Illinois

Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Pat Brady - Republicans - Rod Blagojevich - Warner Todd Huston

GOP Boss Pat Brady: ‘We Won’t Make Big Deal of Blago Verdict.’… Ill. GOP Being the Stupid Party Again?

August 17, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

On WBEZ radio the Chairman of the Illinois GOP made an odd statement. He told the radio station that he didn’t think the Illinois GOP was going to make a big deal out of the upcoming verdict in troubled Democrat Governor Rod Blagojevich’s trial.

Not make a big deal of it? Why in the name of all things political would the leader of a Party throw away one of the best things that could happen to his party: the conviction of the other party’s head man?

When asked about the Blago verdict, Brady said, “You know, we could make a lot of political hay out of it. I don’t think we will, because [I’ll] just [be] relieved it’s over.”

We won’t make any political hay out of it?

Unbelievable.
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GOP Boss Pat Brady: ‘We Won’t Make Big Deal of Blago Verdict.’… Ill. GOP Being the Stupid Party Again?”

Budget - Chicago - Constitution - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Government - Health - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Lake County - Liberals - Melissa Bean - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Congressman Melissa “No Questions Please” Bean And Her Intimidating Enforcers

August 17, 2010 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

It is interesting to watch this video of a recent townhall held by Chicago area Congressman Melissa Bean (8th District). First she does her level best to avoid actually answering any questions and then when a constituent gets tired of the tap dancing she sends a guy that looks like a bar bouncer over to that person to stand over them in a threatening manner.

Notice that the enforcer comes over to intimidate not just the guy making the video here but another constituent, a middle aged woman.

Also I love the part about the questions. The congressman is right there for everyone to ask questions of her, yet she tells them to email her? Really? Email!?

If you’d like to contact the Round Lake Area Library where this happened, Lake County Tea Party has the contact info.
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Congressman Melissa “No Questions Please” Bean And Her Intimidating Enforcers”

Alaska - Civil Rights - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Immigration/Immigrants - Regulation - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. State Rep. Randy Ramey (55th District) Will Introduce Arizona-Style Anti-Illegal Immigrant Law in Springfield

August 17, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

On August 8, Representative Randy Ramey of the 55th District told an audience at the Tri-County Tea Party that he’d introduce a law in Illinois that mirrors Arizona’s anti-illegal immigrant law.

Ramey told the crowd that in August he would be introducing the Arizona-like law here in Illinois “in the next few weeks.”

On what that law means, Ramey said, “We’re not pulling people off the streets, we’re not pulling them out of ice cream stores, we are not taking them out of their houses.”

“If you break the law, they’re going to ask you for your identification. If you don’t have your identification then they can start asking questions about your naturalization and are you a citizen of this country. It’s that simple ladies and gentlemen and that’s what we’re going to take care of here in Illinois.”

Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Pat Quinn - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Republican Party Launches ‘Dismiss Quinn’ Web Site

August 17, 2010 by

Site to Offer Updates, Summaries and Links to Coverage

The Illinois Republican Party today launched a comprehensive web site, DismissQuinn.com, to show voters why Pat Quinn should be “dismissed” as governor this fall. The “Dismiss Quinn” title refers to comments from the late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington. “Pat Quinn is a totally and completely undisciplined individual,” Washington said when he fired Quinn as his Revenue Director. “He was dismissed, he should have been dismissed. [His appointment was] my greatest mistake in government.”
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Illinois Republican Party Launches ‘Dismiss Quinn’ Web Site”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Government, Ill. County - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Pat Quinn - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston - Welfare

Illinois: Is the State Fair an Entitlement?

August 16, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Let me start this by saying I am not against state fairs. State fairs have a long tradition in America and often serve as a focal point for the community, most especially the rural, farm community. But a state fair is neither a “right,” nor an entitlement. Unfortunately, the attitude that a state must have a fair is just another abuse of what the role of government should be, especially in the United States. We are not a monarchy and when a state is billions in the red a state fair is the last thing people should be wasting state money on.

In fact I’d say canceling the state fair because of the deficit that politicians have gotten us into might be one way to get people to understand that they should be voting these politicians out of office.

In Illinois this whole state fair discussion arises from Pat “the accidental Governor” Quinn’s ire over what a Chicago-based conservative think tank said about the bankrupt state spending money it doesn’t have on an elaborate state fair.
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Illinois: Is the State Fair an Entitlement?”

