Illinois Review

"Compromising conservatives" are owed an apology

by Fran Eaton

Just a quick response to the self-righteous ramblings published in the form of a letter to the editor in the Trib today by Pingree Grove's Tom Jones:

Mr. Jones, we'll be checking the D2s to see how much you gave to Rauschenberger or Birkett to help them stay in the GOP race for governor.  For certain, we'll see your name among the list of volunteers who worked in your area to promote one of them.

Otherwise, sir, I'd keep the criticism muffled. 

I, too, am disappointed that Birkett and Rauschenberger made the decisions they made.  But I think I understand.  However, there's one big difference between you and me and them, Mr. Jones.  They are IN the game, not WATCHING it.

Sans the active and sacrificial help of conservatives, only deep pocket politicians will continue to rule the day in Illinois.  In order to change the status quo, the day of condemning those in the game and refusing to step up to the plate when we're needed most must end.

In my opinion, conservatives owe self-starters Joe Birkett and Steve Rauschenberger an apology for standing on the sidelines.   

Link: Chicago Tribune | Compromising conservatives.

Greetings from IR Contributor Rhonda Robinson

by Rhonda Robinson, IR Family Review blogmeister

This year I am learning to speak a new language.  I think I have got Happy New Year down.

Here it goes...

I would like to wish everyone a socially responsible, non-additive, gender-neutral, winter solstice celebration. May it be practiced with joy-filled, low-stress traditions of your choice (with respect to the religious persuasion of your choice, but also with all due respect to the persuasions of others, as well as those who have no persuasions, or choose not to practice them).

Also, may your days be fiscally sound, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated in the upcoming calendar year 2006.

This greeting is subject to clarification and/or withdrawal, with no inferences intended toward race, creed or color, religious or sexual preferences of the expressed wishes.

Furthermore, said wishes implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any or all of the said wishes, nor does the wisher hold responsibility for any unintended emotional anguish or duress this greeting may bring to those who have different or opposing holiday preferences.

Liberal is so much easier to speak, than it is to understand.

Embryonic stem cell cheat resigns in disgrace

Despite the caution the Illinois General Assembly exercised this year in stalling Governor Blagojevich and Comptroller Dan Hynes' plan to mortage Illinois future in a $10 billion bond issue to encourage the embryonic stem cell industry, Blagojevich bypassed the legislature and set up a taxpayer-funded research institute by executive order.

Maybe the Governor should have heeded the legislature's caution. 

The South Korean researcher who was lauded for his advancements in embryo cloning just stepped down in disgrace after admitting fraud and deceit in the production of 9 of 11 stem cell lines.

Just how much of the $10 million designated for the Institute for Regenerative Medicine is headed toward proliferating this tainted research, Governor?

Link: Telegraph | News | Embryo cloning cheat resigns in disgrace.

Tribune's Zorn lists IR's 2005 Conservative Stories

by Fran Eaton

Thanks to Eric Zorn for mentioning IR's list of Conservative Stories for 2005 in his column today.

Can I say something before the nasty emails and bitter comments begin appearing in response to my "cynical prediction" for 2006? 

Don't simply gripe and whine about my prediction that the right won't topple Blagojevich in 2006.   Get out there, work for your favorite conservative candidate and prove me wrong! 

Ever hear of reverse psychology??

Hat tip:  Eric Zorn

Oberweis poll says he's gaining on Topinka

by Fran Eaton

Apparently the highly criticized IL GOP-commissioned poll which showed the top two Republican candidates to be State Treasurer Judy Baar-Topinka and dairyman/investor Jim Oberweis has been bolstered by a private poll coming from the Oberweis camp.   

Topinka is at 24.7 and Oberweis at 20.7 percent with 24.8 percent undecided,  conservative  talk show host and columnist Tom Roeser wrote yesterday on his blog (www.TomRoeser.com).

Roeser doesn't specify where Ron Gidwitz and Bill Brady show in the WVE Research poll, but he implies by referring to a Tribune/WGN poll that they remain in the single digits.

According to my simple addition, 24.7 plus 20.7 plus 24.8 adds up to 70.2, meaning Gidwitz and Brady share the remaining 29.8 percent of the vote. . .  meaning at least one of them is out of the single digits.

Either way,  without spending a dime on mailings or ads, Topinka remains the one to beat. 

Link: TomRoeser.com.

Last day for nominations for Conservative Legislator of the Year

IR wants your opinion. 

So far, we have suggestions of Senator Chris Lauzen, Senator Peter Roskam, State Rep Randy Hultgren, State Rep John Bradley and Senator Frank Watson.

