Chicago alderwoman declares a run for Secretary of State

Posted on April 7, 2021
While no Democrat will criticize the venerable Jesse White, Ald. Pat Dowell says she can easily find ways to improve the office he has led since 1999. (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – A fourteen-year veteran of the Chicago city council is at least the fourth Democrat to seek next year’s nomination for secretary of state in Illinois.

While no Democrat will criticize the venerable Jesse White, Ald. Pat Dowell says she can easily find ways to improve the office he has led since 1999.

“As an experienced public servant,” Dowell said in a Zoom announcement Wednesday, “I have witnessed firsthand many entrepreneurs that have difficulty in achieving their business objectives simply because of improper licensing. Let us find innovative ways to assist these businesses so they can save money and reach their full potential as assets to their community and our state.”

Other ideas include modernizing the lobbyist lookup system and investigating whether license-plate stickers can be issued less frequently.

Incumbent White says he is retiring after six terms. Other Democrats in the race are former state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, State Sen. Mike Hastings (D-Frankfort), and Chicago city clerk Anna Valencia.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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