McHenry County Blog

State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay talks to McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler and Jim Thompson, long-time Republican Precinct Committeeman and one of the intitators of the first Tea Party Demostration in Crystal Lake. In the background are Precinct Committeemen Bryon Javor and Jake Justen.

Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay brought her campaign for the Illinois State Senate to Lakewood’s Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria Thursday night.

Chatting near the entrance was State. Rep. Mike Tryon with District 2 County Board candidate Tom Wilbeck and Precinct Committeeman Tom McDermott.

Nothing like free eats to bring out a crowd.  And Lou Manati’s pizza.  What a treat!

State Rep. Mike Tryon chows down on Lou Manati's deep dish pizza. Also at the table, from left to right, are Republican Precinct Committeeman Rita Heuel, John O'Neill's wife Basia and Bo Strom, CEO of OnTarget, the shooting range going up north of Route 176.

The event featured high-profile politicians like State Rep. Mike Tryon. Tryon would be one of the State Representatives in the 33rd State Senate District.

Karen McConnaughay addresses the crowd.

McConnaughay outlined her accomplishments during her seven years in office.  They included achieving a better bond rating from the two major agencies.

Lots of folks from Grafton Township at this table. I see Randy Hutlgren's top campaign guy, Joe Calomino, front right, sitting across from his neighbor Dave Broxterman. To his right is Sue Russell. At the back left is Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore and Township GOP Chairman Tom Paznaski. At the head of the table is Anthony Paladino, co-captain to Precinct Committeeman Sam Paglini, who is sitting at his left.

Lots of talk about politics, of course.

County Board member Donna Kurtz was working the other back table, shaking hands with District 3 County Board candidate Joe Gottemoller here.. At the end is Precinct Committeeman and campaign consultant Cheryl Meyer. Local businesswoman Terry Greeno is front right, NRA leader Rich Young front left. To his left is Don Drzal, Huntley School Board member and write-in candidate for Precinct Committeeman

People looking for yard sign sites.

Campaign assistant Becky Kress can be seen to the left of Karen McConnaughay's back. John McGuire, his two daughters and a friend round out the group.

Others discussing court proceedings and Judge Gordon Graham’s order to pay a couple hundred more thousand dollars to the Special Prosecutors Henry Tonigan and Thomas McQueen and (their expensive investigators at Quest) who had no case against State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi.

McHenry County Republican Central Committee Treasurer Fred Wickham was discussing things with Karen McConnaughay. Wickham Interiors' Lynn Wickham was present, too.

At the end of event, campaign assistant Becky Cress was handing out McConnaughay tee shirts.

Grafton Township Republican Central Committee Tom Poznanski held up one of the McConnaughy tee shirts for me.

The McHenry Moose was the site of the McHenry Township Republican Pig Roast.

Saturday afternoon, McHenry Township Republicans gathered at the McHenry Moose for a pig roast and to hear candidates make their pitches.

McHenry County Blog prevailed upon attendee Becky Kress to share her photos.

Barb Wheeler presents her request for support.

McHenry County Board member Barb Wheeler, who has announced her intentions to run for State Representative in the 64th District whose southern tip is my precinct in Crystal Lake and Lakewood and goes north to Antioch, was one of the speakers.

Congressman Joe Walsh makes his pitch, while Crystal Lake's Bryan Javor and band member Tim Stewart listen.

8th District Congressman Joe Walsh made a pitch for re-election, even though he doesn’t know who his potential future constituents will be. (He made a second appearance in Aurora at State Senator Chris Lauzen’s Porky Picnic later in the day. Lauzen announced he would give up his Senate seat to run for Kane County Board Chairman.)

Joe Walsh mixed with those in attendance as well as speaking. The women to his immediate left as Wonder Lake Fire Protection District Trustee Cheryl Hammerand. On the right is Barbara Klasen, Greenwood Township Supervisor.

A photo of State Senator Dan Duffy was captured.

State Senator Dan Duffy talks to Barb Wheeler and her husband Joe.

