Local Boards - April 6 2021

 

TRUSTEE, TRITON COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT 504
2 Year Term,(Unexpired Term), Vote For 1


Lisa Bickel  (incumbent)
Carolyn R. Wilhight
Norma Hernandez


TRUSTEE, TRITON COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT 504
6 Year Term, Vote For 2


Tracy Jennings

 Luke Casson  (incumbent)
Mark R. Stephens  (incumbent - board chair since 1992)
Andrew Charles Kopinski

*************************************

There were several more board positions up for election here -- but all  the other positions were uncontested - which reminds us that these are mostly thankless,  unpaid  jobs. (unless you're a crook)

The Activist Tool Kit offers a helpful website for knowing local candidates -  located here

Regretfully,  however,  only two candidates,    Carolyn Wilhight and Norma Hernandez, responded to the probing questions  - and they are running against each other.

So far, the only political mailer that I have received was from  Ms. Hernandez.  Everything about her looks good:  she's a social worker, a graduate from Triton, and might represent the Hispanic community out here which provides 45% of the student body.

However -- she accuses the current board of corruption - while offering no specifics, much less corroborating evidence - in the flyer - on her  website -  or in response to my query by email.  

The  Wednesday Journal presents another candidate profile and questionnaire  located here   to which all of the  candidates replied. (except for Andrew Charles Kopinski - so why is he running ??)

Here is an interesting investigation of Mark Stephens from 15 years ago.  The son of the long time mayor of Rosemont, at that time his business had the contract to clean Rosemont's Allstate Arena. He has raised and  spent significant sums on  his political campaigns to be on the board.  Public education may be more of a business than a public service for him.

So I'd be inclined to end his dynasty and vote against the incumbents.   The problem is that Kopinski refuses to communicate while Hernandez communicates rather poorly and seems more interested in ethnic politics than in education. 

And speaking of education — both of the questionnaires cited above treat higher education as if it were a public utility like water or gas or garbage collection. And none of the respondents objected to that.

Are Triton’s graduates well prepared for whatever career they are aiming for?  Are they well prepared for a lifelong engagement with ideas?  Which Triton departments are the best?  Which need to play catch up?  What can administration do to help?  

Just because someone does not have the finances or high school grades to attend four-year universities -- does than mean that the quality of their education at a community college is superfluous?

My good friend, former director of Physical Therapy at the county hospital,  got an Associates Degree from De Anza community college in California  - and more recently took several computer, medical billing, Spanish, and Government classes at Triton. Mostly he calls Triton a joke in comparison.  

I'm not inspired to vote for anyone here -- so I'll stick with incumbents.  At least they have kept the place open and scandal free.

But then I saw this sign at the corner of Madison and Harlem.  Apparently the three incumbents are running as a team -no doubt funded by the Chairman of the Board, Stephens - who wants to remain the chair for another six years - and who probably selected the two other candidates to be his side  kicks.

No - I will not vote for any of  them -- which is basically just to vote for him.

I will vote for challengers in the hope that at least one of them will provide an independent voice and  critical eye on the board. 

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The results are in:  Lisa Bickel squeaked out a 300 vote victory over Norma Hernandez -- while  Tracy Jennings overwhelmed  both Mark Stephens and Luke Casson -- probably because her name was first on the  ballot.  Stephens beat  out Casson by 230 votes,  so his dynasty will continue.

 

2020 November General Election

POTUS

Joseph R. Biden & Kamala D. Harris Democratic
Donald J. Trump & Michael R. Pence Republican
Howie Hawkins & Angela Walker Green Party
Gloria La Riva & Leonard PeltierParty for Socialism and Liberation
Brian Carroll & Amar PatelAmerican Solidarity Party
Jo Jorgensen & Jeremy 'Spike' Cohen Libertarian



Why will at least 4 in  10 American voters still vote for DJT after all that's happened over his past four years as President?   I suppose that's the question that scholars of American history will be trying to sort out for decades to come.  Most devastating has been his head-in-the-sand response to the global  pandemic.  Perhaps the severe measures taken in China would not have been possible in America.  But still -- much more national effort could have been made to secure masks and testing kits - instead of leaving each state to fend for itself in competition with all the others. And what about at least encouraging - instead of resisting - wearing masks, social distancing, and  the business closures that are economically painful up front, but less expensive in the long run.  Trump's response to the pandemic is no less short sighted than his - and the entire Republican Party's - response to global warming - whose ever growing effects will eventually make the pandemic seem like a brief case of sniffles. 

Then there's his illegal suspension of financial assistance to an  East European country trying to defend itself from the same predatory neighbor that has - and  continues - to manipulate social media  on behalf of DJT's  candidacy. His impeachment was justified by the evidence --  his  acquittal  was achieved by that political death which every Republican office holder fears from that 4-in-10 electorate.  And let's not forget his off-the-cuff assassination of a foreign military/political leader - and the criminal convictions of so many of his advisors, - including personal attorney and campaign managers. 

The above issues are not especially ideological - by any notion of what might be called liberal or conservative.  They're just about serious, rational, and honest public  policy -- and apparently 4 in 10 Americans do not care one way or the other.  A pervasive sense of angry alienation seems to be what they need to express.  The worse Trump does -- the better he expresses it - and there does not  appear to be any bottom to it. 

