Illinois Review

Unions to Madigan: You'll never get past the courts

The 'We Are One' coalition's Mike Carrigan responded to House Speaker Mike Madigan's dismissal of their suggested Pension Summit with an op-ed published HERE, a source funded by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Carrigan wrote:

We Are One Illinois regrets that Speaker Madigan has indicated he will not participate in the Pension Summit proposed by our union coalition. Our summit is a demonstration of good faith and commitment to seeking to solve the state’s pension funding problem in a way that is fair and constitutional.

Kirk Statement on the Debt Limit Extension

U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) spoke about the Senate's debt limit vote, saying: "Washington, D.C.'s appetite for over-spending has led to unsustainable, excessive borrowing. In this era of trillion-dollar deficits, giving the President additional borrowing authority without even a dime of spending cuts in exchange is not sound fiscal policy. Continuing down this path will result in higher interest rates and a worsening of the United States' credit rating in the global economy. Only a long-term solution to our fiscal problems will give our markets the stability that they need and deserve."

The chart below illustrates what may happen to the U.S. credit rating if we continue a policy of unrestrained spending and debt.

Confusion and backpeddling surround RNHA Illinois conventions

'Establishment vs. Conservative' within the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Illinois continues to be a battle front that is forcing state Republican leaders to take sides.

As reported here, RNHA of Illinois has been engaged in a civil war since the organization's state convention two years ago in Dixon. This past weekend, the RNHA organization led by Rafael Rivadeneira held it's convention in Elgin just days after fighting off an attempt to stop it by the other RNHA faction led by Steve Orlando, which also announced it's own convention.

One of the announced speakers at the competing convention was to be Aaron Del Mar, Chairman of the Cook County Republican Party (photo right). However, Del Mar has since declined the invitation to speak, saying he "does not want to appear as if he's choosing sides in this ongoing feud."

Collin Corbett, Del Mar's spokesman, told Illinois Review that Aaron is "urging both sides to work toward reconciliation," noting that when he was elected Cook County GOP Chair, Del Mar committed himself to growing the Republican Party in order to be relevant again in Illinois.

Neither Rafael Rivadeneira or Steve Orlando wished to comment on the Del Mar's decision.

Illinois Policy Institute releases video: 'School choice changes lives'

Several years ago, Matthew Rainey dropped out of high school. In doing so, Matthew became one of the many casualties of Chicago Public Schools, or CPS – a system in which four out of 10 kids never graduate.

But Matthew longed for a second chance. He received that chance after hearing an ad for a free market-based charter school called Youth Connection Charter School Virtual High School, or YCCS, powered by K12.

YCCS is one of Chicago’s oldest charter schools, operating 22 campuses across the city, and is the only charter school authorized by CPS to serve high-risk and at-risk students.

Mainstream media lie: ‘Man Buys Missile Launcher During Gun Buyback Program’

By Warner Todd Huston -

Rocket launchers roaming our city streets and being turned in at gun buyback programs is a fake story the Old Media establishment has repeatedly promulgated as real and I am getting a bit sick and tired of it.

Early in January I noted an instance where the media went gaga over “missile launchers” that were turned in at a gun buyback program in Los Angeles. Then I noted that the so-called “rocket launchers” where really nothing of the kind.

As it happens the items scarily reported as “rocket launchers” were really just useless and harmless plastic tubes from which no “rocket” could be launched. Some were one-use tubes that had already been used by the military–and could never be loaded with another rocket– but, worse, some were training devices that never could have launched a rocket in the first place and were just visual aides for new soldiers. Essentially these so-called “rocket launchers” were just danger-free plastic relics. ...More HERE

Loyola Students Required to Attend Van Jones Lecture

By Jeremy Segal -

An event this past Wednesday at Loyola University Chicago featuring former Obama administration official Van Jones strayed far from the marketed title of “2013 MLK Celebration,” instead encouraging students to embrace a “new patriotism” and the “ugly-unequal founding” of America.

