Government, Ill. County

Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Hate Crimes - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Pat Quinn - Police - Race - Warner Todd Huston

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

March 29, 2011 by

-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.
Continue reading “

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

Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - United Republican Fund - Warner Todd Huston

URF Stands with Rep Senger and HB3156

March 25, 2011 by

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.”
Continue reading “

URF Stands with Rep Senger and HB3156″

Budget - Census - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Mayor Richard Daley - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Mayor Emmanuel To Cut Number of Aldermen in Half! Self-Serving or Cost Savings?

March 25, 2011 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

For his first controversy, Mayor Elect Rahm Emanuel has floated the trial balloon of all trial balloons. He wants to fire half the city’s alderman and replace them with… no one. That’s right, he wants to eliminate half of the city’s aldermen. How’s that for chutzpah?

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Emanuel has had some private meetings with Chicago’s sitting aldermen and has point blank asked them what they thought of slashing the number of aldermen from 50 to 25 as a cost-cutting measure.

Naturally everyone knows that if this idea goes through, Emanuel will endeavor to save the jobs of all those aldermen loyal to him. That goes without saying. This would be Emanuel’s way of creating his own rubber stamp city council like the two Mayors Daley did for 60 years with their own bought-and-paid-for city council.
Continue reading “

Mayor Emmanuel To Cut Number of Aldermen in Half! Self-Serving or Cost Savings?”

Budget - Business - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Government - Illinois - Jobs - Liberals - Mayor Richard Daley - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Mayor Daley: Failed Mayor of Failing City?

March 25, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

As his last year in office winds down, Mayor Richard Daley is hailed as one of the country’s most successful big city mayors. Yet the 2010 census reveals that the city lost 200,000 citizens, the city’s budget is millions in the red, and businesses are abandoning the city with alarming frequency. How this equates to success is anyone’s guess.

Steve Bartin who writes for newgeography.com, a website that tracks information about America’s demographic statistics, notes that there are only nine U.S. cities that have more than one million citizens and the 2010 census data shows that only Chicago lost population. Yet, as Bartin notes, stories across the Old Media can’t bestow enough kudos on Mayor Daley’s long tenure as Chicago’s mayor.

It isn’t just the loss of population that marks Daley as a failure, though.
Continue reading “

Mayor Daley: Failed Mayor of Failing City?”

Budget - Cook County Board - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Government - Illinois Policy Institute - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Liberty Leader Watchdogs Find Excessive Government Compensation‏

March 25, 2011 by

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.
Continue reading “

Liberty Leader Watchdogs Find Excessive Government Compensation‏”

Budget - Congress - Energy - GOP - Government, Ill. County - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Roskam Meets with IL-06 Based Company in Ghana

March 24, 2011 by

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.
Continue reading “

Roskam Meets with IL-06 Based Company in Ghana”

Budget - Chicago - Conservatives - Cook County Board - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Republicans - Senate - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Former State Senator Quits Illinois, Moves to Texas

March 22, 2011 by

-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.
Continue reading “

Former State Senator Quits Illinois, Moves to Texas”

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

Restoring Fiscal Sanity, Putting Illinois Back to Work‏

March 22, 2011 by

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
Continue reading “

Restoring Fiscal Sanity, Putting Illinois Back to Work‏”

Catholicism - Chicago - Christianity - Cities - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Liberals - Race - Religion - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago’s Most Notorious Priest Finally On Way Out?

March 21, 2011 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Father Michael Pfleger is as far from the image of a parish priest as can be imagined without crossing the line into absurdity. He is a loud-mouthed activist that has spent a 30-year career calling people he doesn’t like names, spewing race tinged “sermons,” liberally tossing out the race card, and engaging in extremist political causes. Not the model priest, for sure.

Pfleger has vexed the Catholic Archdiocese in Chicago for years and rumors have constantly swirled that he would be removed from his position as the pastor of Saint Sabina, a Catholic Church on Chicago’s south side. Church leaders have constantly been under pressure to do something about this troublemaking priest.

Father Pfleger has indecently involved himself in numerous political causes. His favorite activism is to organize news camera grabbing pickets. He’s picketed TV shows, business owners, and companies. He’s called gun shop owners murderers and Threatened their lives, he’s tried to get radio stations shut down, and he’s erected billboards attacking musicians.
Continue reading “

Chicago’s Most Notorious Priest Finally On Way Out?”

Chicago - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Republicans - Transparency - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston

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

March 20, 2011 by

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.”
Continue reading “

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

Americans For Prosperity - Democrats/Leftists - Ethics - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - State Government

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

March 20, 2011 by

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.
Continue reading “

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

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

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

March 19, 2011 by

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:
Continue reading “

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

Chicago - Cities - Cook County - Elections - Government - Illinois - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Municipal Elections Early Voting Started March 15

March 18, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Municipal elections are here again. Throughout Cook County folks are running for village trustee, alderman, library board member, village president… all sorts of local offices are up for grabs.

Early voting has already started for the April 5th election. Early voting runs from March 15 to March 31.

If you need to find out where you can vote early check out the Early Voting Locations list on the County Clerk’s website.

If you aren’t sure who is running in your local jurisdiction, go to the Cook County Clerk’s Virtual Ballot page and see who is running for what in your area.

AND DON’T FORGET TO VOTE
Continue reading “

Municipal Elections Early Voting Started March 15″

Budget - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Legislative Leaders Fail To Obey Budget Law

March 18, 2011 by

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.
Continue reading “

Illinois Legislative Leaders Fail To Obey Budget Law”

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

Citizen’s Right to Know Under Attack in Illinois!

March 17, 2011 by

-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.
Continue reading “

Citizen’s Right to Know Under Attack in Illinois!”

Chicago - Cities - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Ethics - Government - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Lisa Madigan - Michael Madigan - Warner Todd Huston

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

March 17, 2011 by

-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.
Continue reading “

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

Americans For Prosperity - Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Ethics - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Warner Todd Huston

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

March 17, 2011 by

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.
Continue reading “

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

Budget - Cook County Board - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - Illinois - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Cook County Board: It is almost Spring‏

March 17, 2011 by

From the office of Cook County Commissioner Timothy O Schneider…

Forest Preserve – The Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps

This program for high school students is the result of a great partnership between Friends and The Student Conservation Association. In the program’s inaugural year of 2009, we received more than 600 applications and awarded 56 internships.

The internship is a 6-week program that includes a stipend. Students learn about local ecology and get their hands dirty working on conservation projects. See below to download the application and fact sheet. Applicants should have an interest in conservation and doing physically active work outdoors. Click here to apply.
Continue reading “

Cook County Board: It is almost Spring‏”

Budget - Conservatives - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Peter Roskam - President - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

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

March 16, 2011 by

-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.”
Continue reading “

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

Bobby Schilling - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Free Trade - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Liberals - PLA - Public Employees Unions - Regulation - Republicans - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

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

March 14, 2011 by

-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.
Continue reading “

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

Adam Kinzinger - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - DuPage County - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Libya - President - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

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

March 12, 2011 by

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.

In Continue reading “

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

Budget - Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - Illinois - Republicans - Ronald Reagan - Tea Party - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago Tea Party: We Won The Ronald Reagan Award

March 12, 2011 by

From the Chicago Tea Party…

We are very proud and humbled to tell you that the Chicago Tea Party Patriots were honored with the Ronald Reagan Award at CPAC 2011 in Washington, DC. The Ronald Reagan Award is CPAC’s highest honor and we’re one of only four tea party groups in the entire country to receive it. This is a group award recognizing all of your efforts over the past year. Congratulations to everyone.

CPAC says of the award: “From the beginning, the annual Ronald Reagan Award is given not to the generals of the movement, but to the soldiers, the men and women working in the trenches who sacrificed, and in so doing set an example for others. In past years, the award – which is our highest – has gone to grassroots organizers, taxpayer advocates, and those whose names may not be household names, but whose work has affected us all.” The American Conservative Union is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots conservative organization and their CPAC conference is the largest annual gathering of conservatives.
Continue reading “

Chicago Tea Party: We Won The Ronald Reagan Award”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Democrats/Leftists - Free Trade - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Inernet - Jobs - Liberals - Pat Quinn - Taxes - Technology - Warner Todd Huston

ILL Gov. Quinn Signs the Boot Out Internet Companies Law

March 11, 2011 by 1 Comment

-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.
Continue reading “

ILL Gov. Quinn Signs the Boot Out Internet Companies Law”

Budget - Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - DuPage County - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

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

March 11, 2011 by

-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.
Continue reading “

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

Congress - Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Pat Brady - Republicans - State Central Committee - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois GOP Amends Bylaws on SCC Elections

March 11, 2011 by

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.”
Continue reading “

Illinois GOP Amends Bylaws on SCC Elections”

Banks - Budget - Capitalism - Congress - Energy - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Libya - Mark Kirk - Oil - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

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

March 11, 2011 by

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

Budget - Economy/Finances - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Sam Adams Alliance - Taxes - Transparency - Warner Todd Huston

Study: Tea Partiers, Unions Share Common Core Values

March 11, 2011 by

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.”
Continue reading “

Study: Tea Partiers, Unions Share Common Core Values”

Illinois - Illinois State Government - United Republican Fund - Warner Todd Huston

URF Releases 2010 Scorecard

March 11, 2011 by

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.”
Continue reading “

URF Releases 2010 Scorecard”

Budget - Congress - Conservatives - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Roskam: Senate Continues The Status-Quo

March 10, 2011 by

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.”
Continue reading “

Roskam: Senate Continues The Status-Quo”

Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

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

March 10, 2011 by

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.
Continue reading “

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