Or perhaps it's  more accurate to say that there is one ideological issue that does encompass all the others: American national sovereignty - as  it has been  attacked by a variety of opponents foreign and domestic - in an attempt to render it dysfunctional:

*The Russian regime in its quest to restore a lost empire

*American businesses that want to weaken regulation

*Southern nationalists who still resent the Civil Rights Era

*Evangelicals who resist secular, non-patriarchal values

*Federalist ideologues who want a weak central government  (there's not very many of them

but they now have firm control of the supreme court)

Amplifying these interests is the decline of professional journalism and the rise of social platforms like Twitter and Facebook.  The one tries to be  objective (or, at least it once  pretended to) - the other shamelessly proliferates misinformation targeted at its audience.  And I  don't see how this situation will  improve  until major  newspapers return to the discredited ideals  taught in  journalism schools.

And giving this ideology a convenient target is the dysfunctional political philosophy of an academic left that calls for eliminating national borders, defunding police, and abolishing  prisons. (I just saw the documentary "Time").  

Trump is an awful person - but this election is not really about him.  Why would any marginal party run a candidate that might draw even one vote away from the candidate who has the best chance to end this national debacle ?  The Green, Socialist,  Solidarity, and Libertarian parties - as well as the Republicans -  have all disqualified themselves as responsible leaders.

There are several national Democratic leaders with whom I  mostly disagree  and I am not impressed by most of its local, self-serving  office holders.   But I'll be voting straight Democratic for the foreseeable future -  beginning with all the other contests on this ballot.  Now is the time for public minded Republicans to stand up and distance themselves from their party.  And mostly they have miserably failed that test.

***********

.And one more thing! Looking into Biden's senatorial past - with the enormous advantage of hindsight - his record does appear quite mixed and sometimes incomprehensible.  Why would anyone vote for the invasion of Iraq and then vote against the surge in troops to make it less a failure?

But this seems to be the moment in his life - coming not far from the end - when he really can make an important contribution to American life - and probably he feels the same way.  He is Gary Cooper at High Noon up against the notorious Miller Gang. (no relation).  That's why he won't back out of the debates - as ridiculous as they are.  He wants to be a champion - our champion.

I won't discuss any of the other contests. Only Democratic candidates will  get my vote this time.  I won't even vote Green for the Metropolitan Sanitary District - and probably never will again. 

But I will say a word about the following:


PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION QUESTION Explanation of Amendment: The proposed amendment grants the State authority to impose higher income tax rates on higher income levels, which is how the federal government and a majority of other states do it. The amendment would remove the portion of the Revenue Article of the Illinois Constitution that is sometimes referred to as the "flat tax," that requires all taxes on income to be at the same rate. The amendment does not itself change tax rates. It gives the State the ability to impose higher tax rates on those with higher income levels and lower income tax rates on those with middle or lower income levels. You are asked to decide whether the proposed amendment should become a part of the Illinois Constitution. For the proposed amendment of Section 3 of Article IX of the Illinois Constitution.

I was a bit surprised about the Illinois flat tax 

when I first moved here 45 years ago.

Finally changing it is a  good idea. 

Two percent of a poor man's income

 is way more significant to him

than 2% is to the wealthy man,

and many people, like me 45 years ago,

make just enough to survive.

What's curious to me, however,

is the blatantly dishonest campaign run against it,

asserting, as it does,

that the Amendment will necessarily raise the taxes

on low to middle income people.

My wife, poor dear,

concluded that there must be 

two tax amendments on the ballot,

one that made taxes more fair,

and the other that raised everyone's taxes.

It appears that our current President

has made the habit of outrageous lying

even more pervasive and shameless.

*****************

IN THE AFTERMATH:

Is the Trump era over now?

48% of the votes cast went for him,

despite the epidemic, despite the crashed economy, despite the impeachment.

Those people aren't going away -

they'll  still  be living outside the great cities

and mad as hell that the world is changing.

And who knows, maybe Trump will run  again in  four years.

But still, it's a relief  that he will be out of office on January 20, 2021.

Not so much that he  might do something crazy- 

the only energy he has is for self promotion - 

but that he will continue to be useless regarding the pandemic

or any other national emergency that might  arise.

He's a clown - not a tyrant.

He's a PT Barnum - not a wanna be Hitler, Stalin, or Mao.

*****

Will Illinois ever have a graduated income tax?

It's hard to believe how many people voted against Trump,

but also voted against a graduated  income tax.

Lying works in politics,

and big lies work even better.

2020 - MARCH PRIMARY

PRESIDENT, U.S. 4 Year Term, Vote For 1

Amy J. KlobucharDemocratic1
Deval PatrickDemocratic2
Bernie SandersDemocratic3
Joseph R. BidenDemocratic4
Michael R. BloombergDemocratic5
 Elizabeth WarrenDemocratic6
 Pete ButtigiegDemocratic7
 Tom SteyerDemocratic8
Andrew YangDemocratic9
 Michael BennetDemocratic10
 John K. DelaneyDemocratic11
 Tulsi GabbardDemocratic12
Cory BookerDemocratic13


Back in the 2016,  I confess that I flirted with  Bernie in the primary and Jill Stein in the general. (thankfully, I  can't remember how I ended up voting)

But things have changed!  Incredibly enough, a recent Gallup poll showed nearly  50% approval  for DJT -- and that's after it was made clear that he withheld approved funding to a former Soviet republic unless they investigated his political opponent.  That's not "rigging an election", as the New York Times asserts -- but it is a serious,  reckless, foolish, and illegal abuse of  executive power.

