Illinois Review

Smollett and Burke: Will the Chicago Way finally come to light?

CHICAGO - First it was the report that anyone in Chicago's upscale Streeterville neighborhood would say in public they were in "MAGA country." Then it was the story that two guys with masks beat up a person walking on a Streeterville sidewalk, targeting a known "Empire" star on a -10 degree night. Then it was that the two yelled racist and homophobic slurs while they tied a noose and poured bleach on their victim. 

Anyone of those reports would have caused anyone with any knowledge of Chicago to scratch his head. 

But that was before Jussie Smollett's story went viral, and everyone who was anyone in the "blue check" Twitter world chimed in with sympathy and agreement - it was all Donald Trump's fault - his and the "deplorables" that put him in office. 

Disgusting. Terrible, media personalities and Democrat presidential wannabes clucked.

Pritzker's plan: Balance budget on backs of Illinois' rich, gamblers and potheads

SPRINGFIELD - Not only will Illinois employers be forced to pay starting employees nearly double what they are required to be paid now, Illinois employers that have more successful businesses will be paying even more - if Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats are successful in changing the state's constitution. 

The required change will be moving away from the state's flat tax, to a progressive one, costing successful business owners and higher-paid employees more as their taxable income grows. 

In addition to the progressive tax, Gov. Pritzker wants to expand gambling and legalize pot in order to rake in more tax revenue. It's uncertain whether his proposals will cover the $3.2 billion budget deficit the state faces, much less neglecting to correct the state's serious pension dilemma or its billions in unpaid bills.

Rhoads: State Sen. Lottie O'Neill's astute 1962 prophecy

The lady at left in the picture below is the late State Sen. Lottie Holman O'Neill (R-Downers Grove) (1878-1967) Lottie was a friend of my mother columnist Mary Gurrie Rhoads. At her right in the picture is the late  Phyllis Schlafly sitting with Lottie at the 1956 Republican National Convention. In this picture Lottie was 78 and Phyllis was 34.

Lottie was a conservative Republican who was the first woman elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1922 and the first woman elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1950.  My youngest sister just gave me a letter from Lottie dated Sept. 5, 1962 that shares Lottie's concerns about the Judicial Blue Ballot that was set for a ratification vote in November 1962.

Beckman: Is anyone still MADD about drunk driving?

By Hank Beckman - 

Is Mothers Against Drunk Driving still around? We haven’t heard from them much in recent years, but with drunk driving still common, one would think they’re still operating.

But in this age of journalists being, shall we say, somewhat less than rigorous about applying the old if-your-mother-says-she-loves-you-check-it-out standard, I thought it best to at least find out if they were still around before citing them in a column.

So I consulted my research assistant, Dr. Google (PhD, everything). Sure enough, MADD is still fighting the good fight against the carnage on our nation’s roadways that comes with irresponsible consumption of adult beverages.

Illinois employers to pay $15 starting wage

Gov. Pritzker signing $15 starting wage measure |Pritzker's Facebook page

CHICAGO - Tuesday, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker agreed with the Democrat super majority in the General Assembly to raise the state's starting wage from $8.25 to $15.00 per hour over the next six years.  Illinois workers will have the highest starting wage in the Midwest by 2025. 

Along with the higher wage requirement, benefits will also be higher. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, wages are two-thirds of employers' costs. Benefits add another one-third for business owners.

Thorner/O’Neil: Indoctrination, not Education, standard through college

By Nancy Thorner & Bonnie O'Neil - 

There is a growing concern that our children and grandchildren that attend public schools today, especially at the college and university level, are being unduly and purposely influenced to a specific political viewpoint of its faculty rather than facts and/or opposing views that allow students to decide issues based on more information rather than relegating them to a single undisputed viewpoint decided for them.

