Illinois 2010 Elections: Will Mike Quigley Endorse Pat Quinn Today?

(Chicago, IL) — October 5, 2009. U.S. Representative Mike Quigley and Governor Pat Quinn will appear together at a press conference today in Chicago and a Quigley endorsement of Quinn is the likely subject.

Quigley was absent from a big group of progressive Democrats who endorsed Quinn on September 14.

Today could be the day.

Quinn’s opponent in the Illinois 2010 Democratic primary for governor, Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes endorsed State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) over Quigley in this year’s special congressional primary for Rahm Emanuel’s vacated House seat. Oops.

Payback. Betcha.

The press conference will be at the Hotel Alegro and begins at 10:00 a.m.

Feigenholtz May Seek Quigley’s County Board Seat, Source Says

(Chicago, IL) — If Cook County Board President Todd Stroger is breathing a sigh of relief that his chief nemesis on the County Board–Illinois 5th C.D. Democratic primary victor Mike Quigley–is about to exit his position–he may not have time to exhale.

Quigley’s defeated rival in the race–State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz–has expressed interest in the soon-to-be-vacant County Board seat and preliminary discussions are underway, a highly placed source says.

In the Capital Fax Blog yesterday, Rich Miller claimed, the County Board will select Quigley’s replacement. However, Josh Kalven of Progress Illinois, says the Democratic committeemen will make the choice.

If the initial talks gain traction, Feigenholtz’s legions of fans may revolt and lobby her against the move. As Chair of the House Human Services Appropriations Committee, Feigenholtz has assumed the role of health care lioness over the years, protecting her health care cubs–HIV/AIDS drug programs, mental health care services, medical information for adult adoptees, mammogram services, foster children, etc–from budget cutting onslaughts or worse–indifference.

Undoubtedly, the County hospital would profit from Feigenholtz’s health care zeal and expertise, and the Board would welcome her peculiar brand of cheeseball charm collegiality. Good for Cook County, bad for Illinois.

Too many depend on Feigenholtz in Springfield. She’s needed there. Your Two Cent Less, for one, hopes that Flip stays put.

Correction: Only 190 Overseas Chicago Votes Cast in Illinois 5th Race

(Chicago, IL) — Chicago Board of Elections Chairman Langdon Neal noted earlier today in a WLS-TV interview that more than 4,000 overseas voters from Chicago have cast ballots in the Illinois 5th C.D. special election.

Neal misspoke.

The number is: 190.

That correction comes from Rich Miller at Capitol Fax who spoke to City officials. Thank you, Mr. Miller.

Candidates  John Fritchey, Sara Feigenholtz, Mike Quigley, Patrick O’Connor, Tom Geoghegan, and Charles Wheelen can stop having heart attacks.

Who Placed Feigenholtz Yard Sign in Rahm Emanuel’s Yard?

(Chicago, IL) — How did a lawn sign plumping for State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz’s Illinois 5th C.D. special election campaign end up in White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel’s front yard?

Illinois politicos have been buzzing for a few days on this question.

Emanuel’s spokesperson Sarah Feinberg responded: “Rahm continues to remain neutral in the race,” was Feinberg’s reply late this afternoon.

A highly-place source says the sign was planted at the behest of: Amy Rule–Emanuel’s wife.

There ya go.

Daley’s Candidate in the Illinois 5th C.D. Special Election: Feigenholtz?

(Chicago, IL) – Is State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz Mayor Richard Daley’s favored candidate in the Illinois 5th C.D. special election on Tuesday?

Is Daley trying to nudge Feigenholtz over the finish line by giving a last minute shove to ostensible Feigenholtz rival 40th Ward Alderman Patrick O’Connor, Daley’s un-official City Council floor leader?

Mayor Richard Daley

Rich Miller reported on Friday in his Capitol Fax newsletter that the Mayor is making his move to boost O’Connor’s campaign.

“Word is that a political organization strongly affiliated with Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley is sending troops in to help Ald. Pat O’Connor’s 5th Congressional District race.  That move will likely damage Rep. John Fritchey’s campaign because Fritchey is relying on “regular” ward organizations for a big chunk of his support,” Miller wrote.

A Daley push for his long-time ally would no hold realistic expectation that O’Connor could actually win. Without the early hoped-for and overt Daley endorsement, O’Connor has run a virtual ghost campaign. As of Friday, O’Connor had raised only $102,000. And he has mustered only a single, meek cable ad in the TV air war.

In fact, Chicago political analyst Russ Stewart last week predicted that Fritchey would swamp O’Connor and win the race on the back of the Democratic Ward chiefs.

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz

But Stewart’s prediction gave Fritchey a wafer cookie-thin-and-brittle edge. He allocated 10,250 votes to Fritchey, 9,000 to Feigenholtz, 8,000 to Mike Quigley, 3,100 to O’Connor, and 4,650 to the other nine Democratic contenders.

In theory, mayoral forces would need to flip only 1,251 votes from Fritchey to O’Connor based on Stewarts’s numbers. The votes would need to come from seven key Fritchey wards and O’Connor-friendly territory—several of those committeemen had originally pledged to back O’Connor.

Do you think Mayor Daley’s troops could find 1,250 plus votes in 275 precincts if they pushed and asked pretty please?

In addition, any mayoral effort to heave O’Connor forward will also undermine the other top candidate in the race—Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley.

According to a poll conducted by Quigley early in January revealed that the top candidates stacked up this way: Quigley 19%, Feigenholtz 11%, and Fritchey 8%. However, when O’Connor was included Quigley’s lead shrunk by four points over Feigenholtz to 14% – 10%, And O’Connor edged Fritchey 8% to 7%.

Any O’Connor surge helps Feigenholtz.

But why would Feigenholtz have the Mayor’s favor? Because the other seem to have his disfavor.

Well, during a candidates forum in February all candidates came out against the Mayor’s planned privatization scheme of Midway Airport, but Fritchey was the only one that actually spoke up clearly against the plan. That pluck earned him Daley’s special brand of ire,

And Quigley? The mention of Quigley’s name causes the Mayor sputter all sorts of unpleasantness, according to numerous sources. Quigley has persistently criticized the Mayor’s policy on Chicago’s tax increment financing (TIF) districts, criticism that tap dances on the last mayoral nerve.

Feigenholtz, it seems, has managed to keep her head down.

