Media Coverage of Illinois State Green Party Meeting
July 20, 2009 in Congressional Campaigns, State Party News
WICD ABC 15 has this televised coverage of the Illinois Green Party meeting this weekend. They interview Phil Huckelberry, and they focus a lot on LeAlan Jones, whom they suggest is considering running for the US Senate seat in 2010. I’m not sure, but this appears to be the same LeAlan Jones from Ghetto Life 101 and Our America. If so, here is a 2003 Democracy Now interview with Jones.
Godless in Chicago (Rob Sherman) has a write up on the Illinois GP meeting, with photos, highlighting Whitney, Phil Huckelberry and Matt Reichel.
The Daily Illini reports on the Illinois Green Party meeting, with focus on the local Campus Greens and Rich Whitney’s platform.
We look forward to “first hand reports” from the Illinois meeting here soon! (Candidates, Walter! Who’s in? Cough it up…)
Walter said on July 20, 2009
Hi Ron,
I attended the ILGP membership meeting! We are VERY excited about our prospects in 2010. I also gave a workshop on the importance of using social media like Facebook, Twitter, etc. in campaigns, I might make a post about that.
During the meeting, we recognized and formed a state slate for 2010!
Governor: Rich Whitney (2006 GP candidate for governor – got 10%)
Lt. Gov: Don Crawford (Got 37% in a two-way race for County Board in 2008)
Attorney General: David Black (ran with Rich in ’06 as AG)
Secretary of State: Adrian Frost (openly gay candidate that also ran in 2008 for county board)
Treasurer: Scott Summers (ran for House of Representatives in 2008 with Greens)
Comptroller: Erika Schaefer (former ILGP treasurer)
And yes, that is the same LeAlan Jones that wrote Ghetto life 101. We’re very excited about his candidacy so far!!! LeAlan’s been on national media such as NPR, 60 minutes, and has received various awards for his journalism!!
ILGP and locals are planning a state wide petition drive that is to begin Aug 2nd. We are going to need 5,000 signatures (closer to 15,000 sigs actually to discourage a challenge to be thrown off).
Ronald Hardy said on July 20, 2009
Great news, Walter! This looks like a really good state slate. I hope Wisconsin can come up with a slate as fine.
Janet Jackson said on July 20, 2009
Thanks for excellent news and story.
Running a full slate of Green Party candidates is the way to go.
Can someone explain about the signatures?
The Green Party has ballot status. Why the sigs?
Walter said on July 20, 2009
@Msg #3- All established parties, which the IL Greens are, in IL have to gather signatures to get on the ballot even the Democrats and Republicans.
The signature requirement for established parties is MUCH lower for non-established parties.
I believe its 25,000 for a state wide office if you are petitioning from a non-established party.
Only 5,000 for those that are established.
A new ballot access law might have made it less burdensome for minor parties, I’m not sure.
Walter said on July 20, 2009
Opps, I mean, the signature requirement for non-established parties is much higher, not lower than an established party.
Dave Schwab said on July 21, 2009
How many congressional districts are there in IL? And how many candidates for US House did y’all have in 2008?
Ronald Hardy said on July 21, 2009
There are 19 congressional districts in Illinois. In 2008 they ran candidates in 14 of them. There could have been more but the Democrats challenged in court the Green Party’s ability to “slate” candidates via state convention.
Janet Jackson said on July 21, 2009
Wow.
That really is an amazing achievement!
The Illinois Green Party gets it in a big way.
It’s all about putting Green Party candidates on the ballot in every race.
Thank you for answering and explaining…
Much appreciated.
PFK said on July 21, 2009
That is the same LeAlan Jones from Ghetto Life 101 and Our America (not to mention his NPR documentary Remorse). He’s going to be an excellent candidate for us.