Green: Money will pour into Northwest suburban campaigns

U.S. and state legislative elections in the Northwest suburbs will draw a lot of money this fall because the area is one of the few in the state where both parties are competitive, Paul M. Green, director of Policy Studies at Roosevelt University said Wednesday.

Green, who also is a guest columnist for the Daily Herald, spoke Wednesday at a luncheon in Hoffman Estates sponsored by several area chambers of commerce.

"There are more competitive races in this region than the rest of Illinois combined," he said. "Democrats have become competitive in almost every office except local ones."

The race for the U.S. Senate between Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Mark Kirk will be the premiere contest in the country, said Green. They will each spend at least $8 million to $12 million, and that could rise to $20 million, he believes.

The length of the campaign between the early Feb. 2 primary and the Nov. 2 general election - the longest in the country - will contribute to the expense.

Money will pour into area congressional races because Republicans could conceivably win enough seats to take the U.S. House and the Senate, said Green.

Two or three Democratic seats in Illinois, including the 8th District held by Rep. Melissa Bean of Barrington and the 14th held by Bill Foster of Batavia, could be at risk, despite Illinois' Democratic leanings and President Obama's popularity here.

Green had significant praise for Michael Madigan, the Chicago Democratic Speaker of the House who is not popular in the suburbs, and who Green expects to put considerable money into tight races.

"If you think things are somewhat dicey down there now, when he leaves all hell's going to break lose," said Green. "The caucuses will split on race, gender, geography and philosophy.

"If there were a secret ballot for leader, he would win for both Democrats and Republicans," Green added. "He works hardest and has the best staff. If you're a conservative you can be darn happy he was down there to put some reins on Blagojevich.

"Blagojevich was simply a terrible person. He never kept his word."

Green also praised former Gov. George Ryan, who is in prison for racketeering and mail fraud, for working with people from both parties and keeping his word.

As one way of improving its dismal economic situation, Illinois should tax services and the Internet because it is no longer a manufacturing state, said Green. He pointed out that the Civic Federation of business and professional leaders and other groups have said the state income tax should rise from 3 percent to 5 percent.