Citizens for Jeffrey L. Junkas

2010-08-16T19:19:00.000-07:00

Last week you heard from a few of my summer interns about why they chose to be part of my grassroots campaign and some of their experience. I have a few more stories to share.

Cara P.: After learning more about the economic and political state of Illinois, I became extremely disheartened. Being so young in a state facing such strife is incredibly disappointing and casts darkness over the possibility of a bright future. However, I firmly believe In Jeff’s mission to bring change to Illinois. This campaign gives me faith that I may someday be able to raise a family here. Jeff’s passion for his work and his interest in truly changing Illinois politics inspires me to start holding our state to a new standard and to expect that our government may one day return to policy over politics. Hearing from enthused and like-minded voters is encouraging and makes me excited for a future in which Jeff and others like him are elected into office.

Crystal R.: I decided be one of Jeff's interns this summer for many reasons. Not only was it a great learning experience, but I also felt like I was doing something beneficial for the state of Illinois. At my first fundraiser for Jeff, I sat down next to a woman who was unhappy with the responsiveness of her current 37th district representative. She said she had made several attempts to contact his office, but was never responded to. That same cold week in winter, Jeff knocked on her door to introduce himself. Although she normally voted Democratic she decided she definitely wanted to support Jeff and help him get elected. It reassured me that Jeff was a great candidate for the job. Since then, I have called voters and went door-to-door and received many similar responses. It is a great feeling. We have all worked hard this summer, but Jeff has definitely worked that hardest and I feel that he will continue working hard for the state of Illinois.

Jessica L.: It has been a privilege to intern for Jeff Junkas this summer. Given the critical condition our state is in, I felt it was imperative to get involved in order to make a change in Illinois. Being able to reach voters and document their opinions on a daily basis was challenging, and provided me a very humbling lesson in cold calling. Through voter outreach and my work with Junkas, I learned the importance of a two party system and believing in policy before politics. My experience campaigning with Jeff has been very rewarding; although a career in politics is not for me, I have gained an immense amount of respect and appreciation for those who dedicate their time to improve our communities.

2010-08-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

I have been privileged to have a great group of hard working young people, deeply concerned about the future of Illinois, interning for me this summer. They all have unique stories and I thought you might enjoy hearing from them about why they chose to be part of my grassroots campaign and some of their interaction with voters so far.

Pat. G: I think Illinois government is failing the people of our state. Taxes are too high and cause jobs to leave the state that may never come back. The people in Springfield have let these fiscal problems build up for years. Jeff Junkas knows the problems that Illinois faces and he knows how to solve them. I believe Illinois needs someone in the state legislature who will not just keep increasing taxes, but that will stop wasting our money. We need people like Jeff in the legislature and that’s why I want to help him get elected. After talking to hundreds of voters like me, it is gratifying to hear so many other people that are also worried about the state’s fiscal crisis.

Evan P.: I support Jeff because the campaign we are running is truly grassroots. He was not recruited by the Republican Party and he is a first time candidate. He is truly passionate about making a change in Illinois and fixing the condition our state is in. We need to get the politicians who are taking Illinois further into debt out of office. One thing that surprised me this election is that of the voters I have contacted or met many are open to new people being elected.

Jorie K.: I’ll be entering my sophomore year of college in the fall. I’ve been working as a volunteer for Jeff since the beginning of June. As a student volunteer, I’ve talked to many voters whether it is over the phone or face-to-face, and there is a consistent theme to what they all are saying. They are sick and tired of the corrupt Illinois politicians. People are losing jobs left and right, those who are more than qualified for simple jobs are not getting hired, and our education system – something that should have the most focus – is being ignored. People across both parties are seeing that the blame falls on both sides. Our Democratic and Republican leaders have failed the people of their state. Rather than focusing on how to fix the problems, their focus falls on the sole purpose of re-election. After meeting Jeff, hearing what he stands for, and why he is running, I couldn’t resist wanting to help him attain the office of State Representative for the 37th District. If you’ve had the chance to meet and talk with Jeff you’ll understand what I mean when I say he isn’t just another politician. Rather, he is a citizen who is frustrated and sick of what’s been going in our state for countless year, all of which the citizens have to pay the consequences for. If you haven’t meet Jeff yet, you most likely will, he’s always out meeting voters to make sure his platform truly represents the good people of the 37th District of Illinois. A great leader of ours once said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” Jeff is fighting that fight. And if you care enough for future of your children or grandchildren – for my future, then I ask that you consider voting for him this upcoming November.

2010-07-05T13:41:00.000-07:00

Learn more about how Republican’s plan to re-take the state House by reading a Crain’s article excerpted below.

©2010 by Crain Communications Inc.

Illinois Republicans see a chance to recapture control of Springfield

Crain’s Chicago Business July 05, 2010

By Greg Hinz

For Illinois Republicans, Nov. 2, 1994, was as good as it gets. Not only did they win every election that counted, they took away Michael Madigan's speakership, making Springfield's senior Democrat the minority leader of the Illinois House.

Can they do it again?

. . . 2010 still is shaping up as the kind of year in which the GOP can actually dream. The dreams don't get any more delicious than dispatching Mr. Madigan's majority the year before legislative reapportionment.

"The political environment for us has never been better," says Kevin Artl, political director for House GOP Leader Tom Cross. "If you look at any metric compared to 1994, they're all better."

. . .

As Team Cross sees it, its chances start with picking up at least a couple of the four seats outside Chicago held by . . . Democrat incumbents who might be vulnerable — like Jay Hoffman (who was former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's floor leader) and Kevin McCarthy (whose district often votes Republican).

' The Democrats . . . have failed miserably.'

. . .

It's a little early to tell how those newcomers will perform. But the party already has made 174,000 phone calls, with field organizers on the ground since April, Mr. Artl says. In every case, the core message is the same: "Enough is enough. Every Democratic candidate we're going after voted for more government spending (and) for more borrowing."

But even the staunchest Republicans may pause in going after someone like Mr. Madigan, who, despite a ton of bad publicity of late, has run the House (and much of the rest of Illinois government) for 28 of the past 30 years, excepting only the term after the Newt Gingrich revolt of 1994.

. . .

Illinois State Chamber of Commerce President Doug Whitley says business folks "are much more sensitive to what's at stake" this time. "The Democrats who have been in charge for a decade have failed miserably. Look at the budget, the condition of the Illinois economy," he says.

Some business leaders clearly are helping, with a group including former state party Chairman Andy McKenna Jr. (whom Mr. Cross endorsed for governor), private-equity mogul Bruce Rauner and the horseracing Duchossois clan part of a small group that reportedly has promised to raise $1 million for Mr. Cross' campaign coffers.

Will it work? It won't be easy. But if the GOP really catches the wind, it could get interesting.

©2010 by Crain Communications Inc.

Issue Focus: Voter Choice & Empowerment

2010-06-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

Do you think someone that wants to represent you should be required to meet you and other voters when they petition to get on the ballot? Ever said: ‘I vote the candidate, not party’ only to be denied the opportunity to do so because Illinois has “closed” primaries? Would you like to run for office but find the process too cumbersome and confusing? Did you know in Illinois we don’t actually register for a political party? It is only assumed based on your primary ballot selection.

As part of my government reform campaign platform, below are my “Voter Choice and Empowerment” legislative ideas to help answer some of these questions.

With voter participation at all time lows (primary election turnout is typically 20-30 percent, general election turnout hovers in the 50-55 percent range), “plant” candidates and party boss manipulation of who gets on the ballot a perennial election issue, numerous idiosyncrasies to the archaic petition rules, and the desperate need for more good citizens to participate in our electoral process, I propose Illinois:

• modernize ballot access requirements with respect to nominating petitions;
• establish “open primaries” in Illinois;
• allow citizens to declare a party affiliation.

To help build a better government and brighter future for Illinois we need to empower voters and foster greater transparency, involvement and fairness in elections.

My ideas include: (a) decrease the petition signature requirements for established party candidates by 30 percent and put independent and “third party” candidates at the same threshold (we already have enough Scott Lee Cohen's involved so let’s make the process more understandable for solid citizens and diverse opinions); and (b) would require candidates to obtain at least half the necessary signatures themselves, with the remaining signatures to be gathered half from in-district residents, half any other Illinois voting age citizen.

Also, instituting open primaries to allow voters to select their candidate of choice, regardless of party, and proactive registration/choice of party, or none at all, is intended to encourage more voter participation, and help political parties organize. For example, in Cook County where most judicial candidates only run on the Democratic ticket, voters could still vote for a judge and the Republican gubernatorial candidate. Or conversely, we may actually see some Republican judicial candidates.

By opening the primary process and giving voters the right to declare party, be it Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or Tea, citizens will be encouraged to participate more in government and how it operates by giving them more choice. By mandating candidates actually meet voters via a required number of petitions, the days of just hiring signature firms will end and more citizen legislators will hopefully emerge. Taken together, we can begin to reform our government where it starts – at the ballot, each election. Next step is a fair map, real contribution limits and legislative leader term limits.

Cost of Blago-McCarthy healthcare

2010-05-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

The Illinois Auditor General's recent report detailing the costs and lack of controls in the massive free healthcare expansion called "All Kids" pushed by ex-Gov. Blagojevich and supported by Rep. Kevin McCarthy is another prime example of the need for new leaders and greater accountability in Springfield.

The report, summarized here: http://www.auditor.illinois.gov/Audit-Reports/Performance-Special-Multi/Performance-Audits/10-All-Kids-Hlth-Ins-Pgm-digest.pdf outlined some disturbing facts: more than 94,000 kids had family incomes in excess of program limits (200% of poverty) or were illegal aliens; the program collected a meager $8.9 million in premiums and cost the state $70 million in claims without any federal reimbursement; the two state agencies responsible for much of the program failed to follow state regulations in administering it.

Taxpayers across Illinois deserve better. They deserve programs that are properly administered, efficient and benefit actual citizens.

You can read the full report here: http://www.auditor.illinois.gov/Audit-Reports/Performance-Special-Multi/Performance-Audits/10-All-Kids-Hlth-Ins-Pgm-Full.pdf

Issue Focus: State Budget

2010-05-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

The General Assembly failed to pass a final budget and adjourned “at the call of the chair” – meaning members will return to Springfield when the leaders call them back to vote on a final spending plan.

Lawmakers can’t seem to agree on what to do. The main debate centers around more borrowing, more taxes, and more spending (recall, the governor’s own introduced budget was billions in the red). Some have called for spending cuts, but there is no consensus on what and where. Clearly, there is waste and inefficiencies in government spending, but we have no room for either with a $13 billion dollar debt.

It is time for a line by line review of the budget, a forensic audit of state government agencies and ending the wasteful spending on non-essential programs so we can fund those that truly matter – the teacher in the classroom, the crumbling bridge repair, the community organization helping the disabled and public safety.

The simple question is: do you really expect the people that have gotten us into this financial mess will be the same ones who get us out of it? If not, then it is time to give someone new a chance to do a better job.

Junkas Fundraiser - May 26

2010-04-26T15:04:00.000-07:00

Below is the flyer and response form for my upcoming fundraiser. Hope you can support the campaign at this or a future event. Thanks, Jeff

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jeffrey L. Junkas
Republican Candidate for State Representative, 37th District

Spring Fundraiser
featuring Dan Proft, WLS-AM commentator
and to also benefit Operation Homefront Illinois

Wednesday, May 26, 2010, 5:30 — 8:00 p.m.
VFW Post 2791, 17147 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park

Tickets: $50.00 per person*
Includes open bar (beer, wine, pop) and food

*30% of the entry fee goes towards school supplies for military families
via Operation Homefront Illinois, a nonprofit that “provides emergency and morale assistance
for our troops, the families they leave behind, and for wounded warriors when they return home.”

Sponsorships are available. Please contact the campaign for details.

Please complete the below form and either mail it or bring it to the event. Tickets will be held at the door.
Make check payable to Citizens for Jeffrey L. Junkas, P.O. Box 2385, Orland Park, IL 60462

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

_____ YES, I will attend the event: # of adults______
_____ YES, I would like to sponsor the event in the amount of $_____
_____ Sorry, I cannot attend but enclosed is a contribution of $_____ to help the campaign

Name:_______________________________ Address:_______________________________
City:______________________ State:___ Zip:_________

Cell Phone:____________________
E-mail:_____________________________

Alt. Phone (home/work)_______________________

Contributions of $500 or more: Employer_____________________ Occupation:_______________

For more information, please contact Michelle Murphy Junkas at (708) 469-9000, e-mail murphyjunkas@hotmail.com or visit http://www.jeffjunkas.com/

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT

Paid for by Citizens for Jeffrey L. Junkas. Contributions are not tax deductible as a charitable donation.
A copy of our report filed with the Board of Elections is (or will be) available for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, IL.

New Pension Law

2010-03-29T19:50:00.000-07:00

After many years of not allowing a hearing on Republican proposals, of adding “sweeteners,” of underfunding and ignoring the problem, with lightening speed – roughly 10 hours from committee to the governor’s desk – the General Assembly passed legislation making changes to the state’s pension system.

But political cynics wonder…why now? Perhaps it is a little more about the November elections than a bond rating (which is horribly low, though that didn’t happen overnight). For me, this move is reminiscent of the swift and unexpected action the Democrat majority took in 2005 when they bucked another powerful, longtime political ally (trial lawyers) and passed medical malpractice (“med-mal”) reforms with caps on lawsuit damages.

Then, as now, the Democrats faced an energized and angry electorate (albeit mainly downstate on the med-mal issue) ready to make the majority party pay at the ballot for a lack of action on seemingly obvious policy choices (ex: a bill to cap the salary level used to calculate pensions has been around at least seven years). Then, as now, the Speaker muscled a bill through despite strong objections from organizations that for decades have provided the Democratic Party a wealth of campaign donations and election day muscle.

While the med-mal law was unfortunately overturned by the state Supreme Court (see my previous post on the topic), at the time, incumbent Democrats were able to wave the reform flag in a last-ditch effort to save their jobs. The pension reform law change sets that stage for a repeat performance. Let’s hope the electorate remembers the years of inaction and remains unsatisfied with a decade-plus of failed status quo and elects new leaders in November.

For more details, please see:

Springfield State Journal-Register article: http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x1838107161/House-puts-pension-reforms-on-fast-track

The pension bill, SB 1946 (as enrolled): http://ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?GAID=10&SessionID=76&GA=96&DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=1946&LegID=44843&SpecSess=&Session=
Commentary by Rick Miller on pension law:
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/miller/2127729,032910miller.article

Governor's Budget

2010-03-15T20:04:00.000-07:00

“Dead on arrival.” That’s how Gov. Quinn’s budget is being described. Despite a delay granted to him to propose his budget, despite universal control of state government operations within his party, and despite record debt, record unemployment, and a stagnant economy that has countless Illinoisans hurting, the governor calls for $3 billion in new spending and a 33 percent tax increase.

It is this kind of policy from the controlling Democrat party the past decade-plus that has helped put us in the financial straits we’re in as a state – essentially bankrupt.

So how do we get out of it?

First, this budget mess took years in the making and it will likely take more than one year to get out of it, but do you trust the same old Springfield Democrat to do it?

We should not have $3 billion in new spending. Freeze spending. We’re in a recession with people struggling day-to-day. We should not be spending any more (once again) than we take in.

It is a shame too that the governor singled out education for massive cuts if his tax increase isn’t approved. Meanwhile his majority party lets commonsense reforms to welfare, Medicaid, and state spending languish. Example: HB 4810 to require drug testing for welfare benefits failed in a Democratic-controlled House committee. And yet we test high school athletes for drugs.

It seems clear to me, and I hope thousands of voters across the state, that the one party Democrat controlled state government must end. All we have seen is failed ideas, excessive spending, and more taxes on our hard earned money, all while too many schools are failing students, our infrastructure is crumbling and we’ve not enacted real government reforms that put people’s faith back in the system.

I’m committed to working for sound policy that respects and prioritizes those that fund this government, the taxpayers.

For more perspective on the governor’s budget, see the following articles:

Associated Press: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5htoBBWAb5ILVe0HqQ1DGut3jWX-wD9EDCBQO0

The Journal-Gazette: http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/2010/03/14/opinion/editorial/doc4b9afd24a8b8e969152350.txt

Business Week: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9ECMOJ00.htm

Medical Malpractice Reform

2010-02-15T19:06:00.000-08:00

As the healthcare debate rages nationally, the Illinois Supreme Court, conveniently just after the February 2 primary, sided with plaintiffs’ attorneys and against doctors and patients when they ruled that the state’s 2005 medical malpractice reform law was unconstitutional.

The Court opined that the law’s cap on non-economic damage awards (a.k.a “pain and suffering,” which are subjective lawsuit awards added onto awards for actual medical expenses or lost wages) in medical malpractice lawsuits violated the state constitution.

A copy of the Court’s decision (in Lebron v Gottlieb Memorial) can be found at the following link: http://www.state.il.us/court/Opinions/SupremeCourt/2010/February/105741.pdf

Prior to Illinois’ landmark reform law, the state’s medical liability system was in crisis, with no neurosurgeons south of Springfield, OB/GYN’s and other high-risk specialty doctors fleeing the state for fear of lawsuits and ever increasing medical malpractice insurance premiums.

Such reform laws work. In just two years after the reform law passed in Illinois, nearly 5,000 more doctors were licensed in the state, three new malpractice insurers began operating and malpractice rates from some insurers dropped anywhere from five to 30 percent.

In fact, the 2005 reform law is an excellent example of when the General Assembly works best: thoughtful, serious debate; a consideration of all key stakeholder opinions; and bipartisan passage of a bill that effectively solves a critical public policy issue (for the record, my general election opponent sided with trial lawyers and voted against the reform law).

Other states have seen similar success with comparable reforms, such as Ohio. Their 2003 law, which capped non-economic damage awards at $350,000 per plaintiff (with higher limits for catastrophic cases) has, according to the state’s Department of Insurance as summarized in a recent Columbus Dispatch editorial, caused the number of closed malpractice claims per year to fall 40 percent from 2005 to 2008 and “[B]ecause of the drop in claims, malpractice-insurance premiums have decreased by 22 percent over the past four years, and the number of companies offering malpractice insurance to doctors has increased from just a few to more than 15.” Ohio also has a requirement called an “affidavit of merit” to weed out baseless lawsuits. Find the full editorial via the following link (free registration may be required): http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/editorials/index_7.html

Unfortunately, we’re all human and errors, including medical errors, will occur in life. Nothing can take the pain away for families that suffer at the hands of a medical error, but there is a difference between an error due to malice, negligence or incompetence and a bad outcome in medicine.

