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Thomas R. Morrison
| Thomas R. Morrison | ||
 | ||
| Illinois House of Representatives District 54 | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| January 12, 2011-Present | ||
| Term ends | ||
| January 14, 2015 | ||
| Years in position | 2 | |
| Party | Republican | |
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $67,836/year | |
| Per diem | $111/day | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | November 6, 2012 | |
| First elected | November 2, 2010 | |
| Next election | November 4, 2014 | |
| Term limits | N/A | |
| Personal | ||
| Place of birth | Glenview, Il | |
| Profession | News Reporter, WGN-AM Radio | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
| Personal website | ||
| Campaign website | ||
 | ||
Contents |
Morrison operates a SERVPRO franchise, providing disaster cleanup and restoration services. He was formerly a radio news reporter and anchor in Dubuque, Iowa. Morrison has also worked as a teacher at Christian Liberty Academy in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights.
Committee assignments
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Morrison served on the following committees:
| Illinois Committee Assignments, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Appropriations-General Service | ||||
| • Business & Occupational Licenses | ||||
| • Environment | ||||
| • Insurance | ||||
| • Personnel & Pensions | ||||
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Morrison served on the following committees:
| Illinois Committee Assignments, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Appropriations-General Service | ||||
| • Elementary & Secondary Education | ||||
| • Insurance | ||||
| • Mass Transit | ||||
| • Personnel & Pensions | ||||
| • Tollway Oversight | ||||
Issues
Campaign themes
2012
Morrison's campaign website lists the following issues:[1]
- FISCAL DISCIPLINE
- Excerpt: "We must overhaul our public sector pension plans to make them sustainable for both participants and the taxpaying public. We also have to reform the Medicaid system to stop its runaway deficits from crushing the rest of the state’s spending priorities, like funding for transportation, education, and public safety."
- TRADITIONAL VALUES
- Excerpt: "Morrison understands that family values like the right to life and traditional marriage need to be preserved and protected in the public arena. He stands for second amendment freedoms and educational policies that empower parents and students to have greater options so they can maximize their potential and prepare for a lifetime of work opportunities."
- CONSTITUENT SERVICES
- Excerpt: "Public office belongs to the people, and those who are elected must respect their constituents first and foremost and to serve them with integrity."
Elections
2012
Morrison won re-election in the 2012 election for Illinois House of Representatives District 54. Morrison was unopposed in the March 20 Republican primary and defeated Richard S. Rudd (D) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[2][3][4]
| Illinois House of Representatives, District 54, General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Thomas R. Morrison Incumbent |
59.1% | 27,123 | |
| Democratic | Richard S. Rudd | 40.9% | 18,786 | |
| Total Votes | 45,909 | |||
2010
Morrison won election in the state's November 2, 2010 general election, defeating Democrat Matt Flamm.[5]
| Illinois House of Representatives, District 54 (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Thomas R. Morrison (R)
|
19,521 | 61.90% | ||
| Matt Flamm (D) | 12,013 | 38.10% | ||
Political newcomer Morrison defeated incumbent Suzanne Bassi in the Republican Party's primary ballot on February 2, 2010. The upset victory of the challenger over the incumbent was described in a local newspaper as "stunning".[6]
Campaign donors
2012
Campaign donor information is not yet available for this year.
2010
In 2010, Morrison raised $189,888 in contributions. [7]
His five largest contributors were:
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Morrison, Tom | $186,754 |
| Republican Renaissance PAC | $46,948 |
| Kelley, Martin | $5,500 |
| Oneill, Larry | $5,500 |
| Morrison, Roger & Florence | $5,500 |
Personal
Morrison and his wife, Bethany, have two children.
Scorecards
Illinois Opportunity Project
The Illinois Opportunity Project, "an independent research and public policy enterprise that promotes legislative solutions in advance of free markets and free minds," annually releases its Legislative Vote Card, grading all members in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly on the basis of their support of "pro-growth economic policies that increase personal freedom and reign in expansive government."[8][9]
2012
Morrison received a score of 100 out of 100 in 2012 for a grade of A+ according to the IOP’s grading scale. His score was tied for the highest among all 120 members of the Illinois House of Representatives included in the Vote Card.[9]
Recent news
This section displays the most recent stories in a google news search for the term Thomas + Morrison + Illinois + Legislature
- All stories may not be relevant to this page due to the nature of the search engine.
Thomas Morrison News Feed
- Forum brings suburban community, experts together on state pension debate - Chicago Daily Herald
- Pension reformers: Take a bow - Chicago Tribune
- Teachers, Union Members Hold Pension Rally At Harper College During Debate ... - Progress Illinois
- The First Step: Admitting the Problem - Chicago Tribune
- Ill. House panel OKs Madigan pension plan - Greenwich Time
- Group to propose new motor fuel fees in May - Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette
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External links
- Campaign Website
- Campaign Facebook page
- Illinois House of Representatives - Thomas Morrison
- Project Vote Smart biography
- Project Vote Smart legislative profile
- Campaign contributions: 2010
References
- ↑ Thomas Morrison, "Issues," accessed October 25, 2012
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections "Candidate List," December 5, 2011
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Official 2012 Primary Results"
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, “Official Vote - November 6, 2012 General Election,” accessed January 18, 2013
- ↑ Illinois Official 2010 General Election Results
- ↑ Pioneer Local, "Morrison stuns Bassi in 54th", February 2, 2010
- ↑ 2010 contributions
- ↑ Illinois Opportunity Project, "The Project," accessed February 21, 2013
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Illinois Opportunity Project, Legislative Vote Card home page, accessed February 21, 2013
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Suzanne Bassi |
Illinois House of Representatives District 54 2011 – Present |
Succeeded by NA |
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