Embrace GRAYce

It has been far too long since I’ve opened my loudmouth. How about three new posts in one weekend?

I have been intentionally quiet. You seeeeee….. Playing games gives me a dopamine boost and I wanted the “big” “bad” patriarchal bears to think they shut me up with their passionate—albeit anonymous— letter.

Trying to get me fired isn’t very cute or demure as the kids say; it’s overdone, I know you can do better.

It’s ELECTION SEASON after all!!!!!!! For some strange reason, I feel empowered to be even louder than before, so you know it’s about to get spicy. Warm fuzzies first, tea party second and third.

Katie Rabenda, my former colleague, is running for Circuit Judge this November in Will County. She is a seasoned, dedicated 15-year prosecutor and current Felony Assistant State’s Attorney (ASA) in Will County.

Katie and I haven’t always seen eye to eye professionally. We are different, but at the same time both dedicated to ensuring justice is served for all and committed to what our profession stands for.

Katie is methodical, thorough, meticulous, organized, and the utmost professional. She’s also kind, loving, compassionate, intelligent, open-minded, sensitive and a phenomenal litigator with strong ethics. I’d say we share the latter qualities, but I’m biased.  

Given Katie’s track record at the SAO and Jimmy G’s use of her trial wins for his own positive PR, I assumed he would emphatically support his loyal, dedicated, hardworking employee.

Jimmy G, the elected official whom Katie has worked 15 years to relentlessly support, publicly endorsed……. her opposition.

Again, I’m the naive “love conquers all” ASS for assuming Jimmy G would do what is right in supporting his own employee. The one he promoted within the ranks of his own office.

Katie is running Republican and Jimmy G is a Democrat (aka republican wolf in Democrat sheep’s clothing), simple explanation, right? That’s deflection. He had a very real choice to not say anything at all as he has done in the past.

In the political game, Jimmy G’s endorsement is a “huge win” to Katie’s opponent. We the people have an obligation to see through those silly games. With my experience at his office, anyone that seeks and uses Jimmy G’s endorsement or considers him a “friend” will not be receiving my vote. Using that as a tool to win lacks integrity and says everything I need to know about Jennifer Lynch’s character.

Calling Jimmy G an amazing advocate? That’s furthering a false narrative. My very real perspective comes from the inside, I’m sorry yours is skewed by the patriarchy, Jen.

Katie has a big heart under her tough, hard on crime exterior. She cares immensely about victims and is committed to doing right by other humans. That is her amazing character. Most of the snippets of Katie you see above are from before she decided to run for Judge. It’s who she is to her core.

After having the opportunity to see Katie in both professional and personal environments, I’m confident she is the best candidate for Circuit Judge of the 2^nd judicial subcircuit in Will Co.

One question I’m curious about…  

Did Jimmy G have the basic human decency to give Katie a heads up that he was endorsing her opposition?

From my experience, it would be more likely that Katie got in trouble for this somehow. Manipulation, gaslighting and fear is what leads that office. That’s not my government or justice system, folks.

Katie doesn’t know I’m posting this and has too much class to set dumpster fires like yours truly.

If you do read this Katie, I’m so sorry and see your immense value. I hope the voters do too in November.

I’m no one’s pawn in these flawed gov games that I’ve played nice for thirty eight years too long. It can be hard to embrace my superpower of empathy with these growling patriarchal bears trying their best, on the government clock tsk tsk nonetheless, to silence me.

But she persisted for those who no longer have a voice…. like Mady, The Beautiful Girl We Couldn’t Save.

Last week, our sweet angel girl didn’t have a voice at her original abuser’s sentencing hearing.

“Admitted to recruiting women for sex work by using heroin, cocaine and violence from 2017 to 2020.”

We can do better than allowing child sex trafficking victims to be treated like second class dirt, thrown in jail cells, transported to/from Dirksen in shackles to give their statement repeatedly, and charged $1560 to complete drug court for criminal acts they had absolutely no choice in.

Mady & Callie* deserved so much more and were treated like hardened criminals.

Keep painting me to be the villain in your government fairytale, Anonymous. I am too busy advocating on behalf of kids, like my friend Katie, to care about your uninformed opinion.

See you tomorrow with some 🫖 boo!