Several students reported that they were compelled by their “environmental sustainability” professor to attend the radical lecture—students who up until that evening told me they had no prior familiarity with Van Jones. One student interviewed said approximately thirty students attended this class.

More HERE

Illinois prison hire had clout, not experience

An investigation has found that Gov. Quinn's prisons department violated policy when it hired an administrator with political clout but who didn't meet job qualifications.

The Illinois Executive Ethics Commission report Wednesday indicated the man had experience teaching theater, running a movie store and managing the political office for his father's campaign. His name was redacted.

The Corrections Department job requires specialized knowledge of penal administration, criminology and the behavior of incarcerated people.

The report says Corrections Director S.A. "Tony" Godinez and his top assistant Jerry Buscher were responsible for hiring the man in late 2011. ...More HERE

Kinzinger on Greta Van Susteren discussing latest Obamacare regulations

Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) joined Greta Van Susteren to discuss the highly unpopular individual mandate of the president's health care reform and what it means for individuals, families and businesses.

Accounting group questions Illinois' debt load and lower credit rating

CHICAGO - The Institute for Truth in Accounting says they're analzying why S & P downgraded Illinois credit rating again, and found that one indication of a state in trouble is that a state's Comprehensive Annual Fiscal Report (CAFR) being filed late. Illinois' last CAFR was filed 337 days late, a state data report showed, making it the third latest nationwide.

"Those states that file their CAFRs late tend to be state's in financial trouble, and Illinois was late not only in 2011, but for the past few years," Richard Lorenc of the Institute for Truth in Accounting's communications director told Illinois Review.

State Comptroller Judy Baar-Topinka spokesman Brad Hahn responded that the 337 day late CAFR was not the fault of the Comptroller's office, it was that the Illinois General Assembly added six months onto Fiscal Year 2011, moving the closing date from June 30 to December 31.

"Our office sent in the annual report within 150 days from the end of the fiscal year set by the General Assembly," Hahn said. "That's 45 days quicker than the average reporting time. Anyway, the S&P did not mention the CAFR's tardiness as a factor in the recent credit downgrade."

National School Choice Week Rally at Union Station, Chicago, IL (video)

Thousands gathered at Chicago's Union Station on Tuesday to celebrate National School Choice Week -- an event promoting the idea that empowering parents to send their children to the school of their choice is the best way to improve the nation's education system.

Speakers from across the political spectrum spoke at the event, all of them communicating the same message -- now is the time to provide real school choice to families across the country. Parents, students and teachers were there as well, showing their support.

Arn: An Open Letter To Rahm Emanuel

By Ulysses Arn -

Dear Mayor Rahm Emanuel,

In the past 13 months the city of Chicago has seen nearly 550 murders, 42 of them in the month of January alone. It is more deadly to be on the streets of Chicago than the battlefields of Afghanistan.  Nearly all of these murders under your watch have been a result of gang members using handguns, something which the city of Chicago banned until the Supreme Court stepped in a few years ago. Chicago currently has an "assault weapons ban" and some of the nations toughest gun control laws. Despite that Chicago remains on pace for its second straight year of 500 plus murders. Rahm your city has a crime problem, a gang problem, and your chosen remedies are woefully inadequate to address the problem(s).

Dad of Sandy Hook victim speaks out on gun laws…(video)

Mark Mattioli lost his six year old son James in the Sandy Hook School Shooting. On Monday, he testified before the Connecticut Legislature. He called for more decency—from our homes to Hollywood and better parenting. Not more complex laws, which, as he points out, the perpetrators of mass shootings are already breaking. ”The problem is not gun laws (he cites Chicago). The problem is a lack of civility” he says.

State Sen. Syverson's plan to require economics class for elected officials

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Doctors, teachers, lawyers, beauticians, and scores of other occupations are required to take continuing education classes to maintain professional knowledge in their fields, and Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) believes the same principle should be applied to elected officials.

