President (D)

Race. Gender. Negative campaigning. Who is ahead in the polls. Those are the "issues" the mainstream media are focusing on in the Democratic presidential primary.

            How about looking at some real issues: the war in Iraq, energy independence, education, hope for the underserved, America's relationship with the world, fair elections, and the economy?

            All the Democratic candidates for President are strong on these issues. We think Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, or Barack Obama would do a good job on these.

            Obama is particularly inspiring, with a quality that makes people want to vote for him. We saw that here in Illinois in 2004 when Obama, a State Senator from this community, was expected to lose against State Comptroller Dan Hynes or one of several other candidates when Obama ran for the U.S. Senate. Instead, the relatively unknown Obama won easily.

            Obama's ability to inspire and make people like him translates to electability. The Democrats do not need another John Kerry, Mike Dukakis, or Walter Mondale. After Presidents like George W. Bush, whom half the country could not stand, and Bill Clinton, whom the other half of the country could not stand, most of America wants a President like John F. Kennedy or Dwight D. Eisenhower, whom we all can like. Obama has that Kennedy/Eisenhower quality. We also want a leader to inspire us. Obama does that in a way Hillary Clinton and the other Democratic and Republican Presidential candidates do not. We also want big change, and we are not going to get it from old-timers like Clinton.

            In the primaries, Obama has been inspiring independents to vote Democrat, and Republicans to cross over to the other party, something we have not seen since Ronald Reagan. Obama is getting people excited about the Presidential campaign, and when was the last time you were excited instead of disgusted?

            Inspiration and likeability do not a great President make—what about the issues? Obama has a whole book on the issues called The Blueprint for Change. He would open up the voting process. He would help the disabled and underserved become more integrated in mainstream America. To improve the economy, he would increase investments in America's crumbling infrastructure, energy independence, education, and research and development; modernize and simplify our tax code so it provides greater opportunity and relief to more Americans; and implement trade policies that benefit American workers and increase the export of American goods.

            Obama would strengthen public schools, yet make them more accountable. He would push for a national energy policy. He has laid out a plan to get America out of Iraq that has largely been affirmed by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group led by James Baker and Lee Hamilton.

            Obama has that ability to build bipartisan bridges. He proved it in the Illinois Legislature, and in the U.S. Senate.

            Obama has been criticized for being "inexperienced." This "inexperienced" leader has more time at the national level than George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Abraham Lincoln did before they were elected President.

            Clinton has criticized Obama for his ties to developer Tony Rezko, but remember, Obama has been accused of no wrongdoing involving Rezko and has insisted that he never used his office to benefit Rezko.

Thus far, there is little in the public record to suggest otherwise. We will keep an eye on this as the campaign progresses.

            Clinton obviously is Obama's biggest rival for the Democratic nomination. She would make a good President; he would make a better one. Whoever gets the nomination should offer an olive branch to the other by offering the Vice Presidency or a cabinet position. Both the Clinton and Obama wings of the Democratic Party need each other to win in the fall.

            We feel that Barack Obama is strong on the issues, experienced, likable, inspirational—and offers the best chance for a Democratic victory. We support him for President of the United States.

 

 

President (R)

The Republican presidential field certainly is a sorry bunch. Rudy Giuliani wants you to be scared that another 9/11 will come any day. Mike Huckabee wants to establish a religious theocracy. Virtually all the candidates promise more surveillance of U.S. citizens, more torture of prisoners, and remaining in Iraq.

          More thoughtful individuals with some independent positions are John McCain, Ron Paul, and Mitt Romney.

          The general public tends to like McCain because of some maverick positions he took in the Senate in the 1990s; since the advent of the Bush Administration, with the exception of opposing the President on torture (McCain is against it, at least), McCain has toed the Bush line all the way. Now, McCain wants to bomb Iran and says we should stay in Iraq for "a million years."

          Congressman Ron Paul is the one Republican who completely opposes the Iraq war, and for that stand alone deserves consideration. Unfortunately, most of his other positions are out of the 19th century: Paul would eliminate almost every federal program, including Social Security and Medicare.

          Mitt Romney gets well deserved criticism for flip-flopping on many issues. He used to be pro-choice; now he's anti-abortion. As Governor of Massachusetts he supported civil unions; now he's anti-gay. He was pro-gun control; now he's pro-gun. He used to describe himself as a progressive, even a liberal; no more.

          Richard Nixon said a Republican candidate for President has to move to the right in the primaries and move to the left after he gets the nomination. We are betting Romney is following Nixon's advice and talking tough because that is what Republican primary voters expect to hear. Even so, he has held on to some liberal positions including increased legal immigration, and that makes us think that, as President, he would not be rabidly right wing.

