Dan Proft
Encyclopedia
Daniel K. Proft is political commentator, entrepreneur
, and a Republican
candidate for Illinois Governor
in the 2010 election
.
. He was raised in Wheaton, Illinois
, and attended Benet Academy
in Lisle
. He graduated from Northwestern University
with a B.A. and Loyola University Chicago School of Law
with a Juris Doctor
degree. At Northwestern, Proft co-founded the Northwestern Chronicle, an independent campus newspaper.
Prior to his current gubernatorial campaign, Proft was a Republican consultant
working on numerous political campaigns and served in various leadership capacities in state and municipal government since 1994. Most notably, Proft worked on Jack Ryan’s 2004 U.S. Senate campaign
. When Ryan pulled out of the race, Proft continued to work for his replacement, Alan Keyes
. Keyes was defeated by then-State Sen. Barack Obama
.
Proft is currently a political commentator for WLS-AM 890
radio in Chicago where he shares a weekday show with Bruce Wolf. He regularly contributes to Human Events
, School Reform News, the Illinois Policy Institute, and other free-market publications. He also serves as Chapter President for the Illinois chapter of Operation Homefront
, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide assistance to active duty military
families, particularly those with a spouse serving overseas. Additionally, Proft founded Starfish Consulting and serves as its Managing Principal. />
On June 23, 2009, Proft announced his candidacy for Governor of Illinois
on the “Don Wade & Roma Show” on WLS (AM). Later he spoke to reporters during a press conference at the Chicago Hilton
.
Proft argues that the problems in Illinois
stem from a consortium of Chicago Democrats
he refers to as the “Chicago 9.” They include: Gov. Pat Quinn
, Chicago Mayor
Richard M. Daley
, Illinois House Speaker
Mike Madigan, Attorney General
Lisa Madigan
, Comptroller Dan Hynes, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias
, Secretary of State
Jesse White
, Illinois Senate President
John Cullerton
, and Cook County Board President
Todd Stroger
.
University of Illinois Admissions Scandal
In response to the Chicago Tribune
’s investigation into the University of Illinois’ admissions scandal
, Proft has proposed what he calls a “Merit-Based Opportunity” admissions standard. The proposal would replace an applicant’s name on his or her application with a random identification number with the purpose being that admissions officers would be unable to comply with a request to give preferential treatment to any applicant. Proft rejects calls for resignations, notably a bill sponsored by State Sen.
Kirk Dillard, which would fire all the members of the University Board of Trustees.
Illinois Budget Crisis
Proft is against tax increases to help balance Illinois’ estimated $11 billion budget shortfall. Rather, Proft argues for statutory spending caps and tax cuts.
Education
In his announcement speech, Proft listed Chicago Public Schools
as an example of one of Illinois’ “fixed” systems, by which he means that the system is fixed to benefit the teachers unions and politicians. Proft is a proponent of school choice
programs and says that Illinois needs to raise the charter school cap.
for his media firm’s work on behalf of the Town of Cicero. On September 25, 2008, the Chicago Tribune
reported that Proft’s firm, Urquhart Media, received contracts from Cicero totaling $578,000.
Proft has responded to the criticism in interviews with the Chicago Tribune and with "Public Affair's" Jeff Berkowitz. On June 24, 2009, the Proft for Governor campaign responded on the conservative blog Illinois Review to a column from the Chicago Sun-Times
’ Carol Marin
, who has been outspoken in her criticism of Urquhart’s Cicero contracts. In his response, the campaign wrote that the Cicero relationship “began in 2005 and is governed by a contract that was negotiated with elected officials and ratified by the Town Council. It can be canceled at any time with 30-days notice.” Regarding the accusation that the contracts with Cicero were “no-bid,” the campaign wrote: “There is a very legitimate reason why not all contracts between government and the private sector are given to the lowest bidder: your opponents would bid the lowest.”
Despite the fact that the Stored Communications Act
prohibits government entities from obtaining customer information through most lawsuits, Proft defended a discovery petition filed by his employer, the Town of Cicero, aimed at discovering the IP addresses of the people who created what it described as "imposter" profiles on the social networking site, Myspace.com.
