Democratic Party - 49th Ward

49th Ward Judicial Endorsements

We have made our endorsements for the judicial races and they are listed below.  You may notice that we did not endorse in two races, Bellows and O'Brien.  The Illinois Supreme Court ruled (2/28/06) that these races should be removed from the ballot because the vacancies were caused by an unconstitutional law regarding sitting judges filing for retention in the proper time limits. 

The candidates we support are a cross section of backgrounds in the law and in life as well.  Some are endorsed by the Democratic Party of Cook County and some are independent.  Our goal was to seek out the best and the brightest.  To be certain we achived that goal  we double checked our candidates with the Chicago Council of Lawyers, a group thought by some to be the toughest screeners and reviewers.  All of our candidates were found at least qualified.

Appellate Court Judge First District (vacancy of Hartigan)                   
Michael James Murphy        Mark 53   

Appellate Court Judge First District (vacancy of Hartman)                   
Joy Virginia Cunningham        Mark 61   

Circuit Court Judge Full Circuit (vacancy of Burr)                   
Ann Collins Dole            Mark 66   

Circuit Court Judge Full Circuit (vacancy of Jaffe)                   
Michael J. Howlett, Jr.        Mark 70   

Circuit Court Judge Full Circuit (vacancy of Morrissey)                   
Mike McHale            Mark 72   

Circuit Court Judge Full Circuit (vacancy of Nudelman)                   
James Patrick Murphy        Mark 73    

Circuit Court Judge Full Circuit (vacancy of Schiller)                   
Thomas J. Byrne            Mark 81   

Circuit Court Judge Full Circuit (vacancy of Travis)                   
Martha A. Mills            Mark 84    

"Happy Heart" Hits the Road

That lovable Happy Heart, cheerful and happy go lucky mascot of Rogers Park has put on his traveling shoes and has hit the road to travel the 49th Ward bringing his famous good cheer and well wishes.  He'll be back some time soon at his home on Greenleaf, but where is he now?

Let me know by e-mail when you have spotted Happy!  He isn't the best at calling home to let us know where he is.

All Non-Judicial Endorsements Are In

After a meeting of our Board we have made decisions about all of the races that are non-judicial and we present our endorsed candidates.  The Democratic Party of the 49th Ward is a grass roots organization of neighbors and good people just like you.  Our community has a strong and proud liberal philosophy.  With that as a foundation, each election we meet the candidates, ask tough questions, and vote to endorse those who best represent our community values.

This election provides some clear choices.  At all levels of government the question of health care is one of the most difficult questions to answer: more uninsured, more under insured and less dollars to provide care.  Our candidates, a great mix of leaders with strong records along with fresh newcomers, have committed to fighting for health care choices that make sense, for government that responds to the people, and to vote against Bush policies that have tirelessly worked to destroy many of our most important government programs to provide more to the rich and already comfortable.   

Be it affirming the right of a woman to choose, strengthening County health care, insuring equal rights for all members of society, simplification of Medicare Part D, pre-school education for all, a sensible foreign policy that brings our troops home or stem cell research, these candidates will be there for us when conservative forces renew their fight to take things from us and give more to those who need it the least.

This team is the best of the best and will fight tirelessly to promote our progressive agenda, re-invigorate our governments and insure that your voice is heard.  Please vote to support progressive leadership, caring government and a better community for the 49th Ward on Tuesday, March 21, 2006.  Polls are open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.

The list is as follows below.

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Office	Candidate	Ballot	#
Governor	Rod R. Blagojevich	Mark	1
Lt. Governor	Pat Quinn	Mark	4
Attorney   General	Lisa Madigan	Mark	5
Secretary of   State	Jesse White	Mark	6
Comptroller	Daniel W. Hynes	Mark	7
Treasurer	No Endorsement
Congress	Janice D. Schakowsky	Mark	10
State Central   Committeewoman	Carol Ronen	Mark	13
State Central   Committeeman	William A. Marovitz	Mark	14
State Senator	Carol Ronen	Mark	18
State Senator	Jeffrey M. Schoenberg	Mark	18
State Rep.	Julie Hamos	Mark	21
State Rep.	Lou Lang	Mark	21
State Rep.	Harry Osterman	Mark	32
County Board   President	John H. Stroger, Jr.	Mark	29
County Clerk	David D. Orr	Mark	30
Sheriff	Thomas J. Dart	Mark	31
Treasurer	Maria Pappas	Mark	34
Assessor	James M. Houlihan	Mark	35
Commissioner   - County Board	Mike Quigley	Mark	36
Commissioner   - County Board	Larry Suffredin	Mark	36
Three Seats are   Open for the MWRD
Commissioner   - MWRD	Debra Shore	Mark	43
Commissioner   - MWRD	Terry O’Brien	Mark	46
Commissioner   - MWRD	James “Jim” Harris	Mark	47

In the State Rep. and State Senate races you will see that there are multiple names for the same office. The 49th Wared is fortunate to be represented by three different State Representatives and three different State Senators.  This election all of the State Rep.'s are up for re-election but only two of the State Senators.  They are paired up, one Representative and one Senator, (Ronen & Osterman, Lang & Silverstein,  Hamos & Schoenberg), with Silverstein not up for re-election this year.

Learn About the New Voting Machines

Our monthly meeting this month will cover the new voting equipment that will be used this Election Day, March 21.  The old punch card system is out and two new systems are coming into place.  Their will be at least one touch screen video terminal and four scan card ballot machines in each precinct.  If you don't know what that is or want to learn more our meeting is the place to be on Monday, February 20, 2006 at 6:30 pm in our new campaign office at 1774 N. Greenleaf.

The Chicago Board of Elections will be out to provide an overview and training for what will happen in the polling places this year.  There are plenty of new things that will happen so no matter if you have be in the poll a hundred times or never you need to know if you want to be part of the process.

Please join us.

Monday, February 20, 2006
Social: 6:30 pm   Meeting 7:00 pm
49th Ward Compaign  Office
1774 W. Greenleaf  (at Ravenswood)

Early Voting For Chicago Voters

EARLY VOTING IS OPEN!

The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners has announced 21 early voting sites for the November 7, 2006Primary Election.   

Illinois has an “early voting” program that allows voters to cast ballots during an 18-day period prior to the election. The early voting program will run from October 16 through November 2.  In Chicago, early voting hours are 9 am to 5pm daily, and from 9 am to Noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Unlike absentee voting, no excuse or reason is needed to vote early.

The Chicago Election Board will be utilizing touchscreen voting units for the early voting program. As a result, city voters can cast their ballots at any of the 21 sites. The touchscreen voting units will contain all ballot styles for the entire city, and will provide the voter with the proper ballot style and candidates for his or her address.   

Every voting site will be equipped with ten touchscreen units.

The Chicago Election Board is utilizing only government buildings for the early voting program. Only sites accessible to people with disabilities are being utilized.

The Board has attempted to scatter the “early voting” sites geographically throughout the city. The 21 sites are being staffed by temporary employees of the Board of Election Commissioners.

At the end of each voting day, the results cartridges from every touchscreen voting unit will be placed under lock and key. The touchscreen units cannot be operated without the results cartridge.

At the beginning of each voting day, the public counter that reflects the votes cast will be checked to ensure that no votes have been tampered with or added to the results cartridge. Neal said that votes cast during the early voting program will not be counted until after the close of the polls on election night.

By law, early voters must produce government issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license, state I.D. card, passport, etc.

The only stipulation for early voters is that they cannot cancel their ballots and vote in the polling place on Election Day.

Chicagoans can now vote early, but no, you can’t vote often.

The 21 Chicago early voting sites are:

Main Office of the Chicago Board of Elections
69 W. Washington, Lower Level

    * Engine 26 10 N. Leavitt Av
    * King Community Ctr 4314 S. Cottage Grove Av
    * 3rd District Police 7040 S. Cottage Grove Av
    *  Olive Harvey College 10001 S. Woodlawn Av
    * South Chgo Learning Ctr 3055 E. 92 St
    * McKinley Park 2210 W. Pershing Rd
    *  West LawnPark 4233 W. 65 St
    *  ArcherHeights Library 5055 S. Archer Av
    * 6th District Police 7808 S. Halsted St.
    * 22nd District Police 1900 W. Monterey Av
    *  Piotrowski Park 4247 W. 31 St
    * West Side Learning Ctr  4624 W. Madison St
    *  Amundsen Park 6200 W. Bloomingdale Av
    *  Mozart Park 2036 N. Avers St
    *  Pulaski Park 1419 W. Blackhawk St
    *  Wright College 4300 N Narragansett Av
    *  North Park Village Admn Bldg. 5801 N. Pulaski Rd
    *  Norwood Park 5801 N. Natoma Av
    *  Wells Park 2333 W. Sunnyside Av
    * Warren Park 6601 N. Western Av (Closest to 49th Ward)

Have more questions?  Please Call:

49th Ward   (773) 973-4949
or
Chicago Board of Elections (312) 269-7900

The Results Are In

In our customary way, the Democratic Party of the 49th Ward held its endorsement session today and the results range from a cliff hanger to landslides.  We invited all of the candidates in the 6 contested races on our 49th Ward ballot this election and many of them took the time to come, speak, answer questions and try there luck at winning our important endorsement.

The results are as follows:

Governor - State of Illinois
Rod Blagojevich                64.3%
Edwin Eisendrath            35.7%
Blagojevich Recommendation to the Board

Treasurer - State of Illinois
Alexi Giannoulias            51.0%
Paul Mangieri                      49.0%
Results Sent to the Board

State Central Committeeman - 9th Dist.
William Marovitz           89.6%
Patrick McDonough      10.4%
Marovitz is Endorsed

President of the County Board
John Stroger                          81.8%
Forrest Claypool               18.2%
Stroger is Endorsed

Cook County Sheriff
Thomas Dart                           94.2%
Sylvester Baker                       3.8%
Richard Remus                        2.0%
Dart is Endorsed

Commissioner - M.W.R.D.
Debra Shore                              88.8%
Terrence O' Brien                70.0%
Frank Avila                               16.6%
Lewis Powell                             22.2%
James Harris                            38.8%
Dean Maragos                            5.5%
Barrett Pederson                  18.5%
Patricia Horton                       11.1%
Boguslaw Stefanski                1.8%
Dean Nichols                                 0.0%
Shore is Endorsed
O'Brien is Endorsed
Results for 3rd Seat Sent  to the Board


The Board of the Democratic Party will meet to discuss endorsements  sent to the Board and will determine if further action will be taken.  The Board can elect to  make an endorsement for a candidate, actively make a  "no endorsement" in the race  or  let the results of the membership stand which will result in no position being taken.

We will be taking action on county-wide and appellate court races shortly.  We have no sub-circuit race this election cycle.

To those who attended, thank you.  For those of you who missed it, you missed some excellent debate and some good questions and an opportunity to ask the candidates whatever was on your mind.