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Thanks for the votes!!

 

Thank you for the tremendous support you have given our political efforts. Illinois is a great state with wonderful people. There are many challenges facing the state and nation. Our democracy and representative government is a treasured right. Being involved politically is exercising that right. God Bless America!

 

This website is updated frequently, in particular the 'Keeping up with Dan'. We hope you visit often.

 

 

 

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Senator Rutherford has two additional websites for different purposes.

 

For governmental and public policy visit www.DanRutherford.com.

 

Senator Rutherford is the chairman of the Committee for Legislative Action (CLA). The primary purpose of CLA is to bring sunlight to attempts to raise Taxes and Fees in Illinois: www.CommitteeforLegislativeAction.org

 

 

 

 

Keeping up with Dan

 

The New Format for Dan's Diary

 

My Diary has a new format. It is entirely on the Home page and will be called "Keeping Up with Dan." There will be political, personal and governmental postings. I will still archive by month, so do go back to previous months to catch up on what you missed. I hope you enjoy the new format.

 


Rotary Club's top Pontiac citizen lauded for service

Tony Sapochetti

August 27, 2008

Pantagraph

PONTIAC -- More than 60 people came out Tuesday afternoon to honor Collins Miller as he accepted the title of 2007 Pontiac Rotary Club Citizen of the Year.

“I am very thankful to the Rotary for this opportunity,” Miller said.

Miller was nominated by Pontiac area attorney Ron Fellheimer, who said at Tuesday’s luncheon at the Elks Lodge that he “can’t think of anyone who has made our community work more than Collins.”

Miller has been involved in several organizations and fundraising efforts. He served as president of Pontiac Redeveloping Our United Downtown, has been active with OSF St. James–John W. Albrecht Medical Center fundraisers, helped with sandbag efforts during the flooding in January and helped bring a message board to Pontiac Township High School.

“We have a better community because of what you have done, and I just want to say … thank you very much and congratulations,” state Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, said.

The announcement was made earlier this month after a Rotary Club special committee narrowed down nominations to Miller. Committee Chairman Greg BesGrove said the committee did not have a tough time choosing Miller because he embodies several of the characteristics of Citizen of the Year.

“It was definitely a no-brainer,” BesGrove said. “He has been involved with so many things, and with his wife, Candy, they are truly a team.

“They are a special couple that everybody strives to be,” he said.


Help on the Road

Streator resident, Chris Kmetz, recently spent the day in Springfield assisting me and learning more about the legislative process. He has been helping some over the summer in the Pontiac District office and on the road traveling around Illinois with me. 


University of Illinois Football in the Presidential Season

The race will be decided by wins in specific states like Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri and Iowa.

The favorite son, Illini, needs to take out the incumbent. Immediate past success seems to give Ohio a favorable eye, but polls do change. An organized, prepared campaign from Illinois, with veteran quarterback Juice Williams, can produce the momentum.

The Delegate count is close and the Super Delegates are on all sides of the fence. Late night talk show hosts and the Beltway pundits are chattering, but the talking heads will not determine the winner….it will be the finely executing Illinois team.

Early polling has the race tight, with the hometown candidate, the fighting Illini, in the mix. Much promo, blogging and hype is out there, but success will come by getting more votes, or scoring in football jargon. The campaign is just beginning.

Lobbyists are sidelined for this contest. Oratory and balloon drops won’t match the might of tailback Daniel Dufrene. Strategy and muscle will put the points on the board and it won’t hurt the ballot box.

The Convention Halls in Denver and Minneapolis are hosting the delegates for Obama and McCain, but Ron Zook carries a commanding lead in Memorial Stadium. Registered voters and fans in attendance will help keep the spirits high. The precinct workers are fully committed to the Orange and Blue.

In the spirit of Illinois’ favorite sons, Lincoln and Reagan, Illiniwek can be the Commander and Chief this season. Politically correct or not: long live the Chief!

FROM DAN: The Champaign News Gazette asked me to write a statement regarding the U of I football team with the tone of the Presidential race. I like it, I hope you do too!


