Cook County

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Chicago - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Illinois - Liberals - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Apparently, Being Dem Means Not Having to Pay Rent

December 27, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Long time Democratic Chicago Pol Monique Davis hasn’t paid the rent for her offices since 2002. Apparently it doesn’t matter either. After all, she’s a Chicago Democrat and the rules real people have to live by don’t apply to a Chicago Democrat.

And like a true Democrat Davis is blaming everyone else. It isn’t her fault, you see. Remember the scene close to the end of the Blues Brothers where Jake Blues (John Belushi) was on his knees in the sewer pleading with Carrie Fisher not to kill him? Jake Blues told his jilted and angry lover, “I ran out of gas, I had a flat tire, I didn’t have enough money for cab fare, my tux didn’t come back from the cleaners, an old friend came in from out of town, someone stole my car, there was an earthquake, a terrible flood, locusts…. it wasn’t my fault I SWEAR TO GOD!” Yeah, it’s just like that.

Davis doesn’t deny that she owes the Chicago School Board back-rent for her office space totaling over $75,000. But she also owes taxes of some $157,500 and about $287,000 in penalties. SHe has an excuse, of course.
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Apparently, Being Dem Means Not Having to Pay Rent”

Barack Obama - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Mayor Richard Daley - President - Socialism - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Chgo. Mayor Daley’s Bro Pleads for Dems to Return to Center

December 26, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s brother, William, is warning the Democratic Party that it is going too far left and will end up “in the wilderness” in 2010. William Daley has been a longtime political operative that has been connected with the Clintons for many years but that doesn’t make him an extremist lefty, apparently… at least in his opinion.

Daley wrote an op ed for the Washington Post today where he warns that the Democratic Party is in danger of going over the leftwing cliff.

With the revelation that Rep. Parker Griffith of Alabama is jumping the sinking Dem. ship and has declared that he is now a Republican and with the several Dems retiring from Congress, Daley warns that all the centrists are running away from the party and that will cause it to lose future elections.

In fact, he’s sure its too late to prevent major loses in 2010. He warns that if the party doesn’t return to the center they will lose more than just the next election.
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Chgo. Mayor Daley’s Bro Pleads for Dems to Return to Center”

Chicago - Christmas - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Religion - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

The Good News About Springfield, Merry Christmas

December 24, 2009 by

A Christmas message from Adam Andrzejewski, Republican candidate for Illinois Governor:

In the coming weeks, you’ll most likely share time with friends and family to celebrate Christmas—an end-of-year festival tradition rooted in the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. This Christmas, I encourage you to give yourself an extra moment of pause to take inventory of the blessings that have been bestowed upon you by our Creator.

I also encourage you to remember the brave men and women who risk their lives to forge our great nation, and those who have paid the ultimate price for Freedom in America.

It is quite likely that someone you know—a family member or a neighbor—perhaps even yourself, has been laid off and dealt with challenging circumstances as a result. In Illinois, the unemployment rate is higher than the national average, our former governor’s impeachment still looms in recent memory, and our state is hemorrhaging money from a massive budget deficit. In spite of the dark cloud overhead, I encourage you to give thanks and celebrate Our Lord’s birth with rejoicing. And I’d like to suggest there is good news in the New Year. I submit to you that there is good news about Springfield.
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The Good News About Springfield, Merry Christmas”

Budget - Chicago - Christmas - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Health - Illinois - Liberals - Senate - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Idiot We Call Senator Makes Fool of Self

December 22, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Seat warmer Roland Burris, the doddering Illinois pol that bought his Senate seat from the criminal Governor that now sits awaiting to be sent to jail wanted to give the Senate some good cheer today during the socialist helathcare debate.

Burrie thought maybe a poem would help bring the Senate together in its hour of bickering…

… so much for the congeniality of the Senate, eh? This creep thought he’d use the Christmas spirit for partisan name calling and vitriol.

What a jerk.

