Kelly Announces Voter Effort to Repeal Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Aliens

Chicago, Illinois, January 27, 2013 – This afternoon, Gov. Pat Quinn signed SB 957 into law, granting illegal aliens state-issued driver’s licenses in Illinois. The new law does not require fingerprinting, a valid passport, or proof of auto insurance. 

William J. Kelly, Chairman of Safer Families Coalition says that it work tirelessly for a repeal of the bill because it represents a serious threat to public safety.

“This bill has been fast-tracked from the beginning. The citizens of Illinois did not want this bill. Law enforcement did not want this bill,” said Kelly. “Politicians wanted this bill for political reasons, not public policy. It’s just more pay-to-play politics in Illinois. But Safer Families will work for the repeal of this terrible bill by any means necessary.”

Kelly says that politicians not only ignored the strong opposition from law enforcement but participated in dishonest tactics to get the bill to the Illinois house floor. Kelly says the group will organize a state-wide petition drive to put a referendum on the ballot.

“Keep in mind that 16 of 18 states that had similar legislation have already repealed it,” Kelly says. “I guarantee you we will be the 17th.

The Illinois Association of Police Chiefs strongly opposed the bill. Only three Illinois sheriffs supported the measure. Sheriff Mark Curran who recently compared U.S. immigration law to Nazis was the only member of law enforcement to testify in favor of the bill.

Driver’s license fraud is rampant in the states that have granted driver’s licenses for undocumented workers. In June, nine people were arrested in a national driver’s license fraud ring in New Mexico involving the sale of hundreds of illegal licenses to foreigners in Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Documents like rental agreements, utility bills, vehicle titles, and proof of insurance were forged to get the licenses. Illinois currently has a problem with a Chinatown driver’s license ring being investigated by the FBI involving the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) has made past statements against the use of consular IDs, saying they invite fraud. But the ICIRR recommended the use of consular IDs in the Illinois legislation. Consular IDs – not valid passports – are the only requirement.

“All we have heard from SB 957’s proponents in Springfield is that we – the people of Illinois – need to “trust them” on this bill. Illinois politicians tell us that they know what they are doing and there won’t be any fraud or abuse. But Illinois politicians haven’t earned our trust.”

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KELLY CALLS FOR “OPEN PROCESS” TO REPLACE GOP CHAIR (VIDEO)

 

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – January 3, 2013 – Pro-family leaders in Illinois are lashing out at GOP Chair Pat Brady in response to his statements Thursday opposing the GOP party platform on gay marriage and his calls to GOP lawmakers urging them to vote along Democrat party lines on new “marriage equality” legislation for same sex unions.

William J. Kelly, Chairman of the Safer Families Coalition, has released this statement following a press conference held this morning calling for the resignation of GOP Chair Pat Brady:

“Pat Brady’s statements in support of same-sex marriage insult the GOP’s pro-family base. His statements and actions are in direct conflict with the Republican Party platform’s position on marriage and reveal, once again, the failure of leadership within the Illinois GOP to represent Republican voters. Illinois GOP voters deserve representation and they deserve better than Pat Brady’s lies and duplicity,” said Kelly.

Video of today’s press conference is available here.

Kelly says Brady’s record of failure as GOP Chairman is also clear: Brady was hastily appointed by party insiders to the GOP chairmanship in 2009 – without opposition. In 2010, he bungled the GOP’s chance to retake the governor’s office in a landslide Republican year. That failure meant Illinois Democrats retained exclusive re-map control of Illinois districts.

Earlier this year, Kelly called on Brady to resign after he interfered in state GOP primaries. Brady has also been widely criticized for the state GOP’s participation in a funding scheme involving top donors to Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

At the State Convention in June, Brady and members of the State Central Committee also blocked the resolution on direct elections from going to a floor vote, which would have allowed GOP voters to directly elect their party leaders.

