Born and raised on Chicago's West side, Joe Birkett played football for North Central College in Naperville and earned degrees in Political Science and English. He and his wife Patti have two children. This talented and aggressive attorney served three terms as DuPage County States Attorney, where he built a strong reputation as being tough on crime. Joe also believes in "giving back" to the community and donates his time coaching youth basketball, boxing and baseball. Joe and Patti have been residents of DuPage County since 1977 and are members of St. Daniel's Church. Joe will be a hard working and dedicated Lt. Governor.

Stewart Umholtz grew up in Central Illinois, the grandson of a coal miner and the son of a steel worker. Upon graduation from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1985, Stewart became involved in his first public corruption case as he provided assistance to a special prosecutor assigned the task of prosecuting public corruption cases in Madison County, Illinois. In October of 1985 Stewart was appointed as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Tazewell County and in 1995 he was appointed State’s Attorney of Tazewell County and elected to his first of three terms in 1996. In 2003, he joined federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to successfully eliminate most of the meth production in Tazewell County. Stewart and his wife Valerie reside in Pekin with their three teenage children.

There are very few elected officials in the State of Illinois with the professional and governmental experience of Senator Dan Rutherford. An executive of a Fortune 500 Company and an accomplished State Legislator, Dan was 1st elected to the Illinois Senate in 2002 after having served 10 years in the Illinois House where he was assistant Republican leader. His legislative efforts have brought him many accolades including Legislator of the Year, and Illinois Outstanding legislator. It’s his commitment, dedication, and a strong work ethic that makes him a standout. He will bring professionalism, fiscal responsibility and efficiency to the Office of Secretary of State.

Carole Pankau (R-Roselle) was elected for her first term in the Illinois State Senate on November 2nd, 2004. Prior to her election, she had served in the Illinois House of Representatives since 1993. She has been married to John Anthony Pankau for 38 years, and has four grown children: John, Jason, Shay, and Aaron. In 1981, she received a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting with Honors from the University of Illinois. Senator Pankau has resided in Roselle for the past 29 years.

Christine Radogno has served with distinction as an Illinois Senator since 1997 representing portions of Will, DuPage, and Cook counties. Before that she served as LaGrange Village Trustee and was LaGrange Economic Development Commissioner. Christine has been very active in her community. She is a member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and is also a member of the Transportation and Public Health Committees. She has a Masters degree in Social Work and a Bachelors degree from Loyola University of Chicago. She and her husband Nunzio live in Lemont Illinois are are the proud parents of 3 adult children. She will make an outstanding State Treasurer.

Integrity, a good listener and a strong leader are characteristics which define LaHood. A strong voice for Central Illinois Farmers, he worked to eliminate the estate tax, secure funding for agriculture research, expand foreign markets and promote ethanol as an alternative fuel. For five terms in Congress, LaHood supported improved transportation systems in central Illinois as a way to stimulate economic development. LaHood is a good friend to Central Illinois and a strong voice for our interests in Washington.

Congressman John Shimkus is in his tenth year of service to the southern portion of Sangamon County. We are proud to have him representing us in the United States House of Representatives from the 19th District. He has been a strong advocate for lower taxes, increased education funding, and the expansion of 9-1-1 emergency service into rural areas and from cell phones. Congressman Shimkus is also a friend of farmers by promoting ethanol and soy diesel. As a West Point graduate and Army officer, Congressman Shimkus is particularly attuned to both the need to have a strong military and support our war on terror, but he also knows the effect on parents and family here at home. Let's send a true friend of Sangamon County back to Washington again and again -- re-elect Congressman John Shimkus!

Serving the 87th District since 1999 Bill Mitchell has developed an impressive career in the Illinois House as a leader and innovator. A resident of Decatur and former Chairman of the Macon County Republican Party, Bill distinguished himself as a member of the Financial Institutions Committee, the House Committee on Aging and Electric Utility Oversight Committee. This hard working and dedicated Representative has developed a broad base of support in his District and has earned the respect of many through his dedication and commitment.

Combining business and agricultural interests, Representative Poe operates a 2200 acre farm and mini storage facility in addition to serving his fifth term in the House. Poe is a past president of Sangamon County Farm Bureau and served 30 years on the Williamsville School Board. Poe is serving as Republican spokesman on the Personnel and Pensions Committee, an important assignment to the many state employees in his district. He also serves on the Higher Education and Appropriations, Commerce and Business Development, and Housing and Urban Development Committees.

