Illinois Review

Rockford Amtrak Picking Up Speed

by Cal Skinner

The Union Pacific freight train that was roaring through Marengo with horns blasting a little after noon Saturday was not a precursor of Amtrak service to McHenry County. That was made abundantly clear at a Rockford College presentation Saturday morning.

The once-a-day round trip Amtrak engines and coaches are on the track from Chicago to Rockford and Dubuque though. They’re picking up speed, but not through McHenry County.

United Republican Fund to feature tax fighter April 16 in Chicago

Herman Cain, former CEO of Godfather Pizza and nationally-renowned for fighting taxes and inspiring entrepeneurs, will be in Chicago April 16. 

Make plans now to meet Cain at the Urban League Club, hosted by the newly re-energized United Republican Fund. 

Make your reservations today and find out more here.

Republicans should stay out of Dem's Family Feud

The Daily Herald's John Patterson describes (see here) the Democrats' Family Feud over exhorbitent electric rate hikes, tax increases and new Big Mama government programs.

Let's do a quick review of what Republican lawmakers-who-would-like-to-be-in-the-majority-again-someday should do in response:

Just Wondering, Will AC/DC be legal, too?

Okay, the Illinois House could vote on HB 1826 -- legalizing "civil unions" -- when lawmakers return after their spring break.   While HB 1826 specifies civil unions as between "2 persons of the same sex OR the opposite sex,"  there's sure to be a growing dissatisfaction among the "Bs" of the anti-traditional marriage coalition of "GLBTs" (Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transsexuals).

The "Bs" will sooner or later demand legal unions for those who can't make up their minds whether they want to be in homosexual or heterosexual relationships.  Just where will all this finally climax? 

Disruptive behavior tied to time in child care, study says

A U.S. child care study released this week tracking 1364 children showed the more time a child spent in child care, the more likely their sixth-grade teachers were to report problem behavior.

But the redeeming factor, the study indicated, is those same kids had better vocabulary scores.

On the other hand, the most influential factor they found in a child's life was the quality of parenting.  "And as expected, parents’ guidance and their genes had by far the strongest influence on how children behaved," the New York Times wrote.

Stop the Gross Receipts Tax and Other Tax Increases Forum

Wednesday, April 4, Senator Chris Lauzen and others will hold a forum in Aurora to discuss the Democrats' Gross Receipts Tax and other gross tax hikes.

75 reasons to end embyro killing as well as rid the U.S. Senate of Durbin and Obama

Not that it would matter to either Dick Durbin OR Barack Obama (Illinois U.S. Senators who are big embryo killing fans), but the Coalition of Americans for Ethical Research just made available today 75 NEW "Reasons to Reconsider the Alleged Need for Stem Cell Research that Destroys Human Embryos."

With the U.S. Senate voting to debate and vote upon federal funding for human embryo killing and experimentation next week, it might be good for us all to consider  these among 75 reasons why we need to relieve the U.S. Senate of these two human embyro ghouls. . .

Scary thing is, one could possibly leave the Senate and go to the White House.

The 75 reasons list is here.

School Choice Survives to Fight Another Day

by Collin Hitt

Last Fall, most charter school advocates in Illinois could hardly contain their excitement.  Research was pouring in - showing the success of Chicago's charter experiment.  Donations were pouring in - tens of millions of dollars were given (just given!) to charter public schools for infrastructure development, for program expansion.  The Trib and the Sun Times not only heralded the successes of charter schools, but editorialized for more of them.  And the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, in a heavily publicized report, demanded more charters for the Windy City.

All seemed to be going well.  A consensus had formed: charters and choice are good, and Chicago should have more of both.  Finally, and for the first time, charter advocates were ready to come to Springfield confident in their own agenda.  The party never got started.  Instead, for the past two months, charter school advocates have been on their heels.

Kane County Women Legislators Help Women Pursuing Higher Education

Living in Kane County and looking for a way to pay for college?  Kane County state reps Ruth Munson and Patricia Lindner may be able to help . . .

Hunting rifle ban challenged by Illinois-based gun manufacturer

Criticizing actions taken by suburban freshman Senator Dan Kotowski to ban the sale, purchase, manufacture or possession of .50 caliber rifles in Illinois, ArmaLite president Mark Westrom defied comments Kotowski made in a press conference held Wednesday at the Capitol.

