Illinois has been run by Democrats for years, and the Democratic party has one of its own in the White House. Barack Obama was a Senator from Illinois when he ran for President, resigning his seat in the Senate to take up that position. The state legislature currently has a clear Democratic majority, and the Governor is a Democrat. However, conservative candidates Illinois 2014 are hoping to change this in the fall elections.
Illinois has many ongoing problems and little signs of improvement. The credit rating of this northern state is the lowest in the nation. There is a multi-billion dollar pension deficit for civil servants, and almost $5 billion dollars worth of delinquent bills. There is also a serious and rising jobless rate. Because the majority party hasn't gotten control of either the present or the future, Republican and Independent candidates are hoping voters are ready for a different approach.
This made the primary races of greater than usual interest in March. There were also some flamboyant candidates. Millionaire businessman Bruce Rauner won the Republican primary for Governor, spending a record $6 million dollars on his campaign. A surprisingly vigorous labor union opposition was unable to derail his victory. He hopes to mount a successful challenge to Democratic Governor Pat Quinn.
Republicans hope to gain enough seats in the state legislature to change the current unassailable position of Democratic lawmakers. They would like to capture the Governor's office for the first time since 1998, as well as many other important posts at the state level. Although this would have been a hard fight two years ago, many think the time is right for a change in direction.
At the federal level, all 18 of the House seats are up for grabs in November. 12 of the seats are currently held by Democrats. Conservatives hope to use perceived failures of progressive national policies as fuel for change. Jesse Jackson, Jr., who has been in office since 1995, is one of the main targets because of his high profile and some issues he has had during his last term.
Senate Majority Whip Richard 'Dick' Durbin is also up for re-election this fall and a major target. It is hoped that his support of The Affordable Care Act, raising the debt ceiling, and other controversial policies will make him vulnerable. Chicago, however, is notoriously loyal to its elected officials.
Durbin's challenger will be a businessman and state Senator, Jim Oberweis. He operates a chain of ice cream shops in and around Chicago. He was elected partly because his name was familiar to many and also because his success in business inspires confidence. He was endorsed by Family PAC for his support of traditional family values. He promises to leave office after two terms if he wins a seat, in contrast to Durbin who is in his third term.
This may be the year that the Democrats lose their stranglehold on Illinois. A conservative backlash may well usher in change - hopefully for the better.
Illinois has many ongoing problems and little signs of improvement. The credit rating of this northern state is the lowest in the nation. There is a multi-billion dollar pension deficit for civil servants, and almost $5 billion dollars worth of delinquent bills. There is also a serious and rising jobless rate. Because the majority party hasn't gotten control of either the present or the future, Republican and Independent candidates are hoping voters are ready for a different approach.
This made the primary races of greater than usual interest in March. There were also some flamboyant candidates. Millionaire businessman Bruce Rauner won the Republican primary for Governor, spending a record $6 million dollars on his campaign. A surprisingly vigorous labor union opposition was unable to derail his victory. He hopes to mount a successful challenge to Democratic Governor Pat Quinn.
Republicans hope to gain enough seats in the state legislature to change the current unassailable position of Democratic lawmakers. They would like to capture the Governor's office for the first time since 1998, as well as many other important posts at the state level. Although this would have been a hard fight two years ago, many think the time is right for a change in direction.
At the federal level, all 18 of the House seats are up for grabs in November. 12 of the seats are currently held by Democrats. Conservatives hope to use perceived failures of progressive national policies as fuel for change. Jesse Jackson, Jr., who has been in office since 1995, is one of the main targets because of his high profile and some issues he has had during his last term.
Senate Majority Whip Richard 'Dick' Durbin is also up for re-election this fall and a major target. It is hoped that his support of The Affordable Care Act, raising the debt ceiling, and other controversial policies will make him vulnerable. Chicago, however, is notoriously loyal to its elected officials.
Durbin's challenger will be a businessman and state Senator, Jim Oberweis. He operates a chain of ice cream shops in and around Chicago. He was elected partly because his name was familiar to many and also because his success in business inspires confidence. He was endorsed by Family PAC for his support of traditional family values. He promises to leave office after two terms if he wins a seat, in contrast to Durbin who is in his third term.
This may be the year that the Democrats lose their stranglehold on Illinois. A conservative backlash may well usher in change - hopefully for the better.
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