56th State Representative District
VOTE Tuesday November 6th, 2012

Lawson again disputes Mussman’s attacks in 56th House mailer

By: Eric Peterson 10/6/2012 

Daily Herald

Democratic state Rep. Michelle Mussman is again questioning Republican challenger John Lawson’s intention to keep the one campaign promise he has the most control over — to step down from his two current government jobs if elected.

The Schaumburg incumbent’s latest mailer in the race for the 56th House District repeats the accusation of an earlier one that her crosstown rival Lawson would hold three government jobs simultaneously for $186,475 a year.
But the mailer paid for by the Democratic Party of Illinois goes beyond questioning Lawson’s intention to keep his promise by stating “ ... Lawson will not be a full-time State Representative, saying he will continue working as a police officer in Roselle.”
Mussman Friday said the source of this claim was a Facebook posting by Lawson last February in which he made reference to the fact that he was three years away from earning a 30-year pension.
But during an interview at the Daily Herald last month at which Mussman was present, Lawson said he would quit his job as a Roselle police officer immediately if elected, stopping his pension at 27 years.
Mussman said Friday she found Lawson’s differing statements on this issue confusing.
“There’s an awful lot of statements that have been floated around,” she said.
Lawson Friday said that Facebook posting the day after his 50th birthday Feb. 8 was part of an exchange with a friend that jokingly referred to the fact he had earned his AARP card.
“If I did say I had three more years till 30, that is true,” Lawson said.
The actual Feb. 9 posting reads, “When I win, I’ll be at the PD for about 2 more years to get my 30.”
Lawson added that in February, before the uncontested primaries both he and Mussman enjoyed, he had not yet had the meeting he later had with Roselle officials to discuss the terms of a potentially imminent retirement.
Lawson said he is giving up 2.5 percent in potential pension earnings for each year he would retire before his 30th anniversary.
“As I keep saying, Michelle, that is old information,” Lawson said. “I don’t know how much clearer that has to be. Here’s what we say in the legal world — that’s been asked and answered.”
Lawson said he would also step down from his position as Schaumburg Township assessor as soon as someone was qualified to be appointed to replace him.
Assessor is one of the few elected offices that carry an educational requirement. The classes that fulfill that requirement normally take about six months to complete.
Schaumburg Township Supervisor Mary Wroblewski said she’s talked with a couple fellow Republicans who said they might be interested in starting the classes if Lawson is elected in November. That would make one of them ready to be sworn in at the same time as other newly elected township officials next May, Wroblewski said.
These potentially interested people have asked not to be identified yet, she said.
Lawson’s current term would normally expire at the end of 2013, months later than other elected officials in the township.
Though the assessor classes can be done within two weeks if necessary, there are always questions about the cost and availability of the expedited course, Wroblewski said. The safest assumption is that another qualified assessor would be ready by May, she added.
Schaumburg Township Democratic Committeeman Rocco Terranova said he’s talked to no Democrats who’ve expressed any interest in taking the classes, though there is an intention to run Democratic candidates for other township offices next April.
Mussman said even if Lawson resigned his assessor job after a few months, he would still face a conflict during the early part of 2013 when the workload of both assessor and state representative are at their peak.
Lawson said there wouldn’t be too many days of conflict when the new House would be in session before May, and that he had the authority to appoint his nonelected deputy assessor as acting assessor on those days.
Mussman also said Lawson’s five-point pension reform plan was written in such a narrow way as not to prohibit Lawson’s own participation in the kind of government “double-dipping” he claims to abhor.
Lawson, however, has also vowed to withdraw from his township pension and to refuse a legislative pension.
The candidates’ 56th District includes Schaumburg and parts of Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows, Hanover Park and Roselle.






MUSSMAN WEBSITE PLEDGES TO PROTECT SENIORS; SHE VOTES AGAINST 

THEM


 Michelle Mussman’s Website Touts Support of Circuit Breaker Program, Her Vote Shut It Down on June 30

