John Vespa for Judge

Decorated War Veteran Hal Fritz endorses John P. Vespa for Judge

2010-10-13T05:42:00.001-07:00

With less than three weeks to go before election day, John has been overwhelmed by the support he has received from his friends, family and the community at large. The endorsement of his campaign by Hal Fritz, a combat decorated Vietnam Veteran, has been one of his most humbling moments. Here is what Mr. Fritz had to say:

"I am very cautious about alignment with political candidates. I am genuinely convinced that John Vespa is the best qualified candidate to fill the judicial position he is seeking. Although he is not a service Veteran, he has been where "the rubber meets the road" as a police officer and pro bono legal advisor to the Veteran community! He has a thorough understanding of "people issues" and will be a fairminded judge for all citizens that come before him. He is not seeking the position for personal gain but rather to "give back to the community" It is indeed a rarity to find an individual so devoted to justice and fairness for everyone irregardless of racial,ethnic,family, or financial background! His heart is with Peoria and its people and you cannot get better than that!"

For more information about Hal Fritz and his valiant service to our nation see the MSNBC report on Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients.

Political Sign Etiquette

2010-09-12T18:13:00.000-07:00

In just a few short weeks the local landscape will be peppered with political signs of all colors, shapes, and sizes. It's a slightly annoying, but accepted expression of our democracy. It can also be a fun game for your kids to count the signs as you drive from one destination to another!

John Vespa feels that an honorable sign campaign is a reflection on the character of the candidate. It is our opinion that with Sheriff and Judicial races in particular, the candidate must be respectful to the public, and observe all laws and ordinances regarding private property and signage.

For these reasons, we promise that we, and anyone acting on John's behalf, will observe the following legal and ethical guidelines regarding political signs. This is our pledge to you:

1. Signs will only be placed on private property with the express permission of the owner of said property.

2. There will be no more than 1 sign per yard in a residential setting, unless the property is a corner lot.

3. Signs in residential settings shall be placed on the side of the sidewalk closest to the house. If there is no sidewalk, the sign should be placed to the inside of the imaginary line connecting telephone poles.

4. No signs will be placed on public right of ways, boulevards, and medians. (It's the law!)

5. Meticulous care must be taken that the sign does not obstruct the view of traffic coming from any direction.

6. We will never handle the sign of another candidate, without permission from that candidate. Instead, all violations will be reported to the owner of said property or the township.

7. The wire sign poles should be pushed as far into the ground as they can go, ideally leaving only 1" of space between the bottom of the sign and ground. This will make for a stable sign that is not likely to blow over and be an eyesore.

8. All signs will be removed within 72 hours after the election.

If you have any problems regarding our sign placement, please call Diane at 645-8608. Also, please let us know if you would like a sign in your yard and/or are willing to help us put up political signs. We have the lists, just looking for some muscles! We look forward to a colorful and informative sign season!

This one is for Carl!

2010-08-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

Our friend Carl was teasing us via Facebook that this blog has gone practically dormant since we established the Facebook page. He is right, of course, but that's changing. We plan on resuming a regular update of this page. Truth be told, there are quite a few advantages to the FB environment. For instance, it is much easier to upload pics to Facebook. Plus, FB's character limit forces us to get to the point - which saves time. A drawback, however, is that it is difficult to tell a story or develop a thought. The blog, on the other hand, offers an opportunity to articulate a point of view- like how we are holding up after 14 months of campaigning.

People ask us all the time if we are tired or burned out. Our answer, 95% of the time, is "not in the least bit". Call it stupid, call it adrenaline. The truth is we are energized by voters. Nearly every person has a story. They are all so different, yet so alike. It's a crazy-wonderful experience that neither myself, John, or the kids will ever forget. Most every weekend is a jam-packed itinerary for John. This past weekend was no exception. It brought him to nearly every county in the Circuit. John hates to turn people down. No matter where you live, no matter who you are, your concerns matter. He never forgets that, and he won't forget it if elected to the bench.

If you haven't yet had an opportunity to meet John, chances are you will by November. His goal is to meet every person in the 10th Judicial Circuit. To stay updated on his itinerary please send an e-mail to john@vespaforjudge.com and request to be on the campaign updates e-mail blasts. Or you can call the campaign office at 309-251-VOTE!(8683) to invite him to your event. A busy, busy season of festivals and parades is right around the corner and we invite you to be part of it. Also, stay tuned to this blog for some exciting events that are in the works!

Ready to Rock-n-Roll!

2010-05-19T19:15:00.000-07:00

The venue is reserved, the menu selected, the entertainer hired and the party favors have arrived! You are invited to the "Citizens for John Vespa" General election campaign kick-off and beach party fundraiser at Mt. Hawley Country Club on June 10th. The Campaign kickoff promises an evening of camaraderie with friends united for a common cause. We will enjoy a tropical atmosphere, festive dining and entertainment with a short address by the candidate in preparation for a lively Summer and Fall Campaign Season. We hope to see familiar smiling faces from the primary season along with some new ones. One thing is for sure - you will have a blast! See you there!
Citizens for John Vespa Campaign Kickoff Invite

Washington Mayor Gary Manier endorses John Vespa for Judge

2010-03-15T20:56:00.000-07:00

John is honored to have the endorsement of Gary Manier, the Mayor of Washington, IL.

"I met John for the 1st time in November at our Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. We have seen each other at many events since and he always has time to chat. I believe that John has the integrity and the commitment to be a very good Judge. I'm proud to endorse John and will be working hard to help him be successful in the upcoming election."

We have very much enjoyed the time we have spent campaigning and getting to know our friends in the city of Washington. We appreciate the support of the Mayor and John promises to merit it! Look for the campaign at the Washington Cherry Festival in June.

Facebook page up and running!

2010-02-15T18:53:00.000-08:00

We finally buckled down and created a Facebook page after multiple requests for same. The page launched late last week and over 300 friends have signed up as "Fans". Facebook is a far more hospitable venue for posting multiple photos so check the site frequently for photo additions. We also very much enjoy the interaction with friends, old and new. So please visit, become a fan, leave a comment or two, and join us as we march towards the Fall general election.

John has been busy with post primary activities. We think we have most of the campaign signs down and stored temporarily. A huge thank you to Jack Murhpy of Murphy's U-Store-It who donated the use of a storage facility. He has beautiful facilities all over Illinois so if you need a little extra elbow room in your home, consider giving him a call. If you still have a sign in your yard please store it in your garage until Fall, or give us a call at 251-VOTE(8683) and we can pick it up for you.

This weekend we plan to take the kids on a mini-vacation to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield. If you haven't been there yet you don't know what you are missing! Definitely one of our favorite destinations!

A Primary Victory!

2010-02-03T11:51:00.000-08:00

The campaign is pleased to report that the final results have been tallied and John P. Vespa has won the GOP nomination for Judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit (Vespa vacancy) with 47% of the vote. We are elated and very grateful to the voters. We feel that John's moderate and principled upbringing, reasoned and calm demeanor, strong background in law enforcement and community service, and his ability to reach out to and connect with people from varied walks of life resonated with the voters.

John wants to thank his extended family, his many friends and supporters, his life-long friends who have stood beside him, and those that he works with on a daily basis and strongly support his campaign.

He also would like to recognize the worthiness of his opponents, Valerie Moehle Umholtz and Bruce Thiemenn, both outstanding individuals and attorneys who brought their considerable respective talents to the table. We are proud of not only our campaign but theirs. This race was "fact and ideas based" and featured a very high level of discourse that served the voters well. As mud is being flung about in other races, John felt fortunate to be in a race where all the candidates demonstrated a mutual respect toward one another and maintained their focus on the public for whom they wish to serve.

We now move on to the General Election, with an election date of November 2, 2010. John's Democratic opponent is attorney Chris Spanos.

We may take a few weeks off the campaign trail to clean our house and focus on our children, but will be back better and stronger than ever to complete the final phase of this extraordinarily exciting journey. Thank you to all of the blog readers, our friends and family, the campaign volunteers who worked so tirelessly, and of course the voters! We are truly humbled by the honor of participating in the democratic process. God bless you all!

Election Eve!

2010-02-01T17:59:00.000-08:00

Well the primary election day is upon us and tomorrow by this time we should know the results of our efforts. Throughout the campaign season, I was worried about this night - worried that we would be so nervous we wouldn't be able to sleep. But a strange calm has settled over the house. A calm that has emerged from the knowledge that we have given it all we got. We truly feel that no stone has been left unturned, and win or lose, that's all we got! We hope that we have touched everyone in some way and not been too annoying.

Our wish for tomorrow is that many, many people vote. We are so privileged to live in a democracy, but a democracy must be cherished and nurtured through our close attention and participation. We have both felt humbled and privileged to be a part of the process.

Tomorrow we invite you to join us for an election eve party at Agatucci's restaurant on University Drive. We will have the entire restaurant to ourselves and we hope to see many familiar smiling faces.

Here is a note from John:

Dear Friends,

I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your assistance in my campaign. I am truly humbled by your loyalty. Whether you marched in parades, walked neighborhoods, wrote letters, attended fundraisers, put up yard signs, or performed some other helpful activity, I truly appreciate it.

Tomorrow is Election Day. We will find out how successful our efforts were. Regardless of the Election Night outcome, your support has been overwhelming. If we are successful, our journey will be only partially complete. We will then move on to the General campaign, which has an Election Day of November 2nd.

We live in the greatest country in the world and it has been an honor to participate in its political process. I have gained an immeasurable amount of knowledge on the campaign trail, and I will never forget the kindness that was extended to my family by so many of you.

I look forward to seeing all of you at Agatucci’s on Election Night, beginning at 7:00 p.m.. We can watch the results come in together.

Thank you so much. Words can not express the gratitude I feel toward all of you right now. God bless you.

John P. Vespa
Attorney At Law
411 Hamilton Blvd.
Suite 1900
Peoria, Illinois 61602
Phone: 309-671-0700
Fax: 309-673-8791
e-mail: johnpvespa@vespalaw.com
Internet: http://www.vespalaw.com
Criminal Law and Family Law

Honorable mention

2010-02-01T01:28:00.000-08:00

On January 31, an article relating to the efforts of some local campaigns to connect with voters on-line appeared in the Peoria Journal Star. You'll notice some comments by me relating to this blog so check it out! Thank you to reporter Ruth Longoria Kingsland for the nice coverage on an interesting and emerging topic.

Schock endorses Vespa for Circuit Judge

2010-01-25T19:37:00.000-08:00

Peoria, Illinois – U.S. Congressman Aaron Schock has officially endorsed John Vespa for the Republican nomination for Circuit Judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit.

In a statement, Schock praised Vespa for his “depth and breadth of experience in the law”, making specific reference to Vespa’s career in civil and criminal law, extensive litigation experience, and years as a police officer.

Schock commented, “John Vespa has an inherent passion for the law that will enable him to find appropriate justice for the cases before him. I have great confidence in [him] to make fair judgments that protect the innocent and fairly discern guilt or innocence. When legitimate evidence warrants the finding of guilt, I have no doubt John will be a no-nonsense judge with strict sentences handed out to violent criminals.”

He continued, “John Vespa is a deeply honest man who has always been above reproach and he will reflect well on our judicial system.”

In addition to Schock’s backing, Vespa has received endorsements from more than 30 elected officials, including Representative Dave Leitch and Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis, who said, “I have known John and his entire family my whole life. The Vespa name is known and respected throughout this community as a hard-working, play-by-the-rules family. As judge, John will display those characteristics as he administers justice.” Vespa’s support extends well into the community, with more than 150 endorsements on his webpage alone, including business leaders, educators, retired professionals and families. For more information, visit www.vespaforjudge.com.

The 10th Judicial Circuit includes Peoria, Tazewell, Stark, Marshall and Putnam Counties. Early voting is underway now, with the primary election on Tuesday, February 2.

Rolling out a 30 second ad spot- updated!

2010-01-18T17:30:00.000-08:00

Updated 1/31/10 - In case you have missed it, this add spot has been running on Fox News throughout the day. The creator of the commercial, Dave Smith, is thrilled! "Little did I know that as I tinkered around with this little hobby of mine it would some day play on Fox News!" he said.

Thank you to our good friend Dave Smith who created and produced the 30 second video spot below. We are really pleased with how it turned out. Even the dogs cooperated! Dave has many talents. For instance, he can solve a Rubix cube in under 2 minutes! Right now, though, we are just tickled with his video-making abilities.

Currently, this ad is running on PJStar.com.

If your campaign committee is in need of a videographer, we would highly recommend Dave! Call the campaign headquarters at 309-251-8683 (vote!) if you would like his contact information.

Top Ten reasons you should early vote!

2010-01-13T00:57:00.000-08:00

Early voting is underway. Why, you may ask, should you vote early? Besides the obvious reasons, there are many advantages you may enjoy if you vote before Election Day. Here are the reasons with some help from our friends at Peoria.com

1. It's the middle of January. What else is there to do?

2. Vote early, because what happens if the day you intended to go vote, a lettuce truck tips over in front of your house and you have to run to the store to buy some ranch dressing because, hey, free salad.

3. It will not interfere with your party plans for Ground Hogs Day!

4. You can laugh maniacally at further campaign robocalls.

5. At candidate forums you can surf Facebook on your Blackberry instead of listen.

6. Not likely but conceivable you could oversleep past 7:00PM on election day and that would be a shame if you hadn't voted yet.

7. As your friends around you discuss politics and who they are going to vote for you you can just whistle, shuffle your feet and look around with a smug look on your face.

8. You'll get a lot more mileage out of the "I voted" stickers they give you after you vote.

9. You don't have to cut in line because there is no line.

10. Your Mom called and said you should early vote!

Obviously these are all in good fun. Please remember that if your life is full and busy, or you tend to get overwhelmed, consider early voting. We hope you choose to vote for John. If you need a ride to the polls, please call the campaign headquarters at 309-251-8683(VOTE) and we will make sure you get there and return home safely.

Early voting begins!

2010-01-10T19:36:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

It is hard to believe but the time is upon us to VOTE VOTE VOTE! Since this is a primary with typically low turnout, every vote really counts! You can now vote starting tomorrow!

For voting information:

If you live in Peoria County, click here

If you live in the city of Peoria, click here and click to Page two

If you live in Tazewell County, click here

If you live in Stark County, click here

If you live Putnam County, click here

If you live in Marshall County, click here

Remember to bring a photo ID with you. Also, if you are NOT REGISTERED to vote, you can register to vote and vote at the same time by bringing two forms of ID with you to the County Clerk's office (of the county in which you reside). One can be your drivers license and the other must have your current address, such as a Cilco bill.

It's so easy that there is no excuse to not vote.

Vote early so you can rest assured that come heck or high water, you have upheld your civic duty.

