Illinois Patriots

The Illinois Patriots Political Action Committee, a broad alliance of organizations and individuals dedicated to the principles of individual freedom, personal responsibility, limited government, the rule of law, free markets, and the centrality of faith and family in American life, seeks to advance these principles through the development of sound public policy which is:

·       Pro-Freedom: We support the maximum scope of individual liberty limited only by respect for the individual liberty of others;  and we believe that all individuals have equal rights and are equal before the law;  that rights inhere in the individual;  and that the proper role of government is as the protector, not the source, of rights.

·       Pro-Constitution: We support the rule of law and strict construction of the Federal and Illinois Constitutions as bulwarks against tyranny and excessive government, and we support the American principle of federalism, seeking the maximum proper devolution of power from the Federal government to the States, from the State to local government, and from all governments to the people.

·       Pro-Faith: We support freedom of conscience, defend the free exercise of religion, believe that religion has a proper role in the American public square, oppose governmental hostility toward religion, and call upon government to maintain a posture of benign neutrality toward all faiths.

·       Pro-Family: We support the nuclear family as the essential building-block of a free and humane society.

·       Pro-Life: We support the defense of every innocent human life as sacred, from the moment of conception to the time of natural death.

·       Pro-Capitalism: We support the free enterprise system, based on private property, the profit motive, and competition, as both the most moral and the most efficient economic system yet devised.

·       Pro-Opportunity: We support the building of a society that accords every citizen equal opportunity and open access to all the blessings of a free country and a free-market economy.

·       Pro-School Choice: We support fundamental reform of education in Illinois, based on principles of competition and parental control, and advocate the implementation of school choice plans on a statewide basis.

·       Pro-Taxpayer: We support the reduction of income tax rates, the elimination of death taxes, the repeal of marriage penalties, the elimination of double taxation of dividends, and the general simplification of all tax systems;  we oppose all efforts to raises taxes at all Federal, State, and local levels;  and we advocate reform of government at all levels to reduce its size and increase its efficiency.

·       Pro-Second Amendment: We support the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms, and we oppose all efforts to restrict those rights or to impose excessive fees, taxes, and restrictions on the lawful sale, purchase, carrying, and use of firearms.

·       Pro-Environment: We support a clean and healthy environment and the conservation of natural resources, and believe that free-market means for the achievement of these ends are morally superior to, and more effective than, government commands.

·       Pro-Citizenship: We support the vision of America as a land of hope and opportunity to which freedom-loving people of all races and religions are drawn, we welcome new citizens who obey our laws, we advocate the protection of our borders against those who have contempt for our laws, we see the office of citizen as the highest office in our land, and we urge all Americans to exercise and discharge, to the fullest, the rights and duties of American citizenship.

·       Pro-Culture: We support the flowering of all arts and sciences, and oppose governmental control of culture, whether through censorship or subsidization;  and we believe that Western Civilization is a precious legacy to which each individual is encouraged to contribute, and that each generation is entrusted to transmit to its successors.

·       Pro-America: We support the United States of America and its constitutional system as humanity's last best hope, and we advocate the development and maintenance of a strong national defense capable of protecting America against all threats, including hostile foreign states and terrorism.

The Illinois Patriots are an alliance of individuals and organizations dedicated to the principle that all men and women are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, and that among these rights are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  We believe a society that encourages individual freedom, personal responsibility, limited government, the rule of law, free enterprise, virtuous citizenship, and economic opportunity for all citizens regardless of race, creed or color, is best suited to preserve that principle, the common good and our prosperity.  We seek to advance our ideals by working together to (i) develop sound public policy; (ii) keep our fellow citizens informed; (iii) build coalitions around issues of shared concern; and (iv) encourage all citizens to take active roles in our society through involvement in civic affairs, charitable causes, public debate, community leadership, and candidacies for party and public offices.  In furtherance of our intentions, we establish these Bylaws for the Illinois Patriots:

1.  Name   The name of the organization shall be the Illinois Patriots Political Action Committee (hereinafter referred to as "IPPAC").