SCHAUMBURG, IL – In a new twist where Representative Michelle Mussman says one thing to constituents, then votes the other way, her website (www.votemichelle.com/issues) pledges “I will support property tax assistance and funding for home care programs that help senior citizens to stay in their homes.” However, in late June, Mussman voted for SB2454, a bill that shut down the circuit breaker assistance program that offers property tax assistance for those who are over age 65 or disabled, and have an annual income less than $27,610.
"As someone who is well versed in property tax issues in Schaumburg Township, I cannot, for the life of me, understand why Michelle Mussman voted to shut down the Circuit Breaker program," added Lawson. "At the same time, she doesn’t even live up to the promises that she makes on her own website. How can we trust her any longer in Springfield?"
John Lawson received his M.S. and B.A. in Criminal and Social Justice from Lewis University and is a police officer with the Village of Roselle. He is an active member of the community, coaching a baseball league and being an involved member of his church. John has been married to his wife Laura for 25 years with whom he shares two wonderful sons, Robert and Kevin.
The 56th District covers portions of Schaumburg, Bartlett, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Hanover Park, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, and Roselle.

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Paid for by Friends for Lawson


LEADING BY EXAMPLE: LAWSON ENDORSES BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOC. PENSION PLAN

 Candidate for State Representative Will Not Accept Legislative Pension; Will Return Township Pension

SCHAUMBURG, IL – In order to continue in his long-time role as a taxpayer advocate, 56thDistrict State Representative Candidate John Lawson endorsed the Better Government Association’s recent stance on municipal pensions.Lawson re-iterated his pledge not to take a legislative pension and vowed to give back any taxpayer contribution to his small pension received as Schaumburg Township Assessor.

“All too often, politicians make campaign promises that they never keep,” said Lawson.“I want to go to Springfield to change the way Illinois works, and it starts with me – I will not take a legislative pension and I will return all taxpayer contributions to the small pension I received from Schaumburg Township.”

On September 14th, Better Government Association Executive Director Andy Shaw outlined the organization’s stance in aChicago Sun-TimesOp-Ed piece.The good government group called on municipalities to end the practice of giving pension sweeteners and other wasteful perks that governments dole out to public employees.Shaw outlined ending the practices of spiking (end of career salary boosts), double-dipping (collecting a pension and salary concurrently), and tacking (consultants and contractors that improperly receive pensions).

“My neighbors asked me to run for State Representative because they know I am honest and have the ability to work with both sides to get things done,” Lawson said.“While my opponent refuses to give up her legislative pension, I am willing to set an example and not take a legislative pension, as well as returning whatever taxpayer contribution I have received from Schaumburg Township. I agree with the case that the BGA has set out and look forward to advocating on behalf of honest, effective government.”

John Lawson received his M.S. and B.A. in Criminal and Social Justice from Lewis University and is a police officer with the Village of Roselle.He is an active member of the community, coaching a baseball league and being an involved member of his church. John has been married to his wife Laura for 25 years with whom he shares two wonderful sons, Robert and Kevin.

The 56th District covers portions of Schaumburg, Bartlett, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Hanover Park, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, and Roselle.

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Paid for by Friends for Lawson



WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012

REACTION TO S&P'S ILLINOIS DOWNGRADE
Immediately after another S&P downgrade for Illinois to an "A," lawmakers, office holders and candidates began reacting -

State Representative Candidate John Lawson (R-56)


“While politicians in the General Assembly claim that they are fixing the state’s budget problems, they have gone ahead and made them worse, yet again. Now, more than ever, we need elected officials that will go to Springfield to be independent and get common-sense solutions enacted. Unfortunately, Rep. Mussman has gone to Springfield to participate in her party’s financial dismantling of Illinois – actions that will result in more of our hard-earned incomes going into state coffers.”

Full Story Visit Illinois Review


JOHN LAWSON: HOUSE PENSION VOTE A POLITICAL STUNT
Representative Michelle Mussman Should Withdraw from General Assembly Retirement System

SCHAUMBURG, IL–Longtime Schaumburg resident and State Representative candidate John Lawson, called on his opponent to be a true leader by withdrawing from the General Assembly Retirement System, where Michelle Mussman collects a taxpayer-paid pension for part-time work.

“Michelle Mussman joined with her fellow out-of-touch legislators and engaged in a political stunt, making it appear as though she were voting against her own pension,” said Lawson.“Previous to this bill being introduced, I announced that I would not take a legislative pension.So, if Representative Mussman really seeks change in the pension system, she can start by withdrawing from the system all together.”

Senate Bill 3168, as amended by House Amendment 3, would eliminate pension benefits for new legislators. However, the bill does not prevent current legislators from receiving pension benefits, nor does it address the unfunded liabilities facing the pension systems of state employees, state university employees, teachers, or judges. House Amendment 3 was adopted on a vote of 54-53-0, but SB3168 was not called for a final vote in the House prior to adjournment of the Special Session on Friday.