Of course, we ask that you cast your vote for John Vespa for Circuit Judge! To vote for John you must request a Republican Ballot. You must work all the way down to the bottom of the ballot. The ballot looks like this.

If you have any questions please call me at 309-645-8608 and I can help make sure you make it to the right place with the proper documents. If you need a ride, call me at 645-8608! I have a slightly dog-haired mini-van but it has four wheel drive and will get you safely to the polls and back home despite the worst of snowstorms.

Please forward this to anyone you know that lives in the Circuit and who you would think would be interested in voting for John. Also, if the weather clears up and you would be willing to walk your neighborhood for John, please let me know and I will bring you a stack of stuff. You can also e-mail and telephone your friends. All efforts made to bring people to the polls to vote would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you again for all your continued support, and happy voting!! We are in the home stretch!! Hoping and praying for a victory on election day!

An Interview with Campaign Treasurer Paul Sullivan

2010-01-09T19:47:00.000-08:00

As campaign finance reporting deadlines draw near, we are reminded once again of how blessed we are to have such an experienced and competent Campaign Treasurer. When it came to identifying a Campaign Treasurer, fortunately, we did not have to look far. Paul Sullivan and his wife DD have been our dear friends and neighbors for over 12 years, and he willingly stepped up to the plate. Below is a brief interview with Paul.

Q. Paul can you Please tell the voters a little about yourself?

A. I was the Administrator (Business Mgr) of Quinn Johnston Henderson Pretorius & Cerulo for 22 years. I served on the ISBA Committee on Law Office Management for 15 years including Chairman in 2007-2008. I wrote a lot of articles for the Illinois Bar Journal and had a regular column called the "Lawyers Office". I also made presentations at ISBA conferences on Law Office Management and have generally been known as the expert within the ISBA on Law Office Management topics.

Q. How long have you known the candidate John Vespa?

A. We met in 1997 when the Vespa's moved right next door. John went through law school with one of the Partners at the law firm I managed. The partner filled me in on all the things to look for regarding John. In spite of the fact that I have been his next door neighbor for 12 years and know all his law school secrets, I'm still supporting him for Judge.

Q. Do you have a background in Campaign finance?

A. I have been Campaign Treasurer for many campaigns over the years and this will be my fourth judicial campaign. I have been Treasurer for Mary McDade (won), assisted Steve Kouri, (won) Paul Gilfillan (won). All winners. There is no reason to believe the winning streak will be broken this time. For all those people who are supporting John, and talking to their friends, relatives, acquaintances and colleagues, etc., be sure to tell them that John's supporters need to be sure and vote. Be sure and have people vote for John because there will be a lot of interest at the top of the ticket this year with the impending election of a new Governor and the US Senate Seat(formerly the Obama seat and currently being held by Roland Burriss)

Q. What compelled you to take on this awesome responsibility for John?

A. I think that the filing requirements and all the record-keeping is extremely detailed and important. A candidate, especially in a judicial campaign, doesn't need the headaches of questions surrounding his fundraising. First of all, I would support John in any case, but with my expertise it is one less thing that he will have to worry about.

Q. What are the responsibilities of a Campaign Treasurer?

A. Tracking the contributions, making sure that if a contribution meets a certain threshold, it is reported properly and make sure that all the filing deadlines are met, as well as keeping very accurate and detailed records. All of this I have done in the ordinary course of my career. I have a strong accounting background so this comes naturally to me.

Q. So what is it like living next door to the Vespa Family?

A. Do you really want me to answer that? John is not the problem. It's Diane. I can't get any sleep because of all the TV satellite trucks pulled up in the front yard. John is a great father and really involved with the kids. He is an all around good guy. Knowing lawyers like I do, he'll make a great judge.

End interview

On a personal note, it has been a pleasure and honor to have the Sullivan's as neighbors. They are great people. We cannot express enough our gratitude for Paul's hard work and for DD allowing us to take Paul away from their literally award-winning gardening. DD is a Master Gardner and their yard would rival the Luthy Botanical Gardens. Paul on the other hand, is a great yodeler. He can often be heard yodeling from great distances. Or that might be the bull frogs that live in his pond. It's hard to tell the difference.

The Peoria Times Observer

2010-01-03T20:14:00.000-08:00

John had the pleasure of meeting with intrepid reporter DeWayne Bartels of the Peoria Times Observer for an article DeWayne was writing about folks that work in downtown Peoria.

John was a great one to interview because he LOVES the downtown area and has worked there for many years. He'd live there if he could.

Here is a link to the article DeWayne wrote and published in last weeks Peoria Times Observer. It is interesting to note the similarities in many of the comments.

Most of DeWaynes articles are up close and personal accounts of local news, local people and local perspectives. He is an entertaining writer who often sees the glass as half full - a very refreshing perspective from a reporter. Despite his down-low style of working a room, DeWayne can tackle the tough issues as well. So don't let him fool you!

I would say the jury is in. People love to work and play in downtown Peoria!

It's Wednesday, it must be LACON!

2010-01-02T19:39:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, January 13, our good friend Rudy Arnold from Lacon will be hosting a casual "Meet and Greet" for John at Kenyon's Restaurant in Lacon, IL from 5:00 - 7:00PM. There is no cost to attend this event but all participants will pay for the cost of their own meal. By popular request, John will give a short talk regarding the Second Amendment. This event is open to all but please RSVP to the campaign headquarters at 309-251-VOTE(8683) or shoot a quick e-mail to john@vespaforjudge.com. We expect a casual, relaxed atmosphere just a few weeks out from election day! Kenyon's restaurant is located at 1217 5th Street, Lacon. Fifth Street in Lacon is actually Hwy. 17. A very short and easy less than 25 minute drive from any of the 4 surrounding counties (Peoria, Tazewell, Stark and Putnam. Hope you can make it!

photo courtesy of www.lacon.com

John Vespa welcomed to the Pekin Chamber of Commerce

2010-01-01T20:55:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the Pekin Chamber of Commerce for the warm welcome to their organization. We met the Pekin Chamber staff at a "Business After Hours" social event a few months ago and decided to join. The cost was reasonable and the Chamber offers a multitude of member services that we felt would help the campaign connect with Tazewell County voters.

The ribbon cutting for John's campaign is featured here in the January Newsletter. The Pekin Chamber of Commerce also has a monthly blog written by it's executive officer, Bill Fleming and you will find regular updates on their Facebook Fan Page. Bill does a great job representing Pekin businesses and the Chamber is fortunate to have a leader who stays current with emerging trends and is comfortable executing the popular new technologies.

We look forward to continuing to get to know our neighbors to the East in John's campaign for the Tenth Judicial Circuit.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T20:05:00.000-08:00

written by John P. Vespa

Welcome to 2010! Well, we have accomplished a lot and learned a lot on the campaign trail. Hopefully, you all had as much fun as I did. Although, the race is definitely not over. Early voting starts on January 11th, and Election day is February 2nd. There is still plenty for me to do. There will likely be one or two more Meet & Greets, to be announced soon. In the next week or so, I will be announcing an Election Night location for us all to watch the results come in together. Thank you to all of our volunteers for your hard work and support. We look forward to sharing the new year with you, and we pray, God willing, for Victory in 2010!

Wishing a very blessed Christmas to all...

2009-12-25T14:20:00.000-08:00

May the beauty and spirit of the holiday season bring you happiness and peace.

Sammy our Sign Guy!

2009-12-20T17:53:00.000-08:00

Meet Sam Joseph of Sam Joseph Specialties. He is the person responsible for all the bright blue "Vespa for Judge" signs popping up all over. If you have any complaints, call him.

