Illinois State Government

Budget - Coal - DREAM Act - Economy/Finances - Education - Electric - Energy - Ethics - Gambling - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Immigration/Immigrants - Liberals - Nuclear Power - Republicans - Taxes - Transparency - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois GOP Betray Own Platform

June 1, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

With the latest three votes, the Illinois GOP has shown itself to be little else but Democrat lite and has shown that even planks in its own platform are meaningless when it comes to voting time.

The last Illinois Republican Party platform was produced and approved in 2008 (See .pdf here) and there hasn’t been another one since.

Lets start our scolding with the recent vote to wildly expand gambling in Illinois, a bill that 21 Republicans voted for, shall we?

SB744 passed this weekend with a 65-60 vote in the Illinois House. 21 Republicans voted “yea” on this despite what their own party platform say. That platform says…
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Illinois GOP Betray Own Platform”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Business - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - DREAM Act - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Immigration/Immigrants - Liberals - Mexico - Republicans - Senate - Taxes - Tom Cross - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Legislature Passes DREAM Act Giving Illegals Free College Education

May 31, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

In a 61-53 vote in the Illinois House, an Illinois version of the DREAM Act (SB2185) has been passed and will be signed into law by accidental Governor Pat Quinn.

The Illinois DREAM Act will provide free money for the children of illegal immigrants to go to state colleges and universities.

Supporters say that this bill does not use state money, but this is obviously hogwash. While much of the money that will go to illegals for free schooling will come from private sources, the panel that will do this duty is obviously going to be funded by the state.

Once again, the State of Illinois — drowning in debt and losing businesses hand over fist — is creating yet another expensive program to aid people breaking our immigration laws.
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Illinois Legislature Passes DREAM Act Giving Illegals Free College Education”

Conservatives - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Senate - Tom Cross - Warner Todd Huston

Tom Cross Runs out of Lies on SB35

May 31, 2011 by

-By Doug Ibendahl

Are you upset about Illinois redistricting? Yeah me too.

But frankly I’m a lot less upset with the Democrats for doing the same thing Republicans would have done had we been in charge. We would have drawn maps favorable to our side too. We’ve done it before. Republicans shouldn’t kid themselves.

I’m a lot more disgusted with the awful GOP management that got us here. The new maps are the natural end result of all the rigged party conventions, endless lying to the rank-and-file, selfish misuse of the party franchise, and general unprofessionalism.

So much destruction has been done over the years by the likes of Tom Cross, Skip Saviano, Pat Brady, Randy Pollard, Andy McKenna, Judy Baar Topinka, Bob Kjellander, etc., etc., trying to prevent Republicans from voting – there was finally no party around to win the races necessary to give the GOP a seat at the map drawing table this year.
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Tom Cross Runs out of Lies on SB35″

Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Redistricting - Republicans - Tom Cross - Transparency - Warner Todd Huston

Bait-and-Switch: Democrats Unveil New Map

May 31, 2011 by

From the office of Ill. GOP Minority House Leader Tom Cross…

Dems Deny Vote on Fair Map Proposal; Shun Public Input in Favor of Partisan Map

In a stunning reversal of their oft-repeated pledge to lead an open and transparent redistricting process, House and Senate Democrats introduced a brand new partisan legislative map late yesterday which was different from the one publicly released last week. This bait-and-switch follows weeks of public hearings held throughout the state to obtain local citizen input on how Illinois’ new map should be drawn; a mere days after three public forums held within the past week on the original publicly-released map.

So much for transparency.
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Bait-and-Switch: Democrats Unveil New Map”

Air Force - Army - Civil War - Coast Guard - Cold War - Congress - Conservatives - DuPage County - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Korean War - Marines - Memorial Day - Military - National Guard - Navy - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Revolutionary War - Warner Todd Huston - WWI - WWII

U.S. Rep. Roskam Marches in Wheaton Memorial Day Parade

May 30, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Memorial Day Parade, Wheaton, Ill– Illinois Congressman Peter Roskam (R, 6th District) walked in the Wheaton Memorial Day Parade to some applause and ended the exercise by speaking to those assembled at the Wheaton Cemetery to commemorate those that have served us in peace and war and those who gave their last full measure so that we could remain the last best hope of the world.

