Illinois Review

Illinois Republicans split between Romney and Santorum

Fox News Chicago reports Illinois Republicans are split between former Governor Mitt Romney and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum:

Romney had the support of 33.2% on Wednesday, compared to 28.9% Tuesday. Rick Santorum gained, too, going from 29.3% on Tuesday to 29.8% Wednesday.

Pollster We Ask America, based in Springfield, IL, contacted 800 likely voters Tuesday and another 1,100 on Wednesday. Considering the survey’s margin of error, the two frontrunners remained in a statistical tie.

Patlak gets Daily Herald endorsement

The Daily Herald has endorsed Dan Patlak for Commissioner of the Cook County Board of Review. The Editorial says:

"Morrison hasn’t made a strong case for replacing him, and some of Morrison’s charges have been wide of the mark or unsubstantiated. We endorse Patlak, based on his experience, and his record in helping improve how the office runs and its timeliness completing reviews."

Questions raised about Manzullo campaign vehicle

Late last year, the topic of U.S. Congressmen's use of government-leased vehicles came up in an investigation by a St. Louis television station. Congressman Don Manzullo was one of the members of the U.S. House of Representatives that uses a taxpayer-funded car. When asked about it by Cal Skinner of McHenry County Blog, a Manzullo staffer explained:

The actual monthly cost for the vehicle lease is actually $619.99, and it is a vehicle the staff uses (Ford Escape Hybrid) to travel across the district in lieu of paying staff the mileage rate of 50 cents a mile. The payment for the vehicle comes out of the Congressman’s overall office account.

In the midst of the primary battle between Manzullo and Kinzinger, there are a lot of accusations flying. Illinois Review was recently sent the following photo from a February 22nd Grundy County Tea Party event. The Ford Escape Hybrid is the one Congressman Don Manzullo drove up in and parked at approximately 8:30 PM CST:

Video: Cong. Peter Roskam talks about Rising Energy Costs

Congressman Randy Hultgren Applauds URF Legislative Report Card

GENEVA, IL – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement regarding the release of URF’s fifth annual legislative scorecard.

“As a former member of both the Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois State Senate, I know firsthand the challenges of forwarding sound public policy in Springfield. I applaud URF on the publication of their fifth annual legislative scorecard. URF is a respected conservative organization whose reputation of holding accountable the members of the Illinois General Assembly is both well established and critical as we work to solve the serious problems facing our great state.”

The scorecard can be found HERE and in the upper right-hand sidebar of Illinois Review.

AG Holder: HHS mandate doesn't undermine First Amendment

WASHINGTON DC - Attorney General Eric Holder told a House Committee Tuesday that he doesn't believe that the HHS health care mandate undermines the First Amendment. More at CNSnews.com

Illinois' devastated Medicaid system featured in New York Times

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn wants to begin unraveling Illinois' Medicaid crisis by cutting the state's payout to Medicaid doctors.  The reimbursement doctors get are already below cost and six months late, as we discussed with Dr. Arie Friedman last week on Illinois Review. 

But as the Illinois legislature has already agreed to, they also are revamping the Medicaid ID and qualification system, although the Obama Administration is dragging its feet in issuing approval. The New York Times has picked up on the horrific situation in a story Wednesday.  Among others, they talked to Illinois Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon)

“There are a lot of people on the program who don’t belong on the program,” said Senator Dale Righter, Republican of Mattoon. “Some estimates are up to 20 percent. Government has been so lax and confirming eligibility has been so bad that they just leave people on the rolls. It’s supposed to be a safety net where you land, and then you get out.”

Under current rules, a family of four earning about $33,500 annually qualify for free health care for their children. A family of four earning between $33,501 and $67,056 annually pay a small premium each month, usually no more than $80, for child coverage.

Moment of silence in Senate for Harrisburg storm victims

via Twitter -

The IL Senate rose for a moment of silence and reflection for the community of Harrisburg and those who lost their lives.

— ILSenateGOP (@ILSenateGOP) February 29, 2012

Orland Park hair stylist among the voiceless IL small biz owners

By Fran Eaton -

Meet my hair stylist Nikki Hath. You may be surprised that a 27 year old with purple hair and tattoos won my confidence and business over the last 4 years. As owner of Orland Park's "If Looks Could Kill" (no kidding!) one-chair salon, she's one of the hard-working small biz owners that pay more than their fair share of taxes and have little clout when biz bullies like CME and Sears get all the tax breaks in Illinois.

