Government, Ill. County

Chicago - Children - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Government - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Teachers Unions - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

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

December 20, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

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

Of course, even as liberal politicians constantly extol the virtues of the public schools they are quietly sending their own kids to private schools. These hypocrites don’t seem to mind sending the public’s kids to subpar, failing schools but they’ll be damned that they’ll do so with their own kids.
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40% of Chicago Public School Teachers Send Own Kids to Private Schools”

9/11 - Bobby Schilling - Cuba - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Guantanamo Bay - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Islam - Islamofascism - Liberals - Regulation - Security/Safety - Terrorism - Warner Todd Huston

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

December 20, 2010 by

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

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

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

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

Budget - Business - Cap and Trade - Cook County Board - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Energy - Environment - Government - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Regulation - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

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

December 20, 2010 by

From the Palatine Tea Party…

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

2011 Electric Utility Tax

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

Chicago - Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Pat Brady - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Republican State Central Committee Meeting Report

December 18, 2010 by

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

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

Here is an excerpt…
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Illinois Republican State Central Committee Meeting Report”

9/11 - Anti-Americanism - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Guantanamo Bay - Illinois State Government - Islam - Islamofascism - Liberals - Mark Kirk - Military - President - Regulation - Religion - Security/Safety - Senate - Taliban - Terrorism - Warner Todd Huston

Democrats Slip Bringing Terrorists to American Prisons into Defense Bill

December 17, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

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

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

Senator Kirk blew the whistle on this horrible idea and vowed to put a hold on the defense bill until that part gets stripped. Kirk appeared on Chicago’s WLS radio and told hosts Don and Roma why he wanted to put the bill on hold.
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Democrats Slip Bringing Terrorists to American Prisons into Defense Bill”

Bobby Schilling - Congress - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Military - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Schilling to Serve on Armed Services and Agriculture Committees

December 17, 2010 by

From the office of Congressman-elect Bobby Schilling…

Rep.-elect Schilling successfully pursues two committees important to our area’s interests

EAST MOLINE, IL–Representative-elect Bobby Schilling has received his committee assignments for the 112th Congress. He will be serving on both the Armed Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee. Illinois will get a representative on the House Armed Services panel after not having one during the 111th Congress. Schilling said he was pleased with his assignments and ready to start working for the 17th District.

“When I decided to run for Congress, I promised to deliver excellent constituent services to the people of our area,” Schilling said. “I will protect the Rock Island Arsenal and our area’s military interests on the Armed Services Committee and I will work hard for our farmers and producers as a member of the Agriculture Committee. I look forward to serving the people come January.”
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Schilling to Serve on Armed Services and Agriculture Committees”

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

Ill. Policy Institute: Capitol Day, Fight Quinn’s Tax Hike, Education Reform‏

December 16, 2010 by

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

Capitol Day: Join Us January 5!

A number of highly important issues including the proposal to hike income taxes, a landmark voucher bill, and pension reform are anticipated to be voted on early in the new legislative session. That’s why the Illinois Policy Institute is going down to Springfield on January 5 with our Liberty Leaders. We’re chartering a bus from the Chicagoland area. Join us on Capitol Day!
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Ill. Policy Institute: Capitol Day, Fight Quinn’s Tax Hike, Education Reform‏”

Budget - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Property Taxes - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Rahm Says He’s a Chicago Resident, But Filed 2009 Taxes as Non-Resident

December 15, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Not only did Rahm Emanuel file his 2009 taxes returns as a non-resident of the City of Chicago, but once people began questioning his Chicago residency and biloxing up his run for the Mayor’s office, he quietly went back and amended his taxes to say he was a resident.

If that doesn’t seem like an admission that he wasn’t a real citizen, what is?

