http://www.weareillinois.org We Are Illinois: ILGOP en-us
The first reaction is in from Wall Street to the Illinois Legislature's failure to enact pension reform last week, and it's negative.

Fitch Ratings, one of the big firms that issues reports to investors on creditworthiness,
action gives Illinois the lowest general obligation bond rating of any of the 50 states. The agency was absolutely clear as to why: “The ongoing inability of the state to address its large and growing unfunded pension liability,” according to its report.


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12989 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12989 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:21:35 GMT
“I thank the Republican leadership for their confidence and trust, and am excited for the opportunity to grow our Party by talking to voters about our qualified slate of candidates for 2014,” Dorgan said.

“The dysfunction in our state government is a direct result of one-party Democrat rule. I promise that if voters give our candidates a chance, we’ll give them a real choice. Illinoisans deserve strong leadership, and that will come from the Republican Party.”

###

Jack Dorgan is a twelve-year member of the Illinois Republican State Central Committee, an elected Rosemont, Illinois Village Trustee, and partner at Dorgan-McPike & Associates. He worked in the administrations of Governors Thompson and Edgar, as well as on numerous presidential, state, and local campaigns. Dorgan and his wife reside in Rosemont with their three daughters.



]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12987 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12987 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 13:55:25 GMT
For reasons we don't pretend to know, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton on Friday struck yet another of their serial blows at Illinois taxpayers and the insolvent state government we're all obliged to finance.

If you live here, this minuet of failure will cost you. Because with their inability to agree on pension reform, Madigan and Cullerton are dooming all the people of Illinois to more of the same: employers who look elsewhere, a jobless rate among America's highest, runaway public debts that taxpayers do have to pay.

We can't fully quantify the enormous expenses that their unshamed petulance and gridlock foist on those taxpayers. We can, though, connect the damaging dots:

Illinois — its people and its government — thrives when rising numbers of businesses and workers lavish income and sales taxes on Springfield. Madigan and Cullerton give lip service to all of that. But when blinded by mutual rivalries and resentments worthy of a high school pom squad, the two Chicago Democrats might as well deface the "Welcome" signs on Illinois' state lines with the hostile message its political swells project: "Keep Out!"


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12986 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12986 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 13:29:16 GMT
You can tell a lot about prosperity in America by observing the places people are moving to and where they are packing up and moving from. New Census Bureau data on metropolitan areas indicate that the South and the Sunbelt regions continue to grow, while the Northeast and Midwest continue to shrink.

Among the 10 fastest-growing metro areas last year were Raleigh, Austin, Las Vegas, Orlando, Charlotte, Phoenix, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas. All of these are in low-tax, business-friendly red states. Blue-state areas such as Cleveland, Detroit, Buffalo, Providence and Rochester were among the biggest population losers.

This migration isn't accidental. Workers and business owners are responding to clear economic incentives. Red states in the Southeast and Sunbelt are following the Reagan model by reducing tax rates and easing regulations. They also offer right-to-work laws as an enticement for businesses to come and set up shop. Meanwhile, the blue states of the Northeast, joined by California, Minnesota and Illinois, are implementing the Obama model of raising taxes on businesses and the wealthy to fund government "investments" and union power.

The contrast sets up a wonderful natural laboratory to test rival economic ideas.


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12950 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12950 Sat, 30 Mar 2013 09:21:24 GMT


The Illinois Republican Party has been conducting a similar review of the 2012 Illinois election cycle. Working with the RNC and using the report released today as a resource, the ILGOP's Growth and Opportunity Project will piggyback off of the RNC project and will release the initial report in April.



ILGOP Chairman Pat Brady released the following statement:



“Today marks a new and exciting day for the Republican Party. The RNC Growth and Opportunity Project report charts a new path for the GOP, and also gives us further direction for our own project that we have been working on here in Illinois. After months of review both nationally and locally, I’m confident that these new initiatives are a step in the right direction for our Party as we expand our reach and ultimately elect more Republicans.



"The ILGOP is committed to a pro-growth strategy, which is why we launched our own Illinois Growth and Opportunity Project that will be our own top-to-bottom review of the 2012 elections, with the goal of Republican victories and regaining the governor’s mansion in 2014.”