2.  Purpose   The IPPAC is a political action organization dedicated to promote the ideals of free enterprise, individual freedom, limited government and other ideals as defined in the preamble.

3. Membership

Section 3.1  Any individual or organization supporting the purpose of the IPPAC may be a member upon timely registration and payment of dues.  Only individual members may serve as officers and members of the Steering Committee and other committees of the IPPAC.  Dues shall be due and payable annually, for a one-year term of membership commencing at 12 o’clock noon on July 1 of the year and ending at 12 o’clock noon on July 1 of the year next following thereafter.  Dues for such year shall be payable at the rate associated with the member’s status in the IPPAC at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the membership year.  No person shall be a member in good standing or may exercise any right or privilege of membership, including attendance at an annual convention of the members of the IPPAC and casting a ballot for the election of members of the Steering Committee, unless the dues of such person have been paid in full for the year during which the person seeks to exercise such right or privilege of membership and unless the person otherwise satisfies all requirements lawfully established in, or pursuant to, these By-Laws for the exercise of such right or privilege of membership.  Dues shall not be pro-rated, but shall be paid in full for the term of membership, regardless of when, during such term, membership may commence.  Dues, once paid in full for a year, shall not be reduced because a member ceases to be a member of the Steering Committee or of a committee, nor shall dues, once paid, be refunded.

Section 3.2  There shall be three categories of membership in the IPPAC.  They are:

(a)      Steering Committee member

      (i)   Steering Committee members shall be elected every year at the annual                                 convention of members as provided for in Section 9.

      (ii)  Steering Committee member dues shall be $50 per year.

(b)      Committee member

      (i)   Committee members shall serve on one or more committees of the IPPAC.

      (ii)  Committee member dues shall be $20 per year.

(c)      Member

     (i)   Members may attend IPPAC general meetings.

     (ii)  Members may attend committee meetings.

     (iii) Member dues shall be $10 per year.

Section 3.3  All members who have been in good standing for at least 30 days prior to the annual election of the Steering Committee, and whose dues both for the year, commencing on July 1, during which such annual election shall be held and for the year, commencing on July 1, during which the term of office of the members of the Steering Committee elected at such election shall commence have been paid in full, shall have voting privileges at such election.

Section 3.4  Contributions and dues shall be used for their designated purposes as decided by the Steering Committee.

Section 3.5  Membership may be suspended or revoked by a ¾ vote of the Steering Committee for cause.

Section 3.6  Organizations may designate an “organizational member” who shall exercise the voting privilege for that organization.
 
4.  Organization

Section 4.1  The Steering Committee members shall be elected either at an annual convention of the IPPAC by attending members or by ballot of all members of the IPPAC with voting privileges.

Section 4.2  The Steering Committee shall cause the members to be informed of the time and place of the annual convention at least thirty days prior to the submission of ballots.  There shall be nineteen members of the Steering Committee.  The members of the Steering Committee shall serve staggered terms on an at-large basis.  At the convention of the members held in 2005, the top twelve vote getters shall be declared the winners; the ten top vote getters among the winners shall serve two-year-terms, and the remaining two winners shall serve one-year terms.  At subsequent conventions of the members, as many members of the Steering Committee shall be elected as there are terms expiring.  All requests to appear on the ballot and nominations shall be submitted to the Executive Director at least twenty-one days prior to the submission of ballots.

Section 4.3  Vacancies in the Steering Committee membership shall be filled by appointment as determined by a two-thirds vote of the remaining Steering Committee members at a meeting called for that purpose by the Chair within thirty days following the vacancy coming into being.  A member so appointed shall serve the remaining term of the vacated Steering Committee membership being filled.

