McHenry County Blog

Freshman State Senator Dan Duffy, a businessman from Lake Barrington in Lake County, was touted for governor in Chicago Sun-Times columnist Steven Huntley’s column yesterday.

In an piece entitled,

Duffy’s name pops up in the middle of the column, right after the self-dismissals of

• Illinois Supreme Court Justice Bob Thomas,
• Bush HUD Secretary Steve Preston (who?),
• Chicago equity fund chairman Bruce Rauner,
• Congressmen Mark Kirk and
• Peter Roskam, and
• U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.

Here’s what Huntley wrote:

“State Sen. Dan Duffy of Barrington, a Legislative newcomer, impresses many in the party. He acknowledges hearing suggestions he run, but no one in the party leadership has approached him.

“The party is now evaluating a lot of people and that’s a good thing,” he says. “If party leaders aid, ‘You’re that person,’ I’d have to have a serious conversation with my family and find out if this is the right time for me. Bit we’re not there yet.”

“A jump from newly minted legislator to governor in just two years would be quite a challenge.”

The column continues with former candidates for governor, State Senator Bill Brady, who ran third in the 2006 gubernatorial primary, Ron Gidwitz (4th) and Jim Oberweis, who ran second.

DuPage County Board Republicans, Chairman Bob Schillerstrom and State’s Attorney Joe Birkett, they of the tripling of the RTA sales tax.

Doug Whitley is also mentioned…more favorably than others actively seeking the office.

With Bill Foster, the man who beat him in a special election to replace former House Speaker Denny Hastert having voted for the financial bailout, Jim Oberweis, who has a background in investments, as well as milk, has issued the following statement. The congressional district being contested, the 14th, lies just south of the McHenry County line in Kane County.

OBERWEIS OFFERS ALTERNATIVES TO
WALL STREET BAILOUT

Jim Oberweis – reacting to turmoil in the financial markets and related Congressional action – today released the following statement:

Two days ago, the House of Representatives rejected a flawed bailout plan – a plan that would have put taxpayers on the hook for $700 billion to buy bad assets from Wall Street investors. We should all be glad that 228 Members of Congress from both parties had the courage to stand up to their party leaders and instead do what they believed was right for their constituents. THAT, in my view, is REAL bipartisanship, and real LEADERSHIP. As a result of their courage, Congress now has an opportunity to revisit the issue and get it right. I’m hopeful that they will do just that.

First, I would raise the limits on federal deposit insurance. The current limit is $100,000 for individual accounts and $250,000 for IRAs. The $100,000 limit hasn’t been changed since 1980, almost 30 years ago. Since then, according to the Consumer Price Index maintained by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation has risen significantly — $100,000 in 1980 would be equivalent to $265,000 today. So I would raise those limits to at least $250,000.

Second, I would temporarily suspend an accounting standard known as “mark to market.” While mark to market offers investors a clear look at a company’s balance sheets, it can also have a significantly negative effect in an illiquid market such as the one we’re currently experiencing – it artificially and arbitrarily forces companies to downgrade the value of certain assets, and that can lead to market distortions.

Third, in an effort to infuse new capital into the economy, I would support legislation that would allow for the issuance of a new class of stock that was capital gains tax-free – that is, companies could issue new stock that wouldn’t be subject to the capital gains tax when it was sold later. This could unlock tens of billions of dollars of private equity capital and provide a real shot in the arm to the economy.

Over the longer term, of course, we’re going to need more fundamental reform to make sure we don’t go through this again.

What we’re seeing in Washington right now is disturbing. For five years, we’ve heard from the President’s political opponents that the nation was “rushed” into a war we didn’t need to get into. That so-called “rush” to war took place over a period of about nine or ten months, as I recall. And at the time, every intelligence agency in the world agreed on the data. Even the President’s political opponents agreed on the need for action. It was only AFTER the fact that we learned the data was wrong, and we did not have to take that action.

Compare that situation to today, where there isn’t even agreement over the data, and yet Congress is being asked to rush to action in nine or ten DAYS. This rush to action is worse than what happened with the rush to war five years ago. It should be a matter of concern to all of us that in its determination to act quickly, Congress could act unwisely.

Einstein famously remarked that the definition of insanity is the repetition of the same action with an expectation of different results. Apparently, he never visited the Congress, where the repetition of the same action with the expectation of different results is called “Wednesday.”

To read the entire statement, click here.

With Bill Foster, the man who beat him in a special election to replace former House Speaker Denny Hastert having voted for the financial bailout, Jim Oberweis, who has a background in investments, as well as milk, has issued the following statement. The congressional district being contested, the 14th, lies just south of the McHenry County line in Kane County.

OBERWEIS OFFERS ALTERNATIVES TO
WALL STREET BAILOUT

Jim Oberweis – reacting to turmoil in the financial markets and related Congressional action – today released the following statement:

Two days ago, the House of Representatives rejected a flawed bailout plan – a plan that would have put taxpayers on the hook for $700 billion to buy bad assets from Wall Street investors. We should all be glad that 228 Members of Congress from both parties had the courage to stand up to their party leaders and instead do what they believed was right for their constituents. THAT, in my view, is REAL bipartisanship, and real LEADERSHIP. As a result of their courage, Congress now has an opportunity to revisit the issue and get it right. I’m hopeful that they will do just that.

First, I would raise the limits on federal deposit insurance. The current limit is $100,000 for individual accounts and $250,000 for IRAs. The $100,000 limit hasn’t been changed since 1980, almost 30 years ago. Since then, according to the Consumer Price Index maintained by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation has risen significantly — $100,000 in 1980 would be equivalent to $265,000 today. So I would raise those limits to at least $250,000.

Second, I would temporarily suspend an accounting standard known as “mark to market.” While mark to market offers investors a clear look at a company’s balance sheets, it can also have a significantly negative effect in an illiquid market such as the one we’re currently experiencing – it artificially and arbitrarily forces companies to downgrade the value of certain assets, and that can lead to market distortions.

Third, in an effort to infuse new capital into the economy, I would support legislation that would allow for the issuance of a new class of stock that was capital gains tax-free – that is, companies could issue new stock that wouldn’t be subject to the capital gains tax when it was sold later. This could unlock tens of billions of dollars of private equity capital and provide a real shot in the arm to the economy.

Over the longer term, of course, we’re going to need more fundamental reform to make sure we don’t go through this again.

What we’re seeing in Washington right now is disturbing. For five years, we’ve heard from the President’s political opponents that the nation was “rushed” into a war we didn’t need to get into. That so-called “rush” to war took place over a period of about nine or ten months, as I recall. And at the time, every intelligence agency in the world agreed on the data. Even the President’s political opponents agreed on the need for action. It was only AFTER the fact that we learned the data was wrong, and we did not have to take that action.

Compare that situation to today, where there isn’t even agreement over the data, and yet Congress is being asked to rush to action in nine or ten DAYS. This rush to action is worse than what happened with the rush to war five years ago. It should be a matter of concern to all of us that in its determination to act quickly, Congress could act unwisely.

Einstein famously remarked that the definition of insanity is the repetition of the same action with an expectation of different results. Apparently, he never visited the Congress, where the repetition of the same action with the expectation of different results is called “Wednesday.”

To read the entire statement, click here.

14th congressional district Republican candidate Jim Oberweis delivered a blow to the intolerance of academia Tuesday night.

It was on the Family PAC cruise when he handed DePaul University Conservative Coalition Vice President Nick Hahn a check for $1,000 to help defray the $2,500 cost of security required by university officials before co-founder of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps Chris Simcox was allowed to talk, according to Justine Perry.

Hahn’s group suffered what Peter Labarbera calls “the hecklers’ veto.”

We saw it at the Holiday Inn when Rosanna Pulido’s Illinois Minuteman Project tried to bring Allen County Ohio Sheriff Daniel Beck Crystal Lake. Crystal Lake Police wanted the Minutemen to pay for security it thought was needed for a planned demonstration against the meeting on Route 31.