“The House vote was more “smoke and mirrors” legislative action that allows incumbent legislators to say they voted to change the system.However, it’s an easy vote, as it protects legislative benefit sweeteners like Michelle Mussman’s,” Lawson said.“In addition, this bill only addresses the General Assembly Retirement System and will save somewhere around $50 million, out of the$83 billionowed to the five different state-funded retirement systems. We deserve better.”

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Paid for by Friends for Lawson

Illinois Review

By Joe Kaiser -

Detective Sergeant and Schaumburg Township Assessor John Lawson is the Republican nominee in the 56th State Representative district, facing off against freshman incumbent Michelle Mussman(D) this November. Recently, I had the privilege to sit down and talk to Lawson about a host of issues, as well as why he decided to jump into the race and why he feels his opponent has come up short in her two years in office.

Q: So why did you decide to declare for this race?

A: Several reasons. First, I’ve been the assessor in Schaumburg Township. I'm in my 8th year. I've also been in law enforcement for 27 years. I've been serving the public as a first responder for a long time. I know what its like to be out there helping people at two or three in the morning. I know what it's like to have a gun pointed at me. I know what people are looking for. I look now at what is happening in our state and how bad it is and I think we need somebody in Springfield that has no ties to anybody and we need somebody in Springfield who is going to take leadership.

Q: You have mentioned Medicaid reform as a budget issue you think is important. What specific reforms would you like to see in Medicaid?

A: Medicaid is supposed to be out there to help people in trouble. I’ve learned that $60 million a year is paid to Medicaid recipients who don’t even live in Illinois. I’ve asked the question ‘How can that be?’ To me that is fraud. To me they are commitng a crime. That’s $60 million we can get back just by shutting those people down. The first thing I would like to see done is to have sort of a check and balance to see if people need the assistance of the Medicaid system.

Q: Do you think that is something that would gain support from both sides of the aisle?

A: I think that it shouldn’t matter if you're Republican or Democrat. It should be something that we need to do.

Q: How can you get Democrats on board with other budget issues, especially pension reform?

A: I have a lot of ideas as far as pension reform. I’m a recipient of the public pension (public safety pension). So I do see where the teachers and state employees are coming from. Do we all need to work together to work on a solution? Yes. I think we should all be at the table to work out a solution. I think we know if we don’t work out a solution there won't be a pension available. Can we go after the double dippers? Yes. Can we go after the people who are collecting a public safety pension and are now working for another municipality? Yes. Those things can be addressed, but as far as changing people’s benefits, I don’t agree with that at all.

Q: What are your thoughts on education reform?

A: I want to work closely with special education and special needs. I have a personal interest in that because my son has special needs and my son did work through the whole school district and high school and college using those services, so I think those services are very beneficial. I’d like to see more funding for special needs and special education. There is talk of the state cutting special needs and special education and I don’t support that at all.

Q: One of your recent press releases talks about returning property tax assessments to townships. Can you explain that a little bit more?

A: One of the first pieces of legislation I would introduce is to allow the township assessors in Cook and Champaign counties to do their job and assess. Out of 102 counties, in 100 of them the township assessors do the assessing. That means the township assessors are assessing people's property. Now, in Cook and Champaign the county assessors do that, which means it's Mr. Berrios' office down in Chicago. He has a good staff. However, they have to cover over 1.2 million pieces of property in Cook County. So when it comes to bill time and appeal time [the township assessors] are pretty much correcting the errors done by the Cook County assessors office.

The Democrats would oppose [a proposition to change this]. That relinquishes a lot of power from the Cook County assessor's office.

Q: The Democrats will likely be in the majority though and it may be difficult to get some of these things passed. One thing in particular is concealed carry. Where do you stand on this issue?

A: I support concealed carry. I also sit on the Illinois Chiefs' Legislative Committee. We did not support it three years ago. We now support it. We do know that Illinois is the last state for concealed carry. We did have some issues as to what happens when you are stopped by the police, but that has all been addressed. Like I said, I support concealed carry. The gangbangers out there already carry. The criminals already carry. But the law aibiding citizens can't. I do know my opponent does not support concealed carry. Why? I have no idea.

Q: How would you summarize the differences between yourself and Michelle Mussman?