Steven Rooney, recently elected to the Johnsburg School Board is caught with a John O’Neill for County Board tee shirt.

Johnsburg School Board member Steve Rooney

McHenry County Board members Tina Hill and Mary Donner were seen chatting at one table.

Tina Hill and Mary Donner sat at the same table.

The star of the day may have been the pig.

The roasted pig seemed to have no opinion regarding the candidates.

State Senator Dan Duffy got a turn at the microphone.

Dan Duffy speaks.

Both State Senator Pam Althoff and State Rep. Mike Tryon were enjoying the roast pig.

Pam Althoff and Mike Tryon confer. Greenwood Township Supervisor Barbara Klasen (standing) talks to MaryDonner in the center. Kathy Kutcha is on the right.

Newly-appointed State Rep. Kent Gaffney spoke to the gathering, but the photo with his son was really fuzzy.

Kent Gaffney (on the right) attends to some paperwork, as does McHenry Township Road Commissioner Leon Van Every.

The event had at least one McHenry Alderman in attendance–Andy Glab.

Pam Althoff converses with Helen and Andy Glab.

Tina Hill posed with McHenry Township GOP work horse Kathy Kuchta.

McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer was campaigning for re-election.

Former McHenry County Auditor and GOP Chairman and his wife Carrie are greeting by current Auditor Pam Palmer.

There were many others at the successful fund raiser.

McHenry Township Clerk Bruce Novak chows down.

A two-elected official family, McHenry County Board member John Hammerand and Wonder Lake Fire Protection District Board member Cheryl (seen with Joe Walsh above) were enjoying themselves.

John Hammerand has a discussion with Jim Kelly.

Johnsburg School Board member Steve Rooney, Assistant State's Attorney Demetri Tsilimigras and John O'Neill converse his O'Neill's fund raiser.

Prairie Isle Golf Club was the site for a Tuesday fund raiser for District 3 McHenry County Board candidate John O’Neill.

Political consultant Bryan Javor chats with State Rep. and McHenry County Chairman Mike Tryon.

O’Neill is one of five Republican candidates vying for four slots on the fall 2012 ballot.

Nunda Township Trustee JonI Smith and Nunda Townshlp GOP Chairman Brent Smith were sharing views.

With incumbent Barb Wheeler running for State Representative, only two Republican incumbents remain–Nick Provenzano and Mary Donner. Both are running for re-election.

Star of the evening was baby Teddy O'Neill, here being held by GOP Precinct Committeeman Joyce Story.

Two non-incumbents besides O’Neill have made their intentions know–Nunda Township Trustee Jim Schlader and former District 2 County Board member Lyn Orphal.

It is expected that Democratic Party incumbent Kathy Bergan Schmidt will be running for re-election.

The following memo from Bryan Javor outlines what those supporting State Senator Bill Brady for Governor are doing and/or planning to do:

A few weeks ago the very first Brady for McHenry County meeting was held.

Approximately sixty people attended and the campaign was excited to see everyone volunteered their time and talents to some portion of the race.  Together we made some real progress as we mapped out the framework for the gubernatorial race within McHenry County.

We were able to fill so many of the roles we sought with new faces and more than a few experienced campaigners.

It appears many join with the Brady campaign in feeling this year is the time for all those who care deeply to step forward to make certain the citizens of Illinois have a voice in their state government rather than allowing the business as usual of the past to continue to haunt generations to come.

Our next Brady for McHenry County meeting is Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 7pm.

The meeting will be held at the Liberty Self Storage facility at 4114 IL Route 176 in Crystal Lake.

The Bill Brady tee shirts have arrived.

We will share the campaign’s progress to date and offer a Q&A session.  Please be prepared to focus on the common needs of the campaign staff and volunteers with subject matter to include, but not be limited to, supplies, training, events, communication, coordination, walk sheets and data.

Your participation and input are the only way any campaign can work or be relevant.  We thank you in advance for your attendance.  Please invite those we may not have reached yet.

