McHenry County Blog

A press release from Congressman Peter Roskam, newly-elected to serve the Algonquin Township part of McHenry County:

Peter Roskam

Roskam to Continue Serving as Chief Deputy Whip for 113th Congress

Washington, DC—Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) released the following statement on today’s announcement that he will continue in his role as Chief Deputy Whip for the 113th Congress:

“I want to thank Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy for naming me Chief Deputy Whip for the 113th Congress, where I will continue working as part of the House leadership team at this critical moment in our nation’s history. Over the past two years, Kevin and our whip team revolutionized the process through the listening sessions that have brought our conference together on landmark issues like health care reform, tax policy and the passage of two House Budgets.

“In the coming weeks and months, Congress will be tasked with addressing critical issues, from averting the fiscal cliff to overhauling the tax code and putting our economy on a path of growth and job creation. As Chief Deputy Whip, I am honored to serve alongside Kevin and our team as we build consensus and forward common sense solutions to our nation’s most pressing problems.”

McCarthy issued this press release:

Washington D.C. – House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (CA-22) released the following statement naming Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Chief Deputy Whip for the 113th Congress:

“I am pleased to announce that my good friend Peter Roskam will continue to serve as Chief Deputy Whip in the 113th Congress.

“For the past two years, Peter has served our Conference tirelessly in helping to develop and ensure passage of the House Republican economic agenda.

“His insight and strong command of tax policy, the budget and entitlements has served as a tremendous asset during our ‘listening sessions,’ and will again serve our Whip Team and Conference well in the months ahead.”

A press release from Congressman Peter Roskam:

Peter Roskam Re-Elected in 6th District

WHEATON–Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) released the following statement after winning a fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Roskam, who serves as the fourth-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives was declared the winner at by a margin of 59% to 41% with 92% reporting:

Elizabeth and Peter Roskam

“First and foremost, my wife Elizabeth and I want to thank the voters of Illinois’ 6th District, who have placed their trust in me to represent them in Congress for another two years. I am both honored and humbled by the overwhelming support from the community, and will continue to bring common-sense, suburban values to Washington, D.C.”

“Tonight, Republicans retained control of the House of Representatives, which speaks to the deep concern voters across the country share when it comes to the direction of our country. Time and again, I have heard from 6th District residents who fear that we are leaving our children and grandchildren a diminished future, saddled with over $16 trillion in debt, a stagnant economy and increased uncertainty.

“But I am an optimist, and the American people have always overcome the challenges before us.

“So for the next two years, we will continue to work turn the economy around as quickly as possible, to create jobs for the 23 million Americans currently unemployed, underemployed or who have simply given up looking for work.

“We will work to live within our means, reform the tax code, prevent the fiscal cliff, and create a better future for the next generation.”

The 6th Congressional District totals in McHenry County’s Algonquin Township prior to folding in early and absentee ballots.

I mentioned earlier that my neighbor kitty-cornered across the street had his Obama and Jim Roden signs stolen and I think I mentioned that my Romney sign had been knocked down five times before it disappeared.

This morning as I was driving my son to school I noticed that both my and my neighbor’s Romney signs had disappeared.

So, when I got back home, I replaced them.  I even put my Romney sign in a more prominent place.

The signs in front of Cal Skinner’s home.  The one at the corner is for Congressman Peter Roskam.  On the other side of the street people will have the opportunity to vote for another Republican, Randy Hultgren.

And added another sign saying “Vote No.”

That’s a follow up to the four by four sign against the “County Czar” on the other side of the mail box.

Not favoring concentration of power, I shall be voting against Jack Franks’ County Executive referendum.

A press release from the polling firm We Ask America:

Favorite Son

There’s been a surprising amount of conjecture coming our way lately about the possibility of Mitt Romney inching closer to Barack Obama in Illinois.

We’ve not paid much attention that that conjecture until it started to be uttered in some national circles and a handful of reporters we respect called to ask if there was anything to it.

There isn’t.

