Illinois

Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Ethics - GOP - Government - Health - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois Family Institute - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Medical Marijuana - Republicans - Tom Cross - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Going to Pot? GOP Leader Now Supporting Medical Marijuana Bill

April 20, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Illinois Family Institute is a bit worried over the sudden about face that House GOP Leader Tom Cross has made on HB 30, a bill that includes legalizing medical marijuana sales in Illinois.

On April 15, Fox News Chicago reported that Cross switched from a “no” vote to “yes” because he had talked to people who use medical marijuana, “including one man who is a disabled veteran.”

Cross said the key to the legislation is that it limits marijuana use to particularly painful diseases such as cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus and Crones’ Disease.

Cross told Fox that he supports the bill because it has “tight restrictions” on how medical marijuana can be used and sold.
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Illinois Going to Pot? GOP Leader Now Supporting Medical Marijuana Bill”

Elections - GOP - Illinois - Lake County - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Keith Brin Announces Campaign for Lake County Circuit Court Clerk

April 20, 2011 by

Current Chief Deputy Thanks Sally Coffelt for her Faithful Service to Lake County

HIGHLAND PARK, IL – With Lake County Circuit Court Clerk Sally Coffelt announcing last week her intention to retire at the end of her term after thirty-two years in office, Keith Brin has announced his candidacy in 2012 for the seat currently held by his boss.

“It has been an honor to serve as Sally’s Chief Deputy,” said Brin. “She has served Lake County with honor and integrity, and has taught me the most important responsibility of an elected official is to serve the public. I intend to continue that tradition of public accountability.”

Brin, an attorney and business executive from Highland Park, has made technology the focus of his campaign. He has led recent modernization efforts in the department and intends to further improve efficiency and access in order to reduce costs and improve customer service. In addition, he has pledged to continue the Lake County tradition of fiscal discipline and transparency.
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Keith Brin Announces Campaign for Lake County Circuit Court Clerk”

Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Tom Cross - Warner Todd Huston

House Redistricting Hearings Underway Around State

April 20, 2011 by

From the office of Tom Cross, Ill. GOP leader…

A series of public hearings on the redrawing of Illinois House district boundaries are underway this week, including today in Aurora, East St. Louis and Elgin (see below for a list of locations, dates and times). The hearings will provide residents with a platform to provide testimony about the map’s impact on their community. If you are unable to attend, Twitter and Facebook updates from the hearing will be available through the U-Map IL Facebook page.

Illinois State

We are also making our mapmaking software, computer, census data and staff available for the public to draw their own maps. Call 312-814-2053 to set up an appointment.
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House Redistricting Hearings Underway Around State”

Business - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Liberals - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Roskam Statement on S&P’s Downgrading U.S. Credit Outlook‏

April 19, 2011 by

Congressman Peter Roskam (R, ILL), Chief Deputy Whip, issued the following statement after the ratings agency Standard and Poor’s downgraded the United States long-term credit outlook from stable to negative:

“Today’s S&P change in its outlook for the U.S. to negative is the latest ominous warning that we can’t wait any longer to fundamentally address Washington’s spending and debt. While President Obama is advocating for the Washington status-quo, S&P’s warning is clear: the cost of waiting will have grave consequences for our economy and our kids’ futures. There is a way out of this. House Republicans have already passed a fact-based budget that would fundamentally lower spending, save crucial programs, and create a debt-free future for generations to come. Imagine what we could pass on to our kids and grandkids: a future free of crushing taxes and indebtedness to China. The urgency for action could not be clearer. I urge the White House and Washington Democrats to eschew the status-quo and to join us in meaningfully reducing our spending and debt.”

Budget - CNN - Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Joe Walsh - Journalism - Lake County - Liberals - Media - Media Bias - President - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Obama’s Media Passover: Rep. Walsh Takes it To The Media

April 18, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Joe Walsh (R, 8th District), a Tea Party backed Congressman from Illinois, slams the Old Media on why Obama has been allowed to present not one, but two budgets without the media saying a word about it.

Exactly right, Joe. If any Republican president had issued a budget that failed to win any support and then was forced to make a second run at it, the media would be talking about nothing else but “the president’s first failed budget plan.” The media would be repeating this drumbeat over and over until even the second budget would be DOA because the president would have been so undermined.

But in this case, Obama failed miserably with his first budget offering and has come back to the table with a second one and the media has been wholly silent on the first failure, giving Obama a total pass on the debacle and treated as if his second proposal is the only one he’s ever presented.
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Obama’s Media Passover: Rep. Walsh Takes it To The Media”

Adam Kinzinger - Budget - Congress - Conservatives - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Kinzinger Statement on House Republicans’ FY 2012 Budget

April 17, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R,IL)…

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11) today issued the following statement in support of H.Con.Res 34, the House Republicans’ “Path to Prosperity” plan:

“America stands at a critical crossroads – Should Washington wade deeper in the red and follow the President’s budget proposal? Or, should we chart a new way forward under the House Republicans’ budget resolution?

“It’s no secret that we cannot continue down this reckless trajectory. Our nation’s total debt has already hit an all-time high of more than $14.2 trillion and is alarmingly close to reaching the federal debt ceiling. We’ve kicked the can down the road for too long and now, there’s no more road left.
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Kinzinger Statement on House Republicans’ FY 2012 Budget”

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

Roskam Floor Speech on GOP Budget

April 16, 2011 by

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06), Chief Deputy Whip, made the following speech on the House floor this afternoon in support of the GOP’s budget, The Path to Prosperity. The House just passed the budget, 235 – 193.

ROSKAM: … “We can choose a historic plan that brings a brightness to the economy, that creates jobs and opportunity, that doesn’t mortgage our children’s future to China, and ultimately puts the U.S. on a global competitive basis the likes of which the world will have never seen.”

http://roskam.house.gov/

Budget - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Illinois - Taxes - Tea Party - Warner Todd Huston

Tax Day Tea Party Now Even Bigger: Cain, Grover, Cisco – 4/18‏

April 16, 2011 by

The 2011 Chicago Tax Day Tea Party on Monday, April 18 at noon in Daley Plaza has grown even bigger. Businessman, tea party star and Presidential Candidate Herman Cain is now set to speak at the rally. Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform and one of the original authors of the Contract with America will also speak in Chicago on tax day. But that’s not all. We’ll also be joined by Cisco Cotto and Dan Proft from WLS AM-890.

Let us know you’re coming by registering here. You can also RSVP on Facebook here.

Herman Cain, Grover Norquist, Cisco Cotto and Dan Proft will round out an already stellar group of speakers, liberty leaders and regular people who are making a difference. The confirmed speakers at the event include:
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Tax Day Tea Party Now Even Bigger: Cain, Grover, Cisco – 4/18‏”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Republicans - Taxes - Tom Cross - Warner Todd Huston

Tax Freedom Day – Action Alert‏

April 16, 2011 by

From the office of GOP Minority Leader Tom Cross…

Congratulations! Today is the first day of 2011 that earnings you make can start going towards meeting the needs of you and your family. That’s right – we’ve worked the first 105 days of the year just to pay our federal, state, and local tax obligations for the year, more than a quarter of the way through 2011.

In recognition of this sobering fact, today is Tax Freedom Day in Illinois; a reminder of just how much we must pay in taxes each year before our hard-earned dollars can finally start working for us.
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Tax Freedom Day – Action Alert‏”

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

April 15th Tax Rally in Springfield!‏

April 15, 2011 by

From the almost government shut-down to the tragedy in Japan, these are truly treacherous times. What makes them even more dangerous is the lack of leadership, wisdom, and courage and Washington and…in Illinois.

Even with a $1.6 trillion deficit, our Spender-in-Chief President Obama and the Democrats in Congress did not even want to cut $4 billion out of the budget. Meanwhile our debt increases $4 billion a day! (Here’s my article about Obama and the other “trolls” of the almost government shut-down in this week’s Washington Times). Top 5 Biggest Trolls of the Almost Government Shutdown

Back in Illinois, Pat Quinn breaks promise after promise, spends what he doesn’t have with hopes that he can just borrow it like a college kid with a credit card. Quinn has raised taxes 67%. He wants to borrow $110 million to buy 2500 acres in Peotone. He wants to borrow another $2 billion to pay off the state’s backlogged bills. What the heck?!

But we can do something to stop them. If we stand up. Together.
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April 15th Tax Rally in Springfield!‏”

Adam Kinzinger - Budget - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Kinzinger Statement on Cutting Nearly $40 Billion in Spending

April 15, 2011 by

From the office of Representative Adam Kinzinger (IL, 11th)…

Washington, DC – Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11) released the following statement on today’s House vote on H.R. 1473, which would cut nearly $80 billion below the President’s 2011 budget proposal.

