Category: Illinois Politics

Senate candidates boost fundraising

Posted by dwilson – April 25, 2012

Illinois Senate candidates raised a combined total of $151,000 during the first quarter, with incumbent John Sullivan, D-Rushville, holding a two-to-one advantage over Republican Randy Frese of Paloma. Sullivan held nearly an eight-to-one edge for cash on hand.

Frese raised $47,553 during the quarter and had $41,774 on hand at the end of March. Sullivan raised $103,515 and ended the quarter with $326,814.66 on hand.

Sullivan, like many incumbents, got lots of his contributions from political action committees. His D-2 report linked here shows a mix of business, professional and union contributions which generated $79,350. Caterpillar Inc., the Illinois Trucking Association and Illinois CPAs for Political Action are listed along with the Illinois Federation of Teachers and Southern Central Ill. Laborers among the donors.

Sullivan’s individual contributions of $20,550 are linked here.

Frese got a $10,000 contribution from the Republican Central Committee out of Macomb and $250 from the Cass County Republican Central Committee as shown here.

In addition, Frese had 56 itemized individual contributions linked here that totaled $28,299, including seven family members named Frese.

Sullivan also received $1,009.83 from BNSF Railroad earlier this week.

The dollars don’t tell all of the story in political campaigns, but they’re interesting.

Sullivan: Regionalism often trumps politics

Posted by dwilson – April 10, 2012

State Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, told an audience in Liberty Monday night that divisions in the Illinois Legislature revolve around regionalism more than politics most of the time.

“It’s not so much politics on 90 percent of what we deal with. It’s regionalism and trying to get our fair share” of services and funding, Sullivan said.

His comments came after several questioners had opined that liberalism or Chicago’s influence in the state capitol had put Illinois in its current financial straights. Sullivan said he often does not agree with other members of the Senate Democratic leadership, choosing to seek what he sees as best for those living in Western Illinois.

Likewise, Sullivan said the lawmakers who are in Chicago or any other area, try to look out for their constituents’ interests.

It’s a different world, with Sullivan representing about 210,000 residents of a district that measures 6,000 square miles in Western Illinois, while one Senator in Chicago represents 6 square miles, with a similar number of constituents.

‘Gun nation’ story in Christian Science Monitor

Posted by dwilson – March 12, 2012

A story on gun rights from the Christian Science Monitor has a fair amount of interesting information.

Illinois lawmakers are considering both gun rights bills and gun control bills again this year. Illinois also remains the last state with no mechanism for carrying a concealed weapon.

Patrik Jonsson of CSM writes:

“In 2009, three times as many pro-gun laws were passed in the United States as antigun measures – a trend that experts say has only accelerated since then. Fully 40 states now mandate that anyone who asks for a concealed-carry permit and meets the qualifications must be issued one. One result: The number of concealed-weapon license holders in the US has gone from a few hundred thousand 10 years ago to more than 6 million today. In some parts of Tennessee, 1 out of every 11 people on the street is either carrying a weapon or has a license to do so.

“It’s a huge sea change, and one lesson to take out of all of this is that it’s amazing how fast attitudes on constitutional issues can change,” says Glenn Reynolds, a law professor at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and the author of “An Army of Davids.” “The thinking has turned in a way that many thought to be impossible only 15 years ago.”

Schock says getting noticed boosts his success

Posted by dwilson – February 16, 2012

U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock said in a Roll Call interview linked here that he does not shy away from the spotlight.

“If you want to change people’s minds or get someone to vote for you, either a voter or a colleague, you’ve got to first get their attention,” the two-term House member from Peoria said.

Schock has been seen as a rising star in the Republican party for a while. His youth gets him noticed, but his ability to raise money and his penchant for working hard have helped put him in Congress.

Jessica Brady’s story touches on everything from Schock’s election to the Peoria School Board at age 19, to his current service on the House Ways and Means Committee.

Gun registration proposal pushed by Emanuel

Posted by dwilson – February 15, 2012

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is promoting legislation for a statewide handgun registry that would cost gun owners $65 to register a firearm, with renewal due every five years for an additional $25.

Downstate lawmakers were quick to oppose the bill. The video above is from Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, as supplied by the Illinois Senate Democrats.

Rep. Jim Watson, R-Jacksonville, sent out his own response.

“As a legislator consistently endorsed by the Illinois State Rifle Association and the NRA, I will continue to stand against ridiculous anti-gun laws like this,” Watson said.

Emanuel’s plan is similar to a gun ordinance in Chicago that already requires owners there to pay a fee and register firearms. Emanuel said the statewide registration is needed because the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reports that 56 percent of guns used in Chicago crimes come from outside city limits.

Illinois already requires gun owners to have an Firearm Owners Identification card, which is issued only after an FBI background check.

It should be noted that several gun bills — sponsored by both supporters of gun rights and opponents — come up in the Illinois General Assembly each year. Most are not passed.

Illinois Senate Democrats hold big funding edge

Posted by dwilson – February 2, 2012

A pair of campaign funds for Illinois Senate Democrats have more than a 2-to-1 advantage according to the most recent campaign disclosure reports.

The Senate Democratic Victory Fund and the Citizens for Cullerton political action committee reported combined cash-on-hand of $2.5 million. The Republican State Senate Campaign Committee and Citizens for Radogno reported $1.2 million.

Funding does not win elections, but few elections are won without adequate funding. There’s certainly more time for both camps to raise funds, but it shows how funding flows to the party in charge. Years ago when the Illinois Senate was still in Republican hands, the GOP funds raised more money than the ones operated by Democrats.

Poll shows Sullivan up 52-30 over Frese

Posted by dwilson – February 2, 2012

The Illinois Manufacturers Association released results of a poll held in the 47th District Senate race shaping up between Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville and GOP challenger Randy Frese, R-Paloma.

According to the poll, 52 percent of respondents expect to vote for Sullivan and 30 percent favor Frese, with 19 percent uncertain about which candidate to support.

It would be surprising if an incumbent was not favored at this point. The good point for Sullivan is that this early number puts him above the magical 50 percent mark. Frese, on the other hand, may feel he’s pushed his name recognition up considerably in the northern reaches of the district in order to win a 30 percent following.

Keep in mind that Sullivan was shown trailing then Sen. Laura Kent Donahue in 2002 only weeks before the election where he stunned the incumbent. The only polls that matter are the ones voters go to on election day, and not all respondents in a poll are really going to cast votes.

Polls are interesting, but don’t tell the whole story.

Illinois House member: boot Chicago out of state

Posted by dwilson – December 20, 2011

State Rep. Bill Mitchell Wants Congress to Make Cook Co. 51st State: MyFoxCHICAGO.com

Illinois Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Decatur, has gotten some attention after proposing House Joint Resolution 62 that would exclude Chicago and suburban Cook County from the state of Illinois.

Mitchell made headlines last month when he said there are “irreconcilable differences” between Chicago and the rest of the state. His contention is that Cook County Democrats have been responsible for spending more money than the state takes in.

WGN television in Chicago reported that Chicago brings in 81 percent of total revenue for the state. That has been disputed by state officials, who say Cook County brings in a large share of the income, but in order to approach 81 percent the reporter must have been including all the collar counties.

Although the resolution is just a publicity stunt, it prompts one to wonder — “If there was a split, who would get the $8 billion budget shortfall?”

Prosecutors seek 15 to 20 years in prison for Blagojevich

Posted by dwilson – November 30, 2011

Paperwork filed today by prosecutors in the office of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald requests that a federal judge sentence former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to 15 to 20 years in prison.

Judge James Zagel is scheduled to hold Blagojevich’s sentencing hearing Tuesday. Blagojevich was convicted of 18 counts of corruption, including an attempt to profit from naming someone to the U.S. Senate seat vacated when Barack Obama became president.

Defense attorneys, by contrast, spent the past week asking that Zagel allow the playing of taped phone conversations they hope will cast Blagojevich in a positive light. They want Blagojevich released on probation, with no prison time.

Former Gov. George Ryan was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison after he was convicted of corruption. Blagojevich was elected as Ryan was leaving office. The Chicago Democrat portrayed himself as a reformer who would end the pay-to-play tradition in Illinois politics.

State-owned vehicles raise concerns

Posted by dwilson – November 7, 2011

A report by the Illinois auditor general indicates there may be too many state-owned vehicles and there are lax usage standards in many agencies.

In a synopsis within the 338-page report that came out Thursday, researchers said there were 16,592 vehicles in the state fleet during fiscal 2010, with 5,375 assigned to individual employees and 5,150 of those were authorized to be taken home. An outgrowth of the take-home provision meant that 30 percent of all mileage put on vehicles was for commuting — which generally is not eligible for reimbursement.

Central Management Services accountants calculated that vehicles need to be driven at least 18,000 miles per year to justify state ownership. In cases where those mileage levels were not achieved, auditors said it would be less expensive to reimburse state employees to use their own cars.

Total expenditures for purchase, repair and operation of state vehicles was $121 million in fiscal 2010.

This is likely to become a big issue in the Legislature in the next year.