Illinois Review

Roskam: The IRS Can Use Audits to Target Americans.

WASHINGTON, DC - In what seemed like news to nobody but the Washington Establishment, it has been revealed yet again that the IRS can use audits to target Americans.

Illinois Congressman Peter Roskam appeared on Fox News’ On the Record with Greta Van Susteren to discuss a new independent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report commissioned by the Ways and Means Committee, which concludes that the IRS audit selection process is at risk for unfair targeting of organizations based on their “religious, educational, political, or other views.” The appearance was the focus of yesterday’s Oversight Subcommittee hearing with IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, and GAO Director of Strategic Issues Jay McTigue.

Arn: Rockford Teacher Wants Black Students To Learn Less Reading And Math

By Ulysses Arn - 

At a town hall meeting this week at Rockford's Henrietta School teacher Dione Baldwin told Rockford Public School district superintendent Dr. Ehren Jarrett that African-American students in the district need to spend less time learning about reading and mathematics and have more social sciences/social studies.

WTVO/FOX39 quotes Baldwin as saying: 

Cruz Missile: McConnell targeted as liar on Ex-Im Bank

WASHINGTON DC - In a blistering floor speech, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) accused Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) of lying to him over a deal to vote on reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank.

"Today is a sad day for this institution," said Cruz. "What we just witnessed this morning is profoundly disappointing."

The remarks come after McConnell set up a procedural vote on Sunday to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, which saw its charter expire last month. Democrats have said McConnell agreed to allow a vote on attaching Ex-Im to "must-pass" legislation to win support from Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) for a trade package earlier this year.

In calling out his own Party's leadership, Sen. Cruz continued to establish himself as someone willing to speak truth to bipartisan power in Washington DC.

The speech has led several prominent Illinois Republicans to question why similar courage doesn't exist in the halls and caucuses of Springfield.

Rauner leans left. Expands hate crimes to include 'gender-related identity.'

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has avoided voicing or indicating his position on social issues - leaving social conservatives throughout the state debating among themselves how he would respond if a social issue was set before him. 

This week, the Governor was forced to provide a peek into his values system when HB 3930 - expanding the hate crimes law in Illinois to include the Illinois Human Rights Act definition for "sexual orientation" - was sitting on his desk. The governor signed it into law, to the delight of LGBT advocates.

In the Human Rights Act, "Sexual orientation" means actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or gender-related identity, whether or not traditionally associated with the person's designated sex at birth. "Sexual orientation" does not include a physical or sexual attraction to a minor by an adult.

Before HB 3930 was signed into law, Illinois' hate crimes did not include "gender-related identity" or transgenders. Now it does.

Rauner's signature was really no surprise, since the measure setting transgenders as a protected class from hate crimes passed the Illinois legislature unanimously.

How to destroy a cell phone with Lindsey Graham

WASHINGTON - The 2016 GOP presidential primary is shaping up to be entertaining at the very least, with billionaire Donald Trump spicing up the rhetoric. Trump gave out fellow 2016 presidential candidate Senator Lindsey Graham's cell phone number during a press conference this week, causing the senator political headaches and, we're assuming, a new cell phone number.

In order to stay with the "humor with a message" tone, Senator Graham - with the help of the Independent Journal Review - answers Trump by demonstrating various suggested ways to destroy a cell phone. And one of them is "for the veterans."

Despite IRS Commissioner’s denials, new report shows problems remain at tax agency

WASHINGTON - There’s no problem with the Internal Revenue Service’s audit selection process, insisted IRS Commissioner John Koskinen Thursday morning at a Congressional hearing in Washington, D.C.

Koskinen said concerns raised by Congress and the then-Inspector General two years ago about the IRS’ audit selection process have been addressed.

“As part of their reviews, both the IRS’ chief risk officer and the [Government Accountability Office] offered recommendations for improvements in our internal control to further reduce any risks that exist for returns to be selected in an unfair manner,” Koskinen said at Thursday’s hearing.

“The IRS has accepted all of these recommendations, and we’ve been working to implement them.”

Koskinen was speaking once again before the U.S. House Ways and Means Oversight Committee, this time headed by Illinois Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06), who is convinced the opposite is true.

Kinzinger says Cold War is "back on"

WASHINGTON - On CNN this week, Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) said the Cold War mentality returned when two Russian nuclear bombers flew within miles of California on July 4th.

“If you ever have any doubt whether the Cold War is back on, I mean these are the kind of maneuvers that show that it is,” Kinzinger, a former Air Force pilot, said in an interview Wednesday on CNN’s “Situation Room.”