“In January, President Obama stood before our country, asking for a partial spending freeze, which translates to no spending cuts. In just a matter of months House Republicans, who only control one-half of one-third of government, managed to negotiate spending cuts of almost $40 billion through the remainder of the 2011 fiscal year.

“The spending cuts are free of any earmarks and tax increases, and removes the Administration’s license to spend tens of billions of dollars over the next five and a half months, which results in $315 billion in deficit savings over the next ten years.
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Kinzinger Statement on Cutting Nearly $40 Billion in Spending”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Kane County Taxpayer Tea Party scheduled for April 15

April 14, 2011 by

“It’s Your Government—Get Informed, Get Involved” is the theme of this year’s Kane County Taxpayer Tea Party on Friday, April 15, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Kane County Government Plaza at the intersection of Route 31 and Third Street in Geneva.

This year’s program focuses on local, state, national and international issues. Scheduled speakers include radio host Teri O’Brien, John Tillman of the Illinois Policy Institute, Jim Komaniecki of Restore American Liberty, local businessman Mike Olesen, and Bob McQuillan of TaxFacts, among others. Jeff Danklefsen will emcee.

This family-friendly educational event will also offer patriotic sing-alongs, information tables, and a Voice of the People segment in which attendees will be able to sign up for one to two minutes at the microphone.
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Kane County Taxpayer Tea Party scheduled for April 15″

Adam Kinzinger - Budget - Coal - Congress - Conservatives - Economy/Finances - Energy - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Nuclear Power - Oil - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Kinzinger: We Need an ‘All of the Above Energy Policy’

April 14, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Earlier this week I participated in a media call-in with Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL, 11th District) on which he discussed the budget and other issues.

Unfortunately, I missed the fist few minutes because one of the other journalists must not have muted his phone and his noise was so loud that I could not hear the first few minutes.

In any case I asked the Congressman a question about how conservatives were taking the the budget deal that Speaker Boehner negotiated with the Senate and the President and the congressman said that it was only the beginning. He pledged that he and the other freshmen would continue to push hard on more cuts and noted that this was a good beginning.
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Kinzinger: We Need an ‘All of the Above Energy Policy’”

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

Roskam Statement On President’s Debt Speech

April 14, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (IL, 6th)…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL), Chief Deputy Whip, issued the following statement after President Obama’s speech on America’s debt crisis.

“I’m glad President Obama has finally joined the conversation about reducing our skyrocketing and unsustainable debt, even if it took leadership by congressional Republicans to spur it. Regrettably, his speech was largely more of the same from his widely-panned budget, failing to address the real driver of our debt while embracing trillions in new job-crushing tax increases. Washington has a spending problem, not a revenue problem, and our Path to Prosperity proves it – we pay off our debt by lowering tax rates and returning government to historical spending levels.

“Americans are experiencing a painful reminder this week of just how much they pay in taxes and just how complex and outdated our tax system is. We need fundamental tax reform that encourages job-growth and increases revenue by broadening the tax base – not the same tired plan of more taxes for job creators while ignoring the fiscal elephant in the room. House Republicans look forward to passing our Path to Prosperity that reforms the tax system, saves Medicare and allows future generations to inherit a debt-free future.”

http://roskam.house.gov/

Americans For Prosperity - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Act Now to Support Workers Comp Reform in Illinois!‏

April 14, 2011 by

From Americans for Prosperity – Illinois…

Americans for Prosperity has learned that one of the most comprehensive workers compensation packages (SB 1349) is moving through the State Senate at an aggressive pace.

It’s essential that lawmakers reform the workers compensation system in Illinois. Illinois’ system of workers compensation is one the most generous systems in the nation. For this reason and more, the cost factors of the workers comp laws in Illinois place our businesses and our state at a great disadvantage with other states.
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Act Now to Support Workers Comp Reform in Illinois!‏”

Congress - Conservatives - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Israel - Joe Walsh - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Rep. Walsh Introduces H.R. 1501 to Stop U.N. Bias Against Israel

April 14, 2011 by

From the office of Rep. Joe Walsh (R, 8th District)…

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joe Walsh (IL-08) introduced H.R. 1501 to withhold U.S. contributions to the regularly assessed U.N. biennial budget until it officially retracts the Goldstone Report, a 2009 U.N. report that accused Israel of war crimes. This bill is a response to last week’s Washington Post Op-Ed by the report’s author, Dr. Richard Goldstone, in which he recanted the entire report. He wrote that the report’s central accusation—that Israeli soldiers deliberately targeted Palestinian civilians during its invasion of Gaza—is false. Goldstone has now concluded that “If I had known then what I know now, the Goldstone report would have been a different document”.

