Longtime independent Bob Bartell, who previously served 4 terms over a decade ago as state chair of the Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization, a/k/a IVI-IPO, has reportedly won the state chairmanship, after a vigorous contest whose balloting concluded today. Bartell, recently active in Northside DFA, and a frequent contributor to local Democratic blogs, boosted the membership of the organization significantly in his previous tenure. The organization in subsequent years suffered some decline after some bitter internal divisions. Bartell campaigned on a plank of rebuilding.
The venerable organization continues to be a sought-after endorsement for candidates, as voters continue to place value on the group's cumbersome but thorough procedures. In the most recent election, parochial infighting seemed to play a part in the unexpectedly hot race; political insiders attributed some efforts to oppose Bartell's candidacy to 48th Ward regular Democratic forces. Bartell is also a resident of the 48th Ward, and was a member of the now-defunct independent Network 48.
Outgoing state chair David Igasaki, who did not run for re-election, supported longtime IVI-IPO stalwart Hilda Frontany, who placed second in the balloting. Marc Loveless, another 48th Warder, who has been most active on LGBT issues, came in third.
