The ICRC hosted a hospitality suite, on June 6, 9:00-midnight, at the Baymont Inn, at 5100 Hickory Point, Frontage Rd., Decatur, to inform attendees, of the Illinois Republican Convention, about the ICRC. 

      A member of the ICRC steering committee, Chad Koppie, is seeking the Constitution Party nomination for the U.S. Senate.  To ensure that the Constitution Party will be on the Nov. ballot, the party must collect at least 25,000 signatures between Mar. 25 & June 23.  If you want to help, please print the petition from www.constitutionpartyil.com.

         A northern regional meeting of the Illinois Constitution Party was held on Sat., Jan. 19, 10:00-2:00, at the Holiday Inn Express, at 3405 Algonquin Rd., in Rolling Meadows.  Speakers were Rosanna Pulido and David Daubenmire, a columnist for www.NewswithViews.com.  They discussed plans for a petition drive for the spring. 

      On Jan. 20, Illinois Forum hosted a U.S. Senate candidate forum, in Champaign.  Mike Psak, the candidate who was endorsed by the ICRC, debated, but Steve Sauerberg and Andy Martin didn't attend.

       All ICRC members were invited to the Republican Assembly of Lake County Christmas party, which was be held on Sat., Dec. 15, in Libertyville.  The party was attended by the ICRC Chairman, Craig Simmons; the ICRC Secretary, Phil Collins; the RALC Chairman, Raymond True; a U.S. Senate candidate, Mike Psak; the IL Constitution Party co-chairman, Gary Dunlap; Norm Hill; an 8th Congressional District candidate, Ken Arnold; and a candidate for Chicago GOP 47th Ward Committeeman, Gary Karlin.

 SUMMARY OF ICRC RETREAT 9/16/06


1. Call to order: at 1:45, and the members present
(during at least part of the meeting) were:  Craig
Simmons [Chair], Bill Leubscher [ED], Phil Collins
[Secretary], Todd Black, Jim Oberweis, Jeff Sykuta,
Mike Psak, and Eunice Conn.  Chad Koppie, Dave McAloon
and Jon Zahm participated, by phone.  A quorum was
present for the retreat.  Earl Gough had RSVP'd for
the event, but could not attend due to an
unanticipated call to duty by the Coast Guard.

2. Previous minutes.  We discussed approving the
minutes of the Aug. 12 meeting and agreed to wait
until the next meeting to do that.  Jon Zahm had
already posted the minutes to the ICRC website.

3. Purpose of the ICRC:

a. History of the ICRC: We discussed the history of
the ICRC and whether it should be an umbrella or a
member organization or both.  Jeff Sykuta discussed
the 1/2003 meeting where Norquist envisioned the ICRC
as an umbrella organization of conservative groups;
Jeff raised concerns over the current relevancy of the
ICRC and the lack of SC members in high profile
political offices.
b. Role of the ICRC regarding the state GOP:  Mike
suggested that we should try to replace the state
party leadership.  Jim said, to do that, we need to
ensure that conservatives run for precinct
committeeman, since the committeemen elect members of
the state central committee, who appoint the party
chairman and executive director.  Jim said that
candidates need groups to give money and volunteers.
c. Proposed role and need for the ICRC:
i. Craig said that many conservatives are "shut out"
because they live in liberal areas with RINO GOP
organizations without conservative groups. The ICRC
thus provides a statewide volunteer opportunity for
discouraged conservatives.  Craig said that the ICRC
was meant to be an umbrella group, but other groups
will not do something because the ICRC wants them to
do it (i.e. other groups will not accept the ICRC as a
controlling or persuasive authority).  Craig maintains
that other groups are independent and often
"territorial" with their activities and membership
information.  He said that the ICRC could coordinate
activities (i.e. be a de facto umbrella group) through
our members who are also leaders of other conservative
groups.  He said that we could become more relevant by
coordinating activities with other groups, including
the URF, IL Forum, RALC, and Family PAC.
ii. Jim Oberweis suggested that the ICRC coordinate
with the URF and other conservative organizations in
the same or similar (legislative) races, in order to
maximize the grassroots impact of conservatives.  Jim
informed us of the URF's decision to concentrate on 6
IL state legislative races; other conservative groups
like Family-Pac also support some of these candidates.
 Craig agreed with Jim regarding the ICRC coordinating
activities with other conservative groups, and briefly
discussed our joint efforts with Family-Pac, RALC,
TAPROOT and the Illinois Forum.
iii. Todd Black believes that the ICRC should be a
true grassroots organization with a membership base.
d. Various Ideas regarding the Future:
i. Todd said that we should try to persuade at least
10 people from each county to join the ICRC.
ii. We discussed whether paid campaign employees
should be able to vote on candidate endorsements and
donations, but we didn't vote on it.  Jeff Sykuta
stated that members of the SC who are paid campaign
staffers (or if a close family member is a paid
staffer) should, by rule, abstain from an endorsement
or support vote (i.e. a mandatory abstention).  The
general consensus was that a paid staffer should be
able to engage in the debate of a vote.
iii. We discussed the idea of establishing local
chapters of the ICRC in each congressional district,
represented by and coordinated by a SC member within
such district.  Our general consensus was that this is
a goal for the future (after this term), unless a
particular SC member wishes to spearhead such an
effort.  No formal vote was taken (or has ever been
taken) on this idea.

