Dear friends,

This year’s session has been nothing but unpredictable. Instead of working in a bi-partisan manner to fix the state’s financial perils, the Democrats jammed a budget through the House and Senate that doesn’t include reform, doesn’t stop spending and doesn’t cut government waste.

Session adjourned last week with the Democrats passing an irresponsible budget that fails to address the serious issues facing Illinois.

The House Republican caucus met with Governor Quinn last year and offered ideas on how to fix the budget deficit all of which he ignored and instead created unnecessary crisis after crisis against human service agencies, college students and now the education community.

Then the Democrats gave us two choices – borrow more money or raise taxes. This is not the proper way to handle the state budget.

My Republican colleagues and I filed 80 bills to save taxpayer money, reform the state’s budget process and increase employment opportunities, all of which were denied by the House Democrats.

Emergency Budget

The Democrat members of the General Assembly voted for an emergency budget that fails to address the $13 billion deficit facing Illinois.

The emergency budget approved by the Democrat members of the General Assembly gives the Governor unprecedented power to decide how the money will be spent. It also further delays vendor payments. Current state law mandates bills left over from this year would need to be paid by August 31. However, the new bill awaiting the Governor’s approval would allow the state to wait until December 31, adding more financial pressure to the healthcare providers and businesses that have state contracts.

I voted against the measure because I do not believe Governor Quinn should have full power over the state’s finances because the past two years of his administration have been full of failed promises and flip-flopping on decisions. He has also said from the beginning that he wants to raise taxes instead of cutting the fat from the budget.

Pension Borrowing Bill

The House approved a pension borrowing plan that would make next year’s $3.7 billion payment to the pension systems. However, the measure stalled in the Senate because the Democrats, despite holding a super-majority, do not have enough votes to approve it.

I voted against the borrowing scheme because it does not solve the problem and only adds to the state’s deficit for future generations. It’s like taking one credit card to pay off another credit card.

Unless the Senate approves the borrowing measure, the money for pension payments will automatically be taken out of the state’s pot and more than likely from restricted state funds, ultimately putting more pressure on the budget.

We knew this was going to be the toughest budget year and would need to make hard choices, but borrowing more money is not the solution.

As always, feel free to contact me by emailing me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or calling my district office at (630) 876-0703.

Warmest regards,

State Representative
55th District

U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk is calling for a federal investigation into the award of nearly $200,000 in no-bid contracts by Cook County Board President Todd Stroger.

Stroger approved eight separate no-bid contracts—each worth $24,995 —to “businesses” that did not exist until just before they received the awards. Four of the recipients used the same attorney to incorporate within days of receiving the contracts, a Fox News report said. Bids under $25,000 do not require county board approval.

“These reports indicate a pattern of misuse and mismanagement that warrant a full investigation,” Kirk said.

One of the contracts went to a modeling agency, and another went to a company called “Citymerge” run by rap artist and convicted felon Prentice Harris. One of the addresses on the Citymerge contract is a vacant lot, and another belongs to a homeowner who told reporters she didn’t know Harris and never heard of Citymerge, Kirk said in a press release.

Kirk said the Fox News report is troubling since it comes in the midst of an ongoing federal investigation of the county’s alleged misuse of Homeland Security funds for a program called “Project Shield.”

Fox Chicago News reported that county pays nearly $200,000 to a few companies to help publicize the U.S. Census. But there are questions about just what kind of work is happening - and if the companies exist. The county's inspector general is now probing those deals.

Demetra Demonte, Republican National Committeewoman for Illinois, said enthusiasm reigned at the Republican National Committee meeting in Maryland last week.

“The consensus is if we stay on message, work hard and work smart we could have a  repeat of 1994!  The scoop: we have a real chance to pick up nine seats in the U.S. Senate and win back the House. Several governorships should be pick-ups as well,” Demonte said.

Demonte said she was particularly energized by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

“He believes this is the most consequential election in American history due to our security and fiscal problems,” she said. “Our government is not functioning properly because it is not controlling our borders.”

Demonte said Gingrich, who was the architect of the Republican takeover in 1994, warned that it’s not about winning the election in November, but it’s about being accountable to the voters. She said Gingrich insisted the Republican Party must be a party that shows what it will do when it is back in power, as opposed to what it will not do. Gingrich said Republicans must “institutionalize good government,” she said.

Demonte said RNC leaders recommended each state set up a structure of legal experts and election experts to closely monitor the polls on election-day.

During the RNC meeting Demonte addressed the importance of Republican and conservative coalitions.

Empowering the coalitions is a key to Republican victory in November and beyond, she said.

“We can access these networks to spread our message, send out key talking points – get out information quickly.  The network connects activists with voters - and candidates with voters,” she said.

The key to Demonte’s plan is simple – focus on issues that unite Republicans, independents and conservative Democrats. Focusing on commonalities strengthens connections and translates into votes for Republican candidates, she said. With the help of the Republican National Committee Demonte provided training in communications and messaging to coalition members. Demonte said providing these tools means each member of the coalition becomes an effective communicator of the Republican message.

Demonte said her speech was well received and her strategy is being emulated in other states.

Special speakers at the meeting included Former Speaker of the House Newt

Gingrich, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Congressman Pete

Sessions,  Senator John Thune, Governor Bob McDonald and political

consultant Frank Luntz.

Rabbi Isaac Jeret,  a former Democrat now turned Republican, also addressed

our group. Rabbi Jeret explained how the Jewish vote is in play,  with 50%

of the Jews who voted for Obama seriously looking at Repubican candidates.

Coalition building was also a major focus of the meeting. I was asked to

speak to the RNC membership on Ilinois' efforts to build grassroot

initiatives and the the importance of  this outreach in winning elections.

U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam and other House Republican leaders launched Project YouCut, an initiative designed to change the culture of spending in Washington to a culture of savings.

If Washington lawmakers do not change their fiscal habits it will endanger the future of this nation, Roskam said.

"Washington has long had a spending problem, but the recent parade of bailouts and bills with trillion dollar price tags have made it so we can no longer afford to delay decisions to cut spending and shrink the size of government. The tough and necessary choices are now on our doorstep, and they must be made in order to return America to its rightful place as the world's unquestioned economic leader,” Roskam said in a press release.

Project YouCut gives the people the power to pick the spending cut Republicans will fight for. People can cast their votes here or text YOUCU1 to 68398.

A DuPage Republican, Roskam said Project YouCut will empower the people to “answer the question of whether we leave future generations with greater opportunity, or a greater debt as they labor to pay the bills we left behind."