In order for the citizens of Illinois to make the most informed choices possible, they must be equipped with easily accessible, understandable, accurate and unbiased information on each candidate. This information must often go well beyond the details found on candidate's web sites, TV, radio and print advertising to provide additional clarity.
The Reclaim Illinois Rap Sheet Research Template is a document designed to aid in the collection of this information. The information will then be used for evaluating the candidates on a wide range of issues, beginning with meaningful government reform on through such topics as business, health care, fiscal matters, abortion and gay marriage to name a few. The concise results of the evaluation of each candidate, as well as the compiled research information, will be provided openly to the public so that each citizen can make informed choices for themselves.
As a research volunteer filling out the template for a specific candidate or candidates, you are strongly encouraged to seek out all information sources possible. The web is the recommended means to locate and access such sources as news articles, audio and video interviews, ads, endorsements, speeches, surveys, voting history, political history, the candidate's self proclaimed priorities, the candidate's campaign site, voter guides both new and from previous years as well as information provided by other sources. You must provide the source for each piece of information included in a completed research template including a complete web link so that others can verify information as desired.
Please return each completed research template via e-mail to Reclaim Illinois and don't forget to include your name, county, address and phone number so that follow-up contact can be made as needed. Your name will not be released unless you request for it to be included in the published version; however, at minimum, the county and city of each researcher may be displayed to illustrate citizen involvement across the state.
Student Education and Research Partnership Proposal (Press Release)
Reclaim Illinois welcomes the opportunity to work with high school classes to use the Reclaim Illinois Research Template to conduct research on candidates in the coming weeks to then be provided on ReclaimIllinois.com for the benefit of all Illinois citizens. As part of this effort we also encourage teachers to conduct student discussions, have students review and vote on candidates as well as comment on those candidates they find to be both good and bad for Illinois.
This effort will ultimately provide valuable experience for students as they draw nearer to one of the most valuable privileges we have as American citizens, the right to vote. More information about the Student Education and Research Partnership Proposal
Research Instructions:
- Use the official "Candidate Research Template" located below.
Templates can be requested by e-mailing reclaimillinois@yahoo.com
- Before beginning research Coordinate with Reclaim Illinois regarding the candidates you will research to avoid duplicate effort.
- The Internet is the recommended research environment with such valuable search engines and web sites as: www.google.com, www.Yahoo.com, www.Bing.com, www.YouTube.com and thecapitolfaxblog.com. Also, check out our Informative Links page.
- Each piece of reference/source information must include a complete web address that links directly back to the reference/source information.
- Seek references/sources over and above those controlled by the candidate.
- Look out for sites such as www.evoter.com which may be identified as unbiased but include information paid for and placed by the candidates. www.evoter.com is a great resource of information but it's a for profit venture.
- Attempt to provide up to three references/sources to indicate the candidate's exact position on an issue should there be some question between their words and their actions or the lack there of.
- Explain the candidates position on each issue as briefly as possible, include quotes to further support their views and then include the links to the references/sources.
- Include a scan in jpg format of any printed materials identified as references/sources.
- Be objective and let the facts speak for themselves.
Return completed templates via e-mail to "reclaimillinois@yahoo.com".
If you have additional questions e-mail them to us along with your name and phone number.