4. Endorsement(s):
a. Only one formal vote occurred at the ICRC retreat.
Eunice made a motion that we endorse Randy
Stufflebeam, for governor, and Mike seconded the
motion.  There were nine ayes.  Two voted present, and
one abstained (McAloon).  The endorsement motion
passed.
b. We noted that the successful primary candidates
endorsed by the ICRC were obviously also endorsed
against the Democrat in the general election.
c. We discussed the Biggert race, but no consensus was
reached.  The matter was postponed for further
information and discussion.  This matter was never
intended to be voted upon at the retreat.


5. Existing Committees.  Craig proposed the renewal of
the ICRC Committee structure:  the 5 existing
committees should be active and report their findings
/ recommendations through a brief report at the formal
SC or general membership meetings.  Our general
membership should not encounter again 3+ hour
meetings, where the SC conducts sub-committee work and
considerations.

6. Proposed future meeting (activity) schedule:
a. Todd suggested another retreat, in Jan., for more
brainstorming.
b. Craig suggested that we schedule 10 meetings (11
with the ICRC Convention) times per year, with about
1/3 of the meetings each for (in-person) steering
committee business, general membership meetings (with
guest speaker) and social gatherings.  Grassroots
activity events will also occur separately and in
conjunction with the aforementioned schedule and
election calendar.
c. The general consensus was that we schedule our
meetings months in advance (when possible), so that
our members have greater notice and our meetings have
better attendance.  Collins would prefer a more
settled schedule for SC meetings (e.g. every 2nd
Saturday of the month).
d. Craig and Jon propose that the ICRC schedule
volunteer activity for the McSweeney, Roskam, Roth,
and Parke campaigns.  Parts of Roth's and Parke's
districts are in McSweeney's and Roskam's districts,
so we could walk precincts for three conservatives at
the same time.

7. Adjourn. We adjourned at approximately at 8:30 pm.



Respectfully submitted,
Phil Collins
ICRC Secretary
(With some notes from Craig Simmons)

Welcome!

ICRC Election - Jon Zahm

http://www.icrc.blogspot.com/

Saturday morning we met in Champaign at the Red Barn Restaurant at 10:45 AM to elect officers. We had 10 Steering Committee members present in person:

Simmons
Gough
Redfern
Koppie
Hill
Black
White
Zahm
Collins
Leubscher

By telephone

McNeil
Sykuta
Psak
Morris

Absent

Diersen
Oberweis
Johns
Bludorn
McAloon

14 of 19 sufficient for a quorum

The following were elected unanimously

Craig Simmons- Chairman
Chad Koppie- Vice-Chairman
Phil Collins- Secretary
Earl Gough- Treasurer (Sykuta abstained)

Chairman Simmons appointed:

Collins as Webmaster
Joe Morris as General Counsel and Parliamentarian

Zahm proposed our next meeting to be a "retreat", enabling the members of the ICRC Steering Committee to meet at length to plan out the future of the organization and build unity and shared goals/purpose. Details to come.

