Adam Andrzejewski Chairman of For The Good of Illinois PAC was joined by local Republican leaders including Sen. Kyle McCarter, State Representative Dwight Kay, state representative candidate Kathy Smith, and Madison County Treasurer Kurt Prenzler at City Hall discussing the details of a City of Wood River political donation to the Wood River Township Democratic Precinct organization.

“It’s no wonder that Governor Blagojevich felt entitled to sell a U.S. Senate seat when our local units of government are cutting campaign checks to local Democrats,” said Adam Andrzejewski, For the Good of Illinois PAC Chairman. “ Mis-management and corrupt practices must be squeezed out of the system. Here’s a basic principle: ‘prosecute the public crimes’.”

Eight city employees and elected officials reviewed, signed-off on and approved the city check to the Wood River Democratic township organization for their golf outing. Andrzejewski showed copies of the check with three co-signatures; the minutes where the city trustees approved the check; the voucher with approved initials; a copy of the golf program where the city paid for a golfing “Team” of four players. All documents were obtained from City of Wood River via the Freedom of Information Act. Read the rest of this entry »

Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar visited the Metro East on Wednesday to endorse and offer his full support of Kathy Smith in the race for Illinois State Representative in the 111th district.

“The people of the metro east have an opportunity to elect a new person to Springfield that will right the ship, and it starts with Kathy Smith,” said Governor Jim Edgar. “Kathy Smith will help solve the problems that Illinois is facing. A journey of a 1,000 miles starts with one step and this is an important step in getting Illinois back on track. Kathy Smith will be an excellent addition in Springfield to help get Illinois back on the right track.”

While in office, Governor Edgar made fiscal discipline and children the cornerstones of his two terms. During Governor Edgar’s term he eliminated the backlog of unpaid bills. Currently, Illinois’ backlog of unpaid bills is over $8 billion. Just as Edgar did, Kathy Smith will hold the line on spending, support paying off Illinois’ IOUs and make educating our next generation a priority. Read the rest of this entry »

Candidate for State Representative Kathy Smith recently received a Certificate of Appreciation from the National Rifle Association (NRA) for her volunteerism at the 141st Annual Meetings & Exhibits in St. Louis, MO in April.

The Certificate of Appreciation from the NRA reads as follows, “The Members, Officers and Staff of the National Rifle Association of America recognize, with gratitude and appreciation, your spirit of volunteerism at the 141st Annual Meetings & Exhibits in St. Louis, Missouri, April 12-18, 2012. As a volunteer, you forge the structure of this event and create the atmosphere of community, cooperation and selfless service that is imperative to the success of the Annual Meetings & Exhibits.”

“I am thankful for the opportunity to volunteer at the 141st NRA annual meetings and exhibits in St. Louis,” said Kathy Smith. “I support our Constitution and right to bear arms, it is imperative that our elected officials follow the Constitution and protect our Second Amendment. I am honored to receive the prestigious recognition from the NRA.”

Candidate for State Representative Kathy Smith challenged her opponent Dan Beiser to lead by example and refuse to accept a public pension as a member of the General Assembly Retirement System. Beiser could collect an estimated $4,000 monthly upon retirement as a part-time Illinois legislator.

During a special session in Springfield on Friday, August 17, 2012, the Illinois House of Representatives voted to eliminate pension benefits for new legislators under Senate Bill 3168. Smith’s opponent, incumbent Dan Beiser voted to eliminate pension benefits for new legislators. However, the bill does not prevent current legislators from receiving pension benefits. According to the General Assembly Retirement System, as of June 30, 2010, there were 183 active participants and 278 annuitants receiving monthly retirement benefits averaging $4,149 and 120 survivors receiving monthly benefits averaging slightly more than $2,050.

“Dan Beiser should lead by example and refuse to accept a lavish pension for his part-time work as a state legislator,” said Kathy Smith. “If Beiser is truly sincere about voting to eliminate pensions for retired legislators, then I challenge him to refuse to collect a pension and return all taxpayer contributions to the State Treasury.” Read the rest of this entry »