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The above figures mean nothing. Most of these people are running for the first time or are running against incumbents who have plenty of money in their warchests. I question the sources of incumbent contributions.

SHAME ON JOHN FRITCHEY AND HIS CRONIES for defiling our Democracy and violating voters’ rights. We cannot allow this historic corruption. We cannot allow Fritchey to become the new Gabinski and use corruption to win elections. If they do this to me, they will do it again and again. To uphold the dignity of our Democracy, I ask you to join me in taking action: 1) make one phone call and 2) read the Chicago Tribune series on Zoning and Clout. 1) Please join me in calling Steve Ravid, Clerk of the Illinois Appellate Court, at 312-793-5600. Demand a written ruling on my motion challenging the Board of Elections. My case number is 08-0031. After the rigged decision by Circuit Court Judge Bertucci who represents Madigan’s district and didn’t issue a written ruling, I went to Appellate Court TO GAIN A WRITTEN RULING on the Board’s rejection of legal affidavits with no counter evidence. As no surprise, the Appellate Court denied my motion on January 24 without a written ruling. Help me demand that these “so-called” judges put their politically-motivated decision in writing. Call Steve Ravid today. 2) Read the Tribune’s series and learn about Fritchey. He is a zoning change lawyer. He is the nephew-in-law of City Council Zoning Chairman Bill Banks. He is the brother-in-law of Jim Banks, the zoning change lawyer who brought us the mammoth at 1806 N. Wood St. with Ted Matlak’s help. Recognizing Jim’s efforts in our Ward, John recently deposited $200,000 in Jim’s Belmont Bank & Trust, telling the press “they had the highest rate.” The Tribune series is one reason why John prevented my candidacy. He knew this was coming out. He didn’t want you to learn about his record of forcing zoning changes. He didn’t want you to know he is a corrupt zoning change lawyer and political operative. Google “Fritchey Castle” and learn how Fritchey-Banks forced a zoning change that bulldozed a Chicago neighborhood. And remember, Fritchey tried to force a Lincoln Park zoning change last fall without community input, as cited in the Chicago Reader on 12/13/07: “Fritchey bypassed this step, filing directly with the city a request to change the zoning of a lot on the 1400 block of West Lill. When Alderman Scott Waguespack found out, he had to call Banks, Fritchey’s uncle-in-law, to ask him to hold the request until it could be brought before a neighborhood group. Fritchey dismisses the matter as an oversight.” Learn the truth about Fritchey. And in coming weeks, stay tuned. What has happened here is a poisonous danger to our Democracy. If Fritchey, Madigan, the Banks and their cronies can kick me off the ballot illegally, they will do it again and again and again….. We must decry this corruption. We must defy these bullies. We must safeguard our Democracy. We must. Roger Romanelli www.romanelli32.com

Nice spread sheet, Mick. Now, how about posting a complete list of every candidate's to date declared 'contributions', from all sources? With the office they're running for and which ones are incumbent office holders? Or a link to where this information is as clearly displayed as your spread sheet? (Yeah, I'm a lazy old bastard.)

Exactly! I'd like to see what each candidate has in their "slush funds." For example, I believe Joe Berrios has at least 5 slush/contribution funds in excess of $2 million. Why self finance when you can get your chums in Springfield to fill your coffers?

Caparelli should have paid Cocopuffy off than Mulligan and Cocopuffy would have dropped out. Caparelli will have a major victory.

Did you know my mom has a commercial on every thiry minutes. If mom wasn't so overprotective, I could watch those all day.

As some probably know, you can examine everybody's campaign contributions in line by line detail by going to the Illinois State Board of Elections site and doing a search (to do it by the candidate's name, go to http://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CandidateSearch.aspx?NavLink=1). One other arguably interesting tidbit: some of the longtime politicos have a bunch of campaign committees, some left over from previous runs for office, others used mostly to collect money they distribute to allies. This time around several candidates have transferred bundles of money from the old war chests to their new ones--typically a sign that they're in a tough race and need some dough they haven't been able to raise from "supporters" recently. It's kind of like withdrawing money from your savings account. Anyway, here are a couple of examples: Joe Berrios Board of Review commissioner $788,927.29 Ralph Capparelli Democratic committeeman, 41st Ward $45,000.00 Ira Silverstein Democratic committeeman, 50th Ward $10,000.00

Out of District Support for Steans http://morsehellhole.blogspot.com/2008/02/out-of-district-supporters-for-steans.html

This reporter should be fired. Check your facts. I looked at a couple of the names here and your numbers are way off. It's clear you only looked at the 2nd Semi-Annual Report filed in 2007 for each candidate. If you look at the A-1's these guys have filed and add in any donations before July, these numbers are a lot higher. Also this guy didn't count personal loans to the campaigns. And of course, this is meaningless – because most of these guys are fighting machine candidates. They can’t raise money from anyone but themselves. Get another job Mick, you don't seem to have the skills for this one.