Forecast in Illinois Fifth C.D. Special Election: Update

(Chicago, IL) — The forecast in the Illinois 5th C.D. special election has turned colder.

According to ABC-7 TV weather forecast, it looks good, but chillier for 48-hour GOTV programs and for election day, Tuesday, March 3rd:

Monday: High of 25, Low of 13. Mostly sunny.
Tuesday: High of 35, Low of 23. Partly cloudy.

Monday’s forecast is 10 degrees colder and Tuesday’s 7 degrees cooler than what was forecast on February 25. Precinct workers will need their long undies.

Good Chicago weather tends to encourage good turnout, and good turnout tends to diminish the edge of Chicago Democratic Ward organizations’ GOTV operations and their candidates.

In this race, good weather helps Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley and State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz and works against State Rep. John Fritchey and Ald. Patrick O’Connor.

Of course, voters must know an election is occurring. The near invisibility of this race in the mainstream media benefits Fritchey and O’Connor.

Quigley Head and Shoulders Above Blagojevich

(Chicago, IL) — Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley likes to prattle on sanctimoniously regarding his political independence and distance from political games.

And he particularly likes to cast aspersions on those he has deemed to have been sullied by their political associations.

In the Illinois 5th C.D. special election, Quigley has repeatedly banged on his tiny, tinny political drum regarding State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz’s politcal donations to former Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Quigley campaign manager Tom Bowen was recently quoted as saying, “… Sara Feigenholtz might want explain her own cynical record of ‘Springfield politics as usual’ …”

Bowen’s remark would lead one to believe Quigley has never lowered himself to “Springfield politics as usual” – but, oh, you would be wrong, brother.

Rich Miller, of Capital Fax Blog fame, noted recently, “Quigley allowed Blagojevich to use him as a pawn during the budget stalemate when he accepted Blagojevich’s invite to speak to a private leaders meeting on the TIF (tax increment financing) issue.”

But Reader cartoonist Keith Mitchell captured Quigey’s ability to remain head and shoulders above “Springfield politics as usual”. Don’t ya, think?

Unlike His Predecessor, Fritchey is the Real Deal on Reform

(Chicago, IL) — A Chicago Tribune profile published today on State Rep. John Fritchey, a candidate in the Illinois 5th CD special election, seemed to bend-over backwards to question Fritchey’s reform credentials

State Rep. John Fritchey

in the state legislature.

Tribune reporter Dan Mihalopoulos focused on Fritchey’s predecessor in the General Assembly–Rod Blagojevich–and Fritchey’s backing by and family ties to Chicago Democratic ward organizations.

The article appeared to aim to discredit Fritchey’s reformer claims by allusions to Blagojevich and other political ties.

Rod Blagojevich was a phony reformer. John Fritchey is the real deal.

Fritchey was one of the first state lawmakers to openly take on Blagojevich. He tried at every turn to check the former Governor’s multiple abuses, and finally succeeded with new, anti-pay-to-play legislation, which proved to be Blagojevich’s undoing.

Tribune readers would have benefited more from an examination of Fritchey’s widely acknowledged reform record that helped bring down a corrupt governor than allusions to the contrary.

Forecast in Illinois Fifth C.D. Special Election

(Chicago, IL) — The forecast in the Illinois 5th C.D. special election is–sunny and mild.

According to ABC-7 TV weather forecast, it looks good for 48-hour GOTV programs and for election day, Tuesday, March 3rd:

Monday: High of 35, Low of 24. Mostly sunny.
Tuesday: High of 42, Low of 28. Mostly sunny.

Good Chicago weather tends to encourage good turnout, and good turnout tends to diminish the edge of Chicago Democratic Ward organizations’ GOTV operations and their candidates.

In this race, good weather helps Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley and State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz and works against State Rep. John Fritchey and Ald. Patrick O’Connor.

Of course, voters must know an election is occurring. The near invisibility of this race in the mainstream media benefits Fritchey and O’Connor.

Do Fritchey Allies Need to Go Negative in Birthday Party Invitation?

(Chicago, IL) – From the Department of  Crying Out Loud, do allies of State Rep. John Fritchey in the Illinois 5th C.D. special election allies need to go negative even in a birthday party invitation?

1st Ward Alderman Manny Flores felt compelled to attack Fritchey rival State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz for “desperation” in a Fritchey birthday party invitation. Jeez.

Here’s Flores’ charming note:

Hey Everyone,

I am looking forward to seeing many of your this Thursday at RockIt Bar!

Thursday’s event is more than just a birthday party, it is John’s last fundraiser and it is our last chance to make sure that the campaign has the resources they need before voters go to the polls on Tuesday, March 3rd.

Sara Feigneholtz just loaned her campaign $100,000 and while it is clearly a move of desperation, it can afford her campaign additional resources and it requires us to work even harder to give John’s campaign the resources they need during the final days of the campaign.

Please do everything you can to spread the word about this event and bring as many people along as possible. Thanks for your support!

Manny
Alderman Manny Flores
1st Ward – Chicago

What’s with these guys?  Was Flores unable to rummage around his noodle and find a single, kind word for Fritchey?

Quigley Opportunist Redux

(Chicago, IL) — The grasping little opportunist is at it again.

Last week Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, a candidate in the Illinois 5th CD congressional special election on March 3rd, launched a direct mail attack on opponents State Representatives Sara Feigenholtz and John Fritchey for voting for a .25% sales tax increase in January 2008 to prevent an

Cook County Commssioner Mike Quigley

insolvent CTA from implementing its “Doomsday scenario” of slashing bus and train service across the city.

The CTA’s cuts would have stranded tens of thousands of Chicago residents–seniors, students, the working poor, professionals–everyone dependent upon public transportation–preventing people from getting to and from work, school, hospitals, and grocery stores.

Thousands of Quigley’s own constituents would have also been marooned.

And what did the sanctimonious little sneak say at the time of the CTA .25% tax debate?

According to a search of the Chicago Tribune archives, Quigley is quoted as saying: ” … ” . The Sun-Times‘ archive yielded this gem: ” … “.

Did Quigley call John Fritchey to express his opposition to the tax? No.

Did Quigley call Sara Feigenholtz to express his opposition to the tax? No.

That’s right. Quigley had zippo to say publicly or privately to Fritchey or Feigenholtz.

