News

  • State of the GOP: Local, State and Federal

    Posted by · January 16, 2023 10:47 AM

    A lot has changed since the November election.  Below are highlights (or lowlights) of what has happened and what most likely will happen. Bonus:  Also, as you read below you will discover what is the official snake of Illinois.

    At the local level:

    • Scott Bennett, State Senator for the 52nd District passed away unexpectedly. District 52 represents a portion of Champaign County and Vermillion County.  After his funeral the knives came out quickly.  Better angels prevailed and City of Champaign Township Assessor Paul Faraci was appointed to take his place.
    • Tom Bennett, Scott’s uncle, was appointed as the new State Senator for District 53, to take Jason Barickman’s (R-Bloomington) place. Tom, 66 years old, has served as a representative in the 106th district since 2015.  He is an advocate for 2nd Amendment Rights, low taxes, and being pro-life.
    • Family law attorneys filed some 85 requests to have newly elected Judge Beckett taken off their cases.  (The county is missing Judge Sam Limentato.)

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  • Midterm Election Recap

    Posted by · December 02, 2022 11:09 AM

    Year in Review – a Reflection         

    2022 is closing fast and 2023 is just around the corner.  As I reflect on the year there are so many people and events that bring a warm smile to my face.  As a newbie to politics, this has been quite an eye-opening experience.  Frankly, until last year all I did was show up at the polls to vote.  I was mainly only concerned with national elections, with little interest and knowledge of local elections. I was especially and totally uninformed on judicial elections.  Occasionally I would donate dollars to prominent national campaigns and organizations, such as Donald Trump, Win Red, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Heritage Foundation.  That all changed in 2022.

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  • Message from the Chairman

    Posted by · December 02, 2022 11:04 AM

    I hope you had a great Thanksgiving with family and friends. I love the turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie with too much whipped cream - but remembering to be thankful is what I enjoy most about Thanksgiving. 
    I am so grateful for our wonderful candidates and their families who worked hard running for offices to represent all of us. Our candidates ran on real issues to improve public safety and be accountable to the public to improve public service.

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  • Election Integrity Committee Update

    Posted by · September 02, 2022 7:05 AM

    Tami Fruhling-Voges, Traci Bosch and Emily Brown make up our election integrity committee which is a very important as we go in to the 2022 general election.

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  • CCGOP Chairman Jim McGuire Introduction

    Posted by · August 02, 2022 9:52 AM

    I want to introduce myself as the newly elected Chairman of the Champaign County Republican Party. First, let me thank the Champaign County Precinct Committeepersons for their trust in me, shown in their unanimous vote to elect me as GOP Party Chair. 

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  • Political Projection

    Posted by · July 05, 2022 4:59 PM

    By Ken Chumbley

    When a government becomes ungovernable, when the mechanisms of justice are corrupted by injustice, it’s time the sleeping giant that is the American dream awaken to renew and reclaim itself.   

    Military and Political strategy are not all that different. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur once penned an article entitled “Requisites for Military Success,” in which he identified four crucial factors.                                    

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  • 2022 State and Local GOP Candidates

    Posted by · May 29, 2022 11:30 AM

    2022 State and Local Candidates for the Republican Party (including primary winners) are listed in the tables below. Candidate's websites are linked to names when available. 

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  • Lincoln Day Dinner Draws a Crowd!

    Posted by · May 25, 2022 8:21 PM

    The 2022 Lincoln Day Dinner took place on May 21 at Carmon's in downtown Champaign. With over 230 in attendance and a great showing from local and statewide candidates, the evening was fun and informative. Our panel on Crime in our Community included Amber Oberheim, Von Young, John Hecker and Sam Limentato. Our emcee for the evening was "Big Mike" Namoff. A delicious dinner by Hickory River was enjoyed by all and delicious Bundtini's capped off the evening.

    Panel Discussion on Crime in our Community

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  • Active Senior Republicans - Promoting and Advocating for Republican Values

    Posted by · May 23, 2022 11:35 AM

    By Jeff Wilson

    I recently attended an Active Senior Republican (ASR) for the Champaign County GOP on May 2 at the Champaign Library.  The room was packed, full of energetic and concerned citizens who are striving to make a positive and lasting improvement to our communities in Champaign County.  The guest speaker for this meeting was Brad Halbrook (State Representative (District 102), he provided a report on the results and impacts of the spring 2022 general assembly legislative session.  At the meeting, members also took up a collection for the Salvation Army Champaign County Food Pantry.

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  • An Interview with Mike Namoff on Crime in Our Community

    Posted by · April 01, 2022 10:25 AM

    Introduction:

    The News-Gazette is running a series on Gun Violence: A Community Conversation.  As of February 28, 18 articles have been issued.  Each article highlights various conversations from the Community.  The genesis of these articles began in December with the open acknowledgement that Champaign-Urbana nears the top 2021 lists for homicides of 400 similar size communities.  Twenty-six lives lost, more than double the number in 2020.  Among them, a decorated Champaign police officer, and 13 victims under the age of 25.  Also, a record 350 confirmed incidents of shots fired. 

    2022 is not looking favorable.

    Confirmed shootings are at more than two dozen.  Death by gun - four.  Without immediate intervention, this year will be worse than last.

    Local entrepreneur Mike Namoff (Big Mike) thinks big. Last December, Mike, on his own initiative organized a successful party/fundraiser to raise money for the “Shop with a Cop” program.  Mike believes police officers across the country are taking an unfair hit in the midst of the national “defund the police” hysteria. Lack of municipal leadership has had a significant negative effect on local police officers.  This needs to change.  Namoff is thinking he may run for mayor of Champaign in 2023 to do something about it.

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