Even if it did not deserve impeachment --- how could anyone approve of him after such behavior has been proven?  (proven mostly by his own  words and his silencing of witnesses against him)

What we  have here is a large chunk of the body politic - actually, the largest -  that ever-more needs to valorize a hero - not in spite of his misdeeds - but because of them.  DJT is bravely standing up for everyone who feels resentment for a society that has left them behind - and left them feeling stupid, backward, ignorant, and ignored.

The worst kind of candidate to oppose him is the technocrat -- the teacher -- the scold. (Obama would no longer be a good candidate)

Today, the best kind of candidate is the nurturing mother - decent not depraved, firm but forgiving - cheerful not angry.

I would vote for my own dear mother -- but she's not running.

So instead, I hope that I can vote for Amy Klochubar in the general . (as a bonus --  she knows her way around Washington  and I don't think she opposes affordable care or responsibility for climate change).  Look at her interview videos -- she comes off as a lovable person.

In the primary - I will vote for her as well -- unless she's not second to Bernie by March 17.
(and if she deserves a vote, she'll have dropped out  by then if  not in second place)

It's very important to keep the Democratic party from falling  into the hands of resentful young people -- just like the Republican party succumbed to  resentful old people in 2016.

It’s even more important to remove DJT from office.  He is dangerous,  unscrupulous, malevolent,  and foolish.

***************

Perhaps it's finally time for me to briefly discuss the political philosophy of Citizen Miller.

Most of my preferences would identify me as a left wing liberal:

* pro gun control
* pro climate change responsibility
* against corporate money in politics
* against all big money in politics
* pro mother's choice regarding abortion
* pro universal health care accessibility
* pro universal educational opportunities
* pro affirmative action in education and the economy.  American law, colonial and national, spent 250  years establishing a race-based underclass.   It can afford to spend another 250 years undoing it.
* pro separation of all religious institutions from all levels of every government (including the states of Israel and Saudi Arabia)

But....

I have no more problem with capitalists than I do with any other profession.  Governments need to regulate them all for health, safety, and other public goods.  Micro-second investments - like the ones that our local artworld player,  Ken  Griffin, a billionaire - should be taxed until it's no longer profitable.

And I believe that the primary perpetrator of racism in the post civil rights  era, is poor young black people against themselves - abandoning hope for a better life, romanticizing criminality, abusing drugs, debasing sexuality, and  cultivating resentment. It is self  destructive foolishness, encouraged by popular entertainment and  left wing  ideology.

I am far more concerned with the well-being of those who enforce the laws than with those who break them.

I  am also more concerned with the well being of American citizens than with those who entered the country illegally.  I have no problem with sending them home - even if they have lived here for decades.  I also have no respect for the notion of "sanctuary cities". (though, I have to say that I  admire the courage of immigrants and many of my friends were born in China or Eastern Europe).  The ideology of open borders is not only an impractical fantasy -- it also continues to feed the popularity of the foremost politician to take a firm stance against it. And we know who that is.

I believe that all institutions - including schools and universities - are political and therefore improved by skepticism rather than loyalty.

I believe that journalism should be the public voice of even-handed  skepticism rather than partisan advocacy.  ( So  I am deeply disappointed when America's finest newspapers - especially the New York Times - abandon even the pretense of objectivity)

I recognize a profound difference between the broadcast of virtue and actually doing something good.

So mostly, I am politically incorrect.

*************

After Super-Tuesday --- things have changed yet again.

Every single candidate whom I have liked has dropped out :  Hickenlooper,  Harris,   Booker, Klochubar, and finally,  Bloomberg.  Klochubar did not  disappoint me when she dropped out for the good of the country -- and I hope Bloomberg will not disappoint me and continue to fund the party that rejected him.

Sanders represents the very worst excesses of romantic left wing ideology.

Biden's only apparent virtue is benevolence.  But in 2020 -- that will suffice.

I'm voting for Biden.

****************

SENATOR, U.S. 6 Year Term, Vote For 1
# Richard J. DurbinDemocratic21

 U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2 Year Term, Vote For 1
  # Danny K. DavisDemocratic31
Kina CollinsDemocratic32
Anthony ClarkDemocratic33
Kristine SchanbacherDemocratic34


I won't spend any time contemplating these challengers.  Their campaigns are hopeless  unless Davis drops dead before the election.




