Kinzinger… IL Democrat to Taxpayers: Send More Money

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

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Adam Kinzinger spoke out against Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky who yesterday advocated for more of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars to be sent to Washington.

When asked about the President’s job proposal, which will cost nearly $450 billion and includes an estimated $467 billion in permanent tax increases, Schakowsky defended the plan and later added: “You don’t deserve to keep all of [your money] and it’s not a question of deserving because what government is, is those things that we decide to do together.”

“Unfortunately Congresswoman Schakowsky has proven herself to be vastly out-of-touch with Illinois families and believes more money from taxpayers, more government and more of the same failed policies of the last two+ years are the stepping stones toward prosperity and job creation,” said Kinzinger. “The fact of the matter is, 31 months ago, the President stood in front of Americans and pledged under his near-one trillion dollar stimulus package, unemployment would not rise about eight percent. The President got his stimulus and here we are today with unemployment above nine percent.
Continue reading


Kinzinger… IL Democrat to Taxpayers: Send More Money”


Cook County Board: Upcoming Events

From the office of Timothy O Schneider, Cook County Board…

Property Taxes

The Cook county Board of Review has launched a new web page that allows Cook County homeowners to appeal their property tax assessments online. Residents can visit the new site by clicking here.

Please note that you can only file an appeal when your township is open for appeal. You can see when your township opens for appeal by clicking here.
Continue reading


Cook County Board: Upcoming Events”


Congratulations to Sig Vaznelis, New Cook County GOP Chairman

-By Warner Todd Huston

Cook County Republicans have a new chairman. Lemont Township Highway Commissioner Sigitas “Sig” Vaznelis was elected by Cook County’s Republican committeemen to become the newest party chairman Thursday night.

Former Cook County GOP Chairman Lee Roupas stepped down late last month to become the DuPage County assistant state’s attorney leaving the seat open. The election was held at the Parthenon restaurant in Chicago’s Greektown.

We discussed the Cook Chairman race a few weeks ago and in the intervening time a few of the possible candidates dropped out leaving only Vaznelis, Aaron Del Mar, and one-time favorite for the seat Ruth O’Connell of Wheeling Township.
Continue reading


Congratulations to Sig Vaznelis, New Cook County GOP Chairman”


State of Illinois Salaries Posted Online – The Books Are Open!‏

From For the Good of Illinois…

We opened the books. We posted the payroll and pensions of virtually every public employee from every level of Illinois government. Click here to visit the new website.

Open the books on your local taxing body. See how they are spending your property, sales, and income taxes. Then, please forward this email to your entire address book.

Our purpose was to help you answer a simple question, “How much does my government cost?” For the first time in history, you can quickly and privately find an answer.
Continue reading


State of Illinois Salaries Posted Online – The Books Are Open!‏”


Kinzinger on Fox Business: Reducing Regulations Will have Immediate Impact on Economy‏

From the office of Rep. Adam Kinsinger (Ill., 11th District)…

On Tuesday night, Congressman Adam Kinzinger joined David Asman on America’s Nightly Scoreboard on Fox Business to discuss whether substantive regulation reform that will help small businesses is possible before the next election.

“The president has thrown basically all of himself into the fact that, once again, we need another stimulus-lite plan, and it’s going to be like the 10th white horse that Washington’s ridden in on to try to save the American economy. It’s not going to be Washington. It’s going to be Main Street.”

Excerpts:

David Asman: Well, we don’t hear the president talking about really substantial deregulation, but you think a lot of new congressmen are. Will it pass before 2012 elections?
Continue reading


Kinzinger on Fox Business: Reducing Regulations Will have Immediate Impact on Economy‏”


Hultgren: America’s Chance to Speak Out for a Balanced Budget Amendment

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

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today announced the kick-off of the America Speaking Out (ASO) initiative for residents to express their opinion about a balanced budget amendment (BBA) to the U.S. Constitution.

“I feel that the only permanent solution to our debt crisis is to enshrine it in the Constitution and legally force future Congresses and Presidents to stop spending money they don’t have,” said Hultgren. “Currently, 49 states abide by some form of a balanced budget requirement and national polls prove that the American people support a balanced budget amendment to our Constitution.”

As part of the debt ceiling increase in August, the House and Senate are required to vote on a BBA between October 1, 2011, and December 31, 2011. If the BBA receives two-thirds support in both the House and the Senate, it will be sent to all 50 states for ratification.
Continue reading


Hultgren: America’s Chance to Speak Out for a Balanced Budget Amendment”


Roskam Applauds House Passage of NLRB Legislation

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

WASHINGTON – Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06), Chief Deputy Whip, issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 2587, the Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act, a bill restricting the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from ordering any employer to close, relocate, or transfer employment. The NLRB sued Boeing and told them they could not open a new plant in South Carolina, a right-to-work state, saying Boeing’s actions were an act of retaliation against unions. The House passed the bill 238-186.

“I applaud the House for taking action to free a Chicago-based business blocked by unelected Washington bureaucrats from simply creating more American jobs. The NLRB’s declaration and lawsuit was an unprecedented regulatory overreach – made worse since Boeing had already invested over $1 billion in their new South Carolina plant. Washington has no place telling American companies where they can and cannot create American jobs. The disappointing reality is that the NLRB’s cheap political trick has real consequences on local economies and families. Not only is South Carolina’s economy affected by the thousands of new good-paying jobs being stalled, but Boeing devoting resources to fighting this regulation means there’s less to invest in other parts of their business, a company with employees in all 50 states.

“Today’s vote is just the latest solution from House Republicans to help grow our economy and remove the government barriers to job creation. With roughly a dozen House-passed bills stalled in the Senate, it’s long past time the Senate joined us to make real solutions the law.”

http://roskam.house.gov/


VIDEO: Roskam Discusses Obama Jobs Proposal on CNBC

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

Roskam: “… the President created an urgency in his speech saying ‘pass this now,’ but it’s important to recognize that the White House can change the dynamic on regulations immediately.”

Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL), Chief Deputy Whip, appeared on CNBC’s Kudlow Report last evening to discuss the President’s new spending proposal.

On Reducing Regulations Now to Help the Economy:

“… the President created an urgency in his speech saying ‘pass this now,’ but it’s important to recognize that the White House can change the dynamic on regulations immediately.”
Continue reading


VIDEO: Roskam Discusses Obama Jobs Proposal on CNBC”


Please Join Us at the Pritzker Military Family Library, Help Us Support Illinois Military Families

From Operation Homefront, Illinois…

Please consider helping a great cause (and having a great time!) on Saturday night September 24, 2011 for Operation Homefront-Illinois’ Second Annual Black & White Night (click here to view invite, style is business dress, not black tie).

Operation Homefront-Illinois’ mission is to provide emergency assistance to the families of our active duty, deployed military men and women and to our wounded warriors who are returning home and are readjusting to civilian life.
Continue reading


Please Join Us at the Pritzker Military Family Library, Help Us Support Illinois Military Families”


American Majority National Training Bomb- Chicago September 17, 2011‏

From American Majority-Illinois…

The day has finally come! We have officially opened our Illinois office, and now have a ground force here full time to engage on a local level. As you know, American Majority is a national non-profit and non-partisan political training institute whose mission is to train and equip passionate individuals and groups committed to individual freedom through limited government and the free market.

My primary reason for reaching out to you today is to let you know about our National Training Bomb event taking place this Saturday, September 17,2011, in Chicago. We ask you to strongly encourage your readers to attend. Each training module that will be presented offers vital information that will equip attendees to become effectively active.