Regarding finding a replacement for Brady, Kelly had this to say: “GOP voters deserve a fair and open process to find a new chairman, a process that allows numerous candidates to present their credentials and not the state central committee hand-picking another insider with no loyalty to the party platform or the voters. We don’t need another GOP Chairman who as is as bad as Pat Brady.”

“In Republican majority states, we don’t see Democrat party leaders telling their members to adopt Republican Party principles. So why should Republican voters accept their leaders telling party officials to vote the Democrat party line? We need a party chairman who believes in and promotes Republican principles, not Democrat ones. Pat Brady does not believe in Republican Party principles and should resign effective immediately.”

Kelly is a longtime Republican activist and former statewide candidate for Illinois comptroller in 2010.

SMACKDOWN: KELLY TAKES PATHETIC ILLINOIS GOP “TO THE WOODSHED”

ADVANCE PREVIEW: William J. Kelly’s speech at Illinois GOP Convention

From William J. Kelly’s campaign for Republican National Committeeman…

Chicago, Illinois, June 8, 2012 – Here is an advance copy of William J. Kelly’s speech today at the Illinois Republican Convention:

As a candidate for statewide office in 2010, I have traveled all over the state of Illinois. I have spoken to real Republicans.

I know what they are thinking.

And as National Republican Committeeman I pledge to go to wherever two or more Republicans are meeting and give them the speech that Illinois’ best days are still ahead.

But right now is not the time to give that speech. Rarely in life do we say what we really mean because we are afraid of what we might lose.

But we have lost too much already. And we are on the brink of losing it all. So before it is too late, this is what you need to hear.

The Illinois Republican Party is a joke and the only way to fix is to give it back to the people.

As National Republican Committeeman, I will enthusiastically support direct elections of State Republican Party leaders. This will bring accountability to our party once more.

How can we continue to deny Republican primary voters the basic right to vote? How can they trust their party when the party doesn’t trust them?

No one on the selection committee here was elected by ANYBODY. And everyone here was ALSO appointed by someone who was ALSO not elected by ANYBODY. Isn’t there something wrong with that?

Now I understand that you have been charged to produce one name to the delegates for National Republican Committeeman.

And you probably have already been told who that one name should be with the hope that the delegates will vote for that one name.

And voila – we will have four more years of insider mediocrity at best. Corruption at worst.

What I am asking is for you – in the truth spirit of the principles that made our party great. In the true spirit of trusting the people.

Make your report all three of our names. Rank us if it will make you feel better.

Sandy Stuart 98%,
Rich Williamson – 96%
William Kelly – 1%

Whatever – be my guest.

But do this. Be the heroes of this convention. Maybe your brother, the committeeman, is going be mad at you. Maybe your finance chairman there in Lake County is going be mad at you.

But be a hero – right now. Throw all three names to the convention floor and let the delegates decide.

Let the people decide.

Why even invite delegates to the convention if you are not going to let them vote for anything? Or preselect a candidate for them? Or deny them the right to vote for direct elections? Why even have delegates? Why call them delegates – why not call them observers? And why has the party denied so many Illinois Republicans the opportunity to become delegates?

I’m calling on my two opponents to agree. Sandy and Rich, are you willing to let all three names go to the delegates and let the people decide?

As National Republican Committeeman, I will also focus my efforts reshaping our party’s fundraising strategy.

We need to renew voters’ faith in our party in order to bring in new donors. Not the same ONE Obama bundler and top contributor to Rahm Emanuel that wants to buy influence in the Illinois Republican Party. I will help refocus our party’s efforts on ethical fundraising, not schemes that raise the specter of financial impropriety.

If you don’t think the people see through all of this you are wrong. That is why we don’t have new donors or volunteers. The people know that these Obama bundlers and insiders are calling the shots.

Just last week, they saw Illinois GOP leaders voting against the Republican Party platform – at least the party platform that was intact when I walked into this room – the platform that is against ObamaCare, higher taxes, and gambling expansion.

Sandy and Rich, would you be willing to return these tainted contributions and give our party a fresh start with the voters?

People often ask: What would Reagan do? I can definitely tell you that Ronald Reagan would not give or receive money from a campaign bundler to Barack Obama.

It is time to give the Illinois Republican Party back to the people.

Restore direct elections. Retain the conservative planks in the party platform. Stand up against Republican leaders who vote against the party platform – who violate the trust of voters. And give the delegates a choice for Republican National Committeeman – not just the name of one party insider. Trust the delegates – after all – they paid their $50 bucks to attend this convention. That is the least that you can do.

I’ve told the truth that is all that I can do. I have a clear conscience. We all say that 2012 is the most important election and we will say the same about 2014 and 2016.

But whether or not we will truly be successful in these elections will depend on the Illinois Republican Party and what you decide to do in this room today.

Thank you.

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Kelly Releases Statement, Platform for Bid for National Republican Committeeman

Statement from William J. Kelly:

The political road we choose as Republicans is more critical to the future of our State and country than ever before.  That is why we need good, principled leaders to choose the right road and to march down it without looking back.

That is why I am running for National Republican Committeeman.

The Illinois Republican Party is at a crossroads and it has been at one for some time: Are we the party that conspires with corrupt Democrat politicians and inIllinoisor the Party that former President Ronald Reagan would have been proud to call his philosophical home?

Are we the party that truly represents conservative principles, honest government, entrepreneurism, and individual liberty? Or are we the party that cuts deals with Democrats to ravage taxpayers, votes for gambling expansion, and Obamacare when we think voters are not looking i.e. before Memorial Day weekend?

Further, are we the party that defends the Republican Party platform or purposely remains mute when it is violated? Are we the party that is beholden to Republican primary voters or major donors who play both sides of the political fence waiting for the winds of self-interest to shift?

In other words, does the Illinois Republican Party stand for something? Or does it stand for nothing?

For any candidate running in earnest to represent the State ofIllinoisas National Republican Committeeman, there should not be a moment’s hesitation about where his or her true Republican loyalties lie.

As National Republican Committeeman representing Illinois in the Republican National Committee, there will be no doubt of my Republican loyalties and I make this promise: that I will fiercely defend the Republican Party platform from anyone so cowardly, deceptive, and selfish enough in our party to work against it.

As a teenager onChicago’s Southside, a place bereft of Republican influences, I was inspired by the bold vision of Ronald Reagan.

In 1993, after Bill Clinton had me removed from a townhall meeting for asking him about his broken promise of a middle class tax cut, the die was cast: I was a Republican for life.

In 1994 as part of Newt Gingrich’s Republican revolution, I ran against former Black Panther Defense Minister Rep. Bobby Rush and exposed his $50,000 in back taxes, unpaid child support, and parking tickets.

In 1995, I filed a federal lawsuit against the first and fourth Congressional districts charging that they were gerrymandered and unconstitutional. 43rd ward Republican committeeman Chris Cleveland was an expert in that suit which made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. We lost 6-3 but we…fought.

Since then, for me, the battle for honest government – Republican government, conservative government – has never ended and never will.

So what will I do as Republican National Committeeman? Here’s my multi-point platform and vision:

1. As National Republican Committeeman, I will focus my efforts on coalition building, good will campaigns, and reshape our party’s fundraising strategy. We will focus on building donor relations with Republicans and conservatives –instead of major campaign bundlers for Barack Obama and Rahm Emanuel.

2. I will help refocus our party’s efforts on ethical fundraising, not schemes that raise the specter of financial impropriety or smack of “political money laundering” to evade campaign finance limits.

3. I will fight to ensure that the Illinois Republican Party becomes a big tent party – big enough to include conservative candidates and free market Republicans once again.

4. I will support SB35 which calls for direct elections of State Republican Party leaders on the State Central Committee. This will bring accountability to our party and restoreIllinoisto a two party political system once more.

5. I will call on current Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady to resign from his position. It is my opinion and those of many other Republicans that he has injured the Party’s efforts inIllinoisthrough his: election losses, loss of remap control, schemes that have called into question to party’s finances, and direct interference in Republican primary campaigns.

