Getting Back to Political Basics In Lake County (UPDATED- BOND SUCCESSOR INFO)

This past week has been quite a whirlwind around here and on other blogs, discussing the ramifications of Congressman Mark Kirk's vote on the Climate Change bill. Leaving the politics aside for a moment, it's clear that the Internet has become a driving force for political discourse that has long eclipsed the print media. I don't know about others, but being a news hound that still reads four dailies (Trib, Herald, News-Sun and WSJ), it's typical that I've already heard about 75% of the stories that appear in my morning paper since I've kept up on the previous day's news stories online all day long. The interactive nature of the Internet, and the ability to trade opinions with bloggers, commentors, politicians, and even the reporters who wrote the story that you read in the paper, gives the exchange of ideas and political discourse an entirely new dimension.

Of course, now that we can all talk to one-another, it's also easy for things to get out of hand when some seem to lack decorum and simple politeness. I'll admit I found myself being on the short end of my temper on a few occasions over the last few days in dealing with a few commentors who (I thought unfairly) either attacked Mark Kirk or were so stoneheaded in their views that we seemed to be getting nowhere. But, I have always wanted this blog to be a place where opinions were respected as long as they were presented intelligently and respectfully, and I'm pleased to say that out of the way over 150 comments on the various posts on the Kirk issue, I only had to delete one commentor for over-the-top nastiness and trying to out another commentor. Unlike the Other 10th District Blog, I have always prided myself on not deleting folks simply for disagreeing with me or others.

So with that, let's not let the rest of the goings-on in Lake County slip past us while were are still contemplating the lasting effects of Mark Kirk's vote. There's still a bunch of other interesting stuff bubbling to the surface that it's good to take a look at.

County Board Appointments: County Board Chairwoman Suzi Schmidt has her hands full naming appointments to the three county board seats that were recently vacated, as they were held by Bob Sabonjian (who is now Mayor of Waukegan), Michael Talbett (who took a job as village administrator of Kildeer) and Pam Newton (who took a job as chief operating officer of Hawthorn Woods). Some background here.

Schmidt told the Daily Herald that appointments are imminent, although she still has a few people to talk to before making a final decision.

Now that former appointee Keith Turner is off the table for the Dem appointment to fill Sabonjian's spot, I'm not sure who will be the next Dem appointee, but I can bet it won't be anyone Dem. Chairman Terry Link approves of. I've heard a few names bandied about for the two Republican spots, but I am hopeful that Suzi is keeping in mind that these folks will be up for election in 2010, and it's important to pick people who have some chance of retaining the seat. Terry Link has made no bones about his desire to wrest control of the board from the GOP, so this decision will have some major ramifications.

"I think there's a very good possibility (of gaining the majority)," said state Sen. Terry Link, chairman of the county's Democratic Party. "We're looking at every race, and we're trying to put the best possible candidate we can in every one of those races."

And, of course, the fact that Schmidt is running for the 31st district senate seat being abandoned by Senator Michael Bond adds another dimension to this very interesting situation. You can bet that Schmidt's decision will be a campaign issue for her senate race.

Michael Bond Trying to Shake the Money Trees for Congressional Bid: TA hears that State Senator Michael Bond is being extremely aggressive in soliciting funds for his Congressional campaign to unseat 5-term Congressman Mark Kirk, or whomever the GOP opponent will be if Kirk decides to run for U.S. Senate (no update available on that either, and people seem equally divided as to whether the Climate Change vote might increase or decrease the chances of a senate bid for Kirk, although Lisa Madigan's decision on her run is also an issue). How aggressive is too aggressive? Well, let's just say that this issue will likely be the subject of some future posts.

Still No Dem Opponent for Suzi Schmidt in Sen. 31? Nominating petitions are due to be begin being circulated on Tuesday, August 4th, and are due no later than Monday, November 2nd (the first day you can file is Monday, October 26th. Thanks to Phil Collins for correcting a previous error). So far, TA has heard little about recruitment for a candidate to fill Michael Bond's shoes on the Dem side and run against Suzi Schmidt. No chance the Dems will let this go without a fight, but with Bond concentrating on his Congressional race, and possibly keeping the door open to stay home or pick an entirely different office, it has stymied the recruitment efforts of the Dems to find a top-flight candidate for this seat.

UPDATED 7/6/09 7:15 a.m.: An alert commentor clued us in to this amatuerish webpage announcing the candidacy of Laura C. Tomsky of Greyslake to run for Senator Michael Bond's current senate seat in the 31st District. A July 15 fundraiser in Mundelein is planned.

Ms. Tomsky states: "We continue to work hard, cut expenses and ask our families to do without, while lawmakers in Springfield make poorly considered decisions, participate in irresponsible spending and do little to fight rampant corruption."

Well, I guess that just abouts sums up my opinion of current Senator Bond (and Senator Terry Link as well). Wonder if she'll have party backing?

Update ends.

So, what else is going on locally? Let us know what you hear on the street.