Say What?
The government’s recent bailouts of major auto companies (including GM and Chrysler) were controversial, to say the least. But to some DC politicians, they’re also apparently confusing. Watch Harry Reid’s claim that the bailouts “probably saved Ford”—which didn’t take any bailouts—by clicking here.
Continue reading “
Illinois Policy Institute: Paris Hilton Can Do It, But…”
From the office of Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica…
Let’s not forget that even though the county board approved to cut back the sales tax by a .5 percent reduction , there is still more work to be done.
This was an important step forward for Cook County taxpayers, who are struggling to make ends meet amidst rising unemployment and a growing tax burden.
But it is only a first step.
Continue reading “
The Jobs’ Not Done Yet — Sales Tax Still Highest in Nation”
From the office of Cook County Commissinoer Tony Peraica…
I would like to offer my gratitude to Cook County and local municipal officials in the 16th District for their efforts in addressing the massive flooding which occurred over the past weekend.
I am pleased that everyone came together and worked to help county residents, especially the elderly. County employees from the Sheriff’s Department, Office of Homeland Security, and my own staff were on hand to survey damage and provide needed assistance. While this was certainly an unfortunate event, it was heartening to see local officials, neighbors and friends helping one another in this time of need.
Continue reading “
Tony Peraica: Local Flood Relief Assistance”
Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady takes on Accidental Governor Pat Quinn and his new role as Santa Claus giving his staffers raises as we “get the bill.”
From Adam Andrzejewski of For the Good of Illinois
One month ago, For the Good of Illinois returned to promote self-governance in Illinois by engaging, educating, and empowering citizens to demand limited, accountable, and transparent government of, by, and for the people.
As part of this mission, we launched For the Good of Illinois PAC to allow our members to support viable candidates at the state level who believe in the principles of limited, accountable, and transparent government.
One of our first candidates, Cedra Crenshaw, quickly became the target of the Chicago Machine. Cedra’s opponent, Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi (IL-43rd), unleashed top election lawyer, Michael Kasper, to unjustly knock Cedra off the ballot on a 2-1 party line vote by the Will County Board of Elections.
Continue reading “
Suburban Mom Beats Chicago Machine”
A multi-part series from the Palatine Tea Party…
(Palatine, Illinois) – Congresswoman Melissa Bean is one of the Honorary Co-Chairs of the Third Way Foundation, formerly known as the Progressive Foundation.
Culture Program
Third Way is designing a 21st century cultural agenda that adheres to progressive principles and resonates with moderate Americans. Our aim is to strengthen American communities and families. We develop fresh policy ideas and messaging that provide common ground approaches on cultural issues like abortion, gay equality, faith, family, guns, crime, and immigration.*
Continue reading “
(Ill. Congresswoman) Bean’s Crime Inc: More On What Third Way Does”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Oh, the games Cook County Board President little Todd Stroger plays. And they are always about sticking it to the taxpayers, aren’t they? Stroger and his Democrat co-conspirators have really proven that county Democrats are more like a criminal syndicate as opposed to proper representatives of the people with a recent move to stick it to suburban drivers in violation of what the suburban cities even want to have happen in their jurisdictions.
Little Toddie wanted to have county sponsored red-light cameras positioned throughout the Cook County suburbs so that the county could get more money in the form of mailed fines from drivers. But the suburban towns and cities didn’t want the county to intrude upon their roads with these onerous cameras and at least in the case of one city, Schaumburg, we have a town that already removed their own red-light cameras due to pressure from the voters. So the county board offered a compromise.
To mollify the suburban cities the board included an opt out clause in its red-light camera rules. If the cities didn’t want them, they could opt out and keep them out of their areas. Stroger and his extortionist buddies were shocked, though, when “nearly every Northwest Cook County town proceeded to opt out” of his grab for suburban driver’s wallets.
What to do, what to do? Stroger was losing his new revenue stream. How could they stop it?
Eureka! Toddie had an idea…
Continue reading “
Cook County Board to Extort Suburban Drivers”
-By Warner Todd Huston
The Sun-Times reports that the next Cook County Board President might be yet another bought and paid for union stooge.
Democrat Party candidate Toni Preckwinkle raised $1.3 million for her campaign for county board president thus far and $220,000 of that came from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
So, what we are seeing is yet another Democrat candidate owned lock, stock and barrel by a public employees union. Gee, I wonder if she’ll be amenable to union demands once in office?
Her opponent, GOP candidate Roger Keats, has raised only $19,000 so far. Not that there IS a Republican Party in the county of Crook.
If you would like to help out the Keats campaign, here is his website: http://keatsforcook.org/. You can donate directly here: Keats For Cook, PayPal.
Continue reading “
Dem. Cook County Board Prez Candidate’s Big Union Haul”
A multi-part series from the Palatine Tea Party…
(Palatine, Illinois) – Congresswoman Melissa Bean is one of the Honorary Co-Chairs of the Third Way Foundation, formerly known as the Progressive Foundation.
What Others Say About Third Way
Politico labeled Third Way “the moderate voice of the progressive movement,” and both Newsweek and US News have described our work as influential. New York Times columnist David Brooks described Third Way as “creating the ideas that are giving Progressives control of the center.” Other national columnists, like EJ Dionne and David Broder of The Washington Post, and Joe Klein and Amy Sullivan of Time, have cited Third Way’s impact in shaping the national debate.*
Continue reading “
(Ill. Congresswoman) Bean’s Crime Inc: What Other Say About Third Way Does”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Despite claims made earlier in his campaign, Democrat candidate for Senate Alexi Giannoulias has said that he’ll be quite happy to take campaign donations from lobbyists as he vies to take Barack Obama’s old Senate seat this year.
WGIL News reports that Giannoulias claimed earlier in the campaign that he wouldn’t take donations from lobbyists. However, Giannoulias limited the scope of that claim to encompass only federal lobbyists and political PACs. He has taken donations from state lobbyists.
The difference between a state lobbyist and a federal lobbyist seems vague with Giannoulias, but he claims there is a difference.
Continue reading “
WGIL: Giannoulias Says He’ll Take Lobbyist $$ for Campaign”
-By Warner Todd Huston
The Daily Herald has an interesting story detailing the fundraising of the two candidates vying for the 22nd District State Senator seat in the Elgin, Illinois area. The story shows the anti-voter ideas in which Democrats wallow.
The piece reports that incumbent Democrat Mike Noland has raised $107,000 for his race for State Senate while his GOP challenger, Steve Rauscnehberger, has raised $71,000.
That seems like a horrible gap between incumbent Democrat and the resurgent Republican, doesn’t it? Dem. Noland sure sees it that way. “I just got more support, period, throughout,” Noland told reporters.
But does he have “more support”? Not from his actual voters he doesn’t. Tucked into the Herald story is this line…
Continue reading “
Mike Noland Thinks Outside Money Means ‘More Support’? Not From Voters it Isn’t!”
From Dan Patlak for Cook County Board of Review…
In the spirit of empowering taxpayers, we have released the first in a series of “Property Tax Facts” videos. This video series compliments our website’s new “Education Center”, and answers commonly asked questions about Cook County Property Taxes. If you have a question about property taxes please visit our web site at www.ElectPatlak.com and click on Ask Dan.
Continue reading “
Dan Patlak: Empowering the Taxpayers”
-By Warner Todd Huston
The Southtown Star finally had enough of Congressman Debbie Halvorson’s illicit attack on her 11th District opponent’s military record and published a July 20 editorial saying so.
Halvorson jumped on the Mark Kirk bandwagon and tried to see if she could find any similar “lies” in GOP candidate Adam Kinzinger’s bio. Kinzinger is a Captain in the Air Force and flew missions in Iraq. His website bio stated his history as follows: “I now serve as a captain in the United States Air Force Special Operations Command flying reconnaissance aircraft.”
Halvosron is claiming that this is a “lie.” Why is it a lie? Because Kinzinger is not now engaged in that duty. And so, he’s a liar.
The Southtown is not amused. The paper says that whether he is now or just “was” doing that duty is immaterial.
Continue reading “
SouthTown Star Scolds Rep. Halvorson for Specious Attack on Opponent’s Military Record”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Jim Geraghty Campaign Spot blog post reporting that incumbent Democrat Phil Hare is down in the polls in his race for reelection to his 17th District House seat in Illinois.
It was widely assumed that Congressman Hare would easily win re-election, yet according to this poll he is losing to GOP candidate Bobby Schilling.
His GOP opponent, Bobby Schilling, hired Magellan Strategies to conduct a poll of the district. Magellan conducted an automated survey of 715 likely voters in the 17th congressional district of Illinois: “The interviews were conducted on July 12th of 2010. This [poll has] a margin of error of +/_ 3.6% at the 95% confidence interval. The survey results are weighted to reflect past turnout demographics from the 2008, 2006, 2004 and 2002 general election cycles.”
. . . Phil Hare’s image rating is “upside down,” with 27% of voters having a favorable opinion of him, and 41% having an unfavorable opinion of him.
Among all voters, 27% approve of the job Phil Hare is doing and 43% disapprove..
This is pretty big news if true.
Continue reading “
Wow: GOP Shilling Leading Dem. Hare in ILL 17th?”
Robert Dold is running to replace Mark Kirk who resigned his 10th District seat to run for Senate.
Dold’s calling himself a “social moderate.” I shudder hearing that. But he is running in a trending liberal district and that is how Kirk had to sell himself, too (and in Kirk’s case he more than a “social moderate.” He’s nearly a straight out liberal).
Anyway, Dold has a new radio spot…
Here is Dold’s website: www.doldforcongress.com
-By Warner Todd Huston
Ed McClelland over at NBC Chicago’s Ward Room blog makes a good point about reports of the two gubernatorial candidate’s fundraising. Both seem to be claiming to have $2.3 million on hand going into this leg of the campaign. But, McClelland makes the point that so far Brady’s $2.3 million is “bigger” than Quinn’s.
How is that?
Well, Brady has gotten the benefit of money from the Republican Governors Association for ads and whatnot while Quinn has not benefitted much from the Democrat Governors Association. That means that Brady doesn’t have to spend as much of his $2.3 million to reach voters as Quinn does.
Continue reading “
Ill Gov Race: GOPs Brady Has Bigger Bang for Fundraising Bucks”
At the end of June while walking a Chicago street, a Chicago musician heard the cries of a woman being assaulted and went to help. Matthew Leone, a bass player for a Chicago-based band named Madina Lake, found the woman being beaten by what turned out to be her abusive husband.
Like a good neighbor, Leone got between the two and stopped the beating. Unfortunately, when his back was turned, Leone was then assaulted by the much larger husband of the beaten woman. Leone was beaten pretty badly and ended up in the hospital with a swelling brain, a broken jaw, and many other injuries.
Leone is recovering, but his brain injuries have yet to heal. They even had to remove a large part of his skull so that the swelling would not damage his brain further.
You can see more of the details of Mr. Leone’s recovery and story at the Chicago Radio and Media website: Through the Pain — Coming to the Aid of a Chicago Hero.
And if you want to help, here’s how:
Helping a Chicago Hero”
-By Warner Todd Huston
If this isn’t a reed-in-the-wind sort of move, I’m not sure what is? If you’ll recall a few weeks ago Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn was left trying to explain why he was giving his staffers big raises even as he was gallivanting about the state saying how we are out of money and that we’d need to cut the budget. Well this week he is cutting staffer’s pay giving them more furlough days.
After giving out raises, now Quinn is trying to save face from that tone deaf move and requiring his staffers to endure 24 furlough days this year instead of the previous 12 day cut.
And Quinn is now putting up a grand show of his seriousness on fiscal issues by hectoring every government office to make such cuts.
Continue reading “
After Giving Raises, Now Ill. Gov Cuts Staffer’s Pay”
From the Hayes for Congress campaign (2nd District)…
CHICAGO: Republican nominee for Illinois 2ndCongressional District Isaac Hayes published his position paper on U.S. Defense Policy today, calling for the United States to continue to lead the world toward freedom and liberty.
American National Defense Principles
The American defense policy is to seek and support democracy and its institutions in every nation-state and culture across the globe, with the ultimate goal of ending tyrannical regimes around the world. Achieving this high goal is the work of current and future American generations. The United States is in the early years of a long and tough fight similar to what our country faced in the early years of the Cold War. The twentieth century experienced the victory of freedom over the serious menaces of Fascism, Nazism, and Communism. Currently, a new totalitarian ideology threatens our freedom and democratic values and ideas around the globe. It is an ideology not based in a secular political philosophy, but in the extreme political and social beliefs of a religion. Its contest may be different from the old totalitarian political ideologies of the last century, but its means are similar: intolerance, terror, murder, enslavement, and total repression.
Continue reading “
(2nd District) Hayes: Position Paper on U.S. Defense”
-By Warner Todd Huston
If this isn’t a perfectly representative Illinois politician story I’ve never seen one. There’s misuse of public facilities, influence abuse, nudity, binge drinking, sexual harassment and a death… all the elements of the Chicago Way style of politics. It only lacks the bribes and payoffs that we always see, but as the cops become more involved, likely that’ll come along in due time.
Phil Kander has the odd tale of intrigue, wild partying, and death in the SouthTown Star of the southern suburbs.
As it happens, Freddie Bilotto, the president of the Blue Island Park District Board, thought it would be wonderful to commandeer a city pool after hours, close it to the public, and invite all his most lewd and lascivious buddies and their easily undressed girlfriends for a bit of wild bacchanalia all on the city’s dime.
Continue reading “
Blue Island, Ill. Politician’s Pool Party Ends With One Dead”
From the Dold for Congress campaign (10th District)…
Yesterday we filed our second quarter fundraising totals with the Federal Election Commission. We raised approximately $561,000 and have $722,000 cash on hand, almost identical numbers to our opponent. We’re well-positioned to take Robert’s message to voters through television, radio and internet advertising, and we have to keep our fundraising push going strong!
Our grassroots volunteer team is also up and working hard for Robert in the district. We’re phone banking every day, and this week the team made more than 9,000 calls to 10th District voters. They gave out yard signs, campaign literature and thousands of bumper stickers across the District.
Continue reading “
(10th District) Dold’s Fundraising Report”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Chicago’s Representative Luis Gutierrez has been finding few takers for his pro-illegal immigrant policies of late. But he and several Democrat lawmakers think they’ve found a way to increase support for their pro-illegal alien bill: add gay issues to it.
Once again it’s an Orwellian named bill, too. The pro-illegal alien supporters are calling this abomination the “Uniting American Families Act.”
The bill would allow gay couples from foreign countries to automatically bring in their gay partners and all their immediate family members into the United States when one of the pair has the fortune to make it across the border.
Continue reading “
New Dem Idea: Can’t Win on Immigration? Then Stick Gay Issues in The Bill, Too!”
-By Warner Todd Huston
The Hill is reporting that Democrat Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias is having trouble raising money, which is amusing because as a failed banker he gave away millions to a pair of mobsters that never paid back the “loan”
The Hill reports that Giannoulias “struggled to raise money in the aftermath of his family bank’s collapse in April.”
Giannoulias has raised only some $900,000 since March 31 — the bulk of it in June. His Republican opponent, Mark Kirk, collected close to $1 million that same month. And Kirk was dealing with his own scandal — the fallout from inaccuracies in reporting his Navy service record at the time.
Giannoulias raised less than half of Kirk’s total, and the Republican now has almost a four-to-one cash on hand advantage.
If you’ll recall — and the Hill notes — that VP Biden recently ambled into town to raise finds for the Democrats “mob banker” but apparently even “no body messes with” Joe Biden isn’t able to help Giannoulias.
Continue reading “
Illinois ‘Mob Banker’ Can’t Raise Money?”
A multi-part series from the Palatine Tea Party…
Congresswoman Melissa Bean is one of the Honorary Co-Chairs of the Third Way Foundation, formerly known as the Progressive Foundation.
What Third Way Believes:
Continue reading “
(Ill. Congresswoman) Bean’s Crime Inc: What Third Way Believes”
-By Warner Todd Huston
The website for the Illinois Reagan Centennial Commission seems to be about complete and running now. It can be seen here: http://www.illinoisreagancentennial.com/index.html.
The effort is being run out of Reagan’s boyhood home of Dixon, Illinois. Dixon is west of Chicago a few hours north of I-88 and is the town that Ronald Reagan lived in between 1920 and 1932.
The town has some great festivals, meetings, walking trails, and other events scheduled to celebrate Reagan’s life through 2011.
Continue reading “
Illinois Reagan Centennial Commission: Great Idea Horrible Logo”
From Kristina Rasmussen of the Illinois Policy Institute…
Talk of a soda tax is bubbling up again:
CHICAGO (CBS) ― Feel like you’re taxed enough already? More could be coming. There’s an early push to explore taxing soft drinks that are sweetened with sugars – all to get you to stop buying them. CBS 2’s Kristyn Hartman reports it’s all about obesity.
A coalition of groups is in the very early stages of mapping out a plan to fight fat in Illinois. Sugared beverage consumption has tracked with rising obesity rates – so it’s getting some attention.
Ill. Policy Institute: Soda Tax Talk Bubbling Up Again”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Homer Township is not a metropolis commonly in the news in Illinois. Situated to the south and west of Chicago about an hour or so, the small town is generally a quiet place. That may be about to change, at least for this week, because the township’s board of trustees just voted to support a new policy making English the official language for government business.
Granted this is not much of a change from what they are already doing. The resolution requires that all business that the government of the township does will all be in English only, something that is already the case. Minutes, notices, agendas, all printing, and all the records of the assessor’s office will be done only in English.
No one on the board, however, is saying that this is a big change. In fact, Township Clerk Steve Balich says that it is all symbolic and meant to start a dialog about illegal immigration.
Continue reading “
Small Illinois Town Makes English Official Language”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Calumet Park, Illinois is straight south of Chicago nearing the Indiana border. Illinoisans of the area call it Cal Park for short. Unfortunately, it seems to have earned a new nickname thanks to the lies over his military record told by its mayor, Joseph DuPar. Its new name should be Bull Park.
Easily fitting in with other serial military service liars such as Massachusetts District Attorney candidate Richard Blumenthal, Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, Mr. John “did you know I served in Vietnam” Kerry, and even fellow Illinoisans Phil Hare and Mark Kirk, Mayor DuPar made a pretty outrageous claim on his bio during his recently successful election campaign.
Continue reading “
Ill. Mayor’s Lies About His Military Awards”
A multi-part series from the Palatine Tea Party…
Congresswoman Melissa Bean is one of the Honorary Co-Chairs of the Third Way Foundation, formerly known as the Progressive Foundation.
Third Way Foundation is the leading moderate think-tank of the progressive movement.*
Who is Third Way?
Continue reading “
(Ill. Congresswoman) Bean’s Crime Inc (Third Way)”
The folks at ChampionNews.net have a series of articles about the mess that Illinois public employees pensions is in that is must reading. The articles are penned by expert Bill Zetter.
Of course, the pension mess is the single biggest trouble that Illinois (and most other states) face today. It is a ticking time bomb…. heck its a bomb exploding already, albeit in slow motion.
Here is what they’ve posted thus far:
Back To the Pension Future: What Did We Actually Guarantee?
Illinois Pensions: Rob the Poor and Give It to the Rich
Continue reading “
Illinois Pension Problems and What to Do About Them, By Bill Zetter”