A simple, proven, method to help contain our exploding healthcare costs would be to enact reasonable caps on non-economic damages. Additional measures I would support include strong deterrents for filing frivolous lawsuits (such as independent medical review of claims); medical malpractice specific courts, even on a pilot basis, given the complexities of some cases; and tougher disciplinary measures for doctors found to be grossly negligent, including stripping them of their license for repeat occurrences.

So, now it is ‘back to the drawing board’ for Illinois and likely a return to a crisis state when patients were threatened by a shortage of doctors and reduced availability of care.

Education

2010-01-18T21:08:00.000-08:00

Education is a cornerstone of a well-functioning nation and democracy. I have family and friends that are teachers. They are to be commended for their tireless work to help our children learn, often under difficult conditions and not enough in-classroom support.

However, too many schools are simply failing our children and it goes beyond simple tax formulas and money. Some teachers do not give their best effort and yet remain in their position for years. Some school districts are well above the state average in per pupil spending, but well below average in graduation rates and achievement. We must re-think our kindergarten through high school (K-12) system to be performance and results driven, period. But to get there:
• Parents must get more involved in, and given more choice over, their children’s school and curriculum. Vouchers for non-public schools, expansion of charter schools, etc. must be ‘on the table.’ If parents are more invested in their child’s school, they will be more invested in their child’s educational performance.
• Patronage havens of bureaucracy like the Suburban Cook County Regional Office of Education, where the chief was arrested on theft charges (see SouthtownStar editorial for more information: http://www.southtownstar.com/news/opinion/editorials/1991885,011510edit.article ) must be shut down. If a program or system doesn’t help children achieve in the classroom, it deserves the highest scrutiny for possible elimination.
• Principals and local school boards should be given more latitude to dismiss poorly- or under- performing teachers.

But we can’t put this all on a teacher’s back. If a child comes to school hungry, they cannot focus. If there are no jobs or career opportunities, young people will have little hope for a prosperous future an education can help them attain. If neighborhoods are unsafe and gang-ridden, children will fear just getting to and from school every day.

Improving our state’s education system can be done if we continue to push practices and policies that we know work for kids (as seen in test scores, graduation rates and the percentage of kids that go on to higher education) and eliminate those policies that are failing our children.

Issue Focus: Life Issues

2010-01-04T20:14:00.000-08:00

Two deeply personal stories have forever impacted my view on life issues: the infertility my wife and I experienced and my grandmother’s death from Alzheimer’s. And while the issues I chose to focus on are the same as thousands of voters I’ve met the past seven months: jobs/the economy, our tax and spending policy, and government reform; I would be doing a disservice to voters to not discuss my views on these critical issues.

Abortion

I am pro-life and, as I reflected upon the abortion issue as I embarked upon this journey for public office, I have always considered myself pro-life.

Abortion is principally a federal issue but in the areas where a state legislator can make an impact: I support parental notification and/or consent; I oppose late-term and partial birth abortions; and I oppose tax dollars being used to fund abortions.

I also oppose the “harvesting” of human embryos for embryonic stem-cell research, cloning or other such programs. I support ‘safe haven’ efforts and streamlining adoption to make it easier for couples to love and care for children. I would support added counseling services for women considering abortion. And if a mother’s life is at risk, with the wonderful medical technology we have today, all effort should be made to give that baby a chance to live in addition to saving the mother’s life.

But I do have empathy for people that face difficult choices as my wife and I spent more than five years of emotionally, mentally, spiritually and financially draining infertility treatments in an effort to bring life to our family, which has left me with a difficult and somewhat contradictory dilemma as I seek to be a legislator.

After years of heartache, we were blessed with the birth of our daughter in October 2007, and quickly surprised by the emergency birth of our son in February 2009 – 11 weeks premature (he is healthy and doing well).

But the fertility process has left us with cryogenically frozen embryos. We may still try to grow our family, but have not yet decided as there are health risks for my wife and other factors to consider. We will not donate the embryos to science or sell them.

So, I find it difficult to take moral and legal obligations away from a woman or couple as I’ve been confronted with from our infertility treatments. I also can empathize with the rape or incest arguments but as a wise man once told me, there is only one criminal in such a scenario and it is not the baby, who gets the death penalty while the rapist may only serve a few years in jail.

The best I can do is continue to be responsible for the things I need to be, not create a double-standard I don’t also live by, and continue to advocate for those things which I do support, which is promoting life and helping to reduce unwanted pregnancies and abortions.

I hope you will keep my real life experience in mind as you evaluate this issue in consideration of my candidacy.

End of life care

I still miss my grandparents, who have all long since passed on. I haven’t visited them in a few years, but remember taking my fiancé to their graves to ‘meet’ her before we married.

My maternal grandmother suffered for years with Alzheimer’s before dying a shell of the woman she was. After struggling to care for her in our home (I slept in a sleeping bag on the floor for a while so she could have my bed), my parents could no longer care for her as they wanted, work and raise two young kids, so she moved into an area nursing home to live out her remaining days.

The critical point to end of life care is that people create wills and have explicit instructions on how they want to be cared for in their last remaining days. This helps remove governmental or court involvement in what is a private family matter. I do not believe government should be endorsing euthanasia (such as physician assisted suicide) or mandating artificial care if a patient does not want it.

As much as my grandmother’s ‘life’ was effectively over long before her physical and spiritual death, she still deserved care and love until those last remaining days and I would continue to advocate for the care of our fellow citizens until their natural death.

2010-01-04T12:24:00.000-08:00

If you missed Carol Marin's article about 19-year incumbent Rep. Burke's primary race, please take a read. One excerpt: ". . .'Which is why Burke is, for the first time, out knocking on doors and shaking hands. "At the last count, 1,787 hands," he said, adding he's never "had to run a campaign. We take this very seriously. And Speaker Madigan [recommended] that he get involved. I trust and defer to the experts.'"

I enjoy knocking on doors and meeting voters. Not sure my primary opponent does as she hasn't been seen and circulated exactly zero petitions herself, instead relying on known Chicago Democrat operatives.

Marin's full article at:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/1969609,southwest-side-political-brawl-010210.article

2009-12-28T08:37:00.000-08:00

The Chicago Tribune issued a "Call to Arms" in their recent editorial stating in part:

"And 2010 also needs to repudiate entrenched state and local lawmakers who have spent and borrowed Illinois into gooey morasses of debt just waiting to swallow our children and grandchildren." and
" Illinois needs results. We intend to live by that credo in an effort to rehab Illinois during 2010. In the months since those words appeared, Illinoisans have watched their politicians resist aggressive reforms, both to how Illinois is governed and to how state and county governments spend money: Many politicians have jealously protected their power while overcommitting taxpayers to more missions than we can afford. As a result, this state is impoverished in spirit. And it is too impoverished financially to pay its bills for services already delivered to the disabled, the sick, the most vulnerable among us. Yes, recklessly growing state government at double the rate of inflation for two decades has brought devastating consequences to Illinois."

I intend to stand on principle, oppose new taxes or borrowing on the backs of our children (the incumbent sponsored $3.5 billion in new borrowing this past session) and deliver results to build a better government and brighter future for Illinois. Read the Tribune's full editorial at the following link:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-1227edit1dec27,0,5665098.story

Primary election-who's naughty and who's nice?

2009-12-16T12:26:00.000-08:00

See the story linked below from SouthtownStar columnist and Illinois Review blog editor Fran Eaton about questionable primary opponents in the GOP field, including my race. As she reports: "When the candidates' petitions were circulated by union guys or county employees that live in the purely Democratic 19th Ward, that sounds suspicious." and "No one in Bremen or Orland Township Republican organizations has ever met or even heard of Junkas' GOP opponent..."

http://www.southtownstar.com/news/eaton/1942293,121609eatoncol.article

2009-11-23T19:27:00.000-08:00

A few recent articles worth a look in case you missed them. Very telling.

Wanted to be sure you saw respected SouthtownStar columnist Kristen McQueary's recent column questioning the validity of my primary opponent's intentions for running. http://www.southtownstar.com/news/mcqueary/1882754,111509mcqueary.article
You can help fend off this “plant by the Democrats to weaken” me by contributing to my campaign now, securely, online at http://www.jeffjunkas.com/.

Learn about more ballot and ‘plant’ candidate shenanigans in “How Madigan ‘helps’ his newbies” in a follow-up column by Ms. McQueary at: http://www.southtownstar.com/news/mcqueary/1892617,111909mcqueary.article

Recent Chicago Sun-Times article about one questionable hire from the heyday of former Gov. Blagojevich: http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/1898928,CST-NWS-watchside23.article

Govt. Reform (update)/2nd Amendment

2009-11-09T20:09:00.000-08:00

Government Reform (update)

Regarding the passage of SB 1466, the latest attempt at reforming Illinois’ campaign finance system: I think of it like a bowl of Neapolitan ice cream I ate the other night for dessert…tasted good, few different flavors, but pales in comparison to moose tracks, chocolate chip cookie dough, anything Oreo, etc. In other words, might be good to some, but we could continue to do better and be more creative.

SB 1466, with contribution limits of $5,000 for an individual and other overly generous “limits” and loopholes, will likely do little to dramatically alter the political system as it currently stands in Illinois – an overly expensive and excessively long process for many, power concentrated in a select few leaders, flawed redistricting that dampens competitive elections and very little transparency. While there may be no perfect system, this is at least a start, but I think many voters remain skeptical, as do I, if it will truly reform the system. For a good rundown of the many provisions of the law (expected to be signed by Gov. Quinn) see this summary by Illinois Issues, unfortunately departing bureau chief, Bethany Jaeger: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/one-more-step-in-campaign-finance.html

Patrick Collins, former U.S. Attorney and head of Gov. Quinn’s Illinois Reform Commission that was created in the wake of the Blagojevich impeachment, wrote an opinion piece critical of SB 1466 that is worth a look too. http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/1870289,CST-EDT-open08b.article

2nd Amendment

I support the Second Amendment and an individual’s right to keep and bear arms. This issue is simple in my mind: law abiding citizens should not be overly restricted from owning a gun for protection of themselves, their loved ones or their home. The gangbangers don’t care if we have one law or a 1,000. We need to enforce the laws we have and if someone misuses a weapon, make the penalties strong. Training, background checks and other precautionary and educational policies are commonsense measures that I would support, but blanket bans only serve to keep an unarmed public less safe from heartless, uncaring criminals’ intent on harm.

Cook County Board veto reform

Finally, the Cook County Board will join the rest of the state, and nation probably, in having a commonsense 3/5 majority needed to override a veto by its chief executive. Gov. Quinn signed legislation changing the veto override for Cook County’s president from 4/5 to 3/5 of the commissioners, or from 14 of 17 to 11 of 17.

The political pressure and public anger at being subjected to the highest tax rate in the nation, along with seeing consumers eagerly go outside Cook County to buy things, finally moved the Speaker and the controlling Democrats “off the dime.” They knew this would be an issue easily used against them in the fall. But such logical laws shouldn’t be ignored for decades to placate select voters and it shouldn’t take a massive recession coupled with out of control spending and taxing to pass it either. It should be about right and wrong, fair and unfair, good policy not race-based politics. Luckily this time, logic, reason and fairness won. Learn more by reading a brief Chicago Sun-Times article: http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1871771,CST-NWS-quinn08.article

Public union pensions

Thought you might be interested in a recent editorial from the Chicago Tribune about the pension liabilities we as taxpayers face. No easy answers, but something has to give as $90 billion is an exasperating debt. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-1108edit1nov08,0,6463125,print.story (site registration may be required)

Veto Session

2009-10-12T21:56:00.000-07:00

The General Assembly begins their annual fall veto session Wednesday, October 14. The session consists of three days this week and three more at the end of the month. The biggest item on the agenda is a pillar of my campaign, government reform, with the funding of the state’s Monetary Assistance Program (MAP) for lower- and middle-income college students also high on the ‘to-do’ list.

First, concerning the MAP program, the governor had the power to fund the program for the full year, but didn’t. That has left students and their families in limbo for the second half of the school year.

For all the talk of supporting education from the Democrats, it is disappointing to say the least that only half the school year was funded, negatively impacting some 138,000 students across the state. While I know there are hundreds of other worthwhile programs to be considered and funded, providing funding for only half the year is like funding construction of half a bridge…which was something former Gov. Blagojevich did a few years ago.

Let’s pass the back tax amnesty program supported by House Republican Leader Cross and work with our universities to identify cost cutting or other budgetary options at the state or university level (there has to be some way to save some dollars on campus given tuition and fees have outpaced inflation just about every year since I was in college nearly twenty years ago) to get these students through this year without more taxes.

* * *

With respect to the latest government reform efforts, it is clear the Democratic leadership is feeling the heat from voters for the passage of their “incumbent protection bill” this spring, which the governor rightly vetoed.

But cynicism remains across the state that meaningful reforms will get passed, as one can easily tell by reading a recent State Journal Register column: http://tinyurl.com/yzy8elh or a recent Decatur Herald & Review article, that also calls into question what action, if any, the current leadership is taking to help fix the state’s woeful economic and budget situation: http://tinyurl.com/ygc6urc

But biding time in hopes voters will forget the scandal and corruption that has plagued the state is unrealistic.

I articulated government reform proposals I support in my previous post, some of which are being strongly advocated by other Republican leaders and candidates because they are achievable, realistic and at the very least, set a reasonable bar from which we can move up. I am also researching additional considerations for improving how our government operates, most notably the first rung in the election ladder – ballot access, i.e. signature requirements, mandatory forms, etc. Perhaps there are ways we can create a less cumbersome system that encourages participation by our citizenry.

The bottom line for government reform advocates and frustrated citizens is: don’t give up the fight. Keep the pressure up through the 2010 elections when we’ll have a chance to install new leaders untainted from the recent scandals to create a better government and brighter future for Illinois.

