Government, Ill. County

2nd Amendment - Chicago - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Guns - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Judges - Law - Liberals - Progressives - The Law - Warner Todd Huston

Concealed Carry Ban Struck Down in Illinois

December 13, 2012 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Well, this is an interesting development. Remembering that Illinois is the only state that has a concealed carry ban still on the books, a federal judge ruled the ban unconstitutional and told the state legislature it has180 days to dump the ban and write legislation allowing for concealed carry.

Judge Richard Posner presides over the Seventh Court of Appeals in Chicago and wrote, in part, that the Supreme Court has already ruled that self-protection and, therefore, concealed carry, is an individual right under the Second Amendment. So, Illinois is violating the Constitution.

Still, Posner felt that some restrictions might be OK under the Constitution.
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Concealed Carry Ban Struck Down in Illinois”

2nd Amendment - Chicago - Constitution - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Ethics - Government - Guns - Liberals - Progressives - Warner Todd Huston

Ill State Sen. Donne Trotter’s Fake ‘Security Guard’ Job

December 6, 2012 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Illinois State Senator Donne Trotter, a Chicago Democrat, was arrested at O’Hare airport for having a gun in his baggage. Today he faced the judge in his case after spending the night in lock-up. He claimed he forgot the gun in his luggage and that it is from his “job” as a security guard. But this is a flat out lie. He has no such job.

Donne Trotter claimed that he is a “security guard” for a company called Allpoints (also called All Points Security). This is why he needed the .25 caliber pistol, said the lawmaker. But does he have such a job?

First of all, Trotter was in Springfield in session all day long. Are we to believe he was in the State Senate chambers all day then ran off to Chicago to be a “security guard,” then ran to O’Hare to catch a flight to Washington D.C.? The timeline is rather suspect, wouldn’t you think?

Then, Donne Trotter does not once mention this “job” in his financial disclosure. How can you have such a job without mentioning it as part of your annual income stream?
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Ill State Sen. Donne Trotter’s Fake ‘Security Guard’ Job”

Chicago - Children - Communism - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Elections - Ethics - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Progressives - Public Employees Unions - Socialism - Teachers Unions - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago Teachers Union Co-Sponsor of Socialist Program

November 16, 2012 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Now that the Chicago Teachers Union’s big strike is over they have time for other activities. Like pushing the communist idea of “social justice.” And so, the CTU is helping host a “Teaching for Social Justice” event this month.

So, some of the highest paid teachers in the country are all about “the struggle,” eh? (Media base for CTU teachers is $67,974 annually)

Of course, that brings me back to the question I sort of hinted at above: are Chicago’s teachers doing their jobs?
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Chicago Teachers Union Co-Sponsor of Socialist Program”

Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Ethics - Liberals - President - Progressives - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Obama Pays Off Chicago and County $100 Million a Year Federal Waiver

October 30, 2012 by 6 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

It must be nice to have friends in high places! Ask Cook County, Illinois Board President Toni Preckwinkle who just reaped a huge back room payoff from Da Prez in Washington.

In the best Chicago-style politics, the White House quietly awarded Cook County a $100,000,000 per year pay off via new Medicaid “waivers.”

For those unaware, Cook County is the home of Chicago, the most corrupt city, in the most corrupt county, in the most corrupt state in the union. It is also the home of President Barack “Scarface” Obama.

Over the past weekend the Obama administration approved a request by Cook County to give the county $100 million a year to care for indigents that come to its hospitals for care.

That’s $100 million in federal tax dollars going right into the county’s pockets.
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Obama Pays Off Chicago and County $100 Million a Year Federal Waiver”

Adam Andrzejewski - Budget - Chicago - Conservatives - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Ethics - For The Good Of Illinois - GOP - Government - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Progressives - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

VIDEO: FreePac Speech of Adam Andrzejewski of For The Good Of Illinois

October 28, 2012 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

On Friday, October 26, I attended Freepac, Chicago held at the Schaumburg Convention Center. The event, sponsored by Freedomworks, had many fine speakers including Judge Andrew Napolitano, former President of Poland Lech Walesa, John Fund, CL Bryant, Deneen Borelli, John Tillman, Congressman Joe Walsh, and Adam Andrzejewski, hosted by Freedmworks CEO Matt Kibbe.

Here is the video I took of Adam Andrzejewski, chief of For The Good Of Illinois.

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VIDEO: FreePac Speech of Adam Andrzejewski of For The Good Of Illinois”

Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Peter Roskam - President - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Peter Roskam’s Last Pre-Election Pep Talk

October 28, 2012 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

On October 27 I attended one last fundraiser held by Illinois Republican Congressman Peter Roskam (6th District). It was held in Lisle and featured a nicely filled room of supporters.

