Joliet Herald News 9-28-2005

The Herald New 9-28-2005
Newcomer to make 75th District run

By Kim Smith
STAFF WRITER

David McAloon, R-Bourbonnais, has announced his plans to challenge Careen Gordon, D-Coal City, in the November 2006 race for 75th District state representative. The district covers all or parts of Grundy, Kankakee, Will, LaSalle, Iroquois and Livingston counties.

McAloon has never held an elected political office. He feels his 10 years of serving as a longtime grass-roots leader and community activist qualifies him for the position. He describes himself as a Ronald Reagan conservative Republican.

"It is time for the people of Illinois and this district to again have a voice in our government, instead of being dictated to by the rich, liberal elites and liberal special interest groups," McAloon said.

McAloon has been the chairman of VIRTUE-Pac, a non-partisan political action committee that endorses and supports conservative candidates, for six years. He lives in Bourbonnais with wife Brenda and two sons, Patrick and Ryan. He works in the television department of the Family Harvest Church in Tinley Park.

He has worked on a variety of local campaigns, including the campaign of retired Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, R-Ill., George W. Bush and state Sen. Gary Dahl, R-Granville. His name is associated with Alan Keyes, the Republican who lost to U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., on several Web sites.

"I want what everyone else wants," McAloon said. "I want to leave my community, my state and my country a better place to live for my kids."

McAloon is against abortion and is supportive of a the third regional airport.
"It is beyond foolish not to do it (build the airport)," McAloon said.

McAloon said he would not be shy to cross party lines on issues when he feels that is the right thing to do. "When something is right it is right," McAloon said
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McAloon described his opponent as a hard worker with strong ties to House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago.

Gordon, an attorney, is serving her first elected term. She was appointed to the position in December 2003 when former state Rep. Mary K. O'Brien, D-Watseka, stepped down to run as a judge in the 3rd District Appellate Court.

Gordon took on longtime Morris Police Chief Doug Hayse, R-Morris, in the race for the 75th in 2004. She garnered 2,401 more votes than her opponent. It was the first election attempt for both candidates.
"I welcome anyone who wants to challenge me as part of the democratic process," Gordon said
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Gordon said she has found more than $6 million in dollars for the schools. She helped pass machinery and equipment tax mitigation legislation that lifted a $4 million, 10-year tax abatement cap for 23 years that was in place.

The tax was unique to Grundy County and allowed heavy industrial machinery and equipment to be taxed as real property. The state's other 101 counties classify machinery and equipment as personal property, which is not taxed in Illinois.

Under the legislation, up to five economic development project areas will be created in Grundy County. Now, the Grundy County Board and other taxing districts can agree on the amount of individual tax abatements on a case-by-case basis.

"I meet with constituents all over my district on a regular basis," Gordon said. "I try to find out what everybody needs."

- Reporter Kim Smith can be reached at (815) 729-6067 or via e-mail at ksmith@scn1.com.
9/28/05