Illinois Review

Durbin - Oberweis race tightening; Oberweis endorsed by Bishop Trotter

CHICAGO - Republican Jim Oberweis had two bits of good news Sunday: 1. He is inching up towards 31 year incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, a new Chicago Sun-Times poll indicated Sunday, and 2. He was endorsed by a leading black community pastor - Bishop Larry Trotter of Sweet Holy Spirit Church in Chicago,

The "We Ask America" asked 1,054 people August 27th who they planned to vote for in November, and 47.8 percent said Dick Durbin and 40.5 said Jim Oberweis. With a plus or minus 3.02 percentage difference, the rate could be even tighter.

Bishop Larry Trotter, who has supported Durbin in the past, announced Sunday he is switching to Oberweis because of high jobless rates continuing in the black community and Oberweis' support for a south suburban trauma center.

The poll details are HERE. Details about Bishop Trotter's endorsement are HERE.

O'Brien: Yes We Tan. Obama Concedes to ISIS in "Taupe and Change" suit

By Teri O'Brien - 

You can't make this stuff up.

First, the bizarre, jolting images of our Golfer-in-Chief laughing it up with his pals moments after trying to act like he was outraged over the beheading of American journalist James Foley by ISIS, or as Obama likes to call them ISIL aka "the JV." You can see why he prefers that ISIL term because it doesn't contain the word "Syria," which could evoke all kinds of memories of that "red line," against the man that his Sec. of State called a "reformer," Bashar Assad.

Icksnay on the IRIA-SAY! Now, we are on the verge of being drawn into a trap brilliantly crafted by Assad; specifically, after allowing ISIS to exterminate any moderate opposition, Assad can now sit back and watch a reactive Obama, backed into a corner, forced to eliminate ISIS in Syria for him. Behold the brilliance of leading from behind (or from his behind)! 

Or will he?

Hultgren talks health care with community leaders

Congressman Randy Hultgren (IL-14) held a health care leadership forum in Elgin last week

ELGIN - Last week, Congressman Randy Hultgren held a Community Health Care Leadership Forum at Elgin Community College to address the healthcare system's challenges. 

"Our healthcare system today is extremely complex and few Americans have the ability to make sound and affordable decisions for themselves and their families. Consumers are facing rising costs and fewer options, and can't predict with any cetainty how upcoming changes in teh Affordable Care Act will affect them," Hultgren told those attending.

The forum's agenda included three panels with healthcare experts. The future of the Affordable Care Act was discussed, followed by a panel on health care innovations and how to encourage more research and development. The day's final panel was about access to health care, and how to encourage consumers to best utilize available care. 

During the lunch hour, Scott Becker, a partner with McGuireWoods spoke about trends in health care reform. 

Patriot group organizes 60 day prayer list for November elections

Sixty days from September 6th will be the November 4th, 2014 mid-term elections - and in Illinois, voters will decide whether current statewide officers will be re-elected to office. So will members of the U.S. Congress, one member of the U.S. Senate, all the Illinois House and one-third of the Illinois Senate. 

A group of patriots, including the Huntley Tea Party group, is organizing a prayer effort for the time leading up to the election, organized by Catherine Portera. Ms. Protera wrote in an email, "In 2012, 40 days before the election, we began to pray together for our country.  With all that is happening in our world, in America and in each state, this year we will begin our prayers 60 days out from the election."

Those interested in joining the group in daily prayer, contact Catherine at catherine-ann@att.net in order to be placed on the group's list.

Foster: Oberweis' flip-flop on immigration cost him my vote

By Howard Foster - 

I’ve become a single-issue anti-amnesty voter. Immigration, both legal and illegal, have done more to move the country leftward since 1965 than anything else. Mitt Romney would have easily won in 2012 if we had the same electorate that elected Reagan in the 1980’s. The addition of 20 million Hispanics, regardless of what one thinks of them on a micro-level, have added more than 10 million to the Democratic base in presidential elections. Nothing else, campaign tactics, and gaffes much matter if we are in a demographic death spiral.  So the first question I ask of anyone seeking my support is "What are your views on immigration both legal and illegal?"

We currently have a million legal immigrants per year, a number that makes no economic sense when unemployment is high and we can’t afford to expand entitlement programs. A candidate who favors border enforcement, i.e., cracking down on illegal immigration, is not addressing the true problem. Under current law, all citizens have the right to sponsor their parents, children and spouses for lawful permanent residency. That means immigration should be thought of in multiples of three to five. One million this year means several million more in the near future. And the effects of that on the electorate are felt for decades to come.

State Senator Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) used to oppose illegal immigration and ran a TV commercial in one of his many unsuccessful campaigns showing a filled –to- capacity Soldier Field to illustrate the magnitude of the problem. His point was we get something like a Soldier Field full of illegal immigrants per week.

Equality Illinois, Planned Parenthood says "Doris wants your vCard"

CHICAGO - Equality Illinois, a gay rights activist group, together with Planned Parenthood, are pushing online voter registration with a YouTube, urging "Get Your V-Card." What's a V-Card? Most people would think the Chicago Votes project means a "voter's card," right? Still, the sexy tone of the female narrator in the YouTube suggests there's something else going on. 

