From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Dan Proft
Dan Proft
Daniel K. Proft Town of Cicero. In doing so, Proft said: “My decision is
based entirely on an opportunity that has presented it-
Born April 29, 1972 (1972-04-29) (age 39) self to pursue other professional endeavors.”[4]
Oak Park, Illinois
On June 23, 2009, Proft announced his candidacy for
Residence Chicago, Illinois Governor of Illinois on the “Don Wade & Roma Show”
on WLS (AM). Later he spoke to reporters during a press
Nationality American
conference at the Chicago Hilton.[5]
Occupation Principal, Urquhart Media, Republican
candidate for Governor of Illinois
Positions on Issues
Daniel K. Proft (born April 29, 1972) is political commen- "Chicago 9" Proft argues that the problems in Illinois
tator, entrepreneur, and a Republican candidate for Illi- stem from a consortium of Chicago Democrats he refers
nois Governor in the 2010 election. to as the “Chicago 9.”[6] They include: Gov. Pat Quinn,
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Illinois House Speaker
Early life Mike Madigan, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Comp-
troller Dan Hynes, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Secretary
Proft was born in 1972 in Oak Park, Illinois. He was raised of State Jesse White, Illinois Senate President John Culler-
in Wheaton, Illinois, and attended Benet Academy in ton, and Cook County Board President Todd Stroger.[7]
Lisle. He graduated from Northwestern University with a University of Illinois Admissions Scandal In response
B.A. and Loyola University Chicago School of Law with a to the Chicago Tribune’s investigation into the University
Juris Doctor degree. At Northwestern, Proft co-founded of Illinois’ admissions scandal, Proft has proposed what
the Northwestern Chronicle, an independent campus news- he calls a “Merit-Based Opportunity” admissions stan-
paper.[1] dard. The proposal would replace an applicant’s name
Prior to his current gubernatorial campaign, Proft on his or her application with a random identification
was a Republican consultant working on numerous polit- number with the purpose being that admissions officers
ical campaigns and served in various leadership capaci- would be unable to comply with a request to give prefer-
ties in state and municipal government since 1994. Most ential treatment to any applicant.[8] Proft rejects calls for
notably, Proft worked on Jack Ryan’s 2004 U.S. Senate resignations, notably a bill sponsored by State Sen. Kirk
campaign. When Ryan pulled out of the race, Proft con- Dillard, which would fire all the members of the Univer-
tinued to work for his replacement, Alan Keyes. Keyes sity Board of Trustees.[9]
was defeated by then-State Sen. Barack Obama.[2] Illinois Budget Crisis Proft is against tax increases to
Proft is currently a political commentator for WLS- help balance Illinois’ estimated $11 billion budget short-
AM 890 radio in Chicago where he shares a weekday show fall. Rather, Proft argues for statutory spending caps and
with Bruce Wolf. He regularly contributes to Human tax cuts.[10]
Events, School Reform News, the Illinois Policy Institute, Education In his announcement speech, Proft listed
and other free-market publications. He also serves as Chicago Public Schools as an example of one of Illinois’
Chapter President for the Illinois chapter of Operation “fixed” systems, by which he means that the system is
Homefront, a non-profit organization whose mission is to fixed to benefit the teachers unions and politicians.[6]
provide assistance to active duty military families, par- Proft is a proponent of school choice programs and says
ticularly those with a spouse serving overseas. Addition- that Illinois needs to raise the charter school cap. [11]
ally, Proft founded Starfish Consulting and serves as its
Managing Principal. />
Criticism
2010 Illinois Gubernatorial Proft has been criticized in the media for his media firm’s
work on behalf of the Town of Cicero. On September
Election 25, 2008, the Chicago Tribune reported that Proft’s firm,
On April 9, 2009, Proft filed a form D-1, forming a “Proft Urquhart Media, received contracts from Cicero totaling
for Governor” committee.[3] On April 30, Proft formally $578,000.[12]
stepped down from his position as spokesman for the Proft has responded to the criticism in interviews
with the Chicago Tribune and with "Public Affair’s" Jeff
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Dan Proft
Berkowitz.[13] On June 24, 2009, the Proft for Governor [7] "Change of Subject: Dan Proft, the un-Oscar".
campaign responded on the conservative blog Illinois Re- Blogs.chicagotribune.com. 2009-06-23.
