The Daily Herald came out today with their endorsements in the races for Illinois State Treasurer and Comptroller.
Clint Krislov, IVI-IPO's lawyer in the suit to overturn the Chicago Parking Meter deal, and the lawyer that's done the most of late to ease the crazy petition rules meant to keep non-machine candidates off the ballot, was endorsed for State Comptroller:
From this impressive trio, we like the ethics-minded Krislov, who already has proved he's more than talk. He pushed for and helped fund the Center of Open Government at Chicago-Kent College of Law. The center offers free legal assistance in cases challenging closed government processes. A class-action lawyer, we believe he has the courage to stand up to powerful public and private interests.
Robin Kelly, currently Chief of Staff in the Treasurer's office, and before that, a State Rep. from Chicago's southern suburbs (and also IVI-IPO's endorsed candidate), gets the DH nod for Treasurer:
We endorse Kelly. She will reach out to citizens and already has demonstrated leadership in the House, sponsoring bills that protect consumers and victims of domestic violence. Her experience will facilitate an easy transition.
On October 13, the state Treasurer's Chief of Staff Robin Kelly returned to the South Suburbs to talk to a packed room for "Team Obama" at the Flossmoor Station. Prior attempts to schedule the hometown favorite had been thwarted by the special session.
She started off talking about why she left the General Assembly to become Alexi Giannoulias' Chief of Staff. She laid out her reasons for running and what she hopes to accomplish as state Treasurer.
(Promoted, as we do that to candidate diaries here. - promoted by BobB)
My name is Robin Kelly, and I am running to be Illinois’ next State Treasurer.
I’m writing today because, in the true spirit of this community, I want to engage in a thoughtful dialogue about the challenges facing Illinois. I’m looking forward to hearing your ideas, and I look forward to sharing my ideas and plans for the Treasurer’s Office.
As some of you may know, I am currently the Chief of Staff to State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. But, before I began working in the Treasurer’s Office I was a state legislator and a community leader.
I know that many Illinois Democrats, especially my fellow Cegelis supporters, are supporting Alexi Giannoulias for IL State Treasurer. I understand and respect your decision. But I want to tell you why I'm supporting Paul Mangieri instead. Paul and I are life long friends. We grew up in the same small town (downstate), where Paul's uncle was our beloved Mayor. We went to the same church, played on the same football team and graduated from high school together in 1977.
I'll never forget one defining moment from our senior class trip. A bunch of us were talking about our future plans and ambitions. Many of us had starry-eyed dreams, with no real commitment to them. Not Paul. He spoke up with great conviction and announced, "I'm going to be the President of the United States". He's spent the rest of his life working towards that goal.
Paul went off to college, then Law School. After that, he joined the US Navy. He could have gone into a very lucrative private practice, but he felt strongly that he should serve his country first. That says a lot about Paul, and his strong sense of values and ethics....Country first, then family...and himself last.
