GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - March 6, 2008
GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- When candidates who have major divorce problems, like Blair Hull and Jack Ryan, run against Obama, the Combine makes sure that ABC7, NBC5, CBS2, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, Beacon News, etc. tells everyone about it. But outrageously, when an Obama-endorsed candidate like Bill Foster has major divorce problems, the Combine makes sure that ABC7, NBC5, CBS2, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, Beacon News, etc. does not report it - Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com/
(THE ARTICLE: Undoubtedly, for months, if not years, ABC7, NBC5, CBS2, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, Beacon News, etc. have been fully aware of Bill Foster's major divorce problems. See the articles posted below: MCLEAN COUNTY PUNDIT: Race for Hastert's Seat: Ask Jack Ryan and Blair Hull if Divorce Court Records Will Hurt One's Election Chances: and MAJORITY ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT: Court records claim Democrat Foster abused wife - Michael Brady and FOSTER DIVORCE PAPERS. When candidates who have major divorce problems, like Blair Hull and Jack Ryan, run against Obama, the Combine makes sure that ABC7, NBC5, CBS2, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, Beacon News, etc. tells everyone about it. But outrageously, when an Obama-endorsed candidate like Bill Foster has major divorce problems, the Combine makes sure that ABC7, NBC5, CBS2, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, Beacon News, etc. does not report it.)
-- DuPage County Republican Precinct Committeemen hold outstanding bi-annual convention -- Cronin gives outstanding speech, Cronin reelected Chairman, Schillerstrom reelected Secretary, Durante appointed Vice Chairman, Henry reappointed Treasurer, Murphy reappointed Chairwoman, Lofgren appointed Executive Director, Diersen appointed Webmaster, revised by-laws adopted, Oberweis campaign represented, Sauerberg speaks, attendees include Arndt, Birkett, Grogan, Kachiroubas, King, Ruscitti, Smith, and Zaruba - Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com/
(THE ARTICLE: DuPage County Republican Precinct Committeemen held an outstanding bi-annual convention Wednesday evening, March 5, at the DuPage County Complex in Wheaton. State Senator Dan Cronin gave an outstanding speech. Cronin was unanimously reelected Chairman. DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom was unanimously reelected Secretary. Addison Township Chairman Pat Durante was appointed Vice Chairman. DuPage County Treasurer Gwen Henry was reappointed Treasurer. Barb Murphy was reappointed Chairwoman. Dagmar Lofgren was appointed Executive Director. Dave Diersen was appointed Webmaster. Revised by-laws were unanimously adopted. The Oberweis campaign was represented. U.S. Senate candidate Steve Sauerberg spoke. DuPage County has 732 precincts. Republican Precinct Committeemen were elected on February 5 in 490 of those precincts. More than 189 Republican Precinct Committeemen attended the convention. Milton Township, which has 109 precincts, had the largest number of committeemen attending with at least 39. But Addison Township, which has 64 precincts, had the largest percentage (50%) of its committeemen attending with at least 32. Attendees included Mary Jo Arndt, Joe Birkett, Alan Bolds, Pat Bond, Mike Bowler, Wally Brown, Lori Carlson, Bob Cherry, Tina Connelly, Lynn Crane, John Curran, Pat Durante, Bob Earl, Chris Edwards, Paul Fichtner, Jim Flickinger, Mike Formento, Bob Grogan, Chris Heidorn, Gwen Henry, Paul Hinds, Joyce Hundhausen, Chris Kachiroubas, Moon Khan, Gary King, George Kocan, Amy Sejnost Kovacevic, Bob Larsen, Carl and Dagmar Lofgren, Liz Martinez, Mike Mayo, Vern McCarthy, Ron Menna, Pam Mitroff, Gary Muehlfelt, Barb Murphy, Linda Painter, Mike Prueter, Darlene Ruscitti, Bob Schillerstrom, Bob Sejnost, John Smith, Ron Smith, John Valle, Rick Veenstra, Gary Vician, Tim Whelan, May Yurgaitis, John Zaruba, and Jim Zay.)