The weather could not have been better as the parade stepped off this morning. The skies were clear and Summer temperatures had finally arrived. As the route rolled on the heat did tend to rise, though. Still, compared to the dismal weather we’ve seen the last few months, this Memorial Day was a welcome respite.

Rep. Roskam had a group of about fifty supporters march with him and I joined them to document the event. As we walked the distance from downtown Wheaton to the Wheaton Cemetery it was obvious that the congressman had many fans along the route. There were surprised smiles and a healthy amount of applause as the congressman and his lovely wife led the contingent.
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U.S. Rep. Roskam Marches in Wheaton Memorial Day Parade”

Anti-Americanism - Democracy - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Redistricting - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Democrat’s Redistricting Plan: ‘A Disgraceful Insult to the 12.8 Million People of Illinois’

May 29, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Democrats Party of Illinois has released its plans to destroy the current districts and instead dish up a mangled, contorted mess of a redistricting plan meant only to erode every GOP stronghold in the state.

Why did the Illinois Democrats feel so threatened in a state that seems solidly Democrat anyway? Because Illinois sent five new Republican congressmen to Washington D.C. in 2010. This will of the voters is something the Democrats are desperate to quash.

As the official statement of the Illinois Republican Party says, “This proposal appears to be little more than an attempt to undo the results of the elections held just six months ago and we will take whatever steps necessary to achieve a map that more fairly represents the people of Illinois – they deserve nothing less.”
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Democrat’s Redistricting Plan: ‘A Disgraceful Insult to the 12.8 Million People of Illinois’”

Adam Kinzinger - Budget - Congress - Conservatives - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Military - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Kinzinger Offers Amendment to Forgo New Air Force Flight Suit Saves Taxpayers nearly $100 million

May 28, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R, ILL)…

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11), a pilot in the Air National Guard, offered an amendment to H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act on the House floor that saves taxpayers nearly $100 million over seven years which would otherwise be used to “research, develop and manufacture” a new flight suit that is not urgently needed by the Air Force, particularly in this budget environment. Kinzinger’s amendment passed the House by a voice vote.

“Make no mistake, I am a strong supporter of the military and ensuring that our military is the best equipped in the world,” said Kinzinger. “However, we must make tough decisions with regard to military needs and military wants. More than ever, given the difficult budget environment we are in, we must be diligent and prioritize the allocation of taxpayer’s dollars.”

General Schwartz, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, also stated that now is not the right time to develop a new flight suit. On February 17th, 2011, at the hearing for the 2012 Budget Request for the Department of the Air Force, General Schwartz was asked by Congressman Tim Griffin, at Kinzinger’s request, whether the Air Force was developing a new flight suit. General Schwartz stated, “We are not in the business of redesigning our flight suit under the current circumstances.”
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Kinzinger Offers Amendment to Forgo New Air Force Flight Suit Saves Taxpayers nearly $100 million”

Budget - Chicago - Children - Dan Proft - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Public Employees Unions - Taxes - Teachers Unions - Unions

‘Atlas Shrugged’ Offers Timely Message for Teaching Profession

May 28, 2011 by

-By Dan Proft

Almost as alarming as the rate at which children drop out of high school is the rate at which young teachers drop out of the profession. According to the National Education Association (NEA), nearly half of all teachers leave the profession within their first five years.

The union says low wages and poor working conditions cause this scandalous turnover rate. But that cannot be universally true for the thousands who enter the teaching profession because they truly want to instill a love of learning in the hearts and minds of a generation, only to abandon the job in disgust a few years later.