“There has been a reestablishment, probably not to the intensity it was in the '80s, but a reestablishment of, in essence, kind of Cold War principles,” unlike decades ago when “it was all a show of force from both sides,” he added.

A pair of Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers flew into U.S. airspace during a July Fourth aerial event, the same day Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory holiday note to President Obama.

More on The Hill. 

Di Leo: Of Presidents and Presidencies, and Things Presidential

By John F. Di Leo -

We worry about our presidential primary process. Some wonder why. Some believe that we worry too much, and it all fixes itself in time; why get so worked up? Be patient, they say, the primaries will handle it, and then comes the election, don’t worry so much. 

And if you’re not in an early primary state, you have no effect anyway, so you’re better off saving your energy and just watching TV or going to a game. So we’re told, especially by friends and acquaintances who just don’t think it all matters that much, and who wonder why we’re willing to lose hair, patience, and temper about circumstances so far out of our control.

Please allow me, for a moment, to recount a moment from my youth, long ago now.

Planned Parenthood videos stir IL's Jan Schakowsky to call for DOJ investigation - of the videographers

WASHINGTON - National Public Radio is reporting Thursday afternoon that Illinois Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky has been disturbed by the undercover videos that reveal Planned Parenthood officials' interest in getting a good price for body parts taken from aborted babies.

Indeed, the pro-abortion federal lawmaker is so upset, she and three of her colleagues have called on the Department of Justice to initiate an investigation - of the undercover videographers with the Center for Medical Progress.  The letter is HERE.

“This is a new low, even for anti-abortion activists who will stop at nothing in their effort to undermine a woman’s right to choose,” said Schakowsky.  “I believe the Center for Medical Progress may have broken the law in developing and executing this unbelievably elaborate and troubling scheme, and all Americans should have concerns about that.  I hope that Attoneys General Lynch and Harris will investigate this case.”

National Public Radio announced at 3:45 PM Thursday:

Four Democrats in Congress — Reps. Jan Schakowsky, Zoe Lofgren, Jerry Nadler, and Yvette Clarke — have written to Attorney General Loretta Lynch and California Attorney General Kamala Harris, asking them to open investigations into the Center for Medical Progress.

The Democrats say the videos were filmed as part of an "elaborate scheme" — using "fake identification" and without the approval of the Planned Parenthood doctor who appears in them.

 No mention of concern about babies' body parts or the federal law being ignored that bans the sale of human body parts. 

Attorney General Loretta Lynch has agreed to launch an investigation.

Thorner: How safe is your drinking water and can the EPA really be trusted?

By Nancy Thorner -  

Shouldn't safety be the ultimate goal for the water we use and drink daily, which local water companies provide for residents in every state in this nation?  But can the public be certain that the water provided is all that it's reported to be? 

A quote from the poem, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, came to mind -- memorized many years ago in a high school English class, never to be forgotten -- when gathering my thoughts to tackle the issue of water safety. The speaker of the quoted lines in Coleridge's epic poem is a sailor on a becalmed ship who is surrounded by salt water that he cannot drink: 

Water, water, everywhere,

And all the boards did shrink;

Water, water, everywhere,

Nor any drop to drink.

"What's in my Water?" by David De John

David De John in his book, "What's in my Water?", sets forth in fourteen chapters the risks involved in some drinking water. Featured in De John's book are chapters dealing with the following subjects:  “About EPA contaminant levels; About Water Supply Filtration Systems; Skin Absorption/Inhalation of Contaminants; Is Bottled Water the Answer?; Filtration Devices and Equipment; and EPA Violation Information and Reports.”

Roskam Questions IRS Commissioner About Illegal Targeting of Groups

McSweeney 'outraged' over lawmakers' pay raise. Will donate his to charity.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) says lawmakers should not be receiving a pay raise when the State does not even have a balanced budget. By law, he is not able to reject the pay raise and announced today he is donating the full amount of the yearly extra pay to charity.‎ “I think it is outrageous that we as legislators are getting a pay raise even though we are not down in Springfield every single day doing our job to get a budget passed,” said McSweeney. “We should be down there every day working to resolve the budget crisis. People are going to get hurt if we don't do our job and pass a budget soon."

Legislators are receiving a two percent automatic cost-of-living adjustment, which amounts to about an additional $1,563 annually. The pay increase is automatic and the Comptroller's office has said that the law prohibits McSweeney from rejecting the pay increase outright.

McSweeney said he's donating $781.50 to the McHenry County Pioneer Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the economically disadvantaged and disabled achieve their full potential as individuals. He's donating an additional $781.50 to the Night Ministry, a nonprofit group that helps homeless children and adults.

State Rep. Peter Breen: War of the Worldviews

By State Rep. Peter Breen - 

"I've never seen anything like this. It's two different worldviews." – State Sen. Toi Hutchinson, D-Olympia Fields

… and it’s about time!

For decades, there’s only been one worldview in Springfield: that of House Speaker Mike Madigan. Madigan has been Speaker of the House since I was 6 years old. (I’m now 38.)

The visible results of that worldview are easily seen. One recent study, by George Mason University, ranked the fiscal condition of the 50 states. From not having a balanced budget to not having enough cash to meet either short-term or long-term commitments, Illinois came in dead last, 50 out of 50.

One concrete example of this was laid out in a symposium in January on public pensions, where Prof. Robert Inman of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School observed that, “Chicago’s unfunded [pension] liabilities are 10 times its revenues. Just assume that they’re going to have to pay 5% of that [annually]. That means you’re looking at 50% of their cash that will have go to pensions.”

As we trudge through these long hot days of summer, these “two worldviews” are why the government of Illinois is in shutdown mode, and the General Assembly deadlocked with Governor Bruce Rauner.

This new “worldview” of the Governor isn’t radical by any stretch. He’s proposing measures to reduce the costs of doing business in Illinois, and to streamline and reform all levels of state and local government. He’s also put forward term limits and ending the partisan process of drawing political districts, in hopes of finally and permanently breaking the power of career politicians to control state government.

Progressive absolutism as a mental disorder – part three

By Irene F. Starkehaus - 

This is the third part of a series in which we first debated environmentalism as an apocalyptic delusion; we next discussed collective amnesia induced through bureaucratic propaganda; and we now end with a dialog on the trafficking of aborted babies and the proliferation of gender dysphoria through indoctrination.

Prolife conservatives recognize all too well the rabid militancy present within the Baby Livers for Lambos scandal brewing at Planned Parenthood. Even as the Center of Medical Progress released its second shock video of a PP official bartering over viable, intact human organs from their stockpile of murdered children, abortion apologists began lecturing about our Christian duty to save lives by using fetal remains rather than just disposing of them…you know, as if these were the only two options for an enlightened society to have.

This is the magic of relativism of course. Pilates of the conscience requires rigorous focus and training, but once a more nimble relativism has been mastered, even human sacrifice can be made to sound civilized. From American Exceptionalism to Mayan decline in under three decades.

And can you imagine how this Planned Parenthood scandal might have evolved if Barack Obama's Born Alive aspirations had been realized? Can you imagine what the debate might be right now if officials at Planned Parenthood had been successful in their lobbying for post birth abortion? Can you imagine if a Princeton "bioethicist's" advocacy for the killing of disabled babies after they were born had prevailed?

Langenstein Announces Bid for Illinois State Senate

MURPHYSBORO, IL - Constitutional law attorney and conservative activist Sharee Langenstein has announced her bid for the Republican nomination for the 58th State Senate District currently held by the retiring Sen. Dave Luechtefeld.

“I am running for State Senate to help change the direction of this state and to ensure a future in Illinois for my six children,“ said Langenstein, who expressed support for the Governor’s turnaround agenda.  “Illinois voters asked for change last year. Governor Rauner is trying to bring that change while Democratic leaders in the House and Senate continue to obstruct his agenda at every turn.”

“In order to keep families together and preserve Southern Illinois values, we need 21st century jobs. Sixty-two percent of all new jobs are created by small to medium sized businesses. What do small and medium sized businesses need in order to thrive? They need tax reform, tort reform, and regulatory reform,” argues Langenstein who also serves on the Board for the Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch.

Langenstein says she also supports the Governor’s proposals to put term limits and redistricting reform on the ballot, as well as constitutional reform of the pension system and a reduction in restrictions on where concealed weapons could be carried.

Langenstein is pro-life saying “I do not reject social issues in favor of fiscal issues. Fiscal conservatism is a natural result of being socially conservative."

Illinois-based PAC launches ad campaign for Sen. Ron Johnson

Illinois-based Restoration PAC will soon be launching a television ad campaign for Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson. Johnson has been targeted by the Democrats in 2016.

Restoration PAC is run by Doug Truax, who was defeated by State Sen. Jim Oberweis in the 2014 GOP Primary for U.S. Senate. Oberweis subsequently lost to Dick Durbin.

Roskam Helps Introduce Bill to Defund Planned Parenthood

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06), a member of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, has helped introduce H.R. 3134, the Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015, which would fully defund Planned Parenthood for the next year. The legislation, led by Congresswoman Diane Black (R-TN), follows the release of multiple videos of senior Planned Parenthood officials discussing the trafficking of baby body parts.