Click here to view a copy of the RNC’s Growth and Opportunity Report. The ILGOP’s Growth & Opportunity Report will be released next month prior to the State Party’s April meeting in Chicago.



###




]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12943 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12943 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 09:11:40 GMT
State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka shared a depressing view of Illinois' fiscal issues with government and small business leaders in the Northwest suburbs Wednesday and although the news wasn't good, several local leaders said they were glad to hear Topinka's realistic outlook.

"I'm the voice of doom and gloom for the state of Illinois because I have to pay the bills," Topinka said, speaking to members of 11 Northwest suburban chambers of commerce at The Cotillion in Palatine.

"You don't spend what you don't have, what is so hard to understand about that?" she said. "The government has got to learn to live within its means. It's an old story, but we still aren't doing it."

Local leaders said it was refreshing to hear an honest portrayal of the state's issues.

"She sees through the smoke and mirrors and tells us the real fiscal position the state is in and it's not good," said Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod. "It is reassuring to hear a realistic look at what is going on."

"It's important to have someone like her in that position because she sees the big picture," said Mount Prospect Mayor Irvana Wilks said of Topinka. "Our businesses and municipalities have to work together in a partnership and right now both are struggling in Illinois."

Topinka spoke in her usual frank style, including about her former opponent for governor.

"I really wish I would have beaten Blagojevich, we wouldn't have had this problem," Topinka said in reference to her 2006 gubernatorial battle with now-imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. "We would have some problems but it wouldn't be this bad. I didn't think one person could do this much damage, but he's making a liar out of me."

"She tells it the way it is in Springfield, which is what we need to know," said Jon Ridler, executive director of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce. "We wanted to get her in front of our small businesses and let them know there is a voice in Springfield trying to bring fiscal responsibility to the state. There are a lot of small businesses in fear right now."


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12912 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12912 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 10:16:43 GMT
One by one, Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan's forces called for test votes on changes that would greatly curtail pension benefits for government workers: eliminating cost-of-living increases, raising retirement ages, asking employees to pay more.

And each time Thursday, House Republicans opted not to push the buttons marked yes, no or present. They simply did not vote.

Leading Democrats painted the exercise as important to eventually building a consensus on how to move forward on the state's $96.8 billion pension shortfall, a way to get cooperation from unions and lawmakers who have balked at less painful measures.

But Republicans decried the process as a "charade" while the pension problem grows worse.

"What are we doing here today?" asked House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego. "Illinois politics at its finest. Another day of games. Another day of waiting. Another day of putting off the inevitable on an issue that is not going away."

"The votes today were a political maneuver, and there is no excuse for these actions, which only point to their own failed leadership on the issue," said Rep. Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs.

Cross said lawmakers should instead consider a bipartisan plan unveiled by House members this week. Under that proposal, annual cost-of-living increases would apply to only the first $25,000 of pensions, or $20,000 for those who also receive Social Security. Retirement ages would not rise for people 46 and older, but would be gradually increased for those 34 and younger. Employee contributions would rise by 1 percentage point the first year, and another 1 percentage point the second year.


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12911 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12911 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 17:14:22 GMT
“What we are doing at the ILGOP mirrors a similar initiative by the Republican National Committee launched a few weeks ago and discussed at the RNC Winter Meeting in Charlotte that I attended,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady. “We can’t move forward and build a statewide strategy for success in 2014 without hearing directly from our grassroots activists who make up our party and do the heavy lifting each election cycle.”

State Central Committeeman and Stark County GOP Chairman Mike Bigger will Chair the project. Bigger will deliver initial findings of the committee by the April 13th State Central Committee meeting in Chicago.

Republicans across Illinois can take part in this project by visiting www.WeAreIllinois.org/Growth to learn more and offer their recommendations on what their Party can do better as we head into 2014.

###


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12894 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12894 Thu, 14 Feb 2013 06:14:58 GMT
The project launched in Illinois mirrors that of the Republican National Committee, spearheaded by Chairman Reince Priebus. State Central Committeeman and Stark County Chairman Mike Bigger will oversee this project for the ILGOP. Mr. Bigger will deliver a preliminary report of the findings of this project by the next State Central Committee meeting scheduled for April 13th, 2013.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about this project.

