Distributed via Email: November 5, 2008

RESULTS ARE IN FROM GENERAL ELECTION

The main story from Tuesday’s General Election was, obviously, the election of Illinois Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. This event, of course, has national ramifications. However, this has created one of the many side stories that exist for the State of Illinois as a result of the election.

When Senator Obama vacates his seat in the U.S. Senate, Governor Rod Blagojevich will have the authority to appoint his successor. If his selection comes from the ranks of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, then that vacancy would have to be filled. If the appointee for Congress comes from the ranks of the Illinois legislature, yet another vacancy is created. And so goes the world of Illinois politics. The following report contains many more nuances from Tuesday’s General Election.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

There was no significant shake up in the political power structure of the Illinois General Assembly. With both parties in the Senate able to protect their incumbents, the election produced no change in the partisan balance in that chamber. The Senate will still consist of 37 Democrats and 22 Republicans.

In the House of Representatives, House Speaker Michael Madigan was able to hold onto his democratic majority in the House and increase it by 3 new members (if current results hold). The Speaker wanted to achieve what the Senate President currently enjoys – a 3/5ths "veto-proof" democratic majority. However, the House Democrats fell one member short. There will be 70 Democrats and 48 Republicans in the House for the 96^th General Assembly. While this election created much anticipation for a result reflecting the public’s dissatisfaction for the status quo in Springfield, the election results did not reflect that dissatisfaction as incumbents overwhelmingly won re-election.

Please review the highlights of specific races at the end of this report.

LEADERSHIP CHANGES

With all of the political infighting in the Capitol over the past couple of years that has nearly brought the legislature to a standstill, all eyes have been on the Governor and the four legislative leaders: Senate President Emil Jones, Jr., Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson, House Speaker Michael Madigan, and House Republican Leader Tom Cross. Next year, however, new personalities will be in place among the leaders.

In August, Senate President Jones announced that he would not be seeking re-election to his Senate seat and, therefore, would be stepping down as Senate President. There has been much jockeying and positioning among Senate Democrats since then as several caucus members have declared their interest in running for the post.

Late last month Senator Watson suffered a minor stroke while campaigning for a Senate challenger. He announced this week that he will step down from his position as caucus leader for the Republicans and concentrate his time and energies on his recovery. Again, the posturing has started among Senate Republicans to gain the support necessary to replace Watson as Republican leader.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

Illinois voters again overwhelmingly rejected the idea of the State holding a constitutional convention to review all articles of the State’s Constitution. Roughly 68% of voters voted "no" on the question on Tuesday. The question is put to the voters at least every 20 years. Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn said Wednesday that he is reviewing whether to pursue more legal action regarding the wording of the ballot question and the actions taken by several county clerks in the State regarding the handling of the controversial ballot provision.

RESULTS FROM COUNTY SALES TAX REFERENDA

Voters in nine counties across Illinois weighed in Tuesday on whether their county should impose a 1% sales tax for construction of school facilities. Of the nine, only one – Cass County – seems to have been successful.

Williamson County was the first to hold such a referendum. That county asked the question at the February 5^th Primary Election and was successful. Schools with students in Williamson County have received their first distribution of sales tax under this new program.

Champaign County’s results from Tuesday are "too close to call" because the county has yet to count absentee and provisional ballots that may tip the scales in favor of the proposition for their schools.

To obtain additional information regarding how the program works you can access the new law at www.ilga.gov and look for SB 835 or PA 95-0675. Below is a list of counties that voted Tuesday on a sales tax referendum and the results:

RESULTS FROM SELECTED LEGISLATIVE RACES

The following is a list of the closest races and most "targeted" districts for the legislative leaders:

House 17 – Representative Beth Coulson (R) was successful in defeating challenger Daniel Biss (D) in an area that continually becomes more democratic.

House 43 – Representative Ruth Munson (R) at the latest result is losing to challenger Keith Farnham (D). This race is still too close to call. If Representative Munson is successful it would make the House 69 Democrats and 49 Republicans.

House 44 – Representative Fred Crespo (D) defeated challenger Peggy Brothman (R).

