DuPage County Republicans -

It is time to get involved;

The General Assembly ended its legislative session Friday without resolving Illinois’ pension funding crisis.   It took just one business day for major financial rating firms to downgrade Illinois’ credit rating even further.

The pension funding crisis and the overall abysmal financial management have already pulled our state over the fiscal cliff. This continuing fiscal debacle will cost Illinois more jobs and future investment. It will also cost more citizens their savings, their security, their jobs and their homes.

The Democratically controlled House and Senate could not compromise on a bill to reform the pension fund, protect taxpayers, aid local governments and save our schools.

Illinois is suffering from a colossal lack of leadership. Under Democratic leadership, if it can be called that, Illinois has the second highest unemployment rate in the nation and is ranked 48^th in economic outlook. This current ‘leadership’ has put partisan politics and self-interest above the public interest.

The pension crisis was only one issue among many that the General Assembly failed to resolve. We, the taxpayers, employ these representatives to work for the public good. We pay them to manage our State and protect our interests, not to kick the tough issues down the road.

How do we end this fiasco? We go back to a two-party system. The overwhelming Democratic majority has effectively ended honest debate and discourse. Illinois needs new ideas, new solutions, a new commitment to fiscal discipline and new leaders.

The Democratic Party’s lock on Illinois is taking a terrible toll on our families, our communities and our future.   It is time to get involved; run for office, work for candidates you believe in, and above all, vote for different leadership for Illinois.

If not, we may discover there is no way back from the fiscal cliff.

Darlene Ruscitti

DuPage GOP Chair

Capacity crowd welcomes US Senator Ted Cruz at the Lincoln Day celebration

A capacity crowd of enthusiastic DuPage Country Republicans welcomed US Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) at their Lincoln Day celebration at the Marriott Hotel in Oak Brook.

Almost 800 guests, made up of elected officials, precinct committeemen, leading business and community leaders and their guests gave Cruz a standing ovation as he delivered his impassioned message of smaller government, fiscal discipline and personal responsibility.

The program began with Dr. Darlene Ruscitti reminding the audience that DuPage County is one of the most prosperous, desirable, safe and admired counties in the United States and that this accomplishment is due to on-going Republican leadership. She stated that DuPage County has become a model, nationwide, of what responsible leadership, conservative budgeting, disciplined spending and principled governing can accomplish.

Dr. Ruscitti noted the excitement, diversity and energy in the room.

“Our Party is vital, responsible and relevant. This vitality, this dedication, will bring our party to the majority, in Illinois and throughout the country,” she stated.

As the keynote speaker, Senator Cruz mesmerized the crowd with his passion for limited government and economic growth, the protection of the Constitution and adherence to Republican principles. He praised the DuPage County GOP for their strong grassroots approach, noting the importance of winning elections at all levels of government.

Prior to Senator Cruz, Congressman Randy Hultgren ( R-IL) presented Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) with the County’s, ‘Walk of Fame Award’. He noted Senator Kirk’s illustrious military career, his advocacy for the people of Illinois, his ability to work on both sides of the aisle, and his courageous comeback following a severe health crisis.

Illinois Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) took the stage with a rousing, ‘I am a proud DuPage Republican.’ He then presented the Mary Jo Arndt Award for public service to retired Congresswoman Judy Biggert. Senator Dillard said that Congresswoman’s Biggert s lifetime of public service and community involvement reflected the principles of the party and the values of the nation.

Dr. Ruscitti closed the evening saying, “We have been proud to have Senator Cruz here this evening as our guest speaker. His enthusiasm and that of the audience, shows that our Party, both nationally and here in DuPage County, is ready for the challenges ahead and gearing up for victories in 2014.”