Go figure the logic behind such a decision.

I can’t.

Pulido finally got a venue at McHenry County College and didn’t have to pay for security, although there was plenty of it. Potential demonstrators were isolated.

There’s more information about Hahn’s accomplishments at the very, very liberal DePaul, nominally a Catholic university, in this Wanderer article by Tom Roeser.

He’s obviously having a ball!

14th congressional district Republican candidate Jim Oberweis delivered a blow to the intolerance of academia Tuesday night.

It was on the Family PAC cruise when he handed DePaul University Conservative Coalition Vice President Nick Hahn a check for $1,000 to help defray the $2,500 cost of security required by university officials before co-founder of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps Chris Simcox was allowed to talk, according to Justine Perry.

Hahn’s group suffered what Peter Labarbera calls “the hecklers’ veto.”

We saw it at the Holiday Inn when Rosanna Pulido’s Illinois Minuteman Project tried to bring Allen County Ohio Sheriff Daniel Beck Crystal Lake. Crystal Lake Police wanted the Minutemen to pay for security it thought was needed for a planned demonstration against the meeting on Route 31.

Go figure the logic behind such a decision.

I can’t.

Pulido finally got a venue at McHenry County College and didn’t have to pay for security, although there was plenty of it. Potential demonstrators were isolated.

There’s more information about Hahn’s accomplishments at the very, very liberal DePaul, nominally a Catholic university, in this Wanderer article by Tom Roeser.

He’s obviously having a ball!

Yesterday, I put up an article about Phyllis Schlafly’s receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award on Paul Caprio’s Family PAC cruise.

It was pretty late when I finished it and I promised to do a piece on the candidates working the crowd on the cruise.

There were plenty there.

Schlafly said they were the generation who would reform the Illinois Republican Party.

I know I won’t do them justice, but here goes.

There were two congressional candidates.

Jim Oberweis gave me hope that he might reverse the special election results. He did that by pointing out the extremely low turn out this spring, compared with the numbers who will vote this fall.

Oberweis explained that 100,000 people voted in the special election, while 300,000 will troop to the polls in this traditionally Republican 14th congressional district at this fall’s presidential election.

That is reason for optimism, it seems to me.

Antoine Members, the Republican Party candidate opposing 1st congressional district Congressman Bobby Rush

Republican Cook County State’s Attorney candidate Tony Peraica also was on the cruise, as he has been before.

There were two incumbent state senators, Bill Brady and Randy Hultgen. You can see Brady below, but, unfortunately, my best shot of Hultgren has his tongue out. (No, not like my son likes to do when I take his picture; more a indication of concentration, I think.)

Brady and Oberweis spent a lot of time talking to each other. You’ll remember that they were opponents during the 2006 GOP gubernatorial primary election. (Charlie Watts can be seen standing between the two.)

There were three Republican state senators, if you count Carol Pankau, who isn’t a big boat person.

She mingled with people before the Lake Michigan cruise.

As I’m told did former Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron Gidwitz did as well.

More tomorrow.

Yesterday, I put up an article about Phyllis Schlafly’s receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award on Paul Caprio’s Family PAC cruise.

It was pretty late when I finished it and I promised to do a piece on the candidates working the crowd on the cruise.

There were plenty there.

Schlafly said they were the generation who would reform the Illinois Republican Party.

I know I won’t do them justice, but here goes.

There were two congressional candidates.

Jim Oberweis gave me hope that he might reverse the special election results. He did that by pointing out the extremely low turn out this spring, compared with the numbers who will vote this fall.

Oberweis explained that 100,000 people voted in the special election, while 300,000 will troop to the polls in this traditionally Republican 14th congressional district at this fall’s presidential election.

That is reason for optimism, it seems to me.

Antoine Members, the Republican Party candidate opposing 1st congressional district Congressman Bobby Rush

Republican Cook County State’s Attorney candidate Tony Peraica also was on the cruise, as he has been before.

