Illinois Review

What is a man? A response to Gillette

A short film - Dedicated to all those who sacrifice everything to make the world safer and better for all of us.

Trump to prolife marchers: Any legislation that weakens protection of human life, I will veto

WASHINGTON DC - Second Lady Karen Pence, husband Vice President Mike Pence appeared at the 2019 March for Life in D.C. Friday, and via a video, President Donald Trump conveyed that he will veto any legislation that "weakens the protection of human life." 

Pritzker signs new state gun shop law into effect

SPRINGFIELD - Within days of his inauguration, Democrat Governor J.B. Pritzker kept his promise to gun control advocates that supported his campaign last November. Thursday, he signed into law a measure many of them worked to enact for decades that would require an additional layer of bureaucracy for gun dealers within Illinois.

“Gun violence isn’t an issue facing one city, or one region, or one group of people — it affects us all, and I want to thank all those tireless advocates who didn’t rest until our state took commonsense action to prevent gun trafficking,” said Governor JB Pritzker.

Illinois' most job-producing sector? Government

SPRINGFIELD - How is Illinois' job market doing? Unemployment is up and government - yes, government - created the most job growth over the last month, the Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Thursday.

In December, Government gained 6,300 jobs, Leisure and Hospitality 4,600 and Trade, Transportation and Utilities 2,800. The industry sectors with payroll declines included Information (-1,000) Financial Activities (-700) and Construction (-600).

“It’s clear there is room to both grow the Illinois economy and create opportunity for working families,” said Governor J.B. Pritzker's new Deputy Governor Dan Hynes.

Di Leo: Facts, Politics and the Media

 

By John F. Di Leo - 

As schoolchildren, we were told “Thank Heaven for the First Amendment!” Our free press ensures that we know what’s going on, and guarantees that we can make informed choices on Election Day.

It’s a wonderful idea… but is it really possible?  Was it ever, really?

Let’s consider just a few stories now in the news, and how they are being reported by reputable sources in the mainstream media… issues like the border wall, the Supreme Court, and the government shutdown.

Another GOP state rep freshman rejects state pension

FOX LAKE – A growing number of Illinois Republican lawmakers have decided to reject state pensions over the past few years. In one of his first actions after taking office, State Representative Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) joined their ranks by rejecting the pension, as well. 

A small business owner and fiscal conservative, Weber said his decision reflects a personal commitment to fiscal discipline and his conviction that being entrusted as an elected official should be a public service and not an incentive for personal financial gain.

 

Correction: Leftist calls for open borders at Pro Life counter demonstration

Leftists demanded open borders among abortion advocates - Photos by Mark Weyermuller

CORRECTION: The person in the above photo is longtime Chicago homosexual activist Andy Thayer, who resembles Leftist activist Bill Ayers. We apologize for misidentifying Mr. Thayer. 

By Nancy Thorner -

While thousands of Life advocates gathered to celebrate Life and science last Sunday, leftist radicals such as Chicago's Bill Ayers Andy Thayer used the impromptu sidewalk bully pulpit to call for abortion rights and open borders. 

Standing in front of a sign declaring "Abortion Saves Lives," the 74 year old Ayers Thayer blasted the Trump Administration's call for a wall between Mexico and the U.S., and demanded open borders. This is the same Bill Ayers that was born in Oak Park, Illinois, to become an organizer of the 1960s anti-war radicals Weathermen (later known as the Weather Underground). A longtime friend of former President Barack Obama, Ayers is now retired from his teaching position at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Education.

IDOT: Get ready for weekend snowstorm; think twice about travels

SPRINGFIELD — Under the Pritzker Administration, Illinois drivers may expect much more interaction from the Illinois Department of Transportation. IDOT issued a warning Friday that a winter storm will make travel a challenge throughout much of Illinois, with some areas possibly receiving up to 8 inches of snow.

"Motorists should be prepared for high winds and colder temperatures persisting through the weekend, causing drifting and icing even on treated surfaces," the warning says. Also, drivers should think twice about traveling this weekend, and slow down if they do.

