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Peter Roskam(Photo: From Illinois General Assembly website)

Peter Roskam (born September 13, 1961, Hinsdale, Illinois) is a personal injury lawyer and a Republican member of the Illinois State Senate representing Illinois' 48th district. Roskam is currently the Republican candidate in the election for US Representative for Illinois' 6th congressional district to replace retiring 16-term incumbent Henry Hyde.

Personal history

Roskam was born in Hinsdale, Illinois and raised in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, located in today's 6th Congressional District. Roskam received his B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his J.D. from the Chicago-Kent College of Law.

In 1984 Peter taught history and government at All Saints High School in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. In 1985 Peter served as a legislative assistant for Health Care and Education to freshman Congressman Tom DeLay (R.-TX.), and in 1986 as a legislative assistant for Foreign Affairs and Judiciary to Congressman Henry Hyde (R.-IL.) . In the late 1980s Roskam served as the Executive Director of Educational Assistance Ltd., a scholarship program for disadvantaged kids. Peter was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1992 where he served until 1999. In 2000 he was appointed to the Illinois State Senate where he currently serves. Roskam resides in Wheaton, Illinois with his wife Elizabeth and their four children.

Roskam is a partner in the law firm Salvi, Roskam & Maher, a personal injury firm. He was named "Best Oral Advocate" by the American College of Trial Lawyers. The firm Salvi, Roskam & Maher is politically notable because former Republican Senate candidate Al Salvi is a partner, as is Al's wife Kathy Salvi.

In 1989 the Wheaton Leader noted Roskam's actions as a private citizen in organizing a curbside recycling program that continues in Wheaton, Illinois today .

Roskam is a member of the Anglican Mission in America, an offshoot of the Anglican Church.

Peter Roskam has worked in coordination with his mother, Martha Roskam, in a project to return lost dog tags from Vietnam to military personnel or their surviving relatives. This project has gained national media attention. Roskam also created Project Voices, a program to allow local residents to record messages to troops serving in Iraq as a sign of encouragement, gratitude, and support to U.S. servicemen and women.

Illinois State Senate

Roskam is currently the Republican Whip, the Republican spokesman on the Executive Committee, and a member of the Rules Committee, Environment and Energy Committee, Insurance and Pensions Committee, and Judiciary Committee. In the Senate Roskam has sponsored legislation giving the Supreme Court of Illinois authority to reverse a death penalty sentence, has sponsored legislation increasing the penalties for repeat D.U.I. offenders, worked to streamline education programs, and was the lead sponsor of a law to maintain courts' power to hold deadbeat parents in contempt to ensure child support . Roskam has authored or co-authored fourteen bills to cut taxes.

In 1992, the Illinois Attorney General investigated Roskam's state house fund for failing to report a mailing list it received from the 501c3 charity he was running at the time. The Attorney General notified the Internal Revenue Service for further investigation.

While a legislator Peter Roskam has been awarded the "Constitutional Scholar Award" by the Illinois Judges Association, the "Outstanding Freshman Senator Award" by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, and the "Leadership Award" by the Illinois Family Institute, and been named "Legislator of the Year" by the Illinois State Crime Commission, and "2002 Champion of Free Enterprise" by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

In January 2005, Roskam fought the passage of the Illinois Human Rights Act on the grounds that it would require churches and religious organizations that view homosexuality as a sin to hire homosexuals. Supporters of the act believe this claim to be a misrepresentation stating that the act contains an explicit exemption for churches and religious organizations. The Beacon News reported that fellow Republican State Representative Joe Dunn found the Republican's objection to the act offensive. Dunn said, "I was just really turned off by what was coming out of the mouths of some of my fellow party members," and "I just didn't like the hatred and bigotry and intolerance I was hearing," and "It was just disgusting, what they were trying to do." The Chicago Chamber of Commerce supported the legislation.

In the senate Roskam fought a proposal made by Illinois State Comptroller Dan Hynes to fund stem cell research. Supporters argue that the proposal could have enticed investment and been good for the state economy. Roskam faced bipartisan opposition with Republican State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, State Senator and DuPage County GOP Chairman Kirk Dillard, and Republican House Minority Leader Tom Cross all supporting the stem cell research initiative. Major medical and educational institutions, such as Northwestern University, supported the proposal, which Roskam helped defeat. A poll conducted by ABC News/The Washington Post shows that on July 30, 2005, 60% of Republicans, and 53% of conservatives supported stem cell research. The majority of moderates, liberals, independents, and Democrats also supported stem cell research; however, the poll noted an increase in opposition to stem cell research amongst these groups. .

Positions

Tax cuts

Roskam advocates renewing the national 2003 tax cuts, and has sponsored or co-sponsored fourteen pieces of legislation for lower taxes including child tax credits and reducing the income tax, and has stated support for a research and development tax credit. As an Illinois General assembly legislator, Roskam has authored and supported several pieces of tax reduction legislation.

