Is Rickey Hendon the only Democrat willing to call out extremist right wing stands? As he put it, he doesn't need to apologize for attacking the voting record in the state senate of Gov.Quinn's opponent, Bill Brady. Instead, Brady needs to apologize for vote after vote that penalizes minority contractors, opposes rights for gays and lesbians, and rules out women from choosing abortion even in cases of rape and incest. In this WGN radio interview Rickey backs up everything he said:
www.wgnradio.com/shows/gregjarrett/wgnam-rickey-hendon-brady-accusations-greg-102510,0,678226.mp3file
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Hendon Supports After School Programs to Bring Peace to Streets
One thing that’s been overlooked in Sen. Hendon’s proposal for two riverboat casinos for Chicago is his plan to spend some of that gambling money on afterschool programs.
“We got Granny having to shoot a young kid in the shoulder, a 12 year old who had nothing better to do than harass her for a year, throw rocks through her windows,” he said at last week’s community meeting, referring to a case in recent news. Charges against the 70 year old woman were dismissed.
“After school programs have been cut by both the city and the state,” said Hendon, who tried without success in the legislature to restore the state funds. “Now we got these kids running the streets like they own the neighborhood. They got nothing better to do.” Art, music, phys ed and even recess have been cut from many city schools. Kids have few constructive outlets for their energy and self-expression.
This week Michelle Obama was in the news advocating arts to uplift youth.
"We want to lift young people up," she told Harper's Bazaar in an interview in the magazine's November issue. "The country needs to be mindful that we have all these diamonds out there, and it would be a shame not to invest in those talents."
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Hendon Introduces Resolution to Reopen Meigs Field
State Senator Rickey Hendon announced at a press conference Oct. 4 that he's introduced a resolution to reopen Meigs Field, a small downtown airport closed by outgoing Mayor Daley in a midnight bulldozer raid. The FAA said that Chicago was wrong to close it, and many state legislators felt the same way, Rickey said.
As the mainstream media continue to blather about Rahm Emanuel, Rickey continues to bring up real Chicago issues . He points out that the number of candidates for mayor will be whittled down in the petitioning process.
If you vote in Chicago and are undecided about the mayoral race, it's ok... you can sign petitions for more than one candidate for any office: Rickey Hendon, Fioretti, DelValle, Rev. Meeks, Danny Davis, Dock Walls...whoever! Petition deadline is in late November. Candidates must get the signatures of 12,500 registered voters to get on the ballot.
Don't forget, the election for mayor and other city candidates is February. On Nov. 2, Illinois voters elect a U.S. Senator , governor and lieutenant governor, along with state reps and many state senators. Rickey urges all to get out and vote Democratic! If times are bad now, they could only get worse under Republican leadership, he says.
As the mainstream media continue to blather about Rahm Emanuel, Rickey continues to bring up real Chicago issues . He points out that the number of candidates for mayor will be whittled down in the petitioning process.
If you vote in Chicago and are undecided about the mayoral race, it's ok... you can sign petitions for more than one candidate for any office: Rickey Hendon, Fioretti, DelValle, Rev. Meeks, Danny Davis, Dock Walls...whoever! Petition deadline is in late November. Candidates must get the signatures of 12,500 registered voters to get on the ballot.
Don't forget, the election for mayor and other city candidates is February. On Nov. 2, Illinois voters elect a U.S. Senator , governor and lieutenant governor, along with state reps and many state senators. Rickey urges all to get out and vote Democratic! If times are bad now, they could only get worse under Republican leadership, he says.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Hendon Proposes Riverboat Casinos, Reopening Meigs air field
State Sen. Rickey Hendon, in a press conference at city hall Monday, proposed riverboat casinos and the reopening of Meigs Field airport as a short-term remedy for Chicago's financial crisis. Since he's on the Gaming committee in the Senate, he knows what it would take to move such a deal forward.
Sen. Hendon acknowledges that some people do not like the idea of relying on gambling to support government, but he points out that Indiana and Michigan have, or will soon have casinos that people from Illinois will be going to, and it's better to keep these revenues in the state. He also favors riverboats, not land-based casinos which would displace residents; and he favors casinos which are limited to gaming so that others may invest in restaurants and other nearby supporting businesses. His proposal provides for local, female and minority ownership of the casinos.
