Campaign Announcement

I am posting my official press release that I sent out earlier this week.  If you have any suggestions or comments for me, please email me at Frank.Calabrese1@gmail.com.  I want to thank the many members of the community who have been very supportive of me this week.

Sincerely,

Frank Calabrese

   FRANK CALABRESE    For State Representative

April 8, 2008  

University of Illinois Faculty-Student Senator Frank Calabrese today announced his candidacy for the Illinois House of Representatives in the 103rd District.  "The University of Illinois is not receiving the respect it deserves by the powers at be in Springfield.  With the lack of funding that is leading to record tuition costs, the raiding of the pension system of the faculty and staff of our university, and a distant Board of Trustees who do not share the concerns of the Champaign-Urbana community, the 103rd District is sorely in need of a Representative who will be a strong advocate for the U of I," said Calabrese.  "Governor Blagojevich has been an overwhelmingly destructive force for higher education; I pledge to take a stand for the University.  I feel someone needs to be a strong advocate for the Champaign-Urbana community and the University, and that is why I am a candidate for state representative."  

"I may be a student, but I am willing to sit down and listen to the concerns of the people of Champaign-Urbana." Calabrese added.

 Calabrese pledged that if elected, he would:

 ·        Advocate for higher education concerns, especially state funding for the University of Illinois

·         Never raid the state pension systems

·         Support the return of Chief Illiniwek

·         Sponsor a bill to take away the Governor's ability to control appointments to the University Of Illinois Board Of Trustees, and instead let the Trustees be elected by districts, ensuring downstate Illinois has a voice with the Board of Trustees

·         Fund the Illinois veteran's grants, to help alleviate budget crunches at Parkland College and the University of Illinois

·         Support sustainable construction and building renovation at the University of Illinois

During his time at the University of Illinois, Calabrese has been a strong advocate for student and community interests.  He has:

·         Stood up for the Homecoming Parade when it was in jeopardy. (Senate tables homecoming resolution, The News-Gazette, Dec. 4, 2007).

·         Authored a campus study abroad referendum, which students overwhelming passed, to create a scholarship program for students wishing to study abroad (Chief referendum draws large number of support, The Daily Illini, Feb. 29, 2008)

·         Defended the Chief Illiniwek Referendum, in which almost 8,000 voted in favor of Chief Illiniwek, from the University Administration. (Some students upset words added to Chief proposal, The News-Gazette, Feb. 28, 2008) 

Calabrese is a third generation Illini and a junior at the University of Illinois studying history.  This is his third year as an elected member of the University's Faculty-Student Senate, receiving more than 1,500 votes this past election.  Calabrese has been active in the local community; he was the Champaign County Co-Chair of the Topinka for Governor Campaign, and he also recently attended the Prairie Center's 40th anniversary dinner. He was the chair of public universities in the Illinois Board of Higher Education Student Advisory Committee. Calabrese is a Dean's List student as well as a Campus Merit Scholar.  Calabrese is also a dedicated Illini fan and member of the Orange Krush.