The double entendre is found in the Urban Dictionary, which says a "vCard" is a noun, which means that which is held by someone whom has never engaged in the act of coitus. "A God-given membership to a holy club, valid until the first act of sex," they write.

So, here's Equality Illinois and Planned Parenthood's "Doris wants your v-card":

18 effects of Marijuana use - some desired, others not

SPRINGFIELD - The regulations for distribution and medical use of marijuana in Illinois are nearing completion, and the formerly illegal drug will soon be available to Illinois patients of any age that has a doctor's recommendation.

While marijuana entrepeneurs insist the use of cannabis for health issues far outweighs any risks, the website Healthline has put together an interactive graphic pointing out the 18 effects of marijuana - some desired, some not so desired.

See Healthline's graphic below the fold:

New book tells of lesbian affair between AP statehouse bureau chief and senator

DECATUR - She was a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate from 1987 to her death in 1998. She ran for lieutenant governor alongside Dawn Clark Netsch for governor in 1994 - the first two women team for the state's top two slots. She was Minority Caucus Whip for several years while serving in the Senate. 

And, known only to Springfield insiders, Penny Severns was sleeping with Terry Mutchler, the Associated Press’ first woman statehouse bureau chief in Illinois - a same-sex relationship at the State Capitol, Mutchler writes in her new tell-all.

Scandalous? Political editor Carol Marin confronted Mutchler about the undisclosed relationship - an AP reporter and a senator on whom she reported. Mutchler said the relationship was "unforgivable."

“There is no way to sugarcoat this part of the story: being involved with a source without disclosure was unforgivable.” An editor, Mutchler told Marin, long ago had advised her, “I don’t care if you screw the elephants, just don’t cover the circus.”

Thorner & O'Neil: Part 2 - Christian Persecution Alive and Thriving in America

By Nancy Thorner & Bonnie O'Neil - 

Is this nation headed toward Sodom and Gomorrah? This 1821 quote by Daniel Webster serves as a warning to this nation today:

If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity.

George Washington invoked these poignant words on October 3, 1789 when proclaiming a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving:

It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and to humbly implore His protection and favor.

Similar quotes from our forefathers could fill many pages, and leaves no doubt that if they weren’t Christians, they surely embraced the Christian Bible, its wisdom and instructions, and the Almighty God.  It seems they understood the Bible’s words benefited all people, including atheists. It is why school children began the day with prayer and the reading of Bible passages in classrooms throughout America. The 10 Commandments were posted on the walls of schools and in public places. Why,  biblical quotes were inscribed on many public buildings and statues throughout America, including Washington D.C. 

America's founders never intended for there to be a separation of God and state  Historically, prayer and religious exercises were encouraged in every facet of government. Court witnesses were asked to put their hands on a Bible and swear they were telling the whole truth. Most every public meeting began in prayer, and the 10 commandments hung prominently in public places. 

All 50 states acknowledged God in the preamble to their state constitutions. The vast majority of stores were closed on Sundays, because people went to church and then often visited friends and relatives afterwards.  It was considered the biblical "day of rest".

175 Illegals Released to Sponsors in Cook, Lake, DuPage Counties

By Ulysses Arn - 

New county-by-county information released by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement shows that 175 "unaccompanied minors", aka illegal immigrants, have been released to the custody of a sponsor in Illinois, all of which are in the Chicagoland area in the first six months of this year.

• Cook county received 52 illegals.
• Lake county received 56 illegals.
• DuPage county received 67 illegals.

You can read the full nationwide breakdown here.

Those 175 illegal immigrants represent less than half of the total "unaccompanied minors" HHS has released to a sponsor (parent, relative, or family friend) in Illinois, as of July 31st that was 377 illegals.

WSJ says Rauner would face Christie-like challenges with Democratic majority

Gov. Christie in Chicago promoting GOP candidate Bruce Rauner| Photo source

CHICAGO - Saturday, the Wall Street Journal refers to Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner's challenge of Democrat Incumbent Pat Quinn as a race to watch this fall. Rauner's situation is similar to the one New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has survived with a Democratic majority in the legislature.

However, the WSJ lauds Rauner's specific economic plan and says the plan is smart. After describing Illinois' dire financial situation, the WSJ spells out Rauner's plans, and then says Rauner's toughest task, as with Christie, will be convincing the Democrat majority to go along with his ideas. The good thing is, they say, Rauner has a plan.

... [Bruce Rauner] wants to phase out Mr. Quinn's tax hikes over the next four years, freeze property taxes and broaden the sales tax base. Illinois property taxes are the second highest in the country due to soaring government union costs. Freezing property taxes with no exceptions save for a voter override would force discipline in local governments and school districts.

As for the income tax, Mr. Rauner would cut the state's flat-tax rate to 3.75% in 2015, then reduce it to 3% by the end of his term. We'd prefer one big bang, which would have the best impact on the economy, but at least people would know the trend is down.

New York couple, fined $13,000 for not hosting gay weddings, closes venue

Cynthia and Robert Gifford were fined $13,000 for holding to their Christian beliefs

NEW YORK - A New York couple fined $13,000 for choosing to hold to their religious convictions rather than host a lesbian wedding ceremony will no longer be hosting any weddings, they announced Friday. 

