McHenry County Blog

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.

I’m looking at campaign disclosure reports on the “Most Recent Reports” page of the Illinois State Board of Elections and there’s a string of $1,296 contributions to each GOP countywide candidate.

The cost for each to the Illinois Republican Party is reported to be $1,296. The mailing is coming from Buford, Georgia, of all places.

Not only is Lou Bianchi, the GOP candidate for State’s Attorney getting that amount, but Phyllis Walters, the Republican candidate for Recorder of Deeds is credited with a similar contribution from the Illinois Republican Party.

And the same amount to Katherine M Keefe, the GOP candidate for Circuit Clerk.

Same for Pam Palmer, the County Auditor, who is running for re-election.

I think I am seeing a pattern.

Total cost – $6,480.

I think it is for the joint mailing I wrote a story on Friday. That’s where you can read the “Top Ten Reasons to Vote for Local Republicans.”

I’m looking at campaign disclosure reports on the “Most Recent Reports” page of the Illinois State Board of Elections and there’s a string of $1,296 contributions to each GOP countywide candidate.

The cost for each to the Illinois Republican Party is reported to be $1,296. The mailing is coming from Buford, Georgia, of all places.

Not only is Lou Bianchi, the GOP candidate for State’s Attorney getting that amount, but Phyllis Walters, the Republican candidate for Recorder of Deeds is credited with a similar contribution from the Illinois Republican Party.

And the same amount to Katherine M Keefe, the GOP candidate for Circuit Clerk.

Same for Pam Palmer, the County Auditor, who is running for re-election.

I think I am seeing a pattern.

Total cost – $6,480.

I think it is for the joint mailing I wrote a story on Friday. That’s where you can read the “Top Ten Reasons to Vote for Local Republicans.”

26th district Republican Party candidate for state senate Dan Duffy reports two contributions from the Illinois Republican State Central Committee.

One was for $11,444.16; the other for $10,197.73.

Meanwhile, the state central committee reported Duffy transferred $40,000 to its coffers.

My guess this is to allow Duffy to use the lower postal rate that postal authorities give state parties.

Besides that, Jerry Hayden of Barrington Hills donated $2,300. That’s the maximum that can be given to federal candidates. Of course, Duffy is a state candidate where no maximums apply.

In addition, Round Lake resident Sheridan O’Brien gave $1,000.

Today, the RSSCC, which I assume is the Republican State Senate Committee, gave Duffy $4,500.00. The Illinois State Medical Society also gave $235.62. My guess is that went for a mailing to local doctors. CUPAC donated $500.

26th district Republican Party candidate for state senate Dan Duffy reports two contributions from the Illinois Republican State Central Committee.

One was for $11,444.16; the other for $10,197.73.

Meanwhile, the state central committee reported Duffy transferred $40,000 to its coffers.

My guess this is to allow Duffy to use the lower postal rate that postal authorities give state parties.

Besides that, Jerry Hayden of Barrington Hills donated $2,300. That’s the maximum that can be given to federal candidates. Of course, Duffy is a state candidate where no maximums apply.

In addition, Round Lake resident Sheridan O’Brien gave $1,000.

Today, the RSSCC, which I assume is the Republican State Senate Committee, gave Duffy $4,500.00. The Illinois State Medical Society also gave $235.62. My guess is that went for a mailing to local doctors. CUPAC donated $500.

Attending the Illinois Republican Convention in Decatur took us past three energy sources.

We went south of I-39 past the Byron Nuclear Power Plants and the giant windmills. We saw we think were windmill blades sitting in water on Route 51 between Bloomington and Decatur. In Decatur on I-72, we saw oil wells.

All we missed were coal mines.

And, of course, there were corn fields all along out route. Decatur’s ADM distills more alcohol from corn than any other company.

With that as background, let’s see what the energy plank of the Illinois Republican Party says.

A CALL TO MEET ENERGY NEEDS

We believe the best answer for our current and future energy needs is to continue our investment in the technology necessary to discover new sources as well as ways to better use the sources we now have. From promoting wind energy, the use of clean coal technology to fostering exploration for natural gas and oil in Illinois, our state’s own natural resources offer a contribution toward our country’s energy independence and our economy’s future strength.

