Progress Illinois

Here's our latest roundup on 2010 political news ...

Giannoulias Snags More Endorsements

Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias racked up a few more endorsements this week, including one from the Illinois Democratic County Chairman’s Association (ILDCCA)  on Wednesday. ILDCCA's President Alan Pirtle explained in a statement why the  local chairs are ready to throw their political organizations behind his Senate primary campaign:

"We feel that Alexi Giannoulias has the vision, work ethic, and skill to lead efforts to invest in American jobs and American workers [and] not give tax breaks to companies that ship our jobs overseas from a seat in the United States Senate. He has shown tremendous commitment to the people of Illinois and their values such that he will serve all of Illinois in an effective and honorable way."

Meanwhile, the executive committee and 48 local affiliates of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) voted unanimously to back Giannoulias as well. In his endorsement, LIUNA Vice President and Midwest Regional Manager John Penn made it clear that labor hasn't forgotten how Giannoulias went toe-to-toe with Wells Fargo when the bank tried to liquidate Hartmarx, Inc. and send its employees packing. From a statement:

"When a bank that does business with our state threatened to pull the plug on 1,000 Illinois jobs, Alexi told them they could forget about managing $8 billion in state money. The bank relented and the jobs were saved because Alexi stood up for Illinois workers. That’s the kind of leader we need in the U.S. Senate."

UPDATE: Not all Democrats are convinced Giannoulias is the best candidate, according to Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed. Today, Sneed quotes an anonymous "top Dem" who says the party is trying to field Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart to run for the state's junior Senate seat. Stay tuned for Dart's response.

Biden Stumps For Halvorson

Framing the 2010 congressional election cycle as a crucial moment for President Obama's agenda to reform health care, the financial services sector, and environmental policy, Vice President Joe Biden stumped on behalf of Rep. Debbie Halvorson's (D-11th) bid to reclaim her seat Thursday afternoon. "If you're ever going to be in this business," Biden said at a Chicago fundraiser, "this is the moment."

Is Preckwinkle The "Last Candidate Standing?"

With most of the serious contenders for the Cook County Board presidency either dropping out or hedging on next year's race, Steve Rhodes asks if Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th Ward) might end up the "last candidate standing long before the race even arrives." He runs down the latest developments on his blog over at NBC and concludes:

It's still early, but it looks like the pieces are falling into place for a President Preckwinkle.

Go read the whole thing here.

The Republican Party Changes It's Face

Illinois Republicans tried to brush their intra-party squabbles under the rug during Republican Day at the state fair. But it wasn't easy to spin the surprise many felt Thursday when Republican Party Chair Andy McKenna abruptly stepped down from his post only to be quickly replaced by national committeeman Pat Brady.

Brady himself tried to downplay the leadership change, suggesting that nobody is really paying attention to politics now. "You know what, it's August," he told the Daily Herald.  "Most people are on vacation. Most of the media is on vacation. The president is on vacation."

State Senator Matt Murphy apparently disagrees with his new party chair. That morning, the GOP gubernatorial hopeful launched an attack ad against his presumptive campaign rival in the Republican primary, state Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale). Yet the piece did not once mention his opponent by name. Watch the 60-second spot that's airing downstate: