2008 Illinois General Election Candidate Guide

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 2008 Illinois General Election Candidate Guide

November 4th, 2008

Sponsored by: I-Vote & Illinois Student Senate Governmental Affairs Committee

Paid for by SORF

Know your voting right! For more information visit our Facebook Group: U-C I-Vote

Election Information 3-5

President and Vice President 6-11

United States Senator 11-16

US Representative in Congress 17-18

Representative in the General Assembly 19-20

Champaign County Auditor 21

Champaign County Circuit Clerk 22

Champaign County Coroner 23-24

Champaign County Recorder of Deeds 25

Champaign County State’s Attorney 26-27

Champaign County Board Member 28-36

Referenda 37-39

Election FAQS

When do I vote? - The general election is Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 between 6AM and 7PM. - Early voting is available at the Champaign County Clerk’s office from October 13th thru October 30th. The office is located at 1776 E. Washington St., Urbana, Illinois. www.champaigncountyclerk.com provides exact times this service is available.

What do I need to bring with me when I vote? - If you are a first time voter required to show ID, the acceptable forms of ID include: a current and valid photo ID, a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other governmental document that shows name and address. - Students who are registered to vote in the UIUC dorms can print out a proof of address card from the MyHousing website.

Where do I vote? - Your polling place will be listed on your voter registration card or you can look at the map on page 4 - If you lose your voter registration card, you can find your polling place at www.champaigncountyclerk.com

Where can I get information about the candidates? - This guide lists all general election candidates in the campus area. To see your ballot prior to the election, visit www.champaigncountyclerk.com

What should I do if I registered to vote, but my registration status is questioned at the polling place or if I forget my ID? - All voters are entitled to cast a provisional ballot if there is a question regarding their voter registration status. - You may cast a provisional ballot if your name does not appear on the voter registration list; your voting status is challenged; a court order instructs your polling place to stay open after 7:00 PM; or if you forget to bring a correct form of ID. - If you forget ID or have documentation that you registered to vote, you can either bring the ID or documentation to the election judge before voting closes on election day, or to the county clerk’s office before the close of voting on the Thursday following election day. - Don’t leave your polling place without casting a ballot!

Where do you vote? For more information visit www.champaigncountyclerk.com

Funded by SORF Contact Information

Champaign County Clerk’s Office: http://www.champaigncountyclerk.com

University of Illinois College Democrats: http://www.uiuc.edu/ro/democrat

University of Illinois College Republicans: http://www.uiucgop.org

University of Illinois College Greens: https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ro/www/CampusGreensofUIUC/

University of Illinois College Libertarians: https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ro/www/CollegeLibertarians/join.html

Illinois Democratic Party: http://www.ildems.com

Illinois Republican Party: http://www.ilgop.org

Illinois Green Party: http://www.ilgp.org

Illinois Libertarian Party: http://www.lpillinois.org

Project Vote Smart: http://www.vote-smart.org

(Find more voter registration information at http://www.iss.uiuc.edu)

Democrat: Barack Obama and Joe Biden (President and Vice President of the United States)

Contact Info: Website: www.barackobama.com Phone: (866) 675-2008 Mailing Address Obama for America P.O. Box 8102 Chicago, IL 60680

Experience:  Barack Obama graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School  He became an attorney as well as an accomplished author  worked as a financial analyst as well as a community organizer in Chicago  Obama was a senior lecturer of Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago Law School  Barack Obama served for three terms in the Illinois State Legislature  Was elected to the United States Senate in 2004

Taxation:  Cut taxes for 95 percent of workers and their families with a tax cut of $500 for workers or $1,000 for working couples.  Provide generous tax cuts for low- and middle-income seniors, homeowners, the uninsured, and families sending a child to college or looking to save and accumulate wealth.  Eliminate capital gains taxes for small businesses, cut corporate taxes for firms that invest and create jobs in the United States, and provide tax credits to reduce the cost of healthcare and to reward investments in innovation.  Dramatically simplify taxes by consolidating existing tax credits, eliminating the need for millions of senior citizens to file tax forms, and enabling as many as 40 million middle-class Americans to do their own taxes in less than five minutes without an accountant.

Economy:  Will fight for fair trade, amend the North American Free Trade Agreement, improve transition assistance, and reward companies that support American workers.  Invest in the Manufacture sector and create 5 million new green jobs by doubling funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership and creating new job training programs for clean technologies.  Support small business by providing tax relief for small businesses and start up companies, and creating a national network of public-private business incubators.

