Final Push for Votes

Thanks to so many people for their thoughts and prayers following the death of my father. He was a great inspiration and will be missed.

Monday is our final day of campaigning. We'll begin the day in Peoria, and head to the Quad Cities, Rockford and finally Chicago. Remember to vote on Tuesday, and remind your friends and family members to vote, too!

Don't forget to check out our videos below.

http://www.dillardforgovernor.com/

Best in Class Education Plan

I often say Education goes hand in glove with job creation because you have to prepare the workforce of tomorrow as you grow the economy and bring new jobs to the state. Watch for more on my "Best in Class" Education plan.

http://www.dillardforgovernor.com/

Ending Corruption in Illinois

You want to clean up Springfield? Watch this to see my approach. It's called leading by example. I think that's what people want in their Governor.

http://www.dillardforgovernor.com/

Holding the Line on Taxes

A lot of people talk about holding the line on taxes. I've actually done it. Watch for more information about my record.

http://www.dillardforgovernor.com/

No McKenna at WLS Forum

We had the last candidate forum before the February 2nd Primary. All of the candidates except Andy McKenna met on stage at the auditorium of the J. P. Morgan Chase building in downtown Chicago.

We had a news conference today to announce overwhelming support in DuPage, Kane and Will Counties. That was great to see so many officials who believe in my candidacy.

We also unveiled our new ad about Andy McKenna's record on ethics. I'm happy to compare my record any time, but he's nowhere to be seen in public these days.

Here's the ad:



Email this link to your friends and family members so they can get the full story.

www.dillardforgovernor.com

Destination Economy: More Jobs for Illinois

This is a video that you'll want to see if you're looking for more information about my plan to make Illinois a "Destination Economy." You can see the full plan on my web site.

http://www.dillardforgovernor.com/

New Poll Shows Dillard in Lead

Campaigns are all about momentum. It's great to see a new poll put me in front, but I know it ain't over til it's over.

Here's a full recap on the latest poll from ABC 7s Charles Thomas....



Pass the http://dillard4gov.blogspot.com/link to my blog on to your friends and family.

http://www.dillardforgovernor.com/

Entering the Final Week

It's come down to the final week of the campaign. I'm honored by the multiple newspaper endorsements I've received, from the Chicago Sun Times, St. Louis Post Dispatch, State Journal Register, Peoria Journal Star and Crain's Chicago Business, to name a few.

Here's a quick video that shows the reason I decided to run for govenor. Feel free to pass on to a friend.

http://www.dillardforgovenor.com/

Senate Pal Bomke Gives Campaign Boost

The week is going by quickly. In St. Louis and Edwardsville today.

I like this article by Bernie Schoenburg at the Springfield Journal Register about getting the support of my colleague Larry Bomke.

“I do believe Kirk Dillard provides the best opportunity for the Republicans to regain the governor’s office,” Bomke told Schoenburg. He's writing a letter to be sent to about 9,000 in his Springfield district.


Read the full article here.

Bernie also talks about my wife Stephanie, "who is a great-great-granddaughter of Illinois Gov. RICHARD OGLESBY, who won three non-consecutive terms in the 1800s and also served in the U.S. Senate."

Weekly Kirk Dillard Podcast: From Peoria

We had a multi-city downstate swing this week with several debates, including one in Champaign. I also unveiled my "Best in Class" Education program in Peoria and Champaign.

Our podcast from Peoria has more on the downstate significance of our campaign. Take a listen.

Listen Now: Kirk Dillard Podcast

Remember: Early voting is underway!

www.dillardforgovernor.com

City Club Debate Highlights Judgment

The City Club debate marked the 3-week mark before the February 2 Illinois Primary, and it also gave me an opportunity to separate myself from the other candidates on ethical judgment.

Having worked as former Governor Jim Edgar's Chief of Staff, I know the kind of judgment required to do the job. As I often say, Governor is not an entry-level position.

Here's a brief recap.

The Sunday candidates forum in Champaign featured a variety of candidates for political office, but just three for governor; Bill Brady, Adam Andrzejewski and me.

This will be a busy week of forums and travel, starting with the City Club debate Monday morning in Chicago.

And don't forget, Early Voting starts Monday and goes through January 28th. Unlike the old Chicago joke, you can vote early, just not often.

http://www.dillardforgovernor.com/

Sun Times Endorsement; What it Means

The Sun Times endorsement is obviously THE big story of the campaign today. "No other candidate comes close to matching his experience in the executive and legislative branches of state government, his knowledege of the back doors of power in Springfield, and his proven ability to build cross-parthy coalitions without abandoning core Republican values," the editorial states.

Hear more from our weekly "Kirk Dillard Podcast."

Dillard Questions Ryan Tollway Plan

Our media availability today focussed on prisons and tolls. You'll find a pretty good recap from Chicago Current.

http://www.chicagocurrent.com/articles/30944-Dillard-questions-Ryan-tollway-plan

Here's a highlight:

Dillard said privatizing the Illinois tollway, an old proposal rekindled by former Illinois Attorney General Ryan on Monday, should come with limitations to toll hikes, and that revenue from a sale would go toward state infrastructure rather than operating funds.

He expressed doubt that either condition would ultimately be part of a deal, and that he would therefore be unlikely to support privatization.

"We need to be very, very cautious," said Dillard, who represents a suburban district of Illinois. He argued since that commuting suburbanites pay more tolls than city dwellers, tollway money should not go toward programs that serve primarily urban residents.

Last Day to Register to Vote

Hard to believe that the February 2 Primary is so close. This (Tuesday) is the last day to register to vote, and I can't stress enough how important it is to get everyone to the polls to support our campaign for governor.

If you haven't moved since the last election and you're already registered, you're fine. If you've moved recently or you've never registered to vote before, you need to sign up.

To check if you're registered click here.

And, please be sure to pass this info along to a friend or family member.

Join the Dillard team at www.dillardforgovernor.com.