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| Stratton Wants Law to Protect Identity Theft Victims |
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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tim Stratton
Wednesday December 12, 2007 312-505-3599
State Representative Candidate Calls for Identity Theft Protection
Glencoe – State Representative candidate Tim Stratton supports legislation that will assist victims of identity theft in restoring their credit and clearing their name from the damage done by criminals. "Although there has been recent legislation in Illinois which stiffens the penalties for identity theft and makes it easier to prosecute these crimes more must be done to protect the innocent victims of identity theft", said Tim Stratton, candidate for State Representative, 58th District.
Identity theft continues to rise in Illinois and across the nation as more transactions are processed electronically and more data is stored on computers. Making it easier to prosecute perpetrators of identity theft and imposing harsher penalties is necessary--but so is making it easier for the innocent victims of these crimes to clear their names.
"I will propose legislation that will make it easier for identity theft victims to restore their credit and good name. Credit reporting companies, mostly located out of state, are slow at best, and totally unresponsive at worst when it comes to fixing consumer credit histories", said Stratton. Stratton notes, "Under legislation I propose, we will require credit companies to promptly respond and restore the credit histories of these victims of identity theft. Typically, people discover they are the victim of identity theft when they go to buy a home, car, or go to take out a loan. They deserve to have their credit restored in a timely manner once a determination has been made that they are a victim of identity theft. We must do more to strengthen the ability of innocent victims to file police reports, obtain a determination of fraud and restore their credit.
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| Stratton Endorsed By Illinois League of Conservation Voters |
| Press Release
From: Tim Stratton, candidate for State Representative, 58th District (R-Hubbard Woods); 312-505-3599; timothy.stratton@icemiller.com
Date: December 8, 2007
Re: Moderate Republican Tim Stratton receives endorsement of the Illinois League of Conservation Voters—a leading Illinois environmental group.
Tim Stratton, moderate independent Republican candidate for 58th District State Representative received the endorsement of the Illinois League of Conservation Voters today.
The Illinois League of Conservation Voters is an environmental organization and acts as the political arm of the environmental movement in Illinois. Through elections, they actively support candidates who promote sustainable economic development and oppose candidates who vote for anti-environmental legislation. The group builds coalitions, promotes grassroots power, and trains the next generation of environmental leaders.
Tim Stratton works as a bond lawyer and is a former public finance investment banker who has worked throughout his career to obtain funds for open space land acquisition and renewable energy projects. Tim Stratton is currently the Treasurer of the Glencoe Park District and an active member of the Illinois Association of Park Districts.
"I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Illinois League of Conservation Voters. I know that they share my commitment to open space and the environment. When I am elected to the General Assembly I will continue to fight for common sense environmental protection, open space acquisition and clean water.", Stratton said. Stratton added, "We need legislators in Springfield who will stand up for our common sense suburban values and have the courage to do what is truly right for their constituents. What we cannot afford is extremism and single issue legislators. The environment is a critical issue but we must be respectful of the economy, jobs and business when we are making important decisions that affect people's lives."
Please contact Tim Stratton at 312-505-3599 for more information regarding this press release.
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| Illinois Still Facing Weak Job Growth |
| Illinois Still Facing Weak Job Growth
Illinois continues to lag behind neighboring states, and the nation as a whole, in job growth, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Labor. In fact, during September, the numbers indicate Illinois lost 1,500 jobs for the month. (See complete state-by-state rankings)
As it has for the past several months, Illinois was ranked 45th nationally in job creation for the period from January 2003 to Sept. 2007 – which coincides with the Blagojevich administration’s time in office.
During that time Illinois has seen a 2.4% increase in jobs, while the national average is 6%.
The lagging job growth costs Illinois taxpayers. Had Illinois kept pace with the national average, the state would have over 211,000 more jobs. Those additional jobs would have resulted in nearly $550 million in additional sales and income tax revenues.
Since January 2003, Illinois has added 139,500 jobs. If the state had kept pace with the national average, it would have 350,862 new jobs. Put another way, if Illinois had met the national average the number of new jobs created would be greater than the entire population of any city in Illinois outside of Chicago.
Iowa continued to lead the region in job growth, with a 5.8% rate. Missouri followed with a 4.2% increase in jobs from January 2003 to Sept. 2007. Wisconsin has grown jobs at the rate of 3.9%, while Kentucky has a 3.8% rate. Indiana has seen a 2.9% increase in jobs.