“This is just another example of the United Nations’ long-time bias against Israel,” said Walsh. “I find it outrageous that the United Nations has yet to distance itself from a report that even its author has discredited and disavowed.”
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Rep. Walsh Introduces H.R. 1501 to Stop U.N. Bias Against Israel”

Budget - Congress - Conservatives - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Paul Ryan - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston - Washington D.C.

Rep. Peter Roskam: Did you hear about Paul Ryan’s Path to Prosperity?‏

April 13, 2011 by

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

When House Republicans released our 2012 budget last week, newspapers called it the “most comprehensive and most courageous budget reform proposal any of us have seen in our lifetimes,” “a welcome blast of truth-telling among the grown-ups,” and “what real leaders do.”

It comes in very stark contrast to the White House’s failed budget, which heaps $1.5 trillion in new job-crushing taxes and allows both Medicare and Social Security to go bankrupt — so they wouldn’t be around for future generations.

Our fact-based budget puts our country on a path to prosperity, spurring job creation, saving crucial programs for future generations, and relieving the crushing burden of our national debt. Read more from Budget Chairman Paul Ryan in the Wall Street Journal.
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Rep. Peter Roskam: Did you hear about Paul Ryan’s Path to Prosperity?‏”

Americans For Prosperity - Budget - Chicago - Children - Conservatives - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - DuPage County - Economy/Finances - Education - Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Wasteful Referendum Defeated in Suburban Lamont

April 13, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

One of the election day success stories enjoyed by Americans for Prosperity, Illinois, occurred in nearby Lamont. A wasteful school referendum was defeated in Lamont and AFP was at the forefront of educating voters on the facts as they went to the polls.

Residents of Lamont had become tired of seeing their taxes go up every single year while the District constantly cried poor, so due to requests from residents, AFP – Illinois began an effort to understand exactly why the budget and the taxes for Lamont’s School District 113a have been constantly rising for every one of the last eleven years.

Upon investigation, AFP discovered that while revenues for the district have risen 50% over the last eleven years, the District’s spending has risen 77% during the same time.
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Wasteful Referendum Defeated in Suburban Lamont”

Budget - Chicago - Children - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Ethics - Freedom - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Liberty - Public Employees Unions - Regulation - Taxes - Teachers Unions - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago School Accuses Parents of Poisoning Children

April 13, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The nanny state in the people’s republic of Chicago rears its ugly head once again where a school principal has accused parents of trying to poison their own children with “unhealthy” bag lunches. And so, in her infinite wisdom, Principal Elsa Carmona had banned all lunches brought from home. I guess it’s just a coincidence that the school gets more federal money for lunches served by the school, eh?

Little Village Academy Principal Carmona, you see, is better and smarter than the vile parents of the children for whom she is the keeper… at least she thinks she is, anyway. She has determined that kids are not getting healthy lunches from parents, so she’s decided that kids can only eat the bland pabulum she serves in her school cafeteria.
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Chicago School Accuses Parents of Poisoning Children”

Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Public Employees Unions - Teachers Unions - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Calif. Teachers Show Support For Cop Murderer

April 12, 2011 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

What the hell the un-American, murder-loving “teachers” in California should care about a cop-killing scumbag in Philadelphia is anyone’s guess.

Convicted cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal is finding some support in an unusual place – at the California Federation of Teachers Convention.

Last month, delegates there passed a resolution to reaffirm their support for Mumia.

Of course, the former member of the Black Panthers who was found guilty of murdering Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner around 13th and Locust streets back in 1981.

He has been sentenced to death. His supporters argue that his trial was unfair and that he is actually a Civil Rights hero.

This murderous piece of garbage put a gun to a policeman’s head and pulled the trigger coldly and with calculation and in front of multiple witnesses.

Mumia should not be drawing breath. He should be executed and with extreme malice at that.

Yet we have these so-called teachers all the way in California coming to his support decades after his guilt has been established. And they are calling Mumia a “journalist,” worse yet.

Unions are inherently un-American.
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Calif. Teachers Show Support For Cop Murderer”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Cities - Democrats/Leftists - Ethics - Free Trade - GOP - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - Sam Adams Alliance - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Report: The 4th Annual Sammies

April 11, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

On Friday, April 8, I attended the 4th Annual Sammies Awards, a yearly event that brings together reform-minded folks from across the country to celebrate the best of America. The winners are all recognized for their engagement as watchdogs, reformers, messengers, and strategists and rightfully so.

This year’s keynote speaker was Fox Business Network’s John Stossel. Other featured speakers were such luminaries as Andrew Breitbart, The New York Times bestselling novelist Brad Thor, Jack Fowler, publisher of The National Review, and more. Also in attendance was John Fund of the Wall Street Journal, and dozens of Chicago area notables.

The event was sponsored by the Sam Adams Alliance, a free market and liberty minded policy organization based in Chicago. The group’s stated goal is to engage in the battle to restore self-government to America.

“Once again, the Sammies brought together the freedom lovers and freedom fighters who love their country and, in their way, engage to advance our freedom,” said Yvonne Ralsky, executive director of SAM. “The winners tonight would make Sam Adams proud. They are creative, strategic, impactful, and tenacious.”

This year’s event was held in the great hall of Chicago’s historic Union Station and what a beautiful presentation it was.

With purple as the theme color, the event was well furnished with some excellent settings and centerpieces. You might remember this setting as that from the 1987 movie The Untouchables starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, and Robert De Niro… though not nearly as much blood was spilled in the making of the 2011 Sammies, to be sure.
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Report: The 4th Annual Sammies”

Adam Kinzinger - Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Communism - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Ethics - FCC - Free Trade - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Inernet - Liberals - Net Neutrality - Peter Roskam - Policy - President - Republicans - Socialism - Taxes - Technology - Warner Todd Huston

House Votes to Curb FCC’s Internet Power Grab

April 11, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

We’ve been writing about Obama’s attempt to take over control of the Internet for some time, now, and there is at last a bit of good news on that front. The House of Representatives has passed Congressional Resolution, H.J. Res. 37 aimed at preventing the FCC’s wild, unconstitutional powergrab.

Chief Deputy Whip Congressman Peter Roskam was in favor of this move and released a statement that said:

The FCC’s decision to prohibit America’s Internet providers from managing content on their own networks is a colossal mistake that will hurt job creation and innovation in one of our most vibrant industries. These new regulations are a solution in search of a problem. America’s Internet companies – from large enterprises to tiny garage start-ups – are examples of what can happen when government stays out of the way. The Internet is an engine of innovation and economic growth essential to America maintaining its qualitative edge. Net Neutrality rules will only stifle competition, hurt job creation and provide huge disincentives to innovate – so I urge the FCC to rescind these rules immediately.

Likewise, Congressman Adam Kinzinger voted yes on the resolution.
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House Votes to Curb FCC’s Internet Power Grab”

Air Force - Army - Coast Guard - Dan Proft - Illinois - Marines - Military - National Guard - Navy - Operation Homefront

OH-IL Providing $50,000 Home Remodeling as a “Warm Welcome Home” to Chicago-area Military Family

April 11, 2011 by

-By Dan Proft

Last week, we emailed you to provide a brief introduction of Operation Homefront-Illinois, a vital organization formed immediately after 9/11 to provide emergency assistance to Illinois’ military families with a spouse deployed and wounded warriors who have returned home from service.

There are many ways we’re serving military families here in Illinois — including a new program we were pleased to launch with Galaxie Home Remodeling and WLS 890-AM.

This spring, WLS 890AM and Galaxie Home Remodeling are teaming up with Operation Homefront-Illinois for Warm Welcome Home – a program to thank a military family by remodeling their home! It’s our way of saying thank you to just one of the many families who sacrifice for our country.

Please click here to learn more about this great new program to help Chicago-area military families.

Military families from across the family are being nominated for and applying for this program.
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OH-IL Providing $50,000 Home Remodeling as a “Warm Welcome Home” to Chicago-area Military Family”

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

Ill. Policy Institute: Tax Day Rallies

April 10, 2011 by

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

The Illinois Policy Institute will participate in Tax Day rallies next week in Springfield, Peoria, Geneva and Chicago.

Since 2009, Tax Day rallies have been held across Illinois to raise awareness about out-of-control government spending, high taxes and unbalanced budgets. Now, more than ever, Illinoisans are feeling the pain from bad public policies that have emerged from Springfield.

With the 2012 election on the horizon, participating in a Tax Day rally is one way you can send a message to elected officials that you didn’t – and won’t – forget about the 67 percent tax hike passed this year.
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Ill. Policy Institute: Tax Day Rallies”

Adam Kinzinger - Budget - Congress - Conservatives - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston - Washington D.C.

Kinzinger Statement on FY 2011 Spending Cuts

April 9, 2011 by

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

Washington, DC – Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11) issued the following statement on the agreement to fund the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2011 while cutting $78.5 billion below the President’s 2011 budget proposal.

“Our country has come a long way since the President asked Congress two and a half months ago for a spending freeze, which translates to no spending cuts. In just a matter of months, we negotiated historic cuts of $38.5 billion through the remainder of the 2011 fiscal year.
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Kinzinger Statement on FY 2011 Spending Cuts”

Budget - Conservatives - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - Government, Ill. County - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Taxes - Tom Cross - Warner Todd Huston

IL House Repubs: Pay Cuts, Murder Registry and More‏

April 9, 2011 by

From GOP House Minority Leader Tom Cross…

10 % Pay Cut for Lawmakers Clears House

House Republicans this week helped pass legislation requiring lawmakers to take a 10 percent pay cut in Fiscal Year 2012 – a $1.2 million savings for taxpayers, said House Republican Leader Tom Cross.

“We must lead by example. We have been pushing tirelessly for state government to live within its means—when looking at reductions in our budget, we must look at ourselves-first,” said Cross.

Illinois state representatives and senators receive the fifth highest paid salary in the country. Only California, New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan pay their legislators more than Illinois. The current annual salary for an Illinois legislator is $67,836; if HB 2891 becomes law, the annual salary will be $61,052.
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IL House Repubs: Pay Cuts, Murder Registry and More‏”

Conservatives - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - SB600 - Senate - State Central Committee - Warner Todd Huston

SB35 (SB600), Republican Vote Reform Unanimously Passes Ill. Senate

April 8, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Well, we’ve been talking about this bill for years here on the blog, but SB35 has unanimously passed the Illinois Senate.

SB35 was formerly SB600 and this bill provides for Republicans in Illinois to at last be allowed to vote for the members of their own State central Committee, the body that plans policy and runs the state Republican Party.

Currently the Republicans that run the party are not voted onto the state central committee by the state’s Republican voters (though Democrats do vote their committee members onto their own state central committee). The folks that are so instrumental in setting the agenda of the Illinois GOP are appointed by their fellows, not voted onto the committee by the voters.

SB35 will return the responsibility of filling the committee to the voters like it once was.
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SB35 (SB600), Republican Vote Reform Unanimously Passes Ill. Senate”

Adam Kinzinger - Air Force - Army - Budget - Coast Guard - Congress - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Marines - Military - National Guard - Navy - Peter Roskam - President - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston - Washington D.C.

Ill. Reps. Roskam and Kinzinger on Troop Funding Bill

April 8, 2011 by

Two of Illinois’ Congressmen have released statements on the Troop Funding issue that has arisen with this looming government shutdown. The White House has claimed that our soldiers — many of whom are currently at war — won’t get paid.

Congressman Peter Roskam, 6th District Representative and the Chief Deputy Whip of The House Republicans, and Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, he of the 11th District, have each released a statement on the paying of our troops.

Congressman Peter Roskam

“A full 47 days after the House first passed H.R. 1 – and a year after House Democrats failed to even introduce a budget – the House has once again acted to keep the government open, cut spending, and fund the troops for the rest of the year. It is astonishing that President Obama is threatening to veto a bill to fund our troops – without stating a single policy objection – particularly when our troops are now in three different foreign conflicts. I’m disheartened the White House and Senate Democrats are putting politics ahead of funding our troops and keeping the government open. We owe it to our troops to make sure they are getting paid when in harm’s way.”

http://roskam.house.gov/

Congressman Adam Kinzinger

Today, on the 47th day since the House passed H.R. 1, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11) spoke out in support of the Troop Funding Bill which would fund the Department of Defense through the remainder of FY2011, while cutting $12 billion in federal spending and keeping the government running for one week so a long-term solution will be reached, avoiding a government shutdown.

“As a military pilot, I have friends serving our country who are wondering if they’re going to get paid if the government does shutdown. I say, ‘Ask Harry Reid; we’ve tried to make sure you continue to get paid.’

“I’m disappointed by the news that our Commander-in-Chief has threatened to veto this legislation that would ensure members of the military receive their paychecks and avoids a government shutdown. I urge the Senate to stand up for the men and women who put their lives on the line and make certain they receive funding while making real spending cuts.

“I was sent here to cut spending and make government efficient and effective, not just in the short term, but in the long run for our children and grandchildren. I don’t think it’s any secret that we cannot continue down this reckless trajectory. We’ve kicked the can down the road for too long and now, there’s no more road left.

“It’s time to tackle the spending to ensure the fiscal soundness of this country for future generations.”

http://kinzinger.house.gov/

Adam Kinzinger - Budget - Capitalism - Coal - Congress - Economy/Finances - Energy - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Nuclear Power - Oil - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston - Washington D.C.

Roskam and Kinzinger Applaud House Passage of Energy Tax Prevention Act

April 8, 2011 by

Bill prevents EPA from instituting job-crushing energy taxes

Congressman Peter Roskam, Chief Deputy Whip, and Congressman Adam Kinzinger have issued statements after the House passed the Energy Tax Prevention Act, 255 – 172, to block the EPA from imposing cap-and-trade by regulation:

Congressman Peter Roskam

“I applaud the House for blocking new job-crushing energy taxes on families and employers. Americans have already overwhelmingly rejected a national energy tax by cap and trade, and the EPA’s proposal is just a back-door effort to accomplish exactly that by regulation. Unilaterally regulating greenhouse gases would increase energy costs in every home and every business, meaning higher bills and less jobs. It would cripple manufacturers – job creators – who use roughly one-third of our nation’s energy. For my manufacturers in the western and northwestern suburbs of Chicago, I’m glad the House acted to stop this job-crushing regulation.”

http://roskam.house.gov/

Congressman Adam Kinzinger

“Twenty-one months ago, Washington Democrats forced passage of the controversial cap and trade legislation through the House of Representatives. While cap and trade failed in the Senate, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is still attempting to enforce a backdoor cap and trade system on the American people.

“Today, the House approved the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011. Without this legislation, we are simply stepping to the side while the EPA imposes a cap-and-trade agenda which could mean even higher gas prices, increased utility rates, manufacturing jobs being sent overseas, and hampering our overall economic recovery.

“The Energy Tax Prevention Act is an effective, bipartisan approach to stop the EPA’s cap and tax agenda. It takes necessary steps to protect jobs and restores the Clean Air Act to its original purpose by repealing action already taken by the EPA to impose a bureaucratic climate change agenda.

“Manufacturers and energy producers at the local and national level, such as Edison Power in the Eleventh Congressional District and the National Association of Manufacturers, have made it clear that the Energy Tax Prevention Act is necessary in order to curtail the EPA’s overreaching regulations and create the certainty job creators need to grow their businesses and get more folks back to work here at home.

“Congress must focus on removing these regulatory obstacles in order to create long-term economic growth.”

http://kinzinger.house.gov/

Budget - Chicago - Children - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Public Employees Unions - Taxes - Teachers Unions - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Teachers Pay Nothing or Little into Their Pensions

April 7, 2011 by 1 Comment

-By Larry Snow

Illinois teachers qualify for a full 75 percent pension after working only 27 years. Most adults work for 27 years before they turn age 50.

Democrats want retail and construction workers to think that the majority of Illinois teachers are seriously paying into their pensions. The truth is, ordinary workers are made to do this for them, big time.

First, teachers have no Social Security taken out of their paychecks. Ordinary workers get hit with a 6.2 percent deduction for Social Security. It’s a deduction they have to pay federal and state income taxes on. Democrats gave teachers a huge loophole of not paying income taxes on any of their pension deductions. This enormous no-tax handout to teachers amounts to billions of dollars each year.

Over 51,000 of the total 132,502 teachers in Illinois contribute nothing from their K-12 paychecks into their pensions. Illinois law says it is to be 9.4 percent.

About an additional 32,000 teachers pay little into their pensions. It is 1.81 percent to be precise for these 31,956 teachers. Paying less than 2 percent is little unless you want to bamboozle ordinary working people into thinking the opposite…

Read the rest at ChampionNews.net.