By Anonymous on February 8, 2010 10:55 PM
I agree. They should force the top two vote getters into a runoff and that would force clowns like Cronin to have to compete one on one against Deb Olson instead of bringing in two shills to drain off her votes.
-----------------------------------

And who's going to pay for the run off election. Do you know how much a county wide election costs? If you don't like Cronin, vote for Cheney.

I agree. They should force the top two vote getters into a runoff and that would force clowns like Cronin to have to compete one on one against Deb Olson instead of bringing in two shills to drain off her votes.

It is sad that we elect people into ANY position with less than 50% of the vote.

Good question, but this county will get what it deserves. I especially can't figure out why the Chicago Tribune endorsed this disaster of a candidate in Dan Cronin. He represents everything that is wrong with the republican party in Illinois.

What a disaster. Why do we always vote for the re-treads?

The Cronin tactic of asking two other people to run for Chairman to siphon votes from Olson worked.

The people have been herded.

The people have spoken.

Time to move on.

The voters have spoken. The result was overwhelming. We have a candidate with the integrity, leadership ability and the vision to make DuPage a model for Illinois.

Talk about kicking butt!

With 100% of precincts reporting:

Dan Cronin 42,786 47.86%
Debra L. Olson 24,692 27.62%

Look who Dan Cronin gave funds to. And he made a big deal out of JR McBride giving money to Deb Olson. What a dirt ball.

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/9518/screenhunter01feb021536.jpg

Simply put, my opinion is that a vote for Cronin is a vote for the same-old, same-old corruption we have seen for over a decade here in Illinois.

For those who decide to do so, remember it was you that created what we will eventually end up with here in DuPage County.

As for me, emulating Cook County, and the state of Illinois in general, is a bad idea that I cannot endorse.

Vote Debra Olson!

Will my point by point rebuttal comment be published by the DH. Only time will tell.

Re: Campaign contributions on website: Those records need to be kept to correctly submit an Illinois D-2. Given her rate of amendments to her D-2 submittals, I understand why she feels it is too difficult. This does not speak well of her administrative abilities, especially since these records MUST be done anyway for teh state.

Re: I do believe she had ownership of her company for those eight years. Why did she suddenly feel compelled to fill out a form now? Either she should have in the past, or she didn't need to now. Nice attempt at deflection about Cronin's law practice though. And by your own statistics, she took contributions from vendors, thanks for the independent verification.

Re; ARAMARK. What is your explanation for ARAMARK's ability to stop the award of a contract to have a chance to re-bid. Too bad they still lost the contract, huh?

Re: Water Commission. You will see my correction on my web site. You are right, she didn't have direct oversight. She was just there to spend the money from the Water Commission. As far as the firing of the GM, in the Tribune interview, she said the issue needed to be studied forst.

Re: If the CB did not spend the money, the WC would not have needed to borrow any.

Re: Taxes. The reason you need new revenue streams is to cover spending. Stop the County Board spending, the taxes take care of themselves. Yes, the CB cut 30 million from 2010 compared to 2009. Fact is the CB increased spending by 30 million between 2006-2009.

I'd like to clarify some glaring mistakes put out by Cinncinatus on his blog. Cinncinatus bogus arguments are bolded.

Debra Olson mercilessly attacks and distorts Dan Cronin’s record. Why? So we don’t look at what Debbie does in DuPage on the County Board. It’s time to set the record straight.

Cincinnatus’ commentary reads like a page out of the Cronin play book. I guess he/she isn’t the credible source he/she claims to be. Cincinnatus ought to do his/her homework and check the facts…

THE FACTS:

Debbie Olson and the DuPage County Board blew though tens-of-millions of dollars they had pilfered from the DuPage County Water Commission. There has been no accounting of where that money went.

The money went into the general fund of the county budget. It was not put into a special fund, but into the corporate fund, which helped pay for law enforcement needs at the time.

Debbie Olson has primary oversight of the Water Commission as head of the County Board Committee on Public Works.

The Public Works Committee does NOT have any authority over the Water Commission. There are twelve commissioners on the Water Commission - six representatives appointed by the County Board Chairman with advice and consent of the County Board, and six mayors appointed by the municipal members of the Water Commission. http://www.dpwc.org/AboutUs/History/tabid/100/Default.aspx

The DuPage County Board does not have any authority over the funds of the Water Commission, which is exactly why Dan Cronin had to author the legislation to allow $15 million of Water Commission funds to be given to the County annually for 5 years. Anyone who reads the DuPage County Board Rules and the charter of the Water Commission can see that the DuPage County Department of Public Works has NO oversight of the Water Commission.

While her opponents demand the dismissal the General Manager of the Water Commission, Debbie Olson wants to “study the issue.”

Olson was the first to say in an interview with the Daily Herald editorial board that the executive director should be fired, that new controls should be put into place for greater accountability, and anyone else implicated in wrongdoing should also be removed. Her opponents vacillated on their responses.

Debbie Olson promised to hold public hearings on the Water Commission before the end of 2009, no such meetings have occurred and none are scheduled.

An ongoing investigation by the Water Commission has precluded any hearings. The investigation is scheduled to be concluded by the end of January, and the report to the Water Commission Board mid-February. Again, anyone who really is interested in the facts can go online to the Water Commission website and see the minutes and progress of the investigation.

DuPage County was required to borrow $30 million because of this “oversight” that occurred on Debbie Olson’s watch.

The County hasn’t borrowed money. The DuPage County Water Commission borrowed money by vote of the Water Commission board. The County Board has had no vote and no authority over those votes.

“As a County Board Member, I have consistently voted to hold the line on property taxes and spending, and our budgets are balanced every year.” – Debra Olson, Illinois Review, 1/15/2010

THE FACTS:

In 2007, the DuPage County Board “Doomsday” budget showed tens-of-millions of dollars of deficit.

Debbie Olson did not, could not, and would not identify any budget cuts. Instead of showing leadership, she and other county officials went hat-in-hand to Springfield begging for a new revenue stream into county coffers.

Olson did NOT go to Springfield, Chairman Schillerstrom went to Springfield, without the advice and consent of the County Board (because he is not required by the Rules to ask for it), to ask DuPage legislators to vote in favor of the RTA bill and add the quarter-cent tax. Dan Cronin, Kirk Dillard, and John Millner were the only Republicans on either the House or Senate side to vote in favor of the legislation. Olson and many other board members were NOT in favor of the tax, and were prepared to do the hard work of making cuts.

Springfield responded with a one-quarter cent tax increase, much of which was paid for by NON-DuPage residents.

Now, Debbie Olson is attacking Springfield for providing the money. “We’ve all seen too much of Springfield-style government – overspending, overtaxing, playing politics and ignoring the real issues.” – Debra Olson, Illinois Review, 1/15/2010.

You can’t have it both ways, Debbie. Your attacks are just more of the shift, shuffle and blame we are sick and tired of seeing from empty-suit politicians.

Again, the only people trying to have it both ways are Cincinnatus – and Dan Cronin. Cronin signed a no-tax pledge, yet has a consistent record of passing tax increases. Furthermore, Cincinnatus claims not to be politically motivated or working on behalf of any campaign, but clearly has not done the homework to support the claims being made.

“This month [December 2009] DuPage County, where I have served for the last 8 years, had its AAA bond rating reaffirmed because the County Board has been fiscally responsible.” – Debra Olson, Illinois Review, 1/15/2010

THE FACTS:

The 600-page 2010 budget, passed under the claimed leadership of Debbie Olson, is based on unrealistic budget assumptions. The current budget assumes sales tax revenues will significantly increase in 2010, in spite of the continued economic downturn and a state unemployment rate above the national average.

Olson, along with other board members, agreed with the Civic Federation Report that the assumptions are too aggressive. That is why Olson and others have refused to pass a resolution to bond for projects until the revenue assumptions can be verified, which is unlikely. The dollars allocated to the bond issue are the safety net, along with a separate $5million cash reserve fund above and beyond the $40million general cash reserve fund, and can only be spent with the super-majority vote of the board. So safeguards were put in place in case revenue projections aren’t met.

The 2010 budget assumes continued issuance of grants by Springfield despite the bloated and busted budget deficits in Springfield. There is no reason to believe these grants will be provided at levels equivalent to those from last year.

If the State grant dollars do not come in, the County will not be funding those programs. That has been consistently stated by numerous board members, including Olson.

Even while knowing about the 2010 budget assumptions, in an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Debbie Olson said that she could probably find funds to spend more on human services in 2010, which would deplete any budget reserves that would be used in the event that revenue estimates are not achieved.

Olson did not say she would find more funds to spend on Human Service programs. She said she would not look first to Human Services for cuts. Again, Cincinnatus didn’t do his homework, and takes comments out of context. Watch the Chicago Tribune video for yourself, folks.

The budget contains no plan to find new or increased revenue streams.

True enough – you’ve heard of the TEA Parties, haven’t you, Cincinnatus? People are SICK of “new revenue streams” aka NEW TAXES. I applaud Olson for her stand on that.

The only budget cuts Debbie Olson has ever stated (again in the Chicago Tribune interview) has been for critical public safety employees like Jail Guards, Bailiffs, Sheriffs, Probation Officers and State’s Attorneys.

Again folks, watch the video for yourself – Cincinnatus is counting on you NOT watching it and believing this attempt at misinforming you.

