Cook+County

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

Steve Rauschenberger Endorses Bill Cadigan for Ill. 10th

October 21, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Bill Cadigan is running for the 10th Congressional District and former State Senator Steve Raushcenberger was kind enough to make a little YouTube video to express his support for Cadigan’s candidacy.

The 10th District is north of O’Hare airport and encompasses Arlington Heights, Glenview and Wilmette on its southern edge and Waukegan and North Chicago in its northern part.

Cadigan’s campaign website is cadiganforcongress.com.

He also has a FaceBook page.
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Steve Rauschenberger Endorses Bill Cadigan for Ill. 10th”

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

Joe Walsh Becomes Official Candidate – Leaps to the Front in GOP Fundraising for 8th District Seat

October 19, 2009 by

A late entry into the race for the 8th Congressional District:

Lake Zurich, IL — The Joe Walsh for Congress Exploratory Committee is filing its paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission today. Joe Walsh is now an official candidate for the 8th District seat currently held by Melissa Bean and has begun raising the funds necessary to compete in the February Republican primary.

Mr. Walsh has spent the last few weeks meeting with voters, Republican Party officials, and conservative activists to assess the race. After an overwhelmingly positive response, Walsh formed an exploratory committee, launched a website (joewalshforcongress.com), evaluated campaign staff, and began collecting financial pledges for his potential run.
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Joe Walsh Becomes Official Candidate – Leaps to the Front in GOP Fundraising for 8th District Seat”

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

Suddenly, Mayor Daley is Pandering Against Taxes?

October 18, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Olympics was going to save the day. Then President Obama and wife Michelle made fools of themselves telling the Olympic committee how the Olympics would make them happy because they love sports, and they sat on their daddy’s laps watching sports, and they really, really, really love the Olympics. One vote and out was the president’s reward for wasting millions of the taxpayer’s money flying them to Copenhagen.

This presented a major problem for Mayor Daley, soon to run for reelection. He was hoping against hope that the Olympics would sweep into Chicago and save his floundering budget. The infusion of cash stolen from the American taxpayers and state taxpayers both would have floated King Daley’s criminal enterprises for another few years at least and make his election a dream.

But that pipe dream has gone up in smoke, hasn’t it?
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Suddenly, Mayor Daley is Pandering Against Taxes?”

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

Ill. GOP Again Moves to Safeguard Privileges of Leadership

October 17, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The leaders of the Democrat Party in Illinois are elected by their voters. The leaders of the Republicans are not. And the GOP leaders want to keep it that way!

So, once again, we see GOP leader Tom Cross pushing back efforts to give S.B.600 a proper debate and a chance at a floor vote. We reported on Thursday that S.B.600 was slated for a third reading and a possible debate and vote in Springfield, but privilege spoke against the bill once again.

Tom Cross blamed the Democrats. He said they were trying to create “distractions” and that they were “meddling” in Republican affairs by supporting the effort to bring S.B.600 to the floor. Cross said it was “punishment.”
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Ill. GOP Again Moves to Safeguard Privileges of Leadership”

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

Breaking: Ill. Legislature to Consider Allowing GOP Voters to Pick Party Leaders

October 15, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

As the law stands right now, Republican voters in Illinois cannot choose their own party leaders. Party leaders now are chosen by Republican committeemen, not the voters. But there has been a bill in the State Senate that has for years been trying to change that. Now it seems that SB600 is a bit closer to finally being allowed a floor debate.

SB600 is on the docket for a third reading and debate tomorrow, October 16. Usually after a third reading a vote is called. This is the furthest the bill has gotten to passage in its years-long journey.

To be sure, it isn’t thanks to the efforts of the Republican leadership. They’ve fought tooth-and-nail to kill this bill and stop the voters from being able to affect their places of privilege. That the voters could place them in their positions of power is anathema to the state party leadership. They have wanted to avoid the voters at all costs.
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Breaking: Ill. Legislature to Consider Allowing GOP Voters to Pick Party Leaders”

Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Liberals - Society/Culture - State Government - The Law - Warner Todd Huston

Governor Recall Initiative Approved!

October 15, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The State legislature has approved a governor recall initiative for the 2010 ballot today.

