There’s a lot of anger, frustration and fear across the state as voters get ready to vote in today’s Illinois primary.
A poll by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute last fall showed that only 23 percent of voters think Illinois is headed in the right direction.
With an unemployment rate of 10.8 percent, huge budget deficits and a dismal business climate, it’s easy to see why those surveyed would be pessimistic.
Today’s a chance to do something about it.
There are many hotly contested statewide races and some interesting contests in Boone and Winnebago counties. You can choose to vote in the Democratic, Republican or the Green Party primary — although there are no contested races on the Green side. You have to declare your party preference before you get a ballot.
The winners advance to the November general election, where the campaigns will get even more competitive.
Despite competitive contests and voter frustration, Winnebago County Clerk Margie Mullins predicts voter turnout will be 16 percent, about the same as it was four years ago.
We hope more than that head to the polls today. Polls opened at 6 this morning and don’t close until 7 p.m., so you have all day to do last-minute research on candidates before you cast your ballot.
We’ve done extensive research in five races. Here’s a wrap-up of our endorsements:
Democratic governor: Dan Hynes. Hynes has consistently been a voice of fiscal reason in his three terms as comptroller. He cheered ethics reform and ending pay-to-play politics when no other constitutional officers were willing to stick their necks out. Gov. Pat Quinn has been disappointing in his year in office. He has shown little leadership.
GOP governor: Kirk Dillard. State Sen. Dillard has had a distinguished career in the General Assembly and he was chief of staff to Jim Edgar during Edgar’s first term as governor. In that role, he saw firsthand how to reduce a budget deficit, something that is needed during the state’s current financial crisis. Dillard is endorsed in a strong Republican field.
Democratic U.S. senator: David Hoffman. Hoffman has been Chicago’s inspector general, he’s worked for U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and he was a key player on the Illinois Reform Commission. His integrity and experience set him apart from one-term state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.
GOP U.S. senator: Mark Kirk. Kirk has extensive experience in Washington during his five terms as U.S. representative from Chicago’s North Shore, has moderate views that are in line with those of most Illinoisans and has a military background that gives him insight into national defense issues. He is the GOP’s best chance at regaining the seat that has been in Democratic hands for 12 years.
Boone County judge: Jim Hursh. Hursh is the only candidate in this three-man-race with current courtroom experience. He is endorsed over longtime state Rep. Ron Wait, who was ineffective in that job, and David Englund, one of only two Boone County judges to be booted by voters.
Those are the only races we’ve weighed in on for the primary. In the fall, we plan to endorse in more than 20 contested campaigns.
Source: The Rockford Register Star
