Boone County Democrats loose their friend and Co-Patriot
May 2, 2006
Larry Ernesti passed away this past weekend. His passing was unexpected. Larry was an active member of the Boone County Democratic Committee for over ten years and will be missed greatly by his friends.

March 21^st Primary Turnout Dismal
March 21, 2006
Only 1289 (4.8% )of 26928 registered voters pulled Democratic Ballots for the Primary Election. Democrats in Boone County will have to do better than that if they want to see changes on their county board in the Fall. Ann Lane won the most votes with 376, Jo Claire Malpier was next with 316, Diann Helnore was next with 292 followed by David Nilsen with 275. 4571 (17%) of 26928 registered voters pulled Republican Ballots for the Primary Election.

Boone County Democrats Celebrate St. Patricks Day with Knights of Columbus
March 4, 2006
The Boone County Democrats enjoyed an evening of Corned Beef , Celtic Dancers and Great Music while supporting the work of the Knights of Columbus. In attendance were Committee Secretary MaryRita Jacobsen, County Board Candidate Diann Helnore accompanied by her husband Kim, Belvidere Park District Board President Mary Marquardt accompanied by her husband Bruce, County Board Candidate Ann Lane accompanied by her husband Altair, and State Representative Candidate Greg Tuite accompanied by his wife Mary.

Boone County Democrats at BoCo Expo, Belvidere
January 28^th,2006
The Boone County Democratic Booth was visited by hundreds of the 1000+ attendees at the Boone County Expo. In attendance were all four County Board Candidates JoClair Malpier (District 1), Ann Lane (District 1), Diann Helnore (District 2), and David Nilsen ( District 3). Tim Demers, Candidate for Sheriff and Dick Auman, Candidate for U.S. Congressman, 16^th District were also present. Greg Tuite, Candidate for State Representative 69^th District and Mary Tuite occupied an adjacent booth.

Four local Democrats to run for County Board
December 20th,2005
The race for the two open county board seats in each District was made more interesting when four local Democrats entered yesterday. JoClaire Malpier and Ann Lane in District 1 are running against 2 incumbents (Jim McQuinn (R)and County Board Chair Susan Anderson(R)) as well as Fred Genrich (R). Diann Helnore in Disrict 2 is running against 2 new candidates, Karl Johnson (R) and Joshua Englehard (R), as the 2 incumbents chose not to run again. David Nilsen in District 3 is running against 2 incumbents (Ray Schwartz (R) and Robert Champion (R)) and new candidate Kenneth Freeman (R).

Gwyn Gulley 17^th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Candidate Visits the Boone County Democrats
December 15,2005
Gwyn Gulley joined the Boone County Democrats at our Annual Christmas Party. She spoke of her life long goal of becoming a Judge and entertained questions from the committee members in attendance. Born in Rockford, Ms. Gulley is a graduate of Illinois State University. Ms. Gulley has been practicing law for 14 years in the follow areas: Worker's Compensation Defense, Commercial Litigation, and Civil Litigation.

Greg Tuite, Candidate for State Rep. 69^th District attends the Boone Co. Dems. Christmas Party.
December 15, 2005
Greg Tuite was in attendance to Thank the members of the Committee for their support and effort in collecting signatures for Mr. Tuite's nomination. Mary Tuite was also in attendance and the couple visited with committee members and spoke freely about their hopes for our district.

Linda McNeeley, Dem. State Central Committeewoman joins the Boone Co. Dems. At Event.
December 15, 2005
Linda McNeeley visited the Boone County Democrats to thank the committee for their support of her re-election. Ms. McNeeley took this opportunity to speak with passion of the need to get the vote out in 2006.

Greg Tuite Announces candidacy for State Representative 69^th District
November 16, 2005
Tuite based his desire to seek office on concern for the challenges facing our local economy, schools, law enforcement, and society. Challenges that will demand strong and focused representation dedicated to better position our communities for a secure future. “The winds of change have been blowing through the 69^th legislative District for a number years” began Tuite. “We have seen good changes in the District in the form of expansion of the service retail sector. We have also seen bad changes in the form of the disappearance of many manufacturing jobs that have been the foundation of our economy for many years. With these changes comes the need for new leadership.”

Tuite expressed sincere concern for the growing pressure of competition from a global economy and the tremendous population growth in Boone and DeKalb counties, as well as Rockford and the Cherry Valley. “We can no longer tolerate a status quo,” explained Tuite. “We need a change in the leadership. A new leadership that will go to Springfield and work with other leaders in the area such as Representative Jack Franks of McHenry County and Representative Chuck Jefferson of Rockford to make sure that the Rock River Valley gets its fair share in terms of support for economic growth and development.”

As a citizen of the 69^th District, Tuite is concerned by the partisan and “go with the flow” politics that he believes is leading the area to fall behind in the competition with other communities, other states, and other countries. He cited a capital plan proposed by the governor over three years ago for road and school construction as well as other economic development that has been stalled by local legislators.