Thank you for your dedication to conservatism in Illinois. We believe real political change begins at the local level—and that freedom can be only effectively implemented on a national level if we work together as engaged citizens within our communities. Please visit our website http://www.trainingbomb.com/ and share it with your readers. You may contact us anytime. We have attached a flyer you are free to use for your blog. We cannot turn this country around without you!
Continue reading


American Majority National Training Bomb- Chicago September 17, 2011‏”


You Can Win a Chance to Meet Glenn Beck at TeaCon

From the Chicago Tea Party…

TeaCon 2011, the Midwest Tea Party Convention is coming up soon on Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1 in Schaumburg, IL. TeaCon will feature Glenn Beck, Andrew Breitbart, Dana Loesch, Steven Crowder, a day of engaging training and breakout sessions, a Presidential Straw Poll and much more. Tickets are going fast, so make sure to get yours now. Please use code “CHI” at checkout and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Chicago Tea Party.

We are also offering an exciting opportunity to attend an exclusive meet and greet with Glenn Beck at TeaCon. This is your chance to meet and talk with Glenn and have your picture taken with him. We have three different ways you can win:
Continue reading


You Can Win a Chance to Meet Glenn Beck at TeaCon”


Roskam Urges Americans to Speak Out About a Balanced Budget Amendment

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

WASHINGTON – Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06), Chief Deputy Whip, issued the following statement today urging Americans to use the America Speaking Out (ASO) initiative to express their opinion about a balanced budget amendment (BBA) to the U.S. Constitution:

“With over $14 trillion in debt, continued 9-plus percent unemployment and a liberal Washington orthodoxy that demands continuously higher borrowing and spending, the American economy is on the verge of drowning in red ink. House Republicans have been speaking out for months about the need for a balanced budget amendment, legally binding Washington to produce annual budgets that spend no more than the government takes in. Now, through America Speaking Out, an innovative platform we first launched last year, I urge Americans to join the conversation, speak out, and tell us their views on a balanced budget amendment.
Continue reading


Roskam Urges Americans to Speak Out About a Balanced Budget Amendment”


Wheeling Township GOP Endorsed Dr. Arie Friedman for Ill. Senate

From the office of Arie Friedman for Illinois State Senate 29th District)…

Republicans of Wheeling Township Saturday endorsed Dr. Arie Friedman for the 29th State Senate District.

“Our organization has known Dr. Friedman for the past two years,” said Wheeling GOP Committeeman Ruth O’Connell of Arlington Heights. “We appreciate his leadership toward reforming the state’s Medicaid program, protecting us from the costs and burdens of the new national health care system, and repealing the recent state income tax.

“Arie is a friend of our organization, and we wanted – at our first meeting of the 2012 campaign season – to declare that he is our candidate for this important seat in the General Assembly,” O’Connell said.
Continue reading


Wheeling Township GOP Endorsed Dr. Arie Friedman for Ill. Senate”


Kirk, Lipinski, Hultgren Call for Extension of Surface Transportation Legislation

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

Longer-term bipartisan bill could mobilize $100 billion in new public-private partnerships

Chicago, IL – In a show of bipartisan, bi-cameral unity United States Senator Mark Kirk, Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3), and Congressman Randy Hultgren (IL-14) joined representatives from the Illinois Road Builders Association, Operating Engineers Local 150 and other transportation advocates in calling for Congress to extend the expiring Surface Transportation Act. This legislation authorizes federal transportation projects across the nation, and allows the collection of revenues that fund infrastructure improvements. It was introduced in the House late Friday that would extend aviation programs through January and highway and transit programs through March. If Congress does not adopt this act by September 30th, federal reimbursement of highway and transit projects will stop, with $100 million in funding lost each day.

“Congress should quickly approve this extension legislation to avoid a shutdown of the Highway Trust Fund,” said Kirk. “We also support a longer-term solution by lifting federal barriers that could mobilize up to $100 billion for transportation private-public partnerships.”
Continue reading


Kirk, Lipinski, Hultgren Call for Extension of Surface Transportation Legislation”


Schilling appointed to House Small Business Committee

From Congressman Bobby Schilling’s (IL-17) office…

House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) today announced that Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-IL) will join the House Small Business Committee in the 112th Congress. Congressman Schilling will be the 15th Republican Member on the Committee.