Nationally, Nevada leads the nation with a 21.6% rate of job growth. Illinois’ slow growth rate is below most other large states including: Florida (14.6%); Texas (9.9%); California (5.9%); New York (3.3%); and Pennsylvania (3.2%).
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| Stratton Urges Mass Transit Fix |
| Press Release
From: Tim Stratton, candidate for State Representative, 58th District (R-Glencoe)
Date: November 28, 2007
Re: Mass Transit Funding
Tim Stratton, moderate independent Republican candidate for 58th District State Representative urged incumbent Karen May to get serious about mass transit funding and work to forge a compromise to adequately fund mass transit.
Mass transit is important not just to the residents of the City of Chicago but also to the residents of the 58th District, many of whom rely on Metra and Pace to get to work. It is time to take real action, not to engage in political rhetoric and stunts, Stratton said, referring to newspaper reports of Karen May removing her shoe on the floor of the State House and banging it on her desk angrily. We have a rare opportunity to address the important issue of mass transit in a bi-partisan manner. The compromise solution, proposed by Republican Minority Leader Tom Cross involves shifting gasoline taxes to transit, rather than imposing a higher regional sales tax. Fixing mass transit does not mean we have to accept a carte blanche tax increase, said Stratton.
Mass transit is too important an issue and this debate underscores the need for non-nonsense leadership in Springfield. Stratton explained, "I'm running for State Representative because we need creative leadership to actually solve these problems and not just play to the special interests in Springfield. We see the results when one party is in total control of state government. We need to get serious here and not resort to banging a shoe on a desk."
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| Karen May's record on ComEd electric reliability |
| RE: Commonwealth Edison Reliability Problems
The events of the August 23rd storm brought to light the issue of electric reliability in our District. At the Glencoe Village Board meeting last night we saw firsthand how upset and frustrated our neighbors and Village leaders are at Com Ed.
First, I want to say that the ComEd response to the storm was commendable. However, the storm exposed weaknesses in the distribution system and show first hand what happens when there is not adequate investment in the infrastructure.
This issue also demonstrates why we need new and effective leadership for our District in Springfield. We need Representatives who will stand up for the interests of our District and not the special interests of Springfield politicians. Utility deregulation has seen mixed success. More should be done to require and give ComEd incentives to upgrade an aging and broken electric system.
Here are some facts: Exelon, the parent of ComEd, owns our nuclear generating plants. Everyone knows they are making big money. ComEd, a subsidiary of Exelon, now owns the distribution system, such as the power lines, due to deregulation. The problems we are now seeing are with the distribution system—the lines that carry electricity to our homes and businesses.
In October of 2006, ComEd asked ICC for $300 million to upgrade their distribution system. ICC granted them $8 million. ComEd's poor fiscal health means it is on the brink of bankruptcy and as a separate entity from Excelon, Exelon cannot bail them out any more than GM could bail out Chevrolet due to federal anti-trust regulations. The Legislature needs to hold the ICC accountable and work with ComEd to fix our broken and inefficient distribution system.
Has the Citizens Utility Board told you this? Of course not.
They are lobbying to extend the rate freeze because it is quickest short term political fix and quite frankly, it downright angers me that they failed to point out the devastating effects of extending the freeze.
This extension will create a debacle that will pale compared to the one in California.
Republican Leader Cross and Senate President Jones (strange allies) have been working on a compromise bill. Speaker Madigan, played politics with it in the House. We the consumers will lose. Karen May, a member of the utility oversight committee has voted lock step with her party in the House and their positions impede the very reforms needed to stop these power outages that plague her District.
Karen May was quoted in the Pioneer Press as saying she "hasn't heard many complaints about ComEd's service in the area and that whenever people from Glencoe have reached out, I've called ComEd right away and several constituents said 'Wow, you got ComEd to come out so quickly". Obviously she hasn’t spent much time in Glencoe or within other parts of our District and as a member of the House Utility Oversight Committee I would expect our State Representative to have a better handle on the reliability issues facing our District.
Com Ed needs resources to fix the problems and provide reliable service but they need to be held accountable as well. We can’t just give them a blank check—there must be service standards and benchmarks tied to customer service and system reliability. These problems won't just fix themselves. As we are seeing, short term political solutions do not work. We need structural reform.
This is why it important to have critical thinkers in Springfield—not just people who go along with what the party leaders tell them to do. Reliable energy is vital to our quality of life and economic prosperity. It’s time for a Representative who will represent the needs of the District whether it be on the issue of electric reliability, or others, and not the special interests of the Springfield politicians.
Tim Stratton
Candidate for State Representative, 58th District
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| Tim Stratton Fundraiser |
| Tim's friends and supporters will be gathering at Bertucci's in Highwood, Illinois on Thursday, October 18th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm for a meet and greet fundraiser. You are invited to attend. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $50 and light appetizers will be served. Please contact the campaign for more information at 312-505-3599. We hope to see you there. |
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| Stratton Announces Candidacy |
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Press Release—For Immediate Distribution
Glencoe, Illinois-- Timothy A. Stratton announced his candidacy for State Representative for the 58th Representative District today. Stratton, a 34 year old Ice Miller LLP municipal bond lawyer, former investment banker and government finance expert is a Glencoe Park District Commissioner and serves as Treasurer of the District. Stratton has also served on the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village and is a former Community College Board Member.
Tim and his wife Deborah have a 17 month old daughter, Isabelle Anne. “We decided that now is the time to undertake this campaign”, said Stratton. “The State of Illinois has real problems, and many of those problems are made worse by the stunts and ineffective leadership shown almost daily by the majority down in Springfield. To the extent we can make the state a better place for our children we owe that to them.”
Asked to highlight his campaign’s philosophy, Stratton said, “I will bring a independent, moderate voice to Springfield.” When asked how he differs, he offered, “Looking at the current state of affairs, it is hard to see what positive accomplishments have been made by our leaders. Among other questionable actions, our current State Representative supported the largest tax and fee hikes in the history of the State of Illinois. This is bad policy and has cost the state thousands of jobs. I will fight for a moderate, common sense approach to state government. We need a financial expert who understands government finance and the role that good government can play in encouraging business and success in Illinois. We need someone who will stand up and say enough is enough”. Pointing out that economic growth improves the lives of all Illinoisans, Stratton said, “The State of Illinois is loosing jobs and its competitive edge to other states, this is a direct result of the higher taxes and fees imposed by Representative May and the Democrats. More jobs equal a better standard of living for our residents and I will fight hard to make sure that Illinois is recognized as a leader among states in job growth and in the willingness of the State to attract and pursue new jobs and business.” Stratton, went on to state that, “when Illinois businesses succeed the whole State benefits.”
Tim has worked with municipalities, schools and units of government throughout the State of Illinois and is a member of the Illinois Association of School Boards and the Illinois Association of School Administrators. “I have dedicated my career to helping Illinois schools solve their financial problems.” Stratton added, “I have first-hand knowledge and experience in the area of school finance and funding. The looming school funding crisis will cripple the state if something isn’t done to address the situation.” Stratton proposes that the General Assembly commit to adequately address the school funding crisis in a bi-partisan manner and hold itself accountable to the residents of the state. “The schools in the 58th District are some of the best in the state, if not the nation. We need to fight hard to protect these essential assets and stand up for our kids. This means taking real action, not just talking about it.”
Tim is also a defender of the environment and Lake Michigan. As an elected Park District Commissioner in Glencoe and as an active member of the Illinois Association of Park Districts, where he works with park districts, forest preserve districts and conservation districts on open space and environmental issues. “A big concern of mine is how the asbestos at the old Johns-Manville superfund site in Waukegan could be getting into Lake Michigan and washing up on our beaches. I have been working on this issue and believe the Illinois Department of Natural Resources must be provided the resources to aggressively address this problem. There are many open questions and more needs to be done. The health of our residents is at stake and I will make Lake Michigan and the development of common sense environmentalism a priority.”
When asked about his prospects for winning in November, 2008 Stratton concluded, “Make no mistake about it, this will be a tough race. We will be facing an incumbent with a lot of special interest money. However, I am confident that when the residents of the 58th District take a look and, compare me to my opponent and see how much better their representation can be, we will prevail.” He added, “Our first priority is to get through the Republican Primary—then we can focus on November.”
For more information please contact:
Tim Stratton
Candidate for State Representative, 58th District
312-505-3599
www.timstrattonforstaterep.com
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