Illinois Review

Public letter from IL GOP precinct committeeman to Governor's Chief of Staff

LIBERTYVILLE - A precinct committeeman from the northern suburbs has concerns about the future of the state of Illinois and the Illinois Republican Party, and has tried to get the message to the governor's office. He hopes a public letter will draw the governor's attention to crucial issues at hand:

From: Grant D. Noble, Republican Precinct Committeeman, Libertyville 201

To: Governor's Chief of Staff Rich Goldberg 

Dear Chief of Staff Goldberg,

Last year I wrote Governor Rauner but it was returned unanswered as “too political”. So I'm hoping you will consider the following as you advise the Governor. Last year I worked in battleground State Rep districts in several counties. I'm delighted the Governor can now sustain his vetoes without a single Democrat vote. But that was the only bright spot in a bad year for Illinois Republicans.

Is Gun Ownership a Right?

What does the Second Amendment say? Is gun ownership a right for all Americans? Or just for a small militia? Eugene Volokh, Professor of Law at UCLA, explains what the Founding Fathers intended.

McSweeney leads effort to stop new beverage taxes

CHICAGO – State Representative David McSweeney has been joined by 66 fellow members of the Illinois House of Representatives in sponsoring House Resolution 148, which opposes any new taxes on beverages and supports the thousands of Illinois small businesses that are linked to the beverage industry in the state.

Four Illinois Congress members win Family Research Council's "True Blue" Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Monday, FRC Action released its annual Vote Scorecard for Members of Congress showing which Members demonstrated an unwavering commitment and consistent support of faith, family and freedom during the second session of the 114th Congress.

Four members of Congress from Illinois - U.S. Reps. Randy Hultgren (14), Mike Bost (12), Darin LaHood (18) and Peter Roskam (6) - scored a perfect 100 percent on this year's scorecard, earning them the group's annual "True Blue" Award.

Why Are Your Payroll Taxes So High?

Rauner to meet with Chance the Rapper

CHICAGO - Chance the Rapper is a popular Chicago-based Grammy Award winner, and he's meeting Wednesday with Governor Rauner to discuss education funding, he Tweeted Monday. Over 50,000 "liked" Chance's message and over 8,000 re-Tweeted it. 

Does Rauner plan to "PATCO" state employees?

SPRINGFIELD - Since eighty percent of the voting AFSCME state employees authorized their bargaining committee to go on strike if Governor Rauner doesn't agree to their demands, can Illinois taxpayers expect the governor to "PATCO" the strikers? 

Rauner's boycott of White House event doesn't set well with Trump supporters

WASHINGTON DC - Illinois' Governor Bruce Rauner's refusal to be anywhere near Donald Trump is raising Republican eyebrows downstate, where Trump handily won once-Democrat strongholds.

Weyermuller: Setting possible new selfie record at CPAC 2017

 
Weyermuller selfies with CPAC Executive Director Matt Schlapp (center) and CPAC attendees

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD - The 2017 CPAC concluded over the weekend and citizen journalist Mark Weyermuller was among the thousands of conservatives that met to hear from movement leaders and network with fellow travelers. 

Weyermuller, noted for his selfies with renowned personalities, was busy adding more to his collection in the halls of the convention center.

The annual event is run by the American Conservation Union (ACU), currently under the leadership of Matt Schlapp. Started in 1974, it is the largest gathering of conservatives in the world. 

 
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Project Veritas James O'Keefe

 
Fox News' Sean Hannity and actor Robert Davi of Die Hard, Licensed to Kill & Goonies 

Why Illinois' workers comp system needs reform so badly

SPRINGFIELD - Surely you've heard the excuse that insurance companies are raking in the cash and why Illinois workers' compensation costs are so high in Illinois. That mantra is just a diversion that trial lawyers use to deflect how they benefit from the system in place, says Illinois Policy Institute's Michael Lucci.

Lucci writes in response to a recent letter in the Belleville News Democrat :

Rhoads: The myth of "settled science"

By Mark Rhoads

For several years I have been suspicious of the agenda of so-called "climate change" scientists because they always claim that only their side of the climate change debate is "settled science" and cannot be questioned by other scientists who have doubts. They ridicule any dissenter as a "climate change denier" who is probably paid by energy companies. This "settled science" claim is found only in the climate debate.

Hillsdale College President Discusses Conservatism and Trump

Pritzker calls for everyone to use opposite gender bathrooms

CHICAGO - Thursday, Chicago businessman and possible 2018 IL gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker expressed his outrage with President Donald Trump's executive order reversing the Obama Administration's mandate concerning genders and bathrooms, showers and locker rooms in taxpayer-funded schools.

And evidently that wasn't a strong enough message, Pritzker followed up, encouraging everyone to invade opposite sex bathrooms with the purpose of protecting "trans kids": 

Op-Ed: If you're sick of bad policy, tell your lawmakers to vote No on HB 40

By Emily Zender Troczinski - 

The Illinois House held a committee hearing on House Bill 40 earlier this month, and passed a bill that would provide free abortions, for any reason, for state employees and for those on Medicaid. 

With our state billions of dollars in debt and Illinois citizens struggling to make ends meet, these state representatives are focusing their time on sending Illinois funds towards the death of unborn children rather than life. According to one lawsuit filed last year, social service agencies claim the state owes them over $100 million dollars. But rather than rescue social services for poor people, they want to set up a fund to provide free abortions. 

This is nothing more than a Democrat ploy to force Governor Rauner into a difficult position right as we enter election season. It’s another political football game at the expense of Illinoisans.

Over 80 percent of Illinois workers union sanction strike

AFSCME's Robert Lynch announced members sanctioned strike

SPRINGFIELD - The 38,000 Illinois state workers members of AFSCME 31 authorized their union bargaining committee to strike if negotiations with Governor Bruce Rauner meet a dead end, AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch told reporters Thursday. 

"Today we are here to announce the outcome—81% of members voted YES to give their bargaining committee the authority to call a strike if no other path forward can be found," Lynch said. 

Lynch went on to say that the situation has developed because Rauner’s unreasonable demands would take $10,000 from the pocket of the average state worker.

"He would do that by making employees pay 100% more than they’re paying now for health insurance in conjunction with a four-year pay freeze," she said.

The governor's office responded to what they called AFSCME leadership's "misinformation campaign."

Where's Weyermuller? At CPAC 2017

That's President Trump at the CPAC 2017 podium Friday morning w/Mark Weyermuller

MARYLAND - Illinois Review citizen contributor Mark Weyermuller is too busy meeting conservative personalities and taking selfies to write much from CPAC 2017 - so here's some of the photos he's been sending back (many featuring WLS AM's Stephanie Trussell):

 

 

He promises more photos to come ...

80 percent of registered voters reject sanctuary cities, new poll says

WASHINGTON DC - Chicago city officials and Illinois lawmakers that defend cities, counties and municipalities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration law enforcers might do well to consider a new survey that showed 2000 registered voters as overwhelmingly opposed to sanctuary jurisdictions. 

The poll, conducted by the Harvard Center for American Political Studies, showed that 80 percent of the respondents said they think cities that arrest illegal aliens for crimes should be required to turn them over to immigration authorities.

Only 20 percent of registered voters say they oppose cities being required to turn criminal illegal aliens over to the feds.

Di Leo: Citizens, Immigrants, and Illegals: A Long-Blind Nation Sees Clearly Again

By John F. Di Leo - 

There are about 95 million people of working age in America who are outside the workforce, some willingly, most unwillingly. They just can’t find jobs.

For as long as there have been movie theaters, there have been some kids who’ve snuck in without paying. Whether it’s for a single film or a double feature, they know as long as they’re in the theater that there’s a chance they may get caught.  At any point, they might be asked to show their ticket stub, and if they can’t… they know they’ll be tossed out.  If it happens, they won’t complain, they won’t threaten to sue, because they knew the risk all along, and they don’t want to make things worse.   Every minute they’re in the building, they’re nervous… and they don’t really breathe easy until they’re out of there.

