Toi Hutchinson Announces Candidacy for Illinois Second Congressional District

Illinois State Senator Toi Hutchinson announced today that she will run for the Illinois Second Congressional District seat vacated by Jesse Jackson, Jr..  Hutchinson currently represents the Illinois 40th State Senate District.  Hutchinson wrote on her Facebook page, "Today I have officially announced my plan to run for Congress. Families in the South Suburbs and the southside deserve a representative who understands their concerns and who will work alongside President Obama to create new jobs, rebuild our roads and schools, and protect the gains we've made on equal pay, health care and civil rights. I'm going to work hard every day to help the people of the Southland and I'm looking forward to earning your support over the coming months."

2010 Will County News interview with Hutchinson.

The Special Election to replace Jackson will be April 9, 2013.  This is the same day as previously-scheduled municipal elections in Illinois. 

Map of the 2012 Illinois Second Congressional District:

Map of the Illinois Second Congressional District

Will County Election Results 2012

To view all November 6, 2012 election results from Will County, go HERE. 

Results will begin to post after the polls close at 7:00 p.m. and will be updated throughout the night as more votes are tabulated.

Naperville Congressional District Maps 2014

After the 2010 Census, the Illinois State House redrew the Illinois Congressional Districts.  Here are the maps of the Congressional Districts in effect going forward:

Map of Realigned Illinois 11th Congressional District, including the towns of Joliet, parts of New Lenox,  Bolingbrook, Naperville, Woodridge, and Aurora

Map of Realigned Illinois 14th Congressional District

Maps of all Illinois Congressional Districts 

Bolingbrook, Illinois Congressional District Map 2014

After the 2010 census, all Illinois Congressional District were redrawn by the Illinois State House.  The new districts are in effect for the November 2014 election.

Bolingbrook is in the new Illinois 11th Congressional District.  In November 2014,  voters will choose between current Congressman Bill Foster and the Republican candidate elected in the March 18, 2014 Republican primary.  There are five Republicans running in the primary.  Map of the new 11th Congressional District:

2012 Illinois 11th Congressional District

As you can see from the map, the new Illinois 11th Congressional includes Joliet, New Lenox, Bolingbrook, Aurora, Naperville, and Montgomery.

Info on the current 11th Congressional District and its redistricting:

Bill Foster spoke on issues related to immigration and other topics at a Joliet Forum:

Manhattan, Illinois Congressional District Map 2012

Manhattan, Illinois is currently in the Illinois 11th Congressional District which is represented by Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger.  Following the 2010 Census, the Illinois Democrats redrew all of the Illinois Congressional Districts.

Because of the redistricting, Manhattan is now in the Illinois First Congressional District held by Congressman Bobby Rush.  Rush will run against Republican Donald Peloquin in the November 6, 2012 election.

Map of the new First Congressional District:

Illinois First Congressional District

Orland Park, Illinois Congressional District 2012

After the 2010 Census, the Illinois State Legislators were charged with redrawing Illinois Congressional Districts since Illinois lost a seat in the U.S. House due to declining population.

Orland Park, Illinois is now part of the 3rd and 1st Congressional District.  The First Congressional District is represented by Congressman Bobby Rush.  Rush is running against Republican challenger Don Peloquin in the November 2012 election.

Map of 2012 Illinois First Congressional District:

Frankfort, Illinois is part of the 1st Congressional District for the November 2012 Election

The Third Congressional District encompasses the area West and North of Orland Park:

Frankfort, Illinois Congressional District 2012

After the 2010 Census, the Illinois State Legislators were charged with redrawing Illinois Congressional Districts since Illinois lost a seat in the U.S. House due to declining population.

Frankfort, Illinois is now part of the 1st Congressional District, which is represented by Congressman Bobby Rush.  Rush is running against Republican challenger Don Peloquin in the November 2012 election.

Map of 2012 Illinois First Congressional District:

Frankfort, Illinois is part of the 1st Congressional District for the November 2012 Election

Biggert, Foster Run in Redrawn 11th Congressional District

Illinois Republican Congresswoman Judy Biggert is facing Democratic challenger Bill Foster in the newly redrawn Illinois 11th Congressional District.  Biggert currently represents the Illinois 13th Congressional District.

