Don’t Give Springfield Politicians Any More Money‏

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

The fix is in. Democratic leaders want you to bail out their spending-and-borrow addiction with a massive tax hike.

The back room deal, announced late last night, would boost the state’s personal income tax by 75 percent − up to 5.25 percent from the current rate of 3 percent. You can find out exactly what this would mean to you with our UPDATED tax hike calculator. We will have that available on IllinoisPolicy.org this afternoon.

Consider this: A firefighter and a preschool teacher with two kids earning a combined $80,000 would pay $1,620 in higher taxes under the Quinn/Madigan/Cullerton agreement. That’s on top of the $2,160 they’re already paying in state income taxes. That’s food off the table, clothes off their backs and savings from college and retirement accounts.

Will you stand up to this injustice?
Continue reading


Don’t Give Springfield Politicians Any More Money‏”


Illinois 75% Income Tax Hike on Hold, But Not For Long – ACT NOW!

-By Warner Todd Huston

Democrat Speaker of the House Michael Madigan adjourned the lame duck session in Springfield today without coming to a final floor vote on Governor Pat Quinn’s 75% raise in the State’s income tax. Obviously he didn’t have the votes to pass it.

Madigan and his waste-loving Democrats will spend the next few days twisting arms and pushing state legislators to sign onto the further destruction of the state’s finances all in an effort to continue giving paybacks and special, sweetheart deals to the State’s public employees unions.

The legislature may be reconvened Sunday to take a vote if Madigan can get enough votes together.

Republican Minority Leader Tom Cross said Friday that the Democrats have made little headway in identifying cuts in order to balance the budget. “They fall woefully short on cutting and committing to not spending new money. This is the exact reason we got into this mess…If they start spending and not cutting it will be the same mess next year and the year after.”
Continue reading


Illinois 75% Income Tax Hike on Hold, But Not For Long – ACT NOW!”


Tell your lawmaker to vote NO on tax increases during lame duck session‏

From Americans for Prosperity, Illinois…

WOW! This year’s lame duck session in Springfield has been one of the most fast paced and productive sessions in recent memory. With only three days remaining, it appears that lawmakers will be receiving a formal legislative package that includes a request for a 75% increase in state income taxes.

It appears that the initial debate on the language will start in the House of Representatives. Our sources advise that Speaker Madigan is going to allow a straight up vote on the package. There is rumored to be 51 members in favor. In order to pass the House, the bill will need 60 votes. Therefore, it’ll be up to Governor Quinn to convince nine additional House members to move in favor of the tax hike. And so, this weekend, the hard lobbying will begin. The language of the full tax package is being drafted.

Below are the basic tenets of the package as we understand it today.
Continue reading


Tell your lawmaker to vote NO on tax increases during lame duck session‏”


Chicago Mayor’s Race: De Jesus Drops Bid, Endorses Chico

-By Warner Todd Huston

Yet another announced candidate for Chicago Mayor has dropped his bid for the top seat. Wilfredo De Jesus announced Friday that he is giving up his quest and is throwing his support over to Gery Chico.

It really looks like a three person race at this point. Rahm Emanuel, Gery Chico, and Carol Moseley Braun.

If anyone is marking their race cards, an activity so woefully prevalent in Chicago, that leaves still campaigning:
Continue reading


Chicago Mayor’s Race: De Jesus Drops Bid, Endorses Chico”


NoIllinoisTaxHike.com: Sign the No Tax Petition

Say No to the Illinois Democrats’ 75% Tax Increase

Sign the Petition at NoIllinoisTaxHike.com

Governor Pat Quinn, Senate President John Cullerton, and Speaker Michael J. Madigan (who’s also the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois) are trying to rush through a 75% Tax Increase in the final days of the lame duck session of the State Legislature.

This is the latest example of life in Illinois Madiganville.

While Illinois’ budget problems are grave, the answers lie in first attacking the excessive spending and enacting structural reforms that are needed before any new revenues are even considered. We cannot let the Democrats drive business out of Illinois and all of the jobs that go with it.

Madigan, Cullerton and Quinn talk a big game about reform and job creation, but they fundamentally lack the courage to make the tough decisions to put Illinois on solid financial footing. We are the only state in the union to push massive tax increases without accompanying spending cuts. Even other states with Democrat Governors like New York and California have recognized the need for cuts before tax increases. Reform exists everywhere but in Illinois Madiganville.

Please go to NoIllinoisTaxHike.com or to Madiganville.com to sign the online petition to send a strong and clear message to Springfield: Say No to the 75% Illinois Tax Hike!

Sponsored by the Illinois Republican Party. www.weareillinois.org

Please contact your State Representatives and tell them to VOTE NO on the tax hike. CLICK HERE for a list of our Illinois State Reps.


Contact Info for State Representatives From Illinois

-By Warner Todd Huston

I have been linking to other sources for this, but I’ve noticed that some of the links on those other pages are not working correctly. So, here are the elected state representatives of the State of Illinois. this list is alphabetical by party, but noted is each representative’s district, email address, and phone number. Also, to go to the rep’s state sponsored webpage, click on their name.

Republican State Representatives

House Minority Leader: 85th District Tom Cross
tom@tomcross.com (217) 782-1331

Suzanne Bassi, 54th District
repbassi@aol.com (217) 782-8026

Mark Beaubien, 52nd District
strepmbeaubien@sbcglobal.net (217) 782-1517

Patricia Bellock, 47th District
rep@pbellock.com (217) 782-1448

Bob Biggins, 41st District
bobbiggins@comcast.net (217) 782-6578
Continue reading


Contact Info for State Representatives From Illinois”


Jailed Ill. Gov. Released for Sympathy Visit with Dying Wife

-By Warner Todd Huston

It is being reported that jailed former Illinois Governor George Ryan is being allowed a sympathy visit with his dying wife, Laura Lynn. The former governor will be allowed a 2-hour-long visit Wednesday.

Ryan’s lawyers have for months been trying to get the disgraced governor released from jail to be with his dying wife, but to no avail. They have been successful, at least, in arranging this last visit.

The government, however, has not extended any special favors to Ryan. His last visit with his wife went through the normal procedures for such requests.
Continue reading


Jailed Ill. Gov. Released for Sympathy Visit with Dying Wife”


Take Action: No Tax Increase in Springfield

From Americans for Prosperity Illinois…

To contact your lawmaker today and ask him/her to vote “NO” on tax increases during the lame duck session in Illinois click here: http://www.capwiz.com/americansforprosperity/issues/alert/?alertid=21319501&type=ST

It’s no secret that the state of Illinois is in a fiscal crisis. It’s taken about ten years of pay-to play politics, sweetheart deals, poor public policy decisions, and the complete mismanagement of state funds to get us to this point.

Illinois’ budget deficit is approximately $14 billion, the state’s pension and retiree health care debt is approximately $130 billion, unfunded Medicaid liability has doubled since 2007 and Illinois’ unemployment rate has hovered around 10% for the last two years. Yet, state government continues to spend more than it takes in (an average of $3 for every $2 it receives from our tax dollars).
Continue reading


Take Action: No Tax Increase in Springfield”


Want Proof That Our Legislature is too Often Filled With Idiots?

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Chicago Tribune had one of those ubiquitous year-end pieces to inform us about how some thing or another ended up as the year came to a close. On Dec. 30 the Trib gave us a little round up of some of the really stupid, useless, pointless new laws that our wonderful state representatives in Springfield worked so hard to give to us in 2010.

As the Trib notes, our state budget is in practical bankruptcy and while our stalwart politicians have failed to do a single thing about it, they haven’t been completely idle. Oh, no. They’ve been very busy with the important work of the state.

Yes, they’ve been diligently working for you and me, don’t you know? They have been hard at work passing those most important laws, new rules that will surely make all our lives better.
Continue reading


Want Proof That Our Legislature is too Often Filled With Idiots?”


‘Kill’ Lawsuit Loan Shark Bill Editorial Blasts Bill — Help Us Stop it Today!

From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce…

Thanks to your grassroots efforts, we have so far stalled a bill in Springfield that would legitimize an industry of “Lawsuit Loan Sharks” in Illinois.

This weekend, the Chicago Tribune editorial board also weighed in, urging the General Assembly to reject this wrongheaded bill:

Bottom line: The bill would give legal certainty to an abusive practice and put it under a light regulatory scheme where it can flourish — spawning lawsuits galore. Illinois already has a notorious reputation for jackpot justice. Kill the bill.