Syverson (photo right) will introduce legislation that requires mandatory economics continuing education instruction for elected officials at the city, county and state levels.

“The economic decisions made by elected officials impact every aspect of our lives. Now, more than ever, we need elected officials to understand big-picture economics,” Syverson said. “The decisions the leaders in this state are making may be well-intentioned but the consequences of their decisions have been devastating on our state and its citizens.”

Syverson cites record pension debt, record backlog of unpaid bills, failed social programs, loss of jobs to other states, and the state’s general economic malaise as the primary needs for an economics education.

Story about Reagan's home becoming Obama library parking lot "utterly inaccurate"

By John Ruberry, Marathon Pundit -

In the Friends of President Reagan's Chicago Home blog, Mary Claire Kendall, who has put more effort into the saving the apartment where Ronald Reagan lived in 1915 than anyone else--except for the late Redd Griffin--writes that the Washington Times Communities article linked by the Drudge Report is "utterly inaccurate."

That library story has gone viral--which is unfortunate. While the University of Chicago, which owns the six-flat at 832 E. 57th Street, filed for a demolition permit for the Reagan home through a surrogate so a parking lot can be built for the U of C Medical Center's New Pavilion, it has nothing to do with the Obama presidential library. Kendall cites "informed sources in Hyde Park." ...More HERE

Chicago-area foreclosure activity jumps in 2012

Home foreclosure filings rose 30 percent in the Chicago area last year, a sign that the region's mountain of distressed residential property isn't going away anytime soon.

The area ranked ninth in foreclosure activity in 2012 among 212 metropolitan areas tracked by RealtyTrac Inc. The region had 125,598 filings, or one for every 30 housing units, the most activity among Midwestern cities. ...More HERE

Wasendorf gets 50 years for Peregrine Financial embezzlement

A judge has sentenced Peregrine Financial Group Inc. Russ Wasendorf Sr. to 50 years in prison for stealing $215 million from investors and concealing his theft for 20 years. The fraud led to the brokerage’s collapse last July.

U.S. District Judge Linda Reade said at Thursday’s sentencing hearing in Cedar Falls that Wasendorf knowingly caused “staggering losses” to investors, employees and creditors that grew larger over 20 years. ...More HERE

Madigan to unions: "Too little, too late" on pensions

CHICAGO - Last week's latest credit downgrade may have been the final blow. The legacy of political boss Mike Madigan may finally be at stake. The unresolved state employee pension crisis and the mounting unpaid obligations seems to have pushed Madigan to his limits. Of course, it's hard to tell with him.

But if the letter Madigan sent to the Mike Carrigan, head of 'We Are One' state employees' coalition, is a true reflection of Madigan's "mood," and not simply a public charade, the Speaker is ready to shrug off union demands and push through a pension remix the unions won't like. After the hundreds of millions of dollars the unions have spent at Madigan's behest over the decades, it seems unlikely he would do such a thing. But with the Democrats in total control of all branches of government - with little threat from the Republicans - what does the Speaker have to fear?

Madigan's letter:

UPDATE x1: Sen. Oberweis is gonna do what?

UPDATE x1: Note to IL Senate Republican Facebook guy: There's still a problem.

We all make typos. This one by the Illinois Senate Republican Facebook page is particularly funny, though.

Too late: Emanuel moves 200 cops to streets following 15-year old girl's death

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is moving 200 more Chicago police officers to the streets after a 15-year-old girl was gunned down Tuesday in what authorities say was a gang turf war.

The recommendation came last week from the city inspector general who said nearly 300 positions currently occupied by sworn officers should be converted to civilian positions.

So far in January 42 people were killed in Chicago gunfire, but the recent death of Hadiya Pendleton, an honor-roll student who recently performed in events at President Barack Obama's inauguration, outraged the nation. ...More HERE

42 Chicago Murders in January, one grabs national attention

CHICAGO - In January 2013, 42 were killed on the streets of Chicago, the highest number in ten years. But it was the killing of Haydia Pendleton, a 15 year old majorette from President Obama's Chicago neighborhood that performed at Obama's inauguration parade last week, that has grabbed the nation's - and, evidently, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's interest.  