After the 2010 census, all Illinois Congressional District were redrawn by the Illinois State House.  The new districts are in effect for the November 2012 election.

Map of the new 11th Congressional District:

2012 Illinois 11th Congressional District

As you can see from the map, the new Illinois 11th Congressional includes Joliet, New Lenox, Bolingbrook, Aurora, Naperville, and Montgomery.

Info on the current 11th Congressional District and its redistricting:

Manzullo Statement on Attacks in Libya and Egypt

Congresssman Don Manzullo released the following statement today on the attacks on US in Libya and Egypt:

[WASHINGTON] – U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and member of the Subcommittee on Middle East, issued the following statement in response to the attacks against the United States in Libya and Egypt:




“Yesterday’s brutal murder of four American diplomats, including the United States Ambassador to Libya, and the attack against the United States Embassy in Egypt, are stark reminders that the U.S. remains a significant target throughout the world. We must honor the memory and service of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and his colleagues by making it absolutely clear that our nation will not tolerate violence against our people. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families.



“The United States must not apologize or otherwise seek to appease those who desperately want to do us harm. When America does not speak clearly about its values and intentions, then the rest of the world is left to wonder whether we have the resolve to defend what is valuable to us. America stands on the principles of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights. There is no excuse, no justification for what happened in Libya and Egypt.”

Jesse Jackson, Jr., Brian Woodworth, Will County and the Illinois Second Congressional District

Sign at the Will County Republicans' Booth at the Will County Fair

Will County Republicans displayed a sign showing the new Illinois Second Congressional District currently held by Democratic Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.. The new Second Congressional covers a great deal of Eastern Will County and all of Kankakee County, land that is currently part of the 11th Congressional District held by Republican Adam Kinzinger.  Brian Woodworth of Kankakee County is the Republican nominee for the Second Congressional and will face Jackson in the November General Election.

Below is a large map of the new Illinois Second Congressional District that will be in place for the 2012 November General Election.  All Illinois Congressional Districts were redrawn after the 2012 census.

2012 Illinois Second Congressional District Map.  The Illinois 2nd Congressional Seat is currently held by Democrat Jesse Jackson, Jr. 

Kinzinger Calls for Repeal of Obamacare

Congressman Adam Kinzinger released the following press release today after voting in the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal Obamacare:

"Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), voted in support of today’s House vote to repeal the government takeover of health care.  Kinzinger, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, gave the following remarks on the House floor in opposition to the overall tax burden this health care law places on the economy:

Kinzinger's remarks:

"The other day the Supreme Court made one thing very clear -- the individual mandate is nothing more than a tax.  

"The overall tax burden that this puts on our economy is staggering.   The overall tax burden this puts on the middle class is staggering.   And along with those unprecedented personal tax that this implements -- let me point out two other major ones: 

·         A $20 billion device tax - okay?  You can pay for that, according to this bill.

·         A $102 billion small business health insurance tax.

"This bill clearly places a huge tax burden on the American people as said by the Supreme Court.

"And by the way, yesterday the administration asked for a tax increase on the majority of small businesses.   But don't worry because that's only for a year, because in a year taxes will increase on all levels of income if the tax cuts are allowed to expire.  

"In 2010, the American people sent a message to Washington when they sent one of the largest, boldest freshmen classes they have ever sent to Washington, D.C.   We were here with the mandate stop the taxes, repeal this health care law.  And we'll do that."

McGuire Praises Governor’s Decision to End Controversial Legislative Scholarship Program

Springfield, IL- State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) praised the governor’s decision to sign legislation ending the controversial legislative scholarship program earlier today.  McGuire, who took office earlier this year, chose not to participate in the scandal-ridden program and has vocally supported its abolition.  He issued the following statement:

“Programs that aren’t on the up-and-up have to go.  Getting rid of legislative scholarships is an important step toward restoring confidence in Illinois government.  The State of Illinois has better ways to spend its money than on legislative scholarships.  We must work on making higher education affordable for everyone.  We also must make sure students graduate and are ready to work and make our state great again.”

