McHenry County Blog

The Daley Herald’s James Fuller has done a comparison between local campaign contributions and vendor contributions that I have not seen since the article Allison Smith wrote for the Northwest Herald and the ones I wrote for McHenry County Blog.

That’s when campaign contributions to school tax hike committees, District 200’s and 300’s especially, were examined to see if those doing business with school districts were helping those pushing for tax hikes.

Guess what?

They were.

Now the Daily Herald looks for connections between Kane County Chairwoman Karen McConnaughay’s campaign war chest and county vendors.

And finds forty-three.

No pay to play, the chairlady says.

It may look bad, but she deliberately removes herself from the county’s vendor selection process.

One commenter points out that she gives contributions to board members who support her and who vote on vendor selection.

Another says, “Just keep on moving, nothing to see here folks.”

Using his Sunday endorsement by the Daily Herald as a starting off point, 8th Congressional District Republican candidate Dirk Beveridge issued this press release:

Republican Dirk Beveridge Soars to the Top of the List
The 8th Congressional Candidate Scores a New Endorsement

(Barrington, Ill.) January 25, 2010…This weekend, 8th Congressional District Republican candidate Dirk Beveridge further differentiated himself as the leader.  On Sunday, Dirk Beveridge earned the endorsement of the Daily Herald and significantly over-achieved the Republican field in fundraising as revealed in federal Election Commission financial reporting.

“In this race, our steady and positive leadership pace continues to put us miles ahead of the pack,” said Dirk Beveridge, an Ironman Triathlete, Business owner and community leader.

“We are staying well above competing candidates who are mired down in mud-slinging and cat fights over integrity, fiscal irresponsibility and ‘carpetbagger’ issues.  Endorsements from news media, private sector champions, and community leaders have identified me as the candidate who is the most electable against Melissa Bean and her Dem Machine; and as the most effective leader to take on an entrenched congress.”

The most recent endorsement from the Daily Herald told readers about the race in the 8th District:

“Most impressive, we think, is business owner and philanthropist Dirk Beveridge of Barrington and we offer him our endorsement… A mainstream conservative, Beveridge reflects traditional Republican philosophy, as do virtually all the candidates in this primary race.

“But more than most, he has an ability to articulate those views persuasively with the ability to get people to work positively together to solve problems. It is important to elect representatives willing to work across the aisles to find solutions; we believe Beveridge has the temperament to do that without abdicating his values.”

With the February 2nd primary around the corner, his campaign is closing in on the $200,000 fundraising mark.  More compelling is Beveridge’s long list of supporters from across his district, reflecting every-day people, small business owners and families who are contributing for the first time to a political campaign.

Dirk Beveridge, a mainstream conservative Republican candidate for the 8th Congressional District, is endorsed by the Daily Herald, The Chicago Tribune and The Pioneer Press Papers.  Additional endorsements include a “Job Creators’ Coalition,” Cuba Township Republican Party, and a Schaumburg Township Republican Organization “preferred candidate.”

If you drive past D’Andrea Banquets this evening between 5:30 and 7:30, my bet is the parking lot will be jammed.

The McHenry Lawyers for Justice Schostok will be hosting a $30 fund raiser with payment at the door.

Besides the honoree Justice Mary S. Schostok, her colleague Ann B. Jorgensen will be there as a “special guest.”

So far, I have seen the two appointed 2nd Appellate Court Justices selected from among hundreds of applicates by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Bob Thomas twice times in McHenry County.

McHenry County State Rep. and GOP Central Committee Chairman Mike Tryon poses with Appellate Court Justices Mary Schostok and Ann Jorgensen at the Nunda Township Republican Picnic this summer.

First they were out campaigning this summer at the Nunda Township Republican Picnic.

Appellate Court Justice Mary Schostok (behind the table) and Ann Jorgensen greet precinct committeemen as they pass out literature and signs in Crystal Lake last Friday night.

Then, last Friday night, they were greeting precinct committeemen at the McHenry County Republican Central Committee’s literature pickup.

I’m sure no attorney with a general practice wants to be in appellate court, but, every once in a while cases do get appealed.

At $30 to attend the affair the price is certainly within the reach of attorneys in McHenry County. I would assume members of the public who would like to attend would be welcome as well.

