North Cook News

Rotheimer sees sense of justice in Silverstein loss

By Justin Stoltzfus | Mar 21, 2018

Denise Rotheimer has something to say about the results of an election that cost Ira Silverstein his state Senate seat in District 8.

Kessem stunned by donation to Silverstein campaign

By Justin Stoltzfus | Mar 7, 2018

Ammie Kessem, a Chicago police officer running in the GOP Primary in the 19th House District for the seat held by Rep. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago), sees a contradiction in the party’s backing of Sen Ira Silverstein after he was stripped of his Senate leadership position, with some asking him to resign.

Wynes garners endorsements from three newspapers

By Justin Stoltzfus | Mar 2, 2018

Jeremy Wynes, a Highland Park Republican running in the GOP primary in the 10th Congressional District for the seat held by Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), has some impressive bona fides in terms of endorsements from newspapers.

From Chicago City Wire

Biela blasts Democratic Party for continuing to support Silverstein

By Justin Stoltzfus | 7 years ago

“I think it's sad and disgusting that the Democratic Party keeps supporting Ira Silverstein,” Amanda Biela, who is running unopposed in the GOP primary in the 15th House District, which is part of Silverstein's 8th Senate District, told Chicago City Wire.

From Chicago City Wire

Kessem challenges Martwick to join her in demanding Madigan step down

By Justin Stoltzfus | 7 years ago

Ammie Kessem, a Chicago police officer running in the GOP primary for the seat held by Rep. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) in the 19th District, has been talking about the issue of ethics violations and how they are dealt with at the state level.

From Chicago City Wire

Biela gains police group's backing

By Justin Stoltzfus | 7 years ago

Amanda Biela, a Chicago Republican running in the 15th House District, is getting some support from a state police group.

From Chicago City Wire

Voters deserve a Rauner-Ives debate, Kessem says

By Justin Stoltzfus | 7 years ago

Gov. Bruce Rauner is being challenged in the GOP primary by Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), and some reports allege Rauner is unwilling to debate Ives.

From Chicago City Wire

Biela calls for cap to curb rising property taxes

By Justin Stoltzfus | 7 years ago

A study by Illinois Policy shows that in the seven years after the financial crisis of 2008, property taxes for Illinois residents rose, on average, six times faster than household incomes. That fact is not lost on Amanda Biela, a Chicago schoolteacher who is running in the GOP primary for the seat held by Rep. John D'Amico (D-Chicago) in the 15th House District.

Kessem: 'We have to do a better job of educating the public' on political issues

By Justin Stoltzfus | Dec 16, 2017

Amelia "Ammie" Kessem has been a Chicago police officer since 1999. Now she is running against incumbent Robert Martwick as a Republican for the Illinois House of Representatives seat in District 19 and reaching out to voters to talk about some of the problems that seem inherent in Illinois politics.

Wynes seeks to unseat Schneider in run for 10th Congressional District

By Justin Stoltzfus | Dec 12, 2017

Jeremy Wynes is excited about his campaign to represent Illinois voters in the state's 10th District.

Kessem sees lawmakers' handling of harassment claims as fostering distrust

By Justin Stoltzfus | Dec 7, 2017

Like many other Illinois residents, including her peers in campaigns to unseat incumbent politicians, Ammie Kessem is waiting to hear about updates on how state offices will handle sexual harassment claims and other ethics violations.

Biela takes 'first step' in bid to oust D'Amico in 15th District

By Justin Stoltzfus | Dec 7, 2017

Amanda Biela made it official: "1,500 signatures all turned in and my candidacy papers filed with the Illinois (State) Board of Elections," she posted on Facebook this week.

Kessem rips Berrios for broken tax assessment system

By Justin Stoltzfus | Dec 5, 2017

In a post on Facebook, House District 19 Republican candidate Amelia Kessem is calling out Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios and others who she says have benefited from chicanery in the property tax assessment system.

Biela says 'Madigan machine' behind inflated property assessments

By Justin Stoltzfus | Nov 30, 2017

Amanda Biela, who is gearing up for a bid for the 15th House District seat, referred to an article in the Economist that called the property assessment system in Cook County an unfair scheme in a recent social media posting and said residents are speaking out about their high taxes.

Wynes: Schneider should return Franken's PAC money

By Justin Stoltzfus | Nov 27, 2017

In the wake of harassment allegations against Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), Republican Jeremy Wynes, a candidate for Illinois' 10th District, is asking his opponent, Rep. Brad Schneider, to return a $5,000 check that Schneider received from Franken's political action committee.

House candidate Kessem critical of Illinois budget bill, taxes

By Justin Stoltzfus | Nov 18, 2017

In going door-to-door for her campaign for Illinois House District 19 against Rep. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago), Amelia Kessem has heard many concerns from residents about high taxes.

House aspirant decries 'lack of outrage' over Silverstein accusations

By Justin Stoltzfus | Nov 13, 2017

Amanda Biela says the floodgates have opened and the truth about sexual harassment is pouring forth.

Martwick opponent holds off on whether to back Rauner re-election or look elsewhere

By Justin Stoltzfus | Nov 3, 2017

Ammie Kessem hasn't decided whether she will support Gov. Bruce Rauner's re-election or turn to another viable GOP candidate, such as Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), she told the North Cook News.

House hopeful says voters 'shake their heads' at voting district confusion

By Justin Stoltzfus | Oct 30, 2017

A map of Illinois' voting districts is like some crazy jigsaw puzzle, Amanda Biela, who is running for the District 15 House seat, told the North Cook News recently.

Local board troubles appear to be golden goose for Chicago law firm

By Justin Stoltzfus | Oct 26, 2017

A Chicago law firm appears to be the "go-to" when it comes to local boards suppressing public comment and skirting the Open Meetings Act (OMA), according to the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW).