Campaign News
Check here often for the latest news about the campaign.
Democratic Party Officers Mail District 9 Residents
The primary officers of the Champaign County Democratic Party, including the Chair, 1st Vice-Chair, 2nd Vice-Chair, and Secretary, have mailed district 9 residents urging them to vote for Kirchner and Bell in Tuesday's Democratic primary.
You can view the entire mailing.
Kirchner/Bell Commentary in News-Gazette
Bob Kirchner and Lisa Bell wrote a Guest Commentary that was published in the March 19 edition of the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette. The work addresses and expands on current issues in the campaign and clarifies some misinformation being spread by the opposition.
Kirchner and Bell on WILL's Public Square
Bob Kirchner and Lisa Bell were on a special candidate's edition of WILL AM 580's Public Square radio program on March 11. You can listen to, and/or read their commentaries:
Early and Absentee Voting Information
There is still time to participate in either early (through March 16) or absentee (through March 20) voting. As election day falls during many people's spring break, this is the way to get your vote in before you leave town. Please visit our new voting information page for details.
Compare the Candidates Page Posted
We have posted a new page that compares Bob & Lisa with their opponents in the primary.
Kirchner/Bell Yard Signs are In
The Kirchner/Bell yard signs are in. You've probably seen them popping up all over Urbana.
If you would like a sign for your yard, please fill out our volunteer form and make sure you check 'display a yardsign.'
Letters To the Editor Page Posted
We have added a page listing recent letters to the editor about the County Board District 9 race.
News-Gazette Reports on Incumbents' Misuse of UIUC Resources
The Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette published an article by Mike Monson on February 17 detailing District 9 incumbent Barb Wysocki's use of UIUC resources for political campaigning in violation of state law. From the article:
URBANA -- On her campaign Web site, Champaign County Board Chairwoman Barbara Wysocki has been directing supporters to contact her at a University of Illinois e-mail account, which is apparently a violation of state law.
...
State law prohibits using university resources for political benefit or for campaigning, according to Donna McNeely, the UI's ethics officer.
"That is against the law," said McNeely.
The law in question is the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Those who intentionally violate it can face internal discipline, fines of up to $5,000 and could be found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, McNeely said.
McNeely sent an e-mail Feb. 10 to UI employees, directing them not to participate in political activities and events on university time nor to use university resources.
"It is important to remember that university resources (e.g. e-mail, computers, photocopy machines, fax machines, bulletin boards and University-issued cell phones) may not be used for political purposes at any time," McNeely's e-mail said.
Read the article in its entirety, titled Wysocki's e-mail use questioned.
College Democrats Unanimously Endorse Kirchner/Bell
The UIUC College Democrats have voted unanimously to endorse Bob Kirchner and Lisa Bell for Champaign County Board, District 9. In their blog post announcing the endorsement, they also noted that incumbent and opponent Wysocki's actions outlined in Kirchner and Bell's recent news release were "clearly in violation of the county ethics statue, which 'prohibits the use of any county property or resources in support of or in connection with any campaign for elective office.'"
News-Gazette Covers Incumbents' Misuse of County Resources
The Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette published an article by Mike Monson on February 14 detailing District 9 incumbent Barb Wysocki's misuse of county resources for political campaigning. From the article:
Champaign County Board Chairwoman Barbara Wysocki says she will reimburse the county after admitting Monday that she used county stationery and a county postage machine to send a political letter to the University of Illinois College Democrats.
Wysocki's comments came after one of her opponents in the March 21 primary in county board District 9 questioned the Feb. 9 letter she sent to Justin Cajindos of the College Democrats. In the letter, Wysocki thanked Cajindos for the opportunity to speak to the group on Feb. 7 about the primary campaign.
...
Bob Kirchner, who with Lisa Bell is challenging incumbents Wysocki and Steve Beckett in the Democratic primary, raised the issue in a news release Monday. He provided copies of the letter and the envelope.
"I think it's clearly improper," he said. "The county ethics ordinance clearly prohibits the use of county resources" for political purposes. "It's improper and it needs to stop."
Read a copy of the full article.
Democratic Party Officers Endorse Kircher, Bell
The primary officers of the Champaign County Democratic Party have endorsed Bob Kirchner and Lisa Bell for Champaign County Board, District 9. This includes the Chair, 1st Vice Chair, 2nd Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. For a complete list, see the endorsements page.
Opponents Misuse County Office for Political Campaigning
District 9 incumbents Barbara Wysocki and Steve Beckett used county resources--official county stationery and the county's postage meter--to sign and send a letter to the president of UIUC College Democrats concerning her primary campaign. State law and the county's ethics ordinance prohibit this behavior. Kirchner and Bell are calling on the State's Attorney to appoint an independent special prosecutor to investigate this improper use of government resources by the incumbent's campaign.
Read the full press release including a copy of the letter and postage meter.
Guest Commentary About Why Board Democrats Oppose Beckett, Wysocki and Support Kirchner, Bell
Champaign County Board member Nancy Greenwalt (D., Dist. 7), has written a guest commentary for the News-Gazette about the district 9 Democratic primary. She details pertinent issues such as poor leadership by the incumbents, their failure to include board representation on an important jail expansion committee, their misleading statement(s) taking credit for reducing jail phone charges, and their key role in killing a much needed racial disparity study.
Read the commentary in it's entirety.
Kirchner, Bell Mail District 9 Residents
Bob Kirchner and Lisa Bell recently mailed a letter and campaign brochure to District 9 residents detailing their vision for County government. The campaign brochure details their positions on the issues. An included letter, signed by a number of community members details the broad support that Bob and Lisa already have for their campaign.
Former and Current Urbana Mayors Join Growing List of Endorsers
Current Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing and former Urbana Mayor Hiram Paley have joined a growing list of current and former elected officials and community members to formally endorse Bob Kirchner and Lisa Bell as the next County Board members from district 9.
Bob Kirchner and Lisa Bell Launch Campaign Website
Democratic candidates for Champaign County Board District 9, Bob Kirchner and Lisa Bell, invite residents to visit their new website, http://www.countyboard9.com, to explore their proposed plans for County government, ask them a question, volunteer for their campaign, and keep track of upcoming events.
The website also includes a growing list of endorsements of their candicacy for County Board, and supports secure online donations via credit card.
"We've organized the site so that it's clean and easy to navigate," said website designer, Ben Grosser. "Voters will be able to easily find Bob and Lisa's history of success as a public servants, their plans to address issues of importance to district 9 voters in Urbana such as racial equity and open government, and most importantly, to track new information as it develops throughout the campaign."