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Chicago Tribune
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Lake County treasurer has hopes for statewide post
Democratic elected officials across Illinois are lined up for political chess games, moving in all different directions on the state board, lining up their futures for the 2026 elections. Many are vying, few will be knighted. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, kicked off the match as the 80-year-old announced in April he would not seek re-election to another six-year term, bringing out what is now a three-person field to take his seat. In May, 9th Congressional District Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Evanston, said she would not run for another term in the district that includes a slice of Lake County. Her announcement has created a crowded field of candidates. Then last week, Susana Mendoza of Chicago, the popular three-term incumbent Illinois comptroller and the state's highest-ranking Hispanic official, announced she was retiring. That opened up another statewide seat, so far bringing out four hopefuls seeking to replace her. One of those candidates is two-term Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim of Mundelein, a former village trustee. Before that, she was a business management professional in the nonprofit, public and private sectors. Other candidates include state Rep. Margaret Croke of Chicago; state Sen. Karina Villa of West Chicago, supported by state Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park; and Champaign County Auditor George Danos. There may be others waiting in the wings for the March 17, 2026 party primary. The general election is Nov. 3. Cook County Democratic Party slatemakers last week endorsed by a slight margin Croke, who is backed for the post by Illinois House Speaker Emanual Welch of Hillside. It is expected their Lake County counterparts will support Kim. Harmon made an unsuccessful attempt to reverse Croke's endorsement, the Chicago Tribune reported. He noted the endorsed statewide party slate had no Latino or Asian representation or anyone from outside Chicago, and warned, 'I think this is a problem for us as Democrats.' That may be a predicament for Dems, but the statewide Republican Party has another dilemma: Waking from its moribund condition and fielding a solid statewide and countywide slate of candidates. At the Cook County session, Kim stressed her background in technology and pledged to bring 'innovation and modernize how we manage money in the state,' according to the Tribune. 'These are unprecedented times, and people we love are afraid, and we need a fighter at every level.' In emailed answers to questions from the Tribune, Kim said she can provide 'a local executive's perspective' to the comptroller's job. She said she wants to run for the office because she thinks it needs someone who understands how to responsibly manage public dollars. 'This isn't just the next step on the political ladder for me — it's a continuation of the work I've already been doing,' Kim told the Tribune. 'As Lake County treasurer, I've managed over $3 billion in taxpayer funds, launched financial education programs, and modernized how we serve the public. I've thought seriously about running for this office ever since it became clear Comptroller Mendoza wouldn't be seeking re-election.' For Kim, though, it is a heavy lift in a statewide contest. Few Lake County officials have made the next step. The state's political boneyard has a number of Lake County candidates residing there. Such as former Sheriff Mark Curran of Libertyville, who lost to Durbin in the 2020 general election. He also failed in a run for the Illinois Supreme Court in the 2022 general election to Democrat Elizabeth Rochford, who had defeated Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering in the party primary. Further back, state Sen. Grace Mary Stern of Highland Park, ran for lieutenant governor on the Democratic ticket in 1982 led by Adlai Stevenson III. The duo narrowly lost to incumbent Gov. James Thompson and his running mate George Ryan, who eventually became governor. Further back, the well-liked state Sen. Adeleine Geo-Karis, R-Zion, lost out in a try for the comptroller's seat in 1986. She was beaten decisively by incumbent Democrat Roland Burris, who eventually ended up a U.S. senator. Successful statewide candidates from the county included Ryan's running mate when he ran for governor in 1998, state Rep. Corinne Wood, R-Lake Forest, who became the state's first female lieutenant governor. Ryan and Wood decided not to run for re-election in 2002. Ingleside's William Stratton, a Republican, was elected Illinois governor in 1952, serving two terms until his defeat for an unprecedented third term in 1960 by Democrat Otto Kerner. At the time, Stratton was the youngest governor in the U.S. His imprint on the state is the beginning of the Illinois tollway system. Stratton Lock and Dam on the Fox River is named for him, as is William G. Stratton State Park in Morris on the Illinois River. First day to circulate petitions for established-party candidates in next year's elections begins Aug. 5, with petition-filing running from Oct. 27 to Nov. 3, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections. Kim hasn't said if she will seek a third term in her Lake County post while running for the state job. If she decides to forgo re-election in the treasurer's race, that could open up a countywide scramble for the seat, meaning some folks already are planning their opening gambits on the political chess board.
Chicago Tribune
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider embraces higher House profile; ‘The future of our country depends on our success'
Since being elected chair of the 115-member New Democrat Coalition on Nov. 20, putting him in a leadership position in the Democratic Party, U.S. Rep Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, has watched his role evolve in after the whirlwind executive orders and other actions of President Donald Trump began on Jan. 20. Though the group's purpose remains the same since it was formed in 1997 — 'passing legislation and getting stuff done' — Schneider said leading the group through unprecedented times is a challenge he considers crucial for his colleagues and the country. 'There has never been a time like this,' he said. 'Trump is making an all-out attack on the Constitution, the rule of law and our democratic institutions. This is what I tell people at rallies, town halls, senior centers and schools. We have to fight for what America can be.' Schneider plans to accelerate his efforts to build coalitions to pass legislation in Washington and communicate with constituents in northeast Illinois to counteract Trump's actions now and in building toward the 2026 midterm elections. Joining the 'New Dems' when he was first elected to Congress in 2012, Schneider said there were 42 members at that time. It grew to 115 with the start of the current 119th Congress in January. He said they are new Democratic members who replaced retired nonmembers, or others who see it as a way to 'get things done.' 'We work across our caucus and reach across the aisle,' he said. 'Using Republicans is part of our mission. It is necessary to pass legislation and get stuff done.' U.S Rep Suzan DelBene, D-Washington, came into Congress with Schneider in 2012. She was the previous chair of the New Dems. She entered Congress with Schneider and has watched him grow into his leadership role. They both serve on the Committee on Ways and Means. 'He shows results for our committee, the New Dems, the people he represents and our country,' DelBene said. 'He works very well with people in a group situation. He had had some of the best ideas for us.' DelBene said Schneider is now in a position to help stop, 'the damage Elon Musk and Donald Trump are doing to the nation.' Some New Dems members, like U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, joined before they became members. First elected in 2022, she said she contacted Schneider when she first became a candidate. He became a mentor. 'I reached out to Brad because his district is diverse like mine,' Budzinski said. 'He invited me as a special guest at his Women for Brad event. He has been a valuable counsel on a variety of issues.' During a town hall Schneider held in March at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Ashby Beasley of Highland Park asked Schneider to 'take the gloves off' when criticizing Trump and Musk, who heads the cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency. 'Say something to give us hope,' Beasley said. 'Don't back down. We'll be right there with you.' Beasley said last week she would like to see more young people like U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, and U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, R-Florida, in leadership roles. Though she said she is a supporter of Schneider, Dana Gordon, also a Highland Park resident, said she wants to see a very strong response from Democratic leadership about Trump's attempts to, 'dissolve our democracy.' 'Congress has to respond, and they have to do it strongly,' Gordon said. 'They have the power of the purse, and they have to use it. They are in charge of that.' Getting more vocal, Schneider is critical of Trump's attacks on free speech at universities, deportations without due process — be they migrants or students — and how the president is impacting the country's reputation around the world. 'He has surrendered to Vladimir Putin on Ukraine,' Schneider said. 'He has damaged America's leadership in the world. We have to persevere and be strong. The future of our country depends on our success.' Looking to the 2026 election, Schneider said the New Dems, through its political arm the NewDem Action Fund, are looking for candidates to help the Democrats regain the majority in the House of Representatives and supporting incumbents in competitive districts. 'We're working to flip enough seats so the Democrats will have a majority,' Schneider said, 'We're working with our incumbents so they can hold their seats.' With the Republicans now holding a slim majority in the House, Schneider said legislation can be passed by getting a few — four will do it — to vote for legislation supported by the Democratic caucus. 'We don't need them to leave the Republican Party,' he said. 'They just need to join us to preserve America's democracy.' Though as his seniority grows, Schneider may have other leadership positions, such as chairing a committee — he sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee as well as Ways and Means — he said he does not plan to run for the U.S. Senate. Sen. Dick Durbin said Wednesday he is not seeking reelection in 2026. 'I know every nook and cranny of the 10th District,' Schneider said. 'I really like representing the people here.'
