By NORA NEWMAN JURGENS

Edgar v. Hart v. Spirgel for secretary of state

Jim Edgar                                            Janice A. Hart

Adlai E. Stevenson's Illinois Solidarity Party gathered more signatures than needed to get on the November ballot and filed the petitions on the last day, August 4, making Jane Spirgel an official candidate for secretary of state. The Stevenson Solidarity slate wanted the favored last spot on the ballot, but yet another political party, the Illinois Independent Party, filed its slate at the very last moment, adding still another secretary of state candidate to those of Republicans, Democrats, Solidaritites, Libertarians and Socialist Workers.

"YOU never know what the electorate might do," said Jim Edgar, a man who enjoyed a comfortable margin of victory in his last race for the office of secretary of state, and who many consider a shoe-in for reelection. But his statement typifies the general mood of an election year filled with surprises.

The election of a secretary of state in Illinois has traditionally been a straightforward affair, generating little controversy in the 168-year history of the office. This year is the exception. In the tumultuous wake of the Democratic primary, it's become a three-way race between Edgar, the popular Republican incumbent; Janice A. Hart, an unknown follower of political extremist Lyndon H. LaRouche Jr.; and Jane Spirgel, a Democratic-backed third-party candidate from DuPage County.

While the Republican party has a reliable candidate in Edgar, the Democrats have had to contend with the surprise primary election of LaRouchian Hart over the party's endorsed candidate Aurelia M. Pucinski. Hart's victory, along with that of her LaRouchian colleague Mark J. Fairchild over the party's choice for lieutenant governor, state Sen. George E. Sangmeister (D-42, Mokena), forced gubernatorial candidate Adlai E. Stevenson III to remove himself from the Democratic ticket.

He's running instead under the banner of a new political party with a full slate of statewide candidates, including secretary of state candidate Spirgel, 45, a native New Yorker who has spent the last 12 years as the only Democrat on the DuPage County Board. Spirgel, who was elected Democratic state central committeewoman from the Sixth Congressional District this spring, will give "true Democrats" an alternative to Hart, according to Stevenson. Until she was tapped by Stevenson to run, she was an instructor in the public administration program at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

In early July, as petitions had begun circulating to get Stevenson, Spirgel and the rest of his slate on the November ballot, Spirgel was optimistic when interviewed and spoke as if she were already on the ballot. She views this race as an opportunity to bring her experience as a local government official and as a public administrator to state government.

Hart, 31, was virtually unknown outside a small circle of LaRouche followers until the day Illinois Democrats nominated her. Also from New York, she has been active in LaRouche-backed organizations. She takes pride in the fact that she never went to college. She may be politically naive, but she is sincere when she explains her LaRouchian vision of the Illinois secretary of state dealing with matters usually associated with the U.S. secretary of state.

The politically savvy Edgar, 40, may have an easy time this November with the confusion between the Democratic candidate that isn't really a Democrat and the Democratic candidate running under a different party label. Active in state government since 1968 when he was an intern for Sen. W. Russell Arrington (R-l, Evanston), Edgar was appointed secretary of state by Gov. James R. Thompson in January 1981 to replace Alan J. Dixon who was elected to the U.S. Senate. Edgar won a full four-year term in 1982, soundly defeating his Democratic opponent, Jerome Cosentino, who is now trying to win back his former job as state treasurer. (See "The races for the money: campaigns for comptroller and treasurer," July 1986, pp. 15-17.)

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Jane Spirgel

Edgar, who has earned a reputation as a steady, if perhaps slightly stiff, public official, says he is taking neither of his opponents lightly; he is prepared to campaign vigorously on his record, with no intention of focusing on his opponents.

How they'd run the office

Employing about 3,800 people scattered in 120 offices around the state, the Office of Secretary of State is basically service-oriented. Its only constitutional duties include keeping the seal of the state, and maintaining the "official records of the acts of the General Assembly and such official records of the Executive Branch as provided by law." All of the programs usually associated with the office have been established by statute. These range from issuing driver's licenses to keeping an eye on the state's securities businesses to managing the buildings and grounds in Springfield's Capitol complex.