Green: Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente (President and Vice President of the United States)

Contact Info: Website: http://votetruth08.com/ Email: [email protected]

Experience:  Elected as first African-American Congresswoman from Georgia in 1992; served six terms  Served as a member of the House Armed Services and International Relations Committees  Graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in International Relations and a MA in Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University

Foreign Policy:  Pre-emptive invasions of foreign nations are unjustifiable.  Ban the use of lands mines, as well as chemical, biological and nuclear warfare.  Supports withdrawal of majority of troops and bases overseas.  Urges ending all military aid to Israel.  Government should provide aid to foreign nations for family planning, abortion and contraception.

Domestic Policy:  Lifetime universal health care is a right, not a privilege.  Demands the repeal of all sections of the Patriot Act  Support the right of all unions for all citizen and foreign workers  Women's rights to control their bodies is non-negotiable.  Supports equality for all persons, regardless of sex, gender, or sexual orientation.  Supports a complete separation of Church and State.  Oppose any and all use of school vouchers that remove funding from public schools.  Supports tuition-free secondary education at public institutions.  Calls for decriminalization of victimless crimes.  Employers must provide full rights for immigrant workers who contribute to Social Security.

Energgy:  Supports the reduction, then elimination, of use of fossil fuels.  Calls for alternative energy sources and the independence of foreign oil and fuels.  Opposes drilling for fuels in North America to include ANWR.  Opposes any form of nuclear power.

Republican: John McCain and Sarah Palin (President and Vice President of the United States)

Contact Info: Website: www.JohnMcCain.com Phone: (703) 418-2008 Mailing Address John McCain 2008 P.O. Box 16118 Arlington, VA 22215 Experience:

 McCain attended United States Naval Academy from 1954 to 1958.  Served as a pilot, a captain, and a squadron commander in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1981.  Attended National War College from 1973 to 1974.  John was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona in 1982.  He was then elected to the United States Senate representing the state of Arizona in 1986.  Finally, he was reelected to the Senate by nearly 77 percent of the vote in 2004.

Foreign Policy:

 McCain is considered to be a “war hawk” on foreign policy issues.  He supported the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and continues to call for an increase in US troop presence overseas.  McCain has pushed for strong confrontation with the nation of Iran. He has stated that "the military option cannot be taken off the table" in dealing with the Iranians.  John also firmly supports the sovereignty of the state of Israel. He would certainly defend America’s alliance with the Israelis as President.

Immigration:

 McCain has generally supported loose immigration policies.  He co-sponsored legislation that would legalize and eventually provide citizenship to the 12 – 20 million illegal immigrants in America.  He believes that low-skilled immigrant labor is necessary to supply important service roles that native-born Americans do not want.  He also co-sponsored a bill with Sen. Ted Kennedy to expand the use of guest worker visas.

Libertarian: Bob Barr and Wayne Allen Root (President and Vice President of the United States)

Contact Info: Website: www.bobbarr2008.com Email: [email protected] Phone: (770) 836-1776 Mailing Address 900 Circle 75 Pkwy. Suite 1280 Atlanta, GA 30339

Experience:

 Barr was an official with the CIA (1971-78)  United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia (1986-90)  Represented the 7th District of Georgia (1995 – 2003)  Member of the Long-Term Strategy Project for Preserving Security and Democratic Norms in the War on Terrorism at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (2003 – 2005)  Chairman of the 21st Century Liberties for Freedom and Privacy (Current)  Board Member of the National Rifle Association (Current)  President and CEO of a public policy consulting firm called Liberty Strategies (Current)

Platform:  Mr. Barr is a strong and fervent advocate of privacy rights.  He opposes many provisions of the Patriot Act and looks for its repeal.  He is a great supporter of the 2nd Amendment.  Plans to limit anti-immigration legislation that infringes on civil liberties.

Constitution: Charles O. Baldwin and Darrell Castle (President and Vice President of the United States)

Contact Information: Website: http://baldwin08.com/ Email: [email protected]

Experience:  Attended Midwestern Baptist College in Pontiac, Michigan  Enrolled in Liberty Bible Institute at Liberty University, and since has earned his Bachelor and Master Degrees in Theology, as well as received two honorary Doctorate Degrees  Founder and minister at the Crossroad Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL, where his church was recognized by Ronald Reagan.  Radio talk show host, accomplished author, newspaper and internet columnist whose articles and political commentaries are carried by a host of internet sites, newspapers, and news magazines

Foreiign Policy:  Cares to bring troops home immediately, and opposed the war from the beginning because of a lack of a letter of marque and reprisal.  Plans to cease the empire building and playing policemen of the world. Claims that the United States of America will once again being conducting itself as the Republic it was meant to be.