Mariyana Spyropoulos has put almost $300,000 of her Citgo Venezuelan oil money in the race. Will people be stupid enough to allow her to buy that office and destroy Black and Hispanic representation.

Dean Maragos spent twice that much.

How would you know? And, how would we know you know? It's open posting, buddy, feel free to put your 'money' where your mouth is. Show us the 'money'. As in, 'put up or shut up'.

JR, Loosen one of those intestines you had tied to lose wieght. Mick just put a taste of what some candidates will spend to run for elected office. Mick Dumke is one of the best reporters in Chicago ! Also . I will get more votes than Capparelli and Roger Romanelli is my friend.

JR: While I won't question your apparent training in journalism or human resources, I will note that my numbers include contributions and loans from the last six months of 2007 as well as January 2008--that is, both the semi-annual report and all A-1 filings through the end of last month. Still, I--unlike the pope, the mayor, or other political junkies--won't claim to be infallible. If I've missed something, please point it out.... Not that you need my invitation. And thanks for reading.

Does Coconate pocket the donations or report them. To life to life la hyem.

Does 'just axing' think it's being cute? With or without the fake Hebrew? How about asking the question to every Democratic incumbent, starting with Madigan, Daley, Burke, Stroger, Jones, Banks, etc.? Or does 'just axing' already know the answers, but ain't ready to talk, yet.

Donations? What is a donation?

canidates should have pooled their money into the Banks family bank on Belmont. I hear there is a lot of money to be made there. Why is an "independent" candidate for judge spending $360K of his own money to become a judge (Not to mention the other $$ he raises). What does this guy have in mind for the bench if he needs to have so much money to run - who MADE this guy???

Mariyana Spyropoulos ? I'm Greek, and thats got to be a made up name. Like say , SANTOS! Both of them are phonies!

How is it that Sandi Jackson is calling into the 26th District and she is s NOBODY

Donation= Something Frank Coconate gives to Tony Peraica's favorite bar, The Lucky Horseshoe.