The secretary of state also has a police force which is responsible for the security of the state office buildings and investigation of auto theft and other vehicle-related consumer fraud. In addition, he or she is state librarian, in charge of running the state library.

Edgar believes that the secretary of state should stay within the purview of the duties established by the Illinois Constitution and by legislation: "I learned a long time ago that you need to do a good job at what you are supposed to do and not try to get into somebody else's responsibility." But he has taken the initiative to broaden the office's involvement in more than one area. He has led the fight against drunk driving and has spurred a movement to tackle the problem of illiteracy (see "Stomping out illiteracy in Illinois," June 1986, pp. 18-20). He has tried but failed to win passage of laws for mandatory auto insurance.

Under Edgar's crusadership, the state has toughened its laws dealing with driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) so much so that the newest changes have been challenged in court for violating several constitutional rights. The concepts of automatic (summary) suspension of a driver's license and the prerogative given judges to issue driving permits to those found guilty of a DUI offense have been ruled unconstitutional in several circuit courts, throwing those matters into the state Supreme Court. Edgar is confident that the high court will rule in favor of the new provisions; he says it has already approved the concept of suspending a driver's license without a hearing, and "in the summary suspension law, we have a hearing." Although circuit judges view the judicial driving permit as a violation of the separation of powers, Edgar feels the high court will not.

He is proud of his involvement with the literacy campaign. Gov. Thompson made Edgar chairman of the Literacy Council in 1984, and Edgar has used the position to help fund some 200 programs across the state. Edgar believes Illinois is ahead of other states in its efforts to eradicate illiteracy, and he will continue to promote development of local programs.

Jane Spirgel, who is fully aware of the traditional roles of the office, believes that the secretary of state should work more closely with the other constitutional officers to coordinate programs. With 12 years' experience on the DuPage County Board, she would not be a neophyte to government if elected. She conveys a no-nonsense attitude about the day-to-day operations of government.

While agreeing that the literacy program is important, Spirgel would expand it to include those who are just barely literate. "In fact, a 5.9-grade reading level is no longer adequate in a state like ours which is undergoing a huge transition from an industrial-based economy to a service-based one," Spirgel said. The State Board of Education has defined those who read below the 5.9 grade level as illiterate. She would integrate a literacy program with Stevenson's economic revitalization policies, linking the two as an incentive to private industry to help it train, or retrain, workers.

On the subject of drunk driving, Spirgel doesn't disagree with Edgar that the state must have a "strong, tough and enforceable" DUI law, but she is concerned that while the constitutional questions are being considered by the court, the 7,500 revocations that have taken place since the law was enacted "may be null and void." A spokesman for Edgar didn't see much possibility of this happening. He thought that even if the law were struck down, those revocations which had taken place would stand. Spirgel said that such flaws in the law should be corrected before the court decides.

Spirgel is especially concerned with the "enormous administrative burden" placed by the DUI law on local circuit clerks and state's attorneys. Sensitive to state mandates and their effects on local government because of her position on the DuPage County Board, Spirgel cited as an example the expansion of plans for the new DuPage County courthouse to include four new courtrooms just to handle the increase in cases under the state's DUI laws. That also means four more judges, plus support staff, "a very large expense which the average person doesn't get all hyped up about but which is a huge drain on local taxing revenues," according to Spirgel.

The closest Spirgel came to direct criticism of Edgar was her accusation that his office has showed a certain amount of "insensitivity" those times it has overridden judges' decisions granting driving permits to those guilty of DUI. She said that raises not only a constitutional question about the ability of an executive officer to overrule a judicial decision, but also a "people-type" concern. "Perhaps it is the judge in the county courthouse, who speaks directly to people, who ought to make that determination," Spirgel said.

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While Edgar and Spirgel concentrate on the traditional duties of the office, Janice Hart says that the secretary of state should be concerned with more than just drivers' licenses and literacy programs. She would use the office to promote the national and international economic policies developed by LaRouche. "We have to change the policy at the top. If we don't deal with the international banking collapse, Illinois will not exist," according to Hart. She believes Illinois must be restored to its position as an industrial and agricultural leader. To do this she would expand the office to include the investigation of banking practices, insuring that the state's financial institutions are not engaged in illegal "laundering" of drug money. Hart also believes that the secretary of state should assist in restructuring credit to help the state's farmers get out of debt. As secretary of state, she would also encourage third world countries to resist debt collection attempts by the International Monetary Fund. She has an eclectic view of the powers of the office, to say the least.

