McHenry County Blog

Dee Beaubien

Jewel Pavilion in Barrington’s Citizens Park was pleasantly packed when Dee Beaubien spoke to friends and supporters about the Independent candidacy that she seeks to mount against Republican Party nominee David McSweeney, also of Barrington.

Staking out her leadership of the Pro-Choice wing of the Republican Party in McHenry County was County Board member Donna Kurtz, who introduced Beaubien.

“I’m here today because I’m a product of the mentoring of the Beaubiens,” Donna Kurtz said.

“Good government is not based on parties.”

There was much emotion as both Kurtz and Beaubien remembered her husband.

“We refuse to simply allow that legacy to slip away.

“Dee Beaubien has earned the trust of this community,” Kurtz continued.

Kurtz’ mother, former Crystal Lake State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz was also in attendance.

Former State Reps Rosemary Kurtz and Suszi Bassi, plus McHenry County Board member Donna Kurtz, above, listen to Dee Beaubien's presentation.

“It’s still early,” Beaubien stressed.

Reflecting on her husband replacement process, she said, “We wanted to get someone to take Mark’s place who would have respect for human rights [and support] everybody’s ability to do what they want with their lives.

“It’s going to be a huge uphill battle,” she continued.

“As I go around getting signatures, I find people are really angry.

“Nobody’s going to tell me what to do [if I get elected].”

Beaubien emphasized that while 1,500 signatures are required to get on the ballot, she plans to obtain 3,000, because she expects a petition challenge from McSweeney.

McSweeney challenged the petitions of both appointed incumbent Kent Gaffney and fellow challenger Danielle Rowe.

Campaign manager Andy Jones will be coordinating the effort out of a 202 Northwest Highway office in Fox River Grove.  The location does not yet have a Beaubien sign out front.

Besides Rosemary Kurtz, former State Representatives gathered in support of Dee Beaubien were Palatine’s Suszi Bassi and Beth Coulson of Glenview.

The room where Dee Beaubien announced after she finished talking.

Other present or past public officials I recognized were Charles Amrich, former Mayor of Island Lake, Crystal Lake City Councilman Jeff Thorsen and Cuba Township Road Commissioner Tom Gooch.

A local blog called “The Barrington Hills Observer” offers a suggestion as to why the electric aggregation referendum failed in Barrington Hills.

The Barrington Hills Observer notes that Village Board members are baffled as to why their constituents voted against allowed them to buy electricity for their homes.

Deepening the mystery are favorable referendum results in the neighboring villages of Barrington and South Barrington.

“Why did Barrington Hills residents resoundingly reject the opportunity to allow their Village leaders to negotiate electrical rates on their behalf?” the writer asks.

Not because of lack of education.  Barrington Hills had the following educational campaign:  “postcards, a web page, an open house and a lengthy newsletter article (albeit released after voting was over).”

Not voter apathy, the article reports.

So, what does the author offer:

“We must conclude that Barrington Hills residents simply do not trust Village officials to act on their behalf, particularly as it relates to financial matters that can affect residents’ pocketbooks very directly.  Our current administration’s financial bungling has been well documented in these pages and elsewhere. So at the end of the day, we must conclude that the resounding ‘No’ from residents on the aggregation referendum was a vote of no confidence in our current Village leadership.”

According to the Barrington Courier-Review, “Village President Robert Abboud’s conclusion is, “I think voting ‘no’ was vindictive toward your neighbor.”

He also blames low voter turnout.

911 voting.  Losing margin of 25.

A press release from State Rep. Kent Gaffney:

Gaffney Tours Mattson/Witt with IL Chamber President

Gaffney & Whitley Discuss Jobs Agenda for Illinois

Barrington, IL – State Representative Kent Gaffney (R-Lake Barrington) and Doug Whitley, President & CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, toured Mattson/Witt Precision Product, Inc. in Barrington on Monday.

State Rep. Kent Gaffney and Illinois State Chamber of Commerce President Doug Whitley meet with Barrington buisnessmen.

Gaffney and Whitley met with local business leaders to discuss their Jobs Agenda for Illinois.

“Since taking office last summer, I’ve been working with the Illinois Chamber and other business leaders to improve our economy and help create private sector jobs,” Gaffney said. “I voted for a job creation initiative that will protect Illinois jobs and provide tax relief to our working families and businesses. We must continue our efforts to cut spending, pass real workers’ comp reform, and get Illinois working again.”

Whitley presented the Illinois Chamber’s 2012 Jobs Agenda, calling for reductions in overall state spending, additional reforms to the workers’ compensation system, improved educational outcomes and investment in Illinois’ infrastructure.

“Representative Gaffney is working with us to making fiscal responsibility a reality and reduce the high cost of doing business in Illinois,” said Whitley, speaking at Mattson/Witt, a Barrington-based manufacturer of plastic component solutions for the water treatment industry. “If we want to set our state on a path toward a brighter future, the time for action is now.”

