Government, Ill. County

Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

2009 Cook County GOP Convention

September 26, 2009 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

I just got back from attending the Saturday session of the Cook County Republican Party Convention (and before you ask, yes, there IS a Cook County Republican Party). It appeared that about 1,000 participants had come and gone during the day.

I was not able to make the Friday session, but today’s session featured five of the GOP candidates for governor making their pitch to the Cook delegates and convention goers. Noticeably absent was Andy McKenna whose recent announcement to join the race for gov. has caused quite a bit of consternation.

The morning got off to a rousing start with GOP Chairman Lee Roupas addressing the gathered crowd. Roupas really ginned up the attendees with a rousing address promising that the Cook County GOP is a new party, a vital party, one that can take on the corruption plagued Democrats and make a dent in the upcoming 2010 elections.

Roupas quickly turned the dais over to the always energetic Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica who gave a rousing speech whipping up the faithful to defeat the “Crook County” Democratic machine that has been up to its rear-end in criminality and corruption for so darn long.

After Peraica we saw the first major address by Roger Keats, the Party candidate for GOP Cook County Board President. Keats did a fine job at the dais, to be sure. He is a fine candidate.
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2009 Cook County GOP Convention”

Chicago - Computers - Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Illinois - Inernet - State Government - Technology - Warner Todd Huston

10 Great Events in the Rise of the New Media

September 25, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

WGN talk show host Jerry Agar, a recent member of the Illinois Policy Institute, has an interesting post on 10 events that have put the Internet on the map. These 10 incidents and the Internet’s work fostering the stories that pushed them into national prominence has led to the Internet being considered one of the movers and shakers of both the news cycle and the political scene.

Agar contacted a few of us bloggers and asked us to give him our insight on the idea (myself included) and this is the resulting article.

I look forward to more interaction with Mr. Agar and the IPI with such future projects.

So, go on over to Agar’s piece and give it a look over.

It can be seen at 10 Great Events in the Rise of the New Media.
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10 Great Events in the Rise of the New Media”

Budget - Chicago - Conservatives - Cook County - Economy/Finances - Illinois - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Steve Rauschenberger Hosts 2 Town Halls

September 25, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Steve Rauschenberger*, former GOP State Senator from the Elgin area and current leader of the United Republican Fund, has announced that he’ll be hosting two town hall styled meetings on the predicament in which Illinois finds itself.

Information can be found at steverauschenberger.com/, but ther you’ll find Mr. Rauschenberger’s address on the subject:

Illinois is heading down a bad road. Despite record-breaking budget deficits and political sleaze that has resulted in two arrested Governors, the politicians in Springfield seem set on maintaining business as usual.

It’s time for ordinary people to stand up. It’s time for us to say enough is enough. Before politicians in Springfield even think about raising taxes, they must pass thorough and meaningful spending and ethics reforms.

Join Steve Rauschenberger, former State Senator and past president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, for a Townhall meeting about the challenges facing Illinois and what ordinary people can do to make state government work for them again.

There are two town halls planned.
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Steve Rauschenberger Hosts 2 Town Halls”

Anti-Americanism - Chicago - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Islam - Islamofascism - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - State Government - Terrorism - Warner Todd Huston

FBI:Man Charged With Trying to Blow Up Springfield Federal Bldg (Rep. Aaron Schock Targeted)

September 24, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The FBI announced today that it has arrested a man that thought he was about to blow up a federal building in the Illinois State Capitol, Springfield.

Michael C. Finton, alias “Talib Islam,” was arrested in a sting today officials announced. Federal officials charge that “Islam” drove a van up to the Paul Findlay Federal Building and then left the vehicle parked there. He then entered another vehicle some distance away and tried to use a remote detonator to blow up what he thought was a bomb in the van.

