The ads
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-attorney-general-meeting-defend-attack-ads-20180918-story.html#
"Republican attorney general candidate Erika Harold and Democratic rival state Sen. Kwame Raoul used their first face-to-face meeting of the fall election campaign Tuesday to defend the hard-hitting attack ads they’re using against each other."
In a recent interview with the Chicago Sun-Times Illinois Attorney General candidates, Erika Harold and Sen. Kwame Raoul were questioned over the attacks they've released about each other. This meeting with Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board was the first time that the candidates had a face to face meeting; the two candidates discussed their attack ads against each other as well as the issues the two disagree on most. One of these issues is gun control, the Harold and Sen. Raoul have very different plans on how to curb gun control in the city. Sen. Raoul took the more Democratic-aligned stan of increasing the current gun laws in the state with Harold taking the opposite stance on where the issue lies. The attack ads that each candidate released focused not on this contentious issue, but the property tax issue that has also been on the forefront of the gubernatorial race. Harold used the same tactics that Gov. Bruce Rauner has used with his attacks ads against J.B. Pritzker. Both Harold and Gov. Rauner has tried to associate their respective opponents with Democratic House Speaker Mike Madigan; these associations also attempt to heavily imply that the mingling with Speaker Madigan is sure sign of corruption. Harold called a real estate tax system bill that Sen. Raoul and Speaker Madigan co-sponsored “a scheme”.
Illinois politics have always been this way, but maybe change is on its way
This type of mudslinging has been littered all throughout the entire election season across several races. Candidates are now having to face up to the things they have said about each other on in their ads to not only each other but journalist as well. Illinois recent election season has been one of the most intense in the country; across the several races taken place there as has been record-breaking amounts of money spent, mostly on ads. This trend will most likely continue as Chicago enters its mayoral race. With Mayor Rahm Emanuel not seeking reelection, the remaining candidates are going to have to compete more against each other instead of simply trying to beat out the mayor. Chicago politics have always been nasty; the increasing importance of money and ads only seem to be adding to what was an already nasty system. Journalist calling these behaviors out may help curb it some, but it would take voters being bothered by more dirty tactics for any real change to be seen.
Originally published: Sep. 18, 2018
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