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce PAC is endorsing Kent Gaffney in the race for State Representative in the new 52nd House District.

“Kent Gaffney has been a friend of the Chamber for many years,” Whitley said. “He has worked with us to pass pro-jobs, pro-business legislation that will help get Illinois back on track. Kent is a budget expert who has fought against job-crushing tax increases and wasteful government spending. We need Kent’s fiscal expertise in Springfield.”

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is the leading voice for employers of all sizes, from sole proprietors to entrepreneurs reshaping the Illinois business landscape. Chamber PAC members are a diverse group of Illinois’ business community. They believe in the need for active participation in the political process to assure that the voice of Illinois’ employers is heard.

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Gaffney is running against Danielle Rowe and Dave McSweeney.

Each month the Illinois Department of Commerce lists companies who have notified it that they are laying off large numbers of employees.

Here are the upcoming layoffs just showed up in the December report:

• Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare (home health care) -100
• Bekins Van Lines, LLC, Hillside – 102
• Goodrich Corporation, Barrington – 58

Companies that have previously reported layoffs that have sent in additional information:

• Olin Corporation, Winchester Division, East Alton – 89 additional people, starting Feb. 6th
• Silgan Plastics Corporation, Woodstock – remaining employees’ layoff dates not known
• USA 3000 Airlines, O’Hare – revised layoff schedule

How will Joe Walsh's "passion" manifest itself Sunday?

A press release has arrived from Congressman Joe Walsh that proves he has a sense of humor.

With his having blanketed Fox News Thursday morning and garnering a very long article in the Chicago Tribune as a result of the video clip of his yelling at a postal worker in Gurnee last week, Walsh warns,

“These coffees can get a little lively, in case you haven’t heard, and I am looking forward to more energetic discussions this week.”

Congressman Walsh to Host ‘Cup of Joe with Joe’ in Barrington

Fox Lake- Congressman Joe Walsh (IL-8) is hosting his weekly ‘Cup of Joe with Joe’ this Sunday from noon to 1:30pm in Barrington.

Walsh stated:

“I have held a ‘Cup of Joe with Joe’ every week since taking office in order to open the dialogue between myself and constituents. I welcome and encourage all opinions, topics, and issues.

“These coffees can get a little lively, in case you haven’t heard, and I am looking forward to more energetic discussions this week.”

WHO: This event is open to the public

WHAT: ‘Cup of Joe with Joe’

WHEN: Sunday November 13, 2011, 12:00pm-1:30pm

WHERE: McGonigal’s Pub, 105 S. Cook Street, Barrington

A press release from State Rep. Kent Gaffney:

Gaffney Hosts Business Round Table with Local Employers

Barrington, IL… Today in Barrington, State Representative Kent Gaffney (R-Lake Barrington) hosted a business round table to listen to the concerns of local employers.

The top concern with businesses in the Fox River Valley is Illinois’ anti-business climate coupled with the repeal of January’s massive tax increase.

Kent Gaffney

“Illinois businesses will continue to struggle as long as the tax increase is on the books,” said Gaffney.

“Business leaders from across my district made it loud and clear to me today that they want the tax hike repealed. The over-taxing and over-regulating of our employers are driving jobs out of Illinois.”

Representative Gaffney is a sponsor of House Bill 175 which would repeal the income tax hike. In January, Illinois Democrats passed a 67% income tax hike on individuals and 46% hike on corporations. Since the tax hike was implemented, many major corporations have threatened to leave Illinois. This has led to Governor Quinn offering to bail out large corporations while small businesses continue to struggle. Gaffney explained the Democrats’ flawed rationale behind their tax increase.

“The Democrats sold the public a bill of goods saying the tax increase would solve our problems,” said Gaffney. “This is absolutely not the case. Illinois does not have a revenue problem. It has a spending problem. To solve this fiscal crisis, we need to cut wasteful government spending, reform public pensions and get our economy back on track.”

Representative Gaffney is seeking to reform Illinois’ budget process through his work on the Budgeting for Results Commission. Gaffney, a State budget expert, is the only House Republican member of the Commission. He says Illinois’ budget process can be reformed and he offered a number of solutions:

•  Encourage job creation with incentives for Illinois employers
• Reform systems and programs such as workers compensation and public pensions
• Cut taxes by repealing the January tax hike

• Implement long-term planning by having a five-year budget outlook
• No new state programs, no new spending

One leader said their company has been extremely hurt by Illinois not reinstating the Net Operating Loss deduction. Representative Gaffney said he is a sponsor of HB 3811 which would reinstate the deduction and will fight for its passage.

“The House Republicans have introduced an omnibus jobs package that will help reduce the costs of doing business in Illinois,” said Gaffney. “Eliminating the tax increase is key, but we must look into other options such as the Research and Development Tax Credit and the Net Operating Loss deduction. These things will help Illinois create jobs today.”

Representative Gaffney says he will have the opportunity to work with legislative leaders on many of these issues during next week’s veto session.

An email from Congressman Joe Walsh:

Join my wife and me in supporting the men and women who fight for our freedom!

