State Government

Better Government Association - Chicago - Cook County - Cook County Board - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Liberals - Mayor Richard Daley - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago’s Corruption Tax

February 20, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

A new study has been released by the University of Illinois in conjunction with the Better Government Association that details Cook County’s disgusting history of political neer-do-wells calling it a true “culture of corruption.” (Download .pdf of report)

“More than 140 people have been convicted of corruption in county-related cases since 1970,” the study finds.

Featured are tales of bribes, ghost payrolls, sweetheart deals, rip-offs, and the “wholesale subversion of the judicial system.”

“This rogue’s gallery of corrupt individuals is just the tip of the iceberg,” said the BGA’s Andy Shaw, “because, for every one of those convicted, there may be a dozen or more people who narrowly escape the justice system, not to mention all the clout-related conflicts of interest. It is truly a ‘culture of corruption.’”

Sadly, it doesn’t seem to be getting any better but kudos to the BGA for publishing the study. It goes to show how much of a failure our county government is.
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Chicago’s Corruption Tax”

Budget - Illinois - State Government - Taxes - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston

Legislation Calls For An End To Budget Shenanigans

February 19, 2010 by

From the folks at Truth in Accounting:

Pew Study Confirms Urgent Need For Truth in Accounting Act

Contact: Darlene Porteus 847-835-5200 – dporteus@truthinaccounting.org

February 18, 2010 — On February 3rd State Representative Mike Tryon (IL-64th District) introduced the Truth in Accounting Act of 2010. The proposed legislation, which was written with the help of the Institute for Truth in Accounting, calls for increased disclosure during the state budgeting process.
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Legislation Calls For An End To Budget Shenanigans”

Business - Capitalism - Constitution - Free Trade - Illinois - Illinois Alliance For Growth - Illinois Policy Institute - Sam Adams Alliance - State Government - Tea Party - Warner Todd Huston

NYT Article: Tea Partying in Chicago

February 19, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The NYT had a nice write up on Chicago’s own American Liberty Alliance and its leader Eric Odom. This piece also discusses several other conservative efforts in and around Chicago. Groups like Hartland Institute, the Sam Adams Alliance, and Ed Lasky’s American Thinker also based out of Chicago.

It is interesting to note that some very strong conservative ideas are coming out of this bluest of blue states where politics is rough and disassociated from any control by voters. Odom makes that point, too, when discussing his move here from Nevada.

“You come from Nevada, where you have the entire Legislature on your cellphone,” Mr. Odom said. “It is a small government compared to here, where it is all union-run and it is a huge bureaucracy, and there is no way you’re going to get meetings with anybody.”

But there is hope, folks. With people like Ed Laskey, Odom and groups like the ALA, Sam Adams Alliance, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Alliance for Growth, and The Heartland Institute, as well as the local chapter of Americans for Growth we do have a fighting chance.
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NYT Article: Tea Partying in Chicago”

Anti-Americanism - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Islam - Islamofascism - Liberals - Military - Religion - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston - Western Civilization

This GOP Fakir Votes For Terrorists in Illinois

February 19, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

If you’ll recall, just last week I spoke of fake Republican Angelo “Skip” Saviano, State Rep from Elmwood Park. Well, Skippy has again proven his complete lack of Republican credentials with his latest apostasy. With this vote Skippy has once again proven to be a RINO (Republican In Name Only) that we’d be better off to be rid of in Illinois.

With his no vote on HB 4744, ol’ Skippy has not only voted to allow a governor, any governor, to sell state properties without prior approval of the people’s representatives, but he’s also basically given Democrat Governor Quinn the go ahead to sell the Thomson State Correctional facility to the federal government in order to allow terrorist to come live amongst us there.

That’s right, Skippy Saviano pretends to be a Republican but has voted to allow a Democrat to bring terrorists to live here.
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This GOP Fakir Votes For Terrorists in Illinois”

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

Pension Failure in Illinois Worst in Country

February 19, 2010 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

According to the Pew Center on the States, Illinois’ public employee’s pension system is in the worst shape of all states. The Associated Press reported that pensions in Illinois are underfunded and over promised.

