As my campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor ends, I want to thank all of you who have been so generous with your time, advice, financial support, and encouragement. The issues we raised regarding serious campaign finance reform, no new state income taxes, job creation through tax benefits to new corporations bringing jobs to our state, downsizing state government, ending pay to play politics, and making state government responsive to the needs of all citizens not just the special interests are critical issues that have been ignored by both parties for far too long. The Chicago Tribune in its editorial of Jan. 10, 2010, refused to endorse either Quinn or Hynes stating: "We wish the Democratic party had a better alternative" and "neither has inspired confidence that he can make the difficult decisions that must be made to resolve this state's financial crisis."

Unfortunately the Hynes campaign challenged the validity of over 5,000 of the 10,000 signatures we filed on my nominating petitions. The Board of Elections notified us on Wednesday before Thanksgiving that the examination of the signatures would take place at 9AM on Friday after Thanksgiving. We hastily assembled a group of thirteen and headed to Springfield to monitor the review of the signatures. Despite having no hand writing analysis the politically appointed examiners ruled that we were 78 valid signatures short of the required 5,000. My name was removed from the ballot. We were given 48 hours to secure notarized affidavits from those signers. It was not possible to do so-indeed it was meant to be impossible. The restrictive ballot access laws make it extremely difficult for voices not affiliated with the political machinery in our state to be heard in the primaries.

I strongly believe Illinois voters should have the opportunity to hear different voices, not just those of the special interests that have dominated our state government for decades. Non-partisan legislative districts, moving primary from February to June, and curtailing the power of the legislative leaders all need to be addressed and won’t be by either Quinn or Hynes.

The broken system is crippling Illinois' ability to deal with the fundamental reforms our state desperately needs. I intend to continue to speak out on these and other issues effecting our state government. I am working with my advisors and supporters to determine the best way to continue to shine a spotlight on the issues I raised during my campaign. Unfortunately, without either of the Democratic candidates addressing the key reforms needed, I worry that politics as usual will continue to govern our state.

This website will remain up and running and I encourage you to offer your feedback and thought. I plan on continuing to speak out and, as this initial leg of my political journey ends, I am proud of the issues we have raised. I am buoyed by the support of the younger voters who will be most effected by our political leaders failure to make the tough choices needed to restore some fiscal stability to our state government. I appreciate all of you who were so helpful in this campaign and welcome your input regarding the future of our state.