We look forward to hearing your insight as to how we can better move forward as a party and lay the framework for major Republican victories in 2014 and beyond!


Click here to take survey




]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12893 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12893 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 08:59:12 GMT


“Tonight’s State of the Union speech was nothing more than a recycling of the same big government policies of the last four years. The American people did not hear any new ideas or broad vision of how we can restart our economy. Now that the election is over, it's time for the President to stop giving political stump speeches and time to start offering real bipartisan solutions."


###


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12892 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12892 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:29:42 GMT
“Congratulations to Illinois Democrats as Governor Quinn’s State of the State officially kicks off the Democrats Gubernatorial Primary. Over the next several months of the legislative session, instead of sound public policy discussions and much needed legislation to reform our bankrupt state, we will likely see a game of political chess and posturing between the Chicago Democrat 'families' contesting who will take control of the state for the next four years.

“Unfortunately, because we have seen that Chicago Democrats put power and privilege ahead of sound public policy, the citizens of the state of Illinois continue to pay for the mess created by Chicago Democrats over the last 12 years. Unless we make a change in 2014, Illinois will continue on the path of fiscal ruin.

“Illinois Republicans are offering a bold agenda for fiscal reform and Gubernatorial candidates with the backbone to get it done. Illinois residents deserve better and Illinois Republicans are ready to lead.”

###


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12885 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12885 Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:03:28 GMT
"I want to congratulate my friend, Reince Priebus, on his reelection as RNC Chairman. I've worked with Reince since his days as Wisconsin State Party Chairman, where he led the groundwork to help elect one of the most innovative Governors in the nation, Scott Walker. As we gear up for 2014, I can't think of a better partner in our efforts to elect a Republican governor in Illinois.

"I also want to congratulate Illinois' own Demetra DeMonte on her reelection as RNC Secretary. She has been a tireless cheerleader for Republicans in our state."

###



]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12873 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12873 Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:23:58 GMT
The Illinois Growth and Opportunity Project mirrors that of the Republican National Committee Growth and Opportunity Project announced by Chairman Preibus last month. Further information on this project can be found by clicking the link below.

I have asked State Central Committeeman and Stark County Chairman Mike Bigger to Chair the project. Recently, Committeeman Bigger and I, along with local activists, elected officials and donors met with RNC Chairman Priebus to update him on our efforts in Illinois, and discussed how we can work together in laying the foundation for a Republican Gubernatorial win in Illinois in 2014.

I have asked Committeeman Bigger for a preliminary report of findings for our next State Central Committee Scheduled in Mid-April.

The Illinois Republican Party, the Party of Abraham Lincoln, is at a critical point in its history. The unfortunate reality is, that Illinois is run by Chicago Democrats who have brought our state to the brink of financial collapse and have exhibited no inclination towards getting our fiscal house in order or reigniting the job creation engine that was once was the State of Illinois. Therefore, it is imperative that we win the Governor’s race in 2014 and have a plan of action for 2014 and beyond.



I encourage you to reach out to Committeeman Bigger (mbigger@ilgop.org and me (pbrady@ilgop.org) as we begin to develop a framework for Republican victories in Illinois in 2014. Your experience and insight are critical to our success.





Regards,

Pat Brady
Chairman, Illinois Republican Party


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12872 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12872 Thu, 24 Jan 2013 11:16:42 GMT
During my years as a newspaper reporter, I used to love digging up public records. I learned early in my career that it is one thing to be told information, but it is even better to sift through public documents when you want to know what is really going on in government.

I never forgot the importance of that lesson when I moved into elected office.

It is why as a member of the Illinois General Assembly, I was an early sponsor of our state’s first Freedom of Information laws. It is why as Illinois state treasurer, and now as comptroller, I have instructed my staff to promptly fulfill any records requests. And it is why I most recently launched the Ledger (ledger.illinoiscomptroller.com), an online financial database that takes state government transparency to a whole new level.

In recent weeks some have suggested (“Topinka should provide state’s checkbook,” Jan. 17) that as comptroller, I should also produce a “state checkbook” that documents every dime taxed and spent by Illinois government. In fact, that information request to our office asked for a “complete data dump” of state financial records.

