In this issue:

How to Win Elections

Election Results from the April 1 local election

STRO Events—RSVP at https://www.stgop.org/events

How to Win Elections

The April 1 election was disheartening for many who voted and campaigned. Many Republicans lost seats they’ve held for years. Even though we generated more Republican votes for a consolidated local election than we did four years ago, the Democrats did too! (The voter participation rate rose from 13% in 2021 to 15% in 2025.) When numbers are this small, it’s easier for Democrats to prevail. Why is that?

Here’s the answer in the simplest terms. Democrats have enormous war chests, they have the support of unions who tell their members how to vote, they are able to pay their “volunteers” and they have a reliable vote-by-mail voter base that makes it easy to ballot harvest. Yes, ballot harvesting is legal in Illinois.

Republican voters, unfortunately, and to our great disadvantage, reject the idea of vote-by-mail, but Democrats embrace it. A mail-in ballot is a reminder to vote, like a utility bill that shows up in your mailbox reminding you that payment is due. Once it’s in your hands, you feel an obligation to do something with it. This strategy works well when voter turnout is low. In fact, the stats show that over 80% of people who get a mail in ballot vote. They can call you with information on the candidates and even dispatch a runner to pick up your ballot. The Democrats have an army of paid folks to track and collect the ballots. Republicans do not.

If you prefer to vote in person, you still can. Just bring your mail-in ballot to your polling place and tell the election judges you want to vote in-person. They will accept your mail-in ballot, mark “spoiled” across the front, and give you a card to use the voting machine. It’s as simple as that.

Mark Battnick, who served in the Illinois General Assembly from 2015 to 2023, won close elections by using the vote-by-mail strategy. “We won’t win elections unless we play by the current rules and compete in every part of the process.”

In a consolidated local election, Republican candidates have little to no money for campaigning, just the goodwill and support from the volunteers within STRO. For greater effect, they pool their money and run as a slate. STRO supports their fundraisers, sends precinct captains out to inform voters, and finds volunteers to distribute their campaign literature and make phone calls. But competing in the precincts with paid Democrat “volunteers” and union workers is a real challenge.

As a loyal Republican, you can donate to a candidate. Every candidate has either a website or a Facebook page where you can get information on how to donate to their campaign. You can also visit the STRO office and drop off a check. We may not have a war chest full of cash, or unions to promote our candidates, or an army of paid ballot chasers, but we have won elections in the past. We can do it again if we take advantage of the process, like the Democrats do.

Election Results from the April 1 local election

* Jane Russell previously served as the secretary/treasurer of the Illinois Federation of Teachers union (IFT). In contract negotiations, whose side do you think she would take?

Upcoming STRO Events

There are several upcoming STRO events in May and June:

• May 18 Matinee Movie “The Sum of All Fears”
• June 8 Matinee Movie “13 Hours - The Secret Soldiers in Benghazi”
• June 21 Monthly Educational Meeting “An Introduction to Estate Planning”
• June 29 Matinee Movie “Vanishing Point”

All of these events will be the STRO office at 622 S. Roselle Rd, Schaumburg. For more information and to register, please visit www.stgop.org/events

In this issue:

How to Win Elections

Election Results from the April 1 local election

STRO Events—RSVP at https://www.stgop.org/events

How to Win Elections

The April 1 election was disheartening for many who voted and campaigned. Many Republicans lost seats they’ve held for years. Even though we generated more Republican votes for a consolidated local election than we did four years ago, the Democrats did too! (The voter participation rate rose from 13% in 2021 to 15% in 2025.) When numbers are this small, it’s easier for Democrats to prevail. Why is that?

Here’s the answer in the simplest terms. Democrats have enormous war chests, they have the support of unions who tell their members how to vote, they are able to pay their “volunteers” and they have a reliable vote-by-mail voter base that makes it easy to ballot harvest. Yes, ballot harvesting is legal in Illinois.

Republican voters, unfortunately, and to our great disadvantage, reject the idea of vote-by-mail, but Democrats embrace it. A mail-in ballot is a reminder to vote, like a utility bill that shows up in your mailbox reminding you that payment is due. Once it’s in your hands, you feel an obligation to do something with it. This strategy works well when voter turnout is low. In fact, the stats show that over 80% of people who get a mail in ballot vote. They can call you with information on the candidates and even dispatch a runner to pick up your ballot. The Democrats have an army of paid folks to track and collect the ballots. Republicans do not.