There are about 95 million people of working age in America who are outside the workforce, some willingly, most unwillingly. They just can’t find jobs.

For as long as there have been resumes and job applications, there have been some people who’ve lied on them.  They may claim a college degree they didn’t earn, a past title they didn’t really hold, a past accomplishment they never really accomplished.  And they may get the job as a result, but they know it’s unearned, and they’re rightly nervous every day… until they’re found out, and bounced out, as a result.   When that day comes, they pack up their things in a box, and Security walks them out, on a day they always knew was someday bound to arrive.

Illinois Lawmakers Push for Taxpayer Funding of Abortion

Life leaders are warning that the number of abortions will dramatically increase in Illinois if House Bill 40 becomes law. They say the measure is a response on the state level to efforts in Congress to end the $430-million dollar annual taxpayer subsidy to Planned Parenthood.

Protect America rally adds speakers for Saturday at noon

SPRINGFIELD - At noon Saturday,  taxpayers opposed to adding "Safe Zones" in Illinois will rally in Springfield and are adding speakers, organizer Rosanna Pulido says.

Federal investigation shows Pakistani bros secretly took $100k from Iraqi source

WASHINGTON DC -  Rogue congressional staffers took $100,000 from an Iraqi politician while they had administrator-level access to the House of Representatives’ computer network, according to court documents examined by The Daily Caller News Foundation’s Investigative Group.

The money was a loan from Dr. Ali al-Attar, an Iraqi political figure, and was funneled through a company with “impossible”-to-decipher financial transactions that the congressional information technology (IT) staffers controlled.

The three Pakistani brothers are reported to be under investigation by the U.S. Capitol Police and two have ties to Congress members from Illinois.

Retired military leaders express concern over effort to lower Illinois PE requirements

via Twitter

SPRINGFIELD - The nation's defense could be at stake if the state lowers physical education requirement from daily to three days a week, retired military leaders said in Springfield Wednesday.

“PE is essential to our public education system, and is part of the state’s duty to our nation,” Illinois National Guard Major General (Ret) William Enyart said in a press conference held at the Capitol.

“The Armed Forces are now dealing with the consequences of the childhood obesity epidemic,” Major General (Ret.) Randal Thomas said. 

Statistics show that 71% of young people in Illinois are ineligible for military service with obesity as the leading medical reason, reported Mission: Readiness Council for a Strong America, a group of retired admirals and generals focused on "strengthening national security by ensuring kids stay in school, stay fit, and stay out of trouble" said. 

The proposed requirement change for public schools and universities appears in a bill introduced by Senate Minority Leader Chris Radogno (R-Lemont) - SB 13. The changes appear on pages 69 and 70 of a 78-page bill with the main focus of freezing property tax hikes for two years. 

The proposal allows school boards to lower physical education requirements from daily to a minimum of three days a week:  

New Trier race seminar to continue as planned, school board prez says

New Trier Township High School District 203 Board of Education (seated from left): John Myefski, F. Malcolm “Mac” Harris, Gregory J. Robitaille President (standing from left): Patrick O’Donoghue, Lori A. Goldstein Vice President, Cathleen H. Albrecht, Alan R. Dolinko

NEW TRIER TOWNSHIP - An all-day seminar planned for New Trier High School students on the topic of “Understanding Today’s Struggle for Racial Civil Rights” will continue as planned for February 28th, Board of Education President Greg Robitaille announced on the Daily North Shore's website.

Despite many parents and taxpayers expressing concern about the speakers invited to lecture the New Trier students, more expressed support and justified the Board's decision to proceed: 

The Board has considered the input from those in the community who advocate for changes to the February 28th program. We have listened to calls for “conservative viewpoints,” “balance,” and presenting the “other side.” We have heard from those who advocate cancelling the event. We have also heard from many, many more members of our community that Seminar Day should proceed as planned.