The FBI also reported that “Islam” had a secondary target after the Paul Findley Building.
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FBI:Man Charged With Trying to Blow Up Springfield Federal Bldg (Rep. Aaron Schock Targeted)”

Chicago - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Website: Chicagoans For the Olympics… to Stay Outta Chicago

September 24, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

NBC5 TV found a rather amusing new website devoted to Chicago’s bid for the Olympics. Oh, the new site backs a bid to get the Olympics, alright. It backs Rio de Janeiro’s bid instead of Chicago’s. And I, for one, am 100% on this website’s side!

The main page of ChicagoansForRio.com reads “Chicagoans for Rio 2016” and goes on to cheer for Rio to get the games.

It would be exciting to host the Olympics here in Chicago. But you know what would be even better? Rio de Janeiro. Just let Rio host the 2016 Olympics. We don’t mind. Honest.

The site features all sorts of stats to prove that Chicago has too much crime and also has a video of residents telling watchers that they do not want the Olympics here. One fellow explains why he doesn’t want the games: “A lot of crowds, a lot of traffic, they’re going to build the facilities in parks so the people won’t be able to use the parks, and the city won’t be any better off than it was before.”
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Website: Chicagoans For the Olympics… to Stay Outta Chicago”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

GOP Head Steele Withdrawing Kirk Support?

September 24, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Tom Roeser recently wrote that National GOP Party Chairman Michael Steele is stepping back from his Kirk-only support now that Patrick Hughes’ campaign for U.S. Senate has started to make inroads into Kirk’s Illinois support base.

This is interesting news, if it turns out to be true. One of the things that has riled me, for one, is that the national party has swooped in to pick our candidate for us here in Illinois. I am all for the national party supporting our Illinois candidate for Senate but it would be a tad better if the party waited until we the actual voters of Illinois had the opportunity to chose our own candidate first.
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GOP Head Steele Withdrawing Kirk Support?”

Censorship - Chicago - Constitution - Cook County - Elections - Freedom - GOP - Republicans - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Blogger Running for State Legislature, 41st District

September 22, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Matt Burden of the blog BlackFive.net has announced that he is running as a Republican for the the State Legislature. Burden has announced his plans to run for the 41st District. The 41st covers parts of Oak Brook, Westchester, Villa Park, La Grange Park and Oak Brook Terrace.

The seat is currently held by Bob Biggins (R, Elmhurst) but Biggins recently announced he is not running for reelection. This seems to have opened up the floodgates for candidates. Burden joins a very crowded field including attorney Peter Breen, Rafael Rivadeneira, DuPage Co Board member Brien Sheahan and Chris Nybo from Elmhurst.

On his campaign website, Burden does have one disturbing thing as far as I am concerned:

While there is no campaign contribution limit in Illinois (something I will change)…

Something he “will change”? Is Matt Burden suggesting tromping on the Constitutional right of free political speech by using the force of law to stop people from donating to political candidates in amounts he deems gauche? That is not a good sign for Burden’s understanding of the Constitution, I have to say.
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Ill. Blogger Running for State Legislature, 41st District”

Budget - Capitalism - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Illinois - Jobs - Liberals - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

School Pensions Making Millionaires out of Retiring Employees

September 22, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Bill Zettler recently submitted a Freedom of Information request on the pensions of 13 retiring public school employees from District 211 in Palatine, Illinois and he found that the people of Illinois are on the hook for over $50 million in pension benefits promised to people retiring at the average age of 58.

Zettler found that these school employees are seeing an average of $96,000 a year in pension benefits whereas the average Social Security benefit is $13,500 a year. SS recipients also don’t get their benefits until they’ve reached 63 at least while the average retirement age of these public employees is 58.

I’ll get right to Mr. Zettler’s pullout quote, one that really puts the whole situation in perfect focus. “If the purpose of taxation is to provide for the common good,” Zettler said, “we may ask what common good is provided by making public employees multi-millionaires in their fifties?”
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School Pensions Making Millionaires out of Retiring Employees”

Cook County - Elections - Illinois - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Dave Winters Drops Out of Lt. Governor Race

September 21, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Rockford TV reports the abrupt drop out of Republican Dave Winters in the race for Lt. Gov. This is the second drop out of the state wide race as Matt Murphy dropped his bid for Gov and will likely take up the race for Lt. Gov. instead as Andy McKenna’s running mate.

