The Feb. 2 primary election is a crossroads election, one that will set the stage for how Illinois, and Chicago, face the future.
The Feb. 2 primary election is a crossroads election, one that will set the stage for how Illinois, and Chicago, face the future. It will begin a new era in Springfield, as the state tries to shake the checkered tenure of Rod Blagojevich. It will begin a new era in the U.S. Senate, as a new junior U.S. Senator will assume the legacy of a seat that has made history time and time again.
It could also mark a turning point in the direction of Cook County government, as candidates line up to head the county with the highest Black population in the country.
We’ve been disappointed that too many of the races, most notably the race for governor and the race for Cook County Board President, have degenerated into charges and countercharges, without actually talking about issues that affect the constituents. We’re also disappointed that even some Black residents have resorted to making class distinctions – arguing that they are for the “people,” while other candidates are “Uncle Toms.”
Enough!
Certainly politics as practiced in Cook County is not for the meek at heart, and candidates have not been above reaching back to the grave to have ghosts wield their most potent broadsides at their opposition. But while the Black community is not a monolith, and disagreements between candidates is expected, we cannot fall prey to the politics of division that would not benefit any Black candidacy, and in fact, would hurt all Black candidacies.
This election is a litmus test to all those Obama voters who walked away from the polls in November 2008 buoyed by the knowledge that they had made history. It is not enough to elect a president of the United States – who cut his teeth in Chicago neighborhoods. Now we have to elect a governor who speaks to those same neighborhoods, and a U.S. Senator who can deliver jobs and opportunities to those neighborhoods, and a county board president who can represent this county and keep the services coming, while remaining fiscally responsible to taxpayers.
Feb. 2, represents an opportunity to take the next electoral step, and consolidate those gains from a year ago. Election results in Massachusetts show that nothing can be taken for granted, and in order to prevent slipping backward into the failed policies of the George Bush regime, we have to keep moving forward.
The Chicago Defender feels that in order to keep build upon that success, we have to have a friend in the governor’s mansion in Springfield. We believe the person is incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn. Quinn stepped into the seat made vacant by Blagojevich’s impeachment, and has inherited a state already wallowing in red ink, further crippled by the worst economic recession since the Depression. The inaction by the former governor, coupled with the stonewalling by the legislature, has put the state in dire financial straits, unable to pay its bills, and unwilling to find ways out of the morass. He has reached out to all segments of the community, not only to try to provide help, but also seeking ideas and expertise that will help the state. Quinn has called for a state income tax that will raise enough money to help get the state out of its financial hole. He led the way on getting reforms to govern the state’s cemeteries, after the Burr Oak debacle. He has also made key appointments that show he is serious about inclusion, and diversity, in his administration. In only one year, Pat Quinn has not been able to right all that is wrong with this state, but for anyone to suggest that he should have is an insult to voters.
For lieutenant governor, we endorse state Sen. Rickey Hendon. We are confident that Hendon will be an energetic voice in that position, and will work with Quinn to present a strong team in Springfield.
For the U.S. Senate, we endorse Cheryle Jackson. For us, it is a nobrainer, because we are certain that she alone of all the candidates, Democrat and Republican, truly has the interests of the Black community at heart. Her tenure with the Chicago Urban league saw her implement programs that have been emulated across the country. She has demonstrated leadership and vision that the other candidates lack. This U.S. Senate seat is of course near and dear to us, as it has had three African Americans fill it, making it unique among all the senate seats in the U.S. Three of the four Black U.S. senators since Reconstruction have held this seat, and Cheryle Jackson is uniquely qualified to be the third.
For the post of Cook County Board President, we endorse incumbent Todd Stroger.
We endorse him because we can look at his record, not the hype, not the adverse media blitz, not the opposition by a political segment that would like to see leadership of the county in the hands of someone, anyone, instead of Stroger. Stroger has presided over a county government that pays its bills, has a balanced budget and continues to deliver services to its residents, despite the fact that the national and local economies have been decimated. While the city goes to furloughs and the state robs from its employee pension fund to balance the budget, Stroger has delivered on all fronts.
