Illinois Review

31% of Illinois home sales in 1st quarter were foreclosures

CHICAGO - Almost 31 percent of homes sold in Illinois in the first quarter of the year were in foreclosure or owned by a bank.

The statistics were released Thursday by Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac. The company says the total number of foreclosures sold from January through March totaled 8,592, and the average sale price was $127,530.

The number of foreclosure sales was 22 percent higher than during the same period last year, and almost 12 percent higher than the last three months of 2011. ...More HERE

Super PAC legislation approved by Illinois Senate

SPRINGFIELD - State lawmakers are again playing around with free speech and campaign finance laws here in Illinois. According to the Tribune, limits on campaign donations to candidates will be lifted if Super PACs invest money into legislative or statewide political races under a measure the Senate put on the governor's desk today.

Under the legislation, donation restrictions would go away if a Super PAC spends $100,000 or more on a local race and $250,000 or more on a statewide race. In Illinois, a court has struck down language that had limited so-called independent expenditure committees, allowing superPACs to get involved in state campaigns. Current campaign law limits the amounts that individuals, businesses, unions and traditional PACs can give to a candidate.

Sen. Don Harmon (D), dismissed GOP criticism of lifting the limits, saying the legislation is an attempt to rebuild after courts blew a hole into campaign finance reform.

The measure went to the governor on a 39-26 vote.

Murphy statement on budget passage

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Sen. Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) offered the following comments after the Illinois Senate passed a budget package that spends more than the current fiscal year.

“The Democrat majorities have crafted a budget plan that increases spending over last year. When the Democrats passed the $7 billion tax increase in January 2011, they promised to cut spending too. Unfortunately, this is the second consecutive spending increase since that tax hike. This is yet another plan to tax and spend our way into a permanent tax increase. I oppose this budget and the permanent tax increases that it will produce,” Murphy said. “The Democrats’ failure to reduce spending minimizes the chance that they will keep their other promise to the people, that the tax increase will be temporary. There is a recurring theme of spending is going up and it would be nice if the legislative majorities would just admit they are want to make the 2011 $7 billion tax increase permanent.”

Radogno: General Assembly advances bill to eliminate Medicaid ‘credit card’

From Senate Minority Leader Radogno -

SPRINGFIELD – The final piece—and perhaps most critical piece—of the state’s Medicaid reform package was approved on May 31, effectively “cutting up the state’s Medicaid credit card,” according to State Senator Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), cosponsor of Senate Bill 3397.

The legislation was unanimously approved by Senate lawmakers, and will phase out the little known “Section 25”loophole in state law that has allowed Illinois governors to disguise the true annual cost of its Medicaid program. Under the provision, Illinois has been able to commit to more Medicaid services than it can pay for and then push the bills off into the next year. It has been a key objective of Radogno and the Senate Republican Caucus to enact reforms that will eliminate the Section 25 provision and force the state to live within its means.

“This bill has been aptly described as ‘cutting up Illinois’ Medicaid credit card,’” said Radogno. “This is a sensible, important change that will put an end to the long-time habit of pushing off Medicaid obligations from one year to the next, and force the state to live within its means.”

What is "Equality?"

By Mark Rhoads -

What does the word "equality" mean to the Left and Right of the American political spectrum? A Boston federal appeals court has declared the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act as "unconstitutional" because "heterosexual" and "homosexual" marriages are not treated the same. Idiotic? Yes. For most of American history the idea of a "homosexual marriage" did not exist and even the idea is a creature of the last 12 years or so.

Two high-ranking female Army officers are suing the Army and claiming their careers were harmed because women are not able to work in any combat position in the Army. To the American Left, the word "equality" apparently means identical interchangeablility of any role regardless of cirumstances and common sense. To most conservatives, the idea of "equality" often means all people are equal in the eyes of God and are entitled to equal protection of laws but allowing for physical or common-sense differences in cicumstances. Not all distinctions between men and women are necessarily invidious distinctions and some laws and regulatons were designed to benefit women against men but those disappear under a false idea of what equality means. What is your idea of what the word "equality" means?