Congressman Roskam is a very popular fellow in the 6th District (even the newly configured one) and is always a gracious host.

Roskam is also one of the more powerful Republicans in Congress serving as the Republican’s Chief Deputy Whip.

I took just a few minutes after the event was over to ask the congressman for his final words, a pep talk, if you will, to get out the vote.

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Peter Roskam’s Last Pre-Election Pep Talk”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Chicago - Children - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Ethics - Government - Illinois - Jobs - Liberals - Public Employees Unions - Taxes - Teachers Unions - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago’s Teachers Strike, Just Another Corrupt Union Powergrab

September 10, 2012 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

We’ve all heard the news of the strike forced on Chicago’s public schools by Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis, I’m sure. Barely open for a week, the greedy teachers are now walking off the job but the main reasons for this strike presented by the CTU really don’t stand up to close scrutiny, for sure.

The CTU wants a 30% pay raise and they want class sizes to be made smaller.

For his part, Mayor Emanuel is saying that teachers union reps are fighting his desire to allow local school administrators do the hiring of any new teachers (because they know better what they need) but the union is insisting that they do the hiring.

The union also rejected a 16% pay raise offered by the city – itself an absurdly high number that shouldn’t have been offered in the first place.

In fact, these teachers don’t deserve ANY raise, much less a 30% or even a 16% raise. Only just over half the kids in Chicago now graduate with a high school diploma and, worse, at $76,000 annually, Chicago’s teacher already make more on average than most other teachers in the nation.

By contrast, Chicagoans only earn $47,000 a year on average, so these teachers are already making almost double what the rest of Chicago is making!
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Chicago’s Teachers Strike, Just Another Corrupt Union Powergrab”

Anti-Americanism - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Gay Marriage - Gays - Government - Jobs - Liberals - Warner Todd Huston

Alderman/Mayor Emanuel Admit: Chicago is NOT for Christians

July 25, 2012 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Anti-religion Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno has affirmed that the City of Chicago does not welcome Christians and stands four square against Christian principles. Further, Moreno says he has the “moral support” of Mayor Rahm Emanuel for his pronouncement.

Moreno is trying to shut down the opening of a new Chick-Fil-A restaurant in the city. Why? Because the chief of the company — well-known as enthusiastic boosters of Christian ideals — recently affirmed that his company does not support the homosexual lifestyle.

Moreno got on his high horse claiming that the fast food chain “discriminates” against homosexuals. This, of course, is a lie. No where has Chick-Fil-A been accused of any concrete discrimination against gays.

For his part, Mayor Emanuel agreed with liar Moreno.
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Alderman/Mayor Emanuel Admit: Chicago is NOT for Christians”

Congress - Cook County - Elections - Ethics - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Joe Walsh - Journalism - Liberals - Media - Media Bias - Military - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston - Washington Post

Washington Post Accuses GOP Congressman of Saying Something He Never Said

July 4, 2012 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

This is a perfect example of Old Media “gotcha” reporting. On July 3, the Washington Post attempted to accuse GOP Congressman Joe Walsh (Ill. 8th District) of saying that his Democrat opponent, Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth, is not a hero.

Not only is this perfect as “gotcha” reporting, it also an example of the Washington Post getting its marching orders from the left-wing, George Soros controlled Internet group Think Progress because that is where this faux report originated.

Only July 1, Congressman Walsh held a townhall event near Elk Grove, Illinois, ostensibly to talk about the Obamacare decision issued by the Supreme Court of the United States a few days before. In his comments Walsh brought up those men and women that serve or have served the U.S. in our armed forces, as he always does at the beginning of his appearances. He noted that such heroes don’t usually talk about their service and he used the example of Senator John McCain, who was often reluctant to talk about his service during the 2008 campaign for President.

Eventually, in an offhanded comment, Walsh mentioned Duckworth’s touting of her own service saying, “that’s all she talks about.”

Now, before we get into this further, I was actually at this Walsh Townhall. I reported on it at my Illinois site, but I mention this so that I can tell you my impression of what actually went on there.
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Washington Post Accuses GOP Congressman of Saying Something He Never Said”

1st Amendment - Anti-Americanism - Constitution - Democracy - Democrats/Leftists - Electric - Ethics - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Law - Liberals - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Blogger Threatened With Lawsuit by Anti-Free Speech Democrat Jack Franks

June 22, 2012 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Blogger Cal Skinner of McHenry County Blog is under attack by another anti-free speech Democrat — not that any Democrat is pro-free speech, of course. Democrat State Rep Jack Franks has sent Mr. Skinner a threatening letter essentially telling him to stop writing about him, or else.

Now, Democrat Franks wants us to feel sorry for him as any reading of his threatening letter can see. In his letter Democrat Franks is pretending that blogger Skinner is trying to post images of his family and invading their privacy. Democrat Franks also claims that Skinner is “not credentialed” as a “journalist” so he shouldn’t be allowed to write criticism of the public official.

First of all, Cal Skinner has never posted any photo of Jack Franks that wasn’t obtained during a public event and Skinner has no interest in Jackie boy’s family — just about Franks’ public policy decisions as a State Rep. Secondly, legal case after legal case all across this great land is coming down in favor of bloggers. So, Franks’ attempt to shut a blogger up is running counter to American right of free political speech, not just in the spirit of the First Amendment (that part of the Constitution that Democrats hate with a passion) but even counter to emerging law concerning the status of bloggers that is being set all across the country.

But Democrats hate, hate, hate being dogged by Internet journalists. Democrats just aren’t used to seeing bad press, after all. I mean, the so-called “real journalists” out there never write a bad word about them, so it’s no surprise that Democrats get alarmed when conservative bloggers begin to write about them in a critical manner.
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Illinois Blogger Threatened With Lawsuit by Anti-Free Speech Democrat Jack Franks”

Aaron Schock - Adam Kinzinger - Bobby Schilling - Congress - Conservatives - Dan Patlak - Dan Rutherford - Democracy - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Joe Walsh - Judy Baar-Topinka - Liberals - Mitt Romney - Pat Brady - Peter Roskam - Politicians Illinois - President - Randy Hultgren - Republicans - SB600 - Senate - State Central Committee - Steve Rauschenberger - Tom Cross - United Republican Fund - Warner Todd Huston

What Happened at the Illinois GOP Convention? Mostly Status Quo, But…

June 10, 2012 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Illinois Republican Party held its 2012 Party Convention this weekend. On the docket was addressing some asked for rules changes and picking a slate of delegates to the GOP national convention to nominate Mitt Romney to carry the Party’s banner in the upcoming presidential election. My ultimate analysis is that this was a status quo convention, but signs show that the status quo might not be too long for this world.

Two things first, here. One, I have to state up front that I intended to be a delegate from my district at the Illinois GOP convention. I registered as such and was accepted by my man Tim Schneider of the Hanover Republicans, but forces outside of politics (in other words, real life) prevented me from participating to the fullest extent. Regardless, I wanted to let you know of my intentions upfront so that you can see that I am not just a disinterested bystander in this deal.

Two, if you want a blow-by-blow account of the many great speeches, see Cal Skinner’s report at McHenry County Blog. I will mention a few things, but won’t do the speech-by-speech analysis. Skinner covered that very well so I don’t feel the need to cover that ground again.


Rep. Aaron Schock plies the crowd after his address

Now, The single most controversial issue that was on the docket was the decision to initiate direct elections. For instance, there are many Republicans who want to change how the members of the State Central Committee are selected. Currently they are appointed by the committeemen but many voices in the party want to change that. They want these party leaders to stand for election (like the Democrats do, incidentally) instead of being appointed by the votes of the committeemen. This issue has been in debate throughout the state for several years already and I’ve covered that debate many times. (Check my out old coverage of SB600 using the search feature)

I am told that several attempts were made by various committeemen to get this issue its due during Friday’s Committee meetings. The issue failed in committee on Friday, but a spirited debate continued that afternoon, anyway. Ultimately, John Parrot of Congressional District 15 attempted to get the direct elections issue brought to the convention floor on Saturday for discussion and a vote as a separate issue. Instead party leaders decided to allow a “yea” or “nay” vote on Saturday.
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What Happened at the Illinois GOP Convention? Mostly Status Quo, But…”

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

Rage in the Illinois House

May 30, 2012 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Illinois House Rep Mike Bost (R, Murphysboro) came to his wits end over the last second introduction of a pension reform bill by House Speaker Michael Madigan (D). The bill was introduced only minutes before Madigan wanted to force the House to vote on the bill. As the bill was introduced, Bost went nuts on the floor screaming and throwing papers in a rage.

“These damn bills that come out here all the damn time, come out here at the last second!” Bost yelled. “I’ve got to figure out how to vote for my people!”

Bost’s biggest complaint is the fact that for years only one man has had total control over the entire state. That one person would be Democrat House Speaker Mike Madigan.
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Rage in the Illinois House”

Barack Obama - Chicago - Cook County - Crime - Danny Davis - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Ethics - House of Representatives - Liberals - President - Warner Todd Huston

Now Illinois Dems Want Crook They Supported in Primary to Step Down?

March 22, 2012 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Now the very same accused criminal that Chicago Democrats wanted people to vote for in Tuesday’s primary is being pressured to to step down from his office now that he won — pressured by the exact same Democrat officials that told people to vote for him only three days ago. This particular story is a perfect example of how Democrats a). Don’t care what voters want, b). Don’t care if their elected officials are crooks, c). Would rather see criminals in office than see a single Republican win an election.

To recap: Derrick Smith was appointed by the party to take a State Rep seat left empty by another Rep that moved on to a different office. As soon as he got in that office he began soliciting a bribe to fill his pockets. The FBI arrested him and charged him with the crime. Up comes the primary and Chicago Democrats, including Congressman Danny Davis, told Chicago voter to vote for this crook anyway because a criminal in office is better than having any Republican, says Davis and his crook-supporting crew The primary arrives and this crook wins his election. And now that he won…

The Democrats’ endgame is to muscle Smith off the ballot and out of the House. Gov. Pat Quinn and Secretary of State Jesse White on Wednesday called on Smith to resign; Davis said Smith should not appear on the November ballot.

Just what is going on here?
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Now Illinois Dems Want Crook They Supported in Primary to Step Down?”

Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - DuPage County - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Kane County - Lake County - President - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago’s and Suburbs GOP Primary Results, And More….

March 21, 2012 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Here are a few of the results of last night’s primary race in Chicago and the surrounding areas. Unfortunately, for a city of millions, less than 30,000 dragged themselves to the polls to vote. Even more to Chicago’s shame, there are only just over a million people even registered to vote in a city of just under three million citizens!

Anyway, results can be found at the Chicago Board of Elections for the city and for the suburbs at Cook County Clerk’s Office.

First Congressional District
Donald E. Peloquin will face Democrat Bobby Rush (incumbent)

Second Congressional District
Brian Woodworth will face Democrat Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (incumbent)

Third Congressional District
Richard Grabowski will face Daniel William Lipinski (incumbent)

Republicans did not put up a candidate in the Fourth District, Luis Gutierrez will continue in the Fourth

Fifth Congressional District
Dan Schmitt will face Democrat Mike Quigley (incumbent)

Republicans did not put up a candidate in the Seventh District, Danny Davis will continue in the Seventh

Eighth Congressional District
Joe Walsh (incumbent) will face Democrat Tammy Duckworth

Ninth Congressional District
Timothy C Wolfe will face Democrat Janice D. Schakowsky (incumbent)

Tenth Congressional District
Bob Dold (incumbent) will face Democrat Brad Schneider

Eleventh Congressional District
Judy Biggert (incumbent) will face Democrat Bill Foster

Other Congressional Seats

As to the other Congressional races, the big fight was between Don Manzullo and Adam Kinzinger for the reconfigured 16th District. Kinzinger beat long-time incumbent Manzullo and will be taking the nomination (and likely the Nov. election) for the 16th District.
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Chicago’s and Suburbs GOP Primary Results, And More….”

Chicago - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Ethics - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Liberals - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago Democrats Say Voting for a Criminal is Better Than Voting for Republicans

March 20, 2012 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

If you want an example of why Democrats are truly a party of criminals, you have but to look to Chicago for your examples and not just because Chicago has one of the highest rates of Democrat pols being convicted of crimes. This particular election, Chicago Democrats are actually urging voters to vote for a state rep. that was just this month arrested and charged with bribe taking instead of voting for his opponent that has a clean record — but was a Republican.

That’s right, Chicago Democrats want you to vote for someone we already suspect is a corrupt, bribe-taking, politician over one who is not.

A cadre of Democrats led by U.S. Rep. Danny Davis held a rally for Smith’s election saying that it was better to vote for their arrested friend than to vote for his opponent.

“We know that our colleague is charged with criminal activity,” Davis said. “But we also know that a charge is not a conviction.”

Why would they do this? Why would they come to the aide of a guy arrested for bribe-taking?
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Chicago Democrats Say Voting for a Criminal is Better Than Voting for Republicans”

1st Amendment - Budget - Chicago - Conservatives - Constitution - Cook County - Elections - Free Speech - Freedom - GOP - Government - Illinois - President - Republicans - Rick Santorum - Senate - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Rick Santorum’s Illinois Rally

March 17, 2012 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Rick Santorum visited Illinois last night stopping at Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights, a Chicago suburb, for a 7PM rally that drew over 2,000 people who came to hear the presidential primary candidate speak.

The place was packed with all the gym bleachers filled and most of the balcony seating also filled, not to mention standing room only on the gym floor. The capacity seating of the place was 2,500, but one is tempted to think that they allowed a bit more than capacity to rally for Rick.

An array of elected officials and long-time activists appeared to support the candidate. The crowd was energetic and Santorum signs were waved enthusiastically at many moments during Rick’s address.

On the dais before Sen. Santorum took the podium were such notables as Al Salvi and his wife Kathy, former Illinois politician Penny Pullen, State Rep. Tom Morrison, and New York Times writer Brad Thor.

Senator Santorum took the stage to raucous applause and gave a speech laden with allusions to the founding fathers, the economy, and religious freedom. He also bashed President Obama over Obamacare and his abject failure to fix this economy.
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Rick Santorum’s Illinois Rally”

Aaron Schock - Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Dan Patlak - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Joe Walsh - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Robert Dold - Tom Cross - Warner Todd Huston

Annual NW Suburban GOP Lincoln Day Dinner — Newt, Roskam, Walsh, Dold, Schock

March 14, 2012 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

I attended the annual Northwest Suburban Republican Lincoln Day Dinner March 14 and took a handful of photos for your interest. This year’s special guest speaker was Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, in town making the rounds for his run for the White House.

The program was emceed by WLS Radio personality and political gadfly Dan Proft. Also speaking were Congressmen Joe Walsh (8th District), Robert Dold (10th District), Peter Roskam (6th District), and the keynote speaker was Rep. Aaron Schock (18th District).

I got a bit rushed by the Secret Service, sadly. I had taken a chair just to the right of the stage (audience right, not stage right) and had all my computer gear and whatnot out and in use and the Secret Service decided I wasn’t allowed to be there for what ever absurd reason. I was 5 tables away from the stage and in a corner, not in an aisle. Anyway, they grabbed all my gear and rushed me to the back of the room. Sheese.

Still I settled in and was at least allowed to take my photos. So, as the program began Radio talker Proft began the night with a joke. Not that this is uncommon, for an emcee to start with a joke, but it was an amusing one, so I’ll recount it here.


Dan Proft, WLS Radio
Callista Gingrich

“What is the difference between a Democrat politician in Illinois and a mobster,” Proft asked. The answer: “A pension.”

Proft next introduced Newt’s wife Callista who then introduced the Speaker.


Newt Takes the Stage

Seeing as how this was the Lincoln Day Dinner, Newt began with some words about the 16th President, noting that he was the president of technology for his day. Lincoln held a patent as an inventor, was a railroad booster (and corporate lawyer) and was always keenly interested in new war tech as he led the union to victory.
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Annual NW Suburban GOP Lincoln Day Dinner — Newt, Roskam, Walsh, Dold, Schock”

Cook County - Elections - Fox News - GOP - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

William J. Kelly Hosts Visit By Fox News’ Dick Morris

March 11, 2012 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

On Saturday, March 10, William J. Kelly hosted a visit by Dick Morris, famed Clinton triangulation man and now Fox News contributor. Kelly is running for 42nd Ward GOP Committeeman with an eye toward also running to head the Chicago GOP.

Morris came out as a strong supporter of Kelly calling him a “cactus” that can thrive in the arid political environment of Chicago — arid for conservatives, anyway.

“Anyone can thrive in an environment with good water and nice climate. But Kelly can thrive in Chicago and bring the fight to the Democrats. That’s what we need,” Morris said, “someone that is a bulldog and is an expert at using the new media to get the point across.”

Morris talked a lot about how getting rid of Obama is a must to save this country and detailed how Obama’s policies made a bad economy into a world debt crisis.
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William J. Kelly Hosts Visit By Fox News’ Dick Morris”

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

Illinois GOP Follies: Establishment vs Reform in Champagne County

January 11, 2012 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Illinois is drowning in debt and corruption. The state ranks as the worst state in nearly every category vying only with California for the worst-of rankings. The biggest factor in its downfall is the corrupt Democrat Party. So one would think that the state GOP could make good headway against this corruption. Unfortunately, the establishment GOP is in utter disarray. Worse, the establishment GOP fights to deep six any candidate from its own ranks that might offer reform and we have yet another story illustrating this fact in the 52nd District State Senate race in Champaign County.

The primary race in the 52nd is between the early announced John Bambenek(photo left), a long-time reform advocate, and establishment GOP candidate Alan Nudo, both of Champaign.

