* From an Illinois Policy Institute blast email…

Have you ever thought about running for office?

In Springfield, there are frighteningly few lawmakers truly working on behalf of Illinois taxpayers.

We’re changing that.

You have a knowledge of Illinois politics far greater than most.

We know because you’re an active and engaged member of our community – and we want to help you use those skills to the benefit of your family and community.

That’s why we’re choosing you. But hurry – this year’s openings are almost full.

Our government affairs team wants to help you get on the ballot and kick off your campaign for public office.

Click here or on the button below to get involved.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Thank you for believing that a freer, saner Illinois is possible.

In liberty,

Dan Patlak
Director of Advocacy

* The IPI has been running Facebook ads to recruit candidates…

The ads link here.

* They did this two years ago as well…

The libertarian-leaning Illinois Policy Institute will be trying its hand at candidate recruitment this summer and fall, sending out at minimum tens of thousands of postcards to households the organization identifies as “high propensity voters” who also align with the think tank on issues of “economic freedom,” seeking out those who may be interested in running for office.

They ended up spending $2 million in the general election and only one of their candidates won.

       

28 Comments - 47th Ward - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 12:23 pm: ===In Springfield, there are frighteningly few lawmakers truly working on behalf of Illinois taxpayers.=== Yep, only 177. I blame Pat Quinn for that. - Keyrock - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 12:26 pm: Great point, 47th. - Henry Francis - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 12:32 pm: == In Springfield, there are frighteningly few lawmakers truly working on behalf of Illinois taxpayers.= On behalf of taxpayers, as opposed to citizens. Some states (and representatives) prioritize people. Some states (and representatives) prioritize capital. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 12:33 pm: This sounds like a juiced up “Terrence Goggins” kinda thing where these folks don’t get the vacation or up front “thanks” My sincere hope? Well, I hope they embrace this; ===Roe v Wade = GONE Affirmative Action = GONE Student Loan Forgiveness = GONE Constitutional Carry = SECURED Business Religious Freedom = SECURED Yes, it’s been a great 2 years for freedom and right to life of the unborn.=== I mean, maybe IPI should contact - John Lopez -? - Arsenal - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 12:38 pm: ==The libertarian-leaning Illinois Policy Institute== Citation f’in needed. - so - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 12:41 pm: IPI is a garbage organization but recruiting candidates is not a very new thing - Annonin' - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 12:52 pm: Kinda surprised they don’t add a processing fee to handle. - Candy Dogood - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 12:55 pm: I wonder what their vetting process looks like for the people that respond positively to their trolling for right wing moppets to run for office. They have one, right? Right? Either of the common meanings of trolling as a verb work for my comment above. Interpret as you like. - H-W - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 12:59 pm: Makes me wonder if anyone can apply to be a representative and be supported. The ad doesn’t say, “must be Republican,” or “must be conservative.” It simply says, “must fight for taxpayers.” Sign me up? - Demoralized - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 1:40 pm: The Illinois Policy Institute had their shot at running the government and we all saw how that turned out. Absolute unmitigated disaster. I would love for people to come out and say they were recruited by the Illinois Policy Institute. Would let us all know who definitely not to vote for. - Demoralized - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 1:40 pm: ==It simply says, “must fight for taxpayers.”== With that group it would be more accurate to say “must fight to take away pensions.” - Sox Fan - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 1:41 pm: Say what you want about IPI, but at least they got a Republican from Cook County who knew how to win elections as the face of their recruitment effort. - Grandson of Man - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 1:44 pm: What makes them think Illinois voters will support them after recent elections, going back to Rauner? Who’s going to embrace the right wing economic agenda except for super minority districts? Even some of those voted to enshrine workers’ rights last year. “there are frighteningly few lawmakers truly working on behalf of Illinois taxpayers” 2014 called and wants its talking points back. - Telly - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 1:45 pm: For the IPI, losing elections is a feature not a bug. They work to sustain an outrage-driven messaging loop. Actually getting candidates elected and changing the policy might kill the grift. All that matters is keeping the checks coming from Dick Uihlein, who’s okay with losing as long as the libs have been owned. - P - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 1:51 pm: Get in losers we are going losing .jpg - Watchful eye. - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 1:58 pm: Track record of failures second only to Dan Proft raising and spending $1.5 million and never flipping a seat or Mike Z spending $53 mil and losing by 42 points. Think what that money could have done in competent hands. - Watchful eye. - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 2:00 pm: Excuse me. Proft raised and spent $150 mil. My apologies - Frida's boss - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 2:08 pm: Property taxes are still high. Pensions are still going to cost the state a tax increase to fix or services will have to be cut. Tier 2 still has really been taken to court for what the cost will be to fix the disparity with SS. Free healthcare for immigrants without restrictions will rise well over $2 billion. All day kindergarten is now the law in Illinois. As of April of 2021 Illinois has 8,923 units of local Government according to the Civic Federation. 6,097 are special purpose governments. 852 school districts only Texas and California have more. Every University has their own separate Board and own mission, instead of a cohesive statewide approach to higher ed with all pulling in the same direction. They compete against each other for the same student while offering the same programs. These are all real costs and efficiencies that can and should be addressed by serious legislators. It’s a shame that pretty much all IPI candidates will have huge amount of social baggage to go with them, which makes them untenable most everywhere above I-80. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 2:09 pm: ===or Mike Z spending=== Meh. He’s still cashing checks. It’s not his fault that 50% plus of the ILGOP voters supported Bailey, lol - Anyone Remember - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 2:15 pm: Too bad there isn’t a latter day Hunter S. Thompson to deal with this … . - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 2:42 pm: ===It’s a shame that pretty much all IPI candidates will have huge amount of social baggage to go with them=== Yeah. Shame. Voters tend to shy away from bigoted racist types that want to control women’s bodies in Illinois. Or… “David Duke types, without the baggage” was how one member of Congress saw things. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 2:53 pm: Not forgetting the abysmal failure IPI folks were running the state, and moving past having IPI on a resume, along with Rauner Administration is likely the worst resume one can have in discussing any governing… putting aside all that… ‘Nember when Ives was gonna run a budget type bill that had IPI type logic surrounding it? How’d that go? You want multiple legislators like Ives proposing and supporting budgets/spending along those lines? I go back to my original thought, IPI needs to team up with - John Lopez - and run as many of those candidates that support the issues - John Lopez - sees as winners. I’d like that. - walker - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 3:57 pm: “”at least they got a Republican from Cook County who knew how to win elections as the face of their recruitment effort.”" Yes. Dan Patlak is a serious and ethical person with a desire for good government. One of those “loyal opposition” types we should value in any minority party. - Frida’s boss - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 4:01 pm: IPI is not a serious organization. They are in it for the grift. The fiscal problems of this state are still here even with a budget surplus. I would rather see the Civic Federation find fiscally responsible and truth telling candidates. Laurence Msall, rest his soul, ruffled feathers when he would talk about taxes, pensions and budget. He did it with respect to the issue and the necessity for grown ups to be involved and thoughtful decision makers. Something the IPI cannot seem to do whenever they slate a candidate. - Fill it up with Regular - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 4:07 pm: A cattle call for candidates? I’m sure that will yield the best of the best. Yikes. - Dotnonymous x - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 5:51 pm: I’ve entertained the idea of holding high office…and immediately had the same reaction of anyone who knew me…yeah…out loud. - Dotnonymous x - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 6:10 pm: Yeah…I’ll become a politician…that’s the ticket…looks easy…for me and my running mate…uhh…Beyoncé!…yeah…unhuh. - Dotnonymous XL - Thursday, Jul 20, 23 @ 6:17 pm: I’ve got a decent stage baritone…but I can’t dance…Oops…wrong audition…my bad? Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.