McHenry County Blog

This email from David E. Smith, Executive Director of the Illinois Family Institute was labeled

Lobby Day Bus from Crystal Lake

Defend Marriage Lobby Day – Feb. 20th

“Marriage: One Man, One Woman” is the Illinois Family Institute’s message.

As you know, the IFI Defend Marriage Lobby Day is coming up fast: Wednesday, February 20th.

I hope and pray you will be able to join us! A strong presence in Springfield is essential to stopping the push to redefine marriage. (Read more about it HERE.)

For those of you in the Crystal Lake area of the state, you may be interested in knowing that our good friend Kathy Barnette and Truth Exchange Ministries is chartering a coach bus for this important event. Seating on the bus is limited and available on a first-come first-serve basis.

To register for this bus, visit truthexchange.net and learn more details. You can also click HERE to download a flyer for this bus ride opportunity.

If you have any questions, please email Kathy at KathyBarnette@TruthExchange.net.

Blessings,

David E. Smith, IFI Executive Director

Smith offers the following as background information:

The chief sponsor of this anti-family legislation, State Representative Gregg Harris (D-Chicago) is on record saying that the new Illinois General Assembly is on a “fast track” to pass legislation to redefine the institution of marriage.

In addition, homosexual activists with the Civil Rights Agenda, Equality Illinois, Stonewall Democrats, Illinois Log Cabin Republicans, and the ACLU of Illinois have been pushing hard for the passage of this anti-marriage bill.

We cannot afford to ignore this situation! Illinois citizens can send a strong message by joining us at the Capitol on February 20th to rally to protect God-ordained marriage in Illinois and to lobby their legislators.

Over the past few weeks, we have been busy contacting churches in key districts. Thousands of religious leaders from across the state have responded, voicing their opposition to marriage redefinition to local state lawmakers.

We can stop this legislation despite the “fast track” it may be on. We should be encouraged by the fact that recently hundreds of thousands of marriage supporters came out to demonstrate their opposition to same-sex “marriage” in Paris, France! (Watch a YouTube video of it HERE, and read the Reuters report HERE.)

There is strong opposition to same-sex marriage here in Illinois. The establishment media would have us believe that it is only a matter of time — that marriage redefinition is inevitable. It is only inevitable if we fail to speak up and demonstrate our objection to this radical policy!

If the secular French can see the importance of coming out to defend natural marriage — certainly the Christian community can do it. And we must!

Illinois Family Institute Dave Smith stirred up attendees at the Patriots United Pro-Life Unity Breakfast in early April.

The following email from David Smith of the Illinois Family Institute reached my computer:

This afternoon, the Illinois Senate voted 30 to 28 (with one voting present) to pass HB 3027. Look at the picture below to see the official voting record of how your state senator voted, or click HERE to download it.

HB 3027 is completely unnecessary and an intrusion into local control. Public schools in Illinois already have the ability to teach “comprehensive” sex education if they wish. Local public school administrators do not need a mandate from Springfield telling them they must teach comprehensive sex education when the preponderance of evidence suggests that authentic abstinence education is successful.

Take ACTION: Click HERE to send an email or a fax to your state representative today to ask him/her to vote NO to HB 3027.

We need a flood of calls, emails and faxes today and tomorrow if we hope to stop this bill from passing in the Illinois House. Call the Capitol switchboard at (217) 782-2000 and ask to be transferred to your state representative to urge him/her to vote against HB 3027.

Please take a few minutes NOW to contact your state representative: Message: Oppose HB 3027 to ensure that students in our taxpayer funded schools are not needlessly subjected to “comprehensive” or “Abstinence Plus” sex education that emphasize and encourage contraception use, rather than abstinence.

Contraception-centered sex-education curricula encourage children and youth into early sexual experimentation. They mislead youth and create a false hope that condoms will provide sufficient protection from the physical, emotional and social consequences of early sexual activity. Authentic abstinence education programs provide youth with life and character skills, not condom skills. Sexual activity among youth is far too costly for adolescents, families, society and taxpayers.

Passing HB 3027 would mandate the teaching of curricula that most parents and taxpayers would find objectionable. Please take a moment to contact your state senator to urge him/her to stand in opposition to this bill.

Local State Senators Pam Althoff, Dan Duffy and Chris Lauzen opposed the legislation. The Senate roll call on House Bill 3027 is below:

The Senate roll call on House bill 3027.

When the bill passed the Illinois House it was apparently non-controversial. It passed 110-0.

The Action alert asks people to call State Rep. Mark Beaubien's district office at 847-487-5252 or to email him at strepmbeaubien@sbcglobal.net.

It’s not news that State Rep. Mark Beaubien (R-Barrington Hills) has a liberal social agenda.

So, it was not a surprise when a mailing from the Illinois Family Institute, an organization that has a conservative social agenda, should find one of his votes with which to disagree.

It’s his “Yes” vote on Senate Bill 1716, which concerned civil unions.

IFI equates civil unions with “same-sex marriage,” as you can see from the flyer that arrived in my mailbox.

The mailing was misdirected because, while Beaubien represents part of McHenry County, he doesn’t represent m the part in which I live.

Sponsored by the pre-TEA Party movement Patriots United, the Saturday morning event is to honor

• 1st Way Pregnancy Support Services
• Right to Life McHenry County
• Right to Life Lake County
• Tri-County Pregnancy & Parenting Services
• Illinois Family Institute.

D’Andrea Banquets at the southeast corner of Routes 31 and 14 is the place and 9 AM is the time.

I wouldn’t be running this article so far in advance of the event, except that when the tickets for the seats reserved, they are gone. I turned my check in yesterday.

If you would like to know how to pay, call 815-363-8508.

Patriots United held its Town Hall Candidates’ Forum last night at McHenry County College.

Panels of county board candidates introduced themselves and answered questions.

All were asked if they had filled out the Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water’s conflict of interest questionnaire.

Audience applause was greatest for those who had done so and downright tepid for incumbent Dan Ryan of District 6 when he said he was waiting for the State’s Attorney’s Office to review the ordinance proposed by ALAW.

An initial review, of course, has already been completed and whether or not one will voluntarily complete a questionnaire for a private organization has no relevance to the answer Ryan gave.

The District 6 panel. Incumbent Daniel Ryan, sitting second from the right of the photo is the only candidate who either has not filed the ALAW conflict of interest form or committing to doing so.

All the other candidates in District 6 have already submitted the form or, in the case of Victor Narusis, is working on it.

Another candidate, Robert Nowak, a non-incumbent and the only one of three attending from District 1–incumbents Anna May Miller and Yvonne Barnes being absent–seemed to mix up the income disclosure form already mandatory (what I call the “None, None, None form”) and ALAW’s.

District 2′s panel, however, brought the differences between those willing to reveal to reveal their property and business holdings—or lack thereof.

The empty seat in the middle was reserved for McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler, who failed to attend the Patriots United county board candidates forum. He is the only one in District 2 not to have completed ALAW's conflict of interest form.

With his name placard smack dab in the middle of the table and chair empty, McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler’s seat was empty.

On both sides sat two women, all of whom had filled out ALAW’s ethics form.

Koehler, so far, has not.

Having just seen Jersey Boys, all I could think of was a take-off of the son in the musical entitled, “The Boys Are Back in Town.”

What came to mind was “The Girls Are Back in Town.” I didn’t want to wake up the three “sleep over boys,” who inexplicably decided to sleep in the room with my computer to listen to the video above, but it has the right title and two minutes into the piece, a couple of women start singing, so I think it fits the story.

Patriots United Executive Director Brian Kelly informed the crowd that candidates would have an opportunity on his group’s web site why they missed the meeting, as well as answer ten or so questions.

Unlike the pre-Thanksgiving 8th congressional district event, this one was not video taped for later posting on the web site. That’s unfortunate, in my opinion, providing more weight to what I consider the false argument that national politics is more important than local political affairs.

I know for a certainty that the lower the level of government, the more opportunity a citizen has to make an impact on governmental process.

Ask the six county board members who were subjected to the voter activation from ten thousand phone calls on the issue of banning video poker (really, slot) machines by an organization associated with Patriots United, the Illinois Family Institute.

The group that made robo-calls on behalf of the successful fight ban on video poker in unincorporated McHenry County to county board members has released its rankings.

They are not endorsements. They are lists of how people either responded to questionnaires or what the public record shows a candidate’s positions are.

Let’s look at the contested 8th District race for the Republican nomination for Congress.

First, let’s point out that Republican Gregory Jacobs and Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer did not return a questionnaire. It appears that Melissa Bean did not either, but answers have been pulled from her public record.

So, the following prospective challengers answered the IFI questionnaire:

• Dirk Beveridge
• John Dawson
• Christopher Geissler
• Maria Rodriguez
• Joe Walsh

Disagreement among these Republicans was found on giving homosexual and transsexual individuals protected class status in the workplace on which Dawson disagreed with the opposition of the others and repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which Geissler opposed, with the others in favor.

The first issue was

“Tax Increase/Cap and Trade — will tax energy consumption to combat “global warming.” (American Clean Energy and Security Act – 2009).”

All the Republican candidates providing answers opposed the measure. Incumbent Democrat Melissa Bean supported it.

The second issue involved

H.R 1913–”Hate Crimes” legislation — allows 2 identical crimes to be prosecuted differently if one victim is homosexual, a cross dresser or transsexual.”

All the Republican candidates answering opposed the measure. Incumbent Democrat Melissa Bean supported it.

Third was H.R.3017 & S.1584:

“Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 (ENDA) — gives homosexual and transsexual individuals protected class status in the workplace.”

Four of the six candidates replying opposed this concept. John Dawson joined Bean in supporting it, the voter guide reports.