 DELEGATE TO NATIONAL NOMINATING CONVENTION, 7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT


Vote For 8

# Brandon Johnson (Elizabeth Warren)Democratic41 Jamie Brown (Elizabeth Warren)Democratic42 Frederick 'Fritz' Kaegi (Elizabeth Warren)Democratic43 Mony Ruiz Velasco (Elizabeth Warren)Democratic44 Marlon D. Harris (Elizabeth Warren)Democratic45 Harlene Ellin (Elizabeth Warren)Democratic46 Mihir Garud (Elizabeth Warren)Democratic47 Benetta Mansfield (Elizabeth Warren)Democratic48 Mary Ann Abbott (Andrew Yang)Democratic49 David Hernandez (Andrew Yang)Democratic50 Elizabeth Henricks (Andrew Yang)Democratic51 Steven Dyme (Andrew Yang)Democratic52 Yvonne O'Connor (Andrew Yang)Democratic53 Peter Wojda IV (Andrew Yang)Democratic54 Rudyard 'Rudy' Urian (Andrew Yang)Democratic55 Marty Castro (Pete Buttigieg)Democratic56 Eric Davis (Pete Buttigieg)Democratic57 Thomas Gary (Pete Buttigieg)Democratic58 Marla Izbicky (Pete Buttigieg)Democratic59 Amalia Mahoney (Pete Buttigieg)Democratic60 Cristal Thomas Gary (Pete Buttigieg)Democratic61 Melissa Conyears-Ervin (Joseph R. Biden)Democratic62 Pat Quinn (Joseph R. Biden)Democratic63 Emma M. Mitts (Joseph R. Biden)Democratic64 Brendan Reilly (Joseph R. Biden)Democratic65 Patricia Dowell (Joseph R. Biden)Democratic66 Rory Hoskins (Joseph R. Biden)Democratic67 Barbara McGowan (Joseph R. Biden)Democratic68 Marcelino Garcia (Joseph R. Biden)Democratic69 Claudia Moreno-Nunez (Bernie Sanders)Democratic70 Julie Lehrman (Bernie Sanders)Democratic71 Martese Luzette Chism (Bernie Sanders)Democratic72 Ojus Khanolkar (Bernie Sanders)Democratic73 Dominique Coronel (Bernie Sanders)Democratic74 Miguel Bautista (Bernie Sanders)Democratic75 Ronald Lawless (Bernie Sanders)Democratic76 Tim Thomas (Bernie Sanders)Democratic77

I'll vote for the following:

Barton Moy (Amy J. Klobuchar)Democratic78 Gail M. Silver (Amy J. Klobuchar)Democratic79 Joan L. Long (Amy J. Klobuchar)Democratic80 Addison Woodward (Amy J. Klobuchar)Democratic81 Ann Henstrand (Amy J. Klobuchar)Democratic82 Jennifer Vincent (Amy J. Klobuchar)Democratic83 Markayle Tolliver (Amy J. Klobuchar)Democratic84 Thomas A. (Tom) Ciavarella (Amy J. Klobuchar)Democratic85







STATE SENATOR, 4TH SENATE DISTRICT 4 Year Term, Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Kimberly A. LightfordDemocratic101


STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 7TH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 2 Year Term, Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Emanuel 'Chris' WelchDemocratic111


Sad to say, nobody is challenging our party hacks this time around.


COMMISSIONER, METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT 6 Year Term, Vote For 3 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Michael G. GraceDemocratic121 Mike CashmanDemocratic122 Frank AvilaDemocratic123 Heather BoyleDemocratic124 M Cameron 'Cam' DavisDemocratic125 Kimberly Neely DubucletDemocratic126 Eira L. Corral SepulvedaDemocratic127 Patricia Theresa FlynnDemocratic129 Shundar LinDemocratic131 Deyon DeanDemocratic132

Every year I  vote for the those with the highest technical credentials -- and every year my basement floods.  Go figure.

Chicago Tribune selects:

Davis
Dubuclet
Sepulveda

STATE'S ATTORNEY, COOK COUNTY 4 Year Term, Vote For 1

 Kim Foxx Democratic141
Bill Conway Democratic142
Donna More Democratic143
Bob Fioretti Democratic144



I can appreciate why Jussie Smollett should not be tried for sending the Chicago Police Dept. on a wild goose chase.  The State's Attorney's office is too understaffed to go after petty crimes.

But I don't understand why he was let off the hook without at least confessing and apologizing for his misbehavior. That feels like a real slap in the face of public servants and those they serve.

None of the above challengers excite me.  Usually this is a position for which I vote Republican anyway - to keep an eye on misbehaving Democrats.  But after the recent impeachment debacle, I can't imagine any decent officer of the court identifying as Republican. The party cannot sink any lower.   So the next  Cook County state's  attorney will have to be elected without my vote.


Except that -- I really don't want to be responsible for future bad choices made by Kim Foxx -- so I'll vote for rich-boy Conway



CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, COOK COUNTY 4 Year Term, Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Jacob MeisterDemocratic145 Iris Y. MartinezDemocratic146 Richard R. BoykinDemocratic147 Michael M. CabonargiDemocratic148


Judging from their appearance on  WTTW -- I'll go with Jacob Meister -- who wants to let plaintiffs file at any public library and eventually have the position selected by judges instead of the general public.  The electoral longevity of the last clerk being an example of why popular elections are dysfunctional here.




