The next general election is Tuesday, November 4, 2008.
Here are your Democratic Candidates. The Democratic
Organization of Troy Township proudly endorses the following
candidates. As a note, the following candidates from
Troy Township have supported and attended all DOTT
functions: Judge Jeff Allen for Subcircuit 2, Mark Fumagalli
Will County Board District 6, Sharon May Will County Board
District 6, and Dennis Grosskopf State Representative 84th District.
The following candidate information is posted on the Will
County Democratic web site. These candidates are the
ones who you will find on your Troy Township ballots this
fall election.
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Barack Obama
was born in Hawaii on August 4th, 1961. His father,
Barack Obama Sr., was born and raised in a small
village in Kenya, where he grew up herding goats
with his own father, who was a domestic servant to
the British.
Barack's mother, Ann Dunham, grew up in small-town
Kansas. Her father worked on oil rigs during the
Depression, and then signed up for World War II
after Pearl Harbor, where he marched across Europe
in Patton's army. Her mother went to work on a
bomber assembly line, and after the war, they
studied on the G.I. Bill, bought a house through the
Federal Housing Program, and moved west to Hawaii.
It was there, at the University of Hawaii, where
Barack's parents met. His mother was a student
there, and his father had won a scholarship that
allowed him to leave Kenya and pursue his dreams in
America.
Barack's father eventually returned to Kenya, and
Barack grew up with his mother in Hawaii, and for a
few years in Indonesia. Later, he moved to New York,
where he graduated from Columbia University in 1983.
Remembering the values of empathy and service that
his mother taught him, Barack put law school and
corporate life on hold after college and moved to
Chicago in 1985, where he became a community
organizer with a church-based group seeking to
improve living conditions in poor neighborhoods
plagued with crime and high unemployment.
He went on to earn his law degree from Harvard in
1991, where he became the first African-American
president of the Harvard Law Review. Soon after, he
returned to Chicago to practice as a civil rights
lawyer and teach constitutional law. Finally, his
advocacy work led him to run for the Illinois State
Senate, where he served for eight years. In 2004, he
became the third African American since
Reconstruction to be elected to the U.S. Senate.
It has been the rich and varied experiences of
Barack Obama's life - growing up in different places
with people who had differing ideas - that have
animated his political journey. Amid the
partisanship and bickering of today's public debate,
he still believes in the ability to unite people
around a politics of purpose - a politics that puts
solving the challenges of everyday Americans ahead
of partisan calculation and political gain.
In the U.S. Senate, he has focused on tackling the
challenges of a globalized, 21st century world with
fresh thinking and a politics that no longer settles
for the lowest common denominator. His first law was
passed with Republican Tom Coburn, a measure to
rebuild trust in government by allowing every
American to go online and see how and where every
dime of their tax dollars is spent. He has also been
the lead voice in championing ethics reform that
would root out Jack Abramoff-style corruption in
Congress.
Whether it's the poverty exposed by Katrina, the
genocide in Darfur, or the role of faith in our
politics, Barack Obama continues to speak out on the
issues that will define America in the 21st century.
But above all his accomplishments and experiences,
he is most proud and grateful for his family. His
wife, Michelle, and his two daughters, Malia, 9, and
Sasha, 6, live on Chicago's South Side where they
attend Trinity United Church of Christ.
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 11th
Congressional
Senator Debbie
Halvorson
D-Crete, was re-elected in 2002 to a 3rd term as
State Senator of the 40th District. She is a
lifelong resident of the 40th District, married to
Jim Bush. They have four children and three
grandchildren.
With
a reputation as one of the hardest working
legislators in Springfield, Senator Halvorson rose
into leadership team after only two years then spent
two years as Majority Caucus Chair and moved up to
Assistant Majority Leader in 2004. In January of
2005 she was appointed Majority Leader, the first
woman ever in the history of Illinois. She is the
only woman in Senate Leadership.
Senator Halvorson is past chairman of the
bi-partisan Southland Caucus, and currently serves
as co-chair of the Coalition of Women Legislators.
She is a member of Transportation, Agriculture and
Conservation Committees, chairman of the
subcommittee on airports as well as the chairman of
rail safety. In addition she holds positions on
several statewide tasks forces.