Obama on raising the debt limit

“The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the US Government cannot pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless fiscal policies. Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that, "the buck stops here.' Instead,Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.” -- Senator Barack H. Obama, March 2006

Same Sex Marriage Lawsuits 'Without Merit,' Says Thomas More Society

CHICAGO - On Wednesday, May 30, the ACLU and Lambda Legal Defense Fund filed lawsuits against David Orr, the Clerk of Cook County, challenging the Illinois law reserving marriage to opposite-sex couples. In compliance with the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, Orr has consistently refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The lawsuits claim that the state marriage law violates the due process, equal protection, privacy and equal rights provisions of the Illinois Constitution (in a parallel move which also seem guaranteed to draw media attention and spark political debate, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn asserted on Monday that he would make homosexual marriage a reality without waiting for the courts to act first).

Peter Breen, executive director and legal counsel for the Chicago-based Thomas More Society, stated that the lawsuits, which claim that the state marriage law violates multiple provisions of the Illinois Constitution, "have no merit."

Former prominent Obama backer, leaves Democrat Party

Artur Davis, one of President Obama's earliest supporters and a former co-chairman for his presidential campaign, announced Tuesday that he was leaving the Democrat Party for good.

In a post published Tuesday on his website, Davis was vague about his future political endeavors, but declared: “If I were to run, it would be as a Republican. And I am in the process of changing my voter registration from Alabama to Virginia, a development which likely does represent a closing of one chapter and perhaps the opening of another.”

Davis, who represented Alabama’s 7th Congressional District from 2003 to 2011, was notably the first member of Congress outside of Illinois to endorse then-Sen. Obama’s 2008 presidential bid. And it was Davis who seconded the official nomination of Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. ...More HERE

Governor Bob McDonnell to Address CPAC Chicago

The American Conservative Union (ACU), URF Right Nation and The Heartland Institute announced today that Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell will address CPAC Chicago on June 8.

“Governor McDonnell has shown the stark contrast between small government, conservative solutions and expansive, liberal policies in the Commonwealth of Virginia. While other states around our nation’s capital raise taxes, Governor McDonnell has helped Virginia reign in its out of control spending and developed a host of new projects to improve Virginian’s standard of living while giving them a leaner, more effective government,” said ACU Chairman Al Cardenas. “We are proud to welcome Governor McDonnell to Chicago this summer as conservatives take the fight for the future of our country directly to President Barack Obama’s backyard.”

Final Day: Illinois Review offers readers discount on CPAC Chicago tickets

As partners in the upcoming CPAC Chicago event, Illinois Review is pleased to be able to offer you - our readers - a discount on CPAC Chicago tickets.

Until 11:00pm this Thursday, May 31, when you register to purchase CPAC Chicago tickets HERE, use the special code "RightNation" and receive a 10% discount on all your tickets.

Rick Santorum, John Kasich, Rand Paul, Ron Johnson, Richard Mourdock, Chris Christie, Herman Cain, Bobby Jindal, Peter Roskam, Michele Bachmann, Joe Walsh, Randy Hultgren, and Sam Brownback are just some of the participants in CPAC Chicago.

And don't forget to stop by the Illinois Review cafe for coffee, networking, and recharging your cell phones, tablets, and laptops.

Illinois bill would require free care for poor

Illinois hospitals will be required to provide paying-patient-funded "free" care to "poor" people under a bill passed by the Democrat-controlled legislature and headed to Democrat Governor Pat Quinn's desk for signature.

Urban hospitals will have to provide "free" treatment to patients with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. That's about $46,000 for a family of four.

Rural hospitals will have to give "free" care to patients with incomes below 125 percent of the poverty guidelines. That's about $29,000 for a family of four.