Which Illinois legislator would you like to see nominated as "Illinois Review's Conservative Legislator for 2005"?

Give the name and at least two reasons why he or she should be considered. 

Let's be original  and persuasive . . .  the polling will end on Dec 30.

Assessing the Conservative Mind In America

by Greg Blankenship

Earlier this week Professor emeritus Jeffrey Hart of Dartmouth University and author of "The American Conservative Mind Today" (Link: OpinionJournal - American Conservatism) assessed the progress of the modern conservative movement.  His measuring stick is Edmund Burke and Russell Kirk. 

His conclusion is that the American conservative mind is still a work in progress.  It has deviated from Russell Kirk's vision in some instances, but with skepticism, prudence, and judgement American conservatism is self correcting.  The predominant theme of Hart's critique revolves around movement's brush with utopianism and emotion. . .

Separation of church and state and job -- a new dilemma

by Fran Eaton

Suppose you had a job where you were faced with a moral dilemma between disobeying the orders of the top state executive and obeying what you deem as the orders of God?  What would you do?

A story in Thursday's Peoria Journal-Star says that the Illinois General Assembly will be considering legislation that would protect pharmacists from being forced to dispense drugs they find morally or religiously objectionable.

This debate is likely to become heated as more and more moral issues arise concerning the wall between separation of church and state and jobs.

Some government-mandated vaccines such as for chicken pox were developed from cell lines begun with aborted fetal tissue.  Should doctors and nurses who have moral objections to using unborn baby body parts for research and drug development be forced to administer vaccines they find offensive? 

When does government overrule religion?   Would you support legislation protecting medical personnel from dispensing medication they find morally or religiously objectionable?

Link: PJStar.com - Journal Star News.

Continuing the Tradition of Dumbing Down our Kids

by Bruno Behrend

Hello everyone, and many thanks to Illinios Review's Editorial staff for inviting me to be a contributor here.  Those of you familiar with me know that I consider Education as the most important issue facing Illinois (and the nation, frankly).

If you like the 1st Amendment, our schools are doing all they can to undermine it.  Is the 2nd Amendment your cup of tea?  Our schools do all they can to make it go away.

Is Abortion your hot-button issue? What is your guess as to the position of the Public Education Establishment (which I affectionately call "Big Ed")?  Pro-Life?

How about economics?  Does a Highschool Graduate have a good grounding in the problems AND the benefits of our (barely) free market system?  Nope, only the problems. 

Let's try political correctness.  Is it a silly distraction - great for the occasional joke - or an insideous virus that destroys the "diversity of thought" (the only important diversity, IMO)?  You can guess my view.

This is what I'm driving at.  Virtually every conservative ideal and idea is undermined day in and day out in the schools that we pay for.  Some of this agenda is advocated openly and some of it is more surreptitious.

Interestingly, we could swallow all of this, and correct for it in our homes (provided we are conscious of it) if our children were actually getting educated.  But they aren't.

Observe. . .

Time to protect kids from Internet porn

by Fran Eaton

No wonder Governor Blagojevich supports libraries and schools protecting children from Internet pornography.  So does 91 percent of Chicago's suburbanites polled recently, according to a poll discussed in Fred Barnes' new Weekly Standard piece entitled "A Congress of Mayors."

For almost ten years, Illinois pro-family groups have unsuccessfully tried to require libraries and schools to provide filters on their computers.  The Illinois Library Association and the teachers' unions vehemently resist any such "censorship."

Within the last couple of years, a federal law nicknamed CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act) required libraries receiving federal funds to filter illegal pornography from children's eyes.  The law was upheld in a U.S. Supreme Court challenge.

Over 60 percent of libraries nationwide have chosen to protect children and their employees from taxpayer-funded obscenity. 

It's time Illinois libraries and schools joined the trend.

Link: A Congress of Mayors.

Social conservative groups band together to question primary candidates

Candidates for  office in the Illinois General Assembly will have a unique opportunity this year to fill out just one questionnaire pertaining to issues of concern for social conservative groups.

With almost fifty questions ranging from parents' rights to immigration to abortion, the survey is comprehensive and the nine groups who worked together to develop the questionnaire  are hopeful that more candidates will respond and at the same time, save themselves duplicate work.

Candidates' responses will be used to publish voter guides on websites and in group member newsletters.

Top 2005 Illinois conservative stories

by Fran Eaton

Here's Illinois Review's list of top political stories in 2005:

Big conservative story #1:  The Democrats cut a sweet state budget deal -- without one Republican vote -- built on delaying state employee pension payments.  So confident that they won't need the approval of Republicans for the next year's budget either,  Democratic leaders Emil Jones and Mike Madigan plan the upcoming session to adjourn in early April.

Big conservative story #2:  With the help of every Democrat in the General Assembly, Governor Blagojevich passes nation's most expansive universal health care program with All Kids.  He bypasses the legislature to set up taxpayer-funded embryonic stem cell research.  He forces pharmacists to disperse so-called emergency contraceptives against their religious convictions. 

Big conservative story #3:  The governor faces accusations of campaign kickbacks and hiring deals as well as a Democratic primary challenger in 2006. 

And concerned that conservatives won't take advantage of the top conservative stories of 2005, a cynical prediction for top 2006 conservative story . . .   

Taxes---Yet Again

by Ralf Seiffe

There can be no sensible person left on our political environment that does not understand the empirical effect of lowering taxes.  Two generations of experience have taught us that whenever taxes on income are lowered, the economy responds by producing more income.  As abundant and simple as the evidence is, there are both Republicans and Democrat senators who refuse to accept these facts. 

These economic Neanderthals are prohibiting the Senate from concurring with the House’s extension of the current successful tax cuts.  Their opposition to these common-sense actions really tells us they oppose higher American living standards.

Terror-fighting efforts: your opinions

True conservatives believe in limited government, liberty and freedom.  We also believe in a strong national defense.

As such, I'm interested to hear how my fellow conservatives feel about recent revelations that the Bush Administration authorized wiretaps on US soil without a court order, and secretly monitored US mosques for nuclear activity.

I'm not stating my opinion here -- yet.  I'd like to see what you all think.

GOP Old Guard commences primary jousting

by Fran Eaton

Forget it, folks. No peace in the Prairie State -- not even on Christmas Day.

Former Governor Jim Edgar's top advisor Mike Lawrence offers "A Test for Political Junkies" today in The Southern which focuses on the idiosyncrasies of Illinois governor/lt. governor election process. 

The questions he asks are political trivia, but the SIUE professor finds a way to make an underhanded joust at Steve Rauschenberger, revealing the old Edgar regime's percolating resentment toward reform candidates.  Lawrence writes,

9. Gidwitz's pick is State Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, a chief budget negotiator during the George Ryan years who has declared himself a reformer and, with a straight face, castigated Topinka for being an insider.

"With a straight face"?  "Castigated"?  Are you kidding?

My, my Mr. Lawrence, have you appointed yourself the state treasurer's knight-in-shining armor?  Ask your SIUE students if they would -- with a straight face -- call someone your old boss endorsed a party "outsider" or "reformer"?

Rauschenberger knows how "the inside" works.  I would suppose that's another reason he's not running as Judy's LG. 

Judy's no Joan of Arc. 

Link: The Southern Illinoisan.

Family Review: Ignorance and Want

by Rhonda Robinson

It's Christmas Eve, I hadn’t been sleeping long, so I know I wasn’t dreaming. The kids have been in bed for hours, sound asleep, so who was that walking down the hall?

“Who’s there?” I asked, expecting to hear a small startled voice asking for a drink of water. Instead it was I who was startled when a deep, thunderous voice replied, “I am the ghost of Christmas past.”

Yeah, right. Whatever. “Go back to bed or there will be no Christmas present!” I responded.

In an instant we were riding in the back seat of a grain-paneled station wagon with my parents. My little brother was standing up in the back seat, bouncing up and down, squealing as he’s pointing out the window at the Christmas lights. Row after row of houses were lit with colored lights and Christmas trees peeking through windows. Bing Crosby was singing White Christmas on the radio.

Illinois Review wishes you a Blessed Christmas

We at Illinois Review want to thank you for your support and growing interest as we create a crossroads for Illinois' conservative community.   

Come along with us as we continue to evolve.  You're sure to see more exciting changes as new voices and new perspectives are added to the discussion.

It is our hope that by this time next year, we will have created a place where thousands of Illinois conservatives will cross paths daily, exchange ideas and ultimately create an atmosphere for change.

We wish you a joyous Christmas celebration with your family and friends. 

Illinois Review Team

Valiant AG Protects Us From Evil Businessmen

By Lee Newcom

Attorney General Lisa Madigan has shown a sophisticated and well groomed image to the voters of Illinois for the past two years. So much so that Du Page County State's Attorney Joe Birkett thought her unbeatable, so passed on running against her. Her real style of governance shows today as pointed out in this Sun Times article.  Because she can, Madigan has written 18 gas station owners, who she accuses of price gouging after Hurricane Katrina. She demands a $1,000 contribution to a charity she dictates or face a legal suit.  No investigation, no finding of fact, no conviction, no respect for the rule-of-law.  This is raw political arrogance.  Of course the legal cost to a merchant for not complying with her demand will be thousands of dollars, so they must. One of her targets complained that his prices were raised 46 cents per gallon, exactly his wholesale price increase that day.  This is the style of government that strikes at the very core of liberty and the rule-of-law: the raw exercise of intimidation by a public official.

