After wrapping up the support of Illinois' major editorial boards, David Hoffman's campaign received another endorsement today, this one from former comptroller and veteran reformer Dawn Clark Netsch. From a press release:

"I encourage all Illinois Democrats to cast their vote for David Hoffman on February 2, as I will," said Netsch. "It is a vote for progressive vision and Democratic ideals; it is also a vote for principle over politics and a positive step for returning integrity to public service."

"David has the experience and principles and the independence to represent us well in Washington," said Netsch. "Throughout his career he has demonstrated that he will stand up for those who have the least voice in government, take on the special interests and challenge the powers that be and speak out clearly and truthfully."

Hoffman's chief rival, Alexi Giannoulias, graded President Obama's first year in office during a meeting with the Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale Tuesday. The treasurer gave his basketball buddy a B on foreign policy, B+ on health care, and C on job creation:

Coming from a state that has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, Giannoulias said the president faced incredible challenges with unemployment in 2009. He said Congress and the administration should be focused on making sure they do what is necessary to help businesses create jobs.

At 7 pm tonight, Hoffman, Giannoulias, and Cheryle Jackson will participate in a forum hosted by WTTW.  Jacob Meister was not invited, a decision that did not sit well with the fourth-place candidate. In fact, an attorney for the Meister campaign filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission arguing that the station is acting in violation of both FCC equal-access election rules and the Communications Act of 1934. From a release:

“It is unfortunate that we must seek action, but we must because WTTW has continued to refuse to permit Mr. Meister to participate in the program, taking the position that he is not a viable candidate,” [attorney David] Axelrod said. “We had hoped that there would have been a remedy at this juncture. Barring that, this action is the right course to take.”

Meister is a viable candidate, Axelrod said, because he obtained more than 17,000 signatures supporting his inclusion on the ballot; employs a full-time staff; has hundreds of campaign volunteers; has broadcast political ads on TV and radio; and has been included in every other public forum in which the other U.S. Senate candidates have been invited to participate.

As we noted on Monday, Meister's legal case appears pretty shaky.  You can read more about his suit at Chicagoist, including his suggestion that WTTW's decision might have something to do with the fact that he's openly gay.

Full Disclosure: The SEIU Illinois State Council, which sponsors this website, has endorsed Alexi Giannoulias in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.