But now 13 months later that’s he once again grasping for a higher office? He’s a critic of the CTA rescue.

This week the Quigley campaign dropped yet another attack mail piece on Feigenholtz and Fritchey for their CTA rescue plan vote. And this mail piece, disclosed by Progress Illinois, drops the reference to the CTA altogether and labels the vote as the “Blagojevich tax plan” –even though Blagojevich vetoed the CTA rescue bill.

It’s a distortion.

Fritchey and Feigenholtz had the courage to take a tough vote to keep the buses and trains running for thousands of their constituents and thousands of Quigley’s. Quigley had the cowardice to attack them for it.

Now, of course, this post will likely draw yet another tedious, peevish comment from Quigley campaign manager, Tom Bowen, bleeping on about blah, blah, blah.

Oh, well.

Fritchey Traffics in Promises of Pork, Paczkis

(Chicago, IL) – In the Illinois 5th C.D. special election, State Rep. John Fritchey has pledged, if elected, to bring needed Federal money and projects–pork–back to the congressional district to benefit residents.

In a down payment of sorts, Fritchey is now plying residents with Paczkis.

In celebration of Paczki Day,  Fritchey and supporters today are handing out Paczkis–Polish doughnuts–during the morning rush hour at the Jefferson Park Blue Line Stop on North Milwaukee Ave.

Paczkis are eaten by the barrel prior to the start of Lent.

However, could Fritchey be charged with a crime of bribing voters? Perhaps. But could a prosecutor subpoena a doughnut? The crumbs?

Unfortunately for cartoonists, a court trial would be unlikely. Chicago cops would eat the evidence.

With pork and Paczkis being dangled in front of voters, it could be Fritchey in a landslide.

Is Quigley Fundraising off Feigenholtz’s Donor List Reported to the Federal Election Commission?

(Chicago, IL) — Is Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley trying to raise campaign donations for his Illinois 5th C.D. special bid from State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz’s donor list reported to the Federal Election Commission?

If so, that’s a legal no-no, Commissioner Quigley.

“You’re prohibited from using information that appears in a report for solicitation,” Federal Election Commission spokesman Bob Biersack said in a November 7, 2006 interview on the subject.

Quigley this morning contacted yours truly, the chief scribbler of Your Two Cents Less, a donor to Feigenholtz’s congressional campaign, and he first acknowledged my “relationship to Sara” and then asked for a generic campaign contribution. When pressed for an amount, he asked for “$1,000″.

Quigley made no reference to “donor” or “donor lists”. Let’s be clear.

However, as a politician who has cultivated a “squeaky clean” reputation, Quigley needs to be mindful of federal election law and avoid the appearance of being naughty.

If Quigley is indeed trolling for dollars from Feigenholtz’s donor list, the question may continue to gurgle.

Footnote:

Yes, yes. We know what your thinking. Should an individual blogger contribute to a candidate and cover and comment on an election campaign without disclosure? Here’s our position. If candidate hires a blogger as a “hired pen” then, yes, a blogger must disclose the fact within blog posts that the blogger’s opinions have been rented.

However, should an individual blogger disclose contributions to a candidate?

Your Two Cent Less believes as long as an individual blogger’s personal opinions expressed on their personal blog are unpurchased–thus sincerely expressed–and the candidate discloses the contribution according to law, then an individual blogger, who discloses his or her identity, remains entitled to those personal opinions and analysis and is under no ethical obligation to disclose contributions–which are also personal expressions of opinion–within blog posts.

This debate has simmered for the last week. And Your Two Cent Less appreciates the contribution of Josh Levin, John Fritchey’s campaign manager, to the discussion, a discussion that will likely continue as citizen journalism evolves.

Will this do?

Snubbing Fritchey, Hynes Endorses Feigenholtz

(Chicago, IL) – State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz yesterday got a boost in the Illinois 5th C. D. special election Democratic primary, snagging the endorsement of Illinois State Comptroller Dan Hynes, while Hynes gave the back of his hand to Feigenholtz rival State Rep. John Fritchey.

“Sara has consistently rejected political gamesmanship in Springfield in order to get things done for people and her passion for health care will make her a great partner for President Obama in Congress to help all Americans get the health care they deserve,” said Hynes.

Hynes is a 5th C.D. resident.  Hynes is also John Fritchey’s constituent.

Meow.

The Hynes endorsement must have completely rattled Fritchey’s bird cage. Wizzing to Sunday’s candidate forum, Fritchey, according to sources at the scene, allegedly zipped past a stop sign and then, backing into the parking lot, whoosh, hit a car.

The car’s owner, fortunately, according to a source, mildly inquired: “Are you a f- – - ing retard?”

Poor John. He has had a bad week.

8 more days.

Geoghegan Calls for Nationalization of Bank of America, Citigroup

(Chicago, IL) – Illinois 5th CD candidate Tom Geoghegan today outlined a “plan” for the government to take into receivership Bank of America, Citigroup, and other troubled banks as a necessary step forward to righting the financial system.

The totality of Geoghegan’s plan to the financial crisis amounts to a 1/2 page press release. It boils down to this:

“The government must step in so that bad assets can be written off, insolvent institutions closed, and healthy institutions can be recapitalized and re-privatized. Receivership is a necessary step forward to righting our financial system and moving toward economic recovery,” said Geoghegan in the press release.

That’s it.

Who knew the answer to the most severe banking crisis since the Great Depression can be boiled down to 40 words.

Geoghegan is a genious.

UPDATE: 12:15 p.m.

After a request from Your Two Cents Less, A Geoghegan campaign aide, Joe Costello, supplied a cost estimate:

“IMF said Swedish plan of early 90s eventually cost 0-2% GDP. If you use that for the US, it would be around 260 billion at high end.”

However, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner announced on Feburary 10 a $1.5 trillion plan will be needed to save the financial system.

Geoghegan clearly doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

This is the second financial bird-brained scheme he has announced during the campaign. He should stick with what he knows–and knock off the flying-by-the-seat of-his-pants content-poor populism. This schtick is old.

Feigenholtz Pushes Insurance Coverage of Mammograms for Women over 40

(Chicago, IL) – State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, a candidate in the Illinois’ 5th CD special election, pledged today that as member of Congress she will sponsor legislation requiring insurance companies to cover routine, annual mammograms for all women 40 and over.

