The Number Crunchers
Bolingbrook, Illinois

It's Time To Get Money Out Of Politics: We Can Start Locally

 

As tens of thousands sign MSNBC host Dylan Ratigan's petition to " help get money out of politics" (on the federal level), we wanted to know if there were any "bought politicians" on the local level? Who's donating to our local leaders campaign, and how much?

 

October 3, 2011

 

By Rhonda Reed-Slaughter

 

MSNBC host, Dylan Ratigan is leading a passionate campaign that will help to rid the country of "money in politics". With the community's help, of course.

 

As stated on the new website -

 

"Bailouts. War. Unemployment. Our government is bought, and we’re angry. Now, we’re turning our anger into positive action. By signing this petition, you are joining our campaign to get money out of politics. Our politicians won’t do this. But we will. We will become an unrelenting, organized wave advocating a Constitutional amendment to get money out of politics."

"As the petition grows, the wave grows. Email, Facebook, Tweet -- GET MONEY OUT. We are using The Dylan Ratigan Show on MSNBC, and our ability to influence other media outlets as a platform to force this issue to the center of the 2012 elections. Join us." (link is available at the end of this article)

 

 

SO WHAT'S GOING ON LOCALLY?

It's clear to most, many of our elected leaders are bought and paid for by special interest. This is very apparent at the federal level of government.

 

But, have you ever considered what's going on locally?

 

 

How much money in campaign contributions have our local leaders collected?

 

Which elected leader(s) are "bought and paid for" by special interest?

 

 

Well, The Number Crunchers did a bit of investigating, and discovered some interesting facts.


 


 

OUR FINDINGS

According to the information pulled from the Illinois Board of Elections website, Bolingbrook leaders are raking in millions of dollars in combined contributions. Millions more are being donated to county and state-wide leaders. All elected to serve the community's interest.  Philosophically, that is.

 

  • The elected leader raking in the most in total campaign contributions is Mayor Roger Claar (R) at $6 million.

 

  • State legislators, AJ Wilhelmi (D) and Emily McAsey (D) both collected more than $1 million in campaign contributions.

 

  • Will County Executive, Larry Walsh (D) also collected $1 million in campaign contributions.

 

  • We were surprised to discover, 2 local leaders raking in tens of thousands in campaign contributiions for elected positions that are either unpaid, and/or part-time. (William Mayer (R) and Steve Quigley (R).  See below.   

 

  • William Mayer (R), DuPage Township Supervisor has collected a whopping $69k in total campaign contributions for an elected position that's part-time, and pays a salary of approximately $24k. Why are donors willing to fork over $69k to a candidate running for Township Supervisor?

 

  • Steve Quigley (R), President of Valley View school board, and member of the "Friends of Valley View" collected $16k in campaign contributions. He receives ZERO compensation for serving on the school board. Why would the teachers union donate so heavily to his campaign?

 

  • Another point to consider, Quigley is a paid employee (lobbyist?) with the Will County Governmental League. An organization heavily funded with Bolingbrook taxpayer dollars.  Guess who heads-up the board?  Mayor, Roger Claar. 

 

 

 

 

To learn more, click on the individual names below to view an itemized listing of campaign contributions.

 

 

ROGER CLAAR (R), Mayor - $6 mill

 

WILLIAM MAYER (R), DT Supv. - $69K

 

STEVEN QUIGLEY (R), Pres. VVSD - $16K

 

FRIENDS OF VALLEY VIEW - $14k

  • Steven Quigley, VVSD President, Valley View school board
  • Rick Gougis, Vice president
  • Leo Venegas, Secretary
  • Ron Bull
  • Chrystal Hansen

 

LARRY WALSH (R), Will Cty Supv. - $1 Mill

 

FRIENDS OF DRALLE, HART & MCPHILLIPS, (R) County Board 3 - $26k

 

ED KUSTA, JR. (R), County Bd.4 - $22k

 

CHARLES MAHER (R), County Bd. 4 - $47k

 

JACQUELINE TRAYNERE (D), County Bd. 4 - $18k

 

A.J. WILHELMI (D), Senator - $1.8 mill

 

EMILY MCASEY (D), Repr. - $1.0 mill




FINAL WORDS

Hopefully, our investigation will encourage Bolingbrook residents to think carefully about the campaign contributions made to our political leaders.

 

It's important that we not condemn leaders simply for attracting large donations from specific groups.  It's incredibly expensive to campaign, even locally.

 

Instead, we need to really hold our leaders accountable by closely monitoring who's donating to their campaign, pay attention to the type of policies they support and the decisions they are making on our behalf. 

 

If they prove to be negligent in their duties,  vote them out, and elect someone who will put the community first. 

 

We can turn our government around locally, and nationally if we commit to one idea:  Get plugged-in, stay plugged-in.

 

 

Lets shine a bright light on our elected leaders, and keep it there.


 

 

CLICK TO SIGN DYLAN RATIGAN'S PETITION

 

 

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