August 26, 2009
"MONEYBAGS" BERRIOS IS CINCH FOR ASSESSOR, BUT NIGHTMARE BEGINS
The 2010 Cook County Assessor's race is over. Board of Review Commissioner Joe Berrios, known fondly as "King Joe" and "Mr. Moneybags," will be the next occupant of that powerful office. But Berrios faces a serious conundrum: Property values are declining, but property taxes aren't. That's because spending by every governmental entity is increasing. And since the assessor sets the assessed valuation of the county's 1.6 million parcels, angry property owners will focus their ire on the assessor. That's why incumbent Jim Houlihan is retiring. And that's why Berrios may be a one-termer. The county Democratic chairman and 31st Ward Democratic committeeman, Berrios is the county's pre-eminent "pay-to-play" politician. Since 1/1/07, he's raised a staggering $3,282,859. Donors give him money because they get tax breaks at the BOR. He will do likewise as assessor. Berrios seeks "reforms" as assessor. My advice: Shut up. Lay low. Make no waves. And blame everybody else for tax hikes. An invisible assessor is a re-elected assessor. Full Article...
August 19, 2009
REPUBLICANS SCENT GAINS IN 2010 STATE HOUSE RACES
Throughout Illinois' history, the state has suffered the indignity of fools, frauds, knaves and felons as governor. But it's never had a eunuch. That may change in 2010. If Democrats gain additional Illinois House seats, giving them a 71-47 majority or better, and if Democrats retain their 37-22 Illinois Senate majority, they would have the 3/5ths edge needed to override a gubernatorial veto, and pass bills in overtime. That would render the next governor, be he Democratic or Republican, totally impotent. According to Springfield sources, 10 Republican and 9 Democratic House seats are in play in 2010. Republicans had a 65-53 majority in 1995, and have frittered away 17 seats. But Republicans scent 2010 gains. The Obama-fueled 2008 turnout will dissipate in 2010. Republican voters will be energized. GOP incumbents Coulson (R-17), of Glenview, and Winters (R-68), of suburban Rockford, are giving up seats that could be won by Democrats; GOP incumbents Senger, Mathias, Coladipietro, Reboletti, Mulligan and Osmond are at some risk. But Democrats will have open seats due to the actual or possible retirements of incumbents Froehlich, Hannig, Franks and Boland -- the latter two running statewide; and incumbents Farnham, Hoffman, Walker, McAsey and J. Gordon are at risk. An early prediction: Republicans will gain 4 seats. Full Article...
August 12, 2009
ILLINOIS SENATE REPUBLICANS SEEK "RESPECT" IN 2010
Republicans in the Illinois Senate get no respect. With the Democrats holding a 37-22 super-majority, the Republicans are irrelevant. Democrats can override a governor veto, and pass bills in overtime. In the last four elections (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008), the blundering Republicans have lost 11 senate seats, while gaining one. The Cook County suburbs, as well as Lake and Will counties -- once bedrock Republican country -- are now a wasteland, with Democrats holding most IL senate seats. In 2010, of 59 senators, 21 are up for election. One Republican, appointed Kyle McCarter, is vulnerable in his East St. Louis suburban seat. But five Democrats are on the Republican hit list: The "Three Mikes" -- Bond, Frerich and Noland, appointed Toi Hutchinson, and Deanna Demuzio. Frerich and Demuzio are Downstaters. Republicans need to gain at least two seats to restore their relevancy, and obliterate the Democrats' supermajority. The outlook: Getting brighter for the Republicans. Full Article...
August 5, 2009
"JULIE JUGGERNAUT" FACES "DAMAGED GOODS" SEALS
The "Julie Juggernaut," composed largely of liberal Jewish females, is rapidly tearing a swath across the North Shore 10th congressional district, and has already steamrollered state Sen. Mike Bond, of Grayslake, who abruptly quit the race. State Rep. Julie Hamos, of Evanston, is the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. The next victim may be Dan Seals, who is combating aspersions that he is "damaged goods." Seals lost to Republican incimbent Mark Kirk by 13,651 votes in 2006 and by 14,906 votes in 2008. Now that Kirk is running for US Senator, Seals wants a third crack at the open seat. But Evanston wants a second congresswoman. Gender, ideology, Obama and geography are the subtexts of the Feb. 2 Democratic primary. The key is Lake County, where roughly 40% of the vote is cast; both Hamos and Seals are from Cook County. Obama said, in 2008, that there is "nobody better suited to be in Congress" than Seals. Turnout in 2010 will be around 34,000, so motivation and organization are paramount. Hamos has already lined up impressive endorsements from Lake County. With Kirk moving on, a bunch of Republicans are eagerly eyeing the seat. But can a rich white guy win in a Democratic-trending district? Full Article...
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