Local Illinois City Manager Makes More Than EVERY U.S. Governor!

-By Adam Andrzejewski, CEO| For The Good of Illinois

Joliet City Manager is a $463,000 Whale

In 2008, the Joliet hired a new City Manager. His starting base salary was $189,000.

For 2011, the base salary increased to $196,500 and the City Manager out-earned every governor of the 50 states.

In addition to this lucrative salary, $7,500 of taxpayer money goes into a “deferred compensation” retirement plan. The deferred comp plan is in addition to what the taxpayers pay into his pension plan: $28,800 into Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) pension. Contractually, Joliet taxpayers are required to fund lucrative perquisites: $6,000 in estimated annual car allowance; an estimated $4,000 in continuing education, fees and costs to maintain the Managers’ personal law license; and an estimated annual $17,500 of taxpayer funded premium payments for life, health, and dental insurances.
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Local Illinois City Manager Makes More Than EVERY U.S. Governor!”


Roskam on MSNBC’s Daily Rundown: Senate Must Act

From the Office of Representative Peter Roskam (R, 6th District)…

38 Days Later: Senate Has Failed to Act:

“We’re 38 days away from when the House acted an d passed something over to the Senate and we haven’t seen any substantive Senate action in that entire time. So before the House is asked to come back and take another position, the Senate has to act, and we’ve seen absolutely nothing.”
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Roskam on MSNBC’s Daily Rundown: Senate Must Act”


While Illinois Citizens Lose Jobs, More Government Workers Get Union Protection

-By Warner Todd Huston

If this isn’t just the way the most corrupt state in the country works, there’s nothing that will show it. As the state of Illinois loses businesses and her citizens lose their jobs by the thousands, government workers in Illinois get richer and government unions are even adding members. Now there’s more government union members in Illinois than ever leaching off a dwindling base of taxpayers.

As the state sinks in red ink, government unions have grown to the point where nearly 97% of the state’s government workers have become unionized with better pay, more lucrative pensions, and richer healthcare than every other average citizen who is forced to pay the government union member’s exorbitant pay.

According to the AP, more than 10,000 state employees have joined unions. This is a four-fold increase over the previous eight years.
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While Illinois Citizens Lose Jobs, More Government Workers Get Union Protection”


A Political Cover Up: Gov. Quinn’s Racist Security Man

-By Warner Todd Huston

Several news sources have been working for days to get to the bottom of a story that might end up revealing that the head of one of Democrat Illinois Governor Pat Quinn’s police security details was involved in a racist attack on several black students in downstate Carlinville. Worse, the story seems to be undergoing a political cover up as news agencies are being stymied in rooting out the details.

Several Illinois newspapers have already printed stories on the alleged incident, but to date no one seems to have been able to pin down all the details. But one thing is sure, Kenneth Snider, a trooper with the Illinois State Police, definitely and rather suddenly resigned from all his political jobs last week.

Until he resigned on March 23, Snider was the head of Democrat Governor Pat Quinn’s southern security force, a $132,000 a year state-paid job. Snider had other political jobs, too, until he resigned from all of them. Up to last week he was chairman of both the Carlinville school board and the Macoupin County Democratic organization. Macoupin County is just north east of St. Louis in Illinois’ south western corner.
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A Political Cover Up: Gov. Quinn’s Racist Security Man”


URF Stands with Rep Senger and HB3156

From the United Republican Fund of Illinois…

Commonsense Bill Supports Women’s Health in Their Time of Need

WINFIELD, IL – The United Republican Fund of Illinois, Inc. (URF) stands with Rep. Darlene Senger (R-Naperville), who has introduced legislation in Springfield that would raise abortion clinics health standards to be comparable to other outpatient surgical centers. This commonsense legislation passed out of the House committee with unanimous, bipartisan support, despite bewildering opposition by the ACLU and women’s rights groups.

“How could anyone that claims to be concerned about women’s health oppose raising reproductive health care clinic standards to a basic level?” URF Executive Director Dennis LaComb said Wednesday. “We applaud Rep. Senger’s logical actions, and urge any lawmaker concerned about their constituents’ health care to support giving Illinois women the best possible medical care during their time of need.”
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URF Stands with Rep Senger and HB3156″


Liberty Leader Watchdogs Find Excessive Government Compensation‏

From the Illinois Policy Institute

Using FOIA to Discover Extreme Executive Compensation
Ever wonder what’s in the compensation packages of the top government administrative officials in your hometown?

If you look, you are likely to find bonuses, sick pay, car stipends, gym memberships, multiple pension plans, housing assistance, and much more.

Liberty Leaders Craig Mijares and Nancy Thorner have been digging up details and are taxpayer heroes for getting information out to the public on excessive executive compensation of public officials in their hometowns. Learn to be a taxpayer watchdog, too, by reading how Craig and Nancy discovered shocking levels of executive compensation in their own backyards. Read more here.
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Liberty Leader Watchdogs Find Excessive Government Compensation‏”


Roskam Meets with IL-06 Based Company in Ghana

From the office of Peter Roskam (R, IL)…

Discusses economic development as part of African fact-finding mission

ACCRA, GHANA – Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) traveled to Ghana earlier this week, leading a fact-finding mission focused on trade, energy, and other economic and social issues in Africa. Monday in Accra, Roskam met with Oak Brook, Ill.-based Opportunity International, a leader in providing financial services to people living in extreme poverty in the developing world.

The group met with Teresa Effie Cooke, head of human resources at Opportunity International Savings & Loan, Ghana. Roskam is leading the bipartisan fact-finding mission, including Congressman Bobby Rush (IL-01), which is being privately sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
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Roskam Meets with IL-06 Based Company in Ghana”


Former State Senator Quits Illinois, Moves to Texas

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Wilmette Beacon published a very startling article that reveals so much of what is wrong with the state of Illinois. Roger Keats, a former state senator and a recent candidate for Cook County Board President has announced that he is leaving the state and moving to Texas.

Keats has a long history of fighting corruption in Cook County, but he’s realized that there is no longer any political will to continue that fight in the state of Illinois. It is hopelessly corrupt and Roger Keats feels he’s done his duty, but that duty is finished.

The full text of the Keats’ letter was published in Illinois Review:

GOOD BYE AND GOOD LUCK

As we leave Illinois for good, I wanted to say goodbye to my friends and wish all of you well. I am a lifelong son of the heartland and proud of it. After 60 years, I leave Illinois with a heavy heart. BUT enough is enough! The leaders of Illinois refuse to see we can’t continue going in the direction we are and expect people who have options to stay here. I remember when Illinois had 25 congressmen. In 2012 we will have 18. Compared to the rest of the country we have lost 1/3rd of our population. Don’t blame the weather, because I love 4 seasons.
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Former State Senator Quits Illinois, Moves to Texas”


Restoring Fiscal Sanity, Putting Illinois Back to Work‏

From the office of Illinois Republican House Leader, Tom Cross…

As the legislative session continues in Springfield, I wanted to take a quick moment to update you on some of the key legislation introduced by House Republican members.

House Republicans are committed to restoring fiscal responsibility and ending the reckless spending in Springfield. We are fighting for meaningful spending caps, researching opportunities to cut spending and working to substantial reforms to save significant taxpayer dollars.

Listed below are some of the measures we are working on and I would like your thought on these so please let us know if you support or oppose these measures.

Repeal the Democrat Income Tax
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Restoring Fiscal Sanity, Putting Illinois Back to Work‏”


Legislation Calls for More Transparency and Accountability During the Illinois Budget Process

From the Institute for Truth in Accounting…

(Chicago, March 18, 2011) — State Representative Mike Tryon (IL-64th District) has introduced the Long-Term Accounting Act into the Illinois legislature. The Act calls for increased timeliness, transparency and accountability during the state budgeting process.

“Not knowing the long term consequences of the Illinois budget has put our state $100 billion in the hole,” said Sheila Weinberg, Founder and CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting, which assisted in the drafting of the bill. “We can’t determine the best plan to get us out until we are honest about how big the hole is.”
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Legislation Calls for More Transparency and Accountability During the Illinois Budget Process”


Success: ‘Pay to Play’ Appointee Careen Gordon Steps Down‏

From Americans for Prosperity, Illinois…

Thank you to all our members who sent letters to the Senate Executive Committee requesting that they vote on the “Pay to Play” appointment of Careen Gordon.

In four short days, we generated over 5,000 letters to the Senate Executive Appointment Committee expressing outrage at what appeared to be the “Pay to Play’ style of politics that led to the appointment of Careen Gordon to the Prisoner Review Board.

Due to mounting pressure from AFP members such as yourself, the Senate Executive Appointments Committee finally scheduled hearings that were to begin on Thursday March 17th.
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Success: ‘Pay to Play’ Appointee Careen Gordon Steps Down‏”


Ill House Republicans: We Need to Stop Spending Money We Don’t Have!‏

From the Illinois House Republicans…

Finally, Democrats who control the Illinois House are starting to listen to what House Republicans have been saying for years and continue to say: We need to stop spending money we don’t have!

Last week the House unanimously passed HR110 establishing a conservative revenue estimate of $33.2 billion, $2 billion less than Governor Quinn is proposing to spend. To get our state’s fiscal house in order we must start by enacting a truly balanced state budget. Passing HR110 was an important first step.

Now that we have established how much money we can expect, the next step is to develop a plan to pay our bills and meet expenses without exceeding our limit. Today several pieces of legislation establishing a framework for reducing spending and paying down bills advanced in the House:
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Ill House Republicans: We Need to Stop Spending Money We Don’t Have!‏”


Illinois Legislative Leaders Fail To Obey Budget Law

From The Institute for Truth in Accounting

(Chicago, March 17, 2011) – On every third Wednesday in March Illinois’ House and Senate are required to adopt a joint resolution that is equivalent to a family deciding how much it will have available to spend in next year’s budget. The day was yesterday, March 16, and just like the past three years the legislators blatantly ignored the law.

“This law is in place because only after understanding your funds available can you decide how much to spend,” asserted Sheila Weinberg, founder & CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting. “This is the first step in budgeting. Our legislators need to follow this law and take Budgeting 101.”

The Illinois Constitution provides that the general assembly can only spend the “funds estimated to be available” for the budget year. State statute 25ILCS 155/4 requires the Commission on Government Finance and Accountability (CGFA) to submit to the legislature an estimate of that amount. The House and Senate may debate the accuracy of the CGFA figure, but the legislators must adopt some estimate of the funds available to be spend in the fiscal year 2012.
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Illinois Legislative Leaders Fail To Obey Budget Law”


Citizen’s Right to Know Under Attack in Illinois!

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Illinois Senate is currently debating SB1645 which would arbitrarily limit a citizen’s “right to know.” If a citizen asks more than fifteen questions per year under FOI rules (Freedom of Information Act Requests), the citizen’s requests would be characterized as a “vexatious” requests.

With this appellation applied, FOI requests can then be ignored.

Now, at first this may seem sensible in some way. After all, if Joe Blow from East Peoria keeps bombarding the state with FOI requests this might seem odd or troublesome. But what about journalists? What about public watchdog organizations? These folks are highly likely to be requesting many bits of public information. Are they to be shut down too?

Even still, so what if Joe Blow does ask for a bunch of FOIs? Isn’t it the right of a citizen to know what his government is doing?

So, what does the government have to hide? Further how arrogant of them to say that we, the people, are “vexing” them!

Please contact your legislator, click here and tell them to vote “NO” on SB1645.
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Citizen’s Right to Know Under Attack in Illinois!”


Criminal Element: Ill. Democrat Was Convicted Felon Before Being Elected

-By Warner Todd Huston

It has been revealed that Illinois State Representative Robert Rita was a convicted felon before he ever ran for office for the fist time, a violation of state law. Being a convicted felon should have barred him from even running for office.

Lee Williams of the Illinois Policy Institute tells us that Rita, a Blue Island Democrat and a five-term state rep., has always been ineligible to seek elected office, absent a pardon.

Rita was convicted of DUI and attempted bribery in Nye County, Nevada in 1991. Lee Williams reports that this was confirmed by Jamie Kostiuk, a Nye County records clerk. Hard copies of the files, though, could not be located.

Lee Williams, however, tracked down some other sources of the conviction.
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Criminal Element: Ill. Democrat Was Convicted Felon Before Being Elected”


AFP Illinois: Stop ‘Pay to Play’ Appointment Now!‏

From the Illinois chapter of Americans for Prosperity…

Your voices are being heard! After nearly 10 weeks on the taxpayer’s dime, the Senate Executive Appointment Committee will be voting on Careen Gordon “Pay to Play” appointment to an $85,000 a year spot on the Prisoner Review Board.

Now is the time to contact the Senate Executive Appointment Committee and tell them to vote “NO” on the appointment of Careen Gordon! We need to take action today as the scheduled hearing is tomorrow at 9am!

In case you missed it, last week AFP asked our members to contact the Senate Executive Appointments Committee and demand that they hold a hearing on the appointment of Careen Gordon to an $85,000 a year spot on the Prisoner Review Board.
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AFP Illinois: Stop ‘Pay to Play’ Appointment Now!‏”


Rep. Roskam: Remember We’re Still Cleaning Up the Dems Failure to Pass Last Year’s Budget!

-By Warner Todd Huston

On Wednesday afternoon I had a chance to talk to Chief Deputy Whip Peter Roskam (R, IL) about the budget and these continuing resolutions (CRs) that the House is laboring to pass and he reminded me of a point that we are not discussing quite enough. The fact is that these CRs have become necessary because the Democrats spent all of last year not proposing and passing a budget at all!

The Democrats fiddled around for the whole of last year never passing a full budget. Now the GOP led House is trying to play catch up with these few sort term CRs so that they can get the full budget written and passed.

“No one wants to vote on short term CRs,” Roskam told me, “but this is where the Senate Democrats must come up with a plan. We’ve done our part and it’s their turn. But they have offered nothing.”
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Rep. Roskam: Remember We’re Still Cleaning Up the Dems Failure to Pass Last Year’s Budget!”


Why Did 17th District’s Schilling Vote For 2 Pro-Union Amendments?

-By Warner Todd Huston

Newly minted Republican Representative Bobby Schilling from Illinois’ 17th district recently voted in favor of two pro-union amendments in Congress and the votes have caused some folks to go scratching their heads in trying to figure out why he did it.

Schilling ran as the business-oriented candidate against long-time Democrat incumbent Phil Hare, so his two pro-union votes are odd in light of his late campaign rhetoric. So, the Quad-City Times contacted Schilling’s office to find out what was going on.

Schilling’s office replied that one of the votes was simply a mistake. But the second vote Schilling stands up for unapologetically.
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Why Did 17th District’s Schilling Vote For 2 Pro-Union Amendments?”


Kinzinger Urges President Obama to Institute No-Fly Zone Over Libya

From the office of Ill. Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger (11th District)…

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11), a pilot in the Air National Guard with tours in the Middle East, sent a letter to President Obama urging the institution of a no-fly zone over Libya.

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Kinzinger Urges President Obama to Institute No-Fly Zone Over Libya”


ILL Gov. Quinn Signs the Boot Out Internet Companies Law

-By Warner Todd Huston

Illinois’ Democrat Governor Pat Quinn has signed the so-called Mainstreet Fairness Bill brought to him by the Illinois General Assembly. The bill forces all Internet companies to charge Illinois’ 6.25% sales tax whether they are based in the state or not.

Quinn signed the bill in the last few days before it would have gone into force anyway.

The nation’s largest Internet-based business, Amazon,com, said it would cut ties with all its affiliates in Illinois if the bill became law. No word if they are following through on that threat, yet, but Amazon has cut ties in some states that have instituted similar laws — though it has stayed in other states that have done so, New York in particular.

Several Illinois-based Internet companies have warned the state that if the bill became law they would pull up stakes and leave the state.
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ILL Gov. Quinn Signs the Boot Out Internet Companies Law”


VIDEO: Interview With Chief Dep. Whip, Congressman Peter Roskam

-By Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Congressman Peter Roskam (R, 6th District) has really climbed the ladder of leadership since the 2010 elections. He went from Congressman in the minority party in DC to the Chief Deputy Whip of the majority Republican Party riding the GOP wave that overtook the Hill last November.

Roskam is the go-to man for the budget debate. He handles this like an expert and, with his role of Chief Dep. Whip, is part of the leadership team. But I peg him as one of the best guys on that team where it concerns the budget.

Some of the things he’s talking about here are already in play, but the one thing I’d like to focus on are his comments on regulations and the idea of states trying to file for bankruptcy.
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VIDEO: Interview With Chief Dep. Whip, Congressman Peter Roskam”


Illinois GOP Amends Bylaws on SCC Elections

From the Illinois GOP

The State Central Committee of the Illinois Republican Party amended their bylaws yesterday to resolve a long-standing issue with regard to voting open precincts in the election of State Central Committeemen.

The amendment addressed the issue of allocation of votes from precincts that do not have elected Republican Precinct Committeemen. Prior to the amendment, Republican Party County Chairmen had the ability to cast the votes of the vacant precincts however they pleased. The amendment changed this rule by mandating that upon the election of State Central Committeemen, the weighted vote of the vacant precincts “shall be allocated to each candidate based on the proportion of weighted votes they received from the elected Precinct Committeemen.”
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Illinois GOP Amends Bylaws on SCC Elections”


What Do You Think? Gas Prices – Caused by Libya? Boutique Fuels?‏

From the office of Senator Mark Kirk (R, ILL…

Gasoline prices are up 50 cents per gallon just this month, now averaging $3.65 in Illinois. Why are prices so high?

While much of the price rise is caused by instability in Libya, another cause is an obscure federal rule that mandates little gasoline monopolies in Chicagoland and Metro East, called the “Boutique Fuels Rule.”

The federal government divides the nation’s gasoline market into 17 separate zones, each with their own recipe for gasoline. While we can buy regular gasoline in Peoria, only “N RFG with Ethanol” is available in Chicago and in Metro East, we can only buy “7.2 RVP” gas. If one region runs short, it cannot borrow from another region – is it any wonder that gas costs 10 cents less per gallon in Green Bay?

This map illustrates the isolated pockets of the country where the federal government mandates the use of the complicated boutique fuel rule. This balkanization of fuel distribution leads to supply problems and high prices. Conversely, some say the regulation is necessary for compliance with the Clean Air Act.

Mark Kirk


Study: Tea Partiers, Unions Share Common Core Values

From the Sam Adams Alliance

insightsLab Reports from Protest in Madison

CHICAGO — Today, insightsLab, the research arm of Sam Adams Alliance (SAM) released a new study showing that both Tea Partiers and a segment of Madison, WI, union protestors share similar core values. The study, which is the first of its kind, was conducted during the height of the Wisconsin budget battle and delved into the values and motivations of union protestors. The research determined two core segments of people among the Madison protestors, “Operatives” and “Idealists,” based on qualitative in-depth market research interviews conducted with “brand champion” protestors.

“This study is significant because it shows where the Tea Partiers and unions can meet in the middle and find common ground,” said Yvonne Ralsky, executive director of SAM. “The research team at insightsLab didn’t expect to discover that the passions of the Tea Partiers and Unions transcend policy positions or politics, and motivate people to activism.”
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Study: Tea Partiers, Unions Share Common Core Values”


URF Releases 2010 Scorecard

From the United Republican Fund of Illinois…

WINFIELD, IL – The United Republican Fund (URF) has released their 2010 Scorecard for members of the Illinois Legislature, and it shows a disappointing drop in URF LIFT Leaders compared to 2009 with four fewer LIFT Leaders in the House and two fewer in the Senate. However, the URF is optimistic for the future of Illinois with the election in 2010 of several strong conservatives and with the improvement in the lifetime scores of a number of legislators.