Probably not attending will be the Grafton Township Trustees who wanted to build a township hall without adequate public notice or getting approval at the ballot box. The two lady justices, along with Crystal Lakes Sue Hutchison put the kabosh on that in a decision earlier this year.

From 5-8 on December 16th, the man seeking to replace McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren, Zane Seipler, is holding a fund raiser at The Waverly Ballroom, 214 Main Street in Downtown Woodstock.

How Downtown?

Right across from the movie theater.

The price is $40 apiece. A buffet dinner and beverages will be provided.

Thanks to the Illinois Observer, you now know the following:

“Next week, State Senator Pam Althoff and State Rep. Michael Tryon help Rutherford bring in some dough by headlining a fund raising breakfast in Crystal Lake on Thursday, December 3 at 7:30 a.m.

“The early political birds will gather for a some red meat-and-eggs at the 1776 Restaurant located at 397 Virginia Street.”

Rutherford reports it was a success.

He also attended a Town Hall meeting with Senator Althoff in Woodstock the night before.

This is not the first time Rutherford has been to McHenry County. He was here in April for drinks with County Board Chairman Ken Koehler, State Senator Pam Althoff and Chuck Ruth.

On September 22nd, a morning reception was held for Rutherford at the Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake.

As readers know, I have been watching State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) prepare to run for Congress in a newly reapportioned 2010 district.

Should he succeed in capturing a congressional seat which contains all of McHenry County, one can almost predict a continuing downward spiral of the obviously deeply split Republican Party.

Franks was intimately involved in the township election cycle, even sending out campaign pieces which boldly proclaimed his political action committee paid for them.

But, here’s a canny new twist.

The 10-year legislator, who is superb at garnering publicity, whether it be with a bulk-buying prescription drug program or hinting at running for governor, was advancing his congressional ambitions in Algonquin Township this fall.

How?

The Franks campaign sent out invitations to his Bull Valley Country Club fund raiser to Republicans.

I’m talking hard core Republicans.

I didn’t make the list, but avoiding an article like this might be the reason.

But, it wasn’t just a mailed fund raising pitch.

A while later someone called on the phone to ask for a donation.

So, why would a state representative try to raise money in the hometown of the McHenry County Republican Party Chairman and fellow state representative Mike Tryon?

If one were planning on running for United States Representative in a district that contained all of McHenry County, how would a candidate do it?

Now, remember that Franks has hundreds of thousands of dollars that he cannot spend on a congressional campaign.  There are campaign limits on Federal contributions, but not for state campaigns.

But, he can spend it on a state legislative race.

Franks used part of that money to introduce himself in the Mike Tryon part of McHenry County.

And with Republican opponent John O’Neill running against him for state representative (not known until after the fund raising pitches in Algonquin Township), it is easy to predict that a lot of money will be spent identifying every possible supporter in his own district. That information, of course, will form the basis for his 2012 campaign for Congress.

No one has ever said that Jack Franks is not a canny politician.

State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo), obviously preparing for a statewide run before campaign contribution limits take effect, reported raising $1,319,769.37 during the first half of 2009.

(In case you are interested in what he spent during the last six months, click here. For the Chicago kingmaker he visited Friday, click here.)

In on the ground floor of whatever State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) is undertaking in the 2010 campaign are the following contributors:

First those donating $50,000 or more:

Eileen Franks, Eileen, Occupation: retired, Marengo – $450,000

Herbert H. Franks, Occupation: attorney, Marengo – $250,000

Deborah Franks, Occupation: housewife. Marengo – $200,000

Steven W. Kling, Occupation: Real Estate Broker, Employer: Grubb & Ellis, Hampshire – $100,000

Helen Lindow, Occupation: Owner, Lindow’s Appliance, Marengo – $50,000

None of these contributions would be legal in 2011, if Governor Pat Quinn signs the so-called campaign reform bill on his desk. While certainly not an expert on the legislation sitting on Governor Pat Quinn’s desk, the bill seems to have a $5,000 limit on contributions from individuals.

Jack Franks also loaned $150,000 to his political action committee.

$1.2 million of the $1.3 million or 90% of the money Franks is using to gain a place on the statewide ticket comes from just six contributors. All but one are relatives, I have been told.

This demonstrates how it almost a necessity to get big chunks of money from a relatively few number of donors. In the best of conditions, those making the contributions want nothing but good government in return.

Political action committees gave $45,800 of the total.

Small contributions came from the following individuals and incorporated entities. None of the money is tax deductible.

Look closely and you will see some who previously gave money to disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich.

The largest six-month amount I see below is $5,000, given by J.B. & M.K. Pritzker.

Large numbers of attorneys appear on the list. There are also a goodly number of firms involved in road construction, landscaping and medical care.

A contributor of $2,500 is Libertyville Judge Mary Schostok. [I talked to now Justice Schostok at the Nunda Township Republican Picnic Saturday, August 8, 2009. She told me that her husband, who has different politics from her, made the contribution from a non-joint checking account and that Jack Franks' campaign recorded it incorrectly. Schostok says a request has been made for Franks to change the way he reported the contribution.]

Several hundred dollars were given by Canadian fishing buddy Jesse White and Ed Burke. Strangely missing is Blagojevich father-in-law Alderman Dick Mell, another regular on the excursion.

Two former Republican officials are on the list:

• State Rep. Sam Vinson and
• Appellate Court Justice S. Louis Rathje

I see one contributor against whom Attorney General Lisa Madigan has filed suit.

A for-profit entity in the Mercy Health Systems constellation of entities donated $2,500. You will remember that Jack’s father Herb represented Mercy in its attempts to build a hospital in Crystal Lake.

The corporation that purchased the Woodstock Residence contributed $2,000.

The smaller contributors follow in alphabetical order:

Abbott Contractors LLC, Bartlett – $200

Action K-9 Security Inc, Chicago – $500

Advanced Practical Solutions LLC, Chicago – $2,500

Robert E. Aleksy, Chicago – $250

Ameren, St. Louis, MO – $500

Andrea A. Riala & Associates Inc., Chicago – $250

Astellas Pharma US Inc, Deerfield – $500

Attorneys Title Guaranty Fund Inc., Chicago – $1,000

Robert S. Baizer, Baizer Kolar & Lewis PC, Highland Park – $2,500

Richard Barr, Employer: PLS Financial, Northbrook – $1,000

Barton Management Inc, Northfield – $3,500

Baudin W Randal, Dundee – $500

Baxter & Woodman Inc, Crystal Lake – $250

Stella Black, Chicago – $200

BlueStar Energy Services, Chicago – $250

BNSF Railway Company, Fort Worth, TX – $1,000

Richard Boykin, Chicago – $250

Bricton Group Inc, Park Ridge – $200

Bruce Simon Consulting, Springfield – $250

Duane and Diane Bucksath, Homer Glen – $250

Christopher B. Burke Engineering LTD., Rosemont – $250

Jack Carey, Attorney at Law, Belleville – $350

John and Nancy Castle, Sycamore – $250

Clifford Law Offices PC, Chicago – $500

Cooney And Conway, Chicago – $500

Crossroads Care Center of Woodstock. Woodstock – $2,000

Lynn G. Cutler, Chicago – $250

Jim W. Demoss, Chicago – $250

Alice Dermer, Chicago – $300

George T & Beth J Drost, Arlington Heights – $500

Fidelity Consulting Group, Chicago – $250

Fletcher O’Brien Kasper & Nottage PC, Chicago – $500

Russell & Sara Foszcz, Richmond – $500

Frazier Consulting LLC, Park Ridge – $500

Globetrotters Engineering Corp, Chicago – $250

Lawrence N. Gold, Barrington – $250

Great Lakes Medicaid, Chicago – $500

GRO Horticultural Enterprises Inc, Union – $500

H S Crocker Co Inc, Huntley – $2,500

Richard D. Hannigan Ltd., Mundelein – $250

Charles G Haskins, Jr., Attorney at Law, Chicago – $250

Mark Hassakis, Mt. Vernon – $250

Keith A & Jodi B Hebeisen, Employer: Clifford Law Offices, Northbrook – $1,000

Harry & Carrie J Hightman, Chicago – $500

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Chicago – $250

Illinois Governmental Consulting Group LLC, Chicago – $500

International Profit Associates, Buffalo Grove – $1,000

Intren Inc., Union – $1,250

Johnson, Willis & Shirley, Downers Grove – $250

Kamys Michael A. Law Offices, Chicago – $250

Howard Gordon Kaplan, Chicago – $250

Kraft Foods Global Inc., Northfield – $1,500

Krimson Valley Landscape Inc, Woodstock – $250

Ladden & Allen Chartered, Chicago – $200

Philip & Helene Lambruschi, Lakewood – $200

Law Offices of Rubin & Norris LLC, Chicago – $500

John G. Locallo, Chicago – $250

Edward & Tiffany Long, II, Beach Park – $250

Mackey Landscapes Inc., Libertyville – $250.

