Adam Andrzejewski's Comments on Bob Schillerstrom Dropping from Governor's Race

From the Campaign Office of Adam Andrzejewski for Governor

Elmhurst, Ill- Adam Andrzejewski, Republican candidate for governor, today released the following statement in response to DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom's decision to withdraw from the governor's race:

"Over the course of the last few months, I have come to appreciate the energy Bob Schillerstom has brought to the Governor's campaign. I did not agree with all of Bob's positions, but he raised issues that made the race for Governor a better contest.

While I don't think Bob's endorsement of Jim Ryan reflects the best choice for Illinois, his experience with the Illinois Republican establishment makes his endorsement as good a fit for him as any of the other 5 remaining establishment candidates in the race.

We may see more deals and negotiations among the establishment candidates as this race comes to a close, but Illinois voters can rest assured that I will be there to provide them with the choice of a clean, non-establishment conservative.

Dillard Statement on Schillerstrom’s Decision to Withdraw

From the Campaign Office of Senator Kirk Dillard for Governor

LISLE, Ill- State Senator Kirk Dillard, Republican candidate for governor, today released the following statement in response to DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom’s decision to withdraw from the governor’s race:

“I have enjoyed working with Chairman Schillerstrom in the past as the former Republican Chairman and a current State Senator in DuPage County. I look forward to continuing to work with him in the future to balance the budget, bring jobs to Illinois and clean up Springfield.”

Brady on Schillerstrom Dropping Out of GOP Race for Governor

From the Campaign Office of Senator Bill Brady for Governor

Senator Bill Brady, Republican candidate for Governor, released the following statement today:

“Bob Schillerstrom’s endorsement of Jim Ryan today is as predictable as the dead voting in Chicago. It was inevitable he would throw his support behind either Jim Ryan or Kirk Dillard. Anything to stop real reform.

“Schillerstrom tells us Jim Ryan will be ‘an advocate for the taxpayer, questioning the status quo in state government and fighting to bring real change to Springfield culture.’

“In fact, Ryan and Schillerstrom cut a deal with Chicago interests in 2007 to impose a sales tax increase on voters in DuPage. Jim Ryan actually headed up the Schillerstrom’s pro-tax committee (“DuPage tax supporters ready for month-long blitz,” Daily Herald, 1/6/08). It’s worth noting that Kirk Dillard voted for that increase in the Senate, one of only three Republicans to do so. I voted against it.

“Jim Ryan also called for billions of dollars in income tax increases as he sat on the board of a leftwing think tank, with the SEIU union and other liberal groups. Jim’s $800,000 relationship with Stu Levine hardly speaks of real change. And his mishandling of the Nicarico case, in addition to being an enormous tragedy, cost Bob Schillerstrom’s County millions of dollars in legal settlements.

“Bob and Jim are on opposite ends of key issues such as capital punishment, the Second Amendment rights and abortion. But what matters, apparently, is they are both part of the insider crowd.

“It is doubly ironic that Bob Schillerstrom signed the no-new-tax pledge but is now endorsing one of two candidates who didn’t. Kirk Dillard – no surprise – is the other one. Bob and Jim are the ‘taxing tag team,’ and with Kirk Dillard, it makes three.”

“Talk about a ****storm!”

Dan Proft Statement on Bob Schillerstrom Dropping Out of Governor's Race

From the Campaign Office of Dan Proft for Governor

(Chicago, Illinois) — In response to the announcement that Bob Schillerstrom is dropping out of the race for governor and endorsing Jim Ryan, conservative Republican candidate for governor Dan Proft released the following statement:

I want to congratulate Bob Schillerstrom for running a spirited, policy-oriented campaign.

He was a worthy adversary and is a class individual.

However, his support of Jim Ryan serves only to crystallize the choice for Republican primary voters on February 2nd. Are we going to turn back the clock or are we finally going to usher in a new generation of forward-looking leadership for our party and our state?

Are we going to propose a more orderly going-out-of-business sale for our state or take up the cause of bringing policy revolution to state government?

Will fear lead us to tolerate the status quo or will we muster the courage to advance the candidate who will turn Springfield upside down?

Chris Christie in New Jersey. Scott Brown in Massachusetts.

Who will lead the revolution in Illinois?

Jim Ryan? He is a fine man but, please, be serious.

If you want policy revolution in Illinois, Dan Proft is your candidate for Governor.

Message from Bob Schillerstrom

From the Campaign Office of Bob Schillerstrom

Dear Friends,

Nearly seven months ago we launched this campaign with a promise to dramatically change the quick-fix, reactionary approach to state government that has saddled Illinois with an $11 billion deficit, double-digit unemployment and a well-earned national reputation for corruption. We sought to remind taxpayers that they don't have to settle for Springfield dysfunction – that there is a better way.

It has been my pleasure to work with you in the time since to spread that message across our state. Together we have sounded the call for new leadership – for an end to runaway spending and threatened tax hikes, for a new approach to recruiting employers and good jobs to Illinois, and for the transformation of a Springfield culture that has put us in this predicament. In the process we have introduced critical reforms that would revolutionize state government – things like zero-based budgeting, 72-Hour online public review of all spending legislation, and term limits for all state leaders. We have made a difference.

But as Election Day nears, it is clear that we lack the financial resources necessary to communicate with voters statewide and win the February 2 Primary. Given that reality, I have decided to end our campaign for Governor. This decision was not made lightly, and was particularly difficult given the incredible investment that so many have made in our campaign. Words cannot express how grateful and humbled I am by the work of our volunteers, staff and supporters. And I would be remiss if I did not publically thank my wife of 25 years, Marybeth, and our three children for their unwavering support from day one.

Today is the end of our campaign for Governor, but it does not lessen the urgency in bringing new leadership and a different approach to Springfield. And that is why today I also announce my endorsement of the candidate who I believe will best lead our state in taking on unprecedented challenges, Jim Ryan.

In a political arena where individuals are only as good as their word, Jim Ryan stands out as a man of integrity. He is tested. He is honest. I've known Jim Ryan for nearly 30 years and I've seen him deal with difficult challenges whether they were personal, political or professional...

He will serve as an advocate for the taxpayer, questioning the status quo in state government and fighting to bring real change to Springfield culture. I encourage Republicans to vote for him on Feb. 2, and again in November...

Illinois can do better – and working together, we'll see that it does.

Sincerely,
Bob

BREAKING NEWS: Schillerstrom Drops Out of Race

Republican candidate for governor, Bob Schillerstrom, has dropped out of the gubernatorial race. He has put his support behind the candidacy of Jim Ryan.

Senator Brady Criticizes Jim Ryan's Plan to Lease Tollway

From the Campaign Office of Senator Bill Brady for Governor

Illinois Senator Bill Brady, (R) Candidate for Governor, released the following statement today regarding opponent Jim Ryan’s proposal to lease the Illinois State Tollway;
State assets have to be preserved for the long term. My opponent, Jim Ryan, is opening the door to a very dangerous practice. We should not be making a habit out of selling or leasing taxpayers assets for a short-term bump. That only provides a temporary fix to a much larger problem.

I would consider privatizing the tollway only if it could be managed better for the taxpayers and drivers, but our track record in Illinois suggests that would not be the case. The leasing of Chicago’s parking meters, for example, has been anything but beneficial to taxpayers. The transition was plagued with problems, and rates are so high -- increasing 75 cents in some areas in the new year -- many taxpayers can no longer afford the convenience of driving to the city. The privatization of the the Chicago Skyway lead to higher tolls, less maintenance and was forced to close down over some holidays because of snow.

As Governor, my top priority will be to provide the leadership to get the Illinois back to living within its means. There is not an area of state government that can’t afford to do more with less. I will make the difficult decisions necessary to balance Illinois’ budget without raising taxes.

I believe the long-term solution to the state’s fiscal imbalance is bringing back the 700,000 jobs Illinois has lost in recent years, which would ultimately result in a $3 billion annual infusion of tax revenues to the state treasury. In the short term, I will order a top-to-bottom prioritization of state spending to curtail programs that are outdated or underperforming and reconstruct government from the bottom up.

Jim Ryan (R), Candidate for Governor

Jim Ryan (R), Candidate for Governor
Originally uploaded by IllinoisChannel

November 3, 2009 - Former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan announces his candidacy for Governor.

For more information on Jim Ryan's campaign, click here.