Cynthia and Robert Gifford said they would not go against their religious beliefs, so they would not schedule any further weddings in the future. ”Since the order essentially compelled them to do all ceremonies or none at all, they have chosen the latter in order to stay true to their religious convictions, even though it will likely hurt their business in the short run,” their Alliance Defending Freedom attorney James Trainor told The Blaze.

New Jersey couple Jennifer McCarthy and Melisa Erwin took the Giffords to court when they refused to host their 2012 wedding at Liberty Ridge Farm, where the Giffords host about a dozen weddings a year. While the Giffords offered to hold the reception, but not the actual ceremony, a court ruled in favor of McCarthy and Erwin, and fined the Giffords $13,000.

Earlier this year, an Illinois lesbian couple filed a complaint with the state's Human Right Commission on Christian businessman Jim Walder of Paxton, Illinois. Walder, who owns the TimberCreek Bed & Breakfast, said he would not host same-sex weddings based on his religious objections to same-sex marriage.  The commission has yet to issue a judgment on the complaint.

Coalition Hopeful Hydraulic Fracturing is One Step Closer in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - The pro-fracking "Growing Resources and Opportunity for the Workforce" (GROW-IL) coaltion put out a press release today celebrating that the is Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) finally promulgated rules to implement the Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act that was signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn last June.

Fracking has been delayed for more than a year in Illinois because the necessary rules had not been implemented by the Quinn administration. Today, those rules were turned over to the Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) to review and take action.

"We appreciate IDNR and their detailed work and hope that the rules match the hydraulic fracturing law that was passed and negotiated very carefully," said Mark Denzler, vice president and COO of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association and a co-chair of GROW-IL. "Illinois' fracturing law has the toughest regulations in the nation, and it is supported by environmental organizations, the business community and agricultural interests."

According to a study by Illinois State University professor Dr. David Loomis, the New Albany shale formation covering a substantial portion of southern Illinois could potentially have a $9.5 billion economic impact in our state and produce up to 47,000 jobs annually.

Durbin says Obama should bypass Congress on immigration

Photo: WBEZ

CHICAGO - With mid-term elections looming, Illinois' U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin joined his left-wing colleague Congressman Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL), in calling on President Obama to act through executive order on immigration.

Voicing traditional liberal bromides, Durbin said: “Voices of hatred, voices of division, voices that tell us we should not embrace the diversity of this country, that we shouldn’t show the sense of caring and compassion for those less fortunate that come to our shores and borders. We’re being tested again, and I know we can pass that test.”

Durbin's opponent, Jim Oberweis, argues the U.S. needs to secure its borders and then implement a guest worker program in which non-American workers can "easily, safely and legally" move back and forth across the border in order to provide cost-efficient labor without citizenship, or while in the process of acquiring citizenship.

"Unfortunately, Sen. Durbin prefers to demonize people and keep the status quo alive. He is using immigrants – both legal and illegal – as pawns for his political games. That is just wrong – even immoral. I want to find a solution. We should not use people to play political games," says Oberweis.

Lt. Colonel Allen West endorses Colonel Larry Kaifesh for U.S. Congress [video]

C. Steven Tucker recorded Lieutenant Colonel Allen West endorsing Colonel Larry Kaifesh for U.S. Congress.

FBI National Domestic Threat Assessment Omits Islamist Terrorism

Internal labels white supremacists, militias, pro-life advocates main domestic extremists

The FBI’s most recent national threat assessment for domestic terrorism makes no reference to Islamist terror threats, despite last year’s Boston Marathon bombing and the 2009 Fort Hood shooting—both carried out by radical Muslim Americans.

Instead, the internal FBI intelligence report concluded in its 2013 assessment published this month that the threat to U.S. internal security from extremists is limited to attacks and activities by eight types of domestic extremist movements—none motivated by radical Islam.

They include anti-government militia groups and white supremacy extremists, along with “sovereign citizen” nationalists, and anarchists. Other domestic threat groups outlined by the FBI assessment include violent animal rights and environmentalist extremists, black separatists, anti- and pro-abortion activists, and Puerto Rican nationalists. ...More HERE

Where's Weyermuller? On a Ten Million Dollar Safe Passage Route

By Mark Weyermuller - 

This week the Chicago Tribune and other media sources are reporting the government is "investing" ten million dollars in The Chicago Safe Passage Program.

According to WGN news, the Safe Passage program was started in 2009 to address concerns about student safety while traveling to and from school through potentially dangerous gang territories.

The governor and the mayor are calling  this an "investment" while I would call it SPENDING. Typically an investment will yield a higher return over time so the ten million might be 11 million in a few years. It is similar to our Illinois pension program, no wait, that's a bad example. Investing money may be placing it in a savings account (maintaining the principle and accumulating interest) not spending it on a new pair of shoes.

Illinois Libertarians file complaint against State's Republican Party

(L-R): Libertarian candidates Sharon Hansen, Julie Fox, Chad Grimm, Alex Cummings

CHICAGO - It is being reported that the Libertarian Party of Illinois has lodged complaints with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez over supposed intimidation tactics the Illinois Republican Party employed in an attempt to prevent the Libertarian’s slate of statewide candidates from appearing on the November ballot.