The day's speakers are Colter Whitehead, author of The Underground Railroad, and Andrew Aylin, assistant to one-time civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis. There is no representative from conservative blacks such as Thomas Sowell, Condeleezza Rice, Dr. Ben Carson and the like.

Gutierrez condemns Trump Admin for wielding "meat axe" to community trust

CHICAGO - During a visit with the League of United Latin American Citizens Wednesday, Congressman Luis Gutierrez (IL-04) Tweeted out a photo and a snarky comment about the president and his advisors: 

On #immigration, Pres. Bannon & his spokesman Trump will weaken USA & make borders, cities less safe

The congressman then linked to a statement posted on his congressional website Wednesday about the Trump Administration's latest immigration action, saying "We cannot sit by as our government comes for parents, puts children in foster care, and takes a meat axe to the trust built up over years between the police and the communities they protect and serve."

Gutierrez comments are raising concern that he may be stricken with a new psychological phenomena being diagnosed by professionals: PESD - Post-Election Stress Disorder. 

Prolife group calls on Illinois governor to veto taxpayer abortion funding bill

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Rauner's been skiing in Utah, he told Chicago NBC's Mary Ann Ahern Wednesday morning, so maybe that's why he's remained uncommitted on a House bill that would require state taxpayers to fund Medicaid abortions. 

But the Illinois Right to Life is calling on the governor to make his position known. Pro-lifers backed the governor in 2014 because their state leadership assured them Rauner was privately against abortion - despite the fact he and his wife Diana financially support groups that promote unlimited abortions. 

Illinois Right to Life is asking for financial donations to place the following ad on stations throughout the state, calling on the governor to oppose HB 40. 

Right To Life Ad

Why isn't Governor Rauner opposing this bill, they asked in an email Tuesday: 

The immigration debate: What does the Catholic Church teach?

CHICAGO - As the immigration issue moves front and center at national, state and local levels, some of the staunchest advocates of so-called "sanctuary" areas are the Catholic Church faithful. 

Latinos - in America both legally and illegally - find solace in Catholic circles, and their spiritual leaders naturally minister to them and their needs.  It is not unusual for family members to reach out for help in escaping immigration law enforcement. 

But there is a growing discussion as to what the Catholic Church teaches about issues associated with immigration. Should the Church encourage law breaking? Or should it treat illegals as Biblical "strangers"?

Hundreds protest Trump in downtown Chicago #NotMyPresidentDay

CHICAGO - While many are enjoying a day off to celebrate Presidents' Day, hundreds gathered in downtown Chicago Monday to protest President Donald Trump, proclaiming Monday as "#NotMyPresidentDay." 

Tweeter Christopher Fischer took this shot from above the Wacker - Wabash intersection shortly after noon:

Will County Board member under seige from local Leftist women's group

HOMER GLEN - Homer Glen resident Steve Balich has never been shy about sharing his political views on his Will County News website - dating back to when he and a handful of others started the Homer/Lockport Township Tea Party seven years ago, then throughout his 2014 campaign for Will County Board member and continuing today.

"I'm on the front page of the local paper, there are people calling on me to apologize again and resign as a county board member," Balich told Illinois Review. "All because I hold the opinion that women should be respected, not disrespected." 

As a Tea Party devotee and county board member, Balich has been persistent in defending his constituents' wallets against tax hikes and their privacy from government intrusion. He asserts local control over bigger government, Second Amendment rights and protection of the unborn. His views were embraced by a majority of Will County voters, and now their county board boasts a conservative Republican majority. 

Balich has used his Will County News website to bring those issues to his readers' attention for years.

But one post published shortly after the Women's March in D.C. charged up local feminists that are now calling for Balich's resignation and working to undermine his efforts to fundraise for his upcoming re-election campaign.  