But the state database tracking revenues and expenditures includes confidential information that the law prohibits from being given out — things like Social Security numbers and information about tax refunds, public aid and foster care payments, worker’s comp and unemployment checks. A “complete data dump” would be illegal.

That is why last year I launched the Ledger, which makes public every state transaction that is allowable under the law. Specifically, the Ledger allows taxpayers to click their way through everything from the state’s daily receipts and bill backlog numbers to state agency budgets, contracts and expenses. The site also contains a state employee database, allowing taxpayers to view all public salaries and new hires.

We haven’t stopped there. In the time since, the Ledger has been expanded to include state vendor payment totals, state officer compensation, and the members and pay for all state boards and commissions. And more enhancements are in the works, including additional line-by-line detail about state vendor payments and links to their corresponding contracts.

I encourage all Illinois residents to check out the Ledger and let me know what other information would be helpful — if it’s legal, we’ll do it. Because after all this state has been through, it’s not enough for the taxpayers to “hear” from government — they rightly want to see the proof.

As a former reporter, I appreciate that.

Judy Baar Topinka is comptroller of Illinois.




]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12871 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12871 Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:46:49 GMT
Two years ago on their night of infamy, 1/11/11, General Assembly Democrats - and exclusively Democrats - voted to raise the Illinois personal income tax rate by 67 percent. Many Illinoisans have been furious about that sop to chronic mismanagement, although not as furious as they would have been if their paychecks had actually been gouged by those additional 2 percentage points.

But when the Democrats boosted the personal income tax rate from 3 to 5 percent - with a companion hike in the corporate income tax - most of us didn't suffer: The state tax hike coincided with a 2-percentage-point decrease in the federal payroll withholding for Social Security. That payroll tax reduction, a last-minute proposal from President Barack Obama's White House, was the final component of a bipartisan Washington deal to keep the Bush-era income tax cuts in place.

On Monday the federal payroll tax cut expired. And the new agreement that has avoided many impacts of the "fiscal cliff" doesn't renew it for a third year. If you pay into Social Security, you'll now send an additional 2 percent of your earnings to the federal government.

Think of it this way: The impact of your Quinncome tax increase - long advocated by Gov. Pat Quinn and made law by his signature two years ago - has finally hit home. Your home. You just took a pay cut.


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12856 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12856 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 21:25:52 GMT
The struggles Mark Kirk endured during his yearlong recovery from a major stroke were worth it Thursday as the Illinois Republican marked his long-awaited return to work by climbing the 45 steps to the Senate's front door.

"I've been dreaming about this day for months," Kirk said Tuesday in a sit-down interview with NBC Chicago in Washington.

Flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Joe Manchin (R-W.V.), Kirk stopped several times and waved as colleagues cheered him on. Fellow Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin walked the steps with him, and Rep. Bobby Rush and others greeted him on the top step with hugs and handshakes.

"Just finished Capitol step climb, It is the honor of my life to represent the people of #IL. Thx for all the support!" Kirk tweeted.

From the Senate Chaplain to Senate colleagues, Kirk's return was noted as inspiring.

"He's my wingman, and that's a beautiful relationship. I've said this: there's certain people you bond with immediately, and Mark was a person that I bonded with immediately, from Day One," said Manchin.

Others from the Illinois congressional delegation were also on hand to cheer him on.

"Any American who has gone through an illness or an injury, they just want to get back to work and to their lives, and that's what he's doing today. I think he's a tremendous symbol," said newly sworn-in Rep. Tammy Duckworth.

"I think he can do this. From what I understand, from a medical point of view, his cognitive skills are all there. I know the same Senator Kirk is going to be there on opening day," added Rep. Mike Quigley.

The climb was a feat he didn't think was possible a year ago.
"There was a time with my left leg when my doctors said, 'It will bear weight,' and I thought, 'You know, I'm the owner of this leg. Yeah, right. It'll never bear weight,'" Kirk said. "They were right and I was wrong."

Kirk's massive stroke limited movement on the left side of his body and affected his speech. He spent months learning to walk and climb stairs, along with speech therapy. He credits his staff at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago for pushing him when he thought he couldn't do it.
Kirk needed three brain surgeries to help him heal. At one point he was so close to death he recalled angels speaking to him.

"I felt like there were three angels in the room. And, interestingly, they had New York accents, probably because the last movie I'd seen was on Channel 11, was the original 'Ocean's 11,'" he said.

Kirk now speaks more slowly and deliberately. He also uses a cane and may need a wheelchair. When he returns to work, he is expected to have a scaled back schedule and won't keep the same busy travel schedule he once did.

He said the stroke gave him a renewed sense of purpose, deepened his faith and the experience made him vow "to never, ever give up."


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12855 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12855 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 21:22:28 GMT
Click the link below to read entire press release, including a detailed outline of the sanctions.



]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12850 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12850 Sun, 23 Dec 2012 09:52:08 GMT
When a family is drowning in debt and interest payments, the worst thing it can do is apply for new credit cards.

The additional spending power may bring short-term relief and a false sense of security, but it will ultimately lead to more serious financial problems.


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12837 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12837 Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:54:37 GMT Op-Ed in Reboot Illinois

In yet another blow, Standard & Poor’s recently lowered Illinois’ bond rating from A+ to A, giving us the second worst grade in the nation and costing state taxpayers millions more in annual interest payments. In making the move, S&P stressed that Illinois faces massive financial challenges, and it is not convinced that we’re up to addressing them.

The news was disappointing, but hardly surprising.

As I write this, the state has 191,299 unpaid bills at the Comptroller’s Office awaiting payment and they total more than $6.9 billion. When you throw in the tens of thousands of bills piling up at agencies throughout state government, that backlog hits nearly $9.1 billion.

At the same time, our pension situation is the worst in the nation. Our retirement systems have an unfunded liability of approximately $96 billion; double what it was just six years ago. And like the state’s Medicaid program, our pension challenge continues to grow – by an estimated $12 million every day.

Sadly, the immediate future is not looking a whole lot better. In fact, the “balanced budget” that was recently passed and signed is anything but balanced, drastically underfunding our responsibilities by more than $2 billion. That underfunding ensures Illinois will be unable to meet its responsibilities as promised, and further perpetuates our sorry cycle of unpaid bills.

So how would I reboot Illinois?

To get Illinois moving again, there is only one choice: follow the money.


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12836 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12836 Sat, 08 Dec 2012 12:00:14 GMT
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — A retired agronomy educator, two legislators, a world-renowned philanthropist and a farm broadcaster were honored at the Illinois Corn Growers Association’s awards program during the Illinois Commodity Conference.


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12835 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12835 Tue, 04 Dec 2012 16:08:19 GMT

]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12823 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12823 Mon, 26 Nov 2012 09:14:00 GMT
U.S. Rep.-elect Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, said Monday that while he still doesn’t want to see tax rates rise for anybody, he anticipates voting for the “best plan that’s put forth” to tame the national debt.

Davis, who defeated Democrat David Gill of Bloomington and independent John Hartman of Edwardsville in the Nov. 6 election for the U.S. House from the new 13th Congressional District, met with reporters at the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce headquarters to discuss his plans.


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12817 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12817 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:19:03 GMT

]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12816 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12816 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 10:45:35 GMT
Davis goes to Washington armed with valuable experience dealing in politics, having spent time working as Rep. John Skimkus' Projects Director. For a more complete profile on Davis' trip to Washington, complete with quotes, please click the link below.



]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12815 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12815 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 10:43:17 GMT

]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12814 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12814 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 10:37:51 GMT
U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger got a second term in the U.S. House on Tuesday, defeating Wanda Rohl, an underfunded Democrat from Ottawa, in the 16th Congressional District.

“My first priority in Washington will be to prevent this country from going off a fiscal cliff” due to the automatic budget cuts that kick in Jan. 1 if Congress doesn’t stop them, Kinzinger said in an interview with the Register Star at Giovanni’s, where Republicans gathered election night.


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12810 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12810 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:35:40 GMT

]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12809 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12809 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:23:11 GMT
Davis goes to Washington armed with valuable experience dealing in politics, having spent time working as Rep. John Skimkus' Projects Director. For a more complete profile on Davis' trip to Washington, complete with quotes, please click the link below.



]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12808 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12808 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:06:00 GMT
“It’s a national disgrace that Illinois Democrats were more interested in protecting their power than in defeating a man indicted for accepting bribes,” Brady said.

Brady noted that the Illinois Democratic Party website still listed Smith as an endorsed candidate as of Election Day.

“Mike Madigan spent more time and resources working to defeat honest candidates who are a threat to his power than he did to defeat a disgraced fellow Democrat who was caught on tape taking a bribe for a phony daycare center grant.”


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12802 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12802 Tue, 06 Nov 2012 20:04:34 GMT
State law prohibits committees making independent expenditures from directly coordinating with campaigns, but this week both the Democratic Party of Illinois and the Democratic Majority PAC made independent expenditures on behalf of Scott Drury. Prior to these independent expenditures, the Democratic Majority PAC has provided Drury with over $30,000 of direct assistance including staffing and polling while the Democratic Party of Illinois provided Drury with over $176,000 of direct assistance.

On Friday, one of the independent expenditures, a radio ad produced by the Democratic Majority PAC supporting the candidacy of Scott Drury was removed from the air by WBBM for lacking any factual basis.

“Scott Drury has taken over $200,000 directly from Michael Madigan and has now engaged in a sort of cover-up to hide an additional $41,000 worth of expenditures that definitely violate the non-coordination part of Illinois’ ethics laws,” said Mark Shaw. “Not only were the Madigan-Drury ads found to be so blatantly false that they were pulled from the air, they were produced in violation of state ethics laws.”

Further highlighting the fact that there was coordination, on Saturday Drury released a statement via email saying that he asked Democratic Majority PAC to stop airing any ads on his behalf.


]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12795 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=12795 Sat, 03 Nov 2012 16:25:42 GMT
Citizens for Bill Brady Sportsmen for Brady Pre-Season Shoot A-Round

Oak Ridge Sportsman’s Club

Mackinaw, IL

More details TBA

Contact Tim Sickmeyer 309-363-9001



]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/eventdetail.aspx?eventid=7629 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/eventdetail.aspx?eventid=7629 Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:41:12 GMT
Williamson County Ronald Reagan Tribute Dinner
August 24, 2013

Location:
The Pavilion
1602 Sioux Dr.
P.O. Box 842
Marion, Illinois 62959

Hosted by:
Williamson County Republican Central Committee
P.O. Box 1686
Marion, IL 62959

Contact: Sue Hamilton, Wm County Chairman
618.681.0070 cell
618.985.2717 home/fax
williamsongop@gmail.com
www.williamsongop.com




]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/eventdetail.aspx?eventid=7520 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/eventdetail.aspx?eventid=7520 Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:08:25 GMT
Sam McCann for Senate Springfield Golf Outing

Panther Creek Country Club

3001 Panther Creek Drive, Springfield

All Details TBA



]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/eventdetail.aspx?eventid=7630 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/eventdetail.aspx?eventid=7630 Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:45:54 GMT
Republican State Senate Campaign Committee Annual Fall Classic

Rend Lake Resort, Whittington, IL

Wednesday: Registration & Lunch 11am-1pm

Wednesday: Golf, Shooting & Fishing 12:30pm

Wednesday: Cocktails 6pm; Dinner & Program 7pm

Thursday: Breakfast 7:30am-10am

$500 per person; $100 Awards Dinner only

Sponsorships: Event $10,000; Dinner $5,000; Lunch $2,500

Breakfast $1,000; Hole Sponsor $150; Green Sponsor $150

Contact Roxanne 217/787-7550 or rowens@ilsenategop.com





]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/eventdetail.aspx?eventid=7507 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/eventdetail.aspx?eventid=7507 Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:37:41 GMT
Republican State Senate Campaign Committee 16th Annual Fall Classic

Wednesday: Registration & Lunch 11am-1pm

Wednesday: Golf, Shooting & Fishing 12:30pm

Wednesday: Cocktails 6pm; Dinner & Program 7pm

Thursday: Breakfast 7:30am-10am

$500 per person; $100 Awards Dinner only

Sponsorships: Event $10,000; Dinner $5,000; Lunch $2,500

Breakfast $1,000; Hole Sponsor $150; Green Sponsor $150

Contact Roxanne 217/787-7550 or rowens@ilsenategop.com






]]> http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/eventdetail.aspx?eventid=7508 http://www.weareillinois.org/connect/eventdetail.aspx?eventid=7508 Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:39:21 GMT