The measure also authorizes Democrat Attorney General Lisa Madigan to adopt standards for the applications hospitals use. ...More HERE

BREAKING: Dold "No", Biggert "Yes", on gender-based abortion ban

WASHINGTON DC -  In a 246 to 168 vote, the US House failed to get the two-thirds needed to pass a ban on gender-selection abortions. Referred to as Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA), H.R. 3541 would have made it illegal to abort a baby because it was of an undesired sex.

Two votes Illinois prolifers were watching were of two Republicans that have a record of protecting and defending all forms of abortion - Congresswoman Judy Biggert and freshman Congressman Bob Dold (IL-10).  Biggert, who is facing a tough re-election in the new, more conservative 13th CD voted Yes and Congressman Dold, who did his best to convince 10th CD voters that he was "moderate" on abortion issues, voted against the ban.

Obama supports gender-based abortions

WASHINGTON DC -The White House notified ABC News Jake Tapper today that the President opposes the ban on sex selection abortions that will be heard before the US House Thursday.

Just days after LifeAction's expose on an Austin Texas Planned Parenthood clinic that counseled a young woman how to abort her baby if it was a girl, the President's deputy press secretary Jamie Smith issued this statement:

“The Administration opposes gender discrimination in all forms, but the end result of this legislation would be to subject doctors to criminal prosecution if they fail to determine the motivations behind a very personal and private decision. The government should not intrude in medical decisions or private family matters in this way.”

More on LifeNews.com

Chicagoland Shakedown: Why It’s Impossible to Run A Business Without Breaking the Law

CHICAGO - PJTV.com did a special report on the burdens of highly-regulated Chicago businesses and why Chicago is having such a difficult time attracting entrepeneurs. Certainly worth the 10 minute watch - especially if you're dreaming of owning your own Chicago start up.

Plastic bags soon could be regulated by Illinois EPA

SPRINGFIELD - While most were focused on the hot button pension debate Wednesday, the Illinois Retail Manufacturers and Illinois Manufacturers are happy with another bill that passed in the House. The legislation the IRMA supported will make Illinois the first state to put new restrictions on the type of plastic bags retailers will purchase and pass along to you, their customers. After a quick stop back by the Senate, the measure could be headed to the Governors desk as soon as Thursday.

The IRMA supported SB 3442, which would require plastic bag manufacturers to register and pay fees to the IL EPA as well as provide recycling centers for discarding used plastic bags.  Here's the IRMA's rationale:

The news ... illustrated

Medicaid reform nothing if not confusing

By Fran Eaton -

How do simple issues become so complicated when they're mulled around under the Capitol Dome? This week's Always Right column is an admission that maybe I'm just too simple-minded to understand the profoundly confusing Medicaid system and how the legislature intends to correct the system's problems.  Someone, please have the courtesy to explain it to those of us paying the bill?

The gloomy scenario is simple to understand. People who can’t afford private health care receive Medicaid. The more public funds allotted to health care, the less there is for education, public safety and public works programs and the more pressure on lawmakers to boost revenue through taxes and fees.

That’s where the system gets complicated. Believe it or not, hard-working folks have the gall to expect to be able to spend their money in a way they see best. They resent lawmakers taking away more and more of their tax dollars and using them in ways that don’t match taxpayers’ priorities. Fearing a voter backlash, legislators begin seeking tax hikes that are the least objectionable, typically so-called “sin taxes” on stuff like alcohol, tobacco and gambling.

At Southtown Star ...

Vets say "thanks" to Schilling

By Fred Frankville -

Thank you, Rep. Bobby Schilling, for your midnight walk at the airport welcoming back the World War II and Korean War veterans on their return trip of the Honor Flight from Washington, D.C. You walked among the veterans shaking many hands and personally thanking them for their military service. This did not go unnoticed.

You were the only elected politician or political candidate who took the time and effort to greet this band of heroes. For this, sir, as a Marine Korean War veteran, I personally thank you. I am sure the rest of the veterans are in agreement.

