Illinois Review

Congressman Roskam Packs Food for Philippines

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In advance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, Congressman Roskam and his wife, Elizabeth, met with volunteers and helped pack food at Feed My Starving Children; an organization that works to eliminate starvation in devastated areas of the world that need it most. The Roskams packed food headed for the Phillipines and those impacted by Haiyan, the typhoon that hit the islands earlier this month.

To learn more about this volunteer effort and opportunities to help those impacted by the Illinois tornadoes, please visit: www.illinois.gov/ready or http://www.usaid.gov/haiyan.

Ives vs. Connelly

WHEATON, IL –State Representative Jeanne Ives and State Senator Michael Connelly have declared a friendly competition between their district offices to raise holiday toy donations for Family Shelter Service, an organization which provides assistance to victims of domestic violence in the DuPage County Area.

Those who’d like to help determine who the best elf really is, by “building” toys with Rep. Jeanne Ives or Senator Michael Connelly, can do so by dropping off your gift at their District Office located at 1725 S. Naperville Rd., Suite 200, Wheaton, IL from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm on Dec. 2, 3 and 4.

For More information Contact Rep. Jeanne Ives District Office tel:630-384-1108"

Grogan files for State Treasurer with 13,000 signatures

Bob Grogan contacted Illinois Review with the following photo he sent to his supporters. Grogan told IR he had 519 circulators that helped him obtain 13,000 signature from 576 municipalities in 86 counties.

Thorner: Bloated And Massive Farm Bill Hits Wall

By Nancy Thorner -

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) initially announced on November 17 that bipartisan progress was being made on the farm bill. Lucas further desired that a framework be set up when legislators met again on November 21 for the purpose of passing a House farm bill conference agreement before Congress adjourned for the year on December 13. The current 2008 farm bill expired on October 1st. The bill is up for renewal every five years. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) is the Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman.

Hopes, however, were dashed that a  framework agreement be reached after leaders of the House-Senate farm bill conference committee, having met twice on November 21, hit a wall over food stamps cuts and other things.

Rauner releases tax returns showing $53 Million income in 2012

CHICAGO - Shortly before placing another $500,000 into his campaign fund Monday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner released three years of tax returns after filing petition signatures to be on the March GOP primary ballot. The Rauners' tax return shows $53,487,803 in income in 2012, with $10,136,134 in federal taxes and $2,657,192 in state taxes.

Rauner's income increased to over $53 million in 2012 from $28,154,293 in 2011 and $27,158,836 in 2010. The specifics are below:

Rauner 2012 Tax Summary:
Income on Federal Return: $53,487,803
Adjusted Gross Income on Federal Return: $53,069,810
Federal Income Taxes Paid: $10,136,134
Federal Tax Rate on Income: 19%
Federal Effective Tax Rate on Adjusted Gross Income: 19.1%
Illinois Net Income on State Return: $55,128,335
Illinois Income Taxes Paid: $2,657,192
View the 1040 by clicking here

Brannigan signs Americans for Tax Reform pledge

PALOS HEIGHTS - Palos Township Trustee Sharon Brannigan, Republican candidate in the 3rd Congressional District, committed to Americans for Tax Reform that if elected to the U.S. Congress from Illinois, she would fight any and all tax increases.

Brannigan, a small business owner in Orland Park, dived right into tax reform controversy by taking on Senator Max Baucus' (Dem-Montana) "Cost Recovery Tax Reform Draft," and defined on her website why the proposal is bad for U.S. taxpayers:

Breen files to challenge Pihos in 48th House District GOP primary

LOMBARD - Republicans in the 48th House District will have two candidates on the March 18, 2014 primary ballot to choose from: ten year incumbent State Rep Sandy Pihos and challenger Lombard Village Board trustee Peter Breen. 

Photo sent to Illinois Review by Breen campaign

Madigan calls Illinois State Reps back to Springfield for one-day session on Dec. 3

llinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's office sent the following memo to House members today:

"All members should plan on being in Springfield for session on Tuesday, December 3 at 11 a.m. The House would expect this to be a one-day session. In addition, some committees may be posted for Monday, December 2 for midafternoon. Postings will be done on Tuesday, November 26. Executive Committee will be meeting on Monday, December 2 at 3 p.m."

Madigan spokesperson Steve Brown said the speaker has continued pension negotiations. In all likelihood the Democrats have reached a deal they will pass before the 2014 primary and general election year commences on January 1.

Three Republicans compete for Reboletti's 45th House seat

BARTLETT - Three Republicans filed Monday to fill the 45th House seat State Rep. Dennis Reboletti is vacating in his bid for State Senate. Reboletti is vying for the Senate seat State Senator Kirk Dillard is leaving in his 2014 bid for governor. The three candidates - Daniel Brinkman, Seth Lewis and Christine Winger - will be in the December 11th drawing to determine how their names will be presented on the March 18th GOP primary ballot. One Democrat - Jenny Burke - filed for the 45th District.

Kinzinger faces GOP primary challenge from Rockford Tea Party leader

ROCKFORD - Rockford area Tea Party activists are not happy with their incumbent Congressman Adam Kinzinger evidently, because they've gathered enough petition signatures to get area Tea Party leader David Hales on the GOP primary ballot. Thus far, no Democrat has filed for the 16th CD.

Kinzinger is a rising star in Speaker Boehner's U.S. House leadership, and has been representing the GOP viewpoint on national talk shows, especially as a critic of ObamaCare, but as a supporter of the Obama Administration's policy on Libya. 

But Kinzinger didn't stand firmly opposed to defunding ObamaCare during the Ted Cruz-led uproar and condemned the budget shutdown that resulted. Since that time, Hales has been actively supported by a growing number of Tea Party ranks in the district.

Three Republicans in race to fill Hatcher's House seat

OSWEGO - With State Rep. Kay Hatcher not running for re-election in 2014, her 50th House District seat will be open in 2015.

Three Republicans filed petitions today for the slot - two women - Beth Goncher and Julie Cosimo - and one man - Keith Wheeler, Kendall County GOP Chairman.

Reboletti and Nybo match up to succeed Dillard in 2015

ELMHURST - With GOP State Senator Kirk Dillard laying it all on the line and opting to run for governor rather than re-election in 2014, his Illinois Senate seat will be open in January 2015.

Two Republicans - State Rep. Dennis Reboletti and Elmhurst attorney Chris Nybo - filed Monday for Dillard's heavily Republican 24th District seat, which he has held since 1993.

Senator Harmon faces Democratic primary challenger

OAK PARK - State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) had a Democratic challenger file petitions Monday morning. Harmon, a part of Senate President John Cullerton's leadership team, has been in the Illinois Senate since 2003.

He's being challenged by Bob Galnotra of Chicago.

Matune to challenge Sandack in GOP primary

DOWNERS GROVE - State Representative Ron Sandack will be challenged in the March 2014 GOP primary by Keith Matune of Downers Grove. Both filed petitions today with the State Board of Elections.

Conservative Republicans are unhappy with Sandack's swing towards socially liberal votes for gay marriage and his notable sympathy for gun control groups.

Sandack soured on GOP conservatives when he was discouraged from pursuing the ILGOP Chairmanship after Pat Brady stepped down earlier this year.

Keith Matune submitting signatures. Photo provided Illinois Review by the Matune campaign

Batinick and Chapman contest for Cross' 97th District House seat

PLAINFIELD - With State Rep. Tom Cross running to be the IL GOP's 2014 nominee for state treasurer, his long-held House seat will be open in January 2015.

Two Republicans have stepped forward in a bid to succeed Cross - Plainfield real esate businessman Mark Batinick and Shorewood resident Richard Chapman. They'll compete in the March 2014 primary.

Two file in GOP Primary to succeed retiring State Rep. Tim Schmitz

GENEVA - Largely Republican House District 65 will have an open seat in January 2015, after State Rep. Tim Schmitz announced he will not seek a ninth term in the Illinois House. Two GOP locals hope to succeed Schmitz - Geneva's Steven Andersson and Elgin's Debbie Miller. No Democrat has yet filed for the race.

