The primary scheduled for Feb. 2 is the first election in Illinois since federal prosecutors indicted Rod Blagojevich.

With few apparently casting their ballots in early voting, the smart money is betting that the incompetent incumbents will slip into yet another term in office.

But sitting this election out isn’t an option if we want to start changing the makeup of state and county government and send a signal to the powers-that-be that we are fed up with corruption, poor governance and weak leadership.

February’s election is about two things: economics and ethics. The state has a budget deficit estimated at $13 billion. It can’t pay its bills. Its bonds are just above junk status. County government, meanwhile, has taken a half-step back from the highest sales tax in the nation but faces difficult challenges running its systems better.

In terms of ethics, this election allows voters to start purging Blagojevich’s rank influence on our state. But the indicted governor isn’t the sole problem. Over the last 30 years, some 1,500 politicians have been convicted of public corruption in Illinois. I have previously calculated the annual “corruption tax” to Chicago and Cook County taxpayers at $500 million. We have earned the title of most corrupt city, county and state in the country, beating, unfortunately, such contenders as Louisiana, New Jersey and Miami.

So will the cold and voter apathy win this election or will we start to take back our government one race at a time? Here’s my take on who deserves your vote on Feb. 2.

For governor, pick Pat Quinn over Dan Hynes in the Democratic Party primary. Quinn is the “Mr. Clean” of Illinois politics. He is fair, honest, and ethical. Many of the proposals of his Ethics Commission still need enactment and he is committed to finish the job. His income tax proposal is the only one that can begin to restore state finances.

Hynes’s proposal, which increases taxes on only those earning over $250,000 a year and requires a state constitutional amendment, is a joke.

On the Republican side, Jim Ryan is the strongest candidate even though State Sen. Kirk Dillard would make a better governor.

For U.S. Senator, David Hoffman, Chicago’s outstanding former inspector general, is the best choice. State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is better known statewide and has a ton of money, which may allow him to win. But questionable loans his family’s bank made and the “Bright Star” program, which cost thousands of college students and their families tuition funds, raise red flags.

On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk is the smartest and most polished candidate. He deserves to win that primary.

For president of the Cook County Board, back Ald. Toni Preckwinkle. She has a distinguished career as a reform alderman and a platform that would end Stroger’s sales tax increase and curb waste and corruption. She is certainly better than the weak incumbent, Todd Stroger.

For the Cook County assessor’s race, electing former Ald. Ray Figueroa, a reformer, over lobbyist and Cook County Democratic Party boss Joe Berrios or machine hack Robert Shaw is critical for every home owner and business owner. Our property tax assessments and taxes are on the line.

If either Berrios or Shaw are elected, we will return to the bad old days of Parky Cullerton, when property taxes were decided by clout rather than honest property values.

Among the Cook County commissioner races, these are among the most important contested races:

In the 7th District, independent reformer Jesus Garcia deserves to be elected over Joseph Moreno, who voted for and defended the sales tax increase and is backed by the patronage army of the Hispanic Democratic Organization.

Garcia’s election, along with Rudy Lozano Jr.’s challenge of State Rep. Dan Burke, may determine the future of Latino politics. And as goes Latino politics — reform or machine-oriented — so goes the future of Chicago politics.

In the 12th District, the more liberal-minded State Rep. John Fritchey should be elected over Rostenkowski ally, former Ald. Ted Matlak.

In the suburban 16th District, my former student, Republican incumbent Tony Peraica, deserves support over Brian Sloan in order to continue his efforts of eliminating waste, lowering the sales tax and promoting ethics in county government.

For commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the most important candidate to elect is Todd Connor, who has the endorsement of reform and environmental groups throughout the metropolitan region.

The February ballot is long. The weather may be frightful. Lives are busy. But our future depends on our trek to the polls on Feb. 2.

Dick Simpson, the former alderman of the 44th Ward, teaches political science at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

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By electiontimes from south loop
Posted: 02/10/2010 8:18 PM

Ken has to do better, including watching what he says.

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By Langston from Bronzville
Posted: 02/07/2010 9:07 AM

Well I understand you cannot please everyone. Marinauser, I do not understand you question, "what has he done for people north of Cermak". He is a legislator. One of the most accessible people in political office, Cole. Obviously, you need to get out more if the only you see Mr. Dunkin is around election time. He's always attending events in his district. His office is in Old Town, which is north of Cermak and his staff is very responsive. Have you ever reached out to him? Be fair.

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By Cole from South Loop
Posted: 02/06/2010 8:06 AM

What has Dunkin done for any part of this district?

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By Marinauser from South Loop
Posted: 02/03/2010 7:57 PM

What has Dunkin ever done for those that live north of Cermak? The only time I even know he exists is the week before an election. Given that the state is bankrupt, the very poor in the city still have horrible housing and crime ridden streets, I am continually amazed at the residents' continued ability to keep putting the same people back in office.

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By Langston from Bronzville
Posted: 02/03/2010 11:46 AM

Ken Dunkin deserved to win re-election. Clearly, he was the best candidate. He was the only person in the race capable of representing such a diverse district. Other than mailers, I never saw or heard of Schroeder south of Cermak Street. He didn't seem like the of person that could represent the interests of people from Bronzville, etc. Other than, interning for Madigan, Drake had little experience and no history in the community. I won't even address the offensive Unite Here mailings.

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By Low Voter Turnout Expected Feb. 2 from Plus Other Factors Which Favor Incumbents
Posted: 02/01/2010 6:52 PM

Prediction for tomorrow for % of votes cast in 5th District: Dunkin - 37%, Schroeder - 31%, Drake - 26%, Other - 6%. Point: Schroeder/Drake will cancel each other out and Dunkin will win. Mark/Judy, you both make good points. Your chosen candidates are visible and known in your respective necks of the woods, but not so much elsewhere. Dunkin however is known (to the extent that he is) all over the place. Bad as you both say he is, he still has larger name recognition than Schroeder/Drake.

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By Judy from Bronzeville
Posted: 02/01/2010 1:25 PM

To Mark, you ask about Gwen and what she did for her campaign and I can ask the same about Dave. The 5th district is a rather large area and I know for a fact that Gwen was campaigning in the whole area. She might not have had mailers, but she's more of a people person, wanting to meet you face to face. So she was at bus stops, train stops, senior homes, meetings in the neighborhoods, meeting people face to face....I think I'd prefer that than random mailers sent to my home.

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By Mark from South Loop
Posted: 02/01/2010 5:34 AM

Gwen? What has she been doing to campaign? I've gotten mailings and calls from Dunkin and Schroeder but nothing from her? If we are going to get rid of Dunkin, Schroeder is the only one who seems to have a chance to do anything about it.

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By Judy from Bronzeville
Posted: 01/31/2010 9:08 PM

The bottom line is this, we, in the 5th district need a candidate that is both visible and will fight for what we need. Ken has been in office for seven years and I've not seen any positive development in this district. Not to mention that a lot of people haven't even heard of him. It's time for a change, to move forward. I voted for Gwendolyn Drake and hope you will too. Check out her website www.Gwenin2010.com and see exactly what she can do for the 5th district.

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By Marlon from Bronzeville
Posted: 01/31/2010 2:25 PM

GE", "LEADERSHIP", and "RESULTS". Go to www.gwenin2010.com. We need your support and votes so PUNCH 73.

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By Mark from River North
Posted: 01/28/2010 4:45 AM

Dunkin does stink and has to go! I can't believe he didn't even show up to vote on Blago's impeachment and voted to keep our sales tax the highest in the nation. Go Schroeder!

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By Cole from South Loop
Posted: 01/28/2010 4:41 AM

Wow I couldn't agree more with all the comments about how bad Dunkin is. I voted early and voted for Schroeder. I hope he wins so that we have someone decent in Springfield representing us for a change.

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By Sam from South Loop
Posted: 01/26/2010 9:45 AM

I'm voting for David Schroeder for State House District 5. Kind of wish someone would call and poll me so I could tell them that. :-)

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By Johnette from Chinatown
Posted: 01/26/2010 9:35 AM

Yeah, Ken Dunkin stinks as an elected official. Just another typical politician using our tax money to pay off his cronies and spending his time protecting his own job. Time for some new blood in Springfield, for sure....

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By Melissa from Downtown
Posted: 01/26/2010 9:33 AM

Ken Dunkin voted AGAINST allowing housekeepers to have access to fresh water and two fifteen minute breaks. Sorry for the typo. I wish a typo was the worst thing Ken Dunkin had done to us. :-(

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By Curious from South Loop
Posted: 01/22/2010 3:20 PM

Melissa - Did Ken Dunkin vote "again" to allow the 15 minute break, or "against" the 15 minute break?

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By Melissa from Downtown
Posted: 01/22/2010 11:38 AM

Little suprised to see the lack of coverage on House races as well. I met David Schroeder at a community event - he's a political activist and lawyer, and God knows we need Ken Dunkin out of office. He voted to raise our taxes while not paying his. He's done nothing to bring new jobs to Chicago, while using non-profit money to pay off his cronies. He even voted again letting housekeepers have a 15 minute break and access to fresh water. Really? On Tuesday, Feb. 2, vote David Schroeder for House.

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By Erik from South Loop
Posted: 01/22/2010 11:05 AM

Nothing about the races that will determine our elected representatives in Springfield? David Schroeder is mounting a serious challenge to the incumbent, Ken Dunkin...

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By Independent fighter from Near North
Posted: 01/21/2010 5:27 PM

Dick, you should have also included Mariyana Spyropoulos for MWRD. She’s was appointed by Pat Quinn and endorsed by IVI-IPO, Sierra Club, Toni Preckwinkle, Northside DFA and Joe Moore, among others. With just Deb Shore, and, maybe, Todd Connor, that’s not enough to really reform the 9 person MWRD board.

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By Joshua from Humboldt Park
Posted: 01/20/2010 11:20 PM

I think Nogueras actually has a really good chance in the 8th. Especially after Eddie Reyes goofed on that whole scandal involving tax payer dollars for a political mailer. As for the President's race, I think Toni Preckwinkle's got in locked down. Stroger is radioactive, Dorothy Brown had as bad a news day as one could imagine and O'Brien only appeals to machine backed dems that do what they are told.