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
, and a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
candidate for Illinois Governor
Governor of Illinois
The Governor of Illinois is the chief executive of the State of Illinois and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution. It is a directly elected position, votes being cast by popular suffrage of residents of the state....
in the 2010 election
Illinois gubernatorial election, 2010
An election for Governor of Illinois was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Governor Pat Quinn, a Democrat, sought and was elected to a full term. Quinn was elected as the Democratic nominee, the Green Party nominee was Rich Whitney, the Republican nominee was State Senator Bill Brady, the...
.
Early life
Proft was born in 1972 in Oak Park, IllinoisOak Park, Illinois
Oak Park, Illinois is a suburb bordering the west side of the city of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is the twenty-fifth largest municipality in Illinois. Oak Park has easy access to downtown Chicago due to public transportation such as the Chicago 'L' Blue and Green lines,...
. He was raised in Wheaton, Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois
Wheaton is an affluent community located in DuPage County, Illinois, approximately west of Chicago and Lake Michigan. Wheaton is the county seat of DuPage County...
, and attended Benet Academy
Benet Academy
Benet Academy is a co-educational, college-preparatory, Benedictine high school in Lisle, Illinois, United States, overseen by the Diocese of Joliet. Founded in 1887, the school was initially established in Chicago as the all-boys St. Procopius College and Academy by Benedictine monks, who also...
in Lisle
Lisle, Illinois
Lisle is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. The population was 22,930 at the 2011 census, and estimated to be 23,135 as of 2008. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor...
. He graduated from Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
with a B.A. and Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Loyola University Chicago School of Law is the law school of the Loyola University Chicago, in Illinois. Established in 1909, by the Society of Jesus, the Roman Catholic order of the Jesuits, the School of Law is located in downtown Chicago, within walking distance of the Water Tower , the John...
with a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree. At Northwestern, Proft co-founded the Northwestern Chronicle, an independent campus newspaper.
Prior to his current gubernatorial campaign, Proft was a Republican consultant
Political consulting
Political consulting, beyond the self-evident definition of consulting in political matters, refers to a specific management consulting industry which has grown up around advising and assisting political campaigns. This article deals primarily with the development and nature of political consulting...
working on numerous political campaigns and served in various leadership capacities in state and municipal government since 1994. Most notably, Proft worked on Jack Ryan’s 2004 U.S. Senate campaign
United States Senate election in Illinois, 2004
The 2004 United States Senate election in Illinois was held on November 2, 2004. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald decided to retire after one term. The Democratic and Republican primary elections were held in March, which included a total of 15 candidates who combined to spend a...
. When Ryan pulled out of the race, Proft continued to work for his replacement, Alan Keyes
Alan Keyes
Alan Lee Keyes is an American conservative political activist, author, former diplomat, and perennial candidate for public office. A doctoral graduate of Harvard University, Keyes began his diplomatic career in the U.S...
. Keyes was defeated by then-State Sen. Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
.
Proft is currently a political commentator for WLS-AM 890
WLS (AM)
WLS is a Chicago clear-channel AM station on 890 kHz. It uses C-QUAM AM stereo and transmits with 50,000 watts from transmitter and towers on the south edge of Tinley Park, Illinois....
radio in Chicago where he shares a weekday show with Bruce Wolf. He regularly contributes to Human Events
Human Events
Human Events is a weekly American conservative magazine. It takes its name from the first sentence of the United States Declaration of Independence...
, School Reform News, the Illinois Policy Institute, and other free-market publications. He also serves as Chapter President for the Illinois chapter of Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront is a nonprofit 501 organization that provides emergency assistance for military troops, the families they leave behind, and wounded warriors when they return home. The organization raises funds to provide emergency, financial, and morale assistance to families while troops are...
, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide assistance to active duty military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
families, particularly those with a spouse serving overseas. Additionally, Proft founded Starfish Consulting and serves as its Managing Principal. />
2010 Illinois Gubernatorial Election
On April 9, 2009, Proft filed a form D-1, forming a “Proft for Governor” committee. On April 30, Proft formally stepped down from his position as spokesman for the Town of Cicero. In doing so, Proft said: “My decision is based entirely on an opportunity that has presented itself to pursue other professional endeavors.”On June 23, 2009, Proft announced his candidacy for Governor of Illinois
Governor of Illinois
The Governor of Illinois is the chief executive of the State of Illinois and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution. It is a directly elected position, votes being cast by popular suffrage of residents of the state....
on the “Don Wade & Roma Show” on WLS (AM). Later he spoke to reporters during a press conference at the Chicago Hilton
Hilton Hotels
Hilton Hotels & Resorts is an international chain of full-service hotels and resorts founded by Conrad Hilton and now owned by Hilton Worldwide. Hilton hotels are either owned by, managed by, or franchised to independent operators by Hilton Worldwide. Hilton Hotels became the first coast-to-coast...
.
Positions on Issues
"Chicago 9"Proft argues that the problems in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
stem from a consortium of Chicago Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
he refers to as the “Chicago 9.” They include: Gov. Pat Quinn
Pat Quinn (politician)
Patrick Joseph "Pat" Quinn III is the 41st and current Governor of Illinois. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Previously elected three times to statewide office, Quinn was the sitting lieutenant governor and became governor on January 29, 2009, when the previous governor, Rod Blagojevich,...
, Chicago Mayor
Mayor of Chicago
The Mayor of Chicago is the chief executive of Chicago, Illinois, the third largest city in the United States. He or she is charged with directing city departments and agencies, and with the advice and consent of the Chicago City Council, appoints department and agency leaders.-Appointment...
Richard M. Daley
Richard M. Daley
Richard Michael Daley is a United States politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party, and former Mayor of Chicago, Illinois. He was elected mayor in 1989 and reelected in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007. He was the longest serving Chicago mayor, surpassing the tenure of his...
, Illinois House Speaker
Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
-List of Speakers:This is a complete list of the Speakers of the Illinois House of Representatives, as of 2007. Each was chosen since the Illinois General Assembly's first session in 1818.The colors indicate the political party affiliation of each speaker....
Mike Madigan, Attorney General
Illinois Attorney General
The Illinois Attorney General is the highest legal officer of the state of Illinois in the United States. Originally an appointed office, it is now an office filled by election through universal suffrage...
Lisa Madigan
Lisa Madigan
Lisa Madigan has been the 41st Attorney General of the US state of Illinois since 2003, when she became the first female attorney general for Illinois...
, Comptroller Dan Hynes, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias
Alexi Giannoulias
Alexander "Alexi" Giannoulias is an American politician who served as Illinois Treasurer from 2007 to 2011. A Democrat, Giannoulias defeated Republican candidate State Senator Christine Radogno in November 2006 with 54 percent of the vote, becoming the first Democrat to hold the office in 12...
, Secretary of State
Secretary of State of Illinois
The Secretary of State of Illinois is one of the six elected executive state offices of the government of Illinois, and one of the 47 secretaries of states in the United States. The Illinois Secretary of State keeps the state records, laws, and archives, and is the state's vehicle registration and...
Jesse White
Jesse White
Jesse White may refer to:*Jesse White , film and television actor*Jesse White , Illinois politician*Jesse J. White, member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives*Jesco White, the West Virginia "Dancing Outlaw"...
, Illinois Senate President
President of the Illinois Senate
This is a complete list of the Presidents of the Illinois Senate as of 2007. Each was chosen since the Illinois General Assembly's thirty-second session in 1881. Prior to 1973, the Senate was led by the Lieutenant Governor and so the elected officers listed, until then, were known as President pro...
John Cullerton
John Cullerton
John J. Cullerton is a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 6th district since his appointment in 1991. He was elected President of the Illinois Senate in 2009.- Early life :...
, and Cook County Board President
Cook County Board of Commissioners
The Cook County Board of Commissioners is a legislative body made up of 17 commissioners who are elected by district for four year terms. Cook County, which includes the City of Chicago, is the nation's second largest county with a population of 5.2 million residents...
Todd Stroger
Todd Stroger
Todd H. Stroger is the former president of the Cook County, Illinois Board and a former alderman for the 8th Ward in Chicago. Stroger is a member of the Democratic Party. In 2001, he was appointed to the Chicago City Council by Richard M. Daley...
.
University of Illinois Admissions Scandal
In response to the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
’s investigation into the University of Illinois’ admissions scandal
University of Illinois clout scandal
The University of Illinois clout scandal resulted from a series of articles in the Chicago Tribune which reported that some applicants to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign "received special consideration" for acceptance between 2005 and 2009, despite having sub-par qualifications. ...
, Proft has proposed what he calls a “Merit-Based Opportunity” admissions standard. The proposal would replace an applicant’s name on his or her application with a random identification number with the purpose being that admissions officers would be unable to comply with a request to give preferential treatment to any applicant. Proft rejects calls for resignations, notably a bill sponsored by State Sen.
Illinois Senate
The Illinois Senate is the upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, the legislative branch of the government of the state of Illinois in the United States. The body was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. The Illinois Senate is made up of 59 senators elected from...
Kirk Dillard, which would fire all the members of the University Board of Trustees.
Illinois Budget Crisis
Proft is against tax increases to help balance Illinois’ estimated $11 billion budget shortfall. Rather, Proft argues for statutory spending caps and tax cuts.
Education
In his announcement speech, Proft listed Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Public Schools, commonly abbreviated as CPS by local residents and politicians and officially classified as City of Chicago School District #299 for funding and districting reasons, is a large school district that manages over 600 public elementary and high schools in Chicago, Illinois...
as an example of one of Illinois’ “fixed” systems, by which he means that the system is fixed to benefit the teachers unions and politicians. Proft is a proponent of school choice
School choice
School choice is a term used to describe a wide array of programs aimed at giving families the opportunity to choose the school their children will attend. As a matter of form, school choice does not give preference to one form of schooling or another, rather manifests itself whenever a student...
programs and says that Illinois needs to raise the charter school cap.
Criticism
Proft has been criticized in the mediaNews media (United States)
Mass media are the means through which information is transmitted to a large audience. This includes newspapers, television, radio, and more recently the Internet. Those who provide news and information, and the outlets for which they work, are known as the news media.Some high-quality news media...
for his media firm’s work on behalf of the Town of Cicero. On September 25, 2008, the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
reported that Proft’s firm, Urquhart Media, received contracts from Cicero totaling $578,000.
Proft has responded to the criticism in interviews with the Chicago Tribune and with "Public Affair's" Jeff Berkowitz. On June 24, 2009, the Proft for Governor campaign responded on the conservative blog Illinois Review to a column from the Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
’ Carol Marin
Carol Marin
Carol Marin is a television and print journalist based in Chicago, Illinois.She began her career in 1972 at WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee working as a reporter, anchor, and assistant news director....
, who has been outspoken in her criticism of Urquhart’s Cicero contracts. In his response, the campaign wrote that the Cicero relationship “began in 2005 and is governed by a contract that was negotiated with elected officials and ratified by the Town Council. It can be canceled at any time with 30-days notice.” Regarding the accusation that the contracts with Cicero were “no-bid,” the campaign wrote: “There is a very legitimate reason why not all contracts between government and the private sector are given to the lowest bidder: your opponents would bid the lowest.”
Despite the fact that the Stored Communications Act
Stored Communications Act
The Stored Communications Act is a law that was enacted by the United States Congress in 1986. It is not a stand-alone law but forms part of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act; it is codified as 18 U.S.C. §§ 2701 to 2712...
prohibits government entities from obtaining customer information through most lawsuits, Proft defended a discovery petition filed by his employer, the Town of Cicero, aimed at discovering the IP addresses of the people who created what it described as "imposter" profiles on the social networking site, Myspace.com.