Cook+County

Chicago - Cook County - Cook County Board - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Illinois - Liberals - Mayor Richard Daley - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Cook County Board Hijinx: Peraica vs. John Daley

November 17, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Over at WBEZBlog, Tony Arnold posted his “soundbite of the day” featuring an insinuation, an angry reply, and a slam from today’s Cook County Board meeting.

Apparently, during a roll call vote, Commissioner Tony Peraica made some sort of veiled jab at Mayor Daley’s son who recently moved to Russia. I’m not sure what the heck Daley’s son has to do with anything — and Peraica said later that he regretted even saying it — but whatever Peraica meant it sure set John Daley (brother of Mayor Richard Daley) off about “attacking my nephew,” that’s for sure.

After Peraica said his line about the younger Daley’s move to Russia, John Daley started yelling back and that caused Board President Todd Stroger to shut off the mic, saying “You don’t know when to shut up,” to our erstwhile member of the Daley brood.

Still, later in the session, John Daley got his chance to throw out a jab at Peraica and in his blog post, Arnold expressed puzzlement over the comeback.
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Cook County Board Hijinx: Peraica vs. John Daley”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Immigration/Immigrants - Republicans - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

5th District Race: Ratowitz Responds to Immigration Question

November 17, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

On Nov. 14, Cao’s blog featured some pointed questions for 5th Congressional District candidate David Ratowitz on his stance on illegal immigration. That blog took the position that Mr. Ratowitz is an apologist for illegal immigration and is an amnesty supporter. We discussed that post here.

At that time, I asked for the Ratowitz campaign to clarify and shortly a short comment from the campaign was sent to me. The campaign also promised a longer treatment of the subject.

Today I received that longer treatment. Here it is in its entirety:
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5th District Race: Ratowitz Responds to Immigration Question”

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

Dold Pulls Ahead in Super Saturday Votes

November 17, 2009 by

An Update on Dold’s 10th District race from his campaign:

Wins New Trier Republican Organization Endorsement

Winnetka, IL- Robert Dold, Republican Candidate for Illinois’ 10th Congressional District, is proud to announce his endorsement by the New Trier Republican Organization. Having also recently won the endorsement of the Elk Grove Township Republican Organization, Dold has received the first two grassroots endorsements in the district. Dold continues building momentum in his campaign to replace Congressman Mark Kirk who is running for the U.S. Senate.

“I am thrilled to receive the endorsement of the NTRO”, said Dold who received more votes than all of the other six candidates combined. “The NTRO endorsement was instrumental in Mark Kirk’s successful 2000 campaign and I am honored by the support of this important organization.”
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Dold Pulls Ahead in Super Saturday Votes”

Business - Chicago - Conservatives - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Governor 2010: One Man’s Perspective

November 16, 2009 by

I had an interesting correspondence with Grant Noble of Lake Forest this weekend and he gave me the permission to post his thoughts on the 2010 Governor’s race. Mr. Noble is a former Republican precinct committeeman, Lake County coordinator for Steve Baer and other conservative statewide candidates, and is the former field director of Family PAC Illinois and Republicans for Poshard. (Glen Poshard was the 1998 Democrat candidate for Gov. that ran against the corrupt George Ryan, only our latest Ill. Gov. that ended up in jail. I let Grant know that I voted Poshard that year, too. It was the first time I didn’t vote Republican for a state wide office in my life as I just couldn’t stomach the corrupt Ryan.) — WTH

Illinois Governor 2010

If you want the Illinois income tax to go to 5% (minus a token property tax cut/increase in the personal exemption), then both major Democrat Governor candidates will gladly do that in 2011. If you want Chicago Democrats to control the Illinois legislature for the next 10 years and lose at least 2 Illinois Republican Congressmen to stop the Obama juggernaut, then allow the Democrats to control redistricting without a Republican Governor to veto their map. So that leaves the present Republican gubernatorial field.

Adam Andrzejewski is a nice guy but simply doesn’t have the business or political experience to be Governor. He has some money, but not enough to win a statewide primary. Jim Ryan has done little since being Illinois Attorney General other than leaving his law firm and seeing one of his chief aides convicted of corruption. After two colossal failures, the Ryan name is poison in Illinois politics.