Kidding aside, we very much appreciated Sam's help with the selection of the campaign signs. Not being veteran politicians, his advice to us was invaluable. Sam recommended the best sign material, colors and sizes for a winter campaign. Sam also offered to store the sign inventory and delivers as needed. He has really gone above and beyond the call of duty and is an invaluable member of our team!

A note from John:

I've known Sam Joseph for over 30 years. He is as loyal and knowledgeable a person as they come. The Joseph name is respected around Peoria, and they can be counted on to do their very best, every time. Sam has continued the family tradition with the superior service he has provided my campaign for judge.

In addition to signs, Sams sells a full complement of campaign accessories including buttons, stickers, specialty items, spirit wear and more.

Don't be tempted by cheap on-line products. With Sam Joseph you will get high quality campaign products and the expertise of an individual who has advised hundreds of successful campaigns.

John Vespa on Greg and Dan

2009-12-14T10:30:00.000-08:00

1470 WMBD's Greg and Dan invited John to their morning talk show on December 8. You can listen to their podcast here.

John would like to thank Jessica the show's producer, WMBD, and of course Greg and Dan for being "great interviewers".

The Campaign gets "Adventurous"

2009-12-02T07:55:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Tazewell County Board Member and talented writer John Ackerman, the "Vespa for Judge" campaign has been snagging some state-wide attention.

An avid swimmer and outdoor enthusiast, Board Member Ackerman writes a monthly political column for the popular Illinois Magazine Adventure Sports Outdoors

John Ackerman met Candidate Vespa at a Morton candidate forum, and therein lied the content for Ackerman's December political column "Judging Clarity".

An excerpt:

What has changed over the past decade is our understanding and relationship with “right and wrong” and the ever growing “gray area” we allow more and more decisions to fall into. Too many of us have become accustomed to allowing outside elements, unrelated prior incidents and activities to become part of the decision of what is right and wrong. We have become over-obsessed with understanding the criminal rather than judging the crime.

Vespa talked about the growing “gray space” and the blurring of the lines of right and wrong. He talked about how if elected he would rule from the bench based on following the law strictly, with a clear understanding and belief in right and wrong and paying the consequences for ones actions and decisions.
This got my attention. While I have reservations on the abilities of legislative bodies to govern

The article then got picked up by the statewide conservative blog, The Illinois Review.

"Adventure Sports Outdoors" (www.asomagazine.com) is Free and is available throughout Illinois and in some parts of Iowa and Missouri. It's publishers, Harry and Cathy Canterbury, appear regularly on PBS and other public television stations throughout the state.

You can pick up your free copy at Midwestern Firearms in East Peoria or Gander Mountain in Peoria. You can also arrange via their website for a subscription by mail.

Our thanks to John Ackerman, The ASO Magazine and The Illinois Review for carrying John Vespa's campaign message.

Holiday Festivals, Santa Parades, and Giving Thanks...

2009-11-29T19:04:00.000-08:00

We continue to explore and enjoy the plentiful nooks and crannies of the Tenth Judicial Circuit. Holiday celebrations and Santa parades have taken us throughout all five counties. Campaigning, although tiring, offers many opportunities to meet amazing people.

In these days of plenty, many children (and adults) never grasp the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Of course, we go through the motions. "Thank you for our food, our family, our home and our dog, Fluffy", we say. However, few of us realize what it is like to truly be hungry or cold.

For these reasons, it was fitting and appropriate that over the Thanksgiving holiday we had a wonderful opportunity to visit our most cherished campaign supporter in Putnam County, Alma Toedter. Alma has quite a story to tell and we asked her to share it with our children. She also gave us permission to share some of it here.

Alma was born in Renno, Italy, in 1938. During World War II, her parents were in a work camp and she was cared for by relatives. They lived in a barn that had been bombed and was only half standing. She slept on the ground between 2 bales of straw for warmth. Alma told our children that she went to bed hungry and woke up hungry. To survive, they hunted for chestnuts and dandelion roots. Alma showed our kids scars on her arms and legs - scars that resulted from gunshot wounds she suffered as a little girl as she foraged for food. Alma remembers walking for miles on Christmas Day to her Aunt's house, in the winter, with no shoes and only a light jacket. It was worth it, says Alma, because the reward would be a little Christmas gift bag from her Aunt. In it, she would find an apple, some nuts, and a small piece of chocolate that she would cherish for weeks.

Eventually her parents returned home, and through the grace of God they were able to emigrate to the United States and build a better life. Now happily retired from a successful small business, Alma smiles as she tells her story. There is not a hint of bitterness, nor a morsel of regret. She speaks with grace and confidence, most likely born from the understanding that there are few obstacles life could throw her way that she could not overcome. The challenges she faced as a little girl molded her into the wonderful and wise human being she is today.

As a parent, if you look around, you will most likely be acquainted with a person like Alma. If you get the chance, ask that person to talk to your children. It will be an enlightening experience for everybody and will help us all understand the true meaning of "Giving thanks".

The Elks Club

2009-11-27T17:03:00.000-08:00

posted by John P. Vespa

Last week I had the pleasure of joining a few of my friends at The Elks Club. We prepared a Thanksgiving feast for the public. In that the kind members of the Club were unaware of my cooking prowess, they allowed me to assist in meal preparation. I have not been notified of any fatalities.

Barbara, Bernice, and many, many others were gracious enough to allow me to help them reach out to those less fortunate. The Elks Club makes a habit of public service and I was glad to be a small part of it. I'll be back.

Please join us for a candidate Meet and Greet...

2009-11-27T12:56:00.000-08:00

On Friday, December 4, "Citizens for John Vespa" will host a Meet and Greet at the private home of Christine Schauble. Reservations are required by December 3, 2009.

This will be a light-hearted, festive event and a great opportunity to relax, meet with John and greet old and new friends.

For details please see the flyer below!

schaublemeetngreet

Photo of the Week!

2009-11-23T18:31:00.000-08:00

Now this is commitment! Campaign supporter and nut sister of mine Karyn Smydra attempts to spread the word to the citizens of Venice, Italy that John Vespa is THE CHOICE for Judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit!

Honoring our Men and Women Who Serve...

2009-11-14T08:44:00.000-08:00

Friday wrapped up a long and meaningful week centered appropriately around honoring our Veterans.

Our families have been touched by military service in many ways. My parents met while officers in the Air Force. My sisters family is a Marine family and they are currently stationed in The Ukraine. John's Dad (pictured at right) served proudly in the Marines during WWII. Both of John's brothers, Judge Joe Vespa (whose judicial seat John is now seeking and pictured below) and his brother Jim, now at rest, served in the Vietnam war.

For these reasons and more, John has always payed close attention to issues affecting Veterans and holds their needs very close to his heart.

Here are John's comments in that regard:

Shortly after the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, I, along with several other attorneys formed the Peoria County Bar Association's Legal Assistance To Military People (LAMP) program. This program was developed to provide free legal services for active duty military personnel and their families. In my work as the Director of the LAMP program, I had the opportunity to help many veterans, active duty military, and their families. I have helped many service men and women throughout my career, however, being the Director of the LAMP program afforded me a greater opportunity to reach many more families.

When someone is stationed away from home, the family they leave behind can be vulnerable to creditors, landlords, and ex-spouses, among others. The family suffers from a significantly reduced income and the loss of one if its leaders, as a result of the soldier going away to protect his or her country. This is, obviously, terribly unfair. So, our legislature enacted laws to protect these soldiers and their families.