I write about her today in the Southtown Star's Always Right column ...

Illinois Treasurer Certifies State’s Portfolio Clean of Iranian Investments

CHICAGO – Following a thorough scan undertaken at his directive, Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford announced today that the entire state’s investment portfolio under his management is devoid of any holdings in companies conducting business with Iran including, but not limited to, oil, petroleum, and mineral-extraction activities.

“Divestiture from Iran was a policy I supported when I served in the Illinois General Assembly and I continue to support today as the state treasurer. Keeping dollars from rogue countries like Iran helps with global security and our own state’s financial well-being.  Financial prudence requires me to steer clear of any investments involved with Tehran’s energy sector.  After all, this is a country that violently suppresses any political dissent within its own borders, supports international terrorism, reportedly hatched an assassination plot against foreign diplomats in our nation’s capital, and continues to foster instability throughout the Middle East,” said Rutherford.

Public transit activists lobby Springfield for higher gas taxes

As gas prices approach record levels, mass transit lobbyists are pushing state legislation that would increase the gas tax in the Chicago region in order to further fund CTA, Metra, and PACE. The legislation seeks to index the state motor fuel tax to inflation, with annual adjustments, to ensure a dedicated transit funding source, officials said.

The sponsor of the legislation, Senate Bill 3236, is State Sen. Martin Sandoval (D - Chicago). Backers say one of the goals is to "create job growth". (?)

The legislation is supported by the Active Transportation Alliance and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Members of Riders for Better Transit, an advocacy group created by the Active Transportation Alliance, distributed fliers at downtown train stations Wednesday to ask commuters to contact their state legislators to express support for higher gas taxes. More HERE

Muslim leader: Top Chicago cop promises no spying

Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy vowed at a meeting with a local Muslim leader Tuesday to confine his department’s surveillance activities to those that pursue ‘criminal leads’ and to avoid the type of widespread spying alleged to have been carried out by New York police. More HERE

Republican Congressional Candidate Says 'Holocaust Never Happened'

The Oak Lawn Patch is reporting that a congressional candidate running as a Republican in the upcoming Illinois primary says the "Holocaust never happened."

Arthur Jones, 64, a Lyons, IL, insurance salesman who organizes family-friendly, neo-Nazi events around Adolph Hitler's birthday, hopes to be the Republican candidate chosen to run against Democrat Congressman Dan Lipinski in Illinois' 3rd Congressional District.

"As far as I'm concerned, the Holocaust is nothing more than an international extortion racket by the Jews," Jones said. "It's the blackest lie in history. Millions of dollars are being made by Jews telling this tale of woe and misfortune in books, movies, plays and TV. The more survivors, the more lies that are told."

“Philosophically, I’m a National Socialist,” Jones said. “Officially, I don’t belong to any party except my own, the America First Committee.”

ILGOP chairman rips Santorum

From a radio interview Wednesday on WJBC, Illinois GOP chair blasts Santorum. 

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady says Mitt Romney’s primary wins in Arizona and Michigan have just about sealed Romney’s Republican presidential nomination.

Brady, a Romney supporter, says Rick Santorum has focused too much of his campaign on social issues at a time when most people are worried about the economy.

“(Santorum) has no infrastructure, he’s got really no money and I think his message is wrong for us to beat Barack Obama and I think people are figuring that out,” Brady said.

Santorum came close to winning in Romney’s home state of Michigan, while Romney won decisively in Arizona.

The WJBC audio is HERE

Roskam Applauds Introduction of JOBS Act to Help Small Businesses

WASHINGTON – Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) Tuesday issued the following statement applauding the introduction of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, a bipartisan legislative initiative designed to help new businesses, starts ups, and entrepreneurs get up and running in order to better succeed and create jobs.

“Right now, excessive Washington bureaucrat-imposed regulations are preventing American innovation, stalling economic growth, and killing jobs. With national unemployment still stuck at over 8 percent, Washington has to stop being a barrier to job creation so entrepreneurs and small businesses can succeed, grow, and hire in the U.S. The bipartisan JOBS Act does just that by removing barriers many start ups face to present a less burdensome path forward, like Whip Kevin McCarthy’s bill to repeal the solicitation ban on companies trying to raise capital. Small businesses are the engine of the American economy; let’s stop Washington from hurting them.”

Babcock calls pay raises for elected officials 'unconscionable'

BETHALTO –  Mike Babcock, the Republican candidate for State Senate in the 56th District, released the following statement in response to a report that Governor Quinn’s proposed budget includes thousands of dollars of pay raises for himself and members of the General Assembly:

“It is unconscionable that Governor Quinn and lawmakers in Springfield would award themselves thousands of dollars in pay raises when our state is drowning in debt and deficits.

“Governor Quinn took a week’s pay from every household in Illinois when he raised income taxes by 67 percent. Now, he wants a pay raise. It's time to say, 'Enough is enough!

Kirk and Quigley Urge Adoption of STOCK Act's Public Corruption Amendment

WASHINGTON – United States Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL) Tuesday sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) urging the inclusion of bipartisan, bicameral legislation to fight public corruption in the final version of the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act. 

Oberweis: Quinn's pay hikes show need for term limits

SUGAR GROVE, IL – 25th District GOP state Senate candidate Jim Oberweis responded to news that Governor Quinn’s budget, released last week, contains pay increases for himself and members of the General Assembly by urging legislators to reject the pay raise and pledging, if elected, to oppose them and work to repeal them.

"Last week I suggested that rather than refer to Gov. Quinn's proposed budget as a 'rendezvous with reality,' we should refer to it as a 'date with deception,'" said Oberweis. "With the revelation today that the budget contains pay increases for himself and the members of the General Assembly, perhaps we should now refer to it as an 'outing with the outrageous.'

"Thank you, Gov. Quinn, for giving us one more reason to support term limits -- because only out-of-touch career politicians could hatch this scheme.

Anti-bullying expansion means contraction of freedom and more government control

An expansion of Illinois' anti-bullying law is on the House Education Committee's schedule this morning. And despite the fact that an anti-bullying statute already exists in Illinois, left-wing State Rep. Kelly Cassidy wants to expand the regulation to include:

Bullying on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, physical appearance, socioeconomic status, academic status, pregnancy, parenting status, homelessness, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender-related identity or expression, unfavorable discharge from military service, association with a person or group with one or more of the aforementioned actual or perceived characteristics, or any other distinguishing characteristic is prohibited in all school districts and non-public,non-sectarian elementary and secondary schools.

We can only interpret the above definition to mean that school children throughout the state will be taught that it is punishable to "bully" unless the person that's the focus of the bullying is a Caucasian, Christian (esp. Catholic), Irish, tall, moderately wealthy, straight, smart, well-educated male that comes from a home with a mom and dad.

So how is "bullying" defined in Illinois law already? 

Smolinski grabs Maine Township GOP endorsement

ROSELLE - Roselle Mayor Gayle Smolinski is endorsed by Maine Township Republican Organization. Maine Township is the home township of her opponent James O’Donnell. Smolinski has received endorsements from more than a dozen local Mayors and Village Presidents along with the Republican Organizations in Schaumburg, Elk Grove, and now Maine Township.

Ten killed in southern Illinois 5 am storm

HARRISBURG - At least 10 people were killed in downstate Harrisburg when a severe pre-dawn storm pounded southern Illinois and left the city's medical center scrambling to treat an influx of injured, authorities said.

Harrisburg Medical Center CEO Vince Ashley said some of the victims were pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital shortly after the storm hit the 9,000-resident city about 5 a.m. He could not immediately estimate how many of the injured were treated at the 78-bed hospital, which also sustained damage. No one was injured at the medical center, he said.

Via Chicago Tribune

Anti-bullying expansion law to be heard this am in House Ed committee

SPRINGFIELD, IL  - The Illinois Human Rights Commission is endorsing legislation that would require a statewide bullying-prevention policy. Commission chairman Martin Castro said Tuesday the panel also voted to join the Prevent School Violence Illinois Commission.

The legislation is sponsored by Chicago Democratic Rep. Kelly Cassidy. It would require school districts to adopt guidelines to prevent bullying and cyberbullying by the start of school this fall. The bill is HB5290.

Rhoads: Free Ride for Automatic Delegates

By Mark Rhoads -

Did you know that news media outlets have already awarded two delegates from Illinois to Mitt Romney even though no GOP voter in Illinois has yet cast a ballot in the primary election set for March 20? Nice deal for Romney and another bad deal for voters who used to be asked for their votes.

NRA and DuPage Sierra Club Endorse Ron Sandack

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – The National Rifle Association (NRA) Political Victory Fund and the DuPage County Sierra Club’s River Prairie Group both endorsed Ron Sandack for State Representative today.