Flanked by Oncologists and women who have survived breast cancer, Feigenholtz unveiled her proposal

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz

today at a press conference.

Feigenholtz said, “I will do for all women in America what I did for women here in Illinois – and that’s to require insurance companies to cover routine mammograms for all women 40 and over.”

Dr. Janet Phillips, a breast oncology nurse researcher with the University of Chicago, said Feigenholtz’s proposal would reduce the breast cancer mortality rate for women 40 and over.

“As a breast oncology nurse researcher, I can tell you that Sara’s plan would literally save women’s lives,” Phillips said.  “…97 percent of breast cancer deaths occurring with women over 40.”

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, annual mammograms for women 40 and over can reduce mortality rates by 20 to 25 percent over 10 years. Nationally, we spend over $8.4 billion a year to treat breast cancer.

Currently, only 20 states, including Illinois, require insurance companies to cover mammograms for women 40 and over.

Judy Moses, whose own breast cancer was discovered during a mammogram in her 40s, expressed the urgency of expanding access to mammograms to all women 40 and over.

“The clock is ticking for millions of women…,” said Moses.

Quigley Backs Bankruptcy of CTA, Willing to Strand Riders

(Chicago, IL) — The Weasel of the Year Award–drum roll here–goes to Cook County Commissioner Mike “Let’em Walk” Quigley for his apparent willingness to tolerate a Chicago Transit Authority de facto bankruptcy–which

Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley

would strand tens of thousands of Chicago residents and his own constituents–to feed his insatiable ambition for elected office.

This weanie, who is masquerading as a serious Illinois 5th CD congressional candidate in the March 3rd special election, attacked opponents in the race, State Representatives Sara Feigenholtz and John Fritchey, in a new direct mail piece, disclosed by Progress Illinois, for voting for a .25% sales tax increase in January 2008 to prevent an insolvent CTA from implementing its “Doomsday scenario” of slashing bus and train service across the city.

The CTA’s Doomsday cuts would have stranded tens of thousands of Chicago residents, preventing them from getting to and from work, including Quigley’s own constituents.

Fritchey and Feigenholtz had the courage to take a tough vote to keep the buses and trains running for their and Quigley’s constituents. Quigley–a perennial wanna-be-candidate for any office in sight–had the cowardice to attack them for funding the CTA–just so he could climb the poltical ladder.

Fortunately, thousands black cats will soon be passing under Quigley’s ladder. They’ll be voters dressed up as CTA bus and train riders.

Fritchey Joins Picket Line at Chicago’s Congress Hotel

(Chicago, IL) − State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) on Sunday walked the picket line with UNITE-HERE Local 1 workers at the Chicago’s Congress Hotel.  Fritchey was joined at the picket line by Henry Tamarin, President of Local 1.

State Rep. John Fritchey

Fritchey is a candidate in Illinois’ 5th CD special election Democratic primary on March 3rd.

For almost six years, UNITE-HERE Local 1 and employees from the Congress Hotel have been on strike following a wage freeze and benefit cuts imposed by hotel management.  The picket line has received national attention as workers continue to fight for a fair wage.

“In our current economic crisis, it is more important than ever to provide a living wage and benefits for the American worker,” said Rep. Fritchey.

Fritchey, Chairman of the House Civil Judiciary Committee, was chief sponsor of “One Day Rest in Seven” legislation, which set standards for hotel room attendants, requiring specified break periods. He also co-sponsored a bill which allows picketing in labor disputes the use of public rights-of-way to inform the public of the dispute.

In a recent bloggers conference call, Fritchey was dinged for being AWOL in the recent Republic Windows controversy while his opponent congressional opponent Mike Quigley was showboating over the issue. The shuttered Chicago windows factory was the site of a six-day worker sit-in January over severance pay.

In his next blogger grilling, Fritchey will undoubtedly point to this picket hug as symbol of his labor commitment. Ok, fine.

Feigenholtz Campaign Piggy Bank Nears $600,000, Grabs J.B. Pritzker’s Support; Quigley Lags

(Chicago, IL) — Last week State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz’s Illinois 5th CD campaign announced it had raised “over $550,000″ in the race to succeed Rahm Emanuel.

That amount is now old news.

In Feigenholtz’s latest Federal Election Commission “48 Hour” filing, the campaign discloses $43,550 in fresh contributions, pushing its total to nearly $600,000.

Feigenholtz’s report also reveals that J.B. Pritzker, a supporter of former Illinois 5th CD candidate Justin Oberman, has shifted his support to Feigenholtz, contributing $2,400.

Feigenholtz’s chief rival, John Fritchey, disclosed last week that his campaign has so far raised between $400,000 and $450,000. Fritchey has yet no 48 Hour filing.

Lagging far behind is Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley. Quigley raised $132,645 by December 31, and his 48 Hour filing reports $8,400, for a $140,000 total.

Feigenholtz Dodging Reporters?

(Chicago, IL) — Inside baseball players in the Illinois 5th CD special election are swinging at balls fair and foul at State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, the race’s front-runner.

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz

One of the fouls being swung at is a claim that Feigenholtz is dodging reporters.

In Rich Miller’s Capitol Fax Blog, Illinois’ indisputable leading political blog, Miller echoed that assertion by the Chicago Tribune in recent editorial board meeting with Feigenholtz.

“And the Tribsters also made a good point about how she’s not talking to reporters. I’m hearing that a lot. The Trib claims they called “dozens” of times to interview her without success. She’s just far too controlled by her DC-based campaign staff,” wrote Miller on Friday the 13th.

Not talking to reporters?

Did the Tribune editorial board ask Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson who interviewed Feigenholtz for his November 18, 2008 story?  “State lawmaker files paperwork to run for Emanuel congressional seat,” http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/11/state-lawmaker.html

Did the Tribune editorial board ask Tribune reporter John Chase who interviewed Feigenholtz for his January 29,  2009 story? “A politician’s rise, hard fall: Career ends in disgrace,” http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blagojevich_falljan30,0,7847396.story

We assume Pearson and Chase are listed in the Tribune directory.

Not talking to other reporters?

Mike Rhee of WBEZ?

• (12/9/08)“Lawmakers urge Blagojevich resignation,” http://www.wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=30746
• (01/06/09) “Daley doubts he’ll endorse in 5th congressional race,” Chicago Public Radio. http://www.wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=31265

NBC TV of Chicago?