According to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times, Emanuel filed his 2009 tax returns as a “part-year resident” of Illinois instead of a full-time resident as he had moved to Washington to take Obama’s offer of becoming his chief of staff.
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Rahm Says He’s a Chicago Resident, But Filed 2009 Taxes as Non-Resident”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Free Trade - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Nancy Salvato - Property Taxes - Taxes

I’m a Writer, Not a Financial Planner

December 14, 2010 by

-By Nancy Salvato

Like many Americans, I searched for a new job in 2010. Although I wasn’t unemployed at the time of my search, I concluded that it was in my best interest to find a job with a company that offered more stability and in which my job skills would continue to be valued. When I was offered a position which fit my criteria, with room to grow, I opted to take it. This meant no longer living near family and friends, which would be hard. Thankfully, they were supportive of my decision and agreed this would be best. There was one other hurdle. I would need to sell my home.

Very quickly we realized the extent of the economic recession in Illinois, as there was no way our house would sell without our owing money. Like many Americans, we had three options. We could default, we could rent and try and ride it out, or we could short sell. Since we had invested a good sized down payment into the house, defaulting or short selling were not our first choices. We decided to rent if we could find a tenant.

Surprisingly, we did find a tenant who would pay us the same amount that would be required of us to rent a home out of state. Though we would have to continue to supplement the cost of our present mortgage because we would not be renting the house for the amount of our mortgage payment, we would not lose money. We could just hold the house until things got better. The Universe seemed to be smiling on us.
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I’m a Writer, Not a Financial Planner”

Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Sam Adams Alliance - Taxes - Tea Party - Warner Todd Huston

SAM Examines Tea Party Culture

December 14, 2010 by

From the Sam Adams Alliance…

As part of our new “Green” Energy series, we unveiled today our latest research: a study of the Tea Party as a cultural institution. SAM’s Chris Stolte explored this idea in a piece he wrote for the Daily Caller.

Tea Culture: This party is not just about politics
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SAM Examines Tea Party Culture”

Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - DuPage County - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Kane County - Mark Kirk - Randy Hultgren - Republicans - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

(Video) Townhall Meeting With Mark Kirk and Randy Hultgren, Saint Charles, Illinois

December 13, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

On Dec. 11, 2010, I attended a townhall meeting held in the 14th Congressional District featuring Congressman-elect Randy Hultgren and newly minted Senator Mark Kirk. The event was held in the theater of a local high school in Saint Charles, Illinois.

The afternoon started out with an address by Senator Mark Kirk who already was sworn in for an interim term and will be starting his first full term as senator in January. After Kirk finished his opening remarks, Mr. Hultgren spoke and then there was some time for questions for the audience.

Kirk spoke for a strong defense, he spoke for fiscal responsibility and he spoke against the DREAM Act. For his part, Mr. Hultgren didn’t have much to say past his recently successful campaign talking points. But that is to be expected since he has not yet been to Washington to be involved in the issues in our nation’s capitol. Hultgren won’t take office until Jan. 5. Both men strongly spoke in favor of repealing Obamacare.

I have video of both men’s comments. I took the video with my hand-held Flip cam so it may be a bit shaky here and there. (And on the Kirk video I had to set the camera down for half a minute to turn my phone off as I got a call in the middle of his remarks. I thought I had turned it off, but obviously forgot to do so! So my apologies there.)

Here is the video of the two gentleman’s remarks…
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(Video) Townhall Meeting With Mark Kirk and Randy Hultgren, Saint Charles, Illinois”

Chicago - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Why Is Illinois So Corrupt?

December 11, 2010 by

Chicago Magazine asks why Illinois is so corrupt. My answer: Democrats. Still, Shane Tritsch has a great article here.

Why Is Illinois So Corrupt?

-By Shane Tritsch

When federal agents arrested Governor Rod Blagojevich two years ago—interrupting what the U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald called “a political corruption crime spree”—Robert Grant, head of the FBI’s Chicago office, offered a succinct analysis of the day’s events. “If [Illinois] isn’t the most corrupt state in the United States,” he said, “it is certainly one hell of a competitor.”