We agree.
Continue reading


‘Kill’ Lawsuit Loan Shark Bill Editorial Blasts Bill — Help Us Stop it Today!”


President Obama About to Name Another Chicagoan Chief of Staff?

-By Warner Todd Huston

Julianna Goldman of Bloomberg News is reporting that President Obama may be about to name Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s brother, Bill, to become the next White House Chief of Staff.

That will make yet another Chicago crony working for the Obama White House. Bill Daley will be joining the ranks of Chicagoans Rahm Emanuel, Valarie Jarrett and several others whom the Obama’s worked with in Chicago before Barack became president.

Bill Daley, 62, was once the U.S. Commerce Secretary under Bill Clinton and chaired Al Gore’s presidential campaign in 2000. Daley co-chaired Obama’s transition team as he prepared to take office and also served as an economic adviser.
Continue reading


President Obama About to Name Another Chicagoan Chief of Staff?”


Adam Kinzinger Noted as One of 10 Conservatives Who’ll Define 2011

Slate has pointed out Adam Kinzinger (11th District) as one on the ten conservatives that will define the conservative movement for 2011.

Kinzinger has a lot of eyes upon him. Here is what Slate said of our Congressman-Elect from the 11th District.

Adam Kinzinger, U.S. representative from Illinois

It’s hard to predict which of the GOP’s dozens of House freshmen will make an impression. The new class includes not one but two car dealers who started running out of anger at “cash for clunkers.” New Republican women like Kristi Noem, Jaime Herrara, and Vicky Hartzler will produce all the “Mama Grizzly” spreads that editors could possibly want. But it’s Kinzinger–32, Iraq veteran, from Obama’s home state–who scored one of the most lopsided defeats of an incumbent in 2010, who joined Tim Scott (one of two black Republicans in the new House) in helping write the new Congress’ rules, and who’s got a seat on the energy and commerce committee, soon to become a grisly battlefield between environmentalists and climate-change skeptics.

Continue reading


Adam Kinzinger Noted as One of 10 Conservatives Who’ll Define 2011″


Video: Dan Proft on WTTW Channel 11 on Illinois Budget Mess

A new year is upon us but it is the same old tax-and-spend, borrow-and-spend policies being promulgated in Springfield. Proft and State Rep. Lou Lang join Eddie Arruza on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight to discuss the governor’s plan to borrow $15 billion.

Continue reading


Video: Dan Proft on WTTW Channel 11 on Illinois Budget Mess”


Hey, Ill. Republicans: Want to Have a Say in Your Party? We Have chance To Do It

-By Warner Todd Huston

OK, Illinois Republicans, a great opportunity to return the Illinois GOP back to some accountability to YOU is at hand. The Illinois legislature is about to enter its own lame duck session that will run from January 3 to January 11. During this session we have a chance to get a law passed that has quite a lot of support. It is a law that will return the Illinois GOP’s planning committee to your hands via direct elections of its members.

We’ve talked about SB600 many times in the past, of course. This bill would change the way the Illinois State GOP fills the seats on its state central committee, the group responsible for planning the way the state party operates, arrives at its goals, and its assembles its policies. Currently central committee members are placed on the committee by a vote of the Republican ward chiefs, township bosses and committeemen throughout the state. SB600 would change that to provide for the actual voters to elect central committee members instead of allowing the party insiders to appoint them.
Continue reading


Hey, Ill. Republicans: Want to Have a Say in Your Party? We Have chance To Do It”


For The Good Of Illinois: Go out with a bang…‏

From Adam Andrzejewski of For The Good Of Illinois…

As 2010 draws to a close, I wanted to share a few reflections on what we’ve achieved together during the past year.

I began the year as a candidate for governor in Illinois running on a platform of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, and traditional American values. We captured the votes of more than 110,000 Illinoisans, but fell short of the Republican nomination.

