The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Monday evening, Republicans were served up a delicious beef brisket and chicken parmesan meal catered by Doug Smith of County Line Diner kicking off their annual Lincoln Day dinner at St. Patrick’s Fellowship Hall outside Raritan.
Henderson County Republican Chairman Jon Riley opened up the evening with a welcome inviting Henderson County Clerk Sandra Keane to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Jim Blender giving the invocation before enjoying the meal.
Riley introduced special guests who were in attendance, gave a few remarks, and then introduced Dillan Vancil (R) who is running for Congress in the 17th District, a huge congressional district that does not include Henderson County. The position is currently held by a democrat Eric Sorensen.
Vancil is running on the platform of “common sense, family values, fairness, hard work and leadership you can trust. He says he will “focus on policies that strengthen communities, protect freedoms, and promote opportunity.”
His experience as a small business owner gives him the foresight for the need of lower taxes, reduced red tape in government, and an atmosphere in Illinois that fosters an environment where small businesses can grow and thrive.
Vancil has started a chain of small coffee shops ‘DAME FINE COFFEE” in Iowa and Illinois, including one recently opened in Stronghurst.
Vancil, as a husband and father, is motivated to run, for a brighter future for his children. He says he has served on the West Central School Board for four years and currently is Vice President. He will fight to ensure schools provide quality education. He says he will push for local control and academic achievement.
Vancil says governments should live within their means, just as families and small businesses do every day.” He believes in focusing on policies that strengthen communities and protect freedoms, and promote opportunity for all.
Dillan has been to Washington twice, and he said he has been working hard to reach as many people as he can throughout the 17th district. Although Henderson County is not in the 17th district, if enough republicans run and bring a republican majority back to the state, a new map could bring Henderson County back into the 17th. It will take a lot of hard work which Vancil has proven he is not afraid of.
Following Vancil, Republican Tea Party chair in Adams County, Jason McCoy gave a lengthy talk on the importance of hard work at the grass roots level and what it can accomplish.
McCoy, Quincy born and raised, went into the Air Force and was assigned to Washington DC and Air Force I during the Bush and Obama administrations who he said seldom called in for help.
Jason stepped down from the Air Force, discouraged from what he saw in Washington and came back to Quincy. He felt he was more in line with the libertarians at the time but got involved in the Tea Party movement and lined up a lot of big name speakers, including President of the NRA to protect our 2nd amendment, and to educate the people and get them involved.
Four years ago, he began an effort to fill all the 74 precincts with a Republican Chairperson. There were 45 precincts without a Republican representative.
Any excuse to plan a gathering, he would do it and he would get people’s names and phone numbers who attended.
Afterwards he would give them a call and ask them if they would become a chairperson in their precinct and explain what that would require.
Working tirelessly, he was able to fill all 45 of the vacant GOP Precinct slots averaging about 100 phone calls to get one “yes”!
On the Adams County Board, they were just able to flip the last seat on the board to Republican. All want to put America First!
McCoy said as the “America First” movement grew, the meetings included more brainstorming on how events can be held to draw more people into the party.
McCoy was responsible for standing up against Gov. Pritizer shutting down the businesses and schools, and festivals. He said they did it by starting their own school that is not government funded which is now 110 students strong. “It all started with a Dream and a Prayer.” It was supported by home schoolers, colleges, resulting in a classical education with higher standards!”
When they told them “no 4th of July celebration” they hosted their own FREEDOM FEST with fireworks off an Island.
Small businesses brought pop-up tents, a 10’ x 14’ Declaration of Independence was construction where those who came could add their signatures to the document and take a picture or short video of the event. There was a big display of the Boston Massacre giving an opportunity to educate the public on history that happened there. Also the Declaration of Independence was read over a P.A. system as well as how founding fathers sacrificed for America.
If you are asking, “WHO’S GOING TO DO THIS?” McCoy said, YOU ARE! “You are the hero needed to do this.”
McCoy and his group put on a rally for Congressman Mary Miller telling her she needed to get Donald Trump in order for her to win her seat. She did get Trump to commit which brought a huge crowd and Miller won her election as did Trump.
Former Quincy Mayor, Kyle Moore, took over Randy Frese's position as Illinois State Representative for the 99th District in January, following Frese's retirement.
“I know Kyle,” said McCoy, “and he is a fighter. That is what we need. He will go slay dragons!”
In other business, organizer for the HONOR FLIGHT spoke who was an acquaintance of Henderson County States Attorney Susan Maxwell and explained about the next flight out of Peoria on Flag Day in June at a cost of $51,000,
Then Riley conducted an auction to raise a good amount of money to go towards the GREATER PEORIA HONOR FLIGHT on June 14, Flag Day to Washington DC.
Jon Riley, Chairman of the Henderson County Republican Party
Dillan Vancil (R) running for Congress in Illinois 17th Congressional District