          He has some legitimate accomplishments that the other Republican candidates cannot match. As Governor of Massachusetts, he inherited a $3 billion deficit in 2003 and brought the budget to a $700 million surplus by 2007. In 2006, he signed a law that assures almost all Massachusetts residents will have healthcare.

Someone who has handled a state's economy so well is likely to have some acumen in dealing with a troubled national economy. Looking at the whole picture, we endorse Mitt Romney for President.

 

Senate (R)

Three candidates are seeking the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate: Andy Martin, Mike Psak, and Steve Sauerberg.

Martin is a legal activist, broadcaster, and foreign policy expert who since the 1960s has investigated and fought political corruption, particularly among judges, and has been a consumer advocate. He opposed the invasion of Iraq and predicted it would bring chaos.

Psak is a truck driver who holds an MBA. He opposes ratifying the Kyoto anti-pollution treaty, opposes gun control, favors closing the U.S. borders, and wants to privatize the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and establish English as the official language of the U.S.

Sauerberg is a physician trained at Rush Medical College who wants to limit malpractice lawsuits. He opposes setting a timeline for U.S. troops to leave Iraq and wants to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He is the endorsed nominee of the Republican State Central Committee and has been calling incumbent Senator Richard Durbin an "ultraliberal."

Psak and Sauerberg are offering voters tired old right-wing solutions and rhetoric. Andy Martin, on the other hand, has struck a more independent course by focusing on fighting corruption and opposing the Iraq invasion and therefore gets the Gazette's endorsement.

 

Congress, 3rd (D)

In 2006, Americans voted decisively against the Iraq war and other foreign and domestic initiatives of the Bush administration by sending a Democratic majority to both houses of Congress. Record Republican obstructionism—halfway through the 110th Congress, the GOP has already threatened to filibuster more bills than in any previous Congress—has made the Democratic majority’s job difficult enough.

We have endorsed Democratic Congressman Daniel Lipinski before, but it disturbs us that he has voted with President George Bush and the GOP to continue funding the war, oppose stemcell research, and support the oil companies at the expense of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. Such actions on the part of Democrats make it even harder to enact the progressive legislation America wants. Lipinski has shown some recent solidarity with his own party—but it is too little,
too late.

Palos Hills Mayor Jerry Bennett has impressive experience in government, including working effectively with other Illinois mayors, and attorney Jim Capparelli has staked out some good positions as well, but Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Mark Pera is the strongest candidate. A prosecutor of major polluters, Mark Pera has a solid record on the environment.  Pera’s unapologetic positions against the Iraq war, for accessiblehealthcare, and for alternative energy development are in line with traditional Democratic principles and the values of the 3rd District. Mark Pera is the best choice to stand up to Republican obstructionism and work for
his constituents’ interests.

Congress, 3rd (R)

Arthur J. Jones is a well informed and even eloquent candidate. He strongly opposes the war in Iraq and has done a lot of research about depleted uranium in American weapons creating a toxic environment in Iraq. Abraham Lincoln is his hero. Then why aren’t we endorsing him? Turns out Jones has been involved in White supremacist organizations and not only does not repudiate those associations, but says, "so what?" Clearly, he has a blind spot concerning this appalling blot on his record.

          Michael Hawkins's top issues are jobs, education, hunger, and homelessness. He would seek more business in the district and make college more affordable, and he supports a national health insurance system.

          Hawkins may not be as articulate as Jones, but he holds some surprisingly progressive opinions. We endorse Michael Hawkins for the Republican nomination for the 3rd Congressional District.

 

Congress, 7th (D)

This publication endorsed Robert Dallas in the past when he ran in the Republican primary for Congress. He offers some good ideas—more federal funding of train travel, withdrawal of troops from Iraq, a fairer immigration system, universal healthcare, and improved education.

          Incumbent Congressman Danny K. Davis already has been doing a good job for the district. One of Congress's most articulate and progressive members, Davis has been a strong critic of the Bush Administration. He has gotten legislation passed on improving access to a college education and lately has been focusing on the very serious problems of what to do with ex-offenders released into society so they do not become repeat offenders.

          We believe Danny K. Davis deserves another term in Congress.

 

State Senate, 5th (D)

Can an African-American elected official represent a district as its African-American majority dwindles?

          Of course. Ability knows no race.