JUDGE, ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT (Vacancy of Freeman), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Jesse G ReyesDemocratic161 P. Scott Neville, Jr.Democratic162 Shelly A. HarrisDemocratic163 Cynthia Y. CobbsDemocratic164 Margaret Stanton McBrideDemocratic165 Daniel EpsteinDemocratic167 Nathaniel Roosevelt HowseDemocratic168


Epstein


 JUDGE, ILLINOIS APPELLATE COURT, 1ST DISTRICT (Vacancy of Neville, Jr.), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Maureen Patricia O'LearyDemocratic171 Carolyn J. GallagherDemocratic172 Sandra Gisela RamosDemocratic173 Michael B. HymanDemocratic174


Will have to go with Hyman for experience and involvement

JUDGE, ILLINOIS APPELLATE COURT, 1ST DISTRICT (Vacancy of Simon), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # John GriffinDemocratic175 Sharon O. JohnsonDemocratic176


Griffin looks like the more serious candidate


JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (Vacancy of Bellows), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Tiesha L. SmithDemocratic181 Cristin Keely McDonald DuffyDemocratic182 Kerrie Maloney LaytinDemocratic183

Duffy

 JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (Vacancy of Coghlan), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Kelly Marie McCarthyDemocratic184 Aileen BhandariDemocratic185 Elizabeth 'Beth' RyanDemocratic186 James T. Derico, Jr.Democratic187


Derico


 JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (Vacancy of Ford), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # U. O'NealDemocratic188 Laura Ayala-GonzalezDemocratic189 John O'MearaDemocratic190 JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (Vacancy of Funderburk), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Jacqueline Marie GriffinDemocratic191 Daniel L. CollinsDemocratic192 Mary Therese QuinnDemocratic193 Celestia L. MaysDemocratic194


O'Meara


JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (Vacancy of Larsen), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Levander 'Van' Smith, Jr.Democratic195 Suzanne Therese McEneelyDemocratic196 Megan Kathleen MulayDemocratic197

Mulay


JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (Vacancy of Mason), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Arthur D. SuttonDemocratic198 Bonnie Carol McGrathDemocratic199 Jennifer Patricia CallahanDemocratic200 Chris StaceyDemocratic201 Joy E. Tolbert NelsonDemocratic202 Joseph ChicoDemocratic203


 JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (Vacancy of McCarthy), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Teresa MolinaDemocratic204 Michael O'MalleyDemocratic205


JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (Vacancy of Murphy Gorman), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Sheree Desiree HenryDemocratic207 Dan WalshDemocratic208 Amanda 'Mandy' PillsburyDemocratic209 Keely Patricia HillisonDemocratic210


JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (Vacancy of O'Brien), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Elizabeth Anne WalshDemocratic211 Lloyd James BrooksDemocratic212 Heather Anne KentDemocratic213


JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (Vacancy of Patti), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Lynn Weaver BoyleDemocratic214.


 JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (Vacancy of Roti), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Lorraine Mary MurphyDemocratic215 James Patrick CrawleyDemocratic216 Araceli Reyes De La CruzDemocratic217


JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (Vacancy of C. Sheehan), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Deidre BaumannDemocratic219 Maura McMahon ZellerDemocratic220 Russell W. HartiganDemocratic221


JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (Vacancy of K. Sheehan), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Jill Rose QuinnDemocratic222 James Samuel WorleyDemocratic223 Wendelin 'Wendi' DeLoachDemocratic224


 JUDGE, 7TH COOK COUNTY SUBCIRCUIT (Vacancy of Jackson), Vote For 1 CANDIDATE NAMEPARTYBALLOT # Owens 'Joe' ShelbyDemocratic231 Marcia O'Brien ConwayDemocratic232 Pamela Reaves-HarrisDemocratic233 Mable TaylorDemocratic234 Kristen Marie LyonsDemocratic235



I'm with the recommendations of the State Bar Association - except I'll vote for young Daniel Epstein based on opinions of friends who know more about him

2019 Forest Park

I really can't remember Forest Park having a mayor other than Tony Calderone.  Whether or not he deserves all the credit - he will always be remembered for the upscaling of Madison Street.  He was an enthusiastic guy who liked to make things happen - though good judgment was often an issue.

Now we have to elect a successor.

Despite his years in city council, I would say that Chris Harris is underqualified.  I'm not even sure  whether he has ever been gainfully employed.  There's no evidence of it on the internet.  He seems to be positive and energetic. Perhaps he should serve in the park district.

On the other hand, Rory Hoskins is overqualified.  He's currently an attorney in an international corporate law firm -- and also leads the Proviso Township  Democratic Party.  He narrowly lost an election to the state legislature - and that's where he should be serving.  With the ongoing support of Danny Davis, he may eventually replace Davis as representative of the 7th  Congressional district.

I worry whether Hoskins will devote much time and energy to improve our small village.  I worry whether Harris will be able to handle any kind of management situation at all.

Both of them have served on the village council for many years -- and I wish they both had websites that discussed  village issues in some depth.

Neither one of their campaigns is very informative.  Apparently, they both believe that voters are idiots who only read fluff.

I don't care whether Harris wants to "Implement 21st Century solutions for flooding" --- since he does not  tell us what those might be.

And I don't care, at least in the context of this election, about Hoskins' family, which includes a son who is going to naval flight school.

Hoskins might be ineffectual -- but Harris would likely be an embarrassment.

I'm voting for Hoskins.

*************

Here's an email I received in support of Claudia Medina, Ned Wagner, and Theresa Kelly for School District 209 Board:

These board members have guided the district in important accomplishments:

Instituted restorative justice practices which has dramatically reduced suspensions

Refinanced expensive loans in order to afford the enhancement of educational spaces at all three schools through the Master Facilities planning process, which took input from the entire community

Continued success at PMSA which is now ranked 8th in the state and has been named a blue ribbon school

Purchased $1 million in new books to replace badly outdated materials

Achieved a 1:1 computer/student ratio to support cutting edge learning opportunities for ALL schools

Adopted a strong anti-nepotism policy


There's nothing here, however, about improved test scores, graduation rates, or college admittance for the students of Proviso East.