“This past session saw several bills passed, including a massive tax hike on families and businesses, that run contrary to our LIFT principles and are bad for the people of Illinois,” said Mike Uremovich, President of the URF. “We call on the Ninety-Seventh General Assembly to heed the growing voice of conservatives in Illinois and across the country. We will be watching and encouraging legislators to vote accordingly.”
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URF Releases 2010 Scorecard”


Roskam: Senate Continues The Status-Quo

From the Office of Illinois Congressman Peter Roskam (R, 6th District)…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL), Chief Deputy Whip, issued the following statement after the two Senate votes on the Continuing Resolution:

“Today’s votes show a great contrast between those willing to do something meaningful for long-term job creation and those committed to Washington’s status-quo. House Republicans have already passed a serious proposal to responsibly fund the government while cutting back spending to pre-stimulus, pre-2008 levels. In contrast, Senate Democrats created a status-quo spending bill and then ‘drew a line in the sand’ against negotiating any more cuts. We need to find common ground to keep the government running while meaningfully cutting spending – it’s long past time Democrats settle their internal divisions and join the discussion with a serious proposal.”
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Roskam: Senate Continues The Status-Quo”


March with Tom Morrison: Palatine’s Inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sat, March 12

From the campaign of Tom Morrison for State Rep…

Palatine Paints the Town Green

This event should be very festive and fun. Please join us at 10:45 AM, Saturday March 12 at the community parking lot at 200 East Wood Street. The parade route will continue west to Benton, north to Colfax, west to Brockway, and end at Wood Street for disbursement at the train station. Following the parade, there will be an Irish Market, as well as a variety of food and drink vendors, and live music.
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March with Tom Morrison: Palatine’s Inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sat, March 12″


Ill. Gov. Quinn Repealing Death Penalty

-By Warner Todd Huston

Claiming that “It is impossible to create a perfect system, one that is free of all mistakes,” Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill that would eliminate the death penalty in Illinois, despite a campaign promise that he would keep it.

In signing the order, Quinn also commuted the sentences of 15 death row inmates converting the sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

During his recent campaign to take his own full term as Governor (Quinn filled out disgraced Gov. Blagojevich’s last term), Quinn claimed that he’d keep the death penalty, but he also said he’d keep the moratorium in place as the system is reviewed. His opponent at the time, State Senator Bill Brady, said he would end the moratorium.
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Ill. Gov. Quinn Repealing Death Penalty”


Republican Leader Cross Sponsors Bi-Partisan Resolution Spending Control Measure

From the Office of Rep. House Leader Tom Cross…

HR110 unanimously passed Illinois House today

Springfield….Rep. Tom Cross (R- Plainfield) is sponsoring House Resolution 110, which creates a framework for Fiscal Year 2012 budget negotiations based upon the adoption of realistic revenue projections; setting the table for lawmakers to identify realistic cuts and prevent excessive borrowing.

“I am pleased to sponsor this resolution. We have been saying for years that our state needs to live within its financial means, just as every family living in Illinois does,” Cross said. “This resolution will allow the legislature to know how much revenue the state can expect next fiscal year so we can create a balanced budget and put a stop to out-of-control spending.”
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Republican Leader Cross Sponsors Bi-Partisan Resolution Spending Control Measure”


Amer. For Prosperity: Help Stop A ‘Pay to Play’ Appointment Now!

From Americans for Prosperity, Illinois…

“Pay to Play” appears to be part of Governor Quinn’s agenda!!! Contact the Senate Executive Appointment Committee NOW and tell them to say NO to “Pay to Play” politics!

In case you missed it, the Senate Executive Appointments Committee has a problem on their hands thanks to Governor Quinn’s appointment of Careen Gordon to an $85,000 a year spot on the Prisoner Review Board.

For those who don’t know, Careen Gordon is a former Democratic State Representative who lost her re-election bid last year to GOP candidate Sue Resin. During her campaign, Ms. Gordon campaigned strenuously against Governor Quinn’s tax increase, vowing to oppose it and stressing that it was the wrong direction for Illinois.
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Amer. For Prosperity: Help Stop A ‘Pay to Play’ Appointment Now!”