In the article, her GOP opponent, Tazewell County State's Attoney Stu Umholtz, ONLY criticises her dictating the charity, instead of defending innocent merchants from this raw abuse of the AG's authority.  Illinois Republicans may start winning if they start connecting with voters on these basic issues of liberty and integrity.  Get your dander up Stu, go after her on this! 

Laptops, Bill Gates and UNESCO

Submitted by "Dayspring". . .

Lt. Governor Patrick Quinn has been appearing on radio programs this week promoting his program to put a laptop computer in the hands of every 7th and 8th grade student by August of next year.  The purpose would basically be to replace textbooks.
Quinn said  legislation will be proposed in January which would authorize this purchase and the $50 million needed would come from the small percent of the sales tax kept by the merchants for collecting the state sales tax.
Are 7th and 8th grade students mature enough to respect an expensive  laptop computer they have gotten so easily?  A lot of adults would love the luxury of a laptop, but it is outside their budget.  But then we should never say no because after all, "it is for the children."

EATON: IL Christians slapped by Rush and Schakowsky

by Fran Eaton

I'm making two calls today -- one to my own Congressman Bobby Rush and one to Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. 

I'm going to wish both of them a "Merry Christmas" and ask each of them why they were the only two of the Illinois congressional delegation to vote against U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Davis' (R-VA) resolution last week to protect the celebration of Christmas as a national holiday.  Altogether, 22 of the 435 members of the U.S. House voted against the resolution.

With their votes, Rush and Schakowsky slapped the collective face of Christians and dishonored the invaluable contribution members of the Christian community have made over the course of this nation's history.

Rush's D.C. number is (202-225-4372) and Schakowsky's is (202-225-2111), in case you are as ticked as I am .  . .

IR NEWS: Conservatives show muscle in 2005

by Fran Eaton

Despite the Democratic liberals’ current domination in both houses of the Illinois General Assembly and in the governor’s office, conservative legislators and grassroots activists were able to effect the political process this year at the State Capitol.

While only one pro-life bill became law this past session, a working coalition of statewide conservative groups successfully shut down several others.

Family Review: Has Chicago's Homefirst Health Services found the secret to Autism?

by Rhonda Robinson

What does the Amish in Lancaster County and thousands of children cared for in Chicago’s Homefirst Health Services have in common?  They have never been immunized, and they don’t have autism.

Debate Conspiracy?

Dave Diersen asks an interesting question this morning on his daily media alert. 

QUESTION: Why aren't the Chicago area television stations and newspapers arranging televised debates between Brady, Gidwitz, Oberweis, and Topinka and between Birkett, Rauschenberger, and Wegman?

ANSWER: The combine controls the Chicago area television stations and newspapers and the combine knows that such debates would not advance their candidates -- Blagojevich and Topinka.

I'm thinking that there's really no leftstream media conspiracy here; it's likely the debates among the gubernatorial candidates are in the works, they just haven't been publicized yet. 

During the 2004 U.S. Senate campaign, the television/radio stations knew that the candidates would drop everything to schedule a televised or statewide radio debate. 

This interest in the lieutenant governor's race is unique.  Off the top of your heads and without looking at the State Board of Elections website, can anyone tell us who ran for LG in the March 2002 primary?   (Beside Quinn!)

I doubt much attention will be given to that race at all . . .

Just how big are blogs?

Blogs are bigger than Jesus and bigger than sex, the Philadephia Inquirer notes today . . .

Wow . . .

Link: Blinq | In the blink of an eye, blogs became big.

EATON: Rutherford and "The Question”

When I mentioned to Rutherford that I expected to receive tough criticism for publishing an interview reflecting positively on him and then not asking “The Question,” the senator asked me if I would like to know the answer to “The Question.”

“Sure,” I said.  “I’m curious . . . ”

Zinga files for second run in the 17th Congressional Race

Former CNN emmy award winning Andrea Zinga (R) has filed for another run against Congressman Lane Evans (D) for the 17th district congressional seat. The gerrymandered 17th district in rural Illinois has not been typical of the Illinois vote South of Chicago. Social conservatives usually are favored but in this case, extreme liberal Lane Evans has been repeatedly re-elected since 1982.

EATON: The puzzling GOP lineup

Blankenship raises questions about Topinka that the IL GOP elitists don't want answered.  He suggests reporters like Eric Krol should diligently dig for facts to back up Topinka's claims.  Perhaps the truth is that the RNC will back anyone who can prove they can knock off Blagojevich.

