AREA HISPANICS HEAR REPUBLICAN STATE/FEDERAL CANDIDATES

Hispanic Republicans from throughout Kane County who are seeking answers on hot-button topics in state and federal government attended an invitation-only event Wednesday night at a private residence in Yorkville.

DuPage County Board Chair Bob Schillerstrom and State Senator Matt Murphy, both candidates for Governor of Illinois, fielded a variety of questions from the audience. They were followed by State Senator Randy Hultgren and Mark Vargas, who are running for US Congressional District 14. Campaign representatives for gubernatorial candidates Adam Andrzejewski, Bill Brady and Dan Proft also spoke on behalf of their candidates. Heidi Hastert, wife of US Rep. candidate Ethan Hastert, also addressed the crowd.

Other statewide candidates in attendance included: Rafael Rivadeneira, State Representative; Eric Wallace, State Senate; Robert Enriquez, Secretary of State; and Dennis Cook, Lt. Governor. Local candidates included: Bill Wyatt, Kane County Board; and Mary Karen Simpson, 16th Judicial Circuit judge.

About 75 people attended the event, which was sponsored by the Kane and DuPage County chapters of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Illinois. Kane County RNHA Chair Gabriela Wyatt moderated the event, with state RNHA President Rafael Rivadeneira and Demetra DeMonte, Illinois Republican National Committeewoman, offering opening remarks.

EAST DUNDEE WOMAN WINS LABEL DESIGN COMPETITION


Heather Skillicorn has been selected the winner of the beer label design contest held recently by the Illinois Young Republicans. Skillicorn is a senior graphic designer for Tweyen, a full service creative agency located in Arlington Heights. She is a member of the Kane County Young Republicans, and will receive a $100 gas gift card for her winning design.

Skillicorn was tasked with designing a label around the name Big Tent Brew, the new Republican beer being produced by Walter Payton’s Roundhouse in Aurora. Master brewmaster Mike Rybinski was joined by Young Rs Caitlin Ketel and Drew Veeneman on Aug. 1 to mix the concoction.

The quest for a Republican beer began with the Aurora Republican Women, in April, at a beer and wine-tasting event to identify key characteristics. On Sept. 24-26, Walter Payton’s will take Big Tent Brew to the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colo., to compete for first-place honors.

The new flavor will be unveiled in Aurora on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at a beer-tasting event hosted by the Kendall County Republican Women and the Aurora Republican Women. The event is from 5:30 to 8 pm. Tickets are $20 per person. Sponsorships are $250, and include tickets for 5 people. Appetizers will be served; cash bar available. For tickets, email Mary Pierceall at phenomanomoly@aol.com.