Illinois Review

Intolerant Illinois: Gov. Rauner encourages prejudice, limits to free speech

CHICAGO – Governor Rauner today released an open letter to school districts and higher learning institutions encouraging them to proactively prevent "acts of hate" as defined by the un-elected individuals who make up the left-wing, taxpayer-funded Department of Human Rights (IDHR).

“Acts of bigotry and hate have no place in our society. All of us need to come together and take the necessary measures to ensure that our schools, colleges, and universities are safe and welcoming environments for students,” said Rauner. “Our administration stands strongly with educational institutions across Illinois as they expand opportunities to prevent these acts.” 

In addition to suggested preventative measures for educational institutions, the Rauner Administration is pledging that IDHR, in partnership with the State Board of Education, the Illinois Community College Board, and the State Board of Higher Education, will investigate any and all reports of discriminatory acts occurring in academic settings.

Administration officials recommend that institutions establish and implement policies that address those actions, ideas and speech they consider hateful, and to promote equal opportunity. “Through an ongoing collaboration, we intend to continue engagement with educational leaders and stakeholders on how to promote welcoming (read: trigger warnings) and supportive learning spaces (read: safe spaces) throughout the state,” said Secretary of Education Beth Purvis. 

Read the letter HERE

Budget fury boils over in town hall hosted by left-wing orgs

By Mark Maxwell -

"Angry voters aired their grievances at state politicians over the lack of a state budget Thursday night at a town hall event hosted by AARP and NPR Illinois. ... The state's backlog of unpaid bills is quickly careening toward the $12 billion dollar benchmark -- a number which seems unfathomable to most taxpayers. ... The overall state debt is actually much higher. A study published last month by Truth In Accounting shows a $210 billion budget shortfall at a cost of $50,400 per taxpayer. The median income in Illinois in 2015 was roughly $59,000. ..."

More HERE

Thorner/O'Neil: George Soros - Leftist Behind Silencing Conservatives?

By Nancy Thorner & Bonnie O'Neil - 

Knowing Republicans control the House, the Senate, the White House, and the majority of State Governors, one might rightfully ask “Why do Democrats still have such a strong public voice?" The answer is troubling: The majority of America’s media sources are exceedingly and blatantly biased.

Largely comprised of Liberal Democrats, they want to sway the public to their political viewpoints, and whether intentional or not, they preach their interpretation of the news and important issues which concern most citizens. This is true of Hollywood radicals to the biased New York Times, and most media sources in between. Trumps’ surprising election victory signaled that the public wanted a new direction. They chose a non-politician for a reason and they will choose television, newspapers, websites, and radio programs that reflect a course correction to the Right, that they believe best and necessary for America.

Scheme to sneak pot, tobacco into Cook County jail gets perpetrators locked up

CHICAGO — What does a sandwich, marijuana, tobacco and the Cook County Jail have in common? Only in Cook County, Illinois ... 

A former dispatch supervisor for the Chicago Police Department was sentenced Thursday to more than three years in prison for providing government information to her boyfriend in an effort to help smuggle contraband into Cook County Jail, the FBI reports.

Video: Diana Rauner commits to Planned Parenthood's "essential services"

CHICAGO - At the national abortion providers' annual fundraiser Wednesday night, Governor Bruce Rauner's wife Diana publicly promised to do all the Rauners can to keep Planned Parenthood providing "essential services." 

Where Are the Moderate Muslims?

After every terrorist attack, politicians and pundits reassure us that the atrocity does not represent the true beliefs of the "moderate Muslim majority." But how many moderates are there? And what exactly does "moderate" mean? Military instructor and researcher Hussein Aboubakr explains.

Rauner and Madigan meet to discuss state budget

SPRINGFIELD - News that the Illinois Governor and the Illinois House Speaker met wouldn't normally grab headlines, but in the only state in the union that has been budget-less for two years, a meeting like that is headline news in the Land of Lincoln these days.