He points out that raising taxes is not politically feasible right now. He says other forms of municipal revenue-grabbing, such as red-light cameras (he passed a bill in the legislature to curb some of their abuses) and outrageous parking fees and tickets, are just plain unacceptable: "Put a boot on your car after only two unpaid tickets? Come on now!"
Sen. Hendon acknowledges that some people do not like the idea of relying on gambling to support government, but he points out that Indiana and Michigan have, or will soon have casinos that people from Illinois will be going to, and it's better to keep these revenues in the state. He also favors riverboats, not land-based casinos which would displace residents; and he favors casinos which are limited to gaming so that others may invest in restaurants and other nearby supporting businesses. His proposal provides for local, female and minority ownership of the casinos.
He points out that raising taxes is not politically feasible right now. He says other forms of municipal revenue-grabbing, such as red-light cameras (he passed a bill in the legislature to curb some of their abuses) and outrageous parking fees and tickets, are just plain unacceptable: "Put a boot on your car after only two unpaid tickets? Come on now!"
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Rickey a Hit at PUSH
Sen. Rickey Hendon reportedly wowed folks at a meeting held by Jesse Jackson at PUSH with some leading black ministers and politicians who are trying to use the open mayor's race as a way to advance the community, whoever ends up on the ballot. Stay tuned to see how they work it out.
Hendon's Heroes believe in the trickle-up theory: the economic and spiritual betterment of the poorest folks is like yeast that makes the whole loaf of bread rise! Like Rickey often tells his neighbors in meetings Monday evenings: "If the government gives poor people money, y'all won't sit on it like the banks. You'll spend it, and that will stimulate the economy!" Tackle some of this street violence, unemployment and drugs, and let Chicago grow.
Hendon's Heroes believe in the trickle-up theory: the economic and spiritual betterment of the poorest folks is like yeast that makes the whole loaf of bread rise! Like Rickey often tells his neighbors in meetings Monday evenings: "If the government gives poor people money, y'all won't sit on it like the banks. You'll spend it, and that will stimulate the economy!" Tackle some of this street violence, unemployment and drugs, and let Chicago grow.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Rickey Announces for Mayor
Illinois State Sen.Rickey Hendon has announced he'll run for Mayor of Chicago. He told his West Side weekly community meeting Monday that whoever he ends up to be the candidate, he is seeking some bargaining power on behalf of the West Side, especially within the Black caucus. Hendon carried all but one of the city's black-dominated wards in his third-place race for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, and a good deal of non-black voters as well. Lots of candidates are elbowing for position now that Mayor Daley II has announced he won't run again. The election is Feb. 22. Sign a petition and give Rickey a chance!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Rickey's Election Manual: Backstabbers
Sen. Rickey Hendon has come out with a new book exposing a lot of tricks he's faced in Chicago politics. It might be useful for many people considering running for mayor and alderman positions now that Mayor Daley has announced he won't run for another term.
Not only does he outline the games politicians play, from challenging each other's petition signatures to mixing up the locations of ballot boxes. He also gives some positive grassroots campaigning tips, like standing on an overpass with a huge banner, like a mobile billboard.
The New York Times issued a rather snide review of "Backstabbers." They say Rickey should not have criticized politicians who promised to support him and then campaigned for his opponents. But shouldn't the people know the names of politicians who are trustworthy and those who aren't? I wonder if the reviewer has ever been to the West Side to see what things are really like for any politician who tries to educate citizens and get money for projects in a poor community.
Publisher Eric L. Miller has posted the New York Times article.
Not only does he outline the games politicians play, from challenging each other's petition signatures to mixing up the locations of ballot boxes. He also gives some positive grassroots campaigning tips, like standing on an overpass with a huge banner, like a mobile billboard.
The New York Times issued a rather snide review of "Backstabbers." They say Rickey should not have criticized politicians who promised to support him and then campaigned for his opponents. But shouldn't the people know the names of politicians who are trustworthy and those who aren't? I wonder if the reviewer has ever been to the West Side to see what things are really like for any politician who tries to educate citizens and get money for projects in a poor community.
Publisher Eric L. Miller has posted the New York Times article.
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