Cook+County

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

5th District Congressional Race: Ratowitz Picks up an Endorsement

October 4, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

From the Ratowitz campaign: CHICAGO — David Ratowitz, a Republican candidate for U.S. Congress (IL-5), has received the enthusiastic endorsement of John J. Curry, long-time GOP activist and committeeman for Chicago’s 32nd Ward.

“Illinois and Chicago have been reeling from continual instances of political corruption. Therefore, it is a time when the Republican Party should promote new leaders with a commitment to freedom and good government. David Ratowitz is just such a candidate. A smart, credentialed young professional, David knows the issues and has been barnstorming the district with energy, motivating a new grassroots powerbase for the Republican Party. He has easily proven his ability as a candidate and as a prospective Congressman. For these reason, I personally endorse David for election in the Republican primary for U.S. Representative in the 5th Congressional District.” – John J. Curry

A third-generation Chicago Republican, Curry has been involved in numerous local, state and national Republican campaigns, include serving as an Illinois congressional district coordinator in 1980 for Ronald Reagan in his first presidential run. Curry was part of the Illinois delegation to both Reagan inaugurations and to the Republican National Convention in 1988. He also served as an RNC delegate in 2004.

A partner in the law firm of Polisinelli, Shalton, Flanigan, Suelthaus, PC, Curry helped found the Chicago Lawyers Division of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy, a Washington, D.C.-based public policy group. He also has been active with Project LEAP and like efforts to combat vote fraud in Chicago elections. Learn more about John Curry here http://www.johncurry32wardgop.com/.
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5th District Congressional Race: Ratowitz Picks up an Endorsement”

ACORN - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Liberals - SEIU - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Capitol Fax Smacks Candidate Kelly Around

October 4, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Rich Miller’s Capitol Fax politics blog is one of the best Illinois political blogs out there… so, there, I said that right upfront. But I found Miller’s recent posting on the admittedly quixotic candidacy of William Kelly, well, a bit quixotic in itself, if only on one small point.

Last Wednesday, Capitol Fax found itself a bit confused by Mr. Kelly’s tactics for his campaign for Illinois Comptroller. Kelly, you see, has made a point to repeatedly go after current State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias as a way to gain public attention for his own race for Comptroller.

Mr. Kelly did an ambush styled video where he was following Giannoulias, a current Democratic Party candidate for Senate, down a hallway asking the State Treasurer why he’d be seeking and accepting an endorsement from the Service Employee’s International Union (SEIU), a group that is hip-deep with the criminal organization ACORN.
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Capitol Fax Smacks Candidate Kelly Around”

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

Travesty: Most Illinois County GOP Organizations Have no Web Presence

October 4, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Imagine that. In this day and age most of the GOP Party organizations in the great state of Illinois do NOT have a web page. Illinois has 102 counties, but only 23 of them have a usable, working webpage.

In this Internet age, the very first place everyone runs to in order to find out about something is the Internet. Yet three quarters of our Illinois county GOP organizations do not have their own maintained webpage up on the Internet for prospective voters to peruse.

Of the 102 counties, 23 have websites that they’ve created and maintained. Another 33 have place holder pages sponsored by the state party. And fully 44 counties have no web presence at all. Nothing. Not even a state party place holder.

Of the 33 state party hosted place holder pages, few have any information past the county name and, perhaps, the name of the county party chairman. A couple have a few updates in the “Local Headlines” section, but most have nothing at all. It seems obvious that the state party is trying to get these place holder pages created for every county — certainly a good idea — and has gotten to these 33 thus far, though I have not contacted the state party to confirm this.

For a full list of Illinois counties and their web status, Click Here.
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Travesty: Most Illinois County GOP Organizations Have no Web Presence”

Budget - Conservatives - Cook County - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Steve Rauschenberger Makes it Official

October 3, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Former State Senator Steven Rauschenberger has once again thrown his hat in the ring and announced a run for his old Senate seat from the Elgin area’s 22nd District, a seat he held for 14 years.

Rauschenberger entered the State Legislature in 1992 and gained fame as one of the “Fab Five,” a group of five conservative senators that rode herd on Democratic overspending. In 2007, Rauschenberger explored a bid for governor but ultimately settled on a run as lt. gov. on a ticket with Ron Gidwitz. They lost the GOP nomination to the Topinka/Birkett ticket.

Here is the announcement from the Rauschenberger campaign:
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Steve Rauschenberger Makes it Official”

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

14th District Race: Ethan Hastert Signs ATRs No-Tax Pledge

October 3, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

In the race for the GOP nomination for Congress, Ethan Hastert has made a bit of news this week by signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform.

ATR reports that Hastert is the second candidate to sign the pledge.

ATR’s Announcement:
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14th District Race: Ethan Hastert Signs ATRs No-Tax Pledge”

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

Why Did Matt Murphy Drop Down from Guv to Lt. Guv?

October 2, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Murphy has released a press release explaining why he decided to switch from running for governor to running for lt. governor.

I did not plan to run for Governor. After two consecutive elections, I was looking forward to taking a break from campaigning to focus on my legislative priorities and coach football for my son. Unfortunately, the economy became worse, people lost their jobs and the Democratic leadership in Springfield reverted to their default position to solve every budget crisis: higher taxes, increased spending and more borrowing. While families and businesses are struggling to make ends meet, they were asked to absorb the cost of Springfield’s fiscal mismanagement at the same time Governor Quinn caved into special interests. Our state was at a crossroads and I felt someone had to offer an alternative to the same tired and failed policies that have put us in a two-way race with Michigan to become the worst state to run a business, create jobs and raise a family.

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Why Did Matt Murphy Drop Down from Guv to Lt. Guv?”

Business - Capitalism - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Free Trade - Freedom - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston - Welfare

More Illinois Citizens Live in Poverty Since Year 2000

October 2, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Associated Press is reporting that the poverty rate in Illinois has jumped from 10.7 percent in 2000 to 12.2 percent in 2008, the last year for which we have Census Bureau data. That comes out to about 1.5 million Illinois citizens living below the poverty line.

Hardest hit were some of the counties in Northern Illinois in and around the Chicago area.

The drops in income were particularly steep in several northern Illinois counties, DuPage, Kane and Winnebago. For instance, in DuPage County, the median income has declined $10,690 since 2000, from $87,723 to $77,033.

One of the things that made this poverty rate climb is the horrendous business climate that Illinoisans suffer under. In 2008 the Directorship’s Boardroom Guide to State Litigation Climates compiled by the Foundation for Fair Civi Justice ranked Illinois as the state with the worst business climate. In 2009 it ranked second just under Pennsylvania.

Winning the dubious distinction of having the worst business climate in the country is not a way to entice new business to come to the Land of Lincoln to bring the new jobs that Illinois needs to raise its citizens out of poverty.
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More Illinois Citizens Live in Poverty Since Year 2000″

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

Da Coach, Mike Ditka Endorses Pat Hughes for Senate

October 1, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Mike Ditka, famous for being the coach of the Chicago Bears, endorsed Senate candidate Patrick Hughes at a Hughes fundraiser at Ditka’s restaurant on Wednesday.

Speaking to a gathering of Hughes supporters at Ditka’s Restaurant last night, Da Coach said, “I pledge all my support to Patrick Hughes and I will help him in any way I can. Patrick Hughes stands for the same mainstream values that Mike Ditka stands for. Patrick Hughes knows who he is and what he believes. He knows that Washington is not the answer to all of our problems today.” […]

Hughes continued, “I said that my campaign would seek the support of grassroots Illinois residents, not the Washington lobbyists and politicians who my major challenger Mark Kirk has courted for endorsements and money. Mike Ditka represents the values of real grassroots voters of Illinois in the finest sense.”

Patrick Hughes is the assumed underdog facing Rep. Mark Kirk for the GOP nomination for the 2010 Senate race.

Check out Hughes on the net: Hughes for Senate
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Da Coach, Mike Ditka Endorses Pat Hughes for Senate”

Congress - Cook County - Elections - House of Representatives - Illinois - Journalism - Liberals - Media Bias - Republicans - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Grudge Match Between Republicans Lauzen and Oberweis Over 14th District Primary?

October 1, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Hill is reporting that the upcoming 14th District GOP primary is shaping up as a grudge match between two Republicans that aren’t even in the race. According the The Hill this is a grudge match between State Senator Chris Lauzen and wannabe anything Jim Oberweis, both candidates that vied for that seat in the 2008 special election that sent Democrat Bill Foster to Washington.

The 14th District Congressional seat was the one that Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert held until he resigned in 2008. Hastert’s son Ethan Hastert is now running for the GOP nomination for his father’s old seat.

This “grudge match” meme pushed by The Hill is a result of the formal entry into the primary race of State Senator Randy Hultgren who threw his hat in the ring earlier in the week. Hultgren was elected to the State Senate in 2006 and served in the Illinois House for eight years previous to that. (1999-2007).
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Grudge Match Between Republicans Lauzen and Oberweis Over 14th District Primary?”

ACORN - Business - Capitalism - Children - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Family - Freedom - Health - Illinois - Jobs - Liberals - SEIU - Socialism - State Government - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

AWF: Ill. Gov. Invades Privacy of State’s Citizens

October 1, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Alliance for Worker Freedom has decided to send a letter to replacement Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois asking him how much his favoritism and goodies given to unions in the state have cost the taxpayers of Illinois. (I say “replacement gov.” because Quinn is the former Lt. Gov. that became the accidental gov. when Rod Blagojevich was indicted and then impeached from office)

Quinn is guilty of handing over the personal information of thousands of Illinois home-based support workers that receive state aid to take care of family members with severe medical conditions to several unions so that the unions could attempt to strongarm these people into a union. The executive order is #09-15, the Collective Bargaining By Individual Providers of Home-Based Support Services order.

