Releases to
the Media, Voting
Information, Meet the
Candidates, Letters
of Endorsement, Calendar of
Events, District Maps
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Releases
to the Media
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Bill
Brady announces five-point Medicaid reform plan
[MARCH
18, 2002] Bill
Brady, R-Bloomington, a candidate for state Senate in the 44th
District, has a five-point plan for dealing with Medicaid
reimbursement.
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"Illinois
can no longer cut budgets by reducing funding for human
services," said Brady. "That is why I have developed a
five-point plan that I call ‘Reform with Accountability.’ It is
time to set our priorities, and we should not fund any new programs
until we can pay for the commitments we have made," he
continued.
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Brady’s
plan calls for real reform in the Medicaid reimbursement
methodology, implementation of the use of personal care assistants
to help reduce staffing shortages, promotion of the high quality of
care provided by Illinois’ nursing homes, elimination of a bed tax
paid by long-term care facilities, and an increase in the personal
allowance provided to Medicaid residents in long-term care
facilities.
[News
release for Bill Brady]
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Klingler:
Governor’s budget message
not all ‘doom and gloom’
[MARCH
18, 2002] SPRINGFIELD
— State Rep. Gwenn Klingler, R-100 District, reiterated her
opposition to state employee layoffs to help balance the state’s
budget but applauded Gov. Ryan for his recommendations to save the
state money through attrition and an early retirement plan.
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"Through
an early retirement plan and attrition, the state could save money
and not be forced to lay off hardworking state employees," said
Klingler, "I was pleased to hear the governor was open to these
suggestions. I was also pleased to hear that he didn’t support
raising taxes on our families or small business to supplement the
budget."
Klingler
stated that the budget continues to put many of the House Republican’s
priorities at the forefront. Gov. Ryan’s budget proposal continues
to push for more money for education, to expand prescription drug
coverage for seniors, and to provide health coverage for low-income
families.
[to top of second column in this
article]
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"These
are areas we have fought very hard for over the past several years
— helping seniors afford costly prescriptions, improving our
children’s education and keeping our families healthy. I am glad
Governor Ryan is equally committed to these areas and expect needed
services in these areas to continue," said Klingler.
Klingler
stated that the governor’s plan gives lawmakers a good start in
crafting a final budget that will not hurt our families, the poor or
seniors.
"A
lot of work needs to be done on the budget before we adjourn in May.
The governor’s plan gives a starting point for negotiations, and I
expect that the final version will look much different than the
proposal heard [February 20]," said Klingler.
[News
release for Gwenn Klingler]
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Former
Illinois governor endorses Bill Brady
[MARCH
16, 2002] BLOOMINGTON
— Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar has announced his endorsement of
Bill Brady for the 44th Senate District.
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Brady
served in the Illinois House six of the eight years that Jim Edgar
was governor. Edgar complimented Brady for his work ethic and the
leadership he displayed while serving in the General Assembly. The
former governor stated that this experience means Bill will be able
to effectively deal with issues important to the people of the
district. "Bill knows the people in Springfield, and he knows
the process. He won’t need on-the-job training," Edgar said.
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"I
am confident Bill’s background in state government and business
make him uniquely qualified to serve the 44th Senate
District," Edgar said. "His fiscal discipline and business
experience will allow him to work toward balancing the state’s
budget and improving education."
Edgar
also complimented Brady for his work on behalf of retired teachers
in sponsoring and passing a bill for their continued health
insurance benefits.
[News
release for Bill Brady]
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Peoria
Journal Star endorses Kinzinger
[MARCH
13, 2002] The
Peoria Journal Star has announced its endorsement of Rus Kinzinger
for the Illinois State Senate in the 44th District. The newspaper is
the largest daily newspaper in Tazewell County, much of which lies
in the 44th Senate District.
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The
Peoria Journal Star said, "Rus Kinzinger has outworked and
outargued Bill Brady (his opponent). That is something of a
surprise, since Kinzinger has never held public office and Brady had
eight years of experience before giving up his State House seat two
years ago to run for Congress. …
"Kinzinger
enters a room equipped with ideas. One of the more intriguing is to
use the state funding carrot to encourage schools to become
community centers, open at night and on weekends.
"He
proposes creating multi-county consortiums to examine applications
to establish industry-sized animal farms, something that merits
exploration.
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"He’s
the only candidate in memory who’s suggested that the state might
think about regulating who can tap into aquifers and under what
circumstances in order to prevent water shortages.
"For
a newcomer, his understanding of the state’s problems is
impressive."
The
newspaper concludes that Bill Brady "just hasn’t sold himself
this time around. Kinzinger has, and gets our endorsement."
[News
release for Rus Kinzinger]
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IEA
recommends Bill Brady
[MARCH
8, 2002] SPRINGFIELD
— The Illinois Political Action Committee for Education, the
independent political action arm of the Illinois Education
Association, is recommending Bill Brady for the 44th Illinois Senate
District.
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According
to John DiMascio, Region 14 chair, Brady has a record of excellent
performance in support of education, including school construction
grants, increased funding, school safety initiatives, early
childhood and reading programs, and class- size reduction.
"We
respect Brady’s experience in the Illinois House," said Lou
Ann Jacobs, GPA for Region 14. "His influence will be crucial
to education in the coming months and years to ensure that education
of our children remains the top priority in the state."
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"Brady
hopes to replace retiring Senator John Maitland and carry on
Maitland’s enviable record of assuring that adequate funds are
earmarked for education," John DiMascio said.
The
IEA committee has also recommended Rep. Bill Mitchell, Illinois
House District 87, and Rep. Dan Brady in House District 88 based on
their records of support for education.
[News
release for Bill Brady]
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Tremont,
Warrensburg mayors and
Tazewell County coroner endorse Kinzinger
[MARCH
2, 2002] Three
area officeholders have announced their support of Rus Kinzinger,
Republican candidate for state Senate from the 44th District. They
are Mike Dunlap, mayor of Tremont; Leland Heckl, mayor of
Warrensburg; and Joe Dubois, coroner in Tazewell County.
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Mayor
Dunlap called Kinzinger "the best man for the job." "Rus
has shown that he’s in this race, not for himself, but to
represent the people of the 44th District," Dunlap said. "Rus
has spent a lifetime helping those less fortunate. As chief
executive of the Home Sweet Home Mission, which serves the poor and
the homeless, he has firsthand knowledge of the relationship between
health care, education, employment and tax issues that impact our
citizens."
Coroner
Dubois said that the citizens of Tazewell County who are in the 44th
District are "fortunate to have a candidate as distinctively
qualified as Rus Kinzinger."
"In
addition to devoting his life to helping the needy, he understands
the needs of the rural communities, having lived 30 years of his
life associated with the type of small, rural communities that
compose 95 percent of the 44th Senate District." Dubois added
that Rus has shown he is a man of courage and integrity by
announcing that he will not accept campaign contributions from
casino or liquor-related organizations.
[to top of second column in this
article]
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Mayor
Heckl of Warrensburg, near Decatur, said he endorses Rus because he
will "truly represent the interests of the citizens of the 44th
District, not the politicians."
"He
is a strong advocate of education, with his wife teaching in the
public school system in Bloomington and a daughter who teaches at
the college level. Rus has been tireless in visiting the part of the
44th District around Decatur — a good indication of how he plans
to represent us when elected."
Other
prominent residents of the 40 Senate District who have endorsed
Kinzinger include Rep. Jonathan Wright, R-Hartsburg, and Mike Stokke,
chief of staff to Dennis Hastert, who is speaker of the U.S. House
of Representatives and 15th District Republican state central
committeeman.
[News
release for Rus Kinzinger]
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Illinois
Right to Life endorses Kinzinger
[MARCH
2, 2002] The
Illinois Federation for Right to Life Political Action Committee has
announced its endorsement of Rus Kinzinger, Republican candidate for
state Senate in the 44th District.
Dawn
Behnke, chairperson of the IFRL said, "Rus has expressed a
desire to protect the unborn children ... in addition to those who
are disabled and in need of protection at the end of their lives.
… If we do not restore and maintain the protection of that right
for the weakest and most helpless members of our society, we become
weaker and more helpless."
The
IFRL-PAC is connected with the Illinois Federation for Right to
Life, Inc., which represents the state on the board of the National
Right to Life Committee in Washington, D.C.
[News
release for Russ Kinzinger]
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Kinzinger
endorsed by Chicago Tribune
[MARCH
1, 2002] Rus
Kinzinger, Republican candidate for Senate in the 44th District,
today received the endorsement of the Chicago Tribune. Kinzinger is
currently chief executive of the Home Sweet Home Mission, which
serves the poor and homeless.
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The
Tribune stated in the editorial page endorsement: "At a time
when plenty of experienced legislators are leaving the General
Assembly in droves, one might be tempted to support former state
Rep. Bill Brady’s bid to return to the legislature. But many
people in Springfield describe Brady as a camera-ready politician
who doesn’t pay much attention to the hard work of legislating.