After Thursday's unannounced meeting, an optimistic spokesperson for Governor Bruce Rauner's office released the following statement: 

SEIU nursing home workers in Illinois threaten strike

CHICAGO — Representatives of more than 5,000 nursing home workers across 53 nursing homes in Chicagoland said Wednesday they plan to strike next week over "fair wages, staffing levels that ensure quality care for residents, and dignity on the job regardless of immigration status."

"Workers have been negotiating in good faith for a permanent contract for more than a year," Service Employee International Union (SEIU) said in a statement issues on their website. "Dozens of unfair labor practice (ULP) complaints have been filed against nursing homes for refusing to provide information legally required for good faith bargaining, as well as other violations of the National Labor Relations Act."

Here’s How Wrong Past Environmental Predictions Have Been

By Walter E. Williams / The Daily Signal - 

Each year, Earth Day is accompanied by predictions of doom.

Let’s take a look at past predictions to determine just how much confidence we can have in today’s environmentalists’ predictions.

In 1970, when Earth Day was conceived, the late George Wald, a Nobel laureate biology professor at Harvard University, predicted, “Civilization will end within 15 or 30 years unless immediate action is taken against problems facing mankind.”

Also in 1970, Paul Ehrlich, a Stanford University biologist and best-selling author of “The Population Bomb,” declared that the world’s population would soon outstrip food supplies.

16 Year Old Threatened By Principal

In a video posted by Abolish Human Abortion, a 16 year old activist is harassed and threatened by the Vice Principal of STEM Academy while on a public sidewalk reaching students.

Where's Weyermuller? Finding "new" Republicans at John Marshall Law School

By Mark Weyermuller -

A new Republican student association thrives in downtown Chicago at the John Marshall Law School (JMLS). It’s headed by Joe Dusek, a second-year law student. Dusek is not your typical student as he is a college math professor at Triton College with a Ph.D. in applied statistics from Loyola University.  He has been active in local politics for years trying to elect Republican candidates in Cook County.

Analysis: Illinois lawmakers rarely know how much bills cost before voting for them

CHICAGO – A new analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute finds that Illinois lawmakers have been “shopping without looking at the price tag” by voting for bills without knowing how much they will cost.

The 99th General Assembly was in session from January 2015 to January 2017. The Institute’s analysis found that during this time, lawmakers passed 938 bills – but only 27 had fiscal notes, which serve as price tags for legislation.

“If you want to understand why Illinois is burdened with massive state debt, soaring deficits and a giant pile of unpaid bills, just look at how irresponsibly our elected officials operate. They’re passing bills left and right without a clue as to how much they will cost – or considering whether Illinois even has enough money to pay for them,” said Kristina Rasmussen, president of the Illinois Policy Institute. “No private citizen, family or business can afford to act this way. It’s unacceptable that our elected officials are allowed to get away with this.”

Where are they now? Former Illinois senator leads effort to end child abuse

Duffy launched his new job leading a rally outside Good Morning America in New York

CHICAGO - It's been a year since Dan Duffy left the Illinois State Senate, and, he says, time has flown by. He's continuing public service, but in a different way. Duffy's now the president and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA).

"Once again I am fighting for a cause I believe in – supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators and creators," Duffy wrote last week. "Yet, unlike government, when I make a decision here it actually gets implemented immediately.  Very satisfying. [House Speaker] Mike Madigan does not have a say in what I do now!"

Davis Introduces Bill to End Threat of Government Shutdowns

WASHINGTON DC -  Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) today introduced the End Government Shutdowns Act to end the threat of future government shutdowns as leaders in both parties negotiate the latest spending bill. The current spending bill expires on Friday, April 28, 2017.

Thorner: Along comes "Lukewarm," the just-right position on climate science

By Nancy Thorner - 

When it comes to human-caused global warming, most people think there are two camps: “alarmists,” those who acknowledge it, and “deniers,” those who deny it. But this is far from true.  There are credible scientists – such as those at The Heartland Institute’s latest climate conference (ICCC-12) last month – that accede to the existence of some global warming taking place, but question to what extent man is to blame.

American Indians Are Still Getting a Raw Deal

American Indians are the poorest of all of America's ethnic groups. Why? After all, the government has granted them massive reservations and created entire agencies to look after them. Well, maybe that's why. Naomi Schaefer Riley, author of "The New Trail of Tears," explains.

How the BDS Movement Plans to Destroy Israel

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement says it's fighting for Palestinian rights, but it's really just trying to destroy Israel. Jonathan Sacks, author and former Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, explains how.

IL Lawmakers Gather for Prayer as Key Bills Go to a Vote

Lawmakers and faith leaders are touting the power of prayer in keeping Illinois safe from a legislative agenda that could be a major roadblock to the state's turnaround.

St. Rep. Batinick sets down foot: Budget bills or forget my vote

SPRINGFIELD – On his way down to Springfield Monday, State Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) was uncharacteristically cranky when he emphasized that he wouldn't be supporting any non-essential bill brought to the House floor until a state budget appears for consideration.

"There's no button to say 'Hell No,' but if there was, I'd be tapping it," Batinick said. "Until there's a budget, I will vote only 'No' or 'Present' on any bill that is not budget-related."

Where's Weyermuller? Meeting Protesters Talking "Resistance" in Chicago

By Mark Weyermuller -

Protesting is nothing new. I grew up in the 1960's watching anti-war demonstrations on TV. If you ever go downtown, you are likely the find a march, demonstration or protest every day of the week.

While Barack Obama was president protests existed, so they're nothing new with President Trump.

 

Immigration group releases video counseling illegal families about their rights

WASHINGTON - Monday, a group called "Informed Immigrant" launched with a new training video counseling illegal immigrants about how to prepare and respond to immigration authorities at their doors.  

A pre-teen girl's voice starts with, "I know we've all been worried since the election, but yesterday in class my teacher handed out some materials called 'Know Your Rights' and reading through them made me feel more prepared..."

And the video goes on for over seven minutes to prepare illegals for confrontations with federal officials - a new fear since Donald Trump became president.

DOJ threatens Chicago, Cook County with losing crime fighting funds

CHICAGO - The City of Chicago and surrounding Cook County received a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice last week, warning them that unless they would assure the DOJ the jurisdictions are abiding by agreements with Feds about their handling of those not legally residing in the United States, federal grant funds could be in jeopardy. 

The DOJ said they Chicago and Cook County officials to be aware that they've agreed that a "Federal, State, or local government entity or official may not prohibit, or in any way restrict, any government entity or official from sending to, or receiving from, the Immigration and Naturalization Service information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, or any individual." 

Rauner and buds rock with Alice Cooper in Springfield

Politico's Natasha Korecki's Twitter feed Monday features a photo of Governor Rauner backstage with rocker Alice Cooper Sunday night at the Prairie State Convention Center. Rauner posed not only with Cooper, but House MInority Leader Jim Durkin (to Rauner's left) and former IL GOP Chairman Pat Brady (far right in photo, not in politics).

Rauner and buds "Spent the Night with Alice Cooper" and he didn't just pose for the photo. Others in the audience verified he was in the crowd. 

Trump signs 66 executive actions in first 95 days, many to relieve small business

WASHINGTON - President Trump has signed 66 executive actions in his first 95 days, according to a list Business Insider is accumulating. Many of those actions are intended to directly relieve small businesses - a segment of American businesses the president especially reached out to in his 2016 campaign.

A new Prager U video explains how regulations hurt small businesses:

Marching scientists are "an embarrassment," Heartland Institute PhD says

WASHINGTON DC - Two marches in D.C. this month are being organized to charge up the Democrat base of climate change believers and environmentalists whose worldview blames people and their activities for weather changes. 

The first one held Saturday is the "March for Science," and the second one later this month is "the People's Climate March." 

Arlington Heights' Heartland Institute, which has been working for decades on offering a counter argument to global warming advocates, said those scientists participating in the march are an embarrassment.

What is Planned Parenthood really about?

SPRINGFIELD - Planned Parenthood is back in Illinois news, as next week Democrats in the Illinois legislature say they are planning to move forward on a bill that will - among other things - require state taxpayers to pay for abortions.  What abortion supporters call "health care choice." 

