With the primary behind us, I want to thank all of the 16th district voters and taxpayers, as well as all Cook County taxpayers who have stood behind us, encouraged us, donated to us and prayed for us.

The voters understood that this is not about any of us individually. It is about doing the right thing in a one-party county and state, protecting the taxpayers and those who are without voice or representation, and providing leadership where none exists.

I pledge to you on my solemn honor, that I will continue the fight for smaller government, lower taxes and elimination of corruption in Cook County until my last breath.

We must educate new generation of young leadership, forge strong alliances with African-American and Latino voters, and run on the principles that make GOP Party and our nation great: God, Country, Family and Individual Responsibility.

We have a great opportunity before us in 2010 to restore a functioning two-party democracy in this corrupt state, county and city.

It is up to us.

We must close our ranks, stand behind our party nominees, and, with clear vision and purpose, engage the other side like they have never been engaged before.

Now is the time.

Will you stand with us and join us in this battle? Will you commit yourself to personally work, contribute, organize and support your local, state and federal candidates.

This is the place.

The whole country and the world is looking at Illinois and waiting for us to send the signal for the rest of the nation. This is the heart of America. We are common-sense Midwesterners who know pretenders when we see them.

Do it.

Not for yourself, but for future generations who are going to look on this time and say: “How we wish we were there to share that moment in history with them.”

Tony Peraica