State Rep. Ron Sandack Withdraws from GOP Chairman Race

Sandack (R-Downers Grove) withdrew his name from consideration Wednesday morning, citing his controversial decision to support same-sex marriage.

State Rep. Ron Sandack Withdraws from GOP Chairman Race

Sandack (R-Downers Grove) withdrew his name from consideration Wednesday morning, citing his controversial decision to support same-sex marriage.

State Rep. Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) has formally pulled out of the race for the next chairman of the Illinois Republican Party. "After much contemplation and discussion with several Republican activists, I am withdrawing my name from consideration," Sandack said in a statement Wednesday morning. "Being nominated by my peers is a great honor and I will continue to work hard in representing the Republican Party in the 81st House District." The Chicago Sun-Times reported May 9 that Sandack was one of nine chairman finalists being considered by the Republican State Central Committee; of the nine, Sandack won the paper's informal reader poll with nearly 44 percent of the vote. Sandack would have likely been a controversial choice given his…

•  59 Comments
• Photos (2)

Dan F.

10:37 am on Monday, May 20, 2013

Batsh*t crazy Krugman's been a one-trick pony for years now. Austerity isn't working!! Government needs to spend!! Gonna be ugly when he stops drinking and sobers up from his extended stupor, to realize the US has been on his prescription of reckless spending, for over eight years. "We have to start doing what we've been doing for eight years!" Now that makes sense! US Federal Deficit Obama FY …   more ›

Report: Sandack in the Running for Next Illinois GOP Chairman?

The Downers Grove Republican has significant support as the replacement for Pat Brady, according to a Chicago Sun-Times politics post.

Illinois state Rep. Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) is a top-tier candidate to become the next Illinois GOP Chairman and replace Pat Brady, who resigned last week, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The Sun-Times lists Sandack as one of nine finalists considered by the Republican State Central Committee; of the nine, Sandack won the paper's informal reader poll with almost 44 percent of the vote. Sandack would likely be a controversial choice given that many believe Oberweis and other socially conservative Republicans ousted Brady over the former chairman's support of gay marriage—which Sandack also supports—the paper said. Major Illinois Republican player Ron Gidwitz is quoted in the article as being highly critical of anyone who pushed out …

•  10 Comments
• Photos (2)

Same-Sex Marriage Supporters, Opponents Rally in Downers Grove

Illinois Rep. Ron Sandack defended his decision to support same-sex marriage as hundreds rallied outside his Downers Grove office Saturday.

Same-Sex Marriage Supporters, Opponents Rally in Downers Grove

Illinois Rep. Ron Sandack defended his decision to support same-sex marriage as hundreds rallied outside his Downers Grove office Saturday.

Hundreds of opponents of same-sex marriage gathered Saturday morning outside State Rep. Ron Sandack's Downers Grove office, where they also faced off with gay rights activists staging a counter protest. The Defend Marriage rally was organized by the Illinois Family Institute, a conservative non-profit that opposes Senate Bill 10—the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act—which was passed by the Illinois Senate in February and is awaiting a vote by the House. A counter-protest was organized by two Chicago-based pro-LGBTQ groups, the Civil Rights Agenda and the Gay Liberation Network. Sandack, one of only two Republicans in the Illinois House who support the same-sex marriage bill, did not plan to attend the rallies, but made a brief …

•  170 Comments
• Photos (33)
• Videos (1)

Elm Forest

11:53 pm on Wednesday, May 8, 2013

So you're right back at the name calling and demonizing. That's all you have really. Can you carry on a real conversation? Haven't seen it here. Responding to others with insult and assumptions about mental abilities. Foolish talk.   more ›

Pro-LGBT Group to Counter-Protest Downers Grove Rally Against Same-Sex Marriage

The Civil Rights Agenda and the Gay Liberation Network announced Tuesday that they plan to counter-protest the Illinois Family Institute's "Defend Marriage Rally" on Saturday outside Rep. Ron Sandack's office.

A civil rights group is planning to counter-protest a rally against same-sex marriage Saturday outside State Rep. Ron Sandack's office in Downers Grove. The Illinois Family Institute—a conservative non-profit dedicated to "upholding and re-affirming marriage, family, life and liberty" through Judeo-Christian teachings and traditions—said on its website Monday that its members will hold a "Defend Marriage Rally" at 11 a.m. Saturday in front of Sandack's office, located at 633 Rogers St. In response to the rally, pro-LGBT groups the Civil Rights Agenda and the Gay Liberation Network have organized a counter-protest at the same time and location. CRA representatives said their counter-protest will be a "peaceful demonstration." The Illinois …

•  48 Comments
• Photos (2)

Group Organizes Protest in Downers Grove Against Same-Sex Marriage Bill

The Illinois Family Institute is calling on residents, churches and organizations to join them at 11 a.m. Saturday at the office of State Rep. Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove), who supports the bill.

A conservative non-profit group is organizing a protest in Downers Grove against a same-sex marriage bill awaiting consideration by the Illinois House of Representatives. The Illinois Family Institute—a group dedicated to "upholding and re-affirming marriage, family, life and liberty" through Judeo-Christian teachings and traditions—said on its website Monday that its members will hold a "Defend Marriage" rally at 11 a.m. Saturday in front of State Rep. Ron Sandack's office, located at 633 Rogers St. in Downers Grove. The group opposes Senate Bill 10—the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act—which was passed by the Illinois Senate in February and is awaiting a vote by the House. In addition to allowing same-sex couples to enter into …

•  59 Comments
• Photos (2)

William Waldack

1:36 pm on Monday, May 20, 2013

Mr. Cawthorne, No, I am completely right. There is a difference between having a “right” and doing right. Out of State gambling and smoking concerns should not take precedence over House Dist 81 residents. Legal, yes, public service- not. Creates a perception of a conflict of interest if not a real one. Typical of the Sandack supporters, if you can’t defend a position, point the fingers elsewhere…   more ›

Rep. Sandack to Host 'Roundup with Ron' at Lemon Tree Grocer

State Rep. Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) invites residents of the 81st District to join him Friday morning for coffee and discussion.

State Rep. Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) will host a free event Friday morning to discuss the happenings of the 81st District. "Roundup with Ron" will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday, April 26, at Lemon Tree Grocer, 5101 Mochel Drive in Downers Grove.  The free event will feature coffee and discussion on a variety of topics, including economic development, government transparency, pension reform, taxpayers' rights, veterans and the state budget. To register for the event, visit sandack.eventbrite.com. Questions may be emailed to repsandack@gmail.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  There are plenty of ways to keep up on Downers Grove news:

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Sandack Says Illinois Should Keep Flat Income Tax

The graduated income tax proposal, if enacted, would be a huge hit on the middle class and drive away business, the Downers Grove senator says.

Patch on Politics

Sandack Says Illinois Should Keep Flat Income Tax

The graduated income tax proposal, if enacted, would be a huge hit on the middle class and drive away business, the Downers Grove senator says.

Sen. Ron Sandack calls the state's graduated income tax proposal a "tax on the middle class" that could hike tax bills for 85 percent of Illinoisans. The Downers Grove Republican, in an op-ed posted Wednesday, April 17, on Reboot Illinois, Sandack takes aim at the last income tax hike and the proposed graduated income tax, writing: Apparently, the over $7 billion in additional revenue collected each year from the previous tax hike wasn’t enough to sustain the insatiable spending appetite, because the Democrats in charge of Springfield now want even more money by taxing the success of Illinois working families. While the supporters of HJRCA 2 like to refer to the proposal as "tax reform," make no mistake that this a tax hike on a majority …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)