Republican women from Kane County seeking financial assistance for college can apply to be considered for the Mary Richards Scholarship Fund, offered by the Aurora Republican Women's Organization.

Mary Richards, a graduate of the Northwestern School of Nursing, served on the Kane County Board for 24 years. She was integral in the formation of the county’s Health Department and the development of its prenatal care program.


A former president of the Aurora Republican Women’s Organization, Mary was active in the Republican Party and a strong advocate of voter registration. Richards passed away in 2007.

Scholarships in the amount of $500 will be awarded.

Applicants must be female and a resident of Kane County, Ill. They must be enrolled in a two-year or four-year college in Illinois. Other conditions also apply.

Applicants also must submit a written essay of 500 words or less, answering the following: "I’m interested in better government practices because…"

Applications must be received by April 15. Winners will be announced in May.

For full details of the scholarship, e-mail pennyfalcon@sbcglobal.net.

Voters can learn more about the Republican candidates for 14th District US Representative and 25th District State Senator at a Candidates Forum on Monday, Jan. 25, at Prisco Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave. in Aurora. The Aurora Republican Women’s Organization is sponsoring the event. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the event will begin promptly at 7 p.m.

Republican candidates running for the 14th District US Rep.’s post are Ethan Hastert and State Senator Randy Hultgren.

Hastert, an attorney in private practice in Chicago, is a fifth-generation resident of the Fox Valley. Prior to going into private practice, Hastert worked in the White House as a Special Assistant in the Office of the Vice President of the United States.

Hultgren is serving his first term as state senator of the 48th District, after serving four terms as a state representative. His legislative victories include winning passage of medical malpractice reforms, sponsoring a property tax assessment freeze for disabled veterans, fighting the Blagojevich Gross Receipts Tax, and passing legislation to protect seniors from identity theft.

Running for the 25th District State Senator seat are the incumbent, State Senator Chris Lauzen, and Sugar Grove Village President Sean Michels.

Lauzen has served in the Illinois State Senate since his election to the 25th District in 1992. Since entering public service, Lauzen has been a leader in property tax reform and education funding, and has fought to lower gas prices by capping the gas tax. Lauzen, a CPA, is the former owner and manager of an accounting practice.

Michels, a project manager for McCue Builders, has been the Sugar Grove Village President since 1999. Prior to that, he served as a Sugar Grove village trustee for two years. Michels’ private work experience includes business development for Old Second National Bank, and serving as a trust officer for GreatBanc Trust Company. He is also on the executive board of Metro West and the director of Silver Stars Girls Basketball.

Questions will be fielded from the audience. Penny Falcon, 1st vice president for the Illinois Federation of Republican Women and a former journalist, will moderate the event.