Joe Walsh Skipping National GOP Convention

The Illinois 8th District candidate asks his opponent, Tammy Duckworth, to do the same.

Congressman Joe Walsh announced Thursday he will not attend the Republican National Convention in Tampa Bay in August, according to a news release from his campaign. Instead, the 8th district Republican candidate will host a series of town hall meetings and listening events in the district. "Rather than mingle with Party insiders in Tampa, I will be in the 8th district to continue to serve as an independent voice for for the people," Walsh said in a statement. In addition, Walsh asked his opponent, Tammy Duckworth, to join him in skipping the Democratic convention in Charlotte and instead hold joint town halls. The Chicago Sun-Times has reported that Duckworth will attend the convention and will serve as a delegate and the vice chair of …

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Dillard Gets Landslide Win Over Nybo in 24th Senate District Race

The district includes all or part of Clarendon Hills, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Lisle, Oak Brook, Western Springs, and Wheaton.

Updated at 11:05 p.m. State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) grabbed more than 60 percent of the vote and beat Rep. Chris Nybo (R-Lombard) for the Republican nomination in Illinois' 24th Senate District in Tuesday's General Primary.   The incumbent has served the 24th District since 1993. "I take this as a nice referendum on my leadership style," Dillard said over the phone after the win became official. "It shows that people understand results and want state legislators to work in collaboration without ever giving up their principles." With 100 percent of precincts reporting in both DuPage and Cook counties, Dillard had 19,145 total votes (62 percent) to Nybo's 11,928 (32 percent). Nybo, who has represented the state's 41st House District …

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Letter to the Editor

Letter: Vote for Nybo is 'Vote for Change'

Chris Nybo can tackle hard issues and move Illinois away from its current unsustainable path.

For too long, politicians in Springfield have ignored fiscal realities and taken Illinois to the brink of financial ruin. Anything positive that has been accomplished pales in comparison to the financial neglect of our state. Politicians have focused on playing the game and protecting their turf, rather than serving Illinois and its citizens. Kirk Dillard has been in the Illinois Senate for nearly 20 years. Illinois needs a change, and as voters, we can make change happen. Chris Nybo is a hardworking parent who cares about his family and his state, as are I and many others. I met Chris after he rang my doorbell going to door-to-door to meet the voters. I believe he is a person who can tackle hard issues and take on the establishment to …

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Kevin Fitzpatrick

10:17 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012

You betcha I'm defending my guy. He's one of the most remarkable guys I've ever known in politics. Illinois is better with him!   more ›

Walsh Trying To Settle Child Support Case

The Chicago Tribune reported that Congressman Joe Walsh is trying to settle a dispute over child support payments with his ex-wife.

A lawyer for Republican Congressman Joe Walsh's ex-wife told a judge Tuesday that Walsh is trying to come to a settlement over a dispute about child support, the Chicago Tribune reported. Walsh is running for re-election in the 8th Congressional District and will face the winner of the March 20 Democratic primary between Raja Krishnamoorthi and Tammy Duckworth. Walsh had three children with his ex-wife Laura. She has alleged in court papaers that Walsh owes about $117,000 in child support, the Chicago Tribune reported. The newspaper reported that Laura Walsh's attorney asked a judge to continue the case to April 10 because the parties are working toward a settlement. In October Walsh stated that he "did in fact pay his share of the …

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Walsh Targeted By Super Pac In 8th Congressional District

The Daily Herald reports that incumbent Republican Joe Walsh is being targeted by a liberal Super PAC.

Rafael Rivadeneira of Elmhurst Announces Run for DuPage County Board

The board "needs independent, fiscal conservatives," he said.

Rafael Rivadeneira of Elmhurst has announced he will run for the DuPage County Board in District 2. Rivadeneira, a Republican, is no stranger to politics. In 2010, he ran for the 41st House District seat left vacant when Republican Bob Biggins of Elmhurst retired. He garnered about 18 percent of the vote, coming in third behind DuPage County Board member Brien Sheahan and then-Elmhurst Alderman Chris Nybo, who won the race. His platform is basically the same as it was then: smaller government, less waste, lower taxes. While DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin has done a good job of keeping the county financially sound, there is still more work that needs to be done, Rivadeneira said. "We are not in a dire situation, like the state of …

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Jim Court

12:53 pm on Sunday, November 20, 2011

Bill, How does this matter?   more ›

Sen. Mark Kirk Lays Out Plan for Economic Recovery at Elmhurst College Sunday

The Illinois junior senator shared his thoughts on the economy and fielded questions from the audience.

Americans know tough times are ahead, and they want leaders that will level with them in order to do the hard work to “master the challenges of a new century,” Sen. Mark Kirk told a full auditorium Sunday night at Elmhurst College. Kirk was the guest speaker in the college’s series, The Democracy Forum. In broad strokes, Kirk outlined an economic recovery plan he said would “save the economic future of the country.” Kirk, a Highland Park Republican, said the plan includes closing lobbying loopholes in the federal tax code that would allow the government to lower income tax levels for the top tiers from 39 percent to 29 percent. Additionally, the plan calls for ending agricultural subsidies and reforming Social Security and Medicare. Kirk …

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Mark Kirk to Business Leaders: It's Time to 'Cherry-Pick' Best Ideas

Speaking at Tuesday's legislative breakfast, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk offers short-term action to turn the economy around.

Before a crowd of hundreds of local business leaders on Tuesday morning, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk offered his ideas to turn the economy around. The Illinois Republican was the guest of a dozen chambers of commerce, who organized Tuesday’s legislative breakfast at Pipers Banquets in Aurora. And though Kirk led off with some dire words about our current economic situation, he did come to the table with several ideas. Kirk has already introduced one of them, the Lincoln Legacy Infrastructure Development Act, in Congress. Co-authored with Republican Rep. Randy Hultgren, from Illinois’ 14th District, the bill removes roadblocks to public/private partnerships in the rail, highway and aviation industries. The idea, he said, is to get those projects …

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Republican Exploring Bid for New 8th District is Assistant DuPage State's Attorney, Elmhurst College Grad

Rick Veenstra launches exploratory committee for the 8th Congressional District.

A DuPage County prosecutor is exploring a possible bid for Congress. On Thursday morning, Assistant DuPage County State's Attorney Rick Veenstra announced that he is exploring a campaign for Congress in the newly drawn Illinois 8th Congressional District. Veenstra stressed he is not a confirmed candidate but is merely testing the waters. “I’ve been out talking with people in the new district, with the community and party leaders to get their feelings on a possible run,” Veenstra said Thursday afternoon as he drove back from the State Fair in Springfield, which is one of the early kickoff events of a new electoral season. The 8th Congressional District, which stretches from O’Hare Airport to Elgin and up to Wheeling, is a new construct by …

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