There were two incumbent state senators, Bill Brady and Randy Hultgen. You can see Brady below, but, unfortunately, my best shot of Hultgren has his tongue out. (No, not like my son likes to do when I take his picture; more a indication of concentration, I think.)

Brady and Oberweis spent a lot of time talking to each other. You’ll remember that they were opponents during the 2006 GOP gubernatorial primary election. (Charlie Watts can be seen standing between the two.)

There were three Republican state senators, if you count Carol Pankau, who isn’t a big boat person.

She mingled with people before the Lake Michigan cruise.

As I’m told did former Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron Gidwitz did as well.

More tomorrow.

Dr. Steve Sauerberg has a straight forward campaign ad on WBBM-AM for his Republican campaign for U.S. Senate against incumbent Democrat Dick Durbin.

Here’s what it says:

“I’m Dr. Steve Sauerberg and I approve this message:

“The symptoms – gas prices spiraling out of control, a healthcare system on the verge of implosion, and families struggling to make ends meet.

“The diagnosis – a total failure of the career politicians in Washington- like Dick Durbin.

“The Prescription for Change – new solutions, new leadership and most of all a new United States Senator.

“Steve Sauerberg is anything but a career politician. Dr Sauerberg is a dedicated family man, a small business owner and a family physician.

“Dr. Sauerberg’s prescription for change?

“Relief at the pump by reducing federal gas taxes, expanding domestic oil production and taking the cap off the strategic oil reserve.

“Common sense healthcare reform that will empower individuals, not big corporations or the government.

“And more money in your pockets by cutting your taxes.

For more information about Dr. Steve Sauerberg and his prescription for change go to: www.drsteveforsenate.com

“Paid for by Sauerberg for U.S. Senate.”

I also caught a WBBM Radio ad for Ozinga, the concrete ready mix company.

Can’t say I ever heard one of them before.

Now, it may just be a coincidence that Marty Ozinga is the Republican candidate for congress to retain the seat that Jerry Weller is vacating, but, maybe not.

Ozinga is not a well known name, so radio ads for his concrete company can’t hurt his campaign.

If that’s the purpose, the Ozinga ads are not as blatantly beneficial as the ones that U.S. Senate and gubernatorial candidate Jim Oberweis ran.

Ozinga does not play an active role in his company’s radio ad.

The relationship of Jim Oberweis’ company’s ads to his campaign was challenged by the Sangamon County Democratic Central Committee Chairman. Oberweis did a cost-benefit analysis and concluded that paying a fine was cheaper than paying attorney fees to defend his position that the television ads were unrelated to his political campaign.

This summer’s Oberweis ice cream ads do not feature the candidate, as they did two years ago.

No need. Getting his name out is no longer a problem for congressional candidate Oberweis.

= = = = =
The photos of Dr. Steve Sauerberg leaning over Illinois Family Institute Board member Jim Finnegan and the one looking up were taken at the June Pro-Life Victory PAC pig roast at Resurrection Center. The photo of Jim Oberweis talking with McLean County GOP Chairman John Parrott was taken at the Illinois Republican State Convention in Quincy.

Dr. Steve Sauerberg has a straight forward campaign ad on WBBM-AM for his Republican campaign for U.S. Senate against incumbent Democrat Dick Durbin.

Here’s what it says:

“I’m Dr. Steve Sauerberg and I approve this message:

“The symptoms – gas prices spiraling out of control, a healthcare system on the verge of implosion, and families struggling to make ends meet.

“The diagnosis – a total failure of the career politicians in Washington- like Dick Durbin.

“The Prescription for Change – new solutions, new leadership and most of all a new United States Senator.

“Steve Sauerberg is anything but a career politician. Dr Sauerberg is a dedicated family man, a small business owner and a family physician.

“Dr. Sauerberg’s prescription for change?

“Relief at the pump by reducing federal gas taxes, expanding domestic oil production and taking the cap off the strategic oil reserve.

“Common sense healthcare reform that will empower individuals, not big corporations or the government.

“And more money in your pockets by cutting your taxes.