The budget contains no contingencies showing prioritized reductions that could be immediately implemented to achieve cost savings to cut spending if the revenue assumptions are not met.

The budget includes money dedicated to a bond issue, as it did in the 2009 budget. The money was NOT spent in 2009 on bonding, so the cost was not incurred, and the funds used to make up for shortfalls. In 2010, that same “cushion” is in the budget, and that cost will not be incurred if the revenues do not come in as projected. There is also a $5million “Rainy Day” fund above and beyond the $40 million cash reserve fund in case revenues don’t come in as anticipated. It’s actually GOOD budgeting, because obligated expenses were kept UNDER revenue projections, so if that revenue doesn’t come in, the county isn’t in a budgetary shortfall situation. It’s like putting money aside to give you the option to remodel your kitchen, but if the paychecks don’t come in as expected, the remodeling money can be used to pay the bills if necessary, and you’re not in a position of having to shut off your heat.

Debbie Olson has never answered the simple question: “If you can’t or won’t identify any spending cuts, and you won’t vote for tax increases, how would YOU balance the budget.”

Again, not true. Cincinnatus doesn’t read all the information Olson has put out on the subject, and is counting on you NOT watching all the candidate forums and endorsement session videos out there.

Any guesses why she won’t answer the question? Because she can’t.

“I have run a campaign on issues, I have nothing to hide, and my record is available for all to see online – my votes, my contributions, everything.” – Debra Olson, Illinois Review, 1/15/2010

THE FACTS:

Debbie Olson committed to posting all of her campaign contributions on her web site, saying in September 2009, “Because the reporting mechanisms are not yet in place, Olson is committing to putting all campaign contributions made to me [sic] since July 1, 2009 online on my [sic] campaign website within 5 business days of receipt.”

To date, neither Olson campaign web site lists any contributions whatsoever.

The contributions are on the State Board of Elections website.

When challenged on her failure to live up to her self-imposed commitment, she is quoted as saying it is “too difficult” to do so.

For eight straight years and as of April 2009, as required by Illinois law, Olson filed a Statement of Economic Interest stating she had no business relationship with DuPage County. In October 2009, after declaring her intention to run for Chairman, she filed another statement saying she did actually do business with the County.

Again, Cincinnatus, perhaps you will go over to the County and take a look at those 8 years of Economic Interest Statements. They are public documents, I have seen them, and you are absolutely wrong. Furthermore, she does not state that she did business with the County. What it states is that she has ownership interest in a business. That business, however, has never had any county contracts. FOIA requests have proven that to be the case.

And let’s talk about conflicts. Cronin’s law partner is already a County Board member. Exactly how is THAT not a conflict – to have two business partners on the same board? Furthermore, Cronin is the County Party Chairman, also running for County Board Chairman, who used County Party resources for robo calls and letters to party faithful while running his County Board Chairman campaign. Andy McKenna has just been deemed in violation of Ethics rules for doing exactly that. Cronin ought to be censured by the County Party and resign his post as party chairman. Cincinnatus seems to like the Chicago-style political hack m.o.

According to Illinois State Board of Election and DuPage County Board Records, Debbie Olson has received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from vendors doing business with the county.

According to the State Board of Election and County Board Records, Debra Olson has taken 10% or less of her total contributions from County Vendors over the years, which means 90% of her contributions are coming from the private sector citizens. By contrast, Pankau and Cronin have taken huge sums of money from state vendors, lobbyists, unions, and pacs, all the while voting on their legislation. In this County Board Chairman’s race, Olson is the ONLY candidate who HASN’T taken any contributions from County vendors.

And let’s not overlook the fact that Cronin and Pankau are maxing out their state pensions, so coming to DuPage County to start, or in the case of Pankau, beef-up the County pension, is just one more way those two want to scam the system, and taxpayers.

One of her campaign coordinators works for ARAMARK, a major vendor for DuPage County that is under the purview of a committee chaired by Olson. Olson claims to have returned all of the campaign contributions received from ARAMARK, however, the Illinois State Board of Elections shows un-returned campaign contributions from an ARAMARK vice president. ARAMARK was the recipient of a favorable ruling during the negotiations for a county food service contract.

Olson voted to give the contract to A’Viands, Aramark’s competitor, as did all 18 County Board members.

“Politicians promising to be all things to all people are what gets government in trouble.” – Debra Olson, Daily Herald 1/4/2010

Bloggers failing to do their due diligence, and falsely claiming to be impartial, are what gets good reporting a bad name.

Agreed.

Anon, said,

"Dan Cronin was the driver of the story about Miss Olson. Like I said, he is a dirt ball."

Prove it.

"Or you call the OWNER of the building and ask if he/she approved it"

In Quigley video, she says the Owner did not approve it. If Quigley received permission from the owner to remove a sign, she can. If someone puts something on one's property, the person placing the object on another's property would have a hard time arguing if the property owner or their agent takes it. Do you feel it's okay for me to put a Grasso sign in YOUR front yard and expect it not to be removed by you? You can't possibly seriously ask me to believe you would call for the sign removal by your local police. Geesh.

Prueter should know better. You never touch someone else's sign. If you think it's a code violation (last I checked Prueter and Mrs. Quigley aren't Naperville city code enforcers) you call the city and let their code compliance officer come out and remove the sign if it violates the code. YOU NEVER take down a sign on your own. Or you call the OWNER of the building and ask if he/she approved it. You DON'T say signs aren't allowed on the property then proceed to put up your OWN signs. Hahahaha!!!

Dan Cronin was the driver of the story about Miss Olson. Like I said, he is a dirt ball.

Cronin a dirt ball? What did Cronin have to do with any of this other than attend an event.

If you are also saying that Cronin's campaign manager had something to do with the scandal about Olson, you had better be ready to prove it, in court since you are slandering him. If there is any beef, it is with the author of the article, if indeed he cannot prove the facts of his story. Direct your bile at the author, at least I can understand that. Don't try deflecting your anger onto the innocent.

Again, Olson and her supporters dip into their bag of accusations to blame others for Mrs. Olson's record. The Olson campaign had better man up soon or her drive for the County Board Chairman is toast, as will be Olson's viability as as an elected official.

To the name callers and blame shufflers, show the proof of your baseless accusations, or get off the playing field.

By -1, you hit the nail on the head. Prueter and Quigley state all campaign signs are prohibited on the property by the owner then Prueter proceeds to place Cronin signs on the owners property! It is laughable. Already heard Prueter tried to get one lawyer to take his "case" and the lawyer laughed at him! Prueter is just mad because the video made him look like an idiot. In the meantime, Cronin's people (Leland Lewis, Cronin's campaign manager) get to the lady in Wheaton and ask her to talk to the idiot Labarbera and Labarbera gets played by Cronin's people like a fiddle.

Cronin is real dirt ball and will stop at nothing.

Did the Mrs. Quigley call the landlord of her building before the sign was taken down? How does she know the landlord did not approve the sign in front of his building, but not on the Quigley's leasehold?

And yes, Mike Prueter placed Dan Cronin signs on the private property, not in front of the restaurant. Does he even know who the landlord is?

Two wrongs do not make a right. I understand the landlord gove temporary permission for the sigh unless one of his tenants would object. So there is only one wrong, the collective actions of Mike Prueter to place more signs and the Quigleys, who collaberated with Mr. Prueter, to take down the other sign without the landlords PREVIOUS approval (which he probably would have provided based on his temporary approval).

Shameless half truths, just like Barack Obama. These people should join the other political party, they fit right in.

I stand corrected. Using google maps, I can see that the sign was clearly on the same property, but I am not sure it was in front of Quigley's . You can zoom in (street view) for a better look. It still makes me wonder about the "no political sign" rule when (the person in question) was carrying one to put down.

-1 8:15 Am and no posts beyond #50 are posted

I don't really care about this race. Honestly. The shenanigans seem p(r)etty intense.

I feel Ms. Quigley believes what she says. What is interesting, though, is that the Olson sign in the original video did not appear to be in front of Quigleys, but may have been on adjacent property (which may be owned by the same people -- I do not know). Furthermore, the (person in question) had a small Cronin sign in his hands that he seemed to want to place on the ground. Ms. Quigley said that the landlord "prohibits the placement of any political signs on the property outside of our building." Does anyone know where a Cronin sign was eventually placed?

-1

Quiqley on the improperly placed Olson sign. This oughta be the final word until the lawsuit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHLwjtnz7Fs

Chris

I thought you weren't going to print the crud rumors?

By Anonymous on January 29, 2010 3:13 PM

--------------

Oh, I don't know if you had anything to do with it but the blog is running a lot more smoothly.

SCANDAL IN DU PAGE COUNTY!!

[Dateline: Naperville, Illinois]

"There is a growing scandal in DuPage County.

Per Naperville SUN blogger "Anonymous" posted on January 28, 2010 10:41 PM, there is a candidate running for the Chairmanship of the DuPage County Board who actually has a REAL job!

In fact, upon further investigation, it has been uncovered that this same candidate (Debra Olson) owns a private business, has a payroll, and, most outrageously, Olson creates wealth for her family, her employees, and her vendors and customers!

This is unprecedented!

In this day and age, we certainly do not want wealth creators and producers of a product or service running our government!

Some have termed it "scurrilous" that in a State where failure and budget deficits and overtaxing the citizens is the accepted way of life, the citizens could even be exposed to ANY candidate (Debra Olson) that wants us to keep our wealth and run the County as a business and only spend within its means.

Many in DuPage County feel strongly that the correct course of action is to only consider candidates who are lifelong politicians used to feeding off of the public trough, preferably only those who have participated in the failure that has been the State of Illinois. Training under the Madigan administration (Cronin & Pankau) is seen as a plus by these same people.

It is further clear that rampant gambling within the County is the only valid solution to our economic woes and that, along with taxing things like food, RTA, income, breath itself, will we ever really be as happy as the rest of the citizens in Illinois, such as those in the admirable and beacon of government, Cook County!

Again, in a scandalous turn of events, DuPage County, Illinois is considering voting in a Chairman, Debra Olson, who outrageously has a real job, runs a real business, creates wealth in her community, and is NOT a lifelong politician drinking from the public trough of taxes and spending!

Vote Debra Olson."

Isn't Prueter the guy that's been sending out emails to everyone alleging Deb Olson had an affair with Brien Sheahen? That seems like defamation of character to me.

Maybe there is a big trade show in town and she is tied up working as "more than a model".

Has anyone seen or heard from Olson lately. She has missed several events, and her office is not forthcoming on her schedule, if they answer at all.

If Mr. Prueter was smart he'd drop it and not bring unwanted attention to the incident. Throwing the Quigley's under the bus is not smart either. Besides, Mr. Prueter should ask Family Values guru Peter LaBarbera what else he is working on.

Again, sorry to confuse you with data, Cunfused.

First, the exact same act occurred, and was caught, in the last election cycle (I think it was the Dem opponent to Terulis (sp?). He filed charges, she was arrested, and went through all the accompanying embarassment and cost. Nothing weak here, my hateful little friend.

Second, files cannot be filed by me, if I understand the statute correctly. They CAN be filed by the aggrieved party (in this case Olson as her sign was vandalized), or by an election commission.

Now given your comments on this thread, I do have a question for you: You sound so convinced as to what went on that day, to that sign, I just gotta know: Were you there? Did you participate? or are you, like me, just providing third-party commentary?

Re: Video

I guess they're going to court on this one.

It has been removed from YouTube. Perhaps this is the reason why:

http://www.redcounty.com/lisle-gop-chairman-claims-youtube-video-a-set/36293

Did anyone cache it somewhere? I wish I did...

To Peter Sellers on January 28, 2010 10:20 AM,

"The Quigleys have every right to take down a sign on the portion of the property they LEASE!! The sign was not part of their leasehold, rather the owner of the entire building. Did the Quigleys call their landlord and ask for the sign to be taken down?"

Unless you have a copy of the actual lease then you have no factual basis to support your assumption.

Do we really want a County Board Chairperson that works as a "model" part time? Geez...come on Debra.

http://morethanmodels.com

Look in the gallery...2nd row / 2nd photo from left.

If you think there is an illegal act, have the guy arrested, if you have the guts.....the dorr is a weak one at best.....doesn;t understand, never will.

Bring it on if you have the stones.....

Disgusted,

Hmmm? You truly seem confused. I understand that for some, facts are "pesky" things.

Could you please lay out the mangled falsehoods? I mean, really --- we can all see the crime, so I'm sure that one is true.

Are you referring to my commentson Cronin being a Springfield politician? I'm sure that one is true.

Perhaps the reference to being a second-rate Cook County-type thug? That one is an opinion, and it is based on the voting record re: the RTA sales tax increase.

So, really, disgusting, please identify the items that should make my nose grow. We all would like to know.

Of course, we all already know it is just you, again, trying to stick up for your candidate (Cronin), and an illegal action that cannot be condoned by any honest person.

This election is about the record and nothing else. If you examine Dan Cronin's voting record at the links provided above it is clear to me he is a RINO. He has no real record of any substantial achievement in Springfield. He is a life time politician and we the people of Illinois have had enough of guys like him running our state into the ground. I want to elect someone that has a payroll to meet and knows what it's like to run a business in this state. Dan Cronin is not that guy.

In addition, he will be a huge double dipper in the state's rotten, broken, pension system. If he was a serious candidate he would announce that he will not take any pension from the County if elected. His Senate (grossly bloated) pension is enough.

It looks like the infamous utube video was pulled off the you tube website by the creator. I wonder what they are afraid of?????

Dear Epi-nonymous,

It's hard to believe that anyone could write the mangled falsehoods that come spewing out of your keyboard without their nose growing 3 feet long. Just a hint -- you aren't doing your candidate any favors with your trash talking. Why don't you grow up and stop attacking other Republicans who do good work, but don't support your particular candidate. Get out of the business of pulling stunts.

Excellent idea. We should get rid of township government in Illinois too.

To CONFUSED

The Quigleys have every right to take down a sign on the portion of the property they LEASE!! The sign was not part of their leasehold, rather the owner of the entire building. Did the Quigleys call their landlord and ask for the sign to be taken down?

I can see why you are CONFUSED!

It is shameful how so many are defending the illegal act of removing, and destroying, a campaign sign!

Spin all you want.

Insist it was planted (so I guess ALL campaign signs are "planted" since they are ALL put at opportune places, usually in competition with others?) Grow up!

Don't believe your lying eyes (I guess Preuter was, as a concerned citizen, NOT removing the sign because he was throwing the event for Cronin but because he was concerned, about, say, the whales? Abortion rights? High taxes? Madigan's social calendar)

Continue to make up your facts when they don't support your whiny ways. You accuse the Olson camp of attacks, yet ironically there are several Cronin attack WEBSITES referred to in this thread!

Can someone explain how the video is defamatory? Let me see if I saw it correctly:

The LTRO Chairman is seen trying to put up an itty bitty Cronin sign, then shockingly sees that Cronin's sign, like his merits to run DuPage County, is smaller than Debra Olson's.

He gets increasingly agitated, gets on the phone and calls someone, paces around a bit ---- then we HIM holding the downed sign.

Wow! I see what you all mean. If by "defammatory" you mean it shows him involved in a crime, than I guess you are right.

Say, I am curious: Do any of us REALLY want a life-long Springfield poltiician, a second-rate Cook County-type thug, running DuPage County? If so, vote Cronin as Dan Cronin did NOT seem to have any problems working closely with Madigan to support the policies of two thug Governors with zero ethics!

As for me, I will Vote for a true DuPage daughter and a real Conservative --- Vote Debra Olson!

Unfortunately, our County Board and State legislators are already part-time. A better solution may be to make them a no-time position. We'd all be much better off.

By Anonymous on January 27, 2010 9:47 PM

Have a lawyer ready? For what? What was the illegal act? Are you really sure Mr. Prueter wants to drag this out in the public courts? If I were him I'd want this to go away and not drag out even longer.
-----------------------------------

Maybe not criminal but certainly civil defamation. If it's true that he and others took down the sign at the request of the property owner, the video defamed him by saying that taking down the sign was an illegal act and was not condoned by the property owner.

There's a movement to radically change California government, by getting rid of career politicians and chopping their salaries in half. A group known as Citizens for California Reform wants to make the California legislature a part time time job, just like it was until 1966.
www.onlineuniversalwork.com

Have a lawyer ready? For what? What was the illegal act? Are you really sure Mr. Prueter wants to drag this out in the public courts? If I were him I'd want this to go away and not drag out even longer.

Ok, I give up.

Which one is Tracy Flick, which one is Paul Metzler, and which one is Tammy Metzler?

Is this kind of crap really going on?

Planted sign before an event. Stealth videographer who happens to be there and mysteriously cannot continue live action but gets a perfectly placed still shot. All of this probably unknown to all the candidates.

I may have to rewatch "Election" soon.

-1

Thanks to CONFUSED for fact-checking this, as I did. Mrs. Olson's supporters are despicable, and have been throughout the campaign. To date, their single tactic has been smearing her opponents and their supporters with fact-free assertions.

On the other hand, the video is quite funny.

But I have noticed that for the past two days, there is little activity among Olson supporters. As a matter of fact, Mrs. Olson herself did not attend the Public Works Committee yesterday. Too busy campaigning to attend, I guess. Contrast that to Sens. Pankau and Cronin who have attended to ALL of their legislative duties, including multiple trips to Springfield while involved in this primary campaign.

Does the ignorant person calling themself Peter Sellers know that law or just make allegations that they pull out of their rectum???
Ms. Quigley took the sign down and her daughter got rid of the sign....check with her and know the truth. Why weren't the other people on the patio part of the video ?? The ones that actually saw what happened and assisted in taking the sign down. Ms Olson should be ashamed of herself as should the volunteers but they aren't educated enough to understand this matter. They belong in Cook County, where they came from.

The video talks about Cook County politics - well all i have to say is that this was a total set up and is worse than cook county politics. This person put that sign up 1 hour before an event for Cronin - without permission mind you and then hid in his car with a video camera - how sad is that. Olsen and her campaign staff should be ashamed of this type of politics. I heard about this and actually heard that the owner of the establishment actually told her employee to take it down. Why don't they show that part all they show is this guy holding a sign!

Video is defamatory. The sign was taken down at the direction of the owner because the owner does not support Olsen. Whoever put the video up should keep his lawyer close, I think he's going to need him.

A final comment on the DuPage County Board Chairman race:

http://bit.ly/d4HbnG

Cincinnatus (alias Cronin sympathizer)

Take a close look at the video. The Olsen sign WAS NOT placed on the restaurant property. First, the restaurant does not OWN anything, they rent from the Jefferson Hills shop. Second, their rental property includes the patio.

Hmm. Of course. The Olsen sign was place on the private property of the Jefferson Hills shop that the restaurant has no control. Did Mr. Prueter call the owner of the building for approval as did Ms. Olsen? Are the Naperville police investigating this illegal act?

It is clear why Mr. Preuter follows the steps of Mr. Madigan. He has a state job that requires interaction with Madigan. For all we know, he got his job from Madigan.

We ask, will Mike Preuter and Dan Cronin turn DuPage County over to Mr. Madigan as well?

The very staged video by Ms. Olson's minions doesn't depict who actually took the sign down. Merely holding the sign for a second and freezing the frame doesn't present enough proof rather a poor allegation against someone that did not take the sign down. Check with the owners/lessee of the property in question.

For a real insight into the quality of Ms. Olson, go to Republicansforfamilyvalues.com. Of course, her so-called campaign staff will continue to lie and make mis-truths about eeverything but the guy that did the story obviously checked his sources, including Mr. Olson...

Per the video, I believe there are two reasons for the handling:

First, the freeze frame is golden in that there is no question who it is. Given his position and his recent comments against such activity, it is downright disgusting.

Second, I will just bet there were other people showing up for the event (the door was right there) and it was an attempt to not have their faces in the video.

As far as the removal of the sign, the simple fact is that is was an illegal activity --- period!

The sign was on private property and the property owner did not ask to have it removed. These two items are verifiable fact.

The real question is will the police do anything about this?

I remember in the last election cycle a Democrat was running for something (Lisle trustee, maybe?) and she was caught taking a competitor's sign. She was arrested, and has gone through all the embarassment that goes with it.

I hope that just because DuPage is mostly GOP, and this involves GOP-on-GOP activities, that this is not ignored. If arrest was good enough for a Democrat, its good enough for a Republican.

I'll make a couple of points about the video:

It is hilarious and I wish I could claim credit. The Pink Panther music was a perfect choice.

Now to the facts, which you can check out by calling the owner of that property (restaurant name is in the video):

The sign was placed on private property by the Olson campaign after being told to specifically not do so. The sign was placed on the restaurant property just before a scheduled luncheon for Cronin.

The person removing the sign is doing so at the request of the property owner.

More shenanigans from the Olson campaign, compounded by blaming someone else for their misdeeds. Which campaign has the thugs?

Holy Smoke!

That link above [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CjsDaTuXyA] is political dynamite!

If my eyes are not deceiving me, the Cronin campaign is caught ILLEGALLY stealing a Debra Olson campaign sign.

That happened in Lisle in the last election and as I recall, they arrested the Democrat who did it.

In fact, it looks like Mike Preuter, the Lisle Township Republican Chairman, is doing the removing!

Wow!

Isn't this the same Preuter, the same LTRO Chairman, who was pontificating last week about not blocking signs or doing any of those Cook County-type sleazeball moves? Why, Yes, I think it is!

Does this mean that the Cronin campaign is basically running a Democrat campaign?

It makes sense given Cronin's voting record of supporting blatant, bloated, Democrat projects in Illinois!

Having Preuter involved also makes sense as he backed the Madigan administration's hand-picked lackey for House the last election.

Cinncinatus supporting this thug campaign also makes sense given his penchant for Maddow-style websites and other secret, anonymous endeavors.

Say, I am curious: Do any of us REALLY want a life-long Springfield poltiician, a second-rate Cook County-type thug, running DuPage County? If so, vote Cronin as Dan Cronin did NOT seem to have any problems working closely with Madigan to support the policies of two thug Governors with zero ethics!

As for me, I will Vote for a true DuPage daughter and a real Conservative --- Debra Olson!

Aurora Republican,

All Dan Cronin wants to be is another career elected politician. Fresh ideas? Hardly. He has already been in office so long (19 years) he has lost touch with the voters he is supposed to represent.

A record of conservatism, reformer, creative problem solver? Horse hockey! Are you delusional? His documented record shows that he votes more like a Democrat than a Republican... see for yourself...
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=662 and like all things in politics... follow the money and see where his came from... http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=766

If Republicans don't have anything impressive to say about their candidates reflects more on the inability of the party to recruit and attract impressive candidates than it does on members of the party or their views. Just because someone is a Republican candidate doesn't mean they will earn the Republican vote or that they are even a candidate worthy of a vote. One only needs to look to MA senate race for a stern reminder of this political truth.

This is hilarious!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CjsDaTuXyA

Debbie Olson in her own words:

http://bit.ly/5NrH3o

Dan Cronin is by far the most qualified candidate, and I will vote for him -- in fact, I already did! His record in the state senate is that of a conservative and reformer, and creative problem solver who gets things done. He will take a fresh look at county government to eliminate overlapping services, and aggressively encourage business development. I am encouraged by his pledge to make DuPage County the best place to live and raise a family in Illinois, if not the USA.