As Du Page County Board President, Bob Schillerstrom spent big and raised taxes. As a strongly pro-choice candidate, he’ll fracture the Republican coalition. I supported Andy McKenna in his 2004 U.S. Senate primary run, but he was a mediocre candidate then and has been a bad Illinois Republican Party chairman since. If he wanted to run for Governor, McKenna should have resigned his party position immediately after the 2008 election and started his campaign then, not far too late in September 2009.
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Illinois Governor 2010: One Man’s Perspective”

Anti-Americanism - Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Illinois - Immigration/Immigrants - Liberals - Race - Society/Culture - The Law - Warner Todd Huston

Where Does Ratowitz Stand on Immigration?

November 14, 2009 by 5 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

**UPDATED** 11/15 2:30 PM

Over at the always interesting Cao’s Blog there is a spot ‘o controversy over the candidacy of David Ratowitz who is running as a Republican to take the Chicago based 5th District Congressional seat that Rahm Emanuel once occupied. In the election timeline, we’ve arrived at the infuriatingly common stage where every candidate in the state is running around challenging everyone else’s petition signatures and Cao feels that Ratowitz is acting the hypocrite with his actions in this case.

If you want all the ins and outs of the petition challenge argument Cao makes, I suggest you go on over and visit the posting. As for me, it doesn’t much interest me. There is a far more important part of the story that Cao talks about after the petition discussion that I find far more important.

First, though, I will agree with those that find the whole petition challenge milieu one of the most vexing aspects of the Chicago Way style of Illinois politics — one repeated all across the country not being a strictly Chicago phenomenon, granted. Petition challenges are usually petty, niggling, cynical, and strikes against the whole one-man-one-vote ideal where a candidate throws his hat in the ring and the people decide his suitability to serve them.

But, that annoyance aside, one of Cao’s commenters, Jim Fuchs, made an excellent point on the whole subject.
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Where Does Ratowitz Stand on Immigration?”

Chicago - Conservatives - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

17th District Rep Race: GOP Dirty Tricks Edition

November 14, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Glenview resident Phil Collins is running for the 17th District’s State Rep seat (District Map) and he’s racked up some great endorsements so far for a first time run for office.

Collins has been endorsed by Tony Castrogiovanni, the vice chairman of the Cook Co. Republican Party; Eric Wallace, a co-chairman of the Cook Co. Republican Party; Ken Arnold, a former 3rd vice chairman of the Lake Co. Republican Central Committee and 8th Dist. congressional candidate in 2006 and ’08; Peter Karlovics, a former chairman of the Warren Township, Lake Co. Republican Party; Liz Eilers, the secretary of the Illinois Center Right Coalition and Central Illinois Field Director of Adam Andrzejewski for Governor; and the Chicago Minuteman Project.

An impressive list of endorsements for a first timer, for sure. But one name you’ll notice is missing in that list is that of incumbent State Rep Beth Coulson (R). Coulson announced that she is not running for reelection to her State Rep seat and will instead seek Mark Kirk’s Congressional seat since Kirk is abandoning that seat to run for the Senate. As she leaves her stint in the state legislature, Coulson made it known that she is supporting another candidate for the 17th, Hamilton Chang. And because Coulson is the incumbent, the state party under Pat Brady is backing her choice.

And so the dirty tricks begin.
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17th District Rep Race: GOP Dirty Tricks Edition”

Anti-Americanism - Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

The Fix is In: State GOP Leader Backs Andy McKenna for Guv

November 14, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Until this Summer Andy McKenna was the Chairman of the Illinois GOP. He presided over a party that saw every single state wide office lost to it. He presided over a party that tried as hard as it could to make sure that Illinois’ Republican voters would be barred from voting their own leaders into place (even though Democrat voters do elect their leaders). McKenna presided over a GOP that seemed little more than a junior partner to the corruption plagued Democrats.

…and now McKena’s running for governor.

And guess what? House Republican leader Tom Cross is backing McKenna.

Yep, looks like the fix is in for McKenna as far as the state party is concerned and because of that you can bet that we will see Governor Pat Quinn win his own full term by November. Either that or we will see Quinn’s Democrat challenger, Dan Hynes, become the next governor. Which ever Democrat we are talking about here, the point is if McKenna is the face of the GOP for the 2010 election, a Democrat will win.
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The Fix is In: State GOP Leader Backs Andy McKenna for Guv”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Cook County - Crime - Economy/Finances - GOP - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Guvs Race: Adam Andrzejewski Says Repeal Video Gambling

November 13, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Gubernatorial candidate Adam Andrzejewski says if he’s elected Illinois Governor he’d work to repeal the video gambling law recently passed by the state legislature.

On WBBM 780AM radio (Chicago), Andrzejewski said, “It is bad public policy. It wasn’t vetted by the people.”

Andrzejewski said he will make repeal of the law a priority if elected and in order to do that he plans to stop funding for road, school or transit improvements backed by the gambling expansion. The measure signed by Quinn also uses liquor tax increases and expanding the lottery to the Internet, among other things, to fund the projects.

At least two other GOP candidates have expressed their distaste with the video gambling law. Bob Schillerstrom came out against the bill early in his campaign and Kirk Dillard claimed he was unhappy with the law. Of course, Dillard voted for the video gambling law in his role as a state Senator, so his claim of being unhappy with the bill seems a mixed message juxtaposed with his actual vote on the issue.

Andrzejewski has been a popular campaigner with the rank and file thus far on the hustings. He’s won at least four straw polls in carious parts of the state, three in a row of late. Andrzejewski is a true outsider never having held public office before.

Visit AdamforIllinois.com.

Cook County - Cook County Board - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Cook County Board Race Gets Messy

November 13, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

OK, say you are running for the Cook County Board. And say your daddy is the village clerk in the very district where you are hoping to get a whole slew of by-mail and early votes. Also say your cousin is running for Governor and he’s already the State Comptroller now. Do you think your opponent might casually wonder if the fix is in?

… well, it is Crook County, after all.

Naturally, the above isn’t just some bad TV script, but a real situation in southern Cook County. In Orland Park where Democrat Patrick Maher is running to unseat Commissioner Elizabeth Doody Gorman (R, Or. Park) we find that Maher’s daddy just happens to be David Maher, the Orland Park Village Clerk, and Maher’s cousin just happens to be Dan Hynes, Democratic State Comptroller and current candidate for the Dem. nomination for governor.

Naturally, Commissioner Gorman is a bit wary of the whole situation and is raising some red flags about it all.
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Cook County Board Race Gets Messy”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Free Trade - Illinois - Liberals - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Another Trade Show Dumps Chicago Over Union Ripoffs

November 13, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Another trade show is leaving Chicago this time for Atlanta, Georgia. The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society meeting which has been held in Chicago’s McCormick Convention Center for quite some time is leaving the city due to the high costs that unions force upon its exhibitors.

In October we posted that the Plastics Industry Trade Association is also contemplating fleeing Chicago for southern hospitality for the same reason.

The HIMSS reports that 2009 attendance in Chicago’s McCormick Center was down by 5 percent compared to 2008. Attendance also dropped from 29,100 in 2008 to 27,500 this year. Additionally, HIMSS reports that they lost exhibitors over 2008, as well.
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Another Trade Show Dumps Chicago Over Union Ripoffs”

Budget - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Illinois - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Watch Truth in Accounting CEO on WTTW Ch. 11 7:00 p.m. Tonight

November 12, 2009 by

Chicago – Sheila Weinberg, Founder and CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting, will be featured on Chicago Tonight – WTTW Ch. 11 this evening (November 12) 7:00 p.m. CST. The segment will highlight the budget gimmicks that have heightened Illinois’ current financial crisis. You can also watch the live telecast online at: http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=42,9

Eddie Arruza, Chicago Tonight’s host, will be discussing with Weinberg and the other panelists Beyond California: States in Fiscal Peril, a study recently issued by the Pew Center on the States. This study highlights that Illinois’ budget gap is by far one of the worst in the country.

Prior budget gimmicks have heightened Illinois’ current financial woes. These budgeting shenanigans include floating bonds to pay pension obligations, reliance on borrowing and paying bills late.
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Watch Truth in Accounting CEO on WTTW Ch. 11 7:00 p.m. Tonight”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Health - House of Representatives - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Rev. Hayes Facing Down Jesse Jackson, Jr. in Ill 2

November 12, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Republican Congressional candidate Reverend Isaac Hayes wants to be your 2nd District Representative. But to do that he has to defeat Jesse Jackson, Jr. and a gaggle of Greenies first. And he’s taking Jackson head on.

Hayes, for instance, has signed the “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” from Americans for Tax Reform pledging not to vote to raise taxes should he win office. He challenges Jackson to “renounce the unsustainable, statist spending plans of Speaker Pelosi and to pledge to not raise taxes.” But it isn’t just taxes Hayes is slamming Jackson for.

On Jackson’s vote for the Obamacare bill in the House, Hayes points out that on WVON radio, Jesse Jackson’s own sister, Santita Jackson, said she was “wary” of the 2,000 page healthcare bill. To Santita’s wariness Hayes says, “Mr. Jackson should listen to his big sister because it is apparent he is not listening to other hardworking Americans.”
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Rev. Hayes Facing Down Jesse Jackson, Jr. in Ill 2″

Chicago - Cook County - Cook County Board - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Cook County Board President Forum, Nov. 15 Republicans Excluded

November 12, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Better Government Association of Chicago is hosting a debate between candidates for Cook County Board President. Naturally, the extremely left-leaning Andy Shaw and his merry little group of faux concerned citizens are excluding the Republican candidates in their forum. Perhaps you might want to email the lefty Shaw and ask why he is excluding the two Republican candidates in his faux forum? Email them at countyboardforum@gmail.com or call them at (312) 427-8330.

Who is your choice for President of the Cook County Board? Still not decided? Perhaps you ‘d like to attend a free, live forum of the candidates on Sunday, November 15 at the DePaul Student Center. For details, read the following media advisory from our friends at the Better Government Association (BGA). Note: If you plan to attend, please let them know so that they can best accommodate a large crowd. RSVP to countyboardforum@gmail.com.

The Better Government Association & 43rd Ward Democrats Host Candidates Forum

Andy Shaw, Executive Director of the Better Government Association, will moderate a lively discussion among the Democratic Candidates for President of the Cook County Board: Todd Stroger, the incumbent; Toni Preckwinkle, 4th Ward Alderman; Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court; and Terrence O’Brien, President of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. The debate is a DePaul University Forum. Democratic Committeeman Michele Smith and the 43rd Ward Democrats are hosts of the County Board President Democratic Candidates Forum, which is being held at the DePaul University Center at Belden and Sheffield in Lincoln Park.

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Cook County Board President Forum, Nov. 15 Republicans Excluded”

Chicago - Constitution - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

The Putback Amendment, Putting Voters Back in Charge

November 12, 2009 by

Momentum is building across the State of Illinois for the Putback Amendment. We have volunteers in every corner of the state gathering signatures and just completed a big week of events all across the state. Together we CAN bring reform to Illinois. We all know Springfield will give us more of the same, together we can change the way business is done!

Our biggest needs are volunteers getting signatures and donations. Please consider getting signatures for the amendment before the holidays in your own neighborhoods.

Volunteers Needed in Chicago for Nov 14, 21, and 22!

There are several big events and rallies in Chicago the next two weekends and we need volunteers with petitions to gather signatures there. Some of the events are partisan in nature, but the Magnificent Mile Light Festival is a non-partisan event attended by many in Chicago and the surrounding area. If you have a few hours to spare, please contact John Bambenek at jcb@putbackamendment.com.
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The Putback Amendment, Putting Voters Back in Charge”

Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Liberals - Senate - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Kirk Denies He’s Going Right With Palin Request

November 12, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Mark Kirk is denying that he’s trying to angle rightward in the run up to the GOP primary next year with his recent reaching out to Governor Sarah Palin to secure her endorsement for his candidacy.

“I think I am who I am. I am a social moderate, fiscal conservative. But this is a big race and we are building a broad coalition and it will be, for a Republican candidacy, a center-right coalition, but for me, I haven’t changed my views.”

This is, of course, rather interesting. Kirk is reaching out to conservatives by courting one of their idols in Sarah Palin, yet is also claiming he hasn’t changed his views. It makes one wonder just why a conservative would want to vote for him if he isn’t even interested in paying lipservice to their causes?

In essence, Kirk is saying vote for me… and I’ll ignore all you stand for. After all Kirk’s record is more often center left than center right.
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Kirk Denies He’s Going Right With Palin Request”

2nd Amendment - Anti-Americanism - Chicago - Constitution - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Guns - Liberals - Mayor Richard Daley - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Chgo’s Mayor Daley: Guns, Not Islam, Caused Fort Hood Massacre

November 11, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Just like an unprincipled, self-interested, tin-eared politician, Mayor Richard Daley decided to use the massacre at Fort Hood to flog his prosaic anti-gun message in Chicago.

When asked if Islam had anything at all to do with the Fort Hood massacre and if Muslims might expect some sort of backlash or anti-Islamic movement because of Nidal Hasan’s evil act of terror, Daley replied:

“Every day in society people are getting killed, unfortunately. America loves guns, we love guns to a point that we see the devastation on a daily basis. You don’t blame a group, you don’t blame a society… i,i,immigrant community because of actions of one group, uh one individual, you cannot say that.”

So, guns caused the Fort Hood massacre? Of course, this absurd claim does not square with the Major Hasan’s history of radical Islamism, but, hey, if you can use someone else’s “tragedy” to push your political message… what the heck, eh?So, not only was Daley his usually inarticulate self, but he found himself not above using this crime to push his own particular political message; his anti-gun zealotry.
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Chgo’s Mayor Daley: Guns, Not Islam, Caused Fort Hood Massacre”

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

Jewish Candidate Files Objections Against White Supremacist Opponent

November 11, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Illinois state Representative Julie Hamos (10th District) has filed objections to the filing petitions of Green Party candidate Richard Mayers saying that his petitions lack the required 31 valid signatures. But Rep. Hamos also objects to Mayers’ past white supremacist ties.

Mayers was charged in 2005 with destroying three public library VHS tapes about the Holocaust and with contempt of court for allegedly making a Nazi salute in an Illinois courtroom…

Mayers has been linked to the white supremacist group The Creativity Movement, which terms Jews and all non-white groups “mud races.”

Hamos told reporters that Mayers has “no interest” in “bringing thoughtful or useful discussion” to the race. “He is merely using this opportunity to spread a vile message of hatred and intolerance,” she said.
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Jewish Candidate Files Objections Against White Supremacist Opponent”

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

Last Blago Defender Under Investigation for Petition Violation

November 10, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Poor Deborah Mell can’t catch a break. First she was the lone defender of former Governor Rod Blagojevich during the state legislature’s impeachment procedures earlier this year and now she may lose her seat over a “glitch” in the filing of her nominating petitions.

State election laws require that a candidate be registered to vote at the same address that is claimed as that candidate’s primary residence. Unfortunately for Mell, she is not registered to vote at the address she claims is her primary residence.

Mell’s rival for the 40th District seat, Joe Laiacona, filed a complaint with the Chicago Board of Elections. Apparently, Laiacona took a page out of Barack Obama’s Chicago Way book. If you can’t beat your opponent in a fair election, find the lacuna in an opponents petitions that violates election law and get your opponent thrown off the ballot!

Mell is the sister of Rod Blagojevish’s wife, Patti and daughter of long-time Chicago powerman Alderman Dick Mell (33rd) of Chicago.
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Last Blago Defender Under Investigation for Petition Violation”

Chicago - Cook County - Cook County Board - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Liberals - President - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Minus One: Danny Davis Drops Bid for Cook County Board

November 9, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Too many African Americans running, that is the reason that Congressman Danny Davis (D, Chgo) has decided not to run for Cook County Board President and will instead run for re-election to his 7th District Congressional seat.

He said he did it for “unity” but the real reason that Davis dropped out is because he felt that too many African Americans running for the same seat would spread the votes thin enough that some evil white guy might win the seat.

Currently three other African Americans are running for board president. Incumbent Todd Stroger, Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown, and Alderman Toni Preckwinckle are all vying for the African American community’s support.

Here are the candidates as announced and filed running for Cook County Board President.
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Minus One: Danny Davis Drops Bid for Cook County Board”

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

Ill. Governor’s Debate Video

November 9, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Watch the Illinois GOP Governor’s debate from November 5, courtesy of the Illinois GOP.

Pat Brady, Ill. State Party Chairman, opened with a statement on the state of the state and what the Illinois GOP intends to do henceforth. After that the party began to the tune of the Alan Parson’s Project classic, “Eye in the Sky.” (A bit corny, but it’s all in good fun) Finally WGN Radio’s Chris Roebling, debate moderator, started the night’s event.

Participating are Adam Andrzejewski, Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard, Andy McKenna, Dan Proft, Jim Ryan, and Bob Schillerstrom.

Abortion - Barack Obama - Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Health - Illinois - Liberals - President - Republicans - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

How Your Illinois Reps Voted on Stupak’s Abortion Amendment

November 8, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

One of the compromises that Speaker of the House Pelosi made to smooth the waters for her healthcare legislation was the Bart Stupak (D, Mich.) Amendment that stripped abortion funding from the healthcare legislation.

So which of our Illinois Representatives voted in support of the Stupak amendment?

  • Dan Lipinski (D, 3rd)
  • Peter Roskam (R,6th)
  • Mark Kirk (R,10th)
  • Jerry Costello (D,12th)
  • Judy Biggert (R,13th)
  • Timothy Johnson (R,15th)
  • Donald Manzullo (R,16th)
  • Aaron Schock (R,18th)
  • John Shimkus (R,19th)

And on the final vote, only Lipinski and Costello went on to vote “yes” for Pelosicare.

(For a nice little web resource on Illinois Congressmen, check out www.govtrack.us/congress/findyourreps.)

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - Health - House of Representatives - Illinois - President - Republicans - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Some Comments from Illinois Candidates on Pelosi’s Bare Win on Healthcare

November 8, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Several Republicans and candidates here in Illinois have spoken out on the passage of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s version of Obamacare. Here are a few of them (in no particular order).

Republican State Chairman, Patrick Brady, warned Illinois Democrats that what they have wrought is “wrong for Illinois.”

Today is a disappointing day for Illinoisans as Nancy Pelosi, Melissa Bean, Debbie Halvorson and Bill Foster ignored the concerns of voters and rammed a trillion dollar 1,990 page government-run health care bill through Congress ignoring pledges of transparency and bi-partisanship. Illinois for generations will be forced to deal with the consequences of this legislation that increases health care costs, increases taxes on small businesses and the middle class, cuts Medicare and puts a Washington bureaucrat between you and your doctor.

Joe Walsh, candidate for the 8th Congressional District, took the occasion to accuse incumbent Democrat Bean of proving she is a left-winger.
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Some Comments from Illinois Candidates on Pelosi’s Bare Win on Healthcare”

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

Cook Cnty Board President Loses Powers

November 8, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

For months early this year, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger repeatedly beat back attempts to repeal his onerous sales tax hike that saw Cook County become the highest taxed county in the country at 10.25 percent. The reason president Stroger was able to do this so easily is because the law stated that opponents of the President needed to get four fifths of their fellows to overturn a Stroger veto.

This four-fifths rule has traditionally given the board president nearly unassailable powers as marshaling four fifths of the board to oppose the board president is a herculean task. But now that power has been taken away from the county board president by the governor of the state when Pat Quinn signed new legislation that would change the law from a four-fifths majority to three-fifths.

On Saturday, Quinn signed the new three-fifths rule into law. Quinn said that he is not signing this law to spite Stroger or anyone else. He said he signed it because it was a “fair” law that brought Cook County into line with the rest of the state.

Campaign Finance - Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - Senate - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Dem. Senate Candidate Uses Palin Against Mark Kirk

November 7, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Democrat Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias is trying to use Mark Kirk’s approach of Sarah Palin for an endorsement against him. Giannoulias is attempting to use the Kirk/Palin incident as a fund raising tool.

A few days ago, we reported that Mark Kirk sent a letter to Governor Sarah Palin challenging her to support his candidacy for the GOP nomination for Barack Obama’s old Illinois Senate seat. It seems unlikely that Kirk will receive Palin’s endorsement, though. Being far, far too liberal Kirk is hardly Palin’s sort of Republican.

But Giannoulias thinks that even the slightest connection with Palin will drive his fundraising. The Democrat sent the following email to his supporters (bold in the original):
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Dem. Senate Candidate Uses Palin Against Mark Kirk”

Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Senate - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Chgo Trib’s Bios of Ill. GOP Senate Candidates

November 7, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Chicago Tribune has put out a few short bios of the current candidates for Illinois Senate on the GOP side of the aisle. And I do mean short. They are more like just an announcement of the candidate’s campaign than a bio. They contain links to the candidates web resources, though. Nonetheless, here are the links:

John Arrington

Patrick Hughes

Mark Kirk

Tom Kuna

Don Lowery

Andy Martin

Ed Varga

Robert Zadek

Not yet covered is Kathleen Thomas‘ campaign.
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Chgo Trib’s Bios of Ill. GOP Senate Candidates”

Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Free Trade - GOP - Illinois - Liberals - President - Republicans - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Video: Cook County Board Presidents Candidate Debate

November 6, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

John Garrido only Republican to attend

Several of the candidates for Cook County Board President attended a debate hosted by The Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA). It was filmed by Chicago’s ABC News.

