McHenry County Blog

Joe Wiegard did reach the top of this mountain on the Applachian Trail

With nine counties having voted on the two candidates for Congressman Don Manzullo’s 16th District state party post, State Senator Dave Syverson has come out on top.

That’s what I read between the lines of the following email that just arrived from challenger Joe Wiegand.

And, even though he doesn’t know the final results, that’s what he told me:

“I have enough information to know I lost.

“While I won overwhelmingly in Stephenson, Carroll and DeKalb Counties, I lost Winnebago by 14 raw votes on the ballot of elected committeemen (which is Syverson’s home county) at which point Chairman Jan Klaas kept her pledge to vote vacant precincts on behalf of the winner of the raw vote.”

I was asked last night at the McHenry County Republican Party Convention whether Wiegand supported Senate Bill 600, the legislation that would allow voters to again directly elect their state central committeeman.

The 2010 McHenry County Republican Party Convention

I said I didn’t know, but, that, if direct election were in effect, Wiegand would have no chance to win. Syverson has such a higher name identification in the Rockford media market, which covers most of the 16th District, Syverson would win walking away.

So, if direct election were in effect, most of them would end up being elected officials.

From the email below, you can see that Wiegand does favor direct election of the party office.

I’ve lived under both systems and, frankly, I don’t think it makes any difference.

In my experience, the Illinois Republican State Central Committee has only been useful when Governor Jim Edgar got them to mail absentee ballot applications to all GOP voters in the state and another mailing urging people to vote.  I found it useful because it contained my name as a candidate for state representative.

Democratic House Speaker Tip O’Neill was right:

“All politics is local.”

There is not much some state organization can do to energize a local party, if the local party isn’t interested in recruiting new people.

That’s the problem I’ve seen since I got active in 1966, when I ran for McHenry County Treasurer.

Let me give you an example.

There were four Republican Women’s Clubs then.  At the congressional district level, there was the 12th District Republican Women’s Club that Congressman Robert McClory shepherded.  Crystal Lake’s Margaret Jenner was big in that.

Then, there was the one my mother was active in—the Algonquin Township Republican Women’s Club. That’s where McHenry County Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters got her start.

McHenry Township had a Republican Women’s Club in which Boots Davis was active.  So, did Dorr Township.  My predecessor and successor as County Treasurer Audrey Walgenbach introduced me to it.

They have disappeared to be replaced by one McHenry County Republican Women’s Club.  I recognize all the officers’ names but one and they all are long-time party activists.

But, back to Wiegand’s email. It is below:

Joe Wiegand

I want to thank the elected Republican precinct committeemen throughout the nine northwestern counties of Illinois for their votes for me last night in the contest for 16th Congressional District State Central Committeeman.The battle within the Illinois Republican Party continues between those who would renew our commitment to the Lincoln/Reagan standards and those who have been at the helm during our days of scandal and failure.

Illinois Democrats elect their state party leadership in their primary election.

Illinois Republicans use a system that is a mixture of backroom politics and kabuki theatre, using county conventions and a convoluted set of bylaws and procedures, often, in the view of some legal scholars, in violation of Illinois state statutes.

My experience as a candidate informs me that the need for Illinois Republican Primary voters to directly elect their state party leaders is necessary for our future prosperity.  The need for passage of Senate Bill 600, which would return control of the party back to the voters, is paramount.

I guarantee you that the nine county conventions in the 16th district were held in nine different ways.

One hour before the beginning of a western county convention, I was still explaining the convoluted system to a soon to be elected chairman who did not understand the process.

When I attended the county convention of the district’s largest county (Winnebago), several newly elected committeemen had no idea what the state central committeeman’s post was nor how this election would take place.  Despite my being in attendance, rules were adopted to prohibit me from making a two minute speech to the committeemen as a candidate for the office for which they were about to vote.

As long as we elect our state central committee in the manner conducted last night, as long as public employees, tax eaters and hangers-on have the votes that are denied to grassroots Republican citizens, the Party of Lincoln and Reagan will continue to be the Party of George Ryan, Stuart Levine, Robert Kjellander and Bill Cellini, and the people of Illinois will suffer for it.  We need Senate Bill 600.

Finally, one idea I shared in my campaign was that the birthplace and cradle of Ronald Reagan should be a bevy of Republican Party building activity in the months ahead as we prepare to celebrate his 100th birthday on February 6, 2011.

Were I your state central committeeman, I would have made sure that the counties of the 14th, 16th and 17th Congressional Districts used this event to build the party, attract regional and national exposure and host an event or series of events bringing the GOP’s brightest lights to the region that bred the man who changed the world.

I ask the elected state central committeemen, the county chairmen and the precinct committeemen to give some leadership to this effort.

We live to fight another day.

Joe Wiegand

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.

In the Republican Party, each congressional district has a member on the State Central Committee. Currently the 16th District State Central Committeeman is Rockford State Senator Dave Syverson. This is the district Congressman Don Manzullo represents in Washington.

16th Congressional District Map, Illinois

When I got tired of not ever seeing a Republican precinct committeeman knock on my door or even leave literature at my door, I ran again and was elected.

This past week I received this statement of candidacy for the office from Joe Wiegand. Wiegand has run for state representative twice and served on the DeKalb County Board. He spearheaded the Tax Cap referendum in DeKalb County. Wiegand impersonates Teddy Roosevelt and has even appeared in Crystal Lake.

Republican precinct committeemen select state central committeemen.

Here is his Statement of Candidacy:

My name is Joe Wiegand, and I am a candidate for the post of 16th Congressional District Republican State Central Committeeman.  The election for this position will be held on March 3, 2010, at the Republican Conventions occurring in the nine Northern Illinois counties of the 16th Congressional District.

As Republican State Central Committeeman, it would be my goal to help Republican County Chairmen, Precinct Captains and candidates to win elections and, in turn, to bring better, common-sense, conservative public policies to the people of Illinois.
In 1982, as a Northern Illinois high school student, I campaigned for Congressman Phil Crane in McHenry County, the eastern-most portion of today’s 16th District.  In 2008, I led the Mike Huckabee effort in Illinois and appeared on the primary ballot as a candidate for 16th Congressional District Presidential Delegate.

In the three decades that I have been active in the trenches for Republicans and good government, Illinois has gone from the Reagan Revolution which promised greater freedom to the dominance of a one-party, Chicago-Democrat fiefdom which portends only greater servitude.  In the name of all that is decent and good, it is time to take back Illinois.

Like many of you, I have decided that it is time to put the future of our families, friends and neighbors first and to answer the call of “all hands on deck!”

It’s time for us to save the Land of Lincoln from this terrible fate of higher taxes and failed jobs.

Like you, I have tried to do some good.  I served on my DeKalb County Board and its finance committee, bringing the property tax cap to a successful referendum in 1999.  In 2007, I led the successful opposition to the proposed McHenry-Boone-DeKalb property-tax-fed water district.  I am pro-life, pro-Constitution and pro-traditional marriage, and I believe Republicans will do better in elections when we stand four-square in favor of these cornerstone issues.

We can all do more in the way of service to our neighbors in Northern Illinois, and I know I can help to bring the people of Northern Illinois together in support of party candidates that believe in lower taxes, smaller government, more freedom and respect for human life and our treasured institutions.  I believe we can join together to change the course in Illinois and to bring our fiscal house in order.  Together, as Republicans, Independents and former Democrats, let us strive to make a brighter future for the people of Illinois.

Joe Wiegand
868 State Route 72 – Fairdale                                                                                                 Kirkland, IL 847-373-0691  jwiegand@tbc.net

More About Joe Wiegand

Family – After a college romance, Jenny and I married in 1987.  In June, we celebrate or 23rd Anniversary.  Our daughter, Sam, is a soccer playing 6th grader.

