Senator, U.S.
6 Year Term, Vote For 1
Richard J. Durbin
Democratic
Pat Quinn
Democratic
Small business owner that I am, I do believe that most social functions should be run by fellow business people or do-gooders . But I also know that business people are fundamentally self centered-- and elected government is the only platform where public interest can possibly (though not necessarily) be prioritized.
So it makes no more sense to elect professional businessmen to high public office - than it does to have politicians run factories, hospitals, shopping centers, or schools.
And Bruce Rauner's career in finance has been egregiously self centered - milking businesses for their profits with no notable concern for anything or anyone else. I'm not saying that he should be hung from a lamp post - but it's crazy to believe that he will suddenly become public minded after a lifetime of predatory financial practice.
Quinn seems to be far more notable for his decency and honesty than for creative imagination or charismatic presence-- but then he has been stuck with the role of downsizing state government to fit within a diminished budget. And his opponents have yet to propose how they would do things differently.
Democratic
Governor and Lieutenant Governor, State of Illinois
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Pat Quinn
Democratic
Small business owner that I am, I do believe that most social functions should be run by fellow business people or do-gooders . But I also know that business people are fundamentally self centered-- and elected government is the only platform where public interest can possibly (though not necessarily) be prioritized.
So it makes no more sense to elect professional businessmen to high public office - than it does to have politicians run factories, hospitals, shopping centers, or schools.
And Bruce Rauner's career in finance has been egregiously self centered - milking businesses for their profits with no notable concern for anything or anyone else. I'm not saying that he should be hung from a lamp post - but it's crazy to believe that he will suddenly become public minded after a lifetime of predatory financial practice.
Quinn seems to be far more notable for his decency and honesty than for creative imagination or charismatic presence-- but then he has been stuck with the role of downsizing state government to fit within a diminished budget. And his opponents have yet to propose how they would do things differently.
Representative, 7th District
2 Year Term, Vote For 1
Danny K Davis
Not that I would necessarily vote for him -- but couldn't the Republican party field a candidate serious enough to have a website and accept an interview with the Chicago Tribune, a Republican newspaper ?
I guess it's all about winning for them -- so if chances are slim, they will do absolutely nothing.
Is Robert L. Bumpers really an adult human ? Perhaps he's a rabbit in the Lincoln Park Petting Zoo.
I'm going to sit one out -- since it continues to make zero sense to have an Attorney General who is the child of the state's most powerful politician.
And I will not vote for a lock-step, red-state Republican or a Libertarian -- two varieties of the same delusional ideology.
Illinois Secretary of State
Jesse White Democratic
Apparently White has done nothing wrong in his long public career -- or, at least his opponent has nothing to complain about other than his longevity and party affiliation.
Which would also suggest that his opponent is a cipher.
Sheila Simon, Democrat
The Republican party badly needs more moderates like Topinka - but the arc of her career has long passed.
On the other hand, the Democratic party badly needs less crooks - and I would like to see Simon go further in politics.
Not that I would necessarily vote for him -- but couldn't the Republican party field a candidate serious enough to have a website and accept an interview with the Chicago Tribune, a Republican newspaper ?
I guess it's all about winning for them -- so if chances are slim, they will do absolutely nothing.
Is Robert L. Bumpers really an adult human ? Perhaps he's a rabbit in the Lincoln Park Petting Zoo.
Attorney General, State of Illinois
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
I'm going to sit one out -- since it continues to make zero sense to have an Attorney General who is the child of the state's most powerful politician.
And I will not vote for a lock-step, red-state Republican or a Libertarian -- two varieties of the same delusional ideology.
Illinois Secretary of State
Jesse White Democratic
Apparently White has done nothing wrong in his long public career -- or, at least his opponent has nothing to complain about other than his longevity and party affiliation.
Which would also suggest that his opponent is a cipher.
Comptroller, State of Illinois
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Sheila Simon, Democrat
The Republican party badly needs more moderates like Topinka - but the arc of her career has long passed.
On the other hand, the Democratic party badly needs less crooks - and I would like to see Simon go further in politics.
Treasurer, State of Illinois
Michael Frerichs , Democratic
I wasn't intending to necessarily vote straight Democratic - but his website had lots about things he would do different -- while all that his opponent listed were endorsements.
State Representative, 7th District
2 Year Term, Vote For 1
And indeed, here is a case where I would vote for anyone other than the Democratic incumbent.
Chris Welch represents the very worst in political self service - and now appears to have lifetime job security as an Illinois state representative.
Is he still up to same old mischief of misusing his office to reward allies and contributors ?
It's impossible to tell without opponents to raise such issues.
Are there any more rabbits in the petting zoo who might run as a Republican opponent ?
I would vote for any one of them.
President Cook County Board
Toni Preckwinkle Democratic
Here's an unopposed incumbent who would probably get my vote regardless of who ran against her.
Cook County Clerk
David Orr
Same thing with David Orr, who pioneered the election website from which this information was drawn
Sheriff, Cook County etc etc etc
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
All of these unopposed races are getting a bit depressing.
Shouldn't the two political parties believe in the two-party system ? And if they do -- shouldn't they always try to field a candidate -- at the very least to air some of the issues ?
All of these unopposed races are getting a bit depressing.
Shouldn't the two political parties believe in the two-party system ? And if they do -- shouldn't they always try to field a candidate -- at the very least to air some of the issues ?
Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, MWRD
6 Year Term, Vote For 3
As usual, I'm voting a straight Green Party ticket on this one,
though I wish all three were as articulate as Milkowski in addressing various issues
George Milkowski
Karen Roothaan
Michael Smith
REGARDING THE JUDGES
All of the contestable positions offer only one candidate.
No one dares challenge whoever is slated by the Democratic party.
Pathetic.
Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Retention)
Laura Marie Sullivan
Annie O’Donnell
James L. Rhodes
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REFERENDA
As noted in the primary - the first two referenda seem pointless to me - and worthy of being ignored.
The next five referenda are a non-binding opinion poll - with a rather liberal and populist bent.
They are also worthy of being ignored -- but what the heck -- I'm a liberal populist so why not enjoy a brief fling of fantasy while Republicans are poised to take both houses of the U.S. Congress:
yes
Statewide, Women's Health Shall any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides prescription drug coverage be required to include prescription birth control coverage as part of that coverage?
yes
Statewide, Millionaire's Tax Should the Illinois Constitution be amended to require that each school district receive additional revenue, based on their number of students, from an additional 3% tax on income greater than one million dollars?
yes - though I'm sure that anyone making that much money will be able to avoid it.
Countywide, Mental Health Services Shall the General Assembly of the State of Illinois appropriate additional funds to provide necessary mental health services for the people of the State of Illinois?
no -- because I'm just not sure that it would help anyone other than the service providers.
Countywide, Universal Background Checks Shall the Illinois General Assembly enact the Illinois Public Safety Act (Senate Bill 3659) which would require universal background checks for firearm transfers and prohibit the sale and transfer of assault weapons, assault weapon attachments and high capacity ammunition magazines?
yes - but it's sad that is the only kind of gun control left to us.
