Illinois Review

Nursery founder says Illinois' progressive tax proposal is like "pouring money down a dark hole"

ST. CHARLES - The company Peter Orum and his wife Irma started in 1969 now employs 300 people during Chicagoland’s growing season.

The Orums planted Midwest Groundcovers’ roots into five acres in St. Charles, Illinois. 51 years later, they’ve expanded to 700 acres in Illinois and Michigan.

“We can’t pick up our business easily. This is why Illinois’ political climate is a big problem for us,” Orum said. Midwest Groundcovers demands the very soil on which it exists, and the vast majority of it is in Illinois. “We can’t just pack up, load up and leave …”

Peter Orum came to America in the 1960s to pursue a dream, just as millions of other immigrants. He was born in Denmark into a family with a small nursery business where he learned naturally about plants, soil, and gardening. He studied as an apprentice in horticulture during his teen years and entered the Danish Army at age 19.

While in the Army, Orum learned about engineering, building and managing while rising to the lieutenant rank in two short years.

Rod Blagojevich endorses Willie Wilson over Durbin or Curran for US Senate

CHICAGO - The once-Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich is endorsing candidates in the upcoming election - and thus far, he's avoiding Democrat candidates. 

A few weeks ago, Blagojevich - who received a prison commutation from President Donald Trump earlier this year - picked Donald Trump in the November 3rd election over Democrat challenger Joe Biden. He also made know his support for a Republican running for State Senate - Tom McCullagh. 

This week, a press release was sent out on behalf of Blagojevich, saying he was supporting Willie Wilson (of the Willie Wilson Party) for U.S. Senate in November over Democrat incumbent Dick Durbin or Republican challenger Mark Curran. 

Thorner: Defining Factors in November Election

By Nancy Thorner - 

This election is all about corruption, particularly Chinese corruption.

“American Universities failed to report $6.5 billion in foreign gifts and contracts, an investigation by the Department of Education found...Universities reported receiving a total of more than $19.6 billion in foreign gifts and contracts from 2014 to 2020, including nearly $1.5 billion from China, almost $3.1 billion from Qatar, and more than $1.1 billion from Saudi Arabia...”

Facebook and the rest of the Silicon Valley oligarchs have also been thoroughly bribed by CHINA, which is why they are censoring the Hunter Biden story.

William Barr's March 24, 2019 letter summarizing the Mueller report was the start of the most bizarre election of my lifetime.  Russiagate helped the Democrats take back the House but wasn't going to help them beat Trump.   Biden had to get in the race then, because only Biden could raise the money needed because of his proven track record of delivering for the Chinese and other special interests.  This was confirmed during the summer of 2019 when heart throbs of the Democrat Establishment like Beto O'Rourke and Kamala Harris crashed and burned.  With typical Alinskyite tactics of accusing others of what you yourself are doing, impeachment of Trump over his request to get a computer showing the Biden's activities in Ukraine was used to cover up Biden's crimes.

What Kenosha Looks Like After the Democrat's Antifa Riots

In just 48 hours, over 40 businesses in the quiet city of Kenosha, Wisconsin were ravaged by violence, according to the Kenosha Area Business Alliance. Rioters looted and torched shops on the nights of Aug. 23 and 24.

Letter Threatens To Burn Homes Of New Hampshire Trump Supporters: ‘You Have Been Given Fair Warning’

Someone is sending letters to Trump supporters in New Hampshire, threatening to burn down their homes if President Trump loses the presidential election but will not concede defeat.

As WMUR reported, the letter, which Milford police stated has been sent to various homes in the town displaying support for the president, stated:

Dear neighbor. You have been identified by our group as being a Trump supporter. Your address has been added to our database as a target when we attack should Trump not concede the election. We recommend that you check your home insurance policy and make sure that it is current and that it has adequate coverage for fire damage. You have been given “Fair Warning.” Always remember, it was “you” that started this Civil War. Be prepared to face the severe consequences of your pre-emptive actions against democracy.