Senator Halvorson has led the movement to provide
affordable prescription drugs to all senior citizens
and those with disabilities, regardless of income.
She sponsored and passed Senate Bill 3, which is the
first in the nation to create a new program that
would offer all seniors and those with disabilities
in Illinois access to cheaper prescription drugs
without having to go to another country. She also
personally drafted the legislation that was enacted
to protect senior citizens checking into nursing
homes. One of Senator Halvorson's successful
domestic violence initiatives requires that orders
of protection from other states be enforced the same
as those that originated in Illinois.
A
graduate of Bloom Township High School in Chicago
Heights, Senator Halvorson has degrees from Robert
Morris College, Prairie State College, a Bachelor of
Arts and a Master’s Degree in Communication from
Governors State University. She attended the
Darden School for Emerging Political Leaders at the
University of Virginia and completed the Program for
Senior Executives in State and Local Government at
Harvard.
Halvorson was the chief sponsor of one of Illinois’
toughest law ever dealing with hit-and-run drivers.
And, she is also responsible for passing legislation
increasing the penalties for the harassment of
minors via electronic communications, making it a
Class 4 felony to send Internet messages that
attempt to arrange a sexual act with a child.
Prior to entering the Senate, Halvorson spent 14
years as a small businesswoman and served as Crete
Township Clerk from April, 1993 to December, 1996.
Through her service in the Senate, Senator Halvorson
has been recognized by a number of organizations.
These include being named an Education Hero by the
Illinois Education Association, Freshman Legislator
of the Year by the Illinois Health Care Association,
Business Advocate of the Year by the Chicago
Southland Development Inc., Distinguished Legislator
of the Year from the National Alliance of the
Mentally Ill, Statesman of the Year by the
International Union of Operating Engineers,
Outstanding Legislator of the Year from the Illinois
Hospital and Health Systems Association, Community
Service Award from the Illinois Association of Park
Districts, recipient of the Governor’s Award of
Education to Career, and Legislator of the Year by
the South Suburban Area on Aging, and just since
April of 2006 has been awarded the Citizen of the
Year from the Will-Grundy Central Trades and
Laborers, Legislator of the Year from the ARC of
Illinois, Star of the Year from South Star Services
honoring the Senator for her tireless advocacy and
commitment to improve the lives of persons with
developmental disabilities.
She
has also received Legislator of the Year from the
Illinois Community College Trustees Association.
Senator Debbie Halvorson continues to be a strong
voice and advocate for the interests of the
hardworking families of Illinois. She tours the
country as an advocate for women’s issues,
especially when it comes to empowering women to make
healthy and educated decisions about themselves.
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 Larry
Walsh
Will County
Executive
Besides serving as County
Executive, Walsh has a long distinguished
career in public service. In 1970, he served
as a member of the Elwood School Board and
three years later, was elected as Jackson
Township Supervisor - a position he held
until 2004. Walsh also served as Illinois
State Senator for the 43rd District from
1997 to 2005. In this position, he
represented a large portion of Will County
and parts of Kankakee and Iroquois counties.
On two separate occasions, he served terms
as a Will County Board member – once in 1974
and again in 1992.
Throughout his exemplary
career in public service, Walsh is known
for his ability to work in a bipartisan
fashion to create real solutions for his
constituency. He continues to be
recognized for his advocacy on critical
issues, including senior
rights/services, special
needs/disability/access issues and
agricultural concerns. By offering an
open door-policy, Walsh has worked to
increase both accessibility and
accountability of government and believe
in taking a hands-on approach in
governing and through community
involvement.
As County Executive in
one of the fastest growing counties in
the State of Illinois and nation, Walsh
believes that it is vital to be
proactive when it comes to growth and
development in the County. On a daily
basis, he works collaboratively with
community, business and governmental
leaders to insure that the County is
prepared to move in an upward and
positive direction.
An active member of the
community, Walsh is involved in many
organizations and serves on a number of
boards and committees. He is on the
executive board for the Will County
Center for Economic Development, as well
as on its strategic planning board. He
also serves on the Will County Farm
Bureau Foundation board, Youth
Experiencing Success in School (YESS)
advisory board for Joliet Township High
Schools, and the Collins Street Task
Force. He also is a member of the Elwood
Lions Club, the Joliet Exchange Club and
the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce
and Industry, His involvement with
numerous social service agencies
includes Morningstar Mission, Big
Brothers, Big Sisters of Will and Grundy
counties, Lambs Fold and Cornerstone
Services.
