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By Michael Farrell
Herald Reporter
Wednesday, June 20,
2007 1:46 PM CDT
Calling for a return to the principles of a Democratic Republic, David McAloon of Bourbonnais formally announced his
candidacy for the Illinois House of Representatives.
Before a small group at Maria's Restaurant, McAloon said he would
seek the Republican nomination for state representative from the 75th District.
If nominated by the Republicans, he
would be expected to run against incumbent Democrat Careen Gordon in November 2008.
In 2006, McAloon lost the Republican
primary to Jason Briscoe and in November, Briscoe was defeated by Gordon.
“If I am elected you should know what
I am going to do 95 percent of the time on bills in Springfield. The people in Springfield don't listen to their constituents,
but only to the special interest groups,” McAloon said.
Quoting the Declaration of Independence, McAloon said he considered it a good description of the job.
“We
hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable rights, that among these rights, are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
“That to secure
these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
In
1776, McAloon said, this was not unusual, it was unheard of that individuals could govern themselves without a prince or king.
McAloon said, ultimately, running is about family. It has always been that each generation strives to leave their state
and country better for their children.
“I am concerned, for the first time, our generation will leave the state
worse than when we got it,” he said.
He said the legislature has spent this session talking about raising taxes
to replace money they have already taken. Money that was not used for pension funds, veterans, state troopers and the school
building fund.
When Morris schools lost their largest taxpayer, the state had no money to help, he said.
Asked about the timing of his announcement, McAloon said, “no one wants a longer election, especially me.”
However, he added, if the primary is moved to early February, petitions to run in the 2008 primary will be available in early
August, about six weeks away.
McAloon, who has been involved in public policy issues for 15 years is married and has
two children.
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