Thorner: Senator calls on IL GOP faithful to “hold the party together” at Lincoln Day Dinner

By Nancy Thorner - 

As what is an Illinois Republican Party tradition among local party organizations, Abraham Lincoln's birthday was celebrated at the Grant Township Republican Club's 67th Lincoln Day Dinner last Saturday night in Ingleside, Illinois.

The IL GOP's deepening divisions between the conservative and liberal wings was directly addressed by the evening's keynote speaker, state Senator Pamela Althoff (R-Crystal Lake). She warned that the party will need to come together after the March 20th IL GOP primary. 

"If we don’t," she said, "the Democrats will move in and overtake everything in this state, which will result in massive overspending and a mass exodus of people from the state."

Over 200 people were on hand to hear Althoff's admonition, with over 60 of them former or present Republican office holders or primary candidates.

Lincoln Day Dinner Events

The program opened with remarks by president Joseph Rada of the Grant Township Republican Club, who later in the program became its ex-president when new officers were installed. 

Prior to the serving of a prime rib dinner, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper, followed by a unique and beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by the Grant Township Anthem Singers, a choral ensemble dedicated to the performance of the National Anthem at school athletic events, concerts, and community events throughout the year. Membership is by audition only and auditions are by appointment throughout the year.  A unique Invocation was then presented by Dr. William Dam, who in expressing his admiration for Mother Teresa, read the Prayer on Behalf of Families by Mother Teresa. 

The program listed Demetra DeMonte, Illinois Republican National Committee, as the Keynote Speaker, but she had to cancel her appearance because of the snow that had fallen the day before. Gene Dawson, retired Barrington Twp. Supervisor, introduced Illinois State Senator Pamela Althoff, District 32, as the very capable  substitute Keynote Speaker for the night.

Senator Pamela Althoff impressive bio can be found here.  As a Special Education teacher from 1975-1975, Althoff joked how her position as a Special Ed teacher helped to prepare her for dealing with co-workers.  Althoff served as McHenry City Clerk/Collector from 1994-2001 and as McHenry City Mayor from 2001-2003.  First appointed to the Illinois Senate in 2003, Althoff was elected in 2004 to the present.

Senator Pamela Althoff addresses attendees

Senator Althoff's initial remark was to pronounce that she was not running for office again, then relating how she had relished her professional and political collaboration with the Grant Township Republican Club.  In recalling the redistricting that took place seven years ago, Althoff spoke of the welcome mat that had been rolled out for her in Grant Township. Not once did she ever feel like an outsider, but instead was made to feel part of the family.  For Althoff, participating in the Lincoln Day Dinner was a way for Republicans to reconfirm commitment to Party.

In opining on the behavior of our elected officials, Senator Althoff declared the present as a time of huge political divide.  It's no longer possible to have a friendly discussion in the workplace, among family, or in our social contacts without conversations turning into political debates.  People are also being unfriended from Facebook. 

Althoff spoke of the divide that exists between both political parties, as well as the divide that exists within the Republican Party.  Sniping and attacks are taking place by elected Republicans against Republican candidates running for office with intent to kill or maim their candidacies.  This must stop! 

Senator Althoff believes we can find guidance in looking how Lincoln dealt with candidates of differing views within the Republican Party to bring about a more harmonious situation. Althoff then recalled how Lincoln dealt with his team of political rivals in the 1860 presidential election when three other men were on the ballot with him who were much more established politicians: New York Senator William Seward, Ohio Senator Salmon Chase and former Missouri Representative Edward Bate.  When compared to Lincoln, Seward was too radical, Chase too connected to the Democrats, and Bates too old. Lincoln won the nomination becoming the consensus candidate, as he was the least objectionable candidate.  Lincoln eventually nominated Seward, Chase and Bates to serve as members of his cabinet.  All would advise Lincoln on the Emancipation Proclamation. 

Senator Althoff then cautioned: "We must hold our own party together. If we don’t the Democrats will move in and overtake everything in this state, which will result in massive overspending and a mass exodus of people from the state."

Althoff also had these words of advice:  "After Illinois' March Primary Election on March 2Oth, we must all coalesce around the same candidate for the November General Election.  Unsaid by Althoff but understood, was the need to support whichever candidate prevails in the Illinois March 20th Primary for governor, be it Ives or Rauner. 

To round out the program Nancy Kubalanza, Grant Republican Chairman, presented the Adam Skrzenta Leadership Award to Senator Pamela Althoff. 

The Lincoln Day Dinner closed with a raffle for which tickets could be purchased throughout the event.

Viability of Ronald Reagan 80% quote survive in today’s contested atmosphere?

This quote is often attributed to resident Ronald Reagan: "If you agree with me 80 percent of the time, you're an 80 percent friend and not a 20 percent enemy," but could the same survive in today's all-or-nothing atmosphere in which the demonizing of opponents is happening by those of the same party affiliation?   

Then too, what about the so-called 11th Commandment as an informal rule in the Republican Party: "Thou shalt not speak ill of any Republican."

What has outraged me on a personal level was the nasty and deceitful mailer I received in the mail, paid for by Citizens for Rauner, Inc., which described Jeanne Ives as part of the problem in Springfield.  The mailer further stated that Ives is in favor of Tax Hikes, aligned with the Mike Madigan Machine, and a Career Politician. There is no way to describe this mass mailing, approved by Bruce Rauner, as anything other than a slanderous piece of propaganda aimed at destroying the candidacy of Jeanne Ives. Tim Schneider, IL GOP State Chairman, also made a shameful and uncalled for swipe against Republican challenger Jeanne Ives by launching a vicious diatribe regarding her recent political ad.  Read here the Open Letter Jack Koenig of Deerfield, IL sent to IL GOP State Chairman Tim Schneider, as published Monday, February 12^th at Illinois Review.         

Given the ill will that now exists between Rauner and Ives supporters, it seems necessary that both candidates make a firm, ironclad commitment that they will wholeheartedly support the primary winner for the good of the Republican Party, Illinois, and its citizens.

Below is the Attendance List of Elected Officials, Party Officials and/or Candidates at the Grant Township Republican Club's Lincoln Day Dinner, provided by Mark Shaw, Chairman of the Republican Party in Lake County, Illinois:

1. Gary Grasso — Candidate for Illinois Attorney General;
2. Douglas Bennett — Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives (C.D. 10);
3. Sapan Shah — Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives (C.D. 10);
4. Jeremy Wynes — Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives (C.D. 10);
5. Dan McConchie — Illinois Senator and Candidate for Re-election (L.D. 26);
6. Pamela Althoff — Illinois Senator (L.D. 32);
7. Craig Wilcox — Candidate for Illinois Senate (L.D. 32);
8. Marko Sukovic — Candidate for Illinois House of Representatives (H.D. 59);
9. Karen Feldman – Candidate for Illinois House of Representatives (H.D. 59);
10. Sheri Jesiel — Illinois House of Representatives and Candidate for Re-election (H.D. 59); 
11. Ken Idstein – Candidate for Illinois House of Representatives (H.D. 62);
12. Adam Solano – Candidate for Illinois House of Representatives (H.D. 62);
13. Tom Weber — Lake County Board Member (C.B.D. 3) and Candidate for Illinois House of Representatives (H.D. 64);
14. Carla Wyckoff — Lake County Clerk and Candidate for Re-election;
15. David Stolman – Lake County Treasurer and Candidate for Re-election;
16. Dr. Howard Cooper — Lake County Coroner;
17. Michael Nerheim — Lake County State's Attorney;
18. Robert Grogan — DuPage County Auditor;
19. Dick Barr — Candidate for Lake County Board (C.B.D. 3);
20. Judy Martini — Lake County Board Member (C.B.D. 5) and Candidate for Re-election;
21. Jeff Werfel — Lake County Board Member (C.B.D. 6) and Candidate for Re-election;
22. Robert Bednar — Candidate for Lake County Board (C.B.D. 6);
23. Michael Danforth — Lake County Board Member (C.B.D. 17) and Candidate for Re-election;
24. Rebecca Zeidman — Candidate for Lake County Board (C.B.D. 11);
25. Aaron Lawlor — Lake County Board Member (C.B.D. 18) and Candidate for Re-election;
26. Christen Bishop — Lake County Circuit Court Judge and Candidate for Re-election;
27. Christopher Stride — Lake County Circuit Court Judge and Candidate for Re-election;
28. James Booras — Lake County Circuit Court Judge;
29. Daniel Shanes — Lake County Circuit Court Judge (S.C.D. 3) and Candidate for Re-election;
30. Steve DeRue — Lake County Associate Circuit Court Judge;
31. George Bridges — Former Lake County Circuit Court Judge;
32. John Goshgarian — Former Lake County Circuit Court Judge;
33. Donny Schmit — Fox Lake Mayor;
34. Bernie Konwent — Fox Lake Trustee;
35. Brian Marr- Fox Lake Trustee;
36. Ron Stochl — Fox Lake Trsutee;
37. Dan MacGillis — Round Lake Mayor;
38. Dan Sugrue — Green Oaks Trustee;
39. Virginia Wood — Green Oaks Trustee;
40. Kay Starostovic — Grant Township Supervisor;
41. Robert Selle — Grant Township Trustee;
42. Tom Lippert — Grant Township Trustee;
43. Carol Ulasy — Grant Township Trustee;
44. Dan Venturi — Lake Villa Township Supervisor and Former Lake County Republican Central Committee Chairman;
45. Dominic Marturano — Lindenhurst Mayor and Former Lake Villa Township Republican Chairman;
46. Tom Adams — Former Green Oaks Mayor and Former Lake County Republican Central Committee Chairman;
47. Robert Churchill — Former Illinois House of Representatives Majority Leader and Former Lake County Republican Central Committee Chairman;
48.  Michael Amrozowicz — Former Lake County Republican Central Committee Chairman;
49. Mark Shaw — Lake County Republican Central Committee Chairman and Illinois State Republican Party Central Committeeman (C.D. 10);
50. Marjorie Kubalanza — Lake County Republican Central Committee Chairwoman;
51. Ted Livengood — Lake County Republican Central Committee Second Vice Chairman;
52. Lynn O'Brien — Lake County Republican Central Committee Third Vice Chairman;
53. Larry Falbe — Lake County Republican Federation President and Former Libertyville Township Trustee;
54. Erin Westphal — Lake County Republican Federation Executive Director;
55. Stan Bond – Illinois State Republican Party Central Committeeman (C.D. 14) and Candidate for Kane County Clerk;
56. Barbara Richardson — Former Lake County Coroner;
57. Keith Brin — Former Lake County Circuit Court Clerk;
58. Eugene Dawson — Former Illinois State Republican Party Central Committeeman (C.D. 8);
59. Dr. William Dam — Former Illinois State Republican Party Central Committeeman (C.D. 8);
60. Numerous Republican Township Organization Chairmen and Precinct CommitteemenD