When Illinois voters go to the polls in 2010 they will have the opportunity to vote to amend the Illinois Constitution to allow for a recall of an errant governor… finally.

In November of 2010, if 60 percent of Illinois voters vote “yes,” Illinois will at last be able to rid themselves of the sort of criminals with whom it has so often been saddled.

The current initiative, though, will not create a simple “vote them out” process to eliminate a criminal governor. Several provisions will have to be satisfied to facilitate the removal of a governor. One requirement will be that 30 legislators will have to vote to remove; 20 State Reps and 10 Senators (and no more than half of those voting must be of the same party).

Another one of the provisions is that the citizens must raise signatures on a removal petition counting 15 percent of the total number of voters that voted in the previous election. This petition will have a five month period for the names to be gathered.
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Governor Recall Initiative Approved!”

Chicago - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Illinois - Liberals - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Jim Ryan Launches Website for Gov Race

October 15, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

In a step closer to formally entering the race for the GOP nomination for Illinois governor, former AG Jim Ryan has launched a Ryan for Governor website. Ryan is styling himself the "Anti-Blagojevich."

www.jimryan2010.com/

With a late entrant into the campaign, Ryan’s bid could shake up the field. Ryan’s polling claims that he is running even with Democrat candidate Dan Hynes and trails incumbent Governor Pat Quinn by only five points.

Of course, Ryan’s last name is a drawback. He is unfortunate enough to share the same last name as the now imprisoned former Governor George Ryan (though no relation). Jim Ryan was last involved in state politics when he ran for Governor against Rod Blagojevich in 2002 and his last name dragged him down even then.

There is one other problem with Jim Ryan’s history. Rich Miller reminds us that it is embodied in two words: Stu Levine.

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Jim Ryan Launches Website for Gov Race”

Chicago - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Liberals - State Government - The Law - Warner Todd Huston

Local Lawmakers Votes on Cook County Tax Repeal Bill

October 15, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Daily Herald posted the votes of the Chicago area legislators on the bill to repeal the Cook County sales tax hike.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House voted 65-51 to reject a plan that would have repealed the Cook County sales tax increase and required voter support for such tax increases. The proposal needed 71 votes for approval.

Local House members voting “yes”:
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Local Lawmakers Votes on Cook County Tax Repeal Bill”

ACORN - Anti-Americanism - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Communism - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Free Speech - Free Trade - Health - Illinois - Journalism - Liberals - Socialism - State Government - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Brave Mom Fights Forced Unionization and Gov. Quinn

October 15, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

We’ve been reporting to you of the outrageous under-the-radar actions of Governor Pat Quinn and his Executive Order 9-15. This EO both handed the private information of Illinois citizens to unions and set up a payoff for his union supporters by automatically unionizing hundreds of Illinois home healthcare workers whether they want to be unionized or not.

Well, one mother is fighting back. Pam Harris serves as the primary care specialist for her developmentally disabled son and in so doing receives some helpful funds from the state for that purpose. When she found out that Quinn’s EO gave her personal information to several unions she was concerned. And when she later found out that she would have to pay dues to a union even if she didn’t want to join one she became incensed.

In a report on our local Fox affiliate, Harris said, “When my doorbell rings at eleven thirty Sunday morning and there’s two people in purple shirts, one from California, one from Virginia– nice enough young people– nice enough, but that’s an invasion of my privacy.”

Harris is sure that no union will benefit her.
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Brave Mom Fights Forced Unionization and Gov. Quinn”

Budget - Business - Chicago - Cook County - Economy/Finances - Elections - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Taxes: Which Dillard Are We Talking About?

October 14, 2009 by

Gubernatorial candidate Dan Proft Responds to Kirk Dillard’s Duplicity on Tax Increases

(Chicago, IL) – In response to State Sen. Kirk Dillard’s duplicitous comments on tax increases Monday, conservative Republican candidate for Governor Dan Proft released the following statement:
On Monday, Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass reported that State Sen. Kirk Dillard “insists that raising taxes during a recession, after thousands of private-sector jobs have left for Indiana and other neighboring states, would be economic suicide for Illinois.”