“Shocking new footage of top Planned Parenthood officials openly discussing the illegal and inhumane sale of baby body parts has rightfully brought renewed urgency to this issue. We must therefore press forward in our fight to protect the unborn from the unethical, barbaric practices of organizations like Planned Parenthood and its affiliates. I am encouraged that two House committees have already opened investigations into this scandal, and I am proud to join Congresswoman Black in this important effort.”

Illinois Review reported on Chicago's Stroger Hospital being recommended for abortion organ harvesting by Planned Parenthood executives.

Click here to read Roskam’s statement from last week after the first Planned Parenthood video leak.

Religious Tolerance: Made in America

Religious tolerance is a given in the West. But it's a historical aberration -- an ideological revolution created by the Puritans and pre-1776 Americans. What was it that led to the religious tolerance revolution? Was there something unique in Protestantism and Americanism? Or would tolerance have eventually arisen elsewhere, perhaps in Europe? Larry Schweikart, best-selling author and professor of history at the University of Dayton, explains.

The American Nightmare: The Tyranny of the Criminal Justice System

By John W. Whitehead - 

Justice in America is not all it’s cracked up to be.

Just ask Jeffrey Deskovic, who spent 16 years in prison for a rape and murder he did not commit.

James Bain spent 35 years in prison for the kidnapping and rape of a 9-year-old boy, but he too was innocent of the crime. He was finally freed after DNA testing proved his innocence.

In comparison, Mark Weiner got off relatively easy. Weiner was wrongfully arrested, convicted, and jailed for more than two years for a crime he too did not commit. In his case, a young woman claimed Weiner had abducted her, knocked her out and then sent taunting text messages to her boyfriend about his plans to rape her. Despite the fact that cell phone signals, eyewitness accounts and expert testimony indicated the young woman had fabricated the entire incident, the prosecutor and judge repeatedly rejected any evidence contradicting the woman’s far-fetched account, sentencing Weiner to eight more years in jail. Weiner was only released after his accuser was caught selling cocaine to undercover cops.

In the meantime, Weiner lost his job, his home, and his savings, and time with his wife and young son. As Slate reporterjournalist Dahlia Lithwick warned, “If anyone suggests that the fact that Mark Weiner was released this week means ‘the system works,’ I fear that I will have to punch him in the neck. Because at every single turn, the system that should have worked to consider proof of Weiner’s innocence failed him.”

The system that should have worked didn’t, because the system is broken, almost beyond repair.

Congressman Bost questions the Sec. of Agriculture during AG hearing

WASHINGTON DC - Conservative Republican Rep. Mike Bost questions Tom Vilsack, Obama's Secretary of Agriculture, about issues facing residents in the 12th District of Illinois.

Roskam on Politics Tonight: We Must Stop this Dangerous Iran Deal

Hultgren Honors Apollo 11's “Giant Leap for Mankind”

WASHINGTON DC - Illinois Congressman Randy Hultgren recognized the 46-year anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, and urged renewed vigor in the country’s space program.

Illinois manufacturer explains what's hurting businesses like his

SPRINGFIELD - Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute notes that Illinois is home to the worst manufacturing recovery in the Midwest. Just this month, the state saw four manufacturers shut down in 10 days. 

The Land of Lincoln is hemorrhaging blue-collar jobs as Michigan and Indiana boom on the back of smart policies, writes Berg. "And the Illinois manufacturing workers who have managed to hold on to their jobs take home the lowest pay in the Midwest.

The Institute launched a promotional video featuring Mark Selvaggio, president of family-owned Selvaggio Steel in Springfield, Illinois, who knows exactly what's hurting businesses like his.

Illinois needs workers' compensation reform, along with worker freedom and a property-tax freeze, to help spur a manufacturing comeback – the likes of which Indiana and Michigan are experiencing as Illinois businesses like Selvaggio Steel struggle mightily.

Terror Gone Viral: The Rise of Radicalism and America’s Response

America faces the most serious terror threat environment since 9/11. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has now been linked to dozens of plots or attacks against the West, including at least nine inside the United States since January. This surge in Islamist terror activity includes a rise in extremism here at home, as terrorists seek to radicalize and recruit operatives from our own communities. This year alone, the FBI has arrested more than 40 U.S.-based ISIS supporters and is investigating homegrown violent extremists in every state.

Preparing for Disaster: U.S. Disaster Response Policy and Areas for Reform

As summer drags on and we move through hurricane season, concerns about the inevitable severe tropical storm grow. Together with other disasters, the federal government should be evaluating how well prepared the U.S. is to respond to a national disaster.

Five Years of Dodd-Frank: "Too Big to Fail" Still Unresolved

The 2008 financial crisis was a major event whose causes will be debated for years. Conventional wisdom holds that the crisis was caused by Wall Street greed and insufficient regulation, although many economists blame the crisis on a housing bubble fed by various government policies. With little forethought, Congress responded by enacting the most comprehensive overhaul of financial regulation since the New Deal: The 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Balich pushes for Homer Township residents to have say about property tax hikes

HOMER TOWNSHIP - Will County Board member Steve Balich wants home owners in Will County's Homer Township to have a say in whether their property taxes go up.

"Everyone I talk to tells me they've had enough of our township taxes going up every year," Balich, who lives in Homer Township, said. "It's time that someone try to do something about it."

Balich is heading up a petition drive that says before Homer Township can initiate a property tax hike, they will be required to ask the township voters their opinion in an advisory referendum.

"It will then be up to the board to determine whether they will follow the voters' lead, or if they will ignore what the people said," Balich said. "But I tell everyone I talk to, if they don't do what the people say, the people should vote those board members out." 

Balich, who faces a re-election for the Will County Board next year, says he came up with the idea when he was attending a political fundraiser where Governor Bruce Rauner was talking about his Turnaround Agenda that would give more local control to the taxpayers. 

Tylenol's new "HowWeFamily" ad stirs controversy

Tylenol is creating a stir with its "How We Family" ad hitting airwaves. Not only does Tylenol feature heterosexual couples, focus on gay and lesbian couples and their children. 

"Family isn't defined by who you love, but how ..." the ad closes.

As manufacturing is hollowed out, government dependence grows in Illinois

CHICAGO - Michael Lucci of the Illinois Policy Institute notes that in March of this year, Illinois passed Michigan to become the Midwest state with the highest percentage of its population enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps. Nearly 1 in 6 Illinoisans is on food stamps, a far higher rate than most other states in the region.

"Areas of Illinois that are driven by backbone industries such as manufacturing are being hollowed out," writes Lucci. "And that reality is showing up in the form of government dependence. Looking at the percentage of households on food stamps gives a good approximation of what is happening to Illinois families – over 22 percent of households are on food stamps."

Catholic DePaul University coaxes students via Twitter to get involved in LGBT events

DePaul University, a Catholic college, used its Twitter account to promote the school’s involvement in the Chicago 2015 Pride Parade and the Chicago Dyke March.

One tweet read “Will you be at the #GayPrideParade today?”

Will you be at the #GayPrideParade today? See how DePaul supports its LGBTQ students: http://t.co/nsYrQTj6DH pic.twitter.com/W8zQv5BwWB

— DePaul University (@DePaulU) June 28, 2015

Another tweet announced that the school was giving out free t-shirts to wear at the parade, which said on them “What are you doing for justice?”

More HERE

Fiorina Releases Video Response to Planned Parenthood Investigations

After the release of yet another shocking undercover video of a Planned Parenthood official negotiating the sale of body parts, Carly Fiorina has responded to the issue with a video of her own. In the video, Fiorina stands with pro-life leaders: Rev. Dean Nelson, Marjorie Dannenfelser, Catherine Davis, Dr. Charmaine Yoest, Lori Hoye, and Pastor Walter Hoye. Fiorina takes the opportunity to lambaste Democrats for standing up for abortion rather than standing up for women:

Illinois Gaming Board issues video gambling licenses to illegal operators

CHICAGO - The Illinois Gaming Board has issued licenses to run video-gambling machines to several people with ties to crime and illegal gambling, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Lawmakers agreed to legalize video-gambling machines six years ago, and supporters hoped the regulation would end decades of illegal video gambling and enable officials to weed out shady characters. But the newspaper's investigation found that the board approved licenses for at least two men who had been accused of illegally operated video-gambling machines before they were legal, and at least one felon.

Gaming Board officials said they were satisfied at the time with their decision in granting the licenses. The board — which has issued nearly 7,000 licenses and denied fewer than 400 applicants — can deny licenses based on an applicant's criminal history, past personal or business activities and associations, or involvement in illegal gambling.

Labor lawyer seeks Democrat nomination to challenge Bost

BELLEVILLE - A Belleville labor lawyer is the first 2016 challenger to Republican Congressman Mike Bost who won a U.S. House seat that had been in Democratic control since World War II.

Thirty-year-old C.J. Baricevic announced his 12th Congressional District candidacy Monday at union halls in Caseyville and West Frankfort.

