I’ve been meaning to put up some info local to the northwest suburbs but haven’t had the chance to do so til now. So, here are eight points about local goings-on over the past few weeks.

1. Some fun…

Democratic candidate for State Rep from the 66th district Mark Walker held his campaign kick-off at local favorite Harry’s of Arlington a week and a half ago. A healthy crowd of Dems, Republicans and indies braved torrential downpours on April 25th to hear Sen. Dan Kotowski introduce Mark, and to listen as Mark explained how his leadership skills will prove invaluable as our State Rep.

Mark is a Vietnam veteran, a business executive with international experience, and an Arlington Heights resident of 25 years. He talked about applying his business acumen in getting battling parties to hammer out agreements — something our state desperately needs — with his patented “Get A Grip” techniques for communication. As a vet, he also pointed to areas where our veterans’ services are lacking and ways we as a society can improve on our responsibilities to these heroes.

The 66th is currently held by Carolyn Krause, a great State Rep who is retiring from public service. I’ve known Mark for a few years now and am gladly volunteering for his campaign.

Here are some photos of State Rep. candidate Mark Walker, Sen. Dan Kotowski and friends from that kick-off event… [Sorry, I hadn't originally captioned these photos.]

1. Mark Walker (r.) talks with Arlington Hts. resident and former State Rep. Terry Steczo (l.).

2. Walker addresses the crowd.

3. State Senator Dan Kotowski talk with Arlington Hts. resident Ann Ryan and friend.

4. Walker chats with a judicial candidate.

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2. Don Quixote…

Mark Walker’s opponent for that seat is Chris Prochno, winner of the GOP’s primary and Elk Grove Village trustee.

The Elk Grove Village board and mayor are ardently against expansion at O’Hare Airport (including Ms. Prochno, view her reasons here). While I can sympathize given how annoying those flight paths are I also think dumping millions of dollars into legal fees over the years does the denizens of Elk Grove no good. (Arlington Heights, on the other hand, has worked with O’Hare to develop reasonable compromises and have decent discussions about the airport’s, and the area’s, future needs.)

Case in point, Elk Grove village trustees recently approved another several thousand dollars for legal fees to continue to delay, but not end, O’Hare expansion. That brought their total attorney tab to $5.5 million since 2000 according to the Pioneer Press. I could see that much money being put to a lot of good uses, but paying lawyers to tilt at windmills wouldn’t seem to be one of them.

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3. Curious…

Speaking of Elk Grove Village, the trustees there voted last month to give themselves future board members* a pay raise:

“We’ve really put in a lot of time and effort,” Trustee Chris Prochno said.

While I agree that most local elected officials put in quite a lot of time and their best good faith effort, many who are not on village boards do so as volunteers.

I wonder how conservatives in the 66th will treat this in relation to Senate President Emil Jones’ own money quote: “I need a pay raise.” (Ms. Prochno voted with the majority to approve her own raise a pay raise for future board members* elected in 2009 and thereafter.)

[* - We all make mistakes. Sorry to say that I inaccurately reported this after reading about it. I met Ms. Prochno earlier today and she corrected me on my error. All apologies.]

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4. Interesting…

State Senator Dan Kotowski (his Senate district overlaps the 66th House district) has himself a Republican opponent by the name of Mike Sweeney. According to his website bio, Mr. Sweeney is a long-time Republican operative.

His service as such was recently rewarded with the reins of the Elk Grove Township GOP as committeeman after former State Senator Cheryl Axley stepped down. (Axley lost to Kotowski in 2006.)

Local conservatives were apparently rather disappointed as they thought Chris Prochno’s losing primary opponent, Laurie Bartell, should’ve been given the committeeman position.

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5. Chit chat…

More evidence of Dems on the move in the suburbs: The Tenth Congressional District Democrats will be hosting a TenthDemsU “Let’s Talk Politics” event in north Arlington Heights on Wednesday evening. Topics will include the recent Indiana and North Carolina primaries, among other points.

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6. Life goes on…

The Wheeling Township Democrats will be presenting the 1st Annual Pat Botterman Leadership Award on Sunday, May 18th. This Leadership Award is intended to honor Pat’s legacy of mentoring, integrity and downright dedication. (Somewhere up above, Pat’s cheeks are red at the thought….)

That morning’s brunch also serves as a joint fundraiser for the Wheeling and Palatine Township Dems, who share office space in Arlington Heights. If you can join the festivities with this rowdy crew, please do (PDF).

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7. Congrats…

Somewhat related, congratulations to newly minted Harper College Trustee Carlos Borro.

Trustee Borro applied and was appointed to replace the seat left open when Pat Botterman passed away suddenly in March. Borro is a former Student Trustee who had worked with Botterman on that board before.

I don’t know Mr. Borro but it seems to me his appointment is a truly fitting way to honor Pat’s memory and history.

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8. Gassy on gas…

Friend of the blog Sen. Matt Murphy recently needled Presidential Candidate Sen. Obama on his refusal to go along with the gas tax gimmick. Sen. Murphy supports a suspension of the gas tax which funds infrastructure needs, saying:

“Lowering gas prices would deliver immediate relief to American drivers and help grow our economy. It worked in Illinois, and it would work nationwide.”

Sen. Obama, in response to similar questioning from NBC’s Tim Russert, essentially made the point he’s been making all along: that it did not work in Illinois.

Illinois did indeed try a “gas tax holiday” a few years back and it failed miserably. Sen. Obama even voted in favor of it. But, citizens saved barely any money as the oil companies kept the “cost reduction” for themselves whilst the state’s road funds lost millions upon millions of dollars. Sen. Obama has since said he learned from his mistake.

Sen. Murphy’s opponent, firefighter Peter Gutzmer, agrees with Obama’s strategic planning perspective and takes Matt to the woodshed:

Today, Murphy’s own party estimates the state will lose $.16 a gallon in tax revenue. In other words, a new six-month gas tax moratorium could cost the state a whopping $314 million and give millions more to big oil. [...]

“In my opponent we have a self-described fiscal conservative, a member of the Senate’s Revenue Committee, who wants to blow a $300 million hole in the state budget. How does my opponent propose to recoup those losses? More casinos? If the answer is to cut spending, what do we cut? We can’t pass legislation on the backs of our seniors, students, veterans and healthcare services and infrastructure,” [Gutzmer] said.

(I also know Pete and am volunteering for a him a bit.)

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UPDATE 1: IL-66th State Rep. candidate Chris Prochno will be hosting a meet-and-greet at Arlington Heights’ brand spankin’ new Pioneer Park Community Center over the weekend (May 10). Unfortunately, it’s at the same time as the Open House for the new village hall just down the way. Choices, choices.

IL-10th Congressional candidate Dan Seals hosted a similar event at Pioneer Park a few weeks back and State Sen. Dan Kotowski is hosting his annual Kids’ Fair there also. (And it’s not just all politics at Pioneer. The Arlington Heights Police Department is hosting its “Rockin’ With the Cops” youth event there too this summer!)

UPDATE 2: Please help support the Wheeling Township Dems. Botterman, as committeeman, gave quite a bit to the organization out of his own pocket. Click the thermometer to donate what you can — $5, $25, $50 or more…. it all helps. Thanks!