According to Kass, the two met on Monday night, the same day Sen. Dillard held a press conference to accept the endorsement of former Gov. Jim Edgar. When asked about tax increases during that press conference, however, Sen. Dillard said, “I think you have to keep every option open.”
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Taxes: Which Dillard Are We Talking About?”

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

Gov. Race: Schillerstrom Signs the No-Tax Pledge

October 14, 2009 by

Gubernatorial candidate Bob Schillerstrom recently signed the No-Tax Pledge sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform.

Schillerstrom, current DuPage County Board President, joins several other candidates for governor in signing a pledge that promises not to raise taxes once in office. Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard have both signed the No-Tax Pledge in the past.

Bob Schillerstrom’s campaign website.

Chicago - Constitution - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Liberals - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Governor Recall Amendment

October 13, 2009 by

-By Eric Odom

In short… there’s a very good chance we’ll have the right to recall a sitting Governor as soon as November 2010. That is, of course, if the Illinois Governor Recall Amendment (2010) passes.

The Illinois Governor Recall Amendment, also known as House Joint Constitutional Amendment 31, will appear on the November 2010 ballot in Illinois.

The proposal would allow voters to recall the governor and require that at least 20 state representatives and 10 state senators, equally balanced from each party in each chamber, sign a notice of intent to recall the governor before a petition can begin to be circulated.

If Illinois lawmakers approve the recall, voters will make the final decision on the issue in November 2010.

What a novel idea… give the people the decision on this at the ballot box. I would prefer see recall provisions across the board, not just for the Governor, but this is a start.
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Illinois Governor Recall Amendment”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Free Speech - Free Trade - Freedom - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - Rights - State Government - Taxes - Tea Party - The Law - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago Tea Party: Special Conference Call Wednesday

October 12, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The American Liberty Alliance has announced a special conference call in order to plan the next round of Illinois Tax Day Tea Party events to be held Wednesday, October 14 starting at 6PM central time.

We have some HUGE things on the table for Tax Day Tea Party of 2010. Please check out the links below and make sure you’re plugged in for the upcoming updates.

APRIL 15 TAX DAY TEA PARTY PLANNING CALL
Join us on the evening of Wednesday, October 14th at 6:00 PM Central time.

You can RSVP via Facebook here:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165494786760

OFFICIAL CHICAGO TAX DAY TEA PARTY WEBSITE
We’re making significant changes to the website over the next few weeks so keep an eye on it and stay tuned for updates.

http://www.OfficialChicagoTeaParty.com

NEW FACEBOOK GROUP
Join us in the new Official Chicago Tea Party Facebook group here.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=152052919129

RSVP for the Chicago Tea Party on April 15th here
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165494786760&index=1

For Liberty, Eric Odom

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Chicago Tea Party: Special Conference Call Wednesday”

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

Edgar Endorses Dillard for Gov.

October 12, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The rumors of late last week have proven founded. Former Governor Jim Edgar has, indeed, endorsed State Senator Kirk Dillard for the GOP nomination for Governor.

Mr. Edgar said that Dillard’s experience as his legislative aide during the budget crisis of the 1990s makes Dillard the perfect candidate to face today’s challenges.

In response to the ex-governor’s endorsement, Senator Dillard said:

I am humbled and honored to have the full support of my friend and mentor Jim Edgar. We worked together when times were tough when the governor took office. We inherited a mountain of debt back then and left a surplus in the bank.

State Senator Bill Brady, a rival for the GOP nomination and here-to-for frontrunner, quipped that his candidacy is “about tomorrow, not yesterday.”
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Edgar Endorses Dillard for Gov.”

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

The Courier: Rauschenberger a ‘Ray of Light’

October 12, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

There is an interesting editorial in The Courier-News of the Elgin area. It is written by columnist Jeff Ward who finds himself quite excited that former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger has decided to make another run at his old 22nd District Senate seat.

Warning that he isn’t the “liberal Democrat” that many of the readers might imagine — I’ll leave that one alone, myself — Ward sings the praises of Mr. Rauschenberger calling him a “ray of light.”

Thankfully, there is an exception to every rule, and a recent ray of light managed to pierce the political pessimism. It comes in the guise of Elgin resident and former 22nd District state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger announcing a run for his old Senate seat.

