Illinois Review

Time to question the Chicago Hispanic media’s interests

by Robert Enriquez, GOP candidate for Secretary of State

A focused silence dominates the Chicago Hispanic media. It is surprising too, since everyone knows the political processes in Illinois have evolved as they excitedly declare that, “Hispanics everywhere are participating in greater numbers.” Going all the way back to 1818, not one of the 37 Secretaries of State of Illinois has been a Hispanic so one would think that an endorsed major party Hispanic to that office would cause a stir. Many people remember when Michael Howlett ran for, and became the 33rd, Illinois Secretary of State. The Irish media retold with pride he was the son of immigrants. To say nothing of how the African American media reacted to the arrival of our incumbent Secretary of State. These media outlets were delighted, and who can blame them?

Illinois' Alex P. Keaton all grown up

18th CD's U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock is featured this weekend in a Daily Caller bio, where the reporter describes him as "Alex P Keaton all grown up," when reviewing how Schock got started into business when in fifth grade and into politics just out of high school.

He views himself as a Ronald Reagan/Jack Kemp hybrid, with Reagan’s conservatism and Kemp’s chutzpah. “When I was in the state Capitol I had a very Democratic district, had the most Democratic district in Illinois, outside of Chicago. It had never been held by a Republican until I won it and beat an eight-year incumbent to get there. In my district there were 40,000 voters, 20,000 on food stamps, a huge union presence and my effort was, ‘Look, you don’t have to agree with me, I just want a forum. I just want to tell you why I’m running and see if we cant agree on some issues.’ And what I found was I could vote against things like the raising minimum wage … and go back and explain to them why it didn’t make sense to raise the cost of labor, what it meant to the jobs and the economic activity in the area and they understood it.”

Obama Throws Rangel Under The Bus

By Mark Rhoads

President Barack Obama told CBS News yesterday that it's time for the 80-year-old former Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) to end his career "with dignity."  Too late.

"I think Charlie Rangel served a very long time and served-- his constituents very well. But these-- allegations are very troubling,"  The Obama statement came after eight House Democrats also called on Rangel to resign his seat in Congress rather than face a full trial by the House Ethics Committee.

Bus, Meet Rep. Rangel, Mr. Rangel, Meet the Bus.  Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) will be under there with you shortly to keep you company.

One in three say Blago ethical as other politicians

Illinois voters are pretty cynical when it comes to evaluating the ethics of its politicans.  One in three say Blago's not much different than other Illinois elected officials, but two out of three say he's less ethical.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 59% believe the former governor is less ethical than his peers. Only two percent (2%) say Blagojevich is more ethical.

These results are similar to those found in December 2008, just after Blagojevich was arrested on charges including an attempt to sell the state's U.S. Senate seat recently vacated by President Obama.

Last month, 57% in the state said the impeached governor should go to jail.

Why Illinois Will Remain a Powerful Magnet for Illegals

by Nancy Thorner

Even before the  Arizona immigration law was to take effect on Thursday, July 29, Judge Susan Bolton, despite the fact that the Arizona law was written to conform to federal law, issued a temporary injunction against the most crucial aspect of the law which allowed police to determine the immigration status of people they stop and suspect of being in the U..S. illegally.

Although a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll of July 16-21 reported that the Arizona law is supported by twenty-four percent of Hispanics and sixty-one percent of white respondents, Chicago's Mayor Daley still had some choice words to say the morning after Judge Bolton's temporary injunction.  Among them were:  "We are a nation of immigrants."  In the eyes of Mayor Daley there are no illegal immigrants!

Video: Sen. John Millner on taxes

Sen. Matt Murphy at Sen. James Meeks' Salem Baptist Church

Cronin law will bring accountability, transparency to DuPage Water Commission

Legislation sponsored by State Sen. Dan Cronin (R-Elmhurst) was signed into law on Friday, and is anticipated to increase transparency and oversight at the DuPage Water Commission.

Sen. Cronin introduced Senate Bill 580 (PA 96-1389) after an independent audit revealed evidence of serious mismanagement by the DuPage County Water Commission. The Senator said that his primary goal was to sunset the sales tax collected by the Water Commission. The tax will sunset on June 1, 2016.

