McHenry County Blog

Former two decade Congressman Don Manzullo

Former Congressman Donald A. Manzullo was honored for his twenty years of service to McHenry County at a reception at Crystal Lake’s d’Andrea’s Monday night.

Sixty-some people, including the two Congressman who replaced him, gathered to offer laudatory comments.

A who’s-who of elected local elected officials were in attendance.

McHenry County Clerk Kathie Schultz, Sheriff Keith Nygren, Auditor Pam Palmer, Coroner Anne Majewski, County Board Chairwoman Tina Hill, Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager and surely others whom I’m forgetting.

Randy Hultgren

Peter Roskam

Both Congressman Randy Hultgren and Congressman Peter Roskam thanked Manzullo for being their role model.

Although neither was there when the other spoke, their comments about how Manzullo had managed to balance family life, keeping his ideals and public service could have been interchangeable.

A third legislator, State Rep. Mike Tryon had a letter read which also pointed to the Egan Republican as a role model.  (I’ll try to get a copy so I can share it with you.  It really was quite insightful.)

The man Manzullo beat in the 1992 Republican Primary, former State Senator Jack Schaffer, mentioned that he watched Manzullo’s career closely and was not disappointed.

Former McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler credited Manzullo with bringing $30 million in highway money to the area, including the Western Bypass in Algonquin, which he said would be finished next year.

Former McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler presented former Congressman Don Manzullo a plaque after praising his efforts to provide money for roads and water resource mapping.

He told of how the Postal System was convinced to yield a slice of its parking lot.  Manzullo was a good friend of the man who ran the Post Office and had him out for a hearing on closing a regional postal facility in Rockford.  As Koehler related the story, Manzullo said that he would find a way to get the Post Office honcho to Algonquin to show him the problem.

County Board Chairwoman Tina Hill and the man she replaced, Ken Koehler, had a chat.

Roskam, coming late after a 5:30 event in Elk Grove Village, brought forth something Manzullo constituents probably had never heard.

He revealed that Don Manzullo’s nickname in the U.S. House was “Mad Dog.”

Manzullo took the podium after that revelation and explained that only two Members of Congress had nicknames.

“There was a Congressman nicknamed ‘Doc’–and he wasn’t even a physician–and me,” Manzullo explained.

It was because of the intensity with which Manzullo pursued the issues about which he cared, for example, manufacturing in America.

This evening at D’Andrea’s in Crystal Lake, McHenry County Republicans will pay tribute to former Congressman Don Manzullo.

The Egan Republican was first elected in 1992, beating a Democrat elected in 1990, when Manzullo lost the GOP primary for the office.

In 1992, Manzullo won over State Senator Jack Schaffer in the Republican primary before knocking off the one-term Democrat.

He held the seat for twenty years before being beaten in the 2012 Republican primary by Congressman Adam Kinzinger. Reapportionment put both incumbents in the same district, one that went from the Wisconsin to the Indiana border around the Chicago metropolitan area.

The cost is $30 for the reception, which will run from 5:30 to 7:30.

The invitation to the tribute to Don Manzullo.

On May 13th at D’Andrea’s in Crystal Lake, McHenry County Republicans will pay tribute to former Congressman Don Manzullo.

The Egan Republican was first elected in 1992, beating a Democrat elected in 1990, when Manzullo lost the GOP primary for the office.

In 1992, Manzullo bests State Senator Jack Schaffer in the Republican primary before knocking off the one-term Democrat.

He held the seat for twenty years before being beaten in the 2012 Republican primary by Congressman Adam Kinzinger. Reapportionment put both incumbents in the same district, one that went from the Wisconsin to the Indiana border around the Chicago metropolitan area.

The cost is $30 for the reception, which will run from 5:30 to 7:30.

The invitation to the tribute to Don Manzullo.

Bob Abboud spoke to the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee when he unsuccessfully ran against Republican Congressman Don Manzullo.

Next month, Martin McLaughlin will take two-term Barrington Hills Village President Robert Abboud’s place at the spot with the gavel in front of it.

There will also be some changes on the Barrington Hills Village Board.

Let’s look at the numbers on a county-by-county basis.

Challenger Martin McLaughlin won in all four counties.