About the governor's race:

With the filing of the Gidwitz/Rauschenberger ticket yesterday, the puzzle is complete for the IL GOP March 2006 primary.  Gidwitz and Rauschenberger are running as a team on a "reform the IL GOP" theme. 

First Ron and Steve have to prove to IL GOP voters how corrupt the party is.  Dangerous.  No one wants to have flaws in their own dysfunctional families pointed out.  But everyone knows that's the first step in recovery -- acknowledging there's a problem. 

That is a problem for the Topinka/Birkett ticket.  They symbolize the party establishment.  Judy and Joe must work together to put on a happy face about the party's current condition.  We're all waiting to hear the Topinka/Birkett campaign messages, something like  "Want more of the same?" or "If you haven't had enough, elect us!"

Then you have Oberweis and Brady splitting the GOP conservative vote between the two of them, rendering the potentially powerful social conservative voting bloc ineffective. 

And don't forget the quintessential candidate Andy Martin . . . making the fifth GOP candidate in the primary.   

Which begs a question -- was it appropriate for the IL GOP executive director to request a copy of Martin's signatures if, indeed, the state party is staying neutral in this primary?

Thank You For Wire Tapping

Today's lead editorial in the Wall Street Journal does a real nice job of taking apart some of the knee jerk reactions to the monitoring of the enemy's international communications in the US:

"The allegation of Presidential law-breaking rests solely on the fact that Mr. Bush authorized wiretaps without first getting the approval of the court established under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. But no Administration then or since has ever conceded that that Act trumped a President's power to make exceptions to FISA if national security required it. FISA established a process by which certain wiretaps in the context of the Cold War could be approved, not a limit on what wiretaps could ever be allowed.

The courts have been explicit on this point, most recently in In Re: Sealed Case, the 2002 opinion by the special panel of appellate judges established to hear FISA appeals. In its per curiam opinion, the court noted that in a previous FISA case (U.S. v. Truong), a federal "court, as did all the other courts to have decided the issue [our emphasis], held that the President did have inherent authority to conduct warrantless searches to obtain foreign intelligence information." And further that "we take for granted that the President does have that authority and, assuming that is so, FISA could not encroach on the President's constitutional power."

Link: Thank You For Wiretapping

BLANKENSHIP: All Things Topinka

Back in November I posted on Treasurer Topinka's support from Washington and wondered just how accurate the reporting was.

My hope was that some enterprising reporter would seek to verify the assertion, with RNC leaders, that they were in the tank for Topinka.  That's what the reporting seems to intimate.  Yet, I hear otherwise.  So, is the potential RNC support just for Topinka, or is it for anybody coming out of the primary? Will it be forthcoming if Governor Blagojevich is well ahead in the polls?   I also wonder whether or not the money would go to the campaign or to the Party -- two very different things. 

So much for enterprising reporters in Illinois.  Eric Krol (see link below) writes today that:

"Topinka also has backing from the national GOP in the form of fundraising pledges, and respected former Gov. Jim Edgar has deemed her the most electable against Blagojevich. She’s also tapped DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett of Wheaton to be her attack-dog running mate and to provide a conservative balance to her moderate views."

How much has been pledged?  Who pledged it? How much?  When will it come?

Also, one wonders what qualifies for a moderate these days?  Isn't she to the left of the Governor on taxes? 

Link: Daily Herald | DuPage County.

ILGOP works to mop up weekend embarrassment

The IL GOP Executive Director John Tsarpalas admitted today that an ILGOP staffer is responsible for pointing out a story to reporters statewide last week about two conservative PACs being fined $61,000 for missing State Board of Election filing deadlines. 

Party rules dictate that the state organization not be involved in negative campaigning during a primary.

"We are not taking sides in this primary," Tsarpalas emphasized today.

State party chairman Andy McKenna has apologized to Jim Oberweis and the ILGOP staffer faces possible termination.

Link: PJStar.com - Journal Star News.

BLANKENSHIP: Cross Credit

House Republican Leader Tom Cross isn't considered a "movement conservative" or a "true conservative" by many.  Yet, when it comes to such issues as making government more efficient, Leader Cross has some important contributions to make.  Take streamlining state government, for example...

Link: Read: "Get Rid of Pat Quinn" over at JoinCross.com.

IR FOCUS: GOP Candidate for Secretary of State Dan Rutherford

Part 3 of a 3-part interview with IR Editor Fran Eaton

I think the George Ryan trial is old news for the general public.   I think George Ryan had his imprint on Illinois politics in the ‘02 election.  I think in the ’06 election, he’s former, he’s past, he’s out of office.  The public has already convicted him and life goes on.  It doesn’t mean you condone it, but I really don’t think that’s going to be a factor in the election.

