Pantagraph: Green Party may be on the ballot

Article in the Pantagraph by Matt Adrian on June 27, 2006

SPRINGFIELD - It was unclear Monday whether the state's two major political parties would try to get the Illinois Green Party kicked off the November ballot.

The Greens turned in more than the 25,000 signatures needed to slate candidates for statewide office Monday. Rich Whitney, the Green Party's gubernatorial candidate, suggested the group, which is running statewide for the first time, will survive any petition challenges.

"I think it's clear that the people of this state want a third choice on the ballot," he said. "We've poured sweat into this campaign to get on the ballot. We shouldn't have it thrown out on technicalities."

The two major parties were silent on potential challenges.

"I haven't heard it discussed," said Steve Brown, a spokesman for the Illinois Democratic Party.

Mike Zolnierowicz, with the state Republican Party, said: "I think we're going to evaluate our options once the day is over. And make our decision when we get a chance to access the petitions."

Challenges to petitions must be heard by the Illinois State Board of Elections.

The Green Party supports increasing the state income tax, while lowering property taxes, to pay for schools and state services, said Whitney, a Carbondale attorney. Other party platforms include keeping the Illinois National Guard out of Iraq, creating a "single-payer" health insurance program, and increasing the state's use of sustainable energy such as wind power and bio-diesel.

Other statewide Green Party candidates include

• Julie Samuels, an Oak Park resident, for lieutenant governor;
• David Black, of Belvidere, for attorney general;
• Karen Young, a Chicago resident, for secretary of state;
• Chicagoan Dan Rodriguez-Schlorff for treasurer;
• Special education teacher Alicia Snyder, a Centralia resident, for comptroller.

The party also will be fielding seven candidates for state Senate and House seats.