the primary and I hope you stick around during and beyond.
Yours,
Warner Todd Huston
Editor, Publius Forum
Rosanna Pulido “a new, fresh voice in Washington.”
ABC TV has the video of the recent debate between the two Republican candidates for Cook County Board President. Appearing was John Garrido and Roger Keats.
Here are the links to all three parts:
Here are the candidate’s websites:
John Garrido – Policeman and lawyer – garrido2010.com
Roger Keats – Securities Industry – www.keatsforcook.com
Dan Patlak is poised to return the Republican seat on the Cook County Board of Review back to the GOP, at last.
-By Warner Todd Huston
There is a saying about Chicago’s weather: if you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes it’ll change. This, of course, is an allusion to the fact that the weather in Chicago is often unpredictable with every season but winter seeming all too short. The rains come, the winds blow, the snow falls and the chill descends with amazing rapidity. Naturally, this saying can be adapted to Cook County politics as well as the weather. If you don’t like a politician, wait a few weeks and they’ll likely be in jail.
Of course, it isn’t just Cook County, home of the City of Chicago, but it holds for the entire state. Illinois has had three governors sent to prison and a fourth, Rod Balgojevich, waiting to find out if he will become the next to take up residence behind bars. The “Land of Lincoln” has had over 80 legislators sent to prison since the 1970s. But Cook County deserves special recognition for its corruption and criminal politicians.*
Robert Lombardo wrote an excellent history of Cook County corruption where political corruption is front and center. Speaking of an early criminal politician, Lombardo paints a colorful picture of one Michael Cassius McDonald.
Continue reading “
Corrupt Politics in Cook County Illinois, Some History”
-By Warner Todd Huston
On Dec. 27th, the Chicago Tribune sternly scolded our Illinois political class saying that we need “reform” in Illinois. The Trib announced that with all the past corruption they’d had “enough.” And they promised to launch a “pre-primary push to elect better” politicians.
Well, who could disagree with that? Illinois has one of the most corrupt, most indebted, least transparent, most inbred political scene in the country. It is rife with corruption on both sides of the political divide and we are ripe for change. So, yes, we all can agree with the Chicago Tribune that we need to clean up this political cesspool. The “Chicago Way” that has now invaded Washington D.C. should be eliminated back here at home.
So, hear, hear, Chicago Tribune. We agree. You are a fast friend to the weak and downtrodden. A champion of the common man. A paragon of reform, etc., etc.
Yep, all that horn tootin’ was great, Trib. So, let’s see how you did with picking candidates to endorse…
Continue reading “
Chgo Trib Wants ‘Reform,’ Yet Endorses Machine Candidates”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Blogger Bill Baar of Bill Baar’s West Side ran across an interesting flier being distributed by the Todd Stroger for Cook County President campaign. And it’s all about the race card.
Yes, baby Stroger is going for the slavery/racism angle in order to convince folks that they’re all out to get him.
Continue reading “
Stroger Ad Goes for the Race Card”
ABC 7 Television held the first debate for Cook County Board President on Thursday, Jan. 7. In attendance were Dorothy Brown, Toni Preckwinkle, Terrence O’Brien, and incumbent Todd Stroger.
ABC 7 says they will have the two GOP candidate’s debate coming soon.
Watch the Cook Co. Board Pres. Candidates Debate Part I
Watch the Cook Co. Board Pres. Candidates Debate Part II
Watch the Cook Co. Board Pres. Candidates Debate Part III
Here are the websites for the candidates…
Dorothy Brown
Terrence O’Brien
Toni Preckwinkle
Todd Stroger
Dan Patlak is the obvious choice for the suburban seat (once regarded as the automatic Republican seat) on the Cook County Board of Review. Not only is he the most qualified candidate but he has received the endorsement form almost every Cook suburban GOP organization and group. Here is his announcement of another few added to his column. (We here have also endorsed Patlak, by the way)
Continue reading “
Endorsements for Dan Patlak for Cook Cnty Board of Review Piling Up”
Tom Mannis over at Chicago News Bench has a great series of six video interviews with Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica. I’ll post for you part one, but not the rest. You will have to go to the Chicago News Bench YoutTube page to see the others.