For the past four years, State Senator Dan Rutherford has been traveling from one end of Illinois to the other, doing what he could to build up the Republican Party when party morale was at historic lows. (See Part 1)

Combine last year’s indictment of former Governor George Ryan, the embarrassing scandal surrounding the GOP nominee for U.S. Senate Jack Ryan with the coup de grace, looking to out-of-stater Alan Keyes to be the GOP's nominee, only to alienate mainstream voters to a landslide victory for Barack Obama and the result was disastrous.  All that, along with the GOP’s in-fighting between passionate social conservatives and the Old Guard, caused anyone who tried to boost party's spirit to be seen as desperately tilting windmills.

But that's exactly what Dan Rutherford did.  He drove almost 200,000 miles to speak at Lincoln Day dinners with five to five hundred attendees.  He passed along precious campaign dollars to others willing to place their names on the ballot. 

Now it’s time for the favors to be returned.  Rutherford says that he’s willing to take on Jesse White, who he calls "the Goliath of the Democratic Party." 

There’s no question that Rutherford will be calling in the chips he’s spread throughout the state to win next November.  And he believes his four-year investment will pay off when he becomes SOS in January 2007.

NEWCOM: Questions for Joe Birkett?

Starting a little project here.  What are the six most important qustions Joe Birkett should have to answer (obviously it is more than 6, but lets just keep the list short to make it easy on him).  Here's my start. Obviously there are many more. Make your suggestions in the comments section (link below this post) and I will chose the best. The deadline is Wednesday 8 AM and I will publish the list.

Questions for Joe Birkett.  My start:

1.  You said with apparent sincerity that you would not be running for any office in 2006 because you were too busy as DuPage County State's Attorney to do so.  What about your responsibilities changed to allow you to about face and run for Lt. Governor?

2.  You have represented yourself as a strong Catholic and social conservative.  I have assumed that these beliefs are sincerely held. The person you now recomend we all vote for for governor has indicated that she will veto any legislation affirming marraige as only between a man and a woman.  Do you believe that marriage should be preserved as between a man and a woman, and if so, what are we to think of this apparent contractiction?

3.  In Chicago's Gay Pride Parade each year the Christian religion, the Catholic Church in particular, is mocked; men parade nearly naked except for the barest covering of thier genitals; and open simulated sexual acts are perfomed in public in front of families.  Judy Barr Topinka marches annually in this parade apparently to show support of these activities.  Will you be endorsing this festival next year and will you join her in it?

Now..add to my list.

Join us . . .

Providing a place of open communication and debate on topics of interest to conservatives, the brand new Illinois Review's purpose is to foster open and honest discussion. 

Over the next few weeks, more and more notable Illinois conservatives will meet (and sometimes clash) at IR's crossroads.   

Join us.  We'll have news and opinions coming from all different directions converging all at once at Illinois Review.  It will be fun sometimes, irritating and disturbing at other times. 

But at IR we encourage differing opinions because we know no one -- no particular group, no particular person -- has all the answers.

"Speak now, or forever hold your peace . . . "

In a press release issued Friday night, Downstate Senator Bill Brady chided fellow GOP gubernatorial candidates for sending Illinois voters a "mixed message" about a constitutional amendment to protect the definition of marriage.  Brady confirmed that he believes marriage should be protected constitutionally as "a sacred union between a man and a woman."

A constitutional amendment (HJRCA 0011) was introduced earlier this year by State Representative David Reis (R-Effingham) who stands alone in support of the House version.  The proposal has been deep-sixed in the Illinois House Rules Committee. 

A state constitutional amendment must muster a 3/5 majority vote in both houses before going to the Illinois voters for final approval. 

A similar no-traction-in-a-liberal-Democrat-dominated Senate proposal, SJRCA 0023, was introduced by Senator John Jones, and co-sponsored by only two others thus far -- Senators Brad Burzynski and Todd Sieben. 

As of yesterday, Senator Bill Brady's name was not listed as an SJRCA 0023 sponsor or co-sponsor .  .  .

Maybe next week? 

Robinson: Merry Christmas...no offense

Rhonda Robinson writes in the Illinois Family Review subblog today,

I believe in Christmas miracles big and small, because I have witnessed them firsthand within our family. Never has a Christmas gone by without the blessing of a Christmas miracle, something wonderful that happens which was completely unexpected.

But I have never been a believer in Christmas magic, that is--until now.

For more,  link to : Illinois Family Review.

