May 15, 2013

Thanks for giving Sen. Kirk Dillard such a warm welcome last Saturday. We were competing with graduations and Mother's Day trips, but we filled the HQ, and I am grateful for the turnout.

Next up: Our membership drive. We are sending letters this week with the 2013 membership subscription card enclosed. If you do not receive one by next week but you'd like to re-up your membership, please call and request a letter or come in during office hours to get a card. This year's card has a change on it ... an opportunity to donate via credit card, which you can now also do at our website http://www.rowtgop.org.

Monday, May 27, we'll be saluting our veterans and commemorating those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country and our freedom. Plan now to walk with us in the Memorial Day Parade in Arlington Heights. We'll be gathering at 9 a.m.; lineup begins at Sigwalt & Arlington Heights Road, and we will be unit # 34; it should be easy to find us. Get your ROWT navy-blue t-shirt ready to wear, and if you don't yet have one, get one during office hours at HQ.

That's what we're doing as an organization. But I have a request of you as a Republican: Now is the time to be vocal about the shortcomings of the Administration which is trampling on our freedoms in Washington and to encourage our Republican officeholders to be more outspoken. People are beginning to wake up as never before to the White House threats to our liberty, incompetence in office, opposition to the American way of life, and enormous costliness to us and to our children and grandchildren. Now is no time to be silent or discouraged. And that goes for the debacle being brought to us by the Springfield Democrats, too!

Faithfully,

Ruth O’Connell

May 8, 2013

We start this Saturday our first in a series of guest appearances by prospective GOP candidates for governor. First up: Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale, Republican Spokesman on the Judiciary Committee, a former Judge of the Illinois Court of Claims and perhaps best known as former Chief of Staff to Gov. Jim Edgar.

We'll start at 8:30 a.m. with coffee, juice and breakfast baked goods. Be sure to be here by 8:45 in order to be eligible for our on-time attendance prize drawing. Please bring family, neighbors and other friends. With Illinois in such critical shape, we must begin now to build interest in the 2014 GOP victory to bring common sense and balance back to Springfield.

Next item for your calendar ... Monday, May 27. Block out your morning to walk with us in the Arlington Heights Memorial Day Parade, an always inspiring event and opportunity to honor our veterans, our servicemen and especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom and our way of life.

It was great to see so many of you at the Illinois Policy Institute's forum last evening. Thanks to you, I'm sure the Institute and their outstanding policy-leader guests were pleased they had chosen Wheeling Township as the venue for this presentation, and I hope it will be the beginning of many opportunities for us to learn and to encourage our neighbors to get active in policy development to rescue Illinois.

Looking forward to seeing you Saturday!

Faithfully,

Ruth O’Connell

May 1, 2013

Our women's club had a great turnout last Saturday to hear John Tillman offer hope for rescuing Illinois. He seems to think citizen activism such as we offer here in Wheeling Township is a key element in bringing reform. It was heartwarming to see our outgoing Township Clerk Paula Ulreich and my retiring Town Board colleague JoAnne Schultz honored for their service to taxpayers (28 and 12 years, respectively). And to see ROWT veteran Hazel Vogeney honored as 2012 Volunteer of the Year; she was given a standing ovation, and rightly so!

We're laying plans now for our next regular meeting, Saturday, May 11, starting at 8:30 a.m. with breakfast baked goods, juice and coffee. Bring neighbors and other friends to headquarters to meet and hear and question State Sen. Kirk Dillard, who is considering a run for Governor.

"What Works" Forum
Next Tuesday, May 7, Illinois Policy Institute is bringing a panel of expert policy leaders to Wheeling Township, and I hope you plan to join me there. 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Rolling Green Country Club, 2525 E. Rand Road, Arlington Heights, just northwest of Euclid. Moderated by WLS talk host Dan Proft, the panel consists of legislators and former legislators from Utah, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana, to present reforms they have led in school choice, budget reform, right to work, competitive federalism and pension reform. It can be done, and these folks will share how they have already done it! Admission is just $10, including coffee and dessert. Reserve your spot via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I plan to attend and hope to see you there! (We have flyers promoting this event here at HQ; can you stop in during office hours to get some and hand them out in your neighborhood?)

Memorial Day Parade
We plan to walk in the Arlington Heights parade on Monday, May 27. Won't you walk with us? Bringing honor to our veterans and to those who have sacrificed their lives for our country and for freedom is one of the most rewarding activities we embrace all year, and I hope you will make a special point of joining our marching unit this year. Please contact HQ to get a ROWT t-shirt if you don't yet have one!

Faithfully,

Ruth O’Connell