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* UPDATED x2 - Proft “excited” about candidate * This just in… Primary opponent surfaces against House GOP Leader Jim Durkin

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* I’ve reached out to Dan Proft tonight to see if he is backing this candidate [UPDATE: See below}. From a press release…

After Republicans in the General Assembly partnered with Michael Madigan to pass a 32% income tax hike, Mickey Straub, a small business owner and Mayor, today announced his Republican candidacy for State Representative in the 82nd district.

“State government should be cutting taxes, reducing spending, and opening the doors to businesses and families, not the reverse. It pains me to watch our taxes skyrocket and to see all the development just across our state borders!” said conservative and Burr Ridge Mayor Mickey Straub. “Success leaves clues, but so does failure. We need to learn from our past and from our neighbors to change course!”

Mickey Straub announced that he is running to give voters an option to replace Jim Durkin (Western Springs). Durkin is the House Republican Leader and a longtime Springfield politician. “I like Jim, but unfortunately,” said Mickey Straub, “he has become known as the leader of the ‘Surrender Republicans’ since 15 Republicans (including five from his leadership team) just joined hands with Democratic Speaker Michael Madigan to impose a 32% income tax hike on Illinois families.”

The tax hike will cost the average taxpayer in Burr Ridge an additional $1,690, and families throughout the district will pay more: Darien ($871), Homer Glen ($1,112), La Grange ($1,157), and Western Springs ($2,414). Mickey Straub added, “Instead of the ‘Tax and Spend’ policies of the last ten years, let’s try ‘Keep and Save.’”

Mickey Straub said, “I’m running for office because I believe that Illinois is a beacon of prosperity and opportunity and it should be the destination state that it used to be! Instead, families are fleeing Illinois at the rate of one person every five minutes. That’s embarrassing! It’s time to change course and we’re not going to do that without a change in leadership.”

“The future of the State and the Republican Party can only be assured through positive, conservative leadership and free-market policies. Too many longtime Republicans take the easy way out and surrender to the Democrats rather than fight for fiscal prudence and our future.” Mickey Straub added, “Families and small businesses are choosing Burr Ridge because they know we will fight for their best interests and our State leaders should do the same.”

“I know from experience whether it’s a business or community effort Mickey has the courage and values to fight for the community,” said local small business owner Peter Smolka.

Mickey Straub and his supporters will host a campaign kick-off rally on October 19, 2017.

A well-known principled conservative, patriot and experienced businessman, Straub is serving his second term as mayor of Burr Ridge, which continues to prosper. He is also the president of Sales Activity Management, Inc., a faith-based performance measurement company in Burr Ridge, a husband, parent, Catholic and a community leader who led efforts to build a playground. In 2012, Straub visited 50 State Capitols in (less than) 50 Days to “promote Lincoln’s principles and patriotism,” and he recently became the author of an inspirational book, “BIG GOALS…Short Deadlines”. Mickey Straub is also known for having recited the Gettysburg Address at every state capitol and co-founded Proud to be Republican, LLC, an organization once dedicated to promoting the principles of Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln.

*** UPDATE 1 *** From Dan Proft…

I’m very excited about Mickey’s candidacy. He is a proven conservative reform leader.

*** UPDATE 2 *** From one of Proft’s newspapers the other day…

Since assuming control of the Illinois House Republican Caucus four years ago, the law firm of State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) has helped Illinois municipal governments and state agencies amass more than a quarter of a billion dollars in public debt, according to an analysis by Prairie State Wire.

Meanwhile, Durkin has actively backed controversial legislation in Springfield that would encourage more Illinois government borrowing, protecting the buyers of such debt at the expense of taxpayers and, in turn, benefitting his own business.

“It’s a horrible conflict of interest,” said Mark Glennon, publisher of WirePoints Illinois Financial News and a municipal bond expert who has written frequently on the subject. “I was stunned when I found out what law firm Durkin was associated with.”

The firm, Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, hired Durkin in April 2011 to help lead its “Municipal & Government Practice Group” in Chicago.

Completed deals since 2015 touted on the firm web site total $264 million, including $60 million for Hoffman Estates, $27 million for Berwyn, $11 million for Orland Park, and $10 million for Matteson.

As a partner in the firm, Durkin personally has collected fees on this borrowing.

Yet he didn’t disclose this conflict– nor offer to recuse himself– when voting to support Senate Bill 41, which Glennon described as “an obscene sellout to the municipal bond industry and betrayal of the public interest.”

posted by Rich Miller
Sunday, Oct 1, 17 @ 8:22 pm

Comments

What was Durkin supposed to do to stop 10 members from voting to override?

Comment by Grand Avenue Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 9:19 am
I’m curious to see how Madigan will be blamed for this.

Comment by Keyrock Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 9:20 am
I’ll be with Durkin.

It will be unwavering support for Leader Durkin and it’ll be an irony not lost on me at any point, given this whole Rauner/Proft/IPI convergence that makes zero sense as Profy goes after Durkin, and also goes after Rauner, and the rationale for both seem very selfish and big focused on anything of a political ideology.

Proft now, after all the destruction and the awful IPI experiment with messaging, and knowing since jump street who Rauner was and still is… this is Proft not clearly realizing his own complicity these past 30+ months.

Rauner should protect Durkin, Rauner at least owes Durkin that. I find little to support Rauner, but, I’m with Durkin - OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 9:28 am
In Dan Proft, it’s like we have our own little Grover Norquist right here in Illinois.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 9:32 am
Proft will either succeed in cannibalizing the GOP in Illinois or find that being loud doesn’t mean that people are listening to your message. Durkin has remained honorably loyal to his core values as he seeks to serve the people of Illinois as the leader of the minority party. One thing Proft and Rauner share is a fundamental inability to count noses.

Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 9:36 am
Forget Durkin. He was complicit in Rauner’s destruction and didn’t care about anything, but what Rauner wanted.

Comment by Real Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 9:37 am
*legislative leader

Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 9:37 am
This is right in Mr. 7%’s wheelhouse — to run the auto-da-fe for Sugar Daddy Uiehlein and spend all that old inherited Schlitz money for funsies on purging the heretics from the one and only true GOP church.

Wonder where you can find a phone booth these days to hold those GOP caucus meetings, if the kids get their way?

In the grown-up land of a democracy, a shallow, grievance-peddling grifter like Proft couldn’t build consensus on a pizza order. But Iike they said on the farm, any jack -a– can kick down a barn, it takes a carpenter to build one.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 9:39 am
Oh Mickey.
What a pity.
You don’t understand.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 9:42 am
===Forget Durkin. He was complicit in Rauner’s destruction and didn’t care about anything, but what Rauner wanted.===

Yep. 100%. There is no mistaking that until the Brave 15 and Perfect 10 emerged, the HGOP was, and in many ways, still is, the HRaunerites.

What I can’t stomach, and why I’m with Durkin, and with Leader Brady, is that the circular firing squad Proft wants, to destroy what Republicans are left to take on Raunerism, Proft wants “everyone” gone but people Proft approves, with Proft’s sliding scale of Slytherin Purity and rank hypocrisy for financial gain… for Proft

Proft is only empowered when Republicans yield to Proft’s ridiculousness that begins and ends with Proft’s hypocrisy.

Oh, Durkin is complicit in destroying this state, aiding Rauner.

I haven’t forgot that. At all.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 9:43 am
Was Mickey up for consideration to fill Radogno’s vacancy?

Comment by Grand Avenue Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 9:44 am
Any more, winning a Republican primary requires a delicate balance of pure evil and bat-caca crazy. Straub seems to fit that bill.

Comment by Nick Name Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 9:46 am
“He is a proven conservative reform leader”

Come again? Proven what? As mayor of Burr Ridge? You mean the wealthy community that tried to have a TIF but was defeated?

Burr Ridge is going to be prosperous no matter what.

What has he reformed there? The new “park”. LOL

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 9:55 am
Proft is making a living. That’s it.

Comment by Short Term Relationship Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 9:59 am
Anyone or anything Proft is for has to be taken with a grain of salt. The man cares only about what benefits him monetarily.

Comment by old time golfer Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 10:11 am
Proft is “The Monster” to Rauner’s “Dr. Frankenstein”. Bruce thought if he bankrolled him and brought him into the circle he could be controlled. Now he has gone rogue with all of Rauner’s Millions. Republicans are reaping what they sowed. It’s hilarious to watch and completely self-inflicted.

Comment by I'm Just A Bill Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 10:19 am
Rauner & Griffin are going to be done with Proft now.

This is playing out to be Rauner/Griffin versus Proft/Uihlein. What a joke.

Comment by Grand Avenue Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 10:27 am
Just send popcorn. I have nobody to root for in this fight. Durkin lies in support of Rauner’s lies. Proft is the lowest of the low, only looking out for Proft. There are no core values here. There is just power. Durkin is a great big shot across the bow. More to come.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 10:32 am
Wordslinger nailed it! We need more Durkins and fewer Profts in Illinois GOP.

But you have to admit, Proft found his Sugar Daddy and is milking him for everything he can get.

Comment by Suburbanon Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 10:46 am
=== the law firm of State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) has helped Illinois municipal governments and state agencies amass more than a quarter of a billion dollars in public debt, according to an analysis by Prairie State Wire.===

–how much of that quarter bil was state agencies? Which ones, for what purpose? Same for municipalities
–maybe the municipalities wouldnt need to borrow as much, if the state met its obligations in a timely manner

Leave it to Pffttt, representing a minority within a minority, to attack a leader and members who helped avoid junk bond status, universities closing, and greater damage to social and
Govt services. Purity of ideology is more important to Pffttt than a functioning govt. starve the beast. To death.

Comment by Langhorne Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 10:55 am
==“He is a proven conservative reform leader”

Come again? Proven what?==

Well, he has recited the Gettyburg Address in all 50 state capitols. That must count for something, right? /s

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 10:57 am
Why doesn’t Proft run for a GOP committeeman position and then run for the top ILGOP position? While I know he ran for Governor in the past and only received 5% (?) of the vote, why not do it again and then he can be the real big shot he has always wanted to be. I am with OW on this one about Durkin and Brady and I am a staunch Democrat.

Comment by honeybadger Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 10:59 am
Going to be a heck of a fun Jan-March

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 11:01 am
Pity Mickey…

His public service life is about to be defined in his ability to become collateral damage. There are no real Brass Rings in the 25 cent gumball machines.

Comment by A guy Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 11:12 am
Sorry, I was 10:57.

Comment by G'Kar Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 12:05 pm
Jim Durkin isn’t a leader. He never should have come back to state house after his massive loss to Dick Durbin in the 2002 U.S. Senate race. Should have given someone else a chance in the state house job. But the law firm benefits of having a house seat seem to be too great for Jim to put the public interest first.

Comment by Chris P. Bacon Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 12:24 pm
Proft might be “excited” to see this candidate, but will that turn into dollars?

Comment by walker Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 12:25 pm
I can’t help but think that the Hinz story about the $30M, hiring IPI types and Proft running the GA races is the big missing piece to the puzzle on what caused the cold war in the Illinois GOP to turn hot in a hurry.

Something went sour with that deal and it’s been FUBAR ever since.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 12:35 pm
It could be as simple as Diana Rauner wanted IPI messaging and alumni help in rehabbing husband, but Proft and Uihlein running their Right thinking political apparatus, even at the idea of $30 million that Diana and Bruce needn’t spend on people not Bruce… that was “ok”

…

… until “as a white male” and other ridiculous mistakes mounted, and Diana felt this Right turn, even with the IPI alums she wanted, and Ann Cananaugh, and “Hud” whom the Rauner’s met at a cocktail party…

It’s about the money and control, within and outside the Administration, and Diana Rauner not liking the personal capital, not the financial capital, that it was costing both Bruce and Diana.

This isn’t close to being an ideology struggle, that’s the frame they all want so the monies and power struggle can be concealed by the righteous indignation.

About less than 10 people are destroying an alleged former political party because of a brand looking bad and the money others wanted to make off running campaigns for an agenda that Diana just couldn’t get behind.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 12:49 pm
==State government should be cutting taxes==

That’s nice. Unrealistic but nice. Individuals who say such things either don’t understand state finances or simply don’t care and favored the Governor’s “starve the beast, don’t pay our bills” type of government.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 12:58 pm
Chris P. Bacon,

Where have you been for the past 3 years? You must be dense.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 3:11 pm
What is a “faith-based performance measurement company?” Isn’t one of the principles of measurement that it is objective? Where does faith factor into that?

Also, “Mickey Straub is also known for having recited the Gettysburg Address at every state capitol” Known by whom?

He “co-founded Proud to be Republican, LLC, an organization once dedicated to promoting the principles of Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln” Ok, what’s it dedicated to today?

From the Proud to be Republican website “I highly recommend Proud to be Republican for your next campaign.”

Matthew Besler
President, IIllinois (sic) Liberty PAC”

Ah, there’s the Proft connection. And that website was last updated in July 2013. What happened? No longer proud to be a Republican? Bored? Money dried up?

Comment by illini97 Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 3:23 pm
I’m a liberal Dem. living right next to Durkin’s district and know several local Repubs. who have worked w/ him for years- Mickey Straub couldn’t carry his jock-strap.

Comment by cashbeardsley Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 6:25 pm
–Mickey Straub is also known for having recited the Gettysburg Address at every state capitol..–

Is he? How old is Mickey? Six?

–… and co-founded Proud to be Republican, LLC, an organization once dedicated to promoting the principles of Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln.–

They’re not dedicated to that any longer? Wha’ happen’?

According to their website, they’re on that McCain/Palin bandwagon these days.

This is a candidate right up Mr. 7%’s alley.

http://www.proudtoberepublican.com/

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 6:34 pm
Laborious plastic toys do not contain phthalates. https://gajumaruya.jimdo.com/2017/10/01/square-market-launches-offers-easy-online-storefronts-for-local-business/

Comment by online stores like asos Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 12:57 am