Welcome to the 2012 Windy City Times Primary Election Guide.
Although a lot of local residents may be looking ahead to the general elections in November, there are many intriguing races in the primary elections March 20.
For example, there is the dogfight in the Second Congressional District between incumbent Democrat Jesse Jackson Jr. and former Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson.
On the state level, there is a heated race between lesbian state Rep. Kelly Cassidy and lesbian challenger Paula Basta in the 14th District.
This week's issue will include talks with Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court Dorothy Brown and Ald. Ricardo Munoz, who are locked in a battle for her position. Both candidates are formidable, but reveal personal insights in their interviews with Windy City Times.
This issue will also include interviews with several judicial candidates. With the huge number of candidates for various levels of the bench, these talks may help readers to make crucial choices.
As always, there are political charts that show recommendations and endorsements from various organizations and associations as well as candidates' scores on our questionnaire. ( Windy City Times does not endorse any candidates. )
NOTE: View downloadable election guide charts at the following link. This election chart was updated online on Tuesday March 13 with corrections and updates. www.windycitymediagroup.com/pdf/WCT_2012_primarychartsforweb.pdf .
Note: Regarding our charts, we have made made a couple updates, including revisions of ratings for judicial candidates James Shapiro and Thomas Osran in their Eighth Subcircuit race to fill the Chiola vacancy.
WCT also has its Guide to the Gays, which lists LGBT candidates. There are currently more than a dozen who are running for everything from judicial posts to Metropolitan Water Reclamation commissioner.
Lastly, please do not forget to vote; everyone's voice deserves to be heard. And please feel free to take our charts into the voting booth with you.
Election related articles in this and recent issues at the links:
Guide to the gays 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Guide-to-the-gays/36645.html .
Debra Shore on climate change and her campaign 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Debra-Shore-on-climate-change-and-her-campaign/36679.html .
Out individuals among would-be delegates 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Out-individuals-among-would-be-delegates-/36677.html .
STATE HOUSE Toni Berrios on LGBT issues and her family 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/STATE-HOUSE-Toni-Berrios-on-LGBT-issues-and-her-family/36670.html .
U.S. CONGRESS: Raja Krishnamoorhi talks economy, LGBTs 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/US-CONGRESS-Raja-Krishnamoorhi-talks-economy-LGBTs/36669.html .
James Shapiro: Judicial candidate on fairness, LGBT causes 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/James-Shapiro-Judicial-candidate-on-fairness-LGBT-causes/36667.html .
Judge Lorna Propes on civil unions, hate crimes 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Judge-Lorna-Propes-on-civil-unions-hate-crimes/36666.html .
Judicial candidate Ellis Levin on LGBTs, Springfield 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Judicial-candidate-Ellis-Levin-on-LGBTs-Springfield/36665.html .
Profile of out judicial candidate John Ehrlich 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Profile-of-out-judicial-candidate-John-Ehrlich/36664.html .
U.S. CONGRESS Debbie Halvorson 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/US-CONGRESS-Debbie-Halvorson/36663.html .
Judge Deborah Gubin on her start, courtroom 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Judge-Deborah-Gubin-on-her-start-courtroom/36662.html .
Lesbian judge Andrea Schleifer on bias, cases 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Lesbian-judge-Andrea-Schleifer-on-bias-cases/36661.html .
Sam Yingling on his district, returning salary 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Sam-Yingling-on-his-district-returning-salary/36660.html .
Judge Mary Trew 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Judge-Mary-Trew/36659.html .
Gay Kane County judicial candidate John Dalton talks civil rights 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Gay-Kane-County-judicial-candidate-John-Dalton-talks-civil-rights/36658.html .
CIRCUIT COURT CLERK Dorothy Brown 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/CIRCUIT-COURT-CLERK-Dorothy-Brown/36657.html .
CIRCUIT COURT CLERK Rick Munoz 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/CIRCUIT-COURT-CLERK-Rick-Munoz/36656.html .
Berrios holds LGBT reception 2012-03-14 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Berrios-holds-LGBT-reception/36676.html .
Brad Trowbridge on counseling, inclusive slogan 2012-03-07 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Brad-Trowbridge-on-counseling-inclusive-slogan/36558.html .
The Basta/Cassidy question 2012-03-07 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/The-Basta-Cassidy-question/36555.html .
Paula Basta on priorities, campaign strengths 2012-03-07 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Paula-Basta-on-priorities-campaign-strengths/36554.html .
Kelly Cassidy on marriage, activism 2012-03-07 www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Kelly-Cassidy-on-marriage-activism/36553.html .
VIEWPOINTS To endorse or not to endorse www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/VIEWPOINTS-To-endorse-or-not-to-endorse/36633.html .
