Democrats accepting applications for state representative vacancy

Winnebago County Democrats Prepare to Select New State Representative

ROCKFORD, Illinois. – The Winnebago County Democratic Party will begin an open selection process to appoint a new state representative this week. A committee will accept applications and conduct interviews in order to fill the seat vacated by state Rep. Chuck Jefferson, D-Rockford, who announced his retirement earlier this month.  

“We are committed to finding a state representative who will continue to speak up for the needs and concerns of Rockford residents, and the best way to do that is to make sure residents have the opportunity to participate in the process,” said Winnebago County Democratic Chairman Charlie Laskonis. “By soliciting resumes and interviewing top candidates, we can ensure that our next state representative reflects the values and diversity of our community.”

Last evening at our regular monthly central committee meeting party members selected two precinct committeemen from the 67th District, L. C. Wilson and Odell Simpson, to serve on a three-person selection committee. By law, the county party chairman will serve as the third member of the committee.

Interested candidates can email their resumes to the committee at CLaskonis@WinnDems.org or drop them off at 6820 Mill Road Rockford, Illinois.

All resumes must be received by 4:00 P.M. Friday, July 25. Committee members will review all applicants and conduct interviews with multiple candidates on Wednesday, July 30 at the United Automobile Workers hall 112 North 2nd Street Rockford. Interviews will be open to the public. By law, applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have been a registered voter of the 67th District for at least two years.

Charles H. Laskonis

Chairman

Winnebago County Democratic Party

P.O. Box 23

Rockford, Illinois 61105

815.222.8692

CLaskonis@WinnDems.org

www.WinnDems.org

Illinois Education Association Endorses Mike Frerichs

July 16^th, 2014

For Immediate Release

Contact: Zach Koutsky 630-269-3826 or zach@mikeforillinois.com

Illinois Education Association Endorses Mike Frerichs

Cites Frerichs’ longstanding advocacy for public education in endorsement

Champaign, IL- This week, members of the Illinois Education Association, the state’s largest education employee union with over 130,000 members across Illinois will join Sen. Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign) in Moline and Rockford and announce their endorsement of Frerichs for state Treasurer.

Thursday, July 17^th

·   Moline, IL- 1:00pm-1:45pm, IEA Moline Office, 1530 46th Avenue, Suite 1 Moline, IL 61265

·    Rockford, IL- 5:00pm-5:45pm, IEA Rockford Office, 7029 Rote Road, Rockford, IL 61107

“I am honored to have the IEA’s 130,000 members support me in my race for Treasurer. I have campaigned in every corner of Illinois on the need for investment in our people and our state and how we can expand access to a quality and affordable college education. These are values that IEA shares and with their backing, I will work non-stop as Treasurer to help grow the middle class and provide ethical and transparent leadership in Springfield,” Frerichs said.

IEA President Cinda Klickna said, "As state senator, Mike Frerichs has been a strong and consistent proponent for eliminating the significant and unfair disparities in state funding for school districts. We are excited about his candidacy and look forward to working with him as Treasurer.”

To learn more about the IEA and to read their official endorsement release, visit, http://goo.gl/qiMS3E

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Mike Frerichs has served as the State Senator for the 52nd District since 2007, representing Champaign and Vermilion Counties. Mike is currently Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee and was previously the chair of the Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee. Mike is originally from Gifford, Illinois (pop. 975) and was in the first generation of his family to attend college (Yale University). Previously, Mike was elected to the Champaign County Board (2000) and was Champaign County Auditor (2002-2007). He is also a Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) and was awarded the Certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting for his work in bringing transparency and strict oversight to the County’s budget. His slogan, “Standing Tall for Illinois,” references that at 6 feet 8 inches, Mike is one of the tallest legislators in Illinois history.

For more information, visit www.FrerichsforIllinois.com

Dorothy Turner addresses constituent concerns regarding appointment process

Dorothy Turner, Democratic 17^th District State Central Committee woman, held a press conference this past week to address concerns raised by her constituents about the process to appoint retiring State Representative Chuck Jefferson’s replacement.

Turner reminded the media, public and local party officials that in regards to elections and appointments the state Democratic central committee bylaws promise:

(e) The Democratic Party of Illinois shall publicize fully and in such a manner as to assure notice to all interested parties a full description of the legal and practical procedures for selection of Democratic Party Officers and representatives on all levels. Publication of these procedures shall be done in such fashion that all prospective and current members of the Democratic Party of Illinois will be fully and adequately informed of the pertinent procedures in time to participate in each selection procedure at all levels of the Democratic Party organization.

(f) The Democratic Party of Illinois shall publicize fully and in such a manner as to assure notice to all interested parties a complete description of the legal and practical qualifications of all officers and representatives of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Such publication shall be done in a timely fashion so that all prospective candidates or applicants for any elected or appointed position within the Democratic Party of Illinois will have full and adequate opportunity to compete for office.

Turner expressed concerns the appointment process had not been properly outlined or agreed upon and has asked for further clarification so that she may respond to her constituents.

Local party officials have contacted state party officials for clarification. More information will be posted here as it becomes available.

Dorothy “Dot“ Turner was elected this past spring to represent Democrats in 14 Illinois counties as 17^th District State Central Committee woman.

Residents interested in learning more about the appointment process may fill out this form on the local Democratic website: 

http://www.winndems.org/appointment.html

Field of Blues Festival, Saturday June 28 – Aviator Stadium

Come out and hear great Blues music today, June 28 at Aviator Stadium. 11 AM to 10 PM 

For details visit:

http://fieldofblues.blogspot.com/2014/06/welcome-to-second-annual-field-of-blues.html