The seat is held by Rep. Mike Bost, a former Marine and state lawmaker from Murphysboro who defeated U.S. Rep. Bill Enyart in 2014.

Baricevic is the son of John Baricevic, the chief judge in St. Clair County and a former county board chairman.

Arlington Heights reaches $185K settlement with antique gun collector over firearm seizure

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS - An Arlington Heights man will receive $10,000 in a settlement with the village over the seizure of three antique firearms.

The lawsuit was settled out of court for $185,000 and approved Monday by Arlington Heights. But the Daily Herald reports that $175,000 of the settlement will go to Art Lovi's attorneys.

In August 2012, his guns were seized by police after a therapist accused Lovi of making a threat against a doctor who he believed misdiagnosed his deceased wife's cancer. A mental health assessment determined Lovi wasn't a danger to himself or others, but the village's police department didn't return the weapons for another two months.

A legal battle ensued after a Chicago-based law firm filed a civil rights lawsuit on Lovi's behalf in January 2013.

Obama defends IRS, says tea party targeting didn’t happen

Obama talks with Jon Stewart of "The Daily Show." (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Obama defended the IRS Tuesday in an interview with “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart, saying the tea party targeting scandal was actually Congress’s fault for passing “a crummy law” and that the real problem is the agency doesn’t have enough money.

Mr. Obama, who has overseen a series of scandals at the IRS, the Veterans Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and now the Office of Personnel Management, was asked why government didn’t seem to be working on his watch.

But the president said he’s not to blame, using the IRS as an example of how what went wrong wasn’t his fault, and questioning whether tea party groups were ever targeted.

Obama to Planned Parenthood: 'God Bless You'

Walker issues order to arm Wisconsin National Guard

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) on Tuesday issued an executive order to arm the National Guard in his state in the wake of an attack in Chattanooga, Tenn., that left five service members dead.

The GOP presidential candidate directed Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar, Wisconsin's adjutant general, to arm certain National Guard personnel in the state "as reasonably necessary" to preserve lives, property and their security.

Walker said in his order that attacks are becoming more common and "every precaution must be taken to ensure that our servicemen and women are protect from possible future attacks."

Wisconsin joins a handful of states that have moved to allow certain National Guard personnel to carry weapons following shootings at two military sites that are being investigated as domestic terrorism.

More HERE

Cruz vows vote on defunding Planned Parenthood

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) wants to force the Senate to vote on defunding Planned Parenthood this week, as a second undercover video unleashes a new storm of scrutiny of the organization.

Cruz’s office said Tuesday that he plans to file an amendment on the highway bill that would eliminate all federal funding for Planned Parenthood, in addition to an amendment that would fully repeal ObamaCare.

Cruz is the second senator — and the second GOP presidential candidate — who is eying the highway bill as an attempt to defund Planned Parenthood. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said last week that he will “use all legislative vehicles at his disposal” to force a vote this week but has not released details of his plan.

More HERE

Meet the 41 Companies That Donate Directly to Planned Parenthood

From Daily Signal - 

In the wake of two videos allegedly showing Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of aborted fetal body parts, Republicans in Congress are working to ensure that Planned Parenthood is stripped of its federal funding.

However, it’s not only the government that fills Planned Parenthood’s coffers. According to 2nd Vote, a website and app that tracks the flow of money from consumers to political causes, more than 25 percent of Planned Parenthood’s $1.3-billion annual revenue comes from private donations, which includes corporate contributions.

Forty-one corporations and organizations directly contribute to the group. Here are the 41 companies that have directly funded Planned Parenthood.

1. Adobe
2. American Cancer Society
3. American Express
4. AT&T
5. Avon
6. Bank of America
7. Bath & Body Works
8. Ben & Jerry’s
9. Clorox
10. Coca-Cola
11. Converse
12. Deutsche Bank
13. Dockers
14. Energizer
15. Expedia
16. ExxonMobil
17. Fannie Mae
18. Ford
19. Groupon
20. Intuit
21. Johnson & Johnson
22. La Senza
23. Levi Strauss
24. Liberty Mutual
25. Macy’s
26. March of Dimes
27. Microsoft
28. Morgan Stanley
29. Nike
30. Oracle
31. PepsiCo
32. Pfizer
33. Progressive
34. Starbucks
35. Susan G. Komen
36. Tostitos
37. Unilever
38. United Way
39. Verizon
40. Wells Fargo
41. Xerox

Stantis: Rod Blagojevich draws the 'Stay In jail' card

Obama Takes Revenge on Gun Store Owner Who Dared to Ban Muslims

A Florida gun store operator has banned Muslims from his establishment, arguing that he has a right to deny service to anyone he considers a threat. Andy Hallinan made his decision after the shootings at military installations in Chattanooga, Tenn., last week.