Now, I won’t go on as if Ward is some moral authority on local or national politics. He obviously does parrot the ill-informed far, left wacko extreme with his impression of the so-called neo-cons and what they did or didn’t do on the national scene. But, Ward is exactly right about Rauschenberger. Steve is a serious, informed man that would do a great job (once again) as the State Senator of the 22nd District.

So, mark me as standing in agreement with Jeff Ward on at least one thing. Steve Rauschenberger is the best candidate for the 22nd District.

Steve’s FaceBook Page.
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The Courier: Rauschenberger a ‘Ray of Light’”

Children - Cook County - Crime - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

GOP Comptroller Candidate’s Offices Burglarized

October 12, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

William Kelly, a Republican candidate for the Comptroller’s Office, found his offices broken into in Chicago over the weekend.

Kelly and his staff were out circulating petitions when he said the burglary took place in the building on North Milwaukee. He says voter maps, a volunteer list and alcohol were taken, and the door frame was damaged.

Kelly did not say outright that political motives were behind the break-in, but he did note that some key documents and political information was taken.
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GOP Comptroller Candidate’s Offices Burglarized”

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

Lt. Gov Candidate Tracy Talks Jobs

October 11, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Don Tracy is running for Lt. Governor and the Daily Leader of Pontiac had the opportunity to have a few words with the candidate this week. Tracy’s main message: jobs, jobs, jobs.

On his Campaign website Tracy tells the electorate that “for too long, Illinois has been steering a liberal course” and recommends a change in direction and one of those changes, he told the Daily Leader, is a reform of workman’s comp.

“This state is hemorrhaging jobs,” Tracy told reporters.

“All the employment possibilities are going to other states.

“Employment in this state was bad before 2003 when former Gov. Rod Blagojevich took office, and it only got worse during his years in office. I will work to see workman’s compensation reform in Illinois and I believe that will bring more jobs here.”

Tracy says that the reform of workman’s comp would be a ticket to make our state more attractive for new businesses to come to Illinois.
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Lt. Gov Candidate Tracy Talks Jobs”

Chicago - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Illinois - Jobs - Liberals - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Mayor Daley: How a Politician Lies

October 11, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

This week we’ve seen King Daley’s desperate attempt to get past his deep humiliation on losing the 2016 Olympics after spending so many years trying to convince the world that his corrupt kingdom was the ideal place for the games. The King’s brilliant idea was to reveal how he was going to save the city from its epidemic of youth violence.

A Chicago Tribune story reported the diminutive King’s plan to cure the city of violence in the wake of the death of a student near Fenger High school.

emphasized that families and parents need to take responsibility, but he also said the city would seek jobs for youths and expand current intervention programs in an attempt to address youth violence in Chicago.

Well, that is just a plain lie, Mr. Daley. It’s all just happy talk and BS, sir.

First of all, a Mayor cannot make any jobs, so the “seek jobs” line is so much stuff and nonsense. But wait, you may ask, can’t he make city jobs for these needy folks? Not really. In fact, the Chicago Reader has detailed how many jobs the city has had to cut because of budget shortfalls.

According to payroll records, the administration cut 2,245 jobs between March 2008 and October 2009, reducing the total city workforce to 36,296.

The Kingie can’t even produce any make-work city jobs for people… unless he wants to fire the children of his mobbed-up buddies that already have all the fake, make-work city jobs, that is.

So the city is going bankrupt, King Daley didn’t get his graft infusion by getting the Olympics, and all he can do is go begging to President Obama for some leavings from the federal table and hope he can make do with that.
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Mayor Daley: How a Politician Lies”

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

Mark Vargas: ‘Foster’s Proposal Amounts to a Band-Aid’

October 10, 2009 by

Mark Vargas is running to obtain the GOP nomination for the 14th District’s Congressional seat. Now he’s looking to criticize the Democrat that currently holds that seat.

While the United States continues to suffer through the harsh economic reality, Congressman Bill Foster, Nancy Pelosi, and the Democrat controlled Congress continue to propose superfluous temporary fix-it gimmicks when meaningful reform is needed. While today’s call for an extension of the $8,000 tax credit to first time home owners is intended to stimulate the housing market, the credit only serves as a band-aid rather than address the true causes of the housing crash. During the last year Congress has attempted to skirt the real issues facing our country by offering quick fixes. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and solve the root problems that have led our nation down the wrong path.

For the past 3 years the housing market has been in a free fall, with potential homeowners restricted from purchasing their homes due to fear of job loss. Families are unwilling or unable to make this enormous investment in their future when they are unsure when or where their next paycheck will be coming. It is fitting that Foster chose Aurora for his press conference, a city hard struck by unemployment and foreclosures.
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Mark Vargas: ‘Foster’s Proposal Amounts to a Band-Aid’”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - Illinois - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

In Focus: Steve Kim, Republican for Attorney General

October 10, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Mundelein area resident Steve Kim announced his effort to become the next Illinois Attorney General not long ago. Thus far he’s the only Republican candidate announced for the position. In an election where nearly every race, both state-wide and local, has a plethora of candidates coming out of the woodwork, Kim’s entrance in the race as the lone GOP candidate shows how solid the GOP thinks current AG Lisa Madigan’s (D) bid for reelection is.

Initially, long-time GOP DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett was going to run when it was assumed by many that Madigan would vacate her office for a run for U.S. Senate or the governor’s ofice.

The Chicago Tribune reported:

Kim served a fellowship in Gov. Jim Edgar’s administration and went on to work in international trade relations in state government. He also served as Edgar’s advisor on Asian affairs. Later, Kim was elected to the Northfield Township board and held executive positions with the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, AT&T and Time Warner Cable.

Steve Kim is a Korean-American and also belongs to a number of Korean-American groups in Chicago and the Midwest.

Steve Kim’s campaign website: stevekimforag.com.

Steve Kim’s FaceBook page.

For more information on Kim’s race:

Email: info@SteveKimForAG.com

Office Location: Citizens for Steve Kim, 1906 Armwood, Lane Mundelein, IL
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In Focus: Steve Kim, Republican for Attorney General”

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

Former Gov. Edgar Endorsing Dillard?

October 9, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Well, if it pans out, this would be pretty big news for the Kirk Dillard campaign for the GOP nomination for Illinois governor.

Many sources are now reporting that Republican Governor Jim Edgar is preparing to give State Senator Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale his endorsement. Jim Edgar was the last popular Republican governor and has constantly been floated as a candidate for Senate and other offices since he finished his term in Springfield in 1999.

Mr. Edgar has a much respected reputation on both sides of the political aisle.

Senator Dillard is a former aide of former governor Edgar.

If Dillard secures Edgar’s endorsement this would be a great shot in the arm for a campaign that has thus far not caught fire. Of course, if Dillard gets this endorsement, expect that it will become one more bullet point in his constant droning of his resume at every appearance.

One thing is sure, if Dillard wants to become governor, he’d better start having some actual meat to his campaign. The laundry list, resume recitation is quite tiresome, indeed.

Kirk Dillard’s website.
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Former Gov. Edgar Endorsing Dillard?”

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

Illinois GOP Chief Sets Aggressive Agenda for Victory

October 9, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Earlier this week, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady addressed the City Club of Chicago.

Here is the text of his prepared remarks:

“My rise to the leadership of the Illinois Republican Party and within the Republican National Committee has been fast – and somewhat of a surprise.

Although I never contemplated a leadership role in party politics, I have been active in supporting Republican candidates since 1970 when I first walked precinct 27 in Bloomington with my Dad.

In 1999—after continually working on a variety of races and fundraisers— State Representative Jim Durkin called me at work one evening and asked if I wanted to accompany him and “this guy from Arizona who is running for President” as they tried to fundraise in Illinois. I had met Senator McCain in 1984 and thought even back then he would be a good President — so I agreed to help. This began my 10-year effort on behalf of the McCain for President campaign.
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Illinois GOP Chief Sets Aggressive Agenda for Victory”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Liberals - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Cook Sales Tax Brings State Legislature Action

October 9, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

There are two bills that would help the majority of the members of the Cook County Board roll back President Todd Stroger’s (D) sales-tax increase currently waiting approval in the Illinois House after winning committee support on October 7.

