DRAFT
Illinois General Election Nov. 2nd, 2010
Introduction - Candidate Rap Sheet Research

We need your help with candidate research!!

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. 

Instructions:
* Use the official “Candidate Research Template” located on the Reclaim Illinois web site.
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.
* 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.
* Be objective and let the facts speak for themselves. 



Reclaim Illinois Candidate Research Template 2010
This information is being compiled to inform voters for the Nov. 2nd, 2010 Election

Please follow all instructions and e-mail Reclaim Illinois for additional clarity or comments.  There are NO stupid questions we seek to ensure that your research efforts are as smooth and successful as possible.  Please include web links/URLs to all sources of information.

**************************Pictures of candidate here if possible*************************


1. Name of candidate:  Name Here

2. Office Seeking: 

3. Current elected or appointed position (if applicable):

4. Occupation:

5. Education:

6. Age:

7. Religion:

8. Business Background/Experience:

9. Party Affiliation:

10. Veteran Y/N:

11. Endorsements:

12. Clubs, Organizations, memberships, etc: 

13. Notable Allies/Friends:

14. Notable Political history:

15. Specific stance on meaningful state government reform measures based on writings, quotes and documented activity.  Examples: specific stance on transparency, accountability and removing the corrupt and tainted employees within state government.

16. Has the person had the opportunity to fight for reform in the past, but did NOT act or took weak action? Provide examples with documented articles, voting records, etc.
17. Ballot Access:  

18. Connections to tainted people and entities: 

19. Years in politics:

20. Other ties to politics i.e. family, friends, business:

21. Questionable statements, actions or inaction:


Candidates’ Stance on specific key issues:
(Stance for, against, past comments, related votes, related endorsements etc.)
Please include web links/urls to all sources of information.
Candidate’s Name:  Name Here

1. Government Transparency Initiatives:

2. Term Limits:

3. Abortion:

4. Attracting Companies/New Businesses:

5. Employment and Wages:

6. Gun Owners Rights, Concealed Carry, Gun Control:

7. Taxes, Frugal Budgeting, Zero-Based Budgeting:

8. Citizen Empowerment and Party Control:

9. Immigration:

10. Health Care:

11. States Rights:

12. Gay, Bi-sexual and Transsexuals Issues/Rights:

13. Environment:

14. Energy:

15. Green Issues:

16. Education:

17. Religion, freedom of etc:

18. Crime and Capital Punishment:

19. Military/Veterans:

20. Trade:



In the e-mail with the completed research templates include the following:

? Date review was concluded
? Researcher's Name
? Permission to release name Y/N (If this question is NOT answered the default is NO)
? Researcher’s County
? Researcher’s Address (Will not be published or shared)
? Researcher’s phone number (Will not be published or shared)


Thank you for helping educate the citizens of Illinois!

Candidate Rap Sheet Research – Name Here		www.reclaimillinois.com

V9_3_2010	Page 4	Illinois General Election 2010