Roots –I was raised in Elmhurst, Illinois (DuPage County) and graduated from Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois, (Cook County), I have lived in DeKalb County since 1988.

Joe Wiegard on Applachian Trail

Profession – After a twenty plus year career in politics, campaigns and public policy, I am excelling as the nation’s premiere Theodore Roosevelt reprisor.  I performed for President and Mrs. Bush in the East Room of the White House, live on C-SPAN for TR’s 150th birthday in 2008.

Faith – A conservative Christian, I have enjoyed worshiping in churches throughout the 16th district.  I am a former senior warden of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Belvidere, Illinois.

Education – I graduated from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, with a degree in political science emphasizing American government and economics.  At Sewanee I was named a Thomas Watson Fellow in honor of the founder of IBM, Corporation and I traveled in Europe, Africa and Asia, interviewing national legislators about republican government.  I also received a Harry S Truman Scholarship, the official memorial for Give ‘em hell, Harry, for promise for a career in public service.  I pursued graduate studies in American government and public policy at Northern Illinois University, where I served as a graduate assistant in the Center for Governmental Studies.

Public Service – My public service ethic came from good teachers and great parents.  I served for six years as an elected member of the DeKalb County Board.  Representing seven western townships, I served on the finance committee, sponsored property tax caps and spearheaded their ultimate passage at referendum. I offered myself twice for the state legislature from Fairdale, a decade apart in two very different districts.  In 1994, I endorsed Rep. Ron Wait to take the 69th House seat back from the Democrats, after he bested me 67-33 in the primary.  In 2004, I endorsed Rep. Bob Pritchard after he bested me 55-45 in the primary.

Party Service – A former Vice-Chairman of the DeKalb County Republican Party, I have served as a precinct committeeman in the City of DeKalb and in rural Franklin Township about half of the time since 1988.  I served as a campaign professional for Nancy Beasley for State Senate, Chris Lauzen for State Senate, Jim Oberweis for Governor and Mike Huckabee for President, and as a campaign volunteer for Pat O’Malley for Governor, Peter Fitzgerald for US Senate and Jack Ryan/Alan Keyes for US Senate.  I have been a delegate to the State Republican Convention, an attendee of Republican Day at the State Fair and a frequent enthusiastic supporter and modest contributor to good candidates.

Yesterday I wrote more stories about Springfield than I ever have before in one day.

I covered Mike Tryon’s campaign sign bill, Jack Franks’ recall constitutional amendment and the John Cullerton/James Meeks’ 67% income tax hike/ services sales tax imposition and Terry Link/Dave Syverson four casino bill.

But before all the action, I picked up on State Rep. Art Turner’s comment on the incomplete “COURAGE” being displayed by House Democrats.

I entitled it

After an extended part caucus in which a reported 39 of the needed votes seemed to have identified themselves, according to the Chicago Tribune, Turner said,

“We’re looking for courage. We’re close. We’ve got it spelled C-O-U-R, but we’re looking for the rest of it.”

I observed that the last four letters of “COURAGE” are

Meanwhile in the Illinois Senate, the article says,

“…an even bigger tax plan emerged, courtesy of Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago).

“The proposal — which could raise upward of $6 billion — would increase the income tax by 67 percent and expand the sales tax on services such as dry cleaning, video rental, dating services and carpet cleaning. The theory is that a larger tax bite would mean fewer cuts.”

I ended the article with

And that admonishment was before the State Senate voted to raise income taxes by 67% and taxed every electronic signal coming into our home except radio.

So, Turner has half of his wish.

Senate Democrats provided all the letters to his word “COURAGE” and now House has two income tax choices:

But the RAGE may have to wait for readers of two of the four newspapers I read.

Look at the front pages of the Sunday editions of the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Elgin Courier-News and McHenry County’s Northwest Herald.

Nothing about the pending tax hike above the fold on the front page of the Chicago Tribune. But there was room to hype a “summer fun” guide.