“The Illinois Republican Party’s actions, by hiring a private investigation firm such as Morrison Security Corporation to engage in deceptive and coercive tactics against the Libertarian Party’s petition gatherers and signers, are beyond outrageous,” said Ben Koyl, Libertarian Party candidate for Illinois Attorney General. “The actions by the Republicans are calculated to deprive registered voters of Illinois of their right to free and open elections. These coercive and deceptive tactics have a chilling effect in that they discourage people from signing petitions and are in violation not only of Illinois election law, but also of our First Amendment rights,” added Koyl.

Illinois Review and others have reported on this story, which was first broke by the Sun-Times.

See:
What You May Not Know About Illegal Election Activities That's Not So Funny
Illinois Petition Politics: Signatures, Courts, and Armed Investigators
--------------------

GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner responded to questions about the reports, saying he was “outraged” and “appalled” by the behavior, and that it had nothing to do with himself or his campaign. Video below:

‘Significant increase’ in terror chatter following online threat to Chicago

CHICAGO - Last week we reported on an ISIS threat to Chicago that came in the form of a twitter message with an image of a Chicago landmark building (above). The message read: “soldiers of the Islamic state of Iraq and Syria will pass from here soon.”

Other tweets read: “we are in your state/ we are in your cities / we are in your streets. You are our goals anywhere.”

At the same time, Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe told reporters: “They're [ISIS] crazy out there and they're rapidly developing a method of blowing up a major U.S. city and people just can't believe that's happening.”

Today, it is reported that the U.S. intelligence community has observed a “significant increase” in chatter among terrorist organizations as the 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks nears.

“We’ve noticed a significant increase in chatter among Islamic terrorist organizations overseas both on the Internet and phone lines,” a U.S. government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Blaze.

While the intelligence community can not pinpoint whether or not an attack is planned, the official said that agencies “did see this kind of increase in chatter before the September 11 attacks.”

Thorner & O'Neil: Part 1 - Christian persecution beyond the Middle East

By Nancy Thorner & Bonnie O'Neil - 

Are Christians in America Under Attack? We know that Christians around the World are suffering and even being murdered simply because they profess to be Christians.  The result has prompted a Judo-Christian Culture that is at war with Islam. Jews and Christians know this important commandment: "Choose life”: Deuteronomy 30:19, because it pushes forward the narrative of growth, learning, and moral advancement. As Golda Meir once said, "Peace will come to the Middle East when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us.” Sadly, Muslims love death and submission to Islam more than they value life. As stated in the Koran 3:151:  "We will put terror into the hearts of the unbelievers."

Islam demands much of their followers. A new study by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life found that 64 nations -- about one-third of the countries in the world -- have high or very high restrictions on religion. Because most restrictive countries are also very populous, the percent of people under severe religious restrictions rises to 70 percent of the world's 6.8 billion people. Those people are often subjected to excessive restrictions, and live their lives intensely obedient to their religious beliefs and their leaders' commands. Christians living in Muslim countries face more than just restrictions. Professing their faith or failing to deny their God can result in a mandate to "convert or be killed" and/or being falsely accused of a crime which will cause a long and miserable imprisonment. It is there where you will most likely be regularly beaten by guards and Muslim prisoners who do not tolerate any religion but their own.

A Muslim convert to Christianity is victimized

Quinn, Emanuel announce $10M in taxpayer money for CPS’ Safe Passage program

CHICAGO - According to Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the state of Illinois is adding $10 million to the Chicago Public Schools’ Safe Passage anti-violence program.

The additional tax dollars, announced Thursday as the election heat up, will add 27 schools and new routes for 93 schools that currently have adult monitors along designated routes to school. The new funds come on top of the $1 million in additional dollars allocated by Mayor Rahm Emanuel last month to include 13 more schools in the anti-violence program.

That means altogether 40 schools will be added this school year to the list of those getting manned Safe Passage routes.

Read more

Teamsters vow to fight IDOT lawyoffs

SPRINGFIELD - Lawyers representing 55 IDOT government workers who were laid off last week say the employees should be able to continue working for the agency in their staff assistant positions.

The State Journal-Register reports the employees are members of the Teamsters union. Their positions were criticized by a state inspector general's report and are at the crux of a federal lawsuit alleging illegal hiring at the agency.

IDOT officials said the dismissals were designed to boost accountability. But the inspector general's report released on Friday found anti-patronage rules were ignored in hiring. The federal lawsuit seeks an investigation into IDOT and an independent monitor to oversee employment practices.

Attorney Carl Draper says the employees shouldn't be punished for being hired.

Stantis: Burger King

Fracking industry donates to Rauner as Quinn, Dems delay rules and jobs

SPRINGFIELD - Frustrated with the slow process of approving fracking rules, job producing oil and drilling companies are putting their money behind Republican candidate for governor Bruce Rauner.

The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises reports that Rauner received nearly $240,000 from the fracking industry, which is looking to get the process up and running.

The news comes as the state Department of Natural Resources is expected to finally submit proposed fracking rules to the Illinois Legislature's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules Friday.

The government agency has come under increasing criticism from southern Illinoisans who had hoped that drilling could begin this summer. But bureaucrats and left-wing environmental organizations ginned up controversy about a draft of the proposed rules released last year. As a result, the Department of Natural Resources has spent months sorting through more than 30,000 comments.

The panel has 45 days to approve the suggested rules, reject or change them. The department faces a November 15 deadline for the rules to be established.

