Mayor Richard Irvin likely to join GOP GOV race within 6 weeks.

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin is likely to join GOP Gov race in 2 to 6 weeks, according to reliable sources, said “Public Affairs” show host Jeff Berkowitz, in today’s show discussion with Illinois Channel Executive Director Terry Martin.
Watch Berkowitz & Martin discuss these and related issues:

–In Chicago, Monday night, 8:30 pm & midnight, Cable Ch 21, CAN TV

— In Aurora, Monday, Wed. & Saturday, 6 pm, Cable Ch 10 (ACTV=10)

— You can also watch the program 24/7 by clicking here.

Richard Irvin, 51, was elected in 2017, the first African-Mayor of Aurora, the 2nd largest city in IL, with a population of almost 200,000.

He was re-elected earlier this year to a 2nd four-year term in a three-candidate field with a commanding majority of 55% of the vote. He has been considering joining the GOP GOV primary current field of four (Bailey, Rabine, Schimpf and Sullivan) for the last two months, or so.

Berkowitz said reliable sources have told him that important figures in IL politics have been meeting often with and asked Irvin to consider a run, and Berkowitz said the Army vet, former Cook and Kane County current prosecutor, 10-year alderman and current practicing attorney is likely to say yes relatively soon.    

If elected, Aurora Mayor Irvin would be 1st African American Gov in IL 

If he becomes the GOP GOV nominee, Mayor Irvin would be the first African- America, Democrat or Republican, to hold that position, and if elected in the general election, Irvin would be IL’s first African American Governor.     

Irvin, a son of a hardworking single parent mom of very modest means, the first in his family to attend college (Robert Morris in Chicago), graduated from and has taught as an adjunct Professor at Northern Illinois Law School.

Berkowitz has been told by reliable sources that Mayor Irvin is essentially a life-long Republican, as an adult, even though the Aurora Aldermanic and Mayoral positions are non-partisan.

Berkowitz endeavored to discuss the above with Mayor Irvin, but his call was not returned as of the time of this morning’s taping.

Likely 2021-22 IL GOV issues

Also touched on during today’s show were many likely 2021-22 gubernatorial race issues, including pensions, education, Covid, Governor Pritzker’s performance, abortion, critical race theory, the power of teachers’ unions, accountability of office holders and candidates for political office.

Berkowitz and Martin discussed whether the FBI and Biden’s US DOJ and Attorney General are involved in stifling 1st Amendment rights of citizens to voice their views, especially on such issues as what should be taught in our public schools and who should decide that.

Ken Griffin and Gov Pritzker

Berkowitz and Martin also discussed the role, going forward, of Ken Griffin, Citadel (Hedge Fund and Market Maker) CEO and Founder, in the IL gubernatorial and legislative races. Berkowitz referenced Griffin’s important substantive comments during the last week about the deleterious effects of Chicago crime on attracting business to our state, which has also been discussed by GOP GOV candidate Sullivan.  

Berkowitz noted that Griffen’s net worth is more than six times that of Gov Pritzker- which clocks in at about $3 billion, and that the two billionaires financed in large part the $100 million clash over Pritzker’s attempt to install a so-called “Fair Tax” in IL in 2020, which Pritzker lost. 

CPS- expensive failure to meet the needs of IL minorities

Berkowitz and Martin also discussed the doubling of per capita CPS spending over the last two decades to almost $18,000 (exclusive of capital costs), while more than 25 % of the CPS kids have had their parents vote with their feet to go elsewhere for their kids’ education. (Wirepoints data and charts regarding these issues were displayed and commented on during the show).  

Perhaps more importantly, Berkowitz and Martin discussed the fact that only 14% of CPS Black 11th graders read at grade level, with Hispanics faring little better at 25%. (Wirepoints data and charts regarding these issues were displayed during the show).

Berkowitz and Martin suggested these types of scientific data ought to be a mainstay of the 2022 gubernatorial race on a variety of substantive issues.