Archival Web Materials from IVI-IPO Website 1999 — 2000
IVI-IPO Good Government Ticket
by Aviva Miriam Patt
Moore for Clerk of the Circuit Court
Alderman Joe Moore's political independence and dedication to government reform are the qualifications most needed to clean up this office, which has a long and sordid history of waste, inefficiency and corruption. Moore's experience in the corporation counsel's office under Mayor Harold Washington provided him with first hand knowledge of the workings of the Clerk's office and his legislative record in fighting for ethics and accountability in government recommend him highly to Cook County voters.
Although others may see this job as merely administrative, Moore has a greater vision. He pledges to work with the Chief Judge to implement and expand alternative sentencing and drug treatment efforts for first time non-violent offenders and improve the juvenile and domestic violence courts. We applaud this innovative idea of using the Clerk's position as a "bully pulpit" to fight for desperately needed court reform.
Cousins for Supreme Court
An exceptional jurist, with more than thirty years of distinguished public service, Appellate Court Justice William Cousins is our choice of the four candidates for election to the Illinois Supreme Court from the 1st District. A champion of civil rights and civil liberties, Cousins will continue to work to achieve an independent, proficient and accountable judiciary in Illinois. His goals for this office are to enhance the general quality of Illinois' judges, improve the administration of the courts, achieve greater inclusiveness, expand alternative sentencing options and curb miscarriages of justice.
Wheaton for Supreme Court
In her twelfth year as a Circuit Court Judge, Bonnie Wheaton has more judicial trial experience than any of her opponents in the Republican contest for the 2nd District vacancy. She is the only candidate with criminal trial experience, and received a 93% approval rating from the DuPage County Bar Association when she stood for retention in 1998. Wheaton has served as a Director of the Illinois Judges Association, and is an IJA representative to the Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee. A strong supporter of privacy rights, she would be the first Republican woman on the Illinois Supreme Court.
Hall for Appellate Court
After training in civil rights with the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Shelvin Louise Marie Hall worked in private practice, on Capitol Hill and as General Counsel to the Illinois Department of Human Rights. In 1991 she was appointed to the Cook County Circuit Court and last year to the Illinois Appellate Court. A proponent of administrative improvements in the judicial system, Hall cautions that "fairness must not be sacrificed on the alter of efficiency." She was the first woman judge on the Executive Committee of the Illinois Judicial Conference and also has served as Chair of the Judicial Council of the National Bar Association.
CONGRESSIONAL ENDORSEMENTS
Barack Obama, 1st District
Working with U.S. Senator Paul Simon in 1998, Barack Obama was one of only four legislators who wrote Illinois' toughest-ever campaign finance reform law. He also played a key role in landmark welfare reform legislation in 1997 that empowers many Illinoisans to go into the workforce. Obama has worked as a civil rights lawyer, a community organizer and as Illinois Executive Director of PROJECT VOTE!, an effort that registered over 100,000 new voters in Illinois in 1992. His strong commitment to justice, government reform, and community empowerment will serve the residents of the 1st District well.
Luis Gutierrez, 4th District
Running for reelection to his fifth term in Congress, Luis Gutierrez has a proud record as an effective legislator and energetic spokesperson on behalf of his constituents. He is a nationally recognized leader in the fight to protect legal immigrants, introducing legislation to prevent the break-up of immigrants' families and leading efforts to eliminate the INS's massive backlog of citizenship applications. Gutierrez also has fought budget cuts in important social programs and successfully advocated for federal funds to repair the CTA's Blue Line. An outspoken supporter of Congressional reform, he has fought pay raises and perks for members of Congress and sponsored legislation that bans members of Congress from sending out mass mailings at the taxpayers' expense within 90 days of an election.
Tom Cramer, 6th District
Tom Cramer says it's time the 6th District elected a representative that will serve the people's interests, rather than those of special interests and right-wing ideologues. Running as a pro-choice candidate against the nation's most notorious opponent of reproductive freedom, he makes the case that Henry Hyde's extreme positions are out of sync with this suburban, socially moderate district. A former educator and disability rights advocate, Cramer's platform is based on women's rights, preventive health care, preserving Social Security and Medicare, expanding educational opportunities and ensuring basic human rights.
Lauren Beth Gash, 10th District
In four terms in the state House, Lauren Beth Gash has built a record of accomplishments and effectiveness in dealing with diverse constituencies and people across the political spectrum. She is a champion of women's rights, gun control, campaign finance reform and government accountability. Gash is a staunch supporter of public education, which she descirbes as "the institution that, more than any other, makes democracy possible. It is the central engine of our economic growth. It does more than any other institution to create social mobility and opportunity for everyone." IVI-IPO is proud to support Lauren Beth Gash for Congress.
STATE HOUSE ENDORSEMENTS
Sonia Silva, 1st District
Sonia Silva has a long history of community and social involvement. Prior to her election to the legislature in 1996, she helped co-found Latino Youth, Inc. and El Hogar del Niņo, and worked as a senior training advisor at Designs for Change. These experiences led to Silva's commitment to community empowerment from which she has never strayed. She has championed the rights of immigrants to obtain health care and human services, and specifically the right of immigrant children to a public education. Social and economic justice are at the top of Silva's legislative priorities, and economic development - based on the community's own assessment of its needs - remains her goal for the 1st district.
Cynthia Soto, 4th District
A paralegal by profession, and a supervisor in the Child Support Division of the State's Attorney's Office, Cynthia Soto is running for State Representative to advance issues of equity and opportunity for women and minorities. She will fight for legislation to guarantee affordable housing, property and income tax equity, quality public education and health care, a living wage for working people, and campaign finance reform. Soto will stand up to the special interests, like tobacco and gambling, that have successfully ingratiated themselves with members of the legislature to the detriment of families and communities in the district and throughout the state.
Karen Yarbrough, 7th District
There are tough environmental decisons to be made in the 7th District and businesswoman Karen Yarborough has a comprehensive plan to address them. She calls for more stringent EPA oversight of the Bellwood Dump and will work with local, state and federal agenices to rehabilitate brownfields in the district. Yarbrough will oppose any industry initiative that would jeopardize the public health and/or safety of local residents. While recognizing the great need for economic development, she maintains that all plans must be guided by community input: "Left unchecked, sprawling growth and indiscriminate development will destroy the character of our communities." Yarbrough will be a dynamic addition to the State Legislature.
Clarence Thomas, 8th District
Clarence Thomas promises to bring accountability and accessibility to the residents of the 8th District, and his long record of community service backs up his promise. He believes that government exists to serve the constituents, not the other way around, and he will work tirelessly to forge relationships with private industry to bring better employment opportunities to the district. Thomas also supports equitable funding for the public schools, and legislation to assure affordable health care and support services to families with children.
Claude Walker, 17th District
Campaign finance reform, getting a fair share for CTA riders and defending reproductive freedom are on the top of Claude Walker's list of legislative priorities for this office. He has worked for over 20 years in the public interest, with Common Cause Illinois, the Citizens Utility Board, Voices for Illinois Children and the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. Walker espouses a different kind of politics than usually seen in Chicago: high ethical standards for public officials and high levels of respect for constituents. Both his academic background and his vast community experience qualify him well for representing one of the state's most ethnically diverse and politically active districts. IVI-IPO proudly endorses Walker as the model of what a public servant can - and should - be.
Barbara Flynn Currie, 25th District
In her 11 terms in the State House, Barbara Flynn Currie has proven to be an experienced and effective legislator. She has sponsored successful measures to reform nursing home care, prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace, protect Illinois ground water, improve child support, and initiate state pre-school and full day kindergarten programs. Early in her tenure, Currie chaired a taskforce on pay equity which exposed widespread gender-discrimination in pay scales for state employees. Correcting those inequities remains at the top of her legislative goals through her continuing sponsorship of the Equal Pay Act.
David E. Miller, 29th District
Dr. David Miller believes that healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and has worked for patients' rights and HMO reforms long before those issues gained national prominence. His vision to improve the quality of life in his community is a holistic one, including not only health care, but educational opportunities and economic development. Miller is also outspoken about the need for greater ethics and integrity in government, and opposes the patronage and double-dipping that still exist in the 29th district and throughout the state. His energy and dedication to public service promise an exciting legislative tenure for this bright, capable candidate.
Larry McKeon, 34th District
In two terms as State Representative, Larry McKeon has represented his constituency with distinction. He has obtained funding for local economic development, social services and retention of industry, while also sponsoring legislation dealing with health care, domestic violence, human rights and consumer fraud. McKeon's priorities for the next term include oversight of welfare-to-work policies to ensure that participants receive adequate job training and employment opportunities, and access to day care and transportation to and from their new jobs. He has pledged to reintroduce legislation to add sexual orientation to the Illinois Human Rights Act, to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and credit transactions.
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Endorsements
James "Jim" Harris, (6 year term)
When first elected to the MWRD in 1998, Jim Harris had a 35 year record of public service as a mayor, manager and administrator. Now standing for election to a full six year term, he points proudly to the District's sound financial management which resulted in a tax abatement for property owners in each of the last two years. Harris opposes the policy of allowing private docks and fences on MWRD riverfront land and supports District assumption of responsibility for solid waste treatment.
John J. McNamara, (6 year term)
A state representative for nine years, John McNamara was one of only a few legislators ever to receive recognition from the Sierra Club for his pro-environmental record. He opposes current District policy that allows private property owners to maintain docks and fences on MWRD riverfront land. As a commissioner, his main concern would be for the MWRD to address the potentially serious problems of water-borne pathogens and the presence of viruses in storm water runoff. A former engineering manager, McNamara's technical expertise will be a welcome addition to the MWRD Board.