The NRA gave Sandack a near-perfect “A-“ rating as a reflection of his responses on their questionnaire as well as his impeccable record on 2nd Amendment issues as a legislator. The DuPage County Sierra Club pointed to Ron’s environmentally-friendly record, both as Mayor of Downers Grove and as an appointed State Senator, and stated, “He is quite smart and willing to hear reasonable and equitable solutions.”

“Not every public official can announce these two seemingly-divergent endorsements on the same day, but when you know what you believe and stand strong on principle regardless of party label or public pressure you blaze a somewhat uncommon trail. We face big problems in Springfield and it will take bold, independent leadership to put our great state back on the path to prosperity,” Sandack explained.

Bambenek Condemns Pay Raises for Statewide Officials and Legislators

CHAMPAIGN, IL - Republican State Senate Candidate for the 52nd District John Bambenek commented today on Governor Quinn’s budget proposal. The Governor’s proposal includes hundreds of thousands of dollars in pay raises for legislators and state officials, attributed to cost of living increases (COLAS) for state officials passed by the General Assembly, which previously had not been funded. This results in a spending increase for the state budget for fiscal year 2013, above both fiscal years 2011 and 2012, despite proposed spending cuts.

“When the state is in crisis, it is not time to give the politicians who drove us to the edge of the abyss a big raise while hardworking families are suffering,” Bambenek commented. “Politicians don't deserve raises when hardworking families are suffering under the economic and fiscal nightmare they created.”

Sebelius says Obamacare passage didn't affect employer health care coverage drop

WASHINGTON DC - Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-6) asked HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius whether the Affordable Health Care Act's passage had affected the number of employers that dropped their employees' health care benefits in 2010. "It wouldn't have mattered if we passed it or not," she insisted in a committee hearing.

Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford Releases 2011 Annual Report Online

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford released his offices 2011 Annual Report, titled “Protecting Your Wallet”. And in an effort to save taxpayers’ dollars, the report will not be published in printed form. The document is able to be downloaded and printed HERE

Tell Senators "do not table" Freedom of Conscience Act

What's an Illinoisan to do about the Freedom of Conscience Act?  We suggest calls to U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk's offices supporting this effort. Both senators need to hear from their constituents - despite Illinois' unusual current circumstances concerning Senator Kirk's long term absence and Senator Durbin's defiant opposition to religious liberty and support for Obamacare. From Life Advocacy Resource Project:

Freedom of Conscience Amendment to Come to Vote - Call Senators Now 1-202-224-3121 | We have just learned that a US Senate vote is set for this Thursday, March 1, on the Blunt/Rubio Freedom of Conscience Amendment to bar enforcement of the Obama Regime regulation forcing employers to cover sterilization and contraception, including abortifacient drugs, in group health insurance policies, regardless of conscience or religious conviction.

Proft endorses Falvey for Congress

From the Falvey campaign -

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Dan Proft, conservative leader and former Republican candidate for Governor, announced today his endorsement of Jim Falvey for the 3rd Congressional District.

“Republicans can win the 3rd District this year with the right candidate, and after in-depth discussions with Jim Falvey I believe he is that candidate,” said Proft of his endorsement. “Dan Lipinski has consistently voted to expand the size of government at the expense of economic opportunities for the families he was elected to represent. Jim Falvey understands that the problem in Washington is not that the federal government hasn't done enough but rather that the federal government has attempted to do too much.”

Brady introduces resolution urging Congress to protect religious liberty

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Bill Brady has introduced a resolution in the General Assembly urging Congress to act to safeguard the First Amendment by overturning an order of the Obama Administration mandating  religious-affiliated institutions to provide specific insurance coverages.

“This is an argument about the rights of many faiths and their practitioners throughout this country to exercise their right of conscience and religious freedoms without interference from the federal government,” said Brady (R., Bloomington). “This is not an argument about contraception.”

Walsh pushes term-limits for Congress

WASHINGTON – Congressman Joe Walsh (IL-8) released the following statement on the 61st anniversary of the passage of Presidential term limits that was celebrated yesterday. In July 2011, Congressman Walsh authored legislation with Rep. Schweikert (AZ) and Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC) that limits a Member of the House of Representatives to three terms and a Member of the Senate to two terms.

Walsh stated: “I came to Congress to change the way this town does business and to restore the founding principles put in place by our Founding Fathers. If we are serious about getting this country back on track, we need to change the process that got us into this mess. Term limits are essential to changing this destructive process. 61 years ago it started with placing term limits on the President and today we need to fight to pass Congressional term limits.

America's over-regulation

Congressman Schock commends URF scorecard accountability

From Congressman Aaron Schock -

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Aaron Schock today released the following statement regarding the release of the URF's fifth annual legislative scorecard.

"As a former member of the Illinois House of Representatives, and someone who received crucial support from the URF, I'm encouraged to see how the number of conservative House members has grown over the years. The URF has faithfully kept track and held lawmakers accountable for the last five years, and this year's legislative scorecard shows encouraging growth in the number of sound public policy advocates. I encourage the URF to continue to provide voters with this resource for evaluating the voting records of members of the Illinois General Assembly. We need groups like the URF more than ever to restore our great state."

Romney: I Have "Friends Who Are NASCAR Team Owners"

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney visited central Florida Sunday ahead of the Daytona 500, and his critics are seizing on him for a seemingly out-of-touch comment, in which he admitted to not following car racing very closely but saying he has “friends who are NASCAR team owners.”

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Act of Valor sprinkled with an ounce of caution

By The Cranky Housewife -

The results are in and as one might suspect, conservatives love Act of Valor. You've probably seen what I'm talking about, they loved it before it was even released as a general concept and they are absolutely smitten with this film in actuality. It turns out that it doesn't get any better than watching real Navy Seals performing seemingly impossible feats of strength and courage in synergistic amenability to Hollywood scripting. Conservatives have the feel good, pro-American film that they've been clamoring to see, and all is right with America for…the Right of America. Naturally, the converse is true as well. What conservatives instinctually love, the Left hates with reflexive violence. Progressives abhor the very existence of Act of Valor as much as anything else which celebrates love of country and American Exceptionalism. What can I say? Tale as old as time. Tune as old as song. Liberals hate this and most pro-American films.

So why do I kind of agree with the Left on this?

Manzullo launches negative ad against Kinzinger

Skokie library teaches kids how to make lie detector machines

Your tax dollars at work: The Skokie Public Library is hosting a DIY Lie Detector Machine workshop for students on March 6. According to the description, the students will be "building circuits from scratch to make real, working, lie detector tests! Free kits provided by the library."

Whatever happened to teaching them to read?

Patti Blagojevich tells Rosie O'Donnell "Rod is innocent", Trump feels bad for him

Patti Blagojevich is proclaiming Rod's innocence two weeks before he reports to prison for a 14-year sentence for corruption. Patti says on the Oprah Winfrey Network's "The Rosie Show" that she knows her husband's heart and that he took the public's trust seriously.

In the interview with host Rosie O'Donnell, Patti talks of her husband's arrest in December 2008. She recalls thinking it was a joke when FBI agents outside their home demanded that she open the door.

Video HERE

In a related story, Donald Trump told WLS this morning that he thinks Blagojevich's sentence for corruption is too harsh, and that the fourteen year sentence is too much. Trump told Don & Roma, "I feel very badly for him. He was a very nice guy. It's devastating to his family."

Of course, "The Donald" doesn't live here...and doesn't seem to care about how "devastating" Rod and the other corruption is for all the rest of us.

Liberal ACLU poll shows 2/3 of Illinoisans oppose abortion ultrasound bill

ACLU Poll: 2/3 Oppose Illinois Abortion Ultrasound Bill: MyFoxCHICAGO.com

City launches $11 million plan to combat waste in minority contracts program

Democrat Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration on Monday outlined an $11 million plan to clean up Chicago’s corruption-filled minority set-aside program — two weeks after a white-owned construction giant was accused of using ‘pass-throughs’ on $200 million in city projects. More HERE

College Illinois! Could get first shot of taxpayer cash

Illinois’ distressed prepaid tuition program could receive a cash infusion from taxpayers, even though it is not backed by the state. State Rep. Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, is backing legislation that would require the General Assembly to cover salaries and benefits for employees of College Illinois!, which is facing a deficit of $559.9 million. More HERE

Illinois among top 3 states for workers compensation costs

Worker’s compensation costs in Illinois rank among the highest in the country…What makes Illinois stand out is, an employer in the state is primarily responsible for the aggravation of an injury… More HERE

Left-wing budget group calls for "graduated" income tax in Illinois

An Illinois budget group wants to change the state constitution so that income tax rates can be based on wealth. The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability says a graduated rate would tax people more fairly and produce more money for the state's troubled budget.