Here is part one:
See all six parts at the Chicago News Bench YoutTube page
-By Warner Todd Huiston
Fran Eaton has a very good bit of reporting in the SouthTown Star this week about the controversy over the claim by candidate Sean Morrison that he is a Republican. Morrison is running in the primary as a Republican for the Cook County Board of Review and faces Dan Patlak of Wheeling.
As Eaton notes, however, this Morrison fellow has rarely voted as a Republican and, while he’s donated to the National GOP, he’s also donated thousands of dollars to Illinois Democrats. So how is this guy a sudden candidate for Republicans?
Morrison claims he’s always been a Republican and has only donated to local Democrats because where he lives a “viable Republican organization did not exist.” He also claimed he donated to Democrats because of his business interests. Morrison is CEO of Alsip-based Morrison Security.
Eaton diplomatically ends her piece expressing that she still has “questions about Morrison,” but I don’t think I’ll be as gentle. Morrison is no Republican, never was, and is obviously a Democrat plant meant to try and ace Dan Patlak out of his nomination.
Continue reading “
We Choose Dan Patlak for Cook Board of Review — Sean Morrison is NO Republican”
From the Dan Patlak for Cook County Board of Review campaign:
Editor: records supplied to me from the Patlak campaign show that Sean Morrison voted Democrat since at least 1996 and has donated to Democratic candidates at least since 2003. You can see those records here:
Political contribution list (PDF file)
Voting Record (PDF file)
Wheeling—As the election for Commissioner of the Board of Review commences its final stages, several individuals within the GOP are challenging Sean Morrison regarding his true Party affiliation. According to records obtained from the Chicago Board of Elections (attached), Morrison is more than just a supporter of the Democrat Party. Morrison, who was registered to vote in Chicago’s 19th ward until late 2008, has donated to the Democrat Party several times over the last two years with the last contribution being in June of 2009. In addition, he has also contributed to a Democrat Aldermanic candidate. While the fact he has taken a Democrat ballot in five of the last seven primaries is shocking (documents attached), the fact that he has never taken a Republican ballot raises several questions, including ones that relate to why he is running on the Republican ticket. Leading the challenge for transparency of Sean Morrison’s true intentions is the GOP endorsed candidate for Commissioner of the Board of Review, Dan Patlak, a long time, well respected Republican leader.
Continue reading “
GOP Candidate Called Out for Being a Democrat”
-By Warner Todd Huston
The Chicago Tribune filmed its interview with two GOP candidates for Cook County Board Chairman, Roger Keats and John Garrido.
You can see he video on the Chicago Trib Video pages, or watch it here…
Continue reading “
Video: Chgo Trib Editorial Board Interview With GOP County Board Candidates”
With the Primaries coming quick on the heels of New Years celebrations (February 2) I thought it would be a good idea to make sure everyone knows the websites of the Cook County Clerk and the Chicago Boad of Elections.
For Cook County (excluding the City of Chicago) you can go to:
Now, because Chicago is it’s own animal in most things, the city has it’s own website to follow elections. That is:
So, there are your resources to keep you eye on as the Primary unfolds.
Roger Keats is the candidate for Cook County Board President that is supported by the Cook County Republican Party. Linda Shelton has an extensive interview with Keats as well as a compilation of the positions he taken on his website. (Campaign website www.keatsforcook.com/)
It looks like Mr. Keats is trying to run of an anti-corruption/boost the economy platform.
Continue reading “
Cook County Board: Interview With Roger Keats”
From the Ratowitz campaign:
“His grassroots campaign is firing on all cylinders, aiming well beyond the February Primary to retake Illinois’ 5th Congressional District for Republicans in November.”
CHICAGO – December 15, 2009 – U.S. House candidate David Ratowitz (IL-5) has received the official endorsement of renowned conservative activist Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica in his run for the Republican nomination in the February 2 Primary Election. Peraica has released the following remarks:
Tony Peraica Endorses 5th District Challenger David Ratowitz”
The Chicago Trib has a great site where you can view all the responding candidate’s questionnaire’s detailing their stance on the issues they will face in their particular races. Candidates from statewide offices as well as state rep races have responded.