Black leader outraged Illinois lawmakers seek taxpayer funding for abortions

CHICAGO - Black Illinois conservative Babette Holder told Illinois Family Institute that her research shows Margaret Sanger established the first Planned Parenthood clinics in black neighborhoods to minimize the growth of the African American community.

"We know that Planned Parenthood specifically targets the black community," Holder said in a video interview. She said the abortion providers use "the ills and the flaws with that community" to fund their program and, "mainly, their abortions."

Holder's comments were stirred by a bill moving through the Illinois General Assembly that would require taxpayers to pay for abortions in Illinois. HB 40 could be voted on in the Illinois House this week.

Five of the bill's 23 Democrat co-sponsors are African-Americans.

Thorner: Burt Prelutsky - conservative commentator with a sense of humor

By Nancy Thorner - 

Burt Prelutsky describes The Story Of My Life not as a memoir, but as "the saga of one man's 50-year, often hilarious, journey through a life filled with assorted notables and nut cases, celebrated friends and, yes, even a few famous fiends" that might be of some interest to others. That's especially true given the many occasions when Burt's life intersected with the lives of many well-known Hollywood personalities such as Groucho Marx, Oscar Levant, George C. Scott, Jack Webb, Tiny Tim, Ginger Rogers, Bob Hope, Carol Burnett, Jimmy Stewart, and Dick Van Dyke. 

Within the book's 180 pages with its short, easy-to-read chapters, you will be introduced to many film stars, producers, screen writers, composers, and other famous individuals with ties to Hollywood whose names might only be known to you in passing, or not at all, unless you are a committed movie aficionado. 

But to those of you who have not been dedicated movie goers over many years, that shouldn't in any way diminish your curiosity or interest in reading Prelutsky's book. For humor runs throughout all that Mr. Prelutsky writes, adding zest to his fun-filled interview accounts of Hollywood celebrities in which information is revealed that is sure to be tantalizing to readers.

Di Leo: Trump the Trust-Buster? The President Takes on the MSM's Monopoly

By John F. Di Leo - 

For free entertainment in the Trump era, the meltdowns and hissy-fits of the MainStream Media are hard to beat.

In such a discussion, perhaps it’s important to define our terms, so here goes: The MainStream Media, or MSM, consists of the major TV networks with news divisions – NBC, ABC, and CBS… the major east coast newspapers – primarily the New York Times, the Washington Post, maybe the Chicago Tribune and USA Today… the straight news syndication agencies – primarily AP and Reuters… and cable news – primarily CNN and MSNBC.

These newsrooms, which have acted largely as a block of groupthink for generations, have been declared an enemy by our very untraditional president.  When most people descend into madness, it is a private thing, in their apartments or jail cells.  But since the MSM is on display every day, we get to watch.

A particularly interesting reaction along these lines, in this first month of the Trump administration, was ABC hack “reporter” Matthew Dowd, who declared this week that Donald Trump’s refusal to answer MSM reporters’ questions is tantamount to “Shutting down part of the First Amendment.”

Really?

Taxpayers plan State Capitol rally February 25 opposing "Safe Zones" bill

SPRINGFIELD - Taxpayers unhappy with Democrats who've signed onto a bill making every school, church and medical facility in the state of Illinois a "Safe Zone" for illegal aliens are planning a rally at the State Capitol Saturday, February 25. 

Event organizers at Illinois' Minutemen Project are inviting like-minded folks to join them at the Capitol at noon to voice opposition to HB 426, a bill that passed a House committee last Wednesday. 

Simply implementing the measure could cost taxpayers over $5 million annually, representatives from the state's Department of Human Services told lawmakers in committee last week. That would be the bare minimum each year to train personnel in schools, churches and medical facilities on how to handle situations when illegal aliens seek sanctuary. 

Where's Weyermuller? At Ronald Reagan's Birthday Celebration

By Mark Weyermuller - 

Americans For Prosperity hosted a birthday celebration last week for our 40th president, Ronald Reagan (1911-2004). The event was held at the Vine Martini & Wine Bar in Grayslake, Illinois.

