North Cook News

Why is the State Democratic Victory Fund choosing to hand Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) $55,000?

That question has been raised amid reports that Silverstein, who had an ethics complaint filed against him, is going to be getting that cash for his re-election campaign.

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 Silverstein after he was stripped of his Senate leadership position, with some asking him to resign.

“They’re doing an about-face,” Kessem told Chicago City Wire recently. “I’m a little bit stunned.”

After she heard about Silverstein’s re-election campaign, she said, she was surprised Silverstein was running at all.

She’s also surprised that the party can’t find better candidates.

Kessem mentioned grassroots efforts to expand the pool of candidates and building common ground among female candidates, as more women decide to get involved in local and state politics.

She cited a recent phone call she received from a women’s group and said she’s interested in getting involved. “The whole point is to bring us together,” Kessem said, talking about the need to “break the stereotype” that keeps the same old politicians in place. “That’s right up my alley.”

Projects like this, she said, highlight the possibility of bipartisan engagement in bringing new approaches to the issues of the day.  Noting that some of the panels convened by the group might lean toward the Democratic Party, Kessem said she’s excited about the possibility of open dialogue.

As for Silverstein, Kessem said his story is a good example of establishment politics.

“He’s still tainted,” Kessem said.