Illinois

Budget - Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Judges - Law - Liberals - Regulation - Taxes - The Law - Warner Todd Huston

‘Kill’ Lawsuit Loan Shark Bill Editorial Blasts Bill — Help Us Stop it Today!

January 4, 2011 by

From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce…

Thanks to your grassroots efforts, we have so far stalled a bill in Springfield that would legitimize an industry of “Lawsuit Loan Sharks” in Illinois.

This weekend, the Chicago Tribune editorial board also weighed in, urging the General Assembly to reject this wrongheaded bill:

Bottom line: The bill would give legal certainty to an abusive practice and put it under a light regulatory scheme where it can flourish — spawning lawsuits galore. Illinois already has a notorious reputation for jackpot justice. Kill the bill.

We agree.
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‘Kill’ Lawsuit Loan Shark Bill Editorial Blasts Bill — Help Us Stop it Today!”

Barack Obama - Bill Clinton - Bill Daley - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - President - Warner Todd Huston

President Obama About to Name Another Chicagoan Chief of Staff?

January 3, 2011 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Julianna Goldman of Bloomberg News is reporting that President Obama may be about to name Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s brother, Bill, to become the next White House Chief of Staff.

That will make yet another Chicago crony working for the Obama White House. Bill Daley will be joining the ranks of Chicagoans Rahm Emanuel, Valarie Jarrett and several others whom the Obama’s worked with in Chicago before Barack became president.

Bill Daley, 62, was once the U.S. Commerce Secretary under Bill Clinton and chaired Al Gore’s presidential campaign in 2000. Daley co-chaired Obama’s transition team as he prepared to take office and also served as an economic adviser.
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President Obama About to Name Another Chicagoan Chief of Staff?”

Adam Kinzinger - Anti-Americanism - Congress - Conservatives - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Adam Kinzinger Noted as One of 10 Conservatives Who’ll Define 2011

January 3, 2011 by

Slate has pointed out Adam Kinzinger (11th District) as one on the ten conservatives that will define the conservative movement for 2011.

Kinzinger has a lot of eyes upon him. Here is what Slate said of our Congressman-Elect from the 11th District.

Adam Kinzinger, U.S. representative from Illinois

It’s hard to predict which of the GOP’s dozens of House freshmen will make an impression. The new class includes not one but two car dealers who started running out of anger at “cash for clunkers.” New Republican women like Kristi Noem, Jaime Herrara, and Vicky Hartzler will produce all the “Mama Grizzly” spreads that editors could possibly want. But it’s Kinzinger–32, Iraq veteran, from Obama’s home state–who scored one of the most lopsided defeats of an incumbent in 2010, who joined Tim Scott (one of two black Republicans in the new House) in helping write the new Congress’ rules, and who’s got a seat on the energy and commerce committee, soon to become a grisly battlefield between environmentalists and climate-change skeptics.

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Adam Kinzinger Noted as One of 10 Conservatives Who’ll Define 2011″

Budget - Chicago - Dan Proft - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes

Video: Dan Proft on WTTW Channel 11 on Illinois Budget Mess

January 3, 2011 by

A new year is upon us but it is the same old tax-and-spend, borrow-and-spend policies being promulgated in Springfield. Proft and State Rep. Lou Lang join Eddie Arruza on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight to discuss the governor’s plan to borrow $15 billion.

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Video: Dan Proft on WTTW Channel 11 on Illinois Budget Mess”

Cedra Crenshaw - Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Republicans - Taxes - Tea Party - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago Tea Party January Monthly Meeting: Meet Cedra Crenshaw

January 1, 2011 by

From the Chicago Tea Party…

2011 will be the biggest year ever for the tea party movement in Chicago. Start the year off right by joining us at our next Chicago Tea Party Monthly Meeting on Wednesday, January 5 at 7:00PM at Blackie’s, 755 S. Clark. Our featured speaker at the meeting will be Cedra Crenshaw, the Mom vs. The Machine. Cedra will discuss what the Republican party needs to do to expand its base and reach out to new voters. We’ll also discuss the steps the IL GOP needs to take to reform.

Please register here to attend the meeting or RSVP through Facebook.

Cedra became nationally known when Chicago Democrats tried to kick her off the ballot in her State Senate race even though she had far more than the required number of signatures on her nominating petitions. Before that, Cedra had been active in the tea party movement since early 2009. When the NAACP attacked the movement Cedra represented our Chicago group on television and came to our defense. You can watch that appearance here.
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Chicago Tea Party January Monthly Meeting: Meet Cedra Crenshaw”

Carol Moseley Braun - Chicago - Cook County - Danny Davis - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Gery Chico - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Warner Todd Huston

Danny Davis Quits Chicago Mayor Race, Leaves One African American in Race

December 31, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The theme of the race for mayor has thus far been twofold. One, will Rahm Emanuel be allowed to stay on the ballot, and two, will there be too many African Americans in the running effectively splitting the black vote all to pieces allowing Rahm to waltz in unopposed?

When we started this off a few months ago there were four black candidates. Rep. Danny Davis, former Senator Carol Moseley Braun, Reverend James Meeks, and the least known of the pack William “Doc” Walls.

Since then we’ve seen several of these candidates drop their bid, leaving two. First to fall was James Meeks and now the Sun-Times is reporting that Danny Davis has also given up his campaign and will be endorsing Carol Moseley Braun.
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Danny Davis Quits Chicago Mayor Race, Leaves One African American in Race”

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

Hey, Ill. Republicans: Want to Have a Say in Your Party? We Have chance To Do It

December 31, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

OK, Illinois Republicans, a great opportunity to return the Illinois GOP back to some accountability to YOU is at hand. The Illinois legislature is about to enter its own lame duck session that will run from January 3 to January 11. During this session we have a chance to get a law passed that has quite a lot of support. It is a law that will return the Illinois GOP’s planning committee to your hands via direct elections of its members.

We’ve talked about SB600 many times in the past, of course. This bill would change the way the Illinois State GOP fills the seats on its state central committee, the group responsible for planning the way the state party operates, arrives at its goals, and its assembles its policies. Currently central committee members are placed on the committee by a vote of the Republican ward chiefs, township bosses and committeemen throughout the state. SB600 would change that to provide for the actual voters to elect central committee members instead of allowing the party insiders to appoint them.
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Hey, Ill. Republicans: Want to Have a Say in Your Party? We Have chance To Do It”

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

For The Good Of Illinois: Go out with a bang…‏

December 30, 2010 by

From Adam Andrzejewski of For The Good Of Illinois…

As 2010 draws to a close, I wanted to share a few reflections on what we’ve achieved together during the past year.

I began the year as a candidate for governor in Illinois running on a platform of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, and traditional American values. We captured the votes of more than 110,000 Illinoisans, but fell short of the Republican nomination.

Like many of you, I believed the fight we waged against the underperforming Illinois establishment had not come to an end. With your encouragement, we set out to re-launch For the Good of Illinois and introduced For the Good of Illinois PAC.
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For The Good Of Illinois: Go out with a bang…‏”

Budget - Capitalism - Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jobs - Liberals - Public Employees Unions - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Disgusting: Chicago Firefighter ‘Priest’ Uses Fellow’s Funeral For Union Speech

December 29, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Father Thomas Mulcrone made an ass of himself at the funeral for fallen Chicago Firefighter Edward Stringer on Tuesday, Dec. 28 by delivering some union-like hectoring of the city from the pulpit during his dead comrade’s eulogy. Mulcrone’s union-centric address was as disgusting a display as I can imagine and at the most inappropriate time imaginable.

Sadly Stringer, a 12-year veteran Chicago Fireman, perished in a fire a few days before Christmas when a roof of an abandoned building collapsed on him and several other firemen. One other fireman, Corey Ankum, was also killed that terrible day.

At the funeral on Tuesday morning, Father Mulcrone, a Catholic Priest attached to the Chicago Fire Department for some 25 years, launched into some finger waving at all those people who claim that Firemen don’t deserve the money they make.
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Disgusting: Chicago Firefighter ‘Priest’ Uses Fellow’s Funeral For Union Speech”

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

Illinois Policy Institute: Statement on the Governor’s Borrowing Plan‏

December 29, 2010 by

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

On Wednesday, December 29, John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute will appear on Fox 32 WFLD, Good Day Chicago at 7:25am to discuss problems with and alternatives to Quinn’s crazy borrowing plan. Please tune in. Important details below:

GOVERNOR QUINN’S CRAZY BORROWING PLAN MAKES STATE’S PROBLEMS WORSE:
Debt-driven plan is short sighted and will lead to worsening budget pressure in the coming years

CHICAGO – Governor Quinn’s borrowing plan will worsen the state’s fiscal health, not improve it, notes the nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute. The independent think tank points out that while borrowing now might give the state some temporary breathing room, the funding of core government services will be threatened in the future as the cost of debt service mounts.
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Illinois Policy Institute: Statement on the Governor’s Borrowing Plan‏”

Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Ethics - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Jesse Jackson - Liberals - Rod Blagojevich - Warner Todd Huston

Jesse Jackson Jr., Hiding From Media Over Scandals

December 27, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Jesse Jackson, Jr., was at one time one of those politicians that was on TV and radio as much as humanly possible. Like his father, it wasn’t a good idea for one’s personal safety to get between either Jackson and a TV camera or microphone. But since the end of 2008 Junior’s media appearances have been relatively scarce. So what happened? At least two scandals can be identified to have worked to force Junior into hiding.

First, and worst, was Jackson’s connection to the scandal surrounding the arrest (and later conviction, and soon retrial) of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. As the facts about Blago’s attempts to sell for personal gain Barack Obama’s Senate seat came to light, it became clear that Jackson, Jr. was somehow mixed up in the whole mess. Junior has, of course, insisted that he had no part in trying to buy his way into a Senate seat, but the rumors and facts of the case were embarrassing enough to cause Junior to shy from public exposure in hopes that it would all calm down.

During the Blago trial a millions in payoffs to Blago in conjunction with a Jackson, Jr. Senate nod caused Junior no end of heartburn. While Junior hasn’t been charged with anything, his political career might still falter due to the second Blago trial coming early this year as more facts come out on his involvement in the whole affair.
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Jesse Jackson Jr., Hiding From Media Over Scandals”

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

Meeks Out, One More Quits Race for Chicago Mayor

December 24, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

A few weeks ago four names were dropped from the race for Chicago Mayor’s office. This week Reverend James Meeks has suspended his campaign to run for the top seat at City Hall, too.

Further more, the election board responsible for determining if Rahm Emanuel is eligible to even run for mayor has made its decision. Rahm stays on the ballot.

Certainly more will be removed as time rolls onward, but here is the list of candidates as it stands now:
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Meeks Out, One More Quits Race for Chicago Mayor”

Budget - Chicago - Children - Conservatives - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Education - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Republicans - Taxes - The Heartland Institute - Warner Todd Huston

Teachers Union Prez Lewis With Heartland Institute’s Behrend on Chicago’s Fox

December 24, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Illinois state government is discussing ideas of education reform and it is assumed that a vote on a plan of one kind or another might occur in the state capitol in Springfield as early as January. Fox Chicago had Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis and the Heartland Institute’s Bruno Behrend on the show to discuss the issue. (Dec. 17, 2010)

FOX Chicago Sunday: Karen Lewis & Bruno Behrend: MyFoxCHICAGO.com

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Teachers Union Prez Lewis With Heartland Institute’s Behrend on Chicago’s Fox”

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

Illinois Policy Institute: Merry Christmas and a Year in Review

December 24, 2010 by

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

How many people do you know who are out of work or whose business is struggling to meet payroll during this holiday season? I know quite a few, and it is heartbreaking. The good news is that Illinois’s own President Obama and Senator Dick Durbin understand that raising taxes now would be a disaster. Check the links to watch these very brief videos that demonstrate all too rare wisdom coming from them.

Now, we just need a little wisdom in Springfield. Right now Gov. Quinn, Speaker Madigan, and Senate President Cullerton are negotiating behind closed doors to put coal in your stocking by raising your taxes by 67%—$6 billion! How crazy is this when even President Obama and Senator Durbin understand how devastating that will be to all our friends looking for work? Under the new federal law, which includes a payroll tax cut, a preschool teacher and a firefighter earning a combined $80,000 with two kids would save $800 in 2011 federal taxes. That’s money they can use to purchase a new water heater, buy winter jackets, or put toward college savings. But not anymore if Quinn, Madigan, and Cullerton take it away—they want not just that $800 but about twice that—$1600! So much for the water heater…I guess cold showers are the order of the day…unless you and I get busy to let them know we don’t need a tax hike to fix Illinois’s budget woes. You can go here to learn more about what you can do to help stop the tax hike: www.illinoispolicy.org/taxhike
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Illinois Policy Institute: Merry Christmas and a Year in Review”

Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Warner Todd Huston

2 Local Illinois Officials Get Jail Time for Vote Fraud

December 23, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Cahokia, Illinois — Kyle Johnson and Trevon Tompkin, both former Cahokia Village Trustees, were sentenced to serve jail time for vote fraud perpetrated during the 2009 municipal elections.

Cahokia Village is a southern suburb of East St. Louis, Illinois, situated in the state’s south western corner across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri.

Kyle Johnson was given five years probation and 14 days in the St. Clair County Jail as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. Trevon Tompkin was given five years probation and ten days in jail.

Naturally none of the news reports mention the party affiliation of these fine examples of civic virtue.

(H/T MarathonPundit)
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2 Local Illinois Officials Get Jail Time for Vote Fraud”

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

Congressman-Elect Schilling on Reapportionment

December 22, 2010 by

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

“Voters should pick their representatives, not the other way around”

EAST MOLINE—Congressman-Elect Bobby Schilling issued the following comment in response to the reapportionment numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau:

“In the historic 2010 election, the voters of Illinois overwhelmingly rejected Nancy Pelosi and her radical agenda. I call on Governor Quinn and the Illinois Legislature to resist backroom deals and the temptation to draw a map that would effectively void the voter’s decision for new leadership in Congress, and try to restore Pelosi to power in 2012. Voters should be the ones choosing their representatives, not the other way around. I will continue to work for a smooth transition and for the people of the 17th district.”

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

Congressman-Elect Walsh to Sit on Three Committees

December 21, 2010 by

From the office of Congressman-Elect Joe Walsh (8th District)…

Washington, DC. – Congressman-elect Joe Walsh (R, Illinois-8) will be a busy man during committee time in the 112th Congress that begins in January. The Republican Steering Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives has assigned Walsh to three committees: Homeland Security, Small Business, and Oversight and Government Reform.

“I am proud to accept these positions, and I thank the Steering Committee for entrusting me with these responsibilities. I believe that these committees will allow me to advocate for the issues that I campaigned on and those issues which are important to my constituents in the eighth district,” Walsh said.
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Congressman-Elect Walsh to Sit on Three Committees”

Budget - Cap and Trade - Chicago - Climate Change - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Energy - Environment - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Nanny State - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

The Village of Palatine Passes Its Own Cap and Trade Ordinance – Part 2

December 21, 2010 by

From the Palatine Tea Party…

The Village of Palatine Passes Another Cap and Trade Ordinance

(Palatine, Illinois) – The Palatine Village Council is following in the footsteps of the Obama Administration moving his progressive agenda forward at the local level. At the Village Council Meeting on December 13, 2010 the village unanimously passed its own version of Cap and Trade Ordinance without the “trade”. This would generate additional revenue to offset the Village of Palatine’s 2011 budget shortfall.
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The Village of Palatine Passes Its Own Cap and Trade Ordinance – Part 2″

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

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

December 20, 2010 by

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

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

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

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

Chicago - Cuba - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Government - Guantanamo Bay - House of Representatives - Illinois - Joe Walsh - Liberals - PCism - Republicans - Society/Culture - Terrorism - Warner Todd Huston - Western Civilization

Rep-Elect Joe Walsh Comments on Importation of Guantanamo Bay Terrorists to Illinois

December 19, 2010 by

From the office of Congressman-Elect Joe Walsh (8th District)…

Today Rep.-elect Joe Walsh made the following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s plans to import Guantanamo Bay terrorists to Illinois:

“It is imperative that terrorists from Guantanamo Bay not be brought to Illinois. Such action would pose a grave national security threat and create unnecessary challenges in the war against Al Qaeda. As the only member from Illinois serving on the Committee on Homeland Security, I will make this one of my top priorities on the committee.”
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Rep-Elect Joe Walsh Comments on Importation of Guantanamo Bay Terrorists to Illinois”

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

Illinois Republican State Central Committee Meeting Report

December 18, 2010 by

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

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

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

Budget - Congress - Conservatives - Economy/Finances - Florida - Georgia - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Kansas - Minnesota - Nebraska - New York - North Dakota - Pennsylvania - Peter Roskam - Republicans - Taxes - Tennessee - Warner Todd Huston

The 11 Republicans on the Powerful House Ways and Means Committee

December 17, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Veteran fiscal conservative Congressman Peter Roskam (R, IL) has announced the names of the 10 Republicans that are joining him on the House Ways and Means Committee, the powerful committee that has jurisdiction over taxes, trade, and programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

Peter Roskam is the Representative for the 6th Illinois Congressional District which is situated just west of Chicago. He is about to begin his third term in Congress and will advance to the position of Chief Deputy Whip in the 112th Congress. Roskam ranks fourth in the House GOP leadership. His American Conservative Union (ACU) ranking is 97.33 percent.

Two freshmen Representatives will be taking their place on this powerful committee.
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The 11 Republicans on the Powerful House Ways and Means Committee”

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

Schilling to Serve on Armed Services and Agriculture Committees

December 17, 2010 by

From the office of Congressman-elect Bobby Schilling…

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

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

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

Budget - Chicago - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Michael Madigan - Pat Quinn - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Policy Institute: Tax Hikes for Christmas

December 17, 2010 by

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

Governor Pat Quinn and House Speaker Mike Madigan want to stick a lump of coal in your stocking this holiday season — in the form of a lame-duck tax hike. They’re spoiling to raise taxes before the new General Assembly is sworn into office in mid-January.

Despite receiving less than 50 percent of the popular vote, Governor Quinn believes he has a “mandate” to pad his public employee union friends’ pockets while sticking Illinois families with the bill.

We’ve been here before. Remember 2009, when everyone said a tax hike was “inevitable”? Well, we stopped it then and, with your help, we can stop it again.
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Ill. Policy Institute: Tax Hikes for Christmas”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois to the Elderly: Retire Somewhere Else, Will Ya?

December 16, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Guess which state is the single worst state to try and retire in? Yup. Illinois.

TopRetirements.com, a site that tracks the best values for retirees, recently posted its top ten worst states to retire to and Barack Obama’s home state of Illinois tops the list of the worst. California comes up a close second worst.

Of Illinois the sites says, “Illinois’s fiscal health could be the worst of any state, which is what tipped the scales. It has even borrowed money to fund its pension obligations.”
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Illinois to the Elderly: Retire Somewhere Else, Will Ya?”

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

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

December 16, 2010 by

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

Capitol Day: Join Us January 5!

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

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

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

December 15, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

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

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

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

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

I’m a Writer, Not a Financial Planner

December 14, 2010 by

-By Nancy Salvato

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

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

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

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

SAM Examines Tea Party Culture

December 14, 2010 by

From the Sam Adams Alliance…

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

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

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

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

December 13, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

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

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

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

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

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