He has done this while being beset by a virulent opposition that has latched on to a onepenny tax hike as if it were the most egregious tax ever levied in the history of man – while it was less than a tenth of the actual tax burden facing county residents. It was a tax backed by the county board at first, until they were cowered by an anti-tax frenzy fed by people who would cut taxes without a plan to responsibly cut spending. Stroger’s opponents – Ald. Toni Preckwinkle and Clerk of Courts Dorothy Brown, are able public servants, and we think that with them in place, working with Stroger, the city and county can move forward with a solid leadership team.
We think the safest endorsement anyone can make in Illinois is to endorse Jesse White for Secretary of State. Even though he is running with no opposition, he deserves the nod because he has delivered in that position for three terms, and he should have a fourth.
For State Comptroller, we endorse David E. Miller. It is the comptroller that pays the bills and makes sure that the bills are paid on time and in a fiscally responsible way. Miller represents a new generation of leadership in the state that should be supported.
For state Treasurer, we endorse Robin Kelly. A 25-year public servant, Kelly’s ascension to the Treasurer’s office would be historic. She is qualified and tested, and deserves to be in that post.
For Congress, we endorse Rep. Bobby L. Rush in the 1st District. Rep. Rush has shown that you cannot keep a good man down, and he’s been a stalwart representative his district. He’s never forgotten where he came from, because he never left. He brings a unique voice to Congress, and Illinois can ill-afford to lose that voice.
In the 2nd District, we endorse Rep. Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. While he has no opposition in the primary, he has become a respected voice in Congress and in the city and deserves your vote.
In the 7th District, we endorse Rep. Danny K. Davis. All Davis does is serve, and serve well. Though he flirted with a run for Cook County Board President, he stepped aside so as not to divide the vote. He sits on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, and is a leader in the community, and in the House.
In many of the races for state Senate and Representative, the incumbents are running with no opposition, but Kimberly A. Lightfoot, Kwame Raoul and Jacqui Collins deserve your vote, in the Senate, and La Shawn K. Ford, Will Burns, Monique D. Davis and Connie Howard deserve your vote in the House.
In the Illinois 5th Representative District, we endorse incumbent Ken Dunkin.
In the Illinois 9th District, we endorse incumbent Arthur Turner. Turner is also running for Lieutenant Governor, but his leadership in the House is invaluable.
In the 10th District, we endorse incumbent Annazette R. Collins.
In the 29th District, we endorse Thaddeus Jones, a member of the Calumet City Council. In the 32nd District, we endorse Yvette Williams.
In the race for positions on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioners, voters can choose no more than three candidates. We endorse incumbent commissioner Barbara McGowan, who has served as a commissioner since 1998. We also endorse Wallace Davis, III who is General Superintendent for the City of Chicago Department of Water Management. We also endorse Kari K. Steele, who brings a chemistry background to the commission.
For County Sheriff, we support Sylvester E. Baker, Jr. Baker’s law enforcement background, coupled with his strong ties to the community, could help repair the fractured relationship between segment of the community and law enforcement in the county.
For County Assessor, we endorse Robert Shaw. Shaw is no stranger to government, and he can step right in to an agency where homeowners have lost confidence in the assessment process.
For county commissioners, we endorse incumbents Earlean Collins in the 1st District, Robert B. Steele in the 2nd District, Jerry Butler in the 3rd District and Deborah Sims in the 5th District. In the 4th District, we endorse newcomer Elgie R. Sims Jr.
For Judge of the Appellate Court (McNulty vacancy), we endorse Arnette R. Hubbard.
For Judge of the Appellate Court (O’Malley vacancy), we endorse Pamela E. Hill-Veal.
For Judge of the Circuit Court (Berland vacancy), we endorse William H. Hooks.
For Judge of the 1st Subcircuit, (Coleman vacancy) we endorse Thaddeus Wilson.
For Judge of the 1st Subcircuit, (Steele vacancy) we endorse Sharon Oden-Johnson.
About Post Author