ManagCare Inc., Chicago – $500

Medco Health Solutions Inc.. Amherst, VA – $500

MercyCare Insurance Company, Janesville, WI – $2,500

Metropolitan Fire Restoration Inc., Libertyville – $1,500

Charles R Middleton, Chicago – $250

Christopher Mullen PC, Chicago – $250

Edward J Neumann, Jr., McHenry – $257.93

Larry O’Connor, Marengo – $350

O’Brien Farms Inc, River Forest – $1.500

Peter Baker & Son Co., Lake Bluff – $250

Pfizer Inc., Memphis, TN – $500

Pickering & Associates LLC, Elgin – $2,000

Prestress Engineering Corporation, Prairie Grove – $250

J.B. & M.K. Pritzker, Occupation: Partner, New World Ventures, Evanston – $5,000

S. Louis Rathje, Wheaton – $250

Edward M & Marilyn L Riley, Woodstock – $200

Eugene Rintels, Winnetka – $500

Roddy Leahy Guill and Zima LTD.. Chicago – $750

Rodriguez, Marcial and Laticia, Fox Lake – $500

Michael Rohrbeck, Chicago – $250

Arnold G Rubin, Occupation: attorney, Chicago – $1,500

Schain Burney Ross & Citron Ltd, Chicago – $250

Schnell, David and Batsheva, Chicago – $250

Michael & Mary Schostok, Occupation: Illinois Judge, Libertyville – $2,500

Schwartz, David L., Bethesda, MD – $500

Scot Forge, Spring Grove – $1,000

John Sexton Sand & Gravel Corp, Hillside – $350

Shefsky & Froelich Ltd, Chicago – $1,250

Skinners’ Amusements Inc, Crystal Lake – $250

Storino Ramello & Durkin, Rosemont – $250

Strom Neal B & Associats Ltd, Chicago – $350

Superior RX Inc., Chicago – $250

T-Mobile USA Inc, Bellevue, WA – $250

The Burnham Committee (an Ed Burke PAC), Chicago – $500

The Roosevelt Group, Chicago – $500

Thelen Sand & Gravel Inc, Antioch – $500

Ungaretti & Harris LLP, Chicago – $500

United Airlines, Chicago – $250

Sam Vinson, Chicago – $250

Michael P. Vondra, Bartlett – $300

Lawrence Jay Weiner, Barrington – $250

Mitchell Weisz, Woodstock – $250

Jesse White, Chicago – $200

Alfred W. Wieher, Attorney at Law, Hinsdale – $500

= = = = =
The photo of State Rep. Jack Franks was taken from C-SPAN during the Rod Blagojevich impeachment hearings.

It’s pretty amazing the information that flows in the direction of McHenry County Blog.

State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) was in Chicago Friday.

Anyone watching Chicago Tonight could have figured that out.

Friday was also the day that Franks reporting having $1,411,012 in the bank.

That’s after reporting spending $922,194 over the last six months.

How does a state representative spend over $5,000 a day?

Let’s take a look.

• Chicago Legal Clinic ad book – $250
• Chicago White Sox on April 29 and May 15
• Computer maintenance from McHenry’s Scantek Office Systems – $1,636
• Food from
  

  Gallaghers Steak – $195 on April 29
  Hebron’s Crandalls for $260 April 29
  Woodstock’s Aldi’s at $691 most of May 21
  K-Mart in Woodstock – $63 on Jan. 15
  Maggianos Little Italy Chicago – $3.523 on April 29
  Petterino’s Chicago – $2,157 on Jan. 13
  Shaw’s of Schaumburg – $549 on Jan. 13, March 10 and June 29
  Sunda of Chicago – $179 on May 15

• Gasoline from Woodstock Marathon – $271
• Invitation for fund raisers
  

  April and June from Harvard’s Ann Almgren at $300 each
  March from Woodstock’s Copy Express for $132
  April from Frye Williamson Press – $207

• Insurance from
  

  Lake in the Hills’ Assurant Health for $672
  Pekin Insurance Company – $365
  Rockford Mutual Insurance Company – $1,779