Are Norway and Sweden Socialist?

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), the new face of the progressive left, says she wants socialism as it is practiced in Norway and Sweden, not as it is or was practiced in the Soviet Union, Cuba or Venezuela.

Talk about cultural appropriation!

Ocasio-Cortez, like Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) before her, knows not to claim an actual socialist country as an exemplar. During the primary season of the election of 2016, Sanders famously said, “I'm not looking at Venezuela. I'm not looking at Cuba. I'm looking at countries like Denmark and Sweden.” He was then schooled as to the Nordic model of capitalism.

Ocasio-Cortez, who claims that, for her, naiveté is a virtue, is just going down the same path Sanders went down. While it may be entertaining to see her say the same stupid things he said, it may be more productive to follow the evolution of “socialism.”

More HERE

Poll: Progressive Hollywood Still Seen as Bastion of Sexual Harassment

Nearly one year after the surge of the #MeToo movement, the 2019 awards season is set to provide a platform for entertainers to speak out on issues such as gender inequality and sexual misconduct. Polling shows that while adults think that celebrities using their platforms to speak out against such topics is creating positive change generally, a roughly equal number feel that nothing has changed in Hollywood in the past year.

More HERE

Comp Mendoza praises state worker raises; announces $8.2 B in unpaid bills

CHICAGO - According to State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, as of 8:00 AM Wednesday, Illinois is over $8 billion behind in its bills. The exact number is $8,267,622,579.09, mounting from 102,680 unpaid vouchers. 

But evidently, that's no big deal, because Mendoza was delighted that Illinois' new Governor J.B. Pritzker announced an additional obligation for Illinois taxpayers on his first day in office.

Better Government Association spots Jesse White's $11.5M taxpayer-funded tumble

CHICAGO - Secretary of State Jesse White promised his renowned tumbling foundation would raise $10 million to build an athletic facility in partnership with the Chicago Park District. By the time the ribbon was cut on the facility five years ago, White's part of the building cost shriveled down to little, and unbeknownst to taxpayers, their obligation exploded.

The Better Government Association's recent investigation into how the Jesse White Community Center and Fieldhouse located in White's own 27th Chicago Ward was paid for is stunning. They found while White's foundation ended up raising only $650,000, taxpayers in Chicago and Illinois covered the rest of the millions White failed to raise.

Republicans Kinzinger, Davis respond to "stupid" ongoing government shutdown

WASHINGTON - Last week, two of the five remaining Republican Congress members from Illinois voted with the Democrats and against President Trump to fund departments involved in the ongoing budget dispute.

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) called the shutdown "stupid" in a Facebook post Tuesday:

Beckman: Never underestimate the power of anecdotes in public discourse

Emmitt Till's mother's determination to share her son's story changed history 

By Hank Beckman -

Fox News house liberal Geraldo Rivera gets a little testy when someone dares to bring up the subject of Americans losing their lives to illegal aliens.

As he explained recently when Sean Hannity raised the issue on his television program, it was “It is grotesquely unfair...grotesquely unfair to use these anecdotes to make a political point.”

Chicago March for Life sets new record in 2019

By Nancy Thorner & Mark Weyermuller -

Chicago's annual March for Life was held last Sunday, and despite a snowstorm blanketing the region hours before, organizers say this year's gathering set a new record for participation - in excess of 8000 people.

U.S. to Withdraw from Universal Postal Union

The U.S. government has started the process of withdrawing from the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

The UPU is a 193-member international body established in 1874 to facilitate mail delivery between countries. The organization also oversees the rates national postal services charge for handling each other’s mail.

The UPU requires the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to charge other nations’ postal services less than its standard handling fees, called “terminal dues,” for shipments to the United States from certain foreign countries, including China. The discounted fees give foreign companies shipping goods from those countries an unfair cost advantage over U.S. companies that ship goods, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders stated on October 17. The subsidized rates also hurt the U.S. Postal Service because it costs USPS more to handle the packages than the fees the UPU allows it to charge, Sanders said.