We organized the Brady for McHenry campaign by county board districts.

We seek a few more people to fill the remaining coordinator roles in the Brady for McHenry campaign in District 1, District 2 and District 5.  To determine your county board district please click here.  If you would like to sign up as a county board District Coordinator please let us know.  Please see the bottom of this email for contact information.

Some who marched in Crystal Lake's Independence Day Parade are seen in this shot. (Maybe the blog commenters mentioned below will tell us who is shown.)

Coalitions have been created by the Brady for McHenry campaign.  If you are interested in joining please let us know and we will connect you with the corresponding coalition leader(s).

Here are the coalitions and their purpose:

• Veterans: Veterans to support and liaise between the Brady for McHenry Campaign and our cherished local veteran community.
• Letters: Otherwise known as “Letters to the Editor”. These people write to the papers supporting the Brady/Plummer ticket.
• Events: Work with the Campaign Coordinators to organize and execute events.
• “Brady Brigade” Walkers: Walk precincts and pass out literature to local voters while being the personal face and voice of the campaign.
• Sign Crew: Put signs together, deliver them to local voters and install them.
• Donors: Offer the opportunity for the Brady for Illinois Campaign to continue as a statewide campaign costs a great deal of money.
• Callers: Spend time at the headquarters to be the reasoned voice of the Brady/Plummer ticket making calls to McHenry County voters.
• Women: Educate women, in particular, about the truth of the Brady/Plummer ticket voting record and position on matters of Women’s Rights.
• Boaters: Owners of boats who will reach other owners of boats and offer knowledge, carry signs and invite others to become part of the campaign for the Brady/Plummer ticket.
• Speakers: Organize speakers such as politicians, business owners, motivational speakers and local hero’s to speak at meetings.
• Guns: Second amendment supporters who will go to their groups, leagues, friends and ranges to post and spread information about the Brady/Plummer ticket and invite those people to become part of the campaign.
• Life: Pro Life supporters who will garner support for the Brady/Plummer ticket.
• Office: Staff the campaign headquarters on a volunteer basis.
• Tea: Liaise between the local campaign and the Tea Party groups.
• Register: Deputy registrars to plan, organize and execute voter registration drives and serve the voting electorate.  We are happy to provide education and certification to those willing to step forward in service.
• Radio: Frequent radio listeners who are willing to call in to local radio stations in support of the Brady/Plummer ticket.
• Realtors: Realtors willing to help with education and sign placement.
• Farmers: Farmers willing to help with education and sign placement.
• Meet/Greet: Host a meet and greet in the most personal of settings, your home.  These will be scheduled with attendance by Mr. Brady and/or Mr. Plummer for a fireside chat.
• Early: Plan, organize and execute a program for early, absentee and by mail voting.
• Blogs:  Write comments in local blogs, online newspapers and magazines in support of the Brady/Plummer ticket.
• Parades: Plan, organize and execute local parades to ensure there is a strong presence for the Brady/Plummer ticket at the event.
• Home-School: Reach out to the Home-School groups and individuals.

Thanks to the Republican Party the local campaign has a system where supporters may dial for Brady and Plummer at no cost, please contact us for more details.

Additionally the local campaign has a Letter to the Editor Team and there are materials available to those who wish to join.  Please contact us for more details.

The system the campaign is using on a statewide basis is called “Wildfire”.  For those of us who have not taken the opportunity to sign up already we strongly encourage participation in this system.  There are many resources available within this program which are very powerful.  For example, Wildfire allows you to engage in media where you are able to view pictures and video and send the ones you find relevant to your friends.  Wildfire also offers networking tools to allow a person to communicate with other Brady supporters through groups and discussion boards.  These small examples are only a part of this system’s power.  It’s really quite an amazing system and it is highly recommended for use by our campaigners and friends to exponentially increase their effectiveness and reach during this critical year.

Once you have joined please consider using the red “Invite Friends” button on the homepage to send a message to your Email, Facebook, and Twitter friends who also might like to support Bill Brady and be a part of your team in taking back Illinois in 2010!