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Tough act to follow': Catholics remember pope's humble example at Mass
Catholics on Saturday mourned Pope Francis as a leader of outstanding faith and humility. Springfield Bishop William Byrne celebrated a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel in memory of the pope, who died on April 21, the day after Easter. The bishop devoted most of his homily to a reflection on Francis' teaching, including his attention to people who felt 'discarded' by powerful governments and technologies. He both recognized every person's worth and encouraged every person not to give up. 'Pope Francis was the great voice for the discarded of our world, their voice to those in power,' Byrne said. 'Our holy father said not to yield to the logic of fear, which only leads to isolation from others.' West Springfield resident Mary Ann Arnold said of Pope Francis: 'He'll be a tough act to follow.' She said she was impressed with the former archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, from very beginning of his papacy in 2013. 'I thought, the minute he was elected pope, and he went back [himself] to the hotel to pay his bill … that's our guy,' Arnold said. 'I think that he was a man of the people. He reached out to the marginalized. He practiced what he preached.' Attendees at the Mass included Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, as well as many students from Pope Francis Prep, the diocesan high school named after the late pope. Emma Caproni, a senior at the school, said she, too, was impressed by Francis' humble approach to leadership of a worldwide church. 'He didn't keep himself in a high position,' said Caproni, a Chicopee resident. Byrne said he's spent the past week reflecting not only on his personal interactions with the late pope, who appointed him as a bishop, but also on the images of the world has seen of Francis serving the sick, the poor, washing the feet of people in prison. These weren't 'photo ops,' Byrne said, but true windows into the soul of a man who had dedicated his life to following the example of Jesus Christ. Maria Baez, a cathedral parishioner from Springfield, said that she also will remember Francis for 'his humanity' and his ability to form connections with ordinary people around the world, including non-Catholics. She said she is praying for the conclave to elect another pope with Francis' accessibility, but also one who would re-emphasize the church's traditions and the centrality of the sacraments. The conclave, a meeting of 135 cardinals from around the world, is expected to take place in May in the Sistine Chapel of Vatican City.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘One if by land, Two if by sea': 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's ride remembered
Everyone should know, 'On the 18th of April in '75, hardly a man is now alive who remembers that day and year,' as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote. It was that day, 250 years ago that Paul Revere and his cohort of riders waited for the signal, lamps set in the belfry of the Old North Church in Boston's North End. 'One if by land, and two if by sea,' Longfellow wrote. It was two — the British, called the Regulars by the colonists, were coming across the Charles River by boat. Revere rode through the countryside warning colonials that British troops were moving their way. It looked a little different in the lobby of the Wood Museum of Springfield History Friday afternoon as Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, D-Springfield, hung replica lamps to commemorate that day, 250 years ago, when the first battles of the American Revolution were fought in Lexington and Concord. Gonzalez, the chairman of the Western Massachusetts delegation in the state House of Representatives, arranged for the ceremony with Springfield, joining communities across the state, 'As a uniting call to action no matter who you are, to commemorate and remind ourselves that our history is about working together for a better tomorrow,' he said. The two lanterns were part of a set of 108 built as replicas of the lanterns supposedly used by the colonists that day in 1775, except the very subtle Red Sox logo on the diffuser of one lamp threw its historic authenticity out the window. 'These lamps are symbolic of a key moment in our history and the start in Massachusetts of the 250th anniversary of the Ride of Paul Revere across the commonwealth,' Gonzalez said. 'It is important to know that in these challenging times of divisiveness, we need to come together in more ways than one, and recognize what unites us, not what divides us. The American Revolution was not won by individuals acting alone, but by communities who organized, registered and worked together.' Gonzales said lamps were hung in the old North Church in Boston, Fall River, Danvers, Worcester and Springfield. Sarno said Springfield was a key community at the time of the revolution. 'Massachusetts is the birthplace of American democracy and Springfield played a key role in that,' he said, noting that Gen. George Washington choose Springfield as the country's first and most important armory.