6. Finally, I will defend the Republican Party platform at all costs, call out, and put public pressure on those Republican candidates and leaders that work against it.

I am speaking to every Republican now; I urge everyone to attend the Illinois Republican Convention on June 8th AND 9th inTinley Park.  June 8th is when the committee makes the real decisions about the party’s platform and future leadership. June 9th is when the voting takes place. Ask your county chairman if you can attend as a delegate so that you can vote at the convention. But even if you are not a delegate, attend as a voter so that you can see what is happening in your party.

On June 9th, there will be a floor vote called. If there is any name offered to you for National Committeeman other than “William J. Kelly,” please vote “NO.” As a delegate, you can demand that the National Committeeman Selection Committee reconvene and include my name as a candidate.

In short, I am calling on you – the Republican delegates to the Illinois Republican Convention – to demand real reform on June 8th and 9th by demanding the right to vote for me, William J. Kelly, for National Republican Committeeman.

My current opponents are two party insiders – one, Rich Williamson, the current Republican National Committeeman and Sandy Stuart, who is in charge of fundraising for the Illinois Republican Party and involved the party in some serious fundraising questions this year.

If I am elected your Republican National Committeeman, I will act on behalf of the Republican primary voters and their interests – not the interests of insiders. I will work to give the Illinois Republican Party back to the people – right where it belongs.

William J. Kelly

ILLINOIS CENTER RIGHT COALITION ENDORSES KELLY FOR NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN

Hoffman Estates,Illinois, May 20, 2012 – The Illinois Center Right Coalition, a conservative group, has endorsed broadcaster and longtime taxpayer watchdog William J. Kelly for Republican National Committeeman from Illinois.

Also in the race are Rich Williamson, the current Republican National Committeeman, and Alexander “Sandy” Stuart, who serves as treasurer for the Illinois Republican Party.

“We need leaders with passion and commitment to the conservative platform of the Republican Party.” says Illinois Center Right Coalition Chairman Frank Napolitano. “As a longtime taxpayer advocate, William J. Kelly has never shied away from taking the courageous stands. He is outspoken on defending the conservative planks in the party platform and the Republican Party needs that more than ever before. That is why the Illinois Center Right Coalition is proud to endorse Kelly for the post of National Republican Committeeman.”

“I’m very proud to have the endorsement of the Illinois Center Right Coalition, an organization that has always exhibited a principled dedication to conservative ideals,” says Kelly. “I will do my best to run a campaign that will honor this great organization and other conservative and Republican organizations acrossIllinois.”

“It is time to free the Illinois Republican Party of the influences of donors that play both sides of the political fence,” remarked Kelly about why he is running for National Republican Committeeman. “We cannot be the party of Reagan, if we are the party influenced and funded by major bundlers to Barack Obama and top contributors to Rahm Emanuel. It is time to give the Illinois Republican Party back to the people – the way it should be.

Kelly is President and founder of an Emmy award-winning TV production house. Formerly, the Executive Director of National Taxpayers United of Illinois, Kelly currently writes for national publications including the Communities at the Washington Times, the American Spectator, and Breitbart.com. He is a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago and theRomeCenterinItalyand received a B.A. in political science. He is a native ofChicago’s South side and now lives with his wife, Laura, in the downtownChicagoneighborhood of Streeterville.

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KELLY RESPONDS TO PROFT BACKLASH, CATTONI EMAIL

From Illinois Citizens for Ethics Reform

To All My Fellow Tea Party and Conservative Friends,

Many of you probably received an email from Illinois Tea Party organizer Denise Cattoni late yesterday, which also named me.  The email was in response to a letter I posted on my website in praise of a flowchart being circulated by Illinois Citizens for Ethics Reform.

See my letter here.

First of all, I just want to say that I don’t blame Denise Cattoni for the email. Not at all.