MCLEAN COUNTY PUNDIT
-- Race for Hastert's Seat: Ask Jack Ryan and Blair Hull if Divorce Court Records Will Hurt One's Election Chances
http://www.mcleancountypundit.com/2008/03/05/race-for-hasterts-seat-ask-jack-ryan-and-blair-hull-if-divorce-court-records-will-hurt-ones-election-chances/
(THE ARTICLE: As Democrats continue to salivate over the possibility this year of picking up several more House seats, a recent poll in the 14th Congressional race to replace former House Speaker Dennis Hastert showed Dem. Bill Foster with a slight lead over GOP candidate, Dairy magnate Jim Oberweis; a bit shocking because in normal elections years the 14th has always been a strong GOP district. The good news for the GOP? The next poll might have different results for Dem. Bill Foster. See the following report just out: . . . according to Illinois court records obtained by the Majority Accountability Project the Foster's were far from being "on good terms" during their testy divorce proceedings. In fact, in a motion filed in Circuit Court in Kane County, his then-wife Ann claimed Foster "pushed, shoved and caused physical abuse and emotional harm . . . putting her in fear for herself (and the couple's) minor children." Ann Foster asked the court to remove her husband from the home they shared, and that the court "issue a temporary restraining order against (Bill Foster) from calling, harassing or touching (Ann Foster)." Flash back to 2004: For the Democrats; super-wealthy Blair Hull was the front-runner in the Dem. Primary UNTIL, his divorce court records were made public. He was ahead in all the polls until those records were released. His campaign then took a nose-dive. The winner of the Democratic Primary: little known newcomer; Barack Obama. Flash back again to 2004; For the Republicans; super-wealthy GOP Primary winner, Jack Ryan, was told by his attorney that his divorce court records WOULD NEVER be released to the public ; and shortly thereafter, his court records were released and showed sordid allegations by his soon-to-be ex-wife. Ryan resigned from the US Senate race. The GOP, in their infinite wisdom that year, brought in Alan Keyes to fill Ryan's vacated spot. His Democrat opponent? Barack Obama. The rest is history.)
MAJORITY ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT
-- Court records claim Democrat Foster abused wife - Michael Brady
http://majorityap.com/court_records_dispute_foster_s_campaign_claims
(THE ARTICLE: CONFLICTING CLAIMS - Illinois millionaire Bill Foster claims on his campaign website that he and his ex-wife stayed on "good terms." Court records show that while they were married, she accused him of abuse, and held her "hostage" after their divorce. Portraying a warm and fuzzy family image is nothing new for politicians seeking to curry favor with voters.But Illinois Democrat Bill Foster, seeking election to Congress in the district once held by former House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, has taken things a step further - boasting on his campaign website of the amicable relationship he enjoys with his ex-wife, who divorced him in 1996. "Bill and Ann are both very proud of remaining on good terms and making things as easy as possible for their kids," Foster wrote on his candidate biography. But according to Illinois court records obtained by the Majority Accountability Project the Foster's were far from being "on good terms" during their testy divorce proceedings. In fact, in a motion filed in Circuit Court in Kane County, his then-wife Ann claimed Foster "pushed, shoved and caused physical abuse and emotional harm - putting her in fear for herself (and the couple's) minor children."Ann Foster asked the court to remove her husband from the home they shared, and that the court "issue a temporary restraining order against (Bill Foster) from calling, harassing or touching (Ann Foster)." Equally troubling is Foster's claim that "Bill and Ann agreed to live within a few blocks of each other in Batavia."Court records indicate Ann Foster's decision to live near her soon-to-be ex-husband was not voluntary. A provision of the couple's divorce settlement stipulated that if Ann Foster moved outside of the Batavia School district prior to their daughter's eighteenth birthday, "wife shall pay to husband the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000)."Circuit Court Judge Keith Brown, who presided over the couple's divorce, seemed stunned. "I have never seen a provision as this, such as $50,000 payment if someone moves out of the school district," he said in a transcript obtained by majorityap.com."I'm not sure if that's - let's say when that day comes, the enforceability of that provision would be an issue." The judge said of Bill Foster that "it almost sounds, on the initial surface, as if you are holding someone hostage to stay within any school district, which is not in the law of the State of Illinois." There is some evidence the Foster's once acrimonious relationship has improved. Ann Foster has since moved from the Batavia School district, and now draws a paycheck from her ex-husband. According to Foster's campaign website, she "works as a software engineer for Bill's company in Wisconsin.")
FOSTER DIVORCE PAPERS
http://wikileaks.cx/leak/bill-foster-divorce-documents.pdf
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Astoundingly, the anti-conservative anti-Republican Chicago Sun-Times endorses Oberweis - The soon to be reported major Foster divorce problems must have been a factor
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/828786,CST-EDT-edit06a.article
(THE ENDORSEMENT: Jim Oberweis for the U.S. House Washington is no place for the political novice, the faint of heart or the poorly informed. Washington is a place for men and women of clear convictions prepared to engage in vigorous debate to advance the interests of all Americans and our nation's place in the world. That is why we are endorsing Republican Jim Oberweis, the ice cream man with the admittedly rancorous edge, for Congress in Saturday's special election in the 14th District. We don't share Oberweis' views on all the issues, but we respect that he knows exactly where he stands and would jump feet first into the job, unlike his remarkably tepid opponent, Democrat Bill Foster. We see the irony in this endorsement. The Sun-Times in recent months has made a point of returning to its political roots, speaking with a more progressive editorial voice than our competitor, the conservative Chicago Tribune. Yet now we find ourselves backing Oberweis, a rock-ribbed Republican, while the Tribune sides with Foster. Like all leaders, Oberweis has a point of view, which he argues forcefully and effectively. But after meeting at length with both candidates, this endorsement was not such a difficult call. Oberweis was forceful and informed, while Foster was a disappointment. Though a respected physicist, he failed to do his homework, unable to discuss important issues in anything but superficial terms. Our fear is that the equivocating Foster would be shoved aside and ignored in the highly charged world of Washington politics, leaving the 14th District with no real representation, from the left or right. Was Foster truly the best the Democratic Party could offer? This is a man -- though obviously kind and thoughtful -- who might have been wise to start out small, perhaps with a run for his local school board. For 21 years, the 14th District, which stretches from the western suburbs almost to Iowa, was represented by former House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, whose conservative politics nicely reflected the views of his constituents. In recent years, the district has grown more ideologically diverse as suburbs have rolled over farm fields, but Oberweis stands well within the GOP mainstream and would remain a good fit for the district. Our one great reservation about Oberweis is his persistent tone of rancor and divisiveness. Americans (look no further than the popularity of Barack Obama) are bone tired of petty fights and cheap shots. We deplore the way Oberweis twisted Foster's words in a recent ad, painting Foster as a big-spending liberal by ripping out of context a quote that was making the opposite point. And we deplore the mean-spirited way in which Oberweis has played on anti-immigrant fears. Regrettably, Foster has thrown a cheap shot or two of his own. He has accused Oberweis of hiring illegal immigrants in his dairy business, but failed to point out that it was two illegal immigrants employed by a single subcontractor. And Oberweis fired the subcontractor. For his own effectiveness, Oberweis should be taken behind the woodshed and set straight about his antagonistic rhetoric. This could happen soon if he makes it to Washington, where he will be a member of the Republican minority in a Democrat-controlled Congress. Jim Oberweis might finally have to learn the arts of the soft-spoken word and compromise. A good ice cream man always smiles. Our endorsement is a vote for competence, personal leadership and an individual who will effectively represent the 14th District in the important debates in Congress over issues that will mold our future. We believe those debates are the essence of our democracy and require well-informed and articulate people from both sides of the aisle.)