Although some young people may find they are simply not cut out for teaching as part of the routine trial-and-error that occurs in any industry, it seems unlikely this could explain a 50 percent attrition rate in a profession that—the NEA’s special pleading notwithstanding—provides above-average wages, excellent benefits, and secure employment. No, something else is at work here.
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‘Atlas Shrugged’ Offers Timely Message for Teaching Profession”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Dan Rutherford - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Fox News - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Liberals - Republicans - Tom Cross - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois State Legislators Try to Explain to Fox Business Network Why Ill. Is Going Bankrupt

May 27, 2011 by

FOX Business Network (FBN) has been airing a series called, “Entitlement Nation: Makers vs. Takers.” The last episode will feature a special focus on two of the biggest entitlement programs in the country: Social Security and Medicare.

FBN will interview Illinois House GOP leader Tom Cross and State Treasurer Dan Rutherford to examine how entitlements have affected the Land of Lincoln… I’ll answer that, by the way: badly.

When: Friday, May 27th, 2011; 11 AM/ET
Where: FOX Business Network (FBN)

(AT&T, Channel 211; DISH, Channel 206; DIRECTV, Channel 259)

Business - Capitalism - Congress - Conservatives - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Roskam Applauds GOP Jobs Plan

May 27, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, ILL)…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Peter Roskam, Chief Deputy Whip, issued the following statement after House Republicans unveiled a plan for America’s job creators that was built on the Pledge to America governing document.

“It’s no secret that the trillions in stimulus spending and a massive increase in government red tape has destroyed jobs and hurt our economic recovery. More of the same is a recipe for the same results. That’s why House Republicans have designed a plan that will remove barriers to job creation, empowering and helping families, small businesses, and entrepreneurs struggling to create jobs and spur our recovery. The threat of unsustainable government debt, increased regulations written by unelected bureaucrats, and energy policies designed to increase gas prices has cost us jobs and forced families and businesses to pull back from participating in the economy. The House Republican plan will help change that by returning confidence and certainty to job creators across the country.”

http://roskam.house.gov/

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

Kinzinger on ‘Mediscare’

May 27, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R, ILL)…

“Social Security and Medicare are the electric third rails of American politics. Touch them and you can expect reprisal. It’s hard to have an intelligent discussion when one side is determined to scare the bejabbers out of people.

“U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Manteno, has taken to calling such tactics ‘Mediscare.’ We agree.”

Kankakee Daily Journal Editorial: Years of Security

Adjusting the time payments begin might be one compromise
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Kinzinger on ‘Mediscare’”

Business - Capitalism - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Pensions - Public Employees Unions - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Pension Reform One Step Closer‏

May 27, 2011 by

This week, State Treasurer Dan Rutherford drew a line in the sand. Dismissing shortsighted calls for more borrowing, he pledged to warn would-be lenders against extending more credit to Illinois’s spendthrift state government. I spoke with Rutherford about his stand; listen in.

Much of the state’s borrowing in recent years has been for government employee pensions costs – which are climbing annually. But this pattern of borrowing for pensions could someday halt if a pension reform proposal succeeds in Springfield.

Pension reform language was just posted at the statehouse. Collin Hitt read the bill and offers up his review here. Simply put, a vote for pension reform will brighten this state’s future – a vote against it will push Illinois further into economic decline.
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Illinois Pension Reform One Step Closer‏”

Budget - Chicago - Conservatives - Dan Rutherford - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Will Illinois Be America’s Greece?

May 25, 2011 by

The chief fiscal officer of tax-and-spend Illinois is preparing to warn lenders that allowing it to borrow any more money would be a major risk. Will his be the first state to go bankrupt?

Treasurer Dan Rutherford is a Republican in a very blue state, and the usual critics will say his warning is political grandstanding. We think the guy who counts Illinois’ money has simply embraced fiscal reality and sanity in shouting from the financial rooftops: “Don’t help us anymore; we can’t afford it.”

Rutherford on Monday said the state was in a deep hole and needed to stop digging and that he was willing to contact all the major bond houses and warn them that lending Illinois more money would be a “major risk.”