During the year-long withdrawal process, the Trump administration will seek to renegotiate those UPU rules, said Sanders.

More HERE

Fossil Fuels Continue to Benefit Humans

Contrary to assertions made in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) most recent report, it’s time to praise and expand the use of fossil fuels, not restrict them.

The IPCC claims the world must cut greenhouse gas emissions 50 percent below 2010 levels by 2030 and to net zero by 2050 to avert climate disaster. However, such a wrenching energy transformation is unrealistic, undesirable in the extreme, and, thankfully, unnecessary.

More HERE

Illinois College invites students to 'get a lesson in social justice' by playing Monopoly

Augustana College in Illinois will host a daylong event on Jan. 16 during which students will learn about a variety of topics, from "microaggressions" to "privilege."

One opportunity students will have to learn about "privilege" involves them playing the classic board game Monopoly.

More HERE

Rhoads: Scam, Spam, Robo War on Your Phone

By Mark Rhoads -

In 2017, the U.S. Health Department reported that more than half of all phones in the U.S. had switched from landlines to cell phones for their primary phone service. There is no good news here because the remaining landlines are overwhelmed by robocalls and other estimates are that more than half of all cell phone calls in 2019 will be spam or scam calls.

Because there is a limit to the numbers that carriers can block if they offer that service, your landline or cell phone is under constant attack and your internet service and social media is also under constant attack from malware schemes.

Pritzker's "Age of Aquarius" descends on Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois' new Governor J.B. Pritzker spelled out his lofty hopes and dreams for the state for the next four years during his inaugural address Monday. Those listening from beyond the Democrat-packed State Convention Center could almost hear the soothing voices of the 1960s Fifth Dimension with "Let the Sun Shine - Let the Sun Shine In - the Sun Shine In ... " in the "Age of Aquarius." 

The state of Illinois would join the efforts to preserve the Earth as we know it by signing onto elements in the Paris Climate Accord. The state's budget would not be balanced on the "starving, sick and suffering." LGBTQ rights would fly as rainbow flags - celebrating love, not hate and prejudice, in Illinois neighborhoods.

Students would be able to hoist unreasonable higher education debt. Guns would be controlled - creating statewide safe zones for children. Politicians will be kinder and gentler. Those that want recreational marijuana will be able to obtain it legally. 

Pritzker suggested the whole state will all live in harmony and understanding. Sympathy and trust will abound. The state's Leftist Democrats will be in full control.

Background music as you read the Governor's speech entitled "Possibility and Promise" in its entirety:

J.B. Pritzker sworn in as Illinois' 43rd Governor

SPRINGFIELD - Shortly after noon Monday, Illinois has a new governor, making the state fully controlled in all branches by the Democrat Party. J.B. Pritzker is Illinois' 43rd governor. Pritzker was accompanied during swearing in by wife M.K. and their two children.  

Attorney General Kwame Raoul

Fifth-term Secretary of State Jesse White

Re-elected State Comptroller Susanna Mendoza, who is now running for Chicago mayor

Re-elected State Treasurer Michael Frerichs

The Bad Economics of Soaking the Rich

By Matthew Pinna -

Recently, Paul Krugman of the New York Times published a column in defense of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s comments to CNN’s Anderson Cooper that a 70% top marginal income tax rate would be needed to fund her Green New Deal. Chiefly among his other points was his belief that her plan—high taxes and all—is actually economically well-informed.

Hypothesizing whether or not AOC even understood the economics behind her statement as he says she does is irrelevant; although we can probably come to certain conclusions about the same Congresswoman who said that healthcare costs are driven partly by “funeral expenses,” a bigger point can be made here than just speculating over the intelligence of the Left’s newest darling.

Krugman’s main thesis on the role of government can be condensed down to a rather simple statement: government exists primarily to maximize societal welfare and reduce inequalities, taxing those better off than others to a certain high point, where doing any more would be counterproductive. That isn’t to say that those being taxed aren’t losing up until that point and are quite happy with their situation, but rather, it is past that “optimal rate” that their losses start to outweigh the marginal gains of wealth redistribution.

Judge blocks employer birth control coverage options in Illinois, 12 other states

CHICAGO - Although Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan will be relieved of duty Monday shortly after noon, the impact her participation in a multi-state lawsuit to force employers to provide free birth control services to their employees will continue. 

Sunday, U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam temporarily blocked Trump administration rules allowing employers to refuse to provide free birth control from taking effect Monday in 13 states - and because Madigan signed onto the lawsuit, Illinois is one of the states to which the ruling applies.

Thorner/O'Neil: Mainstream Media's Self-Imposed Death Knell

By Nancy Thorner & Bonnie O'Neil - 

Do most Americans trust our nation’s media sources? President Trump has repeatedly made it clear he does not trust most of them for either accuracy or fair reporting.  Evident is that the Trump White House and the mainstream media have not enjoyed the same cozy relationship as did the previous administration.  What makes this a particularly problematic situation is that some media sources use every opportunity possible to report unfavorable information that harms our President's reputation.  While that may appeal to specific audiences, it has a detrimental impact in general on the United States, as the World watches, listens, and uses quotes from these media sources to discredit and damage our nation’s reputation and strength world-wide.

Wake Up and Smell the Debt

For those of us who grew up during the Cold War, the movie “Dr. Strangelove: or How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb,” was a wakeup call to the threat of nuclear annihilation. Today, the debt crisis poses a different kind of threat, but one that seems to have disappeared from public debate. Citizens and elected officials have become unconcerned about public debt because Keynesian economics continues to dominate public discourse.

More HERE

Survey: Illinois' Sen. Durbin One of America’s Least Popular Senators

According to the latest edition of Morning Consult’s Senator Approval Rankings:

• Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was the most popular senator for the 11th time in a row.

• Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) saw 10-point drops in their net approval, the worst in the chamber.

• Dick Durbin (D-IL) made the list of the bottom 10.

Madigan taps openly gay state rep for new Majority Leader

CHICAGO - State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) broke through a ceiling this week when he became Illinois' first openly gay and HIV-positive lawmaker to assume the powerful political role of Illinois House Majority Leader. 

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan tapped Harris to succeed former longtime Majority House Leader Barbara Flynn-Currie - Madigan's faithful, relentless Democrat floor leader - who retired at the end of last session.

Harris' appointment was not received well by Illinois Family Institute executive director David E. Smith, who said the Democrat Party's veer to the Left is becoming more and more prominent.

Illinois ranks 46th in federal dollars return. So blame the Republicans.

New York Gov Andrew Cuomo / Illinois Gov-elect J.B. Pritzker

NEW YORK - Illinois isn't last on the list of federal dollars return - it's 46th.

Get ready to hear about this list a lot in the near future as states like New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut make it well known they're not happy that they're not getting back from the feds something close to what their state taxpayers are sending in.

Illinois' dollars return isn't as bad as those four East Coast states, but it's almost as bad.

Rep. Steve Reick Launches Coffee & Conversation Tour

WOODSTOCK— As part of continuing constituent outreach throughout the 63rd Legislative House District, State Representative Steve Reick is launching a new series of “Coffee & Conversation” events at local coffee shops and restaurants in northern McHenry County.

The first event takes place next week on Saturday, January 19 at the Windhill Pancake Parlor, 3307 W. Elm Street in McHenry. Rep. Reick will have a few tables reserved for guests between 8:30 and 10:00 AM.

“I’m inviting people to come and join me at a local coffee shop near their homes so we can talk about the issues that are important to them,” said Reick. “I’ll buy the coffee and listen as my constituents talk about their priorities and concerns.”

More US voters say too little being done to stop illegal immigration

Underground tunnel between Mexico and California found three months ago

WASHINGTON - It's not just conservatives that are frustrated with lawmakers allowing human trafficking, dangerous drug flow and burdening taxpayers with the cost of sheltering those in the U.S. illegally, a new survey says Friday. 