But my friend Moe Lane had a better version that trades tit for tat…
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Idiot We Call Senator Makes Fool of Self”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Illinois - State Government - Terrorism - Warner Todd Huston

Gitmo Lawsuit Could block Thomson Prison Transfer By Feds

December 22, 2009 by

From the William Kelly for Comptroller campaign:

GOP Comptroller candidate Kelly’s Attorney Planning to File Class Action Suit for Public Endangerment

(STERLING, IL) – This afternoon, protesters from Band of Mothers and Illinois Tea Party gathered in Sterling, IL to protest the move to transfer the Gitmo detainees to Thomson Prison. Among them was William J. Kelly, the GOP candidate for comptroller. Kelly is planning to file a lawsuit to block the transfer of the Thomson prison site to the federal government to house the Gitmo detainees. Kelly’s attorney, Greg Johnson, is exploring the merits of a class action suit on the grounds of public endangerment to prevent the prisoner transfer. “The public risks associated with the continued detention of war prisoners should not be forced upon the citizens of Illinois without sufficient public input and acceptance,” said Johnson.
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Gitmo Lawsuit Could block Thomson Prison Transfer By Feds”

Children - Cook County - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Policy Institute: Santa’s Bringing….Dog Food???‏

December 22, 2009 by

What went into Congress’s latest $1.1 trillion spending bill? A $9.3 million bailout for the Windy City’s favorite financial black hole, the CTA (which runs deficits every year) and $340,000 to buy property no one wants. Kristina Rasmussen, our executive vice president, weighed in on Fox Business News last week. You can watch by clicking the video above.

Funding Four-Legged Friends
Does your neighbor have eleven cats? Just one dog? An ornery little hamster? If so, you may soon be funding these four-legged friends—that is, if Michigan Republican Thaddeus McCotter has his way. McCotter has proposed a $3500 tax credit for, yes, people’s pets. You can watch John Tillman discuss the issue tonight at 5:00 on CBS 2 Chicago.
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Ill. Policy Institute: Santa’s Bringing….Dog Food???‏”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois GOP ‘Searching’ For Relevancy

December 22, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Illinois GOP tried on some “tongue-in-cheek” fun on its website this week concerning the mysterious candidacy of, “one Patrick John Ryan, who has filed as a Republican to run against Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan next year.”

The Illinois GOP has launched a sort of faux search for this supposed GOP candidate and have promised to support his candidacy. It’s all made in fun and to highlight that the Democrats are as underhanded as they are. Unfortunately, this bit of fun also highlights a very sad fact about the Illinois GOP: its impotency in Cook County.

Of course, it is pretty obvious that Illinois Democrats are a crafty, criminal lot. How is it that they can field a candidate pretending to be Republican, anyway? Why are they even doing it? As the GOP website points out, this Ryan fellow is a Democrat but has mysteriously shown up as a Republican candidate. It all tends to confirm the left’s reputation of being liars and crooks, of course.
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Illinois GOP ‘Searching’ For Relevancy”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - GOP - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

8th District Candidates Forum Jan 7

December 21, 2009 by

From the Lake County News-Sun:

8TH DISTRICT: The Republican Clubs of Antioch, Avon, Grant and Lake Villa townships have scheduled an 8th Congressional District candidate’s forum 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Round Lake Park District, 814 Hart Road, Round Lake. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Lilian Golonka at (847) 395-1872 or Bob Powers at (847) 546-8557. Republican 8th District candidates on the Feb. 2 ballot are Christopher Geissler of Barrington, John Dawson of Barrington, Maria Rodriguez of Long Grove, Dirk Beveridge of Barrington, Gregory Jacobs of Mundelein and Joe Walsh of Winnetka. Democratic incumbent Melissa Bean of Barrington is unopposed in the primary. Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer of Lindenhurst is also running for the seat.

The Candidate’s Websites:

2nd Amendment - Abortion - Anti-Americanism - Chicago - Constitution - Cook County - Elections - Free Trade - GOP - Illinois - Religion - Rights - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

My Last Straw With Bob Schillerstrom for Governor

December 21, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

For the most part I want my writing, opining and reporting of the GOP field of candidates in Illinois to be relatively even handed. I have avoided too much high strung rhetoric and have not made any obvious endorsements because I want all of our Republican candidates to have this forum and to get their message to Illinois Republican voters. But I will not from this point forward be loaning my forum to Bob Schillerstrom in his quest for the GOP nomination for Governor.

There are some things with which I agree with Mr. Schilelrstrom. He is generally a fiscal conservative which is good. However, he is also a pro-abortion candidate and an anti-Constitutional rights candidate. These two things are enough for me to jettison any further reporting on his campaign.