Americans for Prosperity is a grassroots organization with over 2.8 million activists nationwide who advocate and promote limited government, lower taxes, and more freedom. They have over 93,000 activists across the state of Illinois who are taking action every day on behalf of the free market movement and influencing decision makers.

Peggy Grande was the featured speaker with a presentation on her new book, "The President will See You Now."  She was Reagan's executive assistant for ten years after he left office.  She told some great stories about the former president. To find out more, you are going to have to buy the book.

Trump: Fake News is the American people's enemy

WASHINGTON DC - President Donald Trump isn't letting up on expressing his frustration with the mainstream news media. 

Friday afternoon he Tweeted that the Fake News media is the enemy of the American people:

Thorner: One state after another reject Convention of States' effort

By Nancy Thorner - 

There are enemies, foreign and domestic, to our United States Constitution.  Some want to make our Constitution more globalist-friendly, some want to dilute the Second Amendment, and some want to eliminate the Electoral College.  Some simply want to become important by rewriting our Constitution.  

Liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg announced on February 6th that she would like to change the Electoral College requirement in the Constitution. Without that, no non-incumbent Republican candidate would have won the presidency in the last quarter century. Without the Electoral College, money alone would dictate the outcome in presidential elections.

Gutierrez demands feds release suspected gang member

WASHINGTON DC - Wednesday, Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and other Latino colleagues demanded the release of a suspected gang member claiming DACA status that the feds arrested in Washington state.  

NFL tackles Illinois workers comp bill

SPRINGFIELD - National Football League players are organizing to oppose a bill proposed in the Illinois General Assembly. From NPR's "All Things Considered":

[Illinois is] the only state in the union where professional athletes can claim a workers' compensation wage differential until the age of 67... Here's what it means.

In Illinois, if you get injured on the job and you're forced to take a lower-paying job, workers' comp law says you can collect about two thirds of the difference between what you made before the injury and after. That's the wage differential. Illinois allows injured workers to claim it until the age of 67. That's considered the average end to a working life - most working lives.

State Senator Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) is sponsoring Senate Bill 12, which singles out pro athletes. The bill says that since professional football players don't work in their jobs until 67, the state wants to stop paying workers compensation wage differential until they are 67.

Congressman Hultgren releases new report on 14th CD's heroin, opioid epidemic

WASHINGTON, DC — Wednesday, U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14) released a new report on the state of the heroin and opioid epidemic in northern Illinois. Titled “Persisting in the Fight,” the report includes recent success stories from the 14th Congressional District and recommendations for local, state and federal lawmakers to more effectively tackle drug abuse and treat addiction. Read the report at his heroin and opioid resource page: http://hultgren.house.gov/heroin.

“Our community has made good progress fighting this plague since our Community Leadership Forum on Heroin Prevention in 2014, but more work needs to be done. This summer I brought together issue and patient advocates, law enforcement, treatment centers and government officials to discuss where we are, what’s working and where we go from here,” said Rep. Hultgren. “I was encouraged by their insights on the state of the problem and what we can do at the local, state and federal levels to more effectively address opioid addiction.” 

State rep challenges Illinois government to cut down budget weight

SPRINGFIELD – State Representative Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) is slimming down excess bulk and after Governor Rauner's budget address Wednesday, challenged Illinois lawmakers to follow suit. Time to manage healthy changes, he said.

“Since December 13, I’ve dropped from 227 to 200 pounds, which is a cut of more 10 percent of my body weight," Skillicorn said in a statement. "If I can do that will some healthy eating and exercise, I think Illinois can manage do the same with some healthy changes to its budget and spending.”

McConchie on Gov's 2017 budget speech: Rauner showed real leadership

SPRINGFIELD - State Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) was encouraged by Governor Rauner's annual budget speech Wednesday.

“Today, Governor Rauner emphasized the need to balance the budget by cutting government spending and enacting spending reductions for the future. He made it clear to the General Assembly that any budget deal must be good for Illinois taxpayers as well as job creators.