From a US Newswire press release:

. . . Kotowski expressed little concern for the economic and social impact that SB-1471 would have on hard working Illinois citizens. If SB-1471 became law, 185 jobs in the Quad Cities area would be moved out of state so that ArmaLite and its suppliers could adhere to the gun manufacturing ban provided for in the law.

As a former lobbyist for an Illinois based gun-ban organization, Senator Kotowski should know that one's word is their credibility. It is obvious to all who were in attendance that Senator Kotowski conveniently avoided the facts while employing one mistruth after another to promote his anti-gun crusade.

"If he's willing to be this dishonest and misrepresent our rifle, I wonder what other facts he is omitting or not telling his colleagues," added Mark Westrom.

A rather wordy study of contrasts.

by George Dienhart

Sometimes things are as clear as black and white. More often, they are shades of grey. I want to focus on some black and white issues today.

Chocolate Jesus- On a personal level I find this disgusting. On a constitutional level, it is allowed. Thats not where the story lies. I can not view this work of "art". That solves that from a personal level. The larger story is, what if it was a chocolate Mohamed? There would be riots, executions and a media uproar worthy of an episode of South Park. This is the difference between a civilized society, and a backwards society. Here in the civilized west, there will be some people saying the display is distasteful. Thats where this will peak, and thats how it should end. Contrast this with other recent world events.

Good vs. Evil- This is as easy as this should get. For some reason it is mired down in discussion. Let me help. Liberating United States Troops that have freed 50 million people in the last 4 years good. Islamic fascists that would place the whole world under Sharia, Evil. President that has protected us from terrorist attack for 4 years Good. Wacky leftists who are willing to see America fail to advance a Democrat political agenda, Evil.

Evidence of intra-GOP arson on statewide smoking ban

Arson was committed in the Illinois Senate chambers Thursday afternoon.  Both Democrat and Republican senators voted to ban smoking in restaurants, bars and public places throughout Illinois, leaving the state's smokers welcome only in private residences, automobiles and designated outdoor spaces. 

After the smoke cleared the Senate chambers, an assessment of the situation for conservatives and Republicans in general indicates far more damage than the foolish Republicans who supported SB 500 chose to understand.  The long term, resulting devastation may be monumental.

Liberal Land's "Ethics"

From the poignant pen of Colorado Springs' Gazette cartoonist Chuck Asay . . .

Who is being deceptive?

by Bill Beckman, Exec. Dir., Illinois Right to Life

Abortion supporters claim that pregnancy care centers are deceiving and intimidating women so they will not get abortions.   What are these claimed deceptions?  They tell women that abortion may adversely affect their ability to have future children, may have serious psychological impacts, and could make them more prone to breast cancer.  Of course, since many studies exist that establish all these conditions as risk factors of abortion, pregnancy care centers are not really being deceptive by sharing those risks.  However, since abortion supporters claim these conditions do not exist, they are really doing the deceiving.

Hate Crime Without the Hate

by John Ruskin

Another case of the Left spreading lies to advance their agenda. And exploiting a man's death to do so. What a compassionate bunch they truly are.

Alleged beating of elderly homosexual man proven false

Gorman: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire

by John Ruskin

QUESTION: How many Republicans does it take to elect a Cook County Republican Chairman?

ANSWER: None. They're elected by Democrats.

That seems to be the case with Liz Gorman. Liz is clearly more comfortable making Faustian deals with questionable conservatives and degenerate Democrats than she is with honorably representing her Party.

Check out the Daily Southtown's pieces on her connection to Democrat Kyle Hastings here., and her enrichment activities here.

Smell the smoke folks? Perhaps it's time to yell "fire"!

The Right to Choose: Illinois Should Legalize Homebirth Midwives

by John Bambenek

Senate Bill 385 is currently before the Illinois General Assembly. This bill directs the state to create a professional license for midwives to attend homebirths. Our current laws allow a woman to give birth at home, but make it illegal for midwives to attend those births. This essentially takes away a woman's right to choose where she will birth her baby. Women should not only be allowed to but be supported in working with their bodies during birth. Illinois is one of the few states in our country that has outlawed qualified, licensed midwives who wish to perform this service.

I am familiar with this topic because my wife had a homebirth with our first son, Michael (pictured above). My wife was quite adamant about having our child at home, and I wanted her have the birth any way she wanted. The medical literature shows that homebirth is a safe alternative for low-risk pregnancies, so my only concern was that I was not to be the one to catch.

Chalk One Up For the Good Guys

HB 466, Rep. Monique Davis' bill to prohibit charter school "cloning", or establishment of multiple campuses, was defeated in the House today by a vote of 32-77-0.

Liberal Rage Update

From Tim Egan's Deep Cover . . .

280,000 IL School Tests "Discounted"

by John Ruskin

Just when you think Illinois' Left/Dem Educrats might finally acquire a sense of shame, it's revealed that they've now "discounted" 280,000 reading and math tests in order to skew results and save their asses. (NBC story here)

Damn the kids. What do they have to do with education?

And the Democrats (Blago, Madigan, Jones, et.al.) want MORE money for these educational charlatans??

750 clears major hurdle *** Updated x1 ***

Rich Miller is reporting that HB 750 -- the famous tax swap -- just passed out of a House Committee and notes in an update that two Republicans actually voted for what would be a major tax hike.

Rep. Jerry Mitchell (R-Sterling) and Rep. Roger Eddy (R-Huntsville) voted for the measure.  Earlier this year I posted a comment here suggesting that if the Democrats wanted to hike taxes, they should do it without Republican votes.   Democrats should have to carry the water and take the punishment for hiking taxes.  Hiking taxes, at the very least, would unify the opposition and perhaps even lead to a Republican resurgence. 

My thinking on the subject is that if Republicans want to raise our taxes and redistribute our hard earned dollars to Democrat special interests groups that they would be free to propose doing so when Republicans were back in the majority.  But for now, they should ensure that Democrats are sole owners of any tax increase.  These two clearly didn't get the message.  These two clearly don't get it.  These two either lack the cognitive skills to recognize the political opportunity that lies before them or simply don't want to be the majority party. 

Let's hope somebody explains it to them before a final vote.

$9.2 billion tax increase passes committee with 2 GOP member votes

This morning, Illinois' House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee passed HB 750 with a 12 to 9 vote.  Reportedly, HB 750 will raise Illinois taxes $9.2 billion, $2.2 billion more than Governor Rod Blagojevich's plan demands.

Two Republican House members  -- former school superintendents Roger Eddy and Jerry Mitchell supported the Democrats' push for this tax increase.

No rhyme nor Reason to new blog.

by George Dienhart

People say that imitation  is the sincerest form of flattery. In politics, you might say that personal attacks are the sincerest form of flattery. Well, it seems that Rob Nesvacil loooooves the Illinois Review, and by all appearances me.

Mr Nesvacil is an Arlington Heights Park Commissioner and evidently a gardener, according to his bio. He questioned whether I am old enough to truly remember the 80's in one of his previous posts. I have the gray hair and wrinkles to offer as proof. He looks to be a little younger, probably a by product of the Clinton 90's. I doubt he remembers much about the 80's, aside from playing with his GI Joe's. I served in the Marines in the 80's. His bio states that he studied graphic design at UIC. That made me remember something...

Give it up for "M C Rove" at last night's Correspondents' Dinner

Illegals versus teen driving privileges clash

While working to make it easier for illegal immigrants to drive in Illinois, at the very same time the General Assembly is making it tougher for Illinois residential teens to acquire drivers' licenses.

The Illinois Senate passed a measure Tuesday which extends the teen driver's permit phase from three months to nine months, and shortens nighttime driving restrictions from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from midnight to 11 p.m. on weekends for all drivers under 18.

No such driving restrictions are included in the House's bill for illegal immigrants passed on Wednesday.  Illegals will not need to provide birth certificates or Social Security numbers as the teens are required to do, illegals will need to provide only a utility bill with their name and address, a photo ID, and will be given 30 days to provide proof of insurance. 

However, illegals will need to be fingerprinted.  Illinois residential teens will not be required to be fingerprinted.

