Illinois Review

Von Spakowsky: Illinois absolutely tortured the law to restrict 2nd Amendment

By Hans von Spakowsky -

When it comes to upholding concealed-carry rights, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has been the only federal appellate court to apply the Second Amendment correctly. Until now. In Culp v. Madigan, a case involving the concealed-carry rights of out-of-state citizens in Illinois, a three-judge panel of the court has now gone the wrong way over the vigorous objections of dissenting Judge Daniel Manion.

Many states restrict residents from obtaining concealed-carry permits unless they can demonstrate a “good reason” for needing them. The Second, Third, Fourth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals have all approved such restrictions — the only example I know of federal courts telling citizens they cannot exercise a guaranteed constitutional right, like the ability to speak under the First Amendment, unless they have a valid reason to do so.

But the Seventh Circuit had been a bulwark of freedom. In Moore v. Madigan and, more recently, in Berron v. Illinois Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board, the court held that “the constitutional right to ‘keep and bear’ arms means that states must permit law-abiding and mentally healthy persons to carry loaded weapons in public.”

Illinois rewrote its restrictive concealed-carry law after the Seventh Circuit ruled against it.

Wikileaks shows Donna Brazile sneaking second debate question to Clinton crew

NEW YORK - When interim Democratic National Convention's interim chair Donna Brazile was caught passing along a debate question to Hillary Clinton's campaign, she responded with outrage when Fox News' Megyn Kelly asked her about the allegation. 

Brazile, who at the time was a CNN contributor, spouted her familiarity with Christian persecution for being asking about the information handoff. But perhaps more than righteous indignation, Brazile's angry response stemmed from being caught - as she has been once again. 

"As a Christian woman, I understand persecution," Brazile told Kelly. "Your information is false. What you're -- well, for suggestive e-mails were stolen. You're interested and you're like a thief that wants to bring into the night the things that."

Monday, an email discovered by Wikileaks from Brazile to Clinton campaign manager John Podesta and Jennifer Palmieri on March 5 suggests Brazile leaked questions at least twice - once about Clinton's views on the death penalty and a second about Flint's lead poisoning crisis.

What about those judicial slots? ICJL releases voting guide for Illinois judges

ELMHURST - To better educate Illinois voters about choices for judges, Monday the Illinois Civil Justice League (ICJL) released the ratings of judges and judicial candidates running for election and retention in the November General Elections.

The ICJL judicial ratings are a part of the most complete and comprehensive voter education initiative of its kind, designed to assist voters in making informed decisions about the judicial candidates on their ballot.

The initiative called Judges: Good and Bad-You Can’t Afford to be Indifferent can be found at illinoisjudges.net.

Tale of Two Cities: Celebrating in Wrigleyville, Killing on Chicago's Westside

Cubs fans celebrate Game 5 win | DNAinfo.com photo

CHICAGO - While thousands lined the streets around Wrigley Field late Sunday night, celebrating the Chicago Cubs squeaker of a win over the Cleveland Indians in the 2016 World Series Game 5, just a few miles away, 17 Chicagoans were killed and 44 wounded on Chicago's violent Westside.

The latest killing took place at 4:00 am Monday morning, just as Cubs fans' started home after a long night of safety and partying.

The tale of two drastically different communities within one city raises the question: How can the environments so near each other be so different?

Where's Weyermuller? Celebrating Halloween with neighborhood's scariest display

By Mark Weyermuller - 

Some people have said I have the scariest yard in all of Illinois. How can this be? Halloween displays contains lawns full of witches, monsters, and skeletons, yet my yard seems to be more frightening.

I suppose it's because my Halloween display includes full-size figures of politicians. This year's centerpiece focuses on presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. They are separated by a large air-blown pumpkin with a sign that says, "debate moderator." Hillary is holding a cellphone - wiped clean, of course.

GOP challenger Harlan asks, "Is Cheri Bustos aware of Obamacare dilemma?"

GALESBURG - The 45 to 55 percent rate hike for Illinois Obamacare participants is no big deal Democrat incumbent Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) - at least that's what her Republican challenger Patrick Harlan claims. 

"Believe it or not, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos still supports Obamacare," Harlan said." Ask her. She still supports it. How is this not a bigger deal when premiums are going up 40, 50, 60 percent?

The Dark Art of Political Intimidation

Intimidation, harassment, and blackmail have become the norm in American politics. Why? Because it works. Kimberley Strassel, author of The Intimidation Game, explains.

Obama's White House Kept List of Muslims For Top Jobs

President Obama with John Podesta on Air Force One. (Photo: © Wikimedia Commons)

The Obama administration collected lists of Muslim candidates for jobs in the Obama administration, according to previously unseen emails sent to the chair of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign John Podesta and released by Wikileaks. Podesta was also a former chief of staff for President Bill Clinton.

