Illinois Review

Skeptics

From Salvo Magazine

Video: Economic Jeopardy

America's love/hate affair with government

by Gloria Borger, CNN Chief Political Analyst

It's a problem that has been around for awhile, and the longer it stays, the tougher it is to reverse. That's because it's a riddle that's almost impossible to resolve: Americans want the government to fix our problems, but they don't trust the government to do it.

We want health care to be fixed, Medicare and Social Security to stay intact, emergencies to be handled. We also want lower taxes along with a smaller—yet more responsive—government. All in all, we would like to spend less and get more.

Small wonder we don't believe government can do it, because it cannot.

Read the rest HERE

Durbin Tells WLS: Not Enough Dem Votes to Pass Obama Bill

By Mark Rhoads

Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-ILL) , told Bill Cameron on WLS radio last night that Democrats do not have enough votes among their majority in the Senate to pass the $450 billion jobs bill that President Obama is demanding.  So contrary to the President's favorite hyper-partisan theme of always blaming the GOP exclusively for all his troubles, it turns out that it is not only Republicans who are blocking the president after all, this time it is also Democrats who do not want to vote for a huge tax increase, even on the richest Americans, before the 2012 election. Why should Democratic senators who are up for re-election cast a vote for a massive tax increase when they know the bill cannot pass the GOP-Tea Party majority in the House?  It looks like the Obama scare-tactic strategy might have backfired since Democratic incumbents are the ones who are most scared now of not being reelected.

Video: Gassing Up with Obama

Ten Media Truths for Conservative/Republican Legislators

by Moe Lane

Ten Media Truths for Conservative/Republican Legislators

1. The Media hates you, and wants you to die in a fire.
2. The Media will only reliably compliment you when you do things to help liberals and Democrats.
3. The Media loves it when you attack other conservatives/Republicans.
4. You will never, ever, ever be able to reliably buy off the Media by being a ‘good’ (i.e., self-hating) conservative/Republican.
5. Every flaw that you have – real or perceived – will be magnified by the Media. You will get no slack at all.
6. Every flaw that your opponent has – real or perceived – will be downplayed by the Media.
7. If you get an endorsement from a major Media source, it’s probably because your opponent was caught in a horrific scandal. So don’t count on getting that endorsement the next time.
8. The Media has no shame, no sense of guilt, and no institutional memory of its own faults, flaws, and prejudices. Do not appeal to its better nature: the Media could care less about your opinion of it.
9. Do not whine about any of this: the truth is, this unrelenting hostility from the Media will (if properly handled) simply make you an unstoppable political machine.
10. Most importantly: THE MEDIA DID NOT ELECT YOU. The voters did. Keep that in mind when you’re working out your legislative priorities.

Illinois Libertarians to meet in Bloomington in October

Libertarians throughout the state will meet in Bloomington, Illinois, at The Chateau Hotel and Conference Center the weekend of October 21-23 for their annual Convention. This year's theme is "Libertarians for Peace and Prosperity" and the event will feature an exciting blend of social and economic topics with outstanding speakers and workshop presentations.

Saturday, October 22nd, the Convention will also host a Presidential Candidates Forum for Libertarian Candidates vying for the Party's presidential nomination. Candidates participating include: Roger Gary (TX), RJ Harris (OK), Carl Person (NY), and Lee Wrights (TX)

Ivan Eland, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center on Peace and Prosperity at The Independent Institute and author of numerous books, including Recarving Rushmore: Ranking the Presidents on Peace, Prosperity and Liberty, is this year's Keynote Speaker.

Sunday Brunch Speaker is Michael Badnarik, 2004 Libertarian Presidential Nominee, constitutional scholar and author of the book, Good to be King, a Beginner's Guide to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Michael travels extensively teaching his critically acclaimed Introduction to the Constitution class.

Durbin: Help Duckworth take IL-08 back from Tea Party

Think Durbin's a mean-nothing, who cares senator?  Check out what Durbin's sending to his email list today ... to take back IL's 8th CD "from the Tea Party"!

I don't usually get involved in primaries, but I do make rare exceptions. One of those exceptions is for Tammy Duckworth.

She has shown courage serving her country overseas and common sense when it comes to dealing with the challenges we face here at home. She understands what it takes to get veterans back on their feet, and she understands how to create jobs that put unemployed Illinoisans back to work.

That’s why Tammy is running to take back Illinois ’ 8th Congressional District from the Tea Party -- to put a stop to their “do nothing” attitude -- and she needs your help right now.

Will you help Tammy with a contribution of $5 or more?

DCFS and Mexico renew agreement on illegal alien parents, kids

In a collaboration to keep illegal alien families in tact, DCFS Director Erwin McEwen and Consul General Eduardo Arnal have extended a memorandum of understanding that provides great protections for immigrant parents in custody battles.

Read story HERE

Wallace to challenge Verschoore for 72nd House District

Jonathan Wallace today announced his candidacy for State Representative in the 72nd House District. Wallace, a Republican, is challenging the incumbent Democrat Rep. Pat Verschoore.

“I’m running for state house because I believe it is time to bring fresh ideas and new leadership to Springfield,” Wallace said. “Both Illinois and the 72nd District are facing a terrible economic crisis.  We’re facing a 9.9% unemployment rate and it costs our state more to borrow money than Iraq. Our biggest exports are our college graduates.

As a small-business owner, I understand the challenges employees and workers are facing. We need real solutions to these challenges. Every week, more businesses in Illinois pick up and leave for neighboring states with more business-friendly climates. In the past 20 years, here in western Illinois we’ve lost several manufacturers and the jobs that go with them. It’s time for a change, and change needs to start right here in the 72nd District.”

Wallace highlighted tax reform, streamlining Illinois bureaucracy, and bringing state government into the digital age as key issues.

Attack on Democracy: Do you see the setup?

ABC News: "Too Much Democracy? A Modest Proposal from N.C. Gov. Bev Perdue"

The New Republic: "Too Much of a Good Thing: Why We Need Less Democracy"

Salon.com: "Diebold voting machines can be hacked by remote control"

And the talking points for the attack have made it to state-level Democrat mouthpieces as well. For example, CapFax aped concern and joined in on another pre-election "crisis" manufactured by the left-wing.

RNC Bullies Try Again To Dis the States

by Mark Rhoads

Once upon a time many years ago in 1973, I served on the RNC Rule 29 Committee, chaired by then-Gov. Kit Bond of Missouri. The committee was supposed to examine new ways to promote, but not to guarantee, a wider diversity of delegates and alternates to national conventions. The Rule 29 report came up with some sensible and balanced recommendations that still respected the critical role of the state parties as independent organizations from the RNC. That was consistent with GOP principles at the time.

Springfield chamber throws support behind gambling bill

“Plans to allow slot machines and extended horse-race gambling at the Illinois State Fairgrounds have gained the support of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Chamber directors voted this week to support the bill. The board cited employment prospects, a boost to tourism and expected improvements at the fairgrounds as reasons for backing the expansion.”

More HERE

Census Bureau Admits it Over-Estimated Number of Same-Sex Couples by 40%

by Teri O'Brien

Remember when Obama, in the first of many power grabs, took over the Census? Now, what has become his trademark incompetence, an infection that he spreads to everything he touches, has shown up there. As the Chicago Tribune reports:

Mistakes made on some 2010 census forms led the U.S. Census Bureau to report an "artificially inflated" number of same-sex households in August, census officials said Tuesday.

While the Census Bureau reported 901,997 same-sex households nationally in August, new calculations of the 2010 census indicate there are 648,464 such households.

Or perhaps it’s not incompetence. That’s the perennial question with the One; that is, is it the incompetence or the lefty agenda? (Back in 2009, John Fund explored the reasons why it might be very useful to Obama to take over the Census.)

State moves to suspend Blagojevich’s law license

“While impeached ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich awaits sentencing, the state watchdog that polices lawyers has asked the Illinois Supreme Court to suspend his law license in a move that could deal yet another indignity to the state’s defrocked chief executive.”

More HERE

Aldermen "propose" a crack down on non-union employee vacation payouts

“The number of vacation days non-union city employees can cash out when they leave their jobs would be significantly reduced under a proposal a key City Council committee endorsed today. As it now stands, departing longtime employees can get paid for up to 75 vacation days they did not take while working for the city. Under Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan, the number would decrease to 30 at the start of 2013.”

More HERE

Christie Yes, But Not Yet

by Mark Rhoads

Like many other people, I admire Gov. Chris Christie for his feisty and no-nonsense approach to state-government finances, and for the courage and chutzpah he has shown in dealing with public-employee unions in New Jersey. But after only 21 months on the job in Trenton, he would be wise to delay any run for higher office until some future year when he has a more established record and a deeper national base of supporters.

The problem is that President Obama set the bar of experience expectations very low when he ran for the highest office in 2008, after only about 46 months in office as a back-bench and mostly absentee junior U.S. Senator from Illinois. But both Christie and the nation should set the bar of credentials higher again in order to avoid a pattern of electing presidents with little or no administrative experience. Christie's previous experience as a U.S. Attorney was an adequate enough gateway to run for governor, but is not relevant enough now to seek the top office in the nation.

Illinois plumber was slain CIA contractor

An Illinois plumber was the CIA contractor killed during a shooting at an agency facility in Kabul, Afghanistan, his father and a U.S. official said Wednesday.

Jay Henigan, 61, of Sycamore, was shot Sunday evening by an Afghan worker who was providing security to the CIA facility in an attack that also wounded another American, a U.S. official told The Associated Press. The official requested anonymity to speak about intelligence matters.

Henigan's father, 87-year-old Tom Henigan, said his son already had served one stint in Afghanistan as a plumber at a CIA facility and had just begun his second.

via www.pjstar.com

Audio: Democrat Gov. Perdue on suspending elections

In case you missed it:

"I think we ought to suspend, perhaps, elections for Congress for two years and just tell them we won’t hold it against them, whatever decisions they make, to just let them help this country recover," Gov. Bev Perdue (D-NC) said.

Saake announces candidacy for 42nd State Rep

WINFIELD - Gary Saake, a small business owner and School Board member from Winfield, entered the Republican primary for Illinois State Representative from the 42nd district during a news conference held at Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce in West Chicago.  Saake was joined at the news conference by his wife Anna as well as DuPage County Treasurer Gwen Henry and West Chicago Mayor Mike Kwasman, who formally endorsed his candidacy.

As a successful businessman and School Board member, Saake is uniquely qualified to serve as State Representative.  “As a small businessman, I know what it takes to create new jobs,” according to Saake. “I am proud by the fact that our business, DATAIR Employee Benefits Systems, Inc. employs over 40 employees.  That being said, I am also acutely aware of how punitive taxes and governmental regulations are choking small businesses and hampering their ability to create new jobs,” he said.

Despite promises of cuts, Cook County health system $35 million short in budget

Anyone surprised?

From the Tribune: "The Cook County Health and Hospital System plans to slash hiring, eliminate redundant contracts and reduce maintenance costs next year, but it’s still about $35 million short of what County Board President Tony Preckwinkle is willing to fork over."

Obama's jobs plan endorsed by Communist Party USA

Joe Newby at the Spokane Conservative Examiner reveals that the national chair of the Communist Party USA is endorsing Obama's jobs plan. Wrote Newby: "In an article posted at People's World, Sam Webb, the national chair of the Communist Party USA, gives high praise for President Obama's jobs plan.

Not only does he endorse the "American Jobs Act," he calls on supporters to get behind the millionaire's tax "in a full-blooded way." Webb writes:

The Jobs Act, introduced by President Obama in a well-crafted and passionate address to a joint session of Congress, is not as far reaching as some other jobs proposals. The plans put forward by the Congressional Black Caucus, Progressive Caucus, AFL-CIO and Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., are more ambitious, and we recognize that they contain more in-depth solutions. But the hard fact is that none of these stand a chance of congressional approval given the current balance of forces in Congress, and in the House in particular.

The president's proposal does. The various provisions in the act appeal to a broad constituency, including political moderates in both parties.

More HERE

State Rep. Morrison Stands with Faith Based Adoption Agencies

Today, State Representative Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) strongly objected to what amounts to reverse discrimination as the state of Illinois severs ties to another faith-based foster care adoption organization. This Friday, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) ends its contract with the Evangelical Child and Family Agency (ECFA) of Wheaton. DCFS stopped referring cases to Catholic Charities of Illinois earlier this summer. The failure to renew these contracts is based upon what many believe is the interpretation of a new state law signed by Gov. Quinn this year--the “Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act.”

The DCFS will soon begin to transition foster care cases handled by Catholic Charities and ECFA to other agencies because the respective organizations have policies against placing foster children in the homes of same sex couples or of those who are not Evangelical Christians.

Wall Street Flip Flop From Obama to Romney

by Mark Rhoads

Bloomberg News ran a story today that says 100 investors who donated to President Obama in 2008 have flipped this year to making donations to Mitt Romney instead. And this is supposed to reassure us about Romney in what way exactly? The same Investors who were too obtuse to realize they were backing a crypto-socialist in 2008, now want Mr. Romney to replace him? This is good news perhaps for Romney's campaign treasurer. But is this a good omen for the ecumenical appeal of the Romney campaign, or is it a very bad omen for the kind of president he would be if he were nominated and elected?

911 tapes shed light on domestic squabbles involving Sen. Suzi Schmidt

State Sen. Suzi Schmidt asked police not to come to her Lake County home if her husband called them after a domestic argument that ended with him locked out of their house, according to police reports and telephone logs released Wednesday.

Lake County sheriff’s police released the documents and tapes after a Monday domestic argument at Schmidt’s home — the third time officers have been called there since December.

Hear the tapes HERE

Illinoisans will back those who put government on track

from The Pantagraph

Illinois taxpayers are an unhappy bunch, overwhelmingly believing that the economy is on the wrong track and opposing the huge tax increase shoved through the General Assembly in January.

That’s probably not startling news to anyone, except maybe our leaders in Springfield.

The results are part of a poll that was conducted by the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research and the Illinois Policy Institute.

When asked if the economy in Illinois was headed on the right or wrong track, 74 percent answered wrong track. Voters also said in the poll that they favor pension reform, oppose the 67 percent income tax increase, do not want to see social service programs cut to bring the budget into line and believe they are pretty familiar with the state’s budget crisis. Seventy-six percent of the 400 people questioned in the scientific poll said state government is inefficient.

AFSCME pressures Quinn to "slowdown" closure of state facilities

The Southtown Star is reporting that “a major union is calling for more time for public input on Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposed closure of a prison and other state facilities, saying the current schedule of public hearings will ‘depress turnout and stifle participation.’ The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees said citizens should have at least two weeks’ notice of public hearings that should take place in communities where the threatened facilities are located.”

Bureaucrats and msm are crying foul as usual; trotting out the well-worn response that the poor inmates will "be required to be housed in [prison] gymnasiums”...where they will continue to get a bed, food, education and recreation at taxpayer expense. And, of course, CapFax does its usual bidding on behalf of its benefactor: AFSCME.

Video: Christie Addresses at Reagan Library

Emanuel say no to Lake Shore Drive tolls, yes to other tax increases

“Chicago won’t be charging tolls on Lake Shore Drive anytime soon, nor is a city income tax on the table, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and aldermen indicated Tuesday…That’s a much different reception than Ferguson got nearly a year ago when aldermen and then-Mayor Richard Daley lambasted the watchdog office’s first-ever budget options report.”

More HERE

Seniors, If You Really Love Your Grandchildren, dump AARP

by Teri O'Brien

The stealth left-wing interest group AARP has begun running new Mediscare ads, urging its millions of members to stop looking for discounts on their stays at the Best Western in Branson long enough to urge the “supercommittee” not to “target” Medicare and Social Security benefits in their efforts to reduce the deficit.