A very  helpful website for this election can be found here:   The Activist Toolkit






2 COMMISSIONER, VILLAGE OF FOREST PARK 4 Year Term, Vote For 4


 Ryan C. Nero - safety manager
Joseph H. Byrnes - incumbent
 Ryan R. Russ - park district employee
Daniel J. Novak - incumbent
Jessica L. Voogd - slate
Mark R. Boroughf - slate
Jon Robert Kubricht - slate
Julianne M. Bonwit - slate
Martin L. Tellalian - peoples' hero

As a smart, longtime, committed advocate for good government, Marty Tellalian gets my first vote.

As as pro-business, pro-Calderone, experienced commissioner who writes the best self-promotional material -- Dan Novak gets my second vote.    The interests he represents also should have a seat on the village council.

Ryan C.  Nero appears to have been a prolific volunteer for community projects. So he gets my third vote.


I like the idea of four young  people teaming up to begin their political life in the village. It's too bad that they're all white  folks -- though they have endorsed Rory Hoskins for mayor on their Facebook page. ( for some reason, however,  they have offered no explanation there or on their website).
It's also too bad that none of  them have apparently volunteered for any local organizations or projects.

I think I'll  vote for Julianne Bonwit because she is a social worker,

I have nothing against the other  candidates, however







BOARD MEMBER, FOREST PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT 91 4 Year Term, Vote For 3

Monique Cotton YancyNonpartisan91 African American, no college degree or apparent career            Gregory MitchellNonpartisan92 - no response, marketing
Steven RummelNonpartisan93 - IT guy,  concerned parent
 Daniel E. GasseNonpartisan94 -music  school, lots of ideas
Shannon WoodNonpartisan95 - no response, incumbent
John W. Lyons IIINonpartisan96 - small manufacturer
Katherine June ValleauNonpartisan97 - no response, former teacher who opened a brewery

This is a tough one.  It's good that so many  people have volunteered for this position.
None of them appear to represent any interest other than that of a concerned parent or  teacher.

Three of them did not respond to the query from the Activist Toolkit -- and why wouldn't they?
Shouldn't a candidate respond to all serious queries ?

I think I'll vote for Yancy, Gasse, and Lyons



BOARD MEMBER, PROVISO TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 209 4 Year Term, Vote For 3

 Laighton H. Scott IIINonpartisan111  PU
Claudia MedinaNonpartisan112                        PT
Nathan 'Ned' WagnerNonpartisan113                PT
 Beverly RobertsonNonpartisan114    PU
Theresa L. KellyNonpartisan115                       PT
Denard WadeNonpartisan116             PU
 Sandy L. AguirreNonpartisan117



Apparently, District 209 is about to embark on a major building renovation project -- so a lot of money will be at stake.

And so now we have a slate of  under-qualified challengers to represent the interests of State Representative and  former school board chairman,  Chris Welch and the local Democratic party.  All three are public employees -- two firefighters and one athletic coach.  Take a look at their website -- it's a joke --- just pictures of themselves smiling and looking good. No discussion of anything.

Hopefully, voters will not be fooled by the name they have chosen, "Proviso United" -- quite similar to "Proviso Together" who are a group of do-gooders who won the last election and are running again.

Sandy Aguirre is running with the support of Ron Serpico, the notorious mayor of Melrose Park.  He once told reporters "I didn't take a vow of poverty" after he got the village to make the montly payments on his new Jaguar.  She has no website and did not respond to the Activist questionnaire. It's hard to take her seriously.

Which is not to say that the do-gooders have necessarily been competent and effective  As of today, March 20, their campaign website does not exist.

Here's  what the Forest Park Review had to say about their achievements:



New textbooks. Laptops for all students. A deliberate strategy for including parents in students' school lives through the implementation of parent centers and parent coordinators at East and West. Innovative curricula, such as the pioneering Marzano Academy at Proviso East.
There are more concrete, measurable achievements that have taken place in D209 within the last four years than we have space enough to list.


I'd like to see a more thoughtful analysis.  Were the old textbooks all that bad?  How many students were lacking laptops? How well have the parent centers worked ? ''

Here's a news blurb about the Marzano academy:


Earlier this year, Proviso East secured a two-year, $200,000 contract with Marzano Academy, a nonprofit that helps schools implement personalized competency-based education, a system that empowers students to study and master skills at their own pace, and turn to peers, the internet, library and other outlets before they lean on teachers for help. In this system, students can show proficiency in a topic through projects, presentations and even activities outside of school, along with traditional testing.


Looks like a good idea to me!  Nothing beats self-learning.  But for how many students has this program been successful?

I'm going to vote for Proviso Together anyway -- hoping that eventually they will be able to document some real "concrete measurable achievements"

2018 November Elections

Are there any judges who need to be voted in or voted out in this election cycle?

That would be the only incentive to get me to the polls this  time around.

Both of the candidates for governor are depressing -- and so many other candidates are running unopposed.

In the ongoing struggle between  plutocracy and  public interest, Rauner certainly appears more loyal to his class than Pritzker.

Pritzker's alignment with the public service unions, however,  does not especially benefit the public. And every time I see his picture pop up on my screen, I'm reminded of just how much he's spending to get elected.  Yet his endorsement of Berrios in the primary does not suggest that his self-funding will make him independent.