• (1/6/09), “Race to replace Rahm begins,” http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/replace-rahm-emanual-010609.html

Carol Marin of the Sun-Times?

• (1/14/09), “Mad scramble for Rahm’s seat,” Chicago Sun-Times. http://blogs.suntimes.com/marin/2009/01/mad_scramble_for_rahms_seat.htmlc

Amy Wooten of the Chicago Free Press?

• (1/23/09), “Feigenholtz hope to fight for GLBTs on a national level,” http://s22036.gridserver.com/node/3038

Ray Hanania of WJJG 1530 AM?

• (1/29/09)  http://cdn1.libsyn.com/rayhanania/01-29-09SaraFeigenholtz.mp3?nvb=20090212223137&nva=20090213224137&t=0fb6439eba0bc996ff57e

Abdon Pallash of the Sun-Times?

• (1/31/09), “Rival rips Feigenholtz for being on clout lists,” http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1407378,CST-NWS-fifth01.article
• (2/13/09), “Upbringing made health care a priority for Feigenholtz,” http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/1429431,CST-NWS-cong13.article

Jennifer Biamonte of the Extra News?

• (2/4/09), “State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz: Working to bring affordable health care to Illinois families,” Extra. http://www.extranews.net/news.php?clan=0&nid=4596

WGN TV of Chicago?

• 1/6/09. http://www.wgntv.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3309301

Laura Washington of the Sun-Times?

• (2/9/09), “GLBT applause-o-meter rings, and pols listen,” http://www.suntimes.com/news/washington/1420002,CST-EDT-laura09.article

If Feigenholtz is dodging the reporters, she’s doing a piss-poor job of it. By looks of that list, reporters will soon be dodging her calls.

Foul ball. Next batter.

Feigenholtz Goes up on Broadcast TV with Her First Ad

(Chicago, IL) — The Illinois 5th CD special election air war has begun in earnest.

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz went up today with her first ad on broadcast TV.

Yes, yes, we know, Charles Wheelan put up an ad of himself gargling in a fish tank or something a couple weeks ago. But he spent something like $17.95 to run it on the Home Shopping Network on a single Sunday evening between 2:15 a.m to 2:30 a.m.–more or less.

However, Feigenholtz announced yesterday that her campaign has raised $550,000. She’s got real dough to go the distance. Her plan is to remain on the airwaves until the March 3rd election.

“We are launching our very first television ad of the campaign and we wanted … our strongest supporters, to see it first,” wrote Campaign Manager Mike Rendina in an e-mail.

The “let’s hug” bio ad, which can be viewed at Progress Illinois, features Feigenholtz and she points to her physician mother as the inspiration for her health care record in the legislature. The ad helps give Feigenholtz street cred on the  issue.

As soothing as this ad may be, Your Two Cents Less, is drooling for the Jack-the-Ripper ads to start.

Fritchey Pulls in Between $400,000 and $450,000 Since January 1

(Chicago, IL) — What recession?

One would never know that the U.S. is flirting with another Great Depression based on the cash being hauled in by the candidates in Illinois’ 5th congressional district special election.

John Fritchey’s campaign disclosed today that it has raised between $400,000 and $450,000 since January 1. Campaign Manager Josh Levin says they are still trundling in the sacks and tallying the final amount of their pile.

In an email, Levin writes, “Safe to say that this is a very competitive money race.” Yep, safe.

Fritchey’s top opponent, State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, today revealed that she has raised more than $550,000 since she launched her campaign in November. Since it is unlikely Mike Quigley or Patrick O’Connor will report a greater haul, Feigenholtz will likely be the leader in the money chase.

Fritchey and Feigenholtz’s campaigns alone will likely represent the leading edge of any Illinois economic stimulus.

Feigenholtz Raises $550,000

(Chicago, IL) – State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz today announced that she has raised $550,000 for her campaign in Illinois’ 5th congress district special election.

Reinsert your eyes in their sockets.

In an e-mail message to supporters, Feigenholtz wrote, “I’m so proud to say that since the beginning of our campaign we have raised over $550,000!  Because of your help, we can communicate our message to the voters in the 5th District.”

Unless her competitors like John Fritchy, Mike Quigley, Patrick O’Connor, et al can show a pile of dough in their own piggy banks, Feigenholtz can clearly claim the front-runner’s mantel if she wants. She may not want. But others will surely hoist it on her.

Fritchey Woos Bloggers in Illinois 5th CD Special Election

(Chicago, IL) — State Rep. John Fritchey is cultivating and tilling the net-roots in Illinois’ 5th Congressional

State Rep. John Fritchey

District special election.

Today Fritchey will be the first of the 5th CD candidates to launch a series of blogger conference calls.

“The Blogger Community has taken an interest in this race and has driven coverage on many of the stories circulating about candidates,” wrote Kathren Coleman, Fritchey Deputy Campaign Manager, in an e-mail announcement to bloggers.

Fritchey’s announcement, however, should yield no surprise. Fritchey is one the General Assembly’s most net-savvy lawmakers.

The 12-year veteran was one of the first legislators to launch a Web site, issue e-mail newsletters, and may have been the first lawmaker with a blog. Moments after key House votes, an e-mail news alert normally rockets out of Fritchey’s computer. And he announced his 5th CD election bid on Facebook.

The campaigns of State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz and Tom Geoghegan have also been engaged in the care and feeding of bloggers, but Fritchey will be the first to give them a personal, group hug.

For interested bloggers, the conference dial-in number and participant access code will provided upon if they Respondez S’il Vous Plait to kathren@fritchey.com. The call begins at 7:00 p.m. (CST).

Have you hugged a blogger today?

Geoghegan Offers 35-Word Plan to Halt Foreclosures in Illinois

(Chicago, IL) – Illinois 5th CD congressional candidate Tom Geoghegan yesterday called for a moratorium on housing foreclosures in Illinois and nationwide and offered a 35-word plan to achieve the goal.

Attorney Tom Geoghegan

“We’ve given the banks $700 billion in bailout money and all they do is keep kicking people out of their houses. We need a moratorium today on all home foreclosures. This is the essential first step in getting our economy moving,” said Geoghegan.