The final straw comes for me with Schillerstrom’s announcement of getting endorsed by a radical abortion advocacy group, the Personal PAC. This group claims to be “bi-partisan” but is far from it.
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My Last Straw With Bob Schillerstrom for Governor”

Chicago - Cook County - Cook County Board - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Video: Chgo Trib Editorial Board Interview With GOP County Board Candidates

December 21, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Chicago Tribune filmed its interview with two GOP candidates for Cook County Board Chairman, Roger Keats and John Garrido.

You can see he video on the Chicago Trib Video pages, or watch it here…
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Video: Chgo Trib Editorial Board Interview With GOP County Board Candidates”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Dillard Gets More Kane County Support

December 21, 2009 by

From the Kirk Dillard for Governor campaign…

Over the weekend, Republican candidate for Illinois governor Kirk Dillard won the endorsement of the St. Charles Township Republicans, expanding his support throughout Kane County.

“Senator Dillard’s leadership and plans to bring jobs to Illinois, balance the budget and clean up Springfield demonstrate he is the best candidate, and we are proud to endorse him,” said St. Charles Township Republican Chairman Ken Shepro. Dillard was also enthusiastic. “I’m delighted my friends in Kane County are backing my campaign, and it shows how my unique experience as former Governor Edgar’s chief of staff, my plan to make Illinois a “Destination Economy” and my legislative record are resonating with voters.”
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Dillard Gets More Kane County Support”

Congress - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

8th District: Joe Walsh Picks up Tea Party Groups Endorsement

December 21, 2009 by

From the Walsh for Congress campaign…

For Immediate Release: 8th Congressional District Candidate, Joe Walsh, is thrilled to announce the support of two influential Tea Party organizations in the 8th district — Tea Party Palatine and the Lake County Tea Party — in his run for congress. Two weeks ago Walsh was endorsed by the Illinois Federation for Right to Life PAC.

“I am honored to have the support of two fine organizations comprised of selfless individuals who have chosen to engage in the political process rather than sit back and accept the status quo. These organizations and their memberships have ‘had enough’ and are working hard to take our country back,” said Walsh.
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8th District: Joe Walsh Picks up Tea Party Groups Endorsement”

Chicago - Cook County - Cook County Board - Elections - Illinois - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Follow the Elections at the Cook County Clerk Website

December 21, 2009 by

With the Primaries coming quick on the heels of New Years celebrations (February 2) I thought it would be a good idea to make sure everyone knows the websites of the Cook County Clerk and the Chicago Boad of Elections.

For Cook County (excluding the City of Chicago) you can go to:

www.cookcountyclerk.com

Now, because Chicago is it’s own animal in most things, the city has it’s own website to follow elections. That is:

www.chicagoelections.com

So, there are your resources to keep you eye on as the Primary unfolds.

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Business - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Governor Candidates on Taxes and State Spending

December 19, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Associated Press asked the Illinois Gubernatorial candidates where they stand on both taxes and state spending this week. Interestingly, they asked what programs the candidates would cut to save money. With this question it was telling that the Republicans had specific programs that they’d cut while both Democrats dithered, hemmed and hawed on any cuts. Nearly all of them said “Medicaid spending” should be cut, but that doesn’t really answer to the question in my opinion. Of course Medicaid spending should be reformed as it is filled to the brim with waste and fraud, but no one is going to cut the program and cutting of programs was the question.

The AP’s questions on spending can be seen on the CBS Channel 2 website.

The AP also did one on taxes and that one can be seen on bnd.com, here the GOP contenders are interesting for one thing all but one of them said they’d hold the line. Only Dan Proft said he cut the state income tax. Naturally, both big spending Democrats (Dan Hynes and Pat Quinn) said they’d raise taxes.

In any case, both these AP pieces really shows the difference between the GOP and Democrat candidates. The Republicans want to cut spending and at least hold the line on taxes rates if not cut them and Democrats want to hike taxes and spend, spend, spend.

And let me say this about Dan Proft. He is always dead right on his answers to these issues. His points on these two AP pieces are perfect pitch.
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Ill. Governor Candidates on Taxes and State Spending”

Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - House of Representatives - Liberals - Socialism - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Thomas Brewton

Closing the Barn Door

December 19, 2009 by

-By Thomas E. Brewton

Procrustean regulation of banks and other financial institutions, passed by the House and pending in the Senate, will not prevent the next credit debacle and economic recession.