McConchie said he was was encouraged by the Governor’s call to invest in the state's future by fully funding education, transforming the state’s pension system, and making structural changes to improve Illinois’ job climate.

“I believe Governor Rauner showed real leadership today and presented a clear plan to the General Assembly that benefits taxpayers and emphasizes the need for state government to live within its means. Under the Governor’s guidance and vision, Illinois can become a competitive state.”

Rep. McDermed: Illinois needs responsible budget to climb out of downward spiral

MOKENA - The longer Illinois goes without a budget, the harder it will be to climb out of the state's downward spiral, one state representative said Wednesday after Governor Rauner's 2017 budget address.

"Today the Governor really drove home an important point about the lagging growth and population exodus the state has been experiencing for a decade. As a result of lost tax revenue and consumers, the state's long standing budget woes have worsened," State Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) said in a statement.

"Illinois has made it a habit of hampering job creation while at the same time overburdening taxpayers. The longer Illinois goes without a responsible budget in place, the harder it will be to climb out of our current downward spiral," she said.

Senator Rezin: Budget solution will include things not everyone will like

PERU - In order to get a balanced budget, Illinois taxpayers should prepare to take their medicine, a Republican senator from north central Peru said after the governor's budget address Wednesday.

"The solution to a balanced budget will include things not everyone will like," warned State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Peru) in a statement issued after the 2017 budget address at the Capitol.

Technology & Manufacturing Association applauds Gov's call for policy reform

Taurus Tool based in Batavia, Illinois is one of 1000 companies members of TMA

SCHAUMBURG, IL – At the federal level, American manufacturers are encouraged with news from Washington D.C. of policy changes that will encourage job growth and industry expansion.

But manufacturers based in Illinois have been cautious as to whether substantial tax and regulation policy changes will work through to their businesses because for the most part, budget and policy reform from the State Capitol have been confusing and contradictory.

After Governor Rauner's budget address Wednesday, the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) - which represents 1000 manufacturers and their 30,000 employees responded with caution: 

TMA welcomes Governor Rauner’s stated commitment to economic growth and support of job creators throughout Illinois. We applaud his continued calls for workers compensation reform and a property tax freeze, as well as other structural reforms that are critical to maintaining a robust manufacturing base in Illinois.

We are hopeful the Governor can shift the conversation to a more balanced approach that makes Illinois employers more competitive, strengthens Illinois families, and reins in out-of-control State of Illinois government spending.

Illinois Policy Institute CEO: Springfield doesn’t deserve another penny

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Rauner's comments Wednesday indicating his willingness to compromise on a "grand bargain" to achieve the state's first budget in 18 months is causing one of the governor's long-standing, most loyal supporters to pause. 

Illinois Policy Institute's CEO John Tillman responded to the governor's third budget address saying the proposed budget doesn't touch the state's foundational budget weaknesses. Tax hikes don't work without major policy adjustments.

"Springfield doesn't deserve another penny from Illinois families," Tillman said. “Gov. Rauner is right that Illinois needs structural reforms to become attractive to job creators and residents. The so-called ‘grand bargain’ that has been talked about does not do this. 

“The proposal that has been worked on by state Sens. John Cullerton and Christine Radogno would raise taxes without any meaningful pension reform, property tax relief, or promise to put Illinois on a better economic path going forward. It is unfair to all Illinois residents, but unfortunately the state’s most vulnerable will be hit the hardest.

Rauner delivers another "rinse and repeat" budget address

Governor Rauner met with polite, but cool, handshakes from Dem leaders after budget address

SPRINGFIELD - Two years later, and Wednesday Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner once again repeated familiar themes from previous budget addresses: 1. he's open to tax hikes 2. if the Democrats open to term limits as well as workers' compensation program and pension reforms.  

Rinse and repeat.

And as it has previously, his proposal is likely to fall on lawmakers' deaf ears. The state of Illinois has been without a budget since July 2015.