Bambenek is a well-known reform advocate and even wrote a book titled, “Illinois Deserves Better.”

For his part, Mr. Nudo, a 63-year-old Champaign County Board member, has in the past supported local tax hikes. He also was keen on securing stimulus spending for big government-style construction projects in his district.

But that isn’t all. Mr. Nudo has also had a hand in donating the single largest non-PAC donation to the incumbent Democrat Senator in the 52nd District!
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Illinois GOP Follies: Establishment vs Reform in Champagne County”

Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Constitution - Cook County - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Jobs - Joe Walsh - Republicans - Taxes - Tea Party - Warner Todd Huston

FULL VIDEO: Rep. Walsh Picks 8th District for 2nd Run

December 9, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

On Thursday night I attended the Chicago Tea Party meeting which featured a jazzed up first term Congressman Joe Walsh who came to announce in which District he’d take a crack at running to affect his reelection to Congress. Without stringing you along, Walsh chose the newly redistricted 8th for his run.

The Chicago Tea Party event was held at Chicago’s famous Cubby Bear restaurant right across the street from The Cub’s Wrigley field stadium.

With the Democrats in control of how Illinois’ electoral map was redrawn — due to the fact that the Illinois GOP has practically no power at all in the state — Walsh became the chief target that Democrats wanted to eliminate for 2012. Walsh’s home is currently in his 8th District, but redistricting casts his home into the 14th District, a district that is already represented by Randy Hultgren, also a solid Republican (and also a freshman congressman To boot).


A full House for Joe’s announcement at Chicago’s favorite Cubby Bear Pub

Initially Walsh announced plans to primary Hultgren and run in the newly jiggered 14th District. But as the weeks rolled on that prospect seemed an increasingly dismal idea. To primary another Republican would have meant a very, very bloody primary fight, one that would do neither Hultgren nor Walsh — nor Republicans for that matter — any good at all regardless of who won the primary.

This led Walsh to a hard decision and that is what brought him to the Cubby Bear that night.
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FULL VIDEO: Rep. Walsh Picks 8th District for 2nd Run”

Adam Andrzejewski - Budget - Education - Ethics - For The Good Of Illinois - GOP - Government - Government, Ill. County - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Rep. Roger Eddy- Total Tax-Paid Compensation of $283,520 Plus

December 6, 2011 by

-By Adam Andrzejewski

“IT’S JUST WRONG.”

For 2011, Eddy has a total compensation package funded by Illinois taxpayers of over $283,520 per year. When our Freedom of Information Requests are fulfilled regarding his government health benefits and his accumulated “bank account” of unused sick days, we will update our analysis. We anticipate his annual compensation will exceed $300,000.

For the past 30 years, Roger Eddy has served in public education. Beginning as a teacher and coach, he has lived his new American Dream.

For the past 16 years, Eddy has been the superintendent of rural Hutsonville School District Unit 1. For the past 9 years (2003), Eddy has also been an elected Republican State Representative. The median Hutsonville household income is $32,500. Located four hours south of Chicago, it’s situated in the Wabash River Valley of East-Central Illinois.

Roger Eddy is a poster boy example of Illinois public greed…

Be sure and read the rest of this entry at For The Good Of Illinois.

Abortion - Anti-Americanism - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Congress - Conservatives - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Ethics - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Joe Walsh - Liberals - McHenry - Republicans - Taxes - Tea Party - The Heartland Institute - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Values Voters Forum: Rep. Joe Walsh, State Rep. Morrison, More

December 4, 2011 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

On Saturday morning, Dec. 3, I attended an event put on in Carpentersville, Illinois by Allen Skillcorn. The Illinois Value Voters Forum was billed as a forum on social issues, but it was also a great opportunity to have a nice friendly chat with several Illinois politicians on a variety of issues, not just those “values” issues we generally associate with social conservatism.

Results of Straw Poll Below the Fold


The Panel

Panelists included 8th District Congressman Joe Walsh, 54th District State Representative Tom Morrison, former State Rep Penny Pullen (currently of the Life Advocacy Research Project), and Bruno Behrend who was on hand to represent Adam Andrzejewski’s Open The Books Portal Project, a website where you can learn how much your public officials are making off the taxpayers. Along with the panel above, quite a few local officials and candidates in the hunt for the GOP nomination in their district also came out to meet and greet attendees.


Allen Skillcorn introducing Rep. Joe Walsh

Rep. Joe Walsh and Bruno Behrend

The first question posed by moderator Skillcorn was “when does life begin,” a common enough question for the values crowd. Ever the rebel, Congressman Walsh went on a ten-minute discussion on why we need to change Congress to GOP control and why we need to send “the right kind of Republicans” to Washington. But, after the stump speech, he did answer the question: “at conception,” of course.