“If I need to send letters to the rating companies to tell them the treasurer of Illinois is opposed to more borrowing, I’m going to do it,” Rutherford said. “We need to cut our spending and break our unsustainable borrowing cycle before we realize a further financial disaster.”…

Read the rest at Investors.com.

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Pat Quinn - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Political Corruption: An Illinois Specialty

May 24, 2011 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

In just one more example of the thousands of examples of political graft in Illinois, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that being a board member of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board is one giant no-show, do-nothing pay off to friends, family, and allies of Illinois’ Democrats. Members make up to $100,000 a year to do practically nothing on this useless board and we, the people, are paying through the nose for it all.

Members of this board have a grueling yearly schedule, indeed. They meet once a month. Well, “meet” is relative as rules allow them to just phone it in… literally… as members constantly “attend” the meetings by listening in over the phone. So, yes, they are paid up to $100,000 a year to make a phone call once a month.

Even so, maybe you’d think that their actual duties are time consuming aside from that big once a month meeting? Not according to the Post-Dispatch. You see, the board also has full time, paid staffers that assemble all the reports and then make the recommendations for the board members to vote on. When the members “meet” they usually just rubber stamp the work of the paid staffers.
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Political Corruption: An Illinois Specialty”

al Qaeda - Congress - Hamas - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Islam - Islamofascism - Israel - Jews - Judaism - Palestinians - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Taliban - Terrorism - Warner Todd Huston

We Need to Stand with Israel‏

May 24, 2011 by

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

As I watched the President’s Middle East speech last week, I was pleased to see him affirm America’s support for human rights in the Arab world in light of the Arab Spring.

However, his comments on prerequisites that Israel must offer for peace were downright troubling – and sided squarely against Israel on future peace negotiations. America has always enjoyed a special relationship with Israel, and we simply can’t afford to let this Administration change that.

As the President prepared his speech, Majority Leader Eric Cantor and I penned an op-ed in Politico calling for the halting of U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority, now that Hamas is an official partner of the Palestinian Authority. Hamas is a terrorist organization responsible for the death of both Americans and Israelis, and committed to Israel’s destruction.

We need to stand with Israel and stand up to terror.
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We Need to Stand with Israel‏”

Budget - Business - Congress - Economy/Finances - Free Trade - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Roskam Receives U.S. Chamber’s Spirit of Enterprise Award

May 24, 2011 by

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

Recognized for Supporting Economic Growth and Job Creation

BLOOMINGDALE, IL — Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06), Chief Deputy Whip, was awarded the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Spirit of Enterprise Award last week. Roskam received the award for his votes last Congress to create jobs and ensure a more positive environment for economic growth, on Wednesday, May 18th, at Zeigler Motors in Downers Grove.

“The Chamber is honored to recognize Congressman Roskam for helping create an environment in which businesses can grow and create jobs,” said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. “He has shown great conviction by standing on the side of business, at a time when it matters most. Today we honor him.”
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Roskam Receives U.S. Chamber’s Spirit of Enterprise Award”

Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Tom Cross - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Redistricting Update‏

May 24, 2011 by

Tom Cross, Illinois GOP Minority Leader…

Democrats in both the House and Senate released legislative redistricting maps last week. In the House, Democrats waited to release their map until late Friday afternoon giving the public practically no time to review it before a planned Sunday hearing in Chicago. If you wanted an explanation you had to ask for it in writing. Democrats promised an open and transparent process – this isn’t it.

Despite claims from House Democrats that their map is fair and competitive, a number of Latino organizations have stated at hearings and in news reports that their population is under-represented. Since the last map was drawn in 2001, the Latino population grew the most in the last ten years in Illinois.
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Illinois Redistricting Update‏”

2nd Amendment - Conservatives - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Government - Illinois State Government - Journalism - Liberals - Media - Media Bias - Pat Quinn - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Gov. Quinn to Sign Illinois Firearm Owner’s Privacy Bill

May 21, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Well, accidental Governor Pat Quinn is finally doing something right. He has pledged to sign HB3500, a bill that will keep confidential and away from the eyes of anti-gun activists and the Old Media alike the personal information of registered firearm owners in Illinois.

