Illinois Review

New Poll deems Illinois "Safe Democrat" in U.S. Senate race

NEW JERSEY - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is likely to be re-elected November 4th with a 51% to 37% lead over State Senator Jim Oberweis, a new Rasmussen poll said Monday, putting Illinois in the "Safe Democrat" column. Durbin's numbers show he's remained steady since just after the March primary, when Rasmussen first polled the race. 

Rasmussen Poll: Quinn ahead of Rauner by 2 points

NEW JERSEY - Incumbent Democrat Pat Quinn has edged ahead for the first time this year in Illinois’ gubernatorial race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Illinois Voters finds Quinn with 44% support to Republican challenger Bruce Rauner’s 42%. Six percent (6%) like some other candidate, and eight percent (8%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

In April, Rasmussen had GOP gubernatorial challenger Bruce Rauner ahead 43% to 40%. 

CDC confirms first Ebola case diagnosed in US

The United States has its first confirmed case of the Ebola virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday, marking the first domestic appearance of the deadly virus that has ravaged swaths of continental Africa.

In early September, four U.S. aid workers treating the outbreak in Africa were diagnosed there, and transported back to the U.S. for treatment after falling ill. This case, however, is the first known in which a citizen fell ill and was diagnosed domestically.

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas officials said in a statement earlier Monday that an unnamed patient was being tested for Ebola and had been placed in "strict isolation" due to the patient's symptoms and recent travel history.

The CDC will host a press conference at its Atlanta headquarters at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Court orders taxpayers to foot the bill for Illinois government workers' backpay

CHICAGO - In a decision issued Tuesday, a panel of Illinois appellate court judges ruled that state employees are owed the wages spelled out in their union contract with state government, and that the legislature's failure to appropriate sufficient funds cannot erase the state’s obligation to pay.

"Today's decision is a win for working men and women who serve all the people of Illinois, caring for the disabled, keeping prisons safe, maintaining our state parks and much more," AFSCME Council 31 executive director Roberta Lynch said. "Moreover, it's a victory for a principle of simple fairness for all workers: A contract is a contract, it means what it says, and no employer—not state government or anyone else—can unilaterally withhold wages owed."

The appellate court agreed with an independent arbitrator and a circuit court judge that the state's failure to pay the wages was a violation of the union contract with AFSCME Local 31, and that the wages were owed. The judges rejected an appeal by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who sought to vacate the arbitrator's award, and instead accepted AFSCME’s cross appeal that the monies must be paid in full.

The appellate court now remands the case to circuit court with instructions to confirm the arbitrator's award.

Schimpf calls on AG Madigan to put more emphasis on fighting corruption

ROCKFORD, IL - Fresh off a one-on-one debate in front of the Chicago Tribune editorial board, Republican Attorney General candidate Paul Schimpf said that prioritizing anti-corruption will improve the economic outlook in Illinois.

"Illinois simply cannot afford to outsource this problem to the Department of Justice," Schimpf said. As Attorney General, my prioritization of anti-corruption efforts will reduce this burden on taxpayers and help get Illinois back on track."

Schimpf, who is challenging four-term Attorney General Lisa Madigan is releasing reasons why voters should "Elect a Marine, not a Madigan" November 4th.

He said at press conference in Rockford that the economic and fiscal situation in Illinois has its citizens leaving the state at an increasingly rapid rate and that in addition to a failing economy, Illinoisans are overtaxed.

According to a recent study, excessive corruption in Illinois costs each individual over $1300 per year, totaling $16.8 Billion in wasted tax dollars annually. 

Illinois simply cannot afford to outsource this problem to the Department of Justice. As Attorney General, my prioritization of anti-corruption efforts will reduce this burden on taxpayers and help get Illinois back on track.

Chicago-based Mexican Consulate issues ID cards to Nationals via mobile office

APPLETON, WI (AP) – A mobile version of the Chicago-based Mexican Consulate issued passports and consular identification cards to hundreds of Mexican nationals at an Appleton church last week, Post-Crescent Media reported. About 800 people took advantage of the services at First English Lutheran Church from last Wednesday to Saturday, according to Alfredo Gomez Sepulveda, a coordinator of the consulate’s mobile program.

About once a month, the mobile office visits a Wisconsin city to renew Mexican passports and consular identification cards, saving thousands of people from having to take a trip to Chicago. The consulate has served more than 9,900 Mexican nationals so far in 2014 by offering services in Appleton, Beloit, Green Bay, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine and Waukesha, according to Sepulveda.

“It’s more than a three-hour trip to Chicago and the passport is the primary form of ID. So it’s a service that the Chicago consulate provides … to attend to Mexican nationals over here,” Sepulveda said.

The consulate also serves Mexican nationals living in northern Illinois and Indiana.

More HERE

Kinzinger on Obama ‘Underestimating’ ISIS: Wasn’t Bush ‘Excoriated’ for Missing bin Laden?

