Illinois Review

Rauner and Sanguinetti Make Campaign Stop In Peru

By Ulysses Arn -

On Saturday morning Republican Gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner and his running mate Evelyn Sanguinetti made a stop in the Illinois River Valley as the Rauner campaign opens offices across the state ahead of the November General Election.

St. Bede Academy in Peru was where interested voters could meet Rauner and Sanguinetti.  At the event Rauner said that following his primary victory New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, head of the Republican Governors Association, told him that Illinois' Governors mansion would be a number one priority for Republicans nationally.

As Bruce Rauner said Illinois "is the worst run state" in the country with $100 billion in unfunded pension liabilities, billions in unpaid bills, one of the worst credit ratings in the country, and Gov. Pat Quinn himself is under multiple investigations looking at patronage hiring at the Department of Transportation and the misuse/missing of funds to a troubled Chicago anti-violence program.

Downstate lawmakers push to allow Illinois less stringent EPA standards

SPRINGFIELD - State Rep. Brandon Phelps' (D-Harrisburg) resolution passed the Illinois House Friday, calling for the Obama Administration to allow Illinois to set its own time table developing energy standards. The state's abundance of coal and dependence on coal makes Illinois unique, and the state should be allowed to move into renewable energy sources at a different rate than other states, the lawmaker said.

The Obama Administration's Environmental Protection Agency is expected to roll out higher standards next week for carbon emissions that coal companies say could shut down some of Illinois Downstate facilities. 

Phelps was forced to push for the resolution to be discharged from the House Environment Committee because his Democrat colleagues would not allow it to be heard. 

GOProud endorses Rauner for governor

WASHINGTON - GOProud- a national organization of gay and straight Americans seeking to promote freedom by supporting free markets, limited government and respect for individual rights- endorsed four Republicans in November: Governors Brian Sandoval (NV) and Susana Martinez (NM), and gubernatorial candidates, Charlie Baker (MA) and Bruce Rauner (IL).

"These candidates for Governor represent a modern conservative approach to the tough issues Americans face today, and we know they will continue to make us proud throughout their careers in public service,” said Matthew Bechstein, Executive Director of GOProud.

Americans for Prosperity-Illinois key in defeating three tax hike measures

CHICAGO - Illinois' chapter of Americans for Prosperity celebrated quietly Friday night when the Illinois General Assembly adjourned until November 19th.

AFP-IL - headed by executive director David From - was a key part of an anti-tax team that pushed back House Speaker Mike Madigan on three different income tax hike measures: 1. making the 2011 temporary income tax hike permanent 2. raising taxes on taxpayers making over $1M and 3. amending Illinois' Constitution from a flat to a graduated tax system.

"This spring, taxpayers sent the clear message to politicians that they do not want to send more of their money to Springfield in the form of higher taxes," From said in a statement Friday night "Fortunately, many legislators heeded this sentiment, killing three major tax hike proposals- the Progressive tax, the Millionaire’s tax and making permanent the 2011 tax hike."

The feat of stopping - or at least slowing down - the tax hikes with Democrat majorities in both the Senate and House took coordination and support among active anti-tax groups - including Illinois Policy Action. 

From's group took the populist approach, manned with dozens of volunteers some would dub "Tea Party-esque." AFP-IL raised funds to run radio and television ads, hit vulnerable politicians' districts with mailers and phone banks, and led a multi-faceted online campaign against the tax hikes. 

One lawmaker's take on Springfield: "We'll get there. We will"

SPRINGFIELD - Both the Illinois House and Senate are adjourned until November 19, 2014, and despite setbacks, frustrations and shutdowns, there were a few victories for taxpayers this session.

State Rep. Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove), who survived a rough GOP primary in March and spoke out on the House floor time and time again against the Democrat House majority's incessant abuse of power, posted on his Facebook page Friday am - 

Marseilles Freedom Ride returns June 21st

MARSEILLES - During the third weekend of June, the 2014 Annual Freedom Run will take place in Marseilles at the Illinois Valley Cellular Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial.

This year's run on Saturday, June 21st will begin at Grundy County Fairgrounds, one mile north of Morris off Rt. 47. The lineup will start at 6:00AM and the run will leave at 10:15AM, headed for the Middle East Conflicts Wall in Marseilles.  The ceremony will begin there at 1:00PM. 

Following the ceremony, the city of Marseilles will hold a Celebration of Freedom with entertainment, vendors and food.  

Birth control advisory to be on November ballot [audio]

SPRINGFIELD - Yet another advisory referendum will be on Illinois' November 2014 ballot. With the help of two Republicans - State Rep. Tom Cross and Kay Hatcher - the Illinois House Democrats agreed with Senate Democrats to ask voters the following:

"Shall any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides prescription drug coverage be required to include prescription birth control as part of that coverage?"

The question is redundant, as Illinois insurance law already requires insurance companies to include prescription birth control, and has done so for ten years, State Rep. Dennis Reboletti (R-Addison) said during floor debate. "We're asking 'Shall the law of the state be the same as it has been for the past ten years?'"

HB 6237 - Reboletti's proposal for an advisory referendum about whether or not Illinois taxpayers want a tax hike - remains in Rules Committee, and will not be on the November ballot.

The last few minutes of the Friday's afternoon debate is below, including comments leading up to the vote: 1. State Rep. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy), 2. State Rep. Dennis Reboletti (R-Addison) 3. Bill sponsor State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago). During the vote verification, Democrats mocked the verification request by shouting House members names out as the clerk read them. 