Dating from 2008, the email refers to a list of Muslim leaders vetted for top jobs within the administration (it does not provide the list). The author, Preeta Bansal, adds three points by way of explanation, the first of which is as follows: 

“In the candidates for top jobs, I excluded those with some Arab American background but who are not Muslim (e.g., George Mitchell). Many Lebanese Americans, for example, are Christian. In the last list (of outside boards/commissions), most who are listed appear to be Muslim American, except that a handful (where noted) may be Arab American but of uncertain religion (esp. Christian).”

You can read the full email here.

This paragraph has drawn the ire of commentators who see this as evidence that Obama’s White House was deliberately excluding Christians from senior positions.

More HERE

Democrat and Republican Party Platforms

From Decision Magazine - 

Many decisions are made at the president’s desk, but the major political party to which he or she belongs wields significant power over which domestic and international policies are advanced and what becomes law. Here is a summary of the Democrat and Republican party positions on some of the vital issues facing the country. As Franklin Graham has stated clearly many times, we are not endorsing any candidate or party.

Removing offender status from job applications increases discrimination against minorities

Jennifer Doleac and Benjamin Hansen write: “Well-intentioned policies that remove information about negative characteristics can do more harm than good. Advocates for these policies seem to think that in the absence of information, employers will assume the best about all job applicants. This is often not the case. Research has shown that providing information about characteristics that are less favorable, on average, among black job-seekers—including criminal records, personality tests, drug tests, and credit histories—actually helps black men and black women find jobs. These outcomes are what we would expect from standard statistical discrimination models. More information helps the best job candidates avoid discrimination.”

More at: Cato Institute

How to end the war on worker freedom

The Obama administration has used its regulatory powers to enact restrictions on worker choice that Congress declined to enact in legislation. Congress, write Trey Kovacs and John Berlau, can protect worker choice and reclaim its authority to set policy by using the power of the purse to defund these policies. Such policies include the Ambush Election Rule, which “drastically reduces the time frame between the filing of a petition and the date on which a representation election is held”; the Joint Employer Rule, which overturned a clear standard for defining a joint employer relationship in favor of “an extremely broad and vague definition under which companies may be held liable for labor violations committed by other employers”; the Fiduciary Rule, whose vague mandate that fiduciaries act in savers’ best interest will impose a hefty price tag on an already regulated industry and risk depriving low- and moderate-income savers of personalized financial advice; and the Overtime Rule, whose attempt to expand overtime pay will likely be offset in ways that are inconvenient and costly to workers.

More at Competitive Enterprise Institute

The Constitution belongs to the people.

Justice Clarence Thomas has been sitting on the Supreme Court for 25 years as of this week. He shared his views on the job at The Heritage Foundation this week: “I think we are obligated to make the Constitution and what we write about the Constitution accessible to our fellow citizens.” The Constitution, Thomas continued, “is theirs, and I think we hide it from them when we write in language that’s inaccessible. […] Genius is not putting a two-dollar idea in a twenty-dollar sentence. It’s putting a twenty-dollar idea in a two-dollar sentence, without any loss of meaning. But that takes work. And it takes organization and editing. […] We owe it to people to present to them their Constitution in a way they can understand it to enfranchise them constitutionally.”

Legislators Take Aim at Discriminatory Practices at the IRS

Schakowsky's headaches continue over husband's dirty campaign tricks

CHICAGO - Husbands are causing Clinton insiders lots of headaches these days, and there's no question IL Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky can identify with Clinton aide Yuma Abedin's recent spousal embarrassments. 

After all, Schakowsky's husband Bob Creamer did not only spend time in prison for bank fraud and tax troubles, he was caught in several undercover videos appearing to admit his part in stirring up violence and illegally coordinating with the Clinton campaign. 

Creamer "stepped away" from his campaign gig at "American United for Change" as soon as Project Veritas rolled out the secretly-recorded videos - but not a word came from his wife Jan Schakowsky, who led a protest outside a Republican fundraiser the same day Donald Trump cancelled a scheduled rally in Chicago, fearing violent protesters.

Mendoza's flowery words for Speaker Madigan come back to haunt her

CHICAGO - Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza served 10 years in the Illinois House before being sworn into her current job in May 2011. During her time in the Illinois House, she became a vocal admirer of Speaker Madigan - who is now under unprecedented political criticism as a documentary funded by Illinois Policy Action circulates the state.

The 44 year old Mendoza is now in a heated race to unseat Governor Rauner-appointed State Comptroller Leslie Munger.

