A press release about Tuesday morning’s press conference by Kane County Chairman Karen McConnaughay’s announcement that she is running for State Senate in the 33rd District, one-sixth of which is located in the south central part of McHenry County:
KAREN McCONNAUGHAY LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN FOR STATE SENATE
Pledges to fight for common sense fiscal and conservative values on behalf of the residents of the Fox Valley
WEST DUNDEE, ILLINOIS—Citing the need to tackle the state’s chronic mismanagement and economic crisis, Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay today announced that she will not seek a third term as the County Chief Executive, but will run for the Illinois State Senate in District 33.
Before a crowd of supporters on the River Walk in West Dundee, McConnaughay, (R-St. Charles) pledged to work to get Illinois back to work and to reduce the size and inefficiency of government. She stated that Kane County and the rest of the state will not be able to realize economic recovery until the state government makes serious changes to reform the way it does business.
West Dundee Village President, Larry Keller introduced McConnaughay.
“Springfield will benefit from Karen McConnaughay, she identifies the challenges, finds solutions, and builds consensus to get the job done. And she does so without compromise to her core belief that the taxpayers always come first. I have worked with Karen and know how dedicated she is to the Fox Valley community. She is a straight shooter who possesses the Integrity and leadership skills that are needed to turn this state around.”
“My friends, this is a pretty simple agenda. It is the kind of no-nonsense, fiscally conservative plan that has proven successful in Kane County. And it is what I passionately believe in.”
Said McConnaughay, who was elected Chairman in 2004, “We can reduce the size and spending of government, we can deliver services smartly and efficiently and we can try to leave the people freer to pursue the dreams of success that fuel economic growth.”
McConnaughay said her experience as chief executive of the fifth largest county in the state will be vital in addressing the state’s crisis of leadership.
“In these tough times, we’ve consistently reduced spending and balanced our budget, we’ve actually improved our bond rating and resisted the temptation to borrow money to grow government.,” she said.
As Chairman, McConnaughay has reduced the number of employees in departments under her control by 25%. Since 2008, she has reduced general revenue fund expenditures by nearly 12% and the County’s bond rating has improved from AA to AA+ according to Moody’s.
McConnaughay referenced her start in politics as a community activist. As a young mother she rallied and organized her neighbors to fight against the condemnation of her family’s and 26 neighbor’s backyards for a proposed bike path which ultimately led to a change in Illinois eminent domain laws. That effort lead her to a seek solutions through public service.
No current state senator resides in the newly drawn 33rd Senate District which includes much of northern Kane County and southern McHenry County.
In both her general elections as County Board Chairman, McConnaughay has received over 60% of the vote in the precincts that make up the 33rd and in the 2008 primary she received two-thirds of the Republican votes cast in the new district.
In her announcement McConnaughay laid out her agenda and priorities.
She will push for more significant reform of state employee pensions, reduce spending and focus resources on job creation and education.
She will also work to make government more efficient and promote consolidation of duplicative layers of government.
“I believe our best days are ahead of us, not behind us,” said McConnaughay. “I believe that the General Assembly can find better solutions to the problems that face us.”
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An appearance has not yet been scheduled in McHenry County.
Gee you can cut the enthusiasm with a knife. “Fiscal conservative?”
Spending $800,000 a year on ex reporters and other consultants?
We think not Madam ex Chairman.
She must have left out the fifteen raises she gave. So much for doing more with less. The pension boosts add up to well over $20 million.
And over a million dollars from cronie donations to get elected…ok now where is the conservative part?
Can anyone find someone that worked with her in her “grassroots” citizen activist days? Guess not.
OH MY! what a load.
She is being sued for giving out 15 raises to her pals that will cost the County of Kane over 20 million in salary and pension benefits.
Is she going to give up her pension in Kane and/or state?
How many of Hastert’s gang is going to go down state with her?
Only TWO board members show up and no elected from the county showed up… speaks volumes.
You can run by you can’t hide Queen Karen.
And your degree in education is in what…… oh yea don’t have one.
I hear certificates in Interior Design won’t help you when Madigian and Cullerton chewing on you.
It was like a stampeding herd of RINOs there. Hardly a conservative in sight.
Ellen Nottke- Madame Chariman’s staffer who helps her with events and D2’s
Joe Galvan- Finalist for METRA appointment and grasstops Hispanic activist
Steve Orlando- political consultant who failed in coup to take over State
Hispanic organization earlier this year
Mark Wissing- KMC’s sign guy and Geneva Highway Commish
Mike Kenyon- Kane Republican Chair
Mark Davoust- Moderate St. Charles Board Member
John Fahy and John Mayer- Former Dundee County Board members and cousins who rubber stamped the Chairman’s agenda when on the board
Jan Carlson- 44 year incumbent politician beaten by reform conservative in 08- longtime Chair of McConnaughay’s campaign
Ken Shepro- McConnaughay’s handpicked county attorney and St. Charles Republican Chair who has collected hundreds of thousands of bucks from the taxpayer’s pockets which he feeds from like it is a personal trough
Come July there will be an announcement of a unified conservative candidate to defeat KMC.
Chad Koppie will run, in the 33rd District. He’s a member of the Kane Co. regional school board, and he was a Rutland Township trustee. He’s pro-tax cuts, pro-life, pro-gun rights, and anti-illegal alien. He agrees with Gov. Walker (of WI), about unions. In 1998, Koppie was the only conservative who opposed George Ryan, in the primary, and Koppie got 19%.