Sierra Club GA Endorsements Focus on Republican Primaries, Defending Key Champions

The environment is on the ballot next Tuesday as Sierra Club IL PAC and its volunteers are working hard to help elect new and familiar supporters of clean air, clean water, and open space protection who are in tough primary battles.

Sierra Club is targeting four suburban Republican primaries where there are clear differences between the candidates in a hotly contested race:

*In Lake County’s 62nd District, Sandy Cole is a Lake County Board member who has been a strong voice for smart growth, water supply protection, and expanding Lake County’s forest preserves.

*In the northwest suburbs, Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins, who was instrumental in saving Palatine Marsh, and supports efforts to reduce mercury pollution and protect natural areas, is an a tight battle for the nomination in the 27th Senate District.

*In the west suburbs, West Chicago Mayor Michael Fortner, who has been active in efforts to clean up local thorium contamination, and dedicating West Chicago Prairie as an Illinois Nature Preserve, is up against a business-funded challenger in the 95th District.

*Incumbent Paul Froehlich, a solid supporter of measures to reduce mercury pollution, protect wetlands, and preserve open space funding, faces a strong challenge in the 56th District.

Sierra Club has also prioritized four Democratic primary races involving key leaders on environmental issues in Springfield:

*House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn-Currie, who last year won the Illinois Environmental Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and for years has been a leader in passing legislation protecting people from harmful pollution,

*State Senator Martin Sandoval, a member of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee and strong supporter of measures to clean up air pollution, particularly from old coal-burning power plants,

*State Senator Don Harmon, the lead Senate sponsor of legislation to spur renewable energy development and measures to clean up water pollution and protect open space, and

*State Representative David Miller, a solid supporter of clean air, wetlands protection, and open space legislation.

In addition, Sierra Club is working in support of Dave Koehler in the Democratic Primary for Senator from the 46th District in the Peoria area. Koehler supports action by the state to clean up pollution in the Illinois River, acquire more land for outdoor recreation, and promote clean, renewable energy sources.

Sierra Club is assisting campaigns with volunteers doing precinct-walking, phonebanking, and other activities, and a direct mail campaign targeting likely voters in these primaries. Club members are being recruited to volunteer on Election Day to bring out the pro-environment voters and who may make the difference for these Republicans and Democrats who support protecting Illinois’ environment.