C.J. Summers beat me to the punch by commenting on Monday’s Word on the Street column. Karen McDonald points out that the national Democratic Party has not been as forthcoming with financial support to Colleen  Callahan as many would like. This is nothing new, in my opinion. As long as I’ve been cognizant of politics, [...]

A press release from U.S. Rep Ray LaHood’s office, via the Illinois Channel:
WASHINGTON, DC (April 30)—By a vote of 291-117, the U.S. House last night approved legislation authored by Congressman Ray LaHood (R-Peoria) which would establish the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area in Illinois. LaHood represents the same 11 counties which Abraham Lincoln represented [...]

Is it really big news that Republican politicians (or those hoping to run for office again in he future) have endorsed GOP wünderkind Aaron Schock? Current 18th District Congressman Ray LaHood attended a press conference to officially endorse Schock, as did LaHood’s predecessor, Bob Michel. Also tossing their support to Schock were John Morris and [...]

I just received the following email:
AARON SCHOCK FOR CONGRESS
18th District Republicans are unified
(PEORIA) Former 18th District Congressman and House Republican Leader Bob Michel will be in Peoria and Springfield on Friday and Saturday campaigning for Representative Aaron Schock with Congressman Ray LaHood.
Mr. Michel and Congressman LaHood will join Schock at a news conference on Friday [...]

Many moons ago, I created a post called “Peoria Pundit’s list of almost-always true observations.” I add observations as I go through life and, well, observe them. My second original observation was this:
2. Rich people don’t pay taxes. Working-class people pay taxes. Rich people pass along the costs through lower wages, poorer service and higher [...]

Via the State Journal-Register:
Admittedly running against “great odds,” Green Party candidate Sheldon Schafer is entering the race to replace U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria.
Schafer, 59, of Peoria and a political novice, hopes to offer a different choice at the ballot box in November and advance the beliefs of the Green Party, which was established in [...]

I looked over Colleen Callahan’s official web site, and I have to say that, so far, it lacks real content. Except for providing readers with some contact information and a way to donate, there’s not a lot there.
In other words, Aaron Schock’s site has Colleen’s beat all to Hell. Sorry. Maybe that will change. But [...]

The GOP won’t be able to pretend that Aaron Schock doesn’t have an opponent in the November general election. The party chairman of the counties within the 18th Congressional district met Thursday and selected broadcaster Colleen Callahan as the party’ nominee.
Her biggest challenge, as I see it, is fund raising.  She got off to a [...]

The Chicago Tribune blog Clout Street says the national Democratic Party are targeting three Congressional districts now held by the GOP. The 18th District is not one of those listed.
That’s surprising. The district seems ripe for turnover. The incumbent is retiring, and the presumptive nominee (pending approval by the county chairs) would seem to be [...]

A GOP friend with experience helping run a Congressional campaign doubts very much that the Aaron Schock 18th District campaign — or any Congressional candidate — benefited from any of the financial irregularities being investigated at the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Last week, the Schock campaign (as well as other candidates) fired its campaign treasurer [...]

A friend of the Republican persuasion sent me the following:
Statement From NRCC Chairman Tom Cole
“As part of our ongoing efforts to institute and strengthen financial controls at the National Republican Congressional Committee, we learned earlier this week of irregularities in our financial audit process. Since these irregularities may include fraud, we have notified appropriate law [...]

I’m trying to not be incredulous here. I suppose it’s possible. It just seems damn reckless to me. But Aaron Schock’s campaign manager Steve Shearer tells the State Journal-Register’s Bernie Schoenburg that he’s never met the man they hired as campaign treasurer. This is the same guy who is considered a central figure into [...]

UPDATE: After 10 minutes of a message telling me that”no web audio servers are available,”  I gave up. I wish BlogTalkRadio the best. I didn’t even know if I was on the air or not. Apparently, they will need it.

NOTE: I’m going on the air in 40 minutes.
I’ve been a little under the weather, so [...]

The Daily Journal from Kankakee has an excellent profile of Colleen Callahan, who’s put in the ring for the Democratic nomination to run against Aaron Schock for 18th District representative. Turns out her family has a long history of high-level, albeit behind-the-scenes involvement in Democratic Party politics. It turns out that Judge Richard Grawey — [...]

Colleen Callahan Burns — whose voice is a staple on local television and radio through her agriculture commentary and reporting — confirmed to me this morning that the Democratic Party is considering her as their candidate for the 18th District seat in Congress.
“I was asked to consider it by people in the district,” she said. [...]