Ideas Illinois releases new anti-Dem ad

CHICAGO - Once the CEO of the Illinois Manufacturing Association, Greg Baise is now focused on new ideas to put "Illinois back on the right track." Ideas Illinois is a 501c4 that released a new video Wednesday morning - just before Governor JB Pritzker presents his budget plans to Illinois General Assembly Wednesday morning. 

Baise's new project will lead the fight against the Democrats' progressive tax proposal and support Illinois businesses which, for the most part, have little substantial influence in Springfield these days.

Rossi: 2020 Election - IQ Test for America!

By Randy Rossi - 

The 2020 elections will be an IQ test for Americans to see if they still deserve a democracy. Anybody who is paying attention to politics has seen a massive attempt by Democrats over the last two years to convert America from a land of freedom and capitalism to a socialist nation in which the federal government will control every aspect of our lives from light bulbs to steaks and hamburgers. Sadly, far too many Americans are not paying attention or are being misled by a highly biased media which only 32% of Americans have confidence in per multiple polls. To those that are not paying attention, I remind them of Pericles’ opinion of that when he said, “Any citizen who does not pay attention to politics has no right to live in Athens”. Amen!

Our National Debt Just Hit $22 Trillion. Will Congress Finally Take It Seriously?

The national debt is now $22 trillion. Justin Bogie writes:

At more than 107 percent of gross domestic product, as a share of the economy the gross national debt is higher than it has been since 1947. The debt has been higher only three times in U.S. history, all in the immediate aftermath of World War II.

If the national debt were divided among every person in the U.S., each of us would owe more than $67,000.

Although those numbers are staggering, they are projected to get worse.

The CBO’s latest budget and economic projections estimate that over the next decade the country will add another $12.2 trillion in debt. That’s almost $30,000 in new debt per person on top of the $67,000 already owed.

California must pay pro-life pregnancy centers $399K , judge rules

California must pay three pro-life pregnancy centers and a conservative law firm $399,000 in legal fees and other costs after a state law meant to force pregnancy centers to promote abortion was struck down.

Last October, California’s Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care, and Transparency (FACT) Act was declared unconstitutional, with a district court granting a permanent injunction against the law.

U.S. District Court Judge Terry Hatter for the Central District of California issued an order Monday saying that California must pay the Pregnancy and Family Resource Center of San Bernardino, His Nesting Place of Long Beach, Birth Choice of the Desert in La Quinta, and the Liberty Counsel $399,000.

More HERE

Bitter, Partisan Liar Writes a Book

Like a con proud of his crime, Andrew McCabe cannot help himself from boasting of his misdeeds.

The disgraced former acting head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, bereft of his government pension, seeks to make a buck through a tiresome, tell-some book at the expense of the man who pushed for his firing. Therein, the unelected bureaucrat boasts of plotting to overturn the will of the American people.

The text messages between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, two key members of McCabe’s cabal, indicate that this plot preceded the actual election. “I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andy’s office — that there’s no way he gets elected — but I’m afraid we can’t take that risk,” Strozk wrote Page about a conversation regarding the Republican candidate in McCabe’s office. “It’s like an insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before you’re 40.”

More HERE

IL loses gun manufacturer, 120 jobs to Iowa

MILAN - Over 120 Milan Illinois jobs will be moving north and across the Mississippi River into Iowa. Lewis Machine and Tool will be taking to Eldridge Iowa a new contract to make 15,000 firearms for the country of Estonia. LMT, set to open in Iowa in April, already provides firearms to 45 other European countries.

The Illinois State Rifle Association pointed to the Illinois General Assembly's anti-gun initiatives as a key reason LMT is heading northwest.

UPDATE x1: Democrat state rep calls for homeschool families to be investigated by DCFS

UPDATE x1: Rep. Bristow tabled this bill Tuesday, February 19, 2019. 

ALTON - A second term Democrat from Alton Illinois wants - among other things - families that homeschool to register with the State, undergo investigations by the Department of Children and Family Services, have their homeschool curriculum approved by the State Board of Education. 