Without regard to the privacy of the personal information of these people that receive state aid to take care of their relatives in their own homes, Gov. Quinn freely handed over their phone numbers and addresses to any union that wanted them. Many home healthcare workers have since been accosted by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) recruiters as well as operatives from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
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AWF: Ill. Gov. Invades Privacy of State’s Citizens”

Chicago - Conservatives - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Journalism - Liberals - Republicans - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

ChgoTrib: Adam Andrzejewski Takes on Big Gov’t

September 30, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Looks like gubernatorial candidate Adam Andrzejewski (pronounced an-gee-ef-ski – Campaign site) has caught the eye of the Chicago Tribune’s John Kass, he of inveighing against “the combine” — that idea that top level Republicans are in the pockets of their counterparts in the state Democratic Party.

Kass used Andrzejewski’s campaign to gig his whipping boy once again:

Adam Andrzejewski (pronounced An-jee-ef-ski) is running for governor in the Republican primary on a platform of reform, offering specific spending cuts and holding the line on taxes.

Sound radical?

Only in Illinois, where government is big business and the parties’ trading jobs for support makes them almost indistinguishable.

I can’t say that Kass is wrong. But it is good to see that Andrzejewski is making some headway in the political arena.

Kass makes an obvious point about the Ill. GOP, but it is one that should be at the forefront of every Republican’s mind as he prepares to consider the 2010 elections.
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ChgoTrib: Adam Andrzejewski Takes on Big Gov’t”

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

Isaac Hayes for Ill. 2nd Congressional District

September 30, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Today’s spotlight falls on the Reverend Isaac Hayes who is running for the 2nd Congressional District. The 2nd comprises the towns of Harvey, Lansing, Chicago Heights, Park Forest and part of Calumet City all of which are well south east of Chicago and on the Indiana border. The 2nd is also spread across parts of both Cook and Will Counties.

Hayes is a native of Chicago’s South Side and earned a degree in Information Systems at Ill. State University. Hayes was vice president of ABN AMRO Mortgage and now ministers full-time to youth at the Apostolic Church of God in his community.

Hayes will face incumbent Democratic Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr.

Here is his announcement address delivered at the Cook County GOP Convention this year:
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Isaac Hayes for Ill. 2nd Congressional District”

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

Rauschenberger Back in the Hunt?

September 29, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Steve Rasuchenberg of the Elgin area might be considering another run for the Illinois State Senate according to RFFM.org.

RFFM.org has learned former state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger is considering another run for the state Senate for the seat currently held by Michael Noland (D-Elgin). When Rauschenberger launched an unsuccessful bid for Lt. Governor and vacated the seat, Noland won the general election in 2006 in a close election when he defeated Streamwood Mayor Billie Roth.

Rauschenberger would most likely receive the nod from Republican voters in the 22nd state Senate District GOP primary if he decides to throw his hat in the ring.

Many believe if Rauschenberger wins the GOP primary, his high name recognition and past record as a fiscal and social conservative would help him win in the 2010 general election, when many experts predict incumbent Democrats may succumb to a Republican landslide.

Rauschenberger is currently President of the United Republican Fund. An official announcement regarding his intentions are expected soon.

Rauschenberger was one of the famed “Fab Five” consisting of five of the most conservative Senators in the state legislature.The “Fab Five” referred to Dave Syverson, Rauschenberger, Patrick O’Malley, Chris Lauzen, and Peter Fitzgerald all elected to the State Senate in 1992.

Rauschenberger made his mark in matters financial in the state budget. He served on the Appropriations Committee and the Environment and Energy Committee.

(Cross posted at RedCounty.com)
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Rauschenberger Back in the Hunt?”

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

Joe Walsh Launches Exploratory Committee for IL CD-8

September 29, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Looks like Joe Walsh of Lake Zurich is looking to get into the race against Melissa Bean in the Il. 8th Congressional District. I just received this from his campaign:

BARRINGTON, IL – Long-time free market activist Joe Walsh has launched an exploratory committee to determine whether he should become a candidate for the Republican nomination for the 8th District Congressional seat currently held by Democrat Melissa Bean.

According to Walsh, “Voters are incredibly angry and frustrated by Melissa Bean’s performance over the past couple of years. She voted for the failed stimulus package and Cap and Trade legislation and has voiced support for the Public Option in healthcare. Now, when her constituents want their voices heard the most, she ignores their wishes by refusing to hold open town hall meetings in the district.

“The stakes are too high in this election. We need to a put a check on the one-party rule in Washington that is bankrupting our country. It is absolutely essential that we return more Republicans to Congress as a counter-balance to this out-of-control majority. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that any of the announced GOP candidates in the 8th district race has what it takes to defeat Melissa Bean. If voters continue to tell me that it will take a different kind of candidate to win this race, I’ll run.”

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Joe Walsh Launches Exploratory Committee for IL CD-8″

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”