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Continue reading »]]> 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.

The same City of Wood River Assistant Financial Director, Leslie Dona, who just months ago was convicted of embezzling $143,000, was also one of the three co-signers of the check to Wood River Township Democrats.

“Everyone understands they are being ripped off by Illinois politicians at all levels,” said Kathy Smith, candidate for state representative. “Taxpayer money to a political party is illegal. It’s going to take bold independent men and women to have the courage, judgment and fortitude to uphold the law.”

“Until there is accountability for illegal activities, Illinois will continue to decline. There must be consequences for law breaking activities,” stated State Representative Dwight Kay. “This is a blatant violation of the public trust.”

“Every independent minded citizen should stand with Madison County Republicans as we work to clean-up our once great county and state,” concluded Kurt Prenzler, Madison County Treasurer.

“The culture of corruption in Illinois politics suggests that using taxpayer money to fund the campaigns of political candidates is “just the way we do things”. Hard working taxpayers should be outraged,” said Sen. Kyle McCarter.

Continue reading »]]> 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.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement and support from Governor Jim Edgar,” said Kathy Smith.” At the end of Governor Edgar’s term in office, Illinois was in better shape financially then it is now. Bills were paid on time and spending was under control. Since then, Illinois’ deficit has became the worst in the nation, currently at $43 billion – $126 billion when you include pension debt. Since my opponent took office Illinois has faced record spending, record tax hikes, record debt and nearly 582,631 people are out of work. When elected State Representative on November 6, I am ready to go to work for the taxpayers of Illinois and use the same principles of Governor Edgar; fiscal discipline, accountability and leadership. Our government must stop the spending and live within our means.”

In attendance with former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar and Kathy Smith were the following; House GOP Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego), House Republican Organization Chairman Rep. Ed Sullivan Jr. (R-Mundelein), and State Representative Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon).

Continue reading »]]> Since 2007 Illinois State Representative Dan Beiser voted to raise his own pay by 17%. As Alton Treasurer, Beiser’s pay increased 74%. Republican Candidate for State Representative Kathy Smith has never voted to raise her own pay while serving on the Madison County Board and pledges to take a 10% pay cut if elected.

Illinois state representatives and senators receive the fifth highest paid salary in the country – $67,836. Only California, New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan pay their legislators more than Illinois.

According to a recent mailer sent to voters, Beiser states the following; “Dan Beiser thinks cuts should start with elected officials’ salaries.” However Dan Beiser doesn’t think his own pay should be cut. Since 2007, Dan Beiser voted 4 times to raise his own pay by 17%. In fact, as Alton city treasurer, Beiser’s pay increased 74%. Dan Beiser voted and supported the following taxpayer funded pay raises:

• Senate Bill 241 retroactive 9.6% raise
• Senate Bill 1102 3.8% cost of living adjustment
• House Bill 3866 9.6% raise and 3.5% cost of living adjustment
• House Bill 6378 3.8% cost of living adjustment

“As a member of the Madison County Board I have never voted to increase my own pay,” said Kathy Smith. “If elected State Representative I pledge to cut my own pay 10%. Illinois is broke, our elected officials should not be voting to increase their own pay.”

Continue reading »]]> 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.”

Continue reading »]]> 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.”

Dan Beiser’s Democrat colleagues on the House Floor stated that it was unfair that legislators receive pensions for part-time work and while Dan Beiser joined in support of the legislation he continues to accrue taxpayer-paid pension benefits for his part-time work as an elected official.

“Sure my opponent voted to eliminate pensions for new state legislators, but he certainly won’t refuse his $4,000 a month pension for part-time work as an elected official. Beiser’s pension is more than the median individual salary in our region, it just does not seem right for an official elected by the taxpayers to receive a pension earning more than what the majority of the population makes annually,” said Kathy Smith.