Politics: SJ-R looks at Schock’s claims
State Journal-Register political columnist Bernie Schoenburg puts Aaron Schock’s campaign ad claim of “passing” 18 pieces of legislation during his two terms in the Illinois House of Representatives. Schoenburg points out that Schock’s definition of “passing” is somewhat generous. But the article as a whole is kind to Schock’s ’cause. I’m thinking the average reader will nod his or her head in agreement with Schock’s positions on these bills. None of them are particularly controversial. Despite this generally favorable coverage, Schock’s supporters nevertheless jumped to his defense in the comments section, accusing Schoenburg of turning his column into the “Aaron Schock Smear Page.”
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
Not even Speaker Michael Madigan can control what happens in the state Senate which also has a Democratic majority, so how can anyone think Schock should be able to control what the Senate does.
No, but if an individual touts their ability to pass legislation then none of that matters. If you run on a particular record of achievement, or lack there of, than you can’t pick and choose what part of that history people should judge you on.
None of the other candidates have passed legislation AT ALL. Aaron has worked across parties to accomplish some things and has made attempts to do more. A great piece of legislation which the city worked with Aaron on was an attempt to get unpaid code enforcement fines added to the property tax bill, ensuring they would either get paid or the property would be forefit. This would have greatly have benefitted older neighborhoods as it would have targeted slum landlords. This passed the house, but the Peoria Senate counterpart would not back it in the Senate, despite requests from neighborhood leaders. The democrats in the Senate feared a Chicago based REality lobby–go figure–Chicago…..Aaron tried where other’s wouldn’t.
Aaron has been in neighborhoods helping out where city council doesn’t either by funding or by attendance. None of the other candidates would dirty their shoes to come in these areas. He has helped out areas that didn’t support him politically, because he values his constituents. Give it your best shot in attacking character or what ever you want, it won’t change the reality of his efforts for his district, far above and beyond any other candidate. He will represent the average citizen better because he actually comes around those areas–and no not just around elections. A good measure is what has been done in the district by the candidates before running. Two have never set foot in my area and am certain never will. The other has only been here once, for 15-20 minutes.
The other candidates may be nice guys and I am certain that $ome will benefit from their vote$ for other candidate$, but I am fairly certain, it won’t be those who most need it and that’s what I am going to judge on.
It’s ironic that Schock touts passing legislation when Springfield is loaded with blowhards introducing thousands of bills with little to no real impact on people’s lives. What major interest group has he taken on in order to break their grip on the process?
There may be another inconsistency in his current television ads. The ad claims that Schock was unanimously elected as President of the Dist #150 School Board. To the best of my recollection, I thought that was a 6-1 or 5-2 win. Will try to check the BOE minutes to see.
A quick check of the District #150 website offered the following:
Regular Meeting
Board of Education
July 1, 2004
The Board convened in the conference room of the Diagnostic Learning Center for the purpose of
reorganizing for the 2004-2005 school year at 12:00 p.m. President Vincent Wieland called the meeting
to order.
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN PRO-TEM – Moved by Matheson, seconded by Schock that Vincent C. Wieland be nominated Chairman Pro-Tem. There being no further nominations, the nominations were
closed.
On roll call, 7 ayes. Motion carried.
RECOGNITION OF ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS – Mrs. Mary Spangler expressed her appreciation to all
who supported her during her campaign and all those who welcomed her into the schools. Mrs. Spangler stated she will do her best to be open minded and represent all the children in the District.
ELECTION OF SECRETARY PRO-TEM – Moved by Matheson, seconded by Allen that Julia A. Cramer be
nominated as Secretary pro-tem. There being no further nominations, the nominations were closed.
On roll call, 7 ayes. Motion carried.
ROLL CALL – The following members answered the roll call: Allen, Butler, Matheson, Ross, Spangler,
Schock and Wieland.
ADOPTION OF THE RULES AND POLICIES OF THE NEW BOARD – Moved by Butler, seconded by
Matheson that the rules and policies of the immediate past Board be the rules and policies of the
new Board.
On roll call, 7 ayes. Motion carried.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS – PRESIDENT – Mr. Wieland stated there was a recommendation from the
nominating committee that the name of Mr. Aaron Schock be submitted as nominee for
President of the Board of Education. The chair asked for other nominations from the floor.
There were no further nominations and the Chair declared nominations for the office of president
closed.
On roll call, 7 ayes. Motion carried.
Mr. Aaron Schock was elected President of the Board of Education for the 2004-2005 school year.
It is interesting to note that the secretary reported the roll call vote for the motion, but not for the vote to elect the President. Although I did not copy it to this site, the elections for Vice President and Board Secretary (immediately following the election of the President) either recorded the numeric totals of the vote, or listed individual BOE members and their vote.
It is interesting that the record of the vote for President did not list a numeric or individual tally of the total votes, nor did the minutes include the word “unanimous.”
A quick review of the minutes of the 07/01/05 BOE meeting revealed that the report of the vote on the election of the BOE President enumerated the total votes (these minutes were prepared by the same individual who prepared the 2004 minutes). Why the change in procedure from 2004 – 2005?