For more information about Dr. Steve Sauerberg and his prescription for change go to: www.drsteveforsenate.com

“Paid for by Sauerberg for U.S. Senate.”

I also caught a WBBM Radio ad for Ozinga, the concrete ready mix company.

Can’t say I ever heard one of them before.

Now, it may just be a coincidence that Marty Ozinga is the Republican candidate for congress to retain the seat that Jerry Weller is vacating, but, maybe not.

Ozinga is not a well known name, so radio ads for his concrete company can’t hurt his campaign.

If that’s the purpose, the Ozinga ads are not as blatantly beneficial as the ones that U.S. Senate and gubernatorial candidate Jim Oberweis ran.

Ozinga does not play an active role in his company’s radio ad.

The relationship of Jim Oberweis’ company’s ads to his campaign was challenged by the Sangamon County Democratic Central Committee Chairman. Oberweis did a cost-benefit analysis and concluded that paying a fine was cheaper than paying attorney fees to defend his position that the television ads were unrelated to his political campaign.

This summer’s Oberweis ice cream ads do not feature the candidate, as they did two years ago.

No need. Getting his name out is no longer a problem for congressional candidate Oberweis.

= = = = =
The photos of Dr. Steve Sauerberg leaning over Illinois Family Institute Board member Jim Finnegan and the one looking up were taken at the June Pro-Life Victory PAC pig roast at Resurrection Center. The photo of Jim Oberweis talking with McLean County GOP Chairman John Parrott was taken at the Illinois Republican State Convention in Quincy.

This is the final installment of pictures of Republican notables I took a week ago in Decatur at the Illinois Republican Convention.

Somehow I missed House Minority Leader Tom Cross on the way down the line. When I went back, I took this shot and asked him what he thought of my idea to use the RTA sales tax for roads and county-imposed Motor Fuel Tax to match Federal highway funds. He told me that Tryon had told him it was my idea and that he thought it was a good one.

Also on hand was political consultant Dan Curry. He writes the blog “Reverse Spin.”

DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett was in line waiting to be introduced when I asked for this smiley face.

14th district Republican congressional candidate Jim Oberweis was spotted talking to McLean County Republican Chairman John Parrot.

Chicago’s only Republican State Representative, Mike McAuliffe, was kind enough to pose for this shot. He says I can’t write anything bad about him if I use it.

I also found State Rep. Chapin Rose, who represents the Charleston-Mattoon area, out in the hall.

So, who else did I take a picture of?

Oh, yes.

My Illinois Review Editor Fran Eaton. Here’s her picture. I took it as we were about to walk into the stultifying heat of Decatur on Saturday afternoon.

And who did I miss taking a picture of?

I saw and shook hands with State Senator Chris Lauzen shortly after registering. I wasn’t into photo mode yet.

Then I saw Dan Duffy, who is running for state senate to replace retiring Bill Peterson. Duffy did a good job distributing buttons and since getting home, I have seen two of his bumper stickers in the Knox Park parking lot.

As we were leaving the dinner place after getting an autographed book from fellow Illinois Review contributor Eric Wallace, I ran into former State Rep. Bob Churchill.

Among others who didn’t get a flash in their face was John Curry, 32nd Ward Committeeman. In the 1970’s, Curry compiled how much spending each legislator supported with his or her vote for the Illinois Conservative Union. I was on the low end, as you might imagine.

Jack Roeser, who founded the Family Taxpayers Network, and I talked after the impressive speech of State Rep. Aaron Shock, candidate for congress to replace Ray LaHood. Earlier I saw FTN’s chief honcho John Biver.

State Rep. Ron Wait and I talked briefly. You can see him with his name on the back of his tee shirt above behind McHenry County’s convention delegates.

I am sure there were other notables I saw and didn’t mention. My apologies.

One final addition. What I assume from the General Assembly license plate 105 and bumper sticker is State Rep. Randy Ramey’s car passed us on Interstate 39 about the time we were hearing about the tornadoes crossing Route 55. I don’t know whether that qualifies him for this article or not.

All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them.