McHenry County Blog

A press release from State Senator Dan Duffy:

Duffy’s economic record earns perfect scores from NFIB, Chamber

The National Federation of Independent Business used to give away little metal statues of a Minuteman to those who showed highest support for its legislative program.

LAKE BARRINGTON, Ill. — Senator Dan Duffy (R – Lake Barrington) has received perfect marks for his handling of economic issues, according to the state’s top two leading business groups. The Senator was one of only three lawmakers to receive a 100 percent positive rating from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, in addition he was named a “Guardian of Small Business from the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), earning a perfect 100 percent score from that group as well.

“The fact Sen. Duffy has a 100 percent rating reflects his dedication to helping small business grow jobs and help our ailing economy,” said NFIB/Illinois State Director Kim Clarke Maisch. “Since becoming senator, Senator Duffy certainly has not forgotten his small business roots. He is one of the strongest advocates on behalf of job creators and has actively sought to make Illinois a more welcoming place to do business.”

Founded in 1943, NFIB represents more than 11,000 small business owners throughout Illinois and works to ensure their rights and interests are represented in state government. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce has represented Illinois businesses of all sizes since being founded in 1919.

“I am honored to be recognized by two such distinguished organizations as the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the NFIB,” Duffy said. “Small businesses are the main engine for job growth. The reason is simple. Every large business was once a small business. Microsoft was a small business 30 years ago. Apple was a small business 20 years ago and Groupon was a small business less than 10 years ago.”

“My goal is to support policies that will encourage more entrepreneurs and small business growth in Illinois,” Duffy continued. “As legislators, we should be doing everything we can to encourage job growth. In order to do that, we must keep taxes low, eliminate corruption, balance the budget and restructure our long term pension liabilities.”

Senator Duffy is in his first term in the State Senate but has been a small business owner for 20 years.

A press release from Congressman Randy Hultgren:

Hultgren Legislation Supported By National Federation of Independent Business

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement after H.R. 3068, the Regulatory Sunset and Review Act, received the support of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). Congressman Hultgren introduced H.R. 3068 in September; the bill now has more than a dozen cosponsors.

Randy Hultgren

“I am thrilled to have the NFIB’s support for my Regulatory Sunset and Review Act,” said Hultgren. “The NFIB is a leader on issues of concern to private sector job-creators; their members in my district represent the best of America’s entrepreneurial spirit and I speak with them regularly to ensure that their concerns are heard in Washington.”

“On behalf of small-business owners around the country, I thank Congressman Hultgren for his leadership on the critical issue of protecting job creators from excessive regulation,” said NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner. “This bill will help remove the most costly redundant and unnecessary regulations from the books to ensure our nation’s biggest job creators have a fair opportunity to operate and grow their business.”

“H.R. 3068 establishes a responsible process to identify, review, and, if necessary, terminate regulations that are no longer needed and serve no beneficial purpose,” said Hultgren.

“Too frequently, agencies act as if their hands are tied, claiming that previously-enacted laws make it impossible for them to cut certain regulations; my bill instead requires them to report to Congress on recommended statutory changes should statutes bind them on enforcing rules they otherwise would repeal or amend, allowing us to take action and cut the red tape.”

Bill Gentes must be smiling today.

In fact, he may still be dancing the Snoopy happy dance.

Late yesterday afternoon, he reported receiving $75,000.

$50,000 came from The Senate Democratic Victory Fund, run by Chicago State Senator John Cullerton. Cullerton, generally considered an ally of House Speaker Mike Madigan on whose leadership team he used to serve, hopes to succeed retiring Senate President Emil Jones. Cullerton’s PAC’s web site announces an October 2nd fund raiser with sponsorships going to $5,000.

James Clayborne, of St. Clair County, another of the state senators who hopes to replace Emil Jones as Senate President, transferred $25,000 from his campaign fund.

It is intriguing that both would contribute to Gentes, considering, if elected, he can only vote for one person for Senate President.

Gentes is running against Dan Duffy, who cut his political teeth with the NFIB.

Bill Gentes must be smiling today.

In fact, he may still be dancing the Snoopy happy dance.

Late yesterday afternoon, he reported receiving $75,000.

$50,000 came from The Senate Democratic Victory Fund, run by Chicago State Senator John Cullerton. Cullerton, generally considered an ally of House Speaker Mike Madigan on whose leadership team he used to serve, hopes to succeed retiring Senate President Emil Jones. Cullerton’s PAC’s web site announces an October 2nd fund raiser with sponsorships going to $5,000.

James Clayborne, of St. Clair County, another of the state senators who hopes to replace Emil Jones as Senate President, transferred $25,000 from his campaign fund.

It is intriguing that both would contribute to Gentes, considering, if elected, he can only vote for one person for Senate President.

Gentes is running against Dan Duffy, who cut his political teeth with the NFIB.

16th district United States Representative Don Manzullo came to Crystal Lake’s American Community Bank to speak with members of the National Federation of Independent Business Tuesday night.

The main topics of conversation were taxes and paying for health care.

“We’re set for a barrage of tax increases,” Manzullo explained. “If you have a tax cut, the cuts expire in ten years. If you have a tax hike, it never expires.

“If you allow the tax cuts to expire, then you end up with a large tax increase,” the congressman explained.

“If the tax cuts expire, it would means the average family would pay $2-4,000,” he continued. “The child tax credit would be rolled back from $1,000 to $500.”

He talked of the cuts the Republican Congress had passed and President Bill Clinton signed, including the college savings accounts, the Roth IRA and the accelerated depreciation for business and ending the marriage penalty.

After two members of Congress got married and discovered they owed $35,000 more in taxes, “they became great advocates of tax relief,” Manzullo related.

The Republican explained that Senator John McCain voted against the tax cut package that Bush signed because it was not offset by spending cuts.