We polled 1,198 Illinois likely voters last night. Following are the weighted head-to-head results and a regional breakdown:

Poll type: Automated Date: October 30, 2012 – Participants: 1,198 Likely Voters – Margin of Error: ± 2.95%

Poll type: Automated Date: October 30, 2012 – Participants: 1,198 Likely Voters – Margin of Error: ± 2.95%

	Barack Obama	Mitt Romney	3rd Party
ALL VOTERS	57%	41%	2%
Chicago	82%	16%	2%
Sub. Cook	66%	31%	3%
Collar Counties	44%	55%	1%
Downstate	46%	51%	3%

For those of you uninitiated in the Illinois political scene — outside of following the hijinks of our politicians in Popular Prison Monthly — Chicago and Suburban Cook County each account for about 20% of the vote in the Land of Lincoln.

No matter how well Romney does in the five suburban “collar counties” or downstate (the rest of Illinois outside of Chicago, Suburban Cook & the Collars), the huge hunk of burning love that his home base provides the president simply cannot be toppled.

Some of our projections include turnout scenarios that put Romney as close as 10 points from the lead, but there is no way that Chicagoland is going to abandon it’s Favorite Son.

Obama even carried McHenry County four years ago.

Meanwhile, a political mailing from Peter Roskam, the man who beat Tammy Duckworth the last time she ran for Congress, surfaced.

It urges people to vote early.

Congressman Peter Roskam, running in all of Algonquin Township, urges his hoped for future Crystal Lake constituents to vote early.

While Roskam recommends voting early at the Crystal Lake City Hall, there are plenty of other early voting locations throughout McHenry County. You can find a list here.

Congressman Peter Roskam even includes a map showing where the Crystal Lake City Hall is located on his message to vote early.

Barrington-area 6th District Democratic Party challenger Leslie Coolidge has mailed her first piece I’ve seen in her campaign against incumbent Republican Congressman Peter Roskam.

You can see she attacks Roskam on his Pro-Life views on the address side:

The first mailing in Democratic Party Congressional candidate Leslie Coolidge’s campaign.

Here’s the introduction side of the mailing:

This is the positive side of Leslie Coolidge’s post card.

Tammy Duckworth sign in the 6th Congressional District part of Crystal Lake. Hint: she is running in the new 8th District, none of which will be in McHenry County.

Driving my son home from school on West Crystal Lake Avenue, I notice a Tammy Duckworth for Congress sign on the Algonquin Township side of the street.

That street is the boundary between two congressional districts and, if one of them were the new 8th District where Duckworth is facing off against incumbent Republican Joe Walsh, I would have no criticism.

However, none of the new 8th District is in McHenry County.

So, why is a Duckworth sign posted in Crystal Lake?

Turning onto Pomeroy toward Route 14, I happened upon a Peter Roskam yard sign.

This Peter Roskam sign is located a couple of blocks away in the same Algonquin Township precinct. Roskam is actually running in the 6th District where the sign is posted.

Roskam is the one who beat Duckworth four years ago.

And part of his new district is where both his and Duckworth’s signs are posted.

Are Democrats really so disoriented in McHenry County that they think Duckworth is seeking votes here or is something going on that I don’t understand. (And I’m sure there’s a lot of that.)

Peter Roskam

A press release from Congressman Peter Roskam:

House Rejects Solyndranomics, Votes to Protect Taxpayers from Bad Obama Investments

Washington, DC—Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) released the following statement after House passage of the

“No More Solyndras Act:

“Over the past four years, Americans have been the victims of a raw deal.

“Call it Solyndranomics, the use of taxpayer dollars for broad government intervention in the economy, often to support the president’s speculative adventures and give payoffs to his political supporters.

We all know how Solyndranomics ends: hundreds of millions lost in service to the Obama green energy narrative, that failed to create either green energy or green jobs.

“President Obama called the $535 million loan guarantee to Solyndra ‘a good bet.’ Today the House voted to put an end to the government rolling the dice on risky investments with taxpayer money.”

A press release from Congressman Peter Roskam:

Roskam Statement on Eleventh Anniversary of 9/11

Peter Roskam

Washington, DC—Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) released the following statement on the eleventh anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack:

“Today, we pause in memory of the tragic losses our nation suffered on September 11, 2001. Eleven years ago, we witnessed with terror and disbelief as the Twin Towers were reduced to rubble, as the walls of the Pentagon were demolished, and as United Flight 93 tore a gash into a Shanksville, Pa. field, saving an untold number of American lives. Eleven years ago, our nation was the victim of unthinkable violence, which irreversibly altered life as we knew it.

