Releases to the Media,  Voting Information,  Meet the Candidates,

Letters of Endorsement,  Calendar of Events,  District Maps

Releases to the Media

[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.

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.

"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]

[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.

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."

"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.

[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.

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.

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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]

[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]

[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.

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."

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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]

[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.

"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.

"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]

[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.

"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."

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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]

[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.

"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."

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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.

[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.

"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,

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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]

[FEB. 16, 2002]  BLOOMINGTON — Bill Brady, former state representative and now a Republican candidate for the 44^th 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.

"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.

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.

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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]

[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.

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).

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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]

[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.

"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."

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]

[FEB. 13, 2002]  Jon Mummert, candidate for state representative in the 94^th Illinois Legislative District, earned the endorsement of the Illinois AFL-CIO.

"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."

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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 94^th 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]

[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 94^th District.

"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.

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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]

[FEB. 13, 2002]  Rus Kinzinger, a Bloomington Republican running for Illinois’ 44^th 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.

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 44^th 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.

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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

[MARCH 1, 2002]  Notice is hereby given that on Tuesday, March 19, at the various polling places in the county of Logan and state of Illinois, a general primary will be held for the purpose of nominating (or electing, if so specified) candidates of the Democratic and Republican parties for the following offices:

•  United States senator

•  Representative in Congress for the 18th Congressional District

•  Governor

•  Lieutenant governor

•  Attorney general

•  Secretary of state

•  Comptroller

•  Treasurer

•  State senator for the 50th and 44th legislative districts

•  State representative for the 87th and 106th representative districts

•  County clerk

•  County treasurer

•  Sheriff

•  County board

•  Regional superintendent of schools

•  Judges of the Supreme Court, Appellate Court and Circuit Court

•  Democratic state central committeeman

•  Precinct committeeman

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Referendum — Athens School District 23 proposition to issue bonds

The color of primary ballots to be used by the respective political parties at the general primary election will be as follows:

•  Democratic — green

•  Republican — yellow

•  Nonpartisan — white

The polls for said general primary election will be open continuously from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19.

[Sally J. Litterly, Logan County clerk]

[MARCH 1, 2002]  The following are polling places in Logan County:

*Denotes polling place change

[Sally J. Litterly, Logan County clerk]

[MARCH 1, 2002]  Registered voters expecting to be absent from the county for the March 19 general primary election may vote in person at the Logan County clerk’s office, Room 20, on the second floor of the courthouse in Lincoln, from now until March 18.

Registered voters expecting to be absent from the county on that day, or those who are permanently disabled or incapacitated, may now make application by mail to vote absentee. Applications will be received by the county clerk until March 14. No ballots will be sent by mail after March 14, as provided by law.

[Sally J. Litterly, Logan County clerk]

Meet the Candidates

  Candidate information on the web:

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):
 

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!

3-13-02

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

Calendar of Events

March 2002

Tuesday, March 19
WHO: Registered voters
WHAT: General primary election
WHERE: Designated polling places
WHEN: 6 am - 7 pm

District Maps

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