WI Gov signs umbilical cord blood donation bill

With Governor Doyle's signature today, Wisconsin will join Illinois in facilitating the public donation of newborn umbilical cord blood.  When a baby is born, the parents will be asked whether they would like to donate their new baby's stem cell-rich umbilical cord blood to a local blood bank.

Illinois has had a similar law in effect for years.  However, since the option is required only if the donation, its collection or storage does not cost the woman, her health care provider or the hospital, few women are queried as to whether they would like to donate.

State Rep. David Leitch (R-Peoria) has been unsuccessfully fighting for the state to fund umbilical cord stem cell research since his legislation became law in 2002. 

It is yet unknown whether Governor Blagojevich's Institute for Regenerative Medicine will funnel any of the $10 million into any other research but that of embryonic stem cell research.

Newcom: Irresponsibility Isn't Conservative

The Illinois Family Institute has issued an email and web alert urging people to call DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett to discourage him from becoming Judy Barr Topinka's running mate (the Topinka/Birkett fly-around to introduce the pairing was announced today).  Topinka is a liberal with a lot of political and ethical baggage while Birkett is a conservative of sterling reputation.

Despite my agreement that Birkett is making a mistake, there is no defending the highly irresponsible actions of IFI Executive Director Peter LaBarbara, who has published and urged people to call the DuPage County State's Attorney's office and email Birkett at his official county email address.  Those government contacts are completely inappropriate for political use and could put Birkett in legal jeopardy if he uses them for political purposes.  Even if that were not true, it is disturbing that LaBarbara cannot seem to discern that a State's Attorney's Office is a serious LAW ENFORCEMENT agency, which engages in very serious work PROSECUTING CRIMINALS AND LAW BREAKERS!  To tie up the phone lines of a public law enforcement agency with political calls by political activists, to take the hours of time that will be required by PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, and to fill the e-mail box of a highly important law enforcement officer with political emails, is not conservative, it is irresponsible!

IR FOCUS: GOP Candidate for Secretary of State Dan Rutherford

Part 2 of a 3-part interview with IR Editor Fran Eaton

Is Dan Rutherford a conservative or a moderate?  Sometimes I’m not sure what blog I’m reading to determine who I am.  .  .

State Senator Dan Rutherford's political career began with a statewide victory for Ronald Reagan in 1980 (see Part 1) .  Twenty-five years later -- fourteen of which have been spent in the Illinois General Assembly -- he has embarked upon his own statewide campaign, taking on who he calls the "titan of the Democratic Party" Secretary of State Jesse White.

Rutherford talks in Part 2 of a 3-part interview about the challenges of reaching out to an ideologically-divided Republican Party with the hopes of winning in a politically-diverse state.  He talks about tapping into the GOP's Old Guard while searching for new party enthusiasts and assuring reformers that change is underway. 

Rutherford also describes what he believes his role will be in the IL GOP in 2006. . .

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Illinois continues to bolster national lefty ranks

Add DCCC's chairman Rahm Emanuel to the list of left wing Democrats Illinois' Republican infighting has delivered to powerful national ranks.

Let's see, in addition to Emanuel, we have Minority Whip U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, potential presidential Dem rock star U.S. Senator Barak Obama and our very own national Hillary Care promoter Governor Rod Blagojevich. . . .

None of the four of them feel threatened to being ousted -- and who do we have to thank? 

Link: Chairman Rahm.

Blago pushes All Kids in DC

You gotta give it to him. 

Heady with the seemingly effortless success at getting the All Kids universal health care program through the Illinois General Assembly in record time during the veto session, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich took his show to DC this week.

Promoting Illinois unique health care program available to all children, in all income brackets, whether they or their parents are U.S. citizens, Blagojevich was joined in a press conference by Illinois' U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Congressman Rahm Emanuel, who have introduced legislation in their respective houses to encourage other states to provide health care for all children.

In one interview with Fox Cable News Neil Cavuto, Blagojevich noted that although he was left with a budget deficit when he took office, Illinois' All Kids program points out that when push comes to shove, funds can be found when needs are prioritized.

Let's remind ourselves -- every Democrat in the General Assembly voted for All Kids.  And absent strong GOP leadership, so did several weak-kneed Republicans in the House and one in the Senate.

Link: PJStar.com - Journal Star News.