The Illinois Senate passed the bill 42 to 1 overturning a decision by left-wing Attorney General Lisa Madigan to turn over to the Old Media the names, addresses, and personal info on file of all citizens that have registered with the state for an Illinois Firearm Owners ID card (FOID).

Illinois citizens are not allowed to buy or sell firearms or ammunition in the Land of Lincoln without registering with the state and because this information is in the hands of the Illinois State Police, the Associated Press imagined that this information should be public.
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Gov. Quinn to Sign Illinois Firearm Owner’s Privacy Bill”

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

Introducing Schaumburg’s Sick Time Reimbursement Plan

May 21, 2011 by

From the Palatine Tea Party…

(Palatine, Illinois) – The Village of Schaumburg clearly indicates in their employee handbook, which we obtained via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, how employee sick time balances can be paid out.

Click here, to view the Village of Schaumburg Employee handbook. Review section 8-4 of the Employee handbook (Sick Time Reimbursement Plan).
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Introducing Schaumburg’s Sick Time Reimbursement Plan”

Americans For Prosperity - Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Pensions - Public Employees Unions - Taxes - Teachers Unions - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Pension Debate Heats Up – Tell Your Lawmaker to Fix Illinois’ Pensions NOW!‏

May 20, 2011 by

Lawmakers continue to debate pension reforms for current state employees and a decision will be made soon – this year’s legislative session is scheduled to end on May 31st.

This may be our last chance to have our voices heard. Click here NOW to tell your lawmaker it’s time to enact substantive reforms of the state employee pension system that directly affect current state employees.

Illinois’ fiscal problems can no longer be ignored. Illinois is spending beyond its means and has ignored countless unpaid bills! Moreover, the fact that we have no real plan for dealing with these fiscal problems have made our state one of the least attractive places for doing business.

The website 24/7 Wall St. took a look at the pension systems of every state in America and created a top 10 list of states where pensions are running out of money. Sadly, Illinois is second on that list with a $126 billion pension liability.

Take action now to return our great state to fiscal sanity. Click here to tell your lawmaker to fix Illinois’ pensions now.

For more information on pension reform go to: http://fixillinoispensionsnow.com/.

Thank you for your continued support and activism.

Sincerely,

Joe Calomino
State Director
Americans for Prosperity-Illinois

Elections - Ethics - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - SB600 - Tom Cross - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois House Republican Newbies Disappoint

May 19, 2011 by

-By Doug Ibendahl

“Tom Cross has a brick on SB35.”

That’s a quote from State Senator Kirk Dillard from a few days ago. He simply stated what nearly all of you I’m sure already know.

It’s hardly some secret that Tom Cross – the House Minority Leader – is viciously opposed to the idea of regular Republicans having a voice again in their own party.

Now for the third time in six years, the direct election reform (now designated as Senate Bill 35) – has passed out of the Senate and over to the House. The most recent Senate passage was last month and this time the vote was unanimous. Even several Republican Senators who had been pressured by the old guard to vote “no” in 2009 are now waking up to the reality that our Illinois Republican Party needs an overhaul from the bottom and the top.

But in the Illinois House it’s different. Not a single Republican has stepped up so far to co-sponsor SB35 in the House this session. It’s really shameful.

It’s especially shameful where the 13 new GOP State Representatives are concerned (some won in November and some were appointed to fill vacancies post-November).

And by the way, I’ve talked to several of the freshmen, as well as with many of the longer serving GOP House members. I’ve not heard a single one voice an argument against SB35 – in fact many are clearly in favor of the bill and its reform. But their “support” is pretty meaningless if they won’t stand up…

Read the rest at RepublicanNewsWatch.com.

