Kirk secures grant for Waukegan while Dan campaigns in Chicago.

Mark Kirk continues to work for the 10th CD:

From todays Tribune: Waukegan police will soon receive $846,000 in federal money to help officers combat gangs in the city and beyond, officials said.The U.S. Department of Justice grant, which would be distributed over two years and was procured with help from Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), would be the largest infusion the city has received for anti-gang initiatives, said Police Chief Bill Biang.The money will allow the Police Department to devote more staffing, through increased overtime, to its gang and drug operations, including more enforcement, prevention and community programs. It would also expand Waukegan's partnership with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to other municipalities in Lake County with gang problems.

Meanwhile Dan Seals is still campaigning in Chicago, with a fundraiser set for tomorrow in downtown Chicago hosted by Rahm Emanual. Given that Dan thinks we are all millionaires, you would think he would fundraise in the district.

Obama's campaign website has praise for Mark Kirk earmark stand.

In touting his own willingness to publish his earmark requests, the Obama campaign website highlights this Sun-Times excerpt:

The Chicago Sun-Times wrote in an editorial, "As valuable as it has already been to see the earmarks and their sponsors at the subcommittee stage, it's even more valuable to see the requests from members before they even make it that far. That's why we applaud Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, Democratic Rep. Rahm Emanuel and GOP Representatives Peter Roskam, Judy Biggert and Mark Kirk for having the courage to disclose every earmark request, whether successful or not. The sooner the public can start scrutinizing the earmarks -- which are, after all, demands for taxpayers to fund specific projects -- the sooner it can start separating the wheat from the chaff. We encourage every member of Congress to do the same. The more glare, the more scrutiny, the better the process will work."

In sharp contrast Seals' position is that he won't have to publish any earmark requests because he won't ask for any, leaving the VA, local schools and other worthy local projects out of luck. Check out this story for a more detailed discussion of how Seals would vote on earmarks.

There needs to be tough reform of the earmark system. The elected officials cited by the Sun-Times are champions of that reform. The Seals approach shows a basic lack of understanding of how government works and/or naiveté that would have terrible consequences for 10th District programs that deserve federal funding.

Election day observations

I love to vote. Lots of excitement at the polls - tons of people early this morning with more folks pulling dem ballots than I remember in years past.

Thanks for the suggestions on who to pick for 10th CD dem primary but I just couldn't fill in the black circle for either Seals or Footlik. I'll have to wait for the general to vote for the best candidate, Mark Kirk.

Saw more Kirk signs than either Footlik or Seals and a great Hillary button while waiting for the train.

Consider this an election day open thread.

Thanks Mom