Please consider joining the:

• Brady For McHenry Facebook
• Brady For McHenry Twitter
• Brady For McHenry Flikr

A person willing to manage these networking sites is needed.  No experience necessary.  Training is available from experts.  These skills are easy to pick up and fun too.

In regards to yard signs, 4×4′s and 4×8′s, thank you for being patient while we waited for delivery of our order.  Part one of our McHenry County sign shipment has come in.  We are going to continue to take sign orders for one more week before we begin delivering them.  Get your free yard sign ordered now!

Lastly, we invite you to join us in walking in the Algonquin Founders Day parade on Saturday July 24, 2010.  We will begin meeting at 9am off Route 62 (Algonquin Road) just east of Route 31 in downtown Algonquin.

Just look for the huge elephant!  In each parade the turnout has been excellent due to the dedication of the organizers and participants.  It is an experience each of us treasures as we participate and for years to come.

If the memories are not encouragement enough we are happy to give each of you a high quality T-shirt to wear.  We encourage all participants to wear comfortable footwear for walking.  Also, be prepared for the weather and wear sunscreen.  We very much look forward to seeing each of you at this parade.  See more info here.

For more information please call or email:

Jack Schaffer, County Coordinator, 815.459.1776 jack@bradyformchenry.com

Bryan Javor, County Co-coordinator, 847.354.1243 bryan@bradyformchenry.com

Sincerely,

Bryan Javor

Photo credits: Jake and Ashten Justen

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Bardy addresses the Crystal Lake TEA Party crowd on April 15, 2010.

The first campaign meeting for Republican candidate for Governor Bill Brady is tomorrow.

The details:

• When:  Wednesday, June 23, 2010 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Where: Liberty Self Storage,  4114 Route 176 Crystal Lake, IL 60014 (815) 459-1776.

This meeting will provide a forum to help us evaluate the resources and staff required to successfully elect Bill Brady in November.

The people and structure developed at this meeting will be pivotal to our success on November 2nd.

This is an open meeting for anyone who wishes to help the McHenry County division of the statewide campaign.

For more information please call:

• Jack Schaffer – County Coordinator, (815) 459-1776
• Bryan Javor – County Co-Coordinator, (847) 354-1243

The latest example is his proposing to tax downloads to iPODs, which the Chicago Tribune labeled as an iTAX.

Governor Pat Quinn doesn’t think things through well enough, as evidenced by his visualization as a serving of jello by the Chicago Tribune editorial cartoonist.

That’s because he floats an idea and often almost immediately backs off from it.

The McHenry County and Chicago Young Republicans immediately went on the attack and within 12 hours of the paper’s suburban delivery had created a Facebook page to fight the idea.

Time to declare victory in a fight that could have alienated young folks as young as junior high against those tax-everything-you-can-imagine Democrats.

The credit for implementing the idea goes to McHenry County YR Chairman Bryan Javor.

Seen on the bottom row from left to right, are John and Sheri Haselgruber, Paulette Wainberg, Chairman Nunda Republicans Central Committee Brent Smith and Chris Halloway. On the back row, from left to right, are Jim Batastini, Scott Brown, Nunda Trustee Joni Smith, Brian Prather, Patti Pauley, Adam "Moose" Pringle, Nunda Trustee Tom Palmer, Karen Tynis, Wally Tynis, Nick Provenzano, Chairman Republican Party McHenry County Mike Tryon, Dave Gervais, Jake Justen, YR Chairman Bryan Javor, Adam Wallen. Missing from the picture, but attending, are Zachary Smith, Chelsi Smith, Bob Halloway, Mark Daniel, James Jirasek, organization Vice Chairman Jon Heideman.

Under Brent Smith’s leadership, the Nunda Township Republican Central Committee has held the first of its monthly meetings.

There was even a commemorative cake.

Now, Nunda Township Republicans are rolling out a fund raising raffle, the prize for which will be a politician to cook dinner for the winner in his or her home.

