Illinois State Government

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois at Bottom of Favorable Business Climate List

September 23, 2011 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Thanks to Illinois Democrats and Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois now sits among the worst states in the country for jobs and business. Texas and North and South Carolina rank as the best.

Illinois is the state with the third worst business climates in the country. Only New York and last rated California are worse in the survey of 322 corporate executives conducted by Development Counsellors International (DCI).

The survey, taken every three years, asks the executives a series of questions meant to discern the most effective tools for marketing and business that leads to deciding where to open new offices and expand business. Executives cited low operating costs and a pro-business climate as the chief reasons for looking upon a state favorably.

California remains the worst state, the survey found.
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Illinois at Bottom of Favorable Business Climate List”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Liberals - Regulation - Republicans - Senate - Taxes - Tom Cross - Warner Todd Huston

A Blueprint for Illinois Job Creation

September 23, 2011 by

From the Illinois House Republican Caucus…

We traveled around Illinois this week introducing our new jobs plan to several communities in an effort to become more competitive with other states in order to retain and grow jobs.

Media Round-up:

We’ve all seen the news. Mounting debt, sluggish consumer confidence, zero jobs created in August – the first time since World War II that the U.S. economy had a net zero jobs created for a month – and the Illinois unemployment rate at a staggering 9.9%, nearly a full point higher than the national average.
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A Blueprint for Illinois Job Creation”

Budget - Chicago - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Ethics - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Pensions - Public Employees Unions - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago: Union Members Collect Millions in Tax $$ With Sweetheart Pension Deal

September 22, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Now this is the sort of corruption we are used to seeing in Illinois, eh? This week the Chicago Tribune and WGN TV has found up to 23 retired union operatives that are collecting millions in taxpayer dollars because they had pals in government tweak the state’s pensions laws to favor them.

These former government workers that were government union members got pliant politicians to alter the pensions laws to say that their pension remuneration would be calculated not on the lower pay they received when they retired from government, but from the much higher salary they received when they worked as union operatives. These folks worked as union bosses at the same time as working on the clock for government.

The “luck” of former union boss and Dept. of Streets and Sanitation worker Thomas Villanova is a typical example. Villanova last worked full-time for the city in 1989 and made $40,000-a-year. But he was also a union big wig making $198,000 annually upon his retirement in 2008 at age 56. His city pension, it appears, was calculated on the union salary of $198,000 instead of his real salary of $40,000 — itself obviously a no-show job in the first place.

Villanova stands to make millions off the taxpayers.
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Chicago: Union Members Collect Millions in Tax $$ With Sweetheart Pension Deal”

Congress - Conservatives - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Joe Walsh - Randy Hultgren - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Rep. Walsh WILL Run Against Hultgren in the New 14th District

September 21, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

I spoke to Rep. Joe Walsh in Lake Villa, Illinois this past weekend and one of his first questions to me was about running against Hultgren in the new 14th District. Obviously the question was weighing heavily on him that weekend.

I told him it would be a tough fight but that I felt Joe had gone a long way to get his name recognition up in his first big year in D.C. Other than that, I had no advice on whether or not Joe could win there.

Well, now Congressman Walsh has made the final decision and will run against Republican Randy Hultgren in the new 14th District.
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Rep. Walsh WILL Run Against Hultgren in the New 14th District”

Business - Capitalism - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Republicans - Taxes - Tom Cross - Unemployment - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Jobs Need to be Job One

September 21, 2011 by

-By Illinois GOP House Leader Tom Cross

For nearly 100 years, Modern Drop Forge employees have been manufacturing metal forging tools in Blue Island. In August, the company announced it was moving to Indiana and taking 240 jobs with it. The reason: Illinois’ “poor business environment”–specifically, workers compensation laws and high taxes.

How many more companies and good jobs are we willing to let go before we get serious about workers compensation, regulatory, tort and tax reform?

In January, after Illinois’ governor and Democrats in the General Assembly passed the largest income tax hike and corporate tax hike in state history, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels actively began recruiting Illinois businesses. He isn’t alone. Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey came to Illinois and ran TV ads after the tax vote marketing his state to businesses.
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Illinois Jobs Need to be Job One”

Elections - GOP - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

Cliff Surges for IL Senate Comments on Illinois’ Business Climate

September 21, 2011 by

From the campaign of Cliff Surges for Illinois State Senate, 33rd District…

The Chicago Tribune recently reported that Illinois is ranked among the three worst states for business, according to a survey of U.S. corporate executives. Illinois’ business climate consists of many more problems than a 67% income tax increase. Career politicians statewide have failed to properly address worker’s compensation, spending reform, and have continued with government barriers to job creation.

