(Washington, D.C.) – The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW), the nation’s largest taxpayer watchdog group, has named taxpayer activist Jon Zahm to chair the Illinois chapter of its Taxpayer Action Network (TAN).  As the Illinois State TAN Chairman, Zahm will coordinate state and local TAN activities.  The appointment is part of a CCAGW initiative to increase its presence on the state level.

“Jon Zahm is an invaluable asset in our continuing fight against waste, fraud, and excessive taxation in the state of Illinois,” said CCAGW President Thomas A. Schatz.  “We are confident that the taxpayers of Illinois will benefit greatly from his grassroots leadership.”

Zahm has a record of success in grassroots political involvement.  In 1991 he served as Field Director of Chris Lauzen’s successful first campaign for Illinois Senate.  Later, Zahm managed the Citizen’s Alliance of South Elgin (C.A.S.E.) electoral sweep that replaced a 28-year incumbent Village President and his candidate slate.  Most recently, in 1998 Zahm led the stunning upset of Tim Schmitz in the Republican Primary over three heavily financed opponents for 42^nd District State Representative.

“Each and every campaign I have worked for over the last 10 years has been on the side of the most fiscally conservative, government waste fighting candidate that is running. In fact, in some instances I have recruited individuals to challenge politicians who are not putting the interests of the taxpayer first,” Zahm said.

He continued, “I am excited about this opportunity to join with the nation’s leading government waste fighting organization in chairing the Illinois Taxpayer Action Network. Together we will be strong advocates and watchdogs for all Illinois’ taxpayers.”

TAN is the grassroots arm of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste.  TAN’s 3,000 volunteers serve as both watchdogs and lobbyists on government waste and mismanagement issues.  CCAGW is a 600,000-member nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to the elimination of government waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement.