U.S. Senate
Incumbent and Democrat Tammy Duckworth faces off with two challengers, Republican Kathy Salvi and Libertarian Bill Redpath.
Duckworth is in her first term in the U.S. Senate. Salvi is a partner in the law firm Salvi & Mather. Redpath is a certified public accountant.
Duckworth has delivered for Illinois, ranking first among first-term senators in getting bills out of committee and obtaining influential cosponsors, according to GovTrack. She led the successful effort to save the Americans With Disabilities Act. President Joe Biden has relied on Duckworth to negotiate trade in Southeast Asia—an unusual role for a senator.
Gazette Chicago strongly endorses Tammy Duckworth for another term.
Governor
Incumbent Democrats JB Pritzker for governor and Juliana Stratton for lieutenant governor are running against Republican State Senator Darren Bailey for governor and Stephanie Trussell for lieutenant governor, as well as Libertarians Scott Schluter for governor and John Phillips for lieutenant governor.
Here are some accomplishments of the Pritzker-Stratton administration, by the numbers. More than 21 million COVID vaccine doses administered; Pritzker took the pandemic seriously and enacted measures that saved thousands, if not tens of thousands, of lives. More than one million children fed via the Illinois food relief program. Healthcare extended to 130,000 more Illinoisans. More than 12,000 businesses receiving State assistance during COVID. Minimum wage raised to $15 per hour. More than $4.1 billion in debt paid off.
Bailey, from downstate Xenia, is a radical right candidate. In 2019 he co-sponsored a resolution calling for Chicago to secede from Illinois, and he called the commission on investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection “nonsense.” He also has called Chicago a “dysfunctional hellhole.” Earlier this year he spoke at a rally organized by Awake IL, a far-right group that has called Pritzker a “groomer” (slang for sexual predator) for (gasp!) supporting sex education. Bailey founded Full Armor Christian Academy, which critics consider racist and homophobic. Most important for a community with so many people contributing to public pensions (police, firefighters, teachers, and University of Illinois employees), Bailey was the chief sponsor of legislation to overturn the constitutional protection for such pensions.
JB Pritzker has been perhaps the most successful governor since Gazette Chicago started publishing; Bailey would be a disaster, and Schluter is an unknown. Gazette Chicago strongly endorses the Pritzker-Stratton ticket.
Attorney General
Democratic incumbent Kwame Raoul is being challenged by Republican Thomas DeVore of Greeneville and Libertarian Bill Redpath.
DeVore was the attorney behind several high-profile legal challenges to State rules protecting the public from COVID, fighting mask requirements, teacher vaccination rules, and rules prohibiting students exposed to COVID from coming to school. Raoul has improved Illinois’s Crime Victims Compensation, increased collaboration between his office and law enforcement agencies, improved protection of children from predators, and fought gun proliferation.
Raoul has done a good job, DeVore is a Bailey extremist, and Redpath is a business and financial consultant with no government experience. Gazette Chicago strongly endorses Kwame Raoul.
Secretary of State
Democrat Alexi Giannoulias is running against Republican State Rep Dan Brady and trucking executive and Libertarian Jon Stewart for an open secretary of State seat.
Giannoulias is a former State treasurer and banker. He noted he would “protect voting rights, toughen ethics laws, enhance libraries and business services, crack down on scam artists, work to make roads safer, and protect the environment.”
Brady is deputy Republican leader in the Illinois General Assembly and the Republican caucus’s spokesperson on higher education and insurance. He would increase organ and tissue donor registration, streamline Secretary of State services, enhance services for seniors, improve driver education, and promote local libraries.
Brady is a good public servant whom we endorsed in the Republican primary. In an earlier era we might have endorsed him in the general election. But with Republicans working across the country to undermine voting rights, we cannot stomach the thought of Republicans taking charge of voting across Illinois through the secretary of State’s office, which has jurisdiction over elections. Brady might be good, but the Republican party operatives he would install would follow the GOP voter suppression playbook.
Giannoulias did a good job as State treasurer, and his projected policies for the secretary of State’s office are sound. Gazette Chicago strongly endorses Alexi Giannoulias.
