Category Archives: Aaron Schock

Aaron Schock

Schock unopposed thanks to “ruthless tactics” he once decried

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Eleven years ago, Aaron Schock was nineteen, just out of high school, and a candidate for the Peoria Public Schools Board of Education. At the time, 200 signatures were required to get on the ballot, and he filed 220.

Attorney Bob Hall, a close friend of Schock’s opponent (board president Rhonda Hunt), contested the signatures and found a number of irregularities. One of the petitions wasn’t signed by the person who circulated it. Several of the signers were not registered voters. Some of them didn’t put their addresses on the petitions.

“You might say it’s picky,” Hall told the Journal Star. “But pickiness is exactly what the Legislature expected.”

Hall prevailed and Schock was thrown off the ballot. Everyone remembers what happened next: Schock mounted a write-in campaign and beat Hunt for the school board seat anyway. It’s a real David vs. Goliath story.

Not so well remembered is Schock’s initial reaction to getting booted from the ballot.

“I think its ridiculous,” Schock was quoted as saying by the Journal Star on February 2, 2001 — eleven years ago today. “It shows Rhonda Hunt’s true character, that she is willing to use ruthless tactics and try to keep me off the ballot, and to stop the people of Peoria from having a choice of who they want to represent them on the School Board.”

According to the paper, “[Schock] said these were small mistakes, and he doesn’t think it jeopardizes the integrity of his ballots. ‘It was not intentional in any way. I am new to the political process. The technicality they have got me on was human error. I think it’s ridiculous. This is why people don’t get involved in politics. I think it is a disgrace in American politics.'”

Fast-forward to February 2, 2012. Schock is now the incumbent U.S. Representative from the 18th Congressional District, and he is being challenged in the primary by Darrel Miller. Some friends of Schock contested Miller’s petitions, and today Miller was tossed from the ballot:

Last month, Central Illinois Republican officials Michael Bigger of Wyoming, Ill., and Katherine Coyle of Peoria filed official challenges to Miller’s candidacy with the State Board of Elections. Bigger said he pursued the objection independently, not at the request of Schock’s campaign, after noticing several signatures collected by Miller came from Schock’s “close, personal friends.” He said that made him suspicious.

Miller had expressed confidence that enough of his 730 signatures would survive to give him the required 600. But a records exam and subsequent review found Miller’s petition contained only 583 valid signatures, 17 short of the minimum requirement. […]

Miller told WJBC on Thursday that he was certain his signatures were from registered voters who live in the 18th District. But Miller said the board’s questions centered on the “genuineness” of his signatures – specifically the 80 or so that were printed names, not traditional signatures. He said he lost around 50 signatures only because they were printed. […]

Miller represented himself during Thursday’s session in Springfield, and he admitted he was in “over his head.” His advice to anyone else looking to run for Congress: get three times the number of required signatures, to be safe.

Technicalities. Small mistakes. Someone new to the political process and in “over his head.” Sound familiar?

Miller was a gracious loser by all accounts. It could be that he’s older, wiser, and more circumspect in his speech than a 19-year-old kid. Or maybe he’s just accepted the fact that politics is a dirty business.

But what does Schock think about this? Surely his friends told him they were going to do this. Why didn’t he stop them from disgracing American politics? Doesn’t he think this stops the people of the 18th Congressional District from having a choice of who they want to represent them? Doesn’t he think this keeps good people from running for office? Doesn’t he think his tacit approval of these “ruthless tactics” reveal his “true character”? Or has he changed his mind over the past 11 years?

“Schock’s campaign declined to comment on the state board’s decision.” (Journal Star)

My suggestion to Miler: Run as a write-in.художник на икониИкони на светци

Aaron Schock

Schock comes in second

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Freshman Congressman Aaron Schock is the second-fastest runner in Congress. The 27-year-old Schock was bested by 60-year-old Bart Gordon, a Democrat from Tennessee. Via the Murfreesboro Post:

Congressman Bart Gordon won the “Fastest Member of Congress” award in the Capitol Challenge Charity race, running the 3-mile course in under 19 minutes despite high winds and rain Wednesday…. Gordon retained the “Fastest Member of Congress” title by finishing the race in 18 minutes and 49 seconds, off from his record-setting best of 16:59 in 1995. The second fastest runner from the U.S. House was Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) who finished in 20 minutes and 2 seconds.

