A Glenview Park District bond issue, legal marijuana and Republicans vying for a chance to run for four Illinois state House seats will be on the ballot for Cook County voters in the upcoming March 20 primary election.
The advisory-only referendum on marijuana legalization reads: "Shall the State of Illinois legalize the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, testing, and sale of marijuana and marijuana products for recreational use by adults 21 and older subject to state regulation, taxation and local ordinance?"
As early as last spring, well in advance of the referendum, some legislators in Springfield took steps toward legalization, including the introduction of House Bill 2353 and Senate Bill 316.
Republican Katie Miller, candidate for Illinois' 53rd District House seat
Last fall, state lawmakers heard testimony about marijuana legalization proposals. During a House and Senate Appropriations Public Safety Committee, Mental Health Committee, and Health & Healthcare Disparities Committee Joint Hearing on marijuana legalization in January, Rep. Thomas Morrison (R-Palatine) spoke up for Illinois businesses that might have trouble finding qualified employees after legalization.
Also expected on the ballot is a request for a Glenview Park District Bond issue. That question reads: "Shall the Glenview Park District, Cook County, Illinois, construct safety and security improvements at The Grove, improve the Interpretive Center at The Grove, renovate, equip, and expand the Glenview Ice Center, purchase land for park purposes and issue its bonds to the amount of $17,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?"
Among candidates running in various primaries are Republicans who want to run in November's general election for four Illinois House seats.
Mt. Prospect Republican Katie Miller, long-time nurse, wife and mother, is hoping for a chance to run for the Illinois 53rd District House seat currently held by Rep. David Harris (R-Arlington Heights), who is retiring. Her campaign video, "Leading the Revolt Against the Ruling Class," features Miller in scrubs and at home with her family.
"Katie has worked as a nurse for nearly two decades, but her home value keeps falling because her property taxes keep rising," the video says. "They're now more than $800 a month. Sound familiar?"
Miller faces Eddie Corrigan in the general primary election. The district covers Prospect Heights and Mount Prospect.
Aurora Republican and DuPage County board member Tonia Khouri wants a crack at the 49th District state House seat currently held by Rep. Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago), who is retiring. In a recent campaign video, Khouri focused on community support with the slogan "Politicians are there when they need you, Tonia Khouri is there when you need her."
Khouri faces Nic Zito in the general primary election. The district covers Cook and DuPage counties, St. Charles, South Elgin, and West Chicago.
Schaumburg Republican and international relations manager Jillian Bernas is looking for a chance to run - again - for the 56th District state House seat currently held by Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg).
Bernas, who took 44.7 percent of the vote when she ran against Mussman for the seat in 2016, recently called on Mussman to join with her in calling for Illinois' powerful House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) to step down over the sexual harassment controversy in Springfield.
"Speaker Madigan should resign as speaker and as chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party for abusing his power and covering up for those close to him who engaged in unwanted and inappropriate sexual misconduct," Bernas recently said.
Bernas faces Charlotte Kegarise in the general primary election. The district includes Schaumburg, Hanover Park, Roselle and Elk Grove Village.
Lincolnshire Republican Marko Sukovic, a soon-to-be University of Illinois graduate with a political science degree, hopes to kick off his post-university career in politics with a run for the 59th District state House seat currently held by Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills).
In addition to appearing on Chicago's Morning Answer and fending off an alleged smear campaign by the Illinois House Republican Organization, Sukovic has called for a public debate between incumbent Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Rauner's opponent in the primary, Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton).
Sukovic faces Karen Feldman in the general primary election. The district is located within Lake and Cook counties.
Alerts Sign-up