In that lawyers are especially equipped to handle these matters, they often assist the soldier and the family. Lawyers can protect them from eviction, debt collectors, vengeful ex-spouses, and many other unpleasant events. It has been my distinct pleasure to step up and protect our military on multiple occasions. They are protecting us, in much more serious terms, and I always felt it was the least I could do to assist them, however slightly.

I have prevented foreclosures and other forms of debt collection. I have stopped divorce proceedings and post-divorce proceedings. For instance, there are times when an ex-spouse will attempt to seize this opportunity to gain custody of children. I can and have stopped this. I know how to make the judicial system wait until the soldier comes home and can defend the action him or herself. Our judges are extremely cooperative when it comes to protecting our military. The judge, however, needs to be given the vehicle in which to do this and I stand ready, willing, and able to provide the solution. The law provides a way to protect our soldiers and I take full advantage of that. It is indeed my honor to serve our armed forces in this way.

John and I both feel it is important to pass along our reverence and respect for the military to our children. We educate them at every opportunity about the history of our country and of the thousands of lives lost which has provided us the privileged life as Americans we enjoy today. The Veteran's Day Parade in downtown Peoria is always an exhilarating experience and the ceremonies at the World War II Memorial following offer many teachable moments.

As Judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit, John will fully enforce the laws that are in place to protect the needs of our Armed Service Men and Women. He will not need any "on the job training" as he is fully fluent in both civil and criminal law and the special needs of the military.

For more photos of our participation in Veteran's Day events throughout the Circuit, please see our Facebook pages here and here.

And they're OFF!

2009-10-29T16:46:00.000-07:00

Last Monday as of approximately 10:30a.m. John completed the petition stage of the campaign as he filed his petition and Statement of Candidacy in Springfield, IL. He was in line well before the 8:00 AM filing deadline to be included in the ballot position lottery. That lottery will determine the order of placement of his name on the ballot.

John's petition included 107 pages of 1,570 qualified signatures. Six additional petition pages trickled in after the deadline, but we are fine on numbers, as he well exceeded the statuatory requirement of 500. Since John is running a Circuit race which includes the five counties of Peoria, Tazewell, Marshall, Stark and Putnam, he felt it was important to secure a range of voter signatures that represented all five counties. Over the past 90 days, he has visited constituents and secured signatures from the following cities and townships:

Laura, Lacon, Hopewell, Henry, Toulon, Wyoming, Princeville, Brimfield, Peoria Heights, Creve Couer, Lafayette, Peoria, Baronville, Bradford, Chillicothe, Rome, Washington, Edwards, Dunlap, Pekin, Hanna City, Mapleton, Trivoli, Glasford, Tremont, West Peoria, Varna, East Peoria, Bartonville, Morton, Farmington, Edelstein, Delavan, Green Valley, Groveland, Mackinaw, Granville and Spring Valley.

It has been our pleasure visiting and getting to know the families throughout the Tenth Judicial Circuit. Thank you to the precinct committeemen and everyone who passed the petitions on John's behalf as well as all who signed it.

No matter how big or small, how wealthy or poor, all communities desire an honest, fair, and competant judiciary. Electing John as your Circuit Judge will achieve that goal. If you would like to meet John or have him speak at your club or organization please call the campaign office at 309-251-VOTE (8683) or email us at john@vespaforjudge.com

Hall of Fame Inductions

2009-10-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

Posted by John P. Vespa

It is always great to go back to Peoria High. Last Saturday, we inducted several individual athletes and teams into our Athletic Hall Of Fame, with a ceremony in the foyer. Being on the Board Of Directors' Athletic Hall Of Fame Committee, I played a direct role in selecting and recognizing these athletes' achievements. I was thrilled to have this opportunity. I remember the excitement I experienced when my class of 1974/75 football team was enshrined in Peoria High's Athletic Hall Of Fame back in 2004.

After the ceremony, I was able to meet with several old friends. It's impossible to name them all, but among them were Cortez Blake, Tommy Sturdivant, John Fetcho, Tim Richards, Mr. Genge, Mr. LaCroix, Jerry Davidson, Dave Ayoub, Kirk Wessler, Mr. Robertson, Bill Robertson, Alicia Butler, Coach Salzer, and Tom Hoskins.

In this photo from L to R - Bill Robertson, Corky Robertson,
John Vespa, Jim Vespa

It was especially thrilling to have my son there with me. Jim is 8 years old and was able to meet some of Dad's old football and high school buddies. He had also never been inside Central. So, he received a tour of the foyer, which included the trophy case and various plaques dedicated to the Athletic Hall Of Fame recipients.

I enjoy seeing kids involved in sports. It helps them learn teamwork, and that some things can only be accomplished through cooperation with others. I also want them to learn the thrill of victory and how to accept defeat. When they compare the difference in outcomes, it will help motivate them to make the right decisions.

Campaign Kick-off wrap up and more....

2009-10-18T15:02:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday evenings campaign kick-off was a resounding success and exceeded our wildest expectations! Thank you to all those who helped with the planning and preparation, in particular Artist and neighbor Dawn Kapp who designed the room decor and centerpieces, Paul Sullivan who made the hall arrangements and who, with John's being his 4th judicial campaign, was an endless source of knowledge, advice and inspiration. We also appreciate the contributions of Brendan Kennard, who trained us in some technology used for the event. It takes a big person to admit they need help from a twelve year old! Brendan re-invigorates our confidence in the future of our great country.

Also a shout out to our friends at Peoria.com, who hooked us up with the remarkable entertainer Lamar Harris. Lamar blew everyone away with his talent. I'll never forget my brother, Steve, telling Lamar "It's amazing how you can memorize every one's name," to which Lamar replied "Why, Thank you, Steve". He was amazing!

Last but by no means least a very heartfelt Thank you to our event sponsors. Your generosity made the event possible and your support is truly humbling. It was a enchanted evening made possible by you.

Diane's brother, Joe Gizzi, is the lucky winner of the door prize

Of course, the highlight of the evening was the opportunity for John to address the gathering of our friends and family. We feel he shares a powerful message of commitment and love for a community that he was born and raised in. A community where he chooses to live his life and raise a family- a feat that is no longer quite so simple. John shares a message of commitment to hard work, values and a healthy dose of old fashioned common sense.

He spoke of his desire for a return to the values our country was founded upon. Values at one time held dearly, but that have become lost in a society that is slowly blurring the lines between right and wrong. Values that have always been an integral part of his life, originating even earlier than his Grandparents arrival in Toluca, IL, where his grandfather worked in the coal mines. John expressed his concern about our undeniable descent into an "excuses" society that is slowly eroding the very fabric of human existence.

John places a high value on being a loving nurturing parent, a responsible homeowner, (other than getting behind on the lawn mowing a bit this summer), helping the sick, disabled, the elderly and those down on their luck, the every-day hero who is committed to his community and his calling. Call him old-fashioned, but John still holds those principles dear, and rejects the trend towards an expanding gray area of acceptable behaviors.

As Judge, John will strictly interpret the law and offer every participant a thorough and respectful hearing of their case. He will rule with good judgement, integrity and common sense. He will not legislate from the bench.