Given the abundance and variety of political scandals in the state, it’s hard to disagree. Over the past 40 years, about 1,500 people—including 30 Chicago aldermen—have been convicted for bribery, extortion, embezzlement, tax fraud, and other forms of corruption, according to Dick Simpson, head of the political science department at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Three former Illinois governors have gone to prison, and a fourth soon could be locked up if a jury convicts Blagojevich in his upcoming retrial on corruption and conspiracy charges.

Still, it’s hard to find empirical data that confirm Illinois as the king of crookedness. The U.S. Department of Justice tracks federal corruption convictions through its Public Integrity Section. Examinations of department data from several recent ten-year periods show that Illinois has mostly ranked among the top ten states in federal corruption convictions per capita, though two years ago it fell to an almost respectable 18th—which may demonstrate the limitations of such studies. In any case, these tallies reflect only the subset of wrongdoers cloddish enough to have gotten caught. And the cohort of crooks is merely the tip of the viceberg, so to speak, in a state where pitifully weak campaign finance and ethics laws are so easy to game legally. Considering the totality of government chicanery in Illinois—from the illegal to the merely questionable—the political consultant Don Rose concludes, “It’s fair to say we’re among two or three states that would vie for the honor [of most corrupt].”

But if that’s true, how did Illinois and Chicago get so good at being so bad…

Read the rest at ChicagoMag.com.

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

Illinois Policy Institute Breaking Report: A Public Menace in Cook County‏

December 11, 2010 by

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has seen a “strong desire and need for real transformation in the County.” A good place to start this much-needed transformation process would be at the county’s Adult Probation Department, which receives more than $43 million per year to keep the public safe by monitoring dangerous criminals sentenced to probation rather than prison.

Preckwinkle will soon discover these taxpayer dollars are being poorly spent and the department is not keeping people safe–a key tenant of Preckwinkle’s “Compact for Change.”

My latest special report reveals how the Cook County Adult Probation Department, according to its own chief probation officer, “dropped the ball,” by allowing a convicted sexual predator to go unmonitored, which resulted in his arrest for molesting a 13-year-old girl. The special report also documents how a lack of leadership, transparency, and accountability have crippled the department, while senior staff worked off-duty jobs, including providing a personal security detail for Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.
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Illinois Policy Institute Breaking Report: A Public Menace in Cook County‏”

Congress - Conservatives - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Mark Kirk - Randy Hultgren - Republicans - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

Rep. Randy Hultgren Townhall Meeting Sat. Dec. 11

December 10, 2010 by

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

These past few weeks have been focused on the economy and impending tax hikes that go into effect on January 1st.

Please join Senator Mark Kirk and myself for a town hall meeting TOMORROW, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11th from 12:00-1:30 p.m. at the Norris Dellora Cultural Arts Center.

1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles, Illinois (CLICK HERE FOR A MAP)

I hope to see you tomorrow and I look forward to talking soon.

Budget - Chicago - Children - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Education - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Property Taxes - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois School Uses ‘Stimulus’ $$ For Raises and Bonuses While Raising Property Taxes

December 10, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Arrogance is an ugly thing. But it seems that Grayslake School Board Superintendent Ellen Correll has it in spades. Not only did she and four other board members vote to increase its tax levy on the community, but she also announced that she used federal “stimulus” money to dole out raises and bonuses to teachers and administrators.

The school board claims that it needs to raise the tax levy by 8.3 percent because of shortfalls in operating costs. Tax rates are limited on existing properties and is capped by law so due to this the tax hit on older properties would not be as great as 8.3 percent. New properties, however, are not capped.

But in this economy, who can afford property taxes to go up yet again? As school board member Michael Carbone said in his comments, statistics show that in 2009 one in three houses sold in the district were in distress and in 2010 it was 50%.
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Illinois School Uses ‘Stimulus’ $$ For Raises and Bonuses While Raising Property Taxes”

Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Gery Chico - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Warner Todd Huston

Rahm’s Little Spy

December 9, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Walter Jacobson of Channel 2 News reports that Rahm Emanuel sent a spy to one of his opponent’s events. Gery Chico had a community meeting with various representatives of the community in attendance but one fellow was loathe to be fully identified as the rest were. Turns out he was a spy for Emanuel.