          State Senator Rickey R. Hendon has proven to be a Senator of unquestioned ability. At a young age he achieved high positions in the State Senate, and it is good for this area to be represented by the assistant majority leader. He has a solid record of accomplishment and innovation and can be given major credit for bringing the film industry back to Chicago after it had abandoned the city since the days of the Blues Brothers. He also was a major player in the recent deal between the State and the Chicago Transit Authority that saved the city’s transit system.

          We vehemently disagree on Hendon's desire to expand casino gambling in Illinois. Legislators should find more responsible ways to fund the state's education needs. We do not need to agree with a candidate 100% to endorse him, however.

          If you are looking for a change in this district, we would recommend AmySue Mertens over Jonathan Bedi. Mertens's local connections are much stronger, as she is involved with the Whitney Young Local School Council, the West Loop Community Organization, and the Green Street Project.

          We endorse Senator Rickey R. Hendon for another term.

 

State Rep, 2nd (D)

Like Robert Dallas and Danny Davis in the 7th Congressional District, the two candidates for the Democratic nomination for State Representative in the 2nd District have faced each other before. State Representative Edward Acevedo is being challenged by community activist Francisco Rodriguez. Acevedo is Assistant Majority Leader and co-chairman of the Latino Caucus in the Illinois House.

          Acevedo has brought State dollars home to the district for needed projects and organizations. He has achieved more power than any Hispanic in the legislature before him, and that benefits the district.

          Rodriguez would improve local schools, but he would add another casino in Illinois to do it. We firmly oppose relying on gambling money for necessary services. State legislators need to find a more responsible way to fund something as important as schools.

          We like Rodriguez, but we like Edward Acevedo as State Representative even better. Acevedo gets our endorsement.

 

State Rep, 6th (D)

Jerry Washington is the former State Rep. Esther Golar is the current State Rep. Darryl Smith is the challenger back for a second go-around.

          Smith is running a much lower profile race than he did in 2006, so this one will come down to Washington vs. Golar. Washington achieved a good record of accomplishment in the 1980s and 1990s, but Golar's record has been stellar. She has obtained substantial funding for the district and been a leader on issues such as predatory lending and education improvement.

          We are sure Washington would do a good job, but Esther Golar currently is doing a good job, and we see no reason to make a change. She gets our endorsement.

 

State Rep, 9th (D)

Dorothy L. Walton has done a fine job as director of the Madison and Western Chamber of Commerce, and she has given back to her community as a Reading is Fundamental coordinator and Hug-A-Child program mentor. She has taken the side of the little guy concerning foster care, eminent domain, and redlining. A member of State Senator Rickey Hendon's organization, she would make a good State Rep.

          Arthur Turner already is a good State Rep, however, and we see no reason to make a change despite Walton's qualifications and accomplishments. Turner is considered the father of the affordable housing trust funds law, and his priorities continue to be the right ones: juvenile justice reform, treating drug addiction as a disease instead of a crime, affordable housing, and healthcare. Moreover, he is Deputy Majority Leader in the State House. That is some important clout for this community that it cannot afford to lose. We believe Arthur L. Turner has earned the right to run for another term in November, when he will face Green Party nominee Tony Cox.

 

State Rep, 26th (D)

There are no bad candidates in this race. Will Burns, deputy chief of staff for the Illinois Senate President, knows his way around Springfield and could get things done there. Paul Chadha understands transportation, crime and gun control, and education are issues important to the district. Phillip Jackson understands both the corporate and government sectors and has worked as a community activist. Elga Jefferies already is the State Rep and has worked on legislation on improved prescription drug coverage for seniors, tax breaks, increased assistance to families, and improved education. Kenny Johnson is a local business leader and community activist who would work to improve education, economic development, healthcare, transportation, and housing while fighting crime.

          Jefferies has done a good job, and while all of her opponents are good candidates, none has been able to make the case as to why voters should reject her. Elga Jefferies is starting to make her mark in Springfield, and we feel she should be given another chance to accomplish even more.

 

State's Attorney (D)

Six Democrats are running to succeed retiring Cook County State's Attorney Richard Devine, and the Regular Democratic Organization has endorsed nobody. Running are Anita Alvarez and Robert Milan, assistant State's Attorneys; Larry Suffredin, a Cook County Commissioner from Evanston; Chicago Aldermen Tom Allen and Howard Brookins Jr.; and Evanston attorney Tommy Brewer.

          Devine has endorsed Milan; we find it interesting that he chose one assistant over another. Because both we and the community have strong reservations about how Devine has run his office, we also have strong reservations about his chosen successor, and we would do well to look elsewhere.