We enjoyed an excellent address my Congressman Burton (R-IN) and a very good buffet meal courtesy of the Illinois Forum after the ICRC meeting concluded. Then many of us, including your author, proceeded to the Sen. Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora) Porky Picnic in Aurora- another great event and superb host.

 

GOPUSA ILLINOIS

Lauzen, Birkett, and Oberweis address Illinois Center Right Coalition annual convention in Wheaton - Dave Diersen

www.gopillinois.com

Senator Chris Lauzen gave an outstanding keynote address yesterday evening, Thursday, June 29, at the Illinois Center Right Coalition annual convention at the Wheaton Bowl Banquet Hall in Wheaton.  He devoted most of his address to issues relating to the Blagojevich administration's fiscal record, but he also spoke on illegal immigration, the marriage amendment, education, and the Illinois Republican Party.  He provided attendees with copies of an outstanding 43-page Power Point presentation on the Blagojevich administration's fiscal record, answered questions from the audience, and received a standing ovation.  Joe Birkett and Jim Oberweis focused on the importance of electing Republican candidates on November 7 and defeating Democrat candidates on November 7.  Oberweis came to the convention directly from Diersen's hometown of Crete, where he had addressed a teenage Republican organization.  Attendees at the convention included Yvonne Arentz, Ken Arnold, Todd Black, Scott Bludorn, Dave Carlin, Phil Collins, Don and Eunice Conn, Dean Dahlgren, Liz Eilers, Sal Falbo, Rich Johns, George Kocan, Bill Leubscher, Dave McAloon, Brian and Vern McCarthy, Patrick McEwen, John McNeal, Chris McNeil, Marilyn Rickert, Carl Segvich, Craig Simons, Mark Stern, Andrew White, and Jon Zahm.       

 

John McNeal and his associates fail in their efforts to stop Oberweis from being elected to the Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee - Dave Diersen

www.gopillinois.com

John McNeal and his associates failed in their efforts to stop Jim Oberweis from being elected to the ICRC Steering Committee, however, they succeeded stopping Oberweis from being elected to a 2-year term.  There were 13 on the ballot for 12 Steering Committee positions -- Phil Collins, Liz Eilers, Earl Gough, Rich Johns, Chad Koppie, Bill Leubscher, Dave McAloon, Chris McNeil, Joe Morris, Jim Oberweis, Mike Psak, Craig Simmons, and Andrew White.  The top 12 vote getters would be elected -- the top 10 vote getters would get 2-year terms and the bottom 2 vote getters would get 1-year terms.  McNeal spoke highly of Gough and Morris and Zahm spoke highly of Koppie.  When it became clear that because of actions by McNeal and his associates that Oberweis would lose if one of the 13 candidates did not withdraw, Eilers withdrew.  The vote totals were as follows: Simmons-55, McAloon-52, Johns-51, Morris-49, Collins-48, McNeil-48, Gough-47, Koppie-47, White-47, Leubscher-43, Psak-41, and Oberweis-30.  Many thanks to Ken Arnold, George Kocan, and Vern McCarthy who served as election judges. 

 

John McNeal, Bill Leubscher, and Craig Simmons fail in their attempt to censure Diersen - Dave Diersen

www.gopillinois.com

Sadly, at the start of the 2006 Illinois Center Right Coalition annual convention, John McNeal made a motion to censure his fellow ICRC Steering Committee member Dave Diersen. Sadly, fellow ICRC Steering Committee member Bill Leubscher seconded McNeal's motion and fellow ICRC Steering Committee member Craig Simmons subsequently voted for the motion.  Simmons serves as ICRC's Executive Director and Treasurer.  Sadly, neither McNeal nor Leubscher nor Simmons nor anyone else had given Diersen any indication that any such a motion was going to be made.  McNeal voiced many serious charges against Diersen and repeatedly ascribed evil motive and bad judgment to Diersen.  McNeal refused Diersen's request to put his charges in writing.  McNeal was extremely critical of the daily emails that Diersen sends out each morning in his role as the GOPUSA Illinois Editor.  Diersen stated the following in his June 28 GOPUSA Illinois email: "Sadly, there are reports that an outgoing ICRC Steering Committee member who enthusiastically supports Bill Brady and who vehemently opposes Jack Roeser is recruiting new ICRC members to vote for candidates other than Oberweis."  McNeal made it very clear to everyone at the convention that he was that outgoing ICRC Steering Committee member.   It seems that McNeal wants to stop Diersen from including anything in GOPUSA ILLINOIS daily emails that is a) critical of illegal immigration, critical of Brady, or critical of any of Brady's supporters or b) written by Jack Roeser or by any of Jack Roeser's supporters.  Needless-to-say, Diersen will not be intimidated.  ICRC Steering Committee members other than McNeal, Leubscher, and Simmons subsequently either voted against McNeal's motion or left the convention before the vote was taken.  Needless-to-say, Diersen is very disappointed with McNeal, Leubscher, Simmons, and their supporters and Diersen is very appreciative of those who spoke in Diersen's defense.

 

ICRC ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MARCH 21 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTION

 

The Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee met March 5th to determine its endorsements and recommendations for the March 21 Republican Primary.  ICRC is

a statewide organization comprised of an elected 17-member Steering 
Committee.  It is committed to conservative views and values including pro-life, gun owner rights, lower taxes, and less
regulation.

The Platform and by-laws of 
the organization are available at
www.illinoiscenterright.com

The organization voted to endorse the following
candidacies:

 

-- Scott Bludorn Endorsed for State Representative in District 53
-- Chris McNeil Endorsed for State Representative in District 82
-- Matt Murphy Endorsed for State Senate in District 27

-- Randy Hultgren Endorsed for State Senate in District 48 
-- Dennis Driscoll Endorsed for State Representative in District 52
-- Mike Fortner Endorsed for State Representative in District 95
-- David McAloon Endorsed for State Representative in District 75
-- Barbara Oilschlager Endorsed for State Representative in District 62 
--  Bill Brady Highly Recommended for Governor of
Illinois
-- Jim Oberweis Recommended for Governor of Illinois
-- Judy Baar Topinka is Not Qualified for Governor
of Illinois (see below)
-- Sandy Wegman Endorsed for Lt. Governor of Illinois
-- Howard Schug Endorsed for Congress in the 2nd District
-- Ray Wardingly Endorsed for Congress in the 3rd District
-- Robert Churchill Highly Recommended for Congress in
the 8th District
-- Kathy Salvi Highly Recommended for Congress in the 8th District
-- Ken Arnold Recommended for Congress in the 8th District
-- James Mitchell Recommended for Congress in the 8th District
-- Randy Ramey Recommended for State Representative in District 55

Jon A. Zahm
Chairman, Illinois Center Right Coalition
(www.illinoiscenterright.com)

 

Open letter to Republican Party activists, fundraisers, elected officials, leaders, and most importantly, to all the rank and file Republican voters of Illinois:

 

The Illinois Center Right Coalition has completed our endorsements and recommendations for the 2006 primary election cycle.  In all but one of these races we simply indicated who were for - not who were against.  The one exception we made was an "Unqualified" rating for one of the candidates for Governor - Judy Baar Topinka. In order to justify this position, let the facts be submitted for all Republicans to observe.

 

·          In her role as a state legislator, Judy Baar Topinka failed us, having lead the fight to raise the state sales tax from 1% to 6.25% -- a tax increase of $735 million a year on Illinois working families.

 

·          In her role as state Treasurer and our "fiscal watchdog", Judy Baar Topinka failed us, having signed off on more than $5.6 billion in debt to pay for increased state spending, doubled the budget of her own Treasurer's office, hiring left-wing cronies like the wife of Congressman Bobby Rush, and sending Illinois from a historic budget surplus to a budget deficit in 10 years time.

 

·          In her role as fiscal conservative, Judy Barr Topinka failed us, having stood by and loyally supported George Ryan throughout his criminal reign as he broke promise after promise on raising state "fees" and increasing the size of government.

 

·          In her role as social conservative, Judy Baar Topinka failed us, being singled out as the one prominent Republican to openly march in Chicago's taxpayer funded "gay pride" parade along side Bush haters, having supported abortion in all but the most extreme circumstances, and having received strong support from the most left-wing elements of the Chicago Democrat community.

 

·          In her role as "Republican" committeeman for Riverside Township, Judy Baar Topinka failed us, turning her back on fellow Republican candidates like Jim Nalepa, Kurt Eckhardt, and Ray Wardingley, by putting out "Republican" sample ballots endorsing far-left Democrats like Peter Felice - and even actively enlisting support from ultra corrupt, socialist-minded Democrats like Bobby Rush and Helen Shiller.