Tired of seeing some Republicans call other Republicans RINOs. That is so lame. I guess they just don't have anything impressive to say about their candidates.

I don't get the Sun either. They endorse the worst candidates all the time. Why are they so out of touch with the voters?

Leave it to the Sun to once again endorse the wrong candidate. Maybe the Sun would be better off concentrating on actually getting my newspaper to my house every day instead of missing it once a week which has been happening more and more regularly.

If the Sun isn't capable of managing their own business and product then they don't have much credibility with me by commenting on or endorsing other industries or lines of work such as elected officials.

I too will vote for Debra Olson. I don't think many voters realize that if Dan Cronin wins he will be double dipping in the state's bankrupt pension system. That alone is reason enough to me to note vote for Cronin.

Every voter in DuPage county should look at this link and see why Cronin and Pankau are bad news.

http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=846

Cronin and Pankau define the word RINO. Let's keep them out of DuPage county.

I am going the Debra Olson route.

I am tired of the "too-smooth" talking professional politicians who have been getting elected, and re-elected, for years here in Illinois and not-so-slowly ruining our State.

They fool us with vague references to change, the good things they will do if we just re-elect them one more time, then when they get in again BOOM! They go back to the same old spend and tax actions they have been practicing for years on our dime!

We, the voters, are left holding the bag and trying, in vain, to hang on to our wallets.

Olson is not as smooth talking as the professional liars from Springfield, but she is direct: DEBRA OLSON WILL OPPOSE ALL EFFORTS TO INCREASE TAXES!

Why do I believe her? Because she already has a real record of doing so!

As has been said before --- it's the economy, stupid!

Vote Debra Olson

We need to change the face of local politics. Get rid of people Cronin and Pankau who jump from one office to another. Whatever happened to electing citizens who would serve the needs of other citizens for a term or two... especially electing people who are close to the people and know what is important to them?

I'm going to vote for Debra Olson. She is a small business owner and not a career politician. We need more people like her in office who haven't lost touch with the common man and who won't sell us out just for the sake of campaign contributions.

It is great to see people are doing research on this election (kudos to Cincinnatus, above).

I have looked into it as well. I have reached a different solution for my vote based on a broad-picture view of the County, as follows:

We live in a failed state (Illinois) ran by failed politicians from both parties. They are corrupt, void of ethics, have no concept of spending within the means of the State’s revenues, and have redefined the term “greed”.

Though I respect Cincinnatus and his research, I cannot vote for Dan Cronin, who is part of the failed State of Illinois and has been for years. Also, Cronin’s statement of looking at some form of “home rule” for the County certainly means an easier road for impending tax increases.

I am told Pankau was asked to run strictly as a misogynist move to siphon votes from another female candidate. This eliminates Pankau for my vote.

That leaves two candidates for me to consider. This brings me to my “hot” issues in this year’s election cycle:

1) taxes (specifically, lower taxes)
2) spending control (and decreased government size)
3) business development (creating a business-friendly environment to attract jobs)
4) ethics (anything is a good start in our putrid state!)

I saw a comment in the Letters to the Editors recently that said “…but I still believe in a government that is of, by, and for the people and not one as benevolent despot”. I feel the same way. As voters, I would like to see us redefine our government back to its roots (and its constitutional base) of being defined by the voters and working for us (and not the other way around).

Simply put, I am looking for a government that controls spending, decreases taxes, lives within its means, and has a structure of ethics rules to prevent remedial graft (though stupidity can not be legislated).

We also live in DuPage County, the best-ran County in Illinois.

One candidate for Chairman is not only from DuPage county, but is already a member of the Board and has a well-documented history of all four hot issues.

That candidate is Debra Olson, and she will be getting both my vote and support for the Chairmanship of the DuPage County Board.

I'll probably go for Debbie. The reason is she seems to have the LEAST experience in politics and as a bonus she's NOT a lawyer. This election I've decided not to support any incubents or career politicians.

There is one clear choice

DEB OLSEN

Cronin is a democrat. He has raised our taxes including the half cent sales tax last year. He should run for Cook County board president.

Pankau is also not a fiscally conservative individual. Her record and motivation for this race a suspect.

Grasso is too far removed from DuPage. Burr Ridge is a Cook County suburb. He does not understand the rest of the County.

Who cares what liberals like Sam Zell (publisher of the Tribune) thinks.

I have thoroughly researched these four candidates, the summary of my work is here:

http://bit.ly/5jnEN4

All of my data has been pulled from the public domain.

I agree with the Tribune, Daily Herald and The Doings newspapers.

Vote Cronin.