The margins were

• McHenry County – 42
• Lake County – 27
• Cook County – 72
• Kane County – 2

145 votes in all.

In McHenry County Martin Mclaughlin beat Bob Abboud by 42 votes.

In Lake County the margin was 27 votes in Martin McLaughlin’s favor.

In Cook County, Bob Abboud lost by 72 votes.

A small part of Barrington Hills is in Kane County.  Martin McLaughlin bested Abboud by two votes there.

Now, let’s look at the results for Village Trustee on a county-by-county basis.

Here are the results for Village Trustee in McHenry County.  Only 23 votes separated the five candidates.

In Lake County, the spread was 32 votes, but over twice as many people voted.

There were about half as many votes in Cook County as in Lake County.

Very few live in Kane County.

Here’s how the numbers add up:

• Colleen Konicek Hannigan – 604
• Michael Harrington – 573
• Fritz Gohl – 566
• Kelly Mazeski – 563
• David Stieper – 553

The top three were elected.

Harrington, Gohl and Mazeski were supported by Abboud.

The International Gate at Rockford International Airport has been named in former Congressman Don Manzullo’s honor.

You can read the story here on Rockford’s WRVO-TV web site.

County Highway Engineer Joseph Korpalski and State Rep. Mike Tryon can be seen on the left as people waited for the ceremony to begin.

This morning’s ribbon cutting for Rakow Road had a bit better weather than the snowy day when the road was inaugurated.

McHenry County Board member Jim Heisler made a bee line to the coffee dispenser.

The sides to the tent weren’t lowered today.

Beginning the festivities, McHenry County Board Transportation Committee Chairman Anna May Miller noted she had a “wind blown” look this year. She also wore gloves.

No participation, but wind strong enough to lift the unweighted tent poles from the parking lot surface.

How strong was the wind? You can get an idea from looking at McHenry County Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters’ and State Rep. Mike Tryon’s hair.  Note the turned up collars.

And, it mused up more than Miller’s hair.

Transportation Committee Chairman Anna May Miller introduced County Board Chairman Ken Koehler.

Traffic on the 32,000 a day road was light between 9 and 9:30 in the morning.

Most of the crowd was warmly dressed, including ear muffs, but I saw one man in shorts.

The road is designed to handle 60,000 vehicles a day.

Phyllis Walters, the widow of James Rakow, pointed out that his last name is pronounced “Raco” with a long “a,” not “Racko.” She told a humorous story about being asked how she knew. “I’m married to him.”

The main speaker was Phyllis Walters, the wife of Jim Rakow, the man after whom the road is named.

After the ceremony, Phyllis Walters pointed out her grandchildren in the enlarged photograph.

She pointed out that she wished Congressman Don Manzullo was in attendance since he had gotten $7 million for the widening of the road put into the Federal budget.  She said she would miss having him as Congressman.

State Rep. Mike Tryon spoke next.

And, then it was off to cut the ribbon.

“These are real scissors,” McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler was heard to say.  From left to right are County Engineer Joe Korpalski, Rep. Mike Tryon, Chairman Board Chairman Ken Koehler, Transportation Committee Chairman Chair Anna May Miller, Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters, and Peter Austin.

No stopping traffic.

The scissors didn’t work on the first try.

This ribbon cutting was as symbolic as the ground breaking ceremony a year and a half ago.

Ken Koehler tried a second time to cut the red ribbon.

The ribbon cutting part of the ceremony did not go as planned.

The third time was not the charm for the Rakow Road ribbon cutting.

By this time I was laughing my head off.

It was time to bring the local expert in ribbon cuttings in for assistance. Gary Reece, Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce Executive came forward to offer advice.

I was asking,  “Is anyone getting video of this?”

The angle with which one applies the scissors seems key to success in cutting ribbons.

If at first you don’t succeed…

Still trying to cut that *x@# red ribbon.

And the wind kept blowing.

Try, try, try again.

I was laughing so hard, had I had a camera with film, the photos would have been fuzzy.

Can you spell “frustration?”

Maybe you had to be there to enjoy the spectacle.

Success!

I’m sure the guys who did the work were amused.

Standing at the back of the crowd where the ones who were responsible for the construction.