The House of Representatives has just passed a bill, primarily the brain child of Congressman Barney Frank, that expands the scope and detailed depth of financial markets’ regulation.

For public consumption, Congressman Frank’s legislation aims to prevent future financial meltdowns. This it will fail to do. It will, however, continue the long standing animosity between Democrat/Socialists and Wall Street and the business community.

Accepting the Democrat/Socialist Party’s nomination for the presidency in 1936, Franklin Roosevelt railed against the “economic royalists” who were allegedly seeking a “new industrial dictatorship.” Privately, he opined that businessmen as a class were stupid, that newspapers were just as bad. During the election campaign of 1936, in an address at Madison Square Garden, he fulminated against the magnates of “organized money.” To uprorious applause, he threatened: “I should like to have it said of my second Administration that in it these forces met their master.”
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Closing the Barn Door”

Budget - Chicago - Cook County - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Liberals - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Jim Dodge Beats Out Topinka For Another Endorsement

December 18, 2009 by 1 Comment

From the Dodge for Comptroller campaign:

The Ford County Republican Organization voted Thursday night to endorse Jim Dodge, Republican candidate for Illinois Comptroller in the February 2, 2010 Republican Primary.

“I believe he has the intellect and the confidence to do the job and the ambition and integrity to follow through on the tough decisions that need to be made for the state,” said Eric Thompson, Ford County GOP Chairman. “Our organization sees that Jim Dodge embodies these characteristics that make him the right candidate for Comptroller.”
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Jim Dodge Beats Out Topinka For Another Endorsement”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Lt. Governor Race: Dennis Cook Gets Two South Suburban Republican Endorsements

December 17, 2009 by

From the Cook for Lt. Governor campaign:

(Orland Park, IL) – Lieutenant Governor Candidate Dennis Cook announced today that he has received the endorsements of Cook County and Palos GOP Chairman Lee Roupas, and Cook County Commissioner and Orland Township Chairman Liz Gorman.

Cook, Consolidated District 230 School Board President, said it is a great honor to have the endorsement of these two well-respected members of the Republican Party.
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Lt. Governor Race: Dennis Cook Gets Two South Suburban Republican Endorsements”

Budget - Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Elections - Free Trade - Freedom - GOP - Illinois - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

2nd District: Isaac Hayes Adds Phylicia Lyons as School Adviser

December 17, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Republican south-sider Isaac Hayes has a tall order on his hands; face and defeat Chicago machine favorite and incumbent Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. But Hayes has added a new education adviser to his campaign staff that shows that he is serious in his effort to defeat Jackson and offer the voters a starkly different choice.

Joining the Hayes campaign in the role of Education Policy Director is Phylicia Lyons, President of School Choice Illinois.

Founded in 2006 School Choice Illinois is a policy group that has dedicated itself to pursuing vouchers, tax breaks and increasing the reach of charter schools all in an effort to give parents more options besides the failing public schools with which to educate their children. SCI feels that current laws stifle and prohibit parents from seeking more effective schools and its goal is to explore and create sustainable education policies that work for our kids.
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2nd District: Isaac Hayes Adds Phylicia Lyons as School Adviser”

Budget - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Jobs - Liberals - Republicans - Socialism - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Ten Ways to Stop Illinois Corruption

December 17, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Jerry Agar is a Chicago area radio host and a member of the Illinois Policy Institute, a free-market centric policy center. Agar also has a column on the IPI website often centered around a list of one type of another. Today’s piece is titled, “10 Ways to Stop Political Corruption in Illinois.”

He begins:

Since 1970, more than 1500 individuals have been convicted, and the cost to Illinois taxpayers is estimated at $500 million a year. If we had that money back, instead of just watching an endless perp-walk, we would be in much better shape on several levels.

Agar goes on to list his ten points, but most of them seem to have an aspect of government transparency to them — such as number ten, “Appoint the Sunshine Commission”

Now, I have to say that I agree with an effort at state transparency. DuPage County has done a fantastic job putting all its business transactions, funding, and accounts online for everyone to see. This sort of thing can lead to two things. One, that govt officials might feel less likely to waste and steal tax money if their accounts are so easily discovered by the voters, and two… well, two is that the voters can see what their government is doing.

