McHenry County Blog

The following TV ad from the campaign of Congressman Adam Kinzinger targets primary opponent Don Manzullo.

Because retiring State Rep. Dave Winters appears in it, my guess is that it will be mainly run in the Rockford television market.

That’s because people outside of Rockford won’t have much, if any, idea of who Winters is.

Jack Franks brought colleagues to his home town of Marengo Saturday to the hard-to-find new Marengo High School for a reapportionment hearing whose process will be completely controlled by Democrats in the General Assembly and Governor’s Mansion.

To reach the high school, one had to take Franks Road, observed State Rep. Mike Tryon.  (He wondered if that “is s a sign that this will be the center of the 63rd (Franks’) District.”)

Not mentioned was that when one enters the auditorium, one walks past a placard saying the performing and fine arts programs are supported by financial contributions of the Franks family.

State Rep. Lou Lang chaired the meeting, which was attended not only by McHenry County residents but people from as far away as Plainfield and Sycamore.

Tryon took the microphone to point out that McHenry County was “fortunate to have two House districts that (were entirely within McHenry County).”

The Republican Party Chairman said he was “hoping that we will have three House seats that will substantially, if not wholly, in McHenry County.”

He asked that county and city boundaries be considered.

He also asked for an ability to see the map, as well as what it is based upon, for a two to three week period prior to passage.

Judy Szilak, President of the McHenry County League of Women Voters testified first, calling for openness and echoing Tryon’s wish for several weeks to contemplate the maps before passage.

Former State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz (R-Crystal Lake) took the microphone in support of a less partisan approach to reapportionment.

McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler was second to speak.   He asked a series of questions about whether the public would have two weeks to analyze and comment on the suggested maps, how they will be shown to the public and whether the transcripts would be posted on the internet.

He pointed out that the county had not grown as much as had been expected, but how it was now the sixth largest county in Illinois.

“I would hope that  103,000 (McHenry County residents) would be represented in each of these (three) districts,” Koehler said.

 

Tryon asked if Lang would answer Koehler’s questions.

“I have no intention of doing that today,” Lang replied.

Just after Janet Silosky, a Republican Precinct Committeeman from Plainfield introduced herself, the lights went out in the auditorium, indeed, in the whole school.

“If this doesn’t tell us something about the process, I don’t know what would,” State Rep. Tim Schmitz (R-St.Charles) observed.  [I wonder if that will make it on the transcript.]

The Will County precinct committeeman expressed distrust in the reapportionment process.

 

“How are we going to get this done in an equitable process?” she asked.  “Gerrymandering that goes on will not create a map that is contiguous and compact.

“What difference does it make?”

“It’s already decided,” she continued, mentioning House Speaker Mike Madigan.

“I’ve lived in this state for 50 years and the Democrats have been in control since I was knee high to a grasshopper.”

She commented on the unfairness of Democrats who are going to be running for office knowing what their districts will be already, while challengers are left in the dark.

“I’d like to hear some input from you gentlemen.”

There was none.

McHenry County Board member Mary Donner came next.  She read a statement from an indisposed colleague, Tina Hill.

Donner said that the new 2030 County Land Use Plan had growth occurring next to areas that were already populated.

A DeKalb County band teacher from Sycamore, Ken Goodman, asked that his community be put in one congressional district.  His area now has two congressmen, Randy Hutlgren and Don Manzullo.

Stephen Polep, a retired teacher who lives in Cary, asked that Cary and Crystal Lake be kept in the same district [as they were until 2002, which this plus parts of eastern McHenry County further norther were included in a Lake County House district].

Algonquin’s Jim Carlin, a Republican Precinct Committeeman who said he was in the leadership of the Huntley Tea Party, pointed to the huge growth west of Randall Road, said that Tryon had represented it well and asked that it continue to be in his district. Carlin is a former Huntley School District Board member.

Noting the “communities of interest” mentioned in the meeting’s introduction, he asked that both the Kane and McHenry County portions of Sun City be included in the same legislative district.