The problem is that the rule for overturning a veto by the board president is a four-fifths majority requirement put in place in the 1870s to prevent board members that resided in the City of Chicago from dominating over the suburban members. As the interests of city Democrats have coincided more often with those of suburban Democrats, however, this requirement has recently placed more power in the board president’s hands.

The bills now about to hit the floor in the Illinois House would change the four-fifths requirement immediately. This, says Stroger spokesman Derek Blaida, is likely unconstitutional. Blaida argued that changing the rules in the middle of President Stroger’s term was improper.

This Summer an attempt by the County Board to overturn Stroger’s veto of their sales-tax roll back did not succeed even with 13 out of 17 of the commissioners backing the effort.
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Cook Sales Tax Brings State Legislature Action”

ACORN - Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Illinois - Liberals - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

How ACORN Hides Behind Fake Names

October 9, 2009 by 5 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Many states have ways to look up the businesses, organizations and people with whom the state does business. Illinois has such a service on the Secretary of State’s website.

In Illinois there is a way to search the folks the state does business with on a page titled Corporate/LLC Search / Certificate of Good Standing. There you can input the name of a corporation or LLC and find out the address of its offices, its registered manager’s name, etc.

Sadly, this feature is not easy to use. The problem is you have to know the actual name of the corporation you are looking for. Of course, if you don’t really know what you are looking for you just cannot find anything useful.

The problem with the Illinois search system is that groups like ACORN register hundreds of different shell corporations to hide behind. They register them to their workers and their directors and then they offer them to government as a vendor or organization for the state’s use. Naturally, state funds flow like water into ACORN’s coffers as a result.
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How ACORN Hides Behind Fake Names”

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

Peraica Wants Investigation Into Stroger’s Hiring of Law Firm

October 8, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Commissioner Tony Peraica posted a notice on Twitter today about the growing controversy over Cook County Board President Todd Stroger’s hiring of the law firm of Mayer Brown, LLP, to investigate the county’s finances.

Peraica posted the following:

NEWS FLASH: Com. Tony Peraica requests SA Anita Alvarez to begin quo warranto proceedings against Todd Stroger over Mayer Brown, LLP hiring.

As the Chicago Tribune reported on October 5, Stroger obtained the funds to pay this law firm by invoking an “emergency purchase” power. The hiring was not presented to the county board for approval.

At that time, Peraica scorned Stroger’s unilateral actions.

“This is, in my view, an inappropriate and wasteful expenditure of scarce taxpayer dollars,” Peraica said.

Mayer Brown was hired to probe the county’s finances after a it was announced that a grand jury had expanded its investigation into county expenditures.
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Peraica Wants Investigation Into Stroger’s Hiring of Law Firm”

Cook County - Elections - Illinois - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Blogger Makes Bid for 62nd District

October 7, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Paul Mitchell of Hainesville has been running the Thoughts of a Regular Guy blog for at least 6 years at this point. Now, he’s decided to stop opining and start doing and so Mitchell recently announced a run for the 62nd District’s House seat in Springfield.

Mitchell has signed American’s for Tax Reform’s no-tax pledge, and has already spoken at several events in the area.

Mitchell is the second long-time blogger in Illinois that has stepped away from the keyboard to throw a hat in the ring. Matt Burden of the blog BlackFive is running for the 41st District seat.

Look for Paul Mitchell for the General Assembly, 62nd District on the web.
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Illinois Blogger Makes Bid for 62nd District”

Cook County - GOP - Illinois - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Cook County and Naperville Nix Video Gambling

October 7, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Some news on the video gambling front. When the Ill. Legislature passed the OK for video gambling it included an opt out clause. Many cities and counties across the state are in the process of deciding if they want video gambling in their jurisdictions. This week, both Cook County and the city of Naperville decided that “no” is their choice.

The Cook County Board ruled on Tuesday that video gambling will be banned in unincorporated areas with an amendment by Commissioner Bridget Gainer of Chicago. The amendment won by a 10-4 vote.

Also on Tuesday, the City of Naperville voted 7-0 to ban video gambling within the city limits.