HB5755 debate 

GOP Lawmakers: FY 2015 budget avoids tax hikes, heads toward bad fiscal policies

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois' $35.4 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2015 is being predicated upon a number of one-time revenue enhancements, and that's a huge problem for two Republican senators - Darin LaHood of Dunlap and Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove were unhappy with the Democrats' FY 2015 budget.

“It’s clear that the Democratic majorities are serving up this budget to continue with their ‘doom and gloom’ forecasts to shove the 2011 ‘temporary’ tax increase down the throats of the Illinois taxpayers,” LaHood said. “Illinoisans have been paying the price for bad fiscal policies since the days of Rod Blagojevich in 2003. The past 12 years have been a constant reminder of why this majority party has exhibited an abject failure of leadership on fiscal matters. Our citizens deserve better but they keep getting a tired refrain of ‘tax and spend,’ ‘tax and spend and then tax even more.’”

Senator Oberweis agreed that the Democrat majority is committed to spending, rather than working within the constraints of the state's revenue.

“In 2011, during a dead-of-night, lame-duck session, Democrat legislative leaders shafted Illinois taxpayers and now lack the courage to face up to the consequences, relying instead on the fiscal gimmickry of one-time revenue sources that only compound the problem down the road. To make matters worse, they also increase spending,” Oberweis said.

The 25th District Senator said Democrat legislative leaders did not have the votes needed to make the 2011 “temporary” income tax hike permanent; however, the issue is likely to resurface after the general election in the fall.

UPDATE: Lang loses bid for Chicago to set its own cannabis grow and sell zoning laws

UPDATE - 5.30.2014 -  Rep. Lang lost a bid to ease cannabis cultivation and dispensary zoning laws in the Illinois House with  40 to 66 to 4 Present vote. The city will be required to adhere to the zoning laws the same as the rest of the state. (The roll call is below)

SPRINGFIELD - The city of Chicago won't have to abide by cannabis growing and dispensary zoning laws every other city in Illinois will need to follow if an amended version of HB 5674 clears the Illinois House this week, and Governor Quinn signs it into law. 

HB 5674, amended in the Illinois Senate, "makes the prohibitions against a registered cultivation center or a dispensing organization being located within 2,500 feet or 1,000 feet, respectively, of the property line of a pre-existing public or private preschool or elementary or secondary school or day care center, day care home, group day care home, or part day child care facility applicable only to a municipality with a population of fewer than 500,000."

It's just too hard for marijuana growers and sellers to find locations that meet all the requirements in the urban layout of Chicago, State Rep. Lou Lang told members of the House Business & Occupational Licenses Committee Tuesday morning. Let the city set its own cannabis zoning requirements, Lang said.

On the first try, the House committee rejected the amended version - until Lang was able to talk to his colleagues on the committee, and suddenly the committee chair called the meeting back into order. Lang was then ready to try for a second bite at the apple.

Internet tax bill headed to governor pleases Illinois Retail Merchants

SPRINGFIELD - While Illinois taxpayers may not like losing the perceived pass they've had paying taxes on internet purchases, brick and mortar businesses in Illinois are happy with a vote the General Assembly Friday. Not only will Illinois businesses pay sales tax, so will those outside the state that make sales to Illinoisans via the Internet.

"Retailers across Illinois today saluted the Illinois General Assembly after a bill was successfully passed which will help restore long overdue fairness to the tax system for retailers and taxpayers in Illinois," the Illinois Retail Merchants Association said Friday.

The updated bill addresses concerns stemming from the 2011 digital nexus click-thru law which required remote sellers to collect and remit Illinois sales tax on purchases consumers make. The Illinois Supreme Court later ruled the Act violated federal provisions. 

"The updated legislation corrects a longstanding problem where remote sellers were skipping out on paying sales tax on purchases made by Illinois residents," IRMA said. "SB 352 addresses the concerns the law did not treat all remote sellers equally. Under current state law, consumers face paying back taxes and fines from state government due to the failure of remote sellers to collect and remit the sales tax which is due. It was simply unfair that retailers and residents of Illinois were being punished because remote sellers are not playing by the rules."

House votes to allow smoking at tobacco convention in Rosemont

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois House voted to allow a tobacco and tobacco product convention to book the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont for late next summer, if State Rep. Mike McAuliffe's amendment to SB 852 is adopted in the Illinois Senate.

While Republicans argued lifting the statewide smoking ban for two days at the Stevens Center would bring jobs to the area and encourage economic activity during the anticipated convention's two days, Democrat Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) encouraged her colleagues to oppose the exemption.

"This will weaken Illinois being smoke-free," Williams said. "Using the slippery slope argument, wouldn't you be concerned other towns would ask for a similar exemption?" she asked McAuliffe.

Rep. McAuliffe said did not expect any further legislation that would provide exemptions to Illinois' Smoke Free Act. 

O'Brien: #NoAllWomen Aren't Victims

By Teri O'Brien - 

The recent murders in Santa Barbara CA highlighted several of the most unfortunate aspects of contemporary American society; specifically, (1)the double edged sword that is the ready availability of social media,  which provides an opportunity for everyone to indulge their narcissistic desire for attention by broadcasting anything, including the sort of demented ranting that used to be mercifully confined to bathroom mirrors, (2) the endless supply of clueless "experts" dredged up by television producers to share their opinions, derived without any personal knowledge or facts about the specific situation they claim to be analyzing and (3) the inevitable exploitation of tragedy by those with political agendas, completely unaware of how ridiculous they sound to intelligent observers, who realize that the laws they are demanding would have not prevented the deaths of innocents.

Despite healthcare shortage, Veteran Affairs treats 2567 transgenders

Pfc. Chelsea Manning poses for a photo wearing a wig and lipstick.

WASHINGTON - While Veterans Affairs hospitals are facing intense public criticism over wait lists and bonuses awarded to staffers that allegedly set aside disgruntled patients, the Army Times revealed this week a group of veterans that is getting at least part of the care they demand: transgenders. 

In 2013, the Veterans Affairs department treated 2,567 veterans with the diagnosis of gender dysphoria with transgender-specific care, according to Ndidi Mojay, a VA spokeswoman. The department does not have a cost estimate for the treatment, which can include male or female hormones depending on gender.

"Few transgender individuals pursue a goal of transformation to the other gender that also includes the complete set of sex reassignment surgeries," Mojay said in an email. "The VA does not pay for or support sex reassignment surgeries."

The VA has supported counseling, cross-sex hormone therapy, evaluations for sex reassignment surgeries performed outside the department and post-reassignment surgical care since 2011, Mojay said.

More at Army Times.

Kinzinger reacts to VA Secretary Shinseki resignation

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Congressman Adam Kinzinger today released the following statement after the announcement that Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki will step down amid growing reports of negligence and mismanagement at Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals.

“I am encouraged to know that new leadership will have the opportunity to make the massive changes necessary to clean up the broken bureaucracy at the VA. Secretary Shinseki is a good man who has served his country honorably, but the systemic problems we’ve seen require a new direction and a renewed commitment from both the Administration and Congress,” said Kinzinger. “When the men and women who volunteer to defend this country return home, they deserve nothing but the best our country has to offer and I stand ready to work with anyone and everyone to see that they get it.”

FreedomWorks' Deneen Borelli to lead rally in Dolton

DOLTON - When the CEO of Freedomworks Matt Kibbe signed on to Republican Bruce Rauner's gubernatorial exploratory team in 2013, most expected Kibbe's name to be just another name on a list of supporters to pull in like-minded voters. Little was heard from Kibbe and his national FreedomWorks organization during the Republican primary, but an event planned in Dolton next month gives hint that may change over the next few months.

Deneen Borelli of FreedomWorks will be hosting an "Empower Gathering for Greater Chicago Area" Saturday evening, June 14, 2014 at the New Zion Covenant Church in Dolton, the heart of Chicago's southside black community.  Borelli is author of a popular new political commentary book entitled Blacklash.

"Illinois, are you ready to be empowered with REAL change?" asks Borelli in an email invite Friday. "Unemployment is high, our schools are failing, and health care is increasingly inaccessible. It’s time for real change – not fake promises. If you’re ready to be empowered, you can join me and other black leaders on Saturday, June 14, 2014 as we discuss real solutions to the problems faced by our community." 

Elections laws as they are, there's no indication on the invitation whether GOP candidate Bruce Rauner will appear at the rally, however, topics of empowerment FreedomWorks addresses connects with those Rauner supports - choice in education, balanced budgets, lower taxes and smaller government.

8,232 dead people found on Illinois' Medicaid rolls

SPRINGFIELD - An audit released by Illinois Auditor General Bill Holland’s office Thursday showed the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services paid $12 million for the health care of 8,232 dead people still on Medicaid rolls, qualifying for benefits.

And although they had been dead for two years or so, 561 were found to be enrolled in the state's health programs, costing the state $7 million. 

But, the state says, they're getting the money back.

More at Sun-Times

Stantis: Madigan's Precious Map

Former Obama Drug Adviser Debunks Marijuana Myths [video]

Kevin Sabet, author of "Reefer Sanity: Seven Great Myths About Marijuana," sat down with The Foundry to discuss the dangers of marijuana use, why the drug is more potent than ever, and that it is considered by medical professionals to be as addicting as alcohol.

Bill to legalize medical cannabis for children back in Illinois Senate

A California father gives his son medical cannabis for rare epilepsy condition

SPRINGFIELD - While Illinois lawmakers may be open to children with epilepsy being treated with medical marijuana, an amendment State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Chicago) added onto the legislation at the last minute could open the way for children to use medical marijuana for a myriad of reasons.

The legislation faces final consensus in Illinois Senate before going to the Governor.

Rep. Lang emphasizes that his amendment requires the parental consent for children under 18 to use medical marijuana and the ban on minors smoking pot for medical reasons.

Lang's amendment also opens the way for the Department of Public Health to adopt rules to allow minors to use cannabis for reasons other than epilepsy - leaving the legislature out of the process of making condition additions. Lang's House Amendment 2 says:

The Department of Public Health may adopt rules to allow other individuals under 18 years of age to become registered qualifying patients under this Act with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. Registered qualifying patients under 18 years of age shall be prohibited from consuming forms of cannabis other than medical cannabis infused products and purchasing any usable cannabis.

That change caused State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) to vote against HB 2636, she said. 

"I'm okay with using medical marijuana for children with epilepsy, they've found good results," Ives told Illinois Review. "But when they opened it up for the Department to decide what conditions qualified for kids to use medical marijuana, I couldn't vote for it." 