Senger, Balkema and Miller file in 11th CD GOP Primary

SPRINGFIELD - On the first day, three Republican candidates were ready to file in the 11th CD first thing - Darlene Senger, Chris Balkema and Bert Miller. Another - Ian Bayne - is expected to file as well.

Whoever wins the Republican primary for the 11th CD on March 18, 2014 will face incumbent Democrat Bill Foster, who beat former GOP Congresswoman Judy Biggert in 2012. 

Frerichs to face Cross or Grogan for Treasurer next November

SPRINGFIELD - With State Treasurer Dan Rutherford in the gubernatorial race, the state Treasurer spot will be open in November 2014. No surprise here, but who handles the state's money is surely to be a race to watch in 2014.

Next November, State Senator Mike Frerichs of Champaign, who is a devoted fan of Barack Obama, will be facing the winner of the Republican primary between State Rep. Tom Cross and DuPage County Auditor Bob Grogan. All three candidates filed Monday morning.

Three-way GOP primary emerges in 110th House District to succeed Halbrook

SPRINGFIELD - Three Republicans will vy for the chance to succeed State Rep. Brad Halbrook in the 110th House district. Halbrook announced he will not seek re-election in 2014, after succeeding State Rep. Roger Eddy, who retired from the Illinois House of Representatives in 2012  to run the Illinois Association of School Boards. 

Andrade challenged by four Dems in 40th House district race

CHICAGO - Democratic Party unrest is evident in the 40th House District, where Monday five Democrats filed for State Rep. Jaime Andrade's job. Andrade was appointed in August 2013 to succeed Deb Mell when she resigned from the Illinois House to take her dad - retiring Alderman Richard Mell's - seat.

Previous to his appointment to the Illinois House, Andrade was Alderman Richard Mell's chief of staff.

At least four Democrats are fed up with the Democratic family dynasty bit, and want a chance to push Andrade out of the way.

GOP primary emerges to fill Jil Tracy's open seat

Campaign manager Glenn Hodas directs petition filing for the Dillard-Tracy campaign Monday

QUINCY - With State Rep. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) opting to run for lieutenant governor with GOP gubernatorial candidate State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), the 89th House District seat will be open in January 2015. Two Republicans filed Monday to succeed Tracy.

The two that willl be competing to be the GOP nominee in the March 2014 primary are Randy Frese of Paloma and Marshall Schrader of Monmouth.

Guzzardi to challenge State Rep. Toni Berrios again

CHICAGO - State Rep. Toni Berrios, daughter of Cook County Democrat Chairman and Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios, will face a Democratic primary challenge from Will Guzzardi again in 2014. Guzzardi, also from Chicago, filed Monday morning for the Democratic primary. He came very close to beating Berrios in 2012.

Three Republicans and three Democrats file for 13th CD seat

CHAMPAIGN - According to state board of elections filings, U.S. Congressman Rodney Davis of the 13th CD has two Republican challengers and a three way Democratic primary all vying to unseat the freshman next November.

Attorney Erika Harold of Urbana and Michael Firsching of Moro filed for the 13th CD GOP primary, while Ann Callis of Edwardsville, George Gollin and David Green - both from Champaign - filed for the Democratic 13th CD primary. The winners of the primaries will face each other in the November 2014 General Election.

Two GOP primary candidates run to succeed retiring State Rep. Renee Kosel

MOKENA - Two Republicans filed Monday morning to succeed State Rep. Renee Kosel(R-Mokena) who announced she will retire in January 2015 after serving in the Illinois House since January 1997.

Margo McDermed of Mokena is a Will County Board member and married to Will County GOP Chairman Ed Ronkowski. Gayla Smith is from Frankfort. No Democrat has filed for the race yet.

Lone Chicago Republican House member faces primary challenge

CHICAGO - State Rep. Mike McAuliffe is the only Chicago area Republican left after serving in the Illinois since 1996. McAuliffe succeeded his father Roger after he accidentally drowned in a Wisconsin fishing accident in 1996.

The primary challenge could signal an effort to oust Chicago of all Republican representation in the Illinois House. In 2012, Speaker Madigan turned on State Rep. Skip Saviano - also a moderate Republican from the Chicago region - and ousted Saviano to bolster Democrat numbers.

Monday morning, a Republican filed petitions to challenge McAuliffe in the 2014 GOP primary. Most certainly Michael Yorty of Schiller Park expects to have the petition signatures examined, if not challenged. 

State Rep. Derrick Smith to face Democrat primary challenge

CHICAGO - State Rep Derrick Smith (D-Chicago) will be challenged in the March primary for his House seat, state election board petition filings show Monday.

After being indicted on a bribery charge, Smith was expelled from the Illinois House of Representatives by a vote of 100 to 6 on August 17, 2012. However, Smith was still on the ballot for the November 2012 General Election, won reelection and was sworn in January 9, 2013, reclaiming his seat.

Smith will not be subject to a second expulsion, but would be automatically removed from office if he is convicted of the federal bribery charge.

All four GOP gubernatorial candidates file first thing Monday morning

SPRINGFIELD - Petition filing for the March 14, 2014 primaries began Monday morning and four Republican candidates will be in the drawing December 11th to determine the order they will appear on the ballot. All four Republicans were in line before 8:00 am, deeming them filing at the same time.

Illinois' backlog of past-due bills growing again; could reach $9 billion

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois comptroller Judy Baar Topinka says the state's backlog of unpaid bills is growing again, and now is at $8.8 billion. The state's balance of unpaid bills was shrinking in the spring, thanks to an influx of tax revenue.

Brad Hahn, spokesman for Topinka, says the backlog fluctuates during the year, with "numbers dropping in high-revenue months and rising in leaner seasons."

In late May, the balance fell to $5.8 billion and vendors were waiting about two months to be paid. It climbed to $6.1 billion by the end of the state's fiscal year in June.

Hahn says the balance could grow to $9 billion by the end of December for the second year in a row.

Rauner owns nine million dollar homes, but will he live in the Governor's Mansion?

SPRINGFIELD - Republican businessman Bruce Rauner is likely to be the richest Illinoisan to run for governor, the Chicago Tribune speculates today - richer than other Republican millionaires who've tried for the office in the past, including Ron Gidwitz, Patrick O'Malley, Jack Roeser and Steve Baer.

Rauner owns nine different million dollar residences throughout America - more than Mitt Romney.

The Chicago investor announced his intention to self-fund his gubernatorial campaign, has thus far thrown in $749,000, and says there is plenty more to come. Still, Illinoisans wonder if he and his wife Diana - unlike Governors Rod Blagojevich or Pat Quinn - will live at their historic Governor's Mansion in Illinois' capital city of Springfield? 

UPDATE: Rauner responds to IR:

Rauner's abundance of million dollar homes includes

Primary petition filing opens today

SPRINGFIELD - Monday begins the filing period for candidate petitions to be placed on the March 18th, 2014 primary election ballot. The following offices will be voted on - 

Illinois goes along with ObamaCare policy plan, other blue states say "no way"

SPRINGFIELD - Barack Obama's home state is following the president's lead on Obamacare by allowing health insurance companies to extend once-canceled policies that do not meet Obamacare standards, while other blue states are backing away.

Last Friday, after a public outcry from millions of individual policy holders' plans whose plans were cancelled, President Obama announced the federal government would allow policies to be renewed for a year if the companies agreed to extend the plans.

Pierce: Stop "Social Conservatives" Like Judy Baar Topinka

By Sam Pierce - 

The Republican intelligentsia know that nothing is as poisonous to Republican electoral possibility as the dreaded "social conservative." Nothing dampens voter enthusiasm for Republican politicians like the stupid "social conservative" doing what he or she inevitably does.

The obnoxious expression of opinion on "social issues" can only be the dastardly work of the "social conservative." Voters will shun the "R" brand if candidates or anyone associated in any manner with the Republican Party call attention to issues such as homosexual marriage or, Mark Kirk forbid, abortion.