State Sen. Sue Rezin Blast Quinn-Madigan Fiscal Irresponsibility [video]

By Ulysses Arn - 

Tuesday evening state Senator Sue Rezin spoke at the LaSalle County Tea Party candidate forum and blasted Gov. Pat Quinn and Speaker Michael Madigan over their fiscal irresponsibility.

Netflix vs. Healthcare.gov

What could possibly have motivated the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to refuse to release even a single document about the healthcare.gov site’s security in response to a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by the Associated Press? The AP announced that its request had been refused last week and, by way of explanation, cited a statement from CMS spokesman Aaron Albright that “releasing this information would potentially cause an unwarranted risk to consumers’ private information.” It’s hard to imagine that any documents the agency could have released would have generated more doubts about the site’s security than those remarks. The best way to protect the site—and its users—would be to stop defending it against legitimate questions and release some of the requested information.

There’s an episode of The West Wing in which staffer Josh Lyman sarcastically tells the White House press corps that the president has a secret plan to fight inflation. Suddenly, that’s the only thing any of the reporters want to talk about. Just replace “secret plan to fight inflation” with “secret plan to fight online intruders,” and it’s the same thing. Is there any surer way to generate a lot of interest in the security of healthcare.gov than to shroud it in secrecy?

Read more

Exports growing in Illinois’ high-tech sectors

The volume of goods and services exports is an important indicator of connectivity with global markets and, more broadly, national and local economic health. Last August, the Index highlighted how goods exports in Illinois outpaced average national growth from 2002 to 2012.

This issue of the Index focuses on state-level export data from 2009 to 2013 to understand how Illinois has performed post-recession. Since 2009, goods exports have increased 58.8 percent, from $41.6 billion that year to $66.1 billion in 2013; this growth outpaced the national average of 49.6 percent over the same period.

Read more

Allen West in town to raise funds for GOP 8th CD candidate Larry Kaifesh

SCHAUMBURG - Conservative pundit former Congressman Allen West was in Schaumburg Thursday to raise funds for Republican challenger Larry Kaifesh and Democrat Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth's (8-IL) camp noticed it.  She's using his visit to raise funds for herself. 

"Former Tea Party Congressman Allen West is back," an email to supporters said Thursday afternoon. "He’s in Illinois today, hosting a big VIP fundraiser for my opponent—one of just 14 'hand-picked' candidates who West is endorsing to bring their shared “conservative values” back to Congress."

Duckworth says she's set a goal of raising $5,000 by the end of August to help counter some of what Allen West is raising for her opponent. 

During an exclusive interview with Colonel West and Kaifesh, Kaifesh told Illinois Review Thursday afternoon that he hopes to raise substantial funds at an event with the Schaumburg GOP later tonight, but that his campaign is about getting the GOP base to the polls, and appealing to the 8th District independents. 

"People that I talk to ask me who I'm running against, and when I tell them, they say, 'I'm not voting for her, she's done nothing to change things," Kaifesh said. "And they're also unhappy about how she's taken advantage of their sympathy and appreciation for her military duty and injury. They say they feel used."

Common sense steps to defend against cybercrime

CHICAGO - Last year, Target, Neiman Marcus, Michaels Stores, eBay and Sony reported data breaches that affected millions of credit and debit card customers. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security revealed that over 1,000 other businesses, affecting potentially millions more.

“Unfortunately, it is not a matter of if but when you will become a victim of some sort of cybercrime,” Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said in a press release this week. “Taking commonsense precautions and making them routine can greatly reduce the threat and any damage done by a data breach.”

Illinois law requires affected companies to promptly notify customers that their personal data has been compromised in a data breach. Businesses with Illinois customers should check with their IT professionals to check their point of sale systems for the types of malware that the Department of Homeland Security says have been discovered. In addition, businesses should:

What you may not know about illegal election activities that's not so funny

SPRINGFIELD - You've heard those jokes about Illinois corruption, haven't you?

"Shocking news out of Illinois today. Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges, including the allegation that he was selling Barack Obama's vacant senate seat. Now, I personally am surprised Obama even needed a seat. I thought he just levitated." -- Stephen Colbert

"But you know what he was doing? Because Barack Obama is the President-elect who used to be one of the senators from Illinois, Blagojevich has got to appoint a senator. So he was calling up people, saying, 'Would you like to be a senator. Well, what's it worth to you?' Well, I just hope to God this doesn't tarnish the fine reputation of Illinois politics." -- David Letterman 

Illinois is often the brunt of late night show jokes about political corruption, voter fraud, election stealing and candidate hustling. But little known by volunteers involved in Illinois elections is the list of specific activities that the Illinois Election Code prohibits, many of which are punishable as Class 4 felonies.

Class 4 felonies are punishable by one to three years imprisonment with fines up to $25,000. Few Class 4 felons serve time in prison due to suspended prison sentences or probation. 

But there are other prices to pay for being convicted of a Class 4 felony. Among other restrictions, a person convicted of a felony in Illinois may not be able to get a job with the state. He or she is also banned from obtaining a FOID card, which could jeopardize the careers of anyone in law enforcement - including security guards, private investigators or police.