Afterward, there was a rush to the inside of one of the businesses in the at least half empty strip mall which has to have been hurt by the two construction seasons.

Phyllis Walters ended up with the Rakow Road red ribbon wrapped around her neck.

Now maybe the at least half empty strip mall at the intersection of McHenry Avenue and Rakow Road will find some tenants.

The strip mall where McHenry Avenue meets Rakow Road has had a hard time renting space in 2011 and 2012 during the widening of highway.

A press release from Congressman Don Manzullo:

FINALLY!
Manzullo, Durbin Hail Start of Algonquin Western Bypass Project

McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler is at the microphone praising Congressman Don Manzullo and Senator Dick Durbin for their roles in obtaining Federal money to help finance the Western Bypass of the intersection of Routes 31 and 62.  IDOT Secretary Ann Schneider stands between Koehler and Durbin.

[ALGONQUIN] U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said the strong resolve of local officials, business leaders and frustrated motorists led to today’s groundbreaking ceremony for the most awaited road construction project in McHenry County history – the $80 million Western Bypass in Algonquin.

Congressman Don Manzullo stands in front of the re-landscaped hill on the north side of Algonquin Road between the “S” curve and the Post Office.

On the books for decades, the project to solve gridlock at Routes 31 and 62 in downtown Algonquin broke ground today amid fanfare and the relief that the long-delayed project will finally be built.

Algonquin Village President John Schmitt is flanked by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin on the left and Congressman Don Manzullo on the right. Schmitt’s political career started with his opposition to the Northern Bypass pushed by McHenry County’s Establishment. He lived near the designated Right-of-Way east of the Fox River then. Schmitt has since moved west of the river. If anyone needs an example of how a neighborhood uprising can change public policy, how this bypass ended up where it is would be perfect.

The project received two large infusions of federal funding over the years.

Golden shovel folks include, from left to right, State Senator Pam Althoff, Illinois Department of Transporation Secretary Ann Schneider, Congressman Don Manzullo, Algonquin Village President John Schmitt, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler and Joyce Dwyer.

Manzullo secured $9 million in the 1998 federal transportation bill, TEA-21, and Durbin and Manzullo worked together to secure $10 million in the 2005 federal transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU.

Manzullo thanked U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, State Senator Pam Althoff, State Rep. Mike Tryon, County Board Chairman Ken Koehler, Algonquin Mayor John Schmitt, the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, and others for their determination to get the Western Bypass approved and funded.

Manzullo also thanked the “Road Warriors,” the conglomeration of local political, business and community groups that came together to lobby the State of Illinois for McHenry County’s fair share of road construction dollars in 2007 after Gov. Blagojevich stripped all the previously approved Western Bypass money from the state’s road construction plan.

“Finally! Due to a lot of hard work for many years by all the people here today, McHenry County motorists will soon experience relief from the horrific gridlock that has plagued the corner of Routes 31 and 62 in downtown Algonquin for decades,” Manzullo said.

“This project has long been my number one priority for McHenry County, and I’m excited to see it finally fulfilled. I only wish my good friend, the late Bill Dwyer who did so much to bring us to this day, could be with us to celebrate.”

Durbin added, “As the east-west gateway to McHenry County, the Route 31-Route 62 intersection has a well-deserved reputation as the most congested intersection in the region.

“It’s been that way for more than 20 years and the county’s population continues to grow.

“The Bypass will go a long way toward alleviating the traffic congestion that has restricted access to the businesses and shops in Algonquin’s Old Town District. As everyone gathered here today knows, this project has seen a lot of ups and downs over the years.

After the ceremony Congressman Don Manzullo chats with District 2 McHenry County Board member Donna Kurtz and Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters.

“I offer a special salute to Rep. Manzullo for his determination over the course of 15 years to make this project a reality.

“I was happy to help along the way and am excited to be here today as we kick off a project that has been talked about since 1952.”

The new bypass road will start at Route 31 south of Virginia Road in Crystal Lake, veer southwest into the gravel pit, cross over Algonquin Road near the Algonquin post office, veer southeast and connect back with Route 31 near Huntington Drive.