There’s a story about state politics on the Tribune’s front page, but it’s about politicians trying to get kids into the University of Illinois, not about politicians trying to pick our pockets.

Nothing about the tax hike below the fold either.

The Chicago Sun-Times did figure out that the tax hike story was important enough to mention on its front page, though. Kudos to the Sun-Times

In the Elgin Courier-News there is a large word that might be appropriate if applied to taxpayers:

But i’t about abandoned homes.

There is an ad for Elgin’s Grand Victoria Casino on the bottom of the page. Guess the paper has learned who is paying its bills.

But there is nothing in the paper about the 67% income tax hike passed in the Senate.

And, finally, the Northwest Herald’s front page:

Nothing above the fold, but the Associated Press story is found below.

So, the score card is 2 for 4.

Readers of the largest circulation newspaper in Illinois won’t know anything about the tax hike, if that is there only source of news today.

They will be in for a big surprise tomorrow, if either bill passes.

If you want to call your legislator, the state switchboard in Springfield is open. The number is 217-782-2000.

A 50% income tax hike was not high enough. Slot machines in every convenience store and tavern wouldn’t tempt enough people.

Senate Democrats caved into the Rev. and Senator James Meeks’ goal and voted 31-27-1 to raise income tax rates 67%, plus putting sales taxes on 39 services, including internet service providers, cable television, photocopying, private clubs, dating services, oil exchange and goodness knows what else, except sponsor Senator John Cullerton told the Senate that barbers had been left alone.

I guess they talk so much they are dangerous.

Speaking against the bill were

• Lake Barrington’s Dan Duffy
• DuPage County’s Kirk Dillard
• LaSalle’s County’s Gary Dahl
• Okawville ‘s David Luechtefeld
• Dixon’s Tim Bivens
• Bloomington’s Bill Brady
• Chenoa’s Dan Rutherford
• Palatine’s Matt Murphy

Silent was Republican Senate Leader Christine Radogno.

By far the most effective was Matt Murphy.

He is in the Ronald Reagan of disagreeing without being disagreeable.

His best line was,

“To me this is a prescription to win the race with Michigan to the economic bottom of this nation.”

Murphy began by asking that people disagree agreeably, that they not take the debate personally.

Next he moved onto the fact that Illinois is “one of 7 states with fewer jobs than we had ten years ago.

“That means $4,000 in lost taxes for every job we don’t have.

“The people in this state are leaving. They are assessing the value of the American Dream and are sadly finding it someplace else.

He said the proposal was “the highest tax increase in Illinois history.

Then, he compared Illinois with Michigan.

Murphy warned Democrats that the promise of property tax relief held out by Senator Meeks and others in promoting Senate Bill 750 would backfire, just as the lottery did.

People heard Zeke Giorgi tell them that the lottery would solve the problem of funding education and were surprised when it did not. (In fact, the lottery was passed to fund the Regional Transportation Authority in 1974, which Murphy apparently did not know or his point would have stronger. The lottery was not earmarked for education until the mic-1980′s when the next generation of legislators got tried of complaints that it wasn’t going to education.)

Murphy was referring to the so-called “tax swap” part of the bill.

People will think,

“My property tax bill is finally going down.

“It’s not.

“It’s going up.”

Had Murphy (or anyone else) a longer perspective, they might have pointed out that (and I’m virtually certain I am correct here) have pointed out that the property tax credit used to be 10%, but was cut back to 5% in order to use the money for something else in the budget.

“Be careful. Be careful,” he said.

He again assuaged the feelings of the bill’s supporters.

“I appreciate the Senate, the intentions of the (supporters of the bill).

“If you look at Governor Quinn’s budget, it balances.”

“You can come up with cuts (to balance the budget).

“I did my homework. I didn’t share it, Mr. President. I didn’t share it,” referring to Senate President John Cullerton’s chiding of Republicans for not coming up with suggested cuts.

“You can make the cuts.

“You don’t have to raise taxes.

“To fund the pension, you may have to short term borrow.

Referring to the bill, Murphy concluded by saying,

“This is a dagger hanging over the head of everyone in Illinois.”

There were so many other good arguments by Republican senators.

But it’s late and I’m tired. Maybe I’ll find time to give some of the other speeches justice tomorrow.

If the House doesn’t decide to follow the Senate Democrats’ lead and try to mortally wound Illinois.

I do want to tell you that Murphy’s demeanor and presentation impressed me the most.

Is he running for governor?

Oh, yes.

With Rockford Republican Dave Syverson leading the way for the GOP, Lake County’s Terry Link managed to pass his bill to put casinos in Waukegan, Rockford, Danville and Chicago. The vote was 30-28-0. It failed the first time up.

State Senator Brad Burzynski (R-Rochelle), who represents part of the Rockford area, verified the vote, that is, made sure the 30 votes necessary to pass a bill in the Senate really were on the floor.

The Senate lists the bill being debated on its web site as it broadcasts debates. Senate Bill 174 was the 67% income tax hike and service sales tax imposition bill. Senate Bill 744 was the casino bill. Murphy has a photo with the casino bill’s number under his name because he spoke against that bill.

The following mailing has gone out to Jim Tobin’s National Taxpayers United of Illinois mailing list. It contains information I have not seen elsewhere that it seems Illinois residents might find of interest.

ILLINOIS TAXPAYERS…

MEET YOUR ENEMIES!

The beat of the drum grows louder and louder calling for a massive state income tax increase. In both the Illinois House and Senate, Democrats representing Chicago and its suburbs are the primary sponsors of legislation that will increase the state income tax by 67% and the corporate tax by 44% resulting in a loss of 100,000 private sector jobs. One downstate Republican is also a sponsor of the tax hike legislation. Those bills are Senate Bill 2288 (SB2288), House Bill 750 (HB750) and Senate Bill 750 (SB750).

Almost every day a new politician or group is demanding more money from taxpayers.

A+ Illinois - A government employee union-funded front group is pushing hard for a 67% state income tax increase. In December 2006, A+ Illinois announced the hiring of a new Campaign Manager to “direct a growing statewide staff, manage a multi-million dollar budget, and tap the energy and resources of the more than 150 member organizations of A+ Illinois”. They also hired four more full-time Regional Organizers in December. Leading up to the November election, A+ Illinois “dropped somewhere around $200K worth of mail and robocalls to targeted voters in over 4,000 precincts across roughly ten days,” to use their own words.

Ralph Martire - Martire has been the drum major for the 67% income tax increase in Illinois for years now. His Center for Tax and Budget Accountability (accountable to government employees, not taxpayers) is also funded by the government employee unions that would love to see higher taxes so their pay and pensions and union memberships would continue to grow.

Illinois Farm Bureau - The Illinois Farm Bureau has joined the beating of the drum for more income and sales taxes as they look after their corporate farming interests who will be getting a lot of the property tax relief if there is any. The Illinois Farm Bureau has made an income tax increase one of their 2008 Legislative Priorities and they will work with A+ Illinois to accomplish that.

Commercial Club of Chicago, Civic Committee - These big business executives released a flawed report in 2007 calling for a 33% state income tax increase and more sales taxes without ANY tax relief elsewhere. Many of the Commercial Club of Chicago’s members receive large sums of corporate subsidies from Illinois taxpayers, such as the Chicago Bears, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, Quaker, Hospira Inc., Boeing, and Motorola to name a few. Even more of their members enjoy large government contracts.

Metropolitan Mayors Caucus - Of course the 200 plus Chicago area Mayors want higher income and sales taxes, because they will be big beneficiaries of higher taxes. On January 4, 2007, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley held a press conference demanding higher income and sales taxes for his schools.

Republican Politicians - A December 26, 2006 article that ran in several Illinois newspapers quoted Ex-Governor Jim Edgar and said he “believes a tax hike is necessary because of the state’s financial problems.” Current Hutsonville CUSD # 1 School Superintendent AND State Representative Roger Eddy (R-Hutsonville) let it slip when he told the Belleville News-Democrat, “If it takes an income tax increase, it takes an income tax increase.” State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) was interviewed on Public Affairs TV Show by host Jeff Berkowitz and Syverson said, “I think we have to raise the income tax.” State Representative William Black (R-Danville) has signed on as a co-sponsor of HB750, and is the worst of the bunch.

The tax raisers mentioned above are dangerous, but not as dangerous as a group that was formed by State Representative Robert Pritchard (R-DeKalb) who told the Chicago Tribune, “I want to make sure we’ve got a coordinated package here before I sign on to a tax increase.”

Bipartisan Legislative Education Reform Caucus - Rep. Robert Pritchard is spearheading this caucus that is seriously considering raising the income and sales tax. This group held a two-day retreat where they featured Ralph Martire and A+ Illinois, but no one opposed to tax increases. Joining Pritchard in this dangerous group are Rep. Roger Eddy (R-Hutsonville), who is double-dipping as a School Superintendent, Rep. Paul Froehlich (D-Schaumburg), and Rep. Jerry Mitchell (R-Sterling) a former government school superintendent.

Adding to the names mentioned above, these tax-and-spend members of the Illinois State Senate and State House have sponsored or supported a 67 percent increase in your state personal income tax! These enemies will continue to use every opportunity to try to raise your income tax, unless you put a stop to it!

The Service Employees Union, Illinois Education Association, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Chicago Teachers Union, and AFSCME are also among the groups demanding higher income taxes.

Even some big businesses benefit from higher taxes. In 2005, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity received $167 million from the state coffers to spread to business interests through programs like Opportunity Returns. The Build Illinois Act allowed Springfield to give handouts to large corporations like Abbott Laboratories’ Hospira Inc., Target, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Menard Inc., and Quaker Manufacturing. In 2006, the state of Illinois appropriated $37.6 million to the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority that has already spent $200 million on US Cellular Field where the White Sox barely have to pay rent.

Big business likes its profitable government contracts and subsidies and government employee unions like their lucrative jobs. These special interests have more money and clout, but the voters would still rather see tax cuts than tax hikes. Get ready though, because the battle over our income is going to be won or lost this year.

The following mailing has gone out to Jim Tobin’s National Taxpayers United of Illinois mailing list. It contains information I have not seen elsewhere that it seems Illinois residents might find of interest.

ILLINOIS TAXPAYERS…

MEET YOUR ENEMIES!

The beat of the drum grows louder and louder calling for a massive state income tax increase. In both the Illinois House and Senate, Democrats representing Chicago and its suburbs are the primary sponsors of legislation that will increase the state income tax by 67% and the corporate tax by 44% resulting in a loss of 100,000 private sector jobs. One downstate Republican is also a sponsor of the tax hike legislation. Those bills are Senate Bill 2288 (SB2288), House Bill 750 (HB750) and Senate Bill 750 (SB750).

Almost every day a new politician or group is demanding more money from taxpayers.

A+ Illinois - A government employee union-funded front group is pushing hard for a 67% state income tax increase. In December 2006, A+ Illinois announced the hiring of a new Campaign Manager to “direct a growing statewide staff, manage a multi-million dollar budget, and tap the energy and resources of the more than 150 member organizations of A+ Illinois”. They also hired four more full-time Regional Organizers in December. Leading up to the November election, A+ Illinois “dropped somewhere around $200K worth of mail and robocalls to targeted voters in over 4,000 precincts across roughly ten days,” to use their own words.

Ralph Martire - Martire has been the drum major for the 67% income tax increase in Illinois for years now. His Center for Tax and Budget Accountability (accountable to government employees, not taxpayers) is also funded by the government employee unions that would love to see higher taxes so their pay and pensions and union memberships would continue to grow.

Illinois Farm Bureau - The Illinois Farm Bureau has joined the beating of the drum for more income and sales taxes as they look after their corporate farming interests who will be getting a lot of the property tax relief if there is any. The Illinois Farm Bureau has made an income tax increase one of their 2008 Legislative Priorities and they will work with A+ Illinois to accomplish that.

Commercial Club of Chicago, Civic Committee - These big business executives released a flawed report in 2007 calling for a 33% state income tax increase and more sales taxes without ANY tax relief elsewhere. Many of the Commercial Club of Chicago’s members receive large sums of corporate subsidies from Illinois taxpayers, such as the Chicago Bears, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, Quaker, Hospira Inc., Boeing, and Motorola to name a few. Even more of their members enjoy large government contracts.

Metropolitan Mayors Caucus - Of course the 200 plus Chicago area Mayors want higher income and sales taxes, because they will be big beneficiaries of higher taxes. On January 4, 2007, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley held a press conference demanding higher income and sales taxes for his schools.

Republican Politicians - A December 26, 2006 article that ran in several Illinois newspapers quoted Ex-Governor Jim Edgar and said he “believes a tax hike is necessary because of the state’s financial problems.” Current Hutsonville CUSD # 1 School Superintendent AND State Representative Roger Eddy (R-Hutsonville) let it slip when he told the Belleville News-Democrat, “If it takes an income tax increase, it takes an income tax increase.” State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) was interviewed on Public Affairs TV Show by host Jeff Berkowitz and Syverson said, “I think we have to raise the income tax.” State Representative William Black (R-Danville) has signed on as a co-sponsor of HB750, and is the worst of the bunch.

The tax raisers mentioned above are dangerous, but not as dangerous as a group that was formed by State Representative Robert Pritchard (R-DeKalb) who told the Chicago Tribune, “I want to make sure we’ve got a coordinated package here before I sign on to a tax increase.”

Bipartisan Legislative Education Reform Caucus - Rep. Robert Pritchard is spearheading this caucus that is seriously considering raising the income and sales tax. This group held a two-day retreat where they featured Ralph Martire and A+ Illinois, but no one opposed to tax increases. Joining Pritchard in this dangerous group are Rep. Roger Eddy (R-Hutsonville), who is double-dipping as a School Superintendent, Rep. Paul Froehlich (D-Schaumburg), and Rep. Jerry Mitchell (R-Sterling) a former government school superintendent.

Adding to the names mentioned above, these tax-and-spend members of the Illinois State Senate and State House have sponsored or supported a 67 percent increase in your state personal income tax! These enemies will continue to use every opportunity to try to raise your income tax, unless you put a stop to it!

The Service Employees Union, Illinois Education Association, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Chicago Teachers Union, and AFSCME are also among the groups demanding higher income taxes.

Even some big businesses benefit from higher taxes. In 2005, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity received $167 million from the state coffers to spread to business interests through programs like Opportunity Returns. The Build Illinois Act allowed Springfield to give handouts to large corporations like Abbott Laboratories’ Hospira Inc., Target, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Menard Inc., and Quaker Manufacturing. In 2006, the state of Illinois appropriated $37.6 million to the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority that has already spent $200 million on US Cellular Field where the White Sox barely have to pay rent.

Big business likes its profitable government contracts and subsidies and government employee unions like their lucrative jobs. These special interests have more money and clout, but the voters would still rather see tax cuts than tax hikes. Get ready though, because the battle over our income is going to be won or lost this year.

Here’s the fifth installment of my photos of Republican notables I found at the 2008 Illinois Republican Party Convention in Decatur.

After taking some pictures of a relative empty front of the convention floor before the convention started, I walked to the back of the room, where the McHenry County delegation was relegated.