• We embrace more robust initiatives to develop Illinois’ energy resources and embrace environmentally responsible efforts to expand domestic production of oil both here in Illinois and nationally.

• We publicly support energy resource development within the borders of our 50 states, including environmentally responsible private sector initiatives to tap the vast reserves under the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. We further support the expansion of our U.S. refinery capacity. The end result of expanding production will be the creation of tens of thousands of high-paying jobs, the lowering of cost of fuel to the end user and the lessening of dependence on foreign countries.

• Illinois Republicans call on the Governor and General Assembly to take all steps necessary to add to Illinois’ nuclear power capacity.

Attending the Illinois Republican Convention in Decatur took us past three energy sources.

We went south of I-39 past the Byron Nuclear Power Plants and the giant windmills. We saw we think were windmill blades sitting in water on Route 51 between Bloomington and Decatur. In Decatur on I-72, we saw oil wells.

All we missed were coal mines.

And, of course, there were corn fields all along out route. Decatur’s ADM distills more alcohol from corn than any other company.

With that as background, let’s see what the energy plank of the Illinois Republican Party says.

A CALL TO MEET ENERGY NEEDS

We believe the best answer for our current and future energy needs is to continue our investment in the technology necessary to discover new sources as well as ways to better use the sources we now have. From promoting wind energy, the use of clean coal technology to fostering exploration for natural gas and oil in Illinois, our state’s own natural resources offer a contribution toward our country’s energy independence and our economy’s future strength.

• We embrace more robust initiatives to develop Illinois’ energy resources and embrace environmentally responsible efforts to expand domestic production of oil both here in Illinois and nationally.

• We publicly support energy resource development within the borders of our 50 states, including environmentally responsible private sector initiatives to tap the vast reserves under the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. We further support the expansion of our U.S. refinery capacity. The end result of expanding production will be the creation of tens of thousands of high-paying jobs, the lowering of cost of fuel to the end user and the lessening of dependence on foreign countries.

• Illinois Republicans call on the Governor and General Assembly to take all steps necessary to add to Illinois’ nuclear power capacity.

Another part of the Illinois Republican Platform is entitled, Embrace of the Traditional Family.”

That didn’t stop the Log Cabin Republicans from having a booth at the Decatur convention, however.

The plank appears below:

EMBRACE OF THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY

The family is society’s central building block. Thus, efforts to strengthen family life are efforts to improve life for everyone.

Our children need secure and nurturing environments, which are best found within the traditional family. No law should be enacted nor policy implemented without fully contemplating the effect it would have on children and their families.

Though not universally achievable, the ideal, best environment for children is within a two-parent family based on the principle of marriage between one man and one woman. The Republican Party endorses a constitutional amendment protecting our Defense of Marriage Act and enshrining in constitutional law marriage as it is defined in our “DOMA.”

Our laws should strongly support and celebrate the loving commitment a man and a woman make to each other in marriage. Our laws should strongly support and celebrate a loving, married couple bringing new life into the world and rearing their children in a secure and nurturing environment from conception to adulthood. No law should undermine the importance of that union, divide that union nor unduly burden the efforts of parents to rear a family in a safe and nurturing environment.

Those persons in our society best equipped and motivated to protect and nurture children are their parents, not government bureaucrats, teachers, counselors or social workers. The Republican Party endorses legislation to re-establish the right of parents to consent to health care involving their minor children, regardless of whether such care entails diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted disease, alcoholism, drug abuse or mental illness, and particularly in the consequential arena of abortion and contraception.

Another part of the Illinois Republican Platform is entitled, Embrace of the Traditional Family.”

That didn’t stop the Log Cabin Republicans from having a booth at the Decatur convention, however.

The plank appears below:

EMBRACE OF THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY

The family is society’s central building block. Thus, efforts to strengthen family life are efforts to improve life for everyone.

Our children need secure and nurturing environments, which are best found within the traditional family. No law should be enacted nor policy implemented without fully contemplating the effect it would have on children and their families.

Though not universally achievable, the ideal, best environment for children is within a two-parent family based on the principle of marriage between one man and one woman. The Republican Party endorses a constitutional amendment protecting our Defense of Marriage Act and enshrining in constitutional law marriage as it is defined in our “DOMA.”