Angry Leftists to protest Northwest Chicago GOP fundraiser Friday night

Leftists also protested outside Northwest Suburban GOP event | Photo by Mark Weyermuller

CHICAGO - What's become to be expected outside Republican events in Democrat- controlled Chicago is angry Leftists, and Friday night it appears they'll be on hand to disrespect Republicans once again. 

Leftists - that control the whole city of Chicago, the vast majority of Cook County, and a substantial part of the state legislature - is upset that there are a few Republicans trying to offer an alternative? 

"What are they protesting, exactly?" a defiant Chicago GOP Chairman Chris Cleveland told Illinois Review. "That Republicans exist in Chicago? They'd better get used to it."

Di Leo: Even with an Angelic Subject like "Made in America," the Devil is in the Details

By John F. Di Leo -

Reflections on government procurement and the Buy American Act

President Donald Trump traveled to southeast Wisconsin to make a speech and issue a proclamation: that he would require that – on the big government spending projects of his administration – everything had better be Made in America.

Hopefully, no one will quarrel with the intent.

A country should be proud of its manufacturing sector, and if tax dollars are to be spent at all, the preference ought to be that they be spent giving business to their own companies, employing their own people, utilizing their own local resources.  It's important not only for the economy, but for national security as well.  Such an intention is good and honorable.

But we all know what the road to Hell is paved with, don’t we?

Batinick: Democrat spending plan is guaranteed uncertainty

SPRINGFIELD - Republicans in the Illinois legislature are proposing full budgets, Democrats are grabbing onto problem-avoiding, partial "lifeline" budgets, State Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) said last week on the Illinois House floor.

"The worse part of the crisis is the uncertainty it creates," Bartinick (R-Plainfield) said. The crisis is also shrinking state revenue. The Democrats' proposed stop-gap budget is "nothing but a scheme," he said.

Bartinick then ended his floor speech with a Dr. Suess-like conclusion:

Thorner: Is Tucker Up to Keeping O'Reilly's #1 Cable News Rating?

By Nancy Thorner - 

As published in the New York Times on Wednesday, April 19, 2017: 

Tucker Carlson, a conservative provocateur who joined Fox News’s prime-time ranks only three months ago, has been tapped to replace Mr. O’Reilly at 8 p.m. Eastern, beginning on Monday, the network said. Mr. Carlson has become, seemingly overnight, one of the network’s most vital players, a remarkable turnaround for a pundit whose bow-tied heyday had seemed behind him. 

About a week or so ago I discussed with CA political writer and humorist, Burt Prelutsky, my observations regarding Tucker Carlson's Fox cable show. 

Reps. Wehrli and Ives call for Auditor General to be ousted

CHICAGO - Illinois' auditor general is in the second year of undergoing scrutiny for the curious ways he spent his own campaign finances while serving as an Illinois state lawmaker. And for the second year, he's refusing to answer questions.   

Skillicorn sounds alarm about state's late assistance payments to area schools

Crystal Lake High School

CRYSTAL LAKE – It's time to stop playing games with the state budget, first-term State Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) said this week in a statement. Public schools are nearing shaky financial grounds as the state delays by seven months assistance they promised because the legislature continues to stall budget negotiations.

Rauners give $50,000 to celebrate Planned Parenthood's 100th anniversary

CHICAGO - Just after Illinois social conservatives' applauded Governor Bruce Rauner's promise to veto a measure that would use taxpayer funds to pay for state employee abortions and declare that unborn babies are not "persons," came news that the governor and his abortion-advocating wife Diana are co-sponsoring a Planned Parenthood fundraiser next week. 

Thorner: Australian lawmaker talks Libertarianism at Heartland Institute

By Nancy Thorner -  

The Heartland Institute on April 12 hosted “An Evening with Sen. David Leyonhjelm,” a lawmaker that distinguishes himself as the only Libertarian in the Australian Parliament – the "Rand Paul of the Senate Down Under."  Leyonhjelm stopped at Heartland as part of his week-long tour of the United States.