“My number one priority was to sunset the sales tax, which this new law will do. That doesn’t often happen, so I consider that a significant accomplishment,” Cronin remarked. He went on to say that SB 580 is a different, more responsible, approach to government.

New Pawlenty Video

from Chris Robling

I am not supporting one candidate for president. I think we should all encourage all of the possible candidates. I am on Tim Pawlenty list and I received this video from his campaign today. Very solid.

Does Pop Culture Matter?

by Mark Rhoads

When President Obama told Joy Behar on "The View" on Thursday that he did not know who the MTV Reality Show character of "Snookie" was, I was happy and hoped he was telling the truth because I would hope the President has more important ways to spend his time than watching a show called "Jersey Shore."

Brady: "Quinn supports same record tax hikes he disavows"

from the Brady for Governor campaign

Chicago – Republican Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady today released the following statement in response to yesterday’s tax hike doublespeak from Governor Pat Quinn:

“Governor Pat Quinn’s song and dance number yesterday proved its still Christmas in July for tax and spenders in Illinois.

While the Governor denounced his budget director's words and the media for announcing the same record level tax hike he supported just last year, one thing is clear: Pat Quinn is going to raise our taxes.

Let me be clear – Pat Quinn’s plan to raise taxes is a job killer for Illinois, and I stand firm with taxpayers, business and community leaders on both sides of the aisle in opposing it.

Illinois's Vaught, Sinsheimer Discuss Quinn's Tax-Increase Plans

Below is the link to the "unedited" Bloomberg video of Vaught and Sinsheimer speaking candidly about Democrat Gov. Pat Quinn's tax increase plans:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwxar2I_UdE

Note: Bloomberg isn't allowing embeds of this video.

Bean raises less than 6% of campaign Cash in district; won't return $28k from Rangel

from the Joe Walsh for Congress campaign

Melissa Bean has been as steadfast in refusing to return $28,000 she received from deposed House and Ways Chairman Charlie Rangel, now facing expulsion from Congress on various ethics charges, as she has been silent on the matter.

A closer look at Rep. Bean's fundraising perhaps reveals why she is so reticent to return Rangel's dirty money.

In the 2nd Quarter of this year, Bean raised only $17,620 from residents of the 8th Congressional district.  That's less than 6% of the money she raised during that time.  By comparison, Republican Joe Walsh raised $72,452 in district, more than 70% of his total during the same period.

WATCH ROSKAM: Speaker Pelosi is no Peyton Manning

All about the ridiculous Form 1099 requirement tucked into last year's health care bill.

Halvorson still clings to dirty Rangel money

from the Kinzinger for Congress Campaign

NEW LENOX – Even after a House ethics panel unveiled a 13-count list of charges against Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) Thursday for breaking House rules and federal law governing behavior by public officials, Cong. Debbie Halvorson refused to return tainted dollars he raised for her campaign.

Her justification for holding onto the cash? That in fact the contributions she received from a Rangel fundraiser came from people who “just happened to be at the same place,” as the ethically-challenged former Ways and Means Chairman.

Understand now? Neither does the Kinzinger for Congress campaign.

Dock Walls quits governor's race

Frequent political candidate William “Dock” Walls is withdrawing from the Illinois governor’s race for the second time this year, but the latest announcement from the veteran African-American activist was a bit unusual.

Last night, Walls sent out e-mails to reporters touting a T-shirt business that listed him as the contact. There was no word about his latest independent bid to run for governor, just a plug for customizable t-shirts.

It wasn’t until today that a news release arrived from Green Party candidate Rich Whitney in which he claimed Walls' endorsement. Whitney said in the statement that he was “thrilled that he has the support of such an important force for social change in Chicago.”

Frequent political candidate William “Dock” Walls is withdrawing from the Illinois governor’s race for the second time this year, but the latest announcement from the veteran African-American activist was a bit unusual.

Last night, Walls sent out e-mails to reporters touting a T-shirt business that listed him as the contact. There was no word about his latest independent bid to run for governor, just a plug for customizable t-shirts.

It wasn’t until today that a news release arrived from Green Party candidate Rich Whitney in which he claimed Walls' endorsement. Whitney said in the statement that he was “thrilled that he has the support of such an important force for social change in Chicago.”

City budget shortfall is $654 million next year

City Hall faces a budget shortfall next year of $654 million, Mayor Richard Daley's top budget officials told aldermen this morning.

The large gap is a result of continued weak tax revenue, rising city worker pay rates, union contract settlements and the costs of lawsuits, said Ald. Robert Fioretti, 2nd, who attended a meeting of aldermen and the budget officials, including Chief Financial Officer Gene Saffold and Budget Director Eugene Munin.

Saffold and Munin plan to brief the media at noon, and city budget officials declined to comment before then.

It’s the second year in a row that the city faces a shortfall of more than half a billion dollars, but this year the city has less in reserve to help close the gap.

via newsblogs.chicagotribune.com

City Hall faces a budget shortfall next year of $654 million, Mayor Richard Daley's top budget officials told aldermen this morning.

The large gap is a result of continued weak tax revenue, rising city worker pay rates, union contract settlements and the costs of lawsuits, said Ald. Robert Fioretti, 2nd, who attended a meeting of aldermen and the budget officials, including Chief Financial Officer Gene Saffold and Budget Director Eugene Munin.

Saffold and Munin plan to brief the media at noon, and city budget officials declined to comment before then.

It’s the second year in a row that the city faces a shortfall of more than half a billion dollars, but this year the city has less in reserve to help close the gap.

House Republicans plan Super Saturday August 7

Illinois House Republicans are planning a Super Saturday August 7 at 28 locations throughout the state of Illinois. The IHRO distributed the following info today:

Together we will be making tens of thousands of volunteer phone calls and knocking on thousands of doors all across Illinois to identify those voters who are ready to reform Illinois and begin moving our state in the right direction.

By signing up today to volunteer for your local Republican legislative candidate, you can play a decisive role in electing a new GOP majority that will restore our shared common-sense values of reform and accountability to Illinois government.

Signing up is as easy as visiting http://www.ilhro.com/super-saturday.

WATCH Gingrich at AEI: America at Risk

Newt Gingrich talks foreign policy at yesterday's American Enteprise Institute forum:

To accept the U of I's Catholic teaching offer or not?

After a student complained that the Catholic teaching University of Illinois professor explained to his students on the church's position on homosexuality was hate speech, the university terminated adjunct instructor Kenneth Howell two weeks ago. Thursday the university offered Howell a fall semester class, but to be paid by the university, not the Catholic church. The Tribune reports:

The university also said it will stop allowing the on-campus St. John's Catholic Newman Center to pay instructors who teach Catholic-related courses and will instead pay those teachers itself -- ending a decades-old arrangement that troubled some faculty.

Sherrod vs. Brietbart: News or libel?

Forced to resign due to comments she says were taken out of context, Department of Agriculture former employee Shirley Sherrod says she plans to sue BigGovernment.com's Andrew Breitbart for the version of her comments he released that made her appear to be racist. From a Chicago Tribune story today:

Sherrod was forced to resign last week as director of rural development in Georgia after Andrew Breitbart posted the edited video online. In the full video, Sherrod, who is black, spoke to a local NAACP group about racial reconciliation and overcoming her initial reluctance to help a white farmer.

Speaking Thursday at the National Association of Black Journalists convention, Sherrod said she would definitely sue over the video that took her remarks out of context. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has since offered Sherrod a new job in the department. She has not decided whether to accept.

Right Nation 2010 Announces a Host of Additional National Participants

Chicago – Right Nation 2010 announced several prominent additions to its September 18th lineup today. Along with Glenn Beck, the event will host:

• Stephen Moore – Contributing Editor of the National Review, Member of the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board, and founder of the Club for Growth
  

• Dick Armey – Former House Majority Leader and Chairman of FreedomWorks
  

• John Fund – Senior Editor for The American Spectator and political journalist
  

• Herman Cain – Businessman, journalist and radio talk show host; rumored GOP 2012 Presidential candidate
  

• Big John Howell & Amy Jacobson – Popular radio talk show hosts on AM560 WIND
  

• Aaron Schock – Chief Deputy Whip of the US House; Youngest member of Congress

In addition, Right Nation 2010 has announced several new partners, including:

Jan Schakowsky: Charles Rangel is “my leader”

from the Joel Pollak for Congress campaign

NILES, IL- A newly discovered YouTube video reveals the close ties between Jan Schakowsky and Charles Rangel, chair of the House Ways & Means Committee, who is currently facing serious ethics charges.