Dave Winters Drops Out of Lt. Governor Race

-By Whitney Martin

It’s a career move that has some local opponents not so happy tonight. Representative Dave winters withdrew his name from the race for lieutenant governor.

After spending three months campaigning for Lt.Governor of Illinois.. State Representative, Dave winters is dropping out of the race and instead will run for re –election

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Dave Winters Drops Out of Lt. Governor Race”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

New Ill. GOP Head Speaks at Local Meeting

September 20, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

TAPROOT, a local Downer’s Grove/Lombard area Republican association, received a visit by the new Illinois GOP Chairman, Pat Brady, at its Saturday, Sept. 18th breakfast meeting. TAPROOT Board Chairman Dave Dierson published this report on his GOPIllinois.com site:

Pat Brady and Pat Hughes speak at TAPROOT breakfast meeting

Spirited questions for Brady focus on SB600 and Rule 11

Illinois Republican Party (IRP) Chairman and National Committeeman Pat Brady and U.S. Senate candidate Pat Hughes spoke at an outstanding TAPOOT breakfast meeting Saturday, September 19, at the Old Country Buffet in Lombard.

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New Ill. GOP Head Speaks at Local Meeting”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

8th District Debate Dawson vs. Rodrigues

September 19, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

**UPDATE**– Event to be rescheduled!! No New Date Announced**

Two of the three announced candidates running for the GOP nomination for the 8th District Congressional seat now held by Democrat Melissa Bean will face off in a debate on Friday, October 2.

Starting at 6PM John Dawson and Maria Rodrigues will debate the issues at the Elk Grove Village VFW Hall at 400 E. Devon Ave.

Prior to the debate, GOP gubernatorial candidate Adam Andrezjewski is scheduled to address the crowd.

Three GOP candidates have announced for this seat.

School Board member John Dawson’s campaign website

Greg Jacobs’ FaceBook Page

Long Grove Mayor Maria Rodriguez’ Website.

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8th District Debate Dawson vs. Rodrigues”

Cook County - Elections - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Proft on McKenna: He Represents Those That ‘Ran Illinois Into the Ground’

September 19, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

GOP hopeful Dan Proft, for one, isn’t taking the entry of Andy McKenna into the race for governor lying down, anyway.

He says that McKenna represents the monied interests that helped drive this state into the ground. Proft isn’t the only one in assuming that “the money” is the one pushing McKenna on the Illinois GOP, either.

One thing is sure, McKenna’s entry into the race is a slap in the face to Party man Bill Brady who most certainly probably expected the party establishment to give him the nod. After all he’s done for the party, one would think that party insiders would have bent over backwards to convince McKenna to sit this one out.
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Proft on McKenna: He Represents Those That ‘Ran Illinois Into the Ground’”

ACLU - Campaign Finance - Conservatives - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Liberals - Republicans - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. GOP Minority Leader in Bed With Criminal ACORN?

September 19, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Shockingly, it looks like Tom Cross (R- Oswego), the Republican Minority leader at the State Capitol in Springfield, has taken several large campaign donations from the criminal organization ACORN. Even worse, it looks like Cross indulged a quid pro quo to help the troubled community organization out on some of their favored legislative efforts.

Over at ChampionNews.net, Doug Ibendahl has uncovered some uncomfortable information about our Republican minority leader’s campaign coffers. Ibendahl has found that Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 880 donated $17,750 to Cross in 2003 and another $10,000 from SEIU Healthcare Illinois/Indiana PAC.

The SEIU is a public employees union that is closely linked with the troubled ACORN organization and SEIU Local 880 is close to ACORN, indeed. In fact, on the Local’s webpage you can see an email address it lists for contact info that settles the question. That email happens to be seiu880@acorn.org.
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Ill. GOP Minority Leader in Bed With Criminal ACORN?”

Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. GOP Central Committee Meeting Report

September 19, 2009 by 3 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Featuring: Laughs, Congrats and Some Disapproving Stares (See end of report for the controversy)

This morning I attended the first Illinois Republican Central Committee meeting chaired by new party chief Pat Brady held at the Double Tree Hotel, Oakbrook, Illinois (Cook County, West of Chicago). Over all, the public portion of the meeting was brisk and convivial as chaired by Brady. The new GOP head seemed comfortable in the role and appeared to be well liked and respected by the committee members in attendance. Whatever behind the scenes deals that may or may not have been struck at the State Fair such a short time ago when Andy McKenna abruptly stepped down with Brady hurriedly appointed to replace him, Brady seems to have settled into the position of GOP Chairman well.

Surveying the room it appeared that about 10 members of the committee was not in attendance — so near a third of the members did not answer the roll call — and I was one of the few folks that came out to witness the public portion of the meeting. As Dave Dierson so amusingly put it, we sat in the “peanut gallery.” Dierson is best known for his daily Illinois news update email so many of us get each day in our email in-box.

The meeting began a tad later than the 11AM start date advertised and after Pat Brady called the meeting to order and introduced himself, and a few standard business items were taken care of (like approval of the minutes from the last meeting), Brady introduced the National GOP Committeewoman Demtra DeMonte to the room.
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Ill. GOP Central Committee Meeting Report”

Barack Obama - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Europe - Freedom - House of Representatives - Illinois - Liberals - Military - President - Republicans - Security/Safety - Terrorism - Warner Todd Huston

Kirk Lambastes Obama Over Missile Shield Policy Change

September 18, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Mark Kirk may not be on the right side of economics, abortion, the homosexual lobby, and a host of other issues, but he is 100% right on his position that President Obama is wrong with his decision to reverse course on the European missile shield.

On Thursday morning, after Obama’s announcement of the missile shield policy change Kirk came out swinging against the president saying that “History is not kind to leaders who sacrifice our Polish allies.” Kirk went on:

Illinois Republican Representative Mark Kirk called the president’s decision a blow to Poland and an encouragement to Iran.

“Iran, a state sponsor of terrorists, now makes the longest-range missile of the terrorist world,” said Mark Kirk. “The administration’s decision is particularly ironic because Poland just announced it would be sending more troops to serve alongside Americans in Afghanistan. America is going to let Poland down, sending a message of weakness to our Polish allies and the people building Iran’s new missile arsenal.”

Kirk is right on with this. Obama has bent over backwards to appease our enemies in Russia and has opened the door for the proto-Soviet Putin to begin to bully surrounding democratic states without fear of a weak Obama crossing him. Obama has abandoned our Eastern European allies with this horrible decision.

Sadly, it appears that every time a Democrat becomes president, no ally can be sure of American support afterward. Democrats simply can be trusted with neither our foreign policy nor our security.
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Kirk Lambastes Obama Over Missile Shield Policy Change”

Cook County - Education - Illinois - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Gorman For Re-Election to Cook County Board

September 17, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman (R-17th District) is seeking re-election to her seat on the Cook County Board.

After she announced her support for an anti-nepotism ordnance, Gorman announced her bid for re-election.

“This is an opportunity for Cook County to lead the way in ethics reform. How about that?” said Gorman, of Orland Park. “This is a transparency issue … about adding sunshine, and it’s getting so bright here you’ve got to wear shades.”

Gorman, meanwhile, announced she’ll formally declare her campaign for re-election in the 17th District, which covers the western edge of Cook County from the southwest to the northwest suburbs, at an event at 6 p.m. Thursday at Sam Maguire’s in Orland Park. U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, Republican U.S. Senate candidate, is expected to attend.

Campaign website: LizGorman.com
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Gorman For Re-Election to Cook County Board”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Liberals - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Burris, Jackson of Illinois Rated Nation’s ‘Most Corrupt’

September 17, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Illinois wins another dubious distinction due to our corrupt Democratic political culture this week. Senator Roland Burris and Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. have been rated among the nation’s most corrupt officials by the often left-leaning Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics based in Washington D. C.

Both Jackson and Burris are currently under investigation for their roles in Governor’s Rod Blagojevich’s selling of Obama’s former Senate seat last year.

CREW reports why Burris made the list: “Sen. Burris, by deliberately lying to senators about the conversations he had with Gov. Blagojevich and others connected to the governor in order to be appointed to a seat in the Senate, clearly engaged in improper conduct reflecting upon the Senate.”

Jackson is on the list for the same reason.
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Burris, Jackson of Illinois Rated Nation’s ‘Most Corrupt’”

Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Capitol Fax: McKenna/Murphy is ON!

September 17, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

At the Capitol Fax Blog, Rich Miller saysthey have confirmed that former State GOP Chair Andy McKenna is throwing his hat into the rign for the 2010 race for governor.

It seems set that currently announced GOP hopeful Matt Murphy (R- Palatine) will drop his bid for Guv and run for the number two slot on a pseudo ticket with McKenna. (I say pseudo because gov. and lt. gov. candidates do not run as a ticket in Ill., for those unaware.)

Miller says that the two men have met and made the bargain.
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Capitol Fax: McKenna/Murphy is ON!”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Energy - GOP - House of Representatives - Liberals - Republicans - Society/Culture - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Kirk Suddenly a “No” on Cap and Tax?

September 16, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Rep. Mark Kirk (R, IL) has been getting hammered by conservatives and moderate Republicans alike for his “yes” vote on the Cap and Trade bill. But at a recent appearance Kirk suddenly said he now intends to vote against the disastrous bill.

The Obama administration admits that the Cap and Trade legislation will cost every American family and additional $1,761 a year and likely that is on the low side. Conservatives have slammed Kirk for supporting this economy killing carbon emissions capping legislation.

On the 5th at a suburban rally, Kirk announced his switcheroo amidst many loud boos and catcalls. “About cap and trade: I voted for it because it was in the narrow interests of my congressional district. But as your representative, representing the entire state of Illinois, I will vote ‘No’ on that bill coming up.”

Well, this sure seems like an opportunistic flip flop, doesn’t it? Now that he’s running for Senate he’s found that his cap and tax “yes” vote is proving to be an impediment to his campaign and suddenly he finds his principles again?

I guess Kirk should be congratulated for finally coming to his senses and actually representing his constituents’ desires, but the fact that he thought he could make a dash for the cash (he voted cap and tax because of donations by enviro-nazi groups) without bothering with principle or representing his constituents in the first place marks him as an opportunist of the worst sort.

Kirk’s reversal is at the three minute, ten second mark in the video:


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Kirk Suddenly a “No” on Cap and Tax?”

Barack Obama - Censorship - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Health - House of Representatives - Illinois - Liberals - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Dem Refuses to Vote On Joe Wilson Admonishment

September 16, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Well, this is an interesting turn of events. Representative Bill Foster (14th District, D, Batavia) decided not to vote “yes” to admonish Joe Wilson in the House of Representatives this week.

Instead of taking a stand to admonish or not to admonish, he decided to cast a “present” vote. Foster said he didn’t vote to admonish Wilson — like most of his fellow Democrats did — because it detracts from serious business. “Congress has better things to do at this time,” Foster said.

The rest of the Illinois Democrats voted “yes” to admonish Rep. Joe Wilson (R, SC) for yelling “you lie” during the president’s healthcare speech in an apparent violation of House conduct rules.
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Ill. Dem Refuses to Vote On Joe Wilson Admonishment”

ACORN - Congress - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Liberals - Morals/Sex - Senate - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - The Law - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Senators Stand By Prostitution, Tax Cheat Hiding ACORN

September 15, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Democratic Illinois Senators Durbin and Burris both voted to stand behind ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) in a Senate vote to defund the criminal organization this week.