Fourth on the questionnaire was

“REPEAL of Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) — the repeal of the only federal law that prevents homosexual “marriage” from becoming legal across the country (H.R.3567 – 2009)”

Again the five replying opposed repeal, while Bean’s position remains unknown to IFI.

The fifth question was

“Government Health Care — A government managed insurance plan that includes a “Public Option” similar to Medicare. (H.R.3200, H.R.3962 or U.S. Senator Max Baucus’ plan – 2009).”

Again, it was Republicans opposed, Bean in favor.

Sixth issue on the list was

“Defund A.C.O.R.N. Act (H.R.3571 – 2009).”

Everyone supported that.

Question number seven concerns the

“Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2006 — requires abortionists to tell mothers about fetal development and the capacity of preborn children to feel pain. (H.R.6099 – 2006).”

This is supported by the five responding candidates in the GOP primary. Bean’s position is unknown.

Eighth on the list of issues was

“REPEAL of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — would repeal the law that prohibits openly practicing homosexuals from serving in the military. (H.R.1283 – 2009).”

our of the five Republicans said, “No.” Christopher Geissler is reported opposing repeal. No position is reported for Bean.

“Requiring the 2010 census to include the question “Are you a citizen of the United States of America?” (Senate Amendment 2644 to H.R.2847 – 2009)”

is ninth on the IFI questionnaire.

Bean’s position is not known, but the five Re;publicans agreed.

Last on the list of ten questions is

“Transfer of prisoners from Guantanamo Bay to U.S. facilities. (H.R.2647, Sec. 1041 of Conference Report – 2009).”

Democrat Bean supports the move, while the Republican candidates replying were in opposition.

It’s been a couple of weeks since the McHenry County Board bucked Chairman Ken Koehler, State Senator Pam Althoff, State Rep. Mike Tryon and those who stand to gain financially from placement of video poker machines in local taverns and restaurants.

It’s time to tell the tale of how McHenry County Establishment got narrowly beaten in that fight.

The vote was close (13-10-1) and my guess is that video poker proponents will try to reverse that vote after new county board members are sworn in, if the people they back defeat anti-gambling incumbents like District 2′s Barbara Wheeler.

Video gambling was the first local issue taken on by Patriots United, the folks who coordinated the Independence Day TEA Party, picketed State Rep. Jack Franks’ office on a cold spring day about his sponsorship of a bill considered pro-abortion and gun control, held a well-attended forum on the Democrats’ health care reform, and co-sponsored with the McHenry County Young Republicans a candidates’ night for 8th congressional district GOP aspirants.

Members attended John Hammerand’s License and Liquor Committee meetings and sponsored a debate between proponents and opponents.

Here are Patriots United video slot machine debate panels, ban proponents on the right, opponents on the left. Opponents, from left to right, are Tom Grey, David Smith and James Blue.

Then, Patriots United had a forum in Woodstock during which video poker machine salesmen debated three social conservatives:

• Tom Grey, the nationally- known Methodist minister who started out in Galena during the time the county board decided to site a riverboat in Jo Davies County and now Field Coordinator and National Spokesman for Stop Predatory Gambling
• Jim Blue, representing Illinois Church Action on Alcoholism and Addiction Problems
• David Smith, Executive Director of the Illinois Family Institute

They urged their members to contact county board members, but that was not what did the trick.

They used this robo call technique I first saw tobacco companies us in lobbying against cigarette tax hikes maybe ten years ago.

Call people, explain the issue and ask if they would like to speak to their county board member.

Since there are four county board members per district, how would that work?

The Illinois Family Institute selected six county board members considered to be approachable on the issue.

They were

• Yvonne Barnes in District 1
• Jim Heisler in District 2
• Ed Dvorak in District 3
• Sue Draffkorn in District 4
• Jim Kennedy in District 5
• Dan Ryan in District 6

From 1,334 to 1,453 calls were made in each district.

From to 649 to 774 of the calls were answered by voters. After the recorded pitch, voters were asked to push a phone button if they wished to be transferred to their county board member.

There were over fifty transfers for all but one district.

From the time my father served on the county board, I can tell you that he never got that many calls on any subject. On some zoning matters, especially the landfill ones, he might have gotten fifty letters. One phone call on a subject was a big number back in the 1980′s.

Getting dozens of calls must have sounded like a tidal wave.

And it was. You can’t find an issue where that many constituents have contacted county board members by phone. Undoubtedly, some of them were friends and supporters of each member.

A little over half of the calls were answered in person; the rest went to answering machines.

Of the six county board members receiving calls, only Huntley’s Ryan, a Sun City resident, voted in favor of allowing video slot machines in establishments serving liquor in unincorporated McHenry County.

Barnes, Kennedy and Ryan are up for election this year. District 6′s Ryan is the only one with GOP primary opposition.

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Check out possible targets for the pro-gambling forces in this post.