The video was uploaded by the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NLBCA) on March 20, 2010:

David Vaught-Pat Quinn Tax Follies

by Mark Rhoads

When Pat Quinn's budget director David Vaught told Bloomberg Business News that he expected Democrats to increase the personal tax to 5 percent from 3 percent, generating $6 billion of new revenue, he was wrong on many different counts. Vaught said the legislature failed to address the deficit this year because of the pending November election. Partly correct but some legislators were not convinced that raising taxes in this recession is a good idea even if they were not up for re-election.  Sometimes a really bad policy idea is just a bad idea apart from the politics of the big game.

WATCH: Brady Attacks Quinn Over Proposed 67% Tax Increase

Pat Quinn's Budget Director: Tax Hike Will Be Bigger Than Previously Thought

Governor Pat Quinn is not having a good day.

First, yet another poll was released that shows Republican Bill Brady leading Quinn 44-37. Then, the governor's budget director got a little too chatty--and announced an even bigger tax increase than the one Quinn proposed this earlier this year, saying it will go into effect in January.

via www.huffingtonpost.com

Friday Funny: Hell

by Ghost of John Brown

George Bush, Queen Elizabeth, and Vladimir Putin all die and go to hell. While there, they spy a red phone and ask what the phone is for. The Devil tells them it is for calling back to Earth.

Next Queen Elizabeth calls England and talks for 30 minutes. When she is finished the devil informs her that the cost is 6 million dollars. She writes him a check.

Finally, George Bush gets his turn and talks for 4 hours. When he Is finished the devil informs him that the cost is $5.00. 

When Putin hears this he goes ballistic and asks the devil why Bush got to call the USA so cheaply. The devil smiles and replies: "Since Obama took over, the country has gone to hell, so it's a local call."

A letter to RNC Chairman Steele

by David Pennington

Dear Mr. Steele,

This past year has left me wondering--even more than before--"Just who are the people who make up the RNC leadership, and what are they about?"

In 1789, the measure of a patriot was allegiance to the Constitution. For nearly a century, there were few who challenged the Constitution. Supreme Court cases were mostly ones that clarified its meaning. Now, for more than a century, Congress and other legislative bodies have been increasingly bold to defy the plain wording of the Constitution. In our present day, Supreme Court cases turn on its outright defense--witness 2nd Amendment cases that do not seek clarification, but which challenge the fundamental meaning--and they get decided 5:4.

Can you Spare a Dime for a Traitor?

by Ghost of John Brown

A few days ago, I pleaded for you to help out the poor environmental idiots that now owe over $8,000 to the City of Chicago.  Hopefully, after wiping away those tears, you emptied out your wallets.  I have another cause for you.

Private First Class Bradley Manning is now asking for your help. Who is Pfc Manning?  Well, he's the stooge that reportedly helped leak classified documents to Wikileaks. The tragedy of these leaks and the publication of the classified documents is that some of them clearly identify Afghan citizens who have been helping the US defeat the Taliban.  In some cases, the documents identify the person's name, their home and their family.  Naturally, these poor souls are now living in fear for their lives.  The despicable Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks will now have blood on his hands. 

Blame Everything on Bush

by Mark Rhoads

Vice President Joe Biden has decided to start calling this the "Bush Recession" in a lame attempt to divert attention from the fact that the 2009 Stimulus Bill did not succeed in creating new private sector jobs but only maybe "saved" some public sector jobs that states could no longer pay for.  As of today, according the AP, the unemployment rate as a whole continues to hold at 9.5 percent.  It might be higher in Illinois but I don't have the state breakdown.

