2010 - February Primary

US Senate:

Robert Marshall
David Hoffman
Jacob J. Meister
Alexander "Alexi" Giannoulias
Cheryle Jackson

Why didn't Marshall, Jackson, or Meister post information about themselves on the Cook County Clerk's website?



Why didn't Hoffman present his history of public service on his own website?

Why can't either Giannoulias or Hoffman be upfront about their family's wealth?

Why do all of the candidates' websites present so little information - about as much as a cheap bulk mailer?

Why shouldn't we consider the candidates' websites to be exemplary of the transparency that they will or will not show if they ever get elected?

The main issue, in general, is who will be more inclined to serve public rather than private interests (including the candidate's own vanity) - and the first exemplary act should be to drop out of the race if it's apparent that others would make better, stronger candidates.

Goodbye Marshall and Meister.

The main issue, at this moment in time, is who can keep the seat away from the obstructive Republican Party - and how can Blago's former spokesperson have a chance?

Goodbye Jackson

Hoffman seems to be most independent, and intelligent, of the remaining candidates,
so I will vote for him.

(Note: Wikipedia lists all the endorsements for this race, giving us a pretty idea of who is independent)



Governor:

Pat Quinn
Daniel W. Hynes


It's hard not to see Quinn as a mere gadfly - building his career on the phony issue of legislative salaries.

It's just as hard not to see Hynes as a second generation team player for the political class.

I prefer the gadfly.


Lieutenant Governor:

Arthur L. Turner
Terry Link
Rickey R. Hendon
Scott Lee Cohen
Thomas Michael Castillo
Mike Boland


Boland and Turner were the only ones who bothered to put their info the County Clerk's website - and both of them make Patrick Quinn look good. But the Tribune picked Turner - so I'll assume he's the least connected.

Comptroller, State of Illinois
David E. Miller
S. Raja Krishnamoorthi
Clinton A. "Clint" Krislov

Only Krisnamoorthi had anything to say:

"As Comptroller, my priorities would include the following: putting all state contracts online to bring sunshine to our state contracting system; creating a centralized "E-Market" clearinghouse online for all state procurement opportunities to increase participation by small businesses"

So I'll vote for him. (despite his "Bright Start" connection)


Treasurer, State of Illinois

Justin P. Oberman
Robin Kelly


This is a tough one. Normally, I'd vote against a political dynasty - but Justin is the son of a noted independant - so perhaps he would be more inclined to serve the public than his own career ambitions.



Representative, 7th Congressional District

Darlena Williams-Burnett
Jim Ascot
Danny K. Davis
Sharon Denise Dixon


Danny Davis is going to get re-elected --- so what we're really voting for, here, is the runner-up who would have the best chance to take the seat when he finally retires.

Williams-Burnett's political history consistes of nothing but working in the patronage bloated office of the Recorder of Deeds. Jim Ascot is a nice fellow who actually visited my studio ---but that's all I can say for him.

But Sharon Denise Dixon seems to be a firecracker. She should have put something onto the CCC website -- but her own website tells me a story I want to hear: every local politician endorsed the opponent whom she defeated for alderman.



Democratic State Central Committeewoman, 7th Congressional District

Darlena Williams-Burnett
Karen A. Yarbrough

Yikes! Can I vote Republican on this one?

Democratic State Central Committeeman, 7th Congressional District

Danny K. Davis
Edward D. James
Brian K. Henderson


I've got to vote for Henderson, the un-employed PHD Philosopher who lives on food stamps and
bothered to put his info up on the County Clerk's website.


Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, MWRD
6 Year Term, Vote For 3

Stella B. Black
Barbara McGowan
Michael A. Alvarez
Mariyana T. Spyropoulos --- yes
Kathleen Mary O'Reilley ---- yes
Wallace Davis, III
Maureen Kelly
Todd Connor ----yes
Kari K. Steele


(The ones chosen appear to be the most Green - and who else should do such a job?)