The statewide race has become a symbolic contest between Illinois' top two power players - Republican Governor Bruce Rauner and longtime Democrat House Speaker Mike Madigan. Both Madigan and Rauner have invested heavily in the race - tying both candidates to their most noteworthy supporters.

Now Mendoza's flowery speech nominating the powerful Mike Madigan to retain his speakership in 2011 is being circulated after it was unearthed by the Munger campaign - with hopes of reminding voters of Mendoza's devotion to Madigan.

Family Research Council Action releases Congressional candidate voter guide

WASHINGTON - Family Research Council Action's voter guide for Congressional candidates reveals that social conservatives in Illinois aren't that enthralled with several Republican congressional incumbents from Illinois - including Republicans Peter Roskam (IL-06), Robert Dold (IL-10), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Rodney Davis (IL-13) and John Shimkus (IL-15).

Three Illinois Congressional members of the U.S. House that FRC Action does recommend include Mike Bost (IL-12), Randy Hultgren (IL-14) and Darin LaHood (IL-18). 

And there are three Republican candidates FRC is recommending over their district's incumbents: Patrick Harlan, rated "conservative" over 17th CD's Cheri Bustos' "very liberal"; "conservative" Tonia Khouri over "very liberal" 11th CD's Bill Foster.

Roskam, Kinzinger, Davis and Shimkus are all listed as either "somewhat conservative" or "moderate." Dold is listed as "very liberal." 

Neither Tammy Duckworth nor Mark Kirk answered the national family group's surveys, but the group assessed their voting records and determined each of them to be "very liberal."

To see the Family Research Council Action's scores for Illinois candidates, go HERE. 

Where's Weyermuller? At Wrigley Field for World Series

By Mark Weyermuller - 

"I'm going to World Series" a phase I never thought I would ever say. The truth is I don't have a ticket but I'm down here outside of Wrigley Field.  The Chicago Cubs will be playing the Cleveland Indians for the 2016's series games 3, 4 and 5.

The Cubs lost Friday night's Game #3 1 to 0.

 

Kirk apologizes for Duckworth comment, Dems turn up heat

CHICAGO - If incumbent U.S. Senator Mark Kirk could take back 14 words from Thursday night's debate with Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, it's pretty clear he would.

One phrase, "I forgot your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington," ignited a Twitter explosion that is continuing Saturday morning. In fact, Democrats that want to get the focus off Hillary Clinton's FBI troubles are all over Mark Kirk's comment. 

Kirk apologized to Duckworth Friday morning: 

But 24 hours, the controversy hasn't gone away. Saturday morning, here's just a sampling of what Duckworth fans are Tweeting: 

Just in time for Halloween: 119 Dead Chicagoans vote

CHICAGO — Susie Sallee was buried in 1998. Yet records show she voted in Chicago 12 years later.

Victor Crosswell died in 1994, but records show he’s voted six times since then.

And then there’s Floyd Stevens. Records show he’s voted 11 times since his death in 1993.

“It’s crazy,” Sharon Stevens Anderson, Stevens’ daughter, tells CBS 2’s Pam Zekman. “I don’t see how people can be able to do something like that and get away with it.”

Those are just a few of the cases CBS 2 Investigators found by merging Chicago Board of Election voter histories with the death master file from the Social Security Administration.

In all, the analysis showed 119 dead people have voted a total of 229 times in Chicago in the last decade.

More on CBS 2's investigation HERE

Which candidates will you be promoting in your neighborhood this weekend?

This weekend and next are the last two key opportunities for neighbors to knock on doors and promote their favorite candidates - from the top of the ticket national level all the way down to county. 

Early voting is now going on in Illinois until November 7, and then voting on November 8th, the General Election.

Which candidates' signs are in your yard, and who are you volunteering to help this weekend? 

Email your photos to info@illinoisreview.com, Tweet to @IllinoisReview or send us a message on Facebook. 

FBI Director re-opens Clinton email investigation

UPDATE: The New York Times is reporting that the new emails to which Director Comey is referring came from former Congressman Anthony Wiener's electronic device - up until August, Wiener was married to Clinton insider and confidante Huma Abedin. Wiener is under suspicion of using electronic devices to entice a minor. 

D.C. - The Federal Bureau of Investigations has just learned of Secretary Hillary Clinton emails that Director James Comey says "appear to be pertinent to the investigation" he testified about earlier this year.

The FBI says as a result they are re-opening an investigation to determine whether or not emails in an "unrelated case" contain classified information.

Comey said in the letter dated October 27, 2016 to key U.S. Senate and House members that he had no idea whether the material they were looking into was significant or how long it would take to make such a determination.