John's message had a resoundingly positive reception from the crowd. His childhood friends Chuck, Tim, Dutch and Al all chuckled as he spoke. John's strict adherence to rules is legendary. Having grown up with him, they nodded their heads in acknowledgement as John in a very self deprecating way referenced his rigid code of behavior throughout his adult life. "I act the way my parents taught me to act", he said. A friend or two may have found it troublesome at times, but as we age, the wisdom of such principles becomes increasingly evident. His is a philosophy that, possibly due to the current state of affairs, is slowly returning to society, but for John has never left.

A strong dedication towards one's family, one's country, the constitution, and a responsibility to society to become the very best person we could be is what John Vespa is all about.

Thank you once again to all of our dedicated volunteers, all those who celebrated with us and supported the official kick-off of John's campaign for judge. Thank you to all who have circulated petitions on his behalf. There is still much work to be done, but we are well on our way, and we could not be more pleased with the private and public support we have encountered along the way.

If you would like to volunteer to help the Vespa for Judge campaign, please call Diane at 309-645-8608 or fill out the on-line volunteer form on the campaign website. Your participation can be as simple as walking your street or introducing John to your group or club. We value even the smallest gesture.

Today by 8:30 AM, John will have completed the petition stage of this race. More to come on that later.

We gear up for fabulous Campaign Kick-off event!

2009-10-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS!!

Lamar Harris was the lead act for the Westward HO! Casino in Las Vegas for 13 years! He is a One Man Band Musical Review and does dead-on impersonations of the famous songs of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jimmy Buffett and many, many more. You will be enchanted as he channels the various artists through the use of hats.

An absolute wonderful time is guaranteed as you relax, meet the candidate, and enjoy a fabulous evening of interactive entertainment and dining with friends in support of the John Vespa for Judge Campaign!

Tickets are only $30 and include a full buffet of heavy hors devours, drinks, entertainment and dancing, plus a short program by the candidate at 6:30.

Sponsorships are available in the amounts of $100, $250, and $500 and will include special recognitions plus 2 event admissions!

The event is from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. next Wednesday, October 14 at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 7403 N Radnor Road, Peoria, IL.

Please call me ASAP for tickets at 645-8608, or contact us through the website. We so look forward to seeing many of you as we enjoy the fellowship and give John a rousing show of support as he continues his journey for election to the Tenth Judicial Circuit.

Operation Santa

2009-10-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

Operation Santa is a program of citizen support for America's military. This year their goal is to ship 35,000 stockings filled with the comforts of home to deployed troops around the globe.

The always-busy Peoria County Republican Women sponsored a workday last Thursday in which we cut, sewed, and pressed stockings of all colors and patterns. Many of the ladies worked all day. Here you can see they were quite proud of their work!

John's campaign was honored to participate in this worthwhile project and made a contribution to the organization's shipping fund. You can too. Information to mail in your donation can be found at the bottom of this post!

Citizen, Husband, Father...

2009-10-03T13:11:00.001-07:00

John wears many hats, and one hat that I find absolutely amazing is that of John as "Dad". Our children are our world, and God blessed them with the most awesome father a Mom could ever want for her kids! He is the right mixture of discipline and love, gentleness and strength. Lord knows we aren't perfect but every day we cross our fingers and pray that we are making this world a better place for them.

I snapped this photo yesterday and couldn't resist posting it here!

No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another - author unknown

2009-09-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

A five County campaign cannot be run on adrenaline alone, although we give it a good try. The reality is that John's message could not be heard if it wasn't for the selfless efforts of campaign volunteers. This post is an expression of appreciation for everyone who has reached out to John and offered their help in large and small ways.

To all of our friends and neighbors who have touched the campaign, supporters and endorsers, to those who have made financial contributions, the precinct committeemen and the GOP Central Committee members, we thank you!

Of course, there is much more work to be done. If you or someone you know can help in even a small way, please contact us at 309-251-VOTE (8683), or visit the Volunteer page on the campaign website.

Here are our most pressing needs...

1. Help us identify sign locations
2. Host a coffee or "meet and greet" in your home
3. Introduce John to your club or organization.
4. Walk your neighborhood with campaign literature.
5. Make a financial contribution

I have found that it is great to involve children and teach them the Democratic process first hand. They will learn that they do have a say in their future! It is crucial that a civilized society have a highly qualified judiciary. Electing John Vespa as Tenth Circuit Judge will deliver just that.

Please get involved if you are so moved. You may find a new friend, and you are guaranteed to share a giggle.

We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future. ~Franklin Delano Roosevelt

A shout out from the Stark County news...

2009-09-27T19:36:00.000-07:00

John had an opportunity to meet voters in Stark County last Sunday. A review of the event headlined by Congressman Aaron Schock appears here.

There was a super turn-out, but all credit goes to the Congressman! ;)

tip: Keep scrolling, John is way at the bottom!

The Peoria County Bar Association's Diversity Luncheon

2009-09-21T13:01:00.000-07:00

posted by John P. Vespa

I had the pleasure of attending the Peoria County Bar Association's Diversity Luncheon today. The speaker was wonderful and her message rang true. Cook County States Attorney Anita Alvarez described how she rose from an impoverished background to running the second-biggest States Attorney's office in the United States. It was a "rags to riches" tale - truly inspirational.

She is living proof of what a great country we live in. Everyone has a chance. Put in the necessary work and good things will happen. Don't listen to your critics - those who tell you why you can not succeed. You CAN succeed... just ask Anita Alvarez.

The "It's Tuesday it must be Belgium" Syndrome

2009-09-18T22:02:00.000-07:00

When a campaign is in full swing, a candidate and his family may find themselves doing in a single weekend what would ordinarily take place in a month. Last weekend was just that as we scurried to and from a variety of Fall events that took place throughout the Tenth Judicial Circuit. Below I have posted some of our favorite images of the past week.

We kicked the weekend off at "Dunlap Days" where
Village Trustee Colleen Slane secured numerous signatures
on John's behalf with her brown eyes and dance steps that
would put Beyonce to shame!

My Daddy is the awesomest Daddy ever!

The popular band "Jamsammich"
packed the tent into the wee hours.
Above singer and pal Brian Carroll belts one out!

We were up and 'at em bright and early for a 9:00 line up at the Pekin Marigold parade the following morning- by far the biggest parade to date.

We marched in conjunction with the
Tazewell GOP and had a blast.
The kids caught a break
this time and road the GOP trolley!.

Two of our most dedicated parade walkers
- good friends Heidi and Bob Shaw.

The GOP booth at the Marigold Festival after the parade was a beehive! People waited patiently in line to sign the GOP petitions!

Our most heartfelt thanks goes out to the Tazewell County GOP, particularly Lowell Schroeder, for his hard work and dedication to the success of the GOP candidates!

Stay tuned for a full slate of weekend events, beginning with the Morton Pumpkin festival parade tomorrow. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer to help the John Vespa for Judge campaign, please contact us through the "Volunteer" page on the official campaign website.

So much to say, so little time...

2009-09-17T21:31:00.000-07:00

Ugh! I'm running a little behind on the blog. Rest assured John could not be busier. Monday night we attended a re-election event for State Representative David Leitch. Read up on a re-cap of that event here!

Rep. David Leitch has endorsed John's candidacy. What an honor to have the confidence of such an esteemed and accomplished legislator.

Recognizing our working men and women

2009-09-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

Labor Day in America is a day that we celebrate the American dream through commitment and hard work. There is no better country and no better system of government than the free market capitalism that, as Americans, we enjoy. We were proud to participate in the Marshall County (Toluca) and Peoria Labor Day Parades. The weather was beautiful and the crowds really came out!