Comptroller
Incumbent and Democrat Comptroller Susana Mendoza is being challenged by Republican Shannon Teresi, a certified fraud examiner, and Libertarian Deirdre McCloskey, a University of Illinois Chicago economics professor.
Under Mendoza, the State actually is paying its bills and eliminating its backlog of unpaid invoices. After former Governor Bruce Rauner almost bankrupted the State, Mendoza renegotiated its debt to pay lower interest rates, resulting in the State’s first credit upgrade in almost 20 years.
Susana Mendoza literally saved the State from bankruptcy, and she deserves another term as comptroller.
Treasurer
Incumbent and Democrat Treasurer Michael Frerichs is being challenged by Republican Tom Demmer and Libertarian Preston Nelson.
Now in his second term, Frerichs has improved the State’s Unclaimed Property Program, providing $239 million in forgotten funds to their owners; lowered fees for the Bright Start and Bright Directions college savings programs; and launched savings and investment programs for people with disabilities.
Michael Frerichs is doing a great job for individuals instead of focusing the office on handouts to corporations, and he should be retained as treasurer.
State Supreme Court
Cook County residents vote in District 1 for the Illinois Supreme Court, and in this district the respected Democratic Judge Mary Jane Theis is up for retention. She has been rated highly by local bar associations throughout her career, as she is considered to be a judge who knows civil and criminal law in great depth, asks thoughtful questions, writes excellent opinions, and is committed to ethics and diversity. Vote yes to retain Theis, who is chief justice of the court.
Cook County Board President
Incumbent and Democrat Toni Preckwinkle is being challenged by a former local alderman, Democrat-turned-Republican Robert Fioretti, and Libertarian Thea Tsatsos, a clinical laboratory scientist.
Fioretti was a good alderman—progressive, responsive, and accessible. Although many in other parts of Chicago complained that they never saw their elected officials, Fioretti often was in the community listening to constituents. We had high hopes for him in this race, and are disappointed that this new Republican is offering nothing but old Republican slogans, such as complaining about spending, taxes, and immigrants.
Gazette Chicago has not always agreed with Preckwinkle. We did not endorse her in the June primary, and we did not support her in her bid for mayor of Chicago. We think she could put more of a focus on dealing with crime. But in her 12 years as County Board president she has reduced Cook County’s budget deficit; improved public health, particularly during the challenge posed by COVID; and created an economic development arm of the County government that disbursed COVID money to businesses and residents more fairly than in other locales.
We would love to see Fioretti return to his progressive roots, but he certainly is not doing so in this campaign. Toni Preckwinkle should be returned to the County Board presidency, and we hope she puts an increased effort into fighting crime in her next term.
Cook County Clerk
Democratic incumbent Karen A. Yarbrough is running against Republican Tony Peraica and Libertarian Joseph Schreiner.
Yarbrough successfully oversaw consolidating the former recorder of deeds and now Cook County clerk’s office. She created written job descriptions and a policy manual for employees and successfully implemented new election equipment. Peraica is a former Cook County commissioner who has become a perennial candidate, having lost races for Cook County Board president, state’s attorney, and commissioner in recent years. Schreiner is a patent agent and translator.
No need for a change here. Gazette Chicago endorses Karen A. Yarbrough for Cook County clerk.
Cook County Sheriff
Democratic incumbent Thomas J. Dart is running against Republican Lupe Aguirre, who has worked as a Chicago Police officer and attorney, and Libertarian Brad Sandefur, who also has worked as a police and corrections officer.
Dart in the past made national news when he suspended foreclosure evictions to keep tenants, who had nothing to do with the foreclosures, in their homes. When his office does evict people, Dart initiated involvement of a social worker to connect families with services. He noted that he follows a “humane, compassionate, and intelligent” approach to law enforcement and supports unions and workers’ rights while being tough on crime.
Cook County’s crime problem is not the fault of Dart or his officers. Dart has been outspoken in his criticism of other officials such as State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, particularly her laxity in dealing with criminals with ankle monitors who commit more crimes. Tom Dart has run an efficient sheriff’s office and deserves another term.
Cook County Treasurer
Democratic incumbent Maria Pappas is running against Barrington, IL, Republican official Peter Kopsaftis and Libertarian Michael Murphy.