I bought my ticket in between getting signatures for the “Fair Map” reapportionment constitutional amendment petition at the Crystal Lake Business Expo.

Workers posing at the Republican Party booth at the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce Business Expo. From left to right are Rebecca Lee, Bob Miller, Anna May Miller, Tom McDermott, Brent Smith, Cal Skinner, Bill Miller, Mike Shorten and Jon Heideman.

I figured the only woman on the list, Barb Wheeler probably would provide the best meal, so she’s going to learn where the Lakewood home with the tree house is, if I win.

Below is the flyer for the fundraiser:

Ticket contact email is coonpy@att.net.

The McHenry County Young Republicans started a new feature in its weekly email. It is profiling members.

The first was its Chairman Bryan Javor, who is stepping down this year.

What is your background?

Bryan Javor

I spent the vast majority of my youth in the suburbs near the Fox River.

The summers were filled with friends from a small but close group fishing, biking, learning about nature, playing neighborhood games, playing music and swimming.

The winter time was a period of social and academic development, as I attended a parochial school until 9th grade.  I grew up in a large yet close-knit, Italian catholic family.

My family was the sports crazy family in the neighborhood.  I have an uncle who played semi-professional baseball and another who played semi-professional hockey.

Ironically, sports didn’t interest me to much extent.  Sports merely helped pass the time with friends and family until I could escape to go fishing again.

I was a ‘geek’ until about 13, so I’m proud to say, there’s nothing wrong with being a geek!

I regularly got caught using my dad’s briefcase as a backpack in school.  For some reason I thought it was really really awesome to bring a briefcase to school.

Eventually this streak of coolness subsided and I became very interested in technology.  I spent the better part of my teen years learning how to write business plans, manage, negotiate, and write basic computer programs and web pages.

Bryan Javor at a Young Reublican meeting at 1776.

I worked for a few technology companies and eventually went on to a state university to further my knowledge.

It was during college I met my loving fiancée Angela.  Angela and I have 2 wonderful dogs (Diesel and Bailey) and hope to someday have a beautiful family together in McHenry County.

Why you are involved in MCYR?

In 2005 I was heavily involved in national telecommunications politics and desired to become more locally involved.

It began with one call to the McHenry County Central Committee.

The McHenry County Republican Party was incredibly welcoming and supportive of my desire to become involved and eventually even helped start a YR organization.  The group could not have succeeded without the likes of the original founding members and central committee’s guidance.

I became involved in McHenry County politics as a result of, and in opposition to, Illinois’ looming budget crisis.  Ill advised fiscal policy and atrocious borrowing established my drive for local involvement; however it is our local McHenry County policies and growth which continue to drive me.  I believe we have a wonderful community, with accomplished leaders.

If we, the youth of McHenry County, can learn the tenets of sound ethics and financial management in a bedrock of Republican values, such as McHenry County, we can grow and contribute to the well-being of our entire state.

We will lead with the virtues we learned here, back in McHenry County.

What do you do professionally?

Presently, I own and operate a start-up company called ReachFly, which is a strategic communications corporation and Chair the McHenry County Young Republican group.

What are your hobbies?

Reading, debating, singing, camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing, hunting, swimming, martial arts, shooting, motorcycling, etc

What is your favorite book and movie?

It’s a hard tie between “Gladiator” and “The Patriot” for favorite movie and a hard tie between Sun Tzu “The Art of War” and “First, Break All The Rules”.

Any closing remarks?

I’m honored to serve the McHenry County Young Republicans and the voters of our community.  I hope to serve in many roles for the good of our community for many years to come.  Thank you for taking the time to read a little bit about me.   I look forward to meeting you personally.

From left to right are seen the 2010-2012 McHenry County Republican Central Committee leadership: Chairman Mike Tryon, Secretary Glenda Miller, Vice Chairwoman Kathy Kuchta and Treasurer Fred Wickham.

The leadership team of the McHenry County Republican Central Committee will be the same as it has been the last two years.

