GOPUSA Illinois Daily Clips for October 16, 2007 includes news and commentaries on the following topics:
- Republican Party candidates, campaigns, and events
- Republican Party platform issues including limited government, abortion, homosexual activity, immigration, gambling, etc.
- Illinois and DuPage County budget problems
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Giuliani campaign provides information about its Illinois delegate candidates to the Chicago Tribune
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2007/10/cross-taps-hous.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: While Romney's delegate slate has been previously announced, aides to the GOP White House campaigns of Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson have said their delegate choices have been substantially completed and will be announced at a later date.)
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Chicago Tribune reports on campaign finances for the Arnold, Burns, Greenberg, Kirk, Lauzen, Morris, and Oberweis campaigns
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-campfinances16oct16,0,3014843.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: The Democrat Party platform is outrageously anti-religious. Obama is a Democrat. Nevertheless, outrageously, Obama "reaches out to religion-minded voters"
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/illinois/chi-ap-il-obama-religion,0,7304802.story
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- OUTSTANDING: No dice? Crime Commission will fight gambling bill, says city too corrupt - Chris Fusco and Dave McKinney
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/604759,CST-NWS-casi16.article
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: 1990s: GAO undergoes 25 percent budgetary reduction, reduces staff by 40 percent
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d031167t.pdf
DAILY HERALD
-- DuPage County may cut 200 employees - Jim Fuller
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=58055&src=2
(THE ARTICLE: More than 200 DuPage County employees may soon trade their offices for appointments at the DuPage Career Center as a new budget plan calls for their termination. County board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom today is expected to unveil the layoff plans during his budget presentation. On Monday, Schillerstrom told reporters the layoffs are needed to avoid significant deficit spending. The county is facing an estimated $20 million shortfall. "The budget that I'm going to present is a budget that I don't want to present, but that I think I have to," Schillerstrom said. "I don't see any options today or tomorrow." Those sentiments came as the state legislature's veto session closed Friday, killing the county board's dreams of a cigarette tax hike unless the proposal is revived in a special session before Dec. 1, the start of the county's fiscal year. Schillerstrom's proposed spending plan calls for most of the layoffs to involve law enforcement personnel. Public health employees would see most of the remaining layoffs. There also will be no raises. Schillerstrom said it would be up to department heads to decide which employees are terminated. "The elected officials are probably not going to be happy about it, and they shouldn't be happy about it because I'm not happy about it," Schillerstrom said. But DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett said layoffs are not even an option for him, the sheriff's office or the local court system. "It would mean not even doing the bare minimum that is required by law," Birkett said. "Probation will become a joke. The youth home will shut down. Courtrooms will have to be shut down because we can't staff them." Schillerstrom recognized the budget requests from Birkett and other department heads are all reasonable. But time is up to present a budget, and there just isn't enough money to accommodate even reasonable requests, he said. Asked if it would be reasonable for DuPage residents to expect an increase in crime because of the layoffs, Schillerstrom said the loss of jobs would hurt services throughout the county. "These cuts will have a negative impact on public safety," Schillerstrom said. "There's no way to spin these (layoffs) in a positive way." Birkett said the layoffs represent the lack of a realistic plan from Schillerstrom and the county board. Birkett challenged Schillerstrom and board members to ask voters for a $40 million public safety sales tax increase on nonessential goods. "They didn't want to put it on the ballot because they are afraid of having that used against them in a political campaign," Birkett said. "This is an easy tax increase to defend. A strong criminal justice system is one of the reasons people move to this county." Birkett wasn't alone in expressing frustration. Circuit Court Clerk Chris Kachiroubas said his office already has cut 17 employees and made a "bare-bones" budget request. Kachiroubas said he's waiting to hear the specific plan. But, he said, any significant cuts could mean 40-minute waits for customer service at best and the shuttering of his office for part of the year at worst. "Wow," Kachiroubas said. "I'm a little shocked at this point. I'm not looking forward to what Mr. Schillerstrom says about these cuts." The DuPage Convalescent Center also could face further layoffs, following the loss of 20 employees earlier this year. Schillerstrom said the additional layoffs mean the center will be dangerously close to no longer functioning the way it historically has. Overall, the layoffs would represent the loss of about 15 percent of the county's work force. Schillerstrom is expected to provide more details about specific departmental impacts today.)
-- AOL to lay off 2,000 employees - AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=57971
-- Damage piling up from Democrats - Martin J. Uttich, Carol Steam
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=57786&src=
(THE LETTER: Is it any wonder why we had a Republican-led state for over 25 years? Just look at what these Democrats are doing. Besides making this state a laughingstock, they are doing severe damage to this state's economy by driving more and more businesses to leave here fast as possible. All this damage in just a few years, yipes! Just wait till they get control of the rest of this country. And to think there are people out there trying to turn DuPage County blue. Double yipes! Are they so trapped in the belief or just plain stupid?)
-- BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: Kane County seeks bilingual election officials - Josh Stockinger
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=57994&src=5
(THE OUTRAGEOUS ARTICLE: Kane County officials are forming an advisory panel to help recruit bilingual interpreters for the Feb. 5 primary election. The Spanish-English interpreters will staff polling places in communities with sizable Hispanic populations, in accordance with an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, which sued the county for not adequately accommodating Spanish-speaking voters in the November 2006 election. Joel Gonzales, a former county employee who is coordinating the effort, said Monday he hopes to have between 20 and 25 "community leaders" on the advisory group, which is expected to meet four times prior to the election and twice afterward. There are about six members so far. Gonzales said the panel will primarily be tasked with recruiting bilingual interpreters from their communities. The county needs more than 50 to work in 49 precincts, including many in Elgin and Rutland townships, he said. "It's a matter of trying to get these people (on the panel) to be an influence," Gonzales said. "We'll get it done. I have total faith." The interpreters are not expected to help Spanish-speaking voters understand ballot items, as they already are presented in multiple languages. But the interpreters may help voters who go to the wrong polling place and need directions to another. Regardless of the need, Gonzales said, having interpreters should encourage more Spanish-speaking residents to head to the polls. "If we can get more people to get out there and vote, that's the main goal -- whether your name is Lopez or Smith," he said.The panel is tentatively scheduled to meet Oct. 23 at an undetermined location, though the date could change. Its meetings will be open to the public. For more information, call (630) 444-3062.)
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Being born with a proclivity to engage in homosexual activity does not make homosexual activity "moral"
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=57858&src=121
GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- OUTSTANDING: Bob Larsen, Milton Township Republican Precinct Committeeman, Milton Township Trustee, and DuPage County District Board 6 Candidate, awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com (10/16/07 News Clips page)
(THE LARSEN PRESS RELEASE: On Saturday, October 13, 2007, Bob Larsen, Milton Township Trustee and Republican Candidate for DuPage County Board District 6, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. Mr. Larsen is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, and has served for approximately 18 years. The citation for the Medal, the third such medal Mr. Larsen has received, reads as follows: “This is to certify that the Secretary of the Navy has awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star in lieu of Third Award) to Lieutenant Colonel Robert L. Larsen, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for outstanding meritorious service as Staff Judge Advocate, Marine Air Control Group 48, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, from June 2003 to February 2007. During this period, Lieutenant Colonel Larsen displayed exceptional expertise and unparalleled resourcefulness while performing his duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. As Staff Judge Advocate, his leadership, meticulous legal research, timely advice and trusted guidance were invaluable to the Group Commanding Officer in keeping legal issues from impacting on mission readiness. His support of the Marines of MACG-48 and its two co-located squadrons allowed the Commands to focus on preparing for battle and helped to reduce the tremendous burdens brought upon the Marines who would otherwise be concerned about their families. Lieutenant Colonel Larsen’s initiative, perseverance, and total dedication to duty reflected credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.” Mr. Larsen’s other military awards include two other Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal (4 awards), the National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.”)
-- Dillard speaks at outstanding Lisle Township Republican Organization meeting; attendees include Bennington, Bowler, Brown, Bucholz, Carlin, Cassioppi, Connelly, Curran, Demling, Fawell, French, Grogan, Healy, Heap, Henry, Kachiroubas, Kagann, Kinsella, Krause, Martinez, Menna, O'Shea, Painter, Pihos, Prueter, Ruscitti, Schultz, Senger, Sheahan, Stock, and Wozniak - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
(THE ARTICLE: State Senator Kirk Dillard spoke at the outstanding Lisle Township Republican Organization (LTRO) meeting Monday evening, October 15, at the Lisle Hilton. LTRO Chairman Mike Prueter conducted the meeting. Attendees included Tom Bennington, Mike Bowler, Wally Brown, Fred Bucholz, Dave Carlin, Gerry Cassioppi, Mike Connelly, John Curran, John Demling, Blanche Fawell, Dorothy French, Bob Grogan, Jim Healy, Bob Heap, Gwen Henry, Chris Kachiroubas, Joel Kagann, John Kinsella, Doug Krause, Liz Martinez, Ron Menna, Patrick O'Shea, Linda Painter, Sandy Pihos, Darlene Ruscitti, Carl Schultz, Darlene Senger, Brien Sheahan, Rick Stock, and Joe Wozniak, Jr. & Sr.)