American Jobs:  Supports reimposing tariffs on all foreign imports, must have a trade policy that works in the best interest of the American people  Favors a tariff based revenue system, originally implemented by our founding fathers, which was the policy of the United States during most our nation’s history.

Independent: Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez (President and Vice President of the United States)

Contact Information: Website: http://www.votenader.org/ Mailing Address Nader for President 2008 P.O. Box 34103 Washington, D.C. 20043

Experience:  In 1955 Ralph Nader received an AB magna cum laude from the Woodrow Wilson School of International Affairs Princeton University, with a major in East Asian studies  In 1958, he received a LLB with distinction from Harvard Law School.  Consumer advocate, lawyer, author  Worked for 40 years on behalf of the health, safety and economic well being of the American people by lobbying many important Acts concerning these issues.

Foreign Policy:  Nader favors a two-state solution and believes that the United States needs to highlight the broad and deep peace movement in Israel and its counterparts among Palestinians and among Americans of the Jewish faith.  The current political strategy of pre-emptive war in the Middle East is a disaster for both the American people and the people of the region. Naader/Gonzalez would reverse this policy.  The plight of the Tibetan people is one of the great human rights tragedies of the Twentieth Century. The Chinese government has brutally oppressed the people of Tibet and engaged in a conscious campaign to wipe out traditional Tibetan culture

Fiscal Issues:  The United States needs a redirected federal budget that adequately funds crucial priorities like infrastructure, transit and other public works, schools, clinics, libraries, forests, parks, sustainable energy and pollution controls.  From the beginning has been against the bailout plan, and are hoping to sustain the grassroots uprising against the bailout.  NAFTA and the WTO make commercial trade supreme over environmental, labor, and consumer standards and need to be replaced with open agreements that pull up rather than pull down these standards.

Democrat: Dick Durbin (United States Senator)

Website: www.dickdurbin.com/home Email: Go to http://www.dickdurbin.com/contact Mailing Address 101 West Grand Ave. #200 Chicago, IL 60610 Phone (312) 527-3667

Experience:  Graduated from college and law school at Georgetown University.  Worked for Lt. Governor Paul Simon and spent 13 years as the Illinois state Senate Parliamentarian.  Elected in 1982 to represent the 20th Congressional district.  Holds the second highest-ranking position in the Senate: Assistant Democratic Senate Majority Leader.  In 2006 was recognized as “One of America’s 10 Best Senators” by Time magazine.

Iraq:  Feels that the war in Iraq may be the greatest foreign policy failure of an Administration in our nation’s history.  Wants to bring the troops home, but leave a tactical force to protect U.S. assets and personnel, and engage in limited missions against al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups.  Hopes for all to reject the blank check this President continues to request for this war.  Worked hard to improve health care and rehabilitation services provided to veterans when returning home.

Health Care:  Wants to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable health care coverage.  Supports an employer-based approach to universal health coverage supplemented by a publicly-financed program to assist those of limited means.  Introduced legislation to make health insurance more affordable for small businesses and the self-employed by allowing them to join purchasing pools with a choice of health plans and tax credits to reduce their costs.

Green: Kathy Cummings (United States Senator)

Website: http://www.kathycummings4senate.com/ Phone: 773-276-3776 Mailing Address 2533 West Thomas Street Chicago, IL 60622 Experience:

 BS, Sociology, University of Nebraska  MA, Special Education, Gifted and Talented, Northeastern University  Founder and President of Milk Outrage Organization (MOO) , Healthy Air, and Alliance of Nonsmokers  Candidate, Illinois State House of Representatives, District 4, 2006

Platform:

 Pushing for transparency in government.  Strong advocate of peace and respect for our planet and one another.  Pushes for the elimination of the Free Trade Agreement.  Would like to see the death penalty abolished.  Believes that corporations should be held responsible for protection of the environment, human rights, and public health and safety.  Calls for the elimination of factory farms and animal testing.  Establish Green Collar Job Corp for poor, high school drop-outs, and vets.  In favor of a minimum wage increase.  Protection for privacy without surveillance.

Republican: Steve Sauerberg (United States Senator)

Contact Info: Phone: (630) 424-3490 Website: www. sauerbergforussenate.com Mailing Address: Sauerberg for U.S. Senate 1919 S. Highland Ave Suite D-127 PO BOX 667 Lombard, IL 60148

Experience:

 Steve has been a family practitioner for over 25 years.  Graduated from Rush Medical College, where he was inducted to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, top 15% of his graduating class

Platform:

 Opposes amnesty for all illegal immigrants.  Against raising taxes, instead believes families and individuals should be trusted to spend their money better than the government.  Says his proposed health plan will decrease healthcare costs and make coverage available to all Americans.  Opposes a timeline for withdrawal in Iraq and supports military spending and increased funding for covert intelligence gathering operations.  He believes that to protect the future of the social security system more jobs must be created to fund social security benefits.  In favor of drilling in ANWR and offshore to decrease our foreign oil dependence  Wants an increase in education funding veterans receive when they return home.  He believes we must fund programs geared at protecting the environment.

Libertarian: Larry A. Stafford (United States Senator)

Contact Info: Phone: (312) 771-0090 Website: www.stafford4senate.com Mailing Address: Stafford for US Senate PO Box 368 South Beloit, IL 61080-0368

Experience:

 Served in US Army for three years as a Military Police Officer, achieving rank of Sergeant E-5  Worked with Rockford Area Libertarian Party for nearly 10 years  Served as Illinois Volunteer Coordinator for the Libertarian presidential campaign of Harry Browne  All of his life he’s been a working man in which he makes the claim he’s best suited to represent the hard working people of Illinois

Platform:

 Pledges to follow in the footsteps of lifetime Libertarian Ron Paul.  Plans to eliminate the federal income tax by slashing government spending until it is no longer needed.  Believes we should follow a responsible plan to end the war in Iraq.  Help individuals and businesses thrive by reducing all federal handouts, over time, to zero and support private charitable efforts by increasing their tax deductions.  Plans to eliminate the federal Department of Education and all federal meddling in education.  Supports an instant background check to prevent gun ownership by children, the mentally unstable, and violent.  Plans to foster real retirement security by allowing Americans to opt out of the government-run system and create their own retirement accounts  Pledges to establish a path to legalization for current illegal immigrants, deport illegal immigrants who commit crimes, and increase the speed of processing productive legal immigrants into our nation.

Constitution: Chad N. Koppie (United States Senator)

Contact Info: Phone: (773) 699-0516 Website: www.koppieforsenate.com Mailing Address: Koppie for Senate 39 W 140 Freeman Road Gilberts, IL 60136

Experience:

 Attended Purdue University where he obtained his pilot’s license  He served as Vice-Chairman of Illinois Center Right Coalition  Served on the Illinois District 300 School Boar as well as the Rutland Township Board of Trustees  Currently serves as Kane County Regional School Board Trustee

Platform:

 Pro-Life, pledges to work tirelessly to overturn Roe v. Wade  Strong advocate of the 2nd amendment and will push to allow for conceal-carry laws nationwide  He is pro marriage-and the traditional family, opposes government recognition of any kind of homosexual relationship  He pledges no new or increase in taxes as well as cutting government spending  He supports elimination of the FDA and is opposed to government takeover of the health care industry  Opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants and supports granting citizenship only to immigrants who have fully assimilated and who share our values and language  Pledges to create more oil refineries in the US and open up areas in the ANWR regions of Alaska, the gulf coast and Colorado, as well eliminate the department of energy  He opposes cutting off funding for our troops or unilateral disarmament and disengagement, but favors providing benchmarks and a detailed exit strategy

Democrat: Steve Cox (US Representative in Congress)

Contact Info: Website: www.stevecoxforcongress.com/index.html Email: [email protected] Mailing Address 507 West Main Street Urbana, IL 61801-2503

Experience:  Worked for the US State Department beginning in 1964 as a clerk.  Studied at George Washington University before being drafted into the military to provide service in Vietnam, where he won a Bronze Star medal for meritorious service.  Resumed his career with the State Department and completed an Associate of Arts degree at Spartanburg Methodist College in 1980.  After graduating, Steve continued to work for the State Department as a Passport Examiner.  Been involved in volunteer organizations such as Court Appointed Special Advocates and Meals on Wheels.

Iraq:  Against continued presence of further military actions in Iraq.  Cares to seek reconciliation with the international community and Iraqi people.  Understands that the United States must bear a great deal of responsibility for the issues occurring in Iraq, but that we should not consider it our place to determine how Iraq should recover from this experience.  Knows we must humbly ask for international and Iraqi help in this restoration process and forgiveness for our incorrect actions.

Health Care  Feels that health care should be provided for all of our citizens.  The federal government should be in charge of providing service to citizens.  Providing health care is part of the common good.

Republican: Timothy V. Johnson (US Representative in Congress)

Contact Info: Phone: ((217) 403-4690 Website: www.house.gov/timjohnson/index.shtml Mailing Address 1207 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

Experience:

 Served 4 years on the Urbana City Council  Illinois State Representative (1976-2000)  Currently in his 4th term as U.S. Congressman

Platform:

 Johnson promotes new farm policy.  He is pushing for lower taxes (as well as opposing tax hikes).  Johnson wants to bring federal dollars home to Illinois universities.  He wants to protect Social Security.  He is fighting for affordable prescription medication.  Votes to protect the environment.  He is pushing for the expansion of bio-fuels.  Paying special attention to the needs of Veterans.  Promotes fiscal responsibility.  Wants to help spark in the nation's agricultural economy that has depressed U.S. farmers for much of the last decade.

Democrat: Naomi D. Jakobsson (Representative in the General Assembly)

Contact Info: Website: www.naomijakobssonfor103.com/index.html Email: [email protected] Mailing Address P.O. Box 273 Champaign, IL 61824

Experience:  Received an Associate’s Degree from Parkland College, a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois, and a Master’s Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Illinois.  Served as Champaign County Recorder of Deeds from 1984 to 1996.  Served as Director of a Woman’s Fund, Development Director of the University YMCA, and Executive Director of the University YWCA.  In 2002 stood for election to the Illinois General Assembly, and has been re- elected in 2004 and 2006.

Healthcare:  If the Federal government does not step up and ensure all citizens health care, then the state should step in.  Favors a system built around universal access to affordable health insurance that would mesh with existing employer-provided health care.

Taxation:  Favors adoption of a graduated tax that would lower taxes on families making under $200,000 per year, with a tax increase on families making more than that amount by about 5%.  Increment in revenues will be sufficient to restore social services, preserve and enhance parks, fund schools, increase funding to universities, stay on track to make up our pension deficits, and make payments on bonds we would issue for infrastructure and other capital needs.

Republican: Frank Calabrese (Representative in the General Assembly)

Contact info: Email: [email protected]

Experience:  Dean’s List student as well as a Campus Merit Scholar at the University of Illinois  Served as the chair of public universities in the Illinois Board of Higher Education Student Advisory Committee  Third year as an elected member of the University’s Faculty-Student Senate  Defended the Chief Illiniwek Referendum, in which almost 8,000 voted in favor of Chief Illiniwek, from the University Administration  Stood up for the Homecoming Parade when it was in jeopardy

Platform:

 Calabrese is pushing for adequate state funding for higher education, particularly at the University of Illinois.  In favor of a capital plan supporting UI construction and education, Lincoln hall included.  Wants to fully fund the state pension program by increasing state payments into the pension system and pledges never to suspend payments.  Wishes to prohibit major contributions from state contractors to statewide officeholders.  In favor of allowing recall elections and overhauling campaign finance laws.  In efforts to raise state revenue, Calabrese would support a limited tax on services and allow a casino in the Chicago area, only if proceeds went to construction and educational purposes.

Democrat: Tony Fabri (Champaign County Auditor) Email: [email protected] Mailing Address 308 N. Edwin St. Champaign, IL 359-1693 Experience:

 Currently serves as Champaign County Auditor.  Elected to County Board in 2000; re-elected in 2002. Served as County Board Vice- Chair (2002-04).  Member of City of Champaign Human Relations Commission (1997-2003).  15-year resident of Champaign County.  Graduate of University of Illinois and UIUC College of Law.

Platform:  Fabri pledges to support public health  Strong advocate of conserving the environment  One of his priorities is protecting senior citizens  In favor of holding the line on taxes

Republican: Brad Jones (Champaign County Auditor) Email: [email protected] Mailing Address 3105 Amy Dr Champaign, IL 61822 Experience:  Obtained a finance degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign  Master's degree in business administration from Emory University  Champaign County Board member, elected in November 2006  Currently serves as the vice chair of the county board finance committee

Platform  Pledges to serve as taxpayer’s watchdog over wasteful county spending  Pledges to be proactive in providing financial analysis to the county board to assist in effective decision making  Exclaims that this position is 1 of only 2 offices focusing on the county’s financial matters, stating he is qualified for financial oversight from his educational background and 18 years of financial experience

Democrat: Kimberly Hooper (Champaign County Circuit Clerk)

Phone: (217) 714-1089 Website: http://kimhooperforcircuitclerk.org/ Experience:  Currently a Legal Administrative Assistant in the State’s Attorney’s Office  As a part of the Civil Division in the State’s Attorney office she assists with drug forfeitures, mental petitions and employee contracts  Previously served as judge’s clerk

Platform:  Claims she is proficient with new courthouse computer program  Certain she can improve morale, productivity, and customer service within office

Republican: Linda S. Frank (Champaign County Circuit Clerk)

Phone: (217) 359-2943 Website: www.lindasfrank.com Experience:  Has held the position of Champaign Circuit Clerk since 1991  Champaign County Board 1982-1991  National Award for Excellence in Government for Public Access as first clerk to offer computerized access to records  Assisted in creating the traffic safety program, which offers first time offenders the opportunity to take a class to remove minor violations from their record

Platform:  Make government more open and accountable

Democrat: Mark C. Medlyn (Champaign County Coroner)

Email: [email protected] Mailing Address 4007 Crail Rd Champaign, IL 359-8971

Experience:  1977 graduate of Indiana University with a BA in Police Administration, currently working on masters through Eastern IL University in Education Technology.  Retired from the Champaign Police Department after serving 29 years.  Wrote text book on the Illinois Vehicle Code that is used throughout the community college system in the state of Illinois.

Goal:  Goal in this campaign is to help alleviate some of the costs of running the office by locating other revenue streams so that the tax payers do not have the added burden unique to Champaign County, of having to investigate all deaths that occur in the County even when the incident that caused the victim to die, may have occurred in another county. At a time that revenue for the county is shrinking and the demands of other agencies are putting pressure on the revenue for the county, it is incumbent that we locate and utilize other revenue streams to help with the budget demands.

Republican: Duane Northrup (Champaign County Coroner)

Contact Info: Phone: (217) 384-3888 Email: [email protected] Mailing Address Brookens Administrative Center 1776 E. Washington Urbana, Illinois 61802

Experience:  Northrup has held the position of Champaign County Coroner since 2004  Currently serves as the first vice president of the Illinois Coroners and Medical Examiners Association  Manages an office of three full-time deputies, three part-time deputies and two secretaries

Democrat: Danis Pelmore (Champaign County Recorder of Deeds)

Phone: (217) 202-1077 Mailing Address 304 Foxwell Ct. Champaign, IL 202-1077

Republican: Barbara A. Frasca (Champaign County Recorder of Deeds)

Phone: (217) 384-3774 Mailing Address 1776 E. Washington Urbana, IL 61802

Democrat: Julia R. Rietz (Champaign County State’s Attorney)

Website: www.juliarietz.org Email: [email protected] Mailing Address P.O. Box 939 Urbana, IL 61803

Experience:  1993 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law  Prosecutor in the State’s Attorney’s Office, prosecuting cases ranging from traffic to homicides, focusing on child abuse and neglect.  Elected Champaign County State’s Attorney in November, 2004.

Accomplishments:  Decreased backlog criminal cases and ensured that decisions were made with a focus on justice.  Helped create continuous jury term process and created the Delinquent Court Cost Recovery program.  Led effort behind the successful collaboration between the Children’s Advocacy Center and the Champaign Urbana Public Health District.

Republican: Janie Miller-Jones (Champaign County State’s Attorney)

Website: janiemillerjones.com Phone: (217) 893-1053 Email: [email protected] Mailing Address: Miller-Jones for State's Attorney 700 Oakcrest Dr. Rantoul, IL 61866

Experience:  B.A. from Illinois State University in 1993  J.D from Southern Illinois University in 1999  14 years in the National Guard, 5 years in JAG  9 years in the Public Defender’s Office of Champaign

Platform:  Justice, not just convictions  Believes in consistency in charges, while seeking fair sentences.  Says that prevention of crime starts with the youth.  Believes in drug treatment and rehab for offenders, along with mandatory prison sentences.

Democrat: Janet Anderson, District 7 (County Board Member)

Contact Information: Email: [email protected] Mailing Address 1911 McDonald Dr. Champaign, IL 356-2433

Experience:  Resident of the county since 1957  Has served on the County Board in 2000, and was re-elected in 2002 and 2004.  Longtime member and past president of the League of Women Voters and worked actively with Friends of Public Health to pass a referendum creating the County Board of Health.  Serves as Chair of the Justice/Social Services Committee, Environmental and Land Use Committee

Interests:  Proud of changes achieved by Democratic majority including passing a living wage, making changes to remove discrimination in the county personnel policy, working to have minority and women owned firms considered in county projects, and making quality appointments to many important Boards.

Democrat: C. Pius Weibel, District 7 (County Board Member)

No Picture Available

Contact Information: Phone: (217) 398-6117 Email: [email protected] Mailing Address 709 W. Green St. Champaign, IL 61820

Experience:  Current District 7 Board Member  Current Chair of the County Board  Member of the County Facilities and Finance Committees

Green: Walter Pituc, District 7

Contact Information: Phone: 217-819-1591 Email: [email protected] Mailing Address Friends of Walter Pituc P.O. Box 623 Urbana, IL 61803-0623

Experience:  Walter is currently a student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign studying History and Secondary Education  Member of the Prairie Green Party, Illinois Green Party, Students for Environmental Concerns, Midwest High Speed Rail Association, Students United Against Sweatshops, and was Vice-President of the UIUC Campus Greens in 2007-2008

Platform:  Local Environmental Sustainability by reducing waste and supporting local recycling programs and green businesses.  Citizen empowerment by supporting recall mechanisms at all levels of government to keep our officials accountable.  Make sure that county services are running efficiently while upholding the high quality of services.

Republican: Stephanie Dold, District 7 (County Board Member)

Contact Information: Email: [email protected] Mailing Address 802 W Springfield #1 Champaign, IL 61820

Experience:  Lived in Champaign for 4 years  Graduate student at the University of Illinois.

Platform:  Government should only perform those functions that cannot be done by individuals and private organizations.  Government must be accountable to taxpayers and act in a responsible and transparent manner  Government should ensure fair and equal access to its institutions, such as schools and the courts  Government should defer to the owners when considering the stewardship of property

Republican: Tony Pomonis, District 7 (County Board Member)

Contact Information: Email: [email protected] Mailing Address 802 W Springfield #1 Champaign, IL 61820

Experience:  Lived in Champaign for 23 years  In 2002 he graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in English.  He now manages Taffies Restaurant throughout the week

Platform:  Government should avoid unduly interfering with free enterprise and free markets, allowing local businesses to stay competitive.  Government should have a built-in bias toward lowering taxes, allowing citizens to keep more of what they earn  Government should ensure that an excellent education is available to every child and supported by all.  Government should exercise eminent domain only with extreme caution.

Democrat: Samuel Jay Smucker, District 8 (County Board Member)

Website: http://www.smuckerforcountyboard.com/index.htm Email: [email protected] Mailing Address 412 W. Washington Urbana, IL 61801

Experience:  Graduated from Knox College with a BA in Sociology/Anthropology  Earned MA in Sociology at the University of Illinois at Chicago  Worked as a union organizer for ten years for the United Electrical Workers, and then a trainer for union organizers with AFL-CIO.  Currently employed by the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Illinois as Coordinator for Graduate Studies and Sponsored Research.

Environment:  Invest in renewable energy to power county facilities.  Establish environmental standards for county facilities and vehicles.  Expand recycling throughout the county.

Sustainable Development:  Encourage residential and commercial growth in the city centers.  Increase recreational parks and wilderness areas.

Health:  Support a County Nursing Home that raises the standard of elder care in our community.  Support the County Board of Health and Child Dental Access program.  Support Drug Court and similar rehabilitation programs.

Green: Joe Futrelle, District 8

Contact Information: Phone: (217) 328-7853 Email: [email protected] Mailing Address Futrelle for a Green County 1205 S. Race St. Urbana, IL 61801

Experience:  Candidate in 2006 for County Board

Platform:  Transparency by making sure every county department is providing public information in as timely and accessible a manner as possible.  Incentives for local organic farming  Protect and nurture our natural and human ecology like public stewardship of the Mahomet aquifer.

Democrat: Brendan McGinty, District 9 (County Board Member)

Contact Information: Website: http://www.votemcginty.com/ Email: [email protected] Mailing Address 805 E. Shurts St. Urbana, IL 61801

Experience:  Graduated with a BA in Elementary Education at the University of Illinois  Currently Manager, Educational Technology, Carle Foundation Hospital, President and CEO, Quasar Strategies, Inc., and President and CEO, Campaign Advisory Corporation  Member of the Urbana Rotary Club, American Society of Training and Development, and Organization of American Historians

Champaign County Accomplishments:  Awarded distinguished budget award by the GFOA in 2007  Improved public access to County information through enhanced Internet presence and access  Developed a pre-qualified vendor list to promote minority and women owned business contractors on all Champaign County construction projects  Awarded $4 million to all qualified minority and women owned business contractors on the Champaign County Nursing Home project  Sponsored and passed a county resolution to extend spousal benefits to domestic partners  Made quality appointments to the Forest Preserve, Sanitary District, Mass Transit District, and other boards and commissions

Green: Mike Lehman, District 9 (County Board Member)

Contact Info: Phone: 217.344.5609 P.O. Box 623 Website: Urbana, IL 61803-0623 Email: [email protected]

Experience:

 Graduate student in history at the University of Illinois  Lehman coordinated the successful Champaign County Living Wage Campaign  He is a grievance officer with the Graduate Employees Organization  Assisted in organizing the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, founding WRFU-LP 104.5 Urbana

Platform:

 Supports public stewardship of the Champaign County Nursing Home, favors a tax referendum to raise revenue and favors land use policies that reduce urban sprawl  Reluctantly supports the sales tax for school facilities as the best option available at this point.  Pledges to work relentlessly to ensure transparency in county government accounting and operations  Wants a courthouse that doesn't just look good but also provides efficient and fair treatment that reduces the need for jails  Against reducing the size of the county board from 27 to 18 members, says the board should represent the diversity of the people of Champaign County/District 9  Supports the 2nd amendment, saying when government concentrates on restricting the right so of citizens, it does little to reduce the violence

Referenda (from Champaign County Clerk’s Voter Guide)

Champaign County Question of Imposing A Retailers’ Occupation Tax And A Service Occupation Tax For School Facility Purposes “Shall Champaign County be authorized to impose a retailers’ occupation tax and a service occupation tax (commonly referred to as a “sales tax”) at a rate of one percent (1%) to be used exclusively for school facility purposes?

Cornbelt Fire Protection District Increase Number of Trustees “Shall the number of trustees of the Cornbelt Fire Protection District be increased from 3 to 5?”

Champaign County Forest Preserve Proposition To Increase the Limiting Rate Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Champaign County Forest Preserve District, Champaign County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to .02% above the limiting rate for levy year 2007 and be equal to .0919% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2008? (1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $2,397,810, and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $3,064,794. (2) For the 2008 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $6.67. (3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2008 will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law)

State of Illinois Proposed Call For A Constitutional Convention This proposal deals with a call for a state Constitutional Convention. The last such convention was held in 1969-70, and a new Constitution was adopted in 1970. The 1970 Illinois Constitution requires that the question of calling a convention be placed before the voters every 20 years. In 1988 the electors rejected the call for a constitutional convention with 75% voting against calling a convention, and 25% voting in favor of calling a convention. If you believe the 1970 Illinois Constitution needs to be revised through the convention process, vote “YES” on the question of calling a constitutional convention. If you believe that a constitutional convention is not necessary, or that changes can be accomplished through other means, vote “NO” on the calling of a constitutional convention

City of Champaign Township Proposition To Increase The Limiting Rate Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for City of Champaign Township be increased by an additional amount equal to .02% above the limiting rate for levy year 2007 and be equal to .0550% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2008? (1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $482,723 and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $779,597. (2) For the 2007 levy year, the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $6.67. (3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2008 will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law).

City of Champaign Township Proposition To Post All Contracts And Itemized Expenses On Their Websites Shall the voters of the City of Champaign Township ask the Town of the City of Champaign Township and City of Champaign to post all contracts and itemized expenses on their websites so that taxpayers can see how their money is being spent?

Cunningham Township Resolution To Place An Advisory Referendum Question Concerning The System Of Elections "Do you support keeping the current system for local elections so that each voter casts one vote for the candidate they prefer and the candidate who gets the most votes wins?" Resolution To Place An Advisory Referendum Question Concerning Restricting The Use Of Cell Phones While Driving, Bicycling Or By Pedestrians Crossing Streets "Do you support restrictions on the use of cell phones by drivers and bicyclists using public streets and by pedestrians crossing streets so they will not become so distracted by cell phone use that they are a danger to themselves and others?" Resolution To Place An Advisory Referendum Question Concerning Health Care "Do you support national legislation to provide basic health care for all Americans while containing costs through the reduction of bureaucracy and while preserving the doctor-patient relationship, patient choice of doctors, and doctors' choice of their practice settings?"

Compromise, Harwood, Kerr Assessment District Proposition To Increase The Limiting Rate Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the Compromise, Harwood and Kerr Multi-Township Assessment District, Champaign County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 41% above the limiting rate for levy year 2007 and be equal to .0482% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for all future levy years? (1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $12,750.00, and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the Proposition is approved is $18,000.00. (2) For the 2009 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000.00 is estimated to be $4.70. (3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2009 and thereafter will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law).