He was effusive of his praise of Tryon.

“I like this,” the represented interjected.

“You’re kicking me out of Huntley,” Schmitz asked.

“Once we get a state government and federal government that encourages jobs, we’re going to take off.”

He said he was talking about taxes.

That was the end of those who signed up to speak. Then Lang asked if there was anyone else who wanted to talk.

Yours truly couldn’t resist criticizing the district boundaries included in “Currie II.”

I called it “Currie 2.”

I argued that McHenry County had little in common with the tract subdivision east of the Fox River in Carpentersville. It’s mainly Meadowdale, one of the first post-World War II housing developments.

Following me was MaryMargaret Maule, who ran a hard campaign for McHenry Count Board in District 4. She suggested that legislative districts try to have as much as McHenry County College in them as possible, rather than crossing the Lake County line. She complained about part of the eastern part of McHenry County being used to complete State Rep. Mark Beaubien’s Lake County district.  She manages MCC’s Shah Center in McHenry, which is an area split between two legislative districts.

Kathy Bergan Schmitt, another Democrat, one who got elected to the County Board from District 3

and who used to be Chair of the McHenry County Democratic Party, also complained about being the tag end of a Lake County district.

“I often feel in the orphan part of the county,” she said.  “There is an overabundance of the disease known as ‘incumbent protection.’”

She agreed that it would always be a factor, but “it doesn’t have to be (the main) factor.”

Without it, she said, “Civil life would be ever so much better.”

Bill Jordan of Woodstock also spoke up.

He talked about having “a certain amount of skepticism about the process.  Iowa has a (computerized) system of drawing districts.”

Jordan pointed out that we were “moving toward a government that can be audited.”

He suggested that the process used by both the Greek and Venetians–random selection of public officials–might be better than what we have in Illinois.

Not speaking from the microphone was Cary resident Raymond Scheff (at least that’s what my notes say).

He had suggested reapportionment maps that he had prepared for Tryon.

Lang asked if he wished to share them with the committee.

The reply was that was up to Rep. Tryon.

Even before Rockford-area State Rep. Dave Winters announced he was running for lieutenant governor in the Republican primary, Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole had put a post card in all Republican precinct committeeman’s mail boxes.

Emphasizing his web site, TEAMBRAD.com, on the front of the post card, Cole has a six paragraph note on the address side.

Small print, but let me try to re-type it:

As a leader at the local level, I see first-hand the issues that face out state. I understand the challenges that government must manage and I see how those challenges can be corrected if the right people are willing to work hard and made difficult decisions.

That is why I have decided to announce my Republican candidacy for Lieutenant Governor in 2010.

With my decade of executive experience in local government, I have a different attitude and approach to solving people’s problems…an approach aimed at actually getting the job done! And with my roots in both central and southern Illinois, I care about areas of the state that have gone too long without direct representation at the highest levels of state government.

The next campaign cycle will determine who leads our state and how we’ll address the critical issues standing in the way of economic growth and stability for Illinois families. Now is the time for a real advocate of the people. Now is the time to come together to make it happen.

I’m excited about being part of the change needed in Illinois politics…as your Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor, I will be the type of leader Illinois can count on.

Thank you for your support!

/s/ Brad

While Dave Winters has $11,713.65 in his campaign account, Cole said he had $50,295.06 in the bank in his Illinois State Board of Elections campaign disclosure report. Randy White told the Board he had $13,444.77.

Cole describes his accomplishment thusly:

“When I was elected Mayor of Carbondale more than six years ago, I committed myself to serving the needs of a community that desperately needed renewed direction.

“With the help of a lot of people, we have made great strides in our community.

“We have eliminated the city’s portion of property taxes, implemented local medical malpractice reform, rebuilt our infrastructure, established better incentives for new businesses and housing developments, removed abandoned properties and cleaned-up eyesores, improved internal customer services, created innovative programs to foster new jobs and invest in our children and young people, and we tackled tough decisions like keeping our budget balanced and making public safety a priority.”

The following press release came today. Winters was elected to the General Assembly in 1994. He reports having $11,713.65 in his campaign account.

State Rep. Dave Winters Announces Candidacy for Lieutenant Governor

Rockford, IL (July 20, 2009) – After six weeks of testing the waters with an exploratory committee, State Representative Dave Winters plans to announce a bid for Illinois Lieutenant Governor Wednesday, July 22.

Rep. Winters formed an exploratory committee seeking advice and backing from colleagues of the Illinois House and Senate, as well as congressman, community and business leaders.

“I’d like to thank my exploratory committee members for their counsel and support through this process; without their unyielding encouragement I wouldn’t have such a strong agenda for job growth and reform in Illinois,” Winters said.

Winters is flying into Chicago, Champaign, Springifield, Peoria and Rockford Wednesday.

Jim Thacker of Don Manzullo, Al Salvi and Larry Morrissey fame is his campaign manager.

Hancock County Pastor Randy White has been campaigning for the job for over a year, having met senior citizens in Crystal Lake one snowy day this past winter.

State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) presented a constitutional amendment to allow the recall of a future Illinois governor.

It didn’t include the other statewide elected officials.

It didn’t include legislators.

It didn’t include judges.

It didn’t include local officials like McHenry County College Board members who just gave MCC’s ex-president well over a $200,000 going away present.

Or the Grafton Township Trustees, who refuse to allow a referendum vote on a proposed new $5 million township hall.

And it wasn’t a straight citizen initiative.

It requires that 20 House members and 10 Senators would have to agree before a recall petition going forth. Half the representatives and senators will have to be from different parties. Obviously, that means any one caucus can smother the effort before it gets off the ground.

GOP Floor Spokesman Bill Black said the following:

“If any state deserves to have the ability to remove their governor, it’s Illinois.

“This is not the language I had expected,” stated Republican State Rep. Bill Black.

“It would appear to me that any caucus could stop a recall in its tracks.

“That’s not citizen recall.

“It’s better than walking away doing nothing.

“We could have done better. We should have done better.

“It’s kind of like winning the game in the bottom of the 9th with a wild pitch. I would have rather have had a home run.”

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin appeared during the debate and said he just stopped in to make sure that the

Of course, the recall of a current U.S. Senator, one Roland Burris, would be a possibility, if the proposal were a true, rather than the fake citizen recall plan being presented.

“This way there would be real checks and balances…an extra level of accountability on us,” Franks said, commenting on the requirement that state representatives and senators have to pre-approve any recall proposal.

“You say it’s a grass roots’ initiative,” said Republican Mike Bost, who early on called for Governor Rod Blagojevich’s impeachment.

“I can’t see that it’s a grass roots’ initiative (if you have to get through the General Assembly).”

“Is it the perfect bill? No,” Franks replied.

Ron Stephens asked Roland Burris to step forward and tell the General Assembly whether he would be willing to face a special election.

He wasn’t in the room of course.

“You’re going to call this reform on the 5 or 6 o’clock news in Chicago. What about the other statewide officers? What about the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate?

“I wonder why they were left out,” Stephens asked sarcastically.

“I want to make sure Illinois is an outlier (and I think it is as far as having only the governor,”
Dave Winters said next.

“I believe in the other states it is either the voters or the legislators who can initiate recall,” Franks said.

“This a complete sham,” Winters said.

“This is only going to happen, if people are really upset,” Franks later explained.

“What would stop anyone (some rich person) from (putting in a pile of money to get rid of) a governor?” Will Davis asked.

“That could happen to you today,” Franks replied.

“Hopefully, we’ll pass campaign finance reform and we won’t have that problem anymore,” the sponsor continued.

“This may be the most important bill we pass this year,” Franks said before the vote.

The constitution amendment was adopted 109-6-2

Channel 39, Fox TV in Rockford, has this story about a public hearing on Winnebago County Board member Randy Olson’s proposal to have the county sheriff deputize citizens so they can use handguns to protect themselves.

175 people packed the Veterans Memorial Hall.

You can read details of the proposal in this article:

The television station reported that most attending favored the measure.

Since so few women stand up to be counted on their desire to be able to protect themselves from raper/muggers, one who did got interviewed.

State Rep. Dave Winters said it would send a message to Springfield.

The reporter said three out of four Democrats support the proposal.

Former Democratic Party Chairman Doug Aurand joined Olson in making the proposal.

Channel 39, Fox TV in Rockford, has this story about a public hearing on Winnebago County Board member Randy Olson’s proposal to have the county sheriff deputize citizens so they can use handguns to protect themselves.

175 people packed the Veterans Memorial Hall.

You can read details of the proposal in this article:

The television station reported that most attending favored the measure.

Since so few women stand up to be counted on their desire to be able to protect themselves from raper/muggers, one who did got interviewed.

State Rep. Dave Winters said it would send a message to Springfield.

The reporter said three out of four Democrats support the proposal.

Former Democratic Party Chairman Doug Aurand joined Olson in making the proposal.

With the filing deadline for state legislator being Monday afternoon, most potentially vulnerable incumbents will probably think they vote for a CTA/RTA bailout or tax hike with impunity.

After all, no one can get 1,000 signatures after the vote and before the filing deadline.

None, but House Speaker Mike Madigan, will remember the outspoken suburban Republicans who bit the dust because of their support of the Regional Transportation Authority tax hikes in 1974.

Just to remind you, House Speaker Bob Blair, the RTA’s House sponsor, and the Senate sponsor, John Connolly, a Republican from Lake County, both lost to Democrats in the fall of 1974.

Because of their outspoken support of RTA.

Just because a suburban Republican doesn’t have a Democrat running against them yet, doesn’t mean one won’t pop up, if a suburban Republican casts the wrong vote.

Others, like Tim Schmitz, already have a primary opponent. His is Jim Krenz.

Thursday, Krenz issued the following press release warning that a “Yes” CTA bailout vote would be a primary election issue.

Other suburban Republicans rationalize they are about to “do the right thing.”

Just like Governor Rod Blagojevich in his rationalization that taking the sales tax money now collected on Motor Fuel (and, now that you mention it, on the MFT itself) won’t be labeled as a re-imposition of the RTA gas tax. (Can it really be possible that House Republican Leader Tom Cross came up with this idea and sold it to his buddy Rod?)

I don’t know where Blagojevich was in the late 1970’s as a revolution against the RTA was building statewide, but I can safely predict that someone will raise the same objections again, if he agrees to impose what amounts to another RTA gas tax to bail out the CTA.

They will point out, as my allies and I did, that when you take money from general revenue (sales taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel, for example), it can be prorated to show how much everyone in Illinois is subsidizing the Chicago Transit Authority.

After all, the money comes right off the top.

Ask Mike McClain, the only state rep. younger than I was when he and I served in the House, why he lost his Quincy seat. I’ll bet he’ll remember the radio ads shouting that he was “taken for a ride by the CTA.”

That’s the issue that got Lynn Martin elected to the Illinois House in Rockford the only time Zeke Giorgi ran third.

Downstaters who don’t think potential opponents can figure out a similar issue to use against them are deluding themselves.

Dave Winters, who seems prepared to vote for the CTA bailout, comes to mind.

So, it doesn’t matter whether one is a suburbanite or a Downstater.

You may be thinking you are “doing the right thing.”

And, you may well get whatever you are promised for your vote.

But with Blagojevich being governor, don’t count on it.

Think about Blagojevich’s promise to re-open the Lincoln Developmental Center, both during the 2002 campaign and in a legislative deal that a certain Springfield state senator was positive would be fulfilled.

Unfortunately, if you vote for the CTA bailout, it won’t be until too late that you will realize that your tax hike bailout vote can and will be used against you.

If not next year, then in future election contests.

Suburbanites who are forced to drive to work don’t take kindly to being forced to help pay for rides to work of those fortunate enough to take the train to and from work.

Surely suburban legislators can figure out that the cost of commuting by car has increased a lot in the last year or so. I can guarantee those driving to work know that. They will not understand why train fares have not increased proportionately and they are being forced to take up the slack.

And Downstate constituents won’t like it when they are told how much they are personally being forced to pay to subsidize Chicagoans’ bus and train rides to and from work because of your vote to bail out the CTA.

Tim Schmitz’ opponent Jim Krenz’ press release follows:

KRENZ ASKS SCHMITZ
TO VOTE NO ON TAX INCREASE

MASSIVE PROPOSED TAX INCREASE
TO FUND TRANSIT FOR CHICAGO REGION

CARPENTERSVILLE, IL November 1, 2007 – Republican candidate Jim Krenz, who is running for State Representative in the 49th District, called on his opponent Tim Schmitz (R-Batavia) to vote NO on proposed legislation to increase taxes in order to fund mass transit in the Chicago region, which would help fund the CTA, Metra and PACE. The proposed legislation would increase taxes by tens of billions of dollars.

“I am calling on Schmitz to vote NO on this proposed legislation to increase taxes by billions of dollars,” said Jim Krenz. “Taxpayers should not be obligated to bailout the habitually mismanaged government agencies that have squandered taxpayers dollars and patience to this point.”

In order to bailout the CTA, Metra and PACE, Illinois lawmakers are looking at a quarter of a percent hike in the regional sales tax.

“Schmitz is being called out here because he has a past history of raising taxes,” said Krenz. “Over the years Schmitz has raised taxes over $100,000,000. I call on Schmitz to put a stop to political deal making and protect the 49th district and the rest of the Chicagoland area.”

Jim Krenz is running for the Republican nomination for State Representative in the 49th District. Krenz, a lifelong resident of the Fox Valley region, is running his election on important issues such as pro-life, lower taxes, slashing government waste, opposing illegal immigration, supporting 2nd amendment rights and reforming the current health care situation. One day after his announcement to seek the Republican nomination in the 49th District, Krenz pledged to wave his legislative pension if elected because it was a waste of tax payer dollars and unfair to the general public to have to pay for it. The Primary Election will take place on February 5, 2008. The 49th District covers St. Charles, Geneva, South Elgin, Elgin, Hampshire, Gilberts, West Dundee, Carpentersville and other communities in Northern Kane County.

With the filing deadline for state legislator being Monday afternoon, most potentially vulnerable incumbents will probably think they vote for a CTA/RTA bailout or tax hike with impunity.

After all, no one can get 1,000 signatures after the vote and before the filing deadline.

None, but House Speaker Mike Madigan, will remember the outspoken suburban Republicans who bit the dust because of their support of the Regional Transportation Authority tax hikes in 1974.

Just to remind you, House Speaker Bob Blair, the RTA’s House sponsor, and the Senate sponsor, John Connolly, a Republican from Lake County, both lost to Democrats in the fall of 1974.

Because of their outspoken support of RTA.

Just because a suburban Republican doesn’t have a Democrat running against them yet, doesn’t mean one won’t pop up, if a suburban Republican casts the wrong vote.

Others, like Tim Schmitz, already have a primary opponent. His is Jim Krenz.

Thursday, Krenz issued the following press release warning that a “Yes” CTA bailout vote would be a primary election issue.

Other suburban Republicans rationalize they are about to “do the right thing.”

Just like Governor Rod Blagojevich in his rationalization that taking the sales tax money now collected on Motor Fuel (and, now that you mention it, on the MFT itself) won’t be labeled as a re-imposition of the RTA gas tax. (Can it really be possible that House Republican Leader Tom Cross came up with this idea and sold it to his buddy Rod?)

I don’t know where Blagojevich was in the late 1970’s as a revolution against the RTA was building statewide, but I can safely predict that someone will raise the same objections again, if he agrees to impose what amounts to another RTA gas tax to bail out the CTA.

They will point out, as my allies and I did, that when you take money from general revenue (sales taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel, for example), it can be prorated to show how much everyone in Illinois is subsidizing the Chicago Transit Authority.

After all, the money comes right off the top.

Ask Mike McClain, the only state rep. younger than I was when he and I served in the House, why he lost his Quincy seat. I’ll bet he’ll remember the radio ads shouting that he was “taken for a ride by the CTA.”

That’s the issue that got Lynn Martin elected to the Illinois House in Rockford the only time Zeke Giorgi ran third.

Downstaters who don’t think potential opponents can figure out a similar issue to use against them are deluding themselves.

Dave Winters, who seems prepared to vote for the CTA bailout, comes to mind.

So, it doesn’t matter whether one is a suburbanite or a Downstater.

You may be thinking you are “doing the right thing.”

And, you may well get whatever you are promised for your vote.

But with Blagojevich being governor, don’t count on it.

Think about Blagojevich’s promise to re-open the Lincoln Developmental Center, both during the 2002 campaign and in a legislative deal that a certain Springfield state senator was positive would be fulfilled.

Unfortunately, if you vote for the CTA bailout, it won’t be until too late that you will realize that your tax hike bailout vote can and will be used against you.

If not next year, then in future election contests.

Suburbanites who are forced to drive to work don’t take kindly to being forced to help pay for rides to work of those fortunate enough to take the train to and from work.

Surely suburban legislators can figure out that the cost of commuting by car has increased a lot in the last year or so. I can guarantee those driving to work know that. They will not understand why train fares have not increased proportionately and they are being forced to take up the slack.

And Downstate constituents won’t like it when they are told how much they are personally being forced to pay to subsidize Chicagoans’ bus and train rides to and from work because of your vote to bail out the CTA.

Tim Schmitz’ opponent Jim Krenz’ press release follows:

KRENZ ASKS SCHMITZ
TO VOTE NO ON TAX INCREASE

MASSIVE PROPOSED TAX INCREASE
TO FUND TRANSIT FOR CHICAGO REGION

CARPENTERSVILLE, IL November 1, 2007 – Republican candidate Jim Krenz, who is running for State Representative in the 49th District, called on his opponent Tim Schmitz (R-Batavia) to vote NO on proposed legislation to increase taxes in order to fund mass transit in the Chicago region, which would help fund the CTA, Metra and PACE. The proposed legislation would increase taxes by tens of billions of dollars.

“I am calling on Schmitz to vote NO on this proposed legislation to increase taxes by billions of dollars,” said Jim Krenz. “Taxpayers should not be obligated to bailout the habitually mismanaged government agencies that have squandered taxpayers dollars and patience to this point.”

In order to bailout the CTA, Metra and PACE, Illinois lawmakers are looking at a quarter of a percent hike in the regional sales tax.

“Schmitz is being called out here because he has a past history of raising taxes,” said Krenz. “Over the years Schmitz has raised taxes over $100,000,000. I call on Schmitz to put a stop to political deal making and protect the 49th district and the rest of the Chicagoland area.”

Jim Krenz is running for the Republican nomination for State Representative in the 49th District. Krenz, a lifelong resident of the Fox Valley region, is running his election on important issues such as pro-life, lower taxes, slashing government waste, opposing illegal immigration, supporting 2nd amendment rights and reforming the current health care situation. One day after his announcement to seek the Republican nomination in the 49th District, Krenz pledged to wave his legislative pension if elected because it was a waste of tax payer dollars and unfair to the general public to have to pay for it. The Primary Election will take place on February 5, 2008. The 49th District covers St. Charles, Geneva, South Elgin, Elgin, Hampshire, Gilberts, West Dundee, Carpentersville and other communities in Northern Kane County.