Hagel to face tough questions Thursday

WASHINGTON - US Senator Dick Durbin says he will vote to confirm, but US Senator Mark Kirk will have some "tough" questions to ask President Obama's nominee for the next secretary of Defense, former GOP US Senator Chuck Hagel.

Roll Call reported early in January that an aide to Kirk was circulating negative learning emails about Hagel, and about the same time Kirk made known his hesitation:

“I am concerned about his past record and statements, particularly with regard to Iran and the U.S.-Israel relationship."

Several news sources say Kirk is leaning to be a "no" vote, although his comments to Illinois Review Wednesday did not indicate his vote leaning.  The Hill reports Thursday Hagel will face tough questions from other senators as well:

Obama Supporters Begin to Realize They've Been Had

By Teri O'Brien -

Whatever else you can say, or not say about him, Barack Obama is a master con man. Now that he has been safely re-elected, many are realizing that the pending nightmare that we tried to warn them about is unfolding just as we predicted. Of course, the One's signature achievement, the federal government's takeover of the health care system, is the key to all the rest of his plans for us. Now that we passed the bill, and are finding out what's in it, it turns out that a lot of people aren't happy, including some of the law's enthusiastic supporters. From the Wall Street Journal story entitled "Some Unions Grow Wary of Health Law They Backed," 

Illinois State Rep. Will Davis wants extra $.25 tax on gym shoes

If Nike's LeBron X-Plus shoes weren't under your kids' Christmas tree because they cost $310 a pair, beware, because the cost could go up 25 cents if you buy them in Illinois next year. Sure, the sneakers transmit jump heights to smart phones and the web, and similar shoes were worn by LeBron James when he played in the 2012 Olympics, but really, are they worth $310.25?

State Rep. Will Davis (D-Chicago) thinks an extra quarter fee on any pair of gym shoes sold in Illinois is a great idea, and wants to fund a state-funded youth program with the proceeds.

What's next, Representative, a $.25 tax on six-inch Christian Louboutin stilettos for an abused women fund? Why not? Those quarters could enhance State Senator Toi Hutchinson's $10 Illinois fee already being tucked into every strip club visit in the state.  

Durbin smears NRA at Second Amendment, gun control hearing

Sen. Dick Durbin smeared the membership of the NRA in today’s Second Amendment, gun control hearing. After a tussle over background checks with LaPierre, Durbin asked the head of the NRA if he agreed to the sentiment of his members that they needed ‘assault weapons’ to protect themselves from the government and the police.

LaPierre responded that indeed the 2nd amendment was added to the Constitution by men who had lived under the tyrannical rule of King George and wanted to ensure that free people never lived under tyranny again. Durbin then looked directly at the very liberal Baltimore County Police Chief and said:

“Well Chief Johnson, you’ve heard it. The belief of the NRA is the 2nd amendment has to American citizens the fire power to fight back against you…”

Of course the liberal police chief played along and responded with disdain at the idea. Total smear by Durbin. Only from Illinois. ...More HERE

Chicago firm warns US Supreme Court of societal consequences if DOMA overturned

CHICAGO - Male-Female marriage received a vigorous defense Monday in a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Manhattan Declaration, Inc., the voice of more than 500,000 Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical Christians filed a friend of the court (Amicus) brief (HERE). The foundational document of this organization, which has gained over half-a-million signatures, addresses religious liberty, sanctity of life and traditional marriage.

“Natural law, the nature of the human person, and common sense provide ample reason to preserve marriage as it has always been understood.” Explained John Mauck, the Chicago attorney with the firm of Mauck & Baker, who submitted the brief on behalf of the Manhattan Declaration.

Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon’s Anti-Fracking Protest Song–’Don’t Frack My Mother’?

