Illinois Review

Chicago area carolers to gather outside abortion facilities

CHICAGO - Throughout December, Christmas carolers will gather outside abortion facilities across America, to draw attention to the unborn children at risk of abortion. The Pro-Life Action League’s nationwide caroling event, Peace in the Womb, brings the Christmas message of peace and joy to the darkness of abortion clinics at over 80 locations in 30 states. 

“It’s particularly sad to think of someone getting an abortion during the Christmas season, when we celebrate a new dawn of hope and joy coming into the world with the birth of a child,” explained Eric Scheidler, Executive Director of the Pro-Life Action League. “With our Christmas carols, we seek to remind those entering abortion facilities, and the entire community, that the Christmas message of salvation came through an unplanned pregnancy.”

Loan Sharking: Illinois suspends licenses of those who default on student loans

Illinoisans behind on their student loans could see their financial situations go from bad to worse due to one controversial policy in Illinois’ licensing regime.

If an Illinois licensed worker falls behind on student loan payments, state officials can suspend that person’s license, making it even harder for him or her to earn a living and get back on his or her feet, according to an article in The New York Times. This can make it nearly impossible for someone in a licensed profession who falls behind on loan payments to earn a living and repay the loan.

Illinois is among 19 states that can refuse to renew or grant professional or occupational licenses to people who default on their student loans, according to the Times.

More HERE

Di Leo: Rahm's School Closures and the Challenges of Big City Life

By John F. Di Leo - 

Mayor Rahm Emanuel started out the month of December with announcements of further school closings. The most upsetting to the community was the announcement that four high schools - Harper, Hope, Robeson, and Team Englewood – would be closed to support the construction of a new and hopefully far superior replacement.

Rather that responding with appreciation that the city is attempting to provide improved facilities for its students, there has been a public outcry, as if the Mayor is the Grinch this Christmas season in Chicago.

Congress considers "Conscience Protection Act" with Illinois nurse's support

CHICAGO - While Illinois conservatives' rancor rose to new heights when Republican Governor Bruce Rauner signed into law Democrat-promoted bills forcing Illinois taxpayers to subsidize low income women and girls' abortions and local law enforcement to ignore federal immigration policy, a "right of conscience" bill started conservatives' dissatisfaction with Rauner. 

The state measure, which went into effect in January 2017, requires medical personnel to provide the following information if a patient requests an abortion:

Thorner: Ives drumbeat begins to resound among IL conservatives

Sunday night, Republican state Representative Jeanne Ives hosted a sizable crowd of supporters in her hometown of Wheaton. She's on the 2018 GOP primary ballot challenging incumbent GOP Governor Bruce Rauner. Illinois Review contributor Nancy Thorner was on hand at one of several events Ives has been appearing at over the past few weeks ... 

By Nancy Thorner - 

The Republican Assembly of Lake County, Illinois, held its Christmas party at J & D's Bar & Grill in Wauconda, IL. on Saturday evening, December 2nd, 2017.  The RALC is a grassroots organization made up of Ronald Reagan conservatives who believe in small government, lower taxes, free market capitalism, strong defense, the right to life, and the support of the US. Constitution in the tradition of the Founding Fathers. Attendance at this year's RALC Christmas party was the largest ever, numbering 85 members and guests.

Illinois public school personnel to be trained in detecting racial bias

SPRINGFIELD - Signed into law by GOP Governor Bruce Rauner six months ago, a new unfunded mandate requiring Illinois public schools to train their staffs about racial bias is drawing attention. 

“Each school board shall require in-service training for school personnel to include training to develop cultural competency, including understanding and reducing implicit racial bias,” says the new law.

Wirepoints.com asks the question about the new law approved easily in the Illinois Senate and not-so-easily in the Illinois House earlier this year: 

Durbin and Duckworth endorse Pritzker for governor

CHICAGO - Both of Illinois' U.S. Senators endorsed J.B. Pritzker as their pick among six gubernatorial teams vying to win the March 20, 2018 Illinois Democrat Primary last Friday. 

“I’m proud to endorse JB Pritzker for governor because he will be a strong partner and an effective leader for our state,” said Senator Durbin. 

Durbin, now in the U.S. Senate Democrat leadership, said he had spoken to all the Democrat gubernatorial candidates, and came to the conclusion Pritzker's vision was the one he favored most.

Loyola Chicago students question Catholic school's emphasis on Christmas

Some students are complaining that Loyola University Chicago puts a greater emphasis on Christmas than on other religious holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

Whereas 60 percent of the 2016 freshman class identifies as Roman Catholic, with the other 40% split among all other religious affiliations, the student paper asserts that just 5% of all students are Muslim.

More HERE

Georgia Copyrighted Its Own Laws. Now, It’s Suing a Nonprofit Group for Publishing Them.

It’s almost like they don’t want people to know the law. Georgia has copyrighted its laws, and a court recently held that copyright to be valid. That means Georgians who want to know the laws under which they are governed must pay a fee in order to access them.

How does Georgia’s legal code not fall into the public domain? The Court held that the annotations in the published version make it copyrightable material. But as Amy Swearer explains, the court is overlooking some key facts:

Still no response: How does the IL GOP decide how to spend Rauner's millions in donations?

SPRINGFIELD - After two days, Illinois Republican Party spokesman Aaron DeGroot still has not answered questions about how the party determined where it directed millions of dollars over the past month donated by Governor Bruce Rauner.

The Cook County GOP received $25k from the IL GOP, as did the Lake County GOP and the Will County GOP, so Illinois Review reached out to Cook County GOP Chairman Sean Morrison.

Why was $25,000 given to the Cook Co GOP? we asked. "[It is] part of the platform designed by the state party," Morrison said in an email. "I understand it to be voting population-based for dollar values." 

Kathleen Myalls takes on New Trier Township GOP Committeeman post

NEW TRIER - The New Trier Township - political home of Governor Bruce Rauner - has a new Republican Party committeeman.

After the resignation of New Trier Township Republican Committeeman Danielle Mergner, Cook County GOP Chairman Sean Morrison appointed Kathleen Myalls to succeed Mergner.

Ives calls for sanctuary state repeal, justice for victims' families

CHICAGO - Standing in front of Cook County's jail Thursday, GOP gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives criticized Illinois GOP Governor Bruce Rauner and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel for ignoring law-abiding citizens and choosing instead to protect criminals.

Alongside Ives stood Brian McCann, whose brother Dennis was killed in a hit and run by a person in the country illegally. Governor Rauner, who Ives is challenging in the March 20, 2018 GOP primary, said he was open to hearing from victims' families, but refused to meet or speak with them before signing into law a measure prohibiting local law enforcement from aggressively cooperating with federal immigration authorities. 

GOP state senator Jason Barickman announces support for recreational marijuana

CHAMPAIGN - Thursday afternoon, state Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) publicly declared his support for legalizing recreational marijuana and intention to break from Republican ranks on the issue.

The Republican minority in the Illinois Senate is heavily outnumbered by Democrats that are expected to push for Illinois to join Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, and the state of Washington in defying federal law and legalizing marijuana.

Rhoads: Yes, Debt Matters, But Spending Matters More

By Mark Rhoads - 

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation has the gall to run TV commercials that cleverly appeal to the national debt concerns of fiscal conservatives in such a way as to undermine support for GOP tax cuts.

The commercial says that the tax cuts must be "paid for" by future generations who will be saddled with more debt.That is only partly correct if one assumes that spending can never go down.

The typical liberal view of the world is that tax cuts are seen by the Left as a "government program" and the "cost" of the program is lost revenue to the Federal Government. Only in Leftist Land can one imagine that letting people keep some of their own money is a "cost" to the government. The real villain of course is too much spending, not too little taxation. 

Letter to Editor: High Colorado is not an example Illinois should follow

Letter to the Editor

While Big Marijuana pours millions into Illinois to legalize marijuana, Leftist lawmakers, giddy about a tiny new revenue source to aid their insatiable spending, ignore the unmistakable damage legalization is causing in Colorado. Those nasty facts are hard to escape.

Colorado now ranks #1 in the entire nation for marijuana use among teens, scoring 55 percent above the national average, so says the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Expect Economic Crash If GOP Flubs Tax Reform

Justin Haskins and S.T. Karnick, Detroit News - 

On Nov. 16, House Republicans passed important tax reform legislation to simplify the tax code from seven brackets to four, closing many tax loopholes, and substantially lowering taxes for small businesses and corporations. Whether or not these policies will benefit most Americans, one thing is abundantly clear: If Congress fails to pass a pro-business tax reform plan, and many analysts believe that’s a real possibility because of the Republicans’ tight margin in the Senate, an economic crash is very likely to occur.

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Is Fascism Right Or Left?

Every Republican president since the 1970s has been called a fascist. Ironic, no? After all, fascism has its roots in the left. Dinesh D'Souza, author of The Big Lie, explains.

UPDATE x1: 3 Questions for the IL GOP about who gets what funds and who decides

UPDATE x1: Republican state representative calls for IL GOP Party Chairman to step down.  (See below)

CHICAGO - The IL GOP is writing an amazing number and amount of checks.

An unprecedented $1 Million to the Republican State Senate Campaign Committee. Another $3 Million to the House Republican Organization. 

Nearly $55k to candidate for Attorney General Erika Harold - none to the other GOP statewide candidates running for Comptroller, Treasurer or Secretary of State. Only Harold thus far.

Speaker Ryan taps Roskam, Shimkus to negotiate tax deal

WASHINGTON - The tax cut measure that may not allow Illinois' high property and recently-hiked income taxes to be fully deducted as they currently are on federal returns could be at the center of contention in negotiations between the U.S. Senate and U.S. House Republicans. 

Monday, Speaker Paul Ryan tapped Congressmen Peter Roskam and John Shimkus to be two of the nine the House will send into arrive at an agreeable compromise. 

Illinois #7 on latest "Judicial Hellhole" ranking

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Tort Reform Foundation issued its 2017-2018 Judicial Hellholes®  report Tuesday, naming courts in Illinois, Florida, California, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania,  New Jersey and Louisiana among the nation’s “most unfair” in their handling of civil litigation.  

“With both this annual report and a year-round website, our Judicial Hellholes program since 2002 has been documenting troubling developments in jurisdictions where civil court judges systematically apply laws and court procedures in an unfair and unbalanced manner, generally to the disadvantage of defendants,” began American Tort Reform Association president Tiger Joyce.

Immigration group releases anti-sexual harassment video

CHICAGO - Arise Chicago released a video Wednesday calling on immigrant workers to report sexual harassment, saying domestic workers are statistically likely to suffer than many other occupations. 

IL Congressmen Davis, Kinzinger join 32 GOPers calling for DACA Amnesty

WASHINGTON - Tuesday, two Illinois Republican Congress members - 13th CD's Rodney Davis and 16th CD's Adam Kinzinger - joined 32 other GOP lawmakers in writing a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan calling for a vote with Democrats to pass DACA Amnesty legislation into law before Christmas 2017.

"We write in support of passing a permanent legislative solution for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients before the end of the year. DACA recipients - young people brought to America through no fault of their own - are contributing members of our communities and our economy," the letter says. "For many, this is the only country they have ever known. They are American in every way except their immigration status."

Voters reject sanctuary policies nationwide; remains touchy issue in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD  - Protecting persons in the U.S. illegally over natural U.S. citizens is a concept that Americans are not happy their lawmakers are embracing, a new Rasmussen poll says. 

Illinois Democrats embraced the sanctuary idea earlier this year when they passed legislation to restrict local law enforcement from working with federal immigration authorities, as did the only elected Republican - Governor Bruce Rauner.

More Fracking, Fewer Earthquakes

By Timothy Benson, American Spectator - 

Oklahoma has a long history of seismicity, but, since 2013, the Sooner State has seen a significant increase in the number of earthquakes. This has led to public confusion as to whether hydraulic fracturing, commonly called “fracking,” is the direct cause of these earthquakes, with some state lawmakers even calling for an outright moratorium on fracking back in 2015, despite roughly 20 percent of the jobs in the state being supported by oil and natural gas development. Concerns about induced seismicity are overblown and do not provide justification for banning fracking or over-regulating it out of existence.

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When Will We Start Protecting Children From Classroom Abuse?

By Teresa Mull, School Choice Weekly - 

It seems every time you turn around, turn on the news, open a webpage, etc., someone new is being accused of sexual assault or harassment. Unfortunately, our nation’s classrooms are not an exception to the rampant abuse and immorality prevalent in modern society. People are demanding answers about how and why abusive teachers retain access to classrooms, but how many more innocent children will have to suffer before the situation is addressed? Teachers unions are notorious for keeping their members on the job, regardless of misconduct, so let’s start at the root of the problem before one more child is hurt.

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A new ugly wrinkle on civil asset forfeiture abuse

Phil Parhamovich. Institute for Justice

Wyoming law enforcement officers have been using pre-printed waivers to pressure motorists into forfeiting cash found in their vehicles. Those who sign the waivers give up the right to formal forfeiture proceedings.