Rhoads: God Bless The USS Illinois (SSN-786)

By Mark Rhoads - 

Electric Boat Company and General Dynamics are now building a new Virginia Class Sea Wolf attack submarine that will bear the name USS Illinois (SSN-786) when it is delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2016. This will be the first Navy ship to be named for the state of Illinois in more than 70 years since World War II and the first ever submarine to bear the name.

Three other surface ships have had the name "Illinois" and one was part of the Great White Fleet at the time of the Spanish-American War.  A full scale wooden mock up of that first USS Illinois battleship was displayed at the Columbian Exposition in 1893 before that actual ship was commissioned. A commanding officer for the pre-commissioned phase of the ship has already been appointed. May God bless the USS Illinois and all who sail in her.  

To learn more about the new USS Illinois, click here.

Candidates take in upwards of $30M to occupy a Mansion with caving roof

CHICAGO - With an additional $365,000 in donations recently added to Bruce Rauner's campaign fund, the Republican candidate surpassed the $20 million mark for his 2014 bid to occupy the Governor's Mansion.

Incumbent Governor Pat Quinn has raised $8 million thus far, however he spends most of his time in Chicago, not in the Springfield home provided for him.

The Governor's Mansion's roof is caving in, though, and members of the Illinois House called Thursday for $4 million for repairs. The Mansion's third floor is currently roped off to visitors and historic furniture that has been on display in those rooms first built in 1854 is now in storage, awaiting the roof's repair. 

ERA could undermine working expectant mothers' rights

SPRINGFIELD - Thursday, the Illinois House could vote once again on the four decade old Equal Rights Amendment. If the U.S. Constitution were to ratify the amendment, it would ban any federal law differences based on gender. 

Wednesday, the Illinois House agreed unanimously with Senate changes to legislation requiring Illinois employers to set up special working conditions for expectant mothers.

Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) House Bill 8, the “Pregnant Workers Fairness Act,” ensures that pregnant workers are not forced out of their jobs or denied job modifications to allow them to continue working. The legislation now heads for the governor's desk.

But would an implemented ERA strip away special rights the Illinois House gave pregnant working moms Wednesday, since it provides special rights for women only? 

Yes, it would, says Eagle Forum lobbyist and constitutional attorney Sharee Langenstein.

Allen West endorses Kaifesh for the 8th CD

Larry Kaifesh, Colonel Allen West and Dan Bongino GOP candidate in Maryland

WASHINGTON DC - Wednesday, former Congressman Colonel Allen West's Guardian Fund political action committee endorsed Republican Larry Kaifesh in his bid to represent the 8th CD to Congress. 

The 8th CD is currently represented by Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), also a veteran. Colonel West has been critical of Duckworth's loyalties.

"I just don’t know where her loyalties lie," West said of Duckworth, during a recent interview on "The Janet Mefferd Show."

"You know, for her to have been a veteran, a wounded warrior for the United States Army, she should know that this is not the right thing," West continued. "And hopefully, you know, she will remember the oath of office that she took as an Army officer and not the allegiance I guess she believes she has to the liberal progressives of the Democrat Party."

Maya Angelou honored by Illinois House

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois House passed a House Resolution 1172 honoring poet Maya Angelou as "one of the people that helped to make America great," the resolution's sponsor Rep, Monique Davis (D-Chicago) said.

"She's one of the most important women in the last century," Republican State Rep. Patti Bellock (R-Burr Ridge) said. 

Ms. Angelou passed away Wednesday, leaving behind a son she wrote about in the October 8, 2001 Family Circle Magazine:

The Decision That Changed My Life: Keeping My Baby
by Maya Angelou, b. April 4, 1928, d. May 28, 2014

When I was 16, a boy in high school evinced interest in me, so I had sex with him — just once. And after I came out of that room, I thought, Is that all there is to it? My goodness, I’ll never do that again! Then, when I found out I was pregnant, I went to the boy and asked him for help, but he said it wasn’t his baby and he didn’t want any part of it.

I was scared to pieces. Back then, if you had money, there were some girls who got abortions, but I couldn’t deal with that idea. Oh, no. No. I knew there was somebody inside me. So I decided to keep the baby.

Catholic Conference condemns proposed contraceptive advisory referendum

SPRINGFIELD - Yet another advisory referendum could be on the November 2014 ballot - a question that reads: “Shall any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides prescription drug coverage be required to include prescription birth control as part of that coverage?"

The bill, sponsored by State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) passed the Illinois Senate and is now proceeding for consideration in the House.

The bill is a plot to divide even further the state of Illinois, the Catholic Conference of Illinois said Thursday. 

"The proposed advisory referendum lacks detail and context.  It seeks to misinform and exploit, play so-called identity politics and further divide the people of Illinois," the CCI said in a press release. "This effort should be recognized for what it is and rejected."

Rep. Smith campaign worker secretly recorded for FBI

CHICAGO - State Rep. Derrick Smith (D-Chicago) had a campaign staffer working for and recording his conversations, said prosecutors in Thursday's opening of a bribery trial. 

In the midst of a contested 2012 primary election, State Rep. Derrick Smith was talking to a trusted campaign worker when he allegedly asked about a $7,000 bribe he expected to get from a daycare operator who needed a letter of support for a state grant.

“We got to find out how she gonna get the cheddar to us,” Smith allegedly said to the worker, who was secretly recording the conversation for the FBI. “…I don’t want no trace of it.”

The transcript of that recorded conversation was displayed today for jurors at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse as opening statements got underway in Smith’s trial on bribery and extortion charges. Prosecutors alleged Smith pocketed what he thought was a bribe in return for writing a letter supporting the day care operator's bid for a $50,000 state grant, a bid that turned out to be a law enforcement ruse. 