Hare Switches Stance on Bringing Gitmo Detainees to U.S.

from the Schilling for Congress Campaign

EAST MOLINE, IL--Bobby Schilling, Republican candidate for Congress in the 17th District of Illinois, applauded Representative Phil Hare for switching his vote and voting against bringing Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States. Hare voted in support of the Gingrey amendment to a military appropriations bill, H.R. 5822, that blocks all funding to house Gitmo detainees in the United States. Schilling said that he is gratified that Hare reversed himself and is now doing what is best for the people of his district.

"I think that it's great that Rep. Hare is following our lead in opposing Gitmo detainees being housed on U.S. soil," said Schilling. "Closing down Guantanamo Bay and bringing the detainees to Northwest Illinois was a terrible idea and I am glad that Rep. Hare has seen the light. My hope is that he also changes his position on supporting on taxpayer funded bailouts, cap and trade, and the rapid increase in government spending."

Blagojevich brothers talk to reporters

Illinois Statehouse News covered the Blagojevich brothers as they spoke to reporters Wednesday after the jury went into deliberations.

Help Stop Lame Duck Cap-and-Trade

by Americans for Prosperity

Progressives in Congress are trying to sneak cap-and-trade through the Senate. They passed the energy taxes in the House, but the American people rejected the plan and senators will not support this policy.

Senator Reid announced last week that he will not attempt to pass cap-and-trade before November; instead he wants a so-called "noncontroversial" energy bill. But desperate times call for desperate measures, Reid is certain to pull out all the tricks to slip cap-and-trade through before he potentially loses control of Congress.

What They Won't Ask Obama on "The View"

by Teri O'Brien

As noted here, some have been very critical of Barack Obama’s decision to appear on a daytime television program, where he will be slobbered on by a panel consisting of: 

• Two comediennes, one of who said last week that she would always love Obama, “no matter what he does,” and the other of whom, Sherri Shepherd, may not know that the earth is not flat
• An foul-mouthed actress, Whoopi Goldberg 
• A pompous, superannuated diva of the dinosaur media, known to be smitten with Fidel Castro, Barbara Walters, who I think at one time, long before way one face lift too many, could actually move her mouth naturally
• The token “conservative,” Elisabeth Hasselback, a former reality show contestant with a degree in fashion design, who makes a blowup doll look like a hard intellect

    It’s easy to scoff at this embarrassing and obviously politically motivated spectacle, but can this passel of silly women really be anymore fawning that the supposed “serious journalists” who have been panting after this clown for years? May I remind you that it was such a member of the 4th estate (5th column), Lynn Sweet, a reporter for what some call a “major metropolitan newspaper,” who in January, 2007, lamented being unable to follow Barack Obama into the locker room, for reasons she’s never explained, after seeing him at her Chicago health club?

The Problems and Pitfalls of "Cradle to Grave"

by R.J. Moeller, Americans for Prosperity

Milton Friedman's Free to Choose is one of the most influential books written in the past 50 years. In it, Nobel prize-winning Dr. Friedman explains the intricate link between economic, political, and religious freedom. One of the most important chapters in his book, "Cradle to Grave," dissects the problem with the welfare state that progressive liberals promote.

Thankfully for those of us with shorter attention spans, PBS actually allowed a 10-week miniseries on Free to Choose to air back in 1980. Here's the beginning segment from the "Cradle to Grave" episode. Watch it!

Illinois Family Action hosts Crenshaw and Hayes in Tinley Park

The newly-formed Illinois Family Action will be holding a breakfast August 7 from 8:00am to 10:30am at the Tinley Park Old Country Buffet at 16060 S. Harlem Avenue.   Organizer David E. Smith has invited State Senate candidate Cedra Crenshaw and congressional candidate Isaac Hayes to speak. 

Read more at: http://www.illinoisfamilyaction.org/?p=133 

Democrats admit plan to raise state income tax 66 percent

The Quinn Adminisration's budget director David Vaught told Bloomberg News Wednesday that the Democratic majority in the General Assembly and governor intend to raise Illinois' income tax rate by 66 percent after the November election. Bloomberg reports:

Illinois, which is in its worst financial position ever, will raise the income-tax rate in January to address its deficit, Governor Pat Quinn’s budget director said.