If you prefer to vote in person, you still can. Just bring your mail-in ballot to your polling place and tell the election judges you want to vote in-person. They will accept your mail-in ballot, mark “spoiled” across the front, and give you a card to use the voting machine. It’s as simple as that.

Mark Battnick, who served in the Illinois General Assembly from 2015 to 2023, won close elections by using the vote-by-mail strategy. “We won’t win elections unless we play by the current rules and compete in every part of the process.”

In a consolidated local election, Republican candidates have little to no money for campaigning, just the goodwill and support from the volunteers within STRO. For greater effect, they pool their money and run as a slate. STRO supports their fundraisers, sends precinct captains out to inform voters, and finds volunteers to distribute their campaign literature and make phone calls. But competing in the precincts with paid Democrat “volunteers” and union workers is a real challenge.

As a loyal Republican, you can donate to a candidate. Every candidate has either a website or a Facebook page where you can get information on how to donate to their campaign. You can also visit the STRO office and drop off a check. We may not have a war chest full of cash, or unions to promote our candidates, or an army of paid ballot chasers, but we have won elections in the past. We can do it again if we take advantage of the process, like the Democrats do.

Election Results from the April 1 local election

* Jane Russell previously served as the secretary/treasurer of the Illinois Federation of Teachers union (IFT). In contract negotiations, whose side do you think she would take?

Upcoming STRO Events

There are several upcoming STRO events in May and June:

• May 18 Matinee Movie “The Sum of All Fears”
• June 8 Matinee Movie “13 Hours - The Secret Soldiers in Benghazi”
• June 21 Monthly Educational Meeting “An Introduction to Estate Planning”
• June 29 Matinee Movie “Vanishing Point”

All of these events will be the STRO office at 622 S. Roselle Rd, Schaumburg. For more information and to register, please visit www.stgop.org/events

In this issue:

Election Day April 1, 2025—Early Voting Is NOW OPEN

Race for District 54 School Board

STRO Members running for Township positions reveal their plans

STRO Events—RSVP at https://www.stgop.org/events

The Polls are OPEN – Get Out and VOTE!

Do you know the candidates who will restore COMMON SENSE to Schaumburg Township and stop runaway spending? Do you know which candidates running for School Board in District 54 have a proven track record of promoting excellence? You will after you read this issue of our newsletter.

Four years ago, voter turnout was only 13 percent. Republicans were disheartened by Biden’s win and stayed home instead of voting in the local election. As a result, four Democrats replaced four Republicans as Township Trustees. The Democrats doubled the budget, depleted the reserve funds, and congratulated themselves for a great job.

Let’s change this. You can vote at the Tickster Gallery, the Hoffman Estates Village Hall, the Elk Grove Village Hall, and at the Cook County Courthouse (Room 238) on Euclid Avenue in Rolling Meadows: Hours are: Monday through Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM and Sundays 10 AM to 4 PM.

Race for District 54 School Board

IMPORTANT!! PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE SECTION ABOUT DISTRICT 54 CANDIDATES. Have you wondered why four District 54 School Board candidates are running as a slate? Two are Republicans, but the four share common goals. Jim Pye (R) says, “Debbie Schmidt (R), Bob Kaplan, Nick Scipione and I are an experienced team who’ve served with excellence. The Daily Herald agrees.”

Dr. Dokubo has recently moved from Louisiana to Schaumburg, her childhood home. She questions why there are no Black school board members and thinks the composition of the school board should reflect the racial composition of the community. Dr. Dokubo is an advocate for DEI and thinks that District 54 has implemented good DEI practices; however, she has not attended one school board meeting, not even zoomed in. She’s basically running an internet campaign and calling Democrats in the district to ask for their vote.

So why is she running for the school board? Her stated goal is to “ensure that all students feel a sense of belonging…particularly Hispanic and Black students, who continue to face disparities in achievement.” A Stanford University study published in the New York Times stated that District 54 was in the top 2% in the nation for student growth, and Dr. Dokubo acknowledged that District 54 performs at a high level. One might wonder what changes she would bring to the district if elected.