WASHINGTON DC - Questioned by Obama apologist Eugene Robinson, Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger told Morning Joe Tuesday that President Barack Obama’s claim that the U.S. “underestimated” ISIS should be viewed skeptically since the severity of the threat was clear by spring, and especially given how much grief former President George W. Bush got for not catching an intelligence briefing warning about Osama bin Laden.

“That’s a fair point,” Kinzinger said. “But I’m sure ISIS was not in his briefing just one day. My guess is this surfaced a lot. My guess is it probably got big enough, especially in this last spring, when his intelligence folks were coming to him personally and saying, ‘Mr. President, this is a huge growing problem’, and yet nothing was done.”

“Remember, President Bush — there was that one presidential daily brief where it said ‘Bin Laden determined to strike in the United States,’ and he was excoriated for that for a decade,” Kinzinger said.

New Schilling ad pokes fun at Bustos' failure to keep campaign promises

EAST MOLINE, IL - The Bobby Schilling for Congress campaign has released a new satirical ad featuring Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. In the ad, Bustos calls Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer in an effort to explain why she broke her campaign promise to give up ten percent of her pay. As she begins to stumble through her explanation, the line starts "breaking up" before Bustos quickly hangs up the phone.

Data divulges racial disparity in Chicago’s issuance of gun permits

Wealthier whites get 90 percent of licenses in Illinois

CHICAGO - Kelly Ridell of The Washington Times has written a piece on the racial disparities appearing as Illinois implements its new conceal carry law.

Ridell notes that "The majority of Illinois’ 73,714 active concealed carry licenses — 90 percent — have been issued to white people, demographic data shows. Only eight percent of African-Americans have secured licenses, according to the FOIA information." She goes on:

"Illinois residents say the disproportionate statistics all boil down to cost. Of right-to-carry states, Illinois has the highest registration and training fee, costing an applicant about $650 on average for fingerprinting, taxes and logistics — excluding the price of the gun (and Illinois' FOID - Firearms Owners Identification card)."

"Illinois also has the longest training requirements of right-to-carry states, requiring potential licensees to take a 16-hour course that includes range time. There are no gun ranges within the city of Chicago, and carrying an unlicensed gun on public transportation is a crime."

In addition, Ridell notes that "When Illinois became the final state to allow its citizens to apply for concealed carry, it applied a loophole that allows local law enforcement to deny permits for any reason. The Cook County Sheriff’s office has said it would like to object to as many concealed carry applicants as it can worry about."

More at The Washington Times | Video Below:

New Obama EPA regulations mean higher energy prices for Illinoisans

CHICAGO - As if checking accounts weren't tight enough already, Illinoisans face an 8 percent hike in their energy bills, thanks to the Obama Administration's EPA regulations.

Exelon Senior Vice President Kathleen Barron told the Illinois Commerce Commission rate hikes would be necessary to keep the state’s nuclear plants running to help meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greenhouse gas regulations for existing power plants. Chicago Business reports:

Kaifesh captures Illinois congressional endorsements

ROSELLE, IL – United States Marine Colonel Larry Kaifesh, the Republican Candidate for Illinois’ Eighth Congressional District, has landed the endorsement of members of the Republican Congressional delegation from Illinois, including Congressmen Peter Roskam, John Shimkus, Randy Hultgren, Adam Kinzinger, and Aaron Schock. He also announced the endorsement of Illinois State Senator Dan Duffy.

“Larry knows how to win big by winning in the neighborhoods, by being in the precincts, by talking to voters,” said Congressman Hultgren.

"Larry's distinguished military service career in both Iraq and Afghanistan and his deep roots in the district ensure he'll be ready on day one to fight for the issues Illinois families care about: good paying jobs, a stronger economy, and true healthcare reform that puts patients and their doctors in charge, not some government bureaucrat," said Congressman Peter Roskam. "Voters of the Eighth District should send Larry to Congress and send a clear message to Democrats in Springfield and Washington.  Failed Democrat policies don't work for the Eighth District.”

Central Illinois Republican Mayor featured in new Quinn campaign ad

WASHINGTON, IL - Gary Manier, the Republican Mayor of Washington, Illinois is featured in Democrat Gov. Pat Quinn's latest campaign ad.

"I can't imagine anyone else being in that seat during our devastation," says Manier. "When the city of Washington lost a staggering 1,108 homes to a tornado, Governor Quinn took action to help the community recover. Now Washington is stronger than ever."

State Senator Chris Nybo has new office up and running

SPRINGFIELD – The newly-appointed successor to former State Senator Kirk Dillard wants the people of the 24th district to know his office is open and running.

“My district office staff is experienced and available to answer any questions or help with any problems you may have,” said State Senator Chris Nybo (R-Elmhurst). “The public should feel free to stop in, or simply shoot us an email or phone call. Someone may just have some feedback on an issue—I’m glad to hear it! I take my responsibility as a Senator very seriously, and public input helps me tremendously.”

Ives and Connelly team up for forum on proposed changes to school funding

WHEATON, IL - State Representative Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) and Senator Michael Connelly (R-Wheaton) will partner on October 9 for a community forum about SB16, a controversial rewrite of the school funding formula, which opponents say will divert millions in General State Aid (GSA) dollars away from hundreds of Illinois school districts.

Ives and Connelly will be joined at the event by State Superintendent of Education Christopher Koch, Chief Financial Officer for the Illinois State Board of Education Robert Wolfe, and other Elementary & Secondary Education experts. Several State Representatives and Senators from affected districts will also be in attendance.

“I know that in DuPage County alone $140 million in General State Aid would be diverted away from the county and toward the Chicago Public Schools and downstate schools,” said Ives. “General State Aid money comes from the taxpayers of Illinois and this is an unfair reallocation of those dollars.”

SB16 passed in the Illinois Senate in May but was not called for a vote in the House of Representatives. However, House Democrats have been meeting throughout the summer and fall with education advocacy groups to determine how to best resurrect the bill. It is likely that a revised form of the bill will surface during the General Assembly’s November Veto Session.

Illinois won't reveal amount it spends on college tuition for government workers

By Scott Reeder - 

SPRINGFIELD – So how much of your dollars are being spent on providing free college educations for state workers?

We don’t know — and that should outrage you.

We know that in past budgets the state has spent $5 million on the program known as Upward Mobility.

But if you take a careful look at this year’s state budget you’ll find that the program has been “zeroed out” meaning that it appears the state is no longer spending a dime on the program.

But appearances can be deceptive, especially when it comes to Illinois state government.

Durbin caught lying about IRS contact at Chicago Tribune editorial board session

CHICAGO - According to the Oberweis campaign, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin was caught lying today at the Chicago Tribune editorial board session when asked about his role in the IRS scandal.

In a press release, Oberweis said Durbin was asked unequivocally whether he or his U.S. Senate staff had ANY contact with the IRS during the IRS scandal other than the well-publicized letter he wrote asking the IRS to target Crossroads GPS on Oct. 10, 2010.

Durbin responded that there was no other correspondence.

Oberweis then produced an email from a Durbin staffer to an IRS staffer two days after the Crossroads letter. The email was first revealed by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in its June 16, 2014 report titled, "How Politics Led the IRS to Target Conservative Tax-Exempt Applicants for the Political Beliefs."

"Dick Durbin flat-out lied to the Tribune editorial board. This is important because we don't know how deep Dick Durbin's role was in the IRS scandal that he himself characterized as reminiscent of the worst abuses of the Richard Nixon era," Oberweis said.

Oberweis called on Durbin to reveal all emails and correspondence he and his staff had with the IRS.

Durbin has refused to support a special prosecutor in the IRS scandal and is saying that only 2 of 100 people in Illinois care that the IRS illegally attempting to suppress Americans' political speech.

Below is the question Jim Oberweis asked Dick Durbin at today's Tribune session:

Conservative orgs say "no" to candidates who say "no" to Republican principles

Republican candidates who support abortion and same-sex marriage won’t be getting any love from pro-family groups in the upcoming election. CitizenLink, Family Research Council Action and the National Organization for Marriage have teamed up to urge voters not to support U.S. House candidates Carl DeMaio in California and Richard Tisei in Massachusetts as well as U.S. Senate candidate Monica Wehby in Oregon.

“The undersigned organizations… will mount a concerted effort to urge voters to refuse to cast ballots for them in the November election,” the groups wrote in a letter to Republican leaders. “While we acknowledge that a national party must accommodate varying points of view on matters of prudence, we also believe a party must stand for certain core principles that it expects its candidates to defend.”

Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council Action, said the party needs to stay true to its principles and platform.

“Some in the Republican elite have been pushing the GOP to abandon social issues, even though issues like marriage and life have been consistently embraced by the electorate,” he said. “In DeMaio, Tisei and Wehby, we have candidates who seem intent on alienating the Republican base by pushing on social issues in exactly the wrong direction.”

The letter was sent to House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and every GOP member of Congress.

“A clear majority of Republicans support traditional marriage and the sanctity of human life,” said Tom Minnery, president of CitizenLink. “We’re disappointed that the party’s candidates are running from these fundamental Republican principles.”

Read the full leter HERE

Governor Quinn Visits TMA

PARK RIDGE - Manufacturers are seeing a regional resurgence in activity, and both gubernatorial candidates are looking for opportunities to grow Illinois economy and develop training for the next generation - and for votes in the upcoming election.

Last month Republican Bruce Rauner visited the Technology & Manufacturing Association of Illinois (TMA) headquarters in Park Ridge, and last week, Governor Pat Quinn stopped by.

“We are very pleased to have Governor Quinn with us today,” stated TMA Chairman Brian Panek. “Believe it or not, he is the first sitting governor to visit our headquarters in the 89 year history of TMA.”

How to Solve America's Debt Problem [video]

Everyone complains about America's debt, and rightly so, but how do we get out of it? As Cato Institute's Michael Tanner explains, spending on entitlement programs -- Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid -- has exploded in recent decades. We must slow their growth or they will soon swallow the entire federal budget. In five minutes, learn how America can preserve these programs and get out of debt.

Sharpton Confronted Over FBI “Snitching” at the Congressional Black Caucus Confab

From RebelPundit -

WASHINGTON DC - Reverend Al Sharpton was confronted again about his relationship with the FBI, this time he was questioned by an attendee at last week’s Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference.

During his broadcast, Sharpton was asked by Johnny Woods of Detroit, MI, to clear the air over allegations that he (Sharpton) worked with the FBI against other black civil rights leaders.

Sharpton denied working against civil rights leaders, but defended his work with FBI, saying he will continue to do so:

No. I gave all I could to the FBI on the mob, on those that were exploiting us in the music industry….I do not believe that we are gangsters and thugs that should not work with law enforcement against criminals in our community.

I underscore, I tried to get the FBI to get the mob, which I should have done, and I will try to get them to get [Officer Darren] Wilson right now in Ferguson. And if that makes you an informant, than that’s what I’ll be.

Watch the full exchange HERE

Obama security allowed intruder farther into White House than previously admitted

WASHINGTON DC - Charged with protecting the United States against its enemies, the Obama Administration seems incapable of even protecting the White House.

The man who breached security at the White House this month overpowered a U.S. Secret Service officer and ran through much of the main floor, penetrating farther into the building than previously disclosed, the Washington Post reported on Monday, citing three people familiar with the incident.

“The Secret Service has no comment on that at this time due to the ongoing investigation,” Brian Leary, a spokesman for the agency, said of the Post story. A White House spokesman declined comment.

Reacting to the news of the security breakdown, one conservative observer responded: "The American diplomatic compound in Benghazi...the White House...what difference does it make?"

Chicago-based Federal Judge Envisions ‘Rape License’ for ‘Right to Rape’

By Matt Barber - 

Judge Richard Posner, a federal judge with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, recently become a hero to the pro-”gay marriage” left when, by way of a “legal analysis” free from the troublesome constraints of logic, case precedent, biology, tradition and reality in general, he managed to somehow divine a long-hidden constitutional “right” for two dudes to get “married.” “How can tradition be a reason for anything?” an incredulous Posner demanded last month of attorneys defending marriage protection amendments in both Wisconsin and Indiana.

It would seem that Posner’s contempt for tradition extends to all things sexual, up to and including the puritanical presupposition that it’s always wrong for a man to rape a woman. This idea, according to Posner in his 2011 book “Economic Analysis of the Law” (8th edition), is evidently an equally archaic tradition that, like the institution of natural marriage, needs a significant overhaul.

Posner’s suggestion? Perhaps it’s time the government begin issuing “rape licenses” (I kid you not) since, and based upon an exclusively utilitarian and morally relative cost-benefit analysis, the “right to rape,” for some men at least, “exceeds the victim’s physical and emotional pain.”

Chris Christie to keynote GOP lunch for Bost, Dold, Davis, Schilling, and Senger

CHICAGO - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will be keynoting an October 17 luncheon to help raise money for select GOP candidates, including: Mike Bost, Bob Dold, Rodney Davis, Bobby Schilling, and Darlene Senger.

The chairs of the luncheon, which is called "Winning One - Winning All", include Congressmen Rodney Davis, Randy Hultgren, Adam Kinzinger, Peter Roskam, Aaron Schock and John Shimkus, as well as U.S. Senator Mark Kirk and Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider.   

The luncheon will take place from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m. at the Union League Club of Chicago, with a ticket price of $1,000.

Hillary Clinton to stump for Pat Quinn

Pat Quinn with Hillary Clinton | AP Photo

CHICAGO - Is is being reported that Hillary Clinton is expected to campaign for Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported on Monday that Clinton, the former secretary of state and possible Democratic presidential frontrunner, is slated to stump for the Democratic governor on Oct. 8.

Clinton grew up in a Chicago suburb.

New Hampshire Senate candidate takes Mark Kirk position on GOP Platform

U.S. Senate Candidate Scott Brown to be in Chicago October 9

CONCORD, NH – Heather Clarke of Christian News is reporting that Scott Brown, the GOP U.S. Senate candidate for New Hampshire, has rejected his party’s adoption of a pro-life platform that expressed the personhood and subsequent right to life of unborn children.

Brown, a former Massachusetts senator who now resides in New Hampshire, is running against Democrat Jeanne Shaheen. Last weekend, the New Hampshire Republican Party adopted a platform outlining its belief in “the pre-born child’s fundamental right to life and personhood under the Fourteenth Amendment,” as well as its support for the “Life at Conception Act.”

Shaheen blasted Brown and the party for the language used in the platform, calling it “disturbing.” Brown joined his Democrat opponent in denouncing it.