A life long resident of the 100th District, Brauer is completing his second term in the Legislature, where he serves on the Agriculture and Conservation Committee, as well as the Committees on Appropriations for Elementary, Secondary and Higher Education, and Personnel and Pensions. Firmly rooted in his community, Brauer is a former member of the Oakford Town Board and a former Oakford volunteer fireman.

Judge John Belz is currently serving as Resident Circuit Judge for Sangamon County. Judge Belz was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court after being rated “exceptionally well qualified” by a screening committee made up of five lawyers and six non-lawyers. Previously, Judge Belz served as the First Assistant State’s Attorney of Sangamon County where he tried a number of high profile cases. Belz was also in private practice where he was a partner in the law firm of Huntley & Giganti. Before becoming judge, Belz was one of the few attorneys in Sangamon County with enough trial experience to be certified by the Illinois Supreme Court to handle death penalty cases in Illinois. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his law degree from St. Louis University. Judge Belz resides in Springfield with his wife Lisa and their three children, Katie, John and Patrick.

One of the most popular elected officials in the history of the County, Sangamon County Sheriff Neil Williamson was elected Sheriff in November 1994 and has been a shining light for our party and the community. Laying claim to the highest vote total ever for a single county candidate, Neil Williamson is beloved by the people of Sangamon County. He did it through hard work, innovative law enforcement programs, and running a "tight ship". He has been recognized nationally for his law enforcement efforts.

Joe Aiello was appointed Sangamon County Clerk in 1993. He was elected in 1994 and re-elected in 1998 and 2002. This hard working popular county clerk is seeking his fourth term. Joe has made many improvements in the office including numerous technological upgrades, document imaging for more than 500,000 county records and currently, he is responsible for the introduction of new electronic voting equipment. He is a life-long resident of Springfield where he lives with his wife Mary, and three children.

Tom Cavanagh has served with distinction as Sangamon County Treasurer since 2002. Under Tom's leadership, the treasurer's office has implemented a broad range of new initiatives designed to improve customer service and information access. Cavanagh has a long and successful record in local government in Sangamon County. He is the right choice for re-election in 2006.

Helen Tolan, an educator since 1974, is running for her 4th term as Regional Superintendent of Sangamon County Schools. Her accomplishments during her tenure in office include assisting Sangamon County schools in meeting the demands of No Child Left Behind by providing professional development in data interpretation and developing strategies for improving student performance. One of her priorities has been to provide ongoing assistance to all teachers in becoming knowledgeable of the new rules affecting teacher certification. Tolan has provided programs in prevention of drug and alcohol abuse for middle school and high school students for the past 12 years. Helen Tolan implemented a grant program to provide dental sealants for income-eligible students throughout the county. She is a member of numerous child focused boards and commissions and has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the local American Heart Association for the past two years.

As a life long resident of Sangamon County and respected business leader, Todd Smith is running for County Board in District 2. Married and the father of two children, Todd, along with being a small business owner, has been extremely active in the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and in 2001 was elected Chairman of the Board of that group. Todd also served with distinction as Fancy Creek Township Trustee, and is a licensed Illinois Real Estate broker. As an active community leader, Todd Smith will make an excellent addition to the Sangamon County Board.

David and his wife Susan live in Rural Buffalo and are the proud parents of 5 children and one grandchild. They are members of the 1st United Methodist Church in Springfield. David is very active in the communities that make up District 3 and serves as a volunteer with the Mechanicsburg Fire Department. He has been very active in promoting growth in the District 3 area. He has been a County Board member since 2002.

Andy Goleman represents District 4 on the County Board representing precincts in Cotton Hill, Divernon, Pawnee, Rochester 2 and 3, and Capital 136. Andy was first elected in 1994 and reelected in 1998 and 2002 and currently serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of the Road & Bridge, Election Oversight, Insurance Board of Managers and Executive Committee. Andy farms with his brother John on the family farm in the Divernon-Pawnee area and is a graduate of Lincoln Land Community College and Western Illinois University.

