Illinois Politics

[cassiesmom]

I will be very glad when this election cycle is over. Some of the TV and radio commercials for the different congressional candidates are attacks against their opponent, either their political, business or sometimes even their personal life. Candidates, I wish you'd use those spots to tell me why I should vote for you instead of your opponent. The ones between Joe Walsh and Tammy Duckworth seem particularly nasty to me and they've gotten worse the past few days. 14 days till the election. I find that I'm avoiding the television so I don't have to see the ads. I should listen to CD's in the car, too, instead of the radio.

[cassiesmom]

Well... Jesse Jackson, Jr. has submitted his resignation and acknowledged that he is under investigation. Only in Illinois. In any other state he would have not run again and someone else would be making arrangements to take over his district right now. But not in Illinois -- he was re-elected despite barely mounting a campaign, so now there will be some kind of special election to replace him, and people who didn't run for the office on the November ballot will try to get it now. We might be the Land of Lincoln but I think we are also the land of SNAFU politics.

[cassiesmom]

Once again, candidates for Illinois governor - I need you to tell me where you stand on the issues and what you plan to do to help Illinois improve. I've heard more than enough of you bashing one another. The election is a little over 3 weeks away. I missed the first debate because of choir rehearsal. I'd like to write in "none of the above"! Please help me here.

[Lady's Human]

When disgusted by both major candidates in a race I normally pick the green or the libertarian and vote for them. Not sure how it works in Il, but in Federal elections if a party gets over a certain % of the vote they become eligible for matching funds.

[Karen]

When disgusted by both major candidates in a race I normally pick the green or the libertarian and vote for them. Not sure how it works in Il, but in Federal elections if a party gets over a certain % of the vote they become eligible for matching funds.

I am probably faced with that in the upcoming gubernatorial election here in Massachusetts.

[cassiesmom]

When disgusted by both major candidates in a race I normally pick the green or the libertarian and vote for them. Not sure how it works in Il, but in Federal elections if a party gets over a certain % of the vote they become eligible for matching funds.

There is a Libertarian candidate, a young guy from Peoria. The Chicago Tribune has endorsed the Republican candidate which they almost always do. They did endorse Obama in 2008 and again this past election, though. The next debate (second of 3) is tomorrow. I'd like to see this young guy beat both the Democrat - our current governor and the Republican. That would bring big changes to Illinois. The governor is threatening tax increases between election day and the new year, but the Republican is so wealthy and connected that he's out of touch with the middle class.

[cassiesmom]

Rauner (Republican)- 1,757,569; Quinn (incumbent, Democrat)- 1,589,993; Grimm (Libertarian)- 117,060. This is with 99% of precincts reporting. However, Gov. Quinn declined to concede last night and is still not doing it today. Only in Illinois!

[Lady's Human]

You have to make sure all the "nontraditional" voters are counted and heard from. You know, the dead ones, the documentation challenged immigrants, each person residing in the head of someone with multiple personality disorder...

[Karen]

You have to make sure all the "nontraditional" voters are counted and heard from. You know, the dead ones, the documentation challenged immigrants, each person residing in the head of someone with multiple personality disorder...

At least in Boston, the news made a point of mentioning that Mayor Menino, the beloved 20-year mayor who just passed away from cancer right before the election, had already voted as he cast an absentee ballot, but as he died before the election, it would not count.

[cassiesmom]

Dear Governor Rauner: I get that the state budget is a mess. I heard you say it got that way because of your predecessor. However, there are some problems now that you can make serious points with Illinoisans by getting right. A lot of low-income families utilize subsidies for child care. I agree that it would be great if this weren't necessary, but the problem at the moment is that the state has run out of funds to pay for these services. Also, there is an imminent shortfall with respect to the department of human services - which provides services to people with serious mental illnesses and developmental disabilities. Again - although it would be lovely if the need for these services didn't exist, this is life and there are individuals and families depending on this kind of support. So please, get with the state legislature and figure out a way to keep the funds flowing for now. As the economy improves, you can look at ways to make the state budget work better. Workin' folks in Illinois utilize these services. You can make a favorable impression with the average Joe Lincoln by quickly working this out.

[Lady's Human]

And another Illinois politician down in flames:

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/0...ns-116153.html

Can you guys find anyone honest to elect?

[cassiesmom]

Can you guys find anyone honest to elect?

Naah. It's no fun in Illinois when our politicians are honest. We haven't had a good politician scandal in the news for nearly a year, since the guy from Elgin was convicted on child pornography charges.

[cassiesmom]

Well... Jesse Jackson, Jr. has submitted his resignation and acknowledged that he is under investigation. Only in Illinois. In any other state he would have not run again and someone else would be making arrangements to take over his district right now. But not in Illinois -- he was re-elected despite barely mounting a campaign, so now there will be some kind of special election to replace him, and people who didn't run for the office on the November ballot will try to get it now. We might be the Land of Lincoln but I think we are also the land of SNAFU politics.

Jackson Jr. was released from federal prison today and driven by his family to a halfway house. It's being reported that he will only be kept there for a matter of days and then will go to his family's home in the Washington, D.C. area. His wife also has a pending prison sentence but her lawyers are trying to get it postponed or waived outright. The Blagojevich family is upset because former Gov. Blagojevich is still in prison in Colorado.