Since both parades started at the same time, the campaign split up in to two groups. The need for an additional vehicle was resolved compliments of Green Chevrolet, who provided us with this awesome Hummer. The kids loved it because they could ride in the back of it! A huge Thank You to our friends at Green Chevrolet as well as friend and campaign supporter Dave who made the arrangements and drove it without wrecking it.

Half of our group marched in Peoria and John joined our friends in Toluca.

Here John is shown with friend
and campaign supporter Alma Toedter

John enjoyed pal-ling with Bill Kenyon of
the popular Kenyon's restaurant in Lacon.

John greets his cousin Sophie Aggatucci,
of Aggatucci's fame. The Aggatucci's originated
in Toluca, as did the Vespa's.

John is thrilled to run into one of his baseball
players, future great Peyton Perez

This is just cute!

John greets a friend of mine!

After the afternoon's activities, we united forces and continued the celebration on the Peoria Riverfront. Many of the local unions were represented in the parade. Among them was a personal favorite - the Peoria Federation of Teachers. John's sister, Peg, taught children in the Peoria District 150 school system for over 25 years. And because of our grade schoolsers, we have come to recognize and appreciate the awesome responsibility teachers have in educating a classroom full of children with a wide spectrum of educational needs.

Labor Day for John often invokes the memories of his parents and grandparents, now deceased.

John's grandparents settled in Toluca after immigrating from Italy, and his grandfather went to work in the coal mines. Mario, John's Dad, was a welder at Cat for over 40 years and worked long hours (including weekends loading trucks at the Journal Star) so their Mom, Aleene, could be a homemaker.

Mario Vespa works on a Cat engine
in building KK (or LL) in East Peoria
(This picture will appear in the new edition of "Peoria Memories")

John and his 3 siblings, Peg, Joe, and Jim, grew up in a small house on Columbia Terrace (711 West Columbia Terrace) in the heart of Peoria.

John worked his way through college and law school, and upon admittance to the Bar Association, paid off student loans by hanging out a shingle and opening a private law practice. He has truly achieved the American dream by spirit and hard work - of which, as hard as they try, no one can find a substitute for!

John has spent the majority of his time in the courtroom and has conducted over 100 jury trials. By electing John to serve as your Circuit Judge you will be electing a man who was born and raised in Peoria County. A man that grew up in a working class family - a man of few "excuses". A man who graduated from a school that he loves - Peoria Central High School - and continues to serve on their Alumni Association Board of Directors.

John is a man who has seen the administration of the law through multiple lenses - as a police officer fighting crime on the streets and as an attorney in the courtroom. We are thankful for the system of justice that we have. It may not always be perfect but it is the greatest system in the world. A highly qualified judiciary is what separates us from a heathen society.

John is unmatched by his judicial opponents in courtroom experience. His broad background in both criminal and civil law will make him fully adept at handling a courtroom docket immediately. His common sense and clear understanding of the law will result in a well-reasoned application of the law to the facts of the cases that appear before him.

John is asking for your vote on February 2, 2010!

photos by Paul Wilkinson

West MacQueen Street Band and the Simkins factor

2009-09-09T02:19:00.001-07:00

A man that John admires very much is Rick Simkins. Rick and John grew up near each other in the heart of Peoria - John on Columbia Terrace, and Rick on West MacQueen Street. They did not come from a background of privilege, but they were blessed with devoted parents who taught them values and how to live life with honor and integrity. The two men have been friends since grade school and recently shared a seat on the Heartland DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Executive Board. John and Rick share a common interest in the welfare of young people, and their respective job descriptions offer many opportunities for outreach.

Rick is a professional educator and is currently the principal at Germantown Hills Junior High school. If this sounds a little "business-as-usual" there is a twist. The fact is that Rick has an alter-ego. In addition to his role as principal, he is the lead singer and guitarist for the high energy and wildly popular band "West MacQueen Street". I'm not sure about anyone else, but I sure don't recall having a principal that was that cool! Imagine the thrill his school students must feel when they see their principal up on stage. What an inspiration he is to so many kids to live their dreams.

From the West MacQueen Street Band website:

Our band is named after the starting point of where the journey began, a street located in the middle of the city of Peoria, Illinois. Located on this street is a house that has been rocking with the sound of rock ‘n’ roll music since the early days of the Beatles. There, two great parents allowed their son to live a dream and form a rock band. Since then, musicians have passed through its doors for almost thirty years and their music continues to fill the streets today!

Rick has the energy of a 20 year old, and at least part of the band's appeal can be attributed to their high energy and inclusive performances. The band interacts with its fans throughout their performance and it it not unusual to see audience members up on stage singing, dancing and having a ball.

For all these reasons and more, John is proud to consider West MacQueen Street the official band of the Vespa for Judge campaign!

Labor Day Weekend kicks off!

2009-09-06T19:11:00.000-07:00

The Fall festivals and parade season is upon us, and it offers countless opportunities for John to meet the electorate of the 10th Judicial Circuit.

As we travel throughout the counties, the scenery may change, but voter curiosity and concerns remain constant. John's calm and reasoned demeanor invites dialogue from people from all walks of life. One of his observations has been that people are most concerned about safety in their community.

One of our favorite weekend stops was the Fall Festival in Delavan, IL. Delavan is about 40 minutes south of Pekin, in the Southern portion of Tazewell County. This event offered numerous activities for the kids including rides, a talent show and a fabulous band. We spent nearly the entire afternoon there. We met most of the vendors and John enjoyed moving about the crowds, gathering signatures and talking with voters.

It may appear from the stories and pictures within this blog that campaigning is a lot of frivolty. On the contrary, campaigning is serious business. It is now more important than ever that we are fully knowlegeable about our candidates before we punch that card in the voting booth. To arrange for John to speak with your association or group, please contact the campaign through our contact page.

A day at the ballpark

2009-08-29T14:18:00.000-07:00

This summer has offered the perfect ball park weather, and we have taken full advantage of it. Last week we checked out a Peoria Chiefs game during a political fundraiser at the Pepsi Pavilion, where we continued to gather support for the campaign and several pages of signatures on John's petition. The kids were thrilled by an impromptu visit from local legend Pete Vonachen, who pulled up alongside them in his golf cart. Jenniffer, our six year old, negotiated quite the deal and traded her soft pretzel for a Peoria chiefs baseball personally autographed by Pete! Then she negotiated even the return of the pretzel.

Hmmm... kind of reminds me of something but I can't quite my finger on it.

Our son had his own thrill just a few weeks prior, when the Chiefs invited his Coach Pitch baseball team onto the field to play with the team. All the kids walked away with baseballs autographed by the players. Below John stands with his team that he sponsored and coached. The kids reported the days events as "awesome"!

Citizens of Peoria are fortunate to have such a family-friendly sport and venue at their fingertips. The Peoria Chiefs really go the extra mile to reach out to the community and they continually inspire and amaze our kids.

Over hill, over dale, we will hit the dusty trail...

2009-08-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

John has been busy getting to know some of the faces and places of the Tenth Judicial Circuit which includes includes Peoria, Tazewell, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties. It is a very large area and has been keeping him quite busy.

Below John greets voters at a Health care clinic. He has been reaching out to all voters but given this is the primary campaign season, he is particularly interested in connecting with Republican voters. Personally, I would like to see judicial elections be non-partisan (like the School Board elections) but I doubt we have the clout to change that (Lol!)

This stage of the campaign involves gathering enough signatures to get his name on the Republican ballot. The required number of signatures is 500, but to insure that they are all "qualified" signatures the goal is to triple that.

A qualified signature is one from 1. a registered voter 2. who resides in the circuit (Peoria, Tazewell, Marshall, Putnam and Stark counties) and that 3. has not and will not sign a petition for a Democrat candidate.

If you meet that criteria and have not yet signed John's petition and would like to do so, please call the Vespa for Judge campaign headquarters at 309-251-VOTE (8683) or e-mail us at john@vespaforjudge.com. We can also use help circulating petitions, particularly in counties other than Peoria.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere are signs...

2009-08-23T20:07:00.000-07:00

Although we are several months away from sign placements, it is not too early to start identifying locations where we can place "Vespa for Judge" yard signs. If you would be willing to put a sign in your yard please e-mail the campaign at john@vespaforjudge.com with your name, address, and phone number. One morning several months from now a sign will magically appear in your yard. Don't forget to also ask your neighbors and friends!

Signs will also be available for pick up at the Republican Headquarters at 8835 N. Knoxville Avenue in Peoria.

Anything you can do, big or small, is very much appreciated!

Forward - MARCH!

2009-08-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

This weekend we celebrated the early settlers of BRIMFIELD, IL as the campaign participated in "Old Settlers Days" festival and parade. Line-up was at noon for the start time of 1:00 but the time went by quickly as we hurriedly decorated John's new Jeep with garland, banners and car signs.

It all came together nicely and even though the sun was blistering we still had a great time and the enthusiasm among the sprightly campaigners was palpable.

In the pic below, John entertained campaign supporters prior to the parade by doing his rendition of Steve Martin jokes.

Suffice it to say, we had a rockin' good time in Brimfield, IL. There are several more parades on the schedule. If you would like to march with us in any of them please contact the campaign headquarters at 309-251-VOTE (8683) or
email at john@vespaforjudge.com.

A big thank you to the BRIMFIELD AREA MENS CLUB for the opportunity to spread John's message!

Chick peas and shish-ka-bobs and nachos - Oh my!

2009-08-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

Updated with new pics!

Last night we took the campaign to the Riverfront for the always popular "Taste of Peoria". As usual, there was a massive crowd. Is is just me, or should this be a 2 or 3 day event?

In between crab rangoons and Alu-Tikki we connected and re-connected with friends, old and new. Meanwhile the kids drenched themselves in the fountain. Many thanks to all who chatted with us and signed John's petition.

Below Cutie-Patootie Connie Davis-Cressy signs John's petition. Yay!

Coming soon...

2009-08-12T04:23:00.001-07:00

VESPAFORJUDGE.COM. The Campaign website is well underway. It will be informative and interactive. It should be up and running in the next week or two. Our apologies if you have already visited and found nothing there. It will be worth the wait, though, as we have a great friend and great web designer working on it!

In the meantime, you can download and print volunteer and donation cards here. There are many ways you can help John's campaign. Currently, we are establishing a parade walking crew.

The qualifications for a parade walker are 1. You must be able to wave; 2. You must be able to smile; 3. You must be able to throw candy; and 4. You should be able to do at least 2 of those at the same time! Lol!

Please call Campaign headquarters at 309-251-VOTE(8683) or e-mail us at john@vespaforjudge.com if you would like to walk in parades with us. Stay tuned for a looong list of upcoming parades and other events. We need your help!!!

Vespa moves and shakes with his fellow Italians!

2009-08-12T03:39:00.000-07:00

Our family celebrated the gazillionth Vespa family Reunion last Saturday out at Hickory Grove Park. OK, gazzillion may not be accurate but that's what it feels like. The Vespa Family Reunion is held in conjuction with the Italian American Fest every summer. Several other Italian families do likewise and we crossed paths with fellow candidate for Judge Verne Dentino. (Verne will be on another ballot and is not opposing John - Lol!)

This is our favorite ethnic event of the year, of course, because our family (on both sides) is Italian through and through! We secured well over 100 signatures for John's petition. Thank you to all who signed the petition and expressed their support for John's campaign. Another big thank you to the the Italian-American Society for this great event and the scholarships they provide to young people throughout our community.

John helps McGruff take a bite out of crime!

2009-08-12T03:23:00.000-07:00

We hosted our neighborhood "Night Out Against Crime" event and the unexpected highlight of the evening was a surprise appearance by Mr. McGruff and his Crime-stopping crew. They handed out balloons and hugs to the kids and when no one was looking I was able to sneak him some ice cream for the road. If he is anything like our Pekes he loves ice cream!

A huge thank you to the Peoria Fire Department, The McGruff Squad, Peoria Police Department, Steve Fairbanks, the city of Peoria neighborhood event co-coordinator and our 5th District Councilman, Dan Irving. Dan read a proclamation from Mayor Ardis but also put in a great plug for John for Judge.

If you have an event going on in your neighborhood or your organization please consider inviting John to your event. We have found that people really enjoy meeting local candidates and its great for the Democratic process!

John Vespa announces candidacy for Circuit Judge

2009-07-23T06:24:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release
July 23, 2009

For More Information contact
John Vespa (309)671-0700

John Vespa Announces Candidacy for Circuit Judge

Peoria attorney John Vespa announced today he will seek the Republican nomination for judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit. He will run for the seat that is being vacated by his oldest brother, Judge Joe Vespa.

“I am running for judge because I have the experience, temperament and values to effectively make decisions that are fair and uphold the standards of the law,” Vespa said. “My diverse background as a practicing attorney, police officer, and community leader gives me the proper experience to serve as a judge and uphold the principles of the law.”

Vespa is a Peoria native with 17 years of extensive experience throughout the state of Illinois and primarily in the 10th Judicial Circuit. His practice includes both criminal and civil law and he has appeared in many Illinois trial court circuits, the Illinois Appellate Court (3rd District), Federal District Court, and before numerous governmental agencies.

“My legal practice involves working directly with people, from representing them in the courtroom to meeting with them in my office to interviewing witnesses in their homes and business,” Vespa said. “I think it is critical for a judge to have such diverse experience dealing with people because the decisions made in the courtroom have such an enormous impact on our society.”

The son of a Caterpillar welder, Mario Vespa, who was born in Toluca, and June Aleene Vespa, John worked as a Peoria County Sheriff’s Deputy where he received a Distinguished Service Award and three Letters of Commendation and was a member of the Honor Guard. While working full-time at the Sheriff’s Department, Vespa obtained a B.A. degree in Social Justice from the University of Illinois at Springfield (formerly Sangamon State University) and was on the Dean’s List. Vespa graduated from Southern Illinois University Law School and received several academic honors, including the Book Award, which is the highest honor given for trial advocacy, and was a finalist (highest honor given) in the Moot Court competition. He was also a member of the Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity.

Vespa is an active community volunteer and has served on the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) executive board, the Peoria High School Alumni Association and the Peoria County Bar Association Board of Directors. He has volunteered for Special Olympics, the Center for Prevention of Abuse and the American Legion. Vespa also served as Director of the Legal Assistance to Military People (LAMP) program from its inception after its founding by the Peoria County Bar Association.

Vespa was a starting member of the 1974-75 Peoria High School football team that won the Mid-State Nine conference championship and participated in the last Turkey Day game and the first ever Illinois High School football tournament.

Vespa resides in Peoria with his wife, Diane, who is a Realtor in the Peoria area. They have two children, Jim (7) and Jennifer (6).

The 10th Judicial Circuit includes Peoria, Tazewell, Stark, Marshall and Putnam Counties. The primary election is on Tuesday, February 2, 2010.