Illinois

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

Andy McKenna And His Big Money Obama Supporters

January 31, 2010 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna is trying to claim he is an “outsider businessman” and that he’s the only one not connected to Illinois corruption. But the facts seem to auger against McKenna’s claims.

For one thing, McKenna has been called out for ethics violations by his own party. On top of that, how does one claim to be an “outsider” when one was the head of the state party!? That’s a couple of major dents in McKenna’s claims right there.

But now comes info from the Ryan campaign that Andy McKenna also has a ton of donors and supporters that are big Obama supporters, too. Now, how can someone claim to be the conservative solution to Springfield if he’s getting hundreds of thousands of dollars from Democrat and Obama supporters?
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Andy McKenna And His Big Money Obama Supporters”

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

Dan Proft Visits Fox News Sunday

January 31, 2010 by

Meanwhile, one of the members of the Sauk Valley Tea Party group has endorsed Mr. Proft:

Dan Proft – met him, looked him in the eye and he brought up Natural Law in our conversation. He is a real conservative that understand our national constitution. I did not meet Andejewski or Brady, both of which sound like great candidates, but neither made the effort to contact our local tea party and Dan did. Dan has a deep intellect of the issues and for this reason he is getting my vote. If you are voting for a candidate that is not one of the 3 above, you are in herd mentality – there is a difference between a conservative or libertarian and being a Republican.

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

First Time Voter Chooses Dodge

January 31, 2010 by

From the Jim Dodge for Comptroller campaign…

Take a look at a message we received from Erik Zimmerman, a young man who takes his voting privileges very seriously. We’re honored that after his research, he decided to cast his vote for Jim Dodge.

Erik Zimmerman “When I was 16 I started realizing my love for politics. Unfortunately, I couldn’t vote yet because I wasn’t 18. I had to wait two long years and watched as Democrats began to take over and run things both in Illinois and in the federal government. After seeing what the liberal policies did to our state I realized that I couldn’t responsibly vote for someone who would treat the taxpayers dollars like a lottery windfall.
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First Time Voter Chooses Dodge”

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

Andrzejewski Extends Condolences To Dillard Family, Campaign

January 31, 2010 by

From the Adam Andrzejewski for Governor campaign…

Elmhurst, Illinois – Conservative candidate for Governor, Adam Andrzejewski (And-GEE-EFF-Ski), placed a call to David Carlin, member of the Dillard Campaign, offering condolences to Senator Dillard, his family and his campaign team for the loss of the State Senator’s Father.

“Tonight, I received the news that Senator Dillard’s father passed away after a battle with cancer. My entire team and all of my supporters will keep Senator Dillard’s family in our prayers tonight,” said Andrzejewski.

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

Tax Problems For 5th District Candidate Ratowitz?

January 31, 2010 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

David Ratowitz is presenting himself to voters as the business oriented, conservative candidate for their 5th District Congressional seat. Ratowitz says he represents “hard-fought professional achievement” and “personal resilience,” and says his “genuine free market outlook” makes him the perfect candidate for conservatives. Also, many of Mr. Ratowitz’ press releases state that he’s for fiscal responsibility and have taken the Obama administration to task for its bad fiscal policies. (www.ratowitzforcongress.com)

So, one would assume that Mr. Ratowitz’ own history should be above reproach. If not pristine, one would hope that any past business troubles or tax issues would be few and far between. After all, everyone makes a few mistakes especially if they are active businessmen.

Now, between 2000 and 2007 Mr. Ratowitz was a businessman in New Orleans, Louisiana. On his campaign website he admits that hurricane Katrina wrecked havoc with his business, but he says he “worked on the ground to rebuild his business and community.”
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Tax Problems For 5th District Candidate Ratowitz?”

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

A Note on Candidate Press Releases

January 30, 2010 by

When I first set out to lend this space to Republican candidates for the primary I decided that anyone that sent me a press release would have the courtesy of having it posted here.

I did this for several reasons: 1). because I had yet to make my own endorsements and wanted to see what everyone was saying, 2). so that others out there who, like me, wanted to see what was going on with the field of candidates could do so, and 3). to serve as an open forum for all Republican candidates.

Well, now we are at only two days before the voting begins and since I have made my endorsement (see them HERE) I have decided that from this point forward only those candidates I endorse will get this space. It is crunch time and time for me to put forth only those candidates I feel are the best ones.

Thanks for sticking with Publius Forum through the run up to the primary and I hope you stick around during and beyond.

Yours,
Warner Todd Huston
Editor, Publius Forum

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

Dirty Trick Robocall Says Dan Proft Quits Governor Race

January 29, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Earlier today there was news that a fake robocall was making its way across Illinois with the recorded voice claiming to be candidate Dan Proft. This fake voice mimic said that he (as Dan Proft) was quitting the race for Governor. Even more ridiculously the impersonator claimed that he (as Dan Proft) was throwing his support behind the crook Andy McKenna!!

Proft Responds to False and Illegal Robocalls; McKenna Responsible?
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Dirty Trick Robocall Says Dan Proft Quits Governor Race”

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

8th District Incumbent Democrat, Remember What We Are Fighting

January 29, 2010 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Palatine Tea Party folks have a very good webpage that reminds us of just what we Republicans are fighting when we are looking for candidates to oust incumbent Democrat Melissa Bean.

Congressman Melissa Bean is a tax and spend, big government, socialist healthcare-supporting, left-winger and needs to be eliminated.
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8th District Incumbent Democrat, Remember What We Are Fighting”

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

More Illinois Election Web Resources

January 29, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Way back in 2009 (OK, it was Dec. 26) I posted a bunch of websites that can help you with your info needs on the web for Illinois elections and most especially Cook County. I have another website to add to that list so I thought I’d just repost the whole thing.

The new resource is a site called eVoter.com. On the main page they describe themselves as an “unbiased, non-partisan election information site where Voters can instantly generate a personalized Sample Ballot, view Candidate Profiles, make Contributions, view Organizational Endorsements, find Polling Places and more.”

You can find them at www.evoter.com

For a list of the website of all candidates including Democrats, see www.uselections.com/il/il.htm.

And don’t forget the Chicago Tribune’s candidate questionnaire responses.

State-wide and Cook County and Collar County GOP Candidate’s websites:

U.S. Senate

John Arrington – arringtonforsenate.com
Patrick Hughes – patrickhughesforsenate.com
Mark Kirk – kirkforsenate.com
Tom Kuna – w-e-r-co.com
Don Lowery – judgelowery4ussenate.com
Andy Martin – andyforussenator.com
Kathleen Thomas – kathleenthomasforsenate.org
Ed Varga – e-varga.com
Robert Zadek – robertzadek.com
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More Illinois Election Web Resources”

Americans for Tax Reform - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - Rights - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Which Ill. Candidates Have Signed Taxpayer Protection Pledge?

January 29, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Americans for Tax Reform (atr.org) has a post up today reminding us all just which Illinois candidates have signed ATR’s no tax pledge.

It’s called the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and you can see the pledge HERE.
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Which Ill. Candidates Have Signed Taxpayer Protection Pledge?”

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

U.S. Senate: John Arrington Presses President, Pentagon for Manufacturing Jobs at Rock Island Arsenal and Across U.S.‏

January 29, 2010 by

From the John Arrington for Senate campaign…

On Friday, January 29th at 2:00 p.m. Senate candidate John Arrington will be holding a press conference at the iWireless Center near the Rock Island arsenal. In response to President Obama’s State of the Union speech, Mr. Arrington will be sending letters to the President, Congress, and the Pentagon today demanding that an assessment be taken of defense systems manufactured overseas, and that all defense related products be returned to the U.S. for production. “Discussing jobs without including our disappearing manufacturing industry is like discussing healthcare without tort reform, it’s a Band-Aid approach,” stated Arrington. “Americans must produce in order to sustain our economic future, and that must start with our Department of Defense.”
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U.S. Senate: John Arrington Presses President, Pentagon for Manufacturing Jobs at Rock Island Arsenal and Across U.S.‏”

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

Ryan Slaps McKenna: Andy McKenna Needs to Come Clean — or Withdraw

January 28, 2010 by

I don’t support Mr. Ryan’s bid for Governor, but I sure as heck sign onto THIS question he’s asking. From the Ryan for Governor campaign…

Why Illinois voters should be concerned about this issue

Andy McKenna needs to answer all questions related to an ongoing ethics probe — or withdraw from the race.
We have learned that Andy declined to answer questions posed to him as part of an ethics inquiry that ultimately concluded he violated the Illinois Republican Party’s code of ethics by ordering a $28,000 self-serving poll while he was party chairman.
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Ryan Slaps McKenna: Andy McKenna Needs to Come Clean — or Withdraw”

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

14th District: Left-Wing, Anti-Tea Party Group Attacks Hultgren

January 28, 2010 by 1 Comment

From the Randy Hultgren for Congress campaign…

Just a few days before the Illinois Primary on February 2nd, a group calling itself “The Tea Party is Over” identified 14th Congressional District Candidate Randy Hultgren as possessing “dangerous ideas of the Tea Party.”

“If your enemies are any indication of your standing in the world, Randy’s honored with being labeled an enemy of these special interest, big government unions like the SEIU and AFL-CIO who have backed this radical-left group with tens of millions of dollars.” said Hultgren Campaign Manager John Cooney.
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14th District: Left-Wing, Anti-Tea Party Group Attacks Hultgren”

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

Comptroller: Homer Lockport Tea Party Endorses Jim Dodge

January 28, 2010 by

From the Dodge for Comptroller campaign…

Jim Dodge, Republican candidate for Illinois Comptroller, is proud to announce he has received the endorsement of the Homer Lockport Tea Party.

“I would like to thank the members of the Homer Lockport Tea Party for their support,” Dodge said. “This group held one of the largest Tea Party gatherings in the country on Labor Day of last year. They know what is at stake this election for our state and our country, they are working very hard to get the word out, and I couldn’t be happier to have their support.”
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Comptroller: Homer Lockport Tea Party Endorses Jim Dodge”

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

8th District: WALSH VS WALSH, II – The Candidate Defends the Tea Party Movement

January 28, 2010 by

For those unaware, candidate Joe Walsh made a parody of a song by rock star Joe Walsh of the Eagles and the singer has sent a threatening letter from his lawyer over it. So, candidate Walsh is replying. From the Joe Walsh for Congress campaign…
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8th District: WALSH VS WALSH, II – The Candidate Defends the Tea Party Movement”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Free Trade - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Ill Policy Institute: Supremely Inappropriate

January 28, 2010 by

Scolding the Supremes
If you missed last night’s State of the Union address, you missed one particularly colorful moment: the president scolding the entire Supreme Court. You can watch the whole awkward run-in between the two branches of government by clicking HERE..

“Radical” Policies…or Common Sense?
A mother wants to send her son to the best school in her neighborhood, but that school happens to be private. Does that make her a radical parent? Of course not—and vouchers can make it happen. In his latest column, Collin Hitt details how this “radical” policy could be coming to Illinois soon.
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Ill Policy Institute: Supremely Inappropriate”

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

Will County Mayors Endorse Cook for Lt. Gov.

January 28, 2010 by

From the Dennis Cook for Lt. Gov. campaign….

Channahon, Lemont and Romeoville Lead Widespread Support for Cook

Heading into the final week before the primary, Republican Lieutenant Governor Candidate Dennis Cook continues to pile up the endorsements from top Will County leaders. Among those coming out recently to endorse him are the mayors of Channahon, Lemont and Romeoville, giving Cook widespread support throughout Will County.
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Will County Mayors Endorse Cook for Lt. Gov.”

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

62nd State Rep: ICE-PAC Endorses Paul Mitchell for State Rep

January 28, 2010 by

From the Paul Mitchell for State Rep campaign…

J Kevin Costello, the Chairman for Illinois Citizens for Ethics (ICE-PAC) told Mitchell in the endorsement notice, “On behalf of everyone here at Illinois Citizens for Ethics, I’m happy to inform you that our Board feels you are an exemplary candidate for public service as an Illinois State Representative. Your commitment to ethics and to representing the views of the Illinois voter in public service with respect to the role of government in the social and moral issues facing our State make you the type of candidate that Illinois Citizens for Ethics is intended to support.”
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62nd State Rep: ICE-PAC Endorses Paul Mitchell for State Rep”

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

8th District: Joe Walsh on State of the Union Speech

January 28, 2010 by

From the Joe Walsh for Congress campaign…

Tonight, as required by our Constitution, President Obama gave the annual State of the Union Address to both houses of Congress.

The President and I agree on some of his ideas, and disagree on others. Firstly, I must applaud the President when he said “I do not accept second place for the United States of America.” Further I completely agree with the President that we the voters should “Give our people the government they deserve.” You, the voters of the 8th deserve so much more than Melissa Bean. You deserve a voice!
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8th District: Joe Walsh on State of the Union Speech”

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

U.S. House Candidate David Ratowitz (IL-5) Responds to SOTU Address

January 28, 2010 by

From the David Ratowitz for Congress campaign…

“The president’s proposals are like a surgeon only using the dullest and rustiest of scalpels.”

Like many Americans, I enjoyed the introductory comments of President Obama’s first State of the Union address. The president is absolutely correct in his assertion that Americans working together have overcome our greatest challenges. However, that is about where our agreement ends.
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U.S. House Candidate David Ratowitz (IL-5) Responds to SOTU Address”

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

10th District: Dold’s ‘Get America Back to Work’ Bus Tour Thursday‏

January 27, 2010 by 1 Comment

From the Robert Dold for Congress campaign…

Today Dold for Congress will embark on a mission that will take us throughout the district to meet face-to-face with thousands of voters over the next six days leading up to Election Day. As part of the Get America Back to Work Tour, Robert and his supporters will ride around the district in a giant Dold-themed tour bus visiting small businesses, restaurants, train stations, senior communities, and anywhere and everywhere voters can be found. We will be making more than 60 stops during the tour, and will be picking up supporters along the way. We would like to extend an invitation for you to join us at any time during the tour for this very special event. To view the bus tour schedule click here.
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10th District: Dold’s ‘Get America Back to Work’ Bus Tour Thursday‏”

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

David Ratowitz Pushes Across-the-board Tax Cut Agenda

January 27, 2010 by

From the David Ratowitz for Congress campaign…

CHICAGO – January 27, 2010 – U.S. House candidate David Ratowitz’s tax proposals resonated with 5th District entrepreneurs and community leaders who attended the Asian American Coalition candidate forum on Saturday at the Hyatt Rosemont.

Ratowitz, a Republican candidate in Tuesday’s gubernatorial primary election, fielded numerous questions regarding the impact of burdensome federal regulations and taxes on the 5th District’s small business community, which includes Albany Park’s Koreatown.
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David Ratowitz Pushes Across-the-board Tax Cut Agenda”

Budget - Economy/Finances - Illinois - State Policy Groups - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston

Truth in Accounting Hosts Evening David Walker

January 27, 2010 by 1 Comment

David M. Walker: Comeback America Institute for Truth in Accounting Partners With the Union League Of Chicago’s Authors Group to Host Hon. David Walker

February 8, 2010: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Book Signing and Luncheon

He’s one of America’s most capable, canny, candid, and independent financial experts. Now David M. Walker sounds a call to action. Comeback America is a tough-minded, innovative, inspiring guide to help us avoid the approaching economic abyss and put the country back on track again.
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Truth in Accounting Hosts Evening David Walker”

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

Cao Responds to Kelly Accusations of Links to Topinka/Paid Blogger Claim

January 27, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

There’s been a swirl of charges and counter charges with some of the operatives of several different campaigns here that we’ve only had a few posts about — mostly because I think these charges are tangential to the actual issues. It basically concerns charges made by the William Kelly for Comptroller campaign that operatives of the Dodge campaign are actually working for Topinka in a sort of typical Chicago dirty tricks campaign effort. These charges have been returned by the Dodge folks that it is in reality Kelly who is the false front candidate.

On Jan. 25 I posted D2s Prove Jim Dodge Dirty Tricks in IL Comptroller Race written by Tom Mannis of Chicago News Bench because it was a pretty good summation of the charges from his camp (he’s a Kelly man). Right after that 62nd District candidate Paul Mitchel responded to the claims. I posted that address the very same day.

Lynn has also responded to the Kelly camp’s claims (she’s a Dodge supporter) on her blog, Cao’s Blog and I think her voice should also be heard here. Among other things, she disputes that she makes money from Jack Roeser and that she’s a “paid blogger.”
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Cao Responds to Kelly Accusations of Links to Topinka/Paid Blogger Claim”

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

Andrzejewski is Top Favorite of Illinois Tea Party Organizers Gets Support of Polish President

January 26, 2010 by

On top of the fact that Lech Walesa hopped a flight from Warsaw, Poland to do some stumping for Adam and has announced his support of his gubernatorial campaign, Adam has picked up the support of some of the tea party groups. From the Adam Andrzejewski for Governor campaign…

Elmhurst, Illinois – Since announcing his candidacy in March of 2009, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Adam Andrzejewski (And-GEE-EFF-Ski) has led his opponents in grassroots efforts throughout Illinois, having gone from being an unknown outsider to a virtual household name. Indicative of the expansive grassroots support Andrzejewski has received, the Illinois Tea Party reported earlier today in a press release that “a straw poll involving the Tea Party Organizers across the State shows results that strongly favor Adam Andrzejewski for Governor…” Straw poll results reveal overwhelming support for Andrzejewski at 93%.
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Andrzejewski is Top Favorite of Illinois Tea Party Organizers Gets Support of Polish President”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Radio - Republicans - State Government - States - TV News - Warner Todd Huston

Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Debate on WLS-AM & WTTW-TV

January 26, 2010 by

A note from ChicagolandRadioAndMedia.com, the great Chicago radio message board and entertainment news site.

Tomorrow afternoon will be a special airing of the Roe & Cisco Show on WLS-AM 890. The show will not be coming from within WLS’ studio walls, but instead will be broadcast live from the Chase Bank Auditorium. This is because WLS will be hosting an Illinois Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Debate, moderated by Roe Conn & Cisco Cotto. The debate will begin at 4:00pm and will feature five of the six Republican candidates for Governor: Adam Andrzejewski, Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard, Dan Proft and Jim Ryan. (Andy McKenna has chosen to not do any debates this week.) This debate is open to the public for all who wish to be there — no tickets or reservations needed. The Chase Bank Auditorium is located in Downtown Chicago at 10 S. Dearborn.

Before tomorrow afternoon’s debate, the same five out of six Republican candidates will take part in a one-hour forum on WTTW Channel 11’s “Chicago Tonight” program this evening. The live show will not have a studio audience and will be more subdued in comparison. The forum begins tonight at 7:00pm. (“Chicago Tonight” had the Democratic Candidates for IL Governor on last night.)

Chicago - Children - Cook County - Education - Government - Illinois Policy Institute - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Policy Institute: Vouchers and the Future of Education in Illinois

January 26, 2010 by

Public schools in Chicago are failing, and sadly, they’re not alone—across the country, inner-city schools are languishing and leaving students behind.

Many cities have experimented with the policy of school vouchers, which can give low-income parents the ability to send their children to private schools. The idea is now being considered in Illinois, led by a proposal from state senator James Meeks.
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Ill. Policy Institute: Vouchers and the Future of Education in Illinois”