Mike Tryon addressing committeemen after his re-election as chairman.

State Rep. Mike Tryon of Crystal Lake continues as Chairman.

Vice Chairwoman will be McHenry’s Kathy Kuchta.

Harvard’s Glenda Miller will be Secretary.

Fred Wickham, who won a contest two years ago will again be Treasurer.

Likewise there was no contest for 8th Congressional District State Central Committeeman. All present voted for Barrington Township’s Gene Dawson.

With the empty precincts added in, pursuant to passage of a motion earlier in the night, Dawson received 10,134 votes in his attempt to turn back a challenge by the Schaumburg Township Committeeman, Michael Adelizzi.

In the race for the 16th Congressional District Committeemanship, the race was more interesting.

Cal Skinner made a pitch for Joe Wiegand, pointing out that he had never seen incumbent Dave Syverson during the past two years since he had joined the Central Committee for the third time. He said that Wiegand’s lack of a public office gave him the time to do much more than a state senator could.

Jack Schaffer spoke for Syverson, explaining that he was a respected leader on the Republican State Central Committee.  He added that Syverson had been in Congressman Don Manzullo’s Sunday School class.

Tom Zanck supporting Joe Wiegand's candidacy.

After Schaffer, Tom Zanck asked if he could second Wiegand’s nomination and was granted that wish.

“I don’t agree with Cal Skinner on anything, but I agree with him on Joe Wiegand,” he said. Zanck said he had worked with Wiegand in the campaign to defeat the establishment of a Kishwaukee Water Authority and praised his imagination, thoroughness and initiative.

A not-so-secret ballot was taken instead of a roll call, resulting in Syverson getting 4,054 votes and Wiegand 2,554.  (Because each precinct committee had the number of Republican votes cast in his precinct, the way people voted had to be known to the canvass team.)

After the vote Chairman Tryon asked if anyone wanted to switch to the winner and Dan Shea and Patrick Collins did, leaving the tally at 4,347 to 2,261.

Adding in the precinct totals of precincts where no vote was cast, Syverson ended up with a margin of 11,428. The total vote of precincts not represented because the elected committeeman did not show up or because no one ran for precinct committeeman was 9,342 votes.

15,950 people voted in the GOP primary in Congressman Don Manzullo’s part of McHenry County, but only 6,608 of them had elected precinct committeemen present at the meeting.

That means there is plenty of room for volunteers. If you would like your name passed on, you can email McHenry County Blog. The email is on the upper left hand side of this page.

Mike Tryon hand microphone to Jack Schaffer, who chaired gubernatorial winner Bill Brady's McHenry County campaign.

Schaffer, who chaired Bill Brady’s McHenry County campaign, told the party representatives that Brady was leading Kirk Dillard by 246 votes by Brady’s count.

“We think Brady will be the winner,” the former Central Committee Chairman said.

Brady is expected to be in Chicago shaking hands at the Union Pacific train station Friday morning and do a fly-around on Monday. The closest landing will be in Rockford.

Extolling the virtues of his candidate, Schaffer said, “His family is from Central Casting.”

Describing his principles, his spokesman described them as “solid.”

Schaffer also said that he his answers frustrate the media.

When asked a question about social values, he says,

”I am who I am.“

Then, he starts talking about the problems of the day.

“We stand at the brink,” Schaffer said. “The demographics are running against us. We have a chance. The Democrats have done everything for us but raise money…and Blagojevich is still working for us.

“If we can’t prevail this year, I don’t know when we ever will again.

“I won’t say, ‘It’s now or never,’  but you guys will all be as old as I am when we get the next chance.”

Republican County Board candidtes, from left to right, Nick Provenzano, Diane evertson, John Jung, Tina Hill and Donna Kurtz.

John O'Neill, who is a candidate for state representative against Democrat Jack Franks, makes pitch for attendance at his corn beef and cabbage Bull Valley Country Club fund raiser Monday, March 15th.