Chico held a meeting for community leaders to talk issues. One by one they introduced themselves and identified the community groups they represent.

All except for one man who said only that his name is Jim, and that he was there to observe and learn.

That seemed odd, so Jim was watched and seen tape recording the meeting.

When asked about it, he admitted it was not quite true he was there to observe and learn — but to record the meeting for Rahm Emanuel.

And there you go. Just another example of Chicago-style politics.

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Rahm’s Little Spy”

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

Rep. Peter Roskam: What You Need to Know About the Deficit Commission‏

December 8, 2010 by

From the office of Representative Peter Roskam…

Recently, President Obama’s Deficit Reduction Commission put forth a plan to address our country’s staggering deficits and national debt. The plan did not receive enough votes to make it out of it’s own committee and into Congress, but it does provide an important opportunity to discuss a critical economic issue – spending.

Although the report does recognize the need for spending restraint in Washington, particularly focusing on the federal bureaucracy, it also advocates for raising taxes at a time when Americans can least afford it. For all of my observations, click below to watch my interview on Fox News Chicago:
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Rep. Peter Roskam: What You Need to Know About the Deficit Commission‏”

Conservatives - Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - SB600 - Warner Todd Huston

SB600: Litmus Test for Party Reform (By Cedra Crenshaw)

December 7, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

In the 2010 midterms, Cedra Crenshaw made a splash as a great independent Republican candidate for the Illinois State Senate (43rd District). She was quickly confronted with the power of the Democratic Machine and made all too well aware of the limitations of the Illinois Republican Party.

Cedra recently wrote a great piece on SB600, a bill that would allow Republican voters to vote in their own leadership on the Illinois Republican State Committee (currently, insiders appoint these members and voters have no choice).
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SB600: Litmus Test for Party Reform (By Cedra Crenshaw)”

Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Gery Chico - Illinois - Illinois State Government - James Meeks - Mayor Richard Daley - Warner Todd Huston

Four Out of the Race for Chicago Mayor

December 7, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The man that is renting Rahm Emanuel’s Chicago house announced today that he’ll drop his bid to run against the former White House chief of staff.

Emanuel tenant Rob Halpin told reporters that the financial burden — as well as the legal hurdles — of running for mayor was simply too much for him to incur.

The board of elections also removed three candidates from the ballot due to the candidates not having enough ballot signatures to satisfy the minimum requirement of 12,500 signatures.

The three removed were M. Tricia Lee, only had 700 valid signatures; Jay Stone, had a mere 246; and Ryan Graves had duplicate signatures.

With Lee’s removal from the ballot, that puts Rahm Emanuel in the second spot on the ballot.

Certainly many more will be removed as time rolls onward, but here is the list as it stands now:
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Four Out of the Race for Chicago Mayor”

Budget - Chicago - Congress - Cook County - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Joe Walsh - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Joe Walsh Launches Listening Tour (8th District)

December 7, 2010 by

From the office of Congressman elect Joe Walsh, 8th District…

I will launch a series of town hall meetings across the district during the month of December. I expect the meetings to give my constituents an opportunity to voice their thoughts and concerns. Please check the schedule below for dates, times, and locations. These meetings are open to the public and all opinions are welcome.

Please forward this e-mail to your friends, neighbors, and co-workers, especially those who may not have voted for me. I would like this to be an opportunity to hear the concerns of the 8th District regardless of political viewpoint.

