• ELECTIONS ALTER POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
• ROSKAM WINS HARD FOUGHT CONGRESSIONAL SEAT
• DEMOCRAT TIDAL WAVE SWEEPS STATE ELECTIONS
• BLAGOJEVICH STUMPS FOR MIN. WAGE INCREASE AFTER WIN; BUSINESS GROUPS CONCERNED
• VETO SESSION PREVIEW: ENERGY & EDUCATION TOP THE AGENDA
• EDITORIAL OF THE WEEK: Daily Herald - "Victory in Hand, Stroger Must Now Deliver"

ELECTIONS ALTER POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

Anger with the war in Iraq resulted in Democratic victory in DC and Illinois last week.  Democrats took control of the U.S. House and Senate for the first time in 12 years.  Governor Blagojevich was reelected by a plurality of Illinois voters and Democrats swept the remaining constitutional offices.  Additionally, Democrats picked up five additional seats in the Illinois Senate providing President Emil Jones with a supermajority.  Finally, Speaker Madigan was able to gain one more seat when State Rep. Terry Parke lost his seat.

Near the end of last week, Speaker Denny Hastert indicated that he would not seek election for minority leader.  However, Illinois will see Senator Dick Durbin rise to majority whip and will likely see Congressman Rahm Emanuel become the caucus chair for House Democrats.

In terms of all of thoseTV ads, according to the media firm TSNMI/Campaign Media Analysis Group, Blagojevich aired over 22,000 TV ads spending over $18 million compared to Topinka spending $4.6 million on just over 4,600 TV spots.  According to the

Click here for county by county maps, comparison graphs and turn-out information for Illinois.

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ROSKAM WINS HARD FOUGHT CONGRESSIONAL SEAT

State Senator Peter Roskam came out on top last Tuesday after a long, hard campaign against Tammy Duckworth.  Roskam, a Republican, will replace Congressman Henry Hyde who is retiring at the end of his term.  The Roskam - Duckworth race was one of the most closely watched races in the U.S.  National GOP and Dem leaders were active during the campaigns that saw unprecedented financing in the district.

Roskam, after his successful election, reiterated his belief that Congress should reduce the tax burden on individuals and businesses as well as shrink government spending. "The biggest challenge is going to be trying to be the consistent voice for tax cuts in a majority that looks like they want to raise taxes," Roskam said Friday.

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DEMOCRAT TIDAL WAVE SWEEPS STATE ELECTIONS

National trends helped sweep in a host of new Democrat candidates into the state house on Election Night.  Senate Democrats increased their ranks to a veto proof majority.  House Democrats appear to have a net gain of one member.  The following is a rundown on the Tier One races:

State Senate:

22^nd:  Mike Noland (D) defeated Billie Diane Roth (R) to replace retiring State Senator Steve Rauschenberger.

31^st:  Michael Bond (D) beat Sue Simpson (R) to replace Sen. Geo Karis who was defeated in the March primary.

33^rd:  Appointed Senator Cheryl Axley (R) lost to Dan Kotwoski (D)

34^th:  Incumbent Republican Dave Syverson beat Democrat Dan Lewandowski.

43^rd:  Linda Holmes (D) defeated Terri Ann Wintermute (R) to replace Sen. Ed Petka who ran and won a sub circuit judicial race.

46^th:  Dave Koehler (D) will succeed retiring Sen. George Shadid after beating Republican Ernie Russell.

49^th:  Sen. Deanna Demuzio (D) will return to the state house after besting Republican Jeff Richey.

52^nd:  Former State Senator Judy Myers was edged out by Democrat Mike Frerichs.

State House:

43^rd:  Incumbent Ruth Munson (R) beat Laurel Bault (D).

44^th:  Incumbent Republican Terry Parke appears to have been beaten by Fred Crespo (D) although there are still a few precincts to be counted.

71^st:  Mike Boland (D) managed to hold on to his seat, narrowly defeating Steve Haring (R).

91^st:  Democrat Mike Smith defeated Daryl Dagit (R).

92^nd:  Incumbent Republican Aaron Schock soundly defeated Bill Spears (D).

101^st:  Incumbent Bob Flider (D) beat Dick Cain (R).

107^th:  Incumbent Kurt Granberg narrowly won re-election by defeating John Cavelleto (R).

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BLAGOJEVICH STUMPS FOR MIN. WAGE INCREASE AFTER WIN; BUSINESS GROUPS CONCERNED

Flush from his re-election win, Blagojevich immediately began campaigning for a minimum wage increase - one his major promises during the campaign.  The Governor will seek the increase during the Veto Session, which begins this week.  Blagojevich wants the Legislature to pass legislation that will increase the minimum wage to $7.50/hour beginning July 1, 2007 and to provide for future increase tied to increases in the cost of living.  "Asked if he would require lawmakers to stay in session if they don't come to an agreement during the veto session, Blagojevich simply said: "stay tuned."

Business leaders across Illinois voiced concern for the Governor's planned increase as well as the slumping Illinois economy weighed down by the fiscal problems facing the State of Illinois.  Doug Whitley, president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, expressed concern over the state's budget, citing missed pension payments and slow health care vendor payments.

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VETO SESSION PREVIEW: ENERGY & EDUCATION TOP THE AGENDA

With campaigning in the "rear-view mirror", legislators return to Springfield this week to consider legislation that were vetoed or altered by Blagojevich.  Members of the General Assembly will also seek action on several brewing issues aside from the Governor's desire to pass a minimum wage increase.

Speaker Mike Madigan and Blagojevich are joined by a number of legislators that will seek to impose a renewed rate freeze on utility rates.  Com Ed and Ameren are hoping that they will be able to increase their rates now that the 10-year freeze has expired.  Their chief defender, Senate President Emil Jones, could waylay plans by the Illinois House and Governor. 

Additionally, legislators are hopeful that HB 750 will be called during the two weeks of the fall session.  HB 750 would provide for a tax swap to increase funding for education.  State Senator Debbie Halvorsen will push the General Assembly to pass HB 750 in order to swap property taxes for income taxes. 

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EDITORIAL OF THE WEEK: Daily Herald - "Victory in Hand, Stroger Must Now Deliver"

"Skepticism is in order. Nothing in Todd Stroger's record as a state legislator or Chicago alderman hints of a reform bent. Beyond that, it remains highly unlikely that his father's supporters hand picked him so that he could dismantle all the patronage mechanisms that the elder Stroger put in place over the years.

But such a dismantling is exactly what the county and its taxpayers need. The problems facing Stroger and the county board are growing, almost literally by the month."  Read the whole thing...

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