Early voting has started in Chicago

 Sorry to not have shared this with you already, however, early voting has started as of May 31st. We do have an election later this month on June 28th.

Here's an article from CBS Chicago:

It's election time in Illinois and early voting starts in Chicago.

The Loop Supersite at Clark and Lake has been open since 9:00 Tuesday morning and will stay open until 6:00 p.m. weekdays. Saturday hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

At the site, you can cast your ballot for the Illinois primary election, which takes place on June 28. Anyone in the city can vote at the Loop Super Site before voting in the wards starts in mid-June.

The Loop Super Site opening was delayed because of last-minute changes to the ballot, which required more testing of the voting machines.

Same-day voter registration is allowed, if you have two forms of ID, and for people voting by mail, your ballots will start going out on Tuesday.

And of course if you want to find a site near you for early voting click this link. Early voting in all 50 wards will start on June 13, 2022.

WTTW: Lightfoot Takes Aim at Rivals: ‘Another Man Who Thinks He Can Do This Job Better Than Me’

 Upon news that Ward 6 Ald. Roderick Sawyer is throwing his hat in the ring to challenge Mayor Lightfoot in 2023.

But shortly after kicking off the city’s celebration of Pride month by dedicating Chicago’s AIDS Garden along the Lakefront near Belmont Harbor, Lightfoot brushed off the criticism leveled by Sawyer, former CPS CEO Paul Vallas, state Rep. Kam Buckner, businessman and philanthropist Willie Wilson and Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward).

“Another day, another man who thinks he can do his job better than me,” Lightfoot said.

Lightfoot tapped Sawyer to serve as the chair of the City Council’s Health and Human Relations Committee, and his candidacy is a stunning rebuke of Lightfoot and her leadership. Sawyer was first elected to the City Council in 2011.

Sawyer served as the chair of the Black Caucus under former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and charted a moderate path during his administration. In 2019, Sawyer was forced into a runoff, but retained his seat, winning nearly 54% of the vote.

...

Sawyer and Lightfoot clashed over a number of issues during the past three years, including efforts to create an oversight board of Chicagoans to oversee the beleaguered Chicago Police Department as well as a push to study whether and how the city should pay reparations to Chicagoans who are the descendants of enslaved African Americans.

In the face of opposition from the mayor, Sawyer dropped his push to create a commission, and agreed to form a subcommittee of the Health Committee. That body met only once, and Sawyer regretted bowing to the mayor’s wishes, telling WTTW News she had “stonewalled” his efforts.

And what seems to be a typical Lightfoot tactic:

Nearly a year ago, Lightfoot told “Chicago Tonight” that 99% of the criticism she faces is spurred by racism and sexism.

Lightfoot told WTTW News on Thursday that nothing has changed during the past year.

“Women are always going to be judged by a different lens, and people of color are always judged by a different lens,” Lightfoot said. “That’s just the reality of our lives.”

Lightfoot, Chicago’s first gay mayor, said members of the LGBTQ-plus community also face unwarranted criticism because of who they are.

“I’m a big believer in playing the cards that were dealt,” Lightfoot said. “I’m going to keep doing what I think is right on behalf of the residents of the city.”

Unwarranted criticism or just plain the direction of this city needs a change? 

Another mayoral contender in 2023

Before the 2012 remap Ald. Roderick Sawyer was my Alderman (or Alderperson or Alder ewwww) about one year before the 2023 mayoral race he throws his hat in the ring via Sun-Times

The son of former Mayor Eugene Sawyer said Wednesday he will give up his City Council seat to join the growing field of candidates vying to turn Lori Lightfoot into a one-term mayor.

“I don’t think she’s the right fit for Chicago in this role. … She doesn’t play well in the sandbox with others. … The authoritativeness. The mean-spirited demeanor. That’s not how you run a government,” Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th) told the Sun-Times Wednesday, in a wide-ranging interview from the barber chair.

“I want to give the people a more collaborative option, where every voice matters. The current administration’s style of governing is a top-down form of government. It’s not taking into consideration her partners, which is us as aldermen. Also, the citizens of Chicago.”

I want to add the response of Mayor Lightfoot to another mayoral contender it was a bit of a shot at former Schools CEO Paul Vallas who also ran for mayor in 2019. A bit of a zinger delivered by a surrogate found via CapFax yesterday. 

NBC Chicago: Jewel-Osco Stores Reinstate Mask Mandate for Employees Due to High COVID Transmission

 So you won't be surprised when you see workers at your local Jewel stores masked up:

As a new subvariant of omicron continues to spread across the country and COVID cases continue an uptick in Illinois, Jewel-Osco stores are asking employees to once again wear masks.

"Jewel-Osco continues to follow the guidelines set by the CDC and Illinois Department of Public Health," a spokesperson from Jewel-Osco said in an email statement to NBC 5. "Due to current high COVID transmission rates in the counties where we have stores, the Distribution Center, and the corporate office we are requiring associates and vendors to wear a mask."

As of Tuesday, 15 counties in Illinois are currently at "high community transmission.

CapFax: Please don't screw this up

 Rich Miller shared his recent syndicated column on the Capitol Fax blog today. BTW, I hope you all had a very happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.

Well the gist of this column is regards to the issue of crime and of course as you all know eyes are on the city of Chicago and the gun violence that's been making the news. And we have a sitting Democrat Governor running for re-election for whom the crime issue could become a major problem.

I don't know how many readers of this blog may view the crime issue however the headlines are mostly talking about gas prices, inflation, or even the prices for items at your local grocery store. However many of us might be worried about a carjacking and certainly the issue of roving gangs doing smash and grabs.

How many of you view crime as a major issue in this year's elections?

Sun-Times: Ward map battle over, but bitterness lingers

As stated already Altgeld Gardens will soon be in Ward 10 it is especially noted in this Chicago Sun-Times May 16, 2022 article. Altgeld Gardens is currently in Ward 9

9th Ward Summer Clean out fair June 16th

From Ald. Beale's fb page:

The 9th Ward's Annual Summer Clear Out Fair is June 16th! Shredding, electronic recycling, prescription pill disposal, and collection of any junk items will be accepted. Help us keep the community clean by disposing of your items the correct way.

• Pullman Community Center
  10355 S Woodlawn
  Chicago, IL 60628
  Thursday, June 16, 2022
  10 AM to 2 PM 

Capitol Fax: It’s time to try something besides simply reacting angrily to crises, Mayor Lightfoot

 Bear in mind she's talking about running for re-election, Lori Lightfoot has all but announced it. When she does officially throw her hat into the ring we'll have a decision to make. Via CapFax

It’s time to try something besides simply reacting angrily to crises, Mayor Lightfoot https://t.co/nnbORyxV6c

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) May 20, 2022

FOX Business: FOP national VP calls on Lori Lightfoot to resign over Chicago's 'lawlessness'

 

[VIDEO] Joe Gamaldi discusses the latest news out of Chicago as far as crime on FOX Business and calls for Mayor Lightfoot to resign. All I can say is good luck with that as she's stated her intent to run for re-election. In 2023 voters will decide if she will get another term.