Catholicism - Chicago - Christianity - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Entertainment - Government - Hollywood - Illinois - Journalism - Liberals - Media - Media Bias - Religion - TV - Warner Todd Huston

New Father Pfleger Reality TV Show: Blessing The Mayor’s Office

August 15, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Those chickens have come home to roost… or at least they will during the upcoming mayoral election in the Windy City if the new reality TV show being shopped by Chicago’s incendiary Father Michael Pfleger is concerned.

Chicago’s gadfly Father Pfleger, close friend of Minister Louis Farrakhan, outspoken anti-gun crusader, sanctuary city supporter, and liberation theologist is the Southside religious leader who once openly wished for the death of a local businessman and also once said, “America is the greatest sin against God.” Pfleger has been the subject of many “reviews” by the Catholic Church and was once suspended after attacking Hillary Clinton as a “white person” who felt privileged because of her race.

New show producer, Bud Billikin of Chicago’s South Side Productions, Inc., has announced that the new show will follow the Father Pfleger as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime, a run for Mayor of Chicago.

On Friday Pfleger is expected to announce his run against long-time Democrat strongman Richard Daley whose father, a Mayor before him, was famed for having “helped” JFK win the White House in 1960.
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New Father Pfleger Reality TV Show: Blessing The Mayor’s Office”

Budget - Cook County - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - Government - Health - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

250+ Residents Pack Joel Pollak’s Town Hall‏

August 14, 2010 by

From the Pollak for Congress campaign (9th District)…

Niles, IL – Over 250 residents of the 9th congressional district packed Joel Pollak’s town hall meeting last night in Skokie at the Holiday Inn on Touhy Avenue.

For two hours, Pollak held an open forum in which residents were able to ask him questions and raise concerns about critical issues facing the district and the nation.

“I’m amazed by the turnout,” Pollak said. “It exceeded our expectations, by far. We had to ask the hotel to bring in extra chairs. Even then, it was standing-room-only.
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250+ Residents Pack Joel Pollak’s Town Hall‏”

Banks - Budget - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Hilarious: Lefty Threatens to Sue Illinois Political Blog

August 13, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

This is pretty funny… well, not so funny if you are The Illinois Review, one of our fine political news blogs in Illinois. Apparently billionaire Nadhmi Auchi has sent a threatening letter to the blog demanding that they delete an August 9 post linking Auchi to Democrat Senate candidate Alexi “the Mob Banker” Giannoulias.

The letter issued by attorneys Carter-Ruck demands that the August 9 piece be removed due to “defamatory and untrue allegations.” The letter also says that Carter-Ruck thinks that the source for the blog post was the Observer (of London) and the New York Times.

Apparently the nitwits at Carter-Ruck didn’t actually READ the post in question, however. The actually source for the blog post is clearly featured at the top of the body copy. Any fool can see that the blog post came “from the IL GOP,” as is noted on the actual post itself. This is a press release from the Illinois Republican Party, not an Illinois Review authored piece.
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Hilarious: Lefty Threatens to Sue Illinois Political Blog”

Bill Brady - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Pat Quinn - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Brady for Illinois: Rasmussen Says Race is a ‘Toss Up’

August 13, 2010 by

From the Brady for Illinois Governor campaign…

While political polls will come and go between now and November, we thought you’d be interested in some great news!

A new, independent poll released today shows Bill’s lead over Governor Pat Quinn is growing. The new poll shows Bill now leads Governor Quinn 48 to 35.
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Brady for Illinois: Rasmussen Says Race is a ‘Toss Up’”

Budget - Cook County Board - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Taxes - Tony Peraica - Warner Todd Huston

It’s All In The Family In Suburban McCook

August 13, 2010 by

From the office of Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica…

In the small suburban Cook County village of McCook it’s all about hiring as many relatives to the village payroll as possible.

It is mind-boggling to find out that a village as small as McCook (only 250 residents) — has at least 12 relatives of Mayor Jeffery Tobolski, including his own wife who work or contract for something with the village of McCook.
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It’s All In The Family In Suburban McCook”

Cook County - Cook County Board - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

2 Property Tax Changes That Should be Repealed

August 12, 2010 by

From the campaign of Dan Patlak for the Cook County Board of Review…

Two changes recently made to the property tax code by Governor Quinn and the state legislature are bad for taxpayers and should be repealed.

