lisa madigan will not run for governor

Lisa Madigan, Illinois Attorney General and daughter of Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, will not run for governor. What does this mean? Well for starters this could help the GOP nominee in a big way. The attention that the Madigans would have brought to the gov race could have been overwhelming. Thanks to Joe Birkett for throwing his hat in the ring to run for A.G. This gives Madigans their own theater since Ms. Madigan might have some explaining to do as far as the former governor is concerned. Frankly, Joe's timing is perfect!

The shift in the gove race could bring much attention to the GOP primary. I feel the attention will be focused on the GOP since we have plenty of ammo to blast away at the Democrats. However the GOP needs to focus on concrete solutions brought on by too much one-party rule from the Democrats in Illinois. The shift has been with the Democrats obviously, but what have they done? More taxes and fees (more revenue) but with more spending! Hence a larger budget gap that has cost Illinois jobs and job security and has left about a 700,000 population gap (people that have left Illinois since the 2000 census).

We as Republicans have to lead. Lead for more jobs and less taxes and less spending. Our improvements to infrastructure have to continue and we have to keep driving the point that we do have solutions..... it's just that our solutions have been squashed by the Democrat majority in the state legislature and a Democrat governor. It really is that simple.

I have posted already that I am for Bill Brady for Governor. Bill has the solutions such as the budget rollback and a spending cut across the board that would eliminate waste. I am a regional coordinator for Bill and I feel he is our best choice for a Republican to be the next governor.

joe birkett for illinois attorney general

I am pleased to announce that my good friend and fellow county official in Illinois, Joe Birkett has announced his candidacy for Attorney General. Joe is currently the State's Attorney of DuPage County (the county seat is Wheaton). I have known Joe for just over 7 years. We had an excellent discussion at last year's Illinois Republican Convention. We talked about the need for more public service from state government in Illinois.

Joe made a terrific speech at the convention. His dedication is to be admired. Thank you Joe for making the committment to run!!

bobby schilling q & a

Jonathan Wallace is setting up a question and answer session with Republican 17th Congressional District candidate Bobby Schilling. This is tenative, but put Thursday, July 9 on your calendar. This is planned at the Moline Public Library at 6 PM.

See Jonathan's blog for more information.

here quinn, take the wheel

Seems Governor Pat Quinn has some explaining to do. For one thing he is too much like Blago. Quinn isn't seeing legislative leaders on a regular basis and to top that he has taken on House Speaker Madigan. This means to bring the state legislature back into session this week to perhaps pass a capital plan. Both Dems and Reps are for the plan.....enough votes to pass the House, and the Senate should follow suit.

The Springfield Journal Register has an excellent editorial on what Quinn should do. He'll have to go it alone if he decides to do so. Sometimes there aren't going to be anyone riding shotgun.

state central committee meeting

I wanted to pass this along.... the Illinois State Republican Party Central Committee had their meeting on Saturday the 27th in Oak Brook. The first and top order of business was gubernatorial candidates. Here's the LINK TO THE STORY from the Chicago Republican Party.

Please note that Bill Brady has NEVER voted for a tax increase!!

upper rock island county republican event

On Saturday, June 27, the Rock Island Republican Central Committee held their upper Rock Island County event at the Civic Center in Cordova. This is the second year for this and it was a great time. Bobby Schilling, candidate for the U.S. House was there and spoke about getting the 17th District back to a more stable foundation to keep and provide jobs. State Representative Jerry Mitchell from Dixon adressed the gathering and mentioned that the state legislature goes back to Springfield to hopefully get the capital plan in place. The Democrats are holding it up since Governor Quinn decided to take on House Speaker Madigan, at the expense of much needed projects around the state.

Eric Wallace announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. I like Eric. we first met at the Illinois State GOP Convention in Decatur last year. I extended my support and I hope you do too.

The event was hosted by Rich and Betsy Morthland. Rich is a member of the Rock Island County Board, having won his seat last year. I thank them for their hospitality and friendship.

Pictures: left, Rich Morthaland and Johnathan Wallace; center, Me and Bobby Schilling; right, State Representative Jerry Mitchell

a message from bill brady

I received this message from Bill Brady, Republican for Governor in Illinois. Bill writes about managed spending and state agencies holding back 10% of their budgets in reserve.

Here is what Bill wrote:

The fiscal 2009 deficit, which stood at $4.2 billion, will be reduced to $2.3 billion in the new fiscal year through revenues from the federal stimulus package, $300 million from dedicated funds and $600 million from a less than perfect bond refinancing scheme.

I believe we can manage that budget, if the administration holds the line on spending, while we undertake a serious and overdue review of the entire revenue and spending priorities of government today.

Those agencies that were fully funded at last year's levels should hold back 10 percent of their budgets in reserve. Those services that were funded at 50 percent should limit their spending over the next six months to 90 percent of their appropriation last year.

There will be some sacrifice but that managed spending will allow government to continue to function and serve our most vulnerable populations with fewer layoffs, fewer closings and fewer people left without assistance than what the Governor has been threatening.

Governor Quinn should come back to the General Assembly in the fall with a supplemental budget that recognizes the savings realized through efficiencies, management and prioritization and that uses those savings to fund needed services in other areas of government.

We also need to reform our spending. Let's start by reining in spending with a comprehensive look at how and where Illinois spends your tax dollars. Let's look at reforming our Medicaid program, where Illinois has lagged behind other states by not instituting a managed care system that reduces costs and increases access to quality health care. Let's refinance our debt with a bonding system that spreads the lower cost over time without taking a two-year payment-free holiday that pushes another $600 million on to our children and grandchildren.

Illinois is at a crossroads, our task difficult, and our choices not easy. But a tax increase that takes billions of dollars out of our economy and hands it to a deep-rooted bureaucracy resistant to change is not the answer.

We can do better, and we must do better for the future of Illinois.

Remember State Senate Republicans have called for spending reforms and Bill's debt refinancing plan makes good sense.