Ira Wins Lottery!

St. Sen. Silverstein, having filed his petitions at 9:00am on October 29, will be listed first on the February ballot. Ald. Stone also was in line and filed at 9:00am, which necessitated the lottery. Ira won the lottery for the first position on the ballot.

My dad, brilliant political mind that he has, says that winning the lottery is just like winning the lottery. There are extra votes to be had by being first on the ballot. That's why candidates get up and stand in line on the morning of the first day of filing. Given how close Stone's election was in April, a few extra votes for his opponent may be all that's needed to send Berny packing. It is interesting that he was one of the few incumbents who lost the ballot lottery. Maybe the stars are finally aligning in our favor!

Happy Thanksgiving, Dear Readers. I hope you cherish this time with your families and loved ones.

Jan Schakowsky endorses Ira Silverstein

Our Congresswoman, Jan Schakowsky, has endorsed Ira Silverstein in his race for Democratic Committeeman of the 50th Ward. She did so in a recent appearance of the Northtown News Magazine which can be found on YouTube here.

During the show, Jan said:

When I make a decision about endorsing a candidate, this is because I think that candidate will help to advance the agenda, a progressive agenda, and the agenda of this community, and is really ready to work hard for the kinds of changes and improvements that we need. That's my only criteria.

Unfortunately, that's not such a high bar to meet in comparison to Ald. Stone. Stone really has been one of the worst Committeemen in the city. He rarely attends Democratic Party meetings, he's neglected voter registration in the Ward, and uses that fact (that his constituents aren't registered) when they come and ask for help from the ward office or city government. Stories of Stone's neglect have become legend around the neighborhood, and it seems that everyone has their "Stone ignored (or insulted) me" story.

Electing Ira Democratic Committeeman is the first step to returning balance and fairness to the Ward. As Jan said, "that looks like that will be a race, that will be a lively race."

Ira Silverstein Runs for Committeeman

Today, Illinois State Senator Ira Silverstein did Ald. Stone the courtesy of telling him that he would run against Stone for 50th Ward Democratic Committeeman. Stone has held the Committeeman's job since 1999, when Howie Carroll resigned.

The role of the Committeeman is to run the local party, including encouraging voting, registration and filling the party's election judges, as well as participate in running the city and county party organizations. In Chicago, being the alderman and committeeman has been a powerful combination - and few are respected unless they serve both functions. But Stone has been a lackluster committeeman, to say the least.

All three of the Cook County Democratic meetings that I've attended, Stone didn't show. Regulars who attend party meetings know that Stone will fall asleep if he does come, and he rarely has input anyway. He does what he is told. When the party choose Todd Stroger to fill in for his ailing father for County Commission Board President, Stone sent a proxy - in support of Todd. Just like he was told.

Voter registration in the ward is among the lowest in the city. There are very good reasons for this: it's too much work for Stone and his organization and it would dilute the power Stone has in the ward. For want of a good party organization, Democrats in West Rogers Park have to look elsewhere.

Stone has created a culture of corruption around his party organization. He demanded that election judges pass his petitions during the general election in 2006. There were repeated calls to the State's Attorney and Chicago Board of Elections because of the numerous violations by Stone's workers.

By contrast, Ira Silverstein was the first Democrat not endorsed (or slated) by the Democratic organization to win a Northside Senate seat since 1972. He has served us ably in the state legislature, and now offers himself up to lend his good name to the Democratic label here in the 50th. A strong family man with good values has to be a better choice than what we have now.