The rest of the panel generally agreed with that, but I’d like to dwell a bit on Walsh’s stump speech. He reminded us of the fiscal disaster that this nation faces and he said that we should not forget that “the Republican Party helped us get here and we have to say that forcefully and respectfully.”

But Walsh saw a “revolution” stirring with the Tea Party and the 2010 midterm vote, one that has “only just started.”
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Illinois Values Voters Forum: Rep. Joe Walsh, State Rep. Morrison, More”

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

Illinois CAT Dealer: Illinois’ Worst Business Climate Getting Worse

November 17, 2011 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

On Wednesday I attended a “government day” event at Patten Industries, a 78-year-old Illinois Caterpillar dealer situated in Elmhurst, a northwest suburb of Chicago. The event, led by current General Manager Garrett Patten, featured a discussion on the severely unfavorable business climate in Illinois and why the state is lagging so horribly behind the leading economic indicators of every surrounding state.

Patten Industries has been guided by four generations of Pattens, the company having been founded by B. C. Patten, Sr. in 1933. But Illinois has not been good to the company or its employees over the last decade or so. Unfortunately, the company has gone from employing some 700 employees in 2006 to only about 400 today due to the harsh economic climate in the Land of Lincoln.

This contraction is most certainly not something the Patten family wanted to see happen to their long-standing Illinois-based company. Patten Industries has faced a whole host of negative forces causing them to scale downward. And Patten is just one of many Illinois businesses facing the same problems — problems faced in much less severity by businesses in other nearby states.

Even as many corporations are just starting to see an upturn in their fortunes, Illinois government has set up so many hurdles to growth that other states are either taking our customers or even welcoming Illinois businesses themselves as new residents.

Garrett Patten says that at least three major problems face Illinois businesses. Workman’s comp, labor unions, and corporate taxes.
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Illinois CAT Dealer: Illinois’ Worst Business Climate Getting Worse”

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

Abe Lincoln and His Convicted Felon Pal, Bill Cellini?

November 8, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

This is the kind of nonsense that we get with political influence peddling and corruption. A painting that now hangs in the new Lincoln library and museum in our state capitol has a ridiculous tie to long-time Springfield corruption king Bill Cellini, who was just last week convicted on charges of extortion and bribery.

Standing behind Lincoln whispering in his ear is a person that looks suspiciously like the corrupt Cellini.

According to The Southern, Bill isn’t the only Cellini memorialized in paint at the museum. His wife, Julie, is also in a scene depiction Civil War era Washington D.C. Mrs. Cellini is a key benefactor of the museum.
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Abe Lincoln and His Convicted Felon Pal, Bill Cellini?”

Abortion - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Pat Quinn - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Gov. Quinn Bestows Award at Pro-Abortion Group Event

November 4, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Steven Ertelt reports that Illinois’ Democrat Governor Pat Quinn has come under fire by the state’s Catholic bishops for agreeing to present a leadership award to a pro-abortion group.

Quinn will present the award at a Nov. 17 event being held by Personal PAC, a pro-abortion activist group that supports pro-abortion candidates in Illinois.

Naturally, this pro-abortion group gave $5,000 to Quinn’s reelection campaign in 2010.
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Ill. Gov. Quinn Bestows Award at Pro-Abortion Group Event”

Democrats/Leftists - Ethics - Government, Ill. County - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Islam - Islamofascism - Liberals - Pat Quinn - Religion - Saudi Arabia - Terrorism - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Gov. Quinn Appoints Muslim Linked to Terror Groups to State Advisory Council

November 4, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

(Apologies, but we had a server switch yesterday and we lost the whole day’s worth of posts.)

Recently Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced the formation of the Illinois Muslim American Advisory Council, a group that will somehow “ensure” that Muslim American concerns are taken into account in state government. Among those appointed by the Governor to this board is ISNA Secretary-General Safaa Zarzour, a man who has been linked to organizations that fund Islamist terrorism.

Zarzour is known as a supporter and member of the Muslim Brotherhood, a group well known for pushing extremist Islamism and for funding terror throughout the world.