This Sunday I will be participating in the 1st ever Barrington Honor Ride and Run. They will be having a fun-filled day of festivities planned which includes a concert.

The event is located at:

Metra Train Station (North of tracks)
201 North Spring Road
Barrington, IL

Further details for the event can be found here or you can call Chasen at 310-938-0564.

Hope to see you there!

Joe Walsh
Congressman, IL

We had an incredible turnout today in Crystal Lake, Mundelein and Wonder Lake.  One last day of parades tomorrow….let’s let everyone know how thrilled we are to have Joe Walsh as our Congressman and how much we love this country!

Congressman Joe Walsh waving at the Crystal Lake 4th of July Parade crowd.

BARRINGTON:

Line up begins tomorrow morning bright and early at 9:00 a.m. We will have our decorated truck in the VIP lot which is located at the Barrington High School front entrance on Main Street (just east of Hart Road).  Look for the truck with LOTS of flags…..and the marching band in uniform!  The parade will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. and will proceed east on Main Street, ending at the train station, north commuter parking lot via Wool Street.  This year’s theme is “Traditions and Memories” and will be recognizing the founding members of Barrington’s VFW as the Grand Marshals.

After the parade Joe and the truck will drive directly up to the Spring Grove parade.  There are two cars that will be available to drive some people back to the high school if necessary to get their cars.

SPRING GROVE:

Line up begins at 10:30 a.m. @ Intermatic, 7777 Winn Road, Spring Grove. We are slot #8 (near the emergency vehicles). There is parking across the street.  You can walk across Winn Road to the Intermatic lot. After 11:30 a.m. Winn Road will be shut down so make sure you are in the area as close to 11:00 as possible.

The Parade begins at 12:00 noon starting at Intermattic and moving North on Winn, right on Main, Left on Blivin then Left into Horse Fair Park.  Parade entrants will enter Horse Fair Park and take a left into the parking lot of Spring Grove School and proceed around to the front of the school and park  Once the crowd has dispersed, the parade entrants will have access to Main Street.  It could take a while until we are able to drive people back to the start of the parade, but the truck will be available to do so once the roads have cleared.  Please note that the decorated truck will not be there until close to start time so do not panic….and the Congressman will be with the truck so wait for him!

Don’t forget your sunscreen, to drink lots of water and wear comfortable walking shoes.  We look forward to seeing you all.

52nd District State Representative Map from 2002 through 2010 election. Click to enlarge. Map by Elgin-based political consultant Drew Veeneman.

If you live in the current 52nd state representative seat in which Mark Beaubien served and are interested in serving out the remainder of his term, applications will be taken by the three men who will make the choice.

Mark Beaubien

They are

• Lake County Republican Central Committee Chairman Bob Cook
• McHenry County publican Central Committee Chairman Mike Tryon
• Barrington Township Republican Committeeman Gene Dawson

On at least the Lake County and McHenry County GOP web sites a place will be found to make such an application.

The three will try to reach a consensus, according to Tryon, but in the event they cannot, the voting strength is such that Dawson will be the tie-breaker if Tryon and Cook disagree.

McHenry County has 45% of the fall ballots, which is what is used to apportion appointment power.  Lake County has 48%, while Barrington Township has the remaining 7%.

So, what are the Republican leaders looking for?

The law requires the person selected be in the current 52nd state rep. district.

If the person selected does not live in the new district, he or she must be willing to move there should they win the GOP primary next spring.

52nd District map prepared by Elgin-based political consultant Drew Veeneman. Click to enlarge.

The ideal candidate will have a commitment to the Republican Party and “Republican movement,” Tryon told me.

The person must be able to raise money and fund campaigns.

The person must currently hold elective office, have done so in the past or “held community service positions equivalent to having held elective office,” again quoting the McHenry County Republican Chairman.

The person selected must successfully complete a background check.

Demonstration of an adequate knowledge of issues facing Illinois is required, as is the ability to communicate them.

Finally, the leaders seek an ability to work with legislators, community leaders and party officials.

Tryon noted that the new 52nd District in comprised of 60% McHenry County votes, 30% Lake County and the rest in Cook and Kane Counties.  He expects most of the growth in the next ten years to come from outside of McHenry County.

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Tomorrow I’ll reveal name of those who have already made contact, plus one that might. If you would like to make sure you’re name is on the list, email McHenry County Blog.

The Sunday Chicago Tribune last week had a data base of Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel’s contributors.

Just for fun, I thought I’d look up those from zip codes covering parts of McHenry County.

Here’s what I found.  They are in order of zip code with contributions within each in descending order.  Barrington, which has the most, but only a part of Barrington Hills and Barrington Shores in McHenry County is first.

Cary is next, with two people donating.  Danny Warner and Donny Fitzgerald are listed.

Crystal Lake has one contributor, John Major.

There is also one from Richmond, Dennis Hollan.

A Woodstock resident, Abigail Guzman, contributed $1,000.