“As a small business owner, Congressman Schilling knows how government policies can help or harm job creation and entrepreneurship,” said Chairman Graves. “His commitment to creating jobs and helping other small companies thrive will make him a forceful advocate in Washington for small business owners and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Schilling and his family own and operate Saint Giuseppe’s Heavenly Pizzeria in Moline, Illinois. His experience as a small business owner shapes his understanding of government and its purpose. Members of the House Small Business Committee will play an integral role in shaping key policies that will help encourage new hiring and promote entrepreneurship in America.
Continue reading


Schilling appointed to House Small Business Committee”


Kinzinger, House Freshmen Who Have Served & Veterans, Pay Tribute to 9/11

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11) and twenty-one of his freshmen colleagues, who are veterans or have served in the military, released a video in honor and remembrance of the lives that were lost and the brave Americans who displayed heroic efforts on September 11th.

Kinzinger, a captain in the Air National Guard, issued the following statement as we approach the anniversary of September 11th:

“On September 11th and the days immediately following this tragedy, there were no Democrats or Republicans – we were Americans.

“Throughout my tours overseas, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with our men and women who are committed to fighting for the security of our nation and peace in the Middle East. Today, Americans stand proudly united as we pay tribute to our courageous men and women in uniform who continue to work tirelessly to eliminate acts of pure hatred and protect our country. Their sacrifice is the reason for our liberty.

“As we take time to reflect on the events that took place ten years ago, let us always remember that we live in the greatest country in the world, and we will never settle for anything less.”

NOTE: The following is a list of the twenty-two freshmen who appear in the video: Reps. Adam Kinzinger, Allen West, Andy Harris, Bill Johnson, Chip Cravaack, Chris Gibson, Jeff Denham, Jeff Landry, Joe Heck, Larry Bucshon, Michael Grimm, Mike Pompeo, Richard Nugent, Rick Crawford, Sandy Adams, Scott Rigell, Steve Pearce, Steve Stivers, Steve Womack, Steven Palazzo, Tim Griffin, and Todd Young.

http://kinzinger.house.gov/


Hultgren Statement On the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks

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

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement on the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who felt the tragic loss of a family member, friend or loved one in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001,” said Hultgren. “Let us also remember the many heroes from that day, first responders, members of the military, and ordinary citizens who answered the call of duty without hesitation. I encourage all Americans to take a moment to reflect on that fateful day – remember where you were and the feelings that you experienced when you learned of the attacks and pledge to never take our safety, security, or freedom for granted.”

http://hultgren.house.gov/


State Sen. Kirk Dillard Calls for Halt to Political Activity Over 9-11 Weekend

From the Office of Illinois State Senator Kirk Dillard…

State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont) called upon his local volunteers and precinct committeemen to suspend political petition passing and other political activities this weekend in observance of the September 11th terrorists attacks 10th year anniversary. This is the first week candidates can pass petitions to be on the March 2012 election ballot under the newly drawn legislative maps following the census. Dillard will be attending multiple official ceremonies and church services over the weekend.

“This weekend is the time to transcend politics and partisan activities,” said Dillard in a letter to his local volunteers and committeemen. “Let us count our blessings and remember what is truly important.”
Continue reading


State Sen. Kirk Dillard Calls for Halt to Political Activity Over 9-11 Weekend”


Hultgren Statement On President Obama’s Address To Congress

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

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) tonight released the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress.

Tonight, I attended President Obama’s address to Congress because, although I expected partisan rhetoric but little in the way of new ideas, I felt that it was my constitutional responsibility to do so. Unfortunately, despite his premise of bipartisanship, the President’s prescriptions for our economy were political and wholly inadequate. Once again he urged more scattershot ‘stimulus’ spending, at a time when we should be husbanding our constituents’ hard-earned tax dollars and ensuring that they are spent as wisely as possible.

I agree with President Obama that investing in our nation’s infrastructure is needed and will create jobs. But we cannot do so blindly. We must ensure that our investments are targeted and timely, and we must work hard to cut red tape and limit the permitting delays that currently plague our investments in infrastructure improvement.