It will remove the majority of north-south traffic from the Route 31-Route 62 intersection, allowing officials to double-time the traffic signals at the intersection to significantly improve east-west traffic flow on Route 62 and eliminate the mile-long backups motorists face during rush hour.

= = = = =

Photos provided by Congressman Manzullo’s office.

A press release from Congressman Don Manzullo:

Manzullo Statement on Attacks in Libya and Egypt

Don Manzullo

[WASHINGTON] – U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and member of the Subcommittee on Middle East, issued the following statement in response to the attacks against the United States in Libya and Egypt:

“Yesterday’s brutal murder of four American diplomats, including the United States Ambassador to Libya, and the attack against the United States Embassy in Egypt, are stark reminders that the U.S. remains a significant target throughout the world. We must honor the memory and service of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and his colleagues by making it absolutely clear that our nation will not tolerate violence against our people. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families.

“The United States must not apologize or otherwise seek to appease those who desperately want to do us harm. When America does not speak clearly about its values and intentions, then the rest of the world is left to wonder whether we have the resolve to defend what is valuable to us. America stands on the principles of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights. There is no excuse, no justification for what happened in Libya and Egypt.”

Joe Walsh addressing Huntley Area Tea Party meeting on gun control. Illinois State Rifle Association Executive Director Richard Pearson can be seen in the background.

A press release from Congressman Joe Walsh:

Rep. Walsh to Governor Quinn: Give Our Constituents the Right to Protect Themselves

Urges passage of a conceal and carry gun law

WASHINGTON –Today Congressman Joe Walsh (IL-8) and 3 other Members of the Illinois delegation urged Governor Pat Quinn to give residents their constitutional right to protect and defend themselves. Members were called to action by the string of shootings that happened in Chicago over Memorial Day weekend.

“Time and again, the State’s anti-gun policies have proven ineffective at best and un-safe for law-abiding citizens at worst,” Walsh said.
“Currently, Illinois is the only state in this nation that has not passed a conceal and carry gun law. Why? It is time for state lawmakers to give our constituents the constitutional right to protect themselves.”

Violent crime in the United States has steadily dropped since the 1990s, yet crime rates in major cities in Illinois continue to increase. There has been a 35% spike in violent crime rates this year alone, and Chicago has one of the highest murder rates in the country.

In the letter to Governor Quinn, Walsh and others stated the obvious correlation between the lack of protections in place and rise in violent crimes. Over the Memorial Day weekend, 40 people were shot and 10 more were killed in Chicago, including a 7-year-old girl.

“I took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, and I will continue to fight for my constituent’s Second Amendment rights.”

Since coming to Congress, Walsh has been on the front lines of the Second Amendment debate. He has defended the Second Amendment against anti-gun groups stressing the importance of gun rights and how they work to protect residents of Illinois.

The other signatories included Representatives Randy Hultgren (IL-14), Timothy Johnson (IL-15), and Donald Manzullo (IL-16). Walsh led the initiative.

A copy of the letter sent to Governor Quinn is attached.

A press release from Congressman Don Manzullo:

Manzullo Responds to USPS Decision to Move Rockford Mail Operations to Chicago Suburbs

[ROCKFORD] – Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) issued the following statement today in response to the U.S. Postal Service’s decision to end mail processing operations in Rockford and move the work to Palatine and Carol Stream.

The Rockford sorting center currently serves residents in zip codes beginning with 610 and 611.

Don Manzullo

“We are saddened that the U.S. Postal Service has decided to end mail processing operations at one of our nation’s most efficient sorting centers in Rockford and move the work to the Chicago suburbs.

“We understand that the USPS is facing severe money shortages and must make difficult cuts, but we are frustrated that the USPS still has not shared with us the data that confirms closing Rockford will save money.

“We continue to seek that data so we can share it with the people of northern Illinois who will be affected by this decision.

“When Postmaster General Pat Donahoe toured the Rockford processing center with me last month, he said all employees who wanted to keep working for the USPS would be offered jobs in the area – albeit in different capacities — if the decision was made to end operations in Rockford.

“He also said he was confident that consolidating Rockford’s operations into Carol Stream and Palatine would allow the USPS to continue overnight delivery service to the region. We will hold the Postmaster General to his statements and monitor the situation closely as the consolidation ensues.”