Lawmakers will likely increase the personal tax to 5 percent from 3 percent, generating $6 billion of new revenue, the budget director, David Vaught, said in an interview. The legislature failed to address the deficit this year because of the pending November election, he said.

“We’re going to pass a tax increase in January,” Vaught said. “We expect it is going to be substantial.”

Need another reason to support Bill Brady for Governor in November?

WYLL's Rios announces move to DC

Wednesday afternoon, Sandy Rios announced to her afternoon radio talk show audience that Thursday, July 29th will be her last day.  WIND 560 AM/ WYLL 106.7 FM's General Manager Jeff Reisman sent out this email:

It is with mixed emotions that I write this e-mail.  Tuesday afternoon Sandy informed me that she will be moving to Washington DC to be with her husband, Bruce who received a significant promotion.  The Sandy Rios program will be sorely missed.  Each day Sandy zeroes in on breaking news, politics, Christian news, and other stories making headlines here in Chicagoland and throughout the nation.  Sandy’s impact on the station has been tremendous and her dedication is greatly appreciated.

Sandy and her husband will be starting down their new road together in the next 90-days, thus Sandy’s final program will be this Thursday, July 29th.  Please tune-in at 4PM where Sandy will have the unique opportunity to say good-bye to her loyal following.  Sandy’s focus in the coming weeks will be her relocation efforts, selling her Chicago home, and finalizing the details of Culture Campaign’s Ann Coulter event.

Please join me in thanking Sandy for her years of service; and most importantly, wishing her and Bruce much happiness personally and professionally in the years ahead.

Napolitano at Right Online 2010

Judge Andrew Napolitano at RightOnline 2010 from AFPhq on Vimeo.

First arrest in Chicago "Bubble Zone" ordinance

Thomas More Society attorney Peter Breen entered a "not guilty" plea yesterday to the charge of disorderly conduct on behalf of Joseph Holland, the first person arrested under the new Chicago "Bubble Zone" ordinance, which prevents certain types of picketing activity outside local abortion clinics.

Holland, a Northwesten University graduate student, was praying the rosary on a public sidewalk outside the Planned Parenthood Near North abortion facility on July 3 when staff called the police, claiming that he had violated the new ordinance.
The "Bubble Zone" ordinance prohibits approaching within eight feet of a person, without consent, "for the purpose of passing a leaflet or handbill to, displaying a sign to, or engaging in oral protest, education, or counseling."

See the video of the incident at the Thomas More Society website.

Federal judge blocks Arizona immigration law

from Arizona Capitol Times

A federal judge blocked major portions of S1070, keeping the core provisions of the landmark illegal immigration law off the books while a handful of lawsuits work their way through the court system.

U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton on July 28 issued an injunction against sections of the law that require police officers to determine the immigration status of people they suspect are in the country illegally and make it a state crime to be in the United States illegally. Bolton also blocked provisions that allow police the make warrantless arrests and prohibit illegal immigrants from seeking work.

The judge did not halt S1070 in its entirety, and other provisions will go into effect on July 29 as scheduled. But the sections that require police to inquire about immigration status and make it a misdemeanor offense to be in the country illegally were the heart of S1070, effectively keeping the controversial law off the books.

Judge blocks parts of Arizona law

by Mark Rhoads

A federal judge in Arizona who was appointed by Bill Clinton in 1993 has blocked several parts of the Arizona illegal immigration control law from taking effect. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE. 

Elections have consequences long term.  For anyone who voted for Obama instead of Sen. John McCain in 2008 because they did not like something about McCain, at least McCain would not have appointed extreme Left Wing radicals like Sonia Sotomayor or Elena Kagan to he Supreme Court for a lifetime term to do damage for many years.

Cook County lists lobbyist work online

In a new database hailed as a model for government, lobbyists in Cook County must now report what they're up to online.