Our laws should strongly support and celebrate the loving commitment a man and a woman make to each other in marriage. Our laws should strongly support and celebrate a loving, married couple bringing new life into the world and rearing their children in a secure and nurturing environment from conception to adulthood. No law should undermine the importance of that union, divide that union nor unduly burden the efforts of parents to rear a family in a safe and nurturing environment.

Those persons in our society best equipped and motivated to protect and nurture children are their parents, not government bureaucrats, teachers, counselors or social workers. The Republican Party endorses legislation to re-establish the right of parents to consent to health care involving their minor children, regardless of whether such care entails diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted disease, alcoholism, drug abuse or mental illness, and particularly in the consequential arena of abortion and contraception.

Who would think that a political party would emphasize ethics as a separate plank in their platform?

Only in Illinois, where one speaker (I think it was Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson) said that Rod Blagojevich was “the Republican Party’s best friend.”

State Party Chairman Andy McKenna also alluded to ethics in his criticism of former Governor Jim Thompson’s public advocacy of a pardon for his law firm’s client former Governor George Ryan, now in federal prison.

The ethics section of the platform follows:

A CALL TO ETHICS & REFORM OF GOVERNMENT

Trust, pride and respect: we pledge to restore these qualities to the way Illinoisans view their government and their leaders.

The Republican Party recognizes that without integrity, promises and solutions have no value. Therefore, our Party will not stand for the slightest compromise in the ethics of our political leaders, regardless of party affiliation. We recognize that a compromise in the ethics of our Party officials can and will cause damage to the overall Party and to the citizens of Illinois. Ours will be a Party of ethics and integrity, regardless of the cost.

At the same time, we condemn the pay-to-play politics endemic to the Blagojevich Administration and the culture of corruption which the Democrats have established at all levels of government in Illinois. We sense the concern and growing outrage of the people of Illinois in having their trust so egregiously violated, and we join them and call on them to join us in seeking reform of Illinois government.

• The Republican Party supports the citizen-led effort to institute a process for recall of elected officials.

• We advocate requiring voters to display valid photo identification before registering to vote and before voting in the polling place.

• The Constitution of the United States establishes a separation of powers among the three branches of government in order to preserve our republican form of government and ensure that no branch takes government from the hands of the people themselves. We call on Gov. Blagojevich to cease his practice of usurping the authority of the legislature in both spending and program decisions. And we call on the judiciary of the United States to cease their usurpation of the authority of the elected representatives of the people at all levels and their abridgment of the rights of the people themselves.

• The Republican Party of Illinois calls on the Governor and the General Assembly to meet the contractual obligations of our state by properly funding the various state pension systems and ending the practice of diverting pension fund contributions to other purposes.

• We call on the Governor and the General Assembly to cease diversion of dedicated funds – such as the road fund – to other purposes.

• We call on the Governor and the General Assembly to balance the state budget and provide for a responsible capital development program without resorting to the expansion of gambling, which harms Illinois’ families and our state’s business climate and presents costly challenges for both law enforcement and social service agencies.

• In the critical task of restoring ethics to our political and governmental systems, we call on all political and public officials of all parties to adhere to the following principles:

• Party officials must act in such a way as to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.

• Party officials must place public service ahead of personal gain.

• Government contracts and licenses must be awarded based entirely upon merit pursuant to an open process.

• Neither political leaders nor their emissaries may encourage, direct or even tolerate government employees engaging in political work on government time or using government resources for campaign purposes.

• Neither political leaders nor their emissaries may solicit campaign contributions from government employees or contractors, nor may government officials award contracts based on past contributions.

• The Governor and the General Assembly should bar former government officials from lobbying the government agencies they have left within two years of separation.

We salute President Bush and the United States Department of Justice – in particular, Northern District US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald – for their aggressive efforts to combat political corruption in Illinois. No previous Administration on the Federal, State or County level has done more to confront political corruption and prosecute it in Illinois than the Bush Administration.

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Recently convicted Governor Rod Blagojevich fund raiser Tony Rezko can be seen in the top photo. The picture of Blagojevich being unthreatening comes from a mailing this Republican primary voter received in 2006. Next comes the newly elected Republican National Committeeman for Illinois, Pat Brady. Brady gave a strong anti-corruption speech. U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald appears at the bottom of the article.