Question:  How will Jesse White handle a 17-year-old illegal immigrant who wants to drive? 

Walt Handelsman's Presidential Reality Show

Check out Newsday.com's latest Walt Handelsman animation . . . here.

Gov's Plan B mandate to be appealed to Supreme Court

The Daily-Chronicle's Springfield Bureau updated a two year old story on the one-man battle against King Rod's edict that all Illinois pharmacists would be denied their First Amendment right to exercise their religion in their workplace.

Luke Vander Bleek, who owns two drug stories, plans to appeal the Fourth District Court of Appeals' decision last week to throw out his case because the Governor's order forces him to distribute so-called Plan B morning-after pills against his religious beliefs.

he morning after pill to which Vander Bleek objects chemically induces an abortion if taken shortly after a woman conceives.

The Morrison druggist says he does not know how long it will be before the state's Supreme Court takes up his case.

Study on Amtrak Round-Tripper To Be Posted Online

by Cal Skinner      

March 22nd, I was denied a copy of Amtrak’s study of the pros, cons and costs of various routes for daily round-trip service between Chicago and Dubuque via Rockford.

Here’s the reason given by the Illinois Department of Transportation, taken from the Freedom of Information Act [5ILCS 140/7 (1) (f).]:

Illegal immigrants helped by GOP House members, betrayed by Dems

In Wednesday's House vote 60 to 56 vote on HB 1100, which provides drivers' certificates for undocumented workers, 11 Republicans supported and 16 Dems opposed. 

GOP members supporting the measure included Beaubien, Dan Brady, Coulson, Froehlich, Leitch, LIndner, McAuliffe, Mulligan, Munson, Saviano and Winters.

Democrats opposing the proposal were Beiser, Boland, John Bradley, Crespo, Dugan, Flider, Flowers, Franks, Gordon, Hannig, Holbrook, Mautino, Phelps, Reitz, Smith, and Verschoore.

Correction:  State Rep. Ed Sullivan was originally reported to have voted "yes" on HB 1100, but voted "no."

Illegal alien driving privilege passes IL House

by Fran Eaton

SPRINGFIELD -- Using the clout of former Republican Governor Jim Edgar to tip the scales for undecided lawmakers as to whether they should open the way for illegal aliens to drive on Illinois streets and highways, State Rep. Edward Acevedo's HB 1100 passed in a close 60 to 56 today.

The first to rise in support of drivers' "certification" was State Rep. Paul Froehlich, who explained that HB 1100 would require fingerprinting and a photo ID, also recognized the controversial nature of allowing illegal immigrants the right to drive.  "We don't follow public opinion here, this is to promote public safety," said the Schaumburg-based Republican lawmaker.

Get with it, Abe . . .

From the perceptive humorous pen of Jack Ohman. . .

Feb 5th primary date moves forward

The Illinois House just chose to move Illinois primary to February 5th with 110  yeas and 4 nays to House Speaker Mike Madigan's (also Illinois Democratic Party State Chairman)  HB 426.  The bill had no GOP co-sponsors. (IR Ed. Correction: Thanks, Jeff Trigg, for pointing out two GOP co-sponsors -- Paul Froehlich and Aaron Schock. . .)

Speaker Madigan indicated he would prefer a nationally-uniformed primary date passed by U.S. Congress.

IR Writers spawn a new "Illogical Reason" blog

If you're looking for the "other side of the story" as to issues we address on Illinois Review, we chuckle as the "others" feel a need to respond to Illinois Review commentators at the illogically-named Illinois Reason, a new liberal blog featuring pokes and slaps at IR writers Fran Eaton, George Dienhart, John Ruskin and Jill Stanek.

I'm sure the IR writers can't be paid a much higher compliment than that, "Illogical Reason" guys.  Thanks!  Maybe soon you'll add me, too?

Out of the closet: Socialist Speaker Madigan

by Robert Shirtliffe

House Speaker Mike Madigan came out of the closet yesterday and revealed his long-hidden socialist leanings by advocating the state takeover of private utilities in Illinois. 

Don't forget -- Speaker Madigan is the Illinois Democrats' Party Chairman and father of our State's Attorney General. 