The new ordinance councilmen approved says the machines would “present a variety of adverse impacts on the residents of Naperville including the potential for corruption, impact on the costs of law enforcement, regulatory difficulties and high social costs.”

For more information, check out the website of Illinois Church Action.
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Cook County and Naperville Nix Video Gambling”

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

Website Lists of Illinois GOP State Wide Candidates

October 7, 2009 by

U.S. Senate

John Arrington – arringtonforsenate.com

Patrick Hughes – patrickhughesforsenate.com

Mark Kirk – kirkforsenate.com

Tom Kuna – w-e-r-co.com

Don Lowery – judgelowery4ussenate.com

Andy Martin – andyforussenator.com

Kathleen Thomas – kathleenthomasforsenate.org

Ed Varga – e-varga.com

Eric Wallace – wallaceforillinois.com

Robert Zadek – robertzadek.com

U.S. House

Peter Roskam – oskamforcongress.com

Governor

Adam Andrzejewski – adamforillinois.com

Bill Brady – bradyforillinois.com

Kirk Dillard – dillardforgovernor.com

Frank Edwards – edwardsforillinoisgovernor.com (Pulled out of race)

Andy McKenna – mckennagov.com

Dan Proft – proft2010.com

Bob Schillerstrom – bobschillerstrom.com

Lieutenant Governor

Brad Cole – teambrad.com

Dennis Cook – citizensforcook.com

Deb Leticia Gordils – debforillinois.com

Matt Murphy – murphy2010.com

Jason Plummer – jasonplummer.com

Don Tracy – tracyforillinois.com

Randy White – randy4ltgov.com

Attorney General

Steve Kim – stevekimforag.com

Secretary of State

Robert Enriquez – enriquez2010.us

Comptroller

Jim Dodge – jimdodge2010.com

William Kelly – friendsofwilliamjkelly.com

Judy Baar Topinka – udybarrtopinka.com

Treasurer

Dan Rutherford – danrutherford.org

ACORN - Budget - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Illinois - Journalism - Liberals - Media Bias - President - SEIU - Socialism - State Government - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Families Forced Into Unions Courtesy of Gov. Quinn

October 7, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Governor Pat Quinn signed Executive Order number 09-15 earlier in the year. This order gave the state government the OK to hand over the private information — the addresses, names, and telephone numbers — of hundreds of families that have developmentally disabled children and other family members with chronic medical problems in their homes. Many of these people are considered home-based healthcare workers by the state and they receive state aid to help them take care of their disabled family members.

Unions like the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) are salivating to take some of this money out of the pockets of these needy Illinois citizens that only want a little help to take care of family members with major and costly medical problems.

Now, with the signing of EO 09-15, Governor Pat Quinn has given these unions the “in” they need to accost these citizens in their homes or on the phone in order to cajole them into joining their unions. Once these unions get done bothering Illinois citizens in their homes, thanks to being given private addresses by Quinn, they will then begin to reap the reward of millions of dollars in forced dues remittances.

Quinn has also agreed that these unions will get a portion of these citizen’s state aid whether they join a union or not.
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Illinois Families Forced Into Unions Courtesy of Gov. Quinn”

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

Jim Ryan Mulling a Run for Governor?

October 6, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

It’s all over the news today here in Chicago, but former Attny. Gen. Jim Ryan has launched an exploratory committee in order to lay the groundwork for a possible Ryan for Governor campaign.

Ryan last tried to run as the GOP nominee for governor against Democrat Rod Blagojevich in 2002. He’s since served as a distinguished fellow at Benedictine University.

He expects to make a final decision very soon,” said Dan Curry, who was Ryan’s spokesman when he was attorney general and said he was authorized by Ryan to speak on his behalf. “He’s making a final decision with his family.”

I have to say that this is not good news. Oh, I am not necessarily against Jim Ryan. He was a perfectly fine candidate back in 2002. But he is old guard and old guard will not excite the voters in 2010. The Illinois GOP is missing an opportunity to bring a fresh, bold face to the voters if they fall back to another Ryan candidacy.

Just that name “Ryan,” regardless of which Ryan it is assigned to, will cause voters to roll their eyes and envision the same old, same old. This is not a recipe for victory in 2010.
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Jim Ryan Mulling a Run for Governor?”