Illinois Review

Illinois GOP Hosts Fundraiser with 2012 Presidential Candidates

CHICAGO - The Illinois Republican Party, in celebration of President Ronald Reagan’s centennial birthday, has invited each of the announced 2012 Presidential Contenders to a fundraising event on February 5th in Chicago.  Elected officials including newly elected U.S. Senator Mark Kirk will serve as hosts at the dinner, which will continue the fundraising push the Illinois Republican Party started earlier this month.

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady, “We had a fantastic year in 2010 with Mark Kirk winning a seat in the United States Senate, winning five tough Congressional battles and sending two GOP Statewide office holders to Springfield.  We are thrilled to have Presidential Contenders coming here to Chicago, and I am confident one of them will replace President Obama in 2012.”

Kinzinger not to join House Tea Party Caucus

Wonder if all those great Will County Tea Partiers will think this is a good move or bad move for the young Congressman Kinzinger?  From USAToday.com

Rep. Adam Kinzinger, an Illinois Republican serving his first term, said he won't join the House Tea Party Caucus created last year by Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, even though he embraces the movement's ideals."I don't think there's anything wrong with (the caucus).

But I'm not here to represent them or any individual interest. I'm here to represent the 11th District," Kinzinger said. "It's important to say, 'The Tea Party asked us to come up here and be independent legislators.' "

The last list available on the web of U.S House members in Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann's (R-MN) House Tea Party Caucus is dated July, 2010.  No Illinois House members were listed at the time.

U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) will be holding the first meeting of the Senate's Tea Party Caucus Thursday in DC.  No expectation that Illinois' U.S. Senators Mark Kirk or Dick Durbin will be participating.

Obama's Kow Tow to Communist China

By Mark Rhoads

On Jan. 13, the long-respected bipartisan Freedom House Foundation issued its preliminary map of the state of freedom around the world in advance of the larger country by country report for 2011 that comes out in the srping.  Once again, the People's Republic of China was rated in the lowest category which is "not free" based on a study of barriers to democracy and low scores on human rights and the the rule of law.  Let's give President Obama some benefit of the doubt that he had reasons to give a royal welcome and a lavish dinner for to "President" Hu Jintao during his recent visit at a time when China owns very large sums of U.S. debt.  But Hu is gone now, and Obama continued last night to heap praise on this Communist dictatorship during his State of the Union Address.  Obama praised China's educational system and appeared to hold it up as an example for the U.S. to follow.

Appellate court strikes down Illinois' $31 billion capital program

The $31 billion capital program financed by video gambling and privatizing the lottery, which both parties supported two years ago is in big trouble.  From the Sun-Times minutes ago:

A state appeals court Wednesday struck down Illinois’ $31 billion capital construction program, asserting that the legislation that authorized it was unconstitutional. The ruling invalidates the revenue streams for the borrowing that has funded the construction program, meaning that video poker, privatization of the lottery and higher liquor taxes are now on hold. The case was brought by W. Rockwell Wirtz, owner of the Chicago Blackhawks, and his liquor distributorship, Wirtz Beverage Illinois. The court found that the legislation that was the basis for the construction program violated the state Constitution’s single-subject requirement.

And who's fault was that?  Someone in the bill's construction and passage monitors wasn't watching the single-subject requirement before the bill was signed into law in 2009. The Madigan/Jones/Quinn crew would have gotten away with it unless Wirtz filed the lawsuit.  Here's a list of HB 255's $31 billion worth of  projects that are in trouble.

Here was another complaint about what the $31 billion was being spent on. 

VIDEO: Quinn on Christie

H/T Capitolfax

Kinzinger schedules seven Town Hall meetings over next two weeks

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11), recently announced the dates of his first seven town halls of the 112^th legislative session across the Eleventh Congressional District. The town hall meetings are just one means of a series of ways Kinzinger intends to provide constituents with an open and direct line of communication to their federal government on major issues affecting Eleventh District Illinoisans.

Kinzinger released the following statement about the upcoming town halls:

Obama's resistance to protecting babies born alive

Barack Obama opposed and spoke on the Illinois Senate floor against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act in 2001, saying the law would be deemed "unconstitutional" because preborn babies aren't persons.  In today's Southtown Star column, we write about how this directly connects to his lack of interest in abortionist Kermit Gosnell's House of Horrors in Philadelphia that's making headlines now:

“Number one, whenever we define a previable fetus as a person that is protected by the equal protection clause or the other elements in the Constitution, what we’re really saying is, in fact, that they are persons that are entitled to the kinds of protections that would be provided to a child, a 9-month old child that was delivered to term,” Obama said.

'Road to Nowhere' Stirs Education Grassroots

by Nancy Thorner

At a time when the quality of education is at question throughout this nation as teacher unions -- IEA here in Illinois -- funnel money and support to influence the makeup of school boards, and where various constituencies must be satisfied before students, a remarkable film has entered the educational scene.

"Road to Nowhere" is an independently produced film by a concerned mother turned filmmaker. It cannot be seen in local movie theaters. The film's purpose is to is to show the high-stakes, high-pressure culture that has invaded our schools and our children's lives. This remarkable film shines a light on the price young people pay for this "race to nowhere" where high-stakes testing has often replaced meaningful teaching and learning. Cheating is now commonplace. Also rampant in schools are stress-related illnesses, from stomach and headaches, to depression, burnouts, and experimentation with drugs. At the same time many young people are arriving at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.

Hewitt: An Exhausting Speech From An Exhausted President

from Hugh Hewitt

President Obama is out of gas. His ideology is not capable of dealing with the economic realities of governing and his emotional commitment to the core beliefs of the left won't allow for the sort of innovation needed right now. He actually called for a government reorganization, the last gasp of a progressive with no chance of moving legislation. He is going to try and move the lines around on the federal flow chart and call it change.

More HERE

23 questions for Chicago's next mayor

The Better Government Association has posted 23 questions for Chicago's next mayor. They can be found HERE.

Medicaid reform signed into law

The Medicaid reform Governor Pat Quinn signed into law yesterday includes the following changes, his office says:

Under the new law, Illinois' Department of Healthcare and Family Services will improve the efficiency of the program by expanding coordinated care to cover at least 50 percent of recipients by 2015. It also authorizes the department to enhance the integrity of the eligibility process, subject to federal approval, by requiring proof of Illinois residency; tightening income verification by requiring a month’s worth of income information, instead of a single paystub; and requiring annual redetermination of eligibility.

The law also will allow the department to save on prescription drug costs by maximizing co-payments, promoting 90-day maintenance prescriptions and controlling utilization, and reducing prompt payment interest rates for pharmacy bills from 2 percent to 1 percent.

Other major reforms include:

SOTU Post-Mortem: And We Thought Biden Was the Plagiarist

by Teri O'Brien

In 2008, we elected a man who has barely concealed his contempt for the U.S. Constitution, which he considers a document of “negative rights,” by which he means that it espouses a principle that he finds intolerable, limits on the power of the federal government over individuals, president of the United States. Ever since, the Founding Fathers’ corpses have been spinning so fast that you could use them to cut meat. Last night Ronald Reagan’s corpse joined the spinning.

Speaking of spinning, last night’s State of the Union performance co-opted conservative rhetoric in the defense and promotion of big government liberalism, more goodies for the liberal academics and public employee unions, amnesty for illegals, and socialized medicine. Despite the lip service to reducing deficits, he did not address his administration’s jaw-dropping spending.

Roeser urges lawmakers to reject SB 600

For several years, Jack Roeser has pushed for a legislative effort  -- SB600 -- which would mandate how the Illinois Republican Party picks its state central committeemen. He aggressively lobbied for its passage, and publicly criticized lawmakers and Republican officials that refused to join the effort.

On Monday, GOP state lawmakers received from Roeser the following email reversing his previously held position, and asking lawmakers to now vote against SB600.

There is an alternative to passing SB600.

SB600 has a flaw in that it doesn't effectively achieve its purpose of empowering individual citizens.

There is a better alternative that gives the precinct committeemen a secret vote for the election of members to the State Central Committee.

It can be initiated by the Illinois Republican Party and passed as an internal organizational procedure without requiring legislative action.

There is no need to call SB600 for a vote.  If it does come to a vote – do not pass it!

Jack Roeser

A New American Idol

Paris Tassin is on this season's American Idol. She has a compelling story and a great deal of talent. She's not only an American Idol, but also an American role model.

Shimkus responds to SOTU address

Mark Kirk on State of the Union Address

"The Address reflected an important call for civility after the Arizona shootings. Senator Durbin and I sat together as patriots, not partisans.

The chief threat to our economy is runaway federal spending and debt.  The American people elected a new Congress with a mandate to cut spending, reduce debt and keep taxes low.  Unfortunately, I heard more ways to spend tax dollars than ways to cut the budget.  Republicans should support the President's efforts to consolidate the federal government and his call for ending congressional earmarks.

Congress must soon answer the President's request to borrow more money.  We should say no- unless legislation is coupled with new anti-spending reforms that would make any future additions to our debt increasingly impossible.  I am also eager to join in the Administration's discussion towards a simplified tax code and ending regulations that hamper economic growth."

Video: Roskam on SOTU

ILGOP Chair Pat Brady on the State of the Union Address

"I congratulate the President on a good speech and in his new-found interest in helping small business, cutting spending and in creating new jobs. I'm also glad to hear him say his enormous healthcare bill is not perfect and needs to be changed. It's clear the President is responding to the strong message the American people sent him in November when the Republicans took control of the House. Time will tell whether the President is serious or just spouting lofty rhetoric."

Roskam response to State of the Union Address

“I thank President Obama for coming to Congress to deliver the State of the Union Address tonight. His speech was well delivered with strong rhetoric, but we’ve heard this speech many times before, and seen that rhetoric and action often differ dramatically.

“I fear that President Obama is not listening to Americans’ clear warnings, because ‘invest’ and ‘freeze’ actually means ‘more government spending’ and ‘locking in a Pelosi-level budget.’ We saw those job-destroying policies in action over the last two years, and in turn, the American people voted for a drastically different direction this past November.

“House Republicans are focused on making this a cut-and-grow Congress – cutting spending and regulations to grow private sector jobs. The American people know that is the only way we’re going to meaningfully create jobs, reduce government spending, and tackle our massive national debt. Our economy is beginning to show signs of economic recovery thanks to Republicans standing strong against massive tax increases this past December. I urge President Obama to heed the call of Americans and work with Republicans on real spending cuts and private sector job growth for the future of our economy.”

Kinzinger's response to Obama State of the Union Address

“In his State of the Union address tonight, President Obama made it clear that we must turn our focus squarely onto growing a competitive nation. The way to make our nation prosperous is by getting our neighbors back to work and ensuring our economy works for American families and businesses.

 “The President made promising remarks about job creation, but the only action Americans have heard from Washington Democrats over the past two years is that more government spending and higher taxes are the only solutions to grow our economy and create jobs.

Dold Statement on the State of the Union Address

“Tonight I was pleased to hear the President’s State of the Union Address focus on job creation, deficit reduction and bipartisanship;  all issues that are of the utmost importance to the 10th Congressional District.  I hope the President is serious about accomplishing each of these goals.  If so, I look forward to working with him to get our economy back on track and Americans back to work.

To get our nation back to work we must focus on creating private sector jobs, reining in out of control spending in Washington, and ensuring the country remains safe and free.  In the first weeks of the new Congress, House Republicans have acted on our pledge to cut spending by immediately cutting Congress’ own budget by 5 percent and voting to roll back government funding to 2008 levels.  In the coming weeks I will be a strong advocate to keep taxes low, maintain vigorous oversight of federal regulations, and expand opportunities so that job creators can do what they were meant to do: innovate, prosper, grow, invest and hire new workers.

I am committed to the principles of open debate and the free exchange of ideas- all with a common objective- to improve the lives of Americans.  While I may not agree with the President on everything in his speech it is a decent first step and I look forward to some much needed bipartisan discussion and action.”

Can We Focus on the Important Stuff - Please?

by Ghost of John Brown

This afternoon, I got an e-mail from a fellow precinct committeeman regarding the State of the Union speech tonight. The general gist of the e-mail was to call our local Congressman (name, e-mail and phone numbers were included in the e-mail) and tell him NOT to sit with a Democrat. The reasoning was that it would only make our side look bad.

REALLY?? We are 14 Trillion smackaroos, bucks, clams, smackers, etc., etc. in debt and THIS is the imporant issue today? How about calling your Congressman and saying "we heard about that $2.5 Trillion that you are planning on cutting - great job, we support you - come up with some more and we'll be even happier." Maybe you could call your Congressman and tell them you would support making some modifications to the entitlement programs that are going to bankrupt us within a few decades. Maybe we could get worried about how babies are not only killed inside the womb, but now some are so callous they are killing babies after they are born. Getting worried about who your prom date is tonight?  Is this REALLY what we need to call our Congressman about? We have a lot of very serious issues to deal with in this country. We need to do our part and focus on the serious issues too.

"Sick of being Pummeled"

by Susan Ryan

"Sick of being pummeled."  That's what Jimmy John Liautaud has to say about the current Illinois business environment.  He is a central Illinois native who built a little sandwich shop into a thousand stores from hard work, determination and excellent products.  He is the epitome of an American dream come true.  From Jimmy John's website and history:

Jimmy knew that if he kept it simple he could create the world's greatest gourmet sandwich. With a handful of cookbooks checked out from his local library, Jimmy perfected his award-winning bread. After creating four sandwiches, Jimmy tested them on friends and family, receiving praise he needed to press on. With no hesitation he opened the very first Jimmy John's. Paying a whopping $200 a month in rent, he could afford only used equipment consisting of a refrigerator, a chest freezer, and oven, and a meat slicer.

Scott endorses Kinzinger for President...sort of

Illinois freshman GOP Congressman Adam Kinzinger (11th) is featured with fellow conservative Tim Scott on ABC News; and Scott endorsed Kinzinger for President...sort of.

Wisconsin making the most of Illinois’s fumbles

by Travis Akin

It’s been a rough few weeks for Illinois in its rivalry with its neighbors to the north in Wisconsin.  The Chicago Bears were just one game away from heading to the Super Bowl until their hated rivals from Green Bay came to town and knocked them out of the playoffs this past weekend. 

Instead of kicking off a postgame celebration leading up to another Super Bowl appearance, Bears fans had to endure the humiliation of watching the Packers celebrating their triumph in the middle of Soldier Field. Adding insult to injury, the Packers headed north across the border with the NFC championship trophy, which is named for former Bears coach, owner and icon George Halas.

IL Supremes to hear Emanuel ballot plea

Illinois Supreme Court says it will hear the Emanuel plea to get back on February Chicago mayoral election ballot. So what does this mean? Will the IL justices decide Emanuel is off or on the ballot?

 

Philadelphia "House of Horrors" raises questions about Illinois abortion clinics

Because Illinois has less regulations on abortion clinics than veterinary regulations, more and more questions are being raised as to what may be going on in Illinois' numerous abortion clinics, including the notorious late term abortion-committing Hope Clinic in Granite City. From the Philadelphia district attorney's report:

Gosnell staffed his decrepit and unsanitary clinic entirely with unlicensed personnel, let them practice medicine on unsuspecting patients, unsupervised, and directed them to heavily drug patients in his absence. In addition, he regularly performed abortions beyond the 24-week limit prescribed by law. As a result, viable babies were born. Gosnell killed them by plunging scissors into their spinal cords. He taught his staff to do the same.

Tell lawmakers to initiate state budget self-audit

by John Bambenek

Last night the Governor's office confirmed what many have suspected, that the Illinois pension systems are the subject of an SEC investigation.  You can read the Wall Street Journal article on the subject here: http://is.gd/q1n9Vf

With our pensions systems not only falling below 50% funding, but selling assets to keep the lights on, this is disturbing news. The best guess estimate I have is that the pension debt for the state alone is around $140 to $150 BILLION dollars.  And despite the massive tax hike, no real work has been done to stabilize these funds.  At this rate, they will be insolvent and unable to pay benefits by 2015.

Like many of you, I was appalled at the job-killing tax hikes that were passed in the final hours of the last legislative session.  What was worse is that not only was spending not cut, they actually expanding state spending.  The so-called "spending caps" are illusory at best for two reasons: it does not limit spending out of "special funds" and the spending caps are set higher than even the most optimistic estimates of the revenue that we will have.

Exclusive: President Obama to Propose Budget Freeze and Earmark Ban Tonight

January 25, 2011 11:11 AM ABC News Jake Tapper Reports:

Pursuing a path of deficit reduction and government reform, President Obama will tonight in his State of the Union address call for a ban on earmarks and he will propose an overall budget freeze, ABC News has learned.

The proposals come as the president prepares to tackle the deficit and debt and as he faces a House of Representatives in Republican hands, many of whose members include those affiliated with the Tea Party who may be willing to embrace both moves.

Teamsters Endorse Emanuel Despite Ruling

One day after a state appellate court panel struck Rahm Emanuel from the mayoral ballot, Chicago’s Teamsters union endorsed the former White House Chief of Staff for mayor.

via www.chicagonewscoop.org

Roskam Statement on ‘False Alarm’ Situation at District Office

Rep. Peter Roskam (IL-06) issued the following statement after a ‘false alarm’ situation at the Congressman’s Bloomingdale district office yesterday:

“Yesterday afternoon my district office in Bloomingdale received an envelope that contained what appeared to be a gritty substance. Fortunately, tests determined the substance harmless, and everyone involved is safe. My staff alertly and immediately called the authorities, and both local and federal authorities ably handled the situation on-site. The authorities deserve credit and gratitude for their excellent and expeditious work. I’m thankful that our office and staff are all safe, and happy to report that our district office is open for business today.”

Dennis Byrne: The worst is yet to come in Illinois

by Dennis Byrne

Illinois, the worst is yet to come.

All you state retirees: Do you really believe that your pension was in any way secured by those blow-off-the-roof income tax increases? All you hospitals and social services that are owed billions: Think that check will arrive soon?

Should we think that tax increases will halt the torrent of state borrowing that put us so deep in debt in the first place? Will it drag the state's credit rating from off the floor?

Truth is, you've been chumped. None of that is happening.

Let's do the simple math: The new revenues will produce $6.5 billion. That amount has to cover a $15 billion budget deficit. Failing a miracle of loaves and fishes, it won't work.

More HERE

Sen. Righter's Medicaid reform legislation expected to be signed today

At a time when Republicans are trying to repeal parts of the new federal health care law, Gov. Pat Quinn is poised to roll back some of the state-level health care expansions put in place by his controversial predecessor.

In a ceremony set for Tuesday in Chicago, Quinn is expected to sign into law changes to the state’s $7.6 billion Medicaid program, including one provision that eventually will end free health insurance for 3,100 kids.

Those children were allowed access to state health insurance programs regardless of their family incomes under a program put in place by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The new law calls for children in families of four earning more than $66,150 to no longer qualify for the coverage. Families affected by the change will have one year to find new coverage.

via www.pantagraph.com

New Jersey courts Illlinois business

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s administration thinks there’s business to be had — from Illinois.

The governor is launching an ad campaign encouraging businesses in Illinois to relocate to the Garden State. An official announcement from the Christie administration is planned for Tuesday, when ads will start appearing in newspapers and on radio stations in major Illinois cities like Chicago and Springfield.

Print and radio ads reiterate Christie’s commitment not to raise taxes. The ads follow substantial tax increases recently enacted in Illinois — and a promise from Christie earlier this month that he would reach out to Illinois businesses personally and invite them to relocate here.

via chicagobreakingbusiness.com

Anti-war activists refuse to comply with the law

Anti-war activists in Chicago say they won't show up to testify before a federal grand jury as ordered in subpoenas.

Maureen Murphy says she's one of nine activists ordered to appear at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse today. She says
the others also don't intend to comply.

Murphy called the subpoenas a "fishing expedition" meant to silence the anti-war movement.

More than 20 anti-war activists around the country have been subpoenaed since September, when the FBI raided the homes of several organizers in Chicago and Minneapolis.

Federal officials have said they can't comment on grand jury matters. But warrants indicate agents were looking for connections between activists and groups in Colombia and the Middle East.

via www.chicagobreakingnews.com

Can't We Just Let the People Decide?

by John F. Di Leo

As soon as Mayor Richard M. Daley announced his retirement, Washington D.C. resident Rahm Emanuel handed a resignation letter to his boss, packed his bags, and headed back to Chicago.

Throughout the ensuing battle to enforce the Illinois election code, the Rahm Emanuel for Mayor campaign has been chanting the slogan “Let the People Decide!” They collected enough signatures; surely that should be enough. A pesky little thing like not being a Chicago resident for half of the statutory requirement of one year shouldn’t be a roadblock if a majority of the people of Chicago – living, dead, and fictional – vote to make him their Mayor, right?

There are only a few problems with this position, issues that would be obvious elsewhere, but people are so unaccustomed to following the law in Illinois, they haven’t even entered the minds of some of our politicians and commentators.

Prez weighs in on Rahm debacle

President Barack Obama wants former chief of staff Rahm Emanuel to stay on the Chicago mayoral ballot, a top presidential confidante said Tuesday.

“I think that [Obama] believes that [Emanuel] is eligible, and that he believes that Rahm will pursue his appeal in the courts,” said Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to Obama and fellow Chicagoan, on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

More HERE

Midterm Elections, the Tea Party and the Starfish

by John Welch

The midterm election of November 2010 was no ordinary election. The outcome has the potential to change the substance and direction of the U.S. political system and its effects on the economy for possibly a generation. Only 24 months after the historic election of Barack Obama and his strong coattails pulling a Democratic tide with him, the country abruptly changed course with an intensity and full country scope not seen since 1946. This stunning reversal secedes not only control of the U.S. House of Representatives, but also dives deep into the body politic. A revived Republican Party now controls more state legislative seats than any time since 1928.

What drove this transfer of power, in my analysis, was the birth and dynamic growth of a genuine reform movement, the Tea Party. Most of the time, election results are based off the economy, emotional sentiments or the candidates' personalities. What is rare is an irrefutable movement with focused goals, an extensive geographic reach, and a broad demographic, that developed almost overnight.

The Chicago Way: Scholar Reveals How Mayor Daley Told U of C to Fire Him

by Teri O'Brien

Yesterday, we were fortunate to have nationally-recognized scholar and author John Lott on the Teri O'Brien Show to discuss his book, More Guns, Less Crime, which is now in its 3rd edition. During the interview, I was surprised to hear him begin a sentence with "I couldn't put this in the book because it was being published by the University of Chicago Press." He went on to describe a phone call from Mayor Richard M. Daley to the president of the University of Chicago,in which the mayor described all the wonderful things the city wanted to do for the university, if only they could get rid of the guy writing those terribly inconvenient books, papers and studies proving that disarming law-abiding citizens does not reduce crime rates. You'd think that Mayor Daley wouldn't have to read Mr. Lott's work to know that. He could just check the murder rate in the city of Chicago, where the mayor's belligerent and long-standing support for gun control hasn't exactly turned it into a violence-free utopia. 

Mr. Lott is now at Yale, but the memory of the Chicago way lingers. The audio is here:

J.Lott-Daley Wanted U of C to Fire Him

For audio about Mr. Lott's interaction with Barack Obama while they were both at University of Chicago, please click here.

Appellate court boots Emanuel off Chicago mayoral ballot

Two out of three Illinois appellate court judges ruled today in joint decision that Chicago mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel should be removed from the February primary ballot.  Next stop is the Illinois Supreme Court, divided with a four Democrat, three Republican bench. 

Burt Odelson, the attorney who led the charge to throw Emanuel off the ballot, said the appellate court appears to have adopted all of his arguments that the state municipal code requires candidates for mayor in Illinois to reside within the town in which they’re running for a year prior to Election Day.

Emanuel’s attorneys had argued state election code, which covers eligibility to vote, should also count toward eligibility to run for mayor.  However, Justice Hoffman wrote: “neither the [election] board nor the party have, however, referred us to any Supreme Court opinion ratifying, adopting or directly addressing this approach.”

And Emanuel's representative in court should raise the eyebrows of Democrats in Chicago.  Mike Kaspar is House Speaker Mike Madigan's right hand attorney, who is the attorney that appears most often in court on behalf of Illinois' Democratic Party:

Emanuel attorney Mike Kasper said he would file an appeal with the state Supreme Court either today or Tuesday. He said having the one dissenting opinion from Justice Lampkin should help his cause.

More in Chicago ST

Schilling, Hultgren and Walsh at March for Life Rally

Illinois Congressman Bobby Schilling (R-17), Randy Hultgren (R-14) and Joe Walsh (R-8) encouraged the crowd of prolifers gathered in DC Monday at the March for Life rally.  Audios to follow: Download 2011MarchforLifeRallyspeeches

 

Schilling:

Schilling featured on "This Week with Christiane Amanpour"

Illinois' Congressman Bobby Schilling (R-17) was featured Sunday on "This Week with Christiane Amanpour"

Shimkus cosponsors pro-life legislation

On the day of the national March for Life in Washington, DC, Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-19) is pleased to announce his continued support for pro-life positions and is cosponsoring several pieces of related legislation and joined in a letter on the issue."

“I believe the issue of life is not a Republican or Democrat issue; it is not a liberal or conservative issue; it is a moral issue,” Shimkus said.  “You cannot have a middle position on this issue.”

Shimkus is cosponsoring:

Romney leads, then Palin and Huckabee

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney leads the pack with the support of 24% of Likely Republican Primary Voters. Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, the party’s nominee for vice president in 2008, runs second with 19%, closely followed by Mike Huckabee with 17%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Huckabee, a former governor of Arkansas who now hosts a program on the Fox News network, and Romney were both unsuccessful contenders for the GOP presidential nomination in 2008. The new findings are no surprise since the top three vote-getters have been running closely in surveys for months. None of the seven prominent Republicans we asked primary voters about has officially declared that they are running for the party’s presidential nomination.

Bryant to Serve as new Lincoln Series President

Murphysboro, Ill. – Terri Bryant of Murphysboro has been named President of the Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series, a leadership program that trains and mentors up-and-coming Republican women in Illinois. Bryant graduated from the program in 2009 and in 2010 was selected to serve as a member of the organizations governing body.

 “I’m honored to have been selected to lead this program,” said Bryant. “Republican women have an important opportunity to contribute unique and diverse viewpoints to help shape the future of the Republican Party and improve the political process.” I was proud to be on the selection committee as we chose 8 Republican women from Chicago to Metropolis to join the other more than 180 women who have already graduate from the program,” she added.

Three SEIU Locals--Including Chicago Chapter--Waived From Obamacare

Three local chapters of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), whose political action committee spent $27 million supporting Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election, have received temporary waivers from a provision in the Obamacare law.

The three SEIU chapters include the Local 25 in Obama’s hometown of Chicago.

The waivers allow health insurance plans to limit how much they will spend on a policy holder’s medical coverage for a given year. Under the new health care law, however, such annual limits are phased out by the year 2014. (Under HHS regulations, annual limits can be no less than $750,000 for 2011, no less than $1.25 million in 2012 and no less than $2 million in 2013.)

More HERE

Abortion opponents rally at Capitol

Abortion opponents from across the state rallied Sunday at the Capitol for an annual event coinciding with the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in favor of abortion rights.

The U.S. Supreme Court decided Jan. 22, 1973, that a woman has the right to an abortion up until the point when a fetus can survive on its own. Those attending the anti-abortion rally Sunday said they were not there to make a political statement.

Reagan shaped our times

by John Boehner

What would President Reagan think about all the commotion surrounding his 100th birthday? Well, first he'd probably send his regrets for being unable to attend.

Washington is not a place where cheerfulness tends to stand up over time, but for Ronald Reagan, it did. He was always quick with a smile or a self-deprecating joke. Reagan didn't view his affable nature as a respite from the daunting challenges the nation faced on his watch. Instead, he saw optimism as an essential component of his ability to lead the country. It helped him connect with the people he served and the leaders he served with — including both Democrats and Republicans. This is one reason why today's elected leaders aspire to Reagan's example, and must accept being measured against him.

Jill Stanek emcees Family Research Council's Prolife Blog Conference

Illinois' own Jill Stanek emcees FRC's Prolife Blogger conference today from 7:30 am to 10:30 am CST, featuring some of America's most current well-known prolife leaders.  Today's lineup is HERE.

Welcoming Chinese President Hu

Politico.com posted the following video for all of us who weren't invited to the White House's state dinner for China's President Hu? And guess who welcomed Hu?