A: Leadership. That’s my number one. Michelle is a very nice lady. I hear that at the door. But I also hear that she is basically doing what Chicago tells her to do. I hear that a lot at the door. Like I said, we need to send somebody to Springfield who will take leadership as far as the issues go, not on what the leaders want you to do. I’ve been told that once I go down there I’m not going to be making friends by being vocal and supporting my issues. [Making friends] is not my goal. My goal is to go down there and do my job.

Q: Is there any other sort of contrast you want voters in your district to see?

A: One thing Michelle did just recently is that she voted to take away benefits from senior citizens and disabled people which really, really upset me. We have a lot of seniors in this area. We have a compound called Friendship Village that probably has about 3,000 seniors that live there. Voting to disband the Circuit Breaker program was huge.

Q: Ryan Higgins (R) lost to Rep. Mussman by a very close margin in 2010 in a wave election for Republicans. How do you plan to narrow that gap and win in 2012?

A: I am knocking everybody’s door - Republicans, Democrats, Independents - everybody. The responses I am getting from hard Dems is amazing. A lot of people are upset. A lot of people know that my opponent is doing what the leadership tells her to do. It's an outcry. If I had to describe it, I’d say it's an outcry. The people in this district and the state of illlinois are looking and grabbing straws for leadership and I’ve been in that leadership role for many years.

Ryan did an excellent job. What Michelle had over Ryan is she had roots in the community. Michelle has kids in the school system, her husband is a teacher. Well, my kids are in the school system and I’ve lived here for a long time.

Q: Do you think Illinois can ever change the reputation of its leadership and/or maybe even have a Republican majority?

A: I do.  People just don’t know what to do anymore. We have had a speaker that has been there for 40 years. It's time to pass the torch. We need to all work together. Once I get down there, I don’t care if you're Republican or Democrat, we need to work together on the issues. The problem is we have some people down there who control everything and it just can't work that way. With the union background I have, I have sat down and negotiated contracts. And now that I am on the management side, I’ve done the same thing. We need to work together.

More about GOP candidate John Lawson at his website ElectJohnLawson.com.


WHY DID SHE DO IT? MUSSMAN TAKES A STAND AGAINST SENIORS & DISABLED

Mussman Votes for State Budget Full of Pork Projects; Circuit Breaker Program was shut down on June 30

SCHAUMBURG, IL - Without explanation, State Representative Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg) voted for SB 2454: a pork-laden, Department of Health and Family Services budget that includes $400,000 for a Chicago corporation that circulated nominating petitions for a Democratic State Representative, but cuts out property tax relief for senior citizens and the disabled.

"I am disappointed that Michelle Mussman would take a stand against those in our community who truly need our assistance," said Lawson. "While Representative Mussman continues to vote for Chicago pork projects, she takes away the last shred of help that seniors and the disabled can count on from our dysfunctional state."
Last week, Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly passed SB 2454, a bill that ended the Circuit Breaker program for seniors and the disabled on June 30.The program offers property tax relief for those who are over age 65 or disabled, and have an annual income less than $27,610.TheChicago Sun-Timesuncovered that a real estate development corporation on Chicago's South Side, received $400,000 in the bill, after its employees circulated nominating petitions for State Representative Monique Davis (D-Chicago).
"The Democrats in Springfield need to stop engaging in reckless spending measures that are destroying the quality of life our seniors and the disabled," added Lawson. "I am shocked that Michelle Mussman, and others from across the aisle, do not realize the
havoc they are creating in people's lives."

John Lawson received his M.S. and B.A. in Criminal and Social Justice from Lewis University and is a police officer with the Village of Roselle. He is an active member of the community, coaching a baseball league and being an involved member of his church. John has been married to his wife Laura for 25 years with whom he shares two wonderful sons, Robert and Kevin.
The 56th District covers portions of Schaumburg, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Hanover Park, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, and Roselle.



LAWSON PROPOSES RETURNING PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS TO TOWNSHIPS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                June 21, 2012                                                      

LAWSON PROPOSES RETURNING PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS TO TOWNSHIPS

Candidate for State Representative Wants Local Control Over Property Tax Assessments in Cook County
SCHAUMBURG, IL - Admitting that he will face resistance from machine politicians, 56th District State Representative Candidate John Lawson announced today he will introduce legislation to return the power of Cook County property tax assessments to township government, if elected to the General Assembly this fall.
"There are only two counties in Illinois, Cook and Champaign, where the township assessor does not assess local property values," said Lawson. "Therefore, we have no control over who is being assessed at what value and by how much - I will fight to change that."
As Schaumburg Township Assessor for the last eight years, Lawson has used his position to help homeowners successfully fight their unfair property value assessments with the Cook County Assessor's office in Chicago. Under the current law, township assessors in Cook County (including Schaumburg Township) have no ability to assess or collect property taxes.
Added Lawson, "Cook County machine politicians have tried to take more than their fair share from the hard working tax payers in our township. As a result, I have worked tirelessly with our residents to stop them.  In this tough economic environment, we need to make property value assessments fairer and more transparent by returning them to local control."
John Lawson received his M.S. and B.A. in Criminal and Social Justice from Lewis University and is a police officer with the Village of Roselle.  He is an active member of the community, coaching an adult baseball league and being an involved member of his church. John has been married to his wife Laura for 25 years with whom he shares two wonderful sons, Robert and Kevin.The 56th District covers portions of Schaumburg, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Hanover Park, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Bartlett and Roselle.
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Paid for by Friends for Lawson

Candidate Lawson Officially Opens Campaign Office 

With an energetic crowd in attendance, John Lawson, candidate for the 56th State Representative district held a campaign office grand opening on June 16th. In front of a crowd of friends, family, and volunteers at his Roselle campaign headquarters, Lawson proclaimed that he intends run a vigorous campaign leading up to the November election. “We are ready to fight and save our livelihoods," he proclaimed. “For far too long, the Chicago Machine continues to take more and more of our hard earned income, hurting our quality of life -- I intend to reverse that trend."

John Lawson received his M.S. and B.A. in Criminal and Social Justice from Lewis University and has served residents as a police officer for 27 years. He is an active member of the community, coaching an adult baseball league and being an involved member of his church. John has resided in Schaumburg, with his wife Laura for 25 years, with whom he shares two wonderful sons, Robert and Kevin.

The 56th District covers portions of Schaumburg, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Hanover Park, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Bartlett and Roselle.


GOP 56th House Candidate Lawson Rejects Legislative Pension  
(Illinois Review)
Lawson Earns Unanimous Endorsement of Top Police Organization
     (Metropolitan Alliance of Police (Map) - Press Release)

Lawson Responds to "State of the State" Address
     (Press Release)

Lawson Thinks Mussman's Out of Whack With Online Dating Bill
     (Illinois Reveiw)

Palatine Township Republican Organization Announces Endorsements
     (TribLocal - Chicago Tribune)

John Lawson receives Endorsement of Elk Grove Township GOP
     (Journal & Topics Newspapers Online)

Schaumburg Township assessor to run for state rep
     (Daily Herald)

    JOHN LAWSON WINS REPUBLICAN NOMINATION IN 56th DISTRICT
   Thankful to Republican voters in Schaumburg, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove, and Palatine Townships

SCHAUMBURG, IL – John Lawson, candidate for State Representative in the 56th District, thanked Republican voters last night in his quest to join the Illinois General Assembly. With 100% of precincts reporting, Lawson had captured 5,998 votes.

“I am truly humbled and encouraged by the support I have received from Republican voters in the 56th District. Thank you to all of our volunteers for the hard work they have put into our campaign and I would also like to recognize the Schaumburg, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove, and Palatine Township Republican Organizations for their strong effort,” said Lawson.

Lawson outperformed his Democratic opponent, who was unopposed in her primary, by close to 1,800 votes. The race is anticipated to be one of the most competitive legislative races in Illinois this fall.
Added Lawson, “Our state faces several dire economic issues that our next state representative will need to address head on. This is precisely why I will fight to go to Springfield to be fierce advocate for the hard working people of our district - not just a representative."

John Lawson received his Master of Science and Bachelor of Art Degrees in Criminal and Social Justice from Lewis University and is a 27-year veteran of law enforcement. As Assessor for Schaumburg Township, John holds a State of Illinois Certified Illinois Assessing Officers License. He is an active member of the community, coaching a baseball league and being an involved member of his church. John has been married to his wife Laura for 25 years with whom he shares two wonderful sons, Robert and Kevin.

The 56th District covers portions of Schaumburg, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Hanover Park, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, and Roselle.

Copyright 2013  Paid for by Friends for Lawson. All Rights Reserved.
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