The site, at cookcountyclerk.com, lists all 188 registered lobbyists in the county, what they're lobbying about, who they're contacting, and what they're being paid.

via www.dailyherald.com

Will County feels rumble of political earthquake

by Fran Eaton

Today's Southtown Star "Always Right" column predicts a political earthquake in Will County this November.  With energizing candidates such as Adam Kinzinger, Cedra Crenshaw and 24 year old Adam Baumgartner and a motivated grassroots Tea Party and conservative movement in the vicinity, there's indication Will County's election upheaval could be historical.

Will County will be a bellwether district for Illinois politics in November, there's no doubt. The quality of candidates, the uniqueness of each of their stories, the energy emanating from the grassroots all could indicate a historic upheaval in 2010. The Democrats are on the defense and are being forced to re-evaluate old political maneuvers that just may not work this time around.

But it would be wise for Tea Partiers and conservatives to not underestimate skilled and experienced Illinois Democrats to adjust strategies to weather a predicted seismic Will County quake. They're not likely to give up valuable political territory easily.

We've got 97 days to go.

Read the whole column HERE.

Obama's missed opportunity

Conservative writer Matt Lewis points out a comment MSNBC's Chuck Todd made this week about Barack Obama's "missed opportunity" to be what he promised he'd be as president.

Lewis says it was for partisan reasons. Those of us from Illinois lean more towards Obama doing what he's done based on his radical political philosophy and firmly-held beliefs of moral superiority.

Rasmussen: IL U.S. Senate race remains close

The Illinois Senate race remains very close.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Illinois finds Democrat Alexi Giannoulias with 43% support to Republican Mark Kirk’s 41%. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, and 10% are undecided.

More HERE

Former Stroger campaign staffer gets county consulting job

A one-time campaign staffer for Cook County Board President Todd Stroger was awarded a $15,000 consulting job to help the county negotiate contracts with its labor unions.

Raymond L. Harris Sr., of Bolingbrook, worked on the Stroger campaign briefly,  but that wasn’t the reason he was tapped, said Stroger spokesman Eugene Mullins.

...Suburban Republican Commissioners Timothy Schneider and Tony Peraica were the only ones who voted against the contract, with five other commissioners absent, and the remaining 10 commissioners approving it.

“This is yet another appointment of a former political worker to the county payroll,” Peraica said. “I think it’s inappropriate. I think it’s something that shouldn’t be allowed or condoned.”

via www.suntimes.com

Senate Democrats Vote to Break Obama's Oil Spill Promise

by Phil Kerpen, Americans for Prosperity

Despite President Obama’s repeated promises that he will make BP “pay every dime” for the costs of clean-up and economic damages, 57 Democratic U.S. Senators voted for legislation that hides a sizable tax hike that will force taxpayers to pick up the costs of oil-spill response. The bill is the so-called extenders bill, opposed by Republicans for its tax hikes and because it increases the deficit, and the 57 votes means it remains stalled for now, because it needs 60 votes to overcome a Republican filibuster.

The specific provision that breaks Obama’s oil spill promise is styled as “restoring Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund solvency,” and what it means is an $18.3 billion tax hike on gasoline, diesel fuel, and heating oil. This provision would break Obama’s promise and force taxpayers to pick up the tax for oil spill response.

GOP Women’s Conference to Give Pointers on Turning Illinois Red

With their minds set on “Turning Illinois Red”, GOP women from across the state will head to southern Illinois in late August to share ideas, strengthen forces, and promote efforts that will help Republican
officeholders get elected to local, state and federal posts.

The Illinois Federation of Republican Women’s conference will be held Aug. 27-28 at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Carbondale.

On Aug. 27, Randy Pollard, President of the Illinois Republican County Chairman’s Association, will give tips on ensuring Republicans are the victors this November.

Think tank's audit finds suburban government websites lacking

A local think-tank is using unannounced audits to attempt to create more transparency on suburban government websites.

While some entities have used the information to better communicate with residents, others are still digesting how to use the data, if at all, a report shows.

The Chicago-based Illinois Policy institute this spring began conducting "online transparency audits" of the websites of government entities within Palatine, Hanover, Schaumburg, Barrington and New Trier township boundaries - a total of 69 different municipalities, park districts, school boards, and library districts.

Institute Director of Outreach Brian Costin, who lives within Hanover Township boundaries, said townships were selected based on where institute staff lived.