Appeals court declares DOMA unconstitutional

(Reuters) - An appeals court on Thursday found a law that denies federal benefits to married same-sex couples unconstitutional in a case with implications for gay marriages across the United States.

The Boston-based Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit concluded that the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman, discriminates against gay couples.

"Under current Supreme Court authority, Congress' denial of federal benefits to same-sex couples lawfully married in Massachusetts has not been adequately supported by any permissible federal interest," Judge Michael Boudin wrote for the three-judge panel.

Senate sends online Powerball to Governor

A bill allowing Illinois residents to buy Powerball tickets online is headed to Gov. Pat Quinn's desk. The measure cleared the Senate on a 37-17 vote Wednesday. Illinois residents already can play Lotto and Mega Millions online. ...From State Journal-Register

Governor Scott Walker and the Fight to Save Wisconsin

by John F. Di Leo -

Scott Walker was elected governor of Wisconsin in the nationwide Republican tsunami of November, 2010. And by that very evening, an array of domain names such as RecallWalker.org had already been reserved by his opponents. They didn’t care to wait, to see if there just might be any legitimate reasons to recall him. They wasted no time at all.

Rather than accepting defeat at the polls and gearing up for the next regularly scheduled election, the Wisconsin Democrats – aided and guided by their national party leaders and union bosses – instead reached for every possible tactic to stymie the reform efforts of Walker and the new Republican majorities in Madison. No tactic was too extreme or peculiar for them.

Study: Wisconsin's collective bargaining reform did not hurt state workers

A new American Enterprise Institute (AEI) study on public employee pay in Wisconsin compared the salaries and benefits received by state and local government employees in Wisconsin to those received by private sector workers with similar education and experience and found these results:

• Fringe benefits: after Act 10 (Wisconsin's collective bargaining law), Wisconsin state workers receive health benefits more than twice as valuable and pension benefits more than 4.5 times as valuable as what workers in large private firms receive.
• Total compensation (salary plus benefits): before Act 10, Wisconsin state employees received total compensation (salary plus benefits) about 28 percent higher than comparable private sector workers. After Act 10, public employee compensation is about 22 percent higher.
• In dollar terms, the average Wisconsin state worker after Act 10 receives total compensation including benefits of $81,637 approximately versus $67,068 for a similarly-skilled private worker -- a difference of $14,569.

The study is available here.

Madigan vs Cross

Anyone want to attempt a body language analysis of this AP photo taken yesterday behind the Speaker's podium? or perhaps a caption?

Things quietly got even more contentious on the House floor Wednesday, following the pension-provoked outburst by State Rep. Mike Bost Tuesday that went viral on You Tube, even showing up on Fox News' Greta Van Susteran's "On the Record" Wednesday night. GOP House members asked if a sudden deletion from the HHS budget of diabetes research wasn't a Speaker Madigan-initiated revenge and/or discipline on Leader Cross and his GOP caucus.

Illinois Center Right Coalition outlines June 30 convention plans

HOFFMAN ESTATES – The Illinois Center Right Coalition (ICRC) is pleased to announce the details for its annual convention to be held at Liberty Hall, 8 East Main Street in Carpentersville, Illinois on June 30, 2012.

“This is a crucial election year for conservatives both nationally and across the State of Illinois,” says ICRC Chairman Frank Napolitano. “The 2012 ICRC Annual Convention brings together groups of like-minded passionate conservative leaders who are making the critical difference in Illinois elections. This is the time for strategy and action.”

Madigan hands pension bill to Cross as May 31st deadline nears

SPRINGFIELD - Just as the House was adjourning tonight after an array of budget bills were passed along party lines - Democrats for, Republicans against - House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) took to the podium.

"I have said publicly that I believe the pension costs should be sent back to local governments," Madigan said. "In a meeting this morning with Governor Quinn, he told me he agreed with the Republicans that the pension cost shift should not be sent back to school districts."

