Nicholas Smith has been a state representative since 2018 representating District 34 in the Illinois House of Represtatives. Here's the statement posted at CapFax
After much thought and careful consideration, I’ve decided not to seek reelection. Serving as a member of the Illinois General Assembly in the House of Representatives has been an honor of a lifetime. Serving the people of the 34th Representative District and the state of Illinois has been an absolute privilege. As I look forward to the next chapter in my life, I’m confident the next representative of the mighty 34th District will serve with distinction, integrity, and honor.
It was reported that he plans to serve out his term and has no favorite to replace him. I do hope he doesn't leave this process to an appointment denying voters an opportunity to make their choice at the ballot box.
I see comments in that post talking about District 34 map, I will show you an available map of it.
Unfortunately, I hadn't been on top of the discussion regarding Pres. Trump sending the National Guard to Chicago as I should've been. It proved to be part of the contentious back and forth between the President and Gov. J.B. Pritzker especially and our ineffective Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Rich Miller wrote a column about the dynamics of the battle between Gov. Pritzker and Pres. Trump. One question to be asked if whether or not Gov. Pritzker could ever call the President to lower the temperature? Just bear in mind our Governor is running for re-election next year and may run for President in 2028.
One other comment I may add is that there were within at least the past 20 years been calls from people in some south side neighborhoods asking for the National Guard to come in. Often I've been opposed to this at least because of the idea that our neighborhoods could be under martial law.
The National Guard is a dramatic solution as opposed to requesting more law enforcement resources to come into these crime hotspots. Over the years I do believe some neighborhoods had the benefit of the Cook County Sheriff coming into crime hotspots. So this is where my support would go more than bringing in the National Guard short of an outright insurrection.
Meanwhile the President is opting to send the National Guard and federal law enforcement resources to Memphis, Tennessee.
Another focus of the contention was the Presidents emphasis on expelling undocumented aliens from this county. Chicago is a sanctuary city and I've always supported expelling especially violent criminals and support those efforts.
In the news in the past week was that ICE was pursuing an undocumented alien and was killed by an ICE agent. He was said to have resisted arrest and attempted to run down the pursuing ICE Agents.
Let's start a discussion here. Would you like the National Guard to come to our neighborhoods? Would you like more law enforcement resources in our neighborhoods (city, county, state, & federal)?
Here are some more immediate events. There's a CAPS beat 511 meeting today at Rose Haven Manor at 10220 S. Michigan Avenue. Too short notice for you - in case you're not following the Rosemoor Community Association on FB then there's another one schedule for November 4, 2025.
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| Via CityofChicago.org |
It wasn't my intention to publish on Labor Day, however, since this post is live hopefully everyone is having a wonderful and safe holiday. It's the unofficial end of summer and fall 🍂 is coming. Also who's ready for football season 🏈.
Meanwhile....
Let's get away from government & politics for a moment given that this is a blog that is an homage to my grammar (elementary) school alumnus. Who knew that there was a soon to come all-class reunion for Bennett-Shedd School.
With this said since this will be coming next year - mark your calendars NOW!
Long time no hear. Here's an event to put on your calendar, especially if you live near the campus of Chicago State University (9501 S. King Drive) . Jazz on the Grass on August 20, 2025.
Next year we have another election. There is an open seat for Dick Durbin's US Senate spot in this state and what's is Gov. Pritzker going to do as far as a third term.
Rahm Emanuel has been making his rounds lately question is will he run for that open Senate seat next year, does he want to run for Governor next year, does he want to be back in Chicago's mayoral office in 2027, or does he want to run for President in 2028?
And this recent column from CapFax's Rich Miller discussing some possibilities for 2026 and the mayoral race in 2027.
Will Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias choose to run for re-election as Sec. of State next year and/or is he going for the mayor's office in 2027.
Susana Mendosa - our current state comptroller. She already ran for mayor in 2019 and lost and this column makes sure to note she was elected state comptroller in 2018, ran for may in 2019 and that didn't quite work out for her. And just think she was campaigning for office and then had to turn around and do it again so soon.
If Pritzker runs for Governor again he needs a new Lt. Gov and he fell in behind her. Juliana Stratton wants to succeed incumbet Dick Durbin in the US Senate. Who might Gov. Pritzker choose as his running if he runs again in 2026.
And of course with possible other retirements such as Congressman Danny Davis or Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky retired and closer still 2nd District Congresswoman Robin Kelly seeking Durbin's senate seat. For those running for office next year there are opportunities abound.
However, with Mayor Brandon Johnson unpopularity right now the main question is who else may want to take City Hall's 5th floor in 2027? Anyone know any other names other than what's on Wikipedia?
Forgot to note, that I just recently published a page for the 2011 elections.
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| 2011 Election |
This was the election where President Obama's former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was elected Mayor of Chicago. He had a tumultuous two terms as mayor and fun fact 2011 was the last time a candidate outright won the mayoral election without having to go to a run-off.
In 2015, Mayor Emanuel was in a runoff with then Cook County Commissioner Chuy Garcia. In 2019, Lori Lightfoot won the mayor's race against Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. And then in 2023 then Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson defeats former Chicago Public School CEO Paul Vallas.
Question is what would 2027 hold. We're at more than the halfway point for the next municipal elections here in Chicago.
Also, it causes me to want to tweak the 2015 and 2019 pages to include the mayoral race. I've included in all these election pages the Ward 9 Alderman election as that's the race that should be very important, not just the mayoral race.
Feel free to let me know if there's anything I should add to these pages.
Also for the record this is now Ward 9 looked up until 2015.