Cook County raises starting minimum wage to $13, urges statewide passage

CHICAGO - Wednesday, after heated debate, Illinois' most populated county passed an ordinance requiring profit and non-profit employers throughout the county to raise starting minimum wages to $10 per hour by July 1 of 2017 and increase $1 per year until $13 per hour in 2020. 

And while proponents celebrated the passage, municipalities within the county suggested they will appeal opt-out of the minimum wage hike, just as they will do for the newly-required sick pay mandate, County Commissioner Tim Schneider told the board members.

Another opponent, Commissioner Sean Morrison told the board that in response to questions he asked the county's state's attorney office, they opined that the ordinance was not within the board's parameters. 

"Our legal conclusion is that Cook County lacks the home rule authority to enact such an ordinance," the state's attorney wrote in an opinion on the ordinance. 

Kirk shocks by ridiculing Duckworth's heritage during Springfield debate

SPRINGFIELD - Republican incumbent U.S. Senator Mark Kirk is getting heat nationwide Friday morning after an exchange with Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth Thursday night in which Kirk ridiculed Duckworth's assertion that her family's roots stem back to the Revolutionary War era.

Duckworth was born in Thailand, but her father was American - something Senator Kirk must not have known when the following exchange took place:

Tammy Duckworth: My family has served this nation in uniform back to the revolution. I am a daughter of the American Revolution. I've bled for this nation. But I still want to be there in the Senate when the drums of war sound because people are quick to sound the drums of war and I want to be there to say this is what it costs and this is what you're asking us to do. And if that's the case, I'll go. It's families like mine that bleed first. But let's make sure that the American people understand what we are engaging in and let's hold our allies accountable because we can't do it all. 

Mark Kirk: I forgot that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington. 

Kirk's comment was followed with an awkward silence, and then the panel at the Sangamon County Convention Center moved to another question.

Before the debate, Kirk's chances of being re-elected were listed by FiveThirtyEight.com as being 8%, with Duckworth at 91%. By Friday morning, Kirk's chances dipped to 7.4%. 

Biga: Forget Roman Empire, U.S. now eerily similar to Late Imperial China

By Frank J Biga III - 

Historians often use the history of the Roman Republic and Empire as a guide stone to the development of the United States and seek analogous situations between the two to explain whether the United States is rising or declining. But I think a better historical period and civilization to study in this regard is late Imperial China. This revolves around issues that were very similar for both including illegal drugs, philosophical change, and foreign influence. Consider the following historical progression:

China is known as the Middle Kingdom. This self-appointed moniker derives from the fact that Imperial China (which ranged from the Shang Dynasty in the 2000s BC all the way through the Qing Dynasty to 1911) regarded other civilizations as barbarian and beneath the culturally superior Chinese. The Chinese were superior to all except the spirits in the Heavens - hence the name the Middle Kingdom.

Kirk vs. Duckworth in first televised debate Thursday night at 7 PM CST

SPRINGFIELD - Republican incumbent U.S. Senator Mark Kirk will matchup with Democrat challenger Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth Thursday night from Springfield in their first televised debate.  

Polling shows Duckworth ahead of Kirk, increasing the hopes of Democrats to regain the U.S. Senate majority in 2017. 

The event will be broadcast on ThisTV (Comcast channel 232 or digital channel 23.2). It also will be streamed live on SJ-R.com and broadcast live on 970-AM WMAY radio.

UPDATE: Former IL Congressman threatens to grab musket if Trump loses

UPDATE 5:19 PM: Mr. Walsh will be on CNN with Anderson Cooper tonight at 7:30 PM CST to discuss this controversy, he just told Illinois Review. "I haven't been contacted yet by the Secret Service, although I've been told that I was reported to them once again," he said. 

CHICAGO - A provocative Tweet by Chicago radio talk show host Joe Walsh created a stir among Leftist critics Wednesday afternoon. Thursday, Walsh's comment was used by Democrat U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Duckworth to boost a last minute campaign fund drive for her bid against incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Mark Kirk. 

In 2012, Duckworth beat then-Congressman Joe Walsh's re-election bid, after being for his first term in the 2010 Tea Party Revolution year.

First, the Duckworth campaign posted Walsh's controversial Tweet: 

And then Duckworth's campaign attempted to boil Walsh alive, tying him to Trump's "sore loser" talk:

Thorner: Trump threatens to "Drain D.C.'s Swamp"

By Nancy Thorner -

The shameless "borking" of Trump to paint him as a woman hater, one who supports violence, a loony-tune, and so much worse, has become non-stop since he became the Republican presidential nominee this past July, fostered by print media and TV networks which have unabashedly joined forces with the Democratic Party for the election of Hillary. Rightly perceived by Republican establishment elite is that Trump, not of the establishment, would shake up the status quo and the power and money that flows to those who support the globalist agenda of the rich and powerful working behind the scenes to control this nation's destiny, such as George Soros, Bill Gates, the U.N., Bush and Clinton cartels, members of the elite Republican establishment in the U.S. House and Senate, and foreign countries who gave to the Clinton Foundation in what is known as Pay for Play.  

Fifty Republicans, claiming to be national security experts, signed a letter predicting that Trump would be the worst president in history when it comes to keeping America safe. I'm confused!  Isn't the first duty of the president to keep the American people safe?  How will Hillary's call for opening the nation's borders through which murderers, drugs, drug lords, cartels, and hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants flow and extending a welcoming mat to thousands of un-vetted Syrians for whom we could query our database until the cows come home and yet draw blanks when no records exist, keep Americans safe?

Unlike Trump, Hillary can't even define the enemy as Islamic extremist terrorists and her support of the Iran nuclear deal is the worst appeasement policy in modern American history and has compromised our security.

Weyermuller asks: Are Chicago elections really rigged?

By Mark Weyermuller - 

Presidential candidate Donald  Trump is claiming that America's election process is rigged. For some reason, his message is resonating. This is especially true in Chicago where the joke is "Vote early and often."  They also say, "I see dead people... voting."  You might remember that from the film "The Sixth Sense."

This year especially, this may not be funny. I agree with Mr Trump - our elections are rigged.

Rhoads: Justice Stevens' 1932 memory of Babe Ruth at Wrigley Field

By Mark Rhoads - 

On Aug. 29 this year, I went to Wrigley Field with my family to see the Cubs defeat the Pirates in 13 innings. Two days later, I boarded a flight from O'Hare to Washington, DC and I was surprised to see retired U.S Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens and his daughter one row in front of my sister and me on the same plane, so we had a chance for a short conversation.

Stevens grew up in Hyde Park and his father built the Stevens Hotel at 725 S. Michigan Avenue that is now the Chicago Hilton Hotel - and Justice Stevens was there the day Babe Ruth called and then hit a home run in Wrigley Field.

Obamacare rates to skyrocket 45 to 55% in 2017 for Illinois residents

CHICAGO - If the Affordable Care Act seems to have priced health care insurance, premiums, deductibles and co-pays out of this world, "you ain't seen nothin' yet."

Illinois' plans are about to be hit with price hikes that range from 45 to 55 percent in 2017.

And there will be fewer options:

Chicago Cubs owners invest in conservative causes ... for the most part

CHICAGO - Like or lump the Chicago Cubs, there's a lot for conservatives to like about how the family that own the Cubs invests a sizable portion of their substantial wealth into conservative political efforts - although some complain that their investments are more for incumbent Republicans than conservative ones. 

During the National League playoffs - which the Cubs eventually won - a group called Future45 ran these anti-Clinton ads: 

World Series tix sellers asking $100k to $1M for Wrigley Field seats

CHICAGO - So guess who will be watching the Chicago Cubs vs Cleveland Indians World Series on TV?

Most of the nation, because, well, only a few can afford the tickets, the AP reports. 

Ticket prices are especially high for the games at Wrigley:

"Box seats on ticket-selling sites such as StubHub were $50,000 and up, with one seller asking $100,000 for a seat and another asking for just under $1 million. But there are lots of box seat tickets in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. Tickets to just get into the park and stand behind those with actual seats were going for more than $2,200 each."

Last time the Cubs were in the series, tickets in the grandstand cost $6 each. 

Thorner/Clarke: It's not about Hillary or Trump, it's about ending corruption

Obama's corrupt DOJ intervened and these voting poll intimidators were set free

By Nancy Thorner and Ed Clarke - 

This election is really not about Trump or Clinton. It is about whether we want to continue having a corrupt Justice Department, a corrupt IRS, a corrupt FBI, whether we want to continue denying children the opportunity to go to charter schools to improve their education, about the make-up of the Supreme Court, and there is so much more. 

We know that the Democrats will continue to march lock step toward a country that suppresses minority opinions, that takes over more of the economy and reduces economic opportunity, and makes the world a more dangerous place for US citizens.  Republicans have demonstrated that they believe in the rule of law, love their country and support a strong national defense. A President Trump would be reined in by the Democrats in Congress and by the divided Republicans in Congress.

At this point it really doesn't matter if Trump is sufficiently conservative or a closet Democrat.  To the extent that Trump starts conversations with a negotiating posture, it may have no relationship with the final outcome.  We believe that Trump will act as a problem solver who first loves his country and the opportunities it offers people.

Pastors and Churches should ignore threats to be silent

WASHINGTON –  Pastors and churches should ignore hollow threats to be silent regarding biblical and moral issues that are relevant to this election, says Liberty Counsel.  Once again, like a broken record, Barry Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State is sending out baseless, threatening letters to pastors.

“Americans United has not won a single threat against a church regarding tax-exempt status. No church has ever lost its tax-exemption over political activity,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. “The best use of a letter from Barry Lynn is to line the bottom of a birdcage,” he said.

In the letter, Lynn states: “You should be aware that some national organizations have been urging religious leaders to engage in problematic activities. For example, you may be asked to distribute ‘voter guides’ during services or to make them available to your congregants. I urge you to be very wary of such overtures.”

Illinois Citizens for Life releases list of pro-life candidates on 2016 ballot

CHICAGO - Illinois Citizens for Life surveyed and reviewed public statements and/or voting records of candidates on the Illinois November 8th ballot on pro-life issues. Their findings are reflected on the group's scorecard released Monday.

The group - headed by lobbyist Ralph Rivera - gave the highest rating - a "U" - to presidential Republican candidate Donald Trump and a "1" to Trump's running mate, Mike Pence. Hillary Clinton received a "4" and her running mate Tim Kaine a "3." (Note: Updated after story's original publication)

None of the Illinois candidates for U.S. Senate received a "1" rating. ICL scored the top two candidates - Democrat Tammy Duckworth and Republican incumbent Mark Kirk - both with a "4" - indicating they are both "totally opposed to pro-life issues." 

Among congressional candidates, incumbent Democrat Dan Lipinski (03), Republican incumbents Peter Roskam (06), Mike Bost (12), Rodney Davis (13), Randy Hultgren (14), John Shimkus (15), Adam Kinzinger (16) and Darin LaHood (18) were rated with a "1" - meaning they are fully pro-life. (Davis and Kinzinger with a #, indicating a rape/incest exception) 

Among Republican U.S. Congressional challengers, 11th District's Tonia Khouri received a 1# rating and Patrick Harlan (17) with a 1 rating. 

None of the candidates for state comptroller are known to hold pro-life views, according to the scorecard.

Eleven state Senate candidates are listed as pro-life, and 57 candidates for the state House were given the top score. 

Several county and judicial candidates were rated as pro-life.

Review the ICL's Scorecard here. 

Latest video suggests illegal campaign coordination between Clinton and DNC campaigns

NEW YORK - Adults dressing up as Donald Duck and appearing at various Trump activities to antagonize the Republican presidential candidate and his supporters are the topic of the latest undercover video released by Project Veritas.

The conversations with Democrat operatives Bob Creamer and Scott Foval, recorded by conservative activist James O'Keefe, suggest Secretary Hillary Clinton may have been illegally consulted and gave approval for the mascot following around Trump.

Americans for Prosperity ex dir encourages "Yes" on Safe Roads Amendment

NAPERVILLE - Even among conservatives, there's a difference of opinion on whether or not Illinois voters should support amending the State Constitution to require all transportation funds be limited to use only for the state's infrastructure updates and repairs - a position benefitting construction companies and unions hold. 

The Americans for Prosperity Executive Director David From wrote in the News-Gazette back in August that he supports the Constitutional amendment, in contrast to Illinois Review's ("Is forcing a Constitutional amendment to fund safe roads the answer?") position. 

Thorner: An easy way to teach kids about free enterprise

By Nancy Thorner - 

As an educator and a patriot, my good friend and mentor, Elizabeth A. Clarke, wanted to make sure that upon her death in June of this year young people would carry on her fight for freedom and liberty, which Elizabeth continued up until the day before her death.  Elizabeth was displeased that so few young people were interested in writing Letters to the Editor or becoming involved in the political process.

Elizabeth was a story teller, at which time her eye would sparkle with delight and her voice would be filled with strength and conviction as she related stories she never grew tired of telling.  Many of Elizabeth's stories were designed around teaching moments, as was a story related often by Elizabeth during the last few weeks of her life to all who entered her room to provide medical services or otherwise.  She would later tell me of these encounters, which were a source of pleasure for the both of us.

The story referred to is Elizabeth's simplified version of "The Bread Machine."

Top IR picks for third week of October 2016

Illinois Review readers were interested in these topics in particular last week. In case you missed it - here they are again.

• SCHAKOWSKY'S CHECK-KITING HUSBAND BEHIND TRUMP RALLY VIOLENCE, UNDERCOVER VIDEO REVEALS 
• GOP OPPONENT CALLS FOR SCHAKOWSKY'S RESIGNATION IN LIGHT OF UNDERCOVER VIDEOS
• IN FRONT OF BILLY GRAHAM CENTER IN WHEATON, "DONALD TRUMP IS ANTICHRIT"
• TRUMP SUPPORTER REPORTED ON CANCELLED CHICAGO RALLY AGITATORS IN MARCH

 

Comedian Bill Murray crashes White House briefing to boost Cubs

WHITE HOUSE  - Few - okay, maybe more than a few - remember the last time the Chicago Cubs got this close to winning the National League Championship and going on to the World Series (it was 2003), but comedian Bill Murray is confident the mild weathered Los Angeles Dodgers won't be able to play in Chicago's chilly temps.

At least he tried to convince White House press he's confident about the final two league championship games scheduled for this weekend. 

Watchdog.org: Top judges resign at troubled Social Security Chicago headquarters

MADISON, Wis. – The shake-up continues at the Social Security Administration’s embattled Chicago regional headquarters, and this time it’s hitting the very top.

Two key resignations follow another management reassignment this week amid multiple federal investigations into corruption and cover-up at the region’s Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR).

Wisconsin Watchdog has learned that Sherry D. Thompson, chief administrative law judge for SSA’s Region 5 in Chicago, and Assistant Regional Chief Administrative Law Judge John J. Rabaut have announced they will be resigning from their leadership positions at the end of the year.

Hillary & Comey together in new parody video

Funny, clever and sadly, right on target ... new Hillary Clinton and James Comey's hit duet, "What Difference does it Make?" thanks to SocialistMop.

Cook Co Commish alerts biz owners to possible mandated 58% pay hike for employees

Businesses were not informed of this huge cost increase nor did they have an opportunity to prepare or budget for it. With their yearly budgets already set, they will now be forced to increase their staff salaries by 27% literally overnight and 58% over the next 20 months ~ Commissioner Morrison

By Cook Co Commissioner Sean Morrison - 

On October 5, certain commissioners introduced a Minimum Wage Increase Ordinance for all Cook County businesses with a vote scheduled for October 25.  This quick action leaves local businesses with only a few days to analyze the financial impact and assess their ability to cover this immense and unexpected new cost.

Anonymous group reveals why they're opposed to Illinois Policy Institute

CHICAGO - It was no surprise when Illinois Policy Institute's new documentary Madigan agitated Democrat establishment types when the hour-long film hit theatres throughout Illinois this week, showed on Facebook, and revealed it will soon be available on local television stations.

But when another group that identifies itself with independent Republicans and dubbed itself "#FakeIllinoisPolicy" released a parody video ridiculing Illinois Policy Institute as "the people that brought you fake newspapers, fake radio networks and fake policy institutes," the development turned heads. 

The parody appeared for a short time on Vimeo before the Institute complained and argued copyright infringement. The sources behind #FakeIllinois Policy - who are taking special care to cover their identity - fought back and won the right to republish their short video on YouTube. 

The group said in a press release Friday, "We explained to VIMEO that the trailer was protected under parody and fair use and that Illinois Policy Institute's claim against the video had no merit. A screenshot from Capitol Fax, calling the parody 'genius' - thank you by the way -  exposed that Illinois Policy just didn't like that their name was used in connection with the video (not a legitimate claim) and that helped us greatly to make our case."

They went on, "VIMEO's attorney said 'Based on your explanation, we have taken another look at the initial takedown notice and found it to be insufficient on closer examination. I have restored the video as you requested.'  

The group's animosity towards Illinois Policy Institute was clear, so Illinois Review asked via an email named "Sargeant Schultz" three questions: 

1. Why are you working so hard to remain anonymous? 

2. Who is funding your efforts? 

3. What is your long term goal for www.fakeillinoispolicy.com? 

Their replies were as follows: 

Thorner: Mark Levin's case for an Article V Convention challenged

By Nancy Thorner - 

There is a move afoot, first brought to the mass of grassroots Tea Party participants by Mark Levin, radio host, attorney, and author in mid-August, 2013 with his book, "The Liberty Amendments," to push the idea of a Constitutional Convention, renamed "Convention of States" or Article V, which Levin and other pushers believe the framers allowed to be pursued through our Constitution.  The Liberty Amendments lay out the case for a Convention of States and proposes eleven amendments. 

Mark Levin insures us in his book that the process has no chance of being hijacked by the leftists/socialists, that the 10th Amendment using nullification is too cumbersome and doesn't solve the problems we face, and that state legislators, those closest to the voters, are the convention drivers.  How credible is it to believe that the federal government will listen to new amendments that curtail the wrack and ruin now being done if our federal government doesn't follow the Constitution as written?  However, many Tea Party conservatives, as well as others who feel big government has gotten out of hand, are open to dong something big to rein in the federal government and believe that amending the Constitution is the way to go.

Thorner: Grassroots movement afoot to eliminate Dept of Ed and Common Core

By Nancy Thorner - 

The Heartland Institute hosted a “Stop Fed Ed” event at the Andrew Breitbart Freedom Center on Wednesday, October 12. The event featured Cora Weber, who discussed her role in the grassroots effort to stop Common Core and (eventually) eliminate the federal Department of Education.

Ms. Weber is a second-generation home-educator, single mom of six, and president of the Illinois chapter of the United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE.ORG). For nearly 15 years, Cora has worked as an advocate for children by promoting awareness of the socialist progressive agenda in government schools. Weber is currently developing an initiative to guide and encourage religious institutions to adopt a more central role in the education of America’s children. 

As president of the Illinois chapter of USPIE, Weber is aligned with the STOP FED ED movement, a campaign led by parents, taxpayers, and educators committed to ending the U.S. Department of Education and Common Core, returning control over education policy to the states, where it belongs. Michelle Malkin serves as an advisor to STOP FED ED and there are 33 chapter presidents. The names and contact information for state chapter presidents can be located by checking this website.

Trump supporter reported on cancelled Chicago rally agitators in March

CHICAGO - Soon after the Trump rally fiasco in Chicago in March 2016, a Trump supporter that was inside the University of Illinois-Chicago Pavillion gave an account of what happened from her perspective and shared it with Illinois Review readers. Her take lined up with what Democrat operatives described in the undercover videos being distributed by Project Veritas. 

In the first video released, Democrat operatives described how they hired mentally ill and homeless persons to agitate Trump rally attenders. Outside, U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (IL-04) was seen stirring up the crowd.

Suzanne Monk reported on how these agitators worked to successfully shut down the rally and keep Donald Trump out of the building and out of the area.

First published on March 29 - the details are HERE, and this is Monk's conclusion:

There is NOTHING to be proud of in a riot. No protest that erupts into that kind of violence and hate has ANY dignity to express. And most sad is the loss of understanding of free speech which is protected specifically from this kind of physical suppression thru intimidation.

I am changed after this. This election is not a debate. It is a BATTLE. The other side, the statists who demand larger government control and handouts, have drawn first blood. They are serious as a heart attack and will use any violent or aggressive tactic to win for their "leaders". They have no respect or understanding of Constitutional liberty, and many of them openly claim to seek to bring down society into anarchic chaos

You may notice my tone has changed since Friday. I'm no longer willing to stand down while a mob of racists and statists try to commandeer our once great nation. America is a nation of individual liberty, and that fact will be changed only over my dead body. You will have to pry my freedom from my cold dead hands. And I vow to do whatever it takes to restore my nation to it's former plural glory of "one nation under God"......starting with voting.

The rest is HERE. Related Illinois Review stories

• SCHAKOWSKY'S CHECK-KITING HUSBAND BEHIND TRUMP RALLY VIOLENCE, UNDERCOVER VIDEO REVEALS
• NEW UNDERCOVER VIDEO APPEARS TO SHOW DEMS' VOTER FRAUD SCHEME IN INDIANA, MICHIGAN
• CREAMER INDICATES HE IS "STEPPING BACK" FROM CLINTON CAMPAIGN
• GOP OPPONENT CALLS FOR SCHAKOWSKY'S RESIGNATION IN LIGHT OF UNDERCOVER VIDEOS

How Does the Minimum Wage Work?

Many states are talking about raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. So are some politicians in Congress. How does the minimum wage work? Would raising it help workers, or hurt them?

Transportation coalition spends over $2M on ads for guaranteed public funding

SPRINGFIELD - A group of road building-related companies, associations and labor unions are funding paid advertisements on broadcast TV and the Internet - notably a popular Democrat-sympathizing political blog - with hopes of encouraging "Yes" votes on the November 8th ballot.

As of the end of September, Citizens to Protect Transportation Funding raised nearly $3 million towards changing the Illinois Constitution to guarantee a source of public funding that lawmakers or the governor cannot touch - no matter what needs may come up. 

Voting "Yes" on the amendment will set into motion a provision similar to the state employee pension that cannot be changed without a constitutional repeal. 

Skillicorn warns voters: False info hitting 66th House District mailboxes

EAST DUNDEE - Republican Allen Skillicorn wants voters in the 66th House District that Democrat opponent Nancy Zettler is using the typical, worn out campaign tactic of spreading false information via mailers.  

But instead of shrugging it all off, the East Dundee village trustee is working to get the truth out - especially in a campaign season when women's issues are so volatile.