-- STELLA FOSTER: The McCain Illinois Finance Committee is hosting a fund-raising reception March 14 at the Hilton Chicago for Arizona Sen. John McCain, who just clinched the GOP nomination Tuesday night, which I am sure put a big smile on his 71-year-old mug. McCain, who clearly will be stomping in Obama territory, is expecting folks to pay $2,300 for a photo with him. Tickets are $1,000 a person.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/foster/828431,CST-NWS-stella06.article
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-conservative anti-Republican Chicago Tribune blasts an Oberweis ad
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-0306edit1mar06,0,3314436.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats flee Democrat-controlled poverty and crime stricken Cook County for the prosperity and safety that Republicans created in McHenry County. But outrageously, those Democrats want to elect Democrats who will turn prosperous and safe McHenry County into a poverty and crime stricken Cook County.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/northwest/chi-mcpols-both-06mar06,0,5789304.story
BEACON NEWS
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/828660,2_1_AU06_14THDIST1_S1.article
-- 14th Congressional District: Ads are flying fast & furious - Andre Salles
THE ARTICLE: The special election to fill out Dennis Hastert's term in Congress is Saturday, and the campaigning has ratcheted up several notches in the last week. Geneva Democrat Bill Foster and Aurora Republican Jim Oberweis -- along with their parties' respective congressional committees -- have saturated the airwaves and filled the 14th District's mailboxes with fliers to draw final distinctions between themselves and their opponents. The latest ad from the Foster campaign goes in an interesting direction -- it's targeted at those who voted for State Sen. Chris Lauzen in the Republican primary. Oberweis defeated Lauzen in the GOP primary last month. The new Foster ad charges Oberweis with breaking Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment -- "Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican" -- and accuses him of smearing Lauzen and his family with "outlandish attacks." "People should be upset at how the (Republican) primary was handled," said Foster spokesman Andrew Dupuy. He reiterated his campaign's belief that the Democrats are united, while the Republicans "still have deep divisions going into the election on Saturday." Oberweis spokesman Bill Pascoe believes this ad is an attempt to get Republican voters to stay home. The key to Saturday's election could be turnout, and if one party can convince the other to stay in bed, that party could win the day. "I find it more than a touch ironic that a man touting the so-called 'New Politics' is engaged in an attempt to convince Republican voters not to exercise their right to vote," Pascoe said. Lauzen, for his part, said he was unaware of the ad until Wednesday and did not participate in it. He said the primary is in the past for him, and he's concentrating on the future. When asked if he thinks those who voted for him should support Foster, Lauzen turned philosophical. "I think that we need less of politicians telling us how we should vote and more of people making their own informed decisions," he said. Dispute over health ad Another pro-Foster ad, a television spot paid for by the Service Employees International Union, has been pulled, revised and replaced on NBC-5 in Chicago, according to Pascoe. Officials at the television station confirmed the revision. Pascoe said the Oberweis campaign challenged the ad for false and misleading statements -- namely, for claiming that Oberweis wants to eliminate employer-based health care. That statement, Pascoe said, was sourced to a local newspaper, but that article was corrected to note that Oberweis advocates "moving away from" employer-based health insurance to a more flexible, choice-based system. It's an important distinction for the Oberweis camp, but for Foster spokesman Tom Bowen, it's splitting hairs. Though he said he was not consulted on the ad -- federal laws prohibit campaigns from working on or approving ads paid for by third parties -- he said that Oberweis' own Web site could be used as a source for that statement. Disowning 'anti-immigrant' Bowen was less inclined to stand behind another print ad that found its way to district voters' homes this week. The piece, aimed at Latino voters, claims that Oberweis wants to deny citizenship to Latino children born in the United States, prevent Latino students from going to college, and "scare people and turn them against Latino families." One paragraph seems to imply that Oberweis' "anti-immigrant and anti-Latino speeches" are responsible for hate crimes against Latinos in the U.S. rising by 35 percent. The ad was postmarked from California and sponsored by "Latino Neighbors Against Hate Crimes," a group that has no Web site and no apparent history. Pascoe jumped on this ad Wednesday, saying "Bill Foster should be ashamed that his allies are resorting to these tactics in the waning days of his campaign. The voters of the 14th District deserve better." Bowen again said he had no knowledge of the ad and did not stand behind it. He denounced it as an "underhanded tactic," but said savvy voters know when something smells fishy. "Voters are smart enough to distinguish when the message is untrue, and when groups are shady and behind the scenes, and when people are being dishonest," Bowen said. "It's only harmful to a campaign if it distracts from the real issues.)
-- Kane County Republicans, Democrats take stock of their futures - Steve Lord
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/828619,2_1_AU06_KANE_S1.article
-- Kendall GOP gets new chief: Keith Wheeler - Heather Gillers
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/828672,2_1_AU06_KENGOP_S1.article
DAILY HERALD
-- Clearing the truth from the chaff in 14th Dist. campaign - Susan Sarkauskas
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=148326&src=3
(FROM THE ARTICLE: You've probably filled a recycling bin with 8-by-11-inch fliers from campaign committees for Jim Oberweis and Bill Foster, who seek to succeed Dennis Hastert in a special election Saturday in the 14th Congressional District. There's the one with "TAX RAISER" emblazoned in red type over Foster's face. Or the one of a mother holding a little girl while a doctor speaks with them, with a jagged rip and "Jim Oberweis wants to eliminate employer-based health care, forcing you to buy your own insurance." Then there are the TV and radio ads. "Ten years. They could be in college by then. Jim Oberweis says we need to be in Iraq 10 years," intonates Foster, while images of children flash over the screen. "We're already in trouble, and Bill Foster wants to raise our taxes? That's crazy!" proclaims an incredulous woman in an Oberweis ad that claims families would pay $8,000 a year more in taxes if Foster was elected and his plan approved. What can you believe? Is Oberweis a hard-hearted man looking to get elected to anything, firing American workers and sending their jobs to China, willing to smear anybody who opposes him, including fellow Republicans in the primary? Is Foster going to spend-spend-spend us into the poorhouse, take away your ability to see the doctor of your choice, surrender to terrorists and allow your daughter to get an abortion without telling you about it? After sifting through the fliers and commercials, we came up with some of the main things each candidate is charging the other with. Then, checking newspaper articles, Daily Herald questionnaires, videos of endorsement interviews and candidate Web sites, we tried to determine if the accusations hold water. The mailings are targeted; not every house gets every mailing, depending on what audience the candidate wants to appeal to with that particular message. Wednesday, for example, Foster released a flier that accused Oberweis of breaking Ronald Reagan's infamous "11th Commandment," "Thou shalt not speak ill of fellow Republicans," when he attacked Lauzen in the primary. Foster had a news conference Saturday with local Republicans who support him.)
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR PHOTO IN DUPAGE EDITION: DAILY HERALD SHOWS ITS BIAS WITH ITS UNEQUAL COVERAGE OF POLITICAL CONVENTIONS: DIERSEN HEADLINE: DuPage County Democrat Precinct Committeemen hold bi-annual convention -- Turn DuPage Blue Chairman Bob Peickert, with 24,448 weighted votes, won the race for Chairman defeating Rob Bisceglie who received 17,531 weighted votes
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=148428&src=2
(THE ARTICLE: A new shade of blue in DuPage County - Jake Griffin Operation: Turn DuPage Blue can no longer be considered an offshoot of the county's Democratic Party. They're running things now. The splinter group's chairman, Bob Peickert, handily defeated incumbent DuPage County Democratic Party Chairman Rob Bisceglie at Wednesday night's convention in Wheaton. In all, 215 of the nearly 250 Democratic precinct committeemen showed up to vote for new party leadership. "I think what this signifies is the Democratic Party is more united than ever before," Peickert said shortly after the results were announced. "This is a party to be reckoned with. This is the biggest turnout of elected Democrat leaders in DuPage ever." Peickert's group was formed a little more than a year ago in an effort to grow the Democratic Party in DuPage County. Among the successes Operation: Turn DuPage Blue helped garner is the doubling of elected precinct committeemen and more voters picking Democratic ballots over Republican ballots in the Feb. 5 primary. That was widely regarded as a first in anyone's memory. Peickert said attempts to ingratiate his group with the Democratic hierarchy in DuPage County was rebuffed by leaders, but it didn't sway their desire to work for Democratic candidates and strengthen the local party. Bisceglie has pledged to work with Peickert during the transition and accepted a post on Peickert's executive council. Bisceglie rose to power after longtime DuPage Democratic chairman Gayl Ferraro stepped down from the post late last year. Doug Higgins, a committeeman from Lisle Township, nominated Peickert. He touted Peickert's grassroots efforts to invigorate the local party as a selling point for the 63-year-old retired union negotiator from Elmhurst. "For the first time ever in this county, a person can stand up and identify themselves as a Democrat and not feel like an oddity," Higgins said. "He has shaken up the establishment of our party." The committeemen's leadership votes were weighted by the number of Democratic voters who turned out in their precincts in the Feb. 5 primary. That meant the ballot of a committeeman from a precinct that had 300 voters carried three times the value of a committeeman whose precinct turned out just 100 voters. The final tally of the chairmanship vote Wednesday was 24,448 points for Peickert and 17,531 for Bisceglie. Treasurer Bob Jeffers was amazed by the turnout at the Wheaton Park District's Community Center. "It's the biggest one I've ever attended," he said. "We've never had a convention in a place this big that I can remember, and I've been doing this a long time." The event even attracted an audience. Several area Democrats showed up simply to watch the proceedings. "I just wanted to see what happens," said Loretta Zainine of Glen Ellyn. DuPage Republicans also held a convention to elect party leadership Wednesday. They took far less time than the Democrats since Sen. Dan Cronin of Elmhurst was the lone nominee for chairman, a post he's held since being appointed last year.)
-- Cook GOP has new leader, Lee Roupas
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=148294
(THE ARTICLE: Lee Roupas, committeeman for Palos Township, was elected chairman of the Cook County Republican Party on Wednesday. He received roughly 102,000 votes. He was followed by June O'Donoghue from Northfield Township. Roupas, 25, is a law student at Loyola University in Chicago. The Palos Hills resident was backed by present GOP Chairman Liz Gorman.)
-- McHenry GOP unites behind Tryon - Charles Keeshan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=148306
-- Spoiling for a fight at all levels in November Lake County Democrats re-elect longtime leader Terry Link - Bob Susnjara
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=148323
-- Kane County GOP chooses Mike Kenyon as its new leader - Leslie Hague
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=148324&src=5
-- Hastert, Poshard enlisted to promote construction - John Patterson
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=148173&src=109
COURIER NEWS
-- Kane County: GOP, Dems announce slates for Nov. 4 election - Steve Lord http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/828625,3_1_EL06_A3KANE_S1.article
NAPERVILLE SUN
-- Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce visit to Capitol ends up short on progress Stalemating has bad impact on local economy, leaders say - Paige Winfield http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/828531,6_1_NA06_CHAMBER_S1.article
SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Blame state's poor grade on politics - Editorial
http://www.sj-r.com/Opinion/stories/26421.asp
ABC7
-- Gov accused of making unfulfilled promises - Ben Bradley
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=5999247 (Includes video clip)
QUAD CITY TIMES
-- Who would replace Obama? - Kurt Erickson
http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2008/03/05/news/illinois/doc47cf0a33210c5111865928.txt?sPos=1
KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
-- Reform Illinois - Editorial
http://www.daily-journal.com/archives/dj/display.php?id=415601
NEW YORK TIMES
-- Oberweis v. Foster: Close Race to Replace Ex-Speaker in House - Susan Saulny
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/06/washington/06illinois.html?scp=2&sq=Hastert&st=nyt
OBERWEIS CAMPAIGN
-- Pro-Foster attack ad taken off the air because it wasn't true http://jimoberweis.com/news/contentview.asp?c=45301
-- Out-of-state, anonymous Foster ally smears Oberweis
http://jimoberweis.com/news/contentview.asp?c=45304
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Tragically, who has done more to promote oral sex than anyone in history? ANSWER: Bill Clinton
http://www.usnews.com/articles/opinion/bhealy/2008/02/19/clueless-on-stds-throat-cancer-and-oral-sex.html
AMERICANS FOR TRUTH
-- BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: Deerfield High School Offers Homosexual Pornography to Students
http://americansfortruth.com/news/deerfield-high-school-outside-chicago-offers-homosexual-pornography-to-students.html
4 comments:
So the point is, at least we can thank President Clinton for one accomplishment?
Nice work, Mr. President!
Once again, as long as you have a "D" by your name, you can do whatever and say whatever and not be bothered by the media.
Why is the Sun Times print story not online about MWRDGC President Terrence J O'Brien sometimes called Terry O'Brien illegally against the MWRDGC state statute take money from MWRDGC employees including ones that got jobs and ran for MWRDGC Commissioner?
Why did he give back $39,000.
TERRY OBRIEN SHOULD BE IN JAIL
Flushing campaign dollars
$39,000 RETURNED | Sewage agency chief gave back donations he received from 50 employees
March 6, 2008
Terrence O'Brien's campaign fund sprung a bit of a leak last year.
O'Brien, president of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, gave back a total of $39,520 Oct. 5 in contributions he'd gotten from 50 donors.
» Click to enlarge image
Commissioner Terrence J. O'Brien on the floor of the mainstream pumping station.
(Joseph P. Meier/STNG file)
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The problem: The money had come from employees of his agency, which treats Cook County's sewage.
"Those were mostly employees or related to employees, and the campaign made a decision to return those," says O'Brien's lawyer, Jim Nally. "After reviewing the law in the area, we thought it was a better course."
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act says "no officer or employee shall solicit, orally or by letter, or give or receive, or be in any manner concerned in soliciting or giving or receiving any assessment, subscription or contribution from any member of the classified civil service for any party or political purpose whatever."
Which would seem to say O'Brien was barred from soliciting agency employees for campaign cash.
A former Water Reclamation District employee complained to the Cook County state's attorney's office, according to a source familiar with the situation, and prosecutors looked into the matter but didn't file criminal charges.
Still, O'Brien's fund returned the money "out of an abundance of caution," the source says.
Nally says the returned contributions were originally received "over several months or even a couple of years."
Current and former employees of the agency who got their contributions returned say O'Brien raised the money through an annual fund-raiser he holds at a restaurant.
"He'd send me a complimentary ticket to his fund-raiser," says Frank Kody, who retired from the Water Reclamation District in December.
Kody says that, even though there was no charge for the ticket, he contributed $1,000 anyway. "I thought I was being nice," he says.
Frank Deignan, a current employee of the agency, says he was "totally taken aback" when O'Brien returned the $200 he'd contributed.
"They said there was some sort of conflict of interest," says Deignan.
Also among those who got their money back was Water Reclamation District finance chairman Gloria Majewski. She'd given O'Brien $1,500.
O'Brien was first elected to the agency's board in 1988. He's next up for re-election in 2012.
Eric Herman
Getting their money back
Terrence J. O'Brien, president of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, has given back campaign contributions from 51 employees of the sewage agency he solicited over the past several years. The 16 biggest refunds O'Brien made:
George and Melody Smothers, Lemont -- $3,300
Louis Kollias, Orland Park -- $2,000
Brian Newhouse, Chicago -- $2,000
Casimir Wytaniec, Park Ridge -- $1,950
Thomas Durkin, Oak Lawn -- $1,750
Timothy O'Leary, Chicago -- $1,725
John Poulos, Des Plaines -- $1,600
Brendan O'Conner, Chicago -- $1,550
Gloria Majewski, Orland Park, MWRD board member -- $1,500
Robert Regan, Oak lawn -- $1,500
Daniel Mikso, Oak Lawn -- $1,300
James Sheehy, Chicago -- $1,250
Robert Hultgren, Chicago -- $1,200
Gerald Borucki, Western Springs -- $1,000
Frank Kody, Tinley Park -- $1,000
Harry "Bus'' Yourell, Oak Lawn, ex-MWRD board member -- $1,000
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