David Miller for Illinois

Option No. 3: Pull a Green Party ballot

January 24, 2010
By kristen mcqueary

When Illinois' state-sponsored college savings program, Bright Start, suffered record losses in its investment portfolio last year, there was plenty of blame to splash around. And that blame is now oozing into not one but three statewide campaigns.

State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, his chief of staff Robin Kelly and former deputy treasurer Raja Krishnamoorthi point fingers at fund manager Oppenheimer, whose advisers only chose risky investments in one out of 21 categories - but that one was a disaster. Working with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office, Bright Start participants stand to recoup some of the losses, which other states experienced as well.

Both Giannoulias and Kelly are facing questions about Bright Start as they campaign statewide for U.S. Senate and state treasurer, respectively. Krishnamoorthi is now running for comptroller, tiptoeing through the Bright Start minefield as well.

His opponent, state Rep. David Miller (D-Lynwood), reminds audiences that Krishnamoorthi oversaw Bright Start when he worked at the treasurer's office.

"He was a Blagojevich appointee," Miller said.

As a state representative, Miller spent most of his career in Springfield focusing on developing a third major airport near Peotone and changing the school funding formula. He also helped pass legislation aimed at predatory lenders.

For years he battled the Shaw brothers - former Dolton Mayor William Shaw and his twin brother, Robert - during each election cycle, often teaming with U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-2nd) and state Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago) on a shared agenda.

The state Democratic Party endorsed Miller in the comptroller race, but attempts to portray him as House Speaker Michael Madigan's lackey are a bit misguided.

Miller and Madigan often rammed horns - not boisterously, of course. That's not Madigan's way. But you can't speak in favor of the third airport, year after year, without irritating Madigan, and Miller did.

In his comptroller campaign, Miller largely is running the show himself without a great deal of money, staff or guidance from the state party.

As an incumbent lawmaker facing an electorate frustrated with the state's financial mess, Miller said he understands critics who question whether anyone in Springfield deserves a promotion to statewide office.

"The state is a mess so you acknowledge that," he said. "That's why we need leadership. You know, most folks like their legislator. It's the process they hate."

Also in the comptroller's race is Clint Krislov, a north suburban attorney who describes himself as the true outsider.

Meanwhile, if you're really hunting for a newcomer, you can always pull a Green Party ballot on Feb. 2. A respectable showing by 2006 gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney allowed the Green Party to build its infrastructure for 2008 and this year. The party offers a near-full slate of candidates in November, but only a sprinkling of primaries.

Two Green Party candidates are running in the 2nd Congressional District. The winner will face Jackson and Republican candidate Isaac Hayes.

Green candidate Michael Mayden, of Chicago, who ran twice against state Rep. Bob Rita (D-Blue Island), is challenging Green candidate Anthony Williams, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Robbins.

Both candidates admit they aren't longtime advocates of the Green platform. They're running with the party because they can't beat Jackson Jr. in a Democratic primary. Whoever wins will challenge Jackson in November when the ballot is open and voters can cross over.

Both Williams and Mayden describe Jackson as an absentee congressman. They pledge to bring jobs and more federal money to the district.

Williams claims Mayden is a Jackson ally in the race to weaken him.

Mayden, also known as "the Coach," calls that baloney.

"Well, Rev. Williams has run as a Democrat, a Republican and now under the Green Party, so at some point you have to question is credibility and his motives," Mayden, of West Pullman, said. "I don't know the Jacksons. They're just an image on TV. I have no affiliation with them. They've been nothing more than blood suckers to the black community."

Williams said he finally built a following that makes the fifth time the charm.

"I have a history of keeping my word and helping people get work or deal with foreclosure," he said. "I'm a grass roots person. I'm on the ground, not in an ivory tower."

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