State of Illinois Archives: on Principles & Values


Darren Bailey: No longer thinks Chicago should break away from state

Bailey no longer thinks Chicago should break away from the rest of the state. The resolution called for Chicago to become the 51st state, because "the majority of residents in downstate Illinois disagree with City of Chicago residents on key issues such as gun ownership, abortion, immigration, and other policy issues." Bailey contended its purpose was not to kick Chicago out of Illinois but to give voice to those outside of the city who "are not happy and want to be heard."
Source: The Chicago Sun-Times on 2022 Illinois Governor race May 25, 2021

Darren Bailey: Platform: restore moral and financial integrity to the state

[On Illinois GOP party platform] "The platform in Illinois is very simple: to restore moral and financial integrity to the state," Bailey said. "Good grief, the footprint of government here in Illinois is almost larger than the state itself. You get down in the southern third of Illinois and you really feel that. I think that's why it's right for someone to come from that environment and bring the challenge and the changes the State needs. We have this huge pension problem we refuse to talk about."
Source: Central Illinois Proud on 2022 Illinois Governor race Mar 29, 2021

Darren Bailey: He is praying on who should be his Lt. Governor

Bailey said he is praying on who should be his Lt. Governor. "Proverbs 28:2 says that when there's moral rot in a nation, governments topple easily, but wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. We've sought God's wisdom from day one, he's always brought people to the table. Those people always show up, we have multiple names. But it'll probably be around when we file our petition that we'll know who that's going to be," Bailey said.
Source: Central Illinois Proud on 2022 Illinois Governor race Mar 29, 2021

J.B. Pritzker: We need a reliably well-funded government

If there is anything the last year should have taught us, it is that we need a reliably well-funded government. In this unprecedented time, I believe we must fully support the agencies on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response--agencies that have been hollowed out deeply over the past two decades: the Departments of Public Health, Human Services, Veterans' Affairs, and Employment Security. Saving lives and livelihoods as this pandemic rages on is front and center.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature Feb 17, 2021

J.B. Pritzker: We had to give up things; we didn't forget how to be human

We all had to change to fit the world we've had to live in for the last 12 months. We had to give up some of the best things about living our lives in order to save our lives. But we didn't forget how to hug old friends, toast at weddings, dance at concerts, cheer at baseball games, and share popcorn at a movie theater. We didn't forget how to be human. We didn't lose our fundamental character.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature Feb 17, 2021

Adam Kinzinger: Protesting Electoral College is "scam"; accept Trump losing

In early December, Kinzinger tweeted, "Time to delete your account" to the president after Trump delivered what he called the "most important speech" of his presidency, a 46-minute diatribe filled with baseless claims of election fraud in his Nov. 3 loss to former Democratic Vice President Joe Biden.

Kinzinger tweeted the day after Christmas that Trump and "other congressional grifters" touting efforts to challenge the Electoral College proclamation in Congress on Jan. 6 were part of a "scam" to raise money and gain followers even though they know they will be unsuccessful. He accused Trump of "trying to burn the place down on the way out because you can't handle losing" and throwing a "temper tantrum and crazy conspiracies." He added "#RestoreOurGOP."

Kinzinger said he fears that when Biden is inaugurated, Trump supporters will try to convince people that Congress and anti-Trump Republicans are to blame for failing to get the election results overturned.

Source: Chicago Tribune on 2022 Illinois Senate race Dec 29, 2020

Mark Curran: Curtailing individual religious freedoms, I find abhorrent

Q: What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

A: Simply stated, there is no such clause in the Constitution. When we read what the founders authored, we see that the First Amendment is more heavily weighted towards protecting the rights of those practicing religion that it is on prohibiting religion from the public sphere. Often, this imagined clause of separation of church and state is used to justify the curtailment of individual religious freedoms, which I find abhorrent. I believe that there should be no official established religion in America. Beyond this, I see no need to make any further distinctions.

Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Illinois Senate race Nov 3, 2020

Mark Curran: Bless us with four more years of Donald Trump

Curran laments the fiscal state of Illinois and the exodus of population. At the rally, he also said a prayer, saying "Father, we have a president that has fought for our liberty like none other. We have a Supreme Court that we can all finally trust to ensure our constitutional liberties. We are the most godforsaken state in America, but we are fighters. We ask you, Father, bless us with four more years of Donald Trump. And let's make Illinois red."
Source: The State Journal-Register on 2020 Illinois Senate race May 23, 2020

Tammy Duckworth: I answer the call when asked to serve my country

Duckworth was asked whether she had received questions from Biden's campaign. "I want Joe Biden in the White House, and I trust that he's got a process for putting together the right team to help him do that from the vice president on down to the cabinet members. I personally have always answered the call when my country has asked me to serve." Duckworth is a veteran of the Iraq War who lost her legs after the Black Hawk helicopter she was piloting was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade.
Source: Chicago Tribune on 2022 Illinois Senate race May 15, 2020

J.B. Pritzker: Ignored small problems become big problems

One thing I know in life is that if you want to make profound change in a broken system, you have to do the next good thing that needs to get done. Big problems become big problems when you let small problems sit. We could spend our time reliving every past failure, every bygone insult and fight--or we could fix things and be ardent voices on behalf of an agenda of opportunity in the years ahead.
Source: 2020 Illinois State of the State address Jan 29, 2020

J.B. Pritzker: Who needs another rich guy running for office?

Let me address a question I imagine may be on your mind:

"With Bruce Rauner as Governor and Donald Trump as President, why do we need another rich guy running for office?"

My answer is that it's a matter of values. About a century ago, my great-grandfather Nicholas arrived in Chicago penniless. He worked hard--but he had help. A social service agency helped him find a place to live. A good public school helped him learn English. A state university allowed him to get a higher education degree. You can't pull yourself up by your bootstraps if you don't have any, and this state gave my great grandfather his bootstraps. It's what everyone in Illinois deserves, it's what I've been fighting for my whole life, and it's what I'll be fighting for every day as your next governor.

Source: 2018 Illinois gubernatorial campaign website JBPritzker.com Jul 17, 2017

Daniel Biss: Took on the political machine & won with creative solutions

First as a mathematics professor, and now as a legislator, Daniel Biss has always tackled the hardest problems. While teaching, Daniel's desire to confront our state's most critical problems compelled him to get more involved in his local community-- first as an organizer, and later as a candidate.

Daniel has taken on the machine and won, and now focuses on offering long-term, creative solutions and fighting for those whose voices are typically ignored.

Source: 2018 Illinois gubernatorial campaign website DanielBiss.com Apr 30, 2017

Raja Krishnamoorthi: First Hindu-American & Indian-American in Congress

Raja Krishnamoorthi has won the 8th Congressional District race against Republican Peter DiCianni. He will be the first Hindu Indian-American congressman in American history [along with Rep.-Elect Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), elected on the same day].

Krishnamoorthi won the seat vacated by Tammy Duckworth, who won Illinois' U.S. Senate seat.

Krishnamoorthi called it a "disheartening" campaign season. He says what unites people far outweighs what divides them and that everyone should work together. [Several Indian Americans have served in the U.S. House, including Dalip Singh Saund from 1957 to 1963 and current Rep. Ami Bera who was first elected in 2012. But neither was Hindu; Saund was a Sikh and Bera is a Christian. Kamala Harris was elected on the same day as the first Indian-American in the Senate, but she is also not Hindu].

Source: ABC-7 Chicago on 2016 Illinois House campaign Nov 8, 2016

Bruce Rauner: Moral duty to serve long-term interest of people of Illinois

Last November, voters made it clear they want bipartisan government. They want a government where people come together to solve problems and get things done. They don't want partisan bickering, political infighting or personal conflict to get in the way of serving the needs of the families of Illinois.

All of us were elected to do a job; to deliver real results; to serve the people of Illinois to the best of our ability. The good Lord didn't make us Republicans or Democrats. He made us in His image to do His work, to help each other, to make the world a better place. We all have a moral duty to serve the long-term interests of the people of Illinois--to focus on the next generation, not the next election.

Together, we will do great things for the people of Illinois. We will once again make Illinois the greatest state in the greatest nation on earth.

Source: State of the State address to 2015 Illinois Legislature Feb 4, 2015

Sharon Hansen: Judeo-Christian values established our government framework

Question topic: Efforts to bring Islamic law (shariah) to America do not pose a threat to our country and its Constitution.

Hansen: Strongly Disagree.

Question topic: Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.

Hansen: Strongly Agree

Question topic: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

Hansen: I am a Christian and my faith is what has brought me to run for office. I believe we need honest people in our government and without these values, our country cannot prosper.

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Illinois Senate race Sep 30, 2014

Jim Oberweis: Milk Dud: poured dairy fortune into 5 failed campaigns

They don't call him the Milk Dud for nothing. Jim Oberweis made most of his fortune in the family business, a high-end dairy delivery service & chain of ice cream parlors. And he poured many gallons of his riches into 5 failed campaigns for high-profile positions--earning not only that enduring nickname, but also the enmity of Republican operatives.