Walsh, 59, is a lifelong
resident of Elwood, IL. He was educated
through the Elwood grade school system,
is a graduate of Joliet East High School
and holds an associate degree in
agriculture and business from Joliet
Junior College. Walsh also holds an
honorary doctorate in humanities from
Lewis University.
Along with his sons,
Walsh continues to farm family property
in Elwood. He is married to the former
Irene Quigley and together they have six
married children – Larry Jr., Frank,
Matthew, Sarah, Shawn and Brian – who
have given them “16 wonderful
grandchildren”.
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Will County
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Pam has served
as President of the Illinois Association of
Court Clerks from 2003-2004. Pam is
currently seeking her fourth term as Circuit
Clerk. Since elected in 1996, she has fully
integrated five systems into one integrated
court computer system and has implemented
imaging of court documents. This new system
is integrated with the State’s Attorney
Office so booking information is
electronically obtained, captured and reused
from the Illinois State Police Bureau of
Identification.
As one of the
fastest growing counties in the State of
Illinois, Pam is continually looking for
ways to integrate the justice agencies in
the county. Her office is currently in the
process of implementing several electronic
pilot projects: eFiling of civil court
cases, eCitations with the Joliet Police
Department, on-line electronic guilty pleas
and is working with the Will County Sheriff
on a integrated Warrant and Order of
Protection project.
Pam clearly
recognizes the pressing need for data
sharing between key users. With our county
growing as rapidly as it is, it is critical
to have continuity in the implementation of
the integrated justice system, which will
act as the bedrock foundation to our local
homeland security. In plain language our
entire court system and law enforcement need
to be able to exchange vital information
effectively in real time. Having experience
and an understanding of technology has given
her the ability to work toward this
direction.
Appointed by
the Governor in 2003, she presently serves
on the Illinois Integrated Justice System
Implementation Board. Ms. McGuire serves as
Treasurer of the Tri-Rivers Police Training
Region Mobile Team Unit No. 16. In addition,
she serves on the Outreach Committee of
IIJIS and has staff on the Technology
Committees. Pam previously served on the
Supreme Court Technology Committee for
E-Filing. In July 1999, she served on the
Secretary of State’s Highway Safety 2000
Advisory Panel.
Before
becoming, the Will County Circuit Clerk she
gained her business and administrative
background from such companies as American
Hospital Supply Corporation, Westinghouse
Electric and the Murer Group. Ms. McGuire
trained and supervised staff in software
applications, procedures and general
concepts. Ms. McGuire also installed,
customized and provided technical support
for a customized computer system throughout
the United States. While working as a
consultant, she directed and coordinated
research projects, analyzed data and
rendered final reports with recommendations.
In addition, she assisted hospitals in
setting up rehabilitation centers and obtain
the appropriate accreditation.
After being a
widow for five years, Ms. McGuire remarried
in 2001 to her husband, Pat who brought his
two children into the marriage adding to her
three. Pam survived a years’ struggle with
malignant melanoma cancer in 2000-2001.
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 James W. Glasgow
Will County
States Attorney
James W.
Glasgow graduated from Joliet Catholic High
School, earning his Bachelor of Arts from
the University of Illinois at
Champaign/Urbana, and receiving his Juris
Doctor from Northern Illinois Law School in
DeKalb, Illinois.
He has been practicing law since 1981 and
has consistently dedicated himself to
protecting the citizens of Will County, with
a focus on the most vulnerable populations,
abused women and children.
Jim Glasgow has a long history with the Will
County State’s Attorney’s Office:
•Assistant State’s Attorney First Chair in
the Misdemeanor and Felony Trial Divisions
from 1983-1986
•Senior Felony Trial Assistant from
1987-1988
•Elected State’s Attorney from 1992 – 2000
•Your current Will County State’s Attorney
2004-present
Jim has remained dedicated to the precepts
of law: “to live honestly, to injure no one,
and to give every man his due.” (Justinian
I, Byzantine Emperor, 483-565).