Florida Gun Supply of Inverness, Fla., was declared a “Muslim-free zone” in a video Hallinan posted online over the weekend.

In response, President Barack Obama’s Department of Justice announced that it would launch a civil rights investigation into Hallinan’s establishment.

That’s the Obama administration: a radical Islamic extremist kills five American servicemen and the Pentagon suggests that recruiting offices keep their window blinds closed from now on. But if there’s even a hint than a Muslim could possibly see his civil rights violated at some indeterminate point in the future, Katie bar the door.

More HERE

Medicare’s Victims

In "Medicare's Victims", David Hogberg recounts the intimate stories of patients and physicians who have struggled with Medicare – and then examines the particular Medicare policy that has caused their plight.

He's Back: Court of Appeals drops five Blagojevich counts; urges re-sentencing

CHICAGO - Tuesday, the 7th U.S. District Court of Appeals threw out five of the 17 counts for which disgraced former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is currently serving prison time.

The court urged Blagojevich's prison time of 168 months be reconsidered by the lower court to reflect the remaining charges. The conclusion: 

The convictions on Counts 5, 6, 21, 22, and 23 are vacated; the remaining convictions are affirmed. The sentence is vacated, and the case is remanded for retrial on the vacated counts. Circuit Rule 36 will not apply. If the prosecutor elects to drop these charges, then the district court should proceed directly to resentencing. Because we have affirmed the con-­‐‑ victions on most counts and concluded that the advisory sentencing range lies above 168 months, Blagojevich is not entitled to be released pending these further proceedings. 

The full appeal ruling is available HERE.

IL's Kirk asks confusing questions in Senate hearing; Walsh challenges capability

WASHINGTON DC - Illinois' U.S. Senator Mark Kirk challenged a witness during a hearing on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Report, and his questions as well as his testimony confused the witness and many at the hearing. 

"Have you made sure you have not collected the data of Supreme Court justices?" Kirk asked Richard  Cordray of the Bureau. He went on to suggest the accumulated credit information could be used to "intimidate" justices.

"We're not doing anything you're hypothesizing, nor would I want to do it. All it would do is discredit my agency," Cordray said.

Then Senator Kirk asked whether the Bureau had the collected data before the Chinese, referring to information Chinese hackers allegedly stole on 15 million federal government employees.

Kirk's confusing exchange raised questions from a key critic, radio talk show host Joe Walsh. Walsh pointed out the exchange Tuesday, and then asked  "Can someone explain to me what Senator Mark Kirk is talking about in this video?" 

"It's sad to see someone struggle like this, especially in such a public venue. It's clear that he's simply incapable of representing the people of Illinois," Walsh said. "How can we expect him to mount a campaign against Tammy Duckworth?"

Can someone explain to me what Senator Mark Kirk is talking about in this video? It's sad to see someone struggle like this, especially in such a public venue. It's clear that he's simply incapable of representing the people of Illinois. How can we expect him to mount a campaign against Tammy Duckworth?

Posted by Walsh Freedom on Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Second video surface of Planned Parenthood executive haggling over baby parts prices

The Center of Medical Progress released a second video Tuesday morning in which a second Planned Parenthood official haggles with two persons pretending to be human tissue buyers.

"What would you expect for intact tissue?" the buyer asks.  

"Why don't you start by telling me what you're used to paying?" says Dr. Mary Gatter, President of the Planned Parenthood Medical Directors' Council.

Dr. Gatter goes on to agree to check with other California Planned Parenthood clinics to see what prices they're getting for intact fetal tissue. She also suggests changing abortion methods on 10 to 12 week preborn baby parts in order to make sure the tissue would be intact, rather than using methods that are more "crunchy," she says. 

The 8.24 minute undercover video is the second to be released by the Center of Medical Progress. They reportedly have hundreds of hours of undercover video of similar discussion with key persons willing to talk about selling human tissue acquired during abortions.

Chicago black conservative says O'Malley is right, "All Lives Matter"

Tia Oso (c) grabs mic, demands Martin O'Malley (r) embrace "Black Lives Matter" - Raw photo

CHICAGO - More and more Americans are publicly debating racial issues, as protests and demonstrations provoked by violent incidents are reported daily in the news. But Dr. Eric Wallace, a black conservative leader in Chicago's southern suburbs, says the strife is not as much between races as it is between worldviews and ideologies.

"The fact is people are being paid to protest. It's become a job for some folks. And I know it sounds somewhat cynical, but I can't help but ask 'Are these people really as upset as they seem'? Or are they getting paid to be upset? or is it false anger?" Wallace said in an interview with Illinois Review.

