Politics 101

Who are the key players? The people to know in Chicago politics right now • , • Karen Lewis, President, Chicago Teachers Union • Bob Fioretti, 2nd Ward Alderman • , President, Cook County Board of Commissioners

City Council How it’s structured • 50 aldermen for 50 wards • Your alderman is one of two people

Chicago Mayoral Elections 2015 Format & Timeline • “Nonpartisan” • First vote on February 24, 2015 • Runoff on April 7, 2015

Who represents us? Hyde Park Representatives • , U.S. Representative for ’s 1st congressional district • Kwame Raoul, Member of Illinois State Senate • Barbara Flynn-Curie, Member of Illinois House of Representatives • Most of Hyde Park is in Ward 5, but the northern part is in Ward 4 • Leslie Hairston represents Ward 5, Will Burns represents Ward 4

Illinois Races Gubernatorial Race Gov. Pat Quinn vs. Bruce Rauner • Gov. Pat Quinn was able to fend off a game challenge from Republican Bill Brady in 2010 after serving as Lt Gov to disgraced Gov • This time, Quinn is receiving generally poor polls against his challenger, businessman Bruce Rauner • But Brady polled well in 2010 as well, but undecided voters ended up breaking overwhelmingly against him at the end • Quinn is hoping that Democrats once again come home for him, big time, in the end • It will be CLOSE • Issues: Minimum Wage, Education, Environmental Protection

Congressional Races IL 13 – Ann Callis • Former chief judge of Illinois's Third Judicial Circuit • Member of the Democratic Party and the current Democratic candidate to represent Illinois' 13th congressional district • Facing freshman incumbent Rodney Davis (R-IL) • A horse race, but Callis has gained momentum in recent weeks • Issues: , College Affordability, and Veterans Affairs IL 17 – • The incumbent congresswoman for Illinois’ 17th Congressional district • Before her election in 2012 she served as an alderman on the East Moline city council • Her chances were bolstered by redistricting & the DCCC’s Red-to-Blue campaign • During her first term she served on Agriculture and Transportation and Infrastructure • Her opponent is Republican • The district leans safe toward Bustos, but she’s been hit hard repeatedly on the idea of reckless spending • Issues: Veterans Affairs, Balancing the Budget, Expanding Medicare and Protecting Social Security IL 10 – • Incumbent congressman for Illinois’ 10th congressional district, first elected in 2012 • Running against former Republican Congressman —the man he ousted in 2012 • Describes himself as a progressive and pragmatic moderate • The race is tight and Schneider is candidate-member of the DCCC’s Frontline program • Issues: Education, Environmental Protection, Gun Violence, Affordable Care Act, Immigration Reform