In attendance were Republican candidate, John Garrido, current Democrat incumbent Todd Stroger, Democrats Ald. Toni Preckwinkle, and Metro Water Reclam. Dist. Pres. Terrence O’Brien, as well as Green Party candidate Tom Tresser.

Sadly, Republican candidate Roger Keats did not participate. Also not attending were Democrats Dorothy Brown, and Danny Davis — likely because Davis has not yet officially announced his candidacy. Also not attending was Greenie Sean Burke.
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Video: Cook County Board Presidents Candidate Debate”

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

Jobs, Education Highlight State GOP Debate

November 6, 2009 by

From the Kirk Dillard camp:

(Chicago, IL) – Jobs, healthcare, education and the legacy of Abraham Lincoln highlighted Thursday’s debate among the Republican candidates for Illinois governor. The debate was sponsored by the Illinois State Republican Party and held in Chicago.

Senator Kirk Dillard championed his “Destination Economy” plan to attract new business to the state. “It will be the most ambitious job creation plan in state history,” he said, reminding the audience one out of every 10 Illinois workers is out of a job.

Dillard also suggested healthcare would be part of his budget reforms in Springfield if elected governor. “My first budget will have a bad dose of medicine for Medicaid,” said Dillard, talking about some of the places he will look for significant budget cuts. Other areas include the state pension system. “We need pension reform,” he said.
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Jobs, Education Highlight State GOP Debate”

Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Free Trade - Freedom - GOP - Illinois - Liberals - President - Socialism - Society/Culture - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Nov. 7th Chicago Tea Party Near Midway Airport

November 6, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Chicago News Bench gives us the skinny on a Tea Party event coming this weekend:

The next big Tea Party in the Windy City will be one mile away from Midway Airport, in the Wentworth Park neighborhood (map). It’s over by dere…

DETAILS:
On Saturday, November 7, Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Wentworth Park, 5700 S. Narragansett (map) (at W. 57th Street)
Hot coffee, hot chocolate and bottled water will be available.

Contact: Catherina Wojtowicz, (312) 662-8666,
ChicagoTeaPatriots@Gmail.com and ChicagoTeaPatriots website

Jim McMahon writes:

We have a great line up of speakers and entertainment. We will also host an open mic session so if you have something you would like to share, please feel welcome! We will be convening in the heartland of Congressman Dan Lipinski’s district — the ONLY democratic congressman in the state of Illinois who is poised to vote NO on socialized medicine!

Congress - Elections - Health - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

8th District: Maria Rodriguez To Host Townhall (Repub. Opposing Rep. Bean)

November 5, 2009 by

Maria Rodriguez, a candidate for the GOP nomination for the 8th Congressional District hoping to face Rep. Melissa Bean (D), will be holding a townhall meeting this weekend, November 7th.

The event will be held beginning at 3PM at Hackney’s restaurant in Lake Zurich.

Hackney’s
880 N Old Rand Rd Lake Zurich, IL 60047
(847) 438-2103

Rodriguez has recently begun her second term leading the Village of Long Grove and has an economics degree from the University of Illinois.

Rodriguez’ website: www.mariarodriguezforcongress.com

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

David Ratowitz Vows to Support State and Individual Sovereignty Rights

November 5, 2009 by

Illinois Congressional District 5 challenger signs Tenth Amendment Center Pledge

David Ratowitz, candidate for U.S. Congress to represent Illinois’ 5th Congressional District, today signed the Tenth Amendment Center’s 10-point pledge for prospective and current federal officeholders. The pledge aims to bolster support for the 1791 Bill of Rights component that affirms the U.S. Constitution’s principle of federalism, stating that, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.”
 

“The reason that our founding fathers signed the Constitution and deliberately limited the power of the central government was to prevent just the sort of government-induced breakdown that we face today,” explains Ratowitz. “As a nation of free and independent citizens, we must choose elected officials who pledge to uphold the established laws of the land and honor local authority.”
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David Ratowitz Vows to Support State and Individual Sovereignty Rights”