Illinois Review

El Paso widow recalls husband's 2015 disappearance, pleads for Border Wall

EL PASO - "Moms for America" visited with a woman in El Paso that lost her husband to violent drug cartels that invaded their ranch on the Mexican border. 

On behalf of Moms for America, Will County's Debbie Kraulidis interviewed Liz Uribe-Sinclair, whose husband disappeared in 2015 after Mexican gang members threatened him for testifying against them in a crime case.

Rauner commits to signing sanctuary bill

SPRINGFIELD - A group of pro-immigrant advocates met with Governor Rauner and say that he committed to signing SB 31, making every public school, hospital and more community sites places where employees are forbidden to ask citizenship status. 

That includes any Secretary of State office in Illinois - where drivers licenses are issued and voter registration takes place. (READ the four questions Illinois Review asked FAIR) 

From a press release issued today: 

The Family Business: 75 Years and Three Generations at Wiegel Tool Works

WOOD DALE - Brothers Aaron and Ryan Wiegel and their sister Erica make up the third generation of the family that has owned Wiegel Tool Works in Wood Dale, Illinois for 75 years.

Wiegel Tool Works is a precision stamper that specializes in electrical automotive tight tolerance terminals, complex lead frames and bus bars. Aaron and Ryan focus on Wiegel Tool Works, while their sister Erica presides as sole owner over her 2015 acquisition, Aro Metal Stamping in Roselle.

Aaron, the oldest, graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in manufacturing engineering in 2000, and immediately thereafter started working fulltime in the family business. Like most raised in a family business, Aaron and his siblings spent considerable time where their dad worked.

“We liked to spend time there – but as we grew older, Dad taught us the value of work,” Aaron said. “Once I asked him for $20 to go out with some friends. He handed it over, and then said next time I needed $20, I would have to earn it.”

DeMonte represents ILGOP on RNC Rules Committee. Responds to Brady's anti-Trump comments.

CLEVELAND - Next week, delegates will be voting to nominate the candidate the majority of Republican voters chose in their state primaries, the Rules Committee decided at the Republican National Committee meeting Thursday.

After several hours of behind-the-scenes dickering, so-called "NeverTrump" Republicans were outnumbered and their attempt to allow delegates to vote their consciences, rather than reflect their districts' preferences, failed. That one action effectively assured businessman Donald J. Trump his place as the RNC's 2016 presidential nominee.

Illinois' Republican National Committeewoman Demetra DeMonte and State Rep. John Cabello are serving on this year's Rules Committee, and DeMonte told Illinois Review she was honored to have been active in whipping the vote on the proposed "Conscience clause."

"There was a small number of us that worked on Mr. Trump's behalf on that decision, and that should be a plus overall for Illinois," she said. 

DeMonte's public support for Trump puts her at odds with former IL GOP State Chairman Pat Brady, whose anti-Trump rhetoric on a local radio show interview raised hackles earlier this week.

DeMonte didn't mince words in response to Brady.

"If Mr. Brady does not intend to vote for Donald Trump or vote Republican this fall, he should leave the party," DeMonte said. "Yes, he is a former state party chairman, but he left under a cloud. It's unfortunate that media goes to the disgraced former state  chairman instead of talking to current leadership such as [IL GOP State Chairman] Tim Schneider, [IL RNC Committeeman] Rich Porter or myself."

DeMonte said that if Brady was still Illinois' RNC Committeeman, he would be ejected from his position for not supporting the party's chosen nominee.

Powers: An Interview with "Moms' Night Out" Producer Kevin Downes

New comedy "Moms' Night Out" features Patricia Heaton (third from left)

By CJ Powers - 

I had the opportunity to interview producer Kevin Downes about his latest film, Moms' Night Out. It's a comedy due to release on May 9th.

The synopsis is as follows: All Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful, grown-up evening of dinner and conversation . . . a long-needed moms' night out. But in order to enjoy high heels, adult conversation and food not served in a paper bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for three hours—what could go wrong? Moms' Night Out is an endearing true-to-life family comedy that celebrates the beautiful mess called parenting. 

Here are the highlights from our conversation...

CJ: Most summer films seem to be aimed at men, but this film seems to be designed for women.

KEVIN: Most of my films in the past have been sort of geared toward men – Films I’ve acted in like Courageous, or films I’ve produced. And, I’ve just really felt like God has put it on my heart to make a film for women. That’s really where it started for me in wanting to produce Mom’s Night Out.

Heaven is for Real - A Behind the Scenes Interview with Todd Burpo

By CJ Powers - 

Heaven is for Real (in theaters Wednesday, April 16^th) is the near death story of a young boy named Colton who visited heaven, while fighting an illness that brought his father and mother to their knees in prayer. During his recovery, Colton shared what he saw in heaven, which changed his family, community and world forever.

The film was directed by Randall Wallace (Braveheart, The Man in the Iron Mask) and is based on the best selling book by the same name, which was written by Colton’s dad, Todd Burpo. Todd is a down to earth pastor of Crossroads Wesleyan Church in Imperial, Nebraska. He is also a firefighter for the volunteer fire department and a chaplain for the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighter’s Association.

I had the good fortune of connecting up with Todd and here are the highlights of our conversation:

CJ: During the pre-screenings, was the film enjoyed more by conservatives or liberals?

Starkehaus: Redefining culture and feminism

By Irene F. Starkehaus - 

If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him ~ John F. Kennedy

Now, if we are to take what Jack Kennedy said regarding culture as the truism that it was intended to be, we must examine the output of creative expression in America since 1963 when Democrats began actively discussing the funding of federal programs to support the arts. We must honestly ask ourselves "Are artists really free thinking in the year 2013 or are they conditioned and, in their conditioning process, are they being trained to nourish the roots of progressivism with oddly religious devotion?"

You see, it would seem that our nation's political, economic, educational and spiritual declines all have one thing in common. The origin of American regression can be found within our cultural expressions. When culture suffers decline, society is surely suffering in the same way because culture is nothing more than learned behaviors that are indicative of the members of a society. American decline begins with our national mood with regard to the arts. Our willingness to accept mediocrity because it has been rebadged under the moniker of "modernism" speaks volumes to how we as a society have lapsed into entropy.

Congressman Hultgren reviews freshman term with Illinois Review

By Meghan Keenan -

Thursday, Illinois Review interviewed Congressman Randy Hultgren, Representative for Illinois’ 14th congressional district, about his freshman term and what is to come if he is reelected in November. 

According to the congressman, by far the largest challenge of his first term was dealing with the deficit, the budget and the debt ceiling. His number one priority if reelected, he said, is serving constituents; he wants to be accessible to them and take their concerns to Washington.

“We met with over 100 small and medium sized businesses all over the 14th district, asking: ‘What would it take for you to hire one more person?’”

Illinois Review interviews State Senate Candidate John Bambenek

By Hannah Ihms, IR Correspondent -

Illinois Review recently interviewed John Bambenek, a conservative Republican candidate running for the 52nd State Senate district which stretches from Champaign to Danville.

Where did you grow up and what do you do for a living?

I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, in Oak Grove. I moved to the University of Illinois for college and that’s where I met my wife and never left. I’ve been in Champaign for seventeen years. Professionally I do electronic fraud prevention, so essentially I deal with Russian hackers trying to steal your credit card and bank account information. 

How did you decide to run for State Senate?

I’ve been active in politics for a while, most actively since I’ve had children and seen the direction of the state in terms of its ever-increasing tax burden, debt burden, and the amount of jobs and opportunities leaving the state. I’m much more conscious as to what kind of future my children will have. With this status quo, they won’t have the kind of opportunities I’ve had, and as a father that’s not really acceptable to me. The way to change that is to change the people who are there.

Congressman Robert Dold talks about bipartisan priorities

By Meghan Keenan, IR Correspondent -

Although some may not want to hear this, I think that America would be better off if both parties tried to cooperate with the shared goal of bettering our nation and Washington pushed a more moderate agenda.

Ask anyone what they think is the biggest issue facing our nation today. Most likely they will say it is the economy, lack of jobs or some combination of the two. It doesn’t matter whether they are liberal or conservative; this issue sweeps across party lines.

Yesterday, Republican Congressman Robert Dold shared some of his views on what our nation’s priorities should be.

"Getting people back to work is something that everybody should be in favor of," Dold said.

Dold’s main priority, if reelected, would be to lift some of the regulatory burdens placed upon entrepreneurs and small businesses.

“I think that’s really the main engine to get the economy moving again, and to provide more certainty for entrepreneurs and small businesses across the country to be able to invest and grow,” he said.

Illinois' generous but broken Medicaid program

VIDEO - Illinois Department of Health and Family Services' Julie Hamos spoke with interviewer Jeff Berkowitz recently, and she explained Illinois' generous health care policy for children: 

Jeff Berkowitz: What if you are an undocumented worker? Do you get Medicaid?

Julie Hamos [Illinois HFS Director]: Undocumented children in Illinois get Medicaid.

Jeff Berkowitz:  What if you are an undocumented adult? You don’t?

Julie Hamos: No.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, if you are a child, you do. Should we do that?

Cook County Board of Review GOP Primary heats up

Think it's important who voters pick to represent 1.7 million Illinoisans? Twelve states have less people than Cook County's Third Board of Review District. Republican Dan Patlak now represents the district to Cook County's Board of Review. He is one of three commissioners that hear from residents and businessmen concerning their Cook County property assessments. With a team of analysts, the board of commissioners determines whether an appeal is warranted and exactly how much a property assessment can be lowered or raised to be in line with neighbors. Those numbers determine just how much each owner pays in property taxes each year.

Patlak was elected in November of 2010, and in a 2-4-4 election cycle, he's up for re-election again in 2012. Palos Park businessman Sean Morrison challenged fellow Republican Patlak in 2010, and has launched another campaign to challenge Patlak in the March 2012 primary. The winner of the 2012 Republican primary will be facing Democrat heavyweight Jeremiah Joyce's nephew from Bremen Township. Both Patlak and Morrison have conducted interviews with Illinois Review, and on Monday Part 1 of each candidates' interview will be released. 

In the interview with Morrison, we discuss a controversy that broke out Thursday night at the Bremen Township GOP Forum in Oak Forest. Morrison challenged Patlak concerning campaign contributions from attorneys that practice before the Board of Review. Morrison criticizes Patlak for asking for $5000 sponsorships at his recent fundraiser and when Patlak said Morrison had a similar ask on his own fundraiser event <Download MorrisonFundraisingInvite120311>, things heated up:

 

The issue of rejecting large contributions from attorneys that practice before the Board of Review will be a theme of Morrison's primary campaign. However, Morrison failed to provide the promised evidence on his website the next morning that his own event invite did not specify event sponsorships that could have risen to the large amounts similar to Patlak's. Morrison, instead, challenged Patlak to limit contributions from lawyers to $250.

More of each interview will be released on Illinois Review Monday morning during the 9:00 AM hour. You must not miss it.

IR Interview with Dr. Arie Friedman - Part 2

In Part 1 of our Illinois Review interview with Lincolnshire pediatrician Dr. Arie Friedman, he talked about his state senate district and why he's optimistic about his bid to replace retiring Senator Susan Garrett (D-Highland Park) in the new 29th. In Part 2, we discuss with Dr. Friedman more about the government's place in health care and about the government system's flaws:

Hear Union Grove's union bully resister on Teri O'Brien Sunday at 4

by Teri O'Brien

We are delighted to welcome as a special guest, fresh from her appearances on “Your World with Neil Cavuto” and “America Live” on Fox News, and the day before her appearance on “On the Record with Greta Van Sustreren,” Union Grove, Wisconsin entrepreneur Dawn Bobo, whose refusal to be intimidated by union thugs has made her a national hero. You will be inspired and delighted to hear her story of American courage and determination. They didn’t know what they were messing with when they decided to threaten this plucky grandmother. Don’t miss hearing her story of triumph and success over multiple obstacles, the latest of which is AFSCME!

Meet Dave Lenkowski

Illinois Review had a quick intro with 12th District GOP House candidate Dave Lenkowski recently.Lenkowski's one of the several "under 30" Republicans running throughout the state on the November ballot.

Lenkowski's challenging longtime incumbent Sara Feigenholtz in a Democratic-leaning district that went for Republican Tony Peraica in his 2006 bid against Cook County Board President Todd Stroger. Lenkowski's a high school teacher that is de-icing a negative image of Republicans on Chicago's North side.

Also Meet Sam McCann

Video: IR interview with Robert Enriquez, Part 3

Illinois Review recently spoke with Robert Enriquez, Republican candidate for Illinois Secretary of State, about his position on issuing driver licenses to illegal residents. In Part 3 of a 4-part series, he answers:

Part 1 is HERE and Part 2 is HERE.

Don't forget! One way to help two start-ups

If you haven't yet seen this month's Freedom's Journal Magazine, you won't regret spending a couple minutes browsing its colorful online pages focused on "How Will We Choose the Next President?" Sign up this week and help Illinois Review at the same time.

Freedom's Journal Magazine is a much-needed plea with minorities to resist the pull to make their presidential decision based on skin color rather than character. This month's edition includes a story about how several key Congressional districts are reaching out to minorities and comparisons between John McCain and Barack Obama, among other national personalities who have willingly contributed to this new startup.