CAPITOL FAX
-- Another Military Veteran, Col. Jill Morgenthaler, to Take on Roskam - Rich Miller
http://thecapitolfaxblog.com/2007/10/15/another-military-vet-to-take-on-roskam-plus-little-lip-lahood-replacements-lauzen-announces/
(Morgenthaler website: http://www.supportusamilitary.org/Morgenthaler.html)
(FROM THE POSTING: Col. Jill Morgenthaler, most recently Illinois’ Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety and Homeland Security Advisor, has entered the 6th Congressional District race as a Democratic challenger to first-term Republican Congressman Peter Roskam. Jill has over 30 years of military, government and private business experience, much of it focused on emergency preparedness, communications and business development. Tammy Duckworth, an Army Major and injured Iraq War veteran, decided against a rematch with Roskam. Duckworth lost by about 5,000 votes in the ‘06 general election, in a race that cost millions. No word yet on whether Morgenthaler will receive similar support from the DC Democrats, who seem to be concentrating much more intently on the Jerry Weller seat.)
FAMILY TAXPAYERS NETWORK
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pat Durante and Doug Ibendahl both work to fill all Republican precinct committee positions with people who support the Republican Party platform, but they disagree on some strategy and tactics
http://www.familytaxpayers.net/article.asp?articleNumber=1492
CHICAGO SUBURBAN NEWS
-- 200 DuPage County jobs on chopping block - Dan Petrella
http://www.chicagosuburbannews.com/streamwood/homepage/x2130785083
BEACON NEWS
-- Forum gives audience of 100 a quick look at GOP candidates Burns, Clai, Lauzen, and Oberweis - Heather Gillers
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/604737,2_1_AU16_14THDIST_S2.article
(THE ARTICLE: BRISTOL -- In the abridged version, Chris Lauzen is a staunch conservative, Kevin Burns is a consensus-building moderate, Jim Oberweis is a deep-pocketed businessman and Rudy Clai is a hip civil servant. That is how the four Republican candidates for the 14th District congressional seat described themselves to roughly 100 listeners when given two minutes each at a Kendall County Republican Candidate Support Committee forum Monday at Blackberry Oaks Golf Course in Bristol. In February, voters in the Illinois primary will select the Republican nominee to run in the November general election. "We have great candidates," but the nominee should be someone with enough cash and manpower to "make sure this seat stays in Republican hands," said Oberweis, an Aurora dairy magnate who in an interview described himself as an experienced businessman, a promoter of "Midwestern values" and an opponent of abortion. "I don't have the millions of dollars, but I do have the 15 years of service," countered Lauzen, a state senator representing Aurora since 1992. He described himself as a "traditional conservative Republican" who is "anti-tax increase" and "unambiguously pro-life." Burns, who has served for six years as mayor of Geneva, proposed "a new approach and a new beginning." In an interview, he called himself "the only moderate running in this race" and said in cases of rape, incest or when a woman's life is in jeopardy, a congressman should be "the last person" to weigh in on abortion. Clai, a music promoter from North Aurora, urged listeners to view his campaign announcement on the popular video sharing site www.youtube.com and cited experience working for Cook County and the city of Chicago and as a precinct captain. The brief forum gave the candidates one of their first opportunities to tell voters how they would fill the shoes of former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Yorkville, who announced in August that he would not seek a 12th term in office. In addition to Oberweis, Lauzen, Burns and Clai, listeners heard from candidates for the Illinois Legislature, the Kendall County Board and the U.S. Senate. Neal Sauerberg told listeners his father, U.S. senatorial candidate and LaGrange doctor Steve Sauerberg, will "fight the war on terror and crack down on illegal immigrants." U.S. senatorial candidate and Villa Park resident Andrew Janikowski maintained that 25 Americans "are killed every day by an illegal alien.")
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: TRAGIC: 1,500 homeless kids in Kane County - Why are they homeless? Who are their parents?
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/604674,2_1_AU16_HOMELESS_S1.article
COURIER NEWS
-- 14th Congressional District: Lauzen, Foster are in the lead with congressional race funds - Andre Salles
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/604691,2_1_AU16_14THDIST_S1.article
(THE ARTICLE: The race to fill Rep. Dennis Hastert's shoes in the 14th Congressional District will likely have as much to do with money as it will issues. And on that score, two of the eight candidates have pulled ahead of the pack, according to information filed with the Federal Election Commission. Monday was the deadline for candidates to submit their third quarter fundraising reports, detailing money taken in and paid out between July 1 and Sept. 30. Four Republicans and four Democrats have declared their candidacy for the seat currently held by Hastert, who announced earlier this year that he would not run for a 12th term. On the Republican side, State Sen. Chris Lauzen of Aurora has raised the most, with roughly $211,755 coming in through contributions. Lauzen has also loaned his campaign $325,000, putting his campaign coffers at $528,583, counting expenses and funds rolled over from the second quarter. In explaining his personal investment, Lauzen said that while he hopes the campaign is not about money, he needs to be able to defend himself against "last-minute inaccuracies" that could surface during this race. Lauzen out-raised his closest Republican competition, Aurora dairy magnate Jim Oberweis, who reported $94,905 in contributions. Oberweis has invested slightly more to his own campaign than Lauzen did, loaning $300,000 and contributing an additional $27,166, bringing his total to $422,071. After expenses, Oberweis has $178,905 on hand, but representatives from his campaign said that a second influx of the candidate's own cash, totaling more than $300,000, is on the way soon. Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns reported a contribution total of $68,258, but the relatively low amount doesn't worry his campaign manager, Mike Donahue. "We'll be able to do more with a dollar than the others because we'll back it up with hard work," he said. "No one will outwork this campaign." Rudy Clai, the North Aurora-based entertainment promoter who threw his hat into the ring earlier this month, filed all zeroes, because he did not start fundraising until after Sept. 30. Of the four Democrats, former Fermilab scientist Bill Foster of Geneva is the clear front-runner when it comes to fundraising. He pulled in $208,935, with most of those contributions coming from scientists making their first political donations, according to his campaign manager, Tom Bowen. With a personal contribution of $200,000, Foster's available cash totals $409,702, the most of any Democrat in the race. Geneva attorney Jotham Stein, the first candidate to declare, raised $99,074, and contributed $40,318 to his own campaign. After expenses, Stein has $60,928 in on-hand cash available. Yorkville's John Laesch, who ran against Hastert in 2006, reported $45,000 in contributions, saying he is on track to meet his $300,000 fundraising goal. "The need for this money is an unfortunate, but real, factor in our pay-to-play system," Laesch said. "This is a reason that millionaires, businessmen and lawyers are over-represented in Congress, while the working men and women of our country are under-represented." Genevan Joe Serra, who recently announced his candidacy for the seat, could not be reached for comment.)
NAPERVILLE SUN
-- Biggert defends vote against health bill - Paige Winfield
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/604358,6_1_NA16_BIGGERT_S1.article
(THE ARTICLE: As debate continues to swirl around the State Children's Health Insurance Program, U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Hinsdale, stands by her vote against the program's reauthorization. "This was not a bill I could vote for ... I think this bill goes too far," Biggert said. The legislation would add $35 billion to the program over the next five years and cover 10 million children. The health insurance program currently covers about 6 million children in families that earn too much to qualify for the Medicaid program for the poor, but not enough to afford their own private health insurance. President Bush vetoed the bill after it was passed by the House and the Senate in September, saying it could lead the nation toward a system of socialized medicine. House members on Thursday will vote on whether to override the veto. But Biggert predicts the bill's supporters will not gain the two-thirds majority necessary to override the veto, since none of the other Republicans who voted against the bill have indicated they will change their vote. She hopes legislators will lower the level at which children would be eligible for the program to two times the poverty level, instead of the bill's current three. "(The bill) includes too many children whose families have higher incomes," she said, citing an estimate that there are some 500,000 children who are eligible for the program in its current form, but are not enrolled. "It needs to ensure that low-income children will be served before any higher-income children are added." Biggert is concerned that the bill in its current form will provide handouts for workers who can afford to purchase their own insurance. "People will say, 'Why should I buy private insurance for my children when the state will pay for it?'" she said. "I know we can make it better and make it serve our low-income children.")
BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
-- 18th and 11th congressional candidates raising money early - Mike Riopell and Kurt Erickson
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/10/16/news/doc4713ecf52c14e834611865.txt
ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- OUTSTANDING: U.S. House Republicans Likely to Uphold "Children's Health Coverage" Veto - David Espo
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h3-r4-QX2sJIwxAkeLfY3zUOHgQAD8S9SBG02
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Ill., who won his first term last year with less than 50 percent of the vote, said his opposition was consistent with his record in the Illinois Legislature and the campaign he ran last year. "It's an incremental creep toward socialized medicine in my view," he said of the measure.)
NEW YORK TIMES
-- Gingerly, Romney Seeks Ties to Christian Right - Michael Luo
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/16/us/politics/16romney.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin
BUSINESS LEDGER
-- VERY SAD: Domestics Hit Hardest in Declining Chicago Area Auto Sales
http://www.thebusinessledger.com/Home/Archives/CommentaryViewpoints/tabid/86/newsid415/147/Domestics-Hit-Hardest-in-Declining-Area-Auto-Sales-/Default.aspx
