Illinois Primary Watch: Bernie Grabs Lunch With Chuy, #ByeAnita Banners, And More

By aaroncynic in News on Mar 15, 2016 6:00PM

As voters hit the polls around Chicago Tuesday, candidates and their surrogates are out on the streets in full force for last-minute stumping. Polls will be open until 7:00 p.m. and many are expected to see high turnout, as voters cast their ballots for both nominations for the presidential and local representatives. CBS2 reports Cook County election officials are expecting turnout to be above 43 percent, which would be the highest turnout the state has seen for a primary since President Barack Obama's first run for president in 2008. Early voting too, saw a strong turnout with 140,000 ballots cast—60,000 more compared to the 2008 primary.

After speaking to a packed house at the Roosevelt Auditorium last night, Bernie Sanders stopped for lunch at Lou Mitchell's with Cook County Commissioner Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia.

Former President Bill Clinton was spotted stumping for Hillary today at a polling place on the south side in Hyde Park alongside Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Kim Foxx, who is challenging Anita Alvarez for Cook County State's Attorney. "I want to help stir up voter interest, get the biggest possible turnout," said Clinton, according to NBC5.

With a close race between Clinton and Sanders for the Democratic nomination, some voters might not realize there are actually six candidates for Democratic nominee on the ballot. One of those is Dr. Willie Wilson, who ran unsuccessfully last year for Chicago mayor. He was spotted today on WVON Radio.

Earlier this morning, Kim Foxx shook hands and greeted commuters at the 95th Red Line stop along the Dan Ryan.

Juliana Stratton was spotted taking a brief respite in the 5th District early this morning. Stratton is challenging incumbent Ken Dunkin, who broke ranks with his party to support Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner earlier this year by skipping out on a few key votes in the legislature. The race for the 5th District has been one of the most expensive, with more than $5 million being spent so far. Politico reported Tuesday morning that Dunkin received a last minute deposit from the conservative Illinois Opportunity Project of $500,000, while Stratton received $150,000 from Michael Sacks.

Meanwhile in the 26th District, candidate Jay Travis, who is challenging incumbent Christian Mitchell, reported ballot problems when she went to cast her vote this morning at a polling place near her home. Travis says she was handed a ballot for the Stratton/Dunkin race and told no ballots for hers were on hand. Travis' campaign also alleges that irregularities and issues popped up at other locations. "This is voter suppression of the worst type," she said in a press release. Travis' home polling place is a shared location with the 5th District.

Tammy Duckworth, who is expected to win the Democratic nomination in the race to represent Illinois in the U.S. Senate, cast her ballot today with her daughter. Duckworth will more than likely face Republican incumbent Mark Kirk in November, who is leading the polls for the Republican nomination.

And though GOP candidates Marco Rubio and Kasich are in other states holding primaries today, Ted Cruz was in Illinois last night for several appearances.

Update 3:30pm:

After being grounded Monday due to weather conditions, a plane is currently buzzing the city skyline with a banner in tow that reads “Hillary stands with Rahm #ByeRahm #ByeAnita.”

“Any politician who supports Emanuel should consider themselves implicated in his misconduct,” said the group Assata’s Daughters, who coordinated an action in which they dropped 16 anti-Alvarez banners—one to mark each shot that Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke fired at Laquan McDonald —across the city. “Anita Alvarez has cosigned on CPD’s wanton disregard for Black life and has conspired to suppress evidence of this disregard. Anita Alvarez does not care about Black people, and she must go."

Photo by Pidgeon Pagonis (@pidgejen)

Photo by Pidgeon Pagonis (@pidgejen)

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners said that despite a good turnout in the morning, the pace at the polls has slowed:

“We do not expect to reach the 53 percent turnout (equal to 2008) or anything close to it unless there’s a huge evening rush… Assuming that the weather holds, we’re looking at in the range of 40 percent.”

NBC5 reports four election judges were removed today, two for alcohol use, one for being on the ballot for Ward Committeeman, and one for being disruptive.