First, on the facts, Geoghegan, a labor attorney, is wrong on the amount of bailout money spent by the U.S. Treasury so far. The Feds have allocated only $250 billion of the first tranche of TARP money to banks, while insurance giant AIG, Detroit’s Big Three, etc have received the remainder.

The Feds have yet even to release with second $350 billion TARP tranche.

Second, on his plan to halt foreclosures nationwide, Geoghegan devoted a grand total of 35-words to laying out the strategy to secure that objective:

• An immediate moratorium on all foreclosures

• Banks receiving public funds must modify current loans to make them more affordable

• All mortgage originators need to be regulated to ensure equal and fair lending standards

That’s it.

Third, the Geoghegan campaign has no estimate how much this plan would cost in dollars and cents. No idea.

Your Two Cents Less posed this question three times to two different Geoghegan campaign staffers. They had no estimate.

In one answer, campaign spokesman Chris Lackner wrote:

“There would be no further taxpayer cost for this.  It’s much better to renegotiate the loans and get some money from homeowners than to let them fall into foreclosure. The banks will have to take some losses, but they will be less than if they foreclose.”

Oh, good it’s free.

But–the banks will have to take some losses? Those walking Zombies like CitiGroup or Bank of America need to take more losses? How much is some?

A second Geoghegan spokesman insisted that banks simply rewrite all troubled mortages, take their losses, and those that are still solvent after that process should be recapitalized by TARP cash–which is taxpayer money, no? How much TARP money? $50 billion? $350 billion? No idea.

Finally, Geoghegan is widely acknowledged as a smart guy. But his well-meaning, but populist push to save home owners is hardly even half-baked, and unworthy of a smart guy–and clearly unworthy of a congressional candidate.

Geoghegan faces a slew of opponents in the race to succeed Rahm Emanuel: State Reprensentatives Sara Feigenholtz, John Fritchey, 40th Ward Alderman Patrick O’Connor, Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, Professor Charles Wheelan and Cary Capparelli, sorta.

Sara Feigenholtz to Durbin, Burris: Protect Human Service Money in Federal Stimulus Bill

(Chicago, IL) - State Representative Sara Feigenholtz, candidate to fill the 5th congressional district seat vacated by Rahm Emanuel, today called on Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Roland Burris to protect human

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz

infrastructure dollars in the final version of the federal stimulus bill.

Feigenholtz sent a letter to Durbin and Burris urging them to fight to keep this dough in the final package, a package which is under GOP siege and dropping in the polls.

According to Feigenholtz, the federal stimulus will provide $2.7 billion to the state, including $1.8 billion for transportation and infrastructure. allocating nearly $860 million for Illinois school and college modernization, and investing $163 million for job training.

However, Senate Republicans have sought to castrate the bill, aiming to eliminate numerous spending projects.

In her letter to Durbin and Burris, Feigenholtz wrote: “The vast majority of workers who provide these services are women, many of whom are single parents,” said Feigenholtz.  “While a stimulus plan focused solely on construction jobs will put many men back to work, it ignores the millions of female workers who provide the social services on which our children, seniors and disabled citizens rely.”

Hopefully, Feigenholtz’s letter will even reach Burris whose office seems unable to even answer the telephone at the moment.

Fritchey Fouled on Vouchers

(Chicago, IL) — The Illinois political blogosphere is being peddled a claim that State Rep. John Fritchey, a candidate in the Illinois 5th CD special election, has voted for “school vouchers”–an unpardonable sin for

State Rep. John Fritchey

practicing teacher union members.

The vote that purports to be pro-school voucher position was on House Bill 999 in 1999. The bill was a $500 tax credit for parents of kids enrolled in K-12  at any public or private school. The credit was for 25% of  expenses over $250. including tuition, book fees, and lab fees.

Fritchey voted “yes” on the bill. The bill is a tax credit, not a voucher.

In theory, a traditional voucher grants a parent a chunk of dough–usually $2,500 or more–to yank their kid from a public school and send him or her and the money to a private school, starving the public school of kids and cash and causing it to burn and crash. So goes the theory.

HB 999 provided zero incentive to a parent to change schools. Zero.

But the bill aimed to drain money–again in theory–from public schools because it granted the credit to private school parents. That would have been enough to put a bee in the bonnets of the teachers’ unions.

Fritchey’s endorsement on February 2 by the Illinois Federation of Teachers sparked the “voucher” claim. That’s because Fritchey’s chief 5th CD opponent–State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz voted against the bill.

It was no voucher bill, but Fritchey’s vote was no pro-union vote either. That inconvient fact should force the IFT to square their principles with the endorsement of Fritchey over Feigenholtz. That’s a legitimate debate. The voucher thingy is not.

Fritchey, Feigenholtz Camps Slug it Out

(Chicago, IL) — For nearly nearly nines hours on Tuesday–from the first rhetorical grape shot at 12:52 p.m. until the last verbal volley at 8:43 p.m., the dueling partisans backing Illinois 5th congressional candidates John Fritchey and Sara Feigenholtz fired spit-balls at each other through blog posts on Illinois’ most prominent

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz

political site–Rich Miller’s The Capitol Fax Blog.

Welcome to the 21st Century version of a rumble.

But this rumble was populated by brawlers hiding behind “Looney Tunes” character-like names who flailed away on a keyboard.

Despite all the low-brow bric-a-brac thrown, unsurprisingly, no minds were pried open–or a single, authentic voter influenced. But the partisans held each other hostage to the back-and-forth for the day.

“Bill”, “Phineas J. Whoopee”, “Ditto”, “Dropping Knowledge”, “Rosty the Snowman”, and others assaulted, tweaked, and torqued Fritchey and Feigenholtz’s campaigns with a gaping absence of wit.

Other candidates, like Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, were basically ignored in the blog fracas.

The battle errupted over a minor notice of Fritchey’s recent union endorsements by the Teamsters, AFSCME, the Illinois Federation of teachers and the looming SEIU endorsement of Feigenholtz. Pow.

In case you were watching dust fly during this debate, here is an excerpt:

Phineas J. Whoopee – Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 1:46 pm:
SEIU is too far left for this district, better to have the Plumbers, Teachers and AFSCME.

Ditto – Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 1:39 pm:
SEIU has like 10,000 members in the district, many of whome are women and many of whom vote. Also, SEIU – unlike most of the other unions – have $ to put behind their endorsement for ies and donations to candidates they endorse. As an organization, they’re coming off a great 08 cycle where they put big bucks and resources into Obama’s operation and it paid off for them.