The first change is a “Senior Penalty” requiring that Senior Exemptions be renewed every year. Evidently, our lawmakers believe that once homeowners turn 65 they may actually get younger. The requirement for seniors to renew each year is an unnecessary burden on seniors as well as the County Assessor’s office which must repeatedly process paperwork year after year for taxpayers who have already proven they are eligible for the exemption. The result is more administrative expense, more missed exemptions, more refund applications and more confusion for seniors.
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2 Property Tax Changes That Should be Repealed”

Illinois - Warner Todd Huston

Right Nation 2010 Features Training Conference

August 12, 2010 by

Conservatives, Republicans and Tea Party Independents Prepare for Victory Six Weeks Before November Election

CHICAGO – As part of the Right Nation 2010 effort to prepare candidates, activists, volunteers and leaders for the final six weeks before the November election, nationally-recognized speakers and grassroots groups will be at the Right Nation 2010 Conference to train Midwest conservatives, Republicans and Tea Party independents to win.

Groups such as American Majority, Americans for Prosperity, Leadership Institute, Freedom Works and others will present high-level seminars on such topics as “getting out the vote,” “using social networking to energize the base,” and “how to deal with the media in the run-up to the election.”
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Right Nation 2010 Features Training Conference”

Bill Brady - Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Bill Brady for Illinois: New Video and Endorsements

August 12, 2010 by

Citing Bill’s commitment to fighting job-killing taxes and his pro-jobs agenda, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce today endorsed Brady for Illinois in the race for Governor!

Today’s endorsement follows in the wake of another important endorsement earlier this week by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, an organization committed to helping small businesses grow and stay competitive.

These endorsements prove Brady/ Plummer is the only campaign in this election that stands with families and business owners to create real jobs and protect taxpayers from political insiders like Pat Quinn who put big government before the people.
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Bill Brady for Illinois: New Video and Endorsements”

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

Illinois Congressman Dan Rostenkowski, 1928 – 2010

August 11, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Disgraced former Congressman Dan Rostenkowski of Illinois passed away today at his summer home in Wisconsin. He was 82.

It says something about American politics that a corrupt influence peddler and ultimately an inmate and ex-con like Rostenkowski had a “summer home,” doesn’t it?

Being part of the corrupt Richard J. Daley Democrat political machine, Rostenkowski was in it up to his neck for his entire adult life and well did he wield that insider power built on deals made in smoke-filled rooms, by under the table agreements, and through influence peddling. He was a true “Chicago way” pol.

For folks our age (those over 40-years-old) Rostenkowski is best remembered as the pol that went to jail over the House Post Office scandal of the mid 1990s. In the end, in 1996, he pleaded guilty to two counts of mail fraud serving 17 months at the Oxford Correctional Facility in Wisconsin.
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Illinois Congressman Dan Rostenkowski, 1928 – 2010″

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

National GOP Officials Announce Investment in Ill. GOP Races

August 11, 2010 by

WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee (RNC) today announced its Illinois D2H Victory campaign to establish the grassroots political operation to ensure Republican candidates are successful in November. In partnership with the Illinois Republican Party (IL GOP), the RNC is providing funding and resources to build the in-state GOP structure to support Republican leaders.

The RNC will devote the resources necessary to enhance the IL GOP’s ability to effectively reach Republican voters and tap into the state’s grassroots volunteer base. This investment in Republican state parties is a critical part of the RNC’s Delaware to Hawaii (“D2H”) strategy to compete aggressively in all fifty states.
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National GOP Officials Announce Investment in Ill. GOP Races”

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

A Suggestion for a Cook Co. Election Reform

August 10, 2010 by

-By Phil Collins

Phil Collins has an interesting idea to help reform Cook County elections. He posted his idea on his Examiner blog.

In 101 Illinois counties, voters, in the Republican, Democrat, and Green Party primaries, may vote for precinct committeemen, during each primary that is held during even-numbered years. In Cook County, voters may not vote for that office. In that county, voters elect ward and township committeemen, and those committeemen are able to appoint and fire precinct captains.

I think that Cook Co. voters should be able to vote for precinct committeemen, similarly to Illinois’ other 101 counties. If you agree, please contact your state senator and state representative and ask them to propose a bill, to implement this change. I emailed my suggestion to Sen. Brady, Sen. Radogno, Rep. Cross, and Rep. Coulson (my state rep.), but none of them responded.

