Illinois Review

Senator Weaver: Time for Illinois to move forward

By State Senator Chuck Weaver - 

As Illinois’ newest state senator, I took on this challenge because of the horrible condition of our state government. I continue to be saddened by the suffering of millions of Illinoisans. Countless opportunities for achievement have also been lost due to poor management for the past two decades.

We have to act now.

Illinois will never have enough revenue to sustain adequate funding of essential social services if our lawmakers don’t implement reform. We must grow jobs and the size of our economy.

Kirk's home township GOP endorses him for March 15th primary

WILMETTE – New Trier Republican Organization membership, incumbent U.S. Senator Mark Kirk's home township, endorsed their favorite son Saturady with 91 percent of the vote at its endorsement session Saturday morning in Wilmette. 

Kirk, whose roots in New Trier run deep, was joined by a whole slate of candidates NTRO endorsed, including U.S. Congressman Robert Dold (R-10th) for re-election. The other endorsed candidates included State Comptroller Leslie Munger, Wilmette’s Joan McCarthy Lasonde for U.S. Congress in the Ninth District, former Winnetka Village President Jessica Tucker for State Representative in the 18th District, Commissioner Dan Patlak for Cook County Board of Review (1st District), Christopher E.K. Pfannkuche for State’s Attorney, Diane Shapiro for Clerk of the Circuit Court, and Herb Schumann for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, as well as David Studenroth and James Allegretti for judge in the 12th Subcircuit. In another vacancy in the 12th subcircuit, NTRO was unable to make an endorsement with two candidates on the ballot: Steven Kozicki and Alex Kaplan. 

Rhoads: PACs and Dishonest Negative Ads

By Mark Rhoads - 

There are Political Action Committees (PACs) that are only designed to back a candidate instead of a union, association, or industry. This group often uses nearly anonymous names such as Right to Rise PAC (pro-Bush), Courageous Conservatives PAC (pro-Cruz), Conservative Solutions PAC (pro-Rubio), America Leads PAC (pro-Christie), and Pursuing America's Greatness  PAC (pro-Huckabee).

The purpose of the candidate PACs is to do the dirty work of negative attack ads so that a candidate does not have to put his own name on the attack.

Illinois conservative Lee Newcom dies; memorial services Wednesday

BLOOMINGTON - Lee Newcom, 64, former McLean County Recorder of Deeds and county board member, died Friday afternoon after a short, fierce battle with esophageal cancer. 

Once dubbed as the "Christian Conscience of Illinois Politics," Lee headed the Christian Coalition of Illinois for five years in the early 1990s and served as president of the conservative United Republican Fund before seeking elected office.

State Dept censors 22 Clinton emails; declares 7 "top secret"

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration confirmed for the first time Friday that Hillary Clinton's unsecured home server contained closely guarded government secrets, censoring 22 emails with material requiring one of the highest levels of classification, AP is reporting. The revelation comes just three days before the Iowa presidential nominating caucuses in which Clinton is a candidate.

Department officials also said the agency's Diplomatic Security and Intelligence and Research bureaus will investigate whether any of the information was classified at the time of transmission, going to the heart of one of Clinton's primary defenses of her email practices.

Di Leo: Presidential Elections and Other People's Freedoms

By John F. Di Leo - 

When faced with a choice between different politicians at election time, our natural instinct is to ask “Which one will let me do what I want to do?”

It’s natural. Sure, it may seem selfish, single-minded, narrow. But it’s natural.

We have only one vote, so we think of our own lives, and the possible ways that the candidates might want to control our lives, and we think about what we personally like to do, and so we study the candidates to see which ones seem most open-minded about “allowing” us our freedom, vs. which ones want to take it away...

Rep. Anthony endorses in 76th House District primary

Republican Jerry Long (L) was endorsed by State Rep. John Anthony (R) this week

STREATOR - State Representative John Anthony (R-Joliet) announced this week that he is making a pick in the Republican primary for the neighboring 76th House District. Anthony tapped Streator union truck driver Jerry Long as his favorite over GOP opponent Jacob Bramel from Marseilles.

Biga: School Districts and Democracy ... even more Democracy

Mayor Rahm Emanuel visits with Chicago Public School students Graphic Source

By Frank J Biga III - 

One of my favorite governors in US History is Democratic Governor Al Smith of New York. Not only does he have a compelling slum to governor’s mansion story, but he was a true Jeffersonian. One of his more famous statements on our political system is that “all the ills of democracy can be fixed with more democracy."

As it currently looks, an absolutely golden opportunity to strengthen our democracy as Al Smith would have approved is being presented to Governor Rauner in the form of the CPS (Chicago Public Schools) financial crisis. According to recent reports CPS is facing an $800 Million funding gap for the upcoming school year. Mayor Emanuel might even categorize this as a crisis. If so, it should not be wasted.

Either way, what Springfield needs to do is to break up the CPS into more manageable independent school districts with separately elected school boards and taxing authority.

Hastert sentencing delayed until April, feds hint at more than one sexual victim

YORKVILLE - Former U.S. House Speaker Denny Hastert sexually victimized more than one individual, federal investigators confirmed Thursday, and due to serious health issues, sentencing will be delayed until April.

Hastert pleaded guilty last spring to federal charges of illegally removing $952,000 from his accounts in a manner to avoid raising red flags, and lying as to what he was doing with those funds. 

Hastert said in his plea that he "didn't want the feds to know how he intended to spend the money."

Rhoads: Cultural Decline and Vulgar Speech

By Mark Rhoads -

I admit I don't have data on this topic, but only anecdotes. Four of my relatives have been teachers for teenage students in recent years. I am often genuinely shocked at the very common use by teens of what I was taught was vulgar and obscene language in everyday speech and texting on I-phones.

Maybe I should not be so surprised when once considers that teens often look to empty-head celebrities for role models such as those at the Golden Globe Awards this month who indulged themselves in an orgy of pointless vulgar speech. My point is that speech represents thought and the use of vulgar speech is often a sign of selfish disrespect for others.

Where the Presidential candidates stand on immigration

The Federation for American Immigration Reform has put together a condensed version of major candidates' immigration positions to review before going to the polls. Illinois' early voting begins next Thursday, February 4th.

Trump wanted $5M to appear at GOP debate

DES MOINES - Presidential candidate Donald Trump demanded $5 million from Fox News in order for him to appear at the scheduled GOP debate Thursday night. Trump's campaign also surmised that the debate viewer ratings would plummet as a result of him not participating.

Print newspaper sales continue to plummet

Print newspaper sales are plummeting as more and more news hounds abandon hard copies and turn to their cell phones, tablets, computers and TVs for up-to-the minute news. 

Medium.com compared 2013 readership stats to 2015's from the nation's top 25 papers and found all of them have fallen dramatically - including the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times.

Peoria hit with more Caterpillar layoffs

PEORIA - When big manufacturers announces layoffs, dominoes begin to fall, and not only does the big company suffer, so do smaller manufacturers that repair machine parts and contract for specialty jobs.

Peoria's Caterpillar announced last fall orders in the energy and mining markets were slowing that would force the elimination of 10,000 jobs. Since September, Caterpillar has eliminated 2300 workers in the Peoria area, and plans to cut 2700 more. 

In addition, Crain's reports, as many as 20 manufacturing facilities downstream could be hit by cuts and closures over the next three years, affecting another 5,000 workers.

IL Dems pass higher ed funding bill, GOPers argue there's no $$

SPRINGFIELD - The Democrat-controlled Illinois House and Senate passed an amendment to SB 2045 along party lines Thursday. The appropriations bill assigns $721 million dollars to the Monetary Assistance Program and the State’s community colleges. ]

There was one big problem, however - it has no funding source and it makes no appropriations for universities - and despite what the majority led people to believe, students having to pause their higher education will not be relieved.

State hosting LGBT historical exhibit raises questions about sexuality facts

CHICAGO – All week long at the James R. Thompson Center, the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) and the Chicago-based Legacy Project have hosted “The Legacy Wall,” a traveling interactive history exhibit honoring the contributions of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people to world history and culture. The display will close Friday. 

Department of Human Rights' director Rocco Claps said the state agency is "honored" to promote "the inspiring history of LGBT people and their contributions to modern culture." 

“The Legacy Wall reminds us of the progress the LGBT community has made and the continued struggle for full acceptance and equality throughout our society,” he said.

Hidden video reveals just how easy it is to buy automatic weapon at gun shows

Have you ever tried to buy an automatic weapon at a gun show without a background check? It's a real problem, isn't it? That's what Americans are being left to believe after hearing from gun control advocates running for president and, well, President Obama himself.

Comedian Steven Crowder took with him a hidden video camera to several gun show sellers, independent gun shops in order to show exactly how easy it is to buy automatic weapons - even at the very Indiana gun show in Crown Point Indiana that the President said is such a danger to Chicago. You know ... shhh ... those disgusting gun show loopholes.

Hint: The gun dealers wouldn't touch anyone from Illinois with a 10-foot pole.

Crowder's video is one you have to see for yourself: 

Local leaders endorse McLaughlin in 3-way 26th District Senate race

BARRINGTON HILLS - Republican voters in the 26th Senate district have three choices in the upcoming primary to succeed retiring Senator Dan Duffy - Barrington Hills Village President Martin McLaughlin, attorney Dan McConchie and Mettawa Mayor Casey Urlacher. 

Thursday, McLaughlin announced a list of fourteen local leaders that stepped forward to endorse their colleague.

“I am honored to have the support of these local leaders who work tirelessly for their communities,” said a grateful McLaughlin. “In our positions, we can’t allow politics to stand in the way of moving our communities forward. As a result, we have enacted many of the reforms that Governor Rauner is looking to achieve in Springfield. That’s the kind of experienced leadership the Governor needs on his side in order to enact his conservative reforms.” 

To the Editor: Kirk isn't a Republican, nor is he electable

  Illinois U.S. Senator Mark Kirk is being challenged by businessman James Marter

TO THE EDITOR:

I find it amusing when an earnest Republican, perhaps even a pro-lifer, says he is voting for Mark Kirk (holding his nose) because, “We can't afford to lose that Republican senate seat!”

Weyermuller: Northern Illinois conservatives pick Cruz in two straw polls

By Mark Weyermuller - 

A week before the Iowa Caucus, northern Illinois conservatives picked Ted Cruz the winner in two straw polls this past Saturday. The polls were conducted in the Chicago area by Illinois Conservatives United and administered by Jan Shaw, a member of the West Suburban Patriots.

The first poll was done at the West Suburban Patriots' morning meeting, the second at the Walsh Freedom event Saturday evening.

Thorner/O'Neil: How the Church can Strengthen America

By Nancy Thorner and Bonnie O'Neil - 

During a speech President Barak Obama gave on June 28, 2006, he stated:  

“Whatever we once were, we are no longer a Christian nation - at least, not just.  We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddist nation, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers.”  

This is a strange statement coming from a President whose populace consisted of 78% Christians, especially so when considering that throughout its history the United States always identified itself as Christian, while being open to all faiths.

What was the point of his statement?  Could it be President Obama wanted to plant the idea in all our minds that Christians were in for a rude awakening, knowing his campaign message of “Hope and Change” was not going to prove to be the type of hope and change Christians had in mind?

Instead, his plans for America would challenge Christians and even the Christian Church itself. 

Immigration group targets Kirk for voting with "Gang of 8," endorses Marter

WASHINGTON - The Americans for Legal Immigration PAC endorsed Illinois' GOP challenger James Marter over incumbent U.S. Senator Mark Kirk this week, saying Kirk is a "target for removal from office" because he supported the Gang of Eight's infamous amnesty bill in 2013. 

"Thank God the true American conservatives stopped Senator Mark Kirk's illegal immigrant amnesty bill in the U.S. House," said William Gheen, President of ALIPAC. "Kirk listens to the voices of the Democrats and Chamber of Commerce instead of his Republican constituents on the issues of amnesty and illegal immigration."

State lawmakers, candidates react to Gov's 2016 SOTS address

SPRINGFIELD - State lawmakers and candidates for state office were ready to react to the governor's comments as soon as he left the House floor: 

Organizations respond with thumbs up, down to Gov's 2016 State of the State address

SPRINGFIELD - As soon as Governor Rauner concluded his address, responses from organizations, lawmakers, candidates and trade associations hit the media's email inboxes.

Governor Rauner's 2016 State of the State Address

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner shared with the people of Illinois his second State of the State Address to state lawmakers at the Capitol Wednesday at noon.

Pro-life women leaders urge Iowans to support "anyone but Donald Trump"

 

DES MOINES - As indication of the deepening split within social conservative circles, ten pro-life women leaders, including Concerned Women for America founder Beverly LaHaye - a peer to Donald Trump-supporting Phyllis Schlafly, asked Iowa pro-lifers to support anyone other than Trump at next week's Iowa primary caucuses. 

"...On the issue of defending unborn children and protecting women from the violence of abortion, Mr. Trump cannot be trusted and there is, thankfully, an abundance of alternative candidates with proven records of pro-life leadership whom pro-life voters can support," the ladies wrote. "We have come to this conclusion after having listened patiently to numerous debates and news reports, but most importantly to Donald Trump’s own words."

Trump explains decision to skip debate after Fox refuses to dump Megyn Kelly

NEW YORK - In an email to supporters, Donald Trump's campaign explained his decision to skip the next debate after Fox News refused his demand to dump veteran female journalist Megyn Kelly from the forum.

From the email:

Unlike the very stupid, highly incompetent people running our country into the ground, Mr. Trump knows when to walk away. Roger Ailes and FOX News think they can toy with him, but Mr. Trump doesn’t play games. There have already been six debates, and according to all online debate polls including Drudge, Slate, Time Magazine, and many others, Mr. Trump has won all of them, in particular the last one. Whereas he has always been a job creator and not a debater, he nevertheless truly enjoys the debating process - and it has been very good for him, both in polls and popularity.

He will not be participating in the FOX News debate... Like running for office as an extremely successful person, this takes guts and it is the kind mentality our country needs in order to Make America Great Again.

Cullerton addresses tentative pension deal with Rauner [video]

What was so unfair about Megyn Kelly's debate question?

DES MOINES - Donald Trump's campaign announced Tuesday night that he would not be participating in the last scheduled debate before Iowa's primary caucuses next Monday night. His reason? Fox News would not oust Fox News commentator Megyn Kelly from the panel questioners.

Trump says Kelly is "unfair" because of a question she asked him in August 2015 at the first Fox News debate.  

In August, Townhall.com's columnist Star Parker reviewed what happened that night:

Morris says presidential race will be a two-way match by March

WASHINGTON - Love him or hate him, political pundit Dick Morris has looked at the presidential primary calendar and the number of delegates the winner will need, and has come up with a conclusion that makes sense.

Morris says that the presidential nominees for each party will likely have gained nearly half of the needed delegates before the primaries on March 15th. He says most primary voters don't understand the process and will woefully waste their votes on candidates that have no chance, and will be forced out numerically before even Illinois has a chance to pick its favorite.

Will DeKalb area residents oppose Illinois' first tribal casino?

 A tribal casino like  Coeur d’Alene Casino in northern Idaho could be coming to DeKalb area 

DEKALB - Gambling opponents hope that 500 DeKalb residents will show up Tuesday night at a public forum to consider Illinois' first tribal casino. If there's no opposition, Shabbona could be home to yet another gambling center.

The U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs' meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Kishwaukee College Conference Center, 21193 Malta Road, Malta. It is a first step in crafting an environmental impact study and an impact statement on the tribe’s plans to bring 24 hour bingo hall to the area.

"Residents and other stakeholders will have an opportunity to speak at the meeting, and federal representatives will use the information to gauge what benefits or distress the gambling  would have on Shabbona and the region," Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems' executive director Anita Bedell said Tuesday.

Auditor General Mautino responds to campaign spending questions ... sort of

 Frank Mautino - then state rep - now Illinois' Auditor General

SPRINGFIELD - Evidently beginning to feel the heat over questions being asked about campaign spending while he was a state representative, Illinois' new Auditor General Frank Mautino issued a statement Tuesday via his spokesman Ryan Keith.

"...His reports fully detail campaign expenditures that were made to help defray the standard, reasonable expenses incurred while Frank performed the governmental and public service duties of serving as state representative of his large, mostly rural district," Keith said.

The issued statement is vague and doesn't answer questions raised by the Edgar County Watchdogs, who have been scouring Mautino's campaign spending over the years, and found "eyebrow-raising" numbers such as $213,000 to a local garage for vehicle repairs and gas for campaign travels. 

Open the Books' founder Adam Andrzejewski, who wrote about Mautino in a recent Forbes.com column said Mautino's statement was "completely unacceptable."

Oreos and Ritz Crackers prepare to leave Chicago for Mexico

CHICAGO - Mondelez bakeries, which makes Oreo cookies, Ritz crackers, and Cadbury chocolates, has announced yet another round of layoffs at its Chicago bakery, Breitbart reports Tuesday.

The company is enlarging its Mexico facilities as it closes nine bakery lines in the Windy City, some of which have been operating for 60 years.

The company has been cutting costs since its 2012 separation from Kraft Foods’ grocery business. The goal is to reduce costs by at least $1.5 billion by the end of 2018...

Illinois Senate candidate wants to expand Illinois gun owners rights

MURPHYSBORO - Two attorneys are aiming to replace retiring state Senator Dave Luechtefeld in the 58th Senate district. One has Illinois' gun rights in her sights. She wants to expand them.

“Barack Obama has made it clear that he wants to do all he can to keep firearms away from lawful citizens who want to protect themselves and their families," said constitutional attorney Sharee Langenstein Tuesday in a statement.

"The proper response from the legislature of Illinois should be to expand gun rights. Barack Obama wants fewer guns in the hands of law abiding people. I want greater opportunity for firearm ownership.  Every citizen who follows the law should have the opportunity to exercise this important Constitutional right."

Duckworth boasts out-raising Kirk by $1M

CHICAGO - Illinois Democrat Tammy Duckworth says she reports raising $1 million more than Incumbent GOP Senator Mark Kirk over the past six months. Duckworth, who is in a three-way Democrat primary, raised $3.06 million and Kirk raised $2.05 million.

In the last filing, Kirk reported around two million in cash on hand. Kirk faces a challenger in the March 15th GOP primary.

Masters in Manufacturing: Doug Sosnowski of Rockford's Spare Part Solutions

ROCKFORD – Doug Sosnowski started Spare Part Solutions twelve years ago, and today his Rockford-based business has 22 team members. Among other machinery needs, Spare Part Solutions specializes in replacement parts for printing equipment. 

Spare Part Solutions started providing printing machine parts in 2003 from a 3000 square foot shop. Two years later, they moved into a 7000 square foot building, took over another printing parts business in Chicago and moved into another 3000 square foot facility while starting to make parts for Tier 1 and Tier 2 government suppliers. 

Where's Weyermuller? Charging up for 2016 with Walsh Freedom grassroots

Editor's note: Before Saturday afternoon's rally, Walsh wrote the following on his Facebook page, which was "liked" by 4,678 and "shared" 852 times, suggesting his explosive comments calling for the American system to be "blown up" are striking a chord with thousands ...

By Mark Weyermuller - 

It was just an old-fashioned political rally promoting freedom, liberty, and opportunity with Walsh Freedom this past Saturday afternoon. Former congressman and current talk radio host Joe Walsh and his wife Helene hosted about 1000 grassroot conservatives at the Diplomat West Banquet Hall in Elmhurst, Illinois.  The event was titled "Bring it on: 2016."  

Pharmacist challenges Davis in 13th CD

JERSEYVILLE - Congressman Rodney Davis has failed to keep his promises to be a fiscal conservative, and that's why 37 year old pharmacist and small business owner Ethan Vandersand, is challenging Davis in the March 15th GOP primary.

It's the second election in a row that Davis has been challenged by a candidate saying Davis is not as conservative in his voting as he leads his 13th CD constituents to believe. In 2014, former Miss America Erika Harold led a charge to unseat Davis.

Vandersand pointed to Davis' vote on the Omnibus budget bill, which has led to conservative political action committee Family Federal PAC from endorsing Davis in the GOP primary.  

Rand Paul in Northfield Friday night

NORTHFIELD - GOP Presidential candidate Rand Paul may be down in the Iowa caucus polling, but he continues to preach his message of defeating the Washington Machine and unleashing the American Dream.

On his way to Iowa for next week's caucus, Brian and Sandy Pigott will be hosting Paul in their Northfield home Friday night at 7 PM. 

Update: Local talk show host Joe Walsh said on Facebook Sunday that he's considering Rand Paul:

Carson supporter files to oust Ted Cruz from Illinois GOP primary ballot

SPRINGFIELD - Donald Trump has threatened to initiate such a lawsuit, but he may have been beat to the punch - right here in Illinois. An objection to U.S. Senator Ted Cruz's qualifications to run for president on the Illinois Republican ballot could send shockwaves nationwide if it is sustained by the Illinois State Board of Elections next week.

Lawrence J. Joyce, an attorney and practicing pharmacist from Poplar Grove, says Cruz is not a natural born citizen as the Constitution requires, but is instead "naturalized" citizen born in the Canadian province of Alberta in 1970.  That disqualifies him from running for president.

IL Auditor General reportedly doled out $213k to Happy's Super Service

SPRING VALLEY - Happy's Super Service Station in Spring Valley, Illinois, provided a reported $213,338.31 in gas and vehicle repairs over 10 years to Illinois' new Auditor General Frank Mautino, which has drawn national attention in Forbes.com.

The hundreds of thousands of dollars Mautino spent at Happy's since 2005 averaged about $20,000 a year. That's either a whole lot of gas or Mautino's campaign vehicles are lemons - all of them.

Sarah Palin will help Trump, 30 percent of Likely GOP voters say

PRINCETON NJ - Voters in general don’t think much of Sarah Palin and see her endorsement of Donald Trump as more harmful than helpful to his candidacy. But for Republicans and conservative voters in particular, the intended audience as the Iowa caucus nears, a Palin endorsement is a plus, a Rasmussen survey found this week.

Facing $480 M gap, Chicago Public Schools cut 433 administration jobs

CHICAGO -  Chicago Public Schools are facing a $480 million budget gap and expect a $1.1 billion deficit next year. Friday, CPS CEO Forrest Claypool announced cutting 433 positions in the Central Office and administration, which would save the district $45.1 million annually.

Arn: Talk show host Mark Levin criticizes Adam Kinzinger as "RINO sellout"

By Ulysses Arn - 

Thursday night nationally syndicated talk show host and best-selling conservative author Mark Levin let his massive national audience know the truth about someone I've been trying to expose to the whole country as the "dishonest", "disingenuous", RINO sellout that he is, Congressman Adam Kinzinger.

Why is it so important that conservatives, Tea Partiers, and Republicans the nation over know about one Illinois congressman with a 36% rating from Conservative Review?

Hultgren: Why I Marched for Life in D.C.

WASHINGTON - Via video, Illinois Congressman Randy Hultgren (IL-14) shared why he marched for Life Friday in D.C.: 

Returning from D.C. trip, Marter pushes ahead to challenge Kirk for U.S. Senate

OSWEGO - Republican candidate for U.S. Senate James Marter pleaded his case before conservative federal lawmakers and several organizations in D.C. last week, then came home with the endorsement of Arizona Congressman Trent Franks. 

"My enthusiasm goes beyond agreement with Mr. Marter on issues affecting our citizenry and government. It is clear he has the will, instincts and integrity to work repairing the contemporary damage done to the first principles built into our institutions by America's Founders," Trent endorsed.

Franks congratulated Marter for stepping up against an "out of touch" incumbent. 

Congress members reminded of abortion tragedy outside Chicago fundraiser

CHICAGO - Democrat Congress members Tammy Duckworth, Luis Gutierrez and Mike Quigley were among fundraiser attendees Thursday night at the City Winery-Chicago, where abortion activists were raising money for State Senator Daniel Biss. 

Protest organizer Pro Life Action League reports that all three federal lawmakers saw their abortion protest signs as they entered the event.

Duckworth is running for the Democrat Party's nomination to challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Mark Kirk, who is also an abortion rights advocate.

 
Photos by John Jansen, Pro-Life Action League

Biga: Round 2 – Unions and the GOP

By Frank J Biga III - 

I knew my article the other day would stimulate a conversation so I wanted to take a minute to respond to my colleague Howard Foster. Hopefully we can debate a little bit back and forth on an issue that definitely needs it.

Mr. Foster makes the argument that unions cannot be considered beneficial in Illinois. Now I understand the view that public sector unions have been able to successfully increase wages and benefits for their members over the last 40 years and that this imposes an additional cost on the taxpayers of Illinois. But do workers not have the right to organize in a labor pool and negotiate?

Thorner & O'Neil: Common Core: a fiasco for the next generation

By Nancy Thorner and Bonnie O'Neil - 

Author Patrick Wood warned us that America’s schools were in danger back in 2005. In his article "Global Schooling: The Hijacking of American Education", he equates the virtual takeover (or hijacking) of American education to that of seizing control of a moving vehicle by use of force, in order to reach an alternate destination. The time period for this hijacking coincides with the economic plundering of America.  According to Patrick Wood, the takeover started roughly in 1973 and is still in progress today.

The success of this globalism agenda rides on the back of manipulating the minds of students to reflect patterns of global dogma. The students may be academically inferior to their 1970 counterparts, but scholarship was easily traded for the globalist-friendly character traits of a globalized citizen, one who will not question the globalist agenda but instead welcome it as an inevitable evolution of civilization.

Liberty Principles PAC launches ad campaign for Senate candidate Bryce Benton