More HERE

Rossi: Hard Proof That Shutting Down Schools Is Child Abuse

By Randy Rossi - 

We are getting more proof every day that we are causing massive unnecessary harm to our kids that will hurt them for all their lives by shutting down our schools and replacing “In person learning” with disastrous “Virtual Learning”. The fact is that we are committing massive child abuse as a nation by allowing irrational and hysterical fear to rule over facts, logic, and love for our kids. Pretty strong criticism right? Well, here are the facts. First and foremost, The CDC just announced that as of October 10, only 74 kids under the age of 15 have died from Covid 19. Compared to that, during the 2019-2020 flu season, 434 children under the age of 18 died from the annual flu. That means the annual flu is almost 6 times more likely to kill our kids than COVID 19.  Do we shut down our schools every year because of the flu? Of course not. Why are we shutting down our schools now? There are over 50 million kids in the USA under 15 which means that only 0.000148% of our kids under 15 have died from Covid 19 so far, yet we have shut down all our schools. That’s insane. On top of all that, if a kid is unlucky enough to catch Covid 19, the CDC has reported their survival rate from COVID 19 is 99.997! Why the heck did we shut down our schools? The odds of our kids catching and dying from COVID 19 are about the same as getting hit by lightning.

DuPage Co family restaurant says they're staying open despite "Dictator Pritzker's" COVID shutdown orders

GLENDALE HEIGHTS - An 80 year old family restaurant in Glendale Heights declared on Facebook Wednesday they would defy "Dictator Pritzker's" COVID eat-in restaurant shutdown orders this weekend for DuPage, Will, Kane and Kankakee counties.

Ki's Steak & Seafood Restaurant on North Avenue in Glendale Heights declared on their marquee, "We are Americans" and that they are "Free and Open."

Tuesday, Governor JB Pritzker declared all eat-in restaurants in DuPage, Will, Kane and Kankakee counties to shut down starting Friday, due to an uptick in COVID cases in those areas. The Rockford region is already under similar orders.

Public health officials announced 4,342 new confirmed cases of COVID in Illinois Wednesday, with 59 additional deaths - the vast majority of which died were 70 years and older. 

"We are standing up for our freedom and we will stay open!" the restaurant's Facebook page said. "...No one is going to tell us we can't live out the American dream."

The restaurant is located just west of I-355 on North Avenue in Glendale Heights, Illinois.

What happens when Illinois' unemployment fund runs out?

CHICAGO - The Center Square points to an important issue that no other Illinois media seems to be interested in: Illinois' nearly-empty unemployment fund.

Funds to replenish the unemployment benefits will come from business owners - and sadly, after the COVID pandemic, fewer Illinois business owners will be forced to pay more to compensate for those businesses that didn't survive.

(The Center Square) – Illinois’ Department of Employment Security said it has paid out $16 billion in unemployment benefits to more than 2 million people since the beginning of the pandemic.

That fund, already borrowing federal money that must be repaid, must eventually be replenished, but who will bear that responsibility?

Unemployment insurance is funded by taxes and employers, both at the federal and state level. The cost is the same for all states for the federal unemployment taxes. Businesses pay varying levels of state employment tax based on their number of workers, type of business, and how much the state pays out in unemployment benefits. A higher maximum unemployment benefit typically leads to a higher state unemployment contribution from businesses. 

More HERE.

‘1619 Project’ Founder Melts Down After Criticism Of Her Fake History

1619 Project creator lashes out over criticism. Tristan Justice writes:

The revisionist project, which has attracted sharp scrutiny since its publication last year, has since maintained full editorial support from the newspaper despite major corrections to its essays and leagues of historians debunking its primary claims.

After a group of leading historians objected to the Times’ project’s false information, the magazine’s Editor in Chief Jake Silverstein wrote back that “historical understanding is not fixed.” In other words, the Times doesn’t care what historians with decades of experience think if it counters the religious narrative that critical race theory demands.

Netherlands backs euthanasia for terminally ill children under-12

The Dutch government has approved plans to allow euthanasia for terminally ill children aged between one and 12.

Euthanasia is currently legal in the Netherlands for children older than 12, with mandatory consent from the patient and their parents.

It is also legal for babies up to a year old with parental consent.

But there is no provision for those aged between one and 12 who are terminally ill.