          The candidate with ties to this area is Anita Alvarez, who was reared in the Pilsen community and earned her law degree from a local institution, the Chicago-Kent College of Law. She also taught for several years at John Marshall Law School in the South Loop. In the State's Attorney's office since 1986, she oversees 900 assistants and used to be Devine's chief of staff. She has tried hundreds of felony cases, spent more than three years in the Gang Crimes Unit, and served as supervisor of the Public Integrity Unit, where she prosecuted government employees who committed felonies.

          Her experience is unparalleled, she has been training for more than 20 years for this post, and if Devine is not endorsing her, that likely means she would make some changes from the Devine way of doing things. Anita Alvarez should receive the Democratic nomination for Cook County State's Attorney.

 

 County Court, Disko Vacancy

On the ballot to fill the Cook County Circuit Court judge vacancy left by Judge Barbara J. Disko are Lauretta Higgins Wolfson and Dennis J. Burke. Both were appointed judges and now seek election to a permanent post. We admire Burke’s background fighting for the little guy as a plaintiff’s personal injury lawyer, but he also was a corporate defender as well. Wolfson is connected to this community, teaching at the Chicago-Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology. She is the former deputy supervisor of the Transactions/Health Law Division of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and former general counsel of the Illinois Department of Human Services. Her health law and human services law experience make her more qualified, and Lauretta Higgins Wolfson gets the Gazette’s endorsement.

 

County Court, Glowacki Vacancy

Hoping to win the vacant Glowacki seat on the Cook County Circuit Court are Jesse G. Reyes and Terry McCarthy. We like Jesse G. Reyes for this post because of his experience and local ties. He has served for ten years as an associate judge, has 13 years of trial experience, and is past president of the Illinois Judges Association, where he was involved in youth, senior citizens, and veterans programs. Reyes is a graduate of John Marshall Law School and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

 

 

7th Subcircuit (D)

T. Lee Boyd Jr., Anita Rivkin-Carothers, David H. Latham, Melanie Nuby, and Kevin Pechous all are seeking the 7th Subcircuit Judgeship. All are good candidates, and choosing the top contender is a tough challenge. We think the best choice is Melanie Nuby. We like her background as a public defender at Juvenile Court, which gives her an affinity for society's underserved. We also like her philosophy of focusing on guidance to get youthful offenders back on the straight and narrow and into school or a job, rather than the modern lock-them-up-and-throw-away-the-key view.

 

8th Subcircuit (D)

Ah, the lawyer-ful 8th Subcircuit. The district runs along the lakefront, many lawyers live there, and some years it seems they all want to be elected judge. Out of a wide seven-candidate field this year, we like Daniel Thomas Gillespie best. He has been an Associate Judge for 18 years and is a former Assistant Illinois Attorney General and Assistant Cook County State's Attorney and Public Defender. His research on search and seizure has set a legal standard followed by judges throughout the state. He even has a local tie as a faculty member at DePaul University. Experienced and accomplished, Gillespie gets our endorsement.

 

County Board of Review, 2nd (D)

Second District Cook County Board of (Tax) Review challenger Jay Paul Deratany asks if the voters are fed up with constant increases in property taxes, underfunded schools, and cuts in County services.

          Well, yes, actually.

          Deratany is running against Joseph Berrios, who has served on the board for decades while County taxes have continued to climb. As Chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party, Berrios backs Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, who is demanding billions in new taxes.

          We think it is time for a change.

          Deratany is a trial attorney who generally fights for average citizens against big corporations and insurance companies and provides pro bono legal work for Community Support Services to help people with developmental disabilities. An insurgent battling regular Democrat Berrios, Deratany has been endorsed by some progressive regular Democrats: Cook County Assessor James Houlihan, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, and Cook County Commissioners Forrest Claypool and Mike Quigley.

          Jay Paul Deratany gets the Gazette's endorsement as well.

 

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (D)

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District provides water to the area, treats more than 1.4 billion gallons of water per day, and controls 76 miles of navigable waterways. Voters can choose up to three people for Commissioner's spots this year. In the Democratic primary we endorse:

 Incumbent Frank Avila, who has more than 45 years' experience as a civil engineer and is the owner of Avila & Associates Inc., a company with expertise in flood control and sewer design;

Challenger Diane Jones is running to fight illegal dumping, improve waste water treatment facilities, and improve the district's relationship with other environmental agencies. Her priorities are jobs, promoting equal opportunity, and improved public safety concerning water; and

Challenger Mariyana Spyropoulos, a former criminal prosecutor and Secretary of State hearing officer who can be expected to use her legal and business skills to protect the environment and conserve our natural resources. She promises to improve the quality of rivers, streams, and groundwater; promote the use of green roofs, rain barrels, and cisterns to conserve water; educate and promote public involvement in conserving and protecting water resources; and promote fiscal responsibility.