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

Schilling-Hare in Virtual Tie in Latest Poll

August 10, 2010 by

From the Schilling for Congress campaign (17th District)…

“Schilling is well positioned to beat Hare this November”

EAST MOLINE, IL–Public Opinion Strategies, a national political and public affairs research firm, recently released the results of a survey in the Illinois 17th Congressional District, which showed a dead heat between Rep. Phil Hare, Democrat, and his Republican challenger, Bobby Schilling. According to the poll, Schilling was within 2 points of Hare, with a margin of error of +/- 5.66%. This is the second poll to come out in recent weeks, showing that this particular Congressional race has become extremely competitive.
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Schilling-Hare in Virtual Tie in Latest Poll”

Budget - Cook County - Cook County Board - Economy/Finances - Elections - Government - Illinois - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Property Tax Education Center and Tax Facts Video Release‏

August 10, 2010 by

From the Patlak for Cook County Board of Review campaign…

With real estate values declining and property taxes rising, it is important to have a representative within our county government who is dedicated to making sure taxpayers get a fair hearing when they appeal their property assessment. My name is Dan Patlak and I am a candidate for Commissioner of the Cook County Board of Review which reviews property assessment appeals. Unlike my Chicago Machine opponent, I possess the formal education, professional credentials, real world experience and demonstrated actions as a Taxpayer Advocate that make me uniquely qualified to lead the Board of Review. Details confirming this can be found in my biography.
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Property Tax Education Center and Tax Facts Video Release‏”

Budget - Economy/Finances - Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

The End Justifies the Means / What does the Illinois Republican Party stand for?

August 9, 2010 by

A message from the Michael White for Illinois Governor campaign…

The End Justifies the Means
What does the Illinois Republican Party stand for?

The Illinois Republican Party, a party that claims to support “less litigation*,” retained attorneys and a private investigator to limit your choice in the November 2nd election. To block ballot access, they have attacked the candidates, the petition circulators and challenged the intention of Illinois voters.
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The End Justifies the Means / What does the Illinois Republican Party stand for?”

Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Melissa Bean - Tea Party - Warner Todd Huston

Third Way Expert Sam Hodas

August 9, 2010 by

More of a multi-part series from the Palatine Tea Party…

(Palatine, Illinois) – Sam Hodas worked for Congresswoman Melissa Bean’s staff from 2007-2009 as a legislative assistant and a constituent services representative. He went to work for Third Way in late 2009 where he currently is a Policy Advisor for Third Way’s Clean Energy Initiative. Bean voted YES for Cap and Trade on 06/26/2009.
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Third Way Expert Sam Hodas”

Budget - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Peter Roskam - President - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Roskam Gives Republicans Weekly Address

August 9, 2010 by 1 Comment

From Roskam’s Office…

Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) Delivers Weekly Republican Address

Rep. Roskam: “Back in Illinois and around the country, the situation has reached a boiling point. Americans are asking ‘where are the jobs?’ and – forget about getting answers – they can’t even get President Obama and Washington Democrats to listen to their concerns.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the Weekly Republican Address, Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) says President Obama needs to listen to the American people, who are asking ‘where are the jobs?,’ and abandon his failing ‘stimulus’ policies in favor of common-sense solutions that will promote private sector job creation. Republicans are listening to the American people through America Speaking Out and offering better solutions to cut spending now and help small businesses get people working again. Now in his second term in Congress, Rep. Roskam represents Illinois’ Sixth Congressional District and serves as job-creation policy director for America Speaking Out. Text of the address follows; audio of the address is available here and video of the address will be available here once the embargo is lifted.
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Roskam Gives Republicans Weekly Address”

Bill Brady - Budget - Business - Economy/Finances - Elections - Free Trade - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Immigration/Immigrants - Labor Law - Law - Regulation - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Bill Brady Advocates a Path to Citizenship for Illegals

August 8, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

GOP Gubernatorial candidate BIll Brady told the attendees of a Hispanic business leaders at Chicago’s Navy Pier that we need to offer some sort of path to citizenship to the illegal aliens now living in the US.

Brady said that we need more legal immigration because our birth rate isn’t robust enough to keep the country growing.

If we wanna grow as a nation, and as a state we have to realize one of the principles that this nation was founded on and that’s immigration. Ladies and gentlemen the birth rate in this country will not allow us to grow at a rate we need to grow at, and we need to bring real reform to immigration policy and open the doors so we can see a growth rate in this country of four percent or greater. The lack of reform and the lack of immigration in this state and country is crippling our economy and our quality of life.

Brady did not offer any numbers to supplement his feeling that we needed more immigrants but he went on to say that he thinks the U.S. government should implement a policy penalizing illegals while offering them a way to become legal citizens.

In a press release Brady said:
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Bill Brady Advocates a Path to Citizenship for Illegals”

Adam Kinzinger - Budget - Congress - Debbie Halvorson - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Prairie Stater: Debbie Makes it Three, Another Taxpayer-Funded Direct Mail Piece

August 7, 2010 by

From the Prairie Stater’s John Reynolds

We previously reported here and here about the taxpayer funded direct mail pieces being send out at your expense by Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson (D-11).

Well, today, she made it three: that’s three taxpayer-funded direct mail pieces in as many weeks.

Today’s mail piece was about veterans’ issues.

We again note the irony in the fact that her first mail piece was about “reining in spending” and her efforts to be fiscally responsible.

Is sending out three self-promotional direct mail pieces at taxpayer expense while our country faces a $1.47 trillion deficit really fiscally responsible?

Again, we must ask: how much of our money is Debbie spending to send out these mailers?

Chicago - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Mark Kirk - Rod Blagojevich - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

Temporary Senator Burris Challenges Special Election for Temporary Senator

August 6, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

It seems like a story written by a bad Hollywood script writer, but Illinois Senator Roland Burris is today challenging a federal judge’s decision to block any more candidates from being added to the ballot of the special election that has been ordered to fill the last few weeks of this Congressional session. Burris wants to be on that ballot but the judge said that only party nominees from the primary are allowed to be on the special election ballot.

First of all the whole thing is confusing. When Barack Obama vacated his Senate seat to take the White House, disgraced Governor Rod Blagojevich underwent a decision process to fill that seat that ended up getting him indicted. Blago gave the seat to long-time Illinois politico Roland Burris. Burris’ appointed term is up on election day but that would leave Illinois without a second Senator for the last 60 days of the legislative session. So, a federal judge declared that Illinois would have to vote on both a special election to seat a Senator for 60 days as well as the regular election for the full term starting after that in 2011.
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Temporary Senator Burris Challenges Special Election for Temporary Senator”

Alexi Giannoulias - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Media - MSNBC - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell: Giannoulias Not the Best Candidate for Senate

August 6, 2010 by

Alexi “the Mob banker” Giannoulias is facing a whisper campaign from Democrat insiders that he is not the right candidate to run for Barack Obama’s old Senate seat. Maybe that whisper is a roar because even the left-wing cabler MSNBC is reporting that people are asking of Giannoulias is the right candidate for the Democrats.

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

Peraica: Today’s Taxing (and Troubling) News‏

August 6, 2010 by

From the office of Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica….

There were two tidbits in today’s headlines that further support my push to fully repeal the Stroger sales tax hike in Cook County.

First, despite rising taxes and fees, tax collections are actually down in the state (again). As the Champaign News-Gazette reports, overall state tax collections are down 9.5% in July.

The reason for this decline? Simple: people are out of work. When they are out of work, their incomes drop (obviously). That leads to a drop in income tax revenues. They also consume less, which leads to a drop in sales taxes. It is for that reason that increasing the income tax and keeping sales taxes high will only further decimate our economy.
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Peraica: Today’s Taxing (and Troubling) News‏”

Chicago - Congress - Elections - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Mark Kirk - Republicans - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago Mag: Kirk’s Ex-Wife Says a ‘Svengali Figure’ Influencing Him

August 5, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Chicago Magazine has conducted an extensive interview with Kimberly Vertolli, Illinois GOP Senate candidate Mark Kirk’s ex-wife, and the woman makes an interesting charge against one of Kirk’s current campaign operatives, Dorothy “Dodie” McCracken

Vertolli says that the campaign staffer is the one that came between them causing their divorce and is a “Svengali figure” in her former hubbies life.

Vertolli refused to assert that McCracken is in a romantic relationsjip with Mark Kirk, but she did say the woman is a “pernicious influence” on the candidate.

Here is the exchange:
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Chicago Mag: Kirk’s Ex-Wife Says a ‘Svengali Figure’ Influencing Him”