Hello to all my friends in Carbondale:

While I can’t be with you today, I’m certainly with you in spirit. And I commend your hard work on behalf of my great friend, Sheila Simon.

Sheila has the qualities we need in politics today at every level. She’s about bringing people together rather than the politics of division. She’s about getting more people – especially young people – involved in politics and government. And she adheres to the very highest ethical standards.

Carbondale needs Sheila Simon’s style of leadership. And our country needs Sheila Simon’s style of politics.

So I urge you to work hard every minute from now until the polls close. Let’s make sure that as many people as possible make it to the voting booth. Because I know, if we do, Sheila Simon will be the next mayor of Carbondale. And her victory will send a message throughout Illinois and across our country: people working together can accomplish extraordinary things.

Good luck and God bless.

Senator Barack Obama

We've added a new section to the website called "Sheila Videos" where you can watch Sheila speak on key issues important to all of Carbondale. You can also see the new TV advertisement that Sheila and Senator Dick Durbin taped at WSIL-TV’s studio in Carterville. The campaign commercial began airing on Tuesday, April 10th.

Originally published in March 1, 2007 issue of Chicago Tribune
Simon daughter faces runoff in Carbondale
By E.A. Torriero
Chicago Tribune staff reporter

A Downstate race that drew just 2,164 votes and a 17 percent turnout Tuesday is nonetheless bound to draw much state Republican and Democratic Party attention in a runoff campaign in the coming weeks.

That's because one of the candidates has a well-known political pedigree. Sheila Simon, daughter of the late Sen. Paul Simon, was the top vote-getter for mayor of Carbondale, ahead of incumbent Republican Brad Cole, 1,176 to 819.

Two other candidates--educator Jessica Davis and community activist Pepper Holder--were eliminated with about 3 percent of the vote apiece, setting the stage for a closely watched runoff on April 17.

For a non-partisan election, the race has already captured the attention of both parties and state political buffs.

Democrats, hoping to capitalize on the political name of Simon's father, have backed Simon by holding fundraisers as far away as Chicago. They see a chance to put a potential statewide player in office in what has traditionally been Republican country.

Simon, 45, a City Council member in Carbondale, is backed by longtime friends Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. The senator appeared last weekend at a rally in Carbondale for her.

"I'm happy to have the support," Simon said Wednesday, vowing to continue what she calls a grass-roots campaign involving dozens of volunteers.

Cole, 35, was elected mayor in 2003. State Republicans plan a fundraiser for him Monday in Springfield, and they have featured him on the party's Web site.

Cole insists he is running on his record and not against the Simon legend. "My dad isn't running, and neither is the dad of my opponent," he said.

Still, political analysts say the Simon legacy brings formidable political cachet. Simon, a law school professor, helped run some of her father's campaigns for the Senate and the presidency.

"Never underestimate the family thing," Chicago political analyst Paul Green said. "The Simon name is a golden name statewide and especially in southern Illinois. Anyone running against it is bound for a rough ride."

Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

Sunday afternoon, February 25th, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin came to the Carbondale Civic Center to speak on behalf of Sheila Simon and the campaign. The atmosphere was loud and extremely excited. Sheila and Senator Durbin stepped on the stage to huge cheers from the crowd and a standing ovation. Senator Durbin gave glowing praise to Sheila for her commitment to family, her integrity in campaigning, her vision for a better Carbondale for everyone, and for continuing the long family tradition of responsibility and public service. He strongly urged the crowd to make that extra effort to give the campaign a little bit more time and support and we will realize the goal of Sheila Simon as Mayor of Carbondale. Remember to vote for Sheila on February 27th!

Back in May of last year the primary election seemed distant but now it's here! February 27th will be the first big test of the campaign. Sheila is thrilled that U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is coming to Carbondale to help build our campaign and our community. Come see Sheila and Senator Durbin at our Get Out the Vote rally on Sunday, February 25, at 3:00pm in the civic center and remember to vote for Sheila on February 27th!

On Thursday, January 18th, a special Sheila Simon campaign fundraiser was held in Chicago. Although the event was successful in helping us raise money, it was even more important for reinforcing why we all work so hard for good, honest government. Attorney General Lisa Madigan and former Comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch were inspiring.

On Saturday, January 20th, we had 60 volunteers attend our primary campaign kick-off event and walk door-to-door to talk to people about Sheila and the campaign. We covered over three precincts with nearly 2000 voters on a successful and fun Saturday morning! Our plan is to build on this momentum by having "Team Sheila" hit the streets again Saturday, January 27th. We want to increase our number of walkers to 100 and we need your help! Bring your friends and family for about an hour of work. We meet at about 9:45 in the campaign office, located on the second floor of the office building on the corner of University Ave. and Mill St. (behind Chicago Underground). If possible, please RSVP to Scott (kufreak1994@yahoo.com) if you plan on attending. We can even find you a walking buddy, if your friends can't make it.

On October 22nd, Hangar 9 hosted a wonderful Meet the Candidate event. There was great music by the St. Stephen's Blues Band and Sheila's own Loose Gravel! Sheila was available for meet-n-greet and answered questions about her campaign. Click here to see pictures from the event.

Stay tuned for the next big Sheila Simon for Mayor event near you.

Clear skies, nice roads, a great city. Why not go for a bike ride?

On Saturday, September 16, that’s exactly what more than 60 local cyclists decided to do. They joined city councilwoman Sheila Simon, candidate for mayor, in a fun and informative ten-mile bike ride through the city of Carbondale.

The ride, designed to promote bicycling awareness and give participants a broader sense of the Carbondale community, departed from City Hall, and according to all involved, the group was a sight to behold. Nearly every kind of bicycle imaginable was there: road-race bikes, mountain bikes, cruiser bikes, tandems pulling children in trailers, and even a genuine Bangladeshi rickshaw! Local resident John Bowden brought his American Bulldog, Daisy Mae, who pulled him along for nearly half the route and then proved the old adage that even dogs eventually get tired.

Along the route, the group stopped at Bethel A.M.E. Church, the oldest standing church in Carbondale, and listened to Hardin Davis talk about his 62-year history with the church and its impact on the Carbondale community.

The cyclists also paused at the Green Earth Wetlands Area III where Betsy Brown talked about the history of Green Earth and their trails. The bicyclists then continued on their journey through the SIU grounds.

One of the highlights of the tour was a stopover at SIUC’s new Vermicomposting Facility, or “Worm Farm,” on Pleasant Hill Road. The Worm Farm is an ingenious way to use literally millions of red wiggler worms to convert organic waste from the SIU student center and SIU cafeterias into what is essentially top-grade potting soil. Sheila said, “The worms are awesome.”

The last site on the tour was the Buckminster Fuller Dome, where the cyclists were treated to soda and a short talk by local advocate Mary O’Hara about sustainability issues that the Bucky Dome represents.

The ride finished where it began, in front of City Hall. As one cyclist said upon departure, the ride made her proud to be from Carbondale. To see wonderful pictures of the event and ride, checkout the Tour the 'Dale picture gallery.