Echoing a phrase Illinois' Mark Kirk used in his 2010 campaign for U.S. Senate, Brown told an audience at the University of New Hampshire School of Law: “I’m a pro-choice, independent Republican. [emphasis added] So I don’t agree with that particular part of the platform, however I have always felt that we are a big tent party, we have the opportunity to agree or disagree.”

Keith Mason of Personhood USA expressed classified Brown’s stance as “extreme opposition” to the state party platform.

“Can you imagine a Democratic Senate candidate doubling down on his unqualified hostility for the Democratic Party platform on such an important issue?” asked Mason. “There’s no way the Democratic party bosses would allow it to happen. This is a clarion call for the Republican Party to stand up to poseurs in its own party who undermine principles of human rights and dignity.”

“Scott Brown has staked out an extreme position on abortion that contradicts the conservative values of his electorate,” Mason continued. “I commend the New Hampshire Republican Party for following in the steps of President Reagan by taking this principled stand on the most important human rights issue facing our nation.”

Progressive gun control advocates blame homeschooling for public school shooting

By Matt Bowman - 

The gun control lobby has again demonstrated its disregard for victims of violence.

Last week its “Sandy Hook Advisory Commission” proposed that to stop mass shootings what we need is more strict regulation of homeschooling.

The shooters at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Columbine High School in Colorado, Virginia Tech, Tucson, Arizona, and at the movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, were all in their early 20s (or teens, in the case of Columbine). And all of them attended public schools.

Adam Lanza, the Sandy Hook shooter, attended 9th, 10th, and 11th grades at public Newton High School, through age 16. For his senior year, Lanza’s mother took him out of Newton High and he took courses at the public Western Connecticut State University (earning a 3.26). Then he got his GED.

It wasn’t until three years later, at age 20, when Lanza committed the Newton murders.

But to the insane gun control lobby, Lanza was “home-schooled,” and stopping gun violence requires increased regulations of homeschooling for “children with significant emotional, social or behavioral problems.”

Right. Home-schooling caused Sandy Hook, and government control of children will stop others. Government control of children worked so wonderfully for Eric Harris, Dylan Klebold, James Eagan Holmes, Seung-Hui Cho, Jared Lee Loughner, and Adam Lanza himself through 11th grade.

Government control keeps kids so safe in Chicago, that under Rahm Emanuel they stopped telling the public how many victims went to public schools.

More at Catholic Vote HERE

Conservative Elgin attorney dies in plane crash Sunday night

PLANO - Sunday night a single engine plane crashed in a Plano cornfield, and the 80 year old pilot, Elgin attorney John Juergensmeyer, was killed. He was alone in the plane.

"Illinois lost a strong pro-life conservative last night," said Macoupin County GOP Chairman Terri Koyne, whose family is close to the Jeurgensmeyer family. "He had been visiting his brother yesterday in southern Illinois, and his plane crashed on his way home. We will miss him."

Juergensmeyer, who had a law practice in Elgin, served as Chairman of the Illinois and Chicago Bar Association Local Government Law Committees. He has served as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois, and as both Assistant State's Attorney and Assistant Public Defender for Kane County, a biography listed with FindLaw.com reports.

New Quinn ad attempts to tie Rauner to failed HomeBanc. Rauner responds.

CHICAGO - The Quinn campaign released a new campaign video focused on the failure of HomeBanc Mortgage, which GOP candidate Bruce Rauner was part of:

The Rauner campaign responded Monday morning: 

"This is Pat Quinn's most desperate false attack yet and a reminder that Quinn will do or say anything to distract voters from his plan to raise taxes on every Illinois family right after the election. Pat Quinn's 67% income tax hike already cost us jobs and stole one week of pay from the average Illinois worker. Pat Quinn can't tell the truth about Bruce and he also can't wait to raise your taxes." - Rauner spokesperson Mike Schrimpf

False Quinn Ad Script: "After billionaire Bruce Rauner took millions out of Homebanc Mortgage, it went bankrupt. 1,100 employees lost their jobs. The CEO? He was given a $5 million bonus to tide him over. The 1,100 employees who lost their jobs? They got a $20 gift card. That's right, newspapers reported it. And while that may not say everything about Bruce Rauner, it says a lot."

QUINN LIE

"After billionaire Bruce Rauner took millions out of HomeBanc Mortgage, it went bankrupt."

Dold delves into social issues with new ad featuring ob-gyn sister

CHICAGO - In the northern suburbs, a heated contest between Congressman Brad Schneider and former Congressman Bob Dold has turned to social issues. A new ad put out by the Dold campaign features Dold's ob-gyn sister, who is expecting a baby in October. Dold's campaign is trying to keep the fact that he's a Republican out of the mix, and both candidates are opposed to abortion restrictions.