Hundreds of candidates have responses to the Trib’s questions, but by no means all of them have done so. Take a look and see if the candidates in your district have done so, won’t you?
Check it out:
Editorial Board Questionnaire Responses
-By Warner Todd Huston
Last month Cook County Commissioner Timothy O. Schneider (R, western suburbs) co-sponsored a budget amendment to axe the Cook County Film Commission from fiscal year 2010.
Quoth Schneider, “The creation of the Cook County Film Commission stands as a prime example of government spending run amok.”
The Film Commission is budgeted at $251,611 for 2010. Schneiber pointed out that there is already a Chicago Film Commission as well as an Illinois Film Commission, s the existence of a Cook County version is unnecessary redundancy.
Earlier in the year, Schneider sponsored and saw passed a campaign finance bill that lowered the personal political contribution allowance from $1,500 to $750 per person for those that have done business with the county, including registered lobbyists.
“This legislation can begin the process of restoring confidence and ensuring that influence peddling is eradicated from Cook County,” Schneider said in his recent newsletter.
-By Warner Todd Huston
Here is a really fascinating series of tweets from Commissioner Tony Peraica as he participated in the latest Cook County Board meeting. Today (Dec. 1) Board President Todd Stroger tried to cajole the board into upholding his veto of the roll back of his implementation of the highest tax rate in the country. Peraica is against the tax and since the State Legislature ended the four-fifths rule, lowering it to three-fifths to overturn the president’s veto, the fight was on.
Anyway, here are the tweets that Peraica posted during the debate and they are a fascinating peak inside a board meeting during this important vote. Luckily, the final outcome is victory for the tax roll back. It’s only a roll back of half a penny, but it is a start and it is the first time a board president’s veto has been rolled back in anyone’s memory.
Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica Tweets The Veto Session (Tax Roll Back Succeeds)”
Is it the Chicago dirty tricks squad at work? From the Garrido campaign…
SCHILLER PARK – John Garrido addressed rumors being circulated among Republican circles that he’s a Democrat “plant”. He issued the following statement:
Attempts to try and make me look like a Democrat based on my primary voting record are laughable. I am a Republican, have always been a Republican, and will always remain a Republican.
I have voted in two Democratic primaries. In 2008, I joined over 100,000 Republicans in Ohio, 119,000 in Texas, and 38,000 in Mississippi who voted for Hillary Clinton to put Republicans in the best position to win in the general election. I also voted for an Assistant State’s Attorney and friend running as a Democrat who was more than qualified for judge.
Continue reading “
Cook County Board President Race: John Garrido Responds to Claims He’s a Dem. Plant”
-By Warner Todd Huston
CBS2 reports that the Cook County Board has quietly approved of raises for County employees. Yes, this is the same County Board that is fighting over a one half cent tax hike and claiming that the coffers are empty causing hospitals to close up for lack of funds.
While businesses all across the country are freezing salaries, stopping new hires, and even cutting salaries ten and twenty percent, County government is giving luxurious raises to its employees. That’s your tax dollars being spent to give public employee raises when the voters are seeing hard times.
Must be nice to have a cushy, extravagant, recession proof, government job during these hard times, eh?
And now for the understatement of the year…
Continue reading “
Cook County Board Quietly Approves Employee Raises”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Well, little Todd Stroger is at it again. With the Cook County Board now having been given more power by the State Legislature to overturn Stroger’s veto, the junior Stroger is now claiming it’s all about racism.
On an upcoming episode of “Connected to Chicago,” WLS radio’s Bill Cameron found Board President Stroger whining that it’s all about racism instead of his wild tax hikes. WLS is advertising its upcoming episode with this following Stroger quote:
If this was a Southern town it would be like an old fashioned lynching.
Stroger goes on to claim that he was told by the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune that they are “out to get me.” Cameron, though, reports that the Chicago Tribune denies that such a conversation ever took place and that they are not out to get him as the paranoid Stroger claims.
