Bipartisan Coalition Calls for Campaign Finance Limits

Senators, activists rally for amendment overruling Citizens United. "When it comes to free speech, corporations and individuals aren’t created equal,” state Sen Heather Steans says.

A bipartisan group of state senators is calling on Congress to send states a constitutional amendment that would overrule the Citizens United decision and allow states to impose limits on campaign contributions, including from corporations. On Wednesday, dozens of grassroots activists rallied in support of Senate Joint Resolution 27 and lobbied their members for reforms they believe are needed to reduce the influence of money in politics and encourage ordinary citizens to participate in the electoral process. “Most Illinoisans intuitively understand that when it comes to free speech, corporations and individuals aren’t created equal,” said chief sponsor state Sen. Heather Steans, D-7th District. “But our hands are tied by a Supreme Court …

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Jeff Ward

8:02 am on Sunday, April 21, 2013

Bob, When it comes to Karen "Pay-To-Play" McConnaughay, I couldn't have said it better! The only reason she's in favor of this new law - which would never pass - is because, without that corporate money it would be hard for someone to unseat her! You can read more about in on my blog, thefirstward.net: http://thefirstward.net/2013/04/21/how-can-i-miss-you-if-you-wont-go-away/   more ›

Our State Senators Aren't Happy With Quinn's Budget Address

Republicans Jim Oberweis and Karen McConnaughay, as you might expect, say this week's budget address is too heavy on spending and short on leadership. What do you think?

State Sens. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) and Karen McConnaughay (R-St. Charles) each reacted separately to Gov. Pat Quinn's March 6 budget address, but the theme is pretty much the same: too much spending and not enough leadership. Oberweis pointed out "the extreme problems caused by years of offering too many pension sweeteners without meeting state funding obligations." “He knows the importance of reforming that system; however, he has not demonstrated the leadership needed to solve this problem,” Oberweis said. The 25th District senator said he is willing to work in a bipartisan manner to address Illinois’ budget crisis, but Quinn and Democrat legislative leaders first need to start working together. “Not only do the Democrats have …

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Oberweis, McConnaughay Vote No as State Senate OKs Gay Marriage

See how the state senators who represent portions of St. Charles voted on the Illinois Senate's same-sex marriage bill.

By Melissa Sersland The Illinois Senate approved legislation Thursday that would allow same-sex marriage in Illinois, according to the Chicago Tribune.  The Senate voted 34-21. The bill provides "equal opportunity for the same federal marriage benefits to same-sex couples that are currently awarded to other couples," according to a release from Illinois Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant.  Here's how our area's state senators voted: See how each member of the Illinois Senate voted.  The measure will now go to the Illinois House, where the fight to pass the bill is expected to be tougher, according to the Trib.  Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to sign the bill if it makes it to his desk.  

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2 Local Legislators Say Quinn's State of the State Address Falls Short on Fiscal Issues

State senators Jim Oberweis and Karen McConnaughay react to the governor's address. “In your household you would not plan a vacation with a hole in your roof," McConnaughay says.

Two state senators from our area say Gov. Pat Quinn's Feb. 6 State of the State speech failed to address Illinois' two most-serious problems: financial insolvency and pension reform. “His support of Senate Bill 1, the public pension reform bill, doesn’t go nearly far enough," said state Sen. Jim Oberweis, R-Sugar Grove. "Senate Bill 1 only solves a small part of our problem—if that is all we do, we’ll be back here facing the problem again in another year or two. We ought to do the right things now to fix this problem on a long-term basis." State Sen. Karen McConnaughay, R-South Elgin, said she would be looking forward to Quinn's budget address next month, "to see specifically how he intends to accomplish" new programs he's put on his wish …

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Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Over Kane County Raises

Reports: Judge Thomas Mueller cites "lack of evidence" in case accusing former Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay of dishing out raises to cronies.

A Kane County judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a former County Board chairman candidate that accused Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay of dishing out hefty raises to high-level employees. The suit, filed by Jim MacRunnels, said McConnaughay didn't follow proper procedures in administering county personnel and salaries. The suit was filed in 2010, then dismissed, and was dismissed again Tuesday in appellate court, according to an article in the Daily Herald. A McConnaughay press release referred to the lawsuit as "politically motivated" and "frivilous." “While it is gratifying that the court has again found these allegations meritless, it is unfortunate that the county had to incur the cost of defending itself from what …

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Jeff Ward

So Now the Chairman's Going to Freeze the Tax Levy? Right!

Local newspapers should not be letting politicians get away with playing Lady Gaga.

Geneva Patch just posted portions of a Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay press release in which she actually threatens to freeze the county property tax levy. Why, she even went as far as taking the Finance Committee to task for having the temerity to suggest otherwise. “I could not stand by and watch an irresponsible budget increase the burden on the taxpayers,” said McConnaughay, who also is the Republican candidate for state senate in the 33rd District. “When property owners are seeing values go down, it is unconscionable to raise their taxes, especially without any coherent reason why.” Ain’t it funny how she was never quite as sympathetic to our plight until she aimed for Springfield with one eye on the lieutenant governor…

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Michail Gomberg

7:08 am on Friday, October 12, 2012

Max, I'm not yet so cynical to say that it can't be done. As voters one thing that we can do to help is to stop focusing on our own partisan politics and vote for people that are qualified and have a track record to prove it. I tend to lean toward democrats on many of my views but I will vote for anyone that has practical ideas for better government and the ability to see them through.   more ›

Kane Board Chair To Seek Counsel In Pay Raise Lawsuit

An effort to retroactively approve executive pay raises is stalled as Kane Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay announces she's getting legal representation.

The Kane County Board was to vote Tuesday to retroactively approve department pay raises given by County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay three years ago, but the issue was pulled from the agenda at the last minute to be discussed in executive session.  That's when McConnaughay walked out of the meeting and announced she will "vigorously defend against a politically-motivated lawsuit over how the county set salaries for employees." The lawsuit was filed by McConnaughay's former political opponent, James MacRunnels, claiming the board chairman violated state statutes by issuing the raises without the consent of the full County Board.  In a press release issued by the chairman's office, McConnaughay states that she strives for transparency …

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Hultgren to Endorse McConnaughay in 33rd District

Congressman Randy Hultgren is set to endorse state senate candidate Karen McConnaughay and discuss pro-growth jobs agenda in Tuesday press conference.

U.S. Congressman Randy Hultgren will endorse 33rd District state Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay on Tuesday, according to a press release. McConnaughay is the Kane County Board chairman. She faces Gilberts village trustee Cliff Surges in the March 20 Republican primary. The press conference will take place at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the UPS store in St. Charles, 902 S. Randall Road, Suite. C. "Congressman Randy Hultgren has supported a pro-job creation agenda as a member of the U.S. House and he supports Karen McConnaughay’s agenda for job creation at the state level," the press release says. The two Republicans also "will discuss their support for tax reductions, regulatory reform and reduced state spending designed to greatly …

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McConnaughay Announces Support for Pension Reform

The candidate for the 33rd District said this week she supports a measure that would create options for current state employees.

State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay has announced her support for the creation of a tiered state pension system that will move employees to a defined contribution system and away from the unsustainable defined benefit plan that has left the state with an unfunded liability of over $80 billion dollars.   “I have great respect for the men and women in public service, and the worst thing we can do is to prop up an unsustainable pension system that will eventually drag down the state’s finances and force radical reductions in benefits,” said McConnaughay. “Moving to the type of retirement plan that the vast majority of Illinois workers have is not just common sense, it is the fair and responsible thing to do." McConnaughay, currently …

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Lauzen Accuses McConnaughay of 'Pay-to-Play' Politics

At a press conference Tuesday, state Sen. Chris Lauzen, who is seeking the GOP nomination for Kane County Board chairman, says the current board chair is using vendors and other county "players" to boost her campaign coffers.

At a "press conversation" Tuesday at the "Honest Abe" Lincoln Inn, a Republican candidate for Kane County Board chairman seat accused the present board chairman of "pay-to-play" politics. GOP candidate and Illinois state Sen. Chris Lauzen handed out documents showing donations made to Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay, according to an article by Eric Schelkopf in the Kane County Chronicle. Lauzen said 80 to 90 percent of the donations McConnaughay received are from folks who've done business with the county, according to an article by James Fuller in the Daily Herald. Lauzen is facing off against Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns in the March 20 primary for the GOP board chairman nomination. McConnaughay is running for the …

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Terry Bermes

7:42 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012

Considering the current state of the political atmosphere, I'd have to question the judgement of a candidate who would open up his/her campaign website to public commentary. There are multiple means for a candidate to make himself/herself open to the public but I certainly wouldn't leave my website open to public postings. For the record - I won't be voting in the Republican primary and have no …   more ›