Joe Walsh,
Congressman-elect of the 8th District
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Joe Walsh Launches Listening Tour (8th District)”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Free Trade - Government - Illinois - Jobs - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago Unions Leaders Not Thrilled With Rahm Emanuel

December 6, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Most Chicagoans are assuming that former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel will become the next mayor of Chicago. But while the perception might satisfy many folks in the Windy City, at least one powerful Democratic sector isn’t so sure they are happy with the whole idea. Chicago’s union leaders are not very fond of the distempered former Chief of Staff.

Big Labor has been put off on Emanuel since he helped Bill Clinton get the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) passed in the 1990s when Emanuel was a Congressman from Chicago’s 5th District.

Emanuel also has a history of dissing Big Labor. At least he’s put other interests ahead of Big Labor enough times that labor leaders are not overly fond of the diminutive candidate.
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Chicago Unions Leaders Not Thrilled With Rahm Emanuel”

Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago Democrat Machine Thwarting the Vote Again: Trying to Force 45th Ward GOP Candidate Off Ballot

December 6, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

John Garrido is running to become Chicago’s 45th Ward Alderman and the left-wing, Chicago Democrat machine is not happy about it. Machine thugs are attempting to force Mr. Garrido, a Chicago Police Lieutenant, off the ballot with more of their silly ballot objections.

Democrats have spent billions over the years filing objections and challenges to their opponent’s petitions and candidacies all in an attempt to prevent the voters from being allowed to make their own decision.

The Garrido campaign has issued this statement:
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Chicago Democrat Machine Thwarting the Vote Again: Trying to Force 45th Ward GOP Candidate Off Ballot”

Budget - Climate Change - Democrats/Leftists - Energy - Environment - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Policy Institute: Cancun Fiesta!‏

December 6, 2010 by

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

Climate Fiesta in Cancun!
The UN Climate Change Conference is underway in Cancun and Americans for Prosperity cut this video of climate change activists (you know, the ones who want to ration travel, energy, food, and the like) whooping it up at a beach party. Apparently, rationing is for the rest of us.

Spotlight on Spending: Foster Grandparents
Encouraging volunteerism among Illinois’s senior citizens is a worthy goal, with many benefits for both individual volunteers and those they serve, but is the Illinois state government doing a good job at accomplishing these goals—or should be looking for ways to increase senior involvement beyond government programs? Our latest Spotlight on Spending asks these questions.
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Ill. Policy Institute: Cancun Fiesta!‏”

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

Chicago Cops/Firemen Retire as Millionaires

December 3, 2010 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

There really is no excuse for any public servant to retire with a pension worth $1.3 million dollars of the people’s tax money. None. But that is precisely what happens in the City of Chicago according to Chicago’s Civic Committee.

Crain’s Greg Hinz reports that the Civic Commission sent an email blast out to its members late last week reporting that the typical Chicago Fireman who retires after 20 years of service will make $1.3 million in pension benefits. Cops make a bit less at $1.2 million.

These public servants can also retire at age 50, almost two decades earlier than the rest of us. This means that these retired city officers can potentially live one third of their lives or more on the public dime. After 20 measly years’ service.

Now, I certainly realize that cops have a high stress job. I also realize that both policemen and firemen can be called upon to put their personal safety, even their lives, on the line (though by no means do all of them do so). But these pensions are an impossible corruption of our system. No one deserves such luxury on the backs of the poor taxpayer.
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Chicago Cops/Firemen Retire as Millionaires”

Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Gery Chico - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Warner Todd Huston

Video: Who Is Chicago Mayoral Candidate Gery Chico?

December 2, 2010 by

I have to hand it to the Chico campaign. As Gery Chico runs for Chicago Mayor, they are out of the box in full force and getting to the bloggers, too. Heck, I’m not even a Democrat and am getting their campaign press releases. Good job to the Chico shop! Good media outreach so far.

Here is their latest effort meant to introduce the candidate to those who may not know him.