The Bonneville runs well, but a few things just light up

Gas in Peoria was $3.729 so we filled up. When we got back in the car and turned the key, the warning bell started dinging. Chris was driving and looked at me kind of funny because the gas gage showed empty. I explained that the gas gauge doesn’t work and the Service Engine and Check Gauges lights don’t go off. Needless to say, we fill up after every trip. And, as you know, every 3,000 miles she gets oil and service. (Just to note, I was not driving when the photo of gauges was taken.) She is at 303,463 miles!


 

Darin LaHood running for Peoria County States Attorney

 

 

Darin and his wife Kristen had a party in Peoria and I wanted to stop by to wish them the best. My friend Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy and City of Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis were there too. We had a good time catching up on happenings. These two guys are great leaders. (OK, I know the lighting isn’t the best in these photos…the setting for the camera had been changed; it’s correct now. This is what we got, so here it is)

 


My very good friend Jesse Smart

Danvers had their summer celebration and parade. I really enjoy going to the  small town events and especially parades. My long time and good friend Jesse drives one of the little cars for the Shriners. He and his wife, Susan, are so much fun!


College Fraternity Buddies

I went to Illinois State University and was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. It was a few years ago, but many of us still keep in touch. Andy Sandberg and his wife Jill had a wonderful backyard party with tents, band and fresh prepared Mexican food. Jim Soderquist and his wife were there too. Andy’s white blazer was part of the evenings theme…I don’t know how the heck that fits in, but he doesn’t normally dress that way, now… he did in college!!


 

Great ladies of the GOP

 

 

Naperville and Lisle Township Republicans opened their campaign headquarters. I have so many friends there and wanted to be supportive so I stopped by. I was able to see my friend May Yurgaitis and visit with Darlene Senger who is running for State Representative.  She will make a great Legislator. I missed my really good friend Liz Martinez, but I did get to see her at the Downers Grove Township GOP headquarters opening.

 


 

Brendan Appel for the Senate

 

 

Brendan is running for Senate in the northwestern Illinois area. He is really a great guy, personable and bright. He had a fundraiser on a boat to watch the Chicago Air and Water Show. I was glad I could attend.

 

 

I have seen the Air Show a few times from high rise building parties, but this was the first time being out on the Lake. It was really fun, sunny and quite a view. The Blue Angles  were a highlight, but the show stopper was definitely the Stealth Bomber.

 

 

Christopher has recently joined the ranks of Road Warrior and got a chance to get the nautical experience. Ray was the skipper for Brendan’s outing and I had gotten to know him before. We used a power boat for the day, but Ray is a sailor and races boats, I knew I liked him. Back at the Yacht Club, Ray invited me onboard his sailboat Challenge. She is a beauty and I look forward to crewing with Ray on a race………it’s been years, but I used to sail a lot.

 


Oh, what a night, Oh what a sight

Up my gravel lane there is an island, center of the parking area. I have a few huge boulders and planted wild sage, black eyed Susan’s, sedum and pompous grass. To the right you can see a young oak about 30 feet tall (it came up natural years ago and I left it there). Blue Spruce are on the east side of the lane and in the distance you can see the trees in my ravine where deer often visit. One early evening I came home and was pulling up to the garage. The moon was bright, the sky was clear and the blooms were colorful. I sat there for several moments just enjoying the site!


McLean County Township Highway Commissioners

The Commissioners have an end of summer get together each year. I try to make it because these guys work very hard and deserve a lot of credit. Me with a few of the guys and Buck with his big pork chop!!


 

I enjoy radio.....and to ham it up

 

 

I do a monthly morning conversation with morning show hosts Scott and Colleen on WJBC Radio out of Bloomington. I like doing the afternoon drive time show also, especially if I can do it in studio. Recently WJBC was broadcasting live from the Children’s Museum in Normal and I was on with Kim Wells and Steve Fast. This photo is us hamming it up a bit…. And no, we were not on live at the time. I enjoy radio a lot and maybe someday I will go into it when I leave government.


 

Visiting the Children's Museum

 

 

The Town of Normal and all of Central Illinois is fortunate to have the Children’s Museum up and operating. I recently visited and saw the new Agriculture Exhibit and visited with Museum Manager Shari Buckellew.


 

The Creek on my property

 

I have a Creek that runs through my property. It is great because it attracts duck, Great Blue Herron and has fish and turtles. The spring rain causes some flooding to the south end, far from the house. I am working on stream bank stabilization now, to keep erosion from happening. One photo is from the south to the north, on the other side of the creek, with my house in the background. The other is of my brother-in-law, Fred, who has been really helpful in assisting me with all the projects at my timber.

 

 

 


 

Roadside Recycle

 

Every morning whether I am on the road or at home, I make it a habit to go for a twenty minute jog. When at home I add an extra few minutes to the jog and pick up the paper and aluminum cans people have thrown along the roadside. After my run I take them all home and put them in the recycle. Here is a picture of my latest ‘can’ finds and I think Busch light is winning.

 

 


 

Visiting Grandma

 

As you may know every Sunday I travel to Fairbury to see my grandma. This Sunday mom was there playing Rummikub with her friends. Rummikub is grandma's favorite game and she is very good at it.

 

 


 

Gwen's Birthday

 

A great friend of the family, Gwen from Paxton, recently had a very special birthday. It was wonderful to spend time with her and her family on her special day.

 

 

 

Me with some of Gwen's family.

 

 

 


 

Governor now says he is against closing Pontiac Prison

 

 

I recently came across an article in the Bloomington Pantagraph that quotes Gov. Blagojevich as not wanting to close Pontiac Correctional Center. While attending the opening of the Illinois State Fair in Springfield the Governor was asked about the possible prison closing. He responded by saying "That's not something I want to do. We don't want to. I don't want to."

 

The full article is posted on my legislative website, www.DanRutherford.com. Please visit to stay up to date on the possible closure of PCC.

 


 

Events this year

 

I wanted to give you advance notice so you can plan to attend one or all of our Dan Rutherford Campaign Committee events this year. Here are the events that the dates and times are finalized for.

 

October 13, 2008-Annual Chicken Dinner at the

Pontiac Elk's Country Club

 

 

 


 

2008

January '08 Diary

February '08 Diary

March '08 Diary

April '08 Diary

May '08 Diary

June '08 Diary

July '08 Diary


2007

 

January '07 Diary

February '07 Diary

March '07 Diary

April '07 Diary

May '07 Diary

June '07 Diary

2006

 

January '06 Diary

February '06 Diary

March '06 Diary

April '06 Diary

May '06 Diary

June '06 Diary

July '06 Diary

August '06 Diary

September '06 Diary

October '06 Diary

November '06 Diary

December '06 Diary

2005

 

January '05 Diary

February '05 Diary

March '05 Diary

April '05 Diary

May '05 Diary

June '05 Diary

July '05 Diary

August '05 Diary

September '05 Diary

October '05 Diary

November '05 Diary

December '05 Diary

 


Senator Dan Rutherford’s website for Legislative and Public Policy matters is:
http://www.DanRutherford.com

 

Senator Dan Rutherford’s website for political matters is:
http://www.DanRutherford.org

Senator Rutherford is the Chairman of the Committee for Legislative Action. Its primary purpose is to bring sunlight to attempts to raise Taxes, Fees and increase Government Regulations in Illinois. Their website is:
http://www.CommitteeForLegislativeAction.org

 

 

 

 

The Question of Impeachment

 

Due to actions in the Illinois Senate the question of Recall of Elected Officials will not be on the ballot in 2008. This only serves to increase the drumbeat for Impeachment of Governor Blagojevich.

 

The Committee for Legislative Action has been asked to help gauge public support on whether Illinois voters are in favor of Impeaching the Governor. The process would be done by the General Assembly.

 

To read more about Impeachment or to sign up to receive updates via email, please go to:

 

www.CommitteeForLegislativeAction.org

 

 

 

 

Curacao, Netherlands Antilles1

The notes from the dive trip to Curacao are just about done and I will let you know when they are posted. I have posted the photos, they really are pretty good. 1The final Diary of the trip will be up soon. In the meantime here are the pictures: Diving Curacao

 

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Reagan and Rutherford


 

Ronald Reagan

 

The Wisdom And Humor Of

 

The Great Communicator

 

 

 

 

Dry Tortugas

     
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  Dan Diving Curacao

 

 

 

 
Contact Us

 

220 West Howard Street
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 842-2475
(815) 842-3793 Fax
DanRutherford@DanRutherford.org

 

The development, hosting and maintenance of Senator Rutherford's web site are not paid for with taxpayer dollars. The phone line and internet service for Senator Rutherford's calls and e-mails are also not paid for at taxpayer expense.