While I also believe that tax reform is long overdue, I was disappointed to hear him resurrect his calls on increasing taxes. It is absolutely the wrong time to be raising taxes on Americans that Main Street often calls small business owners, entrepreneurs, or job creators.
Continue reading


Hultgren Statement On President Obama’s Address To Congress”


Hultgren Statement On President Obama’s Address To Congress

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

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) tonight released the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress.

“Tonight, I attended President Obama’s address to Congress because, although I expected partisan rhetoric but little in the way of new ideas, I felt that it was my constitutional responsibility to do so,” said Hultgren. “Unfortunately, despite his premise of bipartisanship, the President’s prescriptions for our economy were political and wholly inadequate. Once again he urged more scattershot ‘stimulus’ spending, at a time when we should be husbanding our constituents’ hard-earned tax dollars and ensuring that they are spent as wisely as possible.

“I agree with President Obama that investing in our nation’s infrastructure is needed and will create jobs. But we cannot do so blindly. We must ensure that our investments are targeted and timely, and we must work hard to cut red tape and limit the permitting delays that currently plague our investments in infrastructure improvement.
Continue reading


Hultgren Statement On President Obama’s Address To Congress”


Taxpayer Advocate Dan Patlak Announces Bid for Re-Election to Board of Review

From the office of Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Dan Patlak…

Wheeling – Commissioner and taxpayer advocate Dan Patlak today announced his intention to run for re-election to the Cook County Board of Review. Patlak, the only Republican on the three member Board was first elected in 2010. He is the first Board commissioner in history to devote full time to the position. In his first campaign for the mostly suburban (1st District) seat Patlak ran on his qualifications having previously worked at the Board as an analyst for eight years, serving as a local township assessor, being a Certified Illinois Assessing Officer and holding a real estate license since 1986. Commissioner Patlak’s re-election campaign will stress his record of accomplishment since his December 2010 swearing in.

“The Cook County Board of Review is more than just a body that adjudicates assessment appeals,” said Patlak. “It is also an office that has a responsibility to empower taxpayers by educating them about how the property tax system works. That’s why the seminars I’ve conducted throughout my district focus not just on the appeal process but also explain the role of exemptions and some of the intricacies about why tax bills are what they are. Taxpayers have a right to expect that their elected officials will focus their energies on serving the public. That’s why I work every day side-by-side with the employees of the Board to make it a more efficient and taxpayer friendly body,” concluded Patlak.
Continue reading


Taxpayer Advocate Dan Patlak Announces Bid for Re-Election to Board of Review”


Ron Sandack Announces Candidacy 81st House District

From the Sandack for State Rep…

Downers Grove, IL – State Senator Ron Sandack announced today that he will run for State Representative in the 81st House District. Sandack was appointed to the State Senate in November of 2010 to replace State Senator Cronin, now DuPage County Board Chairman, in the 21st District.

“It is time to restore Illinois to its rightful place as the best State in the Midwest and the economic engine of America. I am introducing my prescription to restore our State to its inherent greatness. I call it “Five to Revive Illinois.” These initiatives are based on principles I championed as Mayor of Downers Grove,” said Sandack.

“We must return to a job-friendly environment where businesses can flourish and families can thrive; leaner government focused on the basics; ethics reforms to clean up Illinois’ tainted culture; fiscally prudent management to finally stop Illinois’ continued descent to the basement in every economic category and open government to provide access to the public and accountability for officials,” said Sandack.
Continue reading


Ron Sandack Announces Candidacy 81st House District”


Illinois GOP State Central Committee Meeting: Sound and Fury Signifying No Changes

-By Warner Todd Huston

In one of the most well attended yet contentious State Central Committee meetings for some time, the movers and shakers of the Illinois GOP met on Tuesday evening to attempt to decide if the system for certifying delegates for GOP presidential candidates should be changed. The short answer is that there was a lot of sound and fury from party members lower on the food chain, much debate from those on top, and questions all around all of which resulted in a failure of the proposal to make the change. In the end a resolution was passed to keep it all the same as it was in 2008.

Beginning at 5 PM the meeting at the Boilingbrook Country Club was well attended by both SCC members, concerned party members, a few county party chairs, committeemen, and Tea Party activists. House leader Tom Cross made an appearance as did long-time conservative activist Jack Roeser. Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford was also there, like many of the others, to speak about the proposed rules change.

I should note that one reason this rules change was contemplated is that the national Republican Party is trying to get every state to change their system into one of proportional representation of delegates to the convention. The RNC gave Illinois the leeway to change its process and several activists took this opportunity to propose a major change to the system, a change that meets the law as well as state and national party rules.

Certainly the change being contemplated was extensive. Currently, the presidential candidates are awarded delegates via the ballot box, a method only three other states favor. Campaigns come to Illinois, build their Illinois machine, and solicit for delegates. These delegates then have to stand for election on the primary ballot. To do so they must each get 600 signatures of voters in their district so that they, the delegates, can get on the election ballot. Then, those elected are considered official delegates to the GOP nomination convention.
Continue reading


Illinois GOP State Central Committee Meeting: Sound and Fury Signifying No Changes”


Illinois GOP to Change How Presidential Candidate Delegates Chosen

-By Warner Todd Huston

In a follow up to my post last week on the proposed changes on how Illinois selects the delegates for GOP presidential candidates, more needs to be said about this as on the evening of Tuesday, September 6, the Illinois GOP State Central Committee will meet to discuss whether or not the changes will be accepted.

My points made last week about the State Central Committee endeavoring to take away even more ability of Illinois GOP voters to influence the milieu of Republican politics in Illinois was written before I had seen the final wording of the resolution in question. From the old language I had seen up to that time, it seemed pretty clear that the GOP State Central Committee was trying to take even more power unto itself. This was intolerable, especially after so much GOP failure over the last decade in the Land of Lincoln.

However, I have now seen what is up to now the full proposal, the one that will be discussed at the Tuesday SCC meeting. The most recent proposal mitigates my fears somewhat… but not entirely.
Continue reading


Illinois GOP to Change How Presidential Candidate Delegates Chosen”


Illinois Policy Institute: That is SO Illinoying!‏

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

Many of you are familiar with FOIA requests: they allow engaged citizens to request public documents. State requirements ensure governments provide these documents in a timely manner.

But on Friday, Gov. Quinn signed a bill that weakened these rules. Now, governments will be allowed to characterize citizens as “recurrent requesters.” If a citizen requests more than 15 documents in a month or 50 in a year, government entities no longer need to respond promptly.

This law punishes citizens who pay close attention. Instead of creating new obstacles for the very people who are most engaged in holding our government accountable, we should be celebrating their efforts.
Continue reading


Illinois Policy Institute: That is SO Illinoying!‏”


Local Ill. Library Board Wants ‘People Feeling Pain’ to Vote Tax Hikes for New Building

-By Warner Todd Huston

Even left-wing Morton Grove, Illinois is feeling the pinch of Tea Party principles as new town library board members begin revealing the perfidy of past board members that violated the state’s open meetings laws where they were found to be scheming to fool the taxpayers into hiking taxes for unnecessary new library building projects and other wasteful spending.

You might remember back in 2008 that Morton Grove was one of the first towns in American history to ban the Second Amendment within its jurisdiction, an action that went counter to the Supreme Court’s Heller decision. But despite the law city fathers tried to violate the Constitutional rights of their citizens until the threat of lawsuits forced the city to reverse course.

Morton Grove’s left leaning city officials, though, kept at their agenda in other ways after the change to their handgun ban in 2008. During 2010 library board meetings, for instance, it appears Morton Grove library board members violated Illinois open meetings laws by holding closed door meetings called executive sessions that they did not properly record and/or did not conduct approved business.
Continue reading


Local Ill. Library Board Wants ‘People Feeling Pain’ to Vote Tax Hikes for New Building”


Illinois Activist, Writer, Ralf Seiffe, RIP‏

I met Mr. Seiffe many times, though I never interacted much with him. Still, he was a staple around Republican politics for years here in the Chicagoland area. Mr. Seiffe passed away this week from a heart attack.

John Tillman worte a great little memorial of Seiffe, so instead of me fumbling my way through an accounting of his great work, I’ll Joh Tillman of the Illinois Policy Institute speak to the matter…

The liberty movement lost a great friend when Ralf Seiffe died unexpectedly yesterday morning. Ralf was truly of one life’s unique characters that come along all too rarely. Ralf was a joyful lover of life, people, history, culture and, of course, liberty. Ralf was a fountain of creativity. He always had a breadth and depth of knowledge on his many brainstorms, but what was so amazing to me was that he always knew more pertinent and interesting information about my crazy ideas than I did. Not only that, he could add value to the idea of the guy on the bar stool sitting next to us on a Friday afternoon at Hackneys.

One day, Ralf’s business partner, Richard Lorenc, a friend of mine and former colleague, came to me and said, “I was thinking of starting a business that would bring people of modest means together who love liberty and help them aggregate their giving power to create an impact on the liberty movement.”
Continue reading


Illinois Activist, Writer, Ralf Seiffe, RIP‏”


WWII Hero Sparky Songer Tells His Remarkable Story: At OH-IL’s 2nd Annual Black & White Night Gala

-By Warner Todd Huston

WWII veteran Sparky Songer — captured in 1944 at the Battle of the Bulge — shared his remarkable story of heroism last Saturday, September 24th, at Operation Homefront Illinois 2nd Annual Black & White Night Gala.

Sparky shared his life story with more than 100 supporters of the brave men and women of our armed forces who attended the gala event. The proceeds from the 2nd Annual Black & White Night Gala go to support Operation Homefront Illinois’ service mission to provide emergency assistance to the families of active duty deployed members of the military, as well as wounded warriors in the process of transitioning back to civilian life.
Continue reading


WWII Hero Sparky Songer Tells His Remarkable Story: At OH-IL’s 2nd Annual Black & White Night Gala”


Hultgren Statement on August Jobs Report

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

Geneva, IL – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement regarding the August unemployment report released by the U.S. Department of Labor.

“August’s dismal jobs report is disappointing, but unsurprising, so long as this Administration continues to pursue its anti-jobs agenda of burdensome regulations, taxes, and out-of-control spending,” said Hultgren. “Despite his claims to be cutting red tape, the reality is that President Obama and his appointed bureaucrats are proposing even more regulations that threaten to do enormous damage to our fragile economy.”

“Before he comes to Congress next week, I urge President Obama to study the commonsense pro-growth agenda Republicans will be adopting this fall. More taxes and spending won’t get our economy moving and put Americans back to work; that requires fostering a pro-growth economic climate; lessening intrusions by unaccountable bureaucrats; and providing certainty about what Washington will do in the future.”

http://hultgren.house.gov/


Newt Gingrich’s Illinois Fundraiser

-By Warner Todd Huston

As I sit down to craft this report I just this moment returned from a fundraiser for former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich held in a small town called Lake Barrington in the western suburbs of Chicago.

It was a nice, congenial scene unfortunately held on one of Chicago’s hottest evenings with temperatures reaching the upper 90s. Despite the steamy weather, though, at least 150 guests paid $25 a head to come sit, socialize, eat dinner, and ultimately meet Newt and Callista Gingrich and hear him speak. An undisclosed number of higher donors met with the Gingrich’s inside the home of the hosts prior to Newt’s address to those gathered.

After a BBQ dinner, the Gingrich’s emerged from the home of Keith and Stephanie Hanson and began to mix with the crowd signing books, shaking hands, and posing for photos with the excited donors.
Continue reading


Newt Gingrich’s Illinois Fundraiser”