Elections Archives

As I read last night’s election results, the term “public servant” started taking on a deeper meaning.

A public servant is typically defined as a government official, particularly someone elected to office, whose job is to serve the greater good.

I suggest, in this time of a global health crisis, that each of us strives to have a stronger “public servant” mindset in service of the greater good.

We are seeing by the minute the consequences of government action (and inaction) at all levels. The impact of decisions made by school boards and legislatures, as well as the federal government, are revealing themselves. Some decisions have been confounding, some discerning, others courageous.

Like it or not, each of us shares a degree of involvement in how things are unfolding. Through our votes, advocacy, and actions — and our complacency, indifference, and inaction — we played a role in picking the decision makers and influencing their decisions.

Eleven of the 12 Stand-endorsed candidates for the Illinois House and Senate won or appear headed for victory in their primaries. Some results aren’t definitive since there are large numbers of ballots in Chicago and elsewhere in the state that are yet to be counted. The full list of winning and leading candidates are:

For State Senate

Sen. Robert Martwick (D-10)
Sen. Robert Peters (D-13)
Sen. Cristina Castro (D-22)
Meg Cappel (D-49)

For State House of Representatives

Rep. Theresa Mah (D-2)
Rep. Thaddeus Jones (D-29)
Rep. Jaime Andrade, Jr. (D-40)
Janet Yang Rohr (D-41)
Rep. Rita Mayfield (D-60)
Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-83)
Rep. Avery Bourne (R-95)

Thank you to everyone who played a role in their victories through your votes, dollars, phone calls, social media postings, and door knocking. I can’t imagine any of them anticipated the enormity of the responsibilities falling on their shoulders as public servants, should they win in November. Indeed, many are incumbents and already tasked with making consequential decisions on the state budget and other matters to get Illinois through these challenging times.

Every day is an opportunity for all of us to serve the greater good by educating ourselves on the issues, then taking action that makes a positive impact — through our votes and meaningful advocacy.

I hope with all my heart that you and your families are and remain healthy.

Paid for by Stand for Children Illinois PAC

Chicago – Stand for Children Illinois PAC, which supports elected officials and candidates who make the best interests of students a top priority, today announced its endorsement of candidates in the upcoming 2016 general election.

“Our state’s education system has made important gains over the course of the last several years, with the help of policies setting college- and career-ready standards and providing students more opportunities to earn college credit in high school,” said Mimi Rodman, PAC chairperson. “At the same time, we have a long way to go.

The gap between what we spend for our richest and poorest school districts is the worst in the country; that is unconscionable. The need is urgent for education champions who are bold, courageous leaders for all Illinois students.”

Stand for Children IL PAC’s 2016 endorsed candidates are:

For State Senate

Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-25)
Sen. Dan McConchie (R-26)
Sen. Julie Morrison (D-29)
Sen. Melinda Bush (D-31)
Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-49)
Sheila Simon (D-58)
Sen. Gary Forby (D-59)

For State Representative

Rep. Mike McAuliffe (R-20)
Rep. Fred Crespo (D-44)
Rep. Peter Breen (R-48)
Rep. Scott Drury (D-58)
Rep. Carol Sente (D-59)
Rep. Sheri Jesiel (R-61)
Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-69)
Rep. Kate Cloonen (D-79)
Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-84)

In the run up to Election Day, Stand for Children IL PAC will provide support through various means, including field operations as well as financial contributions and communications.

Stand for Children IL PAC endorses only in contested races, and any candidate in a contested State House or Senate race is eligible for consideration of endorsement. To arrive at endorsement decisions, Stand for Children IL PAC analyzed voting records and questionnaire responses, and conducted candidate interviews to evaluate the candidate’s viability and conviction to the organization’s policy agenda.

For more information on our endorsed candidates please visit https://stand.org/illinois/electing-education-champions/.

(Paid for by Stand for Children IL PAC)

Category: Elections

Good Leaders Matter More than Ever

Stand for Children IL PAC Endorses Ed Champs