Board President, Cook County

Toni Preckwinkle
Terrence J. O'Brien
Dorothy A. Brown
Todd H. Stroger


This is tough one -- since Preckwinkle appears to be both the least connected and the least intelligent. But I've got to vote for her.



Sheriff, Cook County

Thomas J. Dart
Sylvester E. Baker Jr.

All I've got to go on is the Tribune endorsement of Dart.

Assessor, Cook County

Robert Shaw
Joseph Berrios
Raymond A. Figueroa

Another tough one. Berrios is the only one who posted on the County Clerk site -- where he
told us he would help the taxpayer -- but he didn't tell us about that 30 years of experience
he claims to have. Experience doing what ? paying taxes? And .. he writes like a twelve year old.
I've got to go with the Tribune's pick: Figueroa

Commissioner, Cook County Board, 1st District

Earlean Collins
Adekunle "Ade" B. Onayemi
Chris Harris Democratic
Derrick Smith Democratic

I'm picking Onayemi on this one - because I fear the incumbent is a hack, and the others don't have a chance.

Judge, Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District (Vacancy of McNulty)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Arnette R. Hubbard Democratic 131
Ellen L. Flannigan Democratic 132
Jim Ryan Democratic 133
James R. Epstein Democratic 134 --------Tribune pick
Kathleen G. Kennedy Democratic 135

Judge, Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District (Vacancy of O'Malley)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Thomas L. Hogan Democratic 137 ------Tribune pick
Pamela E. Hill-Veal Democratic 138
Frank Edward Gardner Democratic 139
Aurelia Marie Pucinski Democratic 140
Don R. Sampen Democratic 141

Judge, Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District (Vacancy of South)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Mary Katherine Rochford Democratic 142 ----- tribune pick
Sebastian T. Patti Democratic 143
Kevin Rogers Democratic 144
William D. O'Neal Democratic 145
Anthony Lynn Burrell Democratic 146

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Berland)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
William H. Hooks Democratic 151 ---- tribune pick
Deidre Baumann Democratic 152
William Burnett Raines Democratic 153

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Bronstein)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Terry MacCarthy Democratic 154 ---Tribune pick
Diann K. Marsalek Democratic 156
Sharon Finegan Patterson Democratic 157
Thomas William Flannigan Democratic 158

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Dolan)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Susan Kennedy Sullivan Democratic 159
Linda J. Pauel Democratic 160 -----Tribune pick
Kevin J. Murphy Democratic 161
Ubi O'Neal Democratic 162

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Hayes)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Raymond W. Mitchell Democratic 163 ---Tribune pick
Bonnie Carol McGrath Democratic 164
Carl B. Boyd Democratic 165

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Kelley)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
John Patrick Callahan, Jr. Democratic 166 -Tribune pick
Joanne F. Fehn Democratic 167

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of McCarthy)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Daniel J. Gallagher Democratic 168

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of O'Malley)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Thomas V. Lyons Democratic 181

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Riley)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Sandra G. Ramos Democratic 183
Russell William Hartigan Democratic 184 ..........Tribune pick
James Michael Bailey Democratic 185
John Patrick Nyhan Democratic 186
Edmund Paul Michalowski Democratic 187
Marvin W. Gray Democratic 188
Tracey J. Stokes Democratic 189

Democratic Township Committeeman, Proviso Township
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Karen A. Yarbrough Democratic 211


P. D. of Forest Park Ref - Increase Limiting Rate Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the Park District of Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.120% above the limiting rate for park purposes for levy year 2008 and be equal to 0.521% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2009? (1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $1,713,203.69, and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $2,225,883.10. (2) For the 2009 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $12.00. (3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2009 will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law). 0 0


From wht I gather -- this increase is to fund the purchase of the old Roos building on Circle Ave - so the park can expand. But does the park really need to be larger? I can't make up my mind on this one.