In Australia, what Americans know as the Libertarian Party goes under the party name “Liberal Democrats.” While both terms may convey nasty connotations to some, not so if liberalism is referred to in its “classical” sense as a philosophy and ideology belonging to liberalism – in which primary emphasis is placed on securing the freedom of the individual, and upon the realization that a “Democrat” in Australia does not resemble America’s Democratic Party. The same applies to Australia’s main political parties: The Liberal Partyresembles conservative-leaning Republicans, while the Labor Party is most like our Democrats, and Australia’s Green Party is America’s Socialist Party.

Mathieson: What is Intrastate Equity Crowdfunding and why does it matter?

By Nancy Mathieson - 

You may have heard about legislation on Intrastate Equity Crowdfunding. Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a venture by raising small amounts of money from many people, usually through the internet. In July 2015, Governor Rauner signed the Equity Crowdfunding Act (HB3429) which for the first time allowed non-accredited investors (“the little guys”) to invest in small businesses in Illinois without the historical red tape. The law allowed investors with net worth below $1 million and annual incomes under $200,000 to invest up to $5,000 per company in any given year.  

Di Leo: Trade Deficits and the Quest for Culprits

By John F. Di Leo - 

The Trump Administration has announced its formal inquisition into America’s trade deficit, with a particularly loaded day of testimony scheduled for May 18, in which the administration hopes to learn the various causes for America’s huge import volume.

The administration conjures up an image of evil old foreign prime ministers and their assistants – grasping witches with candy-covered cottages in the forest, looking for sweet little American manufacturers – Hansel Inc. and Gretel LLC – tempting them with tasty morsels and sweet confections, luring them off the American path, moving them permanently into their distant foreign domains.

Illinois lawmaker introduces bill to prevent another United Airlines debacle

SPRINGFIELD - The known first bill addressing the United Airline passenger debacle was filed in Springfield Monday by State Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard).

Breen's bill focuses on limiting law enforcement's involvement in removing passengers and restricting the state from doing business with airlines that remove ticketed passengers. It also protects passengers from prosecution and provides for attorney fees. 

Breen says the measure would prohibit that type of scenario from ever playing out again at Illinois airports. The self-proclaimed head of the “Frequent Flyer Caucus,” Breen is one of the most seasoned travelers in the General Assembly, logging tens of thousands of airline miles annually.

No Confidence in Dems' Minimum Wage Plan, Survey Reveals

CHICAGO - The majority of people in Illinois think Democrats' plans to raise the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour will fail, according to a survey released by TSheets, an Idaho-based company that provides employee time accounting apps. 

Only a third (34.5%) of the 500 respondents to TSheets survey said they thought the wage hike would go through, compared to 65.5% who thought it would not.

Texas bill advances allowing Christians recusal concerning same sex marriages

SPRINGFIELD - With a Democrat-controlled Illinois legislature, there's no chance that a bill that passed the Texas Senate last week could ever get a serious hearing in Illinois' Capitol - but it's just good to know there are places in America that still adhere to our Founding Fathers' concept of religious freedom.

The Republican majority of the Texas Senate agreed to move forward legislation that would grant county clerks, judges and various other public personnel the option of recusing themselves from implementing same sex marriages.

Distasteful Red Tape: One thing Rauner agrees with Trump about

SPRINGFIELD – There's maybe one thing that Republican Governor Bruce Rauner and Republican President Donald Trump agree upon: their distaste for bureaucratic red tape.  

Illinois is one of the nation's most binding, regulation-burdensome states in the union. The state's inability to break out of the suffocating 2009 recession can be directly linked to its ridiculous number of anti-business regulations: 259,000 pages of them.  

Kudos for the Senators' "McPlan" budget prescription

SPRINGFIELD - There's a state budget plan circulating Springfield circles that is 1. balanced, 2. hides no tax hikes, and 3. actually makes budget cuts.

We're calling it the "McPlan" budget prescription. Too good to be true, you say?

Republican State Senators Kyle McCarter and Dan McConchie (the Mc's - get it?) are staking their stellar political reputations on what they're calling the "Taxpayer Bargain Budget Plan" in response to Senator Bill Brady's "Grand Bargain Budget" that features an income tax hike to pay bills that are stacking up. 

