GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - June 18, 2008

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Republican ex-colleague Kirk Dillard asks Obama not to run ad - Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-mccain-illinois_wedjun18,0,5035039.story
(FROM THE ARTICLE: As Sen. John McCain steps up his criticism that Democratic presidential rival Sen. Barack Obama's talk of bipartisanship is hollow rhetoric, the presumptive Republican nominee finds one of his convention delegates in the cross-hairs of the debate—Illinois state Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale). The suburban Republican, a former GOP county chairman, appeared in a TV ad for his friend and one-time colleague in the Illinois legislature attesting to the Democrat's willingness to cross the political aisle. The ad was run by Obama campaign throughout the extended primary campaign. But Dillard, elected on Feb. 5 as a convention delegate for McCain, has asked Obama's top political strategist, David Axelrod, not to use the TV ad for the general election campaign, now that the battle for the presidency is down to a one-on-one partisan contest. Dillard sent a letter to Axelrod at a request of the McCain campaign. Obama campaign aides said they would honor Dillard's request.)
-- Illinois lawmakers take no action on huge pension debt - Ryan Keith
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-xgr-pensionpain-q,0,2756173.story

DAILY HERALD
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR PHOTO IN DUPAGE EDITION: Birkett may try again for state office in 2010 - Christy Gutowski
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=209134
(THE ARTICLE: DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett is poised to make a third attempt for statewide office in two years. Birkett, who ran unsuccessfully for attorney general and lieutenant governor, told the Daily Herald he is exploring a possible run in 2010 for attorney general or governor. The 53-year-old Wheaton man may be one of Illinois' best-known Republicans and widely respected, but the political climate could be his biggest challenge. "It's going to be tough for any Republican in 2010, especially if there is a President Obama in the White House," said Paul Green, director of Roosevelt University's School of Policy Studies. "So, I would think the best thing he can do is get out there early, pick his spots and start raising money like mad." Birkett isn't expected to make a final decision for several months, but he has hired a political consulting firm, lined up fundraising events that begin next week, and is already touring the state to deliver his message of tough-on-crime and economic reform to potential voters. "The level of corruption and fiscal mismanagement has never been higher in Illinois," Birkett said. "It's going to take leadership to restore the sanity, responsibility and integrity to our government." A worthy opponent? Birkett, running unopposed in November for his fourth 4-year term as state's attorney, is one of Illinois' best-recognized prosecutors after a nearly 30-year career. But he hasn't had success at statewide office. In 2002, in his first attempt, he lost to Democrat Lisa Madigan in the most expensive race for attorney general in Illinois history. She defeated Birkett by about 2.5 percentage points. He won 87 of Illinois' 102 counties. But Madigan, who outspent him 3 to 1, trounced Birkett in Chicago. In the process, Birkett gained name recognition outside DuPage County but was saddled with more than $700,000 in debt. He wiped that out in the November 2006 election, when he unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor on the GOP slate with gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka. One Democratic strategist argues Birkett's conservative views will hurt him. "He's a worthy opponent, but someone with more moderate views is going to make Democrats more nervous," said political consultant Kevin Lampe. "Republicans who do well in this state are moderates. He's got to reach out more and really take a look at whether his views are in line with mainstream Illinois' views." Despite that perception, Birkett doesn't have the classic Republican pedigree. He grew up in the poor Austin neighborhood on Chicago's West Side. At 13, he lost his father in a boating accident and watched his mother struggle to raise nine kids. The staunch Roman Catholic is pro-death penalty, but he has pioneered many reforms to overhaul the system. He has managed to get about 120 tough-on-crime bills passed into law in the mostly Democrat-controlled state legislature. His mother was a Democrat, his father a Republican. Three of his brothers are in the trades, including a carpenter and electrician, professions that usually favor Democrats. Birkett is generally anti-abortion, but he supports it in cases of rape. To help him get his message out, he has hired the political consulting firm Reverse Spin, co-headed by Dan Curry, who was part of the successful campaigns for two other men not known as particularly middle-of-the-road Republicans: former U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald and former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan. "I don't think people are craving for any particular type of ideology," Curry said. "They're craving for honest and effective leadership." Birkett, for his part, borrows from a Ronald Reagan adage. "I don't expect people to agree with me 100 percent of the time," he said. "But if you agree with me on most of the issues, then vote for me. I think that's the type of candidate that people in Illinois want and deserve." A long road to 2010 Birkett was considering his own run for governor in 2004 and was touring the state trying to line up support. Still in debt, though, he joined Topinka, at the urging of one of his mentors, former Gov. Jim Edgar. It was then he began publicly lambasting Gov. Rod Blagojevich for so-called pay-to-play politics. The prosecutor hasn't changed his tune, especially as the problems dogging the governor deepen with the recent corruption conviction of fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko. Birkett said he hopes to present himself as a credible alternative. But his own party is still reeling from the corruption scandal that led to the conviction of former Gov. George Ryan and others. Birkett's plan is to start reaching out to Chicago and suburban Cook County, including the Northwest suburbs, which are turning increasingly blue after decades as rock-solid Republican. Others say Birkett must broaden his appeal beyond the suburbs. "I don't see how a Republican can win without making a sincere outreach to minority communities," said Mike Lawrence, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University and a former Edgar aide. "The demographics in the state are changing and the Republicans are now much weaker." Similar to other statewide hopefuls, Birkett is waiting to see what office Madigan, the popular attorney general, will next seek. Birkett said he isn't ruling anything out, but it isn't likely he'll run against Madigan again. He disagrees with those such as Green and Lampe who argue the GOP lacks much talent on its bench. In fact, he said he thinks this party will surprise voters in 2010 -- in spite of the Obama factor. "There are a lot of good, solid Republicans with strong records of service," Birkett said. "We have to put forth a slate of candidates in 2010 that are going to excite the base and who will run hard. We need candidates who have the ability to bring people together, not divide them, and that's what I'm known for.")
-- Chairman of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has doubts on EJ&E sale
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=209185&src=5
-- Reasons why there is much discontent - Kenneth Spitz, West Chicago
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=208730&src=
-- Obama offers little except socialism - Frank Gabl, Prospect Heights
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=208814&src=
-- Cast vote against Obama, abortions - James Finnegan, Barrington
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=208838&src=

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Cal Skinner blasts Schillerstrom
http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2008/06/dupage-county-tax-hiker-bob.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: DuPage County Tax Hiker Bob Schillerstrom Chides Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna for Chiding Him about Being a Tax Hiker McKenna criticized Schillerstrom for successfully fighting for higher taxes on the entire Chicago metropolitan area. I figure Schillerstrom's actions will cost us McHenry County taxpayers $18 million a year . . . assuming there is never any inflation. Schillerstrom seems to have forgotten that old adage: "Republicans remember who hike their taxes." Schillerstrom claims to "have spent my entire career adhering to the GOP principles of smaller government, disciplined spending and fiscal conservatism." He made not mention of his and DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett's and three of his county's five state senators' roles in TRIPLING the RTA sales tax for the five collar counties. If that is what a conservative does, please save me from DuPage County conservatives. It reminds me so much of what DuPage County politicians did in the 1980's. About 90% of all the bonds issued in DuPage County were not approved by its voters. Think airport authority, water commission and park districts for starters. All controlled by Republicans. The situation got so bad that gubernatorial candidate Jim Edgar proposed the property tax cap. I've been told by sources I trust that the anger of DuPage County homeowners inspired the proposal. So, spare me the "I've been such a great county board chairman" pitch. If you were such a great county board chairman, you would not have twisted three of your state senators' arms enough to sell us in McHenry and Kane and Lake and Will Counties down the river in order to avoid cutting DuPage County spending in the sheriff's and/or state's attorney's office. Or you would have raised only the taxes in DuPage County, which you could have done by referendum (it was on the ballot, remember?), if you really thought your constituents would think that was the right and conservative thing to do. And, your delegation would not have acted like children and walked out of the Republican Party Convention in Decatur.)

ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY
-- Convention Exhibitors
http://www.digitalvictorycms.com/_uploaded/376121-State%20Convention%20Exhibitors%202008.pdf
-- State Central Committee Weighted Vote
http://www.digitalvictorycms.com/_uploaded/332195-2008%20SCC%20Weighted%20Vote.pdf
-- Convention Hospitality Suites
http://www.digitalvictorycms.com/_uploaded/570145-2008%20IRP%20Convention%20Hospitality%20Suites.pdf
-- Convention Rules & Procedures Ruling
http://www.digitalvictorycms.com/_uploaded/210777-2008%20IRP%20Convention%20Committee%20on%20Rules%20and%20Procedures%20Ruling.pdf

CHICAGO GOP
-- National Committeewoman vote disaster - Tom Swiss
http://chicagogop.com/Forum/General-Discussion/17-National-Committeewoman-vote-disaster.html?Itemid=0

NORTHWEST INDIANA TIMES
-- GOP says Illinois voters tried to vote in Indiana primary - Bill Nolan
http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2008/06/18/news/top_news/doc08777d7ebc2032a18625746c0000e8c6.txt

NBC5
-- Palatine Residents Tell Stroger They Want Out Cook County Sales Tax Push Residents To Brink Secession
http://www.nbc5.com/politics/16629275/detail.html?dl=mainclick (Includes video clip)

CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS
-- McCain's $2M date with Chicago funders - Greg Hinz
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=29848
-- Tribune may be moving closer to default: S&P - Ann Weiler
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=29850

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Chicago Sun-Times promotes a Blagojevich program that a) attracts to Illinois people with severe health, financial, and other problems and b) drives up Illinois' budget deficit and debt
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/health/1011076,CST-NWS-kidhealth18.article

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Miller rips Halvorson for trying to 'fool voters' - Phil Kadner
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/kadner/1011086,061808Kadner.article

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Memo a sad commentary on state of state - Editorial
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x1743975447/Our-Opinion-Memo-a-sad-commentary-on-state-of-state

CHAMPION NEWS
-- By the numbers: GOP dominated by political socialites instead of public opinion leaders
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1035
-- Political battlefields to reach the middle third
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1039
-- AUDIO TAPE OF JUNE 15 RADIO PROGRAM: Guest Co-Host Anthony Anderson joins Jack, John and Doug to discuss whether the Illinois GOP has the commitment and infrastructure to compete for minority votes and to recruit minority candidates.
http://www.championnews.net/talk/podcast.html

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Berkowitz w/ Sen. Cullerton on the Dems' bi-partisan Illinois income tax increase option
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/06/better-than-discussing-obama-vp-options.html

THE HILL
-- Obama fundraiser attracts criticism from GOP, raises questions on ethics - Alexander Bolton
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/obama-fundraiser-attracts-criticism-from-gop-raises-questions-on-ethics-2008-06-17.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A Republican National Committee (RNC) spokesman said Obama remains tied to the political network in which Rezko once thrived. “While Barack Obama claims to have distanced himself from Tony Rezko and his associates, it is clearly not the case,” said RNC spokesman Danny Diaz. “This is yet another example of the audacious hypocrisy the Obama campaign is engaged in. “Obama was involved in a sweetheart deal with Rezko and it appears his fundraising buddies are now raising money for Obama’s campaign,” said Diaz. “Obama continues to prove he does not have the leadership qualities to serve as president.” Obama’s spokesman fired back, raising questions about a GOP operative who made millions in what a Chicago Tribune columnist characterized as “questionable fees” through investments of Illinois state pension funds. “While the RNC is launching baseless and long-ago-discredited attacks against Obama, it is remaining silent on the question of whether Bob Kjellander will remain on the committee of the Republican National Convention and a member of the RNC,” said LaBolt.)

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- Dillard speaks very highly of Rutherford; reception attendees include Bellock, Biggins, Donovan, Falbo, Grogan, Hinds, Krajewski, Martinez, Pankau, Puchalski, Radogno, and Sauerberg
www.gopillinois.com
(THE ARTICLE: Senator Kirk Dillard spoke very highly of Senator Dan Rutherford at an outstanding reception for Rutherford at Carlucci Restaurant in Downers Grove Tuesday evening, June 17. The approximately 50 attendees include Representative Patti Bellock, Representative Bob Biggins, State Central Committee Member Carol Smith Donovan, Milton Township Trustee Sal Falbo, DuPage County Auditor candidate Bob Grogan, York Township GOP Chairman Paul Hinds, Downers Grove GOP Chairman Brian Krajewski, Lisle Township GOP Vice Chairman Liz Martinez, Senator Carol Pankau, DuPage County Board Member Don Puchalski, Senator Christine Radogno, U.S. Senate candidate Steve Sauerberg, and Naperville Township Trustee May Yurgaitis.)