Netanyahu declares agreement with Iran "an historic mistake"

What does Israel think about the agreement the Obama Administration just made with Iran? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu replies:

New York Post links fake jobs numbers to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel

CHICAGO - John Crudele of the New York Post says that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel may have had something to do with the fake numbers the Census Bureau put out on employment data near the 2012 election. 

A congressional investigation is now onto the situation to find out exactly what happened and if the infamous "Chicago Way" of doing politics had anything to do with how those phony numbers came to be. Today Crudele adds more - and it links back to Emanuel when he was a part of the Obama Administration.

Back in 2009 — right before the 2010 census of the nation was taken — there was an announcement that the Obama administration had decided that the Census Bureau would report to senior White House aides.

The rumor was that Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was in charge of the nationwide head count.

The chief of the Commerce Department usually oversees the Census, which determines how many congressional representatives and how much money each state gets for the next decade. But the Obama administration had decided — the story went — that Emanuel was a better guy for the job.

And, Crudele says - 

2010 Rewind: Dillard and Brady on their visions for Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - Monday will mark the official beginning of the 2014 primary campaign, when candidates for state and county offices will begin submitting their ballot petitions to election officials. Two GOP candidates that are expected to be on the March 18 2014 gubernatorial ballot also ran for that office four years ago.

In 2009, Illinois Review had the opportunity to talk to Senator Kirk Dillard and Senator Bill Brady about their visions for Illinois.

O'Brien: Carter 2.0 to Iran-Give Nukes a Chance

By Teri O'Brien -

Whether it’s the democrats in the U.S. Senate, or the Iranians, going nuclear is all the rage.

In yet another brilliant move, the Dear Reader’s regime tells Iran “if you like your enriched uranium, you can keep your enriched uranium,” and, Bitter Clinger, unlike what he told you about your health insurance policy, your doctor, and your hospital, he isn’t lying to the Iranians. Perhaps, he’s confused. The speech that Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei  made last week, in which he called Israel a “rabid dog,” and accused the United States of war crimes, could have been written by Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

A state sponsor of terrorism with a bomb. What could possibly go wrong? We’ve seen this movie before. It was called “North Korea,” and “Iran” is the sequel. Sec. of State John “Lurch” Kerry assures us that the deal does not include any “right to enrich” uranium. The Iranians disagree, and at least two senators say that the agreement includes a right to enrich. MMM …who to believe? A member of the Obama regime, or the Iranians? Tough call. If Iran gets a nuclear weapon, will Barack tell us that he is sorry the world finds itself in a much more dangerous place because of assurances they got from him? 

Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run's Fifth Annual drive feeds nearly 700 veterans

BLUE ISLAND - Hundreds of military veterans picked up free groceries at the  Des Plaines Valley VFW Post 6863 in Summit Saturday, thanks to the Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run's Fifth Annual Veterans Food Drive.

According to founder/organizer Mike Cozzi of Blue Island, this year's drive will feed nearly 700 veterans for Thanksgiving with a turkey and bags of groceries donated by a number of businesses and individuals. The group also delivered food baskets to veterans devastated by Sunday's tornado in Diamond, Coal City and Washington Illinois.

Term limits and reform topics at Saturday's Walsh Freedom town hall

ELMHURST - Term limits and the need for Illinois to pass a referendum restricting lawmakers to eight years in office was the topic of discussion at a rally held in Elmhurst Saturday afternoon, featuring radio talk show host Joe Walsh and GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner.

Rauner is chairman of the group pushing the term limit referendum petition drive. Walsh pushed for term limits when he served as Congressman for Illinois' 8th CD.

Milton Township Committeeman Babette Holder was on hand, and tells Illinois Review nearly 200 attended the event. [Update: Helene Walsh tells IR the number was closer to 450.] Below, Babette (to the right) met with 3rd CD GOP candidate Diane Harris (left) and fellow conservative Keith Turner (center) at the town hall. 

Should same sex partners be allowed to marry in prison?