Illinois election prohibitions considered Class 4 felonies include:

Rhoads: Polls point to GOP Majority in U.S. Senate

By Mark Rhoads - 

With two months still to go before Election Day, more and more poll models are pointing to a better than even chance that Republicans will pck up enough seats to win the majority in the U.S. Senate. Since Democratic donors can also read the polls, senior Democratic strategists and their allies in the news media are now working overtime to invent positive spin stories that might slow down the pessimistic momntum facing Democratic activists and donors.

Oberweis will attempt to bypass Quinn with veto override

SPRINGFIELD – It's the fault of drivers already speeding that the speed limit on tollways won't be raised to 70 MPH, Governor Pat Quinn hinted Wednesday. 

But State Senator Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) said Wednesday he is going to try to bypass the governor in the override lane. 

Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed Oberweis’ Senate Bill 2015, citing evidence that tollway drivers already exceed the speed limit in many cases, which can lead to serious accidents.

“The Governor says he vetoed my legislation because data shows that drivers on the tollways are already exceeding the speed limits – which is the same argument opponents used for our original law that now allows the 70 mph limit on other Illinois highways,” Oberweis said. “It is an argument we have already addressed in the original law. Those who exceed the 70 mph limit now face tougher penalties.”

Where's Weyermuller? Having it his way at Burger King

By Mark Weyermuller - 

When somebody tells me not to do something, I want to do it. That is the case today. I'm enjoying lunch at Burger King at the new Wal-Mart Super Store on Touhy in Skokie, Illinois.

Some liberal activists and politicians are calling for a boycott of this fast food chain after they announced they're considering relocating their corporate offices to Canada, possibility because of lower corporate taxes.

The same thing just happened to Walgreens, when similar calls of boycott and government threats, especially from U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.

I'm supporting the burger chain by purchasing a Whopper at a Burger King located in a Wal-Mart just one block from the Chicago city limits.

Ride-sharing may be forced to steer around insurance company roadblocks

Ride sharing has developed into a heated debate in the Illinois General Assembly

CHICAGO - Insurance companies are urging the Illinois General Assembly to override Governor Quinn's veto of the so-called "Uber bill" because as the law stands now, there's a perceived gap in insurance coverage between the time when a ride sharing program's commercial insurance policy is in effect and when their drivers' personal auto policy takes over. 

Quinn vetoed two bill affecting the ridesharing programs. One, HB 5331, would have required rideshare dispatchers to “carry commercial liability insurance in the amount of $350,000 combined single limit per accident.”

The other, HB 4075, would have provided that the private passenger auto “insurer of a motor vehicle used in a commercial ridesharing arrangement may deny coverage during the time the vehicle is made available for dispatch or used in a commercial ridesharing arrangement.” It also would have required that commercial rideshare drivers and vehicle owners be made aware of that provision.

According to the Associated Press, the measures’ sponsors are considering possible override votes.

Chicago area resort to host "Biggest Loser"

BLOOMINGDALE - People that want to lose a lot of weight will be able to do so in a first class luxury setting just west of Chicago in DuPage County's Bloomingdale, starting September 6th.

"Biggest Loser Chicago," will open at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort & Spa about 28 miles west of Chicago. It will feature fitness and eating programs following the popular TV show''s regiment.

Schock visits India to promote U.S. humanitarian efforts

DELHI, INDIA - On August break, Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock and representatives of the Global Poverty Project in New York visited with USAID/India representatives, who led a tour of sanitation improvements in a Delhi slum settlement Tuesday. The location is one of 200 slum settlements throughout India being supported by Health of the Urban Poor activities that provide water and sanitation improvement and awareness at Chanakyapuri. More at US Aid/India's Facebook Page

Illinois Forum celebrates 25 years banding together freedom lovers

Joe Walsh keynoted Illinois Forum's 25-year celebration Saturday in Champaign

By Nancy Thorner - 

The Illinois Forum celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a banquet on Saturday, August 23rd, at the Round Barn Banquet Center in Champaign, Illinois. The Illinois Forum was founded by Robert S. Redfern and U.S. Congressman Dan Crane in 1989 as a statewide grassroots coalition of nonpartisan political activists.  Since 1989 Illinois Forum has become one of the largest citizen groups in the state working to promote a smaller state government, to restrain spending, and to encourage tax cuts.

Redfern continues to serve as Chairman of Illinois Forum, with Daniel Crane as its Board Chairman. Additionally there is a Board of Governors consisting of 19 additional individuals from various parts of Illinois. The Hon. Phil Crane (Wauconda) is a member of the Board of Governors.  Heading the the list of eleven pledges cited in the Illinois Forum Pledge for Better Government is "Term limits for Illinois constitutional offices."  

Quinn signs law allowing study of industrial hemp

CHICAGO - Democrat Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a law allowing universities and the Illinois Department of Agriculture to study industrial hemp, which comes from the same marijuana plant that is smoked.

The law says an institution of higher education or the state's Agriculture Department can study the growth, cultivation and marketing of hemp. Those wanting to participate have to notify the state and local law enforcement and provide reports to the state.

The state approved a plan legalizing medical marijuana last year.

Pot Business Owners Donate Money to Politicians

U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter | Photo: AP

By Arthur Kane - 

It’s probably unusual for political contributors to thank a candidate for taking their money, but that’s what Mike Elliott, executive director for the Marijuana Industry Group, did at a pot-industry fundraiser for Rep. Ed Perlmutter last month.