But the Institute for Justice and Vox have shined a light on the practice, and in the process helped a Wisconsin man recover his life savings of $91,800. German Lopez reports:

Thorner/O'Neil: The Time for Secrecy about Sexual Harassment is Over

By Nancy Thorner and Bonnie O'Neil - 

As more accusations of sexual abuse are revealed by mainstream media sources, it is proof this is far more common in the workplace, schools, and even Congress than thought.  Many of the offenders are well-known names, which has been a factor as to why it is suddenly being widely exposed.  While sexual harassment is not new, the recent amount of attention to this abuse is. Thus, it is an excellent time to explore the issue further and reach common sense solutions to help prevent occurrences from happening in the future.

Olsen Earns High Marks on TMA's 2017 Scorecard

DOWNERS GROVE - State Representative David S. Olsen earned a 90% success rating on the 2017 scorecard issued by Illinois-based Technology & Manufacturing Association. The score is based on Olsen’s votes on ten bills that affect the manufacturing industry and overall economy in Illinois.

Di Leo: A House Divided… and a President’s Tweets

By John F. Di Leo -  

On December 3, President Trump issued an interesting tweet… not terribly unusual for him, as that’s how he communicates with the American people.

Just as Ronald Reagan was famous for “going over the heads of the press and speaking directly to the people,” Donald Trump uses today’s technology to accomplish the same end. As a result, he is better able to command the political narrative than most Republican presidents (Democrats don’t need to find such methods, since the press has long acted as Democrat presidents’ house organ).

In this particular tweet, President Trump said that the FBI’s “reputation is in tatters”… and all Hell broke loose.

The week began with a chorus of politicians attacking the concept of a president making such charges against a cabinet department or federal agency, on the grounds that it’s unseemly, and that it’s never been done. Past presidents, after all, haven’t acted this way.

Senator McCann not to seek re-election; disses IL GOP in announcement

PLAINVIEW - Monday, State Senator Sam McCann (R-Plainview) announced he would not be seeking re-election for his 50th State Senate seat. In his announcement, McCann expressed dismay with the state's Republican Party:

"While representing the men and women of the 50th District has been one of the great honors and privileges of my life, it is clear that the Illinois Republican Party, including several of the county party organizations, has lost its way under Governor Rauner," McCann said. 

Ives officially announces bid for governor

WHEATON - State Rep. Jeanne Ives announced officially Sunday night in an invitation-only gathering in her home district that she would be a candidate for governor in the March 2018 Illinois Republican Party primary. She was introduced to the crowd by her running mate, former State Rep. Rich Morthland from the Rock Island area. 

Illinois Libertarians to host gubernatorial debate forum Tuesday night in Champaign

CHAMPAIGN - If you're unhappy with Illinois Democrat or Republican March 2018 gubernatorial candidate options, there are three Libertarians that would like your consideration. 

Three Libertarian candidates for Illinois Governor will meet in Champaign Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. for the first of a series of public debates between the candidates.

Judicial Watch sanctuary policy lawsuit allowed to proceed to discovery in San Francisco

 

A press release from a conservative legal group challenging a California sheriff's sanctuary policy could ultimately have an effect in other localities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities - including Illinois, Cook County and Chicago:

WASHINGTON -- Judicial Watch announced Monday that the Superior Court of California, San Francisco County overruled San Francisco Sheriff Vicky Hennessy's move to end a Judicial Watch taxpayer lawsuit challenging the Sheriff's sanctuary policy. The lawsuit challenges restrictions on the ability of sheriff's deputies to communicate freely with Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) about inmates' citizenship, immigration status, and release dates (Cynthia Cerletti v. Vicki Hennessy, Sheriff (No. CGC-16-556164)).

Government Officials Want More Data Collection. Time To Say ‘Thanks But No Thanks’

By Teresa Mull, Daily Caller - 

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Foundations for Evidence-based Policy-making Act (FEPA). The aim of the FEPA legislation is to “establish a more secure, transparent, and efficient data system that will help federal agencies better assess the effectiveness of their programs.” According to a report by Federal News Radio, this will be accomplished by “requiring each agency to name a chief data officer and a chief evaluation officer.” This legislation is an overreach of government, an invasion of privacy, and pointless.

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How American Students React to the U.S. Flag Versus the ISIS Flag

The American flag is welcomed as a symbol of freedom and hope across the globe, while the flag of ISIS symbolizes tyranny and hate. But how are they received when both flags are flown at UC Berkeley? Documentary filmmaker Ami Horowitz went on location to find out.

Thorner: More on Rockford's MAGA event featuring Joe Walsh, Charlie Kirk and GOP primary candidates

Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk was featured at recent MAGA rally in Rockford

By Nancy Thorner, Photos by Mark Weyermuller - 

The November 21st MAGA rally opened with prayer, the National Anthem sung by Raquel Mitchell of the Frederick Douglass Foundation of Illinois (The Largest Christ-Centered, Multi-Ethnic and Republican Ministry in America), the Pledge, and a Moment of Silence for fallen Rockford police officer.

Di Leo: Pop tax repeal victory on Lake Michigan: No Tar and Feathers Needed

By John F. Di Leo - 

Voters in Crook County, Illinois, among the highest-taxed jurisdictions in America, are celebrating a victory today.

In November, 2016, the Cook County Board of Confiscators passed a massive, targeted tax increase, known as ‘the soda tax’ or ‘the sweetened beverage tax,’ though all its names were deceptive, falling short of the full implications of this huge tax on purchases of most non-alcoholic beverages in any venue (from grocery stores to fast food restaurants, from gas stations to bars).

Despite a short judicially-issued delay, the tax went into effect in August, and did so much damage – as predicted – that the county board acknowledged reality quickly and revoked the tax in the fall, scheduling it to terminate at the end of November. This experience provides an opportunity to note – and learn – several economic and political lessons. 

Returning Illinois soldiers ready to catch up with family

Returning Illinois soldiers are ready to catch up with family after 9 month deployment in Kuwait. Ten Illinois soldiers who are part of the Chicago-based 633rd Theater Gateway Personnel Accountability Team are back home for the holidays after serving overseas for nine months, and they’re looking to catch up on lost time with their families. Half landed in Chicago mid-day Wednesday. The other half arrived in Springfield.

18 Illinois lawmakers recognized for excellent pro-manufacturing voting scores in 2017

SPRINGFIELD - Ten members of the Illinois House and eight members of the Illinois Senate led their General Assembly colleagues by scoring 100 percent on legislation that affects the state's crucial manufacturing sector.

Ives dubs Rauner a "weak man" for making Illinois a sanctuary state

WHEATON - Republican Governor Bruce Rauner signed into law a bill passed by Democrats to protect illegal aliens residing in Illinois earlier this year. The action upset Republican conservatives statewide, and provoked a GOP primary challenger - Jeanne Ives, who spoke out Friday about the controversial murder verdict in San Francisco Thursday night. 

Ives called Governor Bruce Rauner a "weak man" for signing the Democrats' bill into law, making Illinois effectively a sanctuary state as San Francisco was when 30 year old Kate Steinle was brutally murdered by a person that had been deported five times.  

Illinois senior senator Durbin Tweets outrage about GOP tax cut plans

WASHINGTON - Within the past hour, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell marched onto the U.S. Senate floor to announce that "We have the votes" to pass a measure that would cut federal income and corporate taxes. 

The tax proposal will proceed to a joint committee of U.S. House and U.S. Senate members to iron out the differences in their plans.

In response, Illinois' senior senator Dick Durbin expressed outrage on his Twitter feed that Republicans had not worked with Democrats to come up with a mutually acceptable plan as it nears passage from the U.S. Senate:

Congressman Bost leads effort to repeal unelected Medicare-cutting board

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) is opposed to an unelected board in D.C. making decision on Medicare cuts, and led a letter urging Speaker Paul Ryan to protect seniors by incorporating language to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) into must-pass legislation by the end of the year.

Bost says if implemented, the IPAB would make recommendations regarding cuts to Medicare with no Congressional oversight or opportunity for judicial or administrative review.

Thorner: Illinois conservatives gather in Rockford to "Make America Great Again"

By Nancy Thorner -  

Photos by Mark Weyermuller 

MAGA Illinois 2O17 hosted its first "Make America Great Again" rally to unite 200 supporters of President Trump on Tuesday, November 21, at Giovanni's Convention Center in Rockford, Illinois, from 3:00 - 9:00 p.m.  An expo preceded the family friendly 7:00 p.m. MAGA rally. Rallies have also been held in Pennsylvania and Missouri, with an ongoing effort to hold additional rallies to reach into districts where support for President Trump's policies needs to be articulated.