Dold spoke against defunding Planned Parenthood when he was in Congress, but Schneider grabbed Planned Parenthood's endorsement this year. Schneider is expected to make an issue of Planned Parenthood's support - and the ad with Dold's sister is said to be a pre-emptive strike as the two 10th CD candidates tussle over who's the most abortion-embracing - the assumed way to get suburban women's votes.

Lynn Sweet writes in the Sun-Times:

Schilling: How We Can Bring Back Jobs

By Bobby Schilling - 

I grew up on the west side of Rock Island in a working poor neighborhood. With no inherited wealth, Christie and I worked hard and watched our spending carefully. This allowed us to live the American Dream and raise our 10 children in a solid, middle class way of life.

I'm running for Congress precisely because of my concern about setbacks to this way of life.

Current unemployment is very sad and troubling. The reason the official rate has been dropping is because so many workers have given up looking for a job. According to the nonpartisan Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 92 million Americans have dropped out of the work force or stopped looking for work -- a record. Our labor force participation rate has now dropped to 62.8 percent -- a 36-year low.

The Arsenal is one of the largest employers in the Quad-cities region. That's why I fought hard to earn a seat on the House Armed Services Committee when I won election to Congress in 2010.

Illinois adds 18,000 video gambling machines in 2 years

CHICAGO - According to Jim Anderson of the Illinois Radio Network, Illinois’ video gambling business has grown from zero to 18,118 positions in just two years.

The industry came into being two years ago, and expanded rapidly with terminals turning up in bars, restaurants, truck stops and veterans’ halls. The next wave of growth, if there is to be one, will require cities that ban video gambling to un-ban it, says Michael Gelatka, president of the Illinois Gaming Machine Operators Association.

“As these towns come back online and opt in for the benefit of their local businesses, I think that you’re gonna see a huge amount of expansion that is possible, at least, with the number of licenses that are available in those towns,” he said.

Obama closes his "rough summer" in Chicago Wednesday and Thursday

CHICAGO - Saturday Night Live's skit poked fun at Barack Obama's low ratings saying "things are gonna get easier" because no Democrats in competitive races want him to campaign with them.

But that's not the case with Pat Quinn. The President's ratings are low in Illinois, but still higher than the rest of the nation. So he's coming to town Wednesday and Thursday to campaign for Quinn and the Democrats.

Perhaps he may stop by and chat with Lisa Madigan about succeeding Eric Holder.

Hispanics' Approval of Obama Down Since '12

PRINCETON, NJ - Hispanics' approval of the job being done by President Barack Obama has settled in at about 10 percentage points above the national average, well below the Hispanic advantage of over 20 points that the president enjoyed in late 2012 and 2013. Obama's approval rating among Hispanics has averaged 13 points above the national average since he first took office in 2009.

New NRCC ad hits the 12th CD: Bill Enyart's been a bust

WASHINGTON - Illinois' 12th CD race is tightening and the National Republican Congressional Committee smells a win. They're putting more money into GOP State Rep. Mike Bost's effort to beat first term Congressman Bill Enyart.

“Bill Enyart has sided with Nancy Pelosi in Washington voting to cut Medicare for seniors and allowing President Obama’s extreme agenda to destroy jobs in Southern Illinois. It’s time for real leadership in Washington and Mike Bost in Congress means security for seniors and more jobs for all Southern Illinois families,” says Katie Prill, NRCC Spokeswoman.

Higgins: Diana Rauner proves she's a single issue, anti-Republican elitist

By Laurie Higgins -

It’s not enough for Bruce Rauner to hold liberal views on the evasively-called “social issues.” No siree. In his grasping for votes, Mr. “No-Social-Agenda/Pro-Abortion” Rauner is once again sticking it to social conservatives. His vote-getting tool is his uber-liberal wife Diana Rauner.

Yesterday, NBC-5 News aired an interview with Diana Rauner, an excerpt from which shows her saying this:

There's no way he [Bruce Rauner] will ever let anything happen to our reproductive rights. Bruce doesn't have a social agenda….I think this is a great opportunity in this race where we actually don't have to think about the social issues because both candidates are pro- choice.

Since the smart, well-educated Rauners surely realize that being “pro-choice” necessarily means he has a social agenda, I can only conclude that Bruce Rauner thinks Illinois voters are bumpkins—either that or he couldn’t care less about the support of social conservatives, in which case , I say, don’t give it to him.

Princeton Professor: Cultural Elite Can No Longer Tolerate Christians [video]

An important video for conservatives to watch

By Ginni Thomas -

Last May, one of the most influential conservative and religious intellectual leader in America gave a somber speech in Washington, declaring it to be “Good Friday in America for Christians.” In this exclusive two part video interview, Princeton’s Robert P. George admitted, “that was a hard speech to give.”