Stem-cell research

Roskam supports adult and umbilical cord stem cell research. However, according to The Wall Street Journal, Roskam has led the fight in the Illinois Senate against embryonic stem sell research, and even opposes privately funded research. Describing the issue in 2004, Roskam said: "We are asked to pit one life against another." When asked about the issue of stem cells, his campaign manager Ryan McLaughlin said: "This type of research is where the results are really occurring for individuals across the country" and contended that other issues are more pressing for the Sixth district. However, the National Institutes of Health claims embryonic stem cells have greater potential. The Chicago Tribune noted, "Adult stem cells, usually from bone marrow transplants or umbilical cord blood, are widely considered less flexible than embryonic stem cells in forming many types of tissue."

59% of likely voters say that they would support a constitutional amendment that would require the government to fund the expansion of stem-cell research. 61% of likely voters find that medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos to be morally acceptable. Polls have shown embryonic stem cell research to be supported by a majority of Republicans.

Gun control

Roskam's campaign manager says that Roskam supports "common-sense gun control provisions"; however, Roskam is a stronger opponent of gun control than is conservative incumbent Henry Hyde. Roskam opposes the 1994 Federal assault weapons ban, for which Henry Hyde voted and which Roskam's opponent supports. Roskam sponsored a bill in the state Senate which would have allowed retired military and police personnel to carry concealed weapons. Unlike his opponent, Roskam has not ruled out supporting measures to allow other people to carry concealed firearms with a permit.

On July 15, 2006, Roskam appeared at a National Rifle Association rally in Addison, Illinois, but all eleven references to his name were removed from the invitations. His appearance was protested by local families of victims of gun violence who oppose his position on gun control. The NRA has given $4,950 to Roskam's campaign.

While in the state Senate, Roskam sponsored gun legislation with two major components. One part called for the destruction of background check records within 90 days of a gun’s purchase. The other part closed the gun show loophole by requiring background checks on potential gun purchasers at gun shows. The Chicago Tribune noted gun-control advocates were supportive of closing the gun-show loophole; however, he recieved criticism from some police for the proposed destruction of background check records. Police use those records to investigate straw purchasers who buy guns for criminals and to prepare themselves when serving a warrant or making an arrest at a home. The proposed 90-day time limit is more lenient than Federal standards, which require the FBI to destroy this type of record within 24 hours.

O'Hare Airport

Roskam opposes plans to expand O'Hare International Airport, and instead favors building a third regional airport in Chicago's southern suburbs. O'Hare expansion has been supported by many business groups, including the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, a Republican from Illinois, supports O'Hare expansion as does the local Republican leadership from DuPage County.

Social Security

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On May 20, 2005, Roskam missed a vote in the Illinois Senate on a bill to protect Social Security, although he voted on other bills that same day. This vote occurred four days after Roskam declared his candidacy for the US Congress.

Other positions

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Peter Roskam's Law Firm (Photo: Chicago Tribune)

Peter Roskam is pro-life and opposes abortion except when the life of the mother is at risk, making no exceptions for rape or incest. Roskam supports the death penalty. Roskam opposes same-sex marriage and civil unions. He opposes the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).

Roskam supports the use of earmarks in federal budgeting.

Roskam supports tort reform; however, Chicago Tribune noted Roskam earned over $615,000 in 2005 as a personal injury trial lawyer. Terrence Lavin, former president of the Illinois Bar Association, recalled that Al Salvi and Roskam promised, "We will never, ever vote for tort reform," when they asked him for a $25,000 donation. Roskam supports CAFTA. In 2005, Roskam received a 67% rating from the Illinois Environmental Council. In 2004 he scored 100%, while in 2003 he scored 40%.

1998 Congressional Campaign

Roskam ran for Congress in 1998 in Illinois' 13th Congressional District (Map) to replace retiring Congressman Harris W. Fawell but lost in the Republican Primary to Judy Biggert. Roskam received 40.07% of the vote to Biggert's 45.03%. In that race Judy Biggert made the accusation that Roskam was protecting gambling and tobacco interests after he opposed her vote in support of an education reform package that would raise taxes on gambling boats, cigarettes, and phone bills. . Roskam was endorsed by Congressman Henry Hyde; Judy Biggert was endorsed by incumbent 13th district U.S. Representative Harris W. Fawell, Governor Jim Edgar and Kirk Dillard, a Hinsdale state senator who is now the DuPage County Republican chairman.

In 1999 the Federal Election Commission (FEC) investigated a mailing sent out by a PAC, the Campaign for Working Families, in support of Peter Roskam at the request of his opponent in the primary Judy Biggert. CWF was found at fault for not reporting the cost of mailings and radio ads within the 24-hour requirement. The improper expenditures exceeded $69,000. However, the FEC did not conclude that the Roskam Campaign was at fault or complicit in CWF's error, or that the Roskam Campaign asked for the mailing to be sent out. The PAC was led by conservative Gary Bauer.

2006 Congressional Campaign

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Peter Roskam & Vice President Dick Cheney (Photo: Sun Times)

Roskam is currently running for U.S. Congress to fill Henry Hyde's open seat in the 6th Congressional district. He ran unopposed in the Republican Congressional Primary. His opponent in the November general election will be Tammy Duckworth.

