By Gary Barlow

Staff writer

Sen. Carol Ronen (D-Chicago) knows who she wants to take her seat in the Illinois Senate after she retires in January, but it looks like voters are going to have the final say in the matter.

Ronen is backing Heather Steans, a wealthy philanthropist with a long background in non-profit work. Several sources with ties to the Senate district, as well as Rich Miller’s Capitol Fax blog, have reported that Ronen, who’s also 48th Ward Democratic committeeman, tried and failed to get the agreement of the district’s other ward committeemen—Tom Sharpe (46th), Ald. Gene Schulter (47th), David Fagus (49th) and Ald. Patrick O’Connor (40th)—to appoint Steans as her replacement.

With that option denied, Ronen announced her retirement Oct. 22, giving Steans and anyone else who wanted to run for the North Side Senate seat less than two weeks to file nominating petitions for the Feb. 5 primary election by the Nov. 5 deadline.

That tight deadline apparently caused some candidates who were considering the race to back away, but two candidates—Steans and community activist Suzanne Elder—went to work and gathered the necessary signatures to file for the race.

Steans said she’s running for the seat as “the logical next step” in her life.

“I’ve been involved in budget and political work my whole career,” she said. “I think you can get a lot done politically.”

Steans and her family have a long involvement in Chicago financial and non-profit circles. Her father was at one time chairman of LaSalle Bank and she’s held posts there and at the Civic Committee, the Illinois Bureau of the Budget and Ernst and Young.

Steans said the current rancorous atmosphere in state government could be overcome by focusing on issues.

“It would be nice to make things not personal,” she said. “There are lots of critical issues there. There’s a lot the state could do on the education front. I think health care too is going to be another looming issue.”

Elder is a 25-year resident of Edgewater who has also been a community activist on health and education issues. She said she’d be an independent, progressive voice in the Senate.

“I’m reform-minded,” Elder said, adding that she’d pressure Senate leaders to allow a vote on House Bill 1, a campaign finance reform bill that Democratic leaders have kept off the floor.

“That House Bill 1 is still sitting in the Senate is absolutely unconscionable,” she said. “That’s just not right.”

Elder said that after lobbying for legislative action on a number of issues over the years, she’s itching to get a chance to push those concerns from the Senate floor.

“I’ve been working on the policy side,” she said. “It had been a thought of mine to do this.”

Elder said she’d also push for action on the civil unions bill sponsored earlier this year by Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago). Gay and lesbian leaders had hoped for quick action on the measure this year but the Legislature’s deadlock has kept it off the floor.

“This is a no-brainer and it’s just sitting there,” Elder said. “I mean, come on—this is the people’s business.”

Steans said she also would push to pass that bill.

Despite the maneuvering that reportedly took place in the weeks prior to the Nov. 5 filing deadline, both candidates said they’re glad voters in the district are going to get to vote on Ronen’s successor.

“People are thrilled at the opportunity for a choice instead of having another appointed nominee,” Elder said.

Steans said she agreed.

“I’m glad it’s an election,” she said. “I’m glad voters get to decide. That’s the way it should be.”