She backs the DUI laws and wants them even more stringent. She likes the idea of having her own police force and says she would use the secretary of state's police to "enforce some pretty heavy anti-drug laws." She views the problem of illiteracy as being one more symptom of the decline of "literate" culture in America. She says that children should be "educated in the Humboldt [an 18th century scientist] tradition, the classical scientific tradition." According to Hart, a return to literacy would enable America to restore its space program, with the ultimate goal of colonizing the planet Mars.

Hart plans to use Abraham Lincoln as a model for her campaign strategy. "He went around the state, he debated national issues, he debated international issues with Stephen [A.] Douglas," Hart said, insisting that the series of debates was held when Lincoln was seeking a seat in the state General Assembly although the debates took place when Lincoln was campaigning for U.S. Senate.

Service, planning, personnel

While Hart talks about the importance of world economics for the future of Illinois, Edgar points with pride to his record for service, saying he has improved the efficiency of the office in several areas. "Little things," such as expanding licenses from three years to four, having a toll-free number for people to call with problems, and making vehicle services facilities more convenient, make the office run smoother, and "the public appreciates it," Edgar said. "People from out of state who have come to Illinois and get their driver's license say it is a lot easier here than in other states," he added.

Spirgel agrees with the need to be service-oriented and thinks her experience as a county board member is an advantage. She would also bring to the office her academic background in public administration. "I really believe in professionalized government," she said, obviously relishing the challenge of using her skills as a public administrator in a "traditionally political office."

Program evaluation is something "we rarely do in governmental programs," she said, but the secretary of state's office should evaluate its programs: look at what a program has done, where it may not be working, and what its costs are, which may even lead to discontinuing that program. Professional program planning involves a cycle, Spirgel said. "First you do your planning: You think through what sort of programs are needed, what aren't. You do some analysis, and you go into implementation, and you get into an evaluation stage." Perhaps having someone at the top who was interested in program planning and evaluation would give "professionalism" an edge over politics.

Although Edgar has had a relatively controversy-free term, there have been a few problems: employees engaging in illegal activities during the early days of his first full term and the recent flap over his suspension of employees who refused to wear buttons promoting the organ donor program. Edgar downplays these problems as a function of the size of the office. He has instituted an internal affairs investigating division for employee problems, and he rescinded the mandatory policy on wearing the buttons.

While the statutory functions of the Office of Secretary of State relate to services, the office is not immune to politics. Political favoritism is a way of life in Illinois government, although somewhat limited by the state's civil service system. As an executive office separate from the governor, the secretary of state's office has its own merit code.

Spirgel tossed out one barb. She said that while Democratic employees are not being fired they have complained about being passed over for promotions. She believes that the merit system should be adhered to "in substance as well as in name." But she defends the right of an elected official to be able to choose "people who share one's general approach or philosophy of government" for key poliymaking positions. Outside of the General Assembly, the Democratic party currently has access to the offices of attorney general, comptroller and treasurer. Political cynics are quick to point out that if Spirgel were elected, there would surely be a "phasing out" of Republican employees.

He considers Janice Hart to be a
serious candidate: 'She's on the ballot under the
Democratic heading' and right now has more name
recognition than Jane Spirgel

Anything but predictable

Although political insiders suggests Secy. of State Edgar will have no trouble being reelected this November, he is taking nothing for granted. He considers Janice Hart to be a serious candidate: "She's on the ballot under the Democratic heading" and right now has more name recognition than Jane Spirgel. Edgar believes he can win the election, but says he will can campaign as hard as he always does. He is also working for other Republican candidates sine this could be a big year for GOP victories — victories never dreamed of before the March Democratic fiasco.

