Barack Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4th, 1961. His father, Barack Obama Sr., was born and raised in a small village in Kenya, where he grew up herding goats with his own father, who was a domestic servant to the British.

Barack's mother, Ann Dunham, grew up in small-town Kansas. Her father worked on oil rigs during the Depression, and then signed up for World War II after Pearl Harbor, where he marched across Europe in Patton's army. Her mother went to work on a bomber assembly line, and after the war, they studied on the G.I. Bill, bought a house through the Federal Housing Program, and moved west to Hawaii.

It was there, at the University of Hawaii, where Barack's parents met. His mother was a student there, and his father had won a scholarship that allowed him to leave Kenya and pursue his dreams in America.

Barack's father eventually returned to Kenya, and Barack grew up with his mother in Hawaii, and for a few years in Indonesia. Later, he moved to New York, where he graduated from Columbia University in 1983.

Remembering the values of empathy and service that his mother taught him, Barack put law school and corporate life on hold after college and moved to Chicago in 1985, where he became a community organizer with a church-based group seeking to improve living conditions in poor neighborhoods plagued with crime and high unemployment.

The group had some success, but Barack had come to realize that in order to truly improve the lives of people in that community and other communities, it would take not just a change at the local level, but a change in our laws and in our politics.

He went on to earn his law degree from Harvard in 1991, where he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review. Soon after, he returned to Chicago to practice as a civil rights lawyer and teach constitutional law. Finally, his advocacy work led him to run for the Illinois State Senate, where he served for eight years. In 2004, he became the third African American since Reconstruction to be elected to the U.S. Senate.

It has been the rich and varied experiences of Barack Obama's life - growing up in different places with people who had differing ideas - that have animated his political journey. Amid the partisanship and bickering of today's public debate, he still believes in the ability to unite people around a politics of purpose - a politics that puts solving the challenges of everyday Americans ahead of partisan calculation and political gain.

In the Illinois State Senate, this meant working with both Democrats and Republicans to help working families get ahead by creating programs like the state Earned Income Tax Credit, which in three years provided over $100 million in tax cuts to families across the state. He also pushed through an expansion of early childhood education, and after a number of inmates on death row were found innocent, Senator Obama worked with law enforcement officials to require the videotaping of interrogations and confessions in all capital cases.

In the U.S. Senate, he has focused on tackling the challenges of a globalized, 21st century world with fresh thinking and a politics that no longer settles for the lowest common denominator. His first law was passed with Republican Tom Coburn, a measure to rebuild trust in government by allowing every American to go online and see how and where every dime of their tax dollars is spent. He has also been the lead voice in championing ethics reform that would root out Jack Abramoff-style corruption in Congress.

As a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Obama has fought to help Illinois veterans get the disability pay they were promised, while working to prepare the VA for the return of the thousands of veterans who will need care after Iraq and Afghanistan. Recognizing the terrorist threat posed by weapons of mass destruction, he traveled to Russia with Republican Dick Lugar to begin a new generation of non-proliferation efforts designed to find and secure deadly weapons around the world. And knowing the threat we face to our economy and our security from America's addiction to oil, he's working to bring auto companies, unions, farmers, businesses and politicians of both parties together to promote the greater use of alternative fuels and higher fuel standards in our cars.

Whether it's the poverty exposed by Katrina, the genocide in Darfur, or the role of faith in our politics, Barack Obama continues to speak out on the issues that will define America in the 21st century. But above all his accomplishments and experiences, he is most proud and grateful for his family. His wife, Michelle, and his two daughters, Malia, 9, and Sasha, 6, live on Chicago's South Side where they attend Trinity United Church of Christ.

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I'm Scott Harper. As a businessman, entrepreneur and scholar I have enjoyed the kind of success unique to our shared American dream. I believe that true democracy, as envisioned by our Founders and embodied in our Constitution, provides the freedom necessary to realize both our individual and common dreams.

As a family man I'm determined to see the kinds of opportunities and freedom of choice I enjoyed continue to be accessible to all our children.

I am running for Congress motivated by the urgent need to bring an independent, moderate voice for change to constructive, honest public service. I am a strong proponent of our free enterprise system; it is the engine that drives our prosperity. I care deeply about:
- sound foreign policy and bringing an end to the war in Iraq
- a healthy environment - clean water, clean air and a green future
- fiscal responsibility and transparency in our spending
- common-sense problem solving

I want to earn your vote and your support. To learn more about my background and my campaign please visit www.ScottHarper.us. Together we can bring effective representation to our District.

To get involved with the campaign contact us at
131. W Jefferson Ave.
Naperville, IL 60540

P. 630.848.2111
info@ScottHarper.us

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Dianne McGuire announced her candidacy as the Democratic Candidate for Illinois State Representative in the 96th District to fill the seat of retiring Republican Joe Dunn.

"I want to energize our state representation with a true understanding of what the basic needs are for residents in Naperville and Aurora," said McGuire. "I am not a politician. I am not an insider making deals for friends, but a friend of the community, who will work hard to make our lives better. As an educator, I know from working with both children and adults, what families want, what they need and I want to deliver legislation that can positively impact their lives."

Locally, statewide and nationally, Dianne has focused like a laser beam on being a leader on community issues. Locally, she contributed to civic causes through her dynamic involvement in District 203 as President of the Naperville Unit Education Association; she currently serves as an officer for her Homeowner's Association and as an appointed member of the Fair Housing Commission for the City of Naperville.

"The impact she has had on the Madison community will long remain in our halls and our hearts," said Erin Anderson, Principal, Madison Junior High School, of Dianne McGuire. "She has dedicated herself to teaching and learning and has been instrumental in the professional regard of teachers throughout this community. For years, as she has stood before her students and inspired them to reach for the stars, she did the same for her colleagues. Her energy is a motivator to all to be committed to this, the most valuable profession in our society."

Statewide, Dianne served on the State Board of Education's Those Who Excel Committee, as well as on the Illinois Education Association's Board of Directors.

Nationally, Dianne was elected to serve on the National Education Association's Board of Directors, 1993-99.

Dianne's years in the classroom and in the board room and as a small business owner have prepared her well for the duties and responsibilities of representing the residents of District 96. She has learned how to balance the interests of competing parties and to find that middle ground, wherein each party can achieve important goals and move forward, unlike the current gridlock we're seeing at the state level. Her training as a mediator will also enable her to effectively listen to all perspectives and to reach compromise positions, without losing sight of important values and interests. "When I am elected, I will bring not only a new perspective, but one which culminates from years of working with children and families, as well as from my experience as a small business owner. I understand the complexity and the essence of what it takes to represent the residents of District 96. I want to carry your voice to Springfield and to demand attention to the needs of the hardworking families in Naperville and Aurora."

Dianne has over twenty-five years of experience as a 6th, 7th, and 8th grade language arts and geography teacher at Madison JHS in Naperville Consolidated Unit District 203.

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Dennis Grosskopf

Candidate for Illinois State Representative

The son of a police officer and a nurse, Dennis Grosskopf grew up on the south side of Chicago.  Both his parents were born and raised in the city.

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Jacqueline L. Traynere

“Jackie” Traynere has lived most of her life in Bolingbrook, and attended Bolingbrook High. She has 2 grown children and 2 step children with her husband Joe whom she married in 2002. Jackie is a partner in a small business based in Bolingbrook and has been working in the labor movement as an organizer for the last 12 years. She has been active in the Boy Scouts and Habitat for Humanity in the past.

Jackie is a member of the Bolingbrook Chamber of Commerce and she is also a graduate of the “Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership” a group that trains women leaders on the important steps to running a successful campaign for elected office. As the rapid growth continues in Will County, Jackie believes a proactive approach of governing is greatly needed. Jackie is running to be a visible and active representative for the taxpayers of District 4. She is respectfully asking for your support so that together we can build a better community.

Martha R. Nicosia

Martha Nicosia believes that in order for change to occur in government we need new people to get involved in government. This belief was the catalyst that led to her decision to run for the Will County Board. Martha resides in Naperville with her husband Marty of 24 years; they have two married children and three grandchildren. She is a graduate of North Central College in Naperville with a degree in Business Management. She holds a Masters in Leadership Studies from Lewis University in Romeoville. Martha is also a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and serves on the Altar Guild.

Martha has worked for CBS Records/Sony Distribution for 33 years; she is a Director in the Bolingbrook Distribution Center. She is also a businesswoman working in direct marketing sales. Martha has been active in the Naperville League of Women Voters and has been involved with the production of Naperville Community TV programming. Martha will be a proactive voice for residents of Will County Board District 4 and will first LISTEN to her constituents to understand their concerns. She is respectfully asking for your support so that together we can build a better community.

Karen Karlstad Gonzalez

Karen Gonzalez has lived a life of service. She has always lived in northern Will County and has witnessed many changes locally. She currently resides in Bolingbrook with her husband Phillip of 29 years and has two grown children. She is a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Bolingbrook. She is a graduate of Romeoville High School and Joliet Junior College and previously worked as a Cardiology Ultrasound Technologist at Edward Hospital in Naperville.

Karen has been active in numerous community organizations. She is a commissioner for the Village of Bolingbrook's Beautification Committee and she is a member of Zonta – a global organization of business owners and professionals working to advance the status of women. She is also a member of the Bolingbrook Chamber of Commerce. Karen is a former Board Member for the HEART organization which serves at-risk youth, a former Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader and a former member of the PTO at her children’s schools.

Karen will be a pro-active Will County Board member who will use her years of involvement in the community to guide her to make the right decisions for local residents. She is respectfully asking for your support so that together we can build a better community.