Like many of you, I believed the fight we waged against the underperforming Illinois establishment had not come to an end. With your encouragement, we set out to re-launch For the Good of Illinois and introduced For the Good of Illinois PAC.
Continue reading


For The Good Of Illinois: Go out with a bang…‏”


Disgusting: Chicago Firefighter ‘Priest’ Uses Fellow’s Funeral For Union Speech

-By Warner Todd Huston

Father Thomas Mulcrone made an ass of himself at the funeral for fallen Chicago Firefighter Edward Stringer on Tuesday, Dec. 28 by delivering some union-like hectoring of the city from the pulpit during his dead comrade’s eulogy. Mulcrone’s union-centric address was as disgusting a display as I can imagine and at the most inappropriate time imaginable.

Sadly Stringer, a 12-year veteran Chicago Fireman, perished in a fire a few days before Christmas when a roof of an abandoned building collapsed on him and several other firemen. One other fireman, Corey Ankum, was also killed that terrible day.

At the funeral on Tuesday morning, Father Mulcrone, a Catholic Priest attached to the Chicago Fire Department for some 25 years, launched into some finger waving at all those people who claim that Firemen don’t deserve the money they make.
Continue reading


Disgusting: Chicago Firefighter ‘Priest’ Uses Fellow’s Funeral For Union Speech”


Illinois Policy Institute: Statement on the Governor’s Borrowing Plan‏

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

On Wednesday, December 29, John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute will appear on Fox 32 WFLD, Good Day Chicago at 7:25am to discuss problems with and alternatives to Quinn’s crazy borrowing plan. Please tune in. Important details below:

GOVERNOR QUINN’S CRAZY BORROWING PLAN MAKES STATE’S PROBLEMS WORSE:
Debt-driven plan is short sighted and will lead to worsening budget pressure in the coming years

CHICAGO – Governor Quinn’s borrowing plan will worsen the state’s fiscal health, not improve it, notes the nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute. The independent think tank points out that while borrowing now might give the state some temporary breathing room, the funding of core government services will be threatened in the future as the cost of debt service mounts.
Continue reading


Illinois Policy Institute: Statement on the Governor’s Borrowing Plan‏”


Jesse Jackson Jr., Hiding From Media Over Scandals

-By Warner Todd Huston

Jesse Jackson, Jr., was at one time one of those politicians that was on TV and radio as much as humanly possible. Like his father, it wasn’t a good idea for one’s personal safety to get between either Jackson and a TV camera or microphone. But since the end of 2008 Junior’s media appearances have been relatively scarce. So what happened? At least two scandals can be identified to have worked to force Junior into hiding.

First, and worst, was Jackson’s connection to the scandal surrounding the arrest (and later conviction, and soon retrial) of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. As the facts about Blago’s attempts to sell for personal gain Barack Obama’s Senate seat came to light, it became clear that Jackson, Jr. was somehow mixed up in the whole mess. Junior has, of course, insisted that he had no part in trying to buy his way into a Senate seat, but the rumors and facts of the case were embarrassing enough to cause Junior to shy from public exposure in hopes that it would all calm down.

During the Blago trial a millions in payoffs to Blago in conjunction with a Jackson, Jr. Senate nod caused Junior no end of heartburn. While Junior hasn’t been charged with anything, his political career might still falter due to the second Blago trial coming early this year as more facts come out on his involvement in the whole affair.
Continue reading


Jesse Jackson Jr., Hiding From Media Over Scandals”


Meeks Out, One More Quits Race for Chicago Mayor

-By Warner Todd Huston

A few weeks ago four names were dropped from the race for Chicago Mayor’s office. This week Reverend James Meeks has suspended his campaign to run for the top seat at City Hall, too.

Further more, the election board responsible for determining if Rahm Emanuel is eligible to even run for mayor has made its decision. Rahm stays on the ballot.