A measure placed in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill was overwhelmingly passed by the Senate to defund the group over the latest round of bad publicity of this nefarious organization.

On top of the last decade of constant convictions for vote fraud all across the country, ACORN offices have been caught in a tri-city “sting” of sorts where ACORN employees were helping to cover up what they understood to be a mortgage fraud and prostitution business by helping fudge IRS forms to disguise the activities. These ACORN employees even thought they were helping to cover up sex trafficking in underage, illegal aliens.
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Ill. Senators Stand By Prostitution, Tax Cheat Hiding ACORN”

Budget - Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois GOP Central Committee Meeting Scheduled

September 15, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Looks like the Illinois Republican Central Committee Meeting is scheduled for September 19th.

It will beheld at the Double Tree Hotel, 1909 Spring Rd., Oak Brook, IL 60523 and will start at 11AM.

For further info email: info@ilgop.org.
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Illinois GOP Central Committee Meeting Scheduled”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Biggert, Shimkus Endorse State Legislator in Race to Succeed Kirk

September 15, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

RollCall is reporting that there has been some endorsements in the race to replace Mark Kirk in the House…

Illinois GOP Reps. Judy Biggert and John Shimkus announced this week that they are supporting state Rep. Beth Coulson in the competitive GOP primary and race to succeed Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). Kirk is vacating his Democratic-leaning suburban Chicago seat to run for Senate in 2010.

Here is the list of those running for Kirk’s Seat:

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Biggert, Shimkus Endorse State Legislator in Race to Succeed Kirk”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Liberals - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Cook County Democrats Choose 2010 Slate

September 12, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

What’s the enemy up to? Glad you asked…

The Cook County Democratic Party machine met on Friday and chose its slate of candidates for the 2010 elections.

Federal and State Offices

U.S. Senate (seat held by Roland Burris currently): Alexi Giannoulious
Governor: Pat Quin (incumbent)
Attny General: Lisa Madigan (incumbent)
Sec. of State: Jesse White (incumbent)
Comptroller: State Rep. David Miller
State Treasurer: Robin Kelly

County Offices

Assessor: Joseph Berrios
County Clerk: David Orr
Sheriff: Tom Dart
Treasurer: Maria Pappas
Met. Water Reclamation District: Michael Alvarez, Barbara McGowan and Mariyana Spyroplous

The party also endorsed a series of judges but did not endorse any candidate for Lt. Governor or president of the Cook County Board because party rules for candidate presentation and percentage of vote were not satisfied.
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Cook County Democrats Choose 2010 Slate”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Maria Rodriguez Announces for 8th District

September 11, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Second term Long Grove Mayor Maria Rodriguez, 50, has announced her bid for the GOP nomination for the 10th District Congressional seat.

Rodriguez told reporters that Congress was “out of touch” as she launched her bid for Congress at an appearance in front of Abernathy’s Department Store in downtown Mundelein.

Rodriguez’ theme was economic recovery as she attempts to unseat Melissa Bean (D). Rodriguez also plans to participate in an upcoming healthcare townhall meeting in cooperation with Rep. Ed Sullivan Jr. and State Sen. Dan Duffy of Lake Barrington at an as yet undetermined location.

“I want to start listening right now,” Rodriguez said.

It isn’t complete yet but here is Maria Rodriguez’ Website.

For a .pdf download of Rodriguez’ palm card flyer Click Here.

The Long Grove Mayor joins two other GOP applicants for the office.

School Board member John Dawson’s campaign website

Greg Jacobs’ FaceBook Page
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Maria Rodriguez Announces for 8th District”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - Illinois - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Another One For 14th District? Come on, guys, This is Getting Ridiculous

September 10, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The GenevaSun is reporting that longtime state pol Randy Hultgren is going to run for Denny Hastert’s old 14th District Congressional seat.