"Brady
has an impressive challenger in Rus Kinzinger, a former local
coordinator for Peter Fitzgerald’s U.S. Senate campaign, who for
13 years has overseen a network of central Illinois homeless and
transitional shelters. Kinzinger has neither the money nor the
legislative experience of Brady, but his understanding of state
issues and his creative ideas for cutting waste suggest he wouldn’t
need much time to get up to speed. He would be a principled
legislator. Kinzinger is endorsed."
[to top of second column in this
article]
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Kinzinger
said he was elated at the Chicago Tribune endorsement. He has also
received endorsements from Mike Stokke, Republican state central
committeeman for the 15th District and chief of staff to Dennis
Hastert, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; Rep. Jonathan
Wright, R-Hartsburg; Mayor Mike Dunlap, Tremont; Mayor Leland Heckl,
Warrensburg; and Joe Dubois, coroner for Tazewell County.
[News
release for Rus Kinziger]
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Noland
endorses Brady for Senate
[FEB.
27, 2002] DECATUR
— Bill Brady, candidate for state Senate, earned high praise from
the area’s current senator, Duane Noland, who is retiring this
year. Sen. Noland officially endorsed former Rep. Bill Brady,
R-Bloomington, for the 44th District. Noland, R-Blue Mound, says
Brady will be an excellent voice for the area where he now serves.
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"I’ve
had the pleasure and privilege of serving this area for the past 12
years," said Noland. "I’ve also had the opportunity to
work with Bill Brady, and I am confident that central Illinois will
flourish under his leadership."
Bill
Brady served as state representative for the 88th District before
running for Congress in 2000. Brady led the charge on making taxes
more reasonable, schools safer, insurance more accessible, and
expanding agricultural markets and uses. He will continue to fight
for education, an improved economy, tort reform and tougher crime
laws.
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"Bill
Brady is a proven leader who understands the needs of communities
like Bloomington and Decatur," said Noland. "His time in
the House has well prepared him for the challenges of the Senate and
the privilege of serving this area."
The
new 44th District includes all of DeWitt County and portions of
Christian, Logan, McLean, Macon, Sangamon and Tazewell counties.
[News
release for Bill Brady]
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Ewing
endorses Bill Brady in 44th District Senate race
[FEB.
21, 2002] BLOOMINGTON
— Former state Rep. Bill Brady received a boost to his campaign
for the state Senate today with the endorsement of former U.S. Rep.
Tom Ewing and his son, Sam Ewing.
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"I
have known Bill Brady for many years and worked with him when he
served in the Illinois General Assembly," explained Ewing.
"He has the experience and knowledge, which will be required
for the next senator from the 44th District. I am pleased to
enthusiastically endorse Bill Brady in the March 19 primary."
Ewing’s
son, Sam Ewing, joined his father in supporting Bill Brady. "I
wholeheartedly endorse Bill Brady’s candidacy for the Illinois
State Senate. Central Illinoisans will be well served by having Bill
Brady back in Springfield representing our values and providing
solid leadership for the citizens of the 44th District."
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Tom
Ewing served in the U.S. Congress for 10 years. Before that,
he served in the Illinois House of Representatives for 17 years,
both as assistant Republican leader and deputy minority leader. He
also worked as assistant state’s attorney of Livingston
County. Sam Ewing works in claims at State Farm Insurance.
The
new mapping of the 44th District includes areas where Tom and Sam
are very well known, and both have been introducing Brady to local
voters. "They have been tremendous," said
Brady. "I am honored to have their support and look
forward to a continued working relationship with them both."
Bill
Brady lives in Bloomington with his wife, Nancy, and their three
children, Katie, William and Duncan.
[News
release for Bill Brady]
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Brauer
campaigning in new 100th District
[FEB.
19, 2002] SPRINGFIELD
— Conservative Republican Rich Brauer of Petersburg kicked off his
campaign for the 100th District Illinois House seat, saying that
voters in this newly drawn district have a new choice that better
reflects their priorities.
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"As
I walk through the communities now included in the 100th District,
people repeatedly tell me that they want to see stable and equitable
school funding, help for small businesses, and a strong public
safety system," Brauer said. "Through my work with the
PORTA school district, as a volunteer fireman and as a
small-business owner, I have the experience, the vision and the
leadership to make a difference for Sangamon, Menard and Logan
counties."
Brauer
said he is the only conservative choice for the new 100th District.
He supports the protections and responsibilities of the Second
Amendment, tough penalties for tough crimes and property tax relief.
"I
have been on the front lines fighting for much needed money for our
kids, and I know the current school funding system just doesn’t
work," Brauer added. "The income tax is a more equitable
way to fund education, so I will fight for a dollar-for-dollar swap
from the property tax to the income tax to support education."
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Brauer
said he is a proven community leader. He is co-owner, with his eight
brothers and sisters, of Oasis Family Farms in rural Menard County and
is former owner of George Warburton’s Restaurant near Petersburg. He
has served on the National Pork Producers board of directors, Sangamon/Menard
County Crimestoppers, the Menard County and Illinois Water Quality
Associations, the Oakford Volunteer Fire Department, and the Menard
Service Company. He chaired the PORTA Community School District
Citizen Advisory Board, which was successful in passing a referendum
to fund the new PORTA Middle School. He also has coached girls
softball and was a local 4-H leader.
Brauer
is a 1972 graduate of PORTA High School and attended Southern Illinois
University and Western Illinois University. He is married to Nesa
Brauer, a 26-year teacher at Havana High School. He has two daughters,
Ashleigh, a senior at PORTA High School and Whitney, a seventh-grader
at PORTA Junior High.
[News
release for Brauer]
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Klingler:
Long-term care recommendations
protect our elderly and sick
[FEB.
16, 2002] SPRINGFIELD
— State Rep. Gwenn Klingler, R-100th District, said
that the recommendations by the House Republican Long Term Care
Funding Task Force offer reasonable solutions to the long-term care
crisis that threatens the well-being of our loved ones. The report
was released at a press conference in Springfield. The findings are
the result of 15 hearings held by the task force statewide in the
fall.
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"We
owe our moms and dads, grandmothers and grandfathers, aunts and
uncles, a safe and caring place to live when they can no longer live
on their own or with us," said Rep. Klingler. "Long-term
care is expensive, and the state’s failure to adequately reimburse
the facilities that care for our loved ones contributes to that
cost. As a result, many residents deplete a lifetime’s worth of
savings in just a few years and are forced to rely on
Medicaid."
According
to Klingler, nearly two-thirds of nursing home residents rely on
public assistance.
The
goal of the task force was to find a solution to the disparity in
reimbursement rates among regions of the state. The report released
by the task force recognizes the state’s current fiscal condition
and offers a solution to the inequity in the reimbursement rate —
at no additional cost to the taxpayers,
[to top of second column in
this article]
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"A
bill has already been filed that addresses the inequity problem by
changing the way the state reimburses nursing homes. Under House
Bill 4319 nursing homes would be reimbursed based upon the medical
needs of each patient in their care, rather than the location of the
facility," said Klingler. "It makes sense that patients
with more ailments are more expensive to treat and ought to be
reimbursed for their actual cost."
The
task force made several other recommendations, encouraging the state
to establish uniform standards for inspections, pursue increased
federal funding, create a working group to address the nursing
shortage in the long-term care profession and formulate reasonable
procedures for converting nursing home space into assisted living
apartments.
"'This
issue is too important to our families to ignore. I am hopeful that
the General Assembly will act on the recommendations of this task
force," said Klingler.
[News
release for Gwenn Klingler]
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Brady
introduces ‘Teaching for Tomorrow’
education platform
[FEB.
16, 2002] BLOOMINGTON
— Bill Brady, former state representative and now a Republican
candidate for the 44th District state Senate seat, has
released his "Teaching for Tomorrow" education plan that
addresses several key issues, including funding, school construction
grants, standardized testing, teacher retention, local control and
ways to streamline education at the state level.
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"Education
has been and will continue to be the single issue that matters most
to citizens," Brady commented. "My plan recognizes the
fact we need to find a means to provide adequate funding while not
raising income taxes. It also will provide a higher degree of
accountability for results at the state level, while giving local
school districts the flexibility they need to carry out the job of
educating our children."
While
serving in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1993-2001,
Brady was regarded as a strong advocate of primary and secondary
education, supporting measures to provide a foundation level of
funding and authoring legislation that guaranteed health insurance
benefits to all retired teachers across the state.
Brady’s "Teaching for
Tomorrow" education platform
Primary
and secondary education funding
• Brady supports policy that 51 percent of all new revenue growth be
earmarked for education.
• Brady strongly supports continuing the practice of providing a
foundation level for funding that will ensure that all school
districts, regardless of local tax base, will have the necessary
resources to provide for a quality education.
School
construction grants
• As a state representative, Brady worked to obtain funding for school
construction grants that enabled hundreds of projects statewide to
occur while minimizing local property tax exposure.
• Brady advocates the use of retiring Build Illinois bonds to be
utilized for financing capital projects throughout the state. In
order for schools to qualify, they must submit written applications
and substantiate the need so that the available resources are
distributed based upon actual need, not political ties.
Measuring
our schools’ success
• ISAT and Prairie State Achievement Tests address the need for a
standardized means of benchmarking achievement and learning in core
curricula areas of reading, mathematics, writing and sciences.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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• "Longitudinal data" will provide conclusive results for us
to measure the development of individual students from second grade
through high school as well as provide a fair and consistent way to
evaluate our schools.
• Assessment must be consistent and utilized to identify deficiencies,
but not be used to punish those schools that are under-performing.
Rewarding
and retaining our teachers
• Brady will introduce legislation that will provide for teacher
scholarships to attract and retain the best public school teachers.
• Brady successfully negotiated and passed legislation that guaranteed
health insurance benefits for retired teachers across the state.
Local
control
• Decisions that relate to curricula, staffing and prioritization of
resources are best left to local school boards, administrators and
teachers, Brady believes. He has a consistent history of fighting
unfunded federal mandates and legislation that restrict local school
districts’ ability to operate their schools as they deem
necessary.
• School districts that demonstrate a high degree of proficiency in
managing their finances at a local level should not be penalized
with less funding.
Streamlining
processes at the state level
• Brady supports the elimination of the State Board of Education in
favor of a cabinet-level director of education appointed by the
governor and confirmed by the Senate.
• Brady believes that under the structure now in place, there are too
many entities establishing policy
— the governor, the General Assembly and the State Board of
Education
— with little accountability for results. We need a clear and
coherent direction for primary and secondary education that is
established and followed through on, he says.
[News
release for Bill Brady]
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Bill Brady
earns endorsement of
past McLean County GOP chairmen
[FEB.
13, 2002] BLOOMINGTON
— Four former McLean County Republican Party chairmen are among
the most recent GOP leaders to support Bill Brady’s candidacy for
the 44th District Senate seat.
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In
endorsing Brady for the Senate, past chairmen Roger Joslin
(1966-76), Tom Jacob (1976-80), Joe Warner (1990-99) and Bill
Shepherd (1999-2000) cited Brady’s experience, constituent service
and leadership during his four terms in the Illinois House of
Representatives.
"I’m
honored by their support," Brady said. "I think it speaks
to what we were able to accomplish while serving central Illinois as
a state representative and demonstrates their confidence that we’ll
be productive in representing the people of the 44th district."
These
recommendations follow January endorsements by GOP County Chairmen
J.C. Pearce (Christian), Irv Smith (Sangamon) and Jerry Stocks
(Macon).
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Additional
endorsements of Brady’s campaign by 44th District leaders and
citizens can be found at www.citizensforbillbrady.com.
Brady
served as the state representative from 1993-2001. As a legislator,
Brady worked to successfully reform workers compensation and tort
law. He championed insurance and financial reform legislation that
later was used as a national model, and created and passed efforts
to guarantee health insurance and reform the judicial review
process.
[News
release for Bill Brady]
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Stokke
endorses Rus Kinzinger for state Senate
[FEB.
13, 2002] Mike
Stokke, Republican state central committeeman for the 15th
Congressional District, has endorsed Rus Kinzinger, Republican
candidate for Illinois Senate in the 44"' District. The
endorsement was made Sunday afternoon, Jan. 27, at a press
conference outside the Home Sweet Home Mission in Bloomington, where
Kinzinger has served as chief executive for the past 12 years.
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"Rus
Kinzinger is a man of compassion, intellect and integrity,"
Stokke said. "He has lived a life of service. As chief
executive of the Mission, Rus has dealt with the many facets of the
state and federal and local governments and understands their
interrelationships: from health care to education to employment to
business interests. Having grown up on a farm in Iroquois County in
which he continues to hold an interest, Rus is well prepared to
represent both the agricultural and urban issues facing the citizens
of the 44th District."
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In
accepting the endorsement, Rus Kinzinger said: "I appreciate
the confidence that Mike Stokke has shown in me and my campaign.
This is the second endorsement in less than a week — Rep. Jonathan
Wright (R-Hartsburg) publicly endorsed my candidacy on Thursday,
Jan. 24. I am also encouraged by the progress that my campaign has
made in reaching citizens throughout the 40th District to let them
know that my candidacy is about them. I will be responsive to all
interests in the District, not just the privileged few."
[News
release for Rus Kinzinger]
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Mummert
earns Illinois AFL-CIO endorsement
[FEB.
13, 2002] Jon
Mummert, candidate for state representative in the 94th
Illinois Legislative District, earned the endorsement of the
Illinois AFL-CIO.
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"I
am honored by this endorsement," Mummert said. "The issues
of the AFL-CIO reflect the concerns of the working women and men in
our district. Their concerns reflect the core values of my
campaign."
The
Illinois AFL-CIO represents 1,500 local unions and more than a
million working women and men in Illinois. They typically endorse
candidates who pledge to work hard for the rights of working people.
Among
other issues, Mummert said that he is concerned with workplace
safety rules, worker compensation programs, opposing privatization
of prisons and the extension of unemployment benefits. "Based
on my opponent’s anti-labor record, my opponent and I
significantly disagree on these issues."
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Mummert,
a lifelong resident of Western Illinois, lives on his farm near
Astoria and has worked as a carpenter for over 20 years.
The
Illinois 94th District includes all of Henderson, Mason,
McDonough and Warren counties, most of Hancock County, west and
south Fulton County, and three townships in Mercer County.
[News
release for Jon Mummert]
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Astoria
man, Jon Mummert, announces candidacy
for Illinois state representative of the 94th District
[FEB.
13, 2002] Jon
Mummert announced at a luncheon on Friday, Jan. 4, in Havana that he
will run for the Democratic Party nomination for Illinois state
representative of the 94th District.
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"From
my days as a child on my parents’ farm to my days on my own farm
— as a teacher, a carpenter and a family man — I have learned
what it means to be a working person," Mummert said. "You
can rest assured that when you help send me to Springfield, these
experiences and values will continue to guide my actions."
At
the luncheon, Mummert, a lifelong resident of western Illinois,
expressed some of his hopes and goals. He mentioned area issues
including equity in school funding, highway construction,
prescription drug benefits for all seniors and expanding the farm
market.
Jon
and his wife, Cindy, have three children and five grandchildren.
At
age 20 Mummert bought a farm, near his hometown of Astoria, which he
has expanded to 600 acres over the past 35 years.
Mummert
worked his way through Spoon River College and Western Illinois
University as a coal miner and earned a business degree from WIU. He
taught at Porta High School for two years and was chair of the
business department during his second year.
While
maintaining his farm, Mummert has worked for 26 years as a
carpenter. As a trustee of his carpenters union pension fund, he
helped build a small pension fund into a large one, significantly
increasing benefits for retired carpenters.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Mummert
said, "I believe in helping those who came before me and
protecting the futures of all western Illinoisans."
Mummert
is an active leader in his community. He currently serves as
president of the Astoria Library Board and was a director for the
Farmers State Bank of Astoria from 1980-2000.
Mummert
recently resigned his presidency of the Astoria Fire Protection
District. "I resigned to commit more time to run for state
representative, but I vow that I will work hard to make sure that
all firefighters have the right equipment to protect us and
themselves," he said.
Besides
his volunteer work in his community, Mummert is also an active
member of the Astoria Christian Church, serving on the board of
elders and deacons for the last four years, the final three as the
board’s co-chair.
Mason
County officeholders and area supporters were in attendance when
Mummert announced his candidacy.
"I
am grateful for this opportunity to announce to my candidacy,"
he said. "I believe my work and life experience will help me
run a successful campaign and become an effective legislator."
[News
release for Jon Mummert]
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Kinzinger
supports enterprise zone extension
for coal-fired energy plant near Elkhart
[FEB.
13, 2002] Rus
Kinzinger, a Bloomington Republican running for Illinois’ 44th
Senate District, announced his support for the extension of the
enterprise zone from Lincoln to Elkhart to assist Corn Belt Energy
Corporation in its plan to build a $140 million coal-fired plant
just east of Elkhart.
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Kinzinger
said, "It is clear that the construction of this plant will
benefit consumers in our growing district, of which
Bloomington-Normal is the largest city. Corn Belt Electric, based in
Bloomington, employs 84 people. This plant, the first generating
plant for Corn Belt, will clearly benefit the 44th
District in providing energy for our future needs. When fully
operational, it will be capable of producing 82 megawatts of
electricity per hour."
Corn
Belt will be a 51 percent owner of the plant, which was planned in
conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energy.
The
proposed coal plant would also benefit our state in several ways,
Kinzinger said:
1.
Use of Illinois coal and payment of approximately $2,500 in monthly
coal taxes.
[to top of second column in
this article]
|
2.
Creation of an average of 100 construction jobs over the 2.3-year
construction period and an estimated $16.3 million in
construction-related revenue.
3.
Payment of approximately $325,000 in property taxes.
4.
Once operational, the plant should employ 25 full-time workers.
Turris Coal near Elkhart will need to expand its work force by about
20 in order to produce the estimated 380,000 tons of coal needed
annually.
"I
support Corn Belt Energy Corporation as it grows its business and
works to meet future energy needs of our community and region,"
Kinzinger said. "I commend the city of Lincoln for voting to
extend the enterprise zone to assist Corn Belt in constructing the
coal plant in Elkhart."
[Kinzinger
for Senate press release]
|
|
Voting
Information
|
Polling
places
[MARCH
1, 2002] The
following are polling places in Logan County:
|
Precinct |
Polling place |
Lake Fork No. 1 |
Lake Fork Township
Hall, 260 200th Ave., Mount Pulaski |
Laenna No. 1 |
Latham Firehouse,
Latham |
Aetna No. 1 |
Chestnut Firehouse,
Chestnut |
Oran No. 1 |
Beason Firehouse,
Beason |
Atlanta No. 1 |
Atlanta Firehouse,
205 South East Vine St., Atlanta |
Atlanta No. 2 |
Atlanta Township
Office, 301 Arch St., Atlanta |
Atlanta No. 3 |
Atlanta City Hall,
107 North East First St., Atlanta |
Mount Pulaski No. 1 |
American Legion
Home, 104 Scroggin Ave., Mount Pulaski |
Mount Pulaski No. 2 |
American Legion
Home, 104 Scroggin Ave., Mount Pulaski |
Mount Pulaski No. 3 |
Lake Fork Community
Center, Lake Fork |
Mount Pulaski No. 4 |
American Legion
Home, 104 Scroggin Ave., Mount Pulaski |
Chester No. 1 |
Chester Township
Hall, 1197 1450th Ave., Lincoln |
East Lincoln No. 1 |
Senior Citizens
Center, 501 Pulaski St., Lincoln |
East Lincoln No. 2 |
First United
Presbyterian Church, 301 Pekin St., Lincoln |
East Lincoln No. 3 |
*Faith Assembly of
God Church, 1225 Nicholson Road, Lincoln |
East Lincoln No. 4 |
Elkins Garage, 211
N. Main, Lawndale |
East Lincoln No. 5 |
Masonic Temple,
2022 N. Kickapoo St., Lincoln |
East Lincoln No. 6 |
*Lincoln Christian
Fellowship Center, 211 N. Hamilton, Lincoln |
East Lincoln No. 7 |
Lincoln Christian
Fellowship Center, 211 N. Hamilton, Lincoln |
East Lincoln No. 8 |
*Friendship Manor,
925 Primm Road, Lincoln |
East Lincoln No. 9 |
Lincoln Christian
College Chapel, 100 Campus View, Lincoln |
East Lincoln No. 10 |
*Faith Assembly of
God Church, 1225 Nicholson Road, Lincoln |
East Lincoln No. 11 |
New Wine
Fellowship, 1500 N. McLean, Lincoln |
East Lincoln No. 12 |
Faith Lutheran
Church, 2320 N. Kickapoo St., Lincoln |
Eminence No. 1 |
Eminence Township
Hall, 1450 2400th St., Atlanta |
Elkhart No. 1 |
Elkhart Town Hall,
109 N. Bogardus, Elkhart |
Elkhart No. 2 |
Cornland Firehouse,
Cornland |
Broadwell No. 1 |
Broadwell Town
Hall, Broadwell |
West Lincoln No. 1 |
Carroll Catholic
School, 111 Fourth St., Lincoln |
West Lincoln No. 2 |
Carroll Catholic
School, 111 Fourth St., Lincoln |
West Lincoln No. 3 |
Northwest School
Gym, 506-11th St., Lincoln |
West Lincoln No. 4 |
*Jefferson Street
Christian Church, 1700 N. Jefferson, Lincoln |
West Lincoln No. 5 |
Northwest School
Gym, 506-11th St., Lincoln |
West Lincoln No. 6 |
*West Lincoln
Township Shed, 651 Stringer, Lincoln |
West Lincoln No. 7 |
West Lincoln-Broadwell
School, 2695 Woodlawn Road, Lincoln |
West Lincoln No. 8 |
St. John United
Church of Christ, 204 Seventh St., Lincoln |
West Lincoln No. 9 |
Logan County
Housing Authority, 1028 N. College, Lincoln |
West Lincoln No. 10 |
*Jefferson Street
Christian Church, 1700 N. Jefferson, Lincoln |
Orvil No. 1 |
Emden Village Hall,
Emden |
Orvil No. 2 |
Hartsburg
Firehouse, Hartsburg |
Hurlbut No. 1 |
Hurlbut Township
Shed, Elkhart |
Corwin No. 1 |
Corwin Township
Hall, 100 N. Monroe, Middletown |
Sheridan No. 1 |
New Holland Village
Hall, New Holland |
Prairie Creek No. 1 |
Blair Hoerbert’s
Garage, 2506 100th Ave., San Jose |
*Denotes
polling place change
[Sally
J. Litterly, Logan County clerk]
|
|
Meet
the Candidates
|
Note:
Position papers have customarily been published in LDN as received
— unedited. For smoother reading, we corrected a few misspellings
in the current set of documents. Words inserted for clarity are in brackets
[like this]. We also added some punctuation in the process of
transcribing handwritten materials. The basic content of the papers
has not been edited. This is an opportunity for the candidates
themselves to tell us "Where They Stand."
|
|
Regional
superintendent of schools candidate positions
|
Jean Anderson
|
My
name is Jean Anderson, and I am a candidate for the office of
Regional Superintendent of Schools for Logan, Mason, and Menard
Counties. With the upcoming primary just a few short days away, I
would like to share with LDN readers my thoughts regarding three
issues I am dedicated to promoting, should I be elected: Visibility,
Accessibility, and Representation.
I
have a teaching background and am currently completing my eighteenth
year in the classroom. However, I also have an administrative
background with both a Master’s Degree in Educational
Administration and administrative experience. Through my
participation on my district’s recertification and
communications committees, as chief negotiator and bargaining
committee chairperson, and as my school’s Discipline/Attendance
Officer, I am actively involved in policy making and implementation.
My opponent is also involved at this level. However, where I believe
I have the advantage over him is through my role as a teacher. From
the vantage point of my classroom, I am a direct recipient of policy
decisions and can assess them first-hand. Many
current educational decisions and policies are being made by
individuals who have either been away from the classroom for a long
time, or who have never been in the classroom at all. As Regional
Superintendent, I would bring my first-hand knowledge to the office.
Then, in order to maintain that perspective, I will make regular
visits to schools, not just for Life/Safety inspections, but to meet
and talk with staff members about their ideas and concerns, so that
my efforts can best reflect staff and student needs. This, in my
opinion, is the only way to make appropriate
decisions for all of us.
I
would also like to implement additional opportunities for
professional development at the local level. My opponent has
mentioned Logan, Mason, and Menard counties’ affiliation with the
Mid-Illini Educational Cooperative, which provides resources and
workshops for our educators, and for educators from Fulton,
Schuyler, and Tazewell counties. According to the Fall 2001-Spring
2002 edition of The Reporter, Mid-Illini’s published list
of workshop offerings, only one workshop was scheduled to
be held in Logan County (in Lincoln) and just three were
scheduled for Mason County locations (one each in Havana, Manito,
and Mason City.) No locations in Menard County were scheduled at
all. As Regional Superintendent, I believe it is extremely
important for our local educators to have the fairness and
accessibility of attending many events in Logan, Mason, or Menard
Counties, rather than being the ones asked to travel to sites in the
other three areas. Therefore, I will work to schedule more training
sessions in our three counties. I also will encourage and facilitate
districts who wish to become Providers, a designation allowing them
to bring to their schools meaningful training that addresses the
state standards for teacher recertification. It is much more
efficient and cost-effective to bring staff development
opportunities into a district for all to partake of, than it is to
underwrite sending individuals away for similar training a few at a
time. Saving
districts money in this area frees up local dollars for local needs.
[to top of second column in
this position paper]
|
Highest
on my list of concerns is representation. I understand the need to
improve our relationships with parents, increase positive community
support, and gain additional resources. I am extremely interested in
pursuing areas of cooperation between our school districts.
Purchasing cooperatives for the smaller schools and shared
technology grants are two such examples. In my current situation, I
am comfortable communicating with school administration in order to
address staff and student concerns and do so on a regular basis. As
Regional Superintendent, I will maintain that type of direct
representation and would look for additional ways in which to
support faculty, staff, and administration as we work to keep our
students in school, positively engage disruptive or underachieving
students, keep our physical plants secure, and continue to provide
the highest quality of education possible.
If
I am elected Regional Superintendent, these issues will be
first on my agenda. As a lifetime resident of Lincoln
and Logan County, I will work hard for you.
My family and I continue to support LDC and other area businesses,
and we maintain our hope that our community will remain strong. I
would appreciate your vote on March 19.
Thank
you very much.
Respectfully,
Jean
R. Anderson
Republican
Candidate for Regional Superintendent of Schools for Logan,
Mason, Menard Counties
1705
N. Kankakee Street
Lincoln,
Illinois 62656
(217)732-6549
|
|
Robert Turk
|
My
wife, Camille and I reside on a farm in rural Mason County. We have
two sons, Michael age 31 and Greg age 28. I am a member of the
Havana First United Methodist church and currently serve the church
as treasurer. I am serving my local community as a member of the
Mason District Hospital Foundation Board.
My
career in education spans better than 30 years. During that time I
have been a classroom teacher at the junior high school, high school
and college level. I have been a junior high school principal, and I
served as District Superintendent for the Easton and Greenview
School Districts. For the past eight years I have served as the
Assistant Regional Superintendent for the Logan Mason, Menard
Region. During that time I have assisted in the administration of
the varied responsibilities of the office including teacher
certificate application and registration, bus driver training, the
regional media materials center and GED registration. Our
responsibility to conduct health/life-safety inspections and full
compliance reviews has afforded me the opportunity to know the
educators and gain first hand knowledge about the educational
programs in each district and the facilities in which they are
offered.
During
the past eight years our office has taken on new responsibilities
and initiatives. We received a new truancy grant that provides for
two caseworkers to work with students experiencing attendance
problems in grades k-8. We worked with all 13 school districts in
the Region to develop a cooperative agreement to operate our
Regional Safe School called Salt Creek Academy. We formed the Mid-Illini
Cooperative with Regional Offices in Tazewell County and
Fulton/Schuyler Counties to meet our responsibilities to provide
gifted education services, technology services, and professional
development opportunities for teachers and administrators. Along
with the provision of workshops and administrator academies, the
cooperative has been successful in providing assistance to districts
in school improvement activities, teacher leadership activities,
teacher certificate renewal activities and helping to make
technology a reality in the schools of the region.
[to top of second column in
this position paper]
|
In
my capacity as Assistant Regional Superintendent, I have had the
opportunity to work with educators and administrators throughout the
Region as Chairman of the Lincolnland Regional Delivery System for
vocational education, secretary for the Board of Directors for the
Salt Creek Academy, and designated chairman of the local
professional development committee for private school teachers and
teachers in state operated programs. I am also a member of the
Illnois State Board of Education Pupil Transportation Advisory
Committee and the Lincoln Land Workforce Investment Board.
I
have truly enjoyed the opportunity to work with educators and
citizens in the Logan, Mason, and Menard Region in their efforts to
provide excellent educational opportunities. The increased
recognition of the importance of education at the State and Federal
level, the State’s shrinking budget and the reorganization of the
State Board of Education will provide challenges and new
opportunities for the Regional Office. I believe my experience and
the success of past initiative provides with me with necessary
background and skills to meet the new challenges and provide
continued improvement of educational opportunities for students in
the Logan, Mason, Menard Region.
|
|
Sheriff candidate
questions
Sheriff candidates were invited to
address the following domestic violence
questions as they chose:
-
What role do you see the Sheriff’s
Office having to reduce violence in our County?
-
Where does domestic violence fall in
your priorities?
-
What guidelines do you recommend to
your deputies (or would you recommend) when making domestic
violence arrests, as well as determining the primary aggressor
at the scene of an incident?
-
Do you currently have (or would you
have) a protocol for this?
-
What steps will you take to ensure
victim sensitivity with the Sheriff’s Office and ensure that
they are not re-victimized in order that they will want to call
law enforcement again?
-
What is your policy on arrest,
evidence gathering and reporting of domestic violence
calls/incidents?
|
|
Sheriff
candidate Steven Nichols
|
1.
The Sheriff’s Office will take a full time role in attending the
meetings of the Domestic Abuse and Violence Task Force, not because
of an election year. The Sheriff’s Office will track all domestic
abuse and violence in the county and report these incidents to the
task force. This way we can monitor the type of incidents and causes
behind them, alcohol or drug abuse, poverty and so on.
2.
Domestic violence is a high priority, especially since I have been
involved with over 1,500 reported cases of abuse and neglect.
Domestic violence has a direct impact on the well being of our
children. Children observe this violence and will pattern their
ability to cope with life situations in the same manner. This leads
to more violence in our communities and other forms of problems,
such as school truancy, alcohol and drug abuse, theft and burglary.
This is where I hope my proposal for a senior high school task force
of kids from all over the county can help. Where we let the kids
talk with each other and communicate what problems they face and
ways of solving these issues. We must stop this vicious cycle.
3.
My first concern in domestic disputes will be if children are
present in the home. I want their safety secured first and foremost.
As previously stated, this affects them more than anyone.
If the aggressor is clearly identified, arrests will be made; if
both subjects are responsible, arrests will be made and the State’s
Attorney can weigh the evidence after reading the reports and decide
if charges are still warranted.
[to top of second column in
this position paper]
|
If
we have a mom and dad involved in a dispute, we will make our
priority providing a safe environment for the child; then the arrest
will follow.
4.
We will work with the Sojourn Center for the proper guidance in
protecting the victims. Too many times we are insensitive to the
female victims; we think they can just get up and leave abusive
situations. It is not that easy. We want to make referrals to our
mental health facility where they have excellent staff to help
victims deal with their emotional needs. This goes hand in hand with
reporting to the task force for support also.
5.
This is a crime that is taken too lightly at times, primarily with
child involvement. Interviews will be conducted, physical evidence
gathered and inventoried, and pictures taken of injuries will be
required. We will back this up with a medical opinion if treatment
is needed. All incidents, again, will be documented, tracked, and
reported to the task force.
|
|
County
Board candidates questions
County Board candidates
were invited to address the following questions as they chose:
-
What issues likely to
come before the County most interest you? How would you respond
to them?
-
What unique
background/abilities/philosophy can you bring to this office?
-
This year the County
Board budget projects lower income than expenditures. Have you
any ideas for conserving resources?
-
Where do you stand on
the proposed commercial/industrial park?
-
How can the county
promote economic development?
|
|
Candidate
for county board, District 3, Tom Cash
|
Tom
Cash
P.O.
Box 112
230
S. Main
Latham,
IL 62543
Home
Phone 217 674 3423
Married:
Patricia 43 years
Children:
Lynda, Thomas Jr.
Grandchildren:
Jessica, Devin, Samantha
Party
affiliation: Republican
Organizations:
Latham Fire and Rescue--29 years
Church
affiliation: Latham Baptist Church
Current
Occupation: Retired from Army National Guard since July 1,1999
Aviation
Life Support Equipment Technician
13 years
Education:
12 years; high school
Illinois
Military Academy Teaching Certificate
Nuclear
Biological and Chemical Warfare Instructor 18 years
I wish to
continue to serve the people of District Three and Logan County.
I
differ from the other candidates seeking the same seat because of my
prior service in Logan County. For 19 years I have served as the
Zoning Officer of the Village of Latham. I have also represented the
Latham area on the Logan County Planning and Zoning Commission since
1995. 1 was appointed to the Logan County Board in August of 2001. I
feel this gives me more experience and knowledge of the problems
facing the people of my district and Logan County.
I
was appointed to the Logan County Board in August 2001 to fill a
vacancy left by Phil Mahler’s selection as Logan County Planning
and Zoning Officer. I was appointed to this position because of my
working knowledge with the County Board and prior public service to
the community.
Being
a member of the Logan County Board for the past 6 months has made me
aware of just how much time, effort and thoughts are needed to
become a good representative for all the people of the county.
[to top of second column in
this position paper]
|
I
am a member of the animal control committee, Logan County Planning
and Zoning Committee and the General Assembly Liaison. Being a board
member does not mean attending two board meetings a month and
committee meetings only. It also means you must make contact with
everyone who has a concern about a decision made or being considered
by the board. Some of these decisions are very controversial.
Listening to both sides of every issue is time consuming, but very
important. Sometimes decisions that are made do not satisfy
everyone, but I believe we must follow the rules and ordinances set
for us.. If these rules do not represent the majority of the people
then proper procedure needs to be followed to change them.
I
have only been a board member for 6 months. The first meetings were
spent observing, listening and absorbing the workings of the board
as a whole. In my short time on the board I have been able to
support the passage of the Enterprise Zone in Elkhart as well as
other things that benefit the county. I have worked for clean up of
junk cars and etc. in Logan County for the past 7 years on the
Planning Commission and now as a county board member, that is one of
my goals.
As
I visit with the people in my district and the county, I have asked
what their concerns are. Voters major concerns are keeping taxes and
spending under control, seeing all communities not only regain lost
business but attract new business and cleanup in the county.
Keeping
the areas of the county cleaned up and the overall appearance of all
communities is one of my main goals as well as keeping spending and
taxes under control.
I
am proud to have been able to make people more aware of Logan County
as a whole As a representative of one of 6 new districts, I feel not
only my district (district 3) but all areas in the farthest corners
of the county will receive more representation.
Since
becoming a Logan County Board member I have made many important
contacts on the board and throughout not only the county but also
the state. I have attended many meeting with our State
Representatives and Senators to increase their awareness of the
needs of the people of Logan County.
As
a resident of the outermost region of the county, I understand why
all areas of the county need to be properly represented. I intend to
represent not only the people of my district, but also all the
citizens of the county. My decisions as a member of the county board
will be based on what’s best for our county as a whole.
|
|
Candidate
for county board, District 5, Patrick O’Neill
|
My
name is Patrick O’Neill, 46 years of age.
Married
to Juanita for 8 yrs; have 4 stepchildren Spring 23, Wendy 22, D.J.
20, Steve 18.
Worked
at Krogers going on 26 years with the past 2 as frozen food manager.
I’m also union steward and have worked with Mayor Davis the past
year on a committee for disabilities, senior citizens, youth, which
I enjoy doing.
My
platform is simple. Senior citizens, jobs, promoting Logan County as
a place to call home.
Issues
that interest me [are] the golf course [and] industrial park! Since
the 9-11 and the recession, towns like Peoria, Decatur, Clinton etc.
have been hit hard — many because they’re dependent on
industries. I don’t see the county with a pending debt looming
spending taxpayers money to build the park and realistically I don’t
see industry coming to Logan County in near future as downsizing and
closing continued even though we seem to be coming out of recession!
I feel we have other opportunities for industry to choose from, such
as the old PPG plant, and with the uncertain future of LDC, that too
may be an option to choose from in [the] future. So I don’t see
investing money at this time, where we can use it for other pending
needs now.
I’m
for expanding but not at the expense of good farming land or at the
expense of farmers who at this time are having hard times and are
being forced to sell their land to make ends meet! We need to do
everything we can for the farmers in Logan County. They’re the
backbone of the community and were here long before any industry
arrived! The pending power, ethanol plant should be a boost for
local farmers as well as jobs and revenue for the county. So I’d
do anything possible to see that this is a done project!
My
background consists of 26 yrs in retail. Being in constant contact
with people on a daily basis put me in touch with their needs and
troubles. I’m a hard worker who [is] not afraid of promoting the
many new ideas I have!
We’re
facing a budget crunch in the year to come. We need to cut back
expenses. The money for a study plan on a golf course is a waste,
and I’m not for the industrial park but am in favor of updating
our airport!
I
feel the county as a whole is facing a crisis itself with senior
citizens. We’re an aging county, and I feel affordable housing,
lack of transportation facilities, home care help is lacking in
Logan County, and with the budget cuts of Medicaid, nursing homes
may be forced to close. So what’s going to happen when our senior
citizens are unable to keep up the present house or need some
assistance to maintain their quality of life and there’s no place
to go or no more vacancies in the high-rises we have now! We can use
some of the money we’re investing in the industrial park to maybe
make land available for retirement like homes!
[to top of second column in
this position paper]
|
To
promote economic development, first off we need to update all of our
city, county code ordinances to comply with the new world. Second we
have Lincoln College, LCC and even Heartland, all of which are
expressing interest in adding courses, expanding and investing
money. We need to work side by side with them to promote expansion,
which means more jobs, more students, more sales tax money. With
larger universities increasing tuitions, smaller schools become more
affordable and appealing to families looking for an education for
their children!
With
the Lincoln Library and Museum taking shape in Springfield there
will be an estimated 5 million people (tourists) coming through here
yearly. We need to jump at this. Promote Lincoln as a town to visit
and live [in]. We’re right between Springfield Lake and Clinton
Lake which has an estimated 1.5 million visitors a year. Most come
through or by Lincoln! I’d like to see us accommodate these people
by maybe adding a racetrack, creating more campground spaces!
Two
things going for us are our history and the people. I’d like to
see a strip mall-type venture that would feature souvenir-type
stores promoting Lincoln mementos, crafts, etc., all appealing to
tourists, which will bring revenue to the county.
But
to attract tourists and getting get some to stay we need to clean up
eyesores in the communities, which I think a strong city and county
code enforcer can get done. And anybody not complying, seize their
property, auction it off and maybe [the] new owner will fix up these
eyesores in the areas as well as bringing revenue to the county.
When you have people owning property and it’s abandoned and
unlivable or unusable, then it should be seized!! That is why I’m
in favor of a property tax break of 2 yrs for people investing
$10,000 to $20,000 to make improvements or expand on their
properties. Then the third year start paying the new tax rate! This
I believe will support itself in the long run with the money spent
to improve properties, and the hiring of people to work means more
sales tax, and with the improvements made come higher property tax
the third year on, which will also bring in more revenue.
You
never know until you try these ideas. I’m willing to put my
knowledge and effort into making Lincoln and Logan County a place to
live and call home, but I need your help. Please vote for me March
19th!
Pat
O’Neill
|
|
Candidate
for county board, District 6, Paul Gleason
|
ABBREVIATED
BIOGRAPHY:
Paul
E. Gleason is a lifelong resident of Logan County and has lived in
his current precinct, East Lincoln 10 nearly, all of the period. He
was educated in the Lincoln school system and became a teacher after
graduation from Illinois State University in 1960. He retired after
teaching American History and American Constitutional Government for
thirty-seven years. After retirement Gleason authored and
co-authored two books on the History of Lincoln and the History of
Logan County. In the fall of 2000 he joined the Lincoln College
Staff as Assistant Director of the Lincoln College Museum and
currently serves in that position as well as serves as a member of
the teaching staff. Gleason has attained a total of 187 years of
professional member in fourteen organizations which are affiliated
with history and county government. In addition to that he serves as
the county historian for the Logan County Board. He is a member of
the Elkhart Christian Church and serves on its Council and has a son
Bert.
ISSUES
OR CONCERNS FACING THE COUNTY BOARD
a)
Fiscal responsibility and restraint is a concern — not only this
year but each year. In 2002 we are facing an economic slowdown and
thus revenues are down. Thus there is a need to cut expenses and yet
not endanger the quality of life of our citizens. The goal is to
have a balanced budget. During this past two year period the County
has spent money to prepare county governmental operations for the
21st Century. That cost money but most of all of the goals of the
past four years have been met in terms of the modernization of our
county government in order to better serve the people.
b)
Promotion of economic development is not an overnight experience.
You continue to work on it and develop those factors which encourage
businesses and industry to come into Logan County. However one must
work as diligently to protect and encourage our existing businesses,
industries and jobs.
c)
The development of an industrial park has been considered over
several years. It will help the economy. Keep in mind we also need
those positions which pay the workers more than minimum wage and
provide benefits. There are two areas where such a proposal can
occur. However to get persons to agree to one of them is another
issue.
[to top of second column in
this position paper]
|
d)
One of the greatest economic development features which Logan County
has to offer and to develop further is tourism. Most board members
let it slip past. People who come to Logan County spend money. Over
the past decade one has witnessed the growth in revenue from the
motel industry [in] the County.
e)
Agriculture is the greatest industry which the County has. Its
greatest resource is the soil. Thus there needs to be continual
vigil to protect that asset and yet to find means for the growth and
development of our cities and towns. Thus a well-thought and planned
land-use program is vital.
f)
Promote Logan County. A favorable economic atmosphere can be
maintained if persons can be convinced that the County is an ideal
place to live, work, worship, and spend leisure time. Its
educational facilities are second to none. People need to realize
the value of their money when it is spent within the borders of the
County. It has a rippling effect upon our economy and we all
benefit.
g)
Continue to work for the enhancement of the senior citizen services
throughout the County whether it be in the realm of senior
transportation, nutrition, utilities or entertainment.
SUMMARY
Throughout
this campaign just I like those of years of the past there will be
candidates that will make promises of what "I am going to do if
elected." Little do they remember that as individuals we have
little power out of the courthouse. However as a group of county
board members in the courthouse much can be accomplished during the
debates and voting on behalf of the citizens in our district and
throughout the County. Thus my goal or promise today as it was
"yesterdays ago" is to work with my fellow board members
to serve our citizens so that they can enjoy the greatest quality of
life to which they are entitles with the most efficient use of the
taxpayers money.
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Links
to candidate
information on the Web |
Area
Circuit judge
Scott Drazewski (R) for Circuit Judge:
N/A
Charles Reynard (R) for Circuit Judge:
http://www.reynardforjudge.org
State Senate, District 50
Larry Bomke (R):
http://www.legis.state.il.us/bios/senate/
BOMKE.html
Don
Tracy:
wtracy56@msn.com
State Senate, District 44
Bill Brady (R):
http://www.citizensforbillbrady.com
Rus
Kinzinger (R):
http://www.RusForSenate.com
Gerald A. Bradley (D):
|
Statewide
Governor
Pat
O'Malley (R):
http://www.omalleyforgov.com
Jim
Ryan (R):
http://www.jimryanforgovernor.com/
Corinne Wood (R):
http://www.teamcorinne.com/
Rod
Blagojevich (D):
http://www.rodforus.com/
Roland Burris (D):
http://www.rolandburris.com/
Paul Vallas (D):
http://www.paulvallas.com
Lieutenant governor
Carl Hawkinson (R):
http://www.legis.state.il.us/bios/senate/
HAWKINSON.html
William O'Connor (R):
http://www.legis.state.il.us/bios/house/
O'CONNOR.html
Michael Kelleher (D):
http://www.kelleher2002.com/
Pat
Quinn (D):
http://www.votequinn.com/
Joyce Washington (D):
http://www.washington4ltgov.com/
Attorney general
Joe
Birkett (R):
http://www.joebirkett.com/
Bob
Coleman (R):
http://www.colemanforag.com/
Lisa Madigan (D):
http://www.lisamadigan.org/
John Schmidt (D):
http://www.schmidt2002.com/
Treasurer
Judy Baar Topinka (R):
http://www.state.il.us/treas/
Thomas Dart (D):
http://www.citizensfordart.com/
Comptroller
Thomas Jefferson Ramsdell (R):
N/A
Daniel Hynes (D):
http://www.ioc.state.il.us/
Secretary of state
Kris Cohn (R):
N/A
Jesse White (D):
http://www.sos.state.il.us/
Supreme Court
Rita Garman (R):
http://www.ritabgarman.com/
Robert Steigmann (R):
http://www.steigmann.com/
Sue
Myerscough (D):
N/A |
|
Letters
of Endorsement
|
The Lincoln
Daily News publishes letters to the editor as they are
received.
The letters are not edited in content and do not
necessarily reflect
the views of Lincoln Daily News.
Lincoln
Daily News requests that writers responding to controversial
issues address the issue and refrain from personal attacks.
Thank you!
|
|
Vote
Democratic in primary
|
3-18-02
To
the editor:
The
Democratic primary is vitally important. The reason there are few
local races is because of the long-held, firm belief that the
Republican Party will reward or punish you by your vote.
Will
the county board race cost Logan County 500 jobs? Tony Soloman has
done a fine job as sheriff — a stable budget, more patrols and no
more fighting with the county board. Will the county go to pot
depending on who wins that primary race?
Has
there ever been a time when the governor’s race has been more
important to the people of Illinois and, particularly, those of
Logan County? One-party rule for 20 years was destructive to the
secretary of state’s office. One-party rule in the governor’s
office has been harmful as well to the professionalism expected of
agencies such as the Department of Human Services.
[to top of second column in
this letter]
|
Would
LDC be in this predicament if politics didn’t overrule
professionalism?
Adlai
Stevenson lost a governor’s race by one-half a vote per precinct.
The Democratic primary for governor promises to be just as exciting.
Vote
Democratic to select the best candidate.
Sincerely,
Jane
Ryan
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|
|
Endorses
Robert Steigmann
|
3-16-02
To
the editor:
Justice
Robert J. Steigmann is a candidate for the Supreme Court in the
March 19 Republican primary. We urge you to vote for him.
Bob
has been a judge for 25 years, the last 12 on the Appellate Court.
He was a prosecutor for 7˝ years before that. When he became a
judge in 1976, he had tried more felony cases that any prosecutor in
the history of Champaign County.
Throughout
his career, Bob has recognized when there was a problem in our
justice system and appropriately worked to make the system better.
He changed the detention center in Champaign County from a country
club to a kid’s prison. He eliminated the double standard in rape
appeals. He increased enforcement of child support. He got money for
your county from people who used the public defender. He sped up
child custody hearings. He worked on changes that allow a jury to
hear what witnesses said to the police earlier if the witnesses
change their stories at trial.
On
the Supreme Court, Bob will be able to have even more impact because
the Supreme Court has absolute administrative authority over every
court the state. Unlike other candidates, Bob is running on the
issue that our courts need improvement: an end to delays in child
custody cases, an end to secrecy about judicial backlogs, an end to
lack of enforcement of child support.
[to top of second column in
this letter]
|
Bob
is willing to say what he stands for because he thinks the voters
should know whom they are voting for. He has the support of real
people — including teachers and cops and hunters — and not
political power brokers.
The
Supreme Court has for 20 years asked Bob to teach other judges how
to do their jobs. His integrity has never been questioned, and he
has a national reputation as an authority on criminal evidence,
death-penalty procedures and Appellate Court practice.
The
public can learn more about Justice Steigmann at his website: www.steigmann.com.
If
you, too, believe that our courts need improvement, please join us
in voting for Robert J. Steigmann for Supreme Court on March 19.
Karen
and Michael Halvorsen
Champaign
|
|
Former
fellow teacher supports Jean Anderson
|
3-16-02
I
encourage voters to vote for Jean Anderson to be our next regional
superintendent for Logan, Mason and Menard counties.
As
an advocate for exceptional children and parents, I feel Jean
Anderson will provide an open door policy and give her full
interest, understanding, and assistance to public schools and
parents.
From
1990-1995 I had the pleasure of teaching at LJHS as the LD resource
teacher. My room was next to Jean Anderson’s language arts class.
She was always eager to work with my students, and they always
succeeded in her class.
[to top of second column in
this letter]
|
During
my 25 years of teaching "exceptional" learners, I’ve
worked with many regular education teachers. Jean Anderson would be
in the top three of good educators, in my opinion.
I
am confident that if elected, she will bring all of those good
qualities to the office of regional superintendent.
Lynne
Neal
Lincoln
|
|
Lincoln
Elementary Education Organization endorses
Jean Anderson for regional superintendent of schools
|
3-13-02
Dear
Editor:
The
Lincoln Elementary Education Organization is proud to endorse Jean
R. Anderson for the office of regional superintendent of schools,
Logan, Mason and Menard counties.
Jean’s
nearly two decades of teaching at Lincoln Junior High School have
given her firsthand understanding of the issues that face students
and teachers every day. She knows schools from the inside. She has
both the knowledge and the experience to guide our schools in
preparing young students for citizenship in the 21st century.
[to top of second column in
this letter]
|
Jean
Anderson is a hard-working educator, determined to provide our young
people with first-class learning opportunities. Her community and
classroom service demonstrate a strong dedication to the needs of
youth. She will bring this same dedication and determination to the
office of regional superintendent.
LEEO
encourages the citizens of Logan, Mason and Menard counties to join
us in electing an experienced educator, Jean R. Anderson, as
regional superintendent of schools.
Lincoln
Elementary Education Organization
Rosemary
Erickson and Mandy Camp, co-presidents
Elaine
Knight, secretary
|
|
Wesley
Rush endorses Judge Rita Garman
|
3-13-02
Voters
of the Fourth Judicial District, I am writing in support of the
candidacy of Justice Rita Garman for election to the Illinois
Supreme Court.
Justice
Garman is the most experienced of the two candidates in the
Republican primary and the only candidate with extensive civil law
experience. She has served as a judge since 1974 at every level of
the judiciary, from associate circuit judge to justice of the
Illinois Supreme Court. She is only the second woman ever to serve
on the Supreme Court and the first woman from downstate Illinois
Judicial
experience is an important reason why Justice Garman should be
elected, and in my opinion there is another more important and
overriding consideration that is difficult to describe, but it is
called judicial character. I urge you to examine the backgrounds,
records and characters of the two candidates and then ask yourself
who you want to sit as your elected representative on the Illinois
Supreme Court. I am convinced that Rita Garman has repeatedly
demonstrated the strength of her character, and as a justice of the
Supreme Court, such strength is a most important asset, and I urge
you to support her candidacy.
[to top of second column in
this letter]
|
Justice
Garman was appointed to the Supreme Court by the unanimous vote
of the other Supreme Court justices. Since being named to the court,
she has received endorsements from a number of political leaders
throughout the district, including former Gov. Jim Edgar, as well as
most of the congressmen and legislators who represent parts of the
4th Judicial District. When she announced her candidacy to remain on
the court, former Gov. Edgar said, "Rita Garman’s experience
and high level of integrity make her the best and most qualified
candidate. ... She has earned the trust of the people of the 4th
District."
Since
1984, the people in the 4th District of Illinois have had an
opportunity to vote for president of the United States five times
and congressmen 10 times. They have only had an opportunity to elect
an Illinois Supreme Court justice once; therefore, it is very
important that the right individual be elected. The job is simply
too important to elect someone without the proper judicial
character. Since the election of a justice to the Supreme Court is
such an important matter and it is done so infrequently, I think it
is vital that you, the voters, closely examine the qualifications of
the candidates. If you examine those qualifications, I am certain
you will come to the conclusion that the most qualified candidate is
Justice Rita Garman. I ask that you enthusiastically join me in
supporting her in her bid to remain on the Illinois Supreme Court at
the primary election on March 19, 2002.
For
more information about Justice Garman’s qualifications, visit her
website at www.ritabgarman.com.
Wesley
M. Rush
Danville
|
|
Charles
Glennon endorses Rita Garman and Scott Drazewski
|
3-13-02
To the editor:
Republican
voters in the upcoming primary election have the opportunity to vote
for two outstanding judicial candidates. I have known both of them
for many years and each enjoys an outstanding reputation in the
legal community.
Supreme
Court Justice Rita B. Garman was unanimously selected to fill the
vacancy on the Supreme Court when Justice Ben Miller retired.
Justice Garman enjoys an outstanding reputation in the legal
community, not only for her legal ability and integrity, but for her
temperament as a sitting Supreme Court justice. She has no
self-proclaimed "agenda." She can be trusted to enforce
the laws of Illinois fairly and firmly and not engage in
"legislating" from the bench. In a poll of lawyers and
judges in the 30 counties in which she is running, her overall score
was 95.69 — one of the highest of all judicial candidates running
in primaries this year. Her opponent’s score was 37.35 —
"not recommended." Lawyers rarely agree on anything. They
strongly agree she is the best-qualified candidate for the office of
Supreme Court justice.
[to top of second column in
this letter]
|
Circuit
Judge Scott D. Drazewski from Bloomington will also appear on your
ballot. Judge Drazewski was selected several years ago as an
associate judge from many applicants by the judges of the 11th
Judicial Circuit. In December 2001 he was appointed as a circuit
judge by the Supreme Court. He has clearly demonstrated, while
sitting as a judge, his legal ability, integrity and temperament to
do the job. As with Justice Garman, Judge Drazewski received a very
high bar poll score from judges and lawyers with a
"recommended" rating for the position. His opponent was
"not recommended."
Voters
generally know very little about candidates for judicial office.
They rely on recommendations from friends, advertising and media
recommendations. They should also be aware of how the candidate’s
qualifications are viewed by the legal community. Two outstanding
judges to vote for. Garman and Drazewski.
Sincerely,
Charles
E. Glennon
Pontiac
|
|
Teens
urged to get involved in the political process
|
3-7-02
Dear
Editor:
In
these difficult times we find ourselves faced with some of the
greatest threats in our nation’s history. Yet, we have continued to
stand unified behind our president as he moves to counter those forces
of destruction that pervade every dark recess on the face of the
earth.
While
our troops face life-threatening encounters with those who seek to
harm Americans at home and abroad, it becomes ever present that the
nation faces an even greater challenge here on the home front — that
against the increasing apathy towards the American political process.
With
polls reflecting progressively dwindling numbers and the lowest
turnout in our history, it is clear that something must be done to
reverse this devastating downward spiral.
I
firmly hold the tragic lack of interest can only be effectively
combated and overcome through individual interaction with the system
at an earlier age, perhaps the most important being the teen years.
[to top of second column in
this letter]
|
The
Illinois State Federation of Teenage Republicans (ISFTARS) has taken
up the challenge of reversing this detrimental decline in voter
interest and is holding throughout the state a new club drive,
through this month until May, that is designed to bring more and
more young people into the American political process and renew
interest in political activism.
Teens
in Lincoln or the surrounding area who are concerned and want to get
involved should write to me at 1500 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL
60506 or e-mail at ISFTARS@illinoistars.org.
Thank
you for your support in this endeavor to include more and more young
Americans into our political process.
Sincerely,
Mr.
Jady Hsin
Chairman,
ISFTARS
|
|
Endorses
Dr. Robert Turk
|
3-6-02
To
the editor:
Citizens
of Logan, Mason and Menard counties:
On
Tuesday, March 19, the citizens of Logan-Mason-Menard counties will
have the opportunity to nominate the Republican candidate for the
office of regional superintendent of schools. For the past 20 years I
have had the honor to serve as regional superintendent of schools for
Logan, Mason and Menard counties.
Throughout
the past seven years I have had the pleasure of working with Dr.
Robert Turk, who has served as my assistant. Dr. Turk is now seeking
the office of regional superintendent of schools for the
Logan-Mason-Menard region. He is highly qualified for the position.
Prior to coming to the office he served as a district superintendent
in two different school districts. He has also held the positions of
principal and teacher.
[to top of second column in
this letter]
|
Robert
Turk has played an integral role in developing many of the programs
within the regional office. He is highly involved with all aspects
of the office and fully understands the concerns of the local school
districts. He is a gentleman of the highest integrity and is
well-respected for his leadership by his colleagues and members of
the communities which the office serves. He possesses the
intelligence, enthusiasm, compassion for students and the
credibility to serve as regional superintendent of schools.
I
urge the citizens of Logan, Mason and Menard counties to support Dr.
Robert Turk in the upcoming election. It is without reservation that
I recommend and endorse him for the position of regional
superintendent of schools for Logan-Mason-Menard counties.
George
D. Janet
Regional
superintendent of schools
Logan,
Mason and Menard counties
|
|
Support
for Steigmann, not for bar association poll
|
2-22-02
To
the editor:
The
recent poll conducted by the special interest Illinois State Bar
Association of its members threatens a grave injustice to the
Republican voters of central Illinois. Any conclusion that Robert
Steigmann is not fit to serve as a justice on the Illinois Supreme
Court defies common sense. After all, how credible is a
"poll" that questions the qualification of a man who has
worn judicial robes for 25 years?
As
chairman of the Macon County Republican Party, with experience
managing two campaigns for judicial office and as a practicing
attorney, I have seen the judicial-political process up close. Not
all attorneys are members of this special interest group. These
particular poll results are predominated by Springfield lawyers with
an agenda to preserve power. Conservative justices evoke the wrath
of this particular interest group, and its conclusions should be
viewed with great skepticism.
[to top of second column in
this letter]
|
Justice
Steigmann has approached his campaign with refreshing candor. He
tells you what he believes. In both his rich history of published
legal opinion and in his words on the campaign trail, Justice
Steigmann steadfastly resists succumbing to the whims of political
correctness. He recognizes that the law-abiding, tax-paying,
family-oriented citizen is the foundation of our communities.
Our
party has the minority voice on our Supreme Court. A reticent judge
inevitably will surrender our ideas to the offenses of liberalism.
Justice Steigmann will serve as an articulate and unapologetic voice
for judicial conservatism. Justice Steigmann promises to be to our
state court what Justice Scalia is to our U.S. Supreme Court. For
our party and our ideas, please cast your ballot for Justice
Steigmann and assure that the only "poll" that counts is
the tally of Republican voters.
Jerry
Stocks
Mount
Zion
|
|
Support
for O’Malley
|
2-18-02
To
the editor:
The
primaries are coming up soon, and we have a new player in the
Republican race for governor.
He
is Patrick O’Malley, elected to the state Senate in 1992 to
represent the 18th District and re-elected in 1996 and 2000.
Patrick
was born in Evergreen Park, the second oldest of 14 children. He
graduated from Marist High School, then worked his way through
Purdue University and the John Marshall Law School. He was pro-life
before it was politically expedient to take that position. He has
stood for free enterprise, lower taxes and constitutional law.
Pat
O’Malley has been committed to the cause of working families and
is concerned with the economic future of this state. He sponsored
the 2001 expansion of the Illinois Circuit Breaker program, which
has provided prescription drug assistance and property grants to an
additional 500,000 seniors and disabled citizens. He co-sponsored
the largest tax refund program in state history, returning more than
$250 million to taxpayers, and sponsored new laws reforming Illinois’
complex property assessment system.
[to top of second column in
this letter]
|
He
has also sponsored education reforms that have assisted in turning
around Chicago’s school system, restoring local control and
accountability. The Illinois Crime Commission named him Legislator
of the Year for working to make Illinois a safe place for families.
He favors the repeal of Gov. Ryan’s moratorium on capital
punishment.
Patrick
O’Malley offers us the opportunity to have a candidate for
governor who will be faithful to his conservative, pro-family
principles and can lead us out of the valley of disappointment with
corrupt politicians who renege on their promises to the voters —
one who won’t betray us after he gets elected. This is our
opportunity to have new blood in the governor’s mansion. Vote for
O’Malley.
Janet
Schultz
Lincoln
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Calendar
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