It’s good for Schock to come in second for a change. Since he can’t run for President for at least 8 years, this will give him a challenge to work on in the mean time. I imagine he’s already started training for next year’s race.

Aaron Schock

Schock releases 2010 appropriations requests

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I’m sure you already know this, but here’s the link in case you haven’t seen it yet. Of particular local interest are the following:

  • Washington Street in Peoria, Illinois: $1.0 million

    The funding would be used to create safer pedestrian routes and a more livable community in order to spur economic development in a former warehouse district in Peoria. I certify that I have no financial interest in this project.

    The entity to receive funding for this project is City of Peoria, located at 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, IL 61602.

  • Sheridan Triangle Business District in Peoria, Illinois: $1.0 million

    The funding would be used to create safer pedestrian routes and more urban-friendly roads in order to spur economic development in one of the older business districts in Peoria.

    The entity to receive funding for this project is City of Peoria, located at 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, IL 61602.

  • Purchase fixed route buses and paratransit vans for Peoria, Illinois: $2.0 million

    The funding would be used to purchase seven buses and two paratransit vans.

    The entity to receive funding for this project is the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District, 2105 N.E. Jefferson Ave., Peoria, IL 61603.

  • Peoria Park District Building Construction: $1.4 million

    For planning, design, renovation, and construction of new office buildings including renovations to meet current life safety codes and ADA accessibility.

    The entity to receive funding for this project is the Peoria Park District, located at 2218 N. Prospect, Peoria, 61603.

  • Grandview Drive in Peoria, Illinois: $1.8 million

    The funding would be used to protect Grandview Drive in Peoria, Illinois from becoming structurally instable due to erosion.

    The entity to receive funding for this project is the Peoria Park District, located at 2218 N. Prospect Road, Peoria, Illinois 61603.

  • Keller Branch Trail in Peoria, Illinois: $1.8 million

    The funding would be used to construct a bike trail in Peoria, Illinois.

    The entity to receive funding for this project is the Peoria Park District, located at 2218 N. Prospect Road, Peoria, Illinois 61603.

  • Lakeview Museum Construction: $500,000

    To plan and construct a new building

    The entity to receive funding for this project is Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, located at 1125 W. Lake Avenue, Peoria, IL, 61614.

  • Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, Illinois: $750,000

    The funding would be used to design and install sustainable design/green architecture aspects in a new museum facility. This would include energy-efficient mechanical systems, recycled materials, energy-use monitoring equipment, a water-filtering bioswale, bicycle racks and a hands-on computer kiosk that helps visitors understand building energy use and green design.

    The entity to receive funding for this project is Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, 1125 W. Lake Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614.

  • Glen Oak Park Open Space Acquisition: $1.2 million

    For land appraisal, platting, demolition and acquisition to provide open public access to the park.

    The entity to receive funding for this project is the Peoria Park District, located at 2218 N. Prospect, Peoria, 61603.

  • Bel-Wood Nursing Home: $1 million

    For life safety improvements, upgrading the fire sprinkler system at Bel-Wood Nursing Home, ensuring the safety of the residents’ families.

    The entity to receive funding for this project is the County of Peoria, IL, located at 324 Main Street, Room 502, Peoria, IL, 61602.

  • County of Peoria: $200,000

    The funding will be used to assist in the replacement or major renovation of the Bel-Wood Nursing Home.

    The entity to receive funding for this project is the County of Peoria, located at 324 Main Street, Room 502, Peoria, Illinois, 61602.

  • University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria: $1.5 million

    The funding will be used to finance the construction of a cancer research facility.

    The entity to receive this funding is the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, located at One Illini Drive, Peoria, 61605.

  • OSF Healthcare System: $100,000

    The funding will be used for the implementation of electronic health record technology.

    The entity to receive this funding is OSF Healthcare System, located at 800 NE Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61603.

  • Institute for Principled Leadership-Bradley University: $100,000

    The funding will be used to provide educational access to students and community residents through the Peoria Full Service Community Schools Initiative.

    The entity to receive funding for this project is the Institute for Principled Leadership of Bradley University located at 1501 W. Bradley Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61625.

  • Replace a sewer system in Peoria, Illinois: $3.45 million

    The funding would be used to replace an out-of-date sewer line.

    The entity to receive funding for this project is City of Peoria, located at 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, IL 61602.

  • Manufacturing Lab for Next Generation Engineers at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois: $2 million

    The funding would be used to construct a laboratory to discover innovative and creative manufacturing techniques and teach these techniques to engineers so they can be competitive in a global economy.

    The entity to receive funding for this project is Bradley University, 1501 W. Bradley Avenue, Peoria, IL 61625.

  • Peoria Mental Health Court: $500,000

    To alleviate the overcrowded jail system by diverting mentally ill offenders into the help they need.

    The entity to receive funding for this project is Peoria County, 324 Main St., Room 502, Peoria, IL, 61602.

2008 Campaign, Aaron Schock

State’s attorney closes Schock notary case

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A press release from the State’s Attorney’s office via the Schock campaign:

NOTICE TO THE MEDIA

Last week our office was asked by a congressional candidate to review allegations that an opposing congressional candidate had notarized but wrongly or improperly dated a document in early 2000. Commendably, both candidates seem to agree that it would be best for any such review to be conducted and concluded as timely as possible. Accordingly, the State’s Attorney has asked me to conduct such a review and I have done so.

Any potential violation here under the Notary Public Act would be a misdemeanor called “official misconduct by a notary public”. This is not to be confused with the more common felony of Official Misconduct which involves criminal conduct during the performance of a duty in a public office (no such allegation of that has been made here).

One level of this type of misdemeanor requires the notary’s infraction to be “knowing and willful”. A lower level misdemeanor occurs if the notary’s infraction is merely “reckless or negligent”. No information is presented in this matter to show whether any of these descriptions occurred.

This area of law has its own section for extended limitations that somewhat lengthens the usual period that misdemeanors be filed within 18 months of their commission. However, under the most generous interpretation available, any such statute of limitations for filing an infraction on allegations such as these. would have expired approximately three years ago.

Therefore, this completes the review requested of our office.

Seth P. Uphoff
Assistant State’s Attorney

Case closed.

2008 Campaign, Aaron Schock

Schock splitting hairs in notary flap

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But as a notary public, Schock was required to provide accurate information about witnessing documents being signed. Schock declared that he witnessed the documents being signed on Jan. 1, 2000, but they weren’t actually signed until more than a year later.

“I can honestly tell you I don’t remember signing anything. I’m sure I did,” he said. “But to ask me what day I signed a document eight years ago, I’m sorry to tell you I don’t remember.”

Schock […] commented on the subject while meeting with the (Springfield) State Journal-Register editorial board. He said he had notarized the document when he was 19, before he held elective office. “So I mean, the question of what I would be like if I was elected to office can be answered, has been answered,” he said, reciting his experience of being elected to the District 150 School Board and later to the Illinois House of Representatives. “I stand by my record in public office.”

These quotes prompted me to try to construct a timeline. I went back in the archives and determined that Schock decided to run for school board in December of 2000. In February of 2001, his petitions were challenged and he was ultimately removed from the ballot. He then mounted a write-in campaign and won on April 3, 2001. He started his term on July 2, 2001.

Based on published statements that the document that was dated Jan. 1, 2000 was actually signed “more than a year later,” that means it was signed after Jan.1, 2001. If it was signed before Schock “held elective office,” then that would mean it was signed before July 2, 2001.

So, I guess what we’re being asked to believe is that, in the less than six months between when Schock notarized a back-dated document and when he was elected and installed on the school board, he… changed. That stuff in early 2001 was a youthful indiscretion. But once he took office, he proved himself more mature, and not like that guy mere weeks before who engaged in professional misconduct.

Well, first of all, I think he’s splitting hairs. But secondly, Schock’s “record in public office” shows that he never really lost his inclination to playing fast and loose with the facts.

In 2006, when Senate Bill 2477 was being debated in the House, Schock told the lawmakers in Springfield a whopper. SB2477 was the bill that authorized District 150 to access funding through the Public Building Commission for their new school buildings. He told his colleagues, “This is a piece of legislation that is not only supported by our school board, but also our entire city council.” But the city council never took a position on the bill, nor were all the council members in favor of its passage. But the legislators in Springfield didn’t know that. They only know what our representative tells them.

Don’t forget what his support of that measure meant to Peoria: keeping our property taxes high without a binding referendum. If that bill hadn’t passed, the school board still could have gotten funding — they just would have had to ask the citizens of Peoria to approve the funding via referendum. Instead, the school board was able to go forward with their plans without any accountability to the voters at all.

I guess the common thread among all of Schock’s controversies of late is this: Can we trust him? Can we trust him to make the right decisions? To accurately represent our interests? To support the best policies? To do the right thing when he thinks no one is looking?

That will be up to the voters to decide next month.

2008 Campaign, Aaron Schock

Official misconduct? Who cares?

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The big story now is that Aaron Schock notarized back-dated documents for his father seven years ago. The story states that neither “Schock or his parents benefited financially from using the incorrect date,” but that nevertheless, “using an incorrect date would be misconduct. Under the Illinois Notary Public Act, knowingly committing official misconduct is a Class A misdemeanor. Doing it through recklessness is a Class B misdemeanor.”

Schock’s response to the Journal Star when asked about it:

Schock told the Journal Star the information, released just weeks before the Nov. 4 primary, likely is the work of his “political opposition trying to paint me in a bad light.”

“Obviously, perception is everything and as a public official I have always worked hard and done my best both in public office and in private business. When you enter the public arena everything you do and say regardless of whether it pertains to public office is scrutinized. This is a case in point example of that,” Schock said.

I thought about exploring whether this issue is just political mudslinging or if it really does expose Schock’s character. But then I remembered that nobody cares.

We have a candidate for the 92nd district, Jehan Gordon, who shoplifted, was fined, but then didn’t pay the fine for several years — not until she was running for office. And yet she was nominated by the voters over Allen Mayer.

Schock earlier in his campaign had advocated selling obsolete nuclear weapons to Taiwan to try to intimidate China; he initially stood by his statement, then said it was a joke, then eventually said it was a mistake. And yet he was nominated by voters over Jim McConoughey and John Morris.

So official misconduct as a notary public seven years ago? Whoop-de-do. That won’t even be a blip on voters’ radar screens.

2008 Campaign, Aaron Schock, City of Peoria

Schock does the right thing; case closed

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Rep. Aaron Schock held a press conference yesterday with Mayor Jim Ardis to announce he will “voluntarily” pay back the City of Peoria for costs incurred when President Bush visited Peoria for his private fundraiser. As far as I’m concerned, this matter is now closed. I agree we should move on and talk about more important issues.

I think it would be a good idea for the city council to settle the policy issue, just so we don’t have a controversy like this again in the future. But as far as the candidates are concerned, I think this issue is over.

2008 Campaign, Aaron Schock

Schock says he’ll follow Obama

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Is Schock a leader or a follower? A Republican or a Democrat? A man or a mouse?

All are valid questions as Schock continues to dig in his heels against paying back the taxpaying citizens of his district. The Journal Star reports today:

State Rep. Aaron Schock’s campaign manager said Friday that if U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign pays the local costs of police and fire protection during a visit to Springfield last month, then they might consider doing the same for Peoria.

“If (Obama) ends up paying for it, things might change,” Steve Shearer said, referring to $38,000 in city of Peoria costs for police, fire and public works services on July 25, when President George W. Bush visited for a private fundraiser for Schock, R-Peoria.

The article goes on to explain that Springfield is getting ready to bill the Obama campaign about $50,000 for services the city provided when Obama announced Biden as his running mate. Shearer’s quote to the paper: “We’ll see if Obama breaks precedent (of not paying for local police protection).”

So for Schock, it’s not about doing the right thing, it’s about doing what everybody else is doing. If all the other candidates are sticking it to their constituents, well then it’s okay with Schock. Keep that gravy train a-comin’! He’s not going to take the lead and break a precedent of soaking taxpayers for private political events and fundraisers. Let someone else do it. Otherwise, he might be the only one standing on principle, and wouldn’t that be horrible? People might accuse him of being… responsible. Or fiscally conservative. Heaven forbid!

Is this the way Schock is going to make decisions once he gets into office? First find out what everyone else is doing, then follow? Fantastic. And he’s following Obama, no less. You know, Obama — the Democratic presidential nominee? He’s going to follow that guy.

Oh well. No one ever accused Schock of being an independent thinker…. Well, except maybe that “nukes-to-Taiwan” idea. That was original.

2008 Campaign, Aaron Schock, City Council, City of Peoria

Schock fundraising cost keeps rising

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The original city council agenda reported that President Bush’s visit to Peoria to raise funds for congressional candidate Aaron Schock cost taxpayers $13,195.63. That included police overtime and some miscellaneous expenses.

At last night’s council meeting, we learned that the tab is now $38,252. Adding to the cost are public works costs ($11,538 for 30 public works trucks used “for security purposes”) and fire department manpower ($3,218). I’ll try to get a copy of all the costs and post it.

But we may not be done tabulating the costs. Even the $38,000 figure doesn’t include the hours that police, public works, and other departments spent planning for the event. All this money comes out of Peoria taxpayers’ pockets.

One more thing — it violates city code:

Sec. 2-335(c). Employees shall not use city stationery, office equipment or other city resources for personal or political purposes.

Sec. 2-336. Prohibited political activities.

(a) City employees shall not intentionally perform any prohibited political activity during any compensated time (other than vacation, personal, or compensatory time off). City employees shall not intentionally misappropriate any city property or resources by engaging in any prohibited political activity for the benefit of any campaign for elective office or any political organization.

(b) At no time shall any executive or legislative branch constitutional officer or any official, director, supervisor, or city employee intentionally misappropriate the services of any city employee by requiring that city employee to perform any prohibited political activity (i) as part of that employee’s city duties, (ii) as a condition of city employment, or (iii) during any time off that is compensated by the city (such as vacation, personal, or compensatory time off).

Sec. 2-337. Prohibited political activity defined.

Prohibited political activity means:
(1) Preparing for, organizing, or participating in any political meeting, political rally, political demonstration or other political event.

I don’t know how the codes could be any clearer. A July 24, 2008, Journal Star article states that Schock’s fundraising event was “purely political,” which is the reason why Schock’s campaign had to pay back “costs associated with flying into Peoria on Air Force One and all costs for food, flowers and rentals at the Weaver Farm event.”

So let’s recap — the fundraising event was undeniably political in nature. The preparation, organization, and execution of city services for such a political event is prohibited according to city codes. However, the city has provided those services anyway (in violation of its own code) at a cost of $38,000+ without even asking the Schock campaign to reimburse the taxpayers.

Meanwhile, the Schock campaign isn’t offering to reimburse the taxpayers either. Is this an example of the kind of “service” a Congressman Schock will be providing to his district? Sticking local taxpayers with the bill for an event that personally benefits him, even as he reimburses the federal government for the same event?

A motion to bill Schock’s campaign for these costs was deferred until the next council meeting. Voting against the deferral: Councilmen Eric Turner, Patrick Nichting and Jim Montelongo.