Isn’t this the same AARP that supported Obama’s ridiculously titled “Affordable Care Act,” which raids Medicare to the tune of $500 billion? Recall this unintentionally hilarious exchange between Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) and future Death Panel Head HHS Sec. Kathleen Sebelius:

Bev Perdue: Stupid Is as Stupid Does

by Mark Rhoads

Her office is claiming that it was all a big joke. But people who were there are not so sure.  Gov. Bev Perdue (D-North Carolina) told a Rotary Club in Cary, NC that it might be a good idea to suspend the 2012 elections for Congress so that members could focus on the economy and not the next campaign. Even if it was a joke, it was in horrible taste.  It is not funny to joke  about suspending the Constitution. We had elections for Congress even during the Civil War. I hope voters in North Carolina remember this bad joke the next time Perdue is on the ballot also in 2012.

What is Roger Ailes up to?

Newsweek interviewed Roger Ailes recently. The sly old fox (pun intended) seems up to something. But what. From the Howard Kurtz piece:

"The left has long branded Fox a propaganda arm for Ailes’s pugnacious conservatism, and while his journalists maintain they play it straight, the network has certainly provided ample fodder for liberal detractors. But as President Obama’s popularity has plummeted and the country has grown increasingly sick of partisan sniping, something unexpected happened. Roger Ailes pulled back a bit on the throttle.

He calls it a “course correction,” quietly adopted at Fox over the last year. Glenn Beck’s inflammatory rhetoric—his ranting about Obama being a racist—“became a bit of a branding issue for us” before the hot-button host left in July, Ailes says. So too did Sarah Palin’s being widely promoted as the GOP’s potential savior—in large measure through her lucrative platform at Fox. Privately, Fox executives say the entire network took a hard right turn after Obama’s election, but, as the Tea Party’s popularity fades, is edging back toward the mainstream."

The rest of the interview HERE

Daniels on Good Government, Reforming Education, & Collective Bargaining

Smith aims at Democrat Beiser

Madison County Board member Kathy Smith (photo right) has announced she is seeking the Republican nomination to run against state Rep. Dan Beiser, an Alton Democrat.

She went straight for the jugular, blasting Beiser for voting in January in favor of a 67 percent increase in the state income tax -- the equivalent of one week of pay.

"I'm running for state representative because I have had enough of the excessive taxation and out-of-control spending by our politicians in Springfield." Smith said. "I have had enough of broken promises from our politicians who say they will not support a tax increase and then turn around and vote to increase our income tax by 67 percent."

More HERE

Less than handful show for "Occupy Chicago"

At the top of the "who cares" video list is this clip from the "Occupy Chicago" crowd camping out by the Federal Reserve in the Loop. You gotta love the way they shot it with tight angles to make the 4-7 people look as many as possible. Somebody call 1968. We have some hippie kids in search of a cause.

Eggers to challenge Costello for 116th House Seat

Julie Bigham Eggers (pictured right) announced yesterday she plans to run as a Republican for state representative in the 116th District. She's running for the seat currently held by Jerry Costello II, the son of Democrat Congressman Jerry Costello. Costello was appointed in July to replace Dan Reitz, a Democrat who left office early to spend more time with his family.

"I'm a businesswoman, not a politician," Eggers told BND.com. "I'm running for state representative because it's time to send a job creator, not another insider politician, to Springfield. I, like many in Southern Illinois, am tired of the out-of-control spending and massive tax increases.

She added, "It's time for a new way of thinking and to say goodbye to business as usual in Springfield. The politicians who have been running our state have failed us. I pledge to bring common-sense Southern Illinois values back to our state government."

Obama forces Ford to pull anti-bailout ad

Ford has pulled a TV ad (see below) that took shots at companies that benefited from federal government's auto bailout "in response to White House questions," reports Daniel Howes at the Detroit News. "Ford pulled the ad after individuals inside the White House questioned whether the copy was publicly denigrating the controversial bailout policy [Ford] CEO Alan Mulally repeatedly supported in the dark days of late 2008, in early '09 and again when the ad flap arose," Howes writes.

