Chicago Citizen Newspaper Endorsements
Pat Quinn, Candidate for Illinois Governor
The Chicago Citizen Newspaper fully supports the re-election of Gov. Pat Quinn. Quinn was sworn in as the 41st Governor of Illinois on Jan. 29, 2009. He won election to a full term on Nov. 2, 2010.Governor Quinn has focused on restoring integrity to state government and, in his first official act, signed an executive order establishing the Illinois Reform Commission to examine ethics rules and practices in state government. He also led passage of fundamental legislation to return integrity to the state pension boards, ensure state agency compliance with Freedom of Information laws and increase transparency of state boards and commissions.
Richard “Dick” Durbin, Candidate for U.S. Senate
The Chicago Citizen Newspaper proudly endorses, incumbent U.S. Sen. Richard “Dick” Durbin (D-Ill.), elected to the United States Senate in 1996, re-elected in 2002, and again in 2008 for the term ending January 3, 2015, Durbin’s congressional record includes participation in health insurance reform that extended access to affordable health insurance to those without insurance, successfully fought to increase the share of federal funding dedicated to combating AIDS worldwide, putting forth a plan to give small businesses affordable choices among private health insurance plans and expand access to coverage for their employees.
Jesse White, Candidate for Illinois Secretary of State
The Chicago Citizen Newspaper endorses, Jesse White Illinois' 37th Secretary of State. White was first elected to the office in 1998 and won landslide victories in 2002, in which he won all 102 counties, and again in 2006. On Nov. 2, 2010, White was re-elected to a fourth term, winning another landslide victory in which he earned over 2.5 million votes statewide – more than any statewide constitutional candidate in over 34 years. White became Illinois’ longest serving Secretary of State on May 30, 2014. Prior to his election as Secretary of State, White served as Cook County Recorder of Deeds — a job to which he was first elected in 1992 and re-elected in 1996.
Lisa Madigan, Candidate for Illinois Attorney General
The Chicago Citizen Newspaper supports the re-election of Illinois Attorney General, Lisa Madigan. Madigan’s public service record is one of many “firsts.” The first woman elected to serve as Attorney General of Illinois, Madigan is now the senior most female Attorney General in the country. She is also the first Illinois Attorney General to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court in nearly three decades. Since taking office in 2003, Madigan has established herself as a national leader through her aggressive actions to protect consumers, safeguard communities, advocate for working men and women, ensure access to affordable, quality healthcare, and fight for open, honest government.
Toni Preckwinkle for Cook County Board President
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has been a dedicated community leader for over two decades, providing independent and progressive leadership founded on experience, know-how and a commitment to practical results.
Preckwinkle has the integrity and forward-thinking ideas that are needed to transform county government into a world-class institution of which the people of Cook County can be proud.
She sponsored an ordinance that limits the establishment of payday loan stores and was a lead sponsor of the anti-smoking ordinance. She has not been afraid to stand-up to the status-quo, voting against the parking meter privatization and standing with a small minority in opposition to the 2008 tax increases.
Her independent and progressive leadership earned her the IVI-IPO Best Alderman Award in 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2005 and 2008, and the 1997 and 2009 Leon Despres Awards.
Preckwinkle was elected Cook County Board President on November 2, 2010. She holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago. She taught high school history for ten years before being elected to City Council. She is also a wife and a mother of two children and grandmother of three. The Chicago Citizen Newspaper proudly endorses her.
Larry Rogers, Jr. for Commissioner, Cook County Board of Review, 3rd District
The Chicago Citizen Newspaper enthusiastically endorses Larry Rogers, Jr. , for re-election as Commissioner of the Cook County Board of Review, 3rd District. Rogers has served the 3rd District since 2004 and has made it a priority to inform property owners of their right to appeal property tax assessments. The commissioner is also an attorney at the law firm of Power, Rogers and Smith. The firm has a rich history of supporting victims’ rights, representing individuals and consumers who have suffered injuries or lost loved ones due to negligence by individuals, corporations and government.
Deborah Sims for Cook County Commissioner, 5th District
The Chicago Citizen Newspaper endorses Deborah Sims for Cook County Commissioner. Sims graduated from Chicago’s John M. Harlan High School and attended Chicago city colleges, including Olive Harvey College and Harold Washington College. Sims worked in Chicago’s Credit and Collection Department and later with the Cook County Chief Judge’s office as well as Chicago’s Youth Delinquency Prevention Program. As Cook County Commissioner of the 5th District, she is the Chairperson of Oak Forest Hospital and Vice-Chair of the county’s Finance Committee.
Bobby L. Rush, Candidate for U.S. Representative, 1st District
Congressman Bobby Rush has been a stalwart in African American community for decades. Since landing at the helm of the Illinois’ 1st Congressional District in 1993 he has consistently fought for citizens and bought resources to the area. His most recent advocacy for the 1st District includes obtaining a $4.9 million federal grant for the recently completed Bronzeville Metra Station. During the congressman’s, nineteen years of service, Rush has obtained millions of dollars in grants for libraries, police departments, hospitals, schools, and art programs. Coupled with his strong community involvement and progressive leadership style, the Chicago Citizen Newspaper proudly endorses Rush for Congress.
Robin Kelly for U.S. Representative, 2nd Dist.
In a special election on April 9th 2013, Robin Kelly was elected to represent Illinois’ 2nd District in Congress – receiving 70.7% of the vote after winning the hotly-contested, Special Democratic Primary on February 26, 2013 with an overwhelming 53.3% of the vote in a 15-way race. Congressman Kelly began her career representing Illinois’ 38th District in the Illinois House of Representatives from 2002 to 2007. In 2007, Kelly left her position as Representative to take on the challenges of the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office. She was the first female African-American to serve as Chief of Staff where she worked for a progressive agenda founded in social and economic justice through innovative investment strategy, encouraging small and local businesses, eradicating food deserts, and promoting financial literacy. The Chicago Citizen Newspaper proudly endorses her.
Danny K. Davis, Candidate for U.S. Representative, 7th District
The Chicago Citizen Newspaper proudly endorses Congressman Danny K. Davis for Congress. For more than 15 years, Davis has championed reform in the 7th Congressional District. A strong orator and indomitable leader, Davis has used his immeasurable experience as a public servant including years as 29th Ward Alderman and as a Cook County Commissioner to effectively bring change to his constituents. Currently in Congress, Davis serves on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Health Care, District of Columbia, Census and the National Archives and serves on the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal, Labor.
Mattie Hunter, Candidate for State Senate, 3rd District
Sen. Mattie Hunter has served in the Illinois Senate since 2003. Hunter came to the senate with a background in human services. She is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Prevention Specialist in the State of Illinois and Indiana. The state senator’s training allows her to champion legislation that effectively serve her constituents. She Hunter has passed over 100 bills in the areas of breast cancer, childhood vaccines, environmental issues, and education. The Chicago Citizen Newspaper proudly endorses the Hunter for state senate.
Illinois Senate. Napoleon Harris , Candidate for State Senate, 15th District
A former pro-football player, Harris was born in Dixmoor and attended Thornton Township High School. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Northwestern University. Harris owns and operates two Beggars Pizza locations and he and his family lives in Flossmoor. Harris preserves neighborhood safety, keep kids off the streets and recruit businesses to the area. Harris is a new and refreshing voice representing citizens of the 15th District and the Chicago Citizen Newspaper energetically endorses him for Illinois senate.
Ken Dunkin, Candidate for State Representative, 5th District
The Chicago Citizen Newspaper proudly endorses Rep. Ken Dunkin for re-election to the Illinois General Assembly. Dunkin was first elected to the state House in 2002. Prior, he was a social worker which enabled him to help families access needed resources. As a representative, Dunkin concentrates on legislation to raise the quality of life for working common themes in Ford’s work, in areas such as jobs, education, health, small business development and housing.
Arthur Turner, Candidate for State Representative, 9th District
The Chicago Citizen Newspaper proudly endorses Rep. Arthur Turner for re-election to the Illinois House. Turner worked to pass Illinois’ new Patients’ Right to Know Act, to guarantee that a physician’s professional background is available to consumers. The legislation necessitates the formation of a searchable Internet database with information on all of Illinois’ 44,000 licensed physicians. Turner is the son of former State Representative & Deputy Majority Leader, Arthur L. Turner.
Barbara Flynn Currie, Candidate for State Representative, 25th District
Barbara Flynn Currie has served the people of the 25th District since 1979. In 1997, she became the first woman Majority Leader in the history of the Illinois General Assembly. As the second ranking House official, Currie works closely with colleagues from both parties and all regions of the state to fashion solutions to the problems that face Illinois. Her legislative accomplishments include sponsorship of the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit Act, which allows families to keep more of their income, and the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, the law that ensures access to public records. Over the years, she has also passed several improvements to the original law, such as ending blanket exceptions from public disclosure of correctional and law enforcement records. The Chicago Citizen Newspaper fully endorses Currie for re-election to the Illinois House.
Christian L. Mitchell, Candidate for State Representative, 26th District
The Chicago Citizen Newspaper enthusiastically endorses Christian L. Mitchell for the Illinois General Assembly. Mitchell is a graduate of the University of Chicago and began his career as a community organizer. He’s worked with families to try to help provide a better life for children including tackling the issues of education and healthcare . Mitchell has also worked to help entrepreneurs to eliminate the possibility of shuttering their businesses. The candidate says that it’s the courage of everyday people that inspires him to serve.
Monique D. Davis, Candidate for State Representative, 27th District
Rep. Monique D. Davis is a powerhouse in the Illinois House. Since being elected to the General Assembly in 1995, the former educator has passed numerous pieces of legislation on issues including education and criminal justice. The representative’s committee assignments reflect her dedication to education and health care. Davis is Chairperson of the Insurance Committee, the Financial Institutions Committee and the Appropriation-Higher Education. Davis continues her active involvement with several community and charitable organizations including the NAACP, Operation Push, Phi Delta Kappa, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago Urban League and Beverly Area Planning Association. The Chicago Citizen Newspaper ardently endorses Davis for re-election to the Illinois House.
Robert “Bob” Rita, Candidate for State Representative, 28th District
Rep. Robert Rita has served the 28th District since 2002. Rita lists economic redevelopment, equitable school funding, and increased health care availability as his main concerns in the state legislature. Rita’s accomplishments as a public official, have earned him the respect and esteem of his peers and the community. Rita is the youngest son of the late John and Rose Rita, longtime public servants who taught Bob the value of hard work and service to the community. This lifetime of dedication has resulted in numerous victories for the people of the 28th District and Calumet Township The Chicago Citizen Newspaper proudly endorses Rita for re-election to the Illinois General Assembly.
Thaddeus Jones, Candidate for State Representative, 29th District
The Chicago Citizen Newspaer energetically endorses Rep. Thaddeus Jones for re-election to the Illinois House. He was sworn in as State Representative of the 29th Representative District in January 2011. Jones’s platform includes employment opportunities for families, expanded crime prevention and youth programs, and his staunch advocacy for education continues to unify the district. The representative continues to fight for property tax relief and equality in education funding that does not use the property values of a community to regulate the amount of funding a school receives.
Mary E. Flowers, Candidate for State Representative, 31st District
The Chicago Citizen Newspaper zealously endorses Rep. Mary E. Flowers for re-election to the Illinois House. Flowers was first elected in 1985. She is a fervent child advocate and sponsored "Kids Initiative 95," which is a series of bills pertaining to children's legal rights and needs. She also introduced legislation that created the state's first in-school daycare center at a Chicago public high school. In addition, Flowers also sponsored the first low-income energy assistance program in the state of Illinois and proposed legislation requiring African-American sensitivity training for all police officers in Illinois.
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