Budget - Chicago - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Energy - Environment - EPA - Government - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

EPA Delivers Holiday ‘Sucker Punch’ to U.S. Economy

December 2, 2010 by

From the Heartland Institute…

While we were all preparing to see family and friends over the Thanksgiving, Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency was exploiting the holiday lull to sneak through new regulatory “guidance” that threatens to inflict further damage to the U.S. economy. The Heartland Institute has been on the case since the EPA gave the public just 15 days (with a long holiday weekend smack dab in the middle) to weigh in on the process. You can see all of Heartland’s coverage at this link.

A post at Heartland’s policy blog, Somewhat Reasonable, also outlines the situation. I pass this information along in case you want to share with your readers this attempt to get “cap” without the “trade” implemented by bureaucratic fiat, after the real bill flopped in Congress. You can also get a sense of what’s happening by reading below my signature.
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EPA Delivers Holiday ‘Sucker Punch’ to U.S. Economy”

Democracy - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - SB600 - State Central Committee - Warner Todd Huston

SB600 Update: In Da House

November 29, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

I have been a steady advocate for SB600 for the past year or so, now. SB600 would provide for Illinois Republicans to be able to elect their own state Republican committeemen by vote (as Illinois Democrats already do). Currently the people that guide the Illinois GOP are selected by other party operatives instead of the voters. Many feel, me included, this leads to a closed system of party bosses and insiders that is resistant to change and new ideas and is too far removed from the voters.

The bill passed the Senate earlier in the year and now needs a nod from the House of Representatives. If it doesn’t get passed by the House before January 12, 2011, then this bill is dead and would have to go through the entire process all over again to become law.

January 12 is coming very quickly, of course, and many might think it is too late to get this one done. But it’s not all bad news. If the bill is brought to a vote it will likely pass as it did in the Senate.
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SB600 Update: In Da House”

Bobby Schilling - Budget - Congress - Conservatives - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Man of the People: New Ill Representative Forgoes Pay Raises, Pensions, Healthcare

November 29, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Republican Bobby Schilling father of ten children, was just elected to Congress for Illinois’s 17th District. He beat out long-time incumbent Democrat Phil Hare.

Hare made himself infamous by saying that he didn’t care much about the U.S. Constitution.

As he prepares to undertake his new duties in Washington D.C., Mr. Schilling has made a few decisions that should bring the gratitude of his voters. He’s decided not to accept any pay raises, he’s eschewed the Congressional healthcare plan, he’s opted out of the pension plan, and he intends to term limit himself.
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Man of the People: New Ill Representative Forgoes Pay Raises, Pensions, Healthcare”

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

Pay Disparity in Illinois‏

November 29, 2010 by

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

Illinois is in rough shape. Out of all of the states, Illinois is:

  • 48th in economic performance
  • 47th in economic outlook
  • 48th in domestic migration
  • 48th in job growth

With those poor results it’s curious to note that our state has the:

  • 2nd highest Governor’s salary
  • 2nd highest Secretary of State’s salary
  • 3rd highest Attorney General’s salary
  • 5th highest Lieutenant Governor’s salary

Our 17th report in the “Spotlight on Spending” series highlights the alarming disparity between nationwide averages and the salaries and pay levels for our statewide elected officials.
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Pay Disparity in Illinois‏”

Adam Andrzejewski - Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - For The Good Of Illinois - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Who’s Afraid of the Forensic Audit?

November 26, 2010 by

From Adam Andrzejewski and For The Good of Illinois…

An orchestrated attempt to discredit the forensic audit is well underway.

On Sunday, Bernie Schoenburg wrote an article defending Illinois Audit General William Holland. Holland claims that we misunderstand the term “forensic audit”. Holland said, “A forensic audit normally involves using accounting methods to investigate criminal activity, such as embezzlement and fraud.” Click here to read the full article in the State Journal-Register.

Whew, thanks for the clarification Auditor Holland. Sure glad we don’t have to worry about criminal activity, embezzlement, or fraud here in squeaky-clean Illinois. Guess we’ll just ignore the $4 million in wire transfer receipts that were found in Blago’s desk.
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Who’s Afraid of the Forensic Audit?”