Chicago Primary Election March 17: What’s at stake?

Latest

 
CHICAGO, IL — Heading toward the March 17, 2020 Illinois primary elections, Bernie Sanders holds a lead in the polls, reflecting a grass roots dissatisfaction with same-old non-solutions, a hunger to address the fight for basic survival needs like health care, housing, and poverty. New York’s multi-billionaire former Mayor Michael Bloomberg has flooded the media with ads that have boosted his poll numbers. Significant down-ballot races exhibit the same characteristics.
Overshadowing all local Chicago elections in this primary season is the campaign for Cook County State’s Attorney. In 2016, Kim Foxx ousted incumbent Anita Alvarez in the primary. Alvarez colluded in covering up the horrific killing of Laquan McDonald, along with other police murders. Spurred by Black Lives Matter and police accountability activists, Foxx won. She was immediately targeted by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) for attempts to reform cash bail and support for a consent decree restraining the police. Her main opponent this year, Bill Conway, is supported by the FOP and has a war chest of over $5 million, mostly contributed from his billionaire father. At stake in this campaign is the mass incarceration of people for months without coming to trial.
In another high-profile race, incumbent Rep. Dan Lipinski is challenged by Marie Newman, who came close to winning in the 2018 primary. Lipinski “inherited” his seat from his father in 2004. He is prominent among Democrats in opposing abortion rights, and he is the only Illinois House Democrat to vote against the Affordable Care Act. The starkest contrast is the fight over reproductive rights, but Newman has endorsed Medicare for All. Prominent Chicago Democrats seem intent on ousting Lipinski, but New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has gone further. She remarked that there are some Democrats with whom she does not want to share a “big tent.”
Long serving incumbent Rep. Danny Davis is facing three challengers. The call to replace the “old guard” expresses anger about disinvestment in majority African-American communities and resulting violence. Teacher Anthony Clark is running against Davis for the second time. Envisioning healthcare and housing as a right., Clark said (Chicago Tribune): “I know the issues plaguing my district are deeply rooted & systemic, and must be addressed at a national level.” Also running against Davis is Kina Collins, who favors single-payer, Medicare for All, and Green New Deal.
Working class people are demanding an end to bankruptcy-by-illness; people are declaring that housing is a right, so the practicality of socialism is under review. The “Big Tent” cannot for much longer contain both advocates and foes of corporate rule.

PT Logo collage
+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

‘I Am a Political Prisoner’ Says Jailed Immigrant Rights Activist

In this interview with Democracy Now, Journalist Maria Hinojosa describes her recent interview in an ICE detention center in Colorado with jailed immigration activist Jeanette Vizguerra.

War No More – Veterans Reflect on the Meaning of Memorial Day

Veterans for Peace say wars will not end, – and nuclear war will not be averted – unless there is a sea-change in the thinking of the U.S. people and our political leaders.

Harvard University Stands Up to Illegal Federal Government Actions

Read letter by Harvard President Alan M. Garner, about the University's stance on the Federal government's illegal actions to force Harvard to give up the school's academic independence and academic freedom.

Trump’s Big Cruel, Deadly Policy Bill is a Healthcare Heist

Outrage is rising against Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” that would give massive tax breaks to the rich while slashing Medicaid, nutrition, and clean energy. Some say 14 million people could lose health coverage.

Is FREE Electricity in our Future?

Electricity should be a right, free to all.  Yet, for-profit energy companies set prices to maximize profits to shareholders, even when users can’t afford the prices and suffer shutoffs.

More from the People's Tribune