Madigan said he was turning over the sponsorship of SB 1673 to Minority Leader Tom Cross, and will release Amendments 4 and 6 from Rules Committee.  When the House Executive meets at 9 am Thursday morning, those amendments the Republican want on the pension bill will be addressed with Rep. Cross taking the lead on the bill.

Madigan's apparent surprise move will set the GOP House into last minute legislative activity.  Cross had just asked Madigan numerous times earlier this evening why the Speaker wouldn't take out the pension pay shift, and have easily-passed bi-partisan pension reform? The Speaker nor his Floor Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago), who were both present in the chamber, did not respond to Cross' suggestion, until just moments before the evening's adjournment. 

The session is scheduled to adjourn May 31st.

Was Illinois' diabetes research cut a result of Madigan's revenge?

SPRINGFIELD - The Health and Human Services budget has just passed the Illinois House along party lines - and during floor debate, State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) had a difficult time explaining why suddenly this afternoon diabetes research funding was omitted from the this year's budget.

GOP state reps Jim Sacia and Dennis Reboletti both asked how and when the decision was made to remove the diabetes research, because it was included in budget amendments earlier in the day. 

"It is a question because of things that happened within the past 24 hours," Sacia said.

Yesterday and Minority Leader Tom Cross - who's high school age daughter deals with Type 1 Diabetes - staunchly spoke out against House Speaker Mike Madigan's pension plan, the lack of Republican input into budget decisions, and ultimately the decision for Republicans to not support the Democrats' budget proposal.

The question remains: after being in the budget fot the past 10 or so years, was this year's diabetes research cut a result of Madigan's revenge?

The news ... illustrated

Five reasons why Illinois Policy Institute supports local pension accountability

By Ted Dabrowski, Illinois Policy Institute -

To see how local pension accountability will affect your district, click here.

For decades, the state has subsidized the costs of pensions awarded to teachers who work at locally-run school districts. How? The state pays the “employer” share of pension benefits that teachers accrue each year, even though teachers are not state employees.

That arrangement has destroyed spending accountability across the state. Local school districts have been doling out end-of-career salary spikes, sick day accumulations and other pension sweeteners, only to have the state pick-up the skyrocketing pension costs. It’s a formula that’s been abused for years and has contributed to Illinois’ gaping pension shortfall.

Madigan gives Illinois judges a pass on pension reform

Legislation intended to curb the rising cost of public pensions in Illinois would reduce the benefits for recipients, except for the judges. Judges receive the highest average annual pension of any public employee, yet their benefits would remain untouched, according to legislation introduced by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. ...More HERE

Conservative bloggers "swatted" by the opposition

In attempts to shut down opposing viewpoints, anonymous pranksters are "swatting" prominent and effective conservative bloggers throughout the nation, Fox News reports.

Romneys share struggle with Ann's multiple schlerosis (video)

On World Multiple Sclerosis Day, Ann Romney and her family share their thoughts on her struggle with the disease. Ann and her sons also recount Mitt’s undying support to the woman he calls his “soul mate.”

17th CD polling shows Schilling ahead by 16 points

EAST MOLINE - Congressman Bobby Schilling's hard work during his freshman year in the US Congress is paying off, and preliminary poll numbers show it.  A Public Opinions poll released by the congressman's re-election campaign shows he's passed the 50 percent mark, leaving his liberal Democratic challenger Cheri Bustos in the dust at 35.

The state's powerful Democrats drew the new 17th CD to favor Democrats, and the same district poll showing Republican Schilling 16 points ahead of his Democratic challenger showed President Barack Obama ahead of GOP challenger Mitt Romney by 10 points. 

Schilling's name ID is at 86 and his favorability in the new part of the 17th is over 50. 

Bustos has a tough hill to climb that will demand lots of campaign cash. Thus far, her most generous donor besides the DCCC has been the pro-abortion PAC EMILY's List.