 

·          In her role as "Republican" Chairman of Illinois, Judy Baar Topinka failed us, hesitating on whether to endorse our first Republican Senator in a generation for re-election, forcing the eventual party's nominee out of the Senate race, failing to find a "replacement" nominee in over a months' time, and presiding over the disastrous loss of one of our "safe" U.S. House seats to a Democrat, thus causing Illinois Republicans to lose our first majority-Republican delegation to Congress in a generation.

 

·          Lastly, for the simple claim of being a "proven vote getter" and the most "electable" Republican, Judy Baar Topinka has failed us. Through her record as the LOWEST Republican voter getter on the statewide slate during the landslide Republican year of 1994, to her continued razor-thin win in the successful Illinois Republican slate of 1998, to her mysterious "sole Republican win" during the disastrous 2002 election year for Illinois Republicans, Judy Baar Topinka has proven she has far more appeal among hardcore liberal Democrats than with any successful Republican coalition.

 

In all of this, Judy Baar Topinka has proven she is the very embodiment of a Republican In Name Only. If elected, there is no indication that will end her 25-year trend of stabbing Republicans in the back, and every indication that she will govern over as much - if not more -- corruption and fringe-left activism as her predecessor. Judy Baar Topinka's nomination or victory in 2006 would be a disaster for the people of Illinois and for voters everywhere that believe in honest government and reforming the culture of corruption in this state.  The Illinois Center Right Coalition thus finds Judy Baar Topinka unfit and UNQUALIFIED to hold ANY office of trust, honor, or profit in our state.

 

Rather than being "purists" who will support only one candidate, our membership has given recommendations and endorses  multiple candidates in the same race. We not purists or single-issue ideologues in any sense of the word. We simply find Judy Baar Topinka to be UNACCEPTBLE in any scenario, and UNQUALIFIED across the board..

 

Candidly submitted,

 

The Illinois Center Right Coalition

 

Jon Zahm, Chairman

Todd Black, Steering Committee

Scott Bludorn, Steering Committee

Phil Collins, Steering Committee

John Cox, Steering Committee

Dave Diersen, Steering Committee

Earl Gough, Steering Committee

Joe Hedrick, Steering Committee

Norm Hill, Steering Committee

Rich Johns, Steering Committee

Mark Johnson, Steering Committee

Bill Leubscher, Steering Committee

John McNeal, Steering Committee

Joe Morris, Steering Committee

Robert Redfern, Steering Committee

Craig Simmons, Steering Committee

Jeff Sykuta, Steering Committee

 

Oberweis and Birkett address joint 2005 TAPROOT and Illinois Center Right Coalition Christmas party in Downers Grove - Dave Diersen

 

Gubernatorial candidate Jim Oberweis and soon to announce Lieutenant Governor candidate Joe Birkett addressed a joint TAPROOT Republican and Illinois Center Right Coalition (ICRC) Christmas party in Downers Grove Sunday afternoon, December 11.  Attendees had a great opportunity to speak with the candidates one-on-one, hear them address the audience, ask them questions privately and in public, hear them engage in a mini-debate, enjoy delicious food, sign petitions, join TAPROOT and ICRC, pay their TAPROOT membership dues, and hear great political humor from Robert Kirkwood.

 

The more than 50 who attended the party were among the very first to hear from Oberweis that he had asked Kathy Salvi to run for Lieutenant Governor with him and that she had authorized circulation of petitions for that position.

 

Birkett announced that he believes that Topinka will win the March 21 primary election (of course, Oberweis disagreed), that Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna was among the many who had asked him to run for Lt. Gov. with Topinka, and that he believes that all the members of the combine are Democrats.  Many attendees expressed support for Birkett, but not for his decision to join the Topinka ticket.  They expressed concern that the combine was using Birkett to advance its own agenda.

 

George Kocan has done an outstanding job as TAPROOT's Chairman.  Everyone wished he would continue on in that position, but he wants to take well-deserved break.  I have agreed to try to fill his shoes as TAPROOT's Chairman.  Your continued support in making TAPROOT's activities successful would be greatly appreciated!  TAPROOT's next meeting will be at 8:00 AM on Saturday, January 21, at the Old Country Buffet in Lombard. 

 

Elected officials and candidates in attendance included Scott Bludorn, Wally Brown, Paul Froehlich, Gwen Henry, Joyce Hundhausen, Moon Khan, Bob Shearer, and Jon Zahm.  Attendees included Matt Barber, David and Laurel Bowen, Phil Collins, Carolyn Connell,  Patricia Garrey, Kathy Gilroy, Versa Gollan, Chris Hage, Tom Hummel, Joe and Carol Jurewicz, George Kocan, Andrea Koshaba, Bill Leubscher, Vern McCarthy, Byrd Parmelee, Mark Pettigrew, Bob Schmidt, Cynthia Schnerder, Craig Simmons, Jill Stanek, and Rick Veenstra.

  

Doug Booth addresses September Illinois Center Right Coalition meeting - Dave Diersen

 

Doug Booth, candidate for Senate in the 42nd District addressed the September Illinois Center Right Coalition (ICRC) meeting in Plainfield Saturday, September 24.  Phil Collins and Rich Johns were elected to fill two of the four remaining vacancies on the ICRC Steering Committee.  Bill Leubscher was elected Chairman of the Media and Message Committee and Mark Johnson was elected Chairman of the Candidate Recruitment and Vetting Committee.  Meeting attendees included Scot Buldorn, Phil Collins, Dave Diersen, Rich Johns, Mark Johnson, Bill Leubscher, John McNeal (by speaker phone), Marilyn Rickert, Craig Simmons, Jeff Sykuta, Ray Wardingley, and Jon Zahm.

 

Mark W. Johnson joins ICRC Steering Committee

 

At its monthly meeting immediately before the August 13 Illinois Forum Luncheon in Champaign, the Illinois Center Right Coalition (ICRC) unanimously elected Mark W. Johnson to fill the Steering Committee (SC) vacancy created by Lidia Downs' recent resignation.  The following ICRC SC members attended the meeting: Todd Black, Secretary Dave Diersen, Joe Hedrick, Norm Hill, Bill Leubscher, John McNeal, General Counsel Joe Morris, Bob Redfern, Executive Director Craig Simmons, and Chairman John Zahm.  Illinoisans who support ICRC's platform are urged to contact Zahm at 847-812-3070 or JonZahm1968@aol.com if they might be interested in filling one of the four SC vacancies.  ICRC hopes to fill those vacancies with individuals who reside in congressional districts not currently represented on the SC.  A resolution to encourage the gathering signatures for the traditional marriage petition passed.  SC members have been asked to volunteer to serve as liaisons to one or more of the grassroots groups in Illinois -- Zahm has granted Diersen's request to serve as the ICRC liaison to the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) and TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois.  ICRC continues to urge the IRP to support SB600 and direct election of State Central Committee (SCC) members.  ICRC looks forward to the IRP posting more information on its website as soon as possible including draft ethics rules and draft SCC election rules.  ICRC looks forward to the IRP sending more frequent email messages to those who have signed up to receive them.  ICRC will hold a social meeting in Joliet on September 4 (details to be announced) and its next regular meeting will be at 10:00 AM in the meeting room in the Plainfield Family Restaurant in Plainfield. 

 

ICRC FILLS THREE STEERING COMMITTEE VACANCIES AT ITS JULY 10 MEETING

 

The Illinois Center Right Coalition (ICRC) held its regular monthly meeting Saturday, July 9, at the Wheaton Bowl Banquet Hall in Wheaton.  Milton Township Trustee Sal Falbo graciously arranged for ICRC to have use of the facility free of charge.  Steering Committee (SC)  members Todd Black, Scott Bludorn, Dave Diersen, Lidia Downs, Joe Hedrick, John McNeal, Craig Simmons, Jeff Sykuta, and Jon Zahm attended in person and Joe Morris and Earl Gough participated by phone.  Norm Hill, Bill Leubscher, and Robert Redfern were voted in to fill three of the seven SC vacancies.  The SC hopes to fill the remaining four vacancies at its August 13 meeting in Champaign.  Zahm presented a list of twelve items he would implement if elected Chairman and he read a statement from John Cox on what he would be able to do if elected Treasurer.  Zahm was voted in as Chairman, Sykuta as Vice Chairman, Diersen as Secretary and Webmaster, Cox as Treasurer, and Simmons as Executive Director.  Diersen reported on his efforts to implement the resolution that ICRC passed at its June 25 annual convention that calls for the Illinois Republican Party to finalize and post as soon as possible its rules for electing State Central Committee members.  ICRC members in attendance included Dr. Sharon Rae Bender, Fran Eaton, Rich Johns, Bob Schmidt, and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Wardingly.  Zahm has already implemented one of his action items -- ICRC now has a blog at www.icrc.blogspot.com.

 

ICRC ESTABLISHES A BLOG

Please visit www.icrc.blogspot.com

Begining Sunday, July 10, ICRC Steering Committee (SC) members can post news, events, and opinions for everyone to see at www.icrc.blogspot.com.  ICRC members who wish to make such posts should contact one of the SC members.

 ICRC PASSES RESOLUTION AT ITS JUNE 25 ANNUAL CONVENTION URGING THE IRP TO ISSUE REVISED SCC ELECTION RULES

REPORT  ON ICRC'S 2005 ANNUAL CONVENTION

The Illinois Center Right Coalition (ICRC) held its annual meeting Saturday, June 25, at the Family Taxpayer's Network headquarters in Carpentersville.  Chairman Joe Hedrick conducted the meeting.  ICRC Steering Committee (SC) members in attendance were John Cox, Dave Diersen, Lidia Downs, John McNeal, Joe Morris, Craig Simmons, Jeff Sykuta, Joe Wiegand, and John Zahm.  ICRC members in attendance included Ken Arnold, Todd and Judy Black, Scott Bludorn, Phil Collins, Dennis Driscoll, Bob Schmidt, and Carl Segvich.  Senator O'Malley's motion to amend ICRC's by-laws to expand the SC from 15 to 19 members passed unanimously.  Diersen's motion calling for the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) to immediately post on the IRP website the IRP rules that govern State Central Committee elections passed unanimously.  Down's motion calling for Patrick Fitzgerald to continue on as the U.S. attorney for the northern district of Illinois and for Speaker Hastert to support his reappointment passed unanimously.  ICRC Executive Director Downs provided reports on ICRC endorsements, resolutions, and motions that passed during the last year; efforts ICRC members made to help elect endorsed candidates; ICRC meetings including attendance by SC members at those meetings; the Think Red Campaign; the petition to remove Bob Kjellander as IRP National Committeeman; the Protect Marriage Campaign; and ICRC's treasury -- $3,127.39 on hand as of June 24, 2005.  Zahm reported on actions that ICRC's Candidate Recruitment & Vetting Committee had taken and planned to undertake.  Diersen credited ICRC's April 27, 2005 resolution that called for the IRP to post the IRP platform and the IRP by-laws on the IRP website with playing a major role in prompting IRP to take those actions.  Six ICRC members sought and were unanimously elected to the eight 2-year SC positions that were up for election - Todd Black, Scott Bludorn, Diersen, Downs, Sykuta, and Zahm.  At its July 9 meeting (location and time to be announced), ICRC will elect its officers for the upcoming year and consider filling seven SC openings -- two that were not filled at the annual convention, four created by the by-laws amendment, and one created by Dan Proft's recent resignation.  ICRC members interested in filling one of those vacancies should email Downs as soon as possible at mail@thechampion.org.  At its July 9 meeting, ICRC will also take steps toward establishing an ICRC Congressional District Committee in each of Illinois' 19 congressional districts.  ICRC's website is at www.illinoiscenterright.com.  Diersen hopes that a report, with a level of detail similar to this one, will soon be issued on what took place at the June 25 meeting of the Illinois Republican County Chairman's Association in Springfield.

The Illinois Center Right Coalition is a broad alliance of organizations and individuals dedicated to the principles of individual freedom, personal responsibility, limited government, the rule of law, free markets, and the centrality of faith and family in American life.

We act on behalf of these principles through education of the public; building coalitions around issues of common concern; and encouragement of citizens to take active roles in public life through civic involvement, public debate, candidacies for party and public offices, and community leadership.

We seek to advance these principles through the development of sound public policy that is: