Mike Bost Nabs Jim Edgar Endorsement In His Congressional Campaign

Former Governor Jim Edgar has come out - in the final weekend - and endorsed Mike Bost in his bid to unseat Bill Enyart for the 12th Illinois Congressional District.

“It is truly an honor to have the endorsement of Governor Jim Edgar, one of Illinois’s most honest and dedicated public servants,” said Mike Bost. “Having served with him in Springfield, I saw Governor Edgar set an example for integrity and leadership that we all aspired to match, and that has remained an inspiration to me throughout my time representing the people of Southern Illinois. With his leadership, we were able to work across the aisle to achieve great things for Illinois.”

“Mike Bost exemplifies the best of Southern Illinois, and he will be an outstanding member of Congress,” said Governor Jim Edgar. “Mike’s track record is proven. He puts the interests of his constituents first and works hard to deliver for them. As Governor, Mike worked with me to help tackle the tough issues ― balancing the state budget and creating a good climate for jobs. With his integrity and work ethic, Mike will be an effective leader in Washington and he will work to promote policies that will bring more jobs to Southern Illinois. That’s why I am endorsing him today.”

Rep. Ron Sandack Endorsed By Illinois Observer, Touts His Bright Future

The Illinois Observer has endorsed State Representative Ron Sandack in his re-election bid pointing out his leadership and how's he's 'mastered the art of compromise'.  Also...they hint that if things go right for Sandack he might end up running for Illinois Governor one day...

State Rep. Ron Sandack of Downers Grove represents the future of the Republican Party in Illinois – if the GOP is desires a future in this Democratic state. A former mayor of Downers Grove and an attorney, Sandack has mastered the art of compromise in the legislature and has moored his ideology in competent conservatism. He has repeatedly backed and robustly defended painful pension changes even amid harsh opposition. 

...He has the leadership qualities that could land him in Governor’s Mansion one day. Sandack is enthusiastically endorsed.

Go read the whole thing at the Illinois Observer.

Congressman Peter Roskam "Sweeps Endorsements"

He has an opponent?!?

From Roskam's site:

Thrilled to see our pro-growth agenda to jumpstart the economy getting a clean sweep of local newspaper endorsements. Click here to read more from theChicago Tribune, Daily Herald, Kane County Chronicle, and Northwest Herald.

Kendall County Record Endorses Tom Cross For Treasurer

Tom Cross' campaign for Illinois State Treasurer continues to power on with his latest newspaper endorsement:  The Kendall County Record.

From the Record:

"We endorse Cross in this election based on his impressive record over the past 20 years as a state representative serving northeastern Kendall County. A Yorkville High School graduate and Oswego resident who went on to become the Republican House Minority Leader, Cross helped secure millions of dollars in state funding for a myriad of local public works projects over the past two decades. Those funds helped local school districts pay for new schools, for widened highways... Cross has also been responsive to the concerns of his constituents."

SJ-R Endorses Congressman Rodney Davis For Re-Election

The Springfield State Journal-Register comes out swinging with a *very* strong endorsement of Congressman Rodney Davis this morning.  They say that Davis is knowledgeable and deserves another term and that he's far-and-away a better candidate that his challenger Ann Callis.

When Republican U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis starts talking about issues affecting the United States or Illinois' 13th Congressional District, it's hard not to stop and listen to what he has to say. 

That's because the first-term Congressman from Taylorville knows his stuff. 

He can explain complicated issues, he understands the needs of the 14 counties that make up the 13th, he works hard at the role he was elected to in 2012, and he's happy to stop and visit with anyone about what's happening in Congress — and not just during campaign season. 

...But he has shown a desire to set aside partisanship and instead work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to get things done. He points to his work on the controversial Farm Bill last year as an example, saying he was criticized by the right for his vote. 

“I believe no bill is perfect and there are times when you have to sit around a table and work toward a common sense solution,” he told The State Journal-Register editorial board last week. 

He noted that the 13th is split among Democrats and Republicans, something that is reflected in his voting record. Indeed, based on his votes, Ballotpedia identifies him as a moderate, right-of-center Republican. 

Davis also exhibited thoughtfulness and growth as a public servant when he admitted he learned a lot from last year's frustrating 16-day government shutdown. 

“I think many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle learned a lot, too, and it's something I never want to see again. Don't get me wrong, it took both parties to cause the government to shut down, but it took both parties to end it,” he said. 

“I'm also proud that we avoided even the discussion of another shutdown, because it wasn't helpful and all it did was solidify for the American people that Washington is too polarized.” 

Much of Davis' confidence and knowledge of national and local issues comes from the 16 years he worked as an aide to U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville.

 #Guardiansofthe13th FTW!

Tom Cross Endorsed By Kane County Chronicle In Treasurer's Race

Six newspapers have endorsed in the Illinois Treasurer's race.  And all six of them have NOW endorsed Tom Cross for Treasurer over Mike Frerichs.

The latest in the Kane County Chronicle who backs Cross and his call for a balanced budget.  They also point out - rightfully - that Mike Frerichs voted for the massive Pat Quinn income tax hike and wants to bring new taxes to Illinois residents.

From the Endorsement:

Cross, the former House Republican leader, is a fiscal conservative who voted against Gov. Pat Quinn’s 67 percent income tax increase in 2011. 

Cross said he will use the office to force the General Assembly to follow its constitutional requirement to pass a balanced budget each year, even if it means filing a lawsuit. 

Frerichs, the former Champaign County auditor, voted for the income tax increase and has supported plans to institute a graduated income tax. 

We endorse Cross.

Check out the Chicago Tribune's endorsement of Tom Cross here.
Check out the Peoria Journal Star's endorsement of Tom Cross here.
Check out the Northwest Herald's endorsement of Tom Cross here.

Judy Baar Topinka Endorsed By Chicago Tribune

Judy Baar Topinka joins Tom Cross in picking up the endorsement from the Chicago Tribune.  In her race for Comptroller against Sheila Simon here in Illinois, the Tribune commends her work and says she deserves four more years:

Republican Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka has served in the legislature and as state treasurer. She ran for governor in 2006 when Illinois, regrettably, re-elected Rod Blagojevich. She has served as a healthy check on Democrats' broad control of government. 

As comptroller, she has the duty of managing the checkbook of a state that is perpetually behind in paying its bills. People who provide services to the state tell us Topinka has done a good job assisting social service and health care providers that don't have deep pockets. They move to the front of the line for payments so deadbeat Illinois doesn't sink them. 

Topinka also deserves praise for transparency. She has instituted an online ledger of state finances that includes everything from employee salaries to state contracts.
...Simon presents some solid ideas on streamlining the comptroller's office. But then, Topinka makes a compelling case that she has streamlined. Theory, meet practice. Topinka is endorsed.

Daily Herald Endorses Ron Sandack For State Representative

The Daily Herald comes out this morning endorsing Ron Sandack for re-election as State Representative and points out that he's a rising star within his party.

Sandack, who fought off a unfortunate primary battle with Keith Matune, has come out the other end stronger - both in his district AND in the caucus - is poised for even bigger things in the future.

In his first term in the Illinois House, Rep. Ron Sandack has risen quickly within the Republican House leadership. A big presence on social media, Sandack, a resident of Downers Grove, can come on strong at times. 

But you can't argue with his contention that he has "zealously" represented the 81st District -- from his opposition to a proposed school funding shift that would hurt the suburbs to his stand against making permanent what was sold to Illinois residents as a temporary income tax increase. He has turned down the pension for state legislators and put forth a bill that would eliminate pensions for future lawmakers. 

Sandack has also shown a willingness to break from his party. He was one of the first Republicans to support gay marriage -- a risky but admirable change of heart that nearly cost him the primary.

His opponent in the House District 81 race, Democrat Elizabeth Chaplin, describes herself as a "person of conviction," a committed advocate for causes she embraces. We believe that, but we are concerned about her support for extending the income tax increase. And, ultimately, we believe Sandack is better equipped to handle the state's serious fiscal challenges. He gets our endorsement.

Tom Cross Endorsed By Chicago Tribune For Treasurer

Tom Cross - candidate for Illinois Treasurer - continues his string of endorsements from newspapers today with his fifth-straight endorsement:  The Chicago Tribune.

The Tribune picks Cross over Mike Frerichs and says that his record and experience are important assets he'll bring to the office of the Treasurer:

From the Tribune:

Treasurer Dan Rutherford ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for governor. Democratic state Sen. Mike Frerichs and Republican state Rep. Tom Cross want to succeed Rutherford as treasurer. The Tribune today endorses Cross.

Cross is a collaborative leader who has promoted more efficient government and a lower burden on taxpayers. He would bring that perspective to the treasurer's office.

... But he, more than Frerichs, could be counted on to use the office to keep the pressure on reducing state government costs.

Over the course of his career he has been a consistent fiscal conservative and he has worked in bipartisan fashion. His overall record as House minority leader was admirable. We're confident he would protect taxpayers' investments and continue to push for lean, effective government.

Another Democrat - Will County State's Attorney Jim Glasgow - Endorses Republican Tom Cross For Treasurer

The Illinois Treasurer's race has seen a pretty visible momentum swing towards Tom Cross and his campaign to bring integrity and balanced budgets to the office of State Treasurer this week.

First it was four newspapers endorsing him over Mike Frerichs.  (Daily Herald, Quincy Herald-Whig, Northwest Herald, and today the Peoria Journal Star)   Those are the only four papers who have endorsed candidates in the race thus far, and Cross has secured the trust of the editorial boards at every paper so far.

But, just this morning on WJOL in Joliet, (as you can see above via Tweet from @WJOL) Tom Cross made a joint appearance with Will County State's Attorney Jim Glasgow where Glasgow endorsed Cross' campaign.

It is interesting not just because Glasgow is a very popular public official in Will County who does a good job as prosecutor (can you say Drew Peterson?!?) , but also because he is a Democrat.

That makes three public officials - who are Democrats - to jump in with Tom Cross:  Former Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner, and now Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow.

The Democrat party is abandoning Mike Frerichs and standing with Tom Cross who has worked to build bridges across parties and will work for all of Illinois as Treasurer.

DuPage County Board Financial Expert Paul Fichtner Endorsed By Daily Herald

The Daily Herald endorsed incumbent DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin and commended him and the county 'a model of government efficiency'.  That credit goes to Cronin, but also to the staff and members of the DuPage County Board. 

Representing District #1 is incumbent Paul Fichtner.  And the Daily Herald endorses him in the race this week as they call him the pre-eminent DuPage County financial expert:

The race in District 1 pits incumbent Republican Paul Fichtner of Elmhurst, who works in the financial industry, against feisty Democratic challenger Rolly Waller, an entrepreneur from Bensenville. 

Fichtner has served as finance committee chairman on a board that has not raised property taxes in roughly a half-dozen years. No one on the board has a better grasp of the county's finances and Fichtner is not afraid to address issues facing his district and the county. His financial acumen and steady approach wins him our endorsement in the district that covers all or parts of Addison, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Elmhurst, Glendale Heights, Itasca, Lombard, Roselle, Villa Park and Wood Dale.

Kurt Kojzarek Endorsed By Daily Herald For Kane County Board

The Daily Herald is endorsing candidates on the Kane County Board this week and one of the endorsements stands out:  that of District 19 Board Member Kurk Kojzarek.  Kurt has been working hard for close to a decade to make a difference in his community and has had an impact on the Kane County Board.  

It also doesn't hurt that his opponent appears to be Mr. Snuffleupagus...

The Kane County Board District 19 race is a rematch from two years ago between Republican incumbent Kurt Kojzarek and Democrat Hidayat Khan, who is even more absent from the race than he was two years ago when he also shunned all the Daily Herald's attempts to question him on the issues. It seems a stretch to think he would be answerable to residents if elected to office. Kojzarek has proved to be a calming, moderate voice on the board the last two years. He says the board is moving in a positive direction and functioning better. He believes in being fiscally conservative and responsive to his constituents. He is heartily endorsed.

You can get involved with Kurt's campaign by visiting his site here.  

Tom Cross Endorsed By Peoria Journal Star For Treasurer

The fourth newspaper in Illinois has endorsed a candidate for Illinois State Treasurer and for the fourth time, that newspaper has endorsed Tom Cross over Mike Frerichs.

A pattern is starting to develop as each endorsement pushes Tom Cross closer to victory in November.  The latest editorial board to select Tom Cross is the Peoria Journal Star and they cite Tom's ideas, experience and...frankly...how ill-prepared Mike Frerichs really is for the office:

Cross says he’d take a much more “broad-based approach” to the state’s investment options than Frerichs, who has indicated that he would favor in-state firms but divest from those “that move jobs overseas, out of Illinois.” Like Caterpillar? Frerichs says that’s not what he’s talking about. Cross says “I’m pro-Illinois, but that’s a naive approach,” with which we’d largely agree, as maximizing investment returns, for taxpayers’ sake, with reasonable risk ought to be the priority. Frerichs also has criticized the state’s “overseas” investments, when in fact it has only one — Israeli bonds — to which he now says he has no objection. 

Both candidates say they favor combining the treasurer and comptroller offices, though Frerichs has previously hedged on that score. From this perspective, there should be no hesitation about that. Finally, Frerichs touts his status as a “certified government finance officer,” though as Champaign County auditor a decade ago he backed an early retirement initiative that ended up backfiring, not producing the promised savings for taxpayers but costing them — to the tune of $2 million-plus in extra unfunded liability, which forced the county to borrow the difference. Cross has been hammering him on that, and it does give us pause.

Dan Cronin Endorsed By Daily Herald For DuPage Chairman Re-Election

The Daily Herald makes it's endorsement of Dan Cronin as the DuPage County Chairman pretty plain:  Cronin has done a good job and he deserves to keep going:

DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin is seeking his second term to oversee the second-largest county in the state. He is being challenged by Bob Peickert, head of the DuPage Democratic Party, Peickert comes to the race well-versed on the issues and sincere, but frankly, this is an easy call: Cronin has been an outstanding chairman, a strong leader who, as he puts it, "must be a leader with a vision and the ability to carry forth that vision." Most prominently, Cronin has led the charge, including getting the General Assembly to approve enabling legislation that has paved the way for reducing the amazing number of individual government units in the state. (Illinois easily leads the nation in this dubious distinction). He also has applied that principle to looking at county agencies, and after transferring duties and eliminating repetitive services, has resulted in improved efficiencies. Cronin pushed for ethics reform to apply stricter standards not just for the county but to 24 other county-appointed agencies. He's been front and center in the county's model efforts to fight the growing heroin problem. In short, DuPage County is a model of government efficiency; Cronin deserves a fair share of the credit.

Bob Dold Rolls Out Senator Mark Kirk Endorsement "As A Great Team"

There may be no more powerful voice to voters in the 10th Congressional District here in Illinois than from our US Senator Mark Kirk.  After all, the voters in the 10th voted repeatedly to send him back to Congress to represent their interests.

That's why, it is so important to the Bob Dold for Congress campaign for Senator Kirk to come out so strongly not just *for* Dold, but importantly, *against* incumbent Congressman Brad Schneider.

Saying "Dold is like me", Mark Kirk says that he and Dold "Make a Great Team".  Kirk also points out to voters that Schneider is "part of the problem in DC".

With the Kirk appearance and message, this spot will surely make voters all across the District pick up their eyes away from their phones and pay attention.

Tom Cross Claims 3rd Newspaper Endorsement In Treasurer's Race

Just yesterday, we covered how Tom Cross was endorsed by the Quincy Herald-Whig in his race over Mike Frerichs for Illinois State Treasurer.  That was the 2nd endorsement - with the first being the Daily Herald also picking Tom Cross in the race.

Today, Tom Cross picks up his third endorsement - this time from the Northwest Herald. They cite his vote against Pat Quinn's 67% income tax increase and his focus on a balanced budget.  The endorsement can be checked out on Tom Cross' campaign site here.

The Northwest Herald also cites Mike Frerichs vote to raise your taxes and his plan to do even more damage through a graduated income tax:

With no incumbent on the Nov. 4 ballot, Republican state Rep. Tom Cross of Oswego, Democratic state Sen. Mike Frerichs of Champaign and Libertarian Matthew Skopek are vying to replace Rutherford. 

Cross, the former House Republican leader, is a fiscal conservative who voted against Gov. Pat Quinn’s 67 percent income tax increase in 2011. Cross said he will use the office to force the General Assembly to follow its constitutional requirement to pass a balanced budget each year, even if it means filing a lawsuit. 

Frerichs, the former Champaign County auditor, voted for the income tax increase and has supported plans to institute a graduated income tax. 

We endorse Cross.

Go get a yard sign from Tom Cross by visiting his action center here: http://www.jointomcross.com/yardsigns.