In 24 years in office, Pappas has reduced her office staff by 77% and submitted 21 consecutive budgets in which her office has never overspent the bottom line figure. She vastly increased the amount of interest County money earns, and she established a data-transparent website.
Maria Pappas has a strong record of achievements, and she deserves another term as treasurer.
Cook County Assessor
Four years ago, Democrat Fritz Kaegi took over a Cook County’s assessor’s office known for clout and corruption. He has banned gifts and using office resources for personal gain, put assessment data online, and lowered tax bills for many homeowners while increasing them for corporations.
Seeking to oust him is Libertarian Nico Tsatsoulis, who has worked in finance, retail and wholesale, and real estate.
Fritz Kaegi is the first assessor in decades committed to fairness and progress, and he should be retained.
Editor’s note: For more information on the following candidates, see coverage elsewhere in this issue.
Congress, 1st District
Democrat Jonathan Jackson offers good positions on education, healthcare, and crime. He also offers plans for increasing diversity in digital asset markets, assuring equal pay between men and women, pandemic preparedness, and a Green New Deal. We are concerned about Republican Eric Carlson’s plans to have Federal investigations of local prosecutors (for what? To intimidate them?) and his lack of interest in stopping voter suppression. Gazette Chicago endorses Jonathan Jackson for Congress in the 1st District.
Congress, 4th District
The 4th Congressional District offers a rare race with three good candidates. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and Working Families Party candidate Ed Hershey offer good progressive positions, and James Falakos is the rare Republican with thoughtful, moderate positions. We endorse Jesus “Chuy” Garcia because of his experience, but we hope Hershey and Falakos stay active in politics in this area, which could use more caring individuals in public service.
State Rep, 6th District
Incumbent and Democrat Sonya Harper is strong on women’s healthcare, economic development, environmental justice, and rehabilitation of offenders. Republican Leonard Griffin has generally good positions, but is inexperienced. Gazette Chicago endorses Sonya Harper.
County Commissioner, 1st District
Democratic incumbent Brandon Johnson and Libertarian challenger James M. Humay offer cogent analyses and solutions to area problems, particularly on crime and affordable housing. We like both candidates but suggest sticking with Brandon Johnson because of his experience.
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County Commissioner, 2nd District
Incumbent Dennis Deer, Democrat, shows a great understanding of the mental health root causes of crime, and is a proponent of the police. Republican Evan Kasal also offers good positions on community policing and is pro-choice—unusual for a Republican in 2022—and we like that he supports retaining business in the area. We endorse Dennis Deer but hope Kasal will stay active in politics, as the country could use more responsible, moderate Republicans.
County Commissioner, 11th District
Democratic incumbent John P. Daley understands the need for the County to support law enforcement and other programs adequately. Republican Declan Smith offers standard Republican talking points. Libertarian Brandon Sizelove offers more intelligent alternatives, such as approaching crime like society did with COVID and reforming the red-light camera program.
The years of service provided by John P. Daley give him an understanding of County problems and the resources to solve them, and he deserves another term.
Water Reclamation District Commissioners
Voters choose three candidates in this race. Democrats are incumbent Mariyana Spyropoulos and newcomers Yumeka Brown and Patricia Flynn. Only one Republican, Cary Capparelli, and one Green Party member, Mark E. Buettner, qualified for the ballot.
Spryopoulos has served with distinction on the board since 2010. Brown gained her environmental expertise working for the Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources of the American Bar Association. Flynn, as a Crestwood, IL, trustee, helped clean up the town’s water supply. Capparelli is a journalist. Buettner is a former wastewater treatment operator.
Gazette Chicago endorses Yumeka Brown, Patricia Flynn, and Mariyana Spryopoulos.
Workers’ Rights Amendment
The Workers’ Rights Amendment will affirm that Illinoisans have a fundamental right to unionize and will eliminate the possibility that current or future politicians can limit workers’ voices on the job, weaken unions, or take away collective bargaining rights. With the Workers’ Rights Amendment in place, politicians could not change laws to take away wages, benefits, workplace safety protections, or other provisions of union contracts, as the State Constitution would block them from doing so. Vote yes.