BREAKING: Rauner to veto abortion bill facing vote on House floor

Governor Rauner speaks with Rep. McSweeney | McHenry County Blog

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner will veto an abortion bill that could be within votes of passing the Illinois House when they return after spring break, his office told Illinois Review Friday morning. 

"Governor Rauner does not support HB40 and will veto the bill if it reaches his desk," spokesperson Allie Bovis wrote in an email.

The governor's response was exactly what State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington) wanted to hear, he told Illinois Review Friday morning. 

Senators' Op-Ed: “Taxpayer Bargain” Budget Puts Taxpayers First

By State Sens. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) and Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) -

For two years, a political paralysis has had a grip on Illinois government. For two years, we have operated the state without a regular budget – the longest in American history. Unfortunately, even though we don’t have a budget, the spending spree continues unabated. With no controls, spending is out-of-control. The state is on pace to spend 38 billion in the current fiscal year when we expect to collect $32 billion in revenue.

Trump signs into law first federal prolife measure in 14 years

WASHINGTON DC - Thursday, President Donald Trump signed into law a measure granting states the right to guide health care federal funding away from Planned Parenthood and towards women's clinics that do not perform abortions. 

"This is a huge deal for the Pro-Life Movement, because this is the first pro-life bill that has been signed into law in 14 years," a statement from the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List said. "This law will protect unborn children by allowing states to fund health centers that provide high quality health care for women, not abortion."

Roskam calls for DOJ to revisit Lois Lerner case

 

WASHINGTON DC - Former IRS Commissioner Lois Lerner's peaceful and lucrative taxpayer funded retirement may face disturbance if a letter Illinois Congressman Peter Roskam (06 CD) and Chairman of the House Means and Ways Committee Kevin Brady (TX-08) wrote to Attorney General Jeff Sessions is persuasive enough. 

The two asked the AG to "take a fresh look" at accusations and evidence that Lerner inappropriately used her position to influence IRS conduct against conservative organizations requesting 501(c)4 status, "denying the groups due process and equal protection rights under the law."

Democrats lining up to challenge Roskam in 2018

WHEATON - Republican Peter Roskam (IL-06)'s  first bid for Congress in 2006 was the toughest Democrat challenge he's encountered thus far. But because the 6th CD went for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump last November, Democrats are counting the district as a possible pickup in 2018. 

Thorner: EPA's Complete Failure Calls for Dissolution

By Nancy Thorner - 

This may shock the myriad of government employees that work at the Environmental Protection Agency, but there's a five-year plan being mulled that would lead to the agency's dissolution. It was one of many discussion topics at Heartland Institute's 12th annual climate change forum in March. 

Speaking Out on the Day of Silence

It's Official: Chicago Has The Worst Commute In The Country

If you've ever been inching interminably along the Kennedy Expressway, spending another umpteenth hour stuck in travel purgatory on the way to the office, overcome with a Godot-esque sense of existential dislocation and thought, "This is the worst," well, it turns out you're right. It is the worst! Chicago tops the list for worst commute in the entire country, according to a new study.

Chicago averaged higher than New York City, Los Angeles, Houston and all the other usual terrible-commute suspects in a recent analysis of US Census data by Auto Accessories Garage. Chicagoans endure an average commute length of 32.4 minutes, compared to the national average of 25.5 minutes, good (read: bad) enough for the longest commute among the nation's most populous cities. (By the way, the best commute among heavily populate metros: Omaha.) Here's the Top Five breakdown, city by city. 

Most populous cities with the longest commute times:
1) Chicago: 32.4 minutes
2) Philadelphia: 31.2 minutes
3) New York: 29.5 minutes
4) Miami: 29.5 minutes
5) Los Angeles: 28.9 minutes

More HERE

Illinois' Roskam talks Boeing, Iran on Fox News

Rep. Roskam joins Fox News to discuss Boeing's attempt to sell planes to Iran. He also discussed tax reform.