It's almost as if the governor's speechwriter simply refreshed drafts from 2015 and 2016 - an address that would have worked well on Groundhog Day. 

Governor Rauner indicated he was open to state income tax hikes and new taxes on services to obtain a balanced budget. And while 60% of the state's budget is determined by court order, he suggested more of the remaining 40% be spent on transportation projects and education-oriented projects. 

He repeated his call for a property tax freeze, along with state employee health care and pension reform. In addition, he once again asked the legislature to pass substantial workers' comp reform along with term limits. 

The address began: 

“The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion… We must think anew and act anew.”

“We must think anew and act anew.”

Abraham Lincoln.

Two years ago, our first budget address began with these same words.

And continued ... (full address transcript below as released by Rauner's office)

Chicago man arrested after laptop found with 45,000 child porn images

CHICAGO — A Chicago man was ordered detained in federal custody today for allegedly possessing thousands of photographs and videos of child pornography, the Northern District of Illinois' FBI office is reporting.

Scott Reskey, 61, is charged with one count of possessing an image of child pornography involving a minor under the age of 12. A search of Reskey’s laptop computer revealed more than 45,000 images and more than 200 videos of apparent child pornography, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago.

Thorner: 23 year old Wheeling native launches career as free market evangelist

Charlie Kirk (l) carries conservative message near and far 

By Nancy Thorner - 

Charlie Kirk and Brent Hamachek of Turning Point USA were the featured guests at a sold-out event at The Heartland Institute’s Andrew Breitbart Freedom Center on February 8 to talk about their book Time for a Turning Point, a road map on how to return to a free America, with an emphasis on reaching our youth and engaging them in the process.  

Kirk, a graduate of Wheeling High School, founded Turning Point USA (a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization) in 2012 when he was 18 years old to teach America’s youth about the free-market and small-government vision of our Founding Fathers. In just four years, the organization has established chapters on more than 1,100 high school and college campuses across America.

Proposed bill would relieve taxpayers from paying for some inmates' legal bills

Illinois taxpayers paid convicted wife killer Drew Peterson's legal bills

SPRINGFIELD - Almost as frustrating as the thought of lawmakers demanding more of our hard-earned money is the realization of what those funds are spent upon. Like paying for convicted murderer Drew Peterson's defense attorney and investigator fees. 

Tuesday, Governor Bruce Rauner announced his support for a bill that would help ease the burden of the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) and taxpayers by taking into account an inmate’s ability to pay for a private attorney. 

"Taxpayers are on the hook too easily for inmate legal bills," Governor Rauner said. "In a time when financial resources are tight across state government, there are better uses for the more than $200,000 the state is paying to defend Drew Peterson. This common-sense proposal protects taxpayers." 

New Illinois state rep focuses on state tax reforms

SPRINGFIELD - Seniors are leaving Illinois as their property taxes grow and their modest incomes don't. They simply can't keep up with burden, even though they'd rather stay in the vicinity of their families. 

State Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) filed three bills affecting taxes this week in Springfield. The first, HB 3013, would provide tax relief for those over 65 living on federal adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less. 

“The property tax burden falls hard upon seniors on fixed incomes, and while the credit will in most cases be modest, it will help them stretch their limited incomes,” Reick said. “It may help a senior citizen with an electric bill, some groceries or a prescription. Anyway, we’ll keep taking small steps until we figure out how to provide substantive relief to everyone in the state.”

Report: Illinoisans experiencing second-worst income growth in the nation

Since 2007, the average Illinoisan hasn’t even seen a full percentage point of personal income growth.

A study released last week by Pew Charitable Trusts shows that, since 2007, the average rate of personal income growth for all Illinois residents is .9 percent. That’s worst in the Midwest and second only to Nevada nationally.

Pew Analyst Barb Rosewicz said the main drivers for such slow growth have been a significant loss of high-paying manufacturing jobs and farmers’ ever-thinning profit margins.

More at Illinois News Network