Shenanigans in Illinois District 58?

Lauren Turelli, a Lake Forest resident, is the Republican candidate on the November ballot who is challenging Representative Karen May in the 58th District.

I’ve been a supporter of Lauren Turelli since the time she decided to enter the Illinois 58th District representative race in 2009.  On Monday, June 7th I attended a “Meet and Greet” for Lauren in the home of a Lake Forest supporter.  Mark Shaw, committeeman in West Deerfield Township, was on hand and spoke highly of Turelli as her campaign manager.  Also at the gathering  was Ant Simonian, former head of the Lake County Republican Federation, who is actively working on Lauren’s behalf.   She cautioned those who were present:   “You no longer can say that you don’t wish to be part of the political process or you will be part of the problem.”

Lauren has always impressed me with her intelligence and her ability to zero in on the issues the day.   She certainly has the qualifications to be a state rep as a former high school teacher and coach, a small business owner and a mom.

There is, however, a smell of political “dirty tricks” being employed to undermine Lauren’s campaign.  Ms.Turelli ran unopposed in the Feb. Primary Elections.

According to a report in the Lake Forester on Thursday, June 3, Lake Bluff’s Mike Clark came forth after the primaries to run as an Independent.  When it was revealed that the form Clark filed in March to organize his political committee listed his political affiliation as Democratic and his county residence as Cook, Clark blamed his attorney for the incorrect information.  Federal records do show that Clark donated money to Republican candidates during the 2008 primary and election seasons.

Turelli’s campaign manager, Mark Shaw, is calling for an investigation of Mike Clark, claiming that Clark’s campaign workers have been telling voters that Karen May has no Republican challenger in November.  It has been reported that those petitioning for names receive $1.50 per signature.

An issue of great concern is whether Independent Mark Clark is a Democratic plant whose candidacy will siphon off conservative voters so Karen May triumphs in November.  It is well established that the Cook County Democrat Machine is well and alive in Lake County.  There has been a concerted effort for several years by Democrats to turn Lake County from a traditionally red county into a blue one.  And they are being successful. The upscale communities of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff are now represented by two Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly, Representative Karen May and Senator Susan Garrett.

If Lauren Turelli should be defeated in November because of a split vote, voters of Illinois District 58 and the state of Illinois will be the losers.  Rep. Karen May will continue to vote in Springfield with the Democrat establishment, while telling voters here at home a different version of her Springfield voting record.

What beliefs does Lauren Turelli bring to the table?

• That education is the key to greater opportunities and brighter futures for our children.
• That Illinois can once again be a magnet for businesses and job creation.
• That our agenda should be brought to Springfield, not Springfield’s agenda to us.

Illinois needs more candidates like Lauren Turelli who will work for greater public transparency and accountability, as well as for ethics reform to rein in public corruption, so Illinoisans can once again feel pride instead of shame for their state.   Dan Sugrue is another Republican candidate in the mold of Lauren Turelli.  He is running for state rep in Illinois District 59.   www.electdansugrue.com

Lauren Turelli’s campaign website is www.Turelli4Tomorrow.com Lauren is the type of person you will be proud to have as your representative in Springfield.