Bobby Schilling (I L-17) Research Book The following report contains research on Bobby Schilling, the Republican incumbent from Illinois’ 17th Congressional District. Research for this research book was conducted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Research Department between July and August 2011 and updated in May 2012. By accepting this report, you are accepting responsibility for all information and analysis included. Therefore, it is your responsibility to verify all claims against the original documentation before you make use of it. Make sure you understand the facts behind our conclusions before making any specific charges against anyone. Table of Contents Introduction / Executive Summary ............................................................ 4 Biography .................................................................................................. 5 Professional Career .................................................................................. 18 Court Cases .............................................................................................. 28 … Property Ownership ............................................................................ 31 … Business Property Ownership ............................................................. 35 Political Career ........................................................................................ 41 … Protecting the Culture of Corruption ................................................... 45 Too Moderate .......................................................................................... 49 Too Extreme ............................................................................................ 57 Flip-Flopper ............................................................................................. 60 Abortion and Family Planning Issues ...................................................... 67 Agriculture Issues .................................................................................... 71 Budget Issues ........................................................................................... 75 Campaign Finance and Election Law Issues ............................................ 88 Consumer Issues ...................................................................................... 94 Crime and Public Safety Issues ................................................................ 99 District Issues ........................................................................................ 104 Earmark Issues ....................................................................................... 117 Economic Stimulus and Financial Bailout ............................................. 120 Education ............................................................................................... 123 Energy Issues ......................................................................................... 128 Environmental Issues ............................................................................. 134 FEMA and Disaster Relief Issues .......................................................... 142 Foreign Policy Issues – Afghanistan ...................................................... 144 Foreign Policy Issues – Iraq, Libya ........................................................ 146 Gay and Lesbian Issues .......................................................................... 149 Gun Issues ............................................................................................. 152 Health Care Issues ................................................................................. 154 Immigration and Border Issues .............................................................. 164 2 Bobby Schilling DCCC Research Book Last Updated May 07, 2012 Labor and Working Family Issues – Undermining Unions .................... 166 Labor and Working Family Issues – Workers’ Rights and Safety ......... 169 Labor and Working Family Issues – Outsourcing and Expatriates ........ 171 Military Personnel Issues ....................................................................... 174 Seniors’ Issues ....................................................................................... 177 Small Business Issues ............................................................................ 191 Tax Issues .............................................................................................. 194 Terrorism and Homeland Security ......................................................... 205 Terrorism and Homeland Security Issues – Civil Liberties .................... 211 Trade Issues ........................................................................................... 213 Transportation Issues ............................................................................. 215 Veterans’ Issues ..................................................................................... 219 Women’s Issues ..................................................................................... 222 Appendix I – Campaign Finance ........................................................... 224 Appendix II – Paid Media Summary ..................................................... 232 2012 Cycle .......................................................................................... 232 2010 Cycle .......................................................................................... 232 Appendix III – Bills as Primary Sponsor ............................................... 237 3 Bobby Schilling DCCC Research Book Last Updated May 07, 2012 Introduction / Executive Summary 4 Bobby Schilling DCCC Research Book Last Updated May 07, 2012 Biography This section provides background information on Bobby Schilling’s personal life, including education, personal finances, property holdings, and other areas. Newspapers and media outlets – including the Herald Review and Quad-City Times – a number of online resources, like Lexis-Nexis, as well as numerous documents recorded in Illinois, were consulted in preparation. Birth Date Robert Todd Schilling was born on January 23, 1964 in Rock Island, Illinois. [Various] Residence Schilling resides in Colona, Illinois, located 0.99 miles outside the 17th Congressional district. [Property Deed; Wall Street Journal, 10/27/10] Education Schilling attended Black Hawk College, a community college with campuses in Moline and Kewanee, Illinois. [reelectbobby.com, accessed 8/16/11; bhc.edu, accessed 8/18/11] NOTE: Because Schilling’s first job on record began in November 1983, it is likely he left school earlier that year. Family The following is an overview of Schilling’s family life: Marriage On May 10 1986, Bobby and Christine Marie Schilling were married. [Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Clerk of Circuit Court, 11/08/93] Wife Filed For Divorce In 1993, Christine Marie Schilling filed for divorce. Christine Schilling petitioned for custody of their then-four children. [Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Clerk of Circuit Court, 11/08/93] NOTE: This was the only filing in the case, indicating the divorce was called off. Children Bobby and Christine currently have ten children together. 5 Bobby Schilling DCCC Research Book Last Updated May 07, 2012 Terrence, now known as Terry, managed his father’s 2010 campaign. [New York Times, 3/27/11] Son Fired Sibling From Pizza Business In 2011, Aaron Schilling, who ran Saint Giuseppe’s, the family pizzeria, fired another son from the restaurant. According to the Chicago Tribune, “slacking led to the firing” and “a third son quit in protest of the dismissal.” Both are working at the pizzeria again, Schilling said. [Chicago Tribune, 6/16/11] Said He Believes in Spending Time with His Family Schilling, said that he believes in spending time with his family, in reference to why his business is closed on Sundays. [The Hill, 2/14/11] Religion Schilling is Roman Catholic. [Wall Street Journal, 10/27/10] Career The following provides a brief overview of Schilling’s professional career. 1983-1988: Worked at MacMillan Bloehel Containers From November 1983 to May 1988, Schilling worked as a machine operator at MacMillan Bloehel Containers. [CRD/IARD System Report, Illinois Securities Department, accessed 8/08/11] NOTE: Schilling cites Container Corporation of America as his employer during this time. It is likely that MacMillan Bloehel was later acquired by the former. Served as Union Steward During his time at MacMillan, Schilling served as a union steward in the local 191 United Paperworkers International Union. [reelectbobby.com, accessed 8/16/11] 1987-1988: Worked at K nights of Columbus Insurance From November 1987 to April 1988, Schilling was an insurance agent at Knights of Columbus Insurance. [CRD/IARD System Report, Illinois Securities Department, accessed 8/08/11] Knights of Columbus is a Catholic organization. [kofc.org, accessed 8/16/11] K nights of Columbus Paid $23 Million to Settle Fraud Lawsuit 6 Bobby Schilling DCCC Research Book Last Updated May 07, 2012 The Knights of Columbus paid $23 million to settle a class action lawsuit, which alleged that the organization sold fraudulent insurance policies. [In Re Nepomuceno and related cases v. Knights of Columbus, U.S. District Court, N.D. Ill. Civil Action No. 96-C-4789; accessed 9/20/11] The lawsuit applied to policies “sold, serviced, and administered between January 1, 1980, and September 15, 2000.” [insure.com, 1/03/02] 1988-1993: Worked at Prudential Insurance Company From November 1988 to December 1993,