URF’s 8 in 08 Gary Dahl: State Senator for the 38th

State Senator Gary Dahl (R-Granville) says he was “bushwhacked” four years ago by Illinois leaders of  the National Federation of Independent Businesses to take on one of State Senate President Emil Jones’ lieutenants. 

“They asked me to form a search committee to look for someone to challenge the incumbent, Pat Welch.  Little did I know it was me they wanted us to find,” Dahl recalled, while spending an hour with Illinois Review this week.  “The night we won the election, the party was a lot of fun.  But when we woke up the next morning  my wife and I looked at each other and said, 'What have we done?'"

What Dahl 'had done' that night was defeat all odds of a bad year for Republicans and push out 22-year Democratic incumbent Patrick Welch.  The people of the 38th Senate district had all they wanted of an egotistical senator who had lost interest in hearing from them.

IR Focus: Aaron Schock, GOP candidate for 18th CD

Four years ago, a 22 year old Peoria-area Republican challenged a die hard liberal for her State House seat in an overwhelmingly Democratic district. He was energetic, winsome and very conservative in his political views; and he won the hard-fought and expensive battle for Ricca Sloan's House seat in 2004 embarking on a career representing his diverse district at the State Capitol. He was re-elected in 2006. 

Last year the 18th congressional district's longtime, powerful Congressman Ray LaHood decided it was time to retire along with his friend and colleague former House Speaker Denny Hastert (R-11CD). Schock, knowing well chances like this one often come along only once in a lifetime, took on the challenge to succeed LaHood. Tuesday, he won a three-way primary with 78% of the vote. Turning 27 in May, Schock is very likely to be one of the nation's youngest ever U.S. Congressmen if he's elected in November.

During his first state House election, IR had a chance to interview Schock. His then-unpolished, honest and fresh approach to making a difference in the world was inspiring and surprising to even me. We haven't had a chance to get Aaron on record yet since Tuesday, and we hope to do so in the days to come, but we were re-reading this 2004 interview, and thought, "This is the core of Aaron Schock. Let's show it to Illinois."

IR Focus: Tony Graff, GOP candidate for 50th House District

As one of three men and one woman competing for the 50th House District's GOP nomination to succeed State Rep. Pat Lindner, it’s sometimes difficult to draw a distinction among the candidates. Tony Graff says his voter base is his family, his friends and the people he’s met throughout the community while serving in area law enforcement. 

A retired police chief and experienced city administrator, Graff, 53, says he’s very proud of being involved public service for years.  Recently starting a commercial real estate development firm opened his eyes to the challenges small businessmen in Illinois face every year.  It was one of the reasons he jumped into the 50th GOP race this year.

“I’m interested in helping people and getting involved in the community,” Graff said, “When Rep. Lindner retired, it seemed a good time to re-enter public service.”

And what would he do if he were elected to represent the Kane County-centered district?

IR Focus: Tim Baldermann, GOP candidate in 11th CD

NEW LENOX -- When asked why he’s running in Illinois’ 11th CD Republican primary to fill the seat Congressman Jerry Weller’s is vacating, New Lenox mayor Tim Baldermann answered, “I believe in duty and answering the call when you’re needed.” 

Baldermann’s answer was expected from a guy whose last twenty years he's spent in law enforcement, on a local school board and as of eight months ago, as mayor of New Lenox, a town located in one of America’s fastest-growing communities. 

When the Will County GOP asked him to run for Congress, Baldermann, 41, says he saw it as another chance to serve and bring along an array of life experiences that he believes have prepared him to serve in Congress.

As a law enforcement officer and now police chief in southwest suburban Chicago Ridge, Baldermann's had first hand experience implementing federal Homeland Security regulations and working within federal immigration parameters.  His current jurisdiction was a center of controversy in the days immediately following 9-11, as angry protests erupted outside one of the Chicago area’s largest mosques, located in Chicago Ridge.

Sauerberg's position on abortion

Over the past few weeks, several Illinois Review commenters have questioned U.S. Senate candidate Steve Sauerberg's views on abortion. His website does not address abortion and he chose not to reply to Illinois Family Institute's nor Illinois Federation for Right to Life's federal candidate surveys.  IFRL endorsed little-known GOP primary candidate Mike Psak, based on his survey responses. 

Psak is running a small volunteer grassroots campaign with little funding.  Odds are heavily in favor of Steve Sauerberg to be the GOP's nominee to run against Dick Durbin in the November election. Dick Durbin has evolved into a pro-abort radical that many would like to see upended as South Dakota did their former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle in years past. Prolifers want a reason to support and get excited about this 2008 Durbin challenge. 

So in the context of a multi-issue interview -- which we'll cover in full later this week -- IR asked Sauerberg the question for you.

IR Focus: Terry Hunt, GOP candidate for 50th HD

AURORA -- With State Rep. Pat Lindner announcing her retirement earlier this year, the 50th House district will now have a chance to be represented by someone who reflects the district's more conservative views, Big Rock horse farmer and GOP candidate Terry Hunt told Illinois Review last week.

Hunt and three others – Batavia’s Dave Richmond, Yorkville's Kay Hatcher and Tony Graff – are vying to be the GOP's nominee February 5th. Whoever wins the primary will have a very good chance of retaining the Republican-leaning district seat in November.

And although Lindner’s not the opponent in Hunt’s first bid for office, he is very open about how starkly different his policy views are from incumbent Lindner’s. . .

IR Focus: Dave Richmond, GOP candidate in 50th State Rep

ELBURN -- In a four-way GOP primary to fill retiring State Rep. Patricia Lindner's vacancy next January,  it’s not easy for a candidate to differentiate himself and to break out from the pack. 

But Elburn lawyer Dave Richmond believes his six years working as local district director of U.S. Rep. Denny Hastert’s constituent relations will set him apart from others running in the 50th District primary.

Top notch constituent services will be a top priority to Richmond.  He’s especially proud of the work he did in Hastert's office uniting families while cutting through red tape to expedite legal immigration and international adoption cases as well as acquire passports. 

“Constituent services were my bread and butter,” Richmond said.  “No one running in the 50th has more knowledge about how to take care of those kinds of problems than I have.  From day one of being elected,  I would be ready to go, with no learning curve.”

IR Focus: Jimmy Lee, GOP candidate in 11th CD

UTICA -- When U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller announced this past fall that he had decided not to seek re-election in 2008, Republicans in the 11th CD scrambled to find a successor. Just before the December petition filing deadline passed, three GOP candidates emerged: Utica resident Jimmy Lee, New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann and Terry Heenan, also of New Lenox.

The 11th CD race has almost been totally ignored by the district's mainstream media until just this week, when a call for debates among primary candidates was sent out by a new name and face on Illinois' political landscape: LaSalle County's Jimmy Lee.

Meet the candidates: 48th District's Michael Connelly

LISLE -- DuPage County Board member Michael Connelly will be filing petition signatures this week to enter the race for the GOP’s candidate for state representative in the 48th District. 

This past summer, incumbent State Rep Jim Meyers announced he would retire rather than run for re-election in 2008.   Meyers’ announcement opened the way for a primary contest likely to rival general election importance in other counties.

Connelly, a former Lisle village trustee, says he is proud of the District 5 he was elected to represent on the DuPage County Board in 2006.   District 5, reaching from Lisle westward to Naperville, is twice the size of the 48th district he would represent in the State House.

“This is a district of achievers,” Connelly said.  “They are used to working hard and seeing results.  That’s what they want from their legislators.  They’re tired of mediocre government.”

Thank You URF, Part I

by Eric M. Wallace, PhD

The following excerpt is taken from the book entitled Integrity of Faith: A Testimony of Perseverance and Hope. Integrity of Faith is my life story outlined along the lines of a statement I made when I resigned from the office of Chaplain with the National Black Republican Association which said, “I serve because of my relationship with my Savior. I am a Christian first, a father second, a minister and scholar third, and a Black man fourth, and then a Republican. Heaven help me if I ever get these out of order."

That quote found its way into the Washington Times newspaper in 2005. It became the inspiration for the outline of my book. The excerpt below is from the chapter called "The Republican." It looks at my 2006 run for State Senate and gives thanks to those who had the courage to fight along side me in the South Suburbs.

SPOTLIGHT on Bolingbrook's Terri Ann Wintermute, GOP candidate for 42nd Senate District

by Fran Eaton

It’s fairly unusual for the Chicago Sun Times, Teamsters, Illinois Education Association, Illinois Federation for Right to Life and the Illinois State Rifle Association to agree on anything, but each have endorsed Will County Commissioner Terri Ann Wintermute to fill the 42nd District vacancy State Senator Ed Petka is leaving behind.

SPOTLIGHT on Salem's John Cavaletto (R-107th House District)

In 2004, former high school administrator and popular basketball coach John Cavaletto came within single digits of winning the 107th House seat for the Republicans.  Once again, Cavaletto and his wife Connie are tirelessly knocking on doors and visiting with groups in the area, asking that the voters of the district fifty miles east of St. Louis to send him to Springfield.  This time they could make it.

Connie, Cavaletto’s wife of 40 years, is his campaign partner and biggest fan.  But that’s nothing new, she says.  “For years, I would pack up our three boys and we would climb on the bus with the team and be right there to root for John’s team." 

John’s basketball coaching days listed him in Illinois Athletic Directors' Hall of Fame.  He likes to tease about how his teams beat now-Senator David Luechtefeld's (R-Okawville) teams when they were both coaches.

The 37 years Cavaletto spent working with the young people of the 107th House district drew him into those families’ lives.   Seeing young people grow up just to move away because good paying jobs left the area is a key reason Cavaletto wants to represent the district at the Capitol.

SPOTLIGHT on Taylorville’s Jeff Richey (R-49th Senate District)

by Fran Eaton

When Democrat Vince Demuzio was alive, he ran the 49th District with a velvet-gloved iron fist.  A conservative Democrat, Demuzio rarely had a challenger during his thirty years in the General Assembly.

When he died  two years ago at age 62 of colon cancer, his wife Deanna accepted local Democrats’ offer to complete her husband’s Senate term.  Out of respect, no one challenged her in 2004. 

But locals say the Mrs. isn’t the legislator her husband was, and although she has his name and inherited his campaign war chest, she has adopted her own positions on political issues and supports Chicago leadership more than her constituents wish she would.

In that sensitive political scene, the Republicans searched for a candidate that would have appeal and present an image of a neighborly hard worker, someone in touch with the district’s voters, a contrast to their Democratic incumbent.

IN FOCUS: GOP candidate for 8th CD David McSweeney

For your reference, we've re-published the June 6-7, 2005 2-part Illinois Leader interview cited in Melissa Bean's attack piece on David McSweeney, which hit 8th CD mailboxes the weekend of September 23, 2006. . .

Oberweis to endorse Topinka

by Fran Eaton

Jim Oberweis, who placed second in the 2006 GOP gubernatorial primary, says he is ready to endorse primary winner State Treasurer Judy Baar-Topinka over incumbent Governor Rod Blagojevich.

IN FOCUS: Michael Powers, GOP candidate for Third Appellate District – Part 2

with Fran Eaton, IR Editor

Will County Circuit Judge Michael Powers has the unenviable task of running for a crucial seat in the Third District Appellate Court, unable to personally ask for campaign funds and restricted by a judicial conduct code from clearly articulating his views on pertinent social issues.

In Part 2 of our 2-part interview (see Part 1), Judge Powers discusses the importance of the Third Appellate District race, the most fulfilling part of his job as a judge, most disappointing part and why, one day, he was referred to as “a holy man. . .”

IN FOCUS: Michael Powers, GOP candidate for Third Appellate District – Part 1

By Fran Eaton, IR editor

Some people get into politics to pick fights.  Others prefer cultivating peace.

Will County Associate Judge Michael Powers says he wants to be elected to Illinois’ Third Appellate District because he enjoys the challenge of peacefully settling legal disputes.

“When I was in private law practice, I worked as an arbitrator and was requested often to be the lead on three-person arbitration panels,” he told Illinois Review recently during an interview at his downtown Joliet office.  “I was told I did a good job in that role.  I enjoy the resolution of disputes.”

Appointed in 2003 to serve as a Will County associate judge, Powers is in the middle of his first political campaign and is discovering the challenges of running for an office that restricts him from personally soliciting campaign donations or openly expressing his opinions on topics that may come before him at the Appellate Court level.

[Judge Michael Powers is pictured above right of State Senator Ed Petka (R-Plainfield)]

IN FOCUS: GOP candidate for 17th CD Andrea Zinga Part 2

by Fran Eaton, IR Editor

Andrea Zinga, Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in the Quad-Cities area, is facing several formidable competitors during her second run for Congress. 

One is her 17th Congressional District Democratic opponent Phil Hare, another is fellow Republicans vying to fill open seats in more Republican-leaning districts and yet another is GOP incumbents struggling to retain the seats they now hold.   

The War in Iraq, gas prices at over $3.00 a gallon and a Republican President whose approval ratings are in the low 30s will make it tough to flip the 17th from Democrat to Republican this time around.  The western Illinois district's illogically-drawn boundaries cause it to lean Democratic.  Analysts say that in the current political climate, Republicans will be happy not to lose Congressional seats, as well as the majority. 

So while Zinga appeals to constituents for votes, in this tight-fisted climate she finds herself reaching outside of the district for financial support.  Such an attempt brought her to Chicago recently, where she had a chance to discuss issues with Illinois Review. . .

IN FOCUS: GOP Candidate for 17th CD Andrea Zinga -- Part 1

by Fran Eaton, IR Editor

Andrea Zinga is disappointed that she’ll never know if she could have beaten Congressman Lane Evans.  On her second try, she thinks she could have. 

However, she does relish in the fact that she did beat him in one contest.  In a recent area newspaper popularity poll to determine the district’s favorite politician, Zinga says -- with a smile -- that she came in third and Evans followed with an honorable mention.   

But that’s all history now.  After weeks of speculation and consternation among Democrats in Illinois’ 17th U.S. Congressional District, Republican candidate Andrea Zinga knows that she is facing a tough campaign to replace the ailing Evans, who has chosen not to run again.

(Andrea Zinga (left) pictured at a recent gathering in Oak Brook with Republican National Commiteewoman Mary Jo Arndt (right))

IN FOCUS: GOP Candidate for 6th CD Peter Roskam -- Part 2

with Fran Eaton, IR Editor

A year ago, when Republican State Senator Peter Roskam announced his intention to run for the 6th Congressional District seat being vacated by retiring Congressman Henry Hyde, he had only a slight inkling of how important the topic of the war on Iraq would be. 

Since last year's interview with IR's editor Fran Eaton, the war on terrorism has become a key issue in the 6th CD, as the Democratic opponent Roskam faces lost both her legs as a helicopter pilot in the war in Iraq.  Tammy Duckworth, who until very recently was in active military service, defeated two others in a heated Democratic primary.  As a result, America's war on terrorism has been thrust to center stage in this nationally-watched race.

When asked if he agrees with the President philosophy of pre-emptive strike in the war on terrorism, Roskam replied:

You mean fighting in the Mideast versus the Midwest?  I think it took him about ten seconds to come to that conclusion.  I think you really get the feeling that when he said we are at war, that was clear.  This was not about subpoenas and wire taps, the President’s attitude was, this will be answered clearly and aggressively and proportionately.  It has paid dividends.

Since this interview, Congressman Hyde has endorsed Roskam.  Read his thoughts about Hyde, Barack Obama, the federal role in education and more . . .

IN FOCUS: GOP Candidate for 6th CD Peter Roskam

by Fran Eaton, IR editor

In May 2005, State Senator Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton) announced his intention to fill retiring U.S. Congressman Henry Hyde's seat.   

Through skillful political landmine avoidance, Roskam averted a party primary and came out of the March primary armed with money in his war chest and good will among those in the local Republican organization.   

Now he's set for what he describes as "a vigorous campaign" in the 6th Congressional District.  He's faced with a General Election opponent -- Tammy Duckworth -- who is backed by the national Democratic Party's elite.  And last week, the Republican National Committee's Ken Mehlman came to the district to energize Roskam's troops. 

Who is this Peter Roskam?  Why should people around the state of Illinois and the country be interested in this race? 

With the permission of the Illinois Leader, Illinois Review presents a two-part exclusive interview IR's editor Fran Eaton had with Roskam shortly before his announcement in 2005.   

We think Peter Roskam is someone conservatives -- not only in Illinois, but nationwide -- should know . . . and know well . . .   

IN FOCUS: GOP Candidate for 8th Congressional District David McSweeney

by Fran Eaton, IR Editor

With last week’s sudden departure of candidate Teresa Bartels, David McSweeney is one of now six Republicans in the 8th Congressional District vying for the opportunity to unseat Democratic incumbent Melissa Bean.

McSweeney, 39, retired last spring from investment banking to campaign full time.  While carefully guarding inside polling numbers, McSweeney says he “feels positive” about his position in the race. 

IN FOCUS: GOP Candidate for Lt. Gov. Steve Rauschenberger

with Fran Eaton, IR Editor

Speculating about why politicians do the things they do is a favorite pasttime of political junkies and activists. And for the past few weeks, a hot topic among the conservative base of Illinois Republicans has been why two of their most well-known and like-minded associates, Steve Rauschenberger and Joe Birkett, chose to abandon gubernatorial bids to team up as candidates for lieutenant governor with two people who hold polar opposite positions on social issues.

The general consensus is that both Rauschenberger and Birkett, although professionally well-qualified and graced with bona fide conservative credentials, were forced into the secondary role because they were unable to tap into the funding sources each needed to win back the Governor’s Mansion for Republicans. 

For Steve Rauschenberger, the issue was just a little more complicated.  He took time to share with Illinois Review a few Saturdays ago the inside story of how he came to his final decision to climb on the Ron Gidwitz for Governor ‘06 campaign. 

IR In Focus Interview: Kathy Salvi, GOP candidate for 8th Congressional District

by Fran Eaton, IR Editor

Ten years ago this month, Kathy Salvi was traveling throughout Illinois alongside her husband, then-State Representative Al Salvi, challenging Lt. Governor Bob Kustra for the chance to be the GOP nominee against U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. 

During those travels, Kathy Salvi won the hearts of conservative thinkers with her plainspoken charm and soul-stirring enthusiasm.  Many credited Salvi as being instrumental in her husband’s primary victory as for the first time in modern Illinois history, pro-family values voters banded together to shake the state Republican Party establishment.

Now in 2006, the Mrs. is running for office herself.  She is one of seven Republican candidates – five male and two female – who are vying to regain Congressman Phil Crane’s 8th District seat back from Democrat Melissa Bean. 

But the Mrs. may have run into an unexpected obstacle – that being the challenge of convincing her pro-family allies that being an effective congresswoman will not make her an ineffective mother.  She’s surprised to find that leaders of pro-family groups are not so eager to endorse her candidacy, as they were her husband’s. 

IR FOCUS: GOP Candidate for Secretary of State Dan Rutherford

Part 3 of a 3-part interview with IR Editor Fran Eaton

I think the George Ryan trial is old news for the general public.   I think George Ryan had his imprint on Illinois politics in the ‘02 election.  I think in the ’06 election, he’s former, he’s past, he’s out of office.  The public has already convicted him and life goes on.  It doesn’t mean you condone it, but I really don’t think that’s going to be a factor in the election.

For the past four years, State Senator Dan Rutherford has been traveling from one end of Illinois to the other, doing what he could to build up the Republican Party when party morale was at historic lows. (See Part 1)

Combine last year’s indictment of former Governor George Ryan, the embarrassing scandal surrounding the GOP nominee for U.S. Senate Jack Ryan with the coup de grace, looking to out-of-stater Alan Keyes to be the GOP's nominee, only to alienate mainstream voters to a landslide victory for Barack Obama and the result was disastrous.  All that, along with the GOP’s in-fighting between passionate social conservatives and the Old Guard, caused anyone who tried to boost party's spirit to be seen as desperately tilting windmills.

But that's exactly what Dan Rutherford did.  He drove almost 200,000 miles to speak at Lincoln Day dinners with five to five hundred attendees.  He passed along precious campaign dollars to others willing to place their names on the ballot. 

Now it’s time for the favors to be returned.  Rutherford says that he’s willing to take on Jesse White, who he calls "the Goliath of the Democratic Party." 

There’s no question that Rutherford will be calling in the chips he’s spread throughout the state to win next November.  And he believes his four-year investment will pay off when he becomes SOS in January 2007.

IR FOCUS: GOP Candidate for Secretary of State Dan Rutherford

Part 2 of a 3-part interview with IR Editor Fran Eaton

Is Dan Rutherford a conservative or a moderate?  Sometimes I’m not sure what blog I’m reading to determine who I am.  .  .

State Senator Dan Rutherford's political career began with a statewide victory for Ronald Reagan in 1980 (see Part 1) .  Twenty-five years later -- fourteen of which have been spent in the Illinois General Assembly -- he has embarked upon his own statewide campaign, taking on who he calls the "titan of the Democratic Party" Secretary of State Jesse White.

Rutherford talks in Part 2 of a 3-part interview about the challenges of reaching out to an ideologically-divided Republican Party with the hopes of winning in a politically-diverse state.  He talks about tapping into the GOP's Old Guard while searching for new party enthusiasts and assuring reformers that change is underway. 

Rutherford also describes what he believes his role will be in the IL GOP in 2006. . .

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IR FOCUS: GOP Candidate for Secretary of State Dan Rutherford

PART 1 of 3-part interview with Fran Eaton, IR Editor

Life is a series of crossroads.   Once you’ve made your choice, don’t look back.

So is the life philosophy of Illinois GOP’s 2006 nominee for Secretary of State.   

Pontiac-born and raised, State Senator Dan Rutherford recently shared with Illinois Review a series of political crossroads he has encountered over his past 50 years living in central Illinois.