Terrence J. O'Brien, (6 year term)
Through 12 years of service as a commissioner, including three years as Board President, Terrence O'Brien has achieved a comprehensive grasp of both the financial and technical aspects of the MWRD. He is committed to holding the line on operating costs, which has resulted in tax abatements for property owners and exceptionally good bond ratings for the District. O'Brien is a strong supporter of affirmative action in hiring and contracting and takes a firm stance against double-dipping and other conflicts of interest for MWRD commissioners and employees. His goal for the coming term is to push for legislation to transfer responsibility for Storm Water Management from Cook County to the MWRD.
Martin A. Sandoval, (2 year term)
Prior to his appointment last year to the MWRD, Martin Sandoval had worked for 15 years for the federal government, including nine years at the Environmental Protection Agency. He has extensive understanding of environmental regulations and the implementation of hazardous waste cleanup programs, as well as expertise in contracting, personnel and procurement. What most impressed IVI-IPO members, though, was Sandoval's outreach to community and environmental groups to determine their concerns and involve them in devising solutions, a practice we would like to see emulated by public officials at all levels of government.
Cook County Circuit Court Endorsements
Beverly Susler Parkhurst, Banks Vacancy (D)
Marvin Leavitt, Corboy Vacancy (D)
Domenica A. Stephenson, Dunne Vacancy (D)
Scott Neville, Getty Vacancy (D)
Colleen F. Sheehan, Gillis Vacancy (D)
Karen Shields, Green Vacancy (D)
Richard Stevens, Jordan Vacancy (D)
Michael T. Healy, Murphy Vacancy (D)
Martha Mills, Quinlan Vacancy (D)
Bonnie Carol McGrath, Singer Vacancy (D)
John Steele, 1st Subcircuit (D)
Loretta Eadie-Daniels, 5th Subcircuit (D)
Lawrence Grazian, 13th Subcircuit (R)
James Gierach, 15th Subcircuit (D)
Catherine Sanders, 15th Subcircuit (R)
Ward Committeman Endorsements
Ricardo Muņoz, 22nd Ward (D)
Ric Muņoz is an unquestioned leader for government reform and community empowerment in Chicago. He is a full?time alderman and has championed ethics legislation, including a prohibition on outside income for aldermen. Leader of the 22nd Ward Independent Political Organization, Muņoz will continue in the tradition of Committeeman Jesus Garcia in promoting grass-roots involvement in the Democratic party and appointing qualified, fair judges of election throughout the ward.
Danny K. Davis, 29th Ward (D)
Although better known as a Congressman, former County Commissioner and Alderman, Danny Davis is also the incumbent Democratic Ward Committeeman. He organized and has led the 29th Ward People's Assembly, a grass-roots organization whose annual voter registration drives have increased voter registration in the ward by 50%. Davis is running for reelection to meet the "need for active, committed, honest and experienced leadership in the face of great unmet needs and even attacks on the interests of the people."
Laszlo Nagy, 44th Ward (R)
Laszlo Nagy is running for the Lakeview area post to build an effective and viable Republican organization to serve citizens within the ward. Maintaining that the ward has only a "letterhead" organization, he promises to be visible and active. Nagy wants to put a new face on the GOP to more effectively serve families and businesses in a demographically changing ward with a long history of independent voting. IVI-IPO is greatly encouraged by his determination to challenge one-party rule in Chicago.
James Snyder, 46th Ward (D)
Jim Snyder's call for civil dialogue about ward issues is a pleasant relief in a ward known for its fractious political debate. He pledges to build an organization with people from all over the ward in an environment where everyone can participate. Snyder will then lead the organization as "a zealous and effective voice for our ward to the Democratic Party," advocating for progressive issues and government reforms.
Eugene Schulter, 47th Ward (D)
In a ward seeing a steady influx of independent, progressive voters, Gene Schulter is challenging the old guard in a welcome effort to make the Democratic Party more inclusive and active. As Alderman, he has held community meetings on everything from the Asian longhorn beetle infestation, to development of the riverbanks and solutions to traffic problems. As committeeman, Schulter promises an all-volunteer organization with block representatives working closely with community organizations.
David Fagus, 49th Ward (D)
In seven years as Committeeman, David Fagus has created a local grassroots Democratic Party that is open to the community and is reflective of its philosophy, values and racial make-up. Thousands of new residents have registered to vote through his efforts, and he has organized and vastly improved the number of filled election judge positions. Fagus is also involved in numerous community activities and is a stalwart supporter of liberal, progressive, independent candidates.
Please volunteer in and contribute to our endorsed campaigns. For the addresses, phone numbers, email and websites for our endorsed candidates, visit the IVI-IPO website at: www.iviipo.com or call the office at 312-939-5105. Thank you.
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