Still, transparency is not the only thing we can and should do to clean up government. We, the voters, need to be far more careful of who we vote into office in the first place. Being an informed voter is even more important than transparency.
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Ten Ways to Stop Illinois Corruption”

Campaign Finance - Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

One Out in 10th Congressional District Race

December 17, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

There are still four candidates for the 10th District seat that is currently held by Mark Kirk (who is now running for Senate) but once there was five. Bill Cadigan has announced that he is no longer pursuing the nomination for the 10th. He reports that he just can’t raise the cash for the fight and is suspending his campaign.

Cadigan was endorsed by former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger and former Chairman of the Illinois Reform Commission Patrick Collins. He used to work for Congressman John Porter.

Cadigan has said he won’t be endorsing anyone at least until after Jan.1st.
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One Out in 10th Congressional District Race”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

GOP Questions McKenna’s Use of Party Funds for His Own Polling

December 17, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

I meant to mention this story yesterday and didn’t get to it. I guess the reason why I wasn’t so all fired up to highlight it is that it all seemed as no surprise, it seemed like ho-hum news.

Don’t get me wrong, certainly it is big news that Gubernatorial candidate Andy McKenna is being investigated by the State Party over possible misuse of party money to fund his own first poll to ascertain whether or not his run for Gov. would be viable. No question that this is interesting news on several levels.

It is interesting, for instance, that the state GOP would even bother to investigate their fair hared boy in the first place, so, yes, that is interesting right there.

But it isn’t startling that Andy McKenna might be suspected of doing something underhanded. Here’s what happened:

Back in the summer when McKenna was still the Illinois Republican Party Chairman the party funded a $28,000 poll to flesh out the standing of the various folks on the Republican side that were close to announcing or had announced their intent to run for the party’s nomination for governor.
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GOP Questions McKenna’s Use of Party Funds for His Own Polling”

2nd Amendment - Anti-Americanism - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Freedom - GOP - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

How the Candidates for Gov. Stand on Guns

December 17, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The good folks over at icarry.org have compiled a nice little list of statements about the Second Amendment made by our candidates for Governor. On a veto of the so-called assault weapons ban, they found four GOPers stongly in favor, one is wishy-washy, and two oppose it. And on concealed carry they found three Republicans support it and three are against it.

Here is what icarry.org posted:
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How the Candidates for Gov. Stand on Guns”

Budget - Business - Chicago - Cook County - Cook County Board - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Cook County Board: Interview With Roger Keats

December 16, 2009 by

Roger Keats is the candidate for Cook County Board President that is supported by the Cook County Republican Party. Linda Shelton has an extensive interview with Keats as well as a compilation of the positions he taken on his website. (Campaign website www.keatsforcook.com/)

It looks like Mr. Keats is trying to run of an anti-corruption/boost the economy platform.
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Cook County Board: Interview With Roger Keats”

Barack Obama - Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Crime - Economy/Finances - GOP - Illinois - Iran - Islam - Islamofascism - Liberals - Republicans - Society/Culture - State Government - Terrorism - Warner Todd Huston - Western Civilization

Peter Roskam: Illinois Deserves Better Than This

December 16, 2009 by

A Statement from Representative Peter Roskam:

President Obama’s decision to relocate Guantanamo Bay’s inmates to my home state of Illinois is a misguided decision that will ultimately be regretted. Proponents of the decision have failed to prove how this move will make America safer. Let’s be clear: the Administration is not closing Guantanamo, they are simply moving Guantanamo to Illinois.

The multi-million dollar Guantanamo facility will be left dormant while U.S. courts extend an invitation to expand their reach into national security affairs. The move from a military tribunal to U.S. civilian courts will treat individuals who committed an act of war against the United States as common criminals. It flies in the face of logic, long precedence, and assumes the military is not capable of fairly administering justice.

Illinois deserves a better Christmas present than hardened terrorists.
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Peter Roskam: Illinois Deserves Better Than This”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Gutierrez Illegal Amnesty Bill to Cost Illinois Tax Payers Jobs and Will Raise Taxes

December 15, 2009 by

From the Rosanna Pulido campaign:

Rosanna Pulido, Citizen Candidate for the Illinois 5th Congressional district seat is strongly opposed to the Amnesty Bill legislation being introduced by Representative Gutierrez of the 6th district.

