Saturday, March 29, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Get ready to grab your wallets...
The half-percent sales tax increase (0.25% courtesy of the transit bailout, 0.25% courtesy of Schillerstrom and the three state senators from DuPage County) takes effect on April 1, 2008.
That's $94 million a year.
Not an April Fool's joke.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
That's $94 million a year.
Not an April Fool's joke.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Real ideas and solutions, not bumper sticker slogans and negative political rhetoric...
As the Democratic nominee for DuPage County Board Member in District 3, I have proposed (1) reducing County Board Member salaries by 50% (currently $50,079 a year for 2 meetings a month) and eliminating the $3,000 / $1,000 bonus for committee chairman / vice-chairman (eliminated by the county board on May 27, 2008) ; (2) eliminating the retirement plan for County Board Members (which pays 80% of their salary after 20 years of service); (3) saving millions of dollars every year by consolidating county departments and reducing the size of county government as suggested by the independent non-partisan Civic Federation and the county's own Efficiency Committee; (4) increasing governmental transparency by creating a web-based database with all county personnel and county vendor information; (5) instituting an ethics ordinance to prohibit companies that give campaign contributions to County Board Members from getting county contracts ("pay to play"); and (6) opposing any attempt to bring "home rule" power to DuPage County.
Don't forget that the current DuPage County Board threatened to cut over 200 law enforcement / public safety jobs unless voters approved their $40 million sales tax referendum. Chairman Schillerstrom went behind our backs and convinced Springfield (with the help of state senators from DuPage County) to raise our sales tax by $47 million, which made the county's referendum unnecessary. But now, the County Board says they really only needed $10 million (partially because over 100 of those law enforcement employees quit and their positions were eliminated) and they plan on spending the remaining millions on other projects. The old “bait and switch” trick followed up by the old "tax and spend" trick both executed perfectly by the current County Board.
Instead of offering fresh ideas and real solutions, Republican candidates for County Board seem to be content to repeat the same old bumper sticker slogans, outdated stereotypes, and negative political rhetoric in the hope that it distracts voters from their failed leadership, increased spending, and yearly tax increases (I find the notion that electing a handful of Democrats to the 18-member County Board would somehow turn DuPage County into Cook County particularly laughable). But they can’t fool voters forever. And the clock is ticking.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
Don't forget that the current DuPage County Board threatened to cut over 200 law enforcement / public safety jobs unless voters approved their $40 million sales tax referendum. Chairman Schillerstrom went behind our backs and convinced Springfield (with the help of state senators from DuPage County) to raise our sales tax by $47 million, which made the county's referendum unnecessary. But now, the County Board says they really only needed $10 million (partially because over 100 of those law enforcement employees quit and their positions were eliminated) and they plan on spending the remaining millions on other projects. The old “bait and switch” trick followed up by the old "tax and spend" trick both executed perfectly by the current County Board.
Instead of offering fresh ideas and real solutions, Republican candidates for County Board seem to be content to repeat the same old bumper sticker slogans, outdated stereotypes, and negative political rhetoric in the hope that it distracts voters from their failed leadership, increased spending, and yearly tax increases (I find the notion that electing a handful of Democrats to the 18-member County Board would somehow turn DuPage County into Cook County particularly laughable). But they can’t fool voters forever. And the clock is ticking.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
"...dysfunctional one-party control..."
A comment from Illinois State Senator Christine Radogno (R-Lemont):
The entire article is posted here.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
“We’re going to raise people’s awareness of how dysfunctional one-party control is,” she said. "That (elected official) in your district may be a nice person, but they are enabling this mess to go on.”She was talking about Springfield (although 37 Democratic Senators, 22 Republican Senators and 67 Democratic Representatives, 51 Republican Representatives is hardly one-party rule), but she might as well have been talking about DuPage County (16 Republican County Board Members - 0 Democratic County Board Members).
The entire article is posted here.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
Thursday, February 21, 2008
It's not too late to stop the DuPage County sales tax increase
There is a bill being considered in Springfield (HB4717) which would require the DuPage County Board to affirmatively approve the extra quarter-cent sales tax increase for "public safety."
If the bill is approved, and the County Board votes against the increase, then the sales tax increase effective April 1 would only be a quarter-cent in DuPage County, not a half-percent.
UPDATE: The bill has been pulled and won't be considered. Click here for a newspaper article.
Why won't our DuPage County elected officials step up and stop this tax increase?
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
If the bill is approved, and the County Board votes against the increase, then the sales tax increase effective April 1 would only be a quarter-cent in DuPage County, not a half-percent.
UPDATE: The bill has been pulled and won't be considered. Click here for a newspaper article.
Why won't our DuPage County elected officials step up and stop this tax increase?
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The same old political rhetoric...
The allegations made by Manzo in the second paragraph of her February 16, 2008 letter to the editor (“DuPage frustrated with GOP leadership”) are almost too ridiculous to warrant a response. In fact, I thought she was talking about Schillerstrom and his DuPage County Board when mentioning taxes going through the roof, government jobs and contracts going to patronage hacks, and ignoring corruption and waste.
Manzo needs to do her homework about DuPage Democrats before making such wild generalizations. I have proposed reducing the size of county government and cutting spending; I have been on the record as against the sales tax increase from the beginning and it turns out the threat of losing public safety jobs was a “bait and switch” followed by “tax and spend;” I am adamantly opposed to home rule for DuPage County; I will soon propose an ethics reform package to eliminate “pay to play” politics from county government.
Republicans like Manzo can keep repeating the same old political rhetoric in the hope that it distracts voters from the failed leadership of Schillerstrom and the 100% Republican County Board. But they can’t fool voters forever. And their time is up.
Robert “Bob” Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board – District 3
Manzo needs to do her homework about DuPage Democrats before making such wild generalizations. I have proposed reducing the size of county government and cutting spending; I have been on the record as against the sales tax increase from the beginning and it turns out the threat of losing public safety jobs was a “bait and switch” followed by “tax and spend;” I am adamantly opposed to home rule for DuPage County; I will soon propose an ethics reform package to eliminate “pay to play” politics from county government.
Republicans like Manzo can keep repeating the same old political rhetoric in the hope that it distracts voters from the failed leadership of Schillerstrom and the 100% Republican County Board. But they can’t fool voters forever. And their time is up.
Robert “Bob” Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board – District 3
Thursday, February 7, 2008
DuPage voter turnout since 1980
DuPage voter turnout since 1980
| Year | Turnout | Ballot | GOP | Dems |
| 1980 | 46% | 126,981 | 101,681 | 25,164 |
| 1984 | 37% | 121,476 | 75,612 | 43,514 |
| 1988 | 44% | 141,029 | 92,893 | 46,157 |
| 1992 | 50% | 178,255 | 111,030 | 63,288 |
| 1996 | 38% | 145,830 | 114,894 | 26,417 |
| 2000 | 27% | 129,570 | 96,863 | 27,576 |
| 2004 | 25% | 150,642 | 86,836 | 63,806 |
| 2008* | 44% | 242,917 | 109,132 | 132,434 |
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
February 5, 2008 primary election results
February 5, 2008 primary election results:
DuPage County Board Member - District 3
DuPage County Board Member - District 3
Democrat - 22,778 ballots = 23.9% voter turnout
(vote for one)
Robert "Bob" Brandt - 16,887 votes
Republican - 18,679 ballots = 19.6% voter turnout
(vote for two)
Michael F. McMahon - 10,460 votes
John Curran - 10,363 votes
Thomas F. Bennington Jr - 7,609
DuPage County:
Democratic ballots - 131,635
Republican ballots - 108,582
Now on to the general election on November 4, 2008.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
Monday, February 4, 2008
Money in District 3
The money in politics today is mind-boggling. The Presidential candidates have raised a total of $582 million so far and they may end up raising $1 billion by November. But what about local races?
In DuPage County District 3, incumbent Forest Preserve Commissioner Wally Brown has raised $10,000 to date and has loaned himself a staggering $185,000 since 2002.
Challenger Linda Painter has raised $5,000 and loaned herself $20,000.
County Board incumbent Tom Bennington has raised $37,850 (this includes $12,500 given to him by County Board Chairman Schillerstrom) and loaned himself $20,000.
County Board Incumbent Michael McMahon has raised $88,250 (this includes $12,500 given to him by County Board Chairman Schillerstrom) and received a loan from a family business for $12,000.
County Board Challenger John Curran has raised $33,500.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
In DuPage County District 3, incumbent Forest Preserve Commissioner Wally Brown has raised $10,000 to date and has loaned himself a staggering $185,000 since 2002.
Challenger Linda Painter has raised $5,000 and loaned herself $20,000.
County Board incumbent Tom Bennington has raised $37,850 (this includes $12,500 given to him by County Board Chairman Schillerstrom) and loaned himself $20,000.
County Board Incumbent Michael McMahon has raised $88,250 (this includes $12,500 given to him by County Board Chairman Schillerstrom) and received a loan from a family business for $12,000.
County Board Challenger John Curran has raised $33,500.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Illinois State Rifle Association endorses Bennington, McMahon
The Illinois State Rifle Association Political Victory Fund has endorsed two candidates for DuPage County Board - Tom Bennington and Michael McMahon. Click here for the Press Release.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Birkett comes to McMahon's defense
When incumbent DuPage County Board Member Michael McMahon (District 3) was not endorsed by the Hinsdale Doings, DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett came to his defense. See Birkett's Letter to the Editor.
And why did Birkett do that?
Perhaps its because McMahon's relatives have loaned Birkett's campaign fund $600,000 since 2002. McMahon's relatives have also donated over $78,000 outright to Birkett; McMahon's law firm has donated $16,750 to Birkett; and McMahon has personally donated $2,800 to Birkett. Click here for more information.
The candidate endorsed by the Doings is a Cook County Prosecutor.
Money talks.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
And why did Birkett do that?
Perhaps its because McMahon's relatives have loaned Birkett's campaign fund $600,000 since 2002. McMahon's relatives have also donated over $78,000 outright to Birkett; McMahon's law firm has donated $16,750 to Birkett; and McMahon has personally donated $2,800 to Birkett. Click here for more information.
The candidate endorsed by the Doings is a Cook County Prosecutor.
Money talks.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
Bob Schillerstrom = Boss Hogg?
I found this posted by John Ruskin.
The newspaper article is posted here.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
The newspaper article is posted here. /s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
Friday, January 25, 2008
Bait and switch, then tax and spend
For months, the DuPage County Board has threatened to cut 200 law enforcement jobs unless voters approved the county's $40 million sales tax referendum.
However, Chairman Schillerstrom went behind our backs and convinced Springfield to raise the sales tax by $47 million, which made the county's referendum unnecessary.
But now, Schillerstrom and the County Board says they really only needed $10 million to prevent those job cuts and they plan on spending the remaining millions from the sales tax increase on other projects.
The old “bait and switch” trick followed up by the old "tax and spend" trick both executed perfectly by DuPage County Republicans.
Does anyone else feel duped?
/s/ Robert “Bob” Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board – District 3
However, Chairman Schillerstrom went behind our backs and convinced Springfield to raise the sales tax by $47 million, which made the county's referendum unnecessary.
But now, Schillerstrom and the County Board says they really only needed $10 million to prevent those job cuts and they plan on spending the remaining millions from the sales tax increase on other projects.
The old “bait and switch” trick followed up by the old "tax and spend" trick both executed perfectly by DuPage County Republicans.
Does anyone else feel duped?
/s/ Robert “Bob” Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board – District 3
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Bennington, McMahon commercial?
DuPage County Board Members Tom Bennington and Michael McMahon (District 3) are running a television commercial. A commercial? Has that ever been done in a DuPage County Board election? You can view the commercial here.
A couple of items need to be corrected:
Narrator: Bennington and McMahon have "held
the line on taxes."
FACT CHECK: The DuPage County Board has raised property taxes for three years in a row; they voted for referendum to raise the sales tax; they convinced Springfield to raise the sales tax for them instead and now have $47 million more tax dollars to spend every year.
Narrator: Bennington and McMahon are "keeping our families safe and criminals off the street."
FACT CHECK: Michael McMahon is a criminal defense attorney. He works to get criminals off the hook, not off the streets. www.DolciMcMahon.com
Rule #1 in politics - Never let the truth stand in the way of getting re-elected.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
A couple of items need to be corrected:
Narrator: Bennington and McMahon have "held
the line on taxes."FACT CHECK: The DuPage County Board has raised property taxes for three years in a row; they voted for referendum to raise the sales tax; they convinced Springfield to raise the sales tax for them instead and now have $47 million more tax dollars to spend every year.
Narrator: Bennington and McMahon are "keeping our families safe and criminals off the street."
FACT CHECK: Michael McMahon is a criminal defense attorney. He works to get criminals off the hook, not off the streets. www.DolciMcMahon.com
Rule #1 in politics - Never let the truth stand in the way of getting re-elected.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Transparency and Home Rule in DuPage County
Today, I participated in a press conference with other candidates for DuPage County Board on the topics of transparency in county government and the possibility of "home rule" for DuPage County.
My full remarks are posted here.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
Transparency: DuPage County taxpayers have a right and need to understand where their tax dollars are spent....(however the) entire process seems to be designed to thwart transparency, rather than to enhance it.I call on the County Board to create a web-based database of all county personnel and vendors.
Home Rule: Home rule power is an unlimited ability to increase taxes...Home rule makes raising taxes easy. Raising taxes should never be easy...Home rule power will bring "pay to play" politics to DuPage County.If elected, I will fight against any attempt to bring home rule power to DuPage County.
My full remarks are posted here.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
Thursday, January 17, 2008
The "Schillerstrom" amendment
Click here to see the "Schillerstrom" amendment - the three little words that Schillerstrom snuck into HB0656 (the transit bill) in order to go behind our backs and raise our taxes.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
The Doings picks Curran, Bennington as best Republican picks in DuPage County District 3
"First-challenger John Curran not only has an impressive resume, he has a lot of good ideas. The Doings endorses Curran as the best nominee for the Republican Party in the DuPage County Board District 3 race...."
..."So for the second seat The Doings endorses incumbent Tom Bennington, who has achieved a lot in his nine years of service to District 3...."
The full endorsement is posted here.
The other Republican candidate - Michael McMahon - was not endorsed by the Doings. He was also not endorsed by the Chicago Tribune in his last election (2004):
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
..."So for the second seat The Doings endorses incumbent Tom Bennington, who has achieved a lot in his nine years of service to District 3...."
The full endorsement is posted here.
The other Republican candidate - Michael McMahon - was not endorsed by the Doings. He was also not endorsed by the Chicago Tribune in his last election (2004):
"District 3 - 2004 election: Republican board member Michael McMahon, a Hinsdale attorney, has had an unremarkable tenure, except for what he said after he voted for a $3.5 million settlement with three former defendants in the Jeanine Nicarico murder case: "If it was up to me, we'd take these three guys into the basement and shoot them." Democrat Richard Moss, a corporate recruiter from Downers Grove, is a far better pick...."The Democratic nominee - Robert "Bob" Brandt - is uncontested in the Democratic primary.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Latest transit plan - new Schillerstrom end-around
In the latest transit plan - currently sitting on Gov. Blagojevich's desk - the sales tax in DuPage County would be increased by a half-percent and the county could use half of that half-percent for public safety.
A newspaper article is posted here.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
"The measure was helped by the addition of a provision to allow the suburban collar counties to use a portion of their sales-tax increase to fund public safety, a feature that helped attract the votes of three DuPage County senators.I guess Schillerstrom didn't trust DuPage residents to make the right decision on the sales tax referendum so he went behind our backs.
The county has threatened to cut police and prosecutor jobs if voters don't approve a Feb. 5 tax increase."
A newspaper article is posted here.
/s/ Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
New ad campaign for $40 million sales tax referendum?
I'm not sure I like the DuPage County Board's new ad campaign for their $40 million sales tax referendum on the February 5, 2008 ballot.(This is obviously not a real ad - although it resembles a real magazine cover from 1973 - and no dogs were harmed during the making of this spoof).
Robert "Bob" Brandt
Candidate for DuPage County Board - District 3
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