Hilary Clinton won 3 to 1 the Hispanic votes in Nevada. This was even though the unions with heavy Hispanic membership endorsed Obama (but the leadership is not Hispanic--sort of like the SEIU with heavy Jewish and far left influence in predominantly Black and Hispanic unions) So the white and Jewish union bosses endorsed Obama but the rank and file mostly Hispanic union members went with Clinton. In Florida Clinton also won the Hispanic vote for the Democratic nomination over Obama. In the Republican primary John McCain won the Hispanic vote in Florida which won Florida for him over John McCain. The knock on Obama in Florida besides voting to build a wall on the Mexican border is he has no experience with the Hispanic community. Jesse Jackson Jr here in Chicago talks about a Black/Brown alliance but it is only Browns supporting Blacks and never the other way around at least not for Jesse Jr or most of the other official Black leadership (with some exceptions). There was much ado about billboards with Congressman Luis Gutierrez for now Judge Joy Cunningham over the slated white candidate and a Black/Brown alliance but there was no corresponding Black support for Brown only Brown support for Black. Some interesting notes are that: 1. There are NO Hispanics elected Statewide at large. NONE, ZIP, ZILCH, ZIPPO, ZEROE. Never a Governor, Treasurer, Lite Governor, Comptroller or Secretary of State. African Americans have had Roland Burris and Jesse White. There has never been a major Hispanic candidate supported by the Democratic party for these offices. The Countywide offices also have no Hispanic elected office holder except for Commissioner Frank Avila of the MWRDGC which is an important but relatively obscure office. Only 1. The African American community has representation in the County Board President (even if it is controlled by John Daley), the Recorder of Deeds, and Clerk of the Circuit Court out of the major offices and two of the 9 MWRDGC Commissioners. There are no Hispanics in any of the major posts and only 1 Hispanic at the MWRDGC. Commissioner Avila endorsed Barack Obama and has made calls to California for Barack Obama. However, Senator Ricky Hendon is supporting two candidates one black and one white and targetting him for defeat uniquely so if Senator Hendon is successful there will be no Hispanics on the MWRDGC board and none at all at any post countywide in Cook County. None. Similiarly, Congressman Danny Davis (who has received Hispanic support) is not supporting any Hispanics and has a separate almost all Black slate. There is a Soul Slate that is all Black. Professor Starks has an all Black slate. Congressman Jackson is not supporting any Hispanics and is even targetting for defeat Commissioner Jose Berrios of the Tax Board of Appeals and Commissioner Avila of the MWRDGC. If Jose Berrios and Frank Avila were to lose there would be NO representation of Hispanics at any level of government. The Assessor who is targetting Jose Berrios for defeat (Jose Berrios appeals his tax assessments) has almost no Hispanics working in his office with estimates from 1 to 3% while the population is 20 to 25% in the city and growing. Judge Jesse Reyes (the only slated Hispanic judicial candidate) is not getting the commensurate Black support that now Judge Joy Cunningham got from the Latino community. There has NEVER been a Judge elected Countywide at large who is Hispanic. Out of the 200 or so judges in Cook County only 8 are Hispanic. Where is Jesse Jackson or Danny Davis or Ricky Hendon to elect a Hispanic Judge for judicial diversity or fairness. Jose Berrios is the only elected official from a district that is 1/3 of the County that employs Hispanics in any great numbers in his office. Hispanics are non existent in County government with less than 4% and with 1 or 0 (NONE) in some areas. Hispanics supported John and Todd Stroger but minority only means Black to them and there is no diversity for other minorities. If Jose Berrios loses there will be no Hispanic representation on issues dealing with property taxes and dozens of Hispanic men and women who lose jobs. Commissioner Frank Avila is an interesting example of lack of reciprocity to the extent you can vote for THREE in the MWRDGC rotating Board member race. So Commissioner Avila a licensed Engineer and the only Hispanic in the race or on that Board is not even on the top three of the supposedly liberal and committed to diversity Congresswoman Jan Shakowsky or Commissioner and leading in the polls candidate for State's Attorney Larry Suffredin. The Cook County States Attorney has very few Hispanic attorneys and deals with Hispanics and some say heavy handedly yet Larry Suffredin is not supporting a slated, qualified, and sole Hispanic--not even when he has three choices. Hispanics have given significant Republican votes in past national elections and McCain has a Hispanic following yet Shakowsky is trying as a national leader and Democratic leader and Congresswoman to in one election to eliminate ALL HIspanic representation. NONE. No Hispanics allowed in Cook County. Congressman Jackson, who wanted to be Mayor of a City that is 25% Hispanic and growing is also oppossing every Hispanic running for office and two Hispanic incumbents one who supported him on his races and his allies (Commissioner Avila) Anita Alvarez (a non slated non incumbent) is not getting any support by even her fellow Hispanics despite her arguably superior credentials (she has been a prosecutor even longer than Bob Milan) She is considered an outstanding attorney and comptetent prosecutor without scandal and came in after the Area 2 scandals. She is the only female running. She is the only Hispanic running. It seems that being female only counts when you are trying to get into office without credentials for a MWRDGC seat or a Judge seat. It seems that diversity does not include Hispanics. Anita Alvarez is uniquely qualified but there is no Brown slate, or Spanish slate corresponding to the Rev. Sampson Soul Slate. How can Congressmans Jan Shakowsky and Jesse Jackson be national leaders and attempt to eliminate any Hispanic elected officials??? This is not leadership and if it were against groups they more closely identify with it would be racism and anti-semitism. But being against Hispanics is OK and the media doesn't care. Sen Ricky Hendon is making racist and religiously bigotted statements against an American of Indian (east) descent yet the media says nothing. Silence on lies and explicit racist statements. Ricky Hendon is trying to eliminate Hispanics at the MWRDGC and the Tax Board of Appeals but that is not considered racist. The Democratic Leadership may not worry about the Hispanic sleeping giant because they repeat the apparently accurate mantra that Hispanics don't vote, that the people don't care, and their leaders are bought off. If you make an anti-Black or anti-Jewish statment or opposse their candidates than that is bad and makes a front page story--but being anti-Hispanic is the last allowable racism and discrimination in America. Barack Obama could lose the nomination because of lack of reaching out to Hispanics. The Democratic Party may have a shock without any Hispanic elected officials. The so called liberals like Shakowsky and Suffedin who supposedly believe in diversity do not include Hispanics in that Diversity. The Rainbow of Jesse Jackson Jr is only Black unless you have Green (money) and than you can buy your way in like Larry Suffedin did. The Hispanics running Countywide are: Anita Alvarez for State's Attorney Frank Avila for MWRDGC (slated and incumbent) Jesse Reyes for Judge (sitting associate judge and slated for Countywide seat) Many people are trying to get all three to lose. Even the incumbents and slated candidates. Jose Berrios represents a District that is 1/3 the County and is the only Hispanic involved in the issue of taxation. If the Cong Shakowsky, Cong Jackson, Sen Ricky Hendon cabal plan works---There will be NO (NONE, ZILCH, ZIP, ZERO) Hispanics in any political offices at all in Cook County NONE. That is racism pure and simple. That is also stupid politics--maybe not now--but in the future.