All the judges who are running for RETENTION on the Cook County Circuit Court (#205 through #326) are qualified or highly qualified EXCEPT for the following who were not recommended by one or more of the Bar Associations: Kathy M. Flanagan Vote 206 for No. Maura Slattery Boyle Vote 228 for No Matthew E. Coghlan Vote 232 for No. Lionel Jean-Baptiste Vote 284 for No. Lisa Ann Marino Vote 314 for No.



 You will be voting in only one Sub-Circuit. All of the judges who are running for a Sub-Circuit seat are qualified, EXCEPT for the following who were not recommended by one or two of the Bar Associations: : Do not vote for Linda Perez (6th Sub-Circuit) instead Vote for 152 Kent Delgado Do not vote for Shannon P. O’Malley (13th) instead Vote for 154 Michael Perry Gerber Do not vote for Beatriz A. Frausto-Sandoval (14th) instead Vote for 151 Marina E. Ammendola Do not vote for Karla Marie Fiaoni (15th) instead Vote for 153 Michael B. Barrett

GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, STATE OF ILLINOIS

4 Year Term, Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

JB Pritzker & Juliana Stratton

Democratic

1

Bruce Rauner & Evelyn Sanguinetti

Republican

2

Grayson Kash Jackson & Sanjeev Mohip

Libertarian

3

William 'Sam' McCann & Aaron Merreighn

Conservative

4

ATTORNEY GENERAL, STATE OF ILLINOIS

4 Year Term, Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Kwame Raoul

Democratic

7

Erika Harold

Republican

8

Bubba Harsy

Libertarian

9

I don't know whether Bubba 
can use Article I Section 16 
of the Illinois Constitution
 to make excessive government
 pensions go away -- 
but I'd like to see him try. 
 So he's got my vote.

SECRETARY OF STATE, STATE OF ILLINOIS

4 Year Term, Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Jesse White

Democratic

10

Jason Helland

Republican

11

Steve Dutner

Libertarian

12

COMPTROLLER, STATE OF ILLINOIS

4 Year Term, Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Susana A. Mendoza

Democratic

13

Darlene Senger

Republican

14

Claire Ball

Libertarian

15

TREASURER, STATE OF ILLINOIS

4 Year Term, Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Michael W. Frerichs

Democratic

16

Jim Dodge

Republican

17

Michael Leheney

Libertarian

18

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

2 Year Term, Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Danny K. Davis

Democratic

21

Craig Cameron

Republican

22

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 7TH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT

2 Year Term, Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Emanuel 'Chris' Welch

Democratic

41

COMMISSIONER, METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT

6 Year Term, Vote For 3

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Debra Shore

Democratic

51

Kari K. Steele

Democratic

52

Marcelino Garcia

Democratic

53

R. Cary Capparelli

Republican

54

Shundar Lin

Republican

55

Christopher Anthony

Green Party

56

Karen Roothaan

Green Party

57

Tammie Felicia Vinson

Green Party

58

COMMISSIONER, METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT

2 Year Term(Unexpired Term), Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Kimberly Neely Dubuclet

Democratic

59

Rachel Wales

Green Party

60

COMMISSIONER, METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT

2 Year Term(Unexpired Term), Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

M. Cameron 'Cam' Davis

Democratic

61

Geoffrey Cubbage

Green Party

62

BOARD PRESIDENT, COOK COUNTY

4 Year Term, Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Toni Preckwinkle

Democratic

71

CLERK, COOK COUNTY

4 Year Term, Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Karen A. Yarbrough

Democratic

72

SHERIFF, COOK COUNTY

4 Year Term, Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Thomas J. Dart

Democratic

74

TREASURER, COOK COUNTY

4 Year Term, Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Maria Pappas

Democratic

75

ASSESSOR, COOK COUNTY

4 Year Term, Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Frederick 'Fritz' Kaegi

Democratic

76

Joseph Paglia

Republican

77

COMMISSIONER, 1ST COUNTY BOARD DISTRICT

4 Year Term, Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Brandon Johnson

Democratic

81

COMMISSIONER, BOARD OF REVIEW 3RD DISTRICT

4 Year Term, Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Larry Rogers, Jr.

Democratic

91

JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

(Vacancy of Brewer), Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Kathryn Maloney Vahey

Democratic

111

JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

(Vacancy of Clay), Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Kathaleen Theresa Lanahan

Democratic

112

JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

(Vacancy of Dooling), Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Tom Sam Sianis

Democratic

113

JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

(Vacancy of Egan), Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Rosa Maria Silva

Democratic

114

JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

(Vacancy of Dunford), Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Thomas F. McGuire

Democratic

115

JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

(Vacancy of Flanagan), Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Preston Jones Jr.

