Kirk encourages special election

Posted on December 23, 2014

Kirk is one of the few Republicans that support the idea. (WJBC file photo)

By IRN/John Gregory

SPRINGFIELD – At least one Republican doesn’t think having another election for Illinois Comptroller in 2016 is a bad idea.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk seems to support having a race to allow voters to select someone to serve out the second half of Judy Baar Topinka’s second term.

“I went through a special election as Senator,” Kirk said. “I would say the process of getting a mandate is a very good one to make sure the people have a voice.”

Kirk’s own special election was to fill the Senate seat for the few remaining weeks of the term that President Barack Obama had won in 2004. It was on the same ballot as the election for the full six-year term.  

Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner and the Republican leaders in the General Assembly have claimed a special election for comptroller may violate the state’s constitution.

Kirk does agree with Rauner’s initial suggestion to replace Topinka—her chief of staff, Nancy Kimme, calling her “the closest thing we have” to Topinka. Rauner’s suggestion of Kimme was for serving the remainder of Topinka’s first term, not the longer appointment to fill the position beginning on January 12.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…