Judy Baar Topinka Secures Quincy Herald-Whig Endorsement In Comptroller's Race

Judy Baar Topinka's campaign for re-election received a boost this weekend from the Editorial Board of the Quincy Herald-Whig where they endorsed her campaign.  Calling her time in the Comptroller's office a 'success story', the Whig says Topinka deserves even more time to serve the voters of Illinois:

ILLINOIS COMPTROLLER Judy Baar Topinka has transformed her agency into one of the few success stories in state government, earning our endorsement for re-election as the state's chief fiscal officer. 

...Going forward, Topinka is seeking to configure more than 260 state computer systems used by the state so that communication and coordination between offices does not require data re-entry.

She has championed plans to combine the offices of comptroller and treasurer in a move that could save $12 million by eliminating duplication in those offices. The Illinois Legislature has not taken action on that proposal. 

Topinka has a long history as an effective officeholder. She served three terms as Illinois treasurer after spending four years in the Illinois Senate and 10 years in the Illinois House. 

During her time as treasurer, Topinka transformed the investment arm of the office toward greater speed in connecting with financial markets. She promoted the Bright Start program at a time when returns on the college education funding program were consistently good. 

...Topinka has a long record of achievement as a statewide elected official, and the office of comptroller is better for her time there. She has earned another four years.

Bob Dold Secures Endorsement From Daily Herald

In the big race up in the 10th Congressional District on the North Shore, this is a big endorsement for Bob Dold and his campaign against Congressman Brad Schneider.

The Daily Herald picks Dold and says he's a better fit for the independent 10th:

But the reality is this: When Dold held the office, he maintained the district's tradition of independent representation, with a voting record that was one of the most bipartisan in Congress. In the two years that Schneider has held office, he has not. His voting record is considerably more party line, as a comparative review of The Washington Post's Congress Votes Database indicates. 

And unlike Rep. Tammy Duckworth, also a first-term Democrat in a neighboring district, he has not sought to forge the across-the-aisle relationships that can make him truly effective, particularly given his party's minority status in the House. 

Voters have a difficult choice between two capable candidates, but only one of these two candidates carries on the dynamic independent tradition of Mark Kirk and John Porter. That candidate is former Rep. Bob Dold, and we give him our endorsement.

Tom Cross Picks Up 2nd Newspaper Endorsement In Treasurer's Race

Tom Cross' campaign for Illinois Treasurer continues to pick up momentum in the form on newspaper endorsements.  First it was the 2nd largest paper in the Chicagoland area - The Daily Herald - endorsing him over his opponent Mike Frerichs.

Now, it is the Quincy Herald-Whig stepping up and recommending Tom Cross.  And they go so far as to point out what a light-weight Mike Frerichs is in their remarks:

TWO ILLINOIS legislators and a third party candidate are vying for the office of state treasurer that will be vacated by incumbent Republican Dan Rutherford, who made an unsuccessful bid for governor. 

Former House Republican Leader Tom Cross and state Sen. Mike Frerichs have very different ideas about how to manage a constitutional office that primarily collects and invests state funds. Libertarian candidate Matthew Skopek has failed to mount any semblance of a campaign or make his plans known. 

Cross receives our endorsement, owing to his breadth of experience earned through more than two decades in the Illinois House and 10 years as minority leader, and his vision of how to add value to the treasurer's office for the citizens of Illinois. 

During a decade of Democrat control, Cross said he shared the frustration and embarrassment that many Illinoisans felt about the state's financial crisis, its backlog of unpaid bills and its worst-in-the-nation pension underfunding. 

...Frerichs has been a member of the state Senate for eight years and was previously the Champaign County auditor. He wants to conduct an audit of the treasurer's office and put an end to "cronyism and corruption" among those he supervises. 

While those may be worthy goals, audits of all state offices are conducted periodically, and as a constitutional officer, Frerichs or anyone else would have the power to safeguard against wrong-doing by those under his supervision. 

Cross is better suited to make the treasurer's office work for the people of Illinois. 

His long service as a counterweight to an overwhelming Democratic majority in the Legislature gives him the proper perspective on the importance of constitutional officers. His desire to see the state reform its finances is appropriate for the office of treasurer. 

Tom Cross is commended to voters for Illinois treasurer.

That's 2 for 2 in terms of newspaper endorsements for Tom Cross.  We're hoping his streak continues in the coming weeks.

Exclusive Footage Of Mike Frerichs After Losing Endorsement This Week

We were shared this footage from a voter who saw Illinois candidate for Treasurer Mike Frerichs out in Champaign after the news broke of his string of loses when it comes to endorsements in the race.