Dan Proft is the typical bully who doesn’t pick on people his own size. Instead, he is hiding behind a poor soul, Denise Cattoni, expecting her – forcing her – to defend him. Defend him in the same way poor Denise Cattoni was forced to defend Proft’s friend and ally, the disgraced Steve Stevlic and his prostitution problems.

There is a very critical reason why this email was sent out yesterday.

Because the flowchart (see chart) released by the Illinois Citizens for Ethics Reform, was very damning and damaging to Proft, John Tillman, Andy McKenna, and Pat Hughes and the unfortunate game they appear to be playing under the guise of “real reform.” Ironically, the chart was based on very simple, searchable information from the State Board of Elections website – information anyone could have uncovered.

I am the subject of criticism because I support the effort of Citizens for Ethics Reform. And now, many more people do as well.

Why?

Because with so many red flags being raised about Proft and his Cicero dealings, his bullying attempts to silence some tea party organizers who are critical of him, and now this new information about how the Illinois Policy Institute is being used or misused – we all need to be asking some serious questions.

Unfortunately, there are some people that do not want us to ask or talk or discuss what is going on here. But if the Tea Party movement – the conservative movement – hopes to have any legitimacy now or in the future – how can we not ask these questions?

Do we just ignore bad/wrong/corrupt behavior because someone happens to hide behind the word “conservative?” Isn’t the tea party movement in Illinois supposed to be about asking tough questions, freedom of speech, and uncovering ethical abuses of power?

To be quite honest, I wish all of this were not the case. I have tried to reach out and work with many of these people and their “organizations” for years. But now I understand why they were so unwilling to work with so many reform-minded people and tried and true conservative leaders inIllinois.

In my opinion, it is because they do not care about real reform. But for those of us that do care about real reform, how can we not stand up and speak out when it is necessary?  We cannot allow anyone – no matter who they are or who they purport to be – to bully us into silence. I hope that all of you who are reading this will continue to ask the tough questions that need to be asked.

I certainly intend to do that and more.

Please feel free to share the above flowchart on the Illinois Policy Institute’s activities with your contacts.

Faithfully,

William J. Kelly

KELLY LAUNCHES CHICAGO REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATION

Chicago, Illinois, April 4, 2012 – Longtime taxpayer watchdog William J. Kelly announces today the formation of the Chicago Republican Organization (“CRO”), a new group formed to build a “real Republican Party in Chicago.”

“Illinois has been called the Greece next door and we are. Cook County’s local government debt of $108 billion exceeds one-third of Greece’s GDP,” says Kelly. “How did we get here? Through a corrupt one-party system and a lack of any true political opposition. We cannot wait twenty years for a two-party system in Chicago so we are going to build one.”

Kelly says that he is forming a Board of Directors of business and reform-minded political leaders to lead CRO and to help recruit candidates and organize Chicago and Cook Countyto get out the vote for Republican candidates for local, statewide, and national office.

The organization is already planning its summer fundraising initiatives and membership drives – including a boat cruise event with national speakers. Kelly says that he will build on his extensive track record of success with special events to drive membership and volunteer efforts. For Kelly’s recent event at Chicago’s historic Signature Room with Fox News’ Dick Morris, he had an overflow crowd of attendees.

“In order for Illinois Republicans to win statewide and national office, getting out the Chicago and Cook County vote is critical. But, to date, that effort has been an abject failure,” says Kelly. “CRO will step up to the plate to do the job that has not been done in Chicago in years.”

A new website at http://www.chicagorepublicanorganization.com will launch in the coming weeks. Details about the first monthly meeting scheduled for April will be posted soon at http://www.facebook.com/ChicagoRepublicanOrganization.

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VIDEO: The fight to bring Democracy to Chicago continues says Kelly

 

The fight to bring democracy to the City of Chicago will never really end. This toast from my birthday fundraiser with Dick Morris kind of says it all. Last night’s results offered both a loss and…a victory. A big and wonderful thank you to all my friends and supporters! I could not have done any of this without you!

VIDEO: Dick Morris and William J. Kelly say Chicago’s liberal media is failing