Enjoy your freedom of access to electricity, folks.  It may not be long before such access is dependent on which ballot you pull in the primaries.

Power to the people.

by George Dienhart

No, this isn't a review of the Laura Ingraham show, it's commentary on perhaps the single worst idea to ever fall out of Michael Madigan's head. Yeah, I know, thats a bold statement. So many bad ideas over the years, how could he possibly top himself now? Why, with a state owned, non profit power company!

Think of it. Thousands of patronage jobs. A never ending money pit in which we could throw dollar after dollar into. Forget socialized medicine, G Rod is working on that- I'll one up him with socialized utilities.

Who's got more clout? Kids or the ACLU/Library Association?

Congratulations to Virginia's Governor Kaine who signed into law this week an internet filtering bill for library computers.

Last week, Illinois Family Institute's Exec Director Dave Smith distributed to Illinois House members a DVD featuring a Chicago news story about the serious problems with child pornographers using our public libraries to get their perverted illegal fixes.

Honor, Loyalty and Singleness of Purpose

by Eric Wallace, PhD

A few days ago I took my sons, now young men, to see the movie “300.” When you get past the blood and guts, the over the top portrayals of the Persians as weird freaky people, you begin to see a theme.  Their single purpose and dedication was to protect their way of life, their families and comrades in arms. They had trained their whole life for war.

But this is not what is impressive. What impressed me was that when they fought, they fought as one. Their battle formations were quite imposing. Each man was to use his shield to protect the man to his side from shoulder to thigh. They moved in sync, shoulder to shoulder, as one unit. What bonded them were honor, loyalty, and singleness of purpose.  Dare I say, we lack these virtues today.

Elizabeth Edwards still lauds culture of death

by Jill Stanek

CNN has reported that on her first day back on the campaign trail after disclosing she had bone cancer, Elizabeth Edwards promoted human embryo experimentation. Speaking at a Cleveland fundraiser, she said:

"I think that we're foolhardy to not be engaging in federal funding of stem-cell research in the most aggressive way we possibly can"....

"If people think that you're throwing babies out, dissecting children, to do stem-cell research, I'm not for that," [she] said....

Cannabis: An apology (and one we hope our legislators read before its too late)

Rarely, if ever, does a newspaper reverse its editorial stand and apologize to its readers for creating public chaos, but the London Independent did so last week, when it apologized for lobbying for the legalization of cannabis.

We at Illinois Review certainly hope our Illinois senators take a moment to read the apology before they vote on a measure to legalize medical cannabis this week in Springfield, thanks to ban-smoking-statewide Senator John Cullerton's efforts.

Help stop "Hate Grandma" thought crime legislation

Peter LaBarbera points out federal hate crime legislation that should provoke calls to D.C.:

Call your Congressman and Senators at 202-224-3121 and tell them to actively oppose “hate crimes” legislation (H.R. 1592: the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Protection Act). And help Janet Folger and Faith2Action’s StopHateCrimesNow.com campaign run national ads to educate Americans on the dangerous specter of federal “Hate Crimes” legislation.

Take a minute to watch both online ads about two grandmothers who were arrested under Pennsylvania’s pro-homosexual “Hate Crimes” law for sharing the Gospel at a Philadelphia “gay pride” event.

Please help buy more airtime for these ads. Janet Folger is doing her part to preserve our freedom: are you doing yours? — Peter LaBarbera

The crisis solution Rev. Jackson rejects

by Collin Hitt of Illinois Public Policy

Jesse Jackson wrote an intriguing column in Tuesday's Sun Times.  He explored race, of course.  But more specifically, he bemoaned the fate of young African American males. As is common with his writings, Jackson attempted to forge a consensus around the obvious fact that something has gone terribly wrong in America’s inner cities.  And, as is also common in with his writings, Jackson was left struggling to find an answer.

What follows is an annotated version of Jackson’s column – which, at times, was a brilliant essay.  ‘Brilliant,’ not only because nearly everything he wrote is absolutely right, but because the column demonstrates how Jackson’s own prejudices have kept him from finding the answers he seeks.

Two Tony's at a crossroad.

by George Dienhart

Two friends of democracy and defenders of human freedom found themselves in what could be the fight of their lives this week. I'll tackle the easy one first.