"In A Nutshell February 4th - 8:36 a.m. The white and Black political power mongers don't want Latinos in any positions of governmental authority. Not in the Legislative Branch, nor the Judicial Branch and certainly not in the Executive Branch. Why? Because Hispanics cannot be depended upon to kiss their asses. Why? Because the Latino community is not as stupid as the respective White and Black communities. Why? Because, as far as the White and Black communities are concerned, all Hispanics are a threat to both the White and the Black political manipulation machines. Ebonics aside, the fact that the Hispanic community consists of many individuals, citizens and not yet citizens alike, who are bilingual, and who don't accept being treated like shit, (albeit who have been treated like shit, by White and Black political manipulators), is why waiting for the White and Black political machines to voluntarily 'share' political power and influence with the Hispanic community is a losing proposition. Latinos have, for too long, made the mistake of considering only whether a candidate is Hispanic, assuming that a member of La Raza will, automatically, have the Latino community's best interests at heart. Reality has proven this to be a false assumption, at best. Hispanics have the numbers, of citizens eligible to vote, to seriously affect the outcomes of many political contests, not only the ones within their communities. If the Latino communities are to ever have a voice, they must reject the typical political divisions of Mexicano, Puerto Ricano, Cubano, etc., stop thinking like the White and Black political power mongers want them to think, and realize that they do not need the Democratic Machine to get on the ballot and to get elected. Latinos are not Whites, nor Blacks, nor destined to be manipulated by the Whites and Blacks. The White and Black politicians are finding it more and more difficult to manipulate their own constituencies, as good an opportunity as any for Hispanics to seize the moment and use their votes to deny reelection to those White and Black power mongers who've proven their contempt for the Latino community. Incumbent White and Black political power mongers are the problem, denying them reelection is the beginning of the solution to Hispanic disenfranchisement. HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT" Why put off doing something that you can do today? On Tuesday, February 5th, show the White and Black political power control freaks what you think of their paying lip-service to diversity and fairness. Deny reelection to incumbents and slated party candidates.

Cook County States Attorney pays $180K/yr http://www.cookcountygov.com/07_budget/07_W_Exec.pdf so Alverez will be well into the 2nd 1/2 of her 4th year before she breaks even? this is hinky

None of the candidates for States Attorney . They could all make more at a private law firm -- especially the former SAs who could be defense attys. Anita's husband is an MD and she's clearly willing to sacrifice a lot (she gives up at least 500k a year in salary by staying on the prosecutors' side of the aisle). And for the record, I'm not even supporting Alvarez, but this was a cheap shot.

Sorry -- meant to say "none of the candidates for States Attorney are running for the salary."

Of course it's not the publicly visible 'salary', it's the bribes, the favors, the 'one hand washes the other' arrangements. All of the candidates want the job so that they can control who gets investigated and for what, who gets indicted and for what, who gets prosecuted and for what. You don't really think that so many can commit so much fraud, for so ling, without the Crook County State's Attorney's office deliberately failing to investigate, indict and prosecute these rascals, do you? Why do you think Madigan bought the Illinois Attorney General's office for his daughter? Why do you think Daley's been 100% behind Devine all these years? Their nightmare is Peraica getting elected in November. That would be an early Christmas present, from Hell, for them. For us, it would, indeed, be a Very, Merry Christmas.

it's an observation. cheap shot, maybe you don't think it's a little weird? Alvarez is pumping more of her own money than the equivalent of 3 1/2 years of the salary of the job she is seeking into securing the job for a 4 year term? not just Alvarez but the rest of the top of the list and you have to admit, it's quite a gap between #1 & #2 in Mick's table

All of the oil co. attacks here are being promoted by Matthew Podgorsky to tear down an opponent, rather than putting forward his own credentials. It seems that he's really a stalking horse for the Dem. Machine, rather than a serious candidate. The Sierra Club should take that in to account when he comes before them again in 2 years.

The Sierra Club is a racist joke. They have no credibility. The Sierra Club is taking zoning money and oil money. The Sierra Club is going against Debra Shore. They are not supporting any minorities.

...That writes "HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT"???????.

"Who Is This Twerp?????" I am everyone. Who are you?