Illinois was rated the most troubled pension system during the study period, with a 54 percent funding level and a total liability of more than $54 billion.

Proof once again that public employee unions are antithetical to good government. The reasons these pensions are in such poor shape are twofold. One is that they are far, far too generous (fault: unions) and two is that even when the money does go into these accounts the state legislature raids the funds for general usage (fault: politicians). Both reasons are failures of government.

What this state needs to do first thing is to start a two tiered system. Since the pensions are protected by law, we need to accept that we are saddled with current pensions. But any new employee and all employees not yet vested should have their undeserved benefits massively cut.

The state should also look to offer as many buyouts at lower costs as it can. Early retirements might help the bottom line, too.

But taking care that future benefits are not so undeservedly high is the most important thing here.
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Pension Failure in Illinois Worst in Country”

Budget - Business - Free Trade - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Policy Institute: 6 Percent

February 18, 2010 by

Not So Stimulating
One year after the infamous $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, how’s that much-touted economic stimulus working out? According to even the most optimistic reports, not so well, and only 6 percent of Americans believe it has created jobs. ABC News has a quick summary of the gigantic government spending blowout and its long-term impact—or lack thereof—on jobs.

Who’s Getting Rich From Big Government?

Join Us Next Thursday…
Speaking of government largesse, we’ll be hosting “Obamanomics” author Tim Carney next Thursday evening for an evening of cocktails, appetizers, and engaging discussion. Bestselling author Jonah Goldberg calls Carney’s book an “indispensable field guide to the Obama years”—RSVP today to save your seat!
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Illinois Policy Institute: 6 Percent”

Business - Chicago - Cook County - Economy/Finances - Elections - Illinois - Liberals - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

More Abuse By Illinois Toll Way Employees

February 18, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Say, wouldn’t it be nice not to have to pay any tolls when you are driving to work each day, or as you are running errands, or starting a vacation trip? Well, if you want to get out of paying tolls like all the other poor schlubs around you on the roadways, get a job with the tollway authority. Do that and your tolls are on the house… they may even throw in a car!

The Chicago Trib did an investigation and found out that more than 90% of the tollway’s work force gets free tolls. Not only that but 55 of its “critical” execs get free cars to go along with their free tolls.

And the cost?
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More Abuse By Illinois Toll Way Employees”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Dillard Won’t Contest, Unless…

February 17, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

State Senator Kirk Dillard has said that he won’t ask for a state-wide recount of February’s primary votes unless he trails presumptive nominee Bill Brady by less than 100 votes.

After that Tuesday night, Bill Brady only led Kirk Dillard by 400 some votes and now that lead is down to 250. But there are still some downstate votes left uncounted. I wouldn’t guess that Dillard will pick up too many downstate votes.

What ever happens in the next few weeks, one thing should be said about the way Mr. Dillard has conducted himself during all this. He’s been quite even tempered and grown up about it all, I must say.
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Dillard Won’t Contest, Unless…”

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

Northside Republican Candidate Fundraiser!

February 17, 2010 by

PUBLIC NOTICE: Everyone’s cordially invited to our in-person fundraiser held by David Anderson, David Ratowitz, Adam Robinson & Scott Tucker. All of whom are working on Chicago’s north side to fight corruption & keep the Democratic machine at bay. They’re all coming together for 1 night to hold this event.

This event will be held at The Stretch on Clark just south of Addison.
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Northside Republican Candidate Fundraiser!”

Anti-War - Chicago - Cook County - Illinois - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Mayor Daley Rips Anti-War Hypocrites: ‘We Won the Election. Now We Go Home.’

February 15, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Chicago’s WBEZ Radio has a nice blog set up. Naturally there aren’t any conservatives there. Take Cate Cahan’s recent report on Mayor Richard “King” Daley’s appearance at the 16th Annual Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards, for instance. She so missed the point, she so badly spun it in the wrong direction, that it is a laughable attempt to salvage something positive for the left-wing out of Mayor Daley’s mocking of the anti-war movement from the podium.

