Free Republic

Tony Rezko's former development partner is broke. ### Dan Mahru -- a lawyer who became an ice peddler and real estate developer -- has filed for bankruptcy, declaring that he and his business partners, including Rezko, owe as much as $95 million to creditors. Mahru estimates his personal debts could be as high as $50 million. Mahru and Rezko split a few years ago. But they're still fighting dozens of lawsuits filed over housing developments they built. "I couldn't handle all the multitude of lawsuits involving Mr. Rezko,'' Mahru says. Mahru lists $48,970.61 in assets in the bankruptcy case he...

Congressman told FBI he asked for -- and got -- free home upgrades ### Convicted political fixer Tony Rezko gave U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez free upgrades on a riverfront town house after the congressman asked for them, Gutierrez told the FBI, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned. Gutierrez's comments to federal agents in a previously undisclosed 2008 interview contradict what the congressman told the Sun-Times in 2006 about the purchase. "I walked in with my wife -- as any other consumer could have -- and purchased the unit at the listed price, with no considerations," the Northwest Side congressman said then,...

Barack Obama’s close and longtime relationship with failed Broadway Bank Vice President Alexi Giannoulias raises further questions of just how deeply Obama swims in the corrupted waters of Chicago politics… President Obama and fellow Democrat and former executive of now-failed Broadway Bank Alexi Giannoulias have known one another for well over a decade. Both men’s political careers were running similar arcs until Obama catapulted to national prominence following his speech at the 2004 Democratic Party National Convention. While Giannoulias remained in Illinois to serve as Treasurer, Obama won a position as a United States Senator, and shortly after, the White...

~~~~snip~~~~ Then the topic of the Illinois Senate race came up and the guys just absolutely tore into Alexi Giannoulias. They called him a crook, said he was in the mob, talked about Broadway Bank funding organized crime in Illinois, then laughed about Alexi being — and I quote directly — “Obama’s butt buddy”. Peals of laughter followed, with much snorting and sqealing as various hand and arm gestures accompanied their commentary on the Obama-Giannoulias relationship. The men all said they were voting for Mark Kirk and Bill Brady…despite all the “Brady is a Bigot” ads around Boystown, prominently displayed...

Join us as Pavel learns how Democrats mislead the voters through direct mail, both statewide, and in neighborhoods like Illinois’ 54th state representative district… ... “What’s on your mind, Pavel?” Pavel handed him the flyer. It was a full size, full-color brochure with Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Mike Labno on both sides, slamming Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk for voting for “Cap and Trade.” Inside, it presented Kirk’s and Labno’s respective positions, then closed with a plug for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias. The return address was that of the Lake County Democratic Party. The Boss chuckled. “Yup,...

Labno calls Kirk a 'Fiscal Pigeon'

2010 Illinois Candidates - Gun Owners Of America

CHICAGO– Illinois U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk is just one of several Republicans running in down-to-the-wire races, but unlike his compatriots is enjoying mixed support from his party's fundraising arms. The North Shore congressman has pulled into a narrow lead over Democratic Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias in the campaign's final week, according to the latest poll from the Chicago Tribune. But Kirk's three point lead falls within the poll's margin of error. Kirk has been left out in many fundraising conservative circles. The Senate Conservatives Fund has raised more than $5.4 million for candidates in the nation's most competitive senate races,...

Obama has pulled strings to help his shady banker friend win a tight U.S. Senate race by delaying an overdue federal report on his mob-connected bank's failure until after the election. Illinois State Treasurer, Alexi Giannoulias, helped operate the family bank before it was shut down for "unsafe banking practices" that have cost U.S. taxpayers $394 million. For years Broadway Bank did business with convicted felons and mobsters by providing them with tens of millions of dollars in "loans." Besides giving Russian mobsters cash, Broadway also gave JAILED Democratic fundraider and longtime Obama supporter and benefactor [Syrian] Tony Rezko millions....

Giannoulias admits to dirty trick with third-party campaign in IL « Hot Air

Click here to download Flyer Pdf

ay 18, 2010 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Republican Illinois Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk said Tuesday he opposes Arizona's new immigration law, taking a stand contrary to the conservative wing of his party. Kirk's stand comes in the wake of the flap at Highland Park High School where the girls' basketball team was stopped from attending a tournament in Arizona. Even though Highland Park High School lies within his 10th Congressional District, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk held his first news conference Tuesday since the Arizona trip controversy erupted last week. Kirk believes student athletes should not be...

By Jonathan Weisman Illinois Democrats are using the long-shot candidacy of libertarian Mike Labno to peel off conservative voters in the southern end of the state from Republican Senate candidate Mark Kirk. A flier obtained by Washington Wire appears to be a Labno promotion. The first page is a picture of Rep. Kirk, asking “Congressman Mark Kirk, not a conservative?” with a quote from Mr. Labno questioning Mr. Kirk’s political beliefs. The next panel touts “Conservative Mike Labno” as “the only pro-life, pro-gun candidate for U.S. Senate.” It then portrays Mr. Kirk as a tax hiker who voted for President...

It appears that President Obama has pulled strings to help his shady banker friend win a tight U.S. Senate race by delaying an overdue federal report on his mob-connected bank’s failure until after the election. Federal regulators will conveniently postpone issuing a material loss report on Illinois Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias’ Chicago bank (Broadway Bank) because releasing it before the election could create "another political headache" for Giannoulias in a “close contest” with his Republican opponent, reports the state’s largest newspaper. Currently Illinois State Treasurer, Giannoulias helped operate the family bank before it was shut down in April for...

Republican Congressman Mark Kirk is now barely ahead of Democrat Alexi Giannoulias in Illinois’ up-and-down race for the U.S. Senate. The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows Kirk picking up 44% of the vote, while Giannoulias, the current state treasurer, draws 40% support. Green Party candidate LeAlan Jones earns the vote from four percent (4%) of voters, and eight percent (8%) prefer some other candidate. Five percent (5%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) The race is still a Toss-Up in the Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 Senate Balance of Power rankings. The survey...

First lady Michelle Obama was introduced in the University Club’s Cathedral Room Wednesday to a standing ovation from the approximately 200 donors in attendance. She hugged Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias, who stood behind her left shoulder as she delivered her speech. “I am thrilled to be back home in my home town, Chicago,” Obama said. “I get to sleep in my own bed tonight.”

Alexander Giannoulias (D) 41 11% Mark Kirk (R) 229 63% LeAlan Jones (G) 4 1% Mike Labno (L) 90 25%

Mike Labno may be the Libertarian nominee for the U.S. Senate, but he’s not a libertarian. Real libertarians don’t think the government should spend money on anything but roads, police and the army. But Labno, a 39-year-old construction manager from Oak Brook, was unemployed for 16 months during the recession, so he’s unwilling to pull the safety net out from other people who were “screwed” by government decisions. Labno also opposes abortion and repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, two other positions that put him out of tune with classic libertarianism. He’s a right-wing populist, which actually makes him a better...

We haven’t written as much about Illinois as some other Senate contests — but it may be taking on an increasingly important role as some other races that had once looked to be competitive, like Connecticut and Missouri, now show a clearer advantage for one or another party. The race in Illinois has long been within the margin of error in most polls; our forecasting model last week characterized it as a near-tie, with the Republican Mark Kirk projected to win by 0.4 points over Democrat Alexi Giannoulias. What’s unusual about Illinois is the number of voters committed to minor-party...

In 2010, the citizens of Illinois should send to the Capitol a senator who will bring expertise and independence. The candidate who fits that bill is Mark Kirk. Today the Tribune endorses Kirk, a Republican, for the U.S. Senate seat that Roland Burris soon vacates. To understand our verdict, watch Giannoulias and Kirk's appearance before us this week. You'll find the video at chicagotribune.com/senate. Judge each man's depth and preparedness for the job. Judge knowledge and scope. Judge accomplishment. Judge which candidate has a proven record of thoughtful independence — of bucking his party when the good of this nation...