 

1st Ward Committeeman ( R)

Kathleen Cordes has been highly active in the 1st Ward as a member of the Bucktown Triangle Association and has worked closely with the City Department of Planning and Alderman Manny Flores. Kathleen Cordes gets our endorsement over the unknown Robert George Girolamo Jr.

 

2nd Ward Committeeman (R)

Brian Swift, Republican candidate for 2nd Ward Committeeman, thinks Mayor Richard M. Daley's interest in more and better libraries for the city is misplaced. "I don't know anybody who visits a library on a regular basis," Swift said. "And yet the Mayor's priorities are libraries. I think that's a travesty."

          We think it is a travesty that any candidate could be against libraries. That is like being against motherhood and apple pie and shows that Swift, a campaign aide to President George W. Bush in 2004, is about as out of touch with the needs of the people as his old boss.

          Fortunately, there is a good alternative in Charles Hutchinson. In November 2006 we called this small business advocate and activist at Old St. Mary's Catholic School in the South Loop a good candidate, eager to take on poverty and education issues. We have not changed our opinion. Hutchinson realizes that, for the GOP to rebuild in the city, it will have to concentrate on winnable offices like Water Reclamation District Commissioner.

          Charles Hutchinson deserves to be elected 2nd Ward GOP Committeeman.

 

3rd Ward Committeeman (D)

The contest between Alderman Pat Dowell and State Rep Ken Dunkin is an example of a race in which we almost hate to endorse. Both candidates are not just good; they are great. Both are young, energetic, visible in the community, and work hard. Both performed the increasingly difficult feat of gaining office by defeating an incumbent. Both are responsive to their constituents. Both would make a good Ward Committeeman.

          One cannot go wrong with either candidate, but we give the slight edge to Ken Dunkin. He has been in office a few years longer than Dowell and so has more experience. We also do not subscribe to the philosophy that a ward's committeeman and alderman always automatically should be one and the same. Dunkin would bring an unusual and valuable statewide perspective to the Committeeman's post.

          Whether Dunkin or Dowell wins, so will the community, and we hope the two candidates will mend fences after the election and work together for the common good.

 

3rd Ward Committeeman (R)

Bobbie Johnson is quite a force in her community. She is a founder of the literacy organization Race to Knowledge, is working on an important study of the Underground Railroad, and has been highly active with the Grand Boulevard Federation and the Save the Rosenwald Coalition. Bobbie Johnson deserves to win against the unknown Doris Ricks.

 

11th Ward Committeeman (R)

Carl Segvich is what we call "good copy" in the newspaper business. He always has something interesting and controversial to say, and he consistently makes news. Whatever election comes up—Alderman, County Commissioner, Ward Committeeman—one can bet Segvich will be on the ballot, and his campaign will be anything but boring. We like the way he never gives up.

          We admire incumbent Ward Committeeman George Preski, too. He has had a tough job being the Republican Ward Committeeman in the most Democratic ward in the country. Yet, in his own low-key way, he has done a good, respectable job. He finds Republican election judges and gets out what little Republican vote is available in the 11th Ward.

          We think George Preski deserves another term.

 

25th Ward Committeeman (D)

We commend community activist Robert Martinez for seeking elective office, but this is not the one for him. We endorse Daniel Solis for another term as 25th Ward Committeeman.

          The Ward Committeeman has to provide election judges, find and fund candidates, and get out the vote. Solis has been doing this, and we doubt that a newcomer like Martinez could do as good a job for the 25th Ward Democrats as the experienced Solis.

 

25th Ward Committeeman (R)

Two good fellows are running in this election. Billy Ying Fook Moy is a military veteran and is highly active in the Chinatown community. We are troubled, however, by the fact that "two guys from the City" asked him to run. Sounds like more Democrats looking for a friendly Republican Committeeman, when what the Republicans need to come back in the city is a bulldog.

          That bulldog is Dennis DuBois. We know DuBois to be one of the hardest working, most meticulous, detail-oriented individuals in the community. We are confident DuBois actually will devote significant amounts of time to the Republican Ward Committeeman's post, thankless as that task often is. We also like the fact that he would recruit real Republicans to be election judges and candidates, rather than Democrats in Republican clothing.

          Vote for Dennis DuBois for 25th Ward Republican Committeeman.