view to a column[14] from the Chicago Sun-Times’ Carol http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/
Marin, who has been outspoken in her criticism of news_columnists_ezorn/2009/06/dan-proft-the-
Urquhart’s Cicero contracts. In his response, the cam- unoscar.html. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
paign wrote that the Cicero relationship “began in 2005 [8] Manifiest Digital - info@manifestdigital.com
and is governed by a contract that was negotiated with (2009-06-30). "Dan Proft for Illinois Governor".
elected officials and ratified by the Town Council. It can Proft2010.com. http://www.proft2010.com/news-
be canceled at any time with 30-days notice.” Regarding room/contentview.asp?c=188749. Retrieved
the accusation that the contracts with Cicero were “no- 2010-08-29.
bid,” the campaign wrote: “There is a very legitimate rea- [9] Manifiest Digital - info@manifestdigital.com
son why not all contracts between government and the (2009-07-16). "Dan Proft for Illinois Governor".
private sector are given to the lowest bidder: your oppo- Proft2010.com. http://www.proft2010.com/news-
nents would bid the lowest.”[15] room/contentview.asp?c=188914. Retrieved
Despite the fact that the Stored Communications Act 2010-08-29.
prohibits government entities from obtaining customer [10] Manifiest Digital - info@manifestdigital.com
information through most lawsuits, Proft defended a dis- (2009-07-07). "Dan Proft for Illinois Governor".
covery petition filed by his employer, the Town of Cicero, Proft2010.com. http://www.proft2010.com/news-
aimed at discovering the IP addresses of the people who room/contentview.asp?c=188814. Retrieved
created what it described as "imposter" profiles on the 2010-08-29.
social networking site, Myspace.com. [11] Manifiest Digital - info@manifestdigital.com
(2009-07-21). "Dan Proft for Illinois Governor".
References Proft2010.com. http://www.proft2010.com/news-
room/contentview.asp?c=188946. Retrieved
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/05/ 2010-08-29.
eff_challenges_myspace_petition/print.html [12] Grimm, Andy. "Featured Articles From The Chicago
[1] 1871media.com - info@1871media.com. Tribune". Archives.chicagotribune.com.
"URQMedia.com". URQMedia.com. http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2008/sep/25/
http://www.urqmedia.com/proft. Retrieved local/chi-cicero-spokesman-25-sep25. Retrieved
2010-08-29. 2010-08-29.
[2] By HANK BECKMAN For The Sun (2009-07-17). [13] “”. "Dan Proft - Public Affairs". YouTube.
"Proft brings campaign for gov. to old hometown :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7QKOsexdUA.
Bolingbrook Sun :: News". Retrieved 2010-08-29.
Suburbanchicagonews.com. [14] Marin, Carol (2009-06-24). "In Illinois Politics, You
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/ As For ’Em, We Got ’Em - Carol Marin".
bolingbrooksun/news/1670075,Proft-brings- Blogs.suntimes.com. http://blogs.suntimes.com/
campaign-to-Wheaton_na071609.article. Retrieved marin/2009/06/
2010-08-29. in_illinois_politics_you_as_fo.html. Retrieved
[3] "Illinois Review: Whitley drops; Proft files for 2010 2010-08-29.
gubernatorial bid". Illinoisreview.typepad.com. [15] "Illinois Review: Proft campaign responds to Carol
2009-04-28. http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/ Marin". Illinoisreview.typepad.com. 2009-06-24.
illinoisreview/2009/04/whitley-drops-proft-files- http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/
for-2010-gubernatorial-bid.html. Retrieved 2009/06/proft-responds-to-carol-marin.html.
2010-08-29. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
[4] April 30, 2009 8:57 PM (2009-04-30). "Cicero
spokesman Dan Proft steps down". Chicago
Breaking News.
External links
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/04/ • Proft For Governor
cicero-spokesman-dan-proft-steps-down.html. • Starfish
Retrieved 2010-08-29. Persondata
[5] [1]
Name Proft, Dan
[6] ^ Manifiest Digital - info@manifestdigital.com
(2009-06-23). "Dan Proft for Illinois Governor". Alternative names
Proft2010.com. http://www.proft2010.com/news- Short description
room/contentview.asp?c=188871. Retrieved Date of birth April 29, 1972
2010-08-29.
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Dan Proft
Place of birth Oak Park, Illinois Place of death
Date of death
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dan_Proft&oldid=455815146"
Categories:
• 1972 births
• Living people
• Illinois Republicans
• Northwestern University alumni
• Loyola University Chicago alumni
• Politicians from Chicago, Illinois
• People from Wheaton, Illinois
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