“We really appreciate the fact we can come here and show you how much we appreciate you showing up and talking about it and giving you donations,” Elliott told Perlmutter (D-CO), and a group of about 50 marijuana business owners. “We want to do what every other industry does and, as time goes by, the fear of the unknown is going away and more people are going to be following your footsteps.”

As Elliott spoke, organizers were collecting envelopes filled with contribution checks.

Perlmutter was there to talk about his legislation that would allow the industry to deposit pot proceeds, which are legal under Colorado law but still raise money laundering concerns with banks because marijuana remains illegal under federal law.

Study: ‘Cash for Clunkers’ Reduced Spending

By Tom Gantert - 

The Obama administration has hailed the“cash-for-clunkers” stimulus program for its part in the automobile industry recovery.

But a recent study is putting the program that ended in 2009 back in the news and highlighting its alleged failures.

Economists from Texas A&M University evaluated the stimulus program and found it cost the automobile industry billions of dollars. The study -– "Cash for Corollas: When Stimulus Reduces Spending" -- highlighted how the environmental objectives of the program interfered with the stimulus objectives.

Short Boost, Then Decline

The study found the increase in sales for the two-month program was completely offset by lower sales during the next seven to nine months. Furthermore, the fuel-efficiency restrictions on the types of vehicles that qualified for trade-in under the program reduced industry revenue by $3 billion over the 9-to-11 month period.

Economic activism: What happens when your money becomes theirs

By Irene F. Starkehaus - 

The conundrum that conservatives face when putting aside politics in the pursuit of capitalism is that capitalism no longer puts aside its politics in pursuit of you and me. Conservatives now find ourselves at a distinct political disadvantage because we are using a 1980s model of consumerism which believes that an iced cappuccino is a cool, tasty treat on a warm summer's day rather than the method by which progressivism expands to reduce your children's ability to indulge in the same cool, tasty treat in the decades to come.

As much as I personally would like Ronald Reagan's methodology for growing the economic pie (so that more people can live in freedom) to last forever, the era is…if not precisely over, then at least on extended hiatus as crony capitalists throw in with Leftists and initiate their self-destruct sequence in pursuit of materialism as it is actually defined.

There are a lot of arguments against politicizing one's purchasing power – not the smallest of which is that it's kind of narcissistic and perhaps mildly fascist - although why the individual right to not buy a product for whatever reason might be construed as fascist is well beyond my understanding. I must have skipped that day in Econ 101 because I see this form of choice as the epitome of free speech. See more about this in an article entitled: Being an Overly Political Jagweed? There's an App for That! By Troy Senik on Ricochet. (Senik is a former speech writer for George W. Bush and a current senior editor for Ricochet.)

The basic argument against politically-motivated spending behaviors is that one should make purchases based on quality and affordability benchmarking rather than on abstract corporate dogmas regarding global warming. We are instructed by Senik (as a for instance) that boycotting a product for political reasons is:

American ISIS terrorist killed in Syria was born in Illinois

Born in Illinois in 1981, Douglas McArthur McCain died as an ISIS jihadist in Syria this weekend

SYRIA - The State Department has confirmed that three foreign jihadists, fighting for ISIS, were killed in Syria over the weekend. One of them was 33 year old Douglas McArthur McCain, who was born in Illinois. At the time of his death, he had in his pocket $800 and an American passport, NBC News reports.

"The threat we are most concerned about to the homeland is that of fighters like this returning to the U.S. and committing acts of terrorism," a senior administration official told NBC News.

Born in Illinois on Jan. 29, 1981, McCain's family later moved to Minnesota's Twin Cities area where he attended Robbinsdale Cooper High School in New Hope as part of the class of 1999.

Senior administration officials told NBC News they were aware that McCain was killed in Syria, adding that they believe dozens of Americans have gone there to fight with extremist groups - including, but not limited to, ISIS.

More HERE

Illinois Democrat Leader Says Republicans Would Hire ISIS Terrorists

By Warner Todd Huston - 

Last weekend Illinois GOP candidate for Governor Bruce Rauner took the ALS “ice bucket challenge.” When he did he urged Illinois Democrat leaders to join him in the challenge. In reply, the state’s Democrat House leader outrageously found a way to link the charitable challenge to a claim that Republicans are like the ISIS terrorists in Iraq!

Instead of picking a long-time politician, Republican voters in the Land of Lincoln chose businessman Rauner as their candidate for Governor and he has been quite a different kind of candidate. I suppose he felt that the ALS challenge was a feels good way to lighten politics up a bit in Illinois–a place where calling politics a “blood sport” is an understatement.

Well, to show that even charities aren’t beyond being used for mean spirited political jabs, the office of Democrat House Speaker Michael Madiagn responded to the ALS challenge by claiming that Rauner would like to hire ISIS terrorists for his campaign.

When contacted about the challenge, Madigan’s spokesman said that he is not worried about charities but is “More worried about the challenge of his armed ballot security rentals…what’s next, does he rent ISIL?”

More HERE

Illinois UFO sighting resembled Star Wars ship, Waltonville witness claims

WALTONVILLE, IL - In the category of "Believe it or Not," Monday night in the skies above Waltonville, Illinois, a local resident swears he saw an unidentified flying object that reminded him of the giant ships in the Star Wars movie. His sighting is Case 59230 from the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON).