“The last thing people in the 33rd Senate District need is another career politician in Springfield. Voters need a State Senator with experience and knowledge in creating jobs, paying our bills, and improving our economic climate,” says Clifford Surges.

Current leadership has come up short and has promoted a poor substitute for the pro-growth policies that remove barriers to job creation. People in the 33rd State Senate district, who live from Geneva and St. Charles up north to Crystal Lake and Huntley, demand better.

http://www.cliffsurges.com/

Conservatives - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Run for Republican Precinct Committeeman

September 20, 2011 by

-By Doug Ibendahl

In 2010 there were a total of 6,705 precincts in Illinois. (That’s across the state’s 101 counties other than Cook County. Cook has a unique legal structure and neither political party elects Precinct Committeemen there as explained below.)

Of those 6,705 precincts: 3,440 had no one running for Republican Precinct Committeeman in 2010. That’s a 51% statewide vacancy rate.

It also represents a major lost opportunity for thousands of Republicans and our entire Party. It’s unacceptable, and it’s a big reason why good Republican candidates are losing winnable races to the Democrats in Illinois.
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Run for Republican Precinct Committeeman”

Budget - Business - Conservatives - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Republicans - Senate - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Friedman: Over 105,000 Jobs Lost Since January Tax Hikes

September 19, 2011 by

From the Dr. Arie Friedman for Illinois State Senate campaign…

Illinois lost another 16,183 jobs in August, according to figures released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Illinois State Senate candidate Arie Friedman called the report “another call to action by state policymakers to repeal those ill-considered income tax hikes they passed last January.”

“What is it going to take to alarm our elected officials in Springfield?” asked Friedman. “The Democrats are not grasping the true meaning of Illinois’s steady drop in jobs. What will it take? Do they have to lose their own?”
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Friedman: Over 105,000 Jobs Lost Since January Tax Hikes”

Adam Kinzinger - Budget - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - President - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Kinzinger… IL Democrat to Taxpayers: Send More Money

September 17, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Ill., 11th District)…

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Adam Kinzinger spoke out against Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky who yesterday advocated for more of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars to be sent to Washington.

When asked about the President’s job proposal, which will cost nearly $450 billion and includes an estimated $467 billion in permanent tax increases, Schakowsky defended the plan and later added: “You don’t deserve to keep all of [your money] and it’s not a question of deserving because what government is, is those things that we decide to do together.”

“Unfortunately Congresswoman Schakowsky has proven herself to be vastly out-of-touch with Illinois families and believes more money from taxpayers, more government and more of the same failed policies of the last two+ years are the stepping stones toward prosperity and job creation,” said Kinzinger. “The fact of the matter is, 31 months ago, the President stood in front of Americans and pledged under his near-one trillion dollar stimulus package, unemployment would not rise about eight percent. The President got his stimulus and here we are today with unemployment above nine percent.
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Kinzinger… IL Democrat to Taxpayers: Send More Money”

Adam Andrzejewski - For The Good Of Illinois - Government - Government, Ill. County - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Transparency - Warner Todd Huston

State of Illinois Salaries Posted Online – The Books Are Open!‏

September 16, 2011 by

From For the Good of Illinois…

We opened the books. We posted the payroll and pensions of virtually every public employee from every level of Illinois government. Click here to visit the new website.

Open the books on your local taxing body. See how they are spending your property, sales, and income taxes. Then, please forward this email to your entire address book.

Our purpose was to help you answer a simple question, “How much does my government cost?” For the first time in history, you can quickly and privately find an answer.
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State of Illinois Salaries Posted Online – The Books Are Open!‏”

Budget - Business - Congress - Conservatives - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - NLRB - Peter Roskam - President - Regulation - Republicans - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Roskam Applauds House Passage of NLRB Legislation

September 15, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (Ill 6th District)…

WASHINGTON – Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06), Chief Deputy Whip, issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 2587, the Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act, a bill restricting the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from ordering any employer to close, relocate, or transfer employment. The NLRB sued Boeing and told them they could not open a new plant in South Carolina, a right-to-work state, saying Boeing’s actions were an act of retaliation against unions. The House passed the bill 238-186.

“I applaud the House for taking action to free a Chicago-based business blocked by unelected Washington bureaucrats from simply creating more American jobs. The NLRB’s declaration and lawsuit was an unprecedented regulatory overreach – made worse since Boeing had already invested over $1 billion in their new South Carolina plant. Washington has no place telling American companies where they can and cannot create American jobs. The disappointing reality is that the NLRB’s cheap political trick has real consequences on local economies and families. Not only is South Carolina’s economy affected by the thousands of new good-paying jobs being stalled, but Boeing devoting resources to fighting this regulation means there’s less to invest in other parts of their business, a company with employees in all 50 states.

“Today’s vote is just the latest solution from House Republicans to help grow our economy and remove the government barriers to job creation. With roughly a dozen House-passed bills stalled in the Senate, it’s long past time the Senate joined us to make real solutions the law.”

http://roskam.house.gov/

Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

Wheeling Township GOP Endorsed Dr. Arie Friedman for Ill. Senate

September 14, 2011 by

From the office of Arie Friedman for Illinois State Senate 29th District)…

Republicans of Wheeling Township Saturday endorsed Dr. Arie Friedman for the 29th State Senate District.

“Our organization has known Dr. Friedman for the past two years,” said Wheeling GOP Committeeman Ruth O’Connell of Arlington Heights. “We appreciate his leadership toward reforming the state’s Medicaid program, protecting us from the costs and burdens of the new national health care system, and repealing the recent state income tax.

“Arie is a friend of our organization, and we wanted – at our first meeting of the 2012 campaign season – to declare that he is our candidate for this important seat in the General Assembly,” O’Connell said.
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Wheeling Township GOP Endorsed Dr. Arie Friedman for Ill. Senate”

9/11 - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

State Sen. Kirk Dillard Calls for Halt to Political Activity Over 9-11 Weekend

September 10, 2011 by

From the Office of Illinois State Senator Kirk Dillard…

State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont) called upon his local volunteers and precinct committeemen to suspend political petition passing and other political activities this weekend in observance of the September 11th terrorists attacks 10th year anniversary. This is the first week candidates can pass petitions to be on the March 2012 election ballot under the newly drawn legislative maps following the census. Dillard will be attending multiple official ceremonies and church services over the weekend.

“This weekend is the time to transcend politics and partisan activities,” said Dillard in a letter to his local volunteers and committeemen. “Let us count our blessings and remember what is truly important.”
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State Sen. Kirk Dillard Calls for Halt to Political Activity Over 9-11 Weekend”

9/11 - al Qaeda - DuPage County - GOP - Government - Government, Ill. County - Illinois State Government - Islam - Islamofascism - Koran - Republicans - Senate - Sharia - Warner Todd Huston

State Sen. Kirk Dillard Calls for Halt to Political Activity Over 9-11 Weekend

September 9, 2011 by

From the Office of Illinois State Senator Kirk Dillard…

State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont) called upon his local volunteers and precinct committeemen to suspend political petition passing and other political activities this weekend in observance of the September 11th terrorists attacks 10th year anniversary. This is the first week candidates can pass petitions to be on the March 2012 election ballot under the newly drawn legislative maps following the census. Dillard will be attending multiple official ceremonies and church services over the weekend.

“This weekend is the time to transcend politics and partisan activities,” said Dillard in a letter to his local volunteers and committeemen. “Let us count our blessings and remember what is truly important.”
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State Sen. Kirk Dillard Calls for Halt to Political Activity Over 9-11 Weekend”

Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Congress - Conservatives - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Liberals - Randy Hultgren - Republicans - Senate - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Hultgren Statement On President Obama’s Address To Congress

September 9, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (14th District)…

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) tonight released the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress.

“Tonight, I attended President Obama’s address to Congress because, although I expected partisan rhetoric but little in the way of new ideas, I felt that it was my constitutional responsibility to do so,” said Hultgren. “Unfortunately, despite his premise of bipartisanship, the President’s prescriptions for our economy were political and wholly inadequate. Once again he urged more scattershot ‘stimulus’ spending, at a time when we should be husbanding our constituents’ hard-earned tax dollars and ensuring that they are spent as wisely as possible.

“I agree with President Obama that investing in our nation’s infrastructure is needed and will create jobs. But we cannot do so blindly. We must ensure that our investments are targeted and timely, and we must work hard to cut red tape and limit the permitting delays that currently plague our investments in infrastructure improvement.
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Hultgren Statement On President Obama’s Address To Congress”

Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Taxpayer Advocate Dan Patlak Announces Bid for Re-Election to Board of Review

September 8, 2011 by

From the office of Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Dan Patlak…

Wheeling – Commissioner and taxpayer advocate Dan Patlak today announced his intention to run for re-election to the Cook County Board of Review. Patlak, the only Republican on the three member Board was first elected in 2010. He is the first Board commissioner in history to devote full time to the position. In his first campaign for the mostly suburban (1st District) seat Patlak ran on his qualifications having previously worked at the Board as an analyst for eight years, serving as a local township assessor, being a Certified Illinois Assessing Officer and holding a real estate license since 1986. Commissioner Patlak’s re-election campaign will stress his record of accomplishment since his December 2010 swearing in.

“The Cook County Board of Review is more than just a body that adjudicates assessment appeals,” said Patlak. “It is also an office that has a responsibility to empower taxpayers by educating them about how the property tax system works. That’s why the seminars I’ve conducted throughout my district focus not just on the appeal process but also explain the role of exemptions and some of the intricacies about why tax bills are what they are. Taxpayers have a right to expect that their elected officials will focus their energies on serving the public. That’s why I work every day side-by-side with the employees of the Board to make it a more efficient and taxpayer friendly body,” concluded Patlak.
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Taxpayer Advocate Dan Patlak Announces Bid for Re-Election to Board of Review”

Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Ron Sandack Announces Candidacy 81st House District

September 8, 2011 by

From the Sandack for State Rep…

Downers Grove, IL – State Senator Ron Sandack announced today that he will run for State Representative in the 81st House District. Sandack was appointed to the State Senate in November of 2010 to replace State Senator Cronin, now DuPage County Board Chairman, in the 21st District.

“It is time to restore Illinois to its rightful place as the best State in the Midwest and the economic engine of America. I am introducing my prescription to restore our State to its inherent greatness. I call it “Five to Revive Illinois.” These initiatives are based on principles I championed as Mayor of Downers Grove,” said Sandack.

“We must return to a job-friendly environment where businesses can flourish and families can thrive; leaner government focused on the basics; ethics reforms to clean up Illinois’ tainted culture; fiscally prudent management to finally stop Illinois’ continued descent to the basement in every economic category and open government to provide access to the public and accountability for officials,” said Sandack.
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Ron Sandack Announces Candidacy 81st House District”

Conservatives - Democracy - Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Mitt Romney - Pat Brady - President - Republicans - Rick Perry - State Central Committee - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois GOP State Central Committee Meeting: Sound and Fury Signifying No Changes

September 6, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

In one of the most well attended yet contentious State Central Committee meetings for some time, the movers and shakers of the Illinois GOP met on Tuesday evening to attempt to decide if the system for certifying delegates for GOP presidential candidates should be changed. The short answer is that there was a lot of sound and fury from party members lower on the food chain, much debate from those on top, and questions all around all of which resulted in a failure of the proposal to make the change. In the end a resolution was passed to keep it all the same as it was in 2008.

Beginning at 5 PM the meeting at the Boilingbrook Country Club was well attended by both SCC members, concerned party members, a few county party chairs, committeemen, and Tea Party activists. House leader Tom Cross made an appearance as did long-time conservative activist Jack Roeser. Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford was also there, like many of the others, to speak about the proposed rules change.

I should note that one reason this rules change was contemplated is that the national Republican Party is trying to get every state to change their system into one of proportional representation of delegates to the convention. The RNC gave Illinois the leeway to change its process and several activists took this opportunity to propose a major change to the system, a change that meets the law as well as state and national party rules.

