Ron Sandack Wants to "Go To the Mattresses" Over Property Taxes in DuPage

If you live in DuPage County, this story from the  Daily Herald isn't great news:

DuPage County property owners again can expect to pay higher taxes on land that's worth less than it used to be.

DuPage officials on Tuesday announced the average tax rate for the county's 384 taxing bodies increased 9.36 percent. 

Meanwhile, the overall value of land in DuPage — the other half of the tax equation — fell last year by 5.4 percent, to roughly $32.7 billion. 

As a result, property owners across DuPage are going to pay an average of 3.96 percent more on their tax bills, which are due in equal installments in June and September.
"You are paying more because your districts asked for more (tax money)," County Clerk Gary King said.

The fact is that some of the 'empire builders' who run these local governments are out of control and can't rein in spending - even in light of lower property values'.

We spotted this on our Facebook feed this am and because a few of the members of the Illinois Truth Team Editorial Board live in DuPage County, we have to say we're interested to see what transpires when it comes to DuPage County taxes.

Frankly, we were were pleased to see this.   If State Representative Ron Sandack wants to "Go to the Mattresses" on Property Taxes, we'll stand right behind him the whole way.

Thankfully, common sense prevailed in March and we sent Ron Sandack back to Springfield to fight for things like this.

Let's get after it, Ron.

Our Top 5 Posts of March 2014

As we pointed out over the weekend, March 2014 was our biggest traffic month yet.  Thanks to all of you for tuning in!

We thought it would be interesting to show what the top 5 posts published in March were for the Truth Team.  As you can see, the Ron Sandack/Keith Matune race dominated the interest.

5.  Dem Watch: State Representative Keith Farnham's State of Illinois Office Searched by Feds
In Mid-March, we covered how Democrat State Representative Keith Farnham had his office and home raided by federal agents.  He later resigned due to *cough* *cough* "Health Reasons".

4.  Keith Matune: A Rotarians Worst Nightmare
In a post by "The Ghost of Babe Woodword", we look at Keith Matunes nutty responses to candidate surveys.

3.  Who you Crappin'? Coach Mike Ditka Backs Ron Sandack for State Representative
When you need a surrogate to help you 'close' your campaign, who do you call?  Da Coach.  Candidate Ron Sandack pulled out the big guns with this endorsement.

2.  Latest in Matune/Sandack Race: "Creepy Cicero Outsiders"
We were tipped this mail piece and broke it as an exclusive.  It tied the financial backers of Keith Matune to the seedy-underbelly of Cicero politics.

1.   Carol Marin Unloads on Dan Proft and Keith Matune

The nastiness of the Sandack/Matune race condensed into one succinct (and later updated) Carol Marin piece from the Chicago Sun-Times.  

So *That's* Where Bob Grogan Went After the Primary

On his Facebook Wall, Bob Grogan promised that he was going to 'take some time off the grid', but we had no idea he would go all the way to Arizona!  He sure is dedicated, we guess.  Glad to know that after the tough primary race, Bob was able to pick up his keyboarding again.  

From the Daily Courier:

A benefit for the Shrine of St. Joseph in Yarnell takes place at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Christ Lutheran Church, 25 Chapel Rd. in Sedona. 

Vocalist Al Raitano and keyboard artist Bob Grogan will entertain the crowd with song and laughter.

Play us off, Keyboard Cat!

March Was Our Biggest Month Yet - Thank You!

Although the month isn't quite over, we wanted to share some news:  March was our biggest month yet when it comes to readership.  We can't thank you enough for coming to check out our stories and (hopefully!) laughing along with us.

The Primary race certainly fueled our rocket rise these past few months.  The Ron Sandack/Keith Matune race alone saw tons of inbound queries and social referral traffic.  But now we're moving on to help win in the General Election.

We're on our way to November.  Let's get after it!

Pat Fee Picked For Board of National Federation of Republican Women

Pat Fee - who ran against Stephanie Kifowit for State Representative last cycle has been named to the Board of Directors of the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) for the 2014-2015 term.

She's building quite the Republican resume and has become a strong voice for women inside both the Illinois Republican Party and women across the State of Illinois.  

From a press release:

NFRW President Kathy Brugger has appointed Patricia Fee of Naperville to the Women’s Leadership Development Committee, which is responsible for the training of the women of NFRW to enable them to become the strong leaders of tomorrow to accomplish these goals.

“The NFRW is focused on reclaiming the U.S. Senate and increasing Republican victories at the state and local levels in November,” Brugger said. “We are pleased that Pat is going to play a key role in this effort by sharing her talents and ideas with our members across the nation.”

Pat currently is the First Vice President, Illinois Federation of Republican Women.President of the Illinois Republican Woman’s PAC
Chairwoman of Women for Cross, Treasurer Candidate, Illinois
Former Candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives, 84th District/2012

Founded in 1938, the NFRW has thousands of active members in local clubs across the nation and in several U.S. territories, making it one of the largest women’s political organizations in the country. The grassroots organization works to promote the principles and objectives of the Republican Party, elect Republican candidates, inform the public through political education and activity, and increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government.

NRCC Chair Greg Walden - @votegregwalden - In Town to Support Candidates

Lynn Sweet at the Sun-Times is reporting that in addition to naming Darlene Senger and other Illinois Republican candidates to the NRCC 'Young Guns' Program, Greg Walden, the Chair of the NRCC is coming to town to demonstrate the national support of a handful of candidates here in Illinois.

From the S-T:

Greg Walden, R-Oregon, the chair of the House GOP political operation — the National Republican Campaign Committee --is traveling around Illinois on Thursday and Friday to fundraise and stump with five GOP House candidates in tight races. 

"This is a battleground state for us again this cycle and we will continue to put a focus on ensuring victories in Illinois this November," NRCC spokesman Katie Prill told me.

You can check out the full schedule of events they have planned including one with each of:  Bob Dold, Darlene Senger, Mike Bost, Rodney Davis, and Bobby Schilling.  

Paul Schrimpf Notes Involvement of Prosecution of Saddam Hussein in Email Blast

Over at McHenry County Blog, Cal Skinner has the full text of an email blast sent out by the Paul Schrimpf for Illinois Attorney General campaign.    Maybe we've been living under a rock, but we had no idea that the prosecution of Saddam Hussein was in his background.  Seems like an interesting stump speech point.

Go check out the whole thing.   There's an odd line in there about Paul being 'exhausted from the brutal primary'.   He had a primary?  It was brutal?  Well...whatever.

You can check out the more about Paul and get involved with his campaign at his site:  http://www.schimpf4illinois.com/

Darlene Senger Moving Up in NRCC "Young Guns" Program

Hot off the heels of her big win in the Republican Primary, Darlene Senger has received some great news out of the national party.  She's moving up and getting more support.

From the Darlene Senger for Congress site:

Today, the National Republican Congressional Committee announced that Darlene Senger has been elevated to ‘Contender’ in the NRCC’s ‘Young Guns’ program. The program helps to provide candidates and their campaigns the tools they need to run effective, successful and winning campaigns against their Democratic opponents. Originally founded in the 2007-2008 election cycle by Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Majority Whip Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Budget Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), the Young Guns program supports and mentors challenger and open-seat candidates in races across the country. Senger is running in the 11th Congressional District of Illinois.

Senger is running against Bill Foster for Congress.  Let's get involved in this race.  Head over to her site to get involved.  Or better yet?  Chip in $5 right now.  

Pat Quinn Meet "Quinnocchio"

Over on Facebook, Bruce Rauner has posted this (small) photo.  We are displaying it bigger so it is grainy.  It appears to be a 'character' holding a hand-made sign outside of a Chicago elementary school that is "welcoming" Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.

The guy is holding a sign that says:  "Quinnocchio.  I Lied About Your Taxes".

Clever stuff.

Think Rauner is going to keep Quinnocchio alive through the campaign?  We'd love that.  There should be a Mike Frerichs alter-ego, too?  Bernie FrerichsOff?

Aaron Schock Was the Belle of the Ball At Annual NRCC "Mega" Dinner

Peoria's Congressman Aaron Schock isn't slowing down on his ascent into national GOP politics.  

Last night, he Chaired the biggest fundraising event for the National Republican Congressional Committee and according to Lynn Sweet, he delivered:

Shock R-Ill. chaired the mega National Republican Congressional Committee fundraising dinner on Wednesday night, hauling in $15.1 million for House races and boosting his national profile in the process. Schock raised $2 million of that total. I'm told that was more than anyone--except House Speaker John Boehner R-Ohio.
...Politico said in a story about Schock and the NRCC dinner that the dinner is "a particularly important moment for Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) — the dinner’s chairman — as he becomes a more and more prominent figure in the Republican Party. The sum shows he can pull in big money for the GOP." 

The Hill said the $15.1 million was "an increase from the $14.1 million the dinner brought in last year, and a win for Rep. Aaron Schock (Ill.), chairman of this year’s dinner. He personally pledged to raise $2 million for the dinner, and NRCC Chairman Greg Walden (Ore.) praised his hard work on the fundraiser."