The witness, who is also unidentified in the report, said he was fishing with friends when he noticed the UFO “just cruising along at a very high altitude,” OpenMinds.com reports. The witness submitted a computerized drawing with his testimony. (See above)

“This thing had to be at least a half mile long or longer,” the witness told MUFON. “It wasn’t lit up bright. It had a slight glow to it. Nothing fancy.”

Andrzejewski: How Quinn Pumps his Friends Pensions

By Adam Andrzejewski - 

“In Illinois, lawmakers who move to lucrative state jobs can apply the higher salary to their legislative pension, which pays richer benefits than pensions for state workers. In July, Democratic former House member Gary Hannig began collecting a $123,057 legislative pension, even though his legislative salary was $86,902 when he left office in 2009. His pension, however, is based on his $150,228 salary as state Transportation director after leaving the Legislature.”  – USA TODAY 9/22/11       

Gary Hannig served as Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secretary from March 2009 to June 2011 earning nearly $150,000 per year. On August 22, 2014, the Governor’s Office of Executive Inspector General (“OEIG”) released OEIG Case #11-01567 that revealed the following:

ERA passage could undermine new Illinois pregnant mom law

On "Women's Equality Day," Governor Quinn signed pregnant moms bill into law

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn agreed with the Illinois General Assembly Tuesday, "Women's Equality Day" that pregnant women should be allowed special treatment while on the job.

The governor signed into law State Rep. Mark Flowers (D-Chicago) and Senator Toi Hutchison's (D-Chicago Heights) HB 8, which requires employers to set limits on heavy lifting and provide assistance in manual labor; provide access to places to sit, more frequent bathroom breaks, time off to recover from childbirth and break space for breast-feeding.

“Women should not have to choose between being a mother and having a job,” Governor Quinn said. “This new law will provide important protections and accommodations for working mothers-to-be so that they can continue to provide for their family without risking their health or the health of their child. These common-sense accommodations will provide peace of mind, safety and opportunity for moms-to-be and also help strengthen our workforce across the state.”

Busted: Congressman Schneider disses coal/oil while pocketing industry profits

CHICAGO - Congressman Brad Schneider is a green energy hypocrite. At least that's the claim the Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF) made at a "Green Energy Summit" last Saturday. According to the Fund, Schneider called for investments in renewable energy sources, while the Schneider family invests in oil, gas and coal:

• Up to $15K in Hornbeck Offshore Services (Oilfield and Offshore)
• Up to $15K in Tetra Technologies (Oil and Gas Services)
• Up to $250K in Exxon Mobil
• Up to $15K sold in Tesoro Corp (Largest U.S. Independent Oil Refiners)
• Up to $15K sold in Peabody Energy (Largest Private-Sector Coal Company)
• Up to $15K sold in Arch Coal (Large Coal Producers/Marketers)

And that’s just the beginning, CLF says. His 2013 and 2014 financial disclosure reports show even more examples. And until his wife sold their shares, the Schneider even profited from the Koch brothers’ Georgia-Pacific LLC.

"Brad Schneider’s real definition of 'green' energy is the money he lines his pockets with from the coal, oil and gas resources he disparages," Emily Davis of CLF said. "When he can’t get away with hiding his financial information, Brad Schneider’s hypocrisy becomes clear. Between his hypocritical rhetoric and hollow record in Congress, it’s no wonder only 28% of Brad Schneider’s constituents approve of his job performance."

Video from Saturday's summit below: 

Malkin headlines Heartland Institute dinner. IR readers get 20% discount.

CHICAGO - Conservative commentator Michelle Malkin will be headlining The Heartland Institute's 30th Anniversary Dinner on September 12th. And Illinois Review readers get a 20% discount. 

Click on the Heartland Dinner ad on the sidebar and get your tickets online. Use the Illinois Review code word "LIBERTY" to get the 20 percent discount.

(Paid advertisement)

Illinois gubernatorial campaigns go high-tech with digital swat teams

CHICAGO - The Quinn and Rauner gubernatorial campaigns are investing heavily in digital communications this election cycle.

Democrat Pat Quinn has hired Christopher Hass as its digital director. Hass worked on Obama's re-election and Organizing for Action, and is in charge of a nine-person digital team for the Quinn campaign.

Illinois Review is told the Rauner campaign has also invested in digital campaigning. Although the Republican team is slightly smaller in head-count. 

The Rauner vs. Quinn campaign is expected to be one of the most expensive and competitive gubernatorial races in the country.

Obama Proposal Would Authorize Some Americans to Secede

Photo: Newscom

WASHINGTON DC - In its latest assault on the U.S. Constitution, the Obama administration is proposing to recognize so-called “Native” Hawaiians as an Indian tribe entitled to separate and become an independent sovereign and to “reestablish” a “government-to-government relationship between the United State and the Native Hawaiian community.”

Such an unconstitutional action would amount to authorizing secession for certain residents of Hawaii.

It would also implicitly authorize government-sanctioned, discriminatory conduct against any other residents who don’t meet the explicit ancestry and blood-quantum requirements to be considered a “Native.” This would balkanize Hawaii, dividing the islands into separate racial and ethnic enclaves, and undo “the political bargain through which Hawaii secured its admission into the Union.” ...More HERE