Pulido states that, ‘with one in ten Illinoisans laid off of work ,unemployment rates at the highest level in decades and millions of Americans facing tough financial choices, the last thing our country needs is another short sighted politician trying to fix a real problem by throwing hardworking taxpayers money at it.’
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Gutierrez Illegal Amnesty Bill to Cost Illinois Tax Payers Jobs and Will Raise Taxes”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

8th District: Joe Walsh Opposes Thomson/Gitmo Move

December 15, 2009 by

From the Walsh for Congress campaign:

Lake Zurich, IL, December 14, 2009 : Joe Walsh, Republican Candidate for Congress in the 8th Congressional district has announced his strong opposition to the Obama administration plan to move terrorist suspects from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Thomson, Illinois. The facility at Thomson, Illinois is an underutilized state prison that the state of Illinois has offered to the federal government for purchase.

“I am opposed to moving terror suspects from Guantanamo Bay to Thomson, Illinois. This move is being touted as a great economic development issue for Illinois but I find it really pathetic that our state would be painted as so desperate for jobs that it would become the home to terrorists. The local impact on jobs is terribly overblown. This is a political move pure and simple. I am also concerned that the same stigma and international attention, mostly negative, could become focused on Northern Illinois,” said Walsh.
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8th District: Joe Walsh Opposes Thomson/Gitmo Move”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Cook County Board - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Tony Peraica Endorses 5th District Challenger David Ratowitz

December 15, 2009 by

From the Ratowitz campaign:

“His grassroots campaign is firing on all cylinders, aiming well beyond the February Primary to retake Illinois’ 5th Congressional District for Republicans in November.”

CHICAGO – December 15, 2009 – U.S. House candidate David Ratowitz (IL-5) has received the official endorsement of renowned conservative activist Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica in his run for the Republican nomination in the February 2 Primary Election. Peraica has released the following remarks:

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Tony Peraica Endorses 5th District Challenger David Ratowitz”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

17th State Rep Race: Phil Collins Celebrates Endorsements

December 15, 2009 by

First time candidate Phil Collins, who is vying for the 17th District State Rep seat, is celebrating an impressive number of endorsements.

On Nov. 30, Collins was endorsed by the Illinois Conservatives Facebook Group. He was also endorsed by Jim Leahy, the executive director of the Republican Assembly of Illinois and by David Smith, the executive director of the Illinois Family Institute. He also picked up the endorsement of the Evanston Conservative, a great blog that is published by Gary Karlin; Eric Wallace, Randy White, and the Chicago Minuteman Project. And last week, his campaign was endorsed by the Illinois Federation for Right to Life and the Illinois Conservative Action Network.
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17th State Rep Race: Phil Collins Celebrates Endorsements”

2nd Amendment - Chicago - Constitution - Cook County - Guns - Illinois - Liberals - Security/Safety - Supreme Court - Warner Todd Huston

Would Chicago Gun Rights Case Destroy Federalism?

December 15, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

For the Family Research Council, Ken Blackwell and Ken Klukowski warned in a Washington Times op ed that a case on gun rights that will soon come before the Supreme Court could “trigger the unhinging of American culture.” Not only do I think the pair went too far in their claim, I also think they missed several key reasons why their worst fear of the end of state’s rights and federalism is misplaced, even as their warning is well taken.

What Blackwell and Klukowski are worried about is that the upcoming McDonald v City of Chicago case could open a “Pandora’s box” of federal overreach to the point where any federal judge could override any state law and claim that it violates the Constitution’s Privileges or Immunities Clause. The two feel that if this challenge succeeds it could “completely change American culture, with the court having a new basis upon which to declare constitutional rights to abortion, same-sex marriage, obscene material or a child’s ‘right’ to a public-school education over his parents’ objections.”

The case is centered upon the legality of the City of Chicago to regulate away the rights of its citizens to own firearms and store them in their own homes. Of course anyone that cares about the Constitution should want McDonald to beat the City of Chicago and force the city to recognize its citizen’s 2nd Amendment rights to self-protection. But, the op ed warns that they way the McDonald lawyers are going about their challenge to Chicago could lead to undesired consequences.
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Would Chicago Gun Rights Case Destroy Federalism?”