“Christians, and those rejecting the me-generation liberal dogma of ‘if it feels good do it,’ are no longer tolerable by the intellectual and cultural elite,” says George, 59, director of the James Madison program at Princeton University. Citing the political witch hunt that forced Brendan Eich’s departure as CEO of Mozilla for a small contribution to a conservative political cause, George said politically correct mobs “threaten us with consequences if we refuse to call what is good evil, and what is evil, good. They command us to confirm our thinking to their orthodoxy, or else say nothing at all.”

Yet instead of accepting this liberal cultural dominance, George offers a call to arms with practical advice for the embattled faithful. Encouraging conservatives to model themselves off the early civil rights leaders who clung to noble bedrock free speech principles liberals claim to embrace today, George says “our first and most effective move is to hold these elites to their principles.” ...More HERE

Video below:

Religion of peace proves violent in Australia and Switzerland

A Muslim worker at a KFC restaurant in Sydney was filmed screaming vicious insults and threatening to attack a customer. The Halal-friendly KFC does not serve bacon or pork in accordance with Islamic law, and one employee can be heard saying "we don't have bacon" before the other begins yelling.

"Don't record me bitch!" he screams as he approaches the counter. "Don't f---ing record me!" "I'm gonna f---in break your head bro," he says to the person filming as he is led around the corner out of sight.

In a separate incident, a video shows "moderate" Muslims laugh and applaud as they watch a Catholic Church in Lignon Switzerland on fire.

Durbin: No ground troops to fight ISIL as long as Obama is president

Durbin and Obama | Image Source

CHICAGO - There will be no American boots on the ground fighting the Islamic state as long as Barack Obama is president, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said Sunday.

Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said late last week that he stood by comments made earlier before the Senate Armed Services Committee that he would recommend U.S. ground troops take on the Islamic State if he felt it was necessary.

Asked if U.S. ground troops could find their way fighting the Islamic State, Rick Pearson writes in the Chicago Tribune Sunday afternoon that Durbin said, “I don’t believe we will. We certainly won’t under this president.”

Cook County GOP Convention next Sunday in Palatine

The Cook County Republican Convention will be held next Sunday, October 5, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at The Cotillion Banquet Hall, 360 S Creekside Drive in Palatine, IL. 

Among those speaking at the event are gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner, WLS Host Dan Proft, State Senator Jim Oberweis, Congressman Joe Walsh, Congressman Bob Dold, IL Chairman Tim Schneider, Candidate for Attorney General Paul Schimpf, County Chairman Aaron Del Mar and Congressional candidate Larry Kaifesh.

Training workshops will be held throughout the day. Among those presenting workshops, Fran Eaton and Dennis LaComb from Illinois Review will be on a panel with Leadership Institute staff to provide tips about working with media. 

Listen to Cook County GOP's ad and register HERE.

MS CCRC1

Supreme Court Preview of the 2014 Term [video]

Last term, the Supreme Court addressed such hot button issues as the Obamacare contraception mandate, campaign finance reform, protests outside abortion clinics, unions, and legislative prayer. The next term promises to be just as significant.

Already on the docket are cases involving Alabama’s legislative redistricting plan (Alabama Democratic Conference v. Alabama; Alabama Legislative Black Caucus v. Alabama), a First Amendment challenge to a federal law that criminalizes threatening statements (Elonis v. United States), a prison policy banning inmates from growing beards for religious reasons (Holt v. Hobbs), a town’s sign code that discriminates against religious signs (Reed v. Town of Gilbert), application of Sarbanes-Oxley’s anti-shredding provision to undersized fish (Yates v. United States), and the scope of the federal anti-discrimination protections for pregnant employees (Young v. United Parcel Service).

More questions as flap over anti-Semitic professor percolates

CHICAGO - The University of Illinois' decision to withdraw a teaching offer to Steven Salaita, who made public anti-Semitic comments on Twitter, is not going away. Next month, LGBT Liberation's Andy Thayer is holding a lecture series featuring Salaita. Groups such as Chicago's CodePINK, American Muslims for Palestine, the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America, and the University of Illinois English Department are among those sponsoring the events.

One Washington D.C. media source is pressing Governor Quinn to publicly comment on the university's decision. The issue could be one that determines how Chicago's politically active Jewish and Muslim communities side in the upcoming election.

"Quinn’s silence on the measure has only added fuel to the fire, insiders say, and could become a political liability for the governor, who is locked in an increasingly tight race with Republican challenger Bruce Rauner," the Free Beacon wrote.

The Rauner campaign, which has made it a practice to avoid controversies like this, must consider the controversy a potential political asset because they re-circulated the D.C. story to the media late last week. The story included a statement from Rauner:

Thorner & Ingold: Will first heinous beheading in U.S. initiate a sharp knife ban?

By Nancy Thorner and Ed Ingold - 

It makes sense that the FBI is examining the background of knife-wielding Alton Nolan, taking time to gather all the facts. To be looked at are Nolan's actions prior to his heinous act of beheading Colleen Hufford, 54, to determine if his crime was just an outburst of anger at being fired, classified as work place violence, or an act of terrorism.