Droppin Knowledge – Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 1:51 pm:
Ditto, before blindly touting SEIU money for your boss, re-read my post – in the Congressional race there are strict contribution limits. So union money will have negligible impact. No PAC can give more than $2,400 for the primary.

Bill – Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 1:54 pm:
==SEIU has like 10,000 members in the district==
Just another out and out lie from the Sara camp. They would be lucky if they had 1000 and I’d guess most of them are not registered.

Ditto – Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 1:55 pm:
PJW – SEIU is too far “left”? That means absolutely nothing. Their members care about promoting health care for all, child care, equal pay, and worker rights. Feigenholtz has been a leader on all those issues and has a compelling story to tell. So that’s not left – that’s fair and it’s a good message for both their members and the entire district. Also, most of afscme’s members don’t even live in chicago.

Ditto – Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 2:04 pm:
DP, let me be more clear: yes, you are correct that a group like SEIU can only donate $2400 to an individual candidate. However, their PAC and other union PACS have far more flexibility on the IE side. A lot more. Money may not go into a campaign’s own coffers, but those IE dollars are still part of the package with any endorsement – whether it’s SEIU, AFSCME, AFL, etc.

Phineas J. Whoopee – Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 2:07 pm:
Ditto, I appreciate your point, however, this district has been represented for a long time by many unions that have those same views, have thousands of members living in the district and don’t need SEIU telling them how to vote. I’m talking about plumbers, electricians, painters, teachers, police, fire and tons more. Your 10,000 SEIU stats are questionable to say the least and, as Bill says, many don’t vote, however, I’m sure they will be beneficial for her a foot soldiers.

Bill – Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 4:58 pm:
… I really don’t disagree with Sara on anything because I don’t think that she really stands for anything. It is pretty difficult to discern her positions when she is content to languish quietly on the back bench. It is much safer to avoid any controversial issues, like public pensions or school vouchers or any of the other important issues of the day just in case you want to run for Congress some day. At which time you can just spout Emily’s list talking points and hope for the best.

Ditto – Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 7:05 pm:
Geez bill. Isn’t your venom a little overkill? … Your attacks are not just pathetic, but patently false. Fortunately, those kinds of hits are too little, too late. She’s already got an army of grassroots volunteers who are REAL supporters and aren’t getting their arms twisted by the regular ward orgs to help Fritchey. Speaking of fritchey…is it true that he voted for school vouchers? Who was he standing up for then? And, you’re wrong. SEIU has close to 10,000 members in the district. Get over it.

Ok. You get the idea. You decide if nine hours of this stuff is worth the effort.

Quigley Seeks Donations of Toilet Paper, Gets Claypool Endorsement

(Chicago, IL) — From the You-Can’t-Make-This-Stuff-Up-Department,  Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, who is a candidate in the Illinois 5th CD special election, on Tuesday issued an e-mail to supporters inviting them to a campaign kick-off chili party, today, Saturday, and requesting, among other things, donations of, well, toilet paper.

In addition to the toilet paper, Quigley asked supporters to donate:

• Clipboards
• Cups
• Handsoap
• Paper Plates
• Paper Towels
• Pens
• Printer Paper
• Snacks
• Surge Protectors

The purpose of campaign messages is to communicate to its audiences a campaign going from strength-to-strength. And since Quigley has remained silent on the current size of his campaign’s war chest, this message communicates b-r-o-k-e.

Fast forward to Friday, Quigley announced the endorsement of Cook County Commissioner Forest Claypool. The Claypool endorsement is an unquestionable plus. But the Quigley communications team ineptly book-ended the week’s endorsement message with a plea for a snacks, paper plates, and toilet paper donations and made the Commissioner look ridiculous.

Quigley needs some strategic communications thinking. Fast.

In the meantime, Claypool will attend today’s chili party at the Quigley campaign office. No word whether Claypool will bring any of the requested donations.

Quigley’s top opponents in the race to succeed Rahm Emanuel include: State Reprensentatives Sara Feigenholtz, John Fritchey, 40th Ward Alderman Patrick O’Connor, Attorney Tom Geoghegan, Professor Charles Wheelan and maybe Cary Capparelli. Maybe.

With Oberman’s Withdrawl from the Illinois 5th CD Race, Where do His Supporters, Like J.B. Pritzker, Go?

(Chicago, IL) — Justin Oberman, the son of former Chicago Alderman Marty Oberman, bailed from the race to replace Rahm Emanuel in the Illinois 5th CD in a letter to supporters last Friday–but Oberman declined to nudge his supporters, like J.B. Pritzker, behind any of the remaining candidates in his farewell.

During his 12-minute, first-time candidacy, Oberman raised $160,000 and collected 3,000 petition signatures and recruited high-power backers, like Pritzker. That’s not bad in contrast to 10-year Cook County Commissioner veteran Mike Quigley who collected only 2,500 signature and reported came up short on his year-end $100,000 fund-raising goal.

Oberman leaves behind some check-writers and foot-soldiers. Who, if any one, will Oberman endorse? Quigley? State Reprensentative Sara Feigenholtz? John Fritchey? 40th Ward Alderman Patrick O’Connor? Attorney Tom Geoghegan?

Smart money says the smart candidates have already called Oberman looking his help with his ex-money. And Pritzker has probably also had a call or two. Or should.

In Illinois 5th CD Race, Feigenholtz’s Campaign Treasure Chest Grows, Quigley Struggles, O’Connor In But Not “On”

(Chicago, IL) — When State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) announced her candidacy on January 7 for Illinois’ 5th congressional district special election to replace Rahm Emanuel, Feigenholtz revealed that she had already raised $300,000, knocking the silk socks off folks.

Well, that was, so, oh, two weeks ago.

Last night, at a fundraiser for Feigenholtz in Lakeview at the home, er, petit chateau, of Tom Stringer and Scott Waller, she mentioned in her remarks to the well-heeled swells in attendance that she has now raised–$400,000. Yep $400,000.

Meanwhile, Feigenholtz rival Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley seems to be struggling financially. Recently, Quigley issued an email plea for $5,000 and had to follow up with a second request, claiming he had hauled in only half that amount.

Quigley had also claimed as he entered the race that he would have $100,000 by year’s end, but the campaign has gone silent on that claim. What gives? Quigley silent?