Issue Focus: Government Reform

2009-09-28T21:12:00.000-07:00

We have some transparency now (see the new Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal http://accountability.illinois.gov/), a no-brainer in this Internet age that nearly every single legislator rightly voted for and considered “sufficient” according to the incumbent. I disagree, more can be done.

The state is again examining redistricting, an altogether too politicized endeavor that cheats many of our fellow citizens out of competitive races and quality representation. Please read a Peoria Journal-Star editorial http://www.pjstar.com/opinions/x1990874211/Our-View-True-reform-Redraw-the-map-on-redistricting on the topic for more perspective. See also the State Senate’s “Gerrymandering” website (http://www.gerrymandering.senategop.net/ ) for more information and details.

Additionally, the Republican gubernatorial candidates are coming out almost daily with reform proposals and creative ideas to help change the culture, and perception, of Illinois politics.

I agree with a number of the ideas being discussed today and as state representative think you, the taxpayer, deserve to have all ideas examined and assessed. Let me briefly articulate some of my views on the issue.

First, let’s follow the lead of the Senate Republican caucus and get at a cornerstone of the problems in our state government – the gerrymandered districts that stifle competition and too often disenfranchise voters. We need to reform our redistricting process –which has landed in the courts the past three decades – and I would support efforts to take it out of the hands of the legislature and courts.

Second, while not a panacea, we should enact the same contribution limits we have for federal candidates on the state level. It doesn’t totally remove the money from the process, but it makes sense to have established, understood parameters, and eliminate the $25,000 contributions like those the former governor received. Tied to this are tougher penalties for violating the stricter law to discourage the folks that want to somehow work around the rules.

Third, while I am open to discussing terms limits for legislators, I do not see it as a silver bullet. Citizens’ should retain the right to vote in, or out, their local representatives as they see fit. However, limits on leadership tenure and a re-write of the basic rules of how legislation is heard would help create a more open, reasonable process and, I think, better policy in the end. Currently, three legislators, (three out of 118!) on the House Rules Committee, hand-picked by the speaker, dictate what legislation will be allowed out for a vote. We need to focus on policy, not politics, to get our state moving.

Other worthwhile ideas include moving the primary date back to shorten the campaign season (and who really wants to go out and vote in February!), requiring 3/5ths majority for any spending bill or tax increase and recall of elected officials.

Now, none of these are revolutionary, but they lay waiting for the political will to be enacted. That will only occur with new leaders in Springfield.

Ex of govt. waste

2009-09-04T12:26:00.000-07:00

Please check out this Chicago Tribune editorial highlighting one of the more blantant examples of government waste and lack of oversight to our tax dollars. http://tinyurl.com/23a3m6 (site registration may be required)

2009-08-31T21:26:00.000-07:00

House Bill 7 veto

Give some credit to the governor for the veto – it was the right thing to do, even if it was a flip-flop from his earlier support. The final bill, as I’ve told many people on the campaign trail, was merely an incumbent protection bill. It wrongly ignored many of the solid proposals from the Illinois Reform Commission. It made the hurdles for citizens like me trying to participate in our government extremely high, for no good reason other than to maintain and enhance the status quo. Real reform can and must happen, but I doubt the sincerity of some of our current Democratic Party leaders to do it, which is why supporting grassroots candidates like me in the coming election to bring fresh, untainted and principled leadership to our General Assembly is critical.

Please learn more by reading the Chicago Tribune article http://tinyurl.com/nhjtbo

Howe facility closure

The closure of the Howe Developmental Center has been an issue for two-plus years. While I have not been privy to all the discussions on both sides, a few things struck me about this issue since announcing my candidacy. It is unfortunate that this decision will lead to a disruption of patients’ routines but if done with care and compassion, my hope is each person will have even better care in a new facility. The claims of abuse, patient deaths, decertification that lead to the loss of nearly $60 million in federal funding and the clearly excessive staffing ratios compared to other facilities is unacceptable.

What is even more disappointing is that the incumbent in the 37th District and my presumptive opponent in November did not join the bipartisan commission that reviewed the Howe situation until earlier this year, despite all the previously mentioned issues and it being such a large piece of state property in the district. I would have asked to be on that panel from the beginning and not shied away from an issue of such importance and emotion right in the heart of the 37th District. I also am concerned about what the state’s plans are for the prime parcel of land, who will be bidding on the property, etc. Too early to tell, but not too early to make sure taxpayers get the best deal.

Learn more about the Howe closure by reading the governor’s news release (with a consultant’s report recommending closure linked in the release – that erroneously mentions the facility is in Rep. Riley’s district and the incumbent as a Republican) and a SouthtownStar article.

http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=2&RecNum=7797

http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1740954,083009howe.article