The Illinois House Republican Organization is hosting a candidate training seminar on Friday, July 20. The seminar is open to Republican candidates and committeemen. If you're interested in attending, please rsvp as soon as possible to Kevin Artl, artl@ilhro.com, and he will let you know the time and location.

The new permanent headquarters of the Chicago and Cook Republican Party, the 43rd Ward Republican Organization, and the Chicago Young Republicans had its official launch party on Saturday August 7th.  Located at 2768 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago's 43rd Ward, this new headquarters will facilitate a permanent, focused presence in Chicago, where 20% of all Illinois voters reside.

In 2012, these organizations will be working in concert with the Illinois Republican Party and the Republican National Committee on the RNC Victory Program, a targeted phone-based campaign that will serve as a critical component to re-electing members of the Illinois Congressional delegation in targeted races.

"We're excited to launch our permanent base of operations in the City of Chicago," said Chicago GOP Chairman Adam Robinson.  "Thanks to the cooperation and committment of Cook County Chairman Aaron Del Mar, 43rd Ward Committeeman Chris Cleveland, and CYR President Angel Garcia, Chicago Republicans can be proud of the presence we've creating in our city."

Volunteers who want to help Republicans win in 2012 should click the 'Volunteer' button above.  We need your help!

Cee Lo Green will be joined by vocalists from Team CeeLo  for an evening of live entertainment in support of Harold "Noonie" Ward's mission to support Chicago’s youth and terminally ill.

The party's new HQ at 2768 N Lincoln Avenue, which we're sharing with the Illinois GOP, the Cook County GOP, the Chicago Young Republicans, and the 43rd Ward Organization, has moved the official launch date to Saturday, July 7th in order to align our efforts with the RNC/IL GOP sponsored "Super Saturday" event.  We'll be working along with the states other Victory Centers in a coordinated day of phone banking.

reposted from the Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON—In a surprise conclusion to a constitutional showdown, Chief Justice John Roberts joined the Supreme Court's four liberals Thursday to uphold the linchpin of President Barack Obama's health plan, the individual mandate requiring citizens to carry insurance or pay a penalty.

By a 5-4 vote, the court held the mandate valid under Congress' constitutional authority "to lay and collect Taxes" to provide for "the general Welfare of the United States." The penalty for failing to carry insurance possesses "the essential feature of any tax," producing revenue for the government, Chief Justice Roberts wrote.

Yesterday, Democrats filed challenges to all eight of the recently-slated Republican candidates for State Legislature in the City of Chicago. The filings were an attempt to knock Republicans off the ballot, giving the Democrats a free ride in the the November election. If the objections were to be sustained, voters in most districts would have only a single choice on the ballot in the fall.

"Chicago Democrats have driven this state into the ground, and they're rightly worried about voters punishing them at the ballot box this November," said Adam Robinson, Chairman of the Chicago Republican Party.  "It's shameful, but not surprising, that they're attempting to deny Chicago voters a choice.  We will vigorously defend our candidates' right to run for office."

The Republican candidates are:

Senate District 1: George MaAyteh
Senate District 6: Scott Campbell
Senate District 8: Tom Morris
Senate District 17: Xavier "X" Roman
House District 2: Roy Pletsch
House District 10: Kimberly Small
House District 14: Paul Minervino
House District 25: Juan Antonio Diaz

Cook County's slate of Republican candidates for county-wide office filed their official paperwork yesterday, filing nearly 6,400 signatures on Monday.

Diane Shapiro, with over 30 years of Cook County government experience, will match up against Dorothy Brown for the office of Clerk of the Circuit Court.  Lori Yokoyama, an attorney and entrepreneur, is challenging Anita Alvarez for Cook County State's Attorney.  Sales consultant Sherri Griffith is taking on Karen Yarborough for the office of Cook County Recorder of Deeds.

"Thanks to the monumental efforts of our Committeemen and volunteer base, the Chicago Republican Party is excited to have three outstanding, highly-qualified candidates for Cook County office," said Adam Robinson, Chairman of the Chicago Republican Party.  "Our Cook County candidates reflect the growing diversity of our party here in Chicago and the desire on the part of Chicago voters for a real alternative.  We look forward to a spirited, issues-driven campaign this fall."

For more information:

Chris Cleveland, Spokesman

(312) 339-2677

Chairman Adam Robinson's wife Anna gave birth last night to a baby boy. All is well.

17th Ward Republican Committeeman Curtis Lacy was honored for his lifetime of service to the GOP at the May 24th meeting.  Committeeman Lacy, who first became involved in the Republican Party over 50 years ago, is one of the longest-serving Committeemen in the Chicago GOP and is the ranking member of the Chicago Republican Party's Black Caucus.

Deputy Committeemen William "Mr. D" Delay and Percy Coleman (pictured) accepted the award on behalf of Committeeman Lacy.

"Curtis Lacy has been a steadfast supporter of the Republican Party for over 50 years, and today we are honored to accept this award on his behalf," said Delay.  "On behalf of the Chicago Republican Party, we thank him for his dedication to our party and to his community."

"We have to remember that African American Republicans are Republicans by choice," added Coleman in his remarks.  "The African American community in Chicago is the largest untapped source of political support for the Republican Party, and we thank Committeeman Lacy for being on the front lines for our party for his entire political career."