Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Waukegan Area Voters to Picket Terry Link and Demand Action

Wow. As I reported below under updates, a number of voters in Waukegan and North Chicago have apparently had about all they can handle from State Senator Terry Link, and are organizing a protest walk to demand a response and action. You can check out the organizational banter here.

No firm word on when, but it looks like tomorrow afternoon around 3:00, in order to get press coverage in advance of the State Board of Elections hearing on the Link petitions. I would guess it will be from the residence of one of the local activists (or another Waukegan location) to Democratic Party headquarters in downtown Waukegan. Link's District office is in Lake Bluff, which is a bit of a hike from Waukegan, and if the protestors show up to Link's Waukegan home, they are likely to get arrested if they bend a blade of grass on Link's lawn, so here's hoping the protestors are smart about this.

As commentor KellyAnn put it:

Petition signatures: 50 cents each
Seeing the dead come to life: Priceless!!!

UPDATED: Check out this post on the Chicago Reader Clout City blog about a recent decision by an election board hearing officer against State Rep. John Fritchey's primary opponent. The burden of proof in Fritchey's case seems about 180 degrees opposite of where the Johnson v. Link hearing officer came out, considering that Fritchey's opponent presented 49 affidavits certifying that rejected signatures had in fact been signed by the individuals (the hearing officer had previously determined that the signatures on the petitions did not match the voter registration card signature) but STILL REJECTED the affidavits because none of the affidavits explained why the signatures appeared to be different. The contrast between the standard used by the Link/Johnson hearing officer to allow signatures of Link to remain on the petitions, and the standard used by the Fritchey hearing officer to reject signatures, is astonishing. I hope the Johnson team takes notice and cites to this at the hearing on Friday. Hat Tip: Capitol Fax Blog.



9 comments:

Publia said...

I think its heartening to see that the Dead are now enjoying a more active lifestyle these days.

Anonymous said...

They would be smart to protest in front of the Lake County Democratic Headquarters and not in front of Senator Link's home.

Louis G. Atsaves

Anonymous said...

I was at the organizational meeting this afternoon. We are planning on 50 to 100 citizens from all over our community to join us as we display our concern for the lack of INTEGRITY in our elected officials.
There will be several candidates in our group, including Jerry Johnson, Tony Elam - candidate for State Representative, 60th District and Terry Harris , candidate, Lake County Board, 9th District.
We invite any and all of our fellow citizens that are disturbed by this display of arrogance by these politicians to join us, tomorrow (Thursday). We are gathering at the Short's home, located at 411 Franklin Street, Waukegan at 2:00 pm.
Several media outlets have been notified, including Channel News, we'll see who shows!
Wish us well and stay tuned!

Anonymous said...

~ edit ~

Channel 7 News was notified!

Anonymous said...

TA,

Have Seals or Footlik been asked about their party chairman? I would think any political reporter covering the 10th District primary would ask the candidates if they stand by the chairman of the Lake County Democratic Party. Republicans had to answer whether they stood by Denny Hastert and others last year. Why do Seals and Footlik get a pass on this?

I notice some other blogs are rather silent on the issue as well -- hmmmm, Ellen?

BD

Anonymous said...

It seems to me the person who should be talking about this the most is Mr. Link himself. There is no chance of Mr. Link incuring civil liability if he answers questions. The only reason to hide behind lawyers, particularly when you are a long time politician, is if there is some sort of criminal wrongdoing.

Mr. Link, you are my State Senator. I'd like some answers, and I want them now.

Anonymous said...

If I remember correctly, Republicans were asked about the actions of their FORMER chairman, Tom Adams, when he was arrested. Shouldn't the same standard be held for Link?

Anonymous said...

EXACTLY !

There has been a LOUD SILENCE on this issue, from ALL incumbent Democrats !

The only thing Link has said is that the challenge to his petitions is part of a Republican conspiracy.

Susan Garrett has been silent.

Dan Seal has been silent.

Jay Footlick has been silent.

Angelo Kyle (Dem candidate) has been silent.

The only Democratic candidate that has been vocal on this issue has been TONY ELAM who has been on WKRS 1220 am several times, condemning these "alleged" actions by the Lake County Dems. He has said that he is in no way affiliated with Pete Couvall or Terry Link and that, if elected, he will have NOTHING to do with either man and will work hard to bring about a new team of leaders in the Lake County Dems. (ie: oust Link and Couvall)

TONY ELAM is running in the State Rep. 60th District Dem primary.

Check out his website: www.TonyElam2008.com

He's new, has NO political baggage and seems to be a much needed breath of fresh air for our district!

Anonymous said...

The threats have already started... the GOBs are threatening the organizers of the protest with code violations and other harassment.