Jim’s professional resume includes
successful prosecution of all of his more
that 40 felony trials from 1984-1988,
ranging from retail theft to death penalty
murder.
In order to best serve the people of Will
County, Jim created special units for
prosecuting gang crimes, white collar/public
corruption, domestic violence, drug
trafficking, auto theft, arson, and Drug
Court Jail Diversion Program. He also
implemented a multi-county victim sensitive
agency for interviewing sexually abused
children in a safe and confidential
environment, saving the children from the
potential trauma of having to face the
perpetrator in the courtroom.
State’s Attorney Glasgow is a diligent crime
prevention advocate and is active with youth
programs, Character Education initiatives,
drug, alcohol, gang, and violence prevention
education, victim/witness assistance
programs, and Senior Citizen safety.
Jim believes that the State’s Attorney’s
office has a sacred responsibility to keep
the community aware and educated on current
issues and changes in law and fully supports
his dedicated staff in developing and
providing opportunities for professionals
and community members to become more
educated and involved, keeping Will County
safe for all citizens.
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 Pat
O'Neil
Will
County Coroner
Will County Coroner Patrick
K. O’Neil was elected to office in November
1992. He is currently in his 15th
year of service as your Will County
Coroner. He will be seeking re-election to
his 5th term in November 2008.
Pat has supervised over 30,000 death
investigations in his tenure as coroner.
Pat O’Neil is a graduate
of Providence Catholic High School and
Southern Illinois University. He has
over 500 hours of forensic educational
training. Pat is both a Diplomat and
Board certified Fellow with the American
Board of Medicolegal Death
Investigators. He is also a Certified
Medical Investigator with the American
College of Forensic Examiners.
Pat O’Neil has helped
author guidelines for death
investigations both nationally with the
Department of Justice and locally
through Illinois Coroners & Medical
Examiners Association, where he
currently serves as 2nd Vice
President. He volunteers as an elite
member of the Illinois Child Death
Review Team. Pat also volunteers as an
instructor for the Will County Citizens
Police Academy, the Will Grundy
Emergency Medical Services and as a
guest lecturer at many local grade
schools, high schools and universities.
Pat O’Neil is a long time
member of the International Association
of Coroners and Medical Examiners,
International Association for
Identification, the Fraternal Order of
Police, Joliet Rotary Club, Old Timers
Baseball Association, the Irish American
Society of the County of Will where he
was named the 2008 Irish Citizen of the
Year. Pat is a former board member of
the Illinois State Police Forensic Crime
Laboratory and he is also an active
supporter and benefactor of many local
charities and civic organizations.
In 2002 Pat was able to
convince the county board and county
executive of the growing need for a
county-owned morgue. He designed,
supervised construction, and opened Will
County’s 1st morgue on July
15, 2002.
Pat O’Neil was born and
raised in Lockport. For many years he
helped manage the 4th
generation family funeral home with his
parents, Pat & Joyce O’Neil and sister,
Kim Golob, a business his grandfather,
Joseph T. O’Neil, started in 1918 and
was Will County’s 1st funeral
home. Pat has been married for 10 years
to his wife, Jennifer. They have two
children, Shae, 7 and Ryan, 5.
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 Karen
Stukel
Candidate for Will County Recorder of Deeds
Karen A. Stukel
is a lifelong resident of Will County,
growing up in Joliet for the past 37 years
before moving to Shorewood 5 years ago.
Karen currently resides in Shorewood with
her 3 sons Zachary, Michael, and Jordan. You
can say Karen is no stranger to politics,
Karen’s mother the late Mary Ann Stukel was
Will County’s Recorder of Deeds from
1992-2004. Karen along with her former
husband Mike Smith, her 2 sisters, Barb
(Bob) Bersano, Deb (Paul) Brown, & numerous
nieces and nephews were all active in Mary
Ann’s campaign, and are now on board for the
Next Generation of “STUKEL FOR RECORDER”.
Karen
attended Troy Community Schools before
attending Saint Francis Academy then
graduating from Joliet Township Central
High School in 1984. Karen is currently
a member of the Cathedral of Saint
Raymond Church in Joliet and is a member
of Minooka High School athletic boosters
(where her youngest son, Jordan,
attends).
Karen is
currently working for the Will County
Circuit Clerks office where she has been
for the last 6 years with an excellent
work record. Prior to working at the
Circuit Clerks office Karen managed
numerous retail businesses. Karen
believes that her experience in
management and with the County will
provide her with the experiences she
needs to run the office.
The main reason
Karen is seeking the office of the Recorder
of Deeds is she believes the people of Will
County deserve a” Dedicated Full Time
Recorder”, Karen plans on carrying on the
Stukel name, which she believes means
Dedication, Loyalty, and most of all
Integrity. Karen is a true believer in what
her mother stood for and can only hope she
can fill the large shoes her mother left for
her. Please help Karen become the next
Recorder by telling everyone you meet from
now until November to “VOTE FOR STUKEL”
every vote counts.
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Kevin
"Duffy" Blackburn
Candidate for Will County Auditor
I am honored to
be the Democratic nominee for auditor. I am
a life-long resident of Will County,
graduate of Cathedral of St. Raymond's and
Joliet Catholic Academy. My wife, Rachel,
and I are avid pet lovers, regular dog-park
goers, and proud to be a part of this
community. As a professional accountant my
primary responsibility is to audit our local
governmental entities, such as our cities,
our schools, townships, county units and not
for profit organizations.
As Will County
auditor, I will be the fiscal guardian, the
steward for your tax dollars. I am
professionally prepared for the position and
committed to creating an atmosphere of
cooperation and teamwork within County
government.
The Democratic
Party stands for the ideals I value –
honesty, teamwork, and openness.
I appreciate
your support. Please Vote November 4th.
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Candidate for Subcircuit 2
12th Judicial Circuit Court
Current
Position
• Associate Judge, 12th Judicial Circuit Court of IL
(Will County).
• Current Assignment: Presiding Judge of Domestic
Violence Court.
• Member Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Child
Custody Issues.
• Charter member of the Illinois Supreme Court
Special Committee on Courtroom and Judicial
Security.
• Former president of the Will County Bar
Association.
• Former Commissioner of the Illinois Attorney
Registration and Disciplinary Commission.
Previous Experience
• Circuit Judge, 12th Judicial Circuit Court.
• Legal Counsel for IL Dept of Corrections.
• Member Family Violence Coordinating Council of
Will County.
• Program Director/Managing Attorney for Will County
Legal Assistance Program.
• Project Attorney for Senior Citizens Legal Project
of Will County.
Professional Affiliations
• Member Illinois State Bar Association.
• Member ISBA Family Law Section Council.
• Member ISBA Committee on Judicial Advisory Polls.
• Member Will County Bar Association, Past
President.
• Member Will County Women’s Bar Association.
• Member Illinois Judges Association.
Community Service
• Former Board Member & Past President, Joliet Grade
School District #86.
• Member, Will County Domestic Violence Commission.
• Member Family Violence Coordinating Council of the
12th Judicial Circuit (Will County).
• Member, Joliet Rotary Club. Board Member,
Community Services Council of Will County.
• Board Member/Past President, Rainbow Council Boy
Scouts of America.
• Board Member, Joliet Area Historical Museum.
• Past Member, Teamsters Local 673.
• Past Member, Laborers Local 681. Eagle Scout.
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Senator Linda Holmes is a
moderate Democrat who, as your Senator of the 42nd
District, brings a no-nonsense, common sense
approach to the Illinois Senate. Linda has a
reputation of listening to the "people" and speaking
out on quality of life issues that affect our daily
lives.
Important issues to Linda are healthcare & health
insurance, education (ensuring a strong and
affordable higher education system for all), jobs
and the economy (promote entrepreneurial spirit with
opportunities), individual rights (the right for
women to make decisions that affect her body),
senior issues (concerns about affordable medical
care, prescription drugs, high energy costs, while
on a fixed income), environmental conservation
(protecting and preserving the environment - clean
air/clean water).
Linda believes that just as business owners,
individuals and families must be financially
responsible, so our government has the obligation to
do the same. Linda will continue to represent the
42nd District to ensure fiscal responsibility by our
government, while serving the needs of her
constituents. Linda believes public officials should
be accessible to the public and welcomes input from
her constituents.
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Judge
Jeff Allen
Illinois
State Senator Linda Holmes