Left Sues for Denying Marriage Licenses to Same-Sex Partners

From Illinois Family Institute -

Today, May 30, 2012, the homosexual activist organization Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Illinois have filed two lawsuits against the clerk of Cook County, charging that his office's refusal to issue marriage licenses to 25 homosexual couples violates the equal protection and due process clauses of the Illinois Constitution.

The fact that Illinois' civil union law grants homosexual couples all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of marriage means next to nothing to homosexual activists. As IFI and many others warned, civil union legislation was merely a stepping stone to legalized same-sex marriage. "It's now painfully obvious that the purpose for securing civil unions legislation last year was to gain legal leverage in the left's attempt to overturn the IL Defense of Marriage law," said IFI's executive director, David E. Smith.

Senate GOP leader lists unions that supported 2005 pension shortage

SPRINGFIELD - After hearing from seven public sector union-affiliated opponents to the proposed pension bill in Senate Executive Committee, State Senator Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) read a list of unions that supported Governor Rod Blagojevich's 2005 plan to short the public pension system $27 Billion in 2005.

"It's a big disingenuous to be opposed now," Radogno said. "There's many who are complicit in getting the pensions system to where it is today."

Radogno read from 2005 committee witness slips that supported the 2005 pension system shortage which included witnesses from SEIU, the Illinois Education Association, Chicago Public Schools and the Illinois Federation of Teachers. 

"I hope you get your boy!"

By The Cranky Housewife -

Start by understanding this, Planned Parenthood received $500 million dollars from the federal government in 2010. That means that the US government fulfills 47% of Planned Parenthood's fundraising efforts. That's an important statistic because it means that We the Taxpayers are funding what you are about to see. For all intents and purposes, the American taxpayers are minority shareholders in Planned Parenthood's "women's health initiatives."

We can now watch a video that has been posted on LiveAction which reveals how our tax money is being applied by the counselors at Planned Parenthood. In this video, we see an employee at PP in Austin, Texas advising a pregnant woman on how best to determine the sex of her unborn child so that she can late-term abort the child if the baby is a girl.

Gendercide.

Outburst on IL House floor earns Rep. Bost new moniker, "Rep. Boss"

The Illinois Tea Party grabbed a video of State Rep. Mike Bost's tirade on the Illinois House floor Wednesday. A request had just been denied by the Speaker to bring up an amendment that would have removed the cost shift from pension reform.

Why not bring up that Amendment for a vote? Too many Chicago Democrats would have been documented as being for what will become an historical tax shift from Illinois income taxes to local property taxes. That wouldn't be good for those in competitive races. 

Madigan's pension reform plan is to force teacher and university staff pension payments down to local school districts, forcing school districts to hike their budgets and local property taxes to meet the demand. Bost is from a downstate district that will face double digit tax increases and that's why he lost it. More lawmakers need to show this kind of passion when defending their constituents.  He's now been dubbed "Rep. Boss."

Illinois congressmen just don't get the problem with PLAs

CHICAGO - Blogger Warner Todd Huston explains the problems with PLAs (Project Labor Agreements) and the tin ears Republican Congressman have concerning them. They either don't understand the domination PLAs give unions, or the support they've received from pro-union backers has bought votes that don't fit several Illinois GOP congressmen's political image. Huston explains:

Unions love PLAs because the rule forces government construction projects to be conducted under union rules, to pay union pay scales to workers as well as pension payments to the union plans, and requires all work to be controlled by union bosses even if the companies hired to do the work are non-union. With PLAs unions feel they have the best of both worlds because they can still benefit from free government money even when they aren't hired to do the work. In short, PLAs are a sop to unions.

AFSCME boss spells out union demands on Illinois' pension crisis

SPRINGFIELD - Public Affairs' Jeff Berkowitz had a chance to sit down with AFSCME boss Henry Bayer last week in Springfield to talk about Illinois' pension crisis. Bayer's not happy with Governor Pat Quinn and not thrilled with Speaker Madigan, either.  In the interview with Berkowit, Bayer proposes AFSCME's ideas for fixing the pension mess - repeal the tax deal the Illinois legisalture made last year with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Sears, set into action a progressive income tax system, raising taxes on the wealthy and corporations.

This is a can't-miss interview in which  the veteran organizer doesn't flinch while advocating AFSCME's wealth redistribution demands. Bayer accepts Berkowitz's copy of a free market classic, which, Berkowitz told Illinois Review, Bayer returned immediately after the interview concluded.

House GOP Leader Cross confronts Speaker Madigan over pension cost shift

SPRINGFIELD - If you missed Tuesday's House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) confrontation of House Speaker Mike Madigan about the way the Speaker's handling proposed pension reform, you'll want to see the video linked below. Cross uncharacteristically let loose on the House floor about Amendment #4 to Senate Bill 1673, which would remove the pension cost shift to local school districts.

See the video on HERE. You may want to also listen to GOP State Rep. Mike Bost's outburst after Cross' comments.

EPA regulations threaten to close Illinois coal plants

By Nancy Thorner -

Part 1: EPA coal regulations advance government policies in name of man-made global warming/Heartland leads fight against 'warmists'

I have heard said a number of times by those who claim to be in the know about predicting election outcomes, that the November elections will be fought and won over the economy, jobs, with energy taking 3rd place. 

Energy really deserves the number one spot, for energy is what drives the economy of  this nation. With this nation's factories and industries humming along people are employed. With employment the American people have money to spend, which, in turn, fosters economic growth.

Bill to ban gender-based abortions to be heard in Congress Wednesday

WASHINGTON DC - Unborn babies would be protected from mothers that want to abort them because their expected babies are the wrong sex, if legislation proposed in the US Congress passes the US House as soon as Wednesday. In the following CBN report, Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-5) attacks the proposed ban on gender-based or race-based abortions, referred to as PRENDA.

Illinois lawmakers take in millions from gambling interests

PEORIA - The Peoria Journal Star makes a good case as to why gambling interests are so favored in Illinois:

The state's elected officials and candidates for office received at least $9.1 million in campaign contributions from the gambling industry between 2002 and June 2011, according to Common Cause.

Among those voting for the gaming bill adding five more casinos to the state that passed the Illinois House by a 69-47 margin last week was Rep.Tom Cross, R-Plainfield, the House Republican leader, who has received $510,750 in campaign contributions from gambling interests over the past decade, according to Common Cause.

Mike Madigan, the Democratic House leader, has received $352,650 in campaign contributions from the gambling industry over the same period, while Rep. Lou Lang, D- Skokie, has received $270,651, noted Common Cause, which is seeking better disclosure of money spent in Illinois.

Less than a year after civil unions, ACLU sues for gay marriage in Illinois

LGBTQ-XYZ Nation is reporting that Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Illinois will announce two separate lawsuits Wednesday morning seeking same-sex marriage rights for Illinois gay and lesbian couples.

Word of the lawsuit came by press release Tuesday, just days before the 1-year anniversary of the implementation of Illinois civil unions bill, which took affect June 1, 2011.

“Tomorrow same-sex couples from across the state will be on hand to share their stories about why it’s just time for Illinois to allow them to marry,” said Lambda Legal Marriage Project Director, Camilla Taylor in the release.

A news conference has been called for 10:30 a.m.

Lambda Legal currently has marriage equality lawsuits pending in New Jersey and Nevada.

Isolated capitals linked to state corruption

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois' state capital is one of the most isolated in the country, and that spells trouble, a new study reported in the Los Angeles Times shows.

The most corrupt state capitals – Jackson, Miss., Baton Rouge, La., Nashville, Tenn., Pierre, S.D., Springfield, Ill., and Albany, N.Y., for example – are all more isolated than average. Nashville is the least so, being a major city in its own right although distant from other population centers in the state. Springfield and Pierre rank as the two most isolated on the list. The less isolated the capital, the more likely it is to rank low on corruption.