Last week a group of British sailors and marines found themselves captured at gunpoint by Islamic extremists from Iran. All weekend the international community hemmed and hawed about a diplomatic solution. A personnel swap was even mentioned by some, but Iran wouldn't bite. They don't want their people back, they want to show the west that they are in charge and we can do nothing about it. Unfortunately for Iran, that is a false notion.

Democrats' poor memo-ries

Investor's Business Daily
Monday March 26, 2007
Editorials; pg. A19

DEMOCRATS' POOR MEMO-RIES

Law: Democrats unable to frog-march Rove out of the White House think the "political" firings of eight U.S. attorneys might do the trick. But what about their blocking of Bush judicial nominations for political reasons?

The pattern was set in Plamegate: Investigate a noncrime, issue subpoenas, get testimony under oath, find inconsistencies and -- voila! -- you have perjury faster than you can say Scooter Libby. It got no further up the food chain than Libby, but that sound you hear is Bush's enemies, and Karl Rove's, reloading.

Democrats are charging that the firings were based not on merit, but on whether the U.S. attorneys were insufficiently zealous in pursuit of Democratic targets or too hot on the trail of Republicans. So they seek correspondence and e-mails proving that the White House was doing just that.

Alinsky and his devotees Hillary & Barack

The infamous community organizer Saul Alinsky and his "Rules for Radicals" handbook advocating situational ethics and do-what-you-must-do-to-win political tactics are what Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama cut their political teeth on.

The Washington Post featured a very important story on the Alinsky factor Sunday and reveals the soul of what may become the most shrewdly fought political campaign season in decades -- with two campaigners fighting the Alinsky way.

“Public-Be-Dammed” Attitude on Sports Stadiums?

by Cal Skinner

Chicago Tribune columnist Dennis Bryne’s piece on Monday was about secrecy and the hidden, unadmitted costs of the 2016 Olympics’ package put together by Mayor Richard Daley.

Are there are parallels in McHenry County?

Why do I miss the 80's?

by George Dienhart

Alot of good came from the 80's.  Most of it from Ronald Reagan. As I fondly recall my childhood, I remember "Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" along with the success of the implementation of "Chicago School Economics" (Reaganomics, to the general public). I also think back to the way the liberal press and Hollywood whined their way through the decade. How did Hollywood amass this much power?

California is big. It's population is REAL big. The entertainment industry is based in this uber liberal environment. The press mostly comes from New York, another very liberal area. When I think back to the eighties, Hollywood wasn't as vocal about it's liberalism, and the press was at least coherent in their rants against President Reagan.

Sun-Times Confirms Mob Ties of Stroger's No-Bid Cleaning Company

by Tony Peraica

Did Todd Stroger know about the mob ties of the janitorial company to which he tried to award a no-bid contract last week?

Or was he, once again, asleep at the switch?

An Oldie But a Goodie

I ran across this old news clip today - it's from last September.  I don't recall it being posted on Illinois Review, but thought some might enjoy it, since it references the current Cook County GOP Chair.  It's from a news story entitled, "Judge tosses dealers lawsuit vs. automaker" (Eric Herman, Chicago Sun-Times, Sept. 8, 2006):

What you may have missed on IR over the weekend . . .

Over the weekend, Illinois Review featured

• Dick Durbin's recognition as U.S. Senate's "most liberal"
• Latest gay rights' proposals in Illinois legislature
• Portland war protest video clip
• Trial lawyers running wild

and more . . .

Dave Diersen's Daily News Clips

Charter school suffocation "Hitt" in Sun Times' op ed

Congratulations to Illinois Policy Institute's Collin Hitt for making an engaging argument in the Sun Times against State Rep. Monique Davis' attempt to stymie Illinois' charter school movement.

Collin writes here, contrasting Texas expansion of school choice with Illinois' apparent opposite direction:

Chicago has already made plans to open 10 new charter campuses in the next two years. If Davis' legislation becomes law, at least nine of those campuses will never open. Thousands of students will have to change their fall plans, and millions of dollars will have been wasted on capital development.

Davis' bill not only serves to undermine parents' confidence in the stability of charter schools, it also undermines the confidence of philanthropists who would invest in those charter schools.