Jim Edgar clearly wants another four years as secrtary of state. He said his work is not complete, as long as there is one drunk driver, or illiterate person, in the state. But he is also looking ahead to 1990. Labeled the "heir apparent" to Gov. James R. Thompson, Edgar has not capitalized on it publicly. "Timing is everything in this business," he said. He believes it is important to concentrate on doing the job he was elected to do, but at the same time, he knows he must be ready to move if the opportunity comes. "Anything can happen in Illinois politics at any given moment," he said. "So don't get yourself so wedded to one path that if something happens on the road you are just kind of left out in the cold."

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And the timing was perfect for Spirgel even if the circumstances are bizarre. Running as a "true Democrat" under the banner of the Illinois Solidarity Party being created via this summer's petition drive for its slate of candidates, Spirgel is upbeat about her chances. She says the petition drive has provided a unique opportunity to meet voters: "You don't often have that kind of voter contact in July."

She and Stevenson plus Michael J. Howlett Jr. the lieutenant governor candidate, are the three "real" candidates of the new party. The rest of the slate, filled only to meet legal requirements for a new political party, are not supposed to get votes. There has been criticism of the slating of these no-name candidates for the other offices on the ticket, but Spirgel insists the critisism has come mostly from the media. There is also no easy way to explain how to vote for these three plus the "regular" Democrats and not spoil ballots. Sprigel admits that voters will have to be educated about the Stevenson-Howlett-Sprigel ticket, but points out that once people she meets realize that she is not the LaRouche candidate, they are very supportive of her. "People are clearly much more informed then they were before the primary," she said. "They seem to want to demonstrate to the rest of the nation that Illinois voters renounce LaRouche politics ....They want the opportunity to do it right in November."

The Solidarity party and the Democratic party are relying on a "punch three" strategy on election day. They are asking for three votes: one for the straight Democratic ticket, one for the Stevenson-Howlett team and one for Spirgel. The last two votes will effectively cancel out the LaRouche candidates running as Democrats, or as Nancy Stevenson explains, "Strike one for the Democratic party, strike two for Adlai Stevenson and Mike Howlett, strike three for Jane Spirgel, and the LaRouchies are out." Spirgel pointed out that Illinois voters are no strangers to ticket splitting. "The numbers I have heard are 83 percent. Certainly the people in my county are dyed-in-the-wool ticket splitters ....I'll take my chances with a ticket splitter anytime.'' Spirgel is as much a political pro as Edgar, wise in party politics and used to running as the underdog. Even if she is unsuccessful in her quest to unseat Edgar, she has caught the attention of both the public and party leaders. If she loses, Jane Spirgel will not fade quietly into the background.

Janice Hart, though on the ballot as the Democratic candidate, will get no help from the regular party. She is relying on the media to get out her "message" to "true Democrats" — meaning the people. The LaRouche organization is also relying on what it believes to be a popular movement in favor of Hart and Fairchild. The LaRouchites view the primary vote as a signal from the public that they want the Democratic party to be wrested from the control of what Hart referred to as "some kind of political Mafia that one must get the approval of to run for office." Hart said the Democratic party is not Charles Manatt, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, or Paul Kirk, the current chairman, or even Adlai Stevenson, whom she accused of acting more like an "aristocrat than a Democrat." Rather, Hart said, the Democratic party is "the citizens of the state of Illinois, it's the citizens of America."

The Democratic party is under no obligation to support the LaRouchian candidates, according to a July 28 Cook County Circuit Court ruling. But Hart and Fairchild have enlivened this year's political contests, throwing the two-party system out of whack. They have introduced an element of unpredictability into the otherwise straightforward political rhetoric of the established parties. Their unexpected success in the March primary has given new hope to at least two other fringe parties that filed slates July 28: the Libertarian Party, which has fielded candidates in Illinois since 1974, and the older Socialist Workers Party, which has put candidates on the ballot since 1970.

Neither party has ever drawn any significant share of the vote, but their candidates are on the ballot.

For secretary of state, voters will have the choice: Jim Edgar, Republican, or Jane Spirgel, Solidarity, or Janice Hart, Democrat, or Steven Givot, Libertarian, or Holly Harkness, Socialist Worker. And who knows? As Gary Shilts, the Libertarian candidate for governor, told reporters the day his party filed its slate, "The political climate has been changing so much, the unthinkable might happen — I might win."

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