Section 4.4   The members Steering Committee shall annually elect the officers of the IPPAC by a majority vote of Steering Committee members to serve for a 1-year term.  The officers of the IPPAC shall consist of either:

            (a)  a Chair, serving in executive capacity, an Executive Director, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, each chosen from within the Steering Committee's own membership; or,

            (b)  a Chair, serving in honorary capacity, chosen from outside the Steering Committee's membership, plus an Executive Vice-Chair, an Executive Director, a Secretary and a Treasurer chosen from within the Steering Committee's membership.

Section 4.5   The Steering Committee shall be responsible for the control and management of all the affairs, properties and funds of the IPPAC consistent with these Bylaws, and any resolutions, which may be adopted at the annual convention.

Section 4.6   No person shall be a member of the Steering Committee or an officer of the Coalition who is not a member of the IPPAC with voting privileges.

5.  Scope   The IPPAC shall conduct its activities primarily within the state of Illinois.

6.  Officers

Section 6.1   The Chair, if a member of the Steering Committee serving in executive capacity, shall be the chief executive officer of the IPPAC.  The executive Chair or his/her designee shall preside at all IPPAC conventions and all meetings of the Steering Committee.

Section 6.2   The Chair, if serving in honorary capacity, shall be the Steering Committee' honorary head and senior spokesman.  The honorary Chair may preside at any IPPAC conventions and any meetings of the Steering Committee as he/she may choose, but shall not cast a vote in the Steering Committee.

Section 6.3   The Executive Vice-Chair, if such post is filled and the Chair is serving in honorary capacity, shall be the chief executive officer of the Steering Committee.  The Executive Vice-Chair or his/her designee shall preside at all IPPAC conventions and all meetings of the Steering Committee, except when the honorary Chair shall choose to preside.

Section 6.4   The Secretary shall be responsible for the maintenance of all IPPAC records, including the membership list and a record of any IPPAC and Steering Committee proceedings specified in these Bylaws.  Copies of any IPPAC records shall be available to any IPPAC member upon written request and payment of handling and duplication expenses.

Section 6.5   The Treasurer shall receive, disburse and account for the funds of the IPPAC under the supervision and direction of the Chair and the Steering Committee.  The Treasurer shall compile an annual report which shall consist of a balance sheet and profit and loss statement, which shall be available to members of the IPPAC from the Treasurer upon written request and payment of handling and duplication expenses.

Section 6.6   The Chair, Executive Vice-Chair, Secretary or Treasurer may be suspended or removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the members of the Steering Committee.  If the membership of an officer or Steering Committee member is revoked or suspended, he/she must resign from office.

Section 6.7   In the event of a vacancy in any office , the Steering Committee shall fill the vacancy by appointment.

7.  Finance and Accounting

Section 7.1   The fiscal year of the IPPAC shall begin on July 1 of each year or as decided upon by the Steering Committee.  The Steering Committee may establish an annual budget and the Treasurer shall authorize expenditures for any item incorporated in the approved budget.

Section 7.2   The Steering Committee shall not enter into any contract lasting more than one year, incur any expense in a non-budgeted category, or incur any expense in a budgeted category greater than the amount budgeted without a two-thirds vote of the entire Steering Committee.  Disbursements shall be made with supporting documentation.

8.  Steering Committee

Section 8.1   The Steering Committee shall meet at such time and place as may be determined by action of that Committee, by a call of the Chair, or by written or e-mail request of at least one-third of the members of the Steering Committee. Notice of the time and place of each meeting shall be sent to each member of the Steering Committee not less than seven days prior to such meeting.

Section 8.2   The Steering Committee may transact business by mail, e-mail, fax or any other communication medium they deem appropriate.  A quorum shall be a simple majority of the eligible members of the Steering Committee.

Section 8.3   There shall be such committees appointed by the Chair as the Steering Committee deems appropriate.  The Bylaws Committee is established as a standing committee of the IPPAC.  Working committees shall exist at the pleasure of the Steering Committee. 