Now Oberweis has launched his 2nd act in American politics by winning 2 straight elections. He took an open state Senate seat in the GOP outer suburbs of Chicago in 2012, and last week he claimed the nomination to try and stop Senator Dick Durbin. But virtually no one expects Oberweis to extend his winning streak come November. At best his caustic rhetorical approach and willingness to tap his own bank account could combine to make the fall campaign more expensive and uncomfortable for Durbin. And at worst, losing a sixth high-profile election could doom Oberweis to live with the ridicule that comes with the label "perennial candidate."

Source: Rollcall.com blog on 2014 Illinois Senate race Mar 23, 2014

Pat Quinn: Say "no" to world of powerful feeding upon the powerless

Pope Francis has urged all of us to say "No" to a financial system which rules rather than serves. "No" to an economy of exclusion and inequality. "No" to a world in which "the powerful feed upon the powerless." And the Pope is right.

Illinois is best served when we build and protect the middle class and when we open the door to those struggling to join it. By creating more jobs, making early childhood education a top priority, and building an economy that works for everyone--we can create a stronger economy than ever before and reform Illinois for the next generation. So I ask today for your partnership.

Source: 2014 State of the State speech to Illinois legislature Jan 29, 2014

Doug Truax: The Great Experiment known as America shines brightly

U.S. Senate candidate and Army veteran Doug Truax today released the following Veterans Day statement:

Ninety-five years after we celebrated the end of the "War to End All Wars," sadly there were more wars to come. The one constant for almost a century since then has been the generations of brave men and women who have sacrificed greatly to preserve our freedoms and allow the Great Experiment known as America to shine even more brightly.

On this day and all others let us never forget those men and women who put their lives on the line for us. We owe them our great gratitude and commitment to work extra hard to preserve our union so their efforts cannot ever be said to be made in vain.

We owe it to our veterans to continue our tradition of peace through strength and to never let our guard down at home or abroad. Thank you again, warriors.

Source: AdWatch: press release in 2014 Illinois Senate race Nov 11, 2013

Richard Durbin: Bipartisan dialogue instead of gridlock

Q: Have you ever seen Washington as gridlocked as it is at this particular time?

DURBIN: No, I never have and I have been through some pretty rough periods of time. I can recall the ascendancy of Newt Gingrich and what it meant to us. It was a very frustrating and emotional upheaval in Washington, but what we have here is a steady diet. I don't want to point fingers, but I will. The House Republican approach to this is we're either going to do it exclusively with Republicans or we just won't do it at all. Only when they're pushed to the absolute extreme will they allow a bipartisan vote. We're trying to establish a new standard in the Senate, a bipartisan dialogue that might lead to a solution. If the House would embrace the same basic concept, I am certain, certain the president would sit down and work in good faith to get us through this.

Source: CBS Face the Nation 2013 series: 2014 Illinois Senate race Mar 3, 2013

Steven Sauerberg: Put $1.3M of his own money into campaign

Little-known Republican Steve Sauerberg got his chance in the spotlight during a televised debate Monday to remind voters that Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat is up for grabs next month.

Sauerberg has lacked the money to mount a traditional campaign. When statewide races can cost $10 million or $15 million, he has raised only $1.8 million, according to the latest records -- and $1.3 million of that was Sauerberg’s own money.

Source: 2008 Illinois Senate Debate reported in Chicago Sun Times Oct 7, 2008

Alan Keyes: Great principles at stake: marriage & innocent life

What shocked me most was a line I read in a letter that Mr. Obama had sent to Jack Ryan that said there was no great issue of principles here like there were in the great debates between Lincoln and Douglass. I think that showed a lack of understanding in the issues at stake in this race on issues like abortion. I think these are among the most important issues in the race, dealing with the notion that we are endowed by our creator with unalienable rights. That is what’s at stake in this election as it was in that great election that was the dividing line between Lincoln and Douglass in 1858. I stand for the defense of innocent life. I stand for the principle of traditional marriage. I stand for those great great principles that Martin Luther King and Frederick Douglass espoused as they fought against great injustices. In the black community the number one taker of black life is abortion, more than AIDS, more than homicide. This is the practical truth of the moral situation we’re in.
Source: Illinois Senate Debate #3: Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes Oct 21, 2004

Barack Obama: Seek common ground, not a moral crusade

I came to Chicago 20 years ago to help communities that had been damaged by steel plants that had closed. I’ve worked 20 years to bring jobs to the unemployed. After law school, I worked as a civil rights attorney, helping to bring affordable housing and for the last 8 years I’ve worked as a state Senator. I’ve provided tax relief to those who needed it, health care to those who didn’t have it and helped to reform a death penalty system badly in need of repair. I accomplished these things by setting partisanship aside and seeking common ground. That’s what you, the people of Illinois have told me you want, someone who can reach out and find practical solutions. Now my opponent has a different track record. He is on a moral crusade and labels those who disagree with him as sinners. I don’t think that kind of talk is helpful. I think government works best when we focus on practical solutions for affordable health care and jobs, and working together, I’m certain we can accomplish all of these tasks.
Source: Illinois Senate Debate #3: Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes Oct 21, 2004

Alan Keyes: Jesus Christ would not vote for Obama

Q: “Would Jesus vote for Obama?”

A: I actually think that statement is a self-evident truth that Christ could not vote for Barack Obama. Obama voted against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act. He has cast a vote three times to allow a practice to go on that allows infant babies, fully born and with no dispute over their humanity or anything else, to be set aside like garbage to die. The simple question I have to ask myself as a person of Christian conscience, is ‘would Christ do that?’ We know He wouldn’t because Christ put special emphasis on the children and spent some of his harshest language about people that would harm children.

Barack Obama has said he is in line 100 percent with the agenda for gay rights, he said he would vote to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act which is aimed at making sure that gay marriage is forced upon all the states in this union. Those views are also inconsistent with the Christian conscience.

Source: Q&A with Southern Illinoisan reporter Sep 13, 2004

Alan Keyes: Family and home important, but Obama needs opponent

One fact is obvious to people who know me: I am from Maryland. It’s not the first time that folks have approached and talked to me about the possibility of going to some state other than Maryland and running for the Senate of the United States. On those occasions, I listened, as I always try to do, politely, and I told them no. I told them no for a number of reasons.

First, I have a clear and serious objection, in principle, to the notion that people of national reputation have the right to

Source: Senate announcement speech in Arlington Heights, Illinois Aug 8, 2004

Alan Keyes: Family and home important, but Obama needs opponent

One fact is obvious to people who know me: I am from Maryland. It’s not the first time that folks have approached and talked to me about the possibility of going to some state other than Maryland and running for the Senate of the United States. On those occasions, I listened, as I always try to do, politely, and I told them no. I told them no for a number of reasons.

First, I have a clear and serious objection, in principle, to the notion that people of national reputation have the right to go around this country, cherry-picking the states as platforms for their ambition.

My father was in the army. The whole idea of home and roots and heritage was very important to me, and I made the determination that I wanted my children to have a sense of that [instead of traveling often].

But it just seemed wrong that somebody with Obama’s record should kind of waltz into the United States Senate unopposed.

Source: Senate announcement speech in Arlington Heights, Illinois Aug 8, 2004

Alan Keyes: Obama is likable but his liberalism needs opposition

Like most Americans, I didn’t know much about Barack Obama more than what I saw on the Democratic convention. He didn’t seem to me to be some rabid threat to the future of the country. He looked like a pretty likable guy. Certainly intelligent and articulate.

And then I looked at his record. I found somebody who has never seen a spending bill he couldn’t find some excuse for, and has never seen a tax increase he didn’t like. We find somebody who would rather that our children were educated

Source: Senate announcement speech in Arlington Heights, Illinois Aug 8, 2004

Alan Keyes: Obama is likable but his liberalism needs opposition

Like most Americans, I didn’t know much about Barack Obama more than what I saw on the Democratic convention. He didn’t seem to me to be some rabid threat to the future of the country. He looked like a pretty likable guy. Certainly intelligent and articulate.

And then I looked at his record. I found somebody who has never seen a spending bill he couldn’t find some excuse for, and has never seen a tax increase he didn’t like. We find somebody who would rather that our children were educated in schools controlled by impersonal bureaucracy than in schools under the influence and control of the parents who love them. I found someone who appears to believe that even when a criminal has entered into the sacred precinct of your home with intentions you couldn’t possibly fathom, you don’t have the right to defend your life & the lives of the people in your family! By the time I got through those parts of his record, I was absolutely convinced that SOMEBODY had to run against Barack Obama!

Source: Senate announcement speech in Arlington Heights, Illinois Aug 8, 2004

  • The above quotations are from State of Illinois Politicians: Archives.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Principles & Values:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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