Kinzinger Works to Streamline Job Training for Returning Veteran EMTs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing focused on H.R. 4124, the Veteran Medical Technician Support Act of 2012. U.S. Representatives Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Lois Capps (D-CA) introduced this legislation to assist states in streamlining their certification requirements for veterans with military emergency medical technician (EMT) training who want to continue their career as an EMT in the civilian workforce.

Currently, many veteran EMTs are required to take classes they have already completed in the military to satisfy the civilian licensure system, needlessly delaying their entry into the civilian workforce. This bipartisan legislation would make the process more efficient and provide grants to states so they can streamline requirements for veterans with military EMT training to become certified civilian EMTs.  In doing so, returning veterans will not have to start over at square one in their training and can enter the civilian workforce much sooner.

“Just last week, new jobs numbers highlighted the incredibly difficult environment our veterans face as they re-enter the civilian work force,” said Kinzinger, a Major in the Air National Guard. “Unemployment rates remain stubbornly high for all Americans, but particularly too high among our men and women who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. This should not be the case. Commonsense legislation like this is an important step to quickly and effectively help our veterans as they transition from the battlefield back to civilian life.”

“Our military men and women receive some of the best technical training in emergency medicine – and they prove their skills on the battlefield every day. When they return home, however, experienced military medics are often required to begin their training completely over at the most basic level to receive certification for civilian jobs. This needlessly keeps our veterans out of the workforce and withholds valuable medical personnel from our communities,” said Capps. “I am pleased that the House Energy and Commerce Committee is moving forward with our commonsense, bipartisan proposal to get our nation’s veterans back to work, and I hope it will be approved soon.”

Today’s witness list included Mr. Ben D. Chlapek, Chairman of the Military Relations Committee for the National Association of Emergency Technicians and Mr. Daniel Nichols, Senior Vice President of Victory Media.

McGuire Disappointed Over Partial IYC-Joliet Funding

Illinois State Senator Pat McGuire released the following press release regarding Gov. Quinn's decision to fund IYC-Joliet only through December 31, 2012:

"Joliet, IL – State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) is expressing disappointment over Governor Pat Quinn today cutting in half funding for Illinois Youth Center (IYC) Joliet. Quinn’s decision gives the facility funds to operate until approximately December 31, 2012.  The state’s new fiscal year begins tomorrow, July 1, 2012 and runs through June 30, 2013.

“I’m disappointed by the governor’s decision,” McGuire said.  “The General Assembly passed a balanced budget containing the money needed to keep IYC Joliet open throughout the next fiscal year. The governor cannot spend the appropriated funds on anything except public safety. IYC Joliet is essential to the public’s safety.”

IYC Joliet is the state’s only maximum security facility for young male offenders. It houses over 250 of Illinois’ most dangerous young male offenders, many in their late teens.  Just two days ago, an offender convicted of armed robbery got as far as the facility’s razor-wire fence in an attempted escape.

The administration has told McGuire it intends to move IYC Joliet residents to IYC St. Charles, a 106 year-old facility, and IYC Kewanee near the Quad Cities. The Quinn administration first announced a July 31 closing date for IYC Joliet. After an outcry from the public and legislators, the closing date was extended to October 31.  The governor’s action today postpones the closing to the end of 2012.

“The General Assembly reconvenes November 27,” McGuire said. “I’ll work with my Senate colleagues and Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr. to convince the governor to restore a full year’s funding for IYC Joliet during that veto session. After all, IYC Joliet’s staff, programs, and location make it the most appropriate place for maximum-security offenders to pay their debt to society and, we hope, turn away from a life of crime.”

Senator Pat McGuire: Quinn Does Not Need to Close IYC-Joliet to Balance State Budget

Press Release from State Senator Pat McGuire on Governor Quinn's decision to close Illinois Youth Center-Joliet:

"Joliet, IL – State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) is expressing dismay over Governor Pat Quinn’s decision, leaked late Tuesday to close Illinois Youth Center (IYC) Joliet, despite the General Assembly having passed a balanced budget which includes funds to keep the facility open.