“We must put partisan differences aside and work together for Winnebago, Boone, and DeKalb Counties,”emphasized Tuite. “Good government consists of people who are willing to work together for the good of the people,” He continued. “I believe the future vitality of our district calls for a change of leadership, and that is why I am seeking to champion the needs of the 69^th District as State Representative.

Tuite also stressed the importance of preparing our children to compete in the global economy by providing them with a strong education. “The key to economic growth is to provide our children with an education that prepares them to compete in a rapidly changing workplace,” Tuite explained. He pledged to not only fight for fair funding for schools in the 69^th District, but to also insist the Legislature address the issue of school funding and demand relief for property taxpayers, especially for senior citizens.

Tuite has been a practicing attorney in Rockford, Illinois for over 25 years. He has also served as a two-term trustee for Rockford Township since his election in 2001.

Illinois 69^th District is comprised of Boone, portions of Winnebago, and DeKalb Counties.
For additional information go to: www.tuiteforrep.com (815) 965-3313

Lisa Madigan, IL General Attorney Visits Rockford to Announce Re-election Campaign
November 14, 2005
Lisa Madigan announced Sunday Nov. 10 that she would seek re-election as IL General Attorney in 2006. Ms.Madigan visited the Greater Rockford Airport Monday Nov. 11^th. State Representative Mr.Chuck Jefferson, DeKalb Co. State's Attorney Mr. Ronald Matekaitis, and Sen. Paul Simon's daughter Sheila Simon spoke on Ms. Madigans behalf. Ms. Madigan gave a moving speech regarding her successes as IL General Attorney, and her commitment to further the causes of Women, Children, and the Working Families of IL. Boone County Democratic Chairman George Williams, Boone County Democratic Treasurer Carolyn Williams, Attorney at Law (D) Rene Hernandez, and committee member Ann Lane were in attendance to support Ms. Madigan. Www.lisamadigan.org

The Boone County Democratic Committee is Proud to Support Richard Auman
November 7, 2005
Richard Auman, former Galena mayor, announces he¹s running for Congress Richard Auman, former, two-term mayor of Galena, will announce his candidacy for Illinois¹ 16th Congressional seat in four appearances throughout the district on Monday, Nov. 7. Auman, a Democrat, is seeking the seat now occupied by Donald Manzullo, a Republican from Oregon now serving his seventh term in Congress.

According to Auman, ³Our national government is being driven by an ideology that needlessly divides Americans at home and baffles and angers our friends around the world with disastrous consequences for us all. Exporting American-style democracy and free market economic concepts is a romantic, unrealistic quest that requires more and more resources ­ human and financial. The burden has become too great!²

Auman adds, ³We are ignoring real needs here in America, as we pursue unrealistic goals abroad. The need for education, health care,pension and electoral reform, and effective homeland security is critical.³ We need better schools, efficient transportation, and access to health care for all Americans, and we need economic and physical security that is not ideology-driven. These needs are not fanciful; they are real,and I¹m convinced that serious efforts to address them will unite this country. Pursuing a realistic foreign policy is the most effective way to dishearten our enemies and strengthen alliances with our friends.²

Auman says his experience as a municipal mayor has taught him the importance of investing in infrastructure and people. During his two terms as mayor of Galena, the community invested more than 30 million dollars in infrastructure improvements, even as property assessments fell 28% in the same eight years.

Auman is a former educator and counselor who spent most of his professional career in the Elizabeth and River Ridge School systems, though early on he taught in Algonquin. Auman says that his experiences as a teacher, counselor and mayor have taught him the skills required to bring people together to solve real problems.

Auman lives in Galena with his wife, Mary Racey Auman. The couple has two grown children, Elizabeth and Christopher, who live in Chicago. For more information on the candidacy of Richard Auman, contact the Richard D. Auman for Congress Committee, P.O. Box 6566, Galena, IL61036, phone 815-541-2867, or email dauman@galenalink.com. For information on the Jo Davies's County Democratic Party, contact chairperson Marty Mulcahey at 815-291-8861, or email marty_mulcahey@sbcglobal.net

16th Congressional District Meeting Update
October 27, 2005
Members of the 16^th Congressional District held their quarterly meeting at the Rockford Airport to plan for the 2006 Election Year. In attendance were Committee Chairmen, Committee Members, and interested citizens. Speakers included Candidate for United States Congress, 16^th District, Dick Auman, and 16^th Congressional District Democratic State Central Committeepeople Linda McNeely and John Nelson. Topics for group discussion included Action Items to create election momentum, County specific hot topics, and improving inter-county communication and support. Organizers Holly Johnson and Elaine Breck were thanked for their effort, and all in attendance were excited about future meetings and inter-county communication.