Tired of the choices on the general election ballot? Then vote in Tuesday’s March 19 primary to place on the November 5 ballot these candidates who will make us proud:
Let’s replace ethically-challenged incumbents with high-quality reform candidates in the mold of scandal-free former Cook County Clerk David Orr — starting with Larecia Tucker for Cook County Board of Review.
The longtime incumbent has shifted the tax burden to homeowners and local businesses by routinely reducing assessments for wealthy insiders like Ed Burke and Donald Trump and the largest developers and businesses. Electing a reformer like Tucker to the Board of Review will help clean up an ethics-free office that makes us pay higher property taxes.
Clayton Harris III will bring integrity, fairness, and toughness as Cook County State’s Attorney. Can we really trust law enforcement to his right-wing-financed opponent who shows no regret for railroading the murder conviction of an innocent 10-year-old black lad — leaving the actual killer on the streets?
And why would anybody want the incompetent incumbent Clerk of the Circuit Court on the November ballot? Her challenger, Mariyana Spyropoulos, will bring to the Clerk of the Circuit Court position the same fiscally-responsible, good-government approach she’s employed as a commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, saving taxpayers money and fostering a more efficient, error-free court system.
Three of the four candidates for the Water Reclamation District have garnered support from the watchdog Sierra Club: Kari Steel, Marcelino Garcia, and Daniel Pogorzelski.
But what about Congress? We’ve been inundated with misleading giant postcards from Melissa Conyers-Ervin, the well-financed challenger to incumbent Danny Davis. Her campaign is about as honest as her ethics-free tenure as Chicago City Treasurer where the city’s Inspector General has charged her with misusing taxpayer money, city employees, and city resources to benefit her private financial interests. She ruthlessly fired the employees who blew the whistle. Is that the sort of person we want to represent us in Congress?
What an embarrassment — like George Santos — if she were to become the nominee. The 7th Congressional District deserves better and frankly, Danny Davis is the only one who can overcome her aggressive campaign.
Joy Virginia Cunningham has performed admirably on the Illinois Supreme Court since she was appointed to complete Justice Burke’s term. In an incredible imitation of Trump-like projection, her opponent is falsely portraying her as the political insider when that description fits him to a “T.”
We need well-qualified, competent judges throughout the courts. Be sure to see the compilation of judicial evaluations from 13 bar associations at https://www.voteforjudges.org. Every single association rejects Wende Williams while Appellate Court candidate Carolyn Gallagher gets some negative reviews as well.
If elected 7th Subcircuit Judge, Owens Shelby (recommended by all 13 bar associations), would be the rare member of the local bench with close ties to River Forest-Oak Park.
Vote by March 19 and take control of who goes on the November ballot — or don’t complain come Nov. 5.
Dan Lauber of River Forest has been active in reform politics for decades.