Upcoming STRO Events

Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Election Day for Local Officials in your precinct’s polling place

Date: Sunday, Tuesday, April 13, 2025, 1:30 PM at 622 S. Roselle Rd, Schburg

Matinee Movie: French Connection (meet fellow Republicans for some fun)

Date: Sunday, Tuesday, April 20, 2025 10:00 AM at 622 S. Roselle Rd, Schburg

Conservative Coffee Discussion—Topic: Education in our Community

In this issue:

·  Election Coming April 1, 2025—Early Voting begins March 17, 2025

·  Republicans Resolute to Reclaim Township Board of Trustees

·  STRO Members Running for Library Trustee and District 54 School Board

·  STRO Events—RSVP at https://www.stgop.org/events

Election Coming April 1, 2025

Now that President Donald Trump is in the White House and he’s assembling his cabinet, many people are breathing a sigh of relief, so glad it’s over.  Wait a minute!  It’s not over.  There’s another election barreling down on us and it’s very important.  It’s the election for board members who govern your schools, library, park district, township, and village, your township assessor, clerk, and highway commissioner. 

You pay for these local government agencies with your annual property taxes (First Installment due March 4, 2025).  These officials will approve the budgets that use your tax dollars and oversee the spending of hundreds of millions of dollars for local services.  They will determine the levy to be imposed on your property taxes for the coming year.   You want the best candidates, dedicated to the office they hold and accountable to you the taxpayer.  It’s difficult to balance these competing priorities.  Note that many officials are never paid for their work.

Four years ago, only 13 percent of eligible voters voted for local officials?  Most residents ignored the election. Let this year be different.  Be informed and mark your calendar.  You don’t want to miss this election.

Republicans Resolute to Reclaim the Township Board

In 2021, all four Republicans on the Board of Trustees for Schaumburg Township were replaced by Democrats, despite the fact they had done a stellar job managing the budget while expanding services. The reason for the turnover was low voter turnout.  Schaumburg Township is now 60%-40% in favor of the Democrats.  You can’t afford to sit this out.  The election results of 2021 were so close that one Republican trustee lost her seat by only 16 votes. 

The current Schaumburg Township Board of Trustees has completed a costly renovation project to add space for additional employees and the Mental Health Board.  They’ve formed a DEI Commission.  They’ve ordered four electric buses and are currently installing charging stations, and they’ve grown the annual budget from $6 Million in 2021 to $12 Million in just three years. 

So what’s the lesson here?  When voters do not participate in local elections, Democrats move in, go on a spending spree, and promote their green agenda.   

YOU can make your voice heard by voting April 1, 2025, or by voting early beginning March 17.  We strongly suggest you VOTE EARLY!   Our Township cannot function properly when only 13% of eligible voters vote!  Here are the STRO-endorsed Schaumburg Township candidates who deserve your vote.

You will have an opportunity to meet all these candidates at the STRO breakfast on Feb. 22.

Upcoming STRO Events

Date:  Saturday, February 8, 2025

Conservative Coffee Discussion:  How does Schaumburg Township Government Benefit Me? Discussion Leader is Tim Heneghan

Location:  Schaumburg Township Republican Headquarters

Time:   10 AM

Cost:    Free, but please RSVP at www.stgop.org/events     

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Date:  Sunday, February 16, 2025

Sunday Matinee Movie:  The Patriot, starring Mel Gibson & Heath Ledger

Location:  Schaumburg Township Republican Headquarters

Time:  1:30 PM

Cost:   Free, but please RSVP at www.stgop.org/events                               

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Date:  Saturday, February 22, 2025

Monthly Breakfast Meeting: “Meet the Republican Candidates for the April 1, 2025 Local Elections”

Location:  Chandler’s Chophouse Grill & Banquets, 401 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg

Time:  Doors open 8:00AM, Breakfast served at 8:30AM

Cost:   $23 if you preregister by 10 pm, Thursday, February 20 or $26 at the door.  You can preregister at www.stgop.org/events        

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Date:  Monday, March 17, 2025: First Day of Early Voting at Trickster Gallery and Hoffman Estates Village Hall (1900 Hassell Rd.)

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Date:  Saturday, March 22, 2025

STRO Day of Action (details coming soon)

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Date:  Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Election Day for Local Officials in your precinct’s polling place