Smith allegedly confessed to FBI agents after his 2012 arrest, even agreeing to take agents to his home and retrieve $2,500 in cash of the bribe money from a cedar chest under his bed, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Donovan said in his opening statement.

More in the Tribune.

Illinois Army captain takes command in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait

KUWAIT - Capt. James Gains of Bloomington, Illinois took command of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 108th Sustainment Brigade out of Chicago, during a change of command ceremony May 26 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Gains takes the reins from Capt. Harold Cubillo of Loves Park, Illinois, who served as the HHC, 108th Sust. Bde. commander for the past three years. Cubillo will go on to serve as a battle captain working with the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Willis Tower's observation booth floor cracked "because we designed it that way"

CHICAGO - Wednesday night at the Willis Tower's 103-story new viewing area, the protective glass covering began cracking as a family looked out onto the city. One of the family members told WMAQ-TV what happened then:

“I walked them over so they could see and they were totally shocked and asked us to step away and then proceeded to start calling staff and techs and I don’t know who else. When we pulled our phones to start recording and take pictures they asked us to leave right away,” he said.

But while being scary, the covering is doing exactly what it's supposed to do, a Willis Tower worker said. 

“Occasionally this happens, but that’s because we designed it this way,” he said. “Whatever happened last night is a result of the protective coating doing what it’s designed to.”

Could corrupt Illinois politics lead to dementia?

SPRINGFIELD - Could it be that false promises and misleading politicians are making Illinoisans ill? Ridiculous, you may say, but could it be? A new study says cynicism appears to be linked to dementia.

Let's say a politician is running for office and he promises to oppose higher taxes or uphold principles with which you agree, and when he gets in office, he ignores those promises?

For example, suppose four years ago Illinois voters were told that a 67% tax hike would only be for four years, and then the rate would go back to its original amount. But then, when that four years ran out, those same politicians changed their minds and decided to make the temporary tax permanent.

Of course it's an outrageous scenario, but let's play it out, just to show a point. In this case, the tax hike stays at the higher rate, and people know they were lied to. They get burned.

Indeed, getting burned always leads to more intensive questions, doubts and lack of trust of those politicans that said one thing in 2011, and another later. Cynicism sets in. And according to a new study, cynicism is linked to dementia.

A Finnish research team studied 622 people aged 65 to 79 for as long as 10 years. They took a battery of tests, including a well-validated test to show cynicism.

People who scored high on the cynicism test were more likely to develop dementia later. Of the 164 people with high levels of cynicism, 14 developed dementia. That’s 8 percent. Only nine out of 212 people with low levels of cynicism did or 4 percent.

Rhoads: How America is Exceptional

By Mark Rhoads - 

President Obama seemed to change his tune dramatically in a speech at West Point on May 28.  Now he says he does believe in American Exceptionalism with "every fiber" of his being. But only a few years ago in 2010 he was dissing the idea that American was exceptional compared with other nations. So maybe it might help to clarify for the president what many people mean when they say America is exceptional and how it is unique among many nations.

Bolingbrook woman ticketed for Facebook comment

BOLINGBROOK - Be careful about comments you leave on Facebook and other social media sites. A Bolingbrook woman was ticketed for a comment she left that was misinterpreted by Forest Preserve officers. As the Chicago Tribune reported:

The comment in question was posted in response to concerns some dog owners had about kennel cough among some dogs at Whalon Lake Dog Park in Bolingbrook. The woman posted: “I was feeling bad that I haven’t bought a pass and been bringing Ginger there but I’m pretty glad I haven’t. So not going to worry about it until later. I hope all the doggies get better soon.” 

A forest preserve district employee noticed the comment and forwarded it to a forest preserve protection officer, who took the comment to mean the woman was using the dog park without a permit.

“The employee had good intentions, but it wasn’t a good idea,” Lt. Tracey Phillips said Wednesday.

The woman posted about the citation on the dog park page and noted the citation came with a letter stating she had posted on a social media site that she had “knowingly entered a dog park without a valid 2014 permit.”

“That’s dead wrong,” the woman wrote. “I haven’t gone there since 2013!”

Forest Preserve District Executive Director Marcy DeMauro said she contacted the district’s police chief Tuesday about the citation and learned it was already under review. DeMauro stressed the district does not monitor social media in search of potential law breakers nor does the district issue a citation based on a post made on a social media site.

More at the Chicago Tribune

Durbin and 39 Democrat Senators Move to ‘Repeal the First Amendment’ [video]

U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL)

Speaking at a Family Research Council event last Thursday, Senator Ted Cruz informed the attendees that Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), 39 other Democrats and Independent are engaging in an attempt to “repeal the First Amendment.” Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) is the original sponsor of Senate Joint Resolution 19, which proposes to suspend key portions of the Bill of Rights.

“I’m not making this up,” Cruz told the shocked gathering. “Senator Chuck Schumer has announced the Senate Democrats are scheduling a vote on a constitutional amendment to give Congress the plenary power, the unlimited authority, to regulate political speech.”

Courtesy of the Library of Congress, here is the current list of Senate co-sponsors of S.J. Res. 19:

CDC says Illinois man never infected with MERS

CHICAGO - The Center for Disease Control sent out an alert on May 17th saying an Illinois man showed evidence of infection by the coronavirus that causes MERS. It was believed he acquired it from an Indiana doctor who imported the first case of MERS into the U.S. from Saudi Arabia in late April. The two were business associates and had two extended face-to-face meetings just before the Indiana man was admitted to the hospital.