“My colleagues and I in the General Assembly believe keeping IYC Joliet open is a priority,” McGuire said.  “The governor claims that he needs to close IYC Joliet to balance the budget. Truth is, the budget adopted by the legislature is balanced. Furthermore, the funds appropriated for IYC Joliet can’t be spent on anything but corrections without the legislature’s permission. ”

IYC Joliet is the state’s only maximum-security facility for young male offenders, most of whom come from the Chicago area. “We need IYC Joliet to keep the public safe. The staff provides young men the services needed to turn away from a life of crime.  Proximity to Chicago makes trips to court and family visits feasible. The governor’s move to close IYC Joliet is risky, and it threatens hundreds of local residents’ jobs.” McGuire said.

Governor Quinn first proposed closing IYC Joliet in his February budget address.  Dozens of area elected leaders and community residents testified against the closing at an April 4 hearing in Joliet, and a bipartisan legislative commission later voted to keep the facility open. The General Assembly on the final day of its spring session passed a budget with money specifically earmarked to fund IYC Joliet for another year. 

The Quinn administration became embroiled in controversy when it violated state law by spending state money on closing IYC Joliet before the legislative commission’s vote.  The latest twist came June 19 when the governor’s Department of Corrections head sent out a memo announcing that Quinn intended to ignore the General Assembly and proceed with closing IYC Joliet, along with several other adult and youth correctional facilities.  That memo was later obtained by legislators and members of the press.

“I encourage the governor to visit IYC Joliet and the other facilities he wishes to close,” McGuire said. “The view from the governor’s office on the second floor of the State Capitol can be limiting. The governor needs to meet the staff and the families of the residents of these facilities and reconsider his decision to thwart the will of the General Assembly and the affected communities.”

McGuire Helps Kill Controversial Illinois Legislative Scholarship Program

Springfield, IL- State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) today joined his colleagues in the Illinois Senate and voted to end the controversial legislative scholarship program.  McGuire, in office for two months, chose not to participate in the scandal-ridden program and has vocally supported its abolition.

"Programs that aren't on the up-and-up have to go," McGuire said.  "Getting rid of legislative scholarships is an important step toward restoring confidence in Illinois government."

The Legislative Tuition Waiver Program allows each member of the General Assembly to send residents of their districts to Illinois' public universities for only the cost of room and board.   Although often referred to as a scholarship program, state universities actually receive no extra funding to cover the cost of students who receive these waivers.

The tuition waiver program has faced criticism over the past several years.  Legislators have allegedly awarded scholarships to elected officials' family members, personal friends, campaign donors, and even students who reside outside of their districts.

"The State of Illinois has better ways to spend its money than on legislative scholarships, and the General Assembly has more important issues to address," McGuire said.  "We must work on making higher education affordable for everyone.  We also must make sure students graduate and are ready to work and make our state great again."

McGuire Pleased with IYC Joliet Decision

Springfield- A bipartisan, bicameral legislative commission this morning refused to endorse Governor Pat Quinn's proposal to close Illinois Youth Center (IYC) Joliet, the state's only maximum security facility for young men.

"The commission agreed with us that closing the state's only maximum security youth center doesn't make sense when it comes to public safety or savings," said State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet).  "This is a victory for the Joliet area.  IYC employs 219 people, indirectly supports almost 100 more jobs, contributes more than $30 million to our local economy, and provides youthful offenders one last chance to go straight."

The legislative panel-the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CoGFA)-was created to provide the General Assembly with a reliable, accurate source of budget-related information.  Analyzing governors' proposals to close state facilities is one of CoGFA's most important duties.  Though CoGFA's recommendations are not legally binding, no governor has ever closed a state facility over CoGFA's objections.

"We must make some tough budget decisions this year, and I respect the governor's good intentions," McGuire continued, "but closing IYC Joliet would result in mixing older, more dangerous youth with younger, more vulnerable youth, increasing safety risks to both residents and staff. It also threatens to thwart the younger offenders' rehabilitation as they are diverted from corrective behaviors by the older offenders."

IYC Joliet's final fate won't be decided until after the state passes a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.  McGuire vowed to work with legislators and the governor's office to guarantee funding.

"I urge the governor to heed the voices of elected officials, law enforcement, and religious leaders and to abide by today's bipartisan decision," McGuire said.  "No other state facility has the skilled staff IYC does, nor the location and recent capital improvements."

Adam Kinzinger Defeats Don Manzullo in 16th District Republican Primary, Election Results By County

Congressman Adam Kinzinger has defeated Congressman Don Manzullo in the 2012 Republican Primary.

Since the new Illinois 16th Congressional District covers 14 different counties, to view the results of the 16th Congressional Republican Primary, you will need to view results in each county:
Will
DeKalb
Ford
Stark
Grundy
Winnebago
Boone
Bureau
Iroquois
LaSalle
Lee
Livingston
Ogle
Putnam

Election results will be posted after the polls close at 7:00 p.m. and are updated as more results come in.

Illinois 16th Congressional District

Here are some videos from the Kinzinger-Manzullo debate in Watseka:

Will County Electrical Aggregation Election Results

The March 20, 2012 Illinois General Primary Election included a ballot measure on electrical aggregation in unincorporated Will County.  To view the results of that measure, go here.

Results will be posted after polls close at 7 p.m. and will be updated throughout the night.

Crete, Illinois Primary Election Results

To view Crete election results for today's primary election, go here.  Results will begin to be posted after the polls close at 7 p.m. and will be updated throughout the night.

Crete is now in the Illinois Second Congressional District.

Beecher, Illinois Primary Election Results

To view Beecher election results for today's primary election, go here.  Results will begin to be posted after the polls close at 7 p.m. and will be updated throughout the night.


Beecher is now in the Illinois Second Congressional District.

Peotone Election Results

To view Peotone election results for today's primary election, go here.  Results will begin to be posted after the polls close at 7 p.m. and will be updated throughout the night.

Peotone is now in the Illinois Second Congressional District.

Illinois First Congressional Election Results

To view results from tonight's Illinois First Congressional District Democratic and Republican primaries, you will need to view election data from:
City of Chicago
Suburban Cook County
Will County

Results will be posted after polls close at 7 p.m. and will be updated throughout the night.

Map of the new Illinois First Congressional District:

Map of new Illinois First Congressional District

In the March 20, 2012 General Primary Election, the candidates are:

For the Democratic Nomination:

Incumbent Congressman Bobby Rush

Jordam Sims

Fred Smith

Raymond Lodato

Harold Bailey

For the Republican Nomination:

Frederick Collins

Donald Peloquin

Jimmy Lee Tillman II

Jesse Jackson, Jr. Defeats Debbie Halvorson in 2nd District Democratic Primary, Election Results by County

Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. has defeated challenger Debbie Halvorson in the 2nd Congressional District Democratic Primary.

Since the newly realigned Illinois Second Congressional District covers parts of Will, Kankakee, and Cook Counties, to view results for each county, you will need to go:
Will County
City of Chicago
Suburban Cook County
Kankakee County

Illinois Second Congressional District Map

Video of Congressman Jackson discussing the Peotone Airport with Will County farmers:

McGuire Tours Joliet Illinois Youth Center, Urges Governor to Reconsider Closing

Joliet - State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) this afternoon toured the Illinois Youth Center (IYC) Joliet.  He was joined by a number of his colleagues, including State Senator Sue Rezin; State Representatives Jack McGuire, Emily McAsey, and Renée Kosel; Will County Executive Larry Walsh; and a representative from House Minority Leader Tom Cross' office.  After talking to Youth Center workers and discussing the likely consequences of closing the facility, Senator McGuire is urging the governor to reconsider his plan to close the juvenile detention center.

"The Illinois Youth Center Joliet is the state's only maximum security facility for young men," McGuire said.  "The Quinn administration's reasoning for closing it is that it is the 'most like an adult prison.'  But, the young men at IYC are behind bars for a reason.  They need to pay their debt to society, be held securely, and receive services to turn them away from a life of crime."

Governor Quinn included IYC Joliet in a list of dozens of facility closings in his budget proposal last month.  The governor's administration contends that closing the Joliet facility will save the state approximately $17 million per year.  The closing also would result in up to 235 area residents losing their jobs.

"There's no question we must cut spending this year," continued McGuire, who reduced his office's spending by approximately 10% when he served as Will County Treasurer.  "The question is are we making smart cuts?  Are we setting the right priorities?  Before we consider closing facilities, we need a firm plan to deal with the consequences.  I haven't yet received any such plan.  I have, however, spoken with IYC staff, whose skill and dedication impress me.  Both IYC staff and members of the public have told me that they worry about what closing IYC Joliet will do to community safety."

McGuire believes that the full General Assembly should have meaningful impact on the closure process, which is not currently the case.

"I am co-sponsoring legislation that will allow the General Assembly to vote on facility closures," McGuire said.  "The General Assembly currently has no substantive authority over closing multi-million dollar state facilities that employ hundreds of people."

Under current law, the governor proposes facility closures.  Then, the 12-member, bipartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CoGFA) makes a non-binding recommendation to accept or reject the governor's plan.  This recommendation is the only official input the General Assembly is allowed to make on facility closures.  The legislation McGuire is sponsoring, Senate Bill 3564, requires the General Assembly to approve or deny CoGFA's recommendation.  The General Assembly's decision would be final.

Will County Board Primary Election Results

To view Will County Board Primary results of the March 20, 2012 Primary Election, go here after 7 p.m. on March 20, 2012.

Here are the Will County Board Candidates:

District One
Republican (Vote for 2):
Heather Van Cleave Farquhar
Dave Stockton
Kent B. Heisner
Judy Ogalla 


Democratic (Vote for 2):
Robert E. Howard 
Willie E. Box, Jr. 
David M. Fazzini


District Two
Republican (Vote for 2):
Jim Moustis
J. C. 'Tuck' Marshall 
Angela Dell
Dave Izzo


Democrat (Vote for 2):
Victor O. Jonathan 


District Three
Republican (Vote for 2):
Victor D. Zack 
Stephen J. Engel



Democrat (Vote for 2):
Elizabeth J. 'Beth' Rice


District Four
Republican (Vote for 2):
Kenneth R. Cygan
Felix George 


Democrat (Vote for 2):
Jacqueline L. Traynere
Shirley M. Valevicius
Kenneth Harris


District Five 
Republican (Vote for 2):

Lee Ann Goodson
John F. Argoudelis


Democrat (Vote for 2):
Mike Costello 


District Six
Republican (Vote for 2):
Don Gould 
Ragan Freitag


Democrat (Vote for 2):
Sharon May
Tim Vanderhyden
Mike O'Connell


District Seven
Republican (Vote for 2):
Mike Fricilone 
Kathleen Konicki
Stephen J. Balich
James Louch
David H. Palya
Cindy Polke


Democrat (Vote for 2):
No Candidate Filed


District Eight
Republican
No Candidates


Democrat (Vote for 2):
Denise E. Winfrey
Herbert Brooks, Jr. 
Frank D. Stewart
Vernel Miller




District Nine
Republican (Vote for 2):
Catherine Perretta


Democrat (Vote for 2):
Walter G. Adamic 
Diane H. Seiler-Zigrossi



District Ten 
Republican (Vote for 2):
Sharon Cemeno Hicks 
Cristine Boban-Merriman
John Iacobucci 


Democrat (Vote for 2):
Joseph M. Babich 
Stephen M. Wilhelmi




District Eleven
Republican (Vote for 2):
Suzanne Hart 
Charles 'Chuck' Maher

Joe (Joseph) Hudetz
Debra H. Holscher 


Democrat (Vote for 2):
No Candidate Filed


District Twelve
Republican (Vote for 2):
Margo McDermed 
Tom Weigel 
Raymond Tuminello
Chris Kosel


Democrat (Vote for 2):
No Candidate Filed


District Thirteen
Republican (Vote for 2):
Timothy J. Kraulidis
Ilona Vaughn
John J. McDonough
Randy Kainrath
Liz Collins


Democrat (Vote for 2):
Mark Ferry

Illinois General Primary March 20, 2012

The Illinois General Primary will take place on Tuesday, March 20, 2012.

Voters may want to check out maps of the newly redrawn Illinois Congressional, State Senate, and State Representatives districts as all districts in Illinois were redrawn following the 2010 Census:
Maps of Illinois State Senate and State Representative Districts (13-59) (1-12)
Maps of Illinois Congressional Districts

Manzullo Urges Illinois Officials to Oppose Bills That Woud Undermine the Rights of Gun Owners

[ROCKFORD]  –  Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today urged Illinois leaders to oppose gun control legislation working its way through the Illinois General Assembly and instead join our nation’s 49 other states and pursue viable conceal-carry legislation.
                                                                                          
 In a letter to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-IL) and Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-IL), Manzullo called on the leaders to oppose legislation that would ban and increase penalties on semi-automatic firearms (HB 1294 and HB 1599), impose a 2 percent tax on ammunition (HB 5167), and create a firearms registry supported by a new fee (HB 5831).

“Illinois already has some of the nation’s strictest firearms laws, including a requirement for gun owners to possess the Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card. These bills are nothing but an assault on the constitutionally-protected right to bear arms,” Manzullo said. “I respectfully urge you to not adopt these bills but instead to work towards passage of viable conceal-carry legislation for all of Illinois.”
A strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment, Manzullo co-signed a letter last summer authored by U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) encouraging Illinois officials to enact a conceal-carry firearms law. Illinois is the only state in the nation that does not allow conceal-carry. Manzullo also voted last November for the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 (HR 822) that would unfortunately have little effect on Illinois until the state joins the other 49 states and adopts a conceal-carry law.

“The United States Supreme Court affirmed in McDonald vs. Chicago that states cannot violate an individual’s right to bear arms for lawful purposes under the Second Amendment,” Manzullo added. “There is no evidence that gun registration does anything to keep illegal firearms out of the hands of criminals.  Banning semi-automatic firearms, which are used in the biathlon competition in the Winter Olympics, and adding a $65 firearms tax, a 2 percent ammunition tax, and a gun registry only punishes law abiding citizens.”

Pat McGuire to Replace AJ Wilhelmi as 43rd District State Senator

Pat McGuire has been chosen to replace AJ Wilhelmi as the State Senator for the Illinois 43rd State Senate District.  McGuire is the current Braidwood City Clerk and former Will County Treasurer.

Wilhelmi won the 43rd State Senate Seat 37,876 to 24, 276 over Republican Challenger Cedra Crenshaw in the 2010 election.

Here is a map of the current 43rd District, including which precinct went Democrat or Republican in 2010:

Map of 43rd State Senate District and 2010 election results by precinct

After the 2010 Census, the Illinois 43rd State Senate District was realigned and will look like this for the 2012 election:

Congressman Adam Kinzinger Holding Press Conference on Keystone

Illinois 11th Congressional District Congressman Adam Kinzinger will hold a press conference this morning on the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Info on the press conference from a Kinzinger Media Advisory:

WHO:          U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL)

                       Russ Slinkard, Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry

                       Jerry Caamano, 3 Rivers Manufacturers Association

                       Tom Wolf, Illinois Chamber Energy Council
                       Pat Young, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150

                       Tom Gross, Director of Pipeline and Gas Distribution, Pipefitters Local 597,

WHEN:         Thursday, February 23 at 9:15 am CT

WHERE:      Joliet Junior College

                        Campus Center on the Main Campus

                        1215 Houbolt Rd in Joliet

                        Presentation Room A-1061

WHAT:           Congressman Kinzinger, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, will host a press conference along with prominent industries and organizations in support of the Keystone XL Pipeline.  Each representative will explain what this pipeline would mean specifically for their organization and the community.

Kinzinger, Manzullo Debate in Watseka

Congressman Adam Kinzinger and Congressman Don Manzullo participated in a debate in Watseka tonight sponsored by the Iroquois County Republican Women's Club. 

Congressman Adam Kinzinger in Watseka

Congressman Don Manzullo in Watseka

Both Kinzinger and Manzullo are running in the March 20, 2012 general primary election to be the Republican candidate for the newly realigned 16th Congressional District:

Map of Illinois 16th Congressional District

Topics discussed at the debate included: the appropriate role for the federal government, energy policy, spending, immigration, and the new 16th Congressional District:


Congressmen Manzullo and Kinzinger both expressed that they were forced into running against each other by the Congressional redistricting.  Manzullo stated he had encouraged Kinzinger to run in the Illinois Second Congressional against Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.: