New Illinois House Republican Leadership for 2017

Just like we covered the leadership changes with the Illinois Senate Republicans yesterday, the House GOP has made some changes, too.

Over on their site, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin has announced his new team and they've posted a nice little grid of the new Leadership team:

• Chad Hays, Assistant Republican Leader
• Patti Bellock, Deputy Republican Leader
• Tom Demmer, Republican Caucus Chairman
• Mike Unes, Assistant Republican Leader
• Michael McAuliffe, Assistant Republican Leader
• David Reis, Assistant Republican Leader
• Norine Hammond, Assistant Republican Leader
• Bill Mitchell, Assistant Republican Leader
• Dan Brady, Deputy Republican Leader

Candidate Facebook Weekend: Michael McAuliffe, Rodney Davis, Sheila Simon, Dan Rutherford

It is Monday morning, that means it's time to do a round-up of what happened over on Facebook this weekend.  Our weekly round-up shows candidates from State Representative to Comptroller and how they're trying to win votes this fall.  You can see the "Weekend on Facebook" archives here on the Illinois Truth Team.

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State Representative Mike McAuliffe was out and about (and even manning his table!) at the Taste of Park Ridge this weekend.  

Congressman Rodney Davis continues to hit the parade circuit across his district - this time in Nakomis where he was joined by his dad Marty.  (who...appears to be a Shriner!  Awesome.  Do you think he has one of those tiny cars?  If so...it's over.  Let's call the election, folks.  Rodney wins big.  All he has to do is get his dad to do donuts in front of polling places telling people that his son is running for Congress.  Everyone - and we mean everyone - will vote for Rodney Davis for Congress....)

Current Lt. Governor and Illinois Comptroller Candidate Sheila Simon appears to have officiated a same-sex marriage.  Good for her and congrats to the happy couple!  Looks like they got some great weather and a beautiful spot.

And...State Treasurer Dan Rutherford appears to be 'still working' at the State Capitol.  He didn't update his Facebook page this weekend leaving us to assume he's still bunkered down doing the people's business.

Rep. Mike McAuliffe Draws Primary. What are we doing, Republicans?

Image from Illinois Review

The Illinois Review has a story about regarding how State Representative MichaelMcAuliffe has drawn a primary challenge from Michael Yorty.  What in the world is happening here?  Something nefarious from the Illinois Democrats and games from Speaker Mike Madigan?

Or is this Yorty guy legitimate?  If so, we really need to have a talk, Mr. Yorty.  This is exactly the wrong move if we want the Illinois Republican Party to survive.  As the Illinois Review points out, Representative Mike McAuliffe is the LONE State Representative who sits on the Republican side from Chicago.  Read that again.  He's the ONLY one.  From the biggest city in our state.

And...he's getting a primary challenge?  Illinois Review says that "Most certainly Michael Yorty of Schiller Park expects to have the petition signatures examined, if not challenged."

His petitions aren't the only thing that needs examining.  We here at the Illinois Truth Team offer up a free 'head examination' for Mr. Yorty.  Just let us know the time/place.