As a result of the CDC’s preliminary findings, the Illinois man was told to ‘self-isolate’ – to stay at home or wear a surgical mask when he was around other people. The CDC also tracked down every person he had been in contact with and tested them for the presence of the virus.

Today, the CDC walked all of that back, announcing that the Illinois man was never infected with the MERS virus. The reason for the discrepancy appears to be a false positive test on the man’s blood.

More HERE

Carson: Conservatives won't win by boycotting elections

By Dr. Ben Carson - 

More discussion on the topic of pragmatism and politics is critical. If conservatives decide to take their marbles and go home, rather than fight to the bitter end because they feel their principles have been compromised, they will needlessly subject future generations to untold misery.

Voting for someone who agrees with you 90 percent of the time is far superior to voting for someone who disagrees with you 100 percent of the time. This is exactly what will happen if people refuse to exercise their civic duties and boycott elections because they feel betrayed. Personally, I am not supportive of abortion at all, but I can support people who feel differently, if, in the gigantic scheme of things, they can help put an end to the murder of innocent babies. This is especially true of those who are personally inclined to save and protect life.

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Ben Carson refuses to declare political party — or rule out 2016 White House run
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Perhaps an illustration is in order: Two armies are engaged in a war. Let’s call the good army that is trying to defend an entire society the red army and the bad army that is trying to invade and pillage society the blue army.

New O'Hare flight patterns create noise, stress for west suburban residents

CHICAGO - Neighbors as far west of O'Hare airport as Winfield are complaining about the noise the airport's new flight patterns is making. While few complaints have been formally filed by residents in the DuPage County community, protests abound from citizens just to the east. A Daily Herald story reports today:

O'Hare's latest runway ... revolutionized air traffic at O'Hare from a multidirectional approach to a predominantly east or west flow. That's led to a surge in noise complaints from towns including Bensenville, Itasca, Wood Dale, Addison and northwest areas of Chicago.

In Bensenville, for example, noise complaints shot up from one in March 2013 to 332 from 34 households in March 2014, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.

But the new runway's not the only noise bomb hitting unsuspecting neighborhoods. ... The FAA instituted rule changes at O'Hare in April. The revisions mean restricted use of Runway 32L, a workhorse runway that departs to the northwest. Two runways that depart to the southwest and west are picking up the slack.

The changes also limit use of Runway 4L, which departs to the northeast. As a result, two runways departing to the east are handling more aircraft.

Residents of Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth's 8th CD are complaining, she told the Daily Herald.

Where's Weyermuller: President Obama's Fundraiser in Chicago

Weyermuller greets Obama as he heads to a fundraiser

By Mark Weyermuller - 

I've been known to attend many political events the past couple of years. I got to add one more when I got to see President Obama while he was here in Chicago. Last Thursday, he flew in for a couple of big dollar fundraisers, then he stayed at his Hyde Park home for the first time in a year. In the spirit of true reporting, I went to all four sites of his visit.

Thursday started with President Obama leaving Washington D.C. to stop at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York to promote tourism and job creation. From there, he headed to O'Hare Airport where he helicoptered to a parking lot at Montrose Harbor. The temporary airfield was secured by approximately 100 CTA buses parked bumper to bumper. From there, he motorcaded the five miles to my location at 25 East Banks Street, just off of Lake Shore Drive at Astor Street. This is where I got my first glimpse of the President along with a selfie (for free).

I was unable to attend the event inside as I was not invited, nor did I have $35,000 to donate.

Illinois Senate makes 2015 year of volunteerism. Exempt themselves.

The Illinois Senate has passed a resolution designating 2015 as the "Year of Service and Engagement." Senate Resolution 1002 was sponsored by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

“Volunteerism is a part of Illinois’ history and culture,” said Hunter. “We’re a state built on the foundations of service."

"Volunteer opportunities have the potential to lead to jobs,” Hunter opined. “They provide similar skill sets as paid positions but show a commitment to the community and self-improvement.”

As part of the resolution, Illinois, Senate leadership will "seek to foster volunteerism within the state" by hosting a taxpayer-funded Senate forum on volunteerism, which is intended to "serve as a platform to rebuild the human element of the state’s infrastructure."

The State Senators who voted for the resolution, and those who may be participating in the forum will continue to be paid. The resolution did not include a call for legislators to volunteer their time in a "show of commitment to the community and self-improvement."

Fracking coalition calls on Governor and DNR to move on regulations

IMA's Mark Denzler answered fracking questions along with State Rep. David Reis

SPRINGFIELD - Admitting the failure of legislation proposed by State Rep. John Bradley to circumvent the Illinois Department of Natural Resources by directly instituting hydraulic fracking rules via the General Assembly, State Rep. David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) led a call for fracking to begin in Illinois.

"All that needs to be done is that the Governor and the DNR present a second draft of the regulations, and fracking will be able to begin," Rep. Reis said at a press conference in the Capitol with other members of a diverse coalition supporting fracking. "Politlcally-driven delays by the governor, his administration and departments are single-handedly stymieing the process," he said. "We need to get busy fracking."

Mark Denzler, CEO of Illinois Manufacturers Association, headed the pro-fracking GROW Association.

"Even the environmental community said we had the strongest environmental protections in the country. We worked to protect Illinois' air, water and land. Second we wanted to bring jobs to Illinois," Denzler said. "It's been a year, it's time for the governor and DNR to move on fracking rules."

State Rep. Mike Tryon issues alert against school funding proposal

SPRINGFIELD - A school funding bill that will change the way tax dollars are distributed is moving through the General Assembly and State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake) distributed the following alert to his constitutents Wednesday morning:

A controversial and dangerous bill has cleared the Illinois Senate and was delivered to the House of Representatives this morning. SB16 seeks to fundamentally change the school funding formula for Illinois schools. If passed by the House and signed by the Governor, it would divert millions of District 66 tax dollars away from our local schools and toward downstate schools. This diversion of funds would all but guarantee drastic school district budget cuts and tax rate increases for suburban taxpayers.

'Duck Dynasty' Patriarch to Address GOP Leaders

Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson will address a group of Republican leaders on Thursday at the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans.

Republican National Committee Chairman Rance Priebus, former presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Donald Trump, and Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., will also speak at the conference.

More HERE | Image Source

Jury selection begins for State Rep. Derrick Smith's bribery trial

CHICAGO - A member of the Illinois House is facing of bribery charges after he dug $2500 out of the foot of his bed, but he still claims he's not guilty.

Jury selection started Wednesday for Illinois Democrat State Rep. Derrick Smith's bribery trial in Chicago. 

Smith pled not guilty to charges of accepting $7000 from a day care operator that wanted a state grant.

Prosecutors say the evidence includes a confession Smith made to the FBI on the day of his 2012 arrest. They say he even took agents to his house and retrieved $2,500 in cash from the foot of his bed. He allegedly said it was leftover bribe money.

More HERE

Schumer, Durbin blackmail GOP on immigration reform [video]

WASHINGTON DC - U.S. Senate Democrats are trying to manufacture a crisis over immigration reform in order to hand President Obama the unilateral power to grant amnesty for the 11 million illegals prior to the November elections.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) took the airwaves recently to announce a deadline that Dick Durbin (D-IL) has also been talking up. According to Schumer and Durbin the clock starts on June 10th and ends when Congress leaves town for the August recess. If Boehner hasn’t passed a bill by then, Obama will act on his own.

"So, here's the bottom line," said Schumer. "They have about a six week window. From June 10th, after the last Republican primary, until the August recess. If they don't pass immigration reform then, the president will have no choice but to act on his own. We'd much rather pass legislation. But they're worried that the president is going to do something on his own? Well you have one, simple, easy way. Pass immigration reform."

Cook County pension reform passes Illinois Senate

SPRINGFIELD - Tuesday, the Illinois Senate passed a bill reforming the overburdened Cook County pension system - an effort that the Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle admitted she didn't know how it would be funded. Only saying the county would be "very creative," the funds wouldn't be needed until 2017, she said.

But Cook County's chief financial officer paints a grim future for the county's pension system.

“While it’s better than some of the other local funds . . . amongst public pension plans nationally it’s still considered very, very highly stressed,” said Ivan Samstein, who added that the county’s credit rating could be downgraded this summer if no action is taken. “The county pension plan is so stressed right now that basically it’s at the point of no return.”

The legislation that passed the Senate makes several key changes, the Chicago Tribune reports:

LaHood: ‘It’s time for President Reagan to have his place at the Illinois Capitol’

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois boasts a rich history of presidential ties with Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses Grant, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama, but only two of these men are recognized at the State Capitol, according to State Sen. Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap).

“Everyone knows about our extensive Lincoln heritage and President Grant’s military prowess, but they often forget that Ronald Reagan is the only Illinois-born man to reach the White House,” LaHood said. “Currently, the Capitol features prominent statues of Lincoln and Grant, but it’s time for President Reagan to have his place at the Illinois Capitol.”

LaHood and other lawmakers are seeking to commemorate the 10^th Anniversary of President Reagan’s death on June 5, with a private fund-raising drive to place a formal statue on the Illinois State Capitol Complex grounds.

Senate Resolution 1242 was introduced on May 27 and requests that an appropriate memorial be placed at the State Capitol. In addition to the resolution, Senator LaHood also sent a letter to the Architect of the Capitol and the four legislative leaders stating the desire for the Reagan memorial. That letter was signed by Senators Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington), Tim Bivins (R-Dixon), and John Sullivan (D-Rushville).

UPDATE x1: Cupcake bill first squashed, now revived in Illinois Senate

UPDATE 5.28.2014 - SPRINGFIELD - After being soundly rejected for sinking an attempt to relieve young entrepreneurs from burdensome food service regulations, State Senator Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) removed his amendments to HB 5354, and the "cupcake girl bill" passed the Illinois Senate unanimously Tuesday evening. Three co-sponsors also signed back onto the bill:

SPRINGFIELD - 5.27.2014 - A majority of the Democrat-controlled Senate agree with State Senator Jim Oberweis (R-Aurora) that it was "insane" to pass legislation that could cost $200 for a kid to set up a lemonade stand in Illinois. A bill failed in the Senate that would require cupcake business and lemonade stand owners, as well as other small food revenue venturers to pay permit fees and take an eight-hour food preparer sanitation course, costing more.

Oberweis' critical comments were during a press conference last week, when three Republican senators condemned State Senator Donne Trotter's plan to turn around a House bill that was originally introduced to make starting a business less regulated, not more.

Illinois House passes budget

SPRINGFIELD - House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) put together a budget that passed the Illinois House Tuesday that could lead to layoffs in human services, corrections and state police, as well as slow down Illinois payments to vendors. 

"This is a budget which reflects exactly what we can do this year," Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion) said. "It's cobbling together a budget we can without any kind of tax extension."

Thirty or so House Democrats - in addition to all House Republicans - would not vote in favor of making the 2011 temporary tax hike permanent, at least before the November election. Without the $1.8 Billion the 2011 tax hike brings into Illinois' coffers, Madigan and his budget lieutenants threw together a budget to finish the spring session, but left open the tax hike door.

Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) hinted that the tax hike vote could be delayed until the lame duck session after the November 2014 election. The Senate is expected to pass the same budget before Friday's adjournment.

Cullerton is quoted in Crain's Chicago as saying "the Legislature will have to look at other revenue options after the November election, whether it's extending the full tax hike, a smaller decrease or other changes to tax policy."

And Republicans - who were for the most part left out of budget negotiations again - were unhappy as well. 

"The spending plan passed by the Illinois House today once again shows the dysfunction of our budgeting process.  Borrowing from the government to pay for other government operations is a policy that will not work”, said State Rep. Darlene Senger (R-Naperville).  

“In fact, it is the same failed policy that has caused a $17 trillion federal deficit.  Illinois deserves better.”

Starkehaus: On priests and marriage, Pope Francis leaves the door solidly shut

By Irene F. Starkehaus - 

The clock radio – ever punctual with its reminder that I can't laze around in bed forever – began blaring its commitment to morning talk show prattle at 5 am as a way of freeing me from my cocoon of blissful slumber. I initiated phase one in my ritual of pre-dawn sloth by reaching for the snooze button, but found my hand hovering in midair as, much to my dismay, a discussion caught my attention. Confound it all anyway. I was counting on at least two more rounds of dozing in nine minute intervals and wasn't pleased when I learned that (according to news reports) Pope Francis has rewritten Church history by opening the door to the possibility of priests marrying.

I reigned in my "Groundhog Day" déjà vu and listened intently. Yes. He did. He did it again. The pope simply cannot resist muddying the waters of marital intrigue by turning the priesthood into soap opera fodder.

As IR readers have come to understand, I am not exactly a card carrying member of the Pope Francis Fan Club and the news that the Holy See might be set on changing a millennium of tradition with a wave of his shepherd's hook didn't register as completely unrealistic at 5 o'clock in the morning, so I merely rolled my eyes and mumbled something along the line of, "What else is new?"

On this high note, I grumpily began my day.

As I was buttering the kids' toast, my morning fog began to lift, and I was able to start thinking through the probability that Pope Francis had truly converted to Protestantism with just a smidgen of judiciousness. "I wonder what he actually said," thought I as a glass of milk made contact with a bevy of hands vying for it and went flying across the table. I grabbed a towel to clean the mess and began sifting through what I know about this pope and matching it to the morning's titillating report.

Arn: Schimpf condemns AG Madigan's lack of interest in fighting corruption [video]

By Ulysses Arn - 

On Tuesday, retired Marine Lt. Col. Paul Schimpf, the Republican candidate for Illinois Attorney General, spoke in Ottawa to nearly one hundred members of the LaSalle County Tea Party.

Before his remarks, Schimpf allowed me a brief interview where we discussed the mounting corruption scandals involving Illinois politics, including multiple investigations of Gov. Pat Quinn, of which Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office isn't involved.

We also discussed Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's new proposal to have legal gun store transactions video taped. On Memorial Day, Speaker of the House Michael Madigan had the state legislature in session Schimpf weighs in on that as well.

Gun rights group: Emanuel not out to prevent crime, but prevent gun ownership

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BELLEVUE, WA – Responding to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposal that all firearm buyers in city-approved gun shops be videotaped, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Tuesday said the mayor should instead start a photographic file of all crooked Illinois politicians instead.

“The public might better be served by seeing images of Chicago political elitists involved in illegal activities that have put them behind bars,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. “That would be quite a rogue’s gallery and it would include a couple of former governors, an ex-congressman and a list of former Chicago aldermen convicted of all kinds of crimes including bribery, extortion, fraud, embezzlement and income tax evasion.”

Mayor Emanuel, a "perennial anti-gun extremist," the group refers to him as being, wants to limit the areas where gun shops can be located, and further require that these gun shops do quarterly audits of firearm sales. The proposal to videotape gun sales is to allegedly “prevent gun trafficking and illegal sales in these stores,” according to an aide.

Emanuel exploits shooting, proposes illicit rules for Chicago gun shops

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CHICAGO - Mayor Rahm Emanuel is proposing an ordinance that would significantly limit where legal gun stores could open in Chicago and puts extraordinary requirements on store owners, including requiring them to video record all sales.

The proposed ordinance would keep gun shops out of 99.5 percent of Chicago. Stores couldn't be within 500 feet of a school or park, The Chicago Sun-Times reported. The store also could not sell more than one handgun per month to a buyer.

Emanuel's proposed ordinance also would require store owners to video record every sale, do quarterly sales audits and let police inspect store records. The stores also must have a police-approved security plan before they could open. The plan would have to include exterior lighting, surveillance cameras, alarm systems and gun and ammunition storage.

In addition, all store employees would have to be fingerprinted and undergo background checks and training, and stores could not reopen at the same location for three years if the city revoked its business license for any violation.

A federal judge in January ruled that Chicago's ban on gun stores was unconstitutional. The court gave the city until July 14 to approve gun store restrictions but not a ban.