Joe Berning made a mistake, and Elena Reyes isn’t excusing it. But she argues the bigger story extends beyond one candidate and $2,580. From Democratic Party leadership that failed to protect its own candidate to Andrew Chesney’s aggressive Republican response, Elena says everyone involved needs to do better.

Joe Berning says he didn't know an Illinois law restricted his May 14 fundraiser while lawmakers were in session. After his campaign amended its financial disclosure and returned $2,580 raised at the event, Jack Sullivan asks a bigger question: Is the Democratic operation trying to defeat Andrew Chesney actually ready for a State Senate campaign?