Isolation doesn’t explain everything, of course. Some states, such as Oregon, Washington and Vermont, have unusually low levels of corruption. But the impact of isolation appears strong.

And the reasoning makes sense ... it's the lack of media coverage or maybe there's just a few at these isolated capitals that spend evenings at the bars with lawmakers, developing relationships that remove objectivity and enable bad behavior. Sort of like it is at Illinois' capital ...

Bullying bill fails in Senate

From Illinois Family Institute -

HB 5290 — an unnecessary “bullying” bill that promotes “youth programming” and “restorative measures” which will used to shape students’ beliefs about homosexuality and gender confusion — failed in the Illinois Senate by a vote of 29-21-06 late in the afternoon on May 29th.

Last week, HB 5290, also known as the “bullying bill,” failed to pass in the Illinois Senate. The sponsor, Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago), put it on postponed consideration — meaning the bill would get a second chance at a vote.

Late this afternoon, the bill was called for re-consideration. We are happy to report that this onerous bill failed for a second time in a week, this time by a vote of 29-21 with 6 voting present, and is now dead for the session!

Americans for Prosperity-IL enters pension battle

SPRINGFIELD - Americans for Prosperity IL are getting into the pension debate with a two-pronged approach - radio ads and mailers to 30 different target state legislative districts, said AFP-IL Executive Director David From. Here's the radio ad running on WLS 890 AM :

AFP-Pension Reform radio-mix1 

And a sample of the mailer:

$1 per pack tax hike passes Illinois Senate

SPRINGFIELD - Although Illinois' Senate Republican caucus voted as a bloc against the Democrats' effort to raise the state's cigarette tax by $1 a pack, the measure passed by a 31 to 28 vote Tuesday, and will proceed to the Governor's desk. 

SB 2194 also requires hospitals to provide free care for indigent patients, a tax State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) referred to in Senate Executive Committee as a "redistribution" costing private insurers higher rates to fund the charity care.  An Illinois Hospital Association representative said that practice has been in effect in the past, the present, and will be in the future.

Last week, the Governor issued his support for the measure -

House floor debate explodes over Democrat proposed pension cost shift

SPRINGFIELD - Anger and frustration boiled over during a House floor debate Tuesday over House Speaker Mike Madigan's (D-Chicago) effort to shift teacher and university staff pension costs to suburban and downstate school districts.

A segment of State Rep. Mike Bost's outburst - Download 2012Bostscomment 

"Enough!! We're trapped by rules that have been forced down our throats," Bost shouted.

"Folks, we live in a democracy, but not here," as he quieted down.

And a segment of House MInority Leader Tom Cross' comments made just prior to Bost's outburst. Speaker Madigan acknowledged Cross' comments by saying he would not respond to Cross' comments. - Download Voice0024

Message to ILGOP Candidates: Listen to What People Say but Watch What They Do

By Jeanne Ives -

Before I decided to run for State Representative, a number of my friends and family asked me, “Do you really know what you are getting yourself into?”

After serving in local government as a city council member, and as a tax professional and mother of five, I had an inkling of Illinois’ political culture, which unfortunately, affects virtually all aspects of life in our state.

I anticipated many of the hurdles I had to clear in my successful run to be the Republican nominee for State Representative in the 42nd District. But, I had not foreseen that I would have to navigate the political dynamics that exist within Illinois Republican and conservative circles.

I learned that there are competing personalities and organizations, with a range of political ideas and ambitions.  In a field in which everybody talks, I learned quickly that it is important to listen to what people say, then watch to see what they do and compare the two.

Cell phone use may be banned around emergency scenes

SPRINGFIELD - See those flashing lights up ahead? Put down that phone! 

That's what police could be ticketing soon, if Governor Quinn signs into law a cell phone ban within 500 feet of an emergency scene.  And don't even think about messaging photos or videos while you're driving.

The House supported HB 5099 38 to 17 and the House concurred, 84 to 30.