House 45 – Representative Franco Coladipietro (R) defeated challenger Jim Hagerty (D).

House 46 – Representative Dennis Reboletti (R) narrowly defeated challenger Gary Nowak (D).

House 53 – Representative Sid Mathias (R) narrowly defeated challenger Carol Javens (D).

House 56 – Republican turned Democrat, Representative Paul Froehlich (D) soundly defeated challenger Anita Forte-Scott (R).

House 61 – Representative JoAnn Osmond (R) defeated challenger Jim Parks (D).

House 65 – Representative Rosemary Mulligan (R) soundly defeated Aurora Austriaco (D).

House 66 – An open seat where Representative Carolyn Krause has served for many years. Democrat Mark Walker defeated Christine Prochno (R) to take an area previously thought of as a Republican stronghold.

House 69 – Representative Ron Wait (R) defeated challenger Greg Tuite (D).

House 85 – Representative Brent Hassert (R), a high-ranking member of the House Republican Leadership team, lost to challenger Emily Klunk-McAsey (D).

House 92 – An open seat where Representative Aaron Schock (R) has served until his successful bid for Congress this year, saw the area taken back by the Democrats. Jehan Gordon (D) defeated Joan Gore Krupa (R).

House 96 – An open seat to replace Representative Joe Dunn (R). Darlene Senger (R) defeated Diane McGuire (D) by less than a 1,000 votes.

House 107 – An open seat to replace Representative Kurt Granberg (D) goes Republican. John Cavaletto (R) defeated Patti Hahn (D).

Senate 26 – An open seat to replace Republican Senator Bill Petersen. Dan Duffy (R) defeated Bill Gentes (D). Lake County has been trending Democratic so electing a Republican for this area was especially important to Senate Republicans and local party leaders.

Senate 27 – Senator Matt Murphy (R) soundly defeated challenger Peter Gutzmer (D).

Senate 33 – Senator Dan Kotowski (D) soundly defeated challenger Michael Sweeney (R).

Senate 42 – Senator Linda Holmes (D) again defeated challenger Terri Ann Wintermute (R). One of the two most expensive legislative races in the State.

Senate 45 – Recently appointed Senator Tim Bivins (R) soundly defeated challenger Marty Mulcahey.

Senate 59 – Senator Gary Forby (D) was successful in defeating challenger Ken Burzynski (R). The other of the 2 most expensive races in Illinois for 2008.

ALLIANCE PAC ENDORSEMENTS

The Alliance Political Action Committee (PAC) is an organization formed to raise money to support candidates for Illinois legislative and executive offices who support the principles of school management. Members of the Alliance PAC are individuals – primarily school board members, superintendents, business officials, principals, school product vendors and school law attorneys. The organizations that make up the Statewide School Management Alliance (IASB, IASA, Illinois ASBO, and IPA) are not directly affiliated with the PAC. Membership is established with the Alliance PAC through a minimum individual contribution of $25.00 membership dues per year.

One of the most important activities of the Alliance PAC is candidate endorsement. Candidates for Illinois House and Senate and for Governor are considered for endorsement each general election year. Many school board members, superintendents, administrators, principals and business officials participate in the activities of the Alliance PAC and were notified of Alliance PAC endorsements this year.

The Alliance PAC is governed by a Board of Trustees, elected by the membership, in January of each year. The Board of Trustees of the Alliance PAC includes school board members, superintendents, business officials and principals. An endorsement committee is selected in election years to make recommendations for PAC endorsements.

The Alliance PAC works in support of the Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance; the coalition formed to combine the lobbying efforts of the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), the Illinois Association of School Business Officials (Illinois ASBO), and the Illinois Principals Association (IPA).

In Tuesday’s election, the Alliance PAC made endorsements in 59 of the legislative races in the House of Representatives. 97% of those candidates endorsed by the Alliance PAC were successful. In the State Senate, the Alliance PAC made endorsements in 25 of the districts. 92% of those candidates endorsed by the PAC were successful.

General Assembly Bill Text/Status

Alliance Legislative Reports are Cosponsored by IASB and:
[ IPA ] [ IASA ] [ IASBO ]

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