I saw State Rep. Raymond Poe, who sought the Lt. Governor nod in 2006. It turns out he was talking for former gubernatorial candidate Ron Gidwitz. Gidwitz was bold enough to suggest that a ticket of Gidwitz and Poe would have been better than the candidates who lost to Governor Rod Blagojevich.

8th congressional district Republican Party candidate for congress was the next in my view finder. Here Steve Greenberg shakes hands with Michael Livshutz with Dr Michael Menis looking on.

Looks like State Senator Bill Brady gets a twofer. Here he is talking to Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson. In the Democratic Party’s reapportionment effort to defeat Watson, he was given the least Republican part of the Decatur area, while Brady got the Republican part. Watson is on the right, Brady on the left.

State Representative and State Central Committeeman Skip Saviano was also standing in line waiting to be introduced to the convention.

16th congressional district State Central Committeeman and State Senator Dave Syverson was talking to Saviano, so I got his picture, too.

More Republican Convention notables tomorrow.

Here’s the fifth installment of my photos of Republican notables I found at the 2008 Illinois Republican Party Convention in Decatur.

After taking some pictures of a relative empty front of the convention floor before the convention started, I walked to the back of the room, where the McHenry County delegation was relegated.

I saw State Rep. Raymond Poe, who sought the Lt. Governor nod in 2006. It turns out he was talking for former gubernatorial candidate Ron Gidwitz. Gidwitz was bold enough to suggest that a ticket of Gidwitz and Poe would have been better than the candidates who lost to Governor Rod Blagojevich.

8th congressional district Republican Party candidate for congress was the next in my view finder. Here Steve Greenberg shakes hands with Michael Livshutz with Dr Michael Menis looking on.

Looks like State Senator Bill Brady gets a twofer. Here he is talking to Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson. In the Democratic Party’s reapportionment effort to defeat Watson, he was given the least Republican part of the Decatur area, while Brady got the Republican part. Watson is on the right, Brady on the left.

State Representative and State Central Committeeman Skip Saviano was also standing in line waiting to be introduced to the convention.

16th congressional district State Central Committeeman and State Senator Dave Syverson was talking to Saviano, so I got his picture, too.

More Republican Convention notables tomorrow.

Below are listed the delegates and alternate delegates running to attend the Republican National Convention in support of Fred Thompson for the 8th, 14th and 16th congressional districts. Only Mary Ann Louderback, wife of former State Senator Jack Schaffer, is from McHenry County. She serves on the McHenry County Regional Board of School Trustees.

She is running on a 16th district slate with Congressman Don Manzullo heading the ticket.

Other heavy hitters include State Senators Dave Syverson of Rockford and Brad Burzynski of Clare.

In the 8th district, State Senator Matt Murphy of Palatine is joined with former State Representative and 2006 8th congressional district Republican primary candidate Bob Churchill. An almost local alternate candidate is Barrington Township Supervisor Gene Dawson.

8th District (Melissa Bean’s district) Delegates:
Matt Murphy, Palatine;
Robert W. Churchill, Lake Villa;
John Biestek, Hawthorn Woods

8th District Alternate Delegates:
Eugene R. “Gene” Dawson, Barrington;
William F. Burns, Lake Villa;
Patrick J. Dunham, Lindenhurst

14th District (Denny Hanstert’s old district) Delegates:
Randy Hultgren, Winfield;
Dennis Wiggins, Aurora;
Larry Wegman, Elgin;
David J. Rickert, Elgin

14th District Alternate Delegates:
Michael J. Kenyon, South Elgin;
Jan Weber, Geneseo;
Kurt Kojzarek, Elgin;
C. Randolph “Randy” York, West Chicago

16th District (Don Manzullo’s district) Delegates:
Donald A. Manzullo, Egan;
Dave Syverson, Rockford;
Brad Burzynski, Clare;
Mary Ann Louderback, Cary

16th District Alternate Delegates:
Joseph Sosnowski, Rockford;
Lawrence L. Bruckner, Thomson;
Jason Bauer, Byron;
Donald F. Conn, Polo