Being an educated voter, I think, is the first step in making sound decisions in November. The following two articles are just a few that speak to the current condition of the state’s budget.

What do you think?
Post a comment and join the conversation.

Illinois Stops Paying Its Bills, but Can’t Stop Digging Hole
By Michael Powell, The New York Times
Published: July 2, 2010

40,000 Illinois State Workers To Get 14% Payraises
By Mike Flannery, FOX Chicago News
July 7, 2010

Tom Roeser, June 22, 2010

Our “Dan Sugrue Working for You!” campaign office is opening!  I am humbled by the amount of volunteer hours you’ve provided – thank you. Grassroots organizing continues to be the most successful means for victory.  So bring a friend (or 2 or 3) and join us for our campaign’s grand opening celebration. Refreshments provided – entertainment for the kids as well!

Please feel free to forward to friends and colleagues residing in the 59th legislative district (Green Oaks, Mettawa, Lincolnshire, Vernon Hills, Lake Forest (west), Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, east side of Long Grove as well as a portion of Knollwood, Park City and Gurnee. Our team is seeking volunteers to walk precincts, make phone calls, assist in mailings, community events, march in parades, etc. Together we really can make a difference this year! Drop us a note or call if you can help out — my mobile is 847-571-4869, and Dan’s is 847-769-2844.

Thank You for your Support!
Margo Sugrue

Please Join Us

For our Office Grand Opening
Plenty of Refreshments will be Served!

Saturday, June 19th 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
following the Libertyville Days Parade
141 West Townline Road (corner of Rte. 60 & Aspen)
Vernon Hills

Dan Sugrue: 3,491 or 61.0%

Cynthia R. Hebda: 1,841 or 32.2%

Mohan Manian: 388 or 6.8%

More Illinois Primary results…

It wasn’t that long ago that Illinois actually had a balanced budget, which incidentally is required under the Illinois Constitution. But over the last ten years, state government spending has increased by 39%, while our population has only increased 6.8%. Considering that our state budget is approximately 52 billion dollars, and we have a 13 billion dollar deficit, that means that Springfield has over promised and is spending 25% more than it’s taking in from Illinois taxpayers. With 12% unemployment in Illinois, families are sitting around the kitchen table, wondering how they’re going to stretch their budget to pay the bills, much less pay for their kids’ education. The last thing that we need is for Governor Quinn and Springfield Democrats to ask for even more of our hard-earned money. Yet somehow, the only solution that the political establishment in Springfield can come up with is to raise our taxes, or borrow even more money and drive our kids and grandkids even further into debt.

Before, they ask us for more of our money, I’d like Mr. Quinn and Mr. Madigan to explain to us what happened to all that money that they’ve spending these last few years. Illinois is currently 48th in the nation in job creation and our bond rating is second worst in the nation, next to California. From what I see here, the only thing we have to show for all that spending are lucrative pensions for state bureaucrats, and government salaries well above those in comparable jobs in the private sector. In the meantime, our tax and spend policies are driving businesses, and jobs, out of the state. I’m running for State Representative in the 59th District, because I believe that state government has a responsibility to account for our hard earned money that it spends. We need to conduct a comprehensive, line by line audit of every state agency, to account for every dime that government is spending. The days of automatic spending increases are gone. We need zero-based budgeting, where every state agency has to justify every dime of our money that they’re spending.

If enough of us go to Springfield, we can bring fiscal responsibility, accountability and jobs back to Illinois.

Dan Sugrue, candidate for the 59th State Rep District, is urging citizens to join him in collecting signatures for the Fair Map Amendment. A link to petitions may be downloaded at Dan’s website, www.electdansugrue.com.

What is the Fair Map Amendment

The Fair Map Amendment is a solution allowing citizens to elect candidates instead of legislators selecting citizens. Today, Illinois is one of the only states in the nation allowing legislators to draw districts behind closed doors. Regardless of party affiliation, districts are drawn to protect incumbents and makes it nearly impossible to vote incumbents out of office.

The Fair Map Amendment provides a change to the state constitution before the mapping process begins next year. It requires each legislative leader to appoint two people to the commission. Individuals selected may not include lobbyists, state employees, politicians or family members.

The group of eight appointed individuals must agree on a ninth member, and follow strict criteria including elimination of partisan advantage – public input and transparency are included as well.

Who is supporting the Fair Map Amendment?

Fair Map Partners include the League of Women Voters, Better Government Association, former members of the Illinois Reform Commission – Patrick Collins, Brad McMillan, Sheila Simon, David Hoffman & Duane Noland, Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, Common Cause – Illinois, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Americans for Prosperity, Illinois Alliance for Growth, Illinois Farm Bureau, Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization and United Power for Action and Justice.

How can you help?

Download details on the Fair Map Amendment from Dan’s website and circulate the petition in your neighborhood. Host a neighborhood gathering or suggest the Fair Map Presentation for fellow members of Civic, Community or Religious Organizations. Dan offers to deliver a presentation and provide petitions with appropriate signature requirements. Go door to door and circulate the signatures on your own – visit the Fair Map Amendment web site for the petition and circulation instructions.

Join Sugrue along with other Fair Map Partners to ensure future legislative maps represent people not politicians.

Dan’s plan for Springfield includes sponsoring legislation to encourage job creation, revise government pension programs, cut spending and increase transparency in government.

The 59th State Representative district includes the communities of Wheeling, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills, North Chicago, Waukegan, Northbrook, Lincolnshire, Bannockburn, Riverwoods, Lake Forest, Knollwood, Mettawa, Green Oaks, Gurnee and Park City.

If you would like to join Team Sugrue contact Dan at (847) 769-2844 or e-mail dan@electdansugrue.com.

My opponent, Cindy Hebda, has been tossed off the ballot by a Circuit Court and an Appellate Court, but the Illinois Supreme Court has allowed her to stay on the ballot for now until they decide whether to hear her appeal.

The primary election is Tuesday, February 2. Polls will be open 6am to 7pm. You make a difference when you vote. Here are a few useful links:

Illinois State Board of Elections

Lake County Voter Information

It’s been a great week for our campaign!

I’ve been endorsed by both the Chicago Tribune and the Daily Herald. Everywhere I go, people are eager for reform, for ethics reform, pension reform, and redistricting reform. They are tired of the reckless spending of our money in Springfield, and want to bring jobs and fiscal sanity back to Illinois.

One more week until Primary Election Day! Let’s keep up the hard work; knocking on doors, calling our friends, and putting up yard signs. Victory is in sight! Let’s finish this week strong, and meet Tuesday night at 7:00 pm at The Forge Club, 634 S. Milwaukee Avenue,  in Vernon Hills to watch the returns together.

Declaring that “eight years of one party rule is enough,” Sugrue stressed that voters in his mostly Lake County district need a legislator in Springfield that represents their interests rather than “the Chicago machine.”  He criticized Kathy Ryg for voting in favor of a 50 percent increase in the state income tax just last May, a few months after voting to raise her own pay, “At a time when people are hurting, they don’t need  the State of Illinois taking more money out of their pockets because it can’t control its own spending.”  Sugrue said that he would work to bring jobs back to Illinois by giving incentives for businesses to come to Illinois.

Last year, in his first run for public office, Sugrue challenged Ryg and despite the fact that he entered the race only 7 months before the election against a career politician in a Democratic year, Sugrue did better than any other Republican challenger in the area. Sugrue is an attorney in Green Oaks, is married and has three children.

“For everyone in the 59th district, who’s tired of the corruption in Springfield, tired of the tax and spend policies of Chicago Machine Democrats, and tired of seeing jobs leaving the State of Illinois, come join my campaign” said Sugrue. “We can change the direction of government in Springfield, but only if we send new people down there who aren’t tied to the failed policies of the past.”

The 59th District includes all or parts of Waukegan, Park City, Gurnee, Green Oaks, Mettawa, Lake Bluff, North Chicago, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills and Wheeling. Here’s a map