By Warner Todd Huston -

NPR is again flogging a recent anti-fracking protest song performed by Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon that features the memorable refrain, “pleeeease, don’t frack my mother.”

The half-comedic song debuted during the Summer on the late night TV talk show Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and was performed by Ono, the former paramour of the Beatle’s John Lennon, Sean, John’s son from his union with Yoko, and host Fallon. ...More HERE

Illinois credit downgrade prompts delay of bond sale

By Ted Dabrowski -

This morning Illinois was forced to delay a $500 million bond sale – essentially, borrowing $500 million to finance state government operations. The delay was due to a drop in lender confidence in Illinois’ credit worthiness.

This setback comes on the heels of Illinois’ latest downgrade by Standard & Poor’s rating service to a level of A-minus. S&P now rates Illinois’ ability to repay its debt as the lowest in the nation. The firm also assigned Illinois a negative outlook, meaning another credit downgrade may be on the horizon.

This is Illinois’ 11th credit downgrade by the three major credit rating agencies since Gov. Pat Quinn took office in 2009. The downgrade reflects the downward spiral of the state’s finances and the failures of its governance.

Unes condemns Madigan move to limit legislative transparency

PEKIN, IL - State Rep. Mike Unes (R-East Peoria) came out swinging today after voting “no” on House Resolution 34, which established the rules under which the Illinois House of Representatives will operate for the 98th General Assembly.

The House Minority Caucus, of which Rep. Unes is a member, proposed Amendment 1 to House Resolution 34, which would have allowed for bills to be assigned to a substantive committee upon petition by a supermajority of House members from either party. Consideration of Amendment 1 was prevented by the House Majority Caucus, who now holds a veto-proof stranglehold over all House operations, following November’s Election.

“These House Rules are a huge defeat for transparency in state government operations,” said Rep. Mike Unes, “I do not understand why the Majority Caucus, led by Chicago Speaker Mike Madigan, will not allow for rules which allow for fair consideration of bills proposed by all legislators in the Illinois House.”

Quinn's Quaint Quote of the Day

CHICAGO - Desperately looking for some good news out of the Land of Lincoln, Governor Pat Quinn tried this Tweet Wednesday afternoon... Only Al Gore could be more delighted.

Losing jobs, losing credit rating, losing respect. But it's not all that bad. Surely the nation is envious of this distinction:

Forget Fiscal Cliff: Regulation Tsunami En Route

By Joe Lindsley -

Writing at the Weekly Standard, Adam J. White comprehensively explores President Obama’s regulatory agenda. The president’s first term was bad enough:

“The Obama administration’s first three years of major rules, costing up to $26.7 billion, were five times more burdensome than the Bush administration’s first three years ($5.3 billion) and three and a half times more burdensome than the Clinton administration’s ($7.6 billion).”

But there is oh-so-much more in store, especially as more and more portions of Obamacare come into effect per that law’s craft, lengthy deployment schedule. White helps explain the scope of these oft-hidden laws that will surprise many of us in the coming months and years. And he also looks at the roots of the problem, including Congress:

IR Exclusive: Kirk says he has "serious questions" for Chuck Hagel

WASHINGTON - Thursday, the U S Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing before considering confirmation of former US Senator Chuck Hagel as the Obama Administration's new defense secretary. Hagel's nomination has raised controversy in light of his criticism of Israel while he served in the Senate, as well as his support for cutting the Pentagon's budget.

Hagel's nomination puts Illinois U.S. Senator Mark Kirk in a precarious position. Kirk, like Hagel, is Republican. Kirk, who remained active in the Navy Reserves until his stroke a year ago, is a strong military advocate, and is likely to be interested in exactly how Hagel would guide the Pentagon through expected dramatic cuts. Kirk also hails from a Chicago suburb with a concentrated Jewish population.  But Kirk prides himself on being a moderate Republican.

How will Senator Kirk vote on the Hagel confirmation, Illinois Review asked this week. The answer back was evasive, but with a clear hint of concern.

If you are disabled, don’t turn 21 in Illinois

By Diane Benjamin, BLNNews -

A Class Action lawsuit against the State of Illinois is making it’s way through the courts. It involves the severely disabled who, under the Medicaid program, are receiving in-home skilled nursing care. In 2010 this program served 627 children.

According to the State, when these children turn 21, they no longer qualify for in-home skilled nursing. The only alternative is institutionalization. A link to the case is provided below.

The issue is much more personal than that. Do the severely disabled deserve to be taken from their home and forced to live in a nursing home or institution just because they turn 21? Where will they receive the best care? Where will care be the least expensive? What is the “social contract” with life that doesn’t conform to the “norm”?

Tazewell County leads effort to honor WWII's fallen Four Chaplains

By John Ackerman - 

70 years ago this past week, the USAT Dorchester set sail out of New York Harbor with a crowded 902 military personnel on their way to join the German Theater of World War II. On February 3rd, 1943, the Dorchester would be on its way to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean off Greenland, taking down with it the lives of 627. Amongst them where four Lieutenants destined that night to forever be immortalized through their historic action as the Four Chaplains.

Today I am proud to join Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis, Washington Mayor Gary Manier, Reverend Dr. Robert Phillips of First United Methodist Church and Rabbi Daniel Bogard of Anshai Emeth in calling for a Regional Recognition of Four Chaplains Day this coming February 3rd and the lessons to be learned from their Heroic Action.

Lobbyists paid $2.4 million in 2012 to influence Cook County officials

Lobbyists were paid nearly $2.4 million in 2012 as they attempted to influence Cook County officials on issues including the county’s new land bank, driver’s licenses for immigrants, and the landfill moratorium, according to reports submitted to Clerk David Orr’s website.

“It is clear from the data posted online that lobbyists tried to effect decisions on everything from budget matters to policy issues,” Orr said. “Cook County officials were contacted more than 1,200 times by lobbyists last year so this information truly helps to piece together the puzzle.”

The 191 registered lobbyists in Cook County earned $1,154,003 between January and June and $1,230,879 from July to the end of the year. Compensation increased 25 percent from 2011, when lobbyists were paid nearly $1.9 million.

Lobbyists reported contacting county officials 687 times from July to December, up from 540 in the first half of 2012.

Civil rights questioned, student transfers being handled by prisoner exchange expert

National education officials are investigating how Chicago Public Schools has handled closing schools in recent years. A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Education confirmed Tuesday that CPS is one of six urban school districts being investigated by the department’s Office of Civil Rights. ...More HERE

Meanwhile, Chicago schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett is so concerned about the transfer of students in the upcoming school closing process she’s leaning on a retired Marine colonel who once quietly sorted out a prisoner exchange in the wake of war in Kosovo to figure it out. ...More HERE

Contracted city inspector general billed taxpayers $270,625 last year

Faisal Khan has done pretty well for himself in a job that was supposed to be part-time. The City Council’s handpicked inspector general personally billed Chicago taxpayers for $270,625 in 2012 — and $305,500 since Khan started work on Nov. 13, 2011.

That’s $44,415-a-year more than Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s annual salary of $216,210, $108,769 more than the $161,856-a-year paid to the city’s full-time Inspector General Joe Ferguson and nearly $10,000 more than the the $260,004 paid to Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy. ...More HERE

Impending Same-Sex Marriage Bill Requires Immediate Attention

By Nancy Thorner -

The debate over same-sex "marriage" has unfolded across America for the past several years. It's now heating up here in Illinois. In the minds of many who ascribe to Judeo-Christian values, marriage is an institution created by God. Government cannot redefine it. Marriage exists not only for the benefit of couples but also for the care of the next generation. As such the issue of same-sex marriage must be given urgent attention here in Illinois, in spite of Illinois's recent credit downgrade and its horrendous pension problem which seems insurmountable given that Democrats control policy here in Illinois.