More HERE

New Trump Ad Blasts Biden for Lying to American People

New reports have revealed that Joe Biden lied to the American people about his knowledge of his son's business ventures with corrupt foreign companies. Though liberal Silicon Valley elites have tried to hide the extent of Biden's deception, he has been exposed as the "Big Guy" mentioned in Hunter Biden's emails and was revealed to be part of a massive influence-buying scheme with a Chinese firm.

Illinois Governor returns major areas back towards Phase 3 COVID restrictions (Updated)

CHICAGO - Illinois voters in swing and red areas of the state are facing a sudden surge in COVID cases.

Starting Friday, Governor Pritzker has ordered four more counties (which all happen to be politically purple) - DuPage, Kane, Will and Kankakee - to return to some restrictions included in Phase 3 restricted Phase 3 along with COVID Region 5 - the politically reddest part of the state.

UPDATE: The governor's orders are not for these regions to completely return to Phase 3 - those orders include shutting down schools and other 25+ person gatherings. Instead, Governor Pritzker is focused at this time on shutting down indoor dining and bars.

The Phase 3 COVID Illinois Restrictions are as follows:

Gatherings: All gatherings of 10 people or fewer are allowed with this limit subject to change based on latest data & guidance

Travel: Travel should follow IDPH and CDC approved guidance

Health care: All health care providers are open with DPH approved safety guidance

Education and child care: Remote learning in P-12 schools and higher education; Limited child care and summer programs open with IDPH approved safety guidance

Outdoor recreation: State parks open; Activities permitted in groups of 10 or fewer with social distancing

Businesses:

• Manufacturing: Non-essential manufacturing that can safely operate with social distancing can reopen with IDPH approved safety guidance
• “Non-essential” businesses: Employees of “non-essential” businesses are allowed to return to work with IDPH approved safety guidance depending upon risk level, tele-work strongly encouraged wherever possible; Employers are encouraged to provide accommodations for COVID-19-vulnerable employees
• Bars and restaurants: Open for delivery, pickup, and drive through only
• Personal care services and health clubs: Barbershops and salons open with IDPH approved safety guidance; Health and fitness clubs can provide outdoor classes and one-on-one personal training with IDPH approved safety guidance
• Retail: Open with capacity limits and IDPH approved safety guidance, including face coverings

Senator Syverson: COVID-19 Actions by the State Defy Common Sense and Science

Graphic Syverson included in email newsletter noting 2.3% COVID due to restaurants

ROCKFORD - Rockford State Senator Dave Syverson reported in a newsletter last week that he and several other area lawmakers wrote Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ezike, challenging imposed restrictions on the state's COVID Region 1 on behalf of business owners in his district.

From Senator Syverson's email newsletter: 

As you are aware, on September 29, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that Region 1, which includes Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, DeKalb, Lee, Jo Daviess, Carroll and Whiteside counties, were to be subjected to additional COVID-19 mitigations. These restrictions include preventing bars and restaurants from having indoor service and requiring outdoor service to close at 11:00 P.M. 

These mitigations are negatively impacting owners who have gone above and beyond to ensure the safety of their patrons and have no reported COVID-19 cases. Hardworking men and women are still recovering from the damage done by the original statewide shutdown. Under these new mitigations, Illinois' government is threatening livelihoods of our local, small businesses, and all without due process. How can this be allowed? The answer, sadly, has more to do with politics than safety in my opinion.

DuPage Co State's Attorney denies bond for two Chicagoans accused of armed robbery in Oak Brook

OAK BROOK - For those in collar counties that rest easy think what happens in Cook County doesn't affect them, here's a press release from DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin about two Chicago men out on bond - thanks to Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx - that are in DuPage County Jail, accused of armed robbery this week: 

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police James Kruger announced this week that bond has been denied for two Chicago men charged with one count of Armed Robbery (Class X Felony) for allegedly robbing an Oak Brook Circle K gas station. Willie Carter, 20 (d.o.b. 1/14/2000) of the 300 block of S. Kilbourn Avenue and Sheldon Dean, 20 (d.o.b. 3/20/2000) of the 1600 block of S. Karlov Avenue, appeared in Bond Court today in front of Judge John Kinsella who denied bond.

A Shrinking Population: Illinois the Outlier

Did you know Illinois was the only Midwestern state to lose population last year? It's not about the weather. It's not about the location. It's about the corrupt governing officials Illinois has elected time and time again - giving them open reign over the taxpayers they depend upon, but have no thought about burdening all the more.