Even More Large Corporate Dominance

by John Tsarpalas

A largely unnoticed consequence of the current economy will be large corporations dominating an even larger share of America. Large corporations are sitting on mountains of cash. Due to low interest rates, some are borrowing large amounts and sitting on those reserves waiting for opportunity. Their managements are cautious about making new investments with such a hostile anti-business administration. I don't blame them, there's no telling what industry the administration will attack this week. Just to name a targeted few: automobiles, oil, insurance, investments, fast food restaurants, internet (sales taxes), tanning salons and drug companies.

So the wise corporate CEO waits for a real bargain or a change in administration. In the mean time, small businesses are struggling, many closing. The little guy who prospered when the economy was strong cannot compete with the large companies' advertising budgets and economies of scale. The large corporations have the ability to absorb regulatory cost, and have the advantage of well-known brand names and dominance in their fields. There is just not enough to go around anymore for the little guy to survive.

Continue reading HERE

Democrats delay Obama's jobs bill again

President Obama still is pressing Congress to pass his jobs stimulus bill immediately, but his own party leaders in the Senate, where Democrats have a majority, have pushed that vote off yet again.

Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, said Monday night that when the Senate returns from a weeklong vacation, the chamber will work instead on a bill that would push to label China a currency manipulator, which would make retaliatory steps in order.

via www.washingtontimes.com

DCFS ends contracts with ECFA as well as Catholic Charities

The public has likely heard that the ironically -- or deceptively -- named "Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act" has resulted in the state of Illinois engaging in religious discrimination by refusing to renew its contract with Catholic Charities adoption agencies. The reason for this travesty is that Catholic Charities refuses to capitulate to homosexual tyrants who seek to compel them to contravene their religious beliefs by placing children in the homes of men and women who affirm homosexual "identities."

What many do not yet know but should have expected is that the state is discriminating against another religious foster care agency, refusing to renew its contract with the Evangelical Child and Family Agency (ECFA), which has done commendable work for children since 1950, for the same reason.

More HERE

Deputies called to State Sen. Schmidt's home for alleged domestic dispute

Lake County sheriff's deputies were called to the home of state Sen. Suzi Schmidt (R-Lake Villa) Monday night for a reported domestic dispute, the sheriff's department said this morning.

It was the second time in six weeks police had been called to the home for a disturbance.

Details of the incident Monday were not immediately known. More HERE

RIP: Mary Joe Arndt

We are saddened by the passing of former Illinois Republican National Committeewoman Mary Jo Arndt of Lombard on Saturday.

Mary Jo was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who was a tireless activist for the Republican Party. Despite her recent illness, Mary Jo continued to be involved in the GOP right up until her passing.

Funeral Arrangements are as follows:

Visitation will be Monday, October 3, from 2 - 8 PM at the Maple Street Chapel, 220 S. Main St., in Lombard, IL. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, October 4th at 11:30 AM at First Church of Lombard, corner of Main and Maple in Lombard, IL. Private Internment at Chapel Hill Gardens at a later date.

Due to Mary Jo's love of the Maple Street Chapel, the family requests no flowers, and instead suggests memorial donations be given to the Maple Street Chapel (see link below)

Maple Street Chapel

Envy: The Democrats' Deadly Sin

by Paul Kengor

“Envy is sadness at another’s good,” wrote Fulton Sheen in Victory Over Vice. “In our time, envy has taken on an economic form.”

What happens when an entire political party crafts its appeal and reelection strategy around envy? Sadly, the Democratic Party has been doing just that for a long time, and with renewed vigor under the presidency of Barack Obama.

More HERE

Warren Buffett: The 'Oracle of Omaha' and the 'Oracle of Obama'

by Nancy Thorner

Billionaire Investor Buffett (According to Forbes, Buffett's estimated wealth is $39 billion as second-richest American behind Microsoft's Bill Gates.) is to be at the North Shore home of Byron Trott, an investment banker, on October 27, to headline President Obama's blockbuster Chicago fundraiser.

Mr. Byron Trott as a former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. partner, isn't know as an outspoken Obma supporter.  He has donated to candidates of both parties, with his most recent donation of $2,500 made to Mitt Romney in June of this year.  Even so Warren Buffet calls Byron Trott his favorite investment banker.

Although President Obama is not expected to attend, it will be co-hosted by the same local donors who lined up to fuel Obama's first presidential campaign at $35,800 per ticket -- James Crown, Penny Pritzker, and John Roger, Jr.

Patronage and pot in Illinois

Days after a Cook County Forest Preserve worker was charged with growing marijuana — not far from the forest preserve quarters she calls home — officials at the agency are calling for [not implementing] sweeping reforms.

In what is known as the “resident watchmen” program, 40-plus homes and apartments are available at steeply discounted rates for forest preserve staffers who, in addition to their regular duties, agree to help plow snow, remove downed trees and report criminal activity in the area where they’re living.

The program has long been seen as a home for some patronage workers whose skills are honed climbing the political ladder rather than fighting a forest fire — but that’s all changing, said Forest Preserve Supt. Arnold Randall.

Read more about this corruption: HERE

Chicago Inspector General puts city income tax, Lake Shore Drive tolls on table

Chicago’s inspector general is offering Mayor Rahm Emanuel a $3 billion roadmap to financial stability that includes everything from a city income tax, commuter tax and tolls on Lake Shore Drive to privatizing garbage collection and converting 20 percent of all fire suppression apparatus to ambulances.

Last year, Inspector General Joe Ferguson rocked the boat with a $247.3 million menu of cost-cutting options that called for the city to fire 595 firefighters, 161 laborers and 75 downtown traffic control aides, impose a recycling fee and snatch away subsidies for senior citizens, condominium owners and non-profits.

This year’s version makes the earlier blueprint look like child’s play.

More HERE

Krauthammer: Governance Phase Of Obama Presidency Is Over

From Real Clear Politics: "He’s gone three-thousand miles to fundraisers. He’s focused entirely on the election." Charles Krauthammer said on FOX News. "He’s essentially announced that the governance phase of the Obama presidency is over and he’s now fully campaigning with a year and two months to go."

Obama Commerce pick awarded $1.37 billion in 'stimulus funds' for risky solar plant

President Obama's nominee for Commerce secretary served as chairman of the board of a solar energy company that recently received a $1.37 billion federal loan guarantee – the largest the Department of Energy has ever given for a solar power project.

Now that company, BrightSource Energy, is attempting to build the world's largest solar power plant amid concerns such ventures may be too risky an investment for the federal government.

In June, BrightSource Chairman John Bryson was nominated by Obama to head the Commerce Department.

More HERE

IDOT Hiring 16 New Managers After Previous Managers Unionize

The Illinois Department of Transportation is hiring 16 new employees, at salaries of up to $100,000, as a new layer of management after the previous supervisors were allowed to unionize.

via www.myfoxchicago.com

You're making campaign contributions, whether you like it or not

by Frank Napolitano

I was at an event last week at the DuPage County Fairgrounds. The office of the State’s Attorney was there giving away little plastic drinking cups and Frisbees. These items were of course paid for by us, the tax payers. Perhaps, there is a legitimate reason to give these things away, community involvement, raising awareness, etc. I get all of that, but why do they need to put the State’s Attorney’s name on the items? It looks an awful lot like promotional items that a campaign should be paying for, but the campaign is not paying for it, we are.

This is one example of something that members of both parties do, and they do it excessively without regard for who’s money it is that is paying for these items, ours. Why did our tax dollars pay for Rod Blagojevich’s name to be all over the I-Pass lanes on the toll way? Why did the tax payers of Chicago need to put Daley’s name and now I assume Rahm’s name up at the airport saying, Welcome to Chicago? Why do our tax dollars need to be used to pay for giveaways for Lisa Madigan’s office, or Jesse White’s office?