Certainly more will be removed as time rolls onward, but here is the list of candidates as it stands now:
Continue reading


Meeks Out, One More Quits Race for Chicago Mayor”


Teachers Union Prez Lewis With Heartland Institute’s Behrend on Chicago’s Fox

-By Warner Todd Huston

Illinois state government is discussing ideas of education reform and it is assumed that a vote on a plan of one kind or another might occur in the state capitol in Springfield as early as January. Fox Chicago had Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis and the Heartland Institute’s Bruno Behrend on the show to discuss the issue. (Dec. 17, 2010)

FOX Chicago Sunday: Karen Lewis & Bruno Behrend: MyFoxCHICAGO.com

Continue reading


Teachers Union Prez Lewis With Heartland Institute’s Behrend on Chicago’s Fox”


Illinois Policy Institute: Merry Christmas and a Year in Review

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

How many people do you know who are out of work or whose business is struggling to meet payroll during this holiday season? I know quite a few, and it is heartbreaking. The good news is that Illinois’s own President Obama and Senator Dick Durbin understand that raising taxes now would be a disaster. Check the links to watch these very brief videos that demonstrate all too rare wisdom coming from them.

Now, we just need a little wisdom in Springfield. Right now Gov. Quinn, Speaker Madigan, and Senate President Cullerton are negotiating behind closed doors to put coal in your stocking by raising your taxes by 67%—$6 billion! How crazy is this when even President Obama and Senator Durbin understand how devastating that will be to all our friends looking for work? Under the new federal law, which includes a payroll tax cut, a preschool teacher and a firefighter earning a combined $80,000 with two kids would save $800 in 2011 federal taxes. That’s money they can use to purchase a new water heater, buy winter jackets, or put toward college savings. But not anymore if Quinn, Madigan, and Cullerton take it away—they want not just that $800 but about twice that—$1600! So much for the water heater…I guess cold showers are the order of the day…unless you and I get busy to let them know we don’t need a tax hike to fix Illinois’s budget woes. You can go here to learn more about what you can do to help stop the tax hike: www.illinoispolicy.org/taxhike
Continue reading


Illinois Policy Institute: Merry Christmas and a Year in Review”


2 Local Illinois Officials Get Jail Time for Vote Fraud

-By Warner Todd Huston

Cahokia, Illinois — Kyle Johnson and Trevon Tompkin, both former Cahokia Village Trustees, were sentenced to serve jail time for vote fraud perpetrated during the 2009 municipal elections.

Cahokia Village is a southern suburb of East St. Louis, Illinois, situated in the state’s south western corner across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri.

Kyle Johnson was given five years probation and 14 days in the St. Clair County Jail as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. Trevon Tompkin was given five years probation and ten days in jail.

Naturally none of the news reports mention the party affiliation of these fine examples of civic virtue.

(H/T MarathonPundit)
Continue reading


2 Local Illinois Officials Get Jail Time for Vote Fraud”


Congressman-Elect Schilling on Reapportionment

From the office of Congressman-Elect Bobby Schilling (17th District)…

“Voters should pick their representatives, not the other way around”

EAST MOLINE—Congressman-Elect Bobby Schilling issued the following comment in response to the reapportionment numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau:

“In the historic 2010 election, the voters of Illinois overwhelmingly rejected Nancy Pelosi and her radical agenda. I call on Governor Quinn and the Illinois Legislature to resist backroom deals and the temptation to draw a map that would effectively void the voter’s decision for new leadership in Congress, and try to restore Pelosi to power in 2012. Voters should be the ones choosing their representatives, not the other way around. I will continue to work for a smooth transition and for the people of the 17th district.”


Congressman-Elect Walsh to Sit on Three Committees

From the office of Congressman-Elect Joe Walsh (8th District)…

Washington, DC. – Congressman-elect Joe Walsh (R, Illinois-8) will be a busy man during committee time in the 112th Congress that begins in January. The Republican Steering Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives has assigned Walsh to three committees: Homeland Security, Small Business, and Oversight and Government Reform.

“I am proud to accept these positions, and I thank the Steering Committee for entrusting me with these responsibilities. I believe that these committees will allow me to advocate for the issues that I campaigned on and those issues which are important to my constituents in the eighth district,” Walsh said.
Continue reading


Congressman-Elect Walsh to Sit on Three Committees”


The Village of Palatine Passes Its Own Cap and Trade Ordinance – Part 2

From the Palatine Tea Party…

The Village of Palatine Passes Another Cap and Trade Ordinance

(Palatine, Illinois) – The Palatine Village Council is following in the footsteps of the Obama Administration moving his progressive agenda forward at the local level. At the Village Council Meeting on December 13, 2010 the village unanimously passed its own version of Cap and Trade Ordinance without the “trade”. This would generate additional revenue to offset the Village of Palatine’s 2011 budget shortfall.
Continue reading


The Village of Palatine Passes Its Own Cap and Trade Ordinance – Part 2″


40% of Chicago Public School Teachers Send Own Kids to Private Schools

-By Warner Todd Huston

Liberals love to claim that the public school system is the shining success story of the American political system. And even when the schools break down in effectiveness, liberals double down on their support for them and insist that we spend ever larger chunks of the taxpayer’s money to “fix” them.