Certainly the change being contemplated was extensive. Currently, the presidential candidates are awarded delegates via the ballot box, a method only three other states favor. Campaigns come to Illinois, build their Illinois machine, and solicit for delegates. These delegates then have to stand for election on the primary ballot. To do so they must each get 600 signatures of voters in their district so that they, the delegates, can get on the election ballot. Then, those elected are considered official delegates to the GOP nomination convention.
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Illinois GOP State Central Committee Meeting: Sound and Fury Signifying No Changes”

Conservatives - Elections - GOP - Government - Illini Alliance - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Pat Brady - Regulation - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois GOP to Change How Presidential Candidate Delegates Chosen

September 6, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

In a follow up to my post last week on the proposed changes on how Illinois selects the delegates for GOP presidential candidates, more needs to be said about this as on the evening of Tuesday, September 6, the Illinois GOP State Central Committee will meet to discuss whether or not the changes will be accepted.

My points made last week about the State Central Committee endeavoring to take away even more ability of Illinois GOP voters to influence the milieu of Republican politics in Illinois was written before I had seen the final wording of the resolution in question. From the old language I had seen up to that time, it seemed pretty clear that the GOP State Central Committee was trying to take even more power unto itself. This was intolerable, especially after so much GOP failure over the last decade in the Land of Lincoln.

However, I have now seen what is up to now the full proposal, the one that will be discussed at the Tuesday SCC meeting. The most recent proposal mitigates my fears somewhat… but not entirely.
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Illinois GOP to Change How Presidential Candidate Delegates Chosen”

Anti-Americanism - Conservatives - Elections - GOP - Government - Government, Ill. County - Illinois State Government - Indiana - Republicans - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

Arie Friedman Announces Candidacy for Ill. State Senate

September 6, 2011 by

From the Arie Friedman for 29th District Ill. State Senate campaign…

Over 100 supporters march with candidate in Buffalo Grove parade

Touching off what will likely be a referendum on last winter’s state income tax hike; Highland Park pediatrician Arie Friedman announced his candidacy for the State Senate as over 100 supporters gathered about him just before stepping off as Team Friedman in the Buffalo Grove Labor Day weekend parade.

Friedman, 45, is the only announced Republican candidate. West Deerfield Township Supervisor Julie Morrison of Deerfield, a former Republican, is the sole Democrat to have announced thus far for the 2012 race in the newly drawn 29th District, which takes in the southeast corner of Lake County and parts of Wheeling, Palatine and Northfield Townships in Cook County. Incumbent State Sen. Susan Garrett (D-29th) recently announced her retirement.

In speaking to his volunteers, Friedman called for repeal of the state income tax hike and declared repeal would be a centerpiece issue in his campaign. He noted the income tax increase would be a defining issue between him and Morrison, should she become his opponent after the March 20 primaries.
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Arie Friedman Announces Candidacy for Ill. State Senate”

Budget - Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Policy Institute: That is SO Illinoying!‏

September 4, 2011 by 1 Comment

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

Many of you are familiar with FOIA requests: they allow engaged citizens to request public documents. State requirements ensure governments provide these documents in a timely manner.

But on Friday, Gov. Quinn signed a bill that weakened these rules. Now, governments will be allowed to characterize citizens as “recurrent requesters.” If a citizen requests more than 15 documents in a month or 50 in a year, government entities no longer need to respond promptly.

This law punishes citizens who pay close attention. Instead of creating new obstacles for the very people who are most engaged in holding our government accountable, we should be celebrating their efforts.
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Illinois Policy Institute: That is SO Illinoying!‏”

Americans For Prosperity - Anti-Americanism - Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - President - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

AFP: Help Advance Conservative Change

September 2, 2011 by

‏From Americans for Prosperity – Illinois…

Are you frustrated with the direction our country is going in? Are you ready for real conservative change that will get our economy moving again?

Join Americans for Prosperity, United to Restore Freedom, and the Joliet Tea Party for a special “Candidate and Campaign Management” workshop on Saturday, September 10th at 9:00 a.m. conducted by the prestigious Leadership Institute.

The campaign and candidate workshop is designed to help develop potential candidates and community activists to run for office. The campaign and candidate workshop focuses on personal and political preparation to help advance a candidate or cause of your choice.
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AFP: Help Advance Conservative Change”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - EPA - Free Trade - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Liberals - Peter Roskam - Policy - President - Regulation - Republicans - Senate - Taxes - Tea Party - Warner Todd Huston

Rep. Peter Roskam Starts Ball Rolling On Regulation Scale Back

September 1, 2011 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

I spent most of the day on Aug 30 sort of embeded with Congressman Peter Roskam, Republican of the Illinois 6th District and Chief Deputy Whip in Washington, as he toured his district talking to local businesses. The whirlwind tour of businesses in Roskam’s district — topped with a presser in downtown Chicago — was the precursor of Roskam’s next focus. Roskam wants to begin an assessment of the regulatory edifice in Washington D.C. with any eye toward making Washington more business friendly in this moribund, recessionary economy.

My chauffeur was Roskam communication director, the genial Dan Conston. He told me he was born and bred in Philly, but I assured him that I would not hold that against him. No matter that he is an Eagles fan, he knew his way around the area. Still I promised not to tattle on his driving… but I guess even saying that much is saying something!

Our first stop was Federal Signal Corporation located in Oak Brook. The folks at Federal Signal told Congressman Roskam that they were worried that new EPA rules on the engines they use in their street sweeper machines were threatening to shut down production lines and put workers out of work. And not just for them but the engines of similar styles in every industry that uses them are facing the same jobs-killing requirements.

The problem was all the “uncertainty” which is casting a pall over what Fed Sig’s Dennis Martin, President and CEO, was happy to say is a recent uptick in orders for their machines. Orders have been down for years, said Martin, but now older street sweepers are not only wearing out but are themselves long out of compliance with new EPA rules and new orders are now rolling in.
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Rep. Peter Roskam Starts Ball Rolling On Regulation Scale Back”

2nd Amendment - Anti-Americanism - Chicago - Constitution - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Freedom - Government - Guns - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Law - Liberals - Liberty - Property Rights - Randy Hultgren - Warner Todd Huston

Hultgren, Illinois Representatives, Call On Illinois Legislature To Enact Concealed-Carry Legislation

August 31, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (Ill. 14th)…

Geneva, IL – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement regarding a letter he recently sent to Illinois leaders, including Governor Quinn, Attorney General Madigan, and legislative leaders from both parties, calling on them to join every other state in the nation and enact concealed-carry legislation.

“I was dismayed to learn that Illinois is now the only state in the nation that does not recognize its citizens’ Second Amendment right to concealed carry,” said Rep. Hultgren. “The Supreme Court has twice affirmed self-defense as a fundamental right in recent years, and it past time that Illinoisans enjoy that right as every other American does. I hope Governor Quinn and the legislature will pass concealed carry legislation in a timely manner so that Illinoisans can enjoy the legal right to protect themselves.”

In the letter, Hultgren detailed recent Supreme Court decisions from The District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and McDonald v. Chicago (2010). In the case from 2008, the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual’s right to possess a firearm. In the second case, from 2010, they ruled that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self defense in one’s home is fully applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.
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Hultgren, Illinois Representatives, Call On Illinois Legislature To Enact Concealed-Carry Legislation”

Congress - Elections - Ethics - GOP - Government - Government, Ill. County - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Regulation - Republicans - State Central Committee - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois GOP Powerbrokers Taking Even More Power from GOP Voters

August 30, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Recently, an anonymous piece at BigJournalism.com was posted attacking Ill. State Treasurer Dan Rutherford for objecting to proposed changes in the state’s process of choosing delegates to the GOP nomination convention. This article is misguided and misses some important facts.

Rutherford released an open letter urging the GOP State Central Committee, the party’s governing body, not to change the way Illinois arrives at delegates to the national party convention. BigGovernment.com claims that Rutherford is only taking this action because he is a Romney man. I’ll not speculate on Rutherford’s motives re the candidates as it really is irrelevant to the point in this particular case. In other words, BigGovernment.com is wrong in its attack not to mention in its support for the rules change.

Before I get into who said what and who is doing what, we need to describe the rules change, of course. Call this the “fine print” part of the story.
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Illinois GOP Powerbrokers Taking Even More Power from GOP Voters”

Budget - Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Government, Ill. County - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Policy Institute: John Tillman Wins the Roe Award‏

August 28, 2011 by

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

Last week in Seattle, I had the pleasure of watching John Tillman accept the Roe Award at the State Policy Networks’s annual meeting. The Roe Award pays tribute to those in the state public policy movement whose achievements have greatly advanced the free market philosophy.

The activities and impact recognized by the Roe Award were truly a team effort. That team is made up not only of our top-notch staff but also the donors who underwrite our work and the liberty leaders who champion the changes that will lead to a better Illinois.

That team includes you. Thank you for helping the Institute’s work take flight by reading our research, forwarding innovative ideas to friends and family and demanding that elected leaders embrace policies built upon liberty and respect for the individual.

Together, we can keep changing hearts, minds and laws.
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Ill. Policy Institute: John Tillman Wins the Roe Award‏”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - Government, Ill. County - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Policy Institute: 100%

August 20, 2011 by

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

In order to hold our government accountable – and ensure they are spending our tax dollars wisely – citizens must have access to public information.


Unfortunately, too many local government agencies across Illinois have viewed proactive online transparency as a privilege rather than a right. Many elected officials have lost sight of the fact that, as citizens, taxpayers and voters, “we the people” are the bosses of government, not the other way around. But, with the work of the staff of the Illinois Policy Institute, our volunteers and forward thinking government officials, things are beginning to change in Illinois.


Last week the village of Orland Park became the first Illinois local government agency to score a perfect 100% on our Ten-Point Transparency Checklist, Orland Park is setting an example for other communities to follow and building momentum for statewide local government transparency standards like the Local Government Transparency Act. See what the Southtown Star wrote about Orland Park’s accomplishment here.


You can help make our government more transparent and accountable to the taxpayers by volunteering your time or sponsoring a Local Transparency Project in your home area. Contact me at bcostin@illinoispolicy.org to participate in the Local Transparency Project in your community.


Brian Costin
Director of Outreach
Illinois Policy Institute
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Ill. Policy Institute: 100%”

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

Cook County Commish Tim Schneider: Time for a canoe ride‏

August 10, 2011 by

From the office of Cook County Commissioner Timothy O Schneider…

Canoe On Busse Lake

Saturday August 27 from 10am – 1pm the Friends of Busse Woods will be hosting a canoeing outing within Busse Lake. This event is open to anybody who would like to participate. The canoes can be rented from the Boat Rental Facility within Busse Woods and are $30 for the day. The route will take canoers north of Higgins Rd into the nature preserve where multiple types of birds including cormorants and great blue herons can be seen. You are welcome to show up the day of, but if you are planning on coming please RSVP.

RSVP to bussewoodsvolunteer@gmail.com.

Visit their website to learn more http://www.bussewoods.net/

Brookfield Zoo

On August 19th, join the Brookfield Zoo staff for A Night in the Wild. Take a ride on the motor safari, and then enjoy dinner under the stars. Learn more here.
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Cook County Commish Tim Schneider: Time for a canoe ride‏”

Abortion - Children - Crime - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Planned Parenthood - Sex Offenders/Rape - Warner Todd Huston

Pro-Lifers Get a Win in Illinois

August 9, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Illinois pro-lifers have this year been pursuing several new bills in Springfield and at least with one initiative they have won the day.

Students for Life of Illinois reports that on August 4th, Governor Quinn signed HB2093 into law to become Public Act 97-0254.

This Act extends the list of persons required to report child abuse or neglect to include any physician, physician’s assistant, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, medical technician, certified nursing assistant, social worker, or licensed professional counselor of any office, clinic or physical location that provides abortions, abortion referrals or contraceptives. (Planned Parenthood and ACLU originally lobbied against this bill, btw)

This provides more protection to young girls who are victims of sexual abuse and whose abusers are using abortion to cover up their crime. The bill was inspired by the fact that Planned Parenthood has been shown to routinely cover-up sexual abuse of minors.

There are many more battles to fight, of course, but at least in this dismal state one bright spot has emerged. So, congrats to the supporters of the DCFS child neglect reporting changes.
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Pro-Lifers Get a Win in Illinois”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Ethics - Government - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Illinois State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Policy Institute: A great, cost-cutting move for Chicago‏

August 7, 2011 by

Have you ever been stuck in downtown Chicago traffic and thought that the traffic control aides – the people with the orange vests and whistles – were making snarls worse?

We did and, after digging through government budgets, found that Chicago spent over $10 million on wages for traffic control aides in 2009. Our “Spotlight on Spending” from last October showed how to save money (and frustration) by scaling back the program. We’re pleased to note that this week Mayor Emanuel did just that, for savings of over $2 million.

Have you come across a state or local government program that doesn’t serve its intended purpose? I’d like to talk with you about it. Send me a reply email or call me at 217-528-8800.
Sincerely,

Mark Cavers
Government Reform Policy Analyst
Illinois Policy Institute
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Ill. Policy Institute: A great, cost-cutting move for Chicago‏”