GOP primary in 17th Congressional to challenge Lane Evans

EVANS, LANE A. 1516 37TH STREET ROCK ISLAND, IL 61201	17TH CONGRESS DEMOCRATIC	Active 12/12/2005 8:00 AM
MOWEN, JIM 2400 47TH AVENUE ROCK ISLAND, IL 61201	17TH CONGRESS REPUBLICAN	Active 12/14/2005 12:13 PM
GILLILAND, BRIAN S. 403 NW 3RD STREET ALEDO, IL 61231	17TH CONGRESS REPUBLICAN	Active 12/14/2005 1:37 PM

Peoria area's Rep. Smith faces primary challenge

YURKOVICH, JOSEPH 33649 NORTH COUNTY 39 HIGHWAY FARMINGTON, IL 61531	91ST REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRATIC	Active 12/12/2005 8:00 AM
SMITH, MICHAEL K. 1148 NORTH FIRST AVENUE CANTON, IL 61520	91ST REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRATIC	Active 12/14/2005 4:04 PM

Costello faces primary challenge

COSTELLO, JERRY F. 2608 PRO TOUR DRIVE BELLEVILLE, IL 62220	12TH CONGRESS DEMOCRATIC	Active 12/12/2005 8:00 AM
WIEZER, KENNETH CHARLES 1624 POPLAR STREET GRANITE CITY, IL 62040	12TH CONGRESS DEMOCRATIC	Active 12/14/2005 8:38 AM

Osmond faces primary challenger

OSMOND, JoANN D. 26133 W. GRASSLAKE ROAD ANTIOCH TOWNSHIP, IL 60002	61ST REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLICAN	Active 12/12/2005 8:00 AM
DZIKI, DAVID J. 659 BRIERWOOD COURT ANTIOCH, IL 60002	61ST REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLICAN	Active 12/13/2005 12:13 PM

The 'Hellholes' Capital of the U.S.

The American Tort Reform Association issued their annual "Judicial Hellholes" report today and, to nobody's surprise, Illinois does not fare well.  The Land of Lincoln is the ONLY state in the country to have three counties listed in the top five "Judicial Hellholes."  Cook County is the 2nd worst 'hellhole," and Madison and St. Clair counties are ranked 4 and 5, respectively.  These counties are areas where lawsuit abuse is rampant and due process is the exception, rather than the rule.

This dishonorable mention is in addition to Illinois' poor ranking -- 46th out of 50 states -- in the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform's 2005 Harris State Liability Rankings Study.  That study also showed that of the more than 1,400 senior corporate attorneys surveyed, 81% said a state's legal environment impacts important decisions, such as where to locate or invest new jobs.

Given the state's jobs crisis -- you'd think our politicians would act to reform the state's civil justice system.  But I guess those big trial lawyer contributions outweigh the greater good.

Is the IL GOP pushing Topinka?

No, says the IL GOP. 

Yes, says Illinois Family Institute, who issued the following statement early Tuesday afternoon:

6th Congressional becomes national nail-biter

Tammy Duckworth will be released from the Army this week and plans to announce Sunday on national news that she will be a candidate in the March 2006 Democratic primary, ABC News reports tonight.  She will file for the 6th Congressional race to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Congressman Henry Hyde.

Duckworth has been encouraged to run against State Senator Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton) who has been endorsed by Hyde to be his successor.  Former Clinton advisor and now-Congressman Rahm Emanuel (D-Chicago) is advising Duckworth, hoping to make the 6th District race a national poll on the Iraqi war.

Democrats will have three choices in the March primary -- Christine Cegelis, who attained 44% of the vote in 2004 against Hyde, Lindy Scott, a Wheaton College professor and Duckworth.

With this development, a normally-safe Republican seat becomes a national nail-biter.   

If anyone can handle that kind of pressure, Roskam can.

Link: ABC7Chicago.com: War hero may run for 6th Congressional District.

IR FOCUS: GOP Candidate for Secretary of State Dan Rutherford

PART 1 of 3-part interview with Fran Eaton, IR Editor

Life is a series of crossroads.   Once you’ve made your choice, don’t look back.

So is the life philosophy of Illinois GOP’s 2006 nominee for Secretary of State.   

Pontiac-born and raised, State Senator Dan Rutherford recently shared with Illinois Review a series of political crossroads he has encountered over his past 50 years living in central Illinois. 

IL blog makes news

Evidently, Blago's staff is into posting pro-Oberweis comments on Rich Miller's Capitol Fax blog.

You gotta love the SJ-R's little slap to blogs with Redfield's comment that the jury is out on how persuasive blogs are, compared to the mainstream media. . .

"(Blogs) do allow you to get things out there into the public discourse and gain an audience," he said. "But whether that gets picked up in terms of the things we know influence opinion - both mass and elite, such as newspapers, television and cable kinds of outlets - we're less sure about that."

Remember when cable news was questionable?

Link: SJ-R.COM - Blog posts traced to campaign computers.