Don was appointed to represent County Board, District 5 in April, 2002 and elected in November 2002. He has lived in the Chatham area for 31 years. Don is a graduate of Glenwood High School. He married life long Chatham resident, Brenda McGuire and they have two wonderful children, Haley and Huntur. He has and currently serves on may boards and commissions at both the local and county levels.

Dennis Wieland has brought strong responsive representation to District #8 as a member of the Sangamon County Board. He is dedicated to the sound management of Sangamon County's tax dollars. He has brought leadership, dedication, and experience to the board through extensive community and public service involvement. He and his wife are lifelong residents of District #8. They are the proud parents of two sons and proud grandparents of 3 grandchildren.

Mike attended Enos, Grant and graduated from Lanphier High School.  He attended  Lincoln Land Community College, University of Illinois at Springfield.  He is currently attending Benedictine University at Springfield College in Illinois, pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Psychology.  He is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps.  Mike is employed by Bunn-O-Matic Corporation as a Managed Service Representative.  He was formally employed by Pillsbury Mills Company as a Production Manager.  Mike is a former business owner of Flower Fantasia, Inc. and Chatham Family Laundromat, Inc..  Mike is a strong supporter of County Law Enforcement, Sensible administration of Zoning Laws.  He is a fiscal conservative and will be committed to the sound management of your Sangamon County Tax dollars.

Sam has been on the county board representing, with distinction, the people of District #13 for 17 years. He is Chairman of the Road and Bridge Committee as well as serving on the Liquor Committee and Jail Committee. He has an outstanding attendance record on the board and is attentive to the needs of his district. He is a Korean War Veteran, a member of the VFW, as well as an active member of the Little Flower Parish. He and his wife Carole have been married for 49 years.

Greg is a conscientious leader that represents Springfield’s North end. He has broad “across the board” support of voters in his district and is known to get the job “done right” the first time. He is a graduate of Lanphier High School and Quincy Technical School He is a State of Illinois licensed plumber and proud Union member of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 137. Greg is very active with St. Aloysius Church and the Knights of Columbus and has been married to Denise (Suter) Stumpf for 22 years. They are the proud parents of two daughters. Greg has represented District 16 on the Sangamon County Board since 1994.

Randy Lewis, an active member of the Springfield Community for over 35 years, is a candidate for Sangamon County Board.  Randy is a current board member of the Pioneer Park Homeowners Association, a member of the NAACP, and the Illinois Association of Minorities in Government.  He is a volunteer for One in a Million, Unity for Community, and Eastside Pride.  Randy is precinct committeeman and was recently appointed Co-District Chairman of District 20.  Randy is the father of four children and grandfather of two grandsons.  He attended Southeast High School and has worked for the City of Springfield for several years.  Randy is a proud member of Calvary Baptist Church.  He will be dedicated and work hard for the people.  Randy will address the issues in the 20^th District.  Randy Lewis is the best choice for Sangamon County Board in District 20.

Tim Moore has represented the central part of Springfield for the Sangamon County Board since 1999, now known, after redistricting, as District 22. Tim believes that good government is attainable when its policies support the family, promote and attract businesses and maintain the best possible services to the citizens of the County for their tax dollar. Tim is a Springfield native, an Army Veteran and a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Tim and his wife Donna are the proud parents of 7 children. Donna is a Lt. Colonel in the Illinois National Guard.

Debbie Cimarossa is a life long resident of Sangamon County. She has served the past 12 years on the Sangamon County Board in a variety of leadership roles. Debbie brings a high degree of professionalism to the job through her extensive government and community service experience. Debbie has served County Board District 23 with great distinction and dedication and is extremely popular in her District.

Abe Forsyth was appointed and elected by his peers to the Sangamon County Board on June 13th, 2000. He is a life long Springfield resident, small business owner and Korean War Veteran. He has been a concrete contractor and finisher in the Sangamon County area for more than 51 years. He is President of the West Sangamon Republican Club and believes in responsible and responsive government! He has a strong commitment to serve the people of District 27.

Bill Moss has been a life long resident of County Board District 28. He has been very active in the community prior to being elected to the County Board in 2002. Bill is known for being aggressive in resolving any issue that has come up. He has a popular following in his District and has served the people of District 28 with hard work and a positive "can do" attitude.