SPRINGFIELD - If state lawmakers thought the gay marriage issue would go away after it passed the Illinois House and Governor Quinn signed it into law last week, they're mistaken. There are at least three more decisions concerning the concept that state prison officials are now grappling with:

• Should same sex partners - one in prison and one not - be allowed to marry in Illinois?
• Should sex offenders of the same sex be allowed to marry while they are housed at a treatment and detention facility (TDF)? 
• Illinois law currently prohibits two prisoners from marrying - but should that law be overturned, as the state's definition of marriage was? 

Policies like these will need to be settled before same sex marriage law kicks into effect in June 2014, the Bloomington Pantagraph reports.

Hamilton: The Chicago Hindenburg Academy: Now Accepting New Pilots

By Luke Hamilton - 

Last Friday, Representative Jared Polis, a progressive Congressman from Colorado, suggested that to fix the mess created by Obamacare’s implementation, we need to accept amnesty for illegal immigrants. He favors the passage of House Resolution 15, which would provide a roadmap to citizenship for most immigrants who are here illegally. “If we can pass H.R. 15, people who are here illegally will have to get insurance on their own instead of forcing Americans to pay for their insurance,” said Mr. Polis.

In other words, the key to fixing the mess caused by this progressive disaster is more progressive reformation. We just need to get more people under this system so that this system will start working. Apparently, the problem with the healthcare.gov website and hotline is that there is not enough traffic; so that increasing the number of people trying to enroll will decrease the wait-time. Who knew? In all seriousness, only a slavish ideologue would call for more of what caused the problem in the first place. It’s the same caliber of cerebral fortitude demonstrated by the Vice President’s famous affirmation that we must spend our way out of debt.

Illinois Young Republicans pick Kristin McCarter as chairman, hold straw poll

Illinois Young Republicans picked Kristin McCarter (second from right) as new chairman

BOLINGBROOK -  Saturday, the Federation of Illinois Young Republicans elected their new leadership team at their biennial convention. Interim chair Kristin McCarter of Naperville was elected to a full two year term to lead the organization. 

McCarter is excited about the opportunity ahead with Chicago hosting the 2015 National YR convention and building and growing the county organizations. 

The Federation heard from Senator Kirk Dillard, Bruce Rauner, Senator Bill Brady, Steve Kim, Doug Truax, Jim Oberweis, Mike Webster, Former Congressman Joe Walsh and IL GOP Chairman Jack Dorgan. 

Premie's video-journaled first year inspires millions to cherish life

COLUMBUS OH - Ward Miles was born 15 weeks early, weighing 1.5 lbs. His father Benjamin Scot Miller is a professional photographer that used video to journal his son's first year, beginning the day Ward's mother held him for the first time.

The video was posted November 22 and already has 1,338,000 views on YouTube and more on Vimeo.

Little Ward was blessed to be born to a couple that desperately wanted him in their lives. They loved him, nurtured him and he thrived through 107 days at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus Ohio before he was released to be cared for fulltime at home.

Miller writes: 

For first time in 20 years, Lombard Village Board votes to freeze property taxes

LOMBARD - Thursday night, the Lombard Village Board gave final approval to its 2014 property tax levy, freezing property taxes for the first time in over 20 years in the Lilac Village. The freeze was introduced by Trustee Peter Breen, Chairperson of the Lombard Finance Committee, and passed with a 4-1 vote. 

"This 2014 tax levy marks a long-overdue end to twenty consecutive years of property tax increases on the people of the Village," Breen said. "We're changing the model of government in Lombard, showing that we can deliver quality services to residents without taking more in taxes. It's time for every unit of government to end the practice of 'autopilot' property tax increases and learn to do more with less."

Good will abounds in tornado-devastated Washington Illinois

By Mark Weyermuller - 

Last Sunday, a tornado hit Washington, Illinois, causing massive destruction. One death was reported in the town, along with multiple injuries. Several hundred homes were destroyed or severely damaged.  Despite the devastation, I found America at its best.

I got a first-hand look as I arrived to help my friend and former college roommate Tom help salvage his possessions and provide moral support.  He told me heard the sirens for 15 minutes last Sunday, and looked outside several times, but saw no need to be concerned. Moments later, the house started to shake. He bolted for the basement, and 45 seconds later he was safe, but the house was leveled.

After the storm subsided, it took a while for Tom to exit from downstairs since some of house blocked the basement door. Neighbors moved the hutch that was blocking the kitchen door. Ninety percent of Tom's home was in the front yard and beyond. He found his American flag in the only remaining closet, and placed it on the front of his home.  Other homeowners had put out their American flags amid the rubble, as well, saying "We are America." 

Chicago Blackhawks Charities give $200,000 to assist Washington tornado victims

WASHINGTON IL - With the backing of the 2013 Stanley Cup Chicago Blackhawks, Congressman Aaron Schock (IL-18) will host a Community Fellowship Thanksgiving Luncheon in Washington, IL next Wednesday for victims of the recent tornadoes and storms, as well as the first-responders and volunteers. 

“Illinois is our home, and when one of our communities suffers a loss as tragically as the people of Washington did, we want to do all that we can to help them,” Rocky Wirtz, Chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks, said.

The $200,000 gift from the Blackhawks will be used to underwrite the cost of this luncheon and help the victims and their families recover from the F-4 tornado that destroyed over 1000 homes last Sunday.

Addison Township GOP endorses Kaifesh for 8th CD

SCHAUMBURG, IL – Last week, Palatine Township and Addison Township Republican Organizations voted to endorse Larry Kaifesh over GOP primary competitor Manju Goel in Illinois’ 8th Congressional District. The winner of the GOP March 18 primary will challenge Democrat incumbent Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth next November.

"I am truly honored to receive two key endorsements from the Palatine Township and Addison Township Republican Organizations,” said Kaifesh. “These are two important organizations in the 8th CD that are committed to bringing new leadership to Washington and I seek to do just that.”

Thorner and Ingold: Democrats Run to the Barricades

By Nancy Thorner and Ed Ingold -

The concept of “grandfathered” insurance plans has always been a complete myth, touted for strictly political reasons. The plans to overturn the current insurance system and create a single-payer plan were formulated by HHS (and Sebelius) in 2010, within a month of the ACA (Affordable Care Act) passage. 

In a stunning report by Andrew McCarthy on November 18th, he cites evidence that between 50% and 80% of Americans will lose their current health care plans in 2014, including employer provided benefits. This is based on the Administration’s own estimates, documented in a court brief filed by the DOJ in Federal court in opposition to a suit to preserve religious freedom of choice.

With such facts available to the public, how does President Obama have the audacity to continue to repeat that the current rash of insurance cancellations apply to only 5% of the population?  In fact, nearly 8% of the population has individual insurance plans which are being systematically canceled (“transitioned” in Obama-speak).  The same standards, however, will apply immediately to small business and group plans and to major corporations by the end of 2014 after Obama arbitrarily changed the healthcare law to grant businesses a year's extension.

Stantis: Chicago Plan 2.0

It's about time. "Delivery Man" extols fatherhood

MOVIE REVIEW - After years of maddening "Blame it all on Daddy" films, "Delivery Man" sends a refreshing, upbeat message that Dads are important, and children of all ages have a natural, God-given need to know their dads.

While the culture celebrates scientific and social developments that allow two persons of the same sex to parent children, no science nor social change will make it possible to produce human life apart from the miracle of conception, the result of one female and one male human cell merging into one.

It's about time Hollywood extol the manly virtues of responsible fathering.

"Everyone has a purpose in life, I guess I just haven't found mine," David Wozniak, the Delivery Man, says, just before he learns a life-changing truth that the donations he made to a sperm bank twenty years ago made him the father of over 500 children. 

New York sophisticates are panning Vince Vaughn's starring role as curiosity drives Wozniak to find the children he anonymously fathered. One by one, he becomes emotionally attached to them as he realizes the vacuum each of them have in their lives because their father wasn't involved.

Truax talks with Illinoisans devastated by ObamaCare health care plan overhaul

DOWNERS GROVE - U.S. Senate candidate Doug Truax released a video showing him discussing Obamacare with Illinoians. Truax works in the insurance industry, and intends to make ObamaCare an issue if Republicans pick him as their nominee to challenge Dick Durbin in 2014.