What we already know:  Alton Nolen recently converted to Islam. According to terrorism expert Steve Emerson in his appearance on Fox News on Saturday, September 28, convicts who convert to Islam while in prison, as a first step to proving their faithfulness to Islam try to convert others to Islam, as Nolan was said to have done in his work place. Witnesses have told police that Nolen was shouting Arabic phrases before Hufford's death. 

Early reports indicated that another employee stopped the assailant by shooting him with a personal firearm. The shooter was later revealed to be the CEO of the company.

As the story developed, it was determined that the CEO was also a volunteer sheriff’s deputy. From that point on, he was identified as a “deputy sheriff”, either as “off duty” or “reserve”. Many sheriffs retain civilians as volunteer deputies to work special events or control traffic. They are mostly unpaid and untrained. Until recently “reserve” status was bestowed on politically-connected citizens in Cook and Lake Counties, so that they could carry weapons before FCCL was passed in Illinois.

Where's Weyermuller? Celebrating with Chicago Republican Women's Network

GOP National Committeeman Rich Porter ILGOP Chairman Tim Schneider w/the CRWN Board

By Mark Weyermuller - 

The Chicago Republican Women's Network held their CRWN Fall Reception this week at Bar Louie in the South Loop.     

The featured speakers included Illinois Republican National Committeeman Richard Porter. He spoke of the upcoming federal and state elections with a big push for Bruce Rauner and Bob Dold. Porter is enthusiastic and optimistic about the November 4th elections and beyond. 

He was followed by Tim Schneider, Illinois Republican Party Chairman. He too spoke of great things happening with the State party. He will be speaking at the City Club of Chicago next Tuesday September 30 at 11:30 A.M. Good seats still available.

Rock legends join ACLJ's Jay Sekulow: "Where I Stand"

American Center for Law and Justice founder Jay Sekulow, gospel rock band Petra's John Schlitt and the band Kansas' frontman John Elefante are all featured in this production of "Where I Stand," an original song written in light of recent ISIS terrorists attacks worldwide.

O'Brien: Eric Holder’s Legacy of Left-wing Lawlessness

By Teri O'Brien -

Now that Eric Holder has announced that he will step down once his successor has been named, it's time to review some of the greatest hits of his disgraceful tenure, from “race cowards” to his role in ginning up racial resentment in Ferguson, Missouri, and everything in between. Why did he resign now? What have Obama and Reid cooked up for the lame duck session of Congress?

Quinn campaign gets significant union support in September

CHICAGO - During the month of September, a surprisingly small number of individual donors wrote checks to Democrat incumbent Governor Pat Quinn, while union PACs sent hundreds of thousands.

As reported on Illinois Review earlier this month, the Laborers Political League, the Democratic Governors Association, IUOE Local 150 and Union Food Workers are the ones propping up Quinn's race. The PACs all wrote six and seven-digit checks to the governor.

Rauners fill GOP coffers heading into election home stretch

CHICAGO - Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner and his wife Diana have directly invested significant amounts of money into candidates and Republican organizations in September.

This Whole School Coordinated An A Capella Song And It’s Incredible [video]

Watch as a room full of students at Maluafou College in Apia, Samoa sing and clap along to a hymn in complete and utter unison.

Especially watch the leader encourage them along.

What they are actually signing is difficult to make out, but according to a comment on YouTube, it goes as follows:

I came to praise The Lord, what about you? Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah.

Left-wing student event protests Rauner, embraces Quinn

CHICAGO - At a NextGen Illinois forum hosted by the progressive Young Invicibles today, Governor Pat Quinn and GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner both talked about Illinois' future. A coordinated protest took place during Rauner's comments: 

Students are clear #rauner's policies are #badforIL #twill #NextGenIL pic.twitter.com/cRFZFLzbZW

— Dylan Amlin (@DylanAmlin) September 27, 2014

Quinn received a warmer welcome:

"This is a special room in Illinois." @GovernorQuinn signed marriage equality into law in this building. #NextGenIL pic.twitter.com/1ocSivKi6E

— Emma LaBounty (@labountye) September 27, 2014

The Convention marked the culmination of nearly 60 caucuses held under the umbrella of NextGen Illinois. The movement, started by Young Invincibles and the Roosevelt Institute Campus Network — in partnership with community organizations — drew more than 700 adults to bars, community centers and parks to exchange ideas around issues, such as political reform, education and civil rights.

Sponsors of the organization and event include such left-wing organizations as: AFSCME, SEIU, National Council of La Raza, and Planned Parenthood. A full list can be found HERE.

"War on Women?"

By Mark Rhoads - 

Does it strike anyone as peculiar that we hear so much from Democrats and media pundits who accuse Republicans of waging "a war on women" and yet so little from them about the severe mistreatment of women by Muslims? Even "moderate" Muslims who refuse to allow a woman to have a drivers license or move in public without her husband? Or radical Muslims who stone women to punish them for offenses?

What rights do women have under Islam?