• Mileage for Jack Franks – $1,571
• Office rented from Waukegan’s John Aiello for $1,158.75 a month
• Office supplies
  

  Carol Stream’s HSBC Business Solutions – $367
  Marengo’s Hyperstitch Inc = $779
  K-Mart in Woodstock – $128
  Knuths Sport & Office Outfitters – $326
  Michaels Arts & Crafts Store om Crystal Lake – $164
  Office Deport in Woodstock – $2,887
  Quill – $331
  The Framery of Ridgefield – $164

• Organizational Support
  

  Marengo-Union Chamber of Commerce – $180
  McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce – $195
  McHenry County Fair Association – $152
  McHenry County Lincoln Birthday Committee – $200

• Parade expenditures (others may be listed under food)
  

  Harvard Milk Day – $250
  State Line Sign & Screen Printing of Genoa City, Wis. – $871

• Phone service
  

  AT&T – $2,073
  T-Mobile – $610

• Postage – $5,850
• Promotional items from Capitol Promotions of Glenside, PA – $987
• Salaries totaling$27,146 for
  

  Lori Borhart of Marengo – $1,548 on April 1
  Derek Bowen of Marengo – $490 on April 1
  Kelsy Bowen of Marengo – $420 on April 1
  Sharon Bowen of Marengo – $225 on April 1
  Walter Dembos of Woodstock – $512 on April 1
  Laura Joy Gibbons of Marengo – $220 on April 1
  Michael King of Lake in the Hills – $1,385, starting on April 1
  Margaret Kirkpatrick of Harvard – $1,817 throughout the six months
  Emalee Lehr of Harvard – $1,249 throughout the six months
  Amanda Orlandini of Lake in the Hills – $7,968 throughout the six months
  Myra Pleva of Marengo – $780 throughout the six months
  Joanne Prihoda of McHenry – $2,614 throughout the six months
  Courtney Schiesher of Huntley – $461 (most Feb. 19)
  Jolene Scott of Woodstock – $195 on April 1
  Geoffrey Vetter of Tempe, AZ – $382 (including milegae)
  Payroll tax to Castle Bank – $5,042
  Payroll tax to Illinois Revenue Department – $621
  Unemployment taxes – IDES – $158
  U.S. Treasury payroll taxes – $1,059

• Sports team sponsorships
  

  Johnsburg Pigtail League – $300
  Marengo Union Girls Softball Association – $200
  McHenry Baseball Association – $200
  McHenry Pigtail League – $200
  Richmond Burton Baseball Association – $275
  Woodstock Girls Softball – $250
  Woodstock Little League – $300

• Subscriptions
  

  Capitol Fax – $350
  Northwest Herald – $163

• Miscellaneous
  

  Ice Cream Solutions of Granada Hills, CA – $183
  Party Creations of Springfield – $200

• Vehicle (van) from Marengo Auto Group – $1,700
• Web site, software, access – GpDaddy.com – $287

That doesn’t add up to over $900,000 because $350,000 investments in certificates of deposit are included in the total reported to the Illinois State Board of Elections.

For something as significant as the amount spend, read tomorrow’s article.

= = = = =
The above photo of State Rep. Jack Franks on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight show is not from last Friday.

For $35 you can help fill the campaign coffers of State Rep. Mike Tryon on August 11th.

He is having his second fish boil at Huntley’s Parkside Pub.

You don’t have to tell the organizers you are coming, but it would be appreciated. Call 847-293-5352 by August 4th.

There are opportunities to contribute more.

Here’s the schedule and titles you could receive:

$1,500 – Shark
$1,000 – Marlin
$750 – Barracuda
$500 – Mahi Mahi
$250 – Catch of the Day

Click to enlarge the flyer.

Wednesday, by the way, is the McHenry County Republican Party’s annual golf outing and dinner. Not to late to make a reservation.

Who will make the first reportable campaign contribution to eventually-to-be United States Senator Roland Burris?

In his press conference today, Burris said,

“Let me get in and raise some money to pay for all we’ve been doing.”

Burris, who is bringing “Blagojeviching” to the Nation’s Capitol for the first time, is in obvious need of money to pay the retainers he has around him.

And he doesn’t have the contracts to dispense that he did as Illinois Attorney General. By the way, did you read the last audit of that tenure? Not a pretty picture.