Tryon then introduced the county board candidates in attendance and let state representative candidate John O’Neill make a pitch for his March 15th corn beef and cabbage fund raiser at the Bull Valley Country Club.

Young Republican President Bryan Javor announcing he would not be running for re-election.

McHenry County Young Republican President Bryan Javor took the opportunity to announce he was not running for re-election, but, pointing to the county board candidates,  instead “would work to get these guys elected.”

Then, Tryon headed back to Springfield for session on Thursday.

He had left 1 PM Wednesday afternoon to drive up to Woodstock.

Last night at Crystal Lake’s 1776 restaurant will be a night that Jason Plummer, an aggressive Downstate candidate for lieutenant governor, will remember forever.

How do I know?

Lientenant governor candidate Jason Plummer begins speaking after being introduced by McHenry County Young Republican President Bryan Javor.

Because I’ve been on the same route he took twice, once in 1982 when I ran for State Comptroller against Roland Burris and twenty years later when I ran for governor in 2002 against Rod Blagojevich and Jim Ryan.

A statewide candidate doesn’t remember all the stops on the campaign trail, but some are memorable.

Like the night at some big meeting hall in Carbondale when all the candidates on the ticket were standing under a big photo of us all and Jim Thompson was commenting on the St. Louis Globe’s endorsement that day.

“Even Skinner got endorsed,”

he exclaimed.

Of course, I thought and still think I was more qualified than incumbent Burris to be State Comptroller, but even I was surprised I had received the endorsement.

Last night the McHenry County Young Republicans held a candidates’ night for county board candidates.

Thank goodness, the YR’s were not as hidebound as the DeKalb League of Women Voters in 1982, when I was not allowed to speak because I wasn’t a legislative candidate.

In any event, the tallest Republican candidate I have seen since Thompson walked to the podium and was told, as the other candidates had been told, that he had five minutes and that when he was at the four minute mark, he would be told.

He started by pointing out the Illinois lieutenant governor had “no constitutional duties.”

He cited the three statutes giving the office some things to do—probably all enacted while Neil Hartigan was serving under Governor Dan Walker—and said,

“Clearly it’s not an overwhelming workload.”

Plummer talked about his having created jobs in companies he had started, as well as his role in the family lumber business, RP Lumber, with 43 yards in Illinois and two in Missouri.

He told of how he was in intelligence in the Navy Reserve, had worked at the Heritage Foundation and for U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald.

And, how he had returned from Washington to run for Madison County Republican Party Chairman.

He talked about fighting corruption in Madison County, something that no knowledgeable person would deny exits.

“I battled corrupt legislators, a corrupt county board and a corrupt judiciary.”

Plummer said,

“The state needs someone who knows how to sign the bottom of a check, not just the back of a check.”

Great line, don’t you think?

While at a trade convention in Indiana, he told a woman he was running for lieutenant governor.

“In Indiana?” the woman asked.

“No, Illinois.”

The New Jersey resident reacted with dismay, wondering why anyone would want to run for office in our corrupt state.

“When the people of New Jersey are questioning the ethics of Illinois, (we’re in trouble).”

Then, a very bright light put up by YR President Bryan Javor went out.

Jason Plummer's expression after the bright light went out at 1776, plunging the room into relative darkness.

Then came the best quip of the night:

“Is that what you do at one minute?”

I’m still chuckling.

Tell me that Plummer won’t remember last night for the rest of his life.

In that last minute, Plummer listed some endorsements. I caught the Illinois State Rifle Association and the Illinois Federation of Right to Life.

Lientenant governor candidate Jason Plummer posing at 1776 in Crystal Lake with his campaign manager, Ray Marchiori.

Afterward I got a photo of Plummer with his campaign manager, Ray Marachiori. Marachiori staffed my Privatization Committee during the 1995-96 legislative session.

Plummer stayed until the end of the meeting. I guess he figured everybody in the room would vote in the GOP primary election.

I noticed 6th District county board candidate carrying one of Plummer’s signs out of the restaurant.

= = = = =
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