Meanwhile, Quigley’s problems have been compounded by the entrance of 40th Ward Alderman Patrick O’Connor into the race. According to Quigley’s own poll, with O’Connor in, Quigley takes 14%, Feigenholtz 10%, O’Connor 8%, and State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) 7%. O’Connor’s presence diminishes Quigley’s lead over Feigenholtz by four points.

Speaking of O’Connor, he may be in, but he’s not on. His Web site announces: “Under Construction”. The Alderman better giddy up–there are only 39 days until election day.

Mike Quigley Claims Lead in Illinois 5th CD Special Election, But Campaign Weaknesses Loom Large

(Chicago, IL) — Cook County Commission Mike Quigley is bragging about and bemoaning his 5th C.D. campaign in equal measure.  The bragging rights are pretty thin and the bemoaning could soon get much louder.

On January 19, Quigley’s campaign sent out a goofy “good news, bad news” e-mail. In part, the e-mail stated: “Dear Friend, I’ve got some good news for you and I have some bad news. First the good news . . . According to a recent poll in the Fifth Congressional District, we’re leading the field by eight points!”

What the e-mail failed to acknowledge is that Quigley leads his closest competitor State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) 19% to 11%–with 55% undecided.  Big whoop. Those numbers are so puny as to be worthless.

Quigley’s poll pegged State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) in third place with 8%.

In a bizarre twist, Quigley’s email added: “Now for the bad news . . . None of that will matter if we don’t have the resources to get out there and communicate with the voters of the Fifth Congressional District.” Essentially, Quigley admitted his campaign has little dough. Meanwhile, Feigenholtz has already raked in more $300,000 and recently snagged the EMILY’S List endorsement, which means big money.

Weirdly, the next day Quigley issued another boastful e-mail, attempting to gussy-up his campaign’s meagre ability to scrape together only 2,500 petition signatures over 10 days. In a single weekend, Fritchey gathered 6,000 and Feigenholtz 4,000. Quigley’s ground game looks painfully week.

Quigley’s lead–such as it is–to succeed Rahm Emanuel–is based entirely on his commendable efforts before he entered the race. Since he entered the race, he has done precious little to keep that lead.

Emanuel Replacement: Feigenholtz Raises $100,000 for Race

(Chicago, IL) — In the race to replace U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel, State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz

(D-Chicago) has already raised $100,000.

Since the Emanuel announcement, Feigenholtz has been burning up the phone lines raising money. And it shows.

Other potential candidates include: Aldermen Gene Schulter (47th), Patrick O’Connor (40th), former Alderman Edwin Eisendrath (43rd), former 5th C.D. contender and former State Representative Nancy Kaszak, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Smith, and Emanuel’s former chief of staff, John Borovicka, Cook County Commissioners Mike Quigley, Aldermen Tom Allen (38th), Marge Laurino (39th) and Manny Flores (1st), Tom Tunney (44th) State Representatives John Fritchey, John D’Amico, Cary Capparelli, son of former State Rep. Ralph Capparelli (D-Chicago), Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Frank Avila, and State Representative-elect Deb Mell.

Word on the street however is growing louder that Mell, who has yet to be sworn in to the state rep gig, may be withdrawing her name. No official word from Mell.

Another potential candidate could be lawyer Jay Paul Deratany. Deratany ran for Cook County Board of Review 2nd district seat against long-time incumbent Joe Berrios in 2008 Democratic primary. The 2nd district overlays the 5th C.D. In the race–his first–Deratany captured a respectful 42% of the vote and contributed $396,000 of his own dough to the race.

Keep an eye on Deratany if he pulls the trigger and invests his own cash. Otherwise, Feigenholtz is out of gate. Fast.

Emanuel Replacement: More Names Rush In, One May Be Out

(Chicago, IL) — The race to replace U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel has more names rushing in into the contest and may have at least one name rushing out.

State Rep-elect Deb Mell

Aldermen Gene Schulter (47th), Patrick O’Connor (40th), former Alderman Edwin Eisendrath (43rd), former 5th C.D. contender and former State Representative Nancy Kaszak, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Smith, and Emanuel’s former chief of staff, John Borovicka are hastily pondering the race.

Other potential candidate names swirling like a dust cloud include: Cook County Commissioners Forest Claypool and Mike Quigley, Aldermen Tom Allen (38th), Marge Laurino (39th) and Manny Flores (1st), State Representatives John Fritchey, John D’Amico, Sara Feigenholtz, and State Representative-elect Deb Mell.

Word on the street however is Mell, who has yet to be sworn in to the state rep gig, may be withdrawing her name.

Some of the would-be-candidates are engaged in serious navel-gazing and some are engaged in serious money raising and polling.

The navel-gazers better gitty up.

Emanuel Replacement Hopefuls Pile Up

(Chicago, IL) — Names of possible successors to U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel are floating like fall leaves and landing in heaps.

In no particular order, the potential candidate names wafting in the fall air include: Cook County Commissioners Forest Claypool and Mike Quigley, Alderman Tom Allen, Marge Laurino and Manny Flores, State Representatives John Fritchey, John D’Amico, and Sara Feigenholtz. State Representative-elect Deb Mell–who has yet to be even sworn in–now wants the Emanuel seat.

State Senator John Cullerton, who once ran for the job in 1994, has declared he is not a candidate.

Also pondering a bid for the seat is Albany Park resident, Sally Quentin, 19, a barista at the local Starbucks. Why not?

D.C. Press Speculates Cullerton or Feigenholtz Could be Heading to Congress

(Chicago, IL) — The Hill newspaper that covers Congress is speculating that either State Senator John

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz

Cullerton (D-Chicago) or State Represenative Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) could be heading to Congress.

Were U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel (D-Chicago) to accept President-elect Barack Obama’s offer to become his White House chief of staff, Cullerton and Feigenholtz would be the leading candidates to replace Emmanuel, according to The Hill.

In 1979, Cullerton was elected to the Illinois House and served for 12 years. He was elected to the Senate in 1992.

Feigenholtz, a former chief of staff to Cullerton, was elected to the House in 1994.

Cullerton’s campaign for Illinois Senate President could complicate a move to the U.S. House.

Feigenholtz, widely beloved by her constituents and admired by colleagues, would be a popular, smart choice.

Stay tuned.