Hultgren is currently the State Rep for the 48th District and also served as the state rep for the 95th District.

If Hultgren makes it official he will join four other Republican candidates for the office. I sure hope that the party can get this field winnowed down because we risk spreading ourselves too thin leaving the Democrats able to overpower the GOP if we have more than one candidate all the way to the election.

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Another One For 14th District? Come on, guys, This is Getting Ridiculous”

Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Illinois - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois 5th District Candidate David Ratowitz Announces

September 10, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

A first time Republican candidate has announced for the Illinois 5th District seat. David Ratowitz is a lawyer and businessman originally from Hazel Crest. Ratowitz was a ROTC member and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army as a Captain of Field Artillery in 1997.

Ratowitz was a resident of New Orleans during the trials of Hurricane Katrina and after his business and home were wiped out by that event built a successful construction company.

In 2007 he relocated back to the Chicago land area and started a law firm in Chicago.

David’s Campaign Website
David’s FaceBook page

David has been politically active in the Chicago area for a number of years, advancing the principles of limited government and individual liberty at every opportunity. He is a member and serves on committees of the Chicago GOP, Chicago Young Republicans and the Republican Jewish Coalition. David is also a leader in the Campaign for Liberty, formerly serving as the organization’s Region 5 Coordinator.

It looks like the FaceBook and Twitter buttons on the website are not yet set up, so check back if you’d like to follow this candidate on those social media services.

Currently the recently elected Mike Quigley (D- Chicago) is the incumbent in this seat. This was Rahm Emanuel’s old seat covering parts of the North Side and west into Schiller Park, Franklin Park, Melrose Park and Northlake.
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Illinois 5th District Candidate David Ratowitz Announces”

Anti-Americanism - Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Republicans - Senate - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Biver Says Hughes Over Kirk for U.S. Senate

September 8, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

John Biver seems to have come out endorsing GOP Senate candidate Patrick Hughes over Mark Kirk today. Biver is the editor of ChampionNews.net, a conservative organization out of Cook County. (Hughes’ campaign website.)

Biver says that Hughes is “the best chance conservatives have in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate,” and that he came away impressed after meeting the candidate in person.

He’s a platform-supporting Republican, and just as important, he gives every indication that he understands what ails the Illinois and Washington, D.C. Republican political system. His chief opponent, Mark Kirk, exemplifies everything that’s wrong with our Party here in Illinois and in our nation’s capital.

Biver warns that as we approach the peak campaigning days, the several candidates had better take some time to assess their chances and decide what is best for the party as opposed to what strokes their egos.
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Biver Says Hughes Over Kirk for U.S. Senate”

Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Taxes - Tea Party - Warner Todd Huston

Responsible Taxation: Jeff Danklefsen Seeks Haster’s Old 14th Dist. Seat

September 8, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Political newcomer Jeff Danklefsen has announced his intention to seek the GOP nomination for the 14th District Congressional seat, the one once held by Speaker of the House Denny Hastert.

Mr. Danklefsen is a twelve-year resident of Geneva and seems to have been driven to run for Congress by his involvement in the Kane County Tea Party movement. He has no “political resume,” but says he’s ready to lead.

I do not have a political resume, but I understand the challenges families face with increasing tax burdens and the uncertainty of the job market. I am asking for the opportunity to represent the 14th District taxpayers in Washington D.C. I will stand up for responsible taxation, a balanced budget, and job growth.

The central message on Danklefsen’s website is that of the fiscal irresponsibility of Speaker Pelosi and her Democrat comrades including current 14th District Congressman Bill Foster.

Danklefsen joins several other GOP hopefuls seeking the nomination.

  • Ethan Hastert, son of former Speaker Dennis Hastert (FaceBook page)
  • Iraq Reconstruction Worker Mark Vargas of Elgin (FaceBook page)
  • Former Aurora councilman and businessman Bill Cross — not yet announced

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Responsible Taxation: Jeff Danklefsen Seeks Haster’s Old 14th Dist. Seat”