In his own inimitably garbled grammar, from the podium, Daley passionately delivered the following mocking of the anti-war movement:

“Where are the anti-war people? Where are they? They disappeared! What happened? I thought war was evil? Where are the people that believed in their heart against George Bush? [mockingly] ‘We’ve have to organize and walk down Michigan Avenue and Clark Street!’ What happened? I thought they believed in their heart? Oh, we won the election. Now we go home. What happened to America?”

(Hear the audio at the WBEZ page.)

It is glaringly obvious that Mayor Daley is calling these antiwar protesters hypocrites. They’ve won the election with Obama in office, da Mayor is saying, so now they’ve gone home ignoring the fact that Obama has continued “Bush’s” several wars.
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Mayor Daley Rips Anti-War Hypocrites: ‘We Won the Election. Now We Go Home.’”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - Green Party - Illinois - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Are the Greens Rising in Chicago?

February 15, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Sun-Time’s Carol Marin wondered if the Green Party was on the rise in her latest article on Sunday. While I think she made a mountain out of a mole’s hill, she did offer an interesting observation about the other two parties: people are losing faith and interest in them.

As I said, her discussion of the Green Party was of mild interest. The Greens have succeeded in getting the over 10% vote that has allowed them to become an official Illinois political party. But it hasn’t really amounted to any real political success. I doubt anyone in the U.S. will ever have to fear the Greens making any real headway. America is too sensible for such nonsense.

But at the end of her piece Marin did have something interesting.
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Are the Greens Rising in Chicago?”

Budget - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Illinois - Mayor Richard Daley - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Another Chicago Alderman Wants to Ban Something

February 15, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Alderman Eddie “Buttinski” Burke wants to ban styrofoam containers in the City of Chicago. I have a better idea, let’s ban these idiot Aldermen instead.

Of course, Eddie doesn’t give a crap about any styrofoam containers. He only wants to create a new revenue stream for the city by inventing a fine if anyone happens to use them after he banned them. He’s proposing a $300 to $500 fine. Thanks nanny Burke.

Once again we get another braindead Alderman trying to justify his cushy, unnecessary job by taking on things he has no business taking on. But these half-wits have been doing this for decades. We’ve had bans on all sorts of things and proposed bans on hundreds more. We had that dolt Alderman Joe Moore (I think his last name is properly spelled Mooreon) who proposed a Foie Gras ban that everyone ignored and ended up being rescinded. Even Eddie “Buttinski” Burke tried to ban horse poop, or something, a few years ago.
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Another Chicago Alderman Wants to Ban Something”

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

U.S. House Candidate David Ratowitz Announces Small Business Listening Tour

February 15, 2010 by

From the Ratowitz for 5th District Congress campaign…

Illinois 5th District Republican challenger, frustrated with ‘jobless recovery,’ gathering feedback for alternate economic plan.

CHICAGO – February 15, 2010 – Illinois District 5 U.S. House candidate David Ratowitz today announced that his campaign will undertake a three-month “Small Business Listening Tour.” The initiative, slated to kick off in early March, will involve an extended series of individual consultations with area entrepreneurs, culminating in a proposed economic recovery plan that aims to bolster the disenfranchised small business sector.
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U.S. House Candidate David Ratowitz Announces Small Business Listening Tour”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Chicago - Children - Communism - Cook County - Democracy - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Elections - Family - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Rights - Senate - Socialism - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Democrats Don’t Trust Americans

February 15, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

My headline is a statement of fact. Democrats don’t trust Americans because they are always looking for ways to cut them out of the process. Here we have another example of that axiom proven out.

Illinois State Senator James Meeks, the Reverend Meeks, parades around as a man of the community, a man of the people, a man that wants to lead the folks to take control of their own lives through government.

In keeping with his commitment to give power to the people… Meeks has introduced a bill that would take more power away from the people and give it to the state. Yeah, it does make Meeks a hypocrite if you were to actually believe his lies about “power to the people” and all.
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Democrats Don’t Trust Americans”

Chicago - Constitution - Education - Elections - Founders - GOP - History - Illinois - Media - Media Bias - Newspapers - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Oh Lord, Bill Brady Goofs American History

February 15, 2010 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Greg Hinz, the lefty columnist from Crain’s Chicago Business, has a quick post on our presumptive GOP nominee for Governor that doesn’t put him in the best light. It seems that Mr. Brady is a tad sketchy on American history, sadly.

After being asked by the media if his running mate, the 27-year-old Jason Plummer, was too young to be a proper Lt. Governor candidate, Brady said this:

“How old was Thomas Jefferson when he wrote the Constitution?” Mr. Brady asked. “Age isn’t the only barometer of qualification.”

Ugh. Brady needs to read a few history books as there are several things wrong with this statement.

First of all Jefferson was 33 when he penned the first few drafts of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Secondly, the Constitution was written in 1787, just over ten years later and by then Jefferson was in his 40s.

Thirdly, Thomas Jefferson had precisely zip to do with the Constitution. It was written while he was an Ambassador to France. Jefferson wasn’t even in the country at the time!

Columnist Hinz missed that third fact, as well.

Sigh. It’s such a shame that so many Americans just plain have no clue about American history. In this case a man who would be Governor and another in the media that thinks he’s in a position to critique him.

Maddening. Simply maddening.
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Oh Lord, Bill Brady Goofs American History”

Alexi Giannoulias - Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Lobbyists - Mark Kirk - Republicans - Senate - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

A Conservative Candidate to Face Kirk and Giannoulias in Nov? Better Be Careful!

February 13, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

There has been some loose talk around conservative circles in Illinois about finding a more conservative candidate to run against both Alexi Giannoulias and Mark Kirk for the Illinois Senate in November. But the time for this was during the primary and that time is now passed. If we wanted a more conservative candidate than Mark Kirk we should have nominated him on February 2. A third party candidate at this time will only elect the mob banker, Alexi Giannoulias, to the Senate.

The only thing that wouldn’t make my statement above untrue is if a more conservative, third party candidate can mount a seriously funded campaign and can build a state-wide coalition over the next few months. By seriously funded, I’m talking at least four million dollars. The likelihood of this is remote at best.

And here is the thing: if a serious conservative candidate was able to get four million dollars together in only three months that candidate would have done so last October or November and would have been on that primary ballot.

It should also be pointed out that the state GOP will not be helping anyone but Kirk. Any insurgent candidate would have to build a state-wide network, or already have one, that could best the entire GOP establishment in order to run a credible race.

With Patrick Hughes out of the campaign due to his primary loss, there is no one else with the name recognition, state-wide network, or money to mount a serious campaign. Would that there was one.
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A Conservative Candidate to Face Kirk and Giannoulias in Nov? Better Be Careful!”

Chicago - Chris Lauzen - Constitution - Free Speech - Freedom - GOP - Illinois - Regulation - Republicans - Senate - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Anti-Robo Call Bill Introduced in Springfield

February 13, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

There was an earlier attempt to do this, but here it is again. Senators Dale A. Righter (R, Matoon) and Chris Lauzen (R, Aurora) have introduced the Electioneering-Autodialer Call bill. This bill would provide for citizens being able to sign a registry that would prevent their phone numbers from being susceptible to the ever present political Robo-call during election time.

Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Automatic Telephone Dialers Act and the Restricted Call Registry Act. Provides that the Automatic Telephone Dialers Act applies to electioneering autodialer telephone calls but does not apply to other telephone calls made by an autodialer and placed on behalf of a political organization. Prohibits electioneering autodialer telephone calls to telephone service subscribers who have registered their telephone number or numbers on the Restricted Call (“Do Not Call”) Registry. Defines “electioneering autodialer telephone call” to mean any voice communication over a telephone line, through the use of an autodialer or autodialer system, that refers to a clearly identified political candidate, political party, or question of public policy and is an appeal to vote for or against a clearly identified candidate, political party, or question of public policy. Effective immediately.

The bill has already had it’s first read and is now in the Assignments committee.

Well, I guess I am for this one. It doesn’t make robo-calls illegal which I think would violate political free speech of politicians and their supporters, but does provide for citizens to opt out from having to be bothered with them if they’d like.

I can get behind this one as long as it doesn’t outlaw the calls, as annoying as they are. I think this strikes the right balance between Constitutional rights to political free speech and a certain amount of an expectation of privacy.
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Anti-Robo Call Bill Introduced in Springfield”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Dillard Blames Schillerstrom and Ryan for Loss

February 13, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Kirk Dillard told Pioneer Local reporter Amy Deis that he lost because Bob Schillerstrom dropped out too late and Ryan came in too late, both, he said, took thousands of votes from him leading to a bare primary edge-out by Bill Brady.

He especially pinpoints Schillerstrom for the loss.

“His 7,000 votes would have made the race; I was very much hindered by them,” Dillard said.

It may sound like sour grapes on Dillard’s part, but I cannot dispute that the thought rests on solid ground.

After all, Bill Brady hardly showed up at all in Cook County, DuPage County and the immediate collar counties. On the other hand, Schillerstrom didn’t show up at all south of Interstate 80! And north of that east/west tollway was Dillard country, as well as Schillerstrom’s.

It is very likely that most of Schillerstrom and Ryan’s votes would have gone Dillard’s way since both candidate had their base in the same area from which Dillard hails. The same areas that Brady was very, very weak.

But, that’s the way the primary crumbles, if you will.

There is a final word to say about Kirk Dillard’s conduct in this race. He never much got into mud slinging with his campaign. Oh, sure there were some sharp words, but he never got mean spirited. Additionally, even in this final waiting out of counting the last absentee ballot he’s been above reproach in his actions. He’s firmly invoked his rights to wait for the final counting before a victor is announced but he’s done so without much over-the-top vitriol.

Good for him on that level, anyway.
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Dillard Blames Schillerstrom and Ryan for Loss”

Chicago - Cook County - Democracy - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

It’s Official Scott Lee Cohen Drops Out of Election

February 13, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Well, some Democrats were stating to get a little worried that pawn shop king Scott Lee Cohen wouldn’t really remove his name from the ballot for November despite that he said he was going to.

Cohen was officially and legally nominated by the Democrat primary voters to run for Lt. Governor, but then out came all his skeletons. His past drug use, his domestic violence accusations and arrests, and his prostitute girlfriend sort of cooked his goose.

Last week Cohen announced that he’d drop his bid for Lt. Gov., but he waited all the way until Friday to send the required letter making it official. This wait must have seemed like 100 years to the Democrats, some of whom were beginning to worry that Cohen wasn’t really going to quit.

But, it’s all over but the crying on the radio for Cohen. Now we’ll have to wait and see who the Democrat powerbrokers decide will fill his spot on the upcoming ballot.

The sad thing is that the Democrats are looking as though they are not going to listen to the voters and allow the number 2 vote getter on the Dem. side take the spot. It looks like the Democrat leadership is going to choose their own replacement despite what the voters might have said.

Typical of democrats, though. They do hate democracy after all.
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It’s Official Scott Lee Cohen Drops Out of Election”

Budget - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Gambling - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

State Rep. Skip Saviano: An Illinois Republican to Dump

February 11, 2010 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

77th District State Representative Skip Saviano is a perfect example of the sort of Republican that may as well be a Democrat. Saviano’s latest gaff is to side with the big government, big spending Democrats on the video gambling issue.

On Feb. 1 I wrote about how the Democrats are trying to pull a tax bait and switch on those communities that legally decide to employ the opt-out clause in the State’s new video gambling law. Democrats, and wild spenders on the GOP side like Saviano, want to penalize those communities that have voted their conscience on this destructive gambling measure.
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State Rep. Skip Saviano: An Illinois Republican to Dump”

Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Huffington Post - Illinois - Media Bias - Republicans - State Government - Tea Party - Warner Todd Huston

PuffyPost Shows Political Ignorance Once Again: Joe Walsh ‘The Party Candidate’

February 11, 2010 by 4 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Well, the Puffington Post has once again shown that it is wholly un-credible as a source for serious political analysis. This time it’s the “work” of HuffPuffer Will Guzzardi who doesn’t seem to know what a primary is or what it does, at least if his headline can be used as an example.

In his titled “Joe Walsh, First Tea Party Candidate To Win Election, Starts Attracting Attention,” Willie Guzzardi attempts to regale us on his deep knowledge of what occurred in the late Illinois primary. Unfortunately, we can doubt that pretension of depth without getting any further than his header. After all, Joe Walsh was not elected to anything as the headline claims. He did win the nomination of his party in order to run for election, but he didn’t get elected.

Additionally, we can easily take issue with Guzzie’s claim that Walsh is “the tea party candidate.” Yes, Mr. Walsh ran as “the tea party candidate” but previous to December 2009 Mr. Joe Walsh had never once BEEN to a tea party event in his life. And to this he admits openly. His running as “the tea party candidate” was a campaign strategy, not a grass roots reality.

Now, just before the primary on Feb. 2, Walsh did get the endorsement of a local tea party group. So, though belatedly, he did become a “tea party candidate.”
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PuffyPost Shows Political Ignorance Once Again: Joe Walsh ‘The Party Candidate’”

Budget - Capitalism - Chicago - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Policy Institute: Fishy Business?‏

February 11, 2010 by

Institute Releases Piglet Book
When the state government is flat broke, should it be funding fishing demonstrations? How about car racing, folk dancing, or a Batman-themed gala? This week, the Illinois Policy Institute released its 2010 Piglet Book, highlighting $350 million in questionable state spending. Access the full report here, or watch John Tillman dish out the porky details on Fox News Chicago by clicking the video above.
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Ill. Policy Institute: Fishy Business?‏”

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

False Attacks on Kinzinger

February 11, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Looks like the Democrats have found a surrogate to attack the honorable service of 11th District candidate Captain Adam Kinzinger. Some fellow named William Walter is trying to use his FaceBook page to smear Capt. Kinzinger’s service.

The Hill has a post on it now, but the long and short of it is that the Democrats must be pretty scared of Mr. Kinzinger’s candidacy if they are stooping to such low tactics.

“I know where I’ve served and I know what I’ve done,” Kinzinger told The Hill.

This Democrat FaceBook plant is questioning Kinzinger’s bio on his website saying that the military history stated there is untrue. After the faux controversy Kinzinger changed the entry to be more explicit of what he did in the Air Force.
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False Attacks on Kinzinger”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Cook County - Economy/Finances - Government - Illinois - Jobs - Mayor Richard Daley - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Why Is Chicago losing Trade Shows?

February 11, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

This photo is a great example of why Chicago’s MacCormick Center is cost prohibitive for trade shows and why so many of them have pulled out of the city.

I’ve been to the auto show several times (not this year, but last) and I’ve seen these whateveryoucallthem workers that loll around the show with a plastic bag in one hand and a feather duster in the other. They lazily stroll about occasionally taking a swipe at something with their little duster but other wise just enjoying a nice leisurely stroll about the place.

This woman in this picture and all the union guys that twist in a light bulb, the union guys that plug in an extension cord, the union guys that move things, the union guys that pull the legs down on a fold-up table… each with their own unions and each forced on the exhibitors at union scale of up to $40 an hour.

It makes you realize why these trade shows are leaving Chicago like it was still on fire, fer cripes sakes!

Wouldn’t it make much more sense to have the guys manning the booth to be the ones to keep their own inventory dust free and save the stupid union costs that no one can afford anyway?

Yep, no wonder no one wants to be robbed in Chicago. Who needs Al Capone when we have Richard “King” Daley and his union thug army?
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Why Is Chicago losing Trade Shows?”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Freedom - Government - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Socialism - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Watchdogs Release 2010 Illinois Piglet Book (Wasted Taxes)

February 10, 2010 by

(Chicago, Illinois) – The Illinois Policy Institute and Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today released the 2010 Illinois Piglet Book (.PDF FIle), a report finding $350 million in lost savings, challenging the myth there’s no fat in the Illinois state budget. The report reviews state spending on education, health and human services, natural resources, agriculture, the arts council and economic development. In 2008, the Institute and CAGW released a 2008 Illinois Piglet Book, which uncovered hundreds of millions of dollars of wasteful spending. Two years later, the wasteful spending continues. Here are a few examples:

  • $6,500 for a tub of live bass. The state paid for fishing seminars and demonstrations using a 4,000-gallon, 40-foot long tank filled with live fish.
  • $10,000 for a Hollywood gala. Your tax dollars funded a star-studded party for “Dark Knight” director Christopher Nolan.
  • $78,066 for quail promotion. The state is funding Quail Unlimited, which is “dedicated to the wise use and management of America’s wild quail, doves, upland game birds and other forms of wildlife.”
  • $353,165 for car racing. The state is funding Raceway Associates, which partners with big-time races like the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500, as well as a massive construction grant for Atkinson Motorsports Park in northwestern Illinois.

“The 2010 Illinois Piglet Book identifies more than $350 million in unnecessary and wasteful spending our state leaders have tucked into the budget,” said Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman. “Springfield has a spending problem, not a revenue problem – and these numbers just scratch the surface. It is clear the appetite for spending must be curtailed if we are going to solve our budget crisis.”
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Watchdogs Release 2010 Illinois Piglet Book (Wasted Taxes)”

Constitution - Illinois - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

The Professional Politician Reduction Act

February 10, 2010 by

-By Stephen Youhanaie

This act is to amend the Illinois Constitution Article IV, Section 2, Paragraph (c) to now read:

c) To be eligible to serve as a member of the General Assembly, a person must be a United States citizen, at least 21 years old, no more than 36 years old, and for the two years preceding his election or appointment a resident of the district which he is to represent. In the general election following a redistricting, a candidate for the General Assembly may be elected from any district which contains a part of the district in which he resided at the time of the redistricting and reelected if a resident of the new district he represents for 18 months prior to reelection.

The amendement is bold. It takes 8% of the previous votes (signatures required) cast for Governor to get on the ballot, a supermajority of 60% to pass, by the voters. Article IV, of the Illinois Constitution, is the only part that can be amended, by the electorate.
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The Professional Politician Reduction Act”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois GOP Nominee Likely to be Bill Brady

February 10, 2010 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Well, it seems that the GOP nominee for Illinois Governor will remain Bill Brady unless Kirk Dillard wants to spend a ton of money to fund a recount effort.

NBC 5 reports that with the 400 votes still separating Brady over Dillard, that may be too much for Dillard to over come without a recount effort.

And even if Brady has only a 400 vote advantage, the difference may be too great for Dillard to ask for a recount. Not only would Dillard be required to pay — and the prospect is expensive — he’d have to prove fraud or tampering with the vote. No easy task.

I do not believe that Dillard has enough money to float a recount, so it looks like around the middle of February we will get a certified Brady candidacy.
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Illinois GOP Nominee Likely to be Bill Brady”

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Ill. Congressional Candidates Added to ‘Young Guns’ List

February 10, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Three hot Illinois primary winners have been added to the National Republican Congressional Committee’s (NRCC) “Young Guns” list of top recruits for 2010.

Added to the list were Bob Dold (10th District), Adam Kinzinger (11th District), and Randy Hultgren (14th District).

Now, being “young” isn’t necessarily the only criteria for being added to the NRCC’s young guns list. Let’s face it Bob Dold and Randy Hultgren are hardly spring chickens! Seriously, what this does is open these candidates for campaign assistance from the NRCC and the national party.
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Ill. Congressional Candidates Added to ‘Young Guns’ List”