Hon. Vicki Wright Discussion

Judge Wright recently filed her candidacy petitions in Springfield and provides this account.

Tales from the front of the line
Standing in line to file petitions in Springfield was an experience in democracy. As we waited in line, I thought about how our dedicated volunteers stood in the night beginning their shift at 1:00 a.m. The youngest, Ben, is only 16 and cannot vote. I looked down the line and saw more young faces than old. I felt confident our youth will be ready to lead a nation. They only need direction from those with wrinkles and grey hair as we pass the baton.

I stood there from 4:00 a.m. engaging in both silence and spirited debates. We stood with candidates from the top of the ballot to the bottom, all in the same line and all on a level turf for the moment

I stood next to John Laesch, a young impressive candidate for Congress. He will surprise Dennis Hastert when he sends him home. The men in line called him “Brother John” because that is the way he makes you feel about him. We discussed the war, Congress, the President, the Governor, the future, and we shared with complete strangers our hopes and dreams to make a difference.

I shared my definition of “CRAP-athy” (rhymes with apathy) “Crapathy” develops when the mud slinging by both sides causes the voters to stay away from the polls because they do not care to vote for either candidate.

We learned that the cold and the snow made all of our toes numb regardless of whether we were Democrats or Republicans.

As I waited for the doors to open, I thought about the wealth each person held in their hands, bound at the top with string, and clips, and staples. The confidence of hundreds or thousands of citizens who took the time to shake our hands and sign our petitions, sending us one step closer to realizing our dream to speak from our hearts, offer our reputations, and stand up when others are to afraid to try to make a difference.

I observed that I was the first candidate in my race to walk through the door to file my petitions fighting the dark, the cold, and much fatigue. I was proud of the symbolism. I saw an old soldier, Don Johnston, there because I am sure he enjoyed the optimism in the air like I did.

A woman ahead of me slipped and nearly fell on an icy step after filing her petitions. A gentleman still in line, reached out and caught her, helped her, and kept her from falling. Funny, I thought, neither asked the other’s party affiliation. Both caught in the momentone needing help and the other helping out of a sense of common good. Democracy at its finest.

I came home, after a long day on the campaign trail, and lit a candle and prayed for Peace and for Tookie Williams who was preparing to depart our earth.

Good luck to all the Democratic candidates, including Tom O’Neal and Lance Peterson. Let’s make them proud to come to the polling booth and cast a ballot in both March and November.

From Judge Wright's campaign website:

Judge Wright brings nearly 15 years of judicial experience to this race. On a daily basis for over two decades, she has appeared as a trial attorney or presided as a trial judge in our courtrooms. She has dedicated herself to service to
the public in the counties of the Third Appellate District since graduating from Loyola Law School in 1982.

Judge Wright has served the citizens of Rock Island, Whiteside, Henry and Mercer counties since January of 1991 as an Associate Circuit Court Judge. Typically,
Judge Wright presides approximately six months in Rock Island County and six months in Whiteside County each year. As needed, the Court Administrator rotates Judge
Wright into Henry county and Mercer County.

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