Democratic

116

JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

(Vacancy of Hartigan), Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Cecilia Anne Horan

Democratic

117

JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

(Vacancy of Jordan), Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Clare Joyce Quish

Democratic

118

JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

(Vacancy of McGinnis), Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Peter Michael Gonzalez

Democratic

119

JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

(Vacancy of Prendergast Rooney), Vote For 1

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

BALLOT #

Jack Hagerty

Democratic

120

JUDGE, ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT

(Retention), Vote Yes or No

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

YES

NO

Anne M. Burke

Nonpartisan

201

202

JUDGE, ILLINOIS APPELLATE COURT, 1ST DISTRICT

(Retention), Vote Yes or No

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

YES

NO

Margaret Stanton McBride

Nonpartisan

203

204

JUDGE, COOK COUNTY JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

(Retention), Vote Yes or No

CANDIDATE NAME

PARTY

YES

NO

Kathy M. Flanagan

Nonpartisan

205

206

Moshe Jacobius

Nonpartisan

207

208

Stuart F. Lubin

Nonpartisan

209

210

Martin S. Agran

Nonpartisan

211

212

Ronald F. Bartkowicz

Nonpartisan

213

214

E. Kenneth Wright, Jr.

Nonpartisan

215

216

Catherine Marie Haberkorn

Nonpartisan

217

218

James M. Varga

Nonpartisan

219

220

Marcia Maras

Nonpartisan

221

222

Peter Flynn

Nonpartisan

223

224

Paul A. Karkula

Nonpartisan

225

226

Maura Slattery Boyle

Nonpartisan

227

228

Mary Margaret Brosnahan

Nonpartisan

229

230

Matthew E. Coghlan

Nonpartisan

231

232

Joyce Marie Murphy Gorman

Nonpartisan

233

234

Joan Margaret O?Brien

Nonpartisan

235

236

Thomas David Roti

Nonpartisan

237

238

Colleen F. Sheehan

Nonpartisan

239

240

Carl Anthony Walker

Nonpartisan

241

242

Daniel Patrick Brennan

Nonpartisan

243

244

Grace G. Dickler

Nonpartisan

245

246

Ellen L. Flannigan

Nonpartisan

247

248

Carol M. Howard

Nonpartisan

249

250

Jill C. Marisie

Nonpartisan

251

252

James Michael McGing

Nonpartisan

253

254

Mike McHale

Nonpartisan

255

256

James Patrick Murphy

Nonpartisan

257

258

Thomas W. Murphy

Nonpartisan

259

260

Ramon Ocasio, III

Nonpartisan

261

262

Mary Colleen Roberts

Nonpartisan

263

264

Diane M. Shelley

Nonpartisan

265

266

Celia Louise Gamrath

Nonpartisan

269

270

Lorna Ellen Propes

Nonpartisan

271

272

Tommy Brewer

Nonpartisan

273

274

Andrea M. Schleifer

Nonpartisan

275

276

Thomas R. Allen

Nonpartisan

277

278

Erica L. Reddick

Nonpartisan

279

280

Aicha Marie MacCarthy

Nonpartisan

281

282

Lionel Jean-Baptiste

Nonpartisan

283

284

Michael R. Clancy

Nonpartisan

285

286

Regina Ann Scannicchio

Nonpartisan

287

288

Diann Karen Marsalek

Nonpartisan

289

290

Pamela M. Leeming

Nonpartisan

291

292

Larry G. Axelrood

Nonpartisan

293

294

Carl B. Boyd

Nonpartisan

295

296

Daniel R. Degnan

Nonpartisan

297

298

John H. Ehrlich

Nonpartisan

299

300

Terry Gallagher

Nonpartisan

301

302

William G. Gamboney

Nonpartisan

303

304

Elizabeth Mary Hayes

Nonpartisan

305

306

Martin C. Kelley

Nonpartisan

307

308

Kimberly D. Lewis

Nonpartisan

309

310

Edward M. Maloney

Nonpartisan

311

312

Lisa Ann Marino

Nonpartisan

313

314

Michael Tully Mullen

Nonpartisan

315

316

Karen Lynn O?Malley

Nonpartisan

319

320

Paul S. Pavlus

Nonpartisan

321

322

Cynthia Ramirez

Nonpartisan

323

324

Beatriz Santiago

Nonpartisan

325

326

Referenda for November 6, 2018 - Gubernatorial General Election

PROVISO TOWNSHIP, HOMEOWNERS EXEMPTIONS

QUESTION

Should the State of Illinois increase the residential and senior homeowner's exemptions to help reduce property taxes for the residents of Proviso Township?

COUNTYWIDE, MINIMUM WAGE

QUESTION

Shall the minimum wage in your municipality match the $13 per hour Cook County minimum wage law for adults over the age of 18 by July 1, 2020, and be indexed to the consumer price index after that?

COUNTYWIDE, EARNED SICK TIME

QUESTION

Shall your municipality match the Cook County earned sick time law which allows for workers to earn up to 40 hours (5 days) of sick time a year to take care of their own health or a family member's health?

COUNTYWIDE, FIREARMS

QUESTION

Should the State of Illinois strengthen penalties for the illegal trafficking of firearms and require all gun dealers to be certified by the State?

VILLAGE OF FOREST PARK, VIDEO GAMING

QUESTION

Shall video gaming be prohibited in the Village of Forest Park, Illinois?

Print Sample Ballot

Due to some legal shenanigans to keep this referendum off the
 ballot, this has become the most exciting issue in this election 
cycle..

Gambling is a foolish, wasteful  pastime pursued by morons as
 well as  geniuses (like David Milch, creator of "NYPD Blue"
 and "Deadwood")

Prohibiting it will not make it disappear.   But maybe it could 
go  somewhere else.

I'd like to see main street, Forest Park, filled with art  galleries
instead of taverns.  Perhaps that could be called wishful
 thinking - but every positive change in human life begins with
 some kind of impractical, hair-brained wish.