Will Illinois voters finally reject the ongoing and increasing psychological, financial and emotional abuse by voting against the Democrat controlling incumbents in 2020? 

An Illinois Review re-run, but an important notice worth a re-watch from our friends at Wirepoints.org: 

Thorner/Cook: What's One Little Vote?

By Nancy Thorner - 

As a subscriber to Rev. Bill Cook's website, I was sent the following message, What's One Little Vote? to circulate before November 3, 2020.

Rev. Bill Cook is Founder & CEO of America's Black Robe Regiment, Co-Chairman of Virginia Watchmen Council, and Ordained Clergy in Virginia.

Rev. Cook founded America's Black Robe Regiment to be an "army" of clergy who seek to honor their legacy in the "Pulpit of the American Revolution," which preached the political ideology embodied in the Founding Charters for more than twenty five years before the war started.

In the words of Rev. John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, "In the language of Holy Writ, there is a time for all things; a time to preach and a time to fight! That time has now come!" Acknowledging that Liberty is precious, and bought by the blood of patriots before us, we will never give up on America. The pulpits of America must rise-up in defense of Liberty once again.

In keeping with this spirit, Rev. Cook has given permission to print out as many copies as needed of his message, What's One Little Vote, to hand out or to do with as you see fit.  The disclaimer can be seen at the end of Cook's message.

Free the Freelancers

What’s the best way to protect the rights of workers? Let them determine their own job preferences, or mandate that companies provide them with certain protections? California has chosen to take the latter path. Has it worked? Is it a victory for workers, or a debilitating defeat? Patrice Onwuka of the Independent Women’s Forum looks into these questions. Her findings may surprise you. For more information on Independent Women's Forum, go to iwf.org/AB5

Censors of Big Tech Courting Big Trouble

The only reason social media giants are allowed to exist in their current form is due to special federal protections provided under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Without this law, companies like Facebook and Twitter could not function. They have made billions of dollars off of unique protections offered by the CDA, and how have they repaid the American people? By silencing voices with whom they don’t agree and refusing to operate in good faith under the terms of Section 230.

We’ve reached a point of clarity and, if there is any justice, a point of no return for Big Tech. The social media giants enjoy special protections against liability because they promise to be ‘platforms’ for free speech, not ‘publishers’ of the speech they prefer. Big Tech’s power must be reduced, and no regulatory option—from revocation of Section 230 protections to the application of antitrust law—can be off the table.

“Twitter and Facebook had to know suppressing this story under such ridiculous ‘standards’ would nuke their reputation and put at risk the Section 230 protection that makes their business model possible,” Heartland Institute Jim Lakely said. “They clearly decided that protecting Joe Biden was worth it.”

More HERE

Far-Left’s ‘People’s Charter’ Would Put America on the Road to Socialism

On October 8, the Working Families Party, in conjunction with several of the Democratic Party’s most prominent progressives, launched the People’s Charter, which it describes as, “an aspirational but concrete agenda around which progressives can rally: for COVID relief, jobs and healthcare for all, police reform, and bold action on climate.”

To date, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), among several other Democrats, have signed the People’s Charter. More are sure to follow.

In short, the People’s Charter, if ever enacted, would transform the United States into a socialist nation. Here’s how.

Four GOP state lawmakers launch Restore Illinois bus tour

Xenia, IL – This week, several lawmakers will hit the road to rally voters and talk about the important issues facing the State of Illinois, a press release said Monday afternoon.

The Restore Illinois Statewide Bus Tour will feature State Representatives Chris Miller (R-Oakland); Darren Bailey (R-Xenia); Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City); and Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville). The Tour will go as far south as Metropolis and as far north as Rockford and several locations in between. At each bus stop, the lawmakers hope to rally voters as they answer questions.

“Our faith, our values, and our Constitutional rights are under assault,” Bailey said. “We can no longer sit on the sidelines and watch as our freedoms are systematically being eroded. If we as freedom loving Americans are asleep at the wheel on Election Day, the country we know, and love could soon be gone. This bus tour is a rallying cry for patriots to step up and get involved. Illinois is not lost, but it soon will be if we do not take a stand.”