“But our perspective today, eleven years later, offers us a chance to see how we have changed as a country – and we were all changed on that day. Eleven years ago, we found ourselves vulnerable and heartbroken; but from those moments of anguish, we discovered greater strength, resolve and community within ourselves, our neighbors and the strangers we pass every day.

“Today, we honor the victims of September 11th, whose memories inspire us to work each day in hope of a more secure nation. We honor their families, who still grieve for the loved ones lost that day. We honor the first responders, who heroically risked, and in many cases, gave their own lives to save men and women they’d never met. And we honor those who answered the call to serve in our Armed Forces, who have fought bravely in the face of great peril to defend us at home and abroad.

“Today, we feel assured that sacrifices we’ve made in the last eleven years have created a safer nation, proud of its efforts to eradicate terrorism and bring our enemies to justice. Still, the campaign of terror lingers, and in the face of its threats, we are reminded what it is that we have fought for, what we stand for, and we will protect at all cost: that the American ideals of freedom, liberty and democracy will triumph; that we will always resist tyranny; and that we will never surrender the promise of a brighter future.”

An email from Congressman Joe Walsh:

Joe Walsh

Eleven years ago today, we were attacked by terrorists on our nation’s soil. On that day we lost heroes, loved ones and friends. It was an attack that sought to undermine the American values that we all love and share.

However, true to form, the American people showed resilience and strength. The United States of America has never been one to stand down. We pulled together as a people and moved forward to address our new challenges in a post 9/11 world.

We cannot and will not forget the events of September 11, 2001. We will never forget those that were lost, and we will never forget that we are one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

A press release from Congressman Peter Roskam, who is running for re-election in the southeastern most part of McHenry County–Algonquin Township–because of the way Illinois Democrats reapportioned congressional seats:

Roskam Wins Best of Congress Award From Working Mother Magazine

The “Best of Congress” Working Mother Magazine award logo.

Bloomingdale, IL–Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) was recently named one of Working Mother Magazine’s 2012 Best of Congress. The list, released in the magazine’s August/September 2012 issue, highlights thirty members who continue pushing for measures that would help working parents thrive in their jobs and at home. The awards are also given in recognition of members’ “family-friendly policies for their own Congressional staff. “

“It’s a real honor to be recognized alongside my colleagues in the House for our work on this worthy cause,” said Roskam.

“I believe that each American family deserves the tools and compassion necessary to build a strong future. Today, too many parents are worried that for the first time in our history, we are leaving the next generation of Americans with a diminished future.

“As a member of Congress, I will continue to push for legislation that gets our economy back on track and empowers every family, because too many have been struggling for too long. My focus is ensuring moms and dads in Illinois and across the country have the ability to get good paying jobs that not only pay the bills, but allow parents to save for retirement, send their kids to college and ensure a secure financial future for their families.”

Congressman Roskam and his fellow recipients of the Best of Congress Award are profiled in the August/September 2012 issue of Working Mother magazine.

Their model workplace policies are detailed by Corporate Voices, and will be promoted as practices to emulate in materials provided to new members of the 113th session of Congress in January.

“During his three terms in Congress, Rep. Peter Roskam has voted for measures meant to improve work life and career opportunities, strengthen family financial stability and prepare young Americans for educational success,” reads the Working Mother profile.

“Roskam provides all employees with educational and career advancement opportunities to help them learn how to better assist the people they serve.”

Peter Roskam

A press release from Congressman Peter Roskam, who has been redistricted by the Democrats so that he represents all of Algonquin Township starting in 2013…assuming he wins in the traditionally Republican area:

Roskam: CBO Recession Warning a Wake-Up Call for President, Senate Democrats

Bloomingdale— Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) released the following statement on the report released today by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that warned the economy will enter a recession in 2013 if nothing is done to prevent the country from going over the fiscal cliff:

“The latest CBO report should be a wake-up call to the president; he must address the out-of-control spending that has put our country on this serve downward path.

“It is time for the White House and the Democrat-controlled Senate to finally come forward with a plan to prevent our economy from going over the fiscal cliff. Every day, their inaction brings American families closer to another recession.

“House Republicans have done our job—we passed our plan to avoid the fiscal cliff and we have proposed numerous reforms to get our economy back on track.

“Today’s news begs the question, how many warning signs do the president and Senate Democrats need before they take the threat of a double dip recession seriously?”