9.  Conventions

Section 9.1   The IPPAC shall hold an annual convention of members to conduct such business as may properly come before it, including election of officers and amendment of Bylaws, during the month of June every year on a date and time determined by the Steering Committee.  An in person convention shall be held if (i) the Steering Committee so decides, or (ii) one hundred members in good standing with voting privileges submit in writing their desire for a convention and intention to attend, or (iii) the IPPAC has in excess of 200 members.  Otherwise, the annual convention shall be held by ballots made available to members pursuant to procedures established by the Steering Committee.

Section 9.2   It shall be the responsibility of the Steering Committee to set the date, time and place, if applicable, and schedule of events, if any, for the annual convention.  The Steering Committee shall have power to make rules for the conduct of the business of the annual convention and for the conduct of elections thereat.  In the event that an in person convention is held, a sufficient majority of the members of the IPPAC in good standing, present, and voting at such convention may, in accordance with the parliamentary authority adopted by these By-Laws, amend, suspend, or rescind a rule made by the Steering Committee, and may adopt such other rule or rules as it may deem needful and expedient, for the conduct of the business of the annual convention or for the conduct of elections thereat.

10. Amendment of Bylaws

Section 10.1  An amendment to these Bylaws may be proposed by the Steering Committee or by ten members of the IPPAC.  Proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Director not less than 14 days before the annual convention.  The Executive Director shall give all members of the IPPAC reasonable notice of each proposed amendment not less than ten days before the annual convention.  A proposed amendment shall be adopted upon approval by three-fifths of the members of the IPPAC voting at the annual convention.  Unless otherwise specified in the resolution by which an amendment is adopted at the annual convention, every amendment adopted at an annual convention shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.

Section 10.2   The Steering Committee may, in case of emergency, provisionally amend these Bylaws at any time upon approval by two-thirds of the members of the Steering Committee.  Unless otherwise specified in the resolution by which the provisional amendment is adopted by the Steering Committee, every provisional amendment adopted by the Steering Committee shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the Steering Committee.  Every provisional amendment shall be submitted for the approval of the members of the IPPAC at the annual convention next following after adoption of the provisional amendment.  A provisional amendment shall be subject to approval by three-fifths of the members of the IPPAC voting at the annual convention; but, in the event that the provisional amendment is not submitted to the next annual convention, or it is submitted to the annual convention and approval is withheld, or the annual convention adjourns without acting on the provisional amendment, then the provisional amendment shall immediately thereafter have no further force or effect.

Section 10.3   Steering Committee members may not use the provisions of Section 10.2 to make amendments to these Bylaws affecting the amendment process or the election of Steering Committee members.

11.  Affiliations, Adjudication, & Authority

Section 11.1   In the event of any conflict between these Bylaws and applicable law or regulation, the latter shall govern the IPPAC and its affairs.

Section 11.2   In the event that any legal authority should declare or render any portion of these Bylaws void or invalid, the remainder shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 11.3   Written notices required under these Bylaws shall be given in such form and manner as the Steering Committee may, from time to time, direct, or, in the absence of a specific direction by the Steering Committee, such written notices may be given by personal delivery, by mail, by publication in a newsletter or other periodical published and circulated by the IPPAC, by e-mail, or by posting on the official website of the IPPAC, or by any combination thereof.

Section 11.4   The most current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by these Bylaws.

Section 11.5   Disputes involving these Bylaws or actions taken pursuant to these Bylaws shall be resolved by a two-thirds vote of the members of the Steering Committee; provided however, by majority vote of IPPAC members with voting privileges present at any convention, the decisions of the Steering Committee may be overturned.  If the dispute is over which persons will legally occupy the positions on the Steering Committee, then two-thirds of the current and outgoing Steering Committee members may refer the matter to binding arbitration, in which case the Chairman shall serve as arbitrator or may select another officer to so act.

Section 11.6   These Bylaws shall become effective upon ratification by a majority vote of those members attending the first convention of the IPPAC.