State Rep. Monica Bristow of Alton introduced a bill last Friday that would authorize the Child Protective Service Unit of the DCFS to "investigate the home in which the home schooling will occur to ensure there is no suspected children abuse or neglect in the home."

Aurora victim's widow shares her faith in midst of sorrow

AURORA -  Terra Pinkard, wife of Henry Pratt Manufacturing Company's plant manager Josh Pinkard, who was one of five employees killed last Friday in a west suburban Aurora shooting, shared her faith on Facebook in the midst of shock and heartache.

“Things that mattered yesterday do not matter today. I will praise the Lord for giving me this mountain of a man. I will praise the Lord for the children we have together," Mrs. Pinkard wrote. "And I will cry out to God during this immense time of sadness and need. Please remember us in the coming days, months, and years. We are scared and are trying to catch our breath and just putting one foot in front of the other.”

Sure, 18 year olds, join the military, but cigs will be forbidden until 21

SPRINGFIELD - There's something very magical about age 21 when it comes to introducing harmful products to one's body in the state of Illinois. 

This week in his first Illinois budget address, Governor Pritzker is expected to roll out an effort to legalize marijuana for anyone 21 years and older as one way to increase the state's revenue. At the same time, the Illinois legislature is expected to conaiswe banning tobacco products for anyone under age 21 - including e-cigarettes.

That's despite the fact 18 year olds can get credit cards, buy cars, vote and join the military.

What Made George Washington Great?

There would have never been a United States of America without George Washington. John Rhodehamel, author of "George Washington: The Wonder of the Age," details how Washington successfully guided the budding nation through war and nurtured her in peace.

Chicago GOP endorses Paul Vallas for mayor

CHICAGO -- Republicans are divided between two major candidates in the upcoming non-partisan Chicago mayoral race.

Sunday afternoon, the Chicago Republican organization voted to endorse Paul Vallas for mayor. Last week the Chicago Young Republicans and Northwest Chicago GOP supported Willie Wilson, as does Cook County GOP Chairman and Board Commissioner Sean Morrison.

Collusion: The Criminalization of Policy Disputes

The word covers every contact between anyone connected to Trump and anyone connected to Russia, with no need to show that a crime was committed.

hat a weasel word “collusion” is.

In Washington, Senator Richard Burr (R., N.C.), chairman of the Intelligence Committee, has now seen fit to pronounce that, after two years of investigation, the panel has found no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian regime. Meanwhile, in a nearby courtroom, Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s senior staffer, Andrew Weissmann, told a federal judge that an August 2016 meeting between the then-chairman of the Trump campaign and a suspected Russian intelligence officer “goes . . . very much to the heart of what the special counsel is investigating” — which sure sounds like Mueller’s collusion hunt is alive and well.

What gives?

More HERE

A Solution to Solve Legislative Gridlock

Remove some of the powers that nationally unelected political party leaders now have.

Which citizens voted to give Nancy Pelosi the power to shut down our government? None. And yet there she is, able to close down numerous government services, with just the power of her intransigence.

We need to look at a simplified legislative example to understand the problem and the solution. To properly grasp this situation, it’s important to understand that essentially all legislation originates from specialized legislative committees.

More HERE

The Cost of a 70 Percent Marginal Tax Rate

High tax rates discourage young people from investing in themselves.Veronique de Rugy and Jack Salmon write:

Changes in marginal tax rates not only lead to changes in federal revenues, but also have a broader effect on human capital accumulation and labor market efficiency. Aparna Mathur, Sita Slavov, and Michael Strain have explained that in the long term, a more progressive tax system reduces the incentives to accumulate human capital:

“Earlier decisions such as education and career choices affect later earnings opportunities. It is conceivable that a more progressive tax system could reduce incentives to accumulate human capital in the first place. At 70% tax rates, a high school student may choose not to pursue his dream of becoming an engineer, or a small business owner may choose not to expand their business.”