As a site that tracks the murderous efforts of the Muslim Brotherhood notes, Zarzour was an official in a Chicago-area Mosque that donated thousands to several terror groups.
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Gov. Quinn Appoints Muslim Linked to Terror Groups to State Advisory Council”

Anti-Americanism - Catholicism - Children - Christianity - Democrats/Leftists - Ethics - Gay Marriage - Gays - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Lisa Madigan - PCism - Religion - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston - Western Civilization

Illinois Government’s War Against Religious Child Services Continues

October 31, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Earlier this year the State of Illinois moved to force religious-based children’s services to break their religious principles and give children in their charge to homosexual couples. Organizations such as Catholic Charities have been told by the state that they either break their religious principles or face being shut down by the state. So, pursuant to that agenda, the state has determined that all children currently in the hands of religious adoption agencies need to be removed immediately.

Representing Catholic Charities of three Illinois Roman Catholic Dioceses, the Thomas Moore Society filed an emergency motion to prevent the state from removing all the children in its care. Unfortunately, an Illinois appellate court refused to overturn the trial court’s decision to remove the children during the appeal process in which lawyers are now engaged. (Filings here and here.)

Still, other motions made in the emergency motion were granted. Thomas Moore informs that the matter “is now on an expedited schedule for briefing in the Appellate Court.” The fate of the children remains unknown at this point.
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Illinois Government’s War Against Religious Child Services Continues”

Anti-Americanism - Banks - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Congress - Conservatives - Democracy - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - EPA - Ethics - Financial Reform - Free Trade - Freedom - GOP - Government - Government, Ill. County - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Liberals - Policy - President - Public Employees Unions - Regulation - Republicans - Senate - Taxes - The Law - Unemployment - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Business Roundtable: Regulations Are Killing Business

October 28, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

On Friday I attended an informative business roundtable meeting of Chicago-area small businessmen who came together to discuss how government intervention and its avalanche of regulations are killing jobs and businesses not only in Illinois, but nation wide. Some of the stories were chilling, to say the least. These trials go to show how anti-business the most famously capitalist country in the world has become. No wonder we can’t get out of this second great depression!

The event was held at the headquarters of The Rabine Group in Schaumburg, Illinois. The Rabine Group is a group of nationwide companies that specializes in driveway paving, roofing, and other contracting work. The company is headed by owner and CEO Gary Rabine.

Filling out the panel was Moderator, Brian Kelly of Bulk Lift International; Gary Rabine, The Rabine Group; Garrett Patten, Patten Industries; Randy Truckenbrodt, Randall Industries, Inc, and Former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger, Rauschenberger Partners.

The panel began with some of the regulatory horror stories experienced by the panel. Each story illustrated how government stands in the way of job creation, small business, and expansion, and how government is not working hand-in-hand with small business but actually fosters an inimical relationship. The panel showed how the oppressiveness of these regulations actually tempts business to break laws just to be able to carry on with business.
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Business Roundtable: Regulations Are Killing Business”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Pensions - Public Employees Unions - Taxes - Teachers Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Union Organizers Work 1 Day As Teachers, Get $100K+ in State Pensions

October 24, 2011 by 5 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Two union organizers that represent the Illinois Federation of Teachers were able to secure millions in state pensions by working one day as a teacher here in Illinois. This outrageous abuse of the state pension system is exactly why government unions should not be allowed to exist.

The Chicago Tribune has the story of Steven Preckwinkle and David Piccioli who took advantage of a loophole to enrich themselves off the backs of the taxpayers written into law just for them by pliant Democrat politicians.

The crony legislation enabled the unionistas to quickly get state teaching certificates, work one day as a substitute teacher, then count their years as union operatives to qualify them for pension benefits from the state.
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Union Organizers Work 1 Day As Teachers, Get $100K+ in State Pensions”

Barack Obama - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - President - Warner Todd Huston

Bad News for Obama: His Big Lead in Illinois Narrowing

October 21, 2011 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

A Southern Illinois newspaper reports what should be an ominous warning for Obama occurring in Illinois, his homestate. His margin of victory is narrowing in the one state that everyone assumes he should have in the bag.

In 2008 Obama won his homestate by 25 points against John McCain. That is landslide proportions, for sure. But a new phone survey cuts that huge lead to only 8 points when measured against Mitt Romney, for one, a little more against the other GOP candidates.

Obama did best against Perry, with 50.8 percent of respondents reelecting the president and 32.8 percent choosing the Texas governor.

Obama did the worst again Romney, with 46.1 percent to 38.5. Against Cain, the former chief executive officer of Godfather’s Pizza, the percentage was 46.3 percent for Obama against 34 percent for Cain.

Finally against Ron Paul, Obama had a showing of 49.3 percent against 30.3 percent.

Sure Obama is still winning handily against the GOP nominees but that once monumental lead is now cut more than in half in many cases.
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Bad News for Obama: His Big Lead in Illinois Narrowing”