Budget - Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Pensions - Public Employees Unions - Taxes - Teachers Unions - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Policy Institute: One Week’s Lost Pay for Pensions‏

May 19, 2011 by

I returned from maternity leave just in time to take part in the epic debate over public pension reform. Get the teachers’ pension costs will top General State Aid education spending this year unless we act now.

To date the working model for pension reform has been House Bill 149, introduced by House GOP Leader Tom Cross. The language in that legislation is being modified and likely will be placed on Senate Bill 512, a shell bill assigned for hearing in tomorrow’s House Personnel and Pensions Committee.

Given Illinois’s worst-in-the-nation unfunded liability and “blue state” politics, what unfolds over the coming days will be a bellwether for the rest of the country. Has your legislator heard from you? (Click here to find your state legislator)
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Ill. Policy Institute: One Week’s Lost Pay for Pensions‏”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Ethics - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Village of Schaumburg Attempts to Hide $17 Million in Accrued Village Sick Time Liability

May 18, 2011 by

From the Palatine Tea Party…

(Palatine, Illinois) – The Village of Schaumburg went out of its way to hide employee sick time balances when we attempted to submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to obtain employee balances. Government agencies expect taxpayers to pay their expenses, but when asked to view the data the answer is met with clear opposition. The Village tried to hide behind HIPPA law as their excuse. We then appealed the Village’s decision with the Illinois’ State Attorney and won, click here.

Click here, to view Village of Schaumburg’s line-by-line employee sick time balances.
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Village of Schaumburg Attempts to Hide $17 Million in Accrued Village Sick Time Liability”

Budget - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Taxes - Tom Cross - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. House GOP Leader Cross: House Passes State Budget, Drives Down Spending‏

May 17, 2011 by

From the office of Illinois GOP House leader Tom Cross…

For years, House Republicans have driven the discussion on the need for fiscal discipline and to stop spending money we don’t have. Today we took a dramatic step forward passing the first budget in years that actually forces the state to live within its means; and actually spends less than we did the year before. We are pleased that our friends across the aisle joined us in this fiscal discipline.

See the video HERE.

It is never easy to make cuts, but the budgets we passed this week will keep our promise to spend no more than our revenue estimate of $33.2 billion. This is the only way we’re ever going to get our bills paid and get our state finances back on track.
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Ill. House GOP Leader Cross: House Passes State Budget, Drives Down Spending‏”

2nd Amendment - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Guns - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Citizens Suing State to Gain Concealed Carry

May 16, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

A former corrections officer and a downstate farmer have joined with the Second Amendment Foundation to sue the State of Illinois over its constant failure to institute a concealed carry law.

In its press release the Second Amendment Foundation says that, “Illinois statutes that completely ban the carrying of handguns for self-defense are ‘inconsistent with the Second Amendment.'”

The foundation insists that its lawsuit is not intended to create law, but only to determine that prohibiting concealed carry is impermissible under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and in light of the Heller ruling, the prohibition is obviously untenable.
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Illinois Citizens Suing State to Gain Concealed Carry”

Democrats/Leftists - Ethics - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois State Government - Immigration/Immigrants - Law - Liberals - Pat Brady - Pat Quinn - Regulation - Republicans - Tom Cross - Warner Todd Huston

Blame (Republican) SB35 Opponents for Illinois DREAM Act Passage

May 15, 2011 by

-By Doug Ibendahl

“The decay of the Soviet experiment should come as no surprise to us. Wherever the comparisons have been made between free and closed societies — West Germany and East Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia, Malaysia and Vietnam — it is the democratic countries that are prosperous and responsive to the needs of their people.” – Ronald Reagan

A lot of Republicans are outraged that 11 Republican State Senators helped the Democrats pass the Illinois DREAM Act last week (the bill is now in the House).

The outrage is certainly justified. But it wasn’t just the DREAM Act. The GOP Platform took a beating on several fronts last week.
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Blame (Republican) SB35 Opponents for Illinois DREAM Act Passage”

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

If You’re Democrat And Constantly Lose Elections, Get a State Job Anyway

May 13, 2011 by 4 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Feeling low, spunky? Feeling sad because you lose election after election, my friend? Crying because, no matter how hard you try, those idiot voters won’t put you in office where you’re sure you belong, donkey-boy? Well, fear not, sparkey. YOU are a Democrat and in THIS state you always win, even when you lose. In this state, as a Democrat, you get to feed at the public trough, paid by the taxpayers whether you can win election or not.

So, welcome to the hind teat of government, Dan Seals. Oh, you are a major loser, but, gosh, you are on top of the world now because the Illinois Democrat Party has rewarded you with a sinecure from the state. As the Chicago Trib’s Clout Street reports…

Democrat Dan Seals, a three-time losing congressional candidate on the North Shore, is getting a state job.

Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn today hired Seals as his $121,090-a-year assistant director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. He starts Tuesday.

Yp, even loser Democrats come out with fistsfulls of taxpayer’s cash in this corrupt state.
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If You’re Democrat And Constantly Lose Elections, Get a State Job Anyway”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Chicago - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Ethics - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Immigration/Immigrants - Liberals - Nanny State - Pat Quinn - Republicans - Security/Safety - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Gov. Quinn Votes Yes to Release Hardcore Criminals Amongst Us

May 13, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Governor, Democrat Pat Quinn has decided that it is a great idea to release violent, hardcore criminals among the citizens of his own state. At least those criminals that are illegal aliens, anyway. Why do I say this? Because Quinn has pulled the State of Illinois from the Secure Communities program operated by the Dept. of Homeland Security — a program that helps states deport violent criminals that are illegal aliens.

With no fanfare, Quinn quietly sent a letter to Homeland Security saying that he would no longer be cooperating with them to identify and deport criminal illegals. He’d prefer to keep them here, apparently.

Quinn claimed that the program was deporting too many illegals that weren’t convicted criminals so he felt it was a bad program. Note that Quinn doesn’t seem to think being an illegal immigrant in the first place is a law breaking action!

Nice, eh?
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Gov. Quinn Votes Yes to Release Hardcore Criminals Amongst Us”

Budget - Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Pensions - Public Employees Unions - SEIU - Taxes - Teachers Unions - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Defusing the Illinois Pension Bomb, One Letter at a Time‏

May 13, 2011 by

How to reform the public employee pension system is the most crucial question facing Illinois today. The state has an $86 billion unfunded pension liability, and a recent study by the Pew Center ranked Illinois’s pensions as the worst funded in the nation. Bold action is needed to balance the state’s pension funds while keeping Illinois from falling deeper into an economic death spiral.

The public employee pension system is unsustainable. It must be fixed. We need your help now.

As you read this, a pension reform bill is being debated Springfield: HB149. This bill would begin to create equity government workers and the taxpayers who fund their salaries. Legislators on both sides of the aisle are coming together, and with your help, we believe we have a chance at passing one of the most important reforms in Illinois history. That’s why I’m asking you to write to your local newspaper in support of reforming the pension system.

Writing a letter to the editor is an easy way to reach thousands of your neighbors on this important issue.
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Kinzinger, House Freshmen Call on President Obama to End “MediSCARE” Tactics

May 12, 2011 by

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

Yesterday, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11) along with his freshman colleagues, reiterated their call on the President at a press conference to keep his commitment made at the 2010 Republican Retreat in Baltimore to have a fact-based conversation immediately over reforming spending on entitlement programs and addressing the debt crisis now before it is insurmountable. (See .pdf of letter)

Last year, President Obama asked, “At what point can we have a serious conversation about Medicare and its long-term liability…or a serious conversation about budget and debt in which we’re not simply trying to position ourselves politically?’ The President went on to say we cannot start these discussions by asking “who’s to blame,” who is “trying to hurt our senior citizens” or “how can we make the American people afraid of the other side.” The President said this is what he’s “committed to doing.”
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Kinzinger, House Freshmen Call on President Obama to End “MediSCARE” Tactics”