Wallace was responding to a question about his thoughts on what happened over the weekend at the Netroots Nation conference in Phoenix, when Democrat presidential contestants Martin O'Malley and Bernie Sanders faced an angry crowd that insisting they acknowledge "Black Lives Matter." 

O'Malley was booed and jeered and a vocal group in the crowd was shouting "Black Lives Matter." O'Malley responded with "Black Lives Matter. White Lives Matter. All Lives Matter."

His response heightened the crowd's outrage. CNN reported:

"Black lives matter! Black lives matter!" they shouted toward O'Malley, and began a call-and-repeat rallying cry that activists have been using in the wake of the death of 28-year-old Sandra Bland, who died in police custody last week. "If I die in police in custody!" one of the chants went, "Burn everything down! That's the only way mother******* like you listen!" 

Conference organizers begged them to allow O'Malley to respond.

"I think all of us as Americans have a responsibility to recognize the pain and the grief throughout our country from all of the lives that have been lost to violence, whether that's violence at the hands at the police or whether that's violence at the hands of civilians," O'Malley said, before being interrupted again.

"Don't generalize this s***!" one person shouted back.

And the crowd's intensity grew as a black woman, Tia Oso, took to the stage in a "Black Love" t-shirt, grabbed the mic and demanded O'Malley agree that only "Black Lives Matter."

O'Malley stood in silence and then publicly apologized for being insensitive and saying, "All Lives Matter."

Wallace said he's certain that something else is going on behind the scenes of these publicly-staged outbursts. 

Kinzinger to face primary challenger in 2016

Third term Congressman Adam Kinzinger may face primary challenger 2016

ROCKFORD - Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) will be facing a GOP primary opponent in 2016, a Rockford man told the Northern Illinois Tea Party last week. 

Technology consultant Colin McGroarty, 43, said he “wants to show the public that a U.S. Congressional campaign can be run without succumbing to the interests of big money."

McGroarty is a veteran that served in the Army's 12th Special Forces group and is a Winnebago County GOP precinct committeeman.

Kinzinger, who serves in the Wisconsin National Guard as a major and a pilot, was first elected to the 11th CD in 2010, and challenged and defeated in the GOP primary the 16th CD's longtime Congressman Don Manzullo in 2012, after district lines were redrawn and parts of the 11th and 16th CDs merged.

More at MYWebTimes.com

Rep. Wheeler calls for National Guard members to be armed

Bullet-ridden recruiting station front in Chattanooga - CNN photo

CRYSTAL LAKE – Over the weekend, State Representative Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) urged Governor Bruce Rauner to join in the executive actions taken by various other states’ governors to protect National Guardsmen in Illinois’ military installations.

“In these days of global terrorism, the members of our armed forces deserve the utmost protection,” said Wheeler. “By prohibiting the arming of our personnel in public facilities, we are making it nearly impossible for our service members to defend themselves."

Rauner says "no" to state lawmaker raises

SPRINGFIELD - Friday, Republican Governor Rauner rejected a bill sent to him last month by the Democrat majority, which would have hiked state legislators' pay for Fiscal Year 2016.

Rauner said the state, being $100 billion in debt, cannot afford raises ranging from $1,356 to $1,905 for Fiscal Year 2016 along with increases in both the per diem amount and mileage reimbursement rate.

Rauner wrote in his amendatory veto message:

Today I return Senate Bill 1354, one of several budget implementation bills, with a specific recommendation for change. 

After a decade of mismanagement, the State of Illinois is facing an unprecedented fiscal crisis. The State is suffering from a debt burden well in excess of $100 billion.

Instead of acknowledging this reality, the General Assembly passed an unbalanced and unconstitutional budget for Fiscal Year 2016. Last week I vetoed 19 of those appropriation bills and have asked the General Assembly to work with me to craft a balanced budget.

Morrison likely successor to resigning Commissioner Liz Gorman

Sean Morrison (r) with Governor Rauner (c) and Liz Gorman (l)

PALOS PARK - Palos Township GOP Committeeman Sean Morrison tells Illinois Review he is "cautiously optimistic" he'll be picked to succeed resigning Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman Wednesday night.

 Because a Republican held the Cook County Board's 17th District commissioner seat, Republican township committeemen whose areas include the 17th District will have a part in picking Gorman's successor.

As Orland Township GOP Committeeman, Gorman's choice will weigh heavily on the decision, as will Morrison's vote as Palos Township GOP Committeeman. Together, the two of them will cast 45 percent of the vote.