2005

Roskam held a media event with and received support from Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. Norquist has been criticized for aiding convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff as a financial conduit.

In 2005 Roskam ran afoul of Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations for failing to report his fundraising expenditures for the third quarter of 2005 on time.

On September 22 2005, Tom DeLay hosted a $500 per plate ($1,000 for PAC donors) fundraising lunch in Washington D.C. for Roskam. However, Roskam claims that he "has not had any contact with essentially for 20 years."

Spring 2006

On March 13, 2006, Vice President Dick Cheney appeared at a fundraiser on behalf of Peter Roskam. The event was able to raise over $200,000. Cheney stated that "Peter is an experienced public servant with a distinguished record in both houses of the state legislature. He works hard, speaks candidly and is perfectly in tune with the priorities and values of the Sixth District." During his speech Cheney defended President Bush's policies on the Iraq War and domestic surveillance.

On May 9, 2006, two local labor unions, the Teamsters, and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 endorsed Roskam for the congressional seat. The largest union in the state, the Illinois AFL-CIO gave Roskam a rating of 23% in 2005 and 15% in 2004, and endorsed his opponent.

On May 9, 2006, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Lynn Sweet reported:

The EMILY's List help may become grist for the Roskam campaign. Most of Duckworth's political money comes from outside the congressional district, and Roskam is making an issue of it.

Also reported in the same article:

Roskam, who has been a state senator for the past 12 years, has a long voting record that Duckworth is taking aim at. Duckworth, who is making her first run for office, has no record to attack.

Summer 2006

On June 29, 2006, The Cook Political Report, an independent non-partisan newsletter, rated the race for Illinois' 6th Congressional District as a "Toss-Up", meaning either party has a good chance of winning. Previously, The Cook Political Report had rated the race as "Lean Republican."

A July 26, 2006 Suburban Life newspaper article reported the candidates are expected to speak on WTTW/Channel 11, WBEZ radio and WBBM radio -- all debates that will be broadcast -- and at the College of DuPage. Dates have not been set. Roskam seeks more public debates in district communities, while Duckworth wishes to limit the joint appearances to the initial four that have been planned. Roskam accepted an invitation from the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Elmhurst Kiwanis for a debate on Tuesday, August 19, but Duckworth has not accepted. Both candidates were invited by Addison Mayor Larry Hartwig to appear on his public TV show, with only Roskam accepting.

On August 20th, 2006, conservative political commentator Robert Novak reported:

National Republican strategists are deeply concerned about the possible loss of the district and have brought in an ace political operative to try to save the campaign...Jason Roe, chief of staff to Rep. Tom Feeney of Florida and an experienced campaign manager, has been brought in to buck up Roskam's flagging effort.
— "Dodd's Last Hurrah?"

Contributors

FEC disclosures show Roskam has received financial support from Americans for a Republican Majority, a PAC formed by Tom DeLay, who is facing criminal charges. Roskam was quoted as saying, "Knowing what I know now about what Tom DeLay's been accused of, my attitude would be to support him." The Hill reported that Tom DeLay hosted a fundraiser for Roskam's congressional campaign in 2005.

Although Roskam trails his opponent Tammy Duckworth slightly in fundraising, Roskam has more cash on-hand. Roskam raised $1.86 million vs. Duckworth's $1.88 million. Roskam has been more dependant on contributions from PACs. 60% of Roskam's donations came from individuals, while 76% of Duckworth's were from individuals. The Duckworth campaign has provided higher quality disclosure of contributions received.

Roskam's campaign has criticized Duckworth for raising funds from outside the district. This was noted in a April 24 Chicago Sun-Times article entitled "Duckworth rakes in cash -- but not from 6th District" .

Roskam received 92% of his donations from within Illinois, while Duckworth received 61% from Illinois. A breakdown of cash donations by zip code appears to indicate a higher percentage of contributions to Roskam are from within the 6th Congressional District.

According to Federal Election Commission filings, both 6th district congressional candidates have received large donations from various political action committee

FEC filings show that Roskam received $10,000 from Exelon Corporation's PAC. Donations were also received from the CEO, John W. Rowe, and numerous officers directly. Exelon is the parent company of Commonwealth Edison, the electric utility serving Roskam's district. Currently ComEd is seeking a controversial rate hike, which is opposed by local governments and groups including the Citizens Utility Board.

Roskam has received multiple donations from major tobacco companies, including Altria (formerly known as Phillip Morris) and R.J. Reynolds.

According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, Roskam has received funding from a Wal-Mart sponsored Political Action Committee.

FEC disclosures indicate the law firm Winston and Strawn made financial contributions to Peter Roskam. Winston and Strawn's CEO is Republican James R. Thompson, who served as the audit committee chairman for Hollinger International, owner of the Chicago Sun-Times, which is now under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Winston and Strawn is also the law firm representing former governor and Republican George Ryan, who was convicted on eighteen criminal charges for federal racketeering, fraud, and conspiracy.

Notes

External links

Roskam's congressional campaign website
Roskam's GI Dog Tag website
opensecrets.org Total Raised and Spent: Illinois District 6
Website criticizing Roskam from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

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