From the Dennis Cook for Lt. Governor campaign…
Lockport Township and Frankfort Township have endorsed Dennis Cook for Illinois Lt. Governor, he announced today. The Will County townships are just the latest in a steady stream of endorsements for Cook.
Cook, Consolidated District 230 School Board President, said gaining the two endorsements is crucial to his campaign.
“It’s very important to have both Lockport and Frankfort endorse me,” said Cook. “Having support in Will County is key for this primary, and I’m thankful to have the support of these two townships.”
With three weeks left until the February 2 primary, Cook now has major support in Will, DuPage, and Cook Counties. Tax Accountability, the political action arm of National Taxpayers United of Illinois, has also endorsed Cook.
Cook, who is President of one of Illinois’ largest school districts, represents new leadership and a fresh face in the Republican Party. During his time on the Board, three of the District’s high schools have been ranked among some of the top public schools in the nation and fiscally now enjoy a $3 million surplus. This is the 6th consecutive year under Cook that the District has maintained balanced budgets with surpluses.
“These endorsements show that there is a change in the Illinois Republican Party,” said Cook. “The Party is getting back to basics, leading the way and we are doing it with new faces and a fresh perspective.”
“I’m part of a new Illinois Republican leadership that emphasizes the core values that made our party great in the past and will do so again in the future,” said Cook, “Applying those core values to the challenges that face Illinois today will result in a brighter future and better economy.”
January 7,2010 Lt. Governor Debate
Dennis Cook came out the clear winner in last night’s debate featuring all six Republican Lt. Governor Candidates. Cook continued to focus on the key issues of his campaign: fiscal responsibility, ethics and education.
“It was a great chance to get the message out that I am experienced in managing a budget crisis,” said Cook, President of the Consolidated District 230 Board of Education. “The difference between me and my opponents is that kind of experience as an elected official.”
In less than 3 years Cook was instrumental in leading District 230 from a $3 million deficit to a $4 million surplus while improving the quality of education. This is the 6th consecutive year under Cook that the District has maintained balanced budgets with surpluses. During his time on the Board three of the District’s high schools have been ranked among the top public schools in the nation.
Cook also had the chance to address the loss of jobs in the current Illinois economic crisis.
“As Lt. Governor I will act in a business development capacity to keep jobs in Illinois and bring back jobs that have moved to other states,” said Cook. “We need to give companies a reason to stay here and return here, and that means lower taxes.”
Cook also talked about bringing transparency to state government so people know where and how much money is spent. As President of District 230 he initiated putting the District’s books online, making them open to public review.
Other questions Cook addressed included the corruption that has plagued the state. He is in favor of term limits at the state level, which would put to an end patronage. Cook also supports campaign finance limits.
Prior to the debate Cook felt that his experience managing key campaign issues would set him apart from the competition in a crowded race.
“My opponents have a wide range of expertise to be sure, but not all of them have experience as an elected official, and none of them have executive experience managing a crisis situation,” says Cook. “I believe this is what sets me apart from the competition.”
The Illinois Republican Party sponsored the debate, the only one to feature all six candidates. With the Primary less than a month away the debate was a high profile event, and well attended in spite of the snowstorm and freezing temperatures.