The liberal budget group also says it could stimulate the economy by offering tax relief to poor and middle class families. The center plans a news conference Tuesday to discuss its proposal.

Despite indictments County Board continues contingency fund perk

Some call it a slush fund. Others call it contingency money to reimburse Cook County Commissioners for a range of so-called work-related expenses — from newspaper subscriptions to fuel to school tuition. Whatever its name, no one’s beating down the door to get rid of the perk — even after Cook County Commissioner William Beavers was indicted Thursday for allegedly failing to report or pay taxes on money he pocketed.

According to the Sun-Times, in the final quarter of 2011, Commissioner Liz Gorman received $2,029.92 in “tuition” reimbursement, according to county records. The southwest suburban Republican said late Friday that the reimbursement is for a state-administered course on tax assessments so she could assist constituents trying to appeal their tax bills. More HERE

Law firm that profited on city deals hosts Burke fund-raiser

As the head of the Chicago City Council’s Committee on Finance, Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th) holds sway over all worker compensation claims filed by city workers — and all of the outside lawyers the city hires to fight those claims. Now, Hennessy & Roach, a law firm that the powerful Southwest Side alderman’s committee paid more than $1.4 million over a three-year period to fight injury claims from city workers, is giving back: It’s hosting a political fund-raiser Thursday for the powerful alderman, who already has the richest campaign war chest of any politician in Illinois. More HERE

Relatives of lobbyists, campaign donors got lawmakers' help to enter U. of I.

Politicians exerted their influence at the University of Illinois to boost admissions prospects for the relatives of lobbyists, fundraisers, a union leader and other connected applicants, a Tribune investigation has found. The first broad analysis of who benefited from the school’s clout lists shows that a number of lawmakers championed applicants whose relatives donated to their campaigns or represented groups that regularly made political contributions. More HERE

Brady backs Hage for the 42nd House District

BLOOMINGTON - Former Republican governor nominee State Sen. Bill Brady today endorsed Chris Hage in the 42nd House race. Brady served in the state senate when Hage worked as legal counsel there. Hage also worked on Brady's 2010 governor campaign.

"Chris doesn't just have the words right," Brady said. "I've seen Chris Hage working long hours to make the laws and policies of this state as friendly to job-creating businesses as possible. In the complex world of Illinois politics, we need someone who understands from day one how to actually get things done. Chris has proven he has the experience that businesses need. He has an unmatched pro-business agenda for his community."

The 42nd District includes all of Winfield, large parts of Wheaton and Lisle, and portions of Carol Stream, West Chicago, Warrenville, and Naperville. Hage's opponents in the race are Laura Pollastrini, Jeanne Ives, and Dave Carlin, who all answered the conservative coalitions questionnaire (see upper right). Hage was the only Republican in that race who refused to respond.

Rauschenberger endorses Surges for Senate District 33

The Cliff Surges campaign has announced that former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger has endorsed his campaign for the 33rd senate district.

Rauschenberger served as a member of the Illinois Senate from 1993 to 2007 representing areas of Kane County. While Senator he was a member of a group of conservative Senators known for challenging the leadership and dubbed the “Fab Five”. He served as Chief Budget Negotiator and served on both the Environment and Energy Committee and the Appropriations Committee, as well as on various Commissions and Boards.  Steve Rauschenberger is widely known for being a champion of reform and ethics in Kane County and the State of Illinois.

“In these tough times we need fresh leadership in Springfield and Cliff Surges is that leader!” Rauschenberger stated. “Cliff is a proven conservative leader, who will fight for the families and businesses of Illinois.”

Obama's apology

Farrakhan blasted Jews and America in Chicago speech

CHICAGO - Sunday, during a four hour speech at Chicago's United Center, thousands of members of the Nation of Islam listened as Louis Farrakhan blasted Jews and the U.S. government.  The Washington Post reports some of Farrakhan's allegations in his annual Savior's Day speech:

Farrakhan ... alleged that 9/11 was carried out by the U.S. government, criticized Obama for letting down blacks and Muslims, and warned the president about being influenced by Satan...

Farrakhan also used the annual address, which commemorates the birthday of the group’s founder, Wallace Fard Muhammad, to bemoan the ongoing Arab Spring protests, which last year claimed the life of his “good friend” Moammar Gadhafi, the longtime Libyan dictator...