Of course, even as liberal politicians constantly extol the virtues of the public schools they are quietly sending their own kids to private schools. These hypocrites don’t seem to mind sending the public’s kids to subpar, failing schools but they’ll be damned that they’ll do so with their own kids.
Continue reading


40% of Chicago Public School Teachers Send Own Kids to Private Schools”


Schilling Urges Chairman Skelton to Ban Guantanamo Bay Terrorists From Coming to the U.S.

From the office of Congressman-Elect Bobby Schilling (17th District)…

In letter to Skelton, Schilling opposes new provision in House defense bill that could bring terrorists to our soil

EAST MOLINE, IL–Congressman-elect Bobby Schilling has released the following statement in regard to a new provision in the House defense bill that could bring terrorists to the United States:

“Ike Skelton and Nancy Pelosi have buried a provision in the Defense Authorization Bill that could bring al-Qaeda terrorists to the United States. This is unacceptable. The American people fired Ike Skelton and Nancy Pelosi for these radical, out of touch policies that put Americans in danger. I strongly oppose transferring Guantanamo detainees to The United States and especially any attempt to place them in Illinois, as has been proposed. I support Senator Mark Kirk’s decision to put this bill on hold if it reaches the Senate with the terrorist transfer provision. And, once I assume my position on the House Armed Services Committee, I will fight any attempt to house terrorists on American soil.”
Continue reading


Schilling Urges Chairman Skelton to Ban Guantanamo Bay Terrorists From Coming to the U.S.”


The Village of Palatine Passes Its Own Cap and Trade Ordinance – Part 1

From the Palatine Tea Party

(Palatine, Illinois) – The Palatine Village Council is following in the footsteps of the Obama Administration moving his progressive agenda forward at the local level. At the Village Council Meeting on December 13, 2010 the village unanimously passed its own version of Cap and Trade Ordinance without the “trade”. This would generate an additional $900,000 to offset the Village of Palatine’s 2011 budget shortfall.

2011 Electric Utility Tax

* Electric Utility Tax – Tax based upon consumption of electricity. The taxes are collected by the utility company and remitted to the Village. Those using less electricity will pay less. This is projected to raise $900,000. Village officials see an electricity tax as a stable source of revenue even in poor economic climates.1
Continue reading


The Village of Palatine Passes Its Own Cap and Trade Ordinance – Part 1″


Illinois Republican State Central Committee Meeting Report

I’ve attended one of these meetings in the past and to tell the truth, the Party does not take much effort to make what goes on there relevant to anything in the general electorate. Then,. after the public session they shoo everyone out and have the private leadership meeting and the public is not invited.

Anyway, this year Doug Ibendahl attended the one held in Bolingbrook and posted a report on Republican News Watch.

Here is an excerpt…
Continue reading


Illinois Republican State Central Committee Meeting Report”


Democrats Slip Bringing Terrorists to American Prisons into Defense Bill

-By Warner Todd Huston

Senator Mark Kirk (R, IL) is raising a red flag over the defense bill because the Democrat led House of Representatives and Democrat led Senate has slipped in a provision that would allow accused terrorists to be housed in prisons in the interior of the United States.

In an apparent effort to get around the President’s decision to ignore his own deadline to shut down the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba terrorist detention facility, the Democrat leadership included the provision in order to give terrorists and detainees in Guantanamo a place to go so that the Cuba-based facility can eventually — and sooner rather than later — be shut down.

Senator Kirk blew the whistle on this horrible idea and vowed to put a hold on the defense bill until that part gets stripped. Kirk appeared on Chicago’s WLS radio and told hosts Don and Roma why he wanted to put the bill on hold.
Continue reading


Democrats Slip Bringing Terrorists to American Prisons into Defense Bill”