It was just a little over a year ago when the Illinois created civil unions for those in same-sex relationships by passing the "Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act", forcing Catholic Charities out of foster care and adoption services in Illinois.

Report: Illinois ethics commissioner broke ethics law

A former member of the Illinois Executive Ethics Commission has been fined $2,500 for violating the state ethics law.

A commission report released Tuesday said Stephen Thurston attended a March 2011 prayer breakfast and campaign fundraiser for a Chicago City Council candidate. State law prohibits commissioners from contributing to political campaigns or even attending a political event related to a specific office.

Thurston spoke at the breakfast in support of aldermanic hopeful David Moore. ...More HERE

Kirk to introduce gun trafficking legislation with NY Senator Gillibrand

WASHINGTON - Wednesday, US Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) will join with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)  in introducing bi-partisan legislation aimed at gun traffickers. The Gillibrand-Kirk Gun Trafficking Prevention Act of 2013 would empower local, state, and federal law enforcement to investigate and prosecute gun traffickers and their entire criminal networks, including gangs, cartels and organized crime rings.

Kirk's office released this video on the background of the bill:

Specifically, Kirk's office says, the bill will make it illegal to:

Cruz to Emanuel: Keep your anti-Bill of Rights efforts north of Red River

WASHINGTON DC - Perhaps Chicago's "Godfather" Rahm Emanuel has finally met his match - a Texas Republican with the "testicular verility" to challenge the mayor's bullying tactics. New US Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) takes it to the banks and tells them to ignore Emanuel's public demands that they stop investing in gun manufacturers. Cruz then commends Smith & Wesson for upholding the Second Amendment and then backhands the mayor himself with these words:

Berkowitz interviews Lenny McAllister, 2nd CD GOP candidate

CHICAGO - Five Chicagoans are on the Republican Party's February 26th special primary election ballot in the 2nd CD, vying to succeed resigned Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. Lenny McAllister is one of the five, and he spoke recently with Jeff Berkowitz on his Chicago political talk show:

Madam Secretary (video)

Is it really time to scrap the constitution?

By Cranky Housewife -

We put a face and a name to the wild decay of our American culture and call him Barack Obama which is – I think – a little Pollyannaish, don't you agree? Barack Obama is hardly the problem that America is facing. He's just the personification and fulfillment of the promise that our nation made to itself for ending social disparity through political and bureaucratic means over one hundred years ago. Barack Obama may be the embodiment of bureaucratic domination but the truth is that he was inevitable given the direction we have been travelling.

Now, I'm a little old-fashioned in this way. I believe that the first step in solving a problem is recognizing it, but conservatives and libertarians ebb and flow, to and fro with the nearly delusional hope that we can end societal devolution by voting one liberal man out of office and replacing him with our less liberal guy. Somehow the singular act of electing a member of the Republican Party to the presidency will be enough to restore sanity and constitutional order.

Unfortunately, we know that's not true. In the last one hundred years we have had…is it eleven Republican presidents out of eighteen in total? That's eleven occasions to refashion right out of the ghetto of wrong in a little over one century. But the slide into socialism has been steady and unrelenting all the same. The presidency isn't at the heart of this problem.

Bailing out state pension systems rewards bad behavior

By Jonathan Ingram -

Over the weekend, the Peoria Journal Star published a letter to the editor from an elementary school principal in downstate Illinois. The introduction read:

“Has anyone in an elected position in Illinois looked at the feasibility of pursuing a federal bailout of the state's Teachers' Retirement System?”

Why yes – yes, they have.

Back in 2009, Gov. Pat Quinn's budget team met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner about the possibility of a federal bailout. Quinn then included the possibility in his original 2012 budget. At the federal level, U.S. Rep. Hansen Clarke, D-Michigan, introduced a bill in 2012 that sought $500 million in federal loans to bail out Detroit's finances and help its underfunded pension program.

WeatherTech's made-in-America success story

The man behind WeatherTech floor mats, Dave MacNeil, talks about his dedication to make WeatherTech's entire line of car floor mats and other products in America, much of it in Downers Grove and Bolingbrook. The story is HERE.

Democrat lobbyists shake down energy drink biz to kill proposed Chicago ban

The beverage industry has hired a pair of "connected" Democrat lobbyists to kill a fellow Democrat Chicago alderman’s proposal to ban the sale and distribution of high-caffeine energy drinks.

Victor Reyes, the former Hispanic Democratic Organization (HDO) chieftain who once served as former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s political enforcer, is representing the American Beverage Association. A partner of Cook County Assessor and Democratic Party Chairman Joe Berrios (photo right) is lobbying the City Council on behalf of 7-Eleven.

Both men hope to convince fellow Democrat Alderman Edward M. Burke (14th) to end his attempt to ban the sale and distribution of high-caffeine energy drinks in Chicago.

Odds are good they'll be successful. The energy drink folks have no idea what just happened. Welcome to Illinois. ...More HERE

ILGOP Platform defends gun owners; proposes repeal of state's FOID card

SPRINGFIELD - Gun control issues have a spotlight on them, and especially in Illinois, where the legislature will face voting on proposals which will meet the Seventh District Court of Appeals' requirement allowing concealed carry. The court gave Illinois lawmakers 60 days to complete the task of ending the concealed carry ban.

The Illinois Republican Party calls for gun owner rights in the form of strong law enforcement to protect law abiding citizens. It also rejects Illinois' unique, gun owner-revealing Firearms' Owner Identification Card.

Chicago-area home prices fall for third straight month

A closely watched index of Chicago-area home prices fell again in November, its third straight drop and the biggest decline among a 20-city index.

The S&P/Case-Shiller index of Chicago-area single-family home prices fell 1.3 percent from October to November after dropping 1.6 percent from September to October and 0.6 percent from August to September, according to a report released this morning.

For the second straight month, Chicago posted the biggest decline in a 20-city index where prices fell. Prices rose in 10 cities and fell in 10 in November, according to the report. ...More HERE

McSweeney-Franks Aim to End Alternate Revenue Bond Abuses

State Representative David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) and State Representative Jack Franks (D-Marengo) have filed HB983; a bipartisan effort they say ensures greater fiscal accountability.

According to a McSweeney press release, recent reports have exposed how the current alternate revenue bond law has facilitated risky deals that have resulted in increased local taxes. If passed, his new legislation would address the ease at which alternative revenue bonds are issued because the current process sidesteps taxpayers and property tax caps in many cases.

"This is a common sense bill that allows taxpayers to more easily organize a referendum to oppose local borrowing proposals,” said McSweeney (photo right). "We are talking about large sums of taxpayer money. Property taxes are skyrocketing while local governments keep borrowing for what they want and cannot afford.”

Cutting Hours, Cutting Dreams

By Duncan Millar -

I recently took a job at a local business. Nothing too strenuous- just some cashiering to make some money for dates, lunch with friends, and of course, for some pocket money in college. The interview was very typical; I talked about who I was, and really gave my new boss a sense of my hardworking attitude. She hired me on the spot, and we began to chat scheduling. She took out her calendar, looked up at me, and casually said, “now with that new Obama thing, we can’t have you working more than 24 hours a week, otherwise we’ve gotta offer insurance. Corporate doesn’t want us to do that.”

I of course knew what that “Obama thing” was that she referred to. Part of the Affordable Care Act mandates that employers have to provide health insurance for employees working more than 30 hours a week or the companies will face fines. Unfortunately, this had led to backlash from many across the nation. Papa Johns, Applebees, and Denny’s, along with many other big and small business have said that Obamacare will force them to make cuts and raise prices. Darden Restaurants, the parent company to Olive Garden and Red Lobster, in October began using more part-time, and cutting the number of full-time employees.