McCain has said he does not favor allowing those tax cuts to expire because that would be a tax hike.

Several people spoke of the deficiencies of a single payer government run health care system.

Manzullo told of a friend of one his staffers who went to Montreal, discovered a bladder infection after business hours on Friday and could not get treatment until Monday because it was not an emergency. To this day, she has related medical problems.

Manzullo explained that the health insurance he has as a member of congress is Blue Cross/Blue Shield. No dental insurance and chiropractic care just added this year.

“We pay $400 a month.”

When his wife Freda had cancer, it cost the family $10,000 in out of pocket expenses.

He favors allowing each American to write their own policies.

If they wanted coverage for just catastrophic illness, their premiums would be much lower than for those with first dollar coverage.

There was much more, of course, but it’s the first day of school on Wednesday and I’m the one taking our son to school.

Manzullo is being challenged by Barrington Hills Village President Robert Abboud on the Democratic Party ticket and McHenry County College Board member Scott Summers, a member of the Green Party.

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In the top photograph, U.S. Congressman Don Manzullo can be seen talking to Chris Dahm of Woodstoc’s Dahm Trucking and Lou Gajdzik of Stoxen Farms in Harvard. Below, Manzullo is seen talking to the NFIB members and prospective members. Pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them.

16th district United States Representative Don Manzullo came to Crystal Lake’s American Community Bank to speak with members of the National Federation of Independent Business Tuesday night.

The main topics of conversation were taxes and paying for health care.

“We’re set for a barrage of tax increases,” Manzullo explained. “If you have a tax cut, the cuts expire in ten years. If you have a tax hike, it never expires.

“If you allow the tax cuts to expire, then you end up with a large tax increase,” the congressman explained.

“If the tax cuts expire, it would means the average family would pay $2-4,000,” he continued. “The child tax credit would be rolled back from $1,000 to $500.”

He talked of the cuts the Republican Congress had passed and President Bill Clinton signed, including the college savings accounts, the Roth IRA and the accelerated depreciation for business and ending the marriage penalty.

After two members of Congress got married and discovered they owed $35,000 more in taxes, “they became great advocates of tax relief,” Manzullo related.

The Republican explained that Senator John McCain voted against the tax cut package that Bush signed because it was not offset by spending cuts.

McCain has said he does not favor allowing those tax cuts to expire because that would be a tax hike.

Several people spoke of the deficiencies of a single payer government run health care system.

Manzullo told of a friend of one his staffers who went to Montreal, discovered a bladder infection after business hours on Friday and could not get treatment until Monday because it was not an emergency. To this day, she has related medical problems.

Manzullo explained that the health insurance he has as a member of congress is Blue Cross/Blue Shield. No dental insurance and chiropractic care just added this year.

“We pay $400 a month.”

When his wife Freda had cancer, it cost the family $10,000 in out of pocket expenses.

He favors allowing each American to write their own policies.

If they wanted coverage for just catastrophic illness, their premiums would be much lower than for those with first dollar coverage.

There was much more, of course, but it’s the first day of school on Wednesday and I’m the one taking our son to school.

Manzullo is being challenged by Barrington Hills Village President Robert Abboud on the Democratic Party ticket and McHenry County College Board member Scott Summers, a member of the Green Party.

= = = = =
In the top photograph, U.S. Congressman Don Manzullo can be seen talking to Chris Dahm of Woodstoc’s Dahm Trucking and Lou Gajdzik of Stoxen Farms in Harvard. Below, Manzullo is seen talking to the NFIB members and prospective members. Pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them.

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan), who represents southern and western McHenry County is coming to Crystal Lake tomorrow evening to speak at an NFIB-sponsored 6-8 PM meeting at American Community Bank.

Manzullo served as chairman of the House Small Business Committee under Republican United State House control. Now, he is Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment and he’s a member of the House Financial Services Committee. He also continues to co-chair the 80-member House Manufacturing Caucus, which he co-founded in 2001 with Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio).

The press release follows:

What’s at Stake?

McHenry County small business owners to discuss 2009 federal legislation agenda with Congressman Don Manzullo and how actions in Washington will impact Illinois job providers?

What: NFIB McHenry County Area Action Council

What will actions in Washington mean for your small business in 2009?

When: Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Who: Congressman Don Manzullo (R-16, Egan)

Where: American Community Bank

281 S Main St.

Crystal Lake, IL

Congressman Don Manzullo will discuss legislation likely to be debated in 2009 that will impact Illinois small business owners. Topics expected to be discussed include healthcare, taxes and family leave mandates.

In addition, NFIB/Illinois Asst. State Director Mark Grant will update area employers on current legislative action in Springfield.

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan), who represents southern and western McHenry County is coming to Crystal Lake tomorrow evening to speak at an NFIB-sponsored 6-8 PM meeting at American Community Bank.

Manzullo served as chairman of the House Small Business Committee under Republican United State House control. Now, he is Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment and he’s a member of the House Financial Services Committee. He also continues to co-chair the 80-member House Manufacturing Caucus, which he co-founded in 2001 with Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio).

The press release follows:

What’s at Stake?

McHenry County small business owners to discuss 2009 federal legislation agenda with Congressman Don Manzullo and how actions in Washington will impact Illinois job providers?

What: NFIB McHenry County Area Action Council

What will actions in Washington mean for your small business in 2009?

When: Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Who: Congressman Don Manzullo (R-16, Egan)

Where: American Community Bank

281 S Main St.

Crystal Lake, IL

Congressman Don Manzullo will discuss legislation likely to be debated in 2009 that will impact Illinois small business owners. Topics expected to be discussed include healthcare, taxes and family leave mandates.

In addition, NFIB/Illinois Asst. State Director Mark Grant will update area employers on current legislative action in Springfield.