Continue reading “
Cook County Board President Charges Racism”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Over at WBEZBlog, Tony Arnold posted his “soundbite of the day” featuring an insinuation, an angry reply, and a slam from today’s Cook County Board meeting.
Apparently, during a roll call vote, Commissioner Tony Peraica made some sort of veiled jab at Mayor Daley’s son who recently moved to Russia. I’m not sure what the heck Daley’s son has to do with anything — and Peraica said later that he regretted even saying it — but whatever Peraica meant it sure set John Daley (brother of Mayor Richard Daley) off about “attacking my nephew,” that’s for sure.
After Peraica said his line about the younger Daley’s move to Russia, John Daley started yelling back and that caused Board President Todd Stroger to shut off the mic, saying “You don’t know when to shut up,” to our erstwhile member of the Daley brood.
Still, later in the session, John Daley got his chance to throw out a jab at Peraica and in his blog post, Arnold expressed puzzlement over the comeback.
Continue reading “
Cook County Board Hijinx: Peraica vs. John Daley”
-By Warner Todd Huston
OK, say you are running for the Cook County Board. And say your daddy is the village clerk in the very district where you are hoping to get a whole slew of by-mail and early votes. Also say your cousin is running for Governor and he’s already the State Comptroller now. Do you think your opponent might casually wonder if the fix is in?
… well, it is Crook County, after all.
Naturally, the above isn’t just some bad TV script, but a real situation in southern Cook County. In Orland Park where Democrat Patrick Maher is running to unseat Commissioner Elizabeth Doody Gorman (R, Or. Park) we find that Maher’s daddy just happens to be David Maher, the Orland Park Village Clerk, and Maher’s cousin just happens to be Dan Hynes, Democratic State Comptroller and current candidate for the Dem. nomination for governor.
Naturally, Commissioner Gorman is a bit wary of the whole situation and is raising some red flags about it all.
Continue reading “
Cook County Board Race Gets Messy”
-By Warner Todd Huston
The Better Government Association of Chicago is hosting a debate between candidates for Cook County Board President. Naturally, the extremely left-leaning Andy Shaw and his merry little group of faux concerned citizens are excluding the Republican candidates in their forum. Perhaps you might want to email the lefty Shaw and ask why he is excluding the two Republican candidates in his faux forum? Email them at countyboardforum@gmail.com or call them at (312) 427-8330.
Who is your choice for President of the Cook County Board? Still not decided? Perhaps you ‘d like to attend a free, live forum of the candidates on Sunday, November 15 at the DePaul Student Center. For details, read the following media advisory from our friends at the Better Government Association (BGA). Note: If you plan to attend, please let them know so that they can best accommodate a large crowd. RSVP to countyboardforum@gmail.com.
The Better Government Association & 43rd Ward Democrats Host Candidates Forum
Andy Shaw, Executive Director of the Better Government Association, will moderate a lively discussion among the Democratic Candidates for President of the Cook County Board: Todd Stroger, the incumbent; Toni Preckwinkle, 4th Ward Alderman; Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court; and Terrence O’Brien, President of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. The debate is a DePaul University Forum. Democratic Committeeman Michele Smith and the 43rd Ward Democrats are hosts of the County Board President Democratic Candidates Forum, which is being held at the DePaul University Center at Belden and Sheffield in Lincoln Park.
Cook County Board President Forum, Nov. 15 Republicans Excluded”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Too many African Americans running, that is the reason that Congressman Danny Davis (D, Chgo) has decided not to run for Cook County Board President and will instead run for re-election to his 7th District Congressional seat.
He said he did it for “unity” but the real reason that Davis dropped out is because he felt that too many African Americans running for the same seat would spread the votes thin enough that some evil white guy might win the seat.
Currently three other African Americans are running for board president. Incumbent Todd Stroger, Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown, and Alderman Toni Preckwinckle are all vying for the African American community’s support.
Here are the candidates as announced and filed running for Cook County Board President.
Continue reading “
Minus One: Danny Davis Drops Bid for Cook County Board”