In the midst of a government shutdown over disagreements about building a border wall, two-out-of-three voters still think illegal immigration is a serious issue, but nearly half of voters think the government isn’t working hard enough to stop it.

Former IL lawmaker faces 12-count felony indictment for posting nude images

LAKE BARRINGTON - Thursday morning, former State Rep. Nick Sauer (R-Lake Barrington) is expected to turn himself in to authorities after a Lake County grand jury presented a 12-count indictment Wednesday. Sauer is charged with posting without permission nude photos of two women on a fake social media account. 

Sauer resigned from his Illinois House seat last year when an ex-girlfriend publicly accused Sauer of posting nude photos of her and using the account to pretend being the woman and developing lewd online conversations with men. Reports suggest authorities found over 100 such conversations on Sauer's laptop confiscated during investigation.

Thorner: Foolish Illinois lawmakers boosted early efforts to eliminate Electoral College

As if Illinois' array of "moderate" Republicans wasn't embarrassing enough, the state's conservatives may not be aware, or have maybe forgotten that Illinois Republicans were some of the first to support ending the nation's Electoral College. (Left to Right: 2010 gubernatorial candidates Bill Brady, Dan Rutherford, Kirk Dillard and Bruce Rauner)

Republicans Kinzinger, Davis side with Dems against Trump on shutdown votes

WASHINGTON - Republican Congress members Adam Kinzinger and Rodney Davis voted with U.S. House Democrats this week and against President Trump's efforts to fund the southern border wall.

Di Leo: The Wall Isn’t Just About Immigration; It's About Everything.

By John F. Di Leo - 

With some share of non-essential government services in shutdown mode (at this writing), the nation is talking about the southern border – specifically, about the President’s small funding request for a proper wall along the southern border, which has been promised, again and again, by leaders of both parties, for decades… but which is, amazingly, still not completely in place.

That’s not to say there’s no wall at all; there are stretches where there’s a wall, or an imposing fence anyway, like in San Diego, but most of our border with Mexico is completely open, requiring constant monitoring by federal law enforcement – a type of monitoring that can never really be remotely sufficient.

Let’s ask ourselves, for a moment, what such a wall would do, if it were built.  If it were, in fact, deep enough to prevent easily tunneling under it… and high enough and sturdy enough to prevent easily passing through it or over it… what would it accomplish?

Thorner/O'Neil: Midterm Election Results Demand Questions and Scrutiny

Arizona's Kyrsten Sinema is U.S. Senate's first bisexual member

By Nancy Thorner & Bonnie O'Neil - 

People around the World enjoy their established customs and traditions; Americans are certainly no exception. We enjoy decorating a Christmas tree, hiding Easter eggs, and/or shooting off fireworks on the 4th of July.  We have welcomed people from other parts of the world who want to make this nation their home. Unlike many countries, America welcomes foreigners and we provide avenues for them to become citizens.

However, for the protection of our millions of citizens there are specific requirements that must be followed, laws obeyed, and although not legally required, it is hoped those who desire to be American citizens will also want to accept and enjoy some of our most cherished customs.  Without question, shouldn't those requirements apply to everyone who seeks to become a United States officer and/or public servant?

Thorner: Religious education or Islamic Indoctrination in taxpayer-funded schools?

Florida parents express concern about religious education in public schools

By Nancy Thorner - 

While some have attributed the controversy of promoting Islam in the classroom to the Common Core standards, what is closer to the truth is that the same philosophy that has encouraged parents to leave educating their children to “the experts” has produced both Common Core and the teaching of Islamic beliefs in the classroom by allowing the progressive elites to take decision making about children away from parents and transferring it to government bureaucrats.

As for teaching history, for years an underlying premise embraced by many on the Left is that there is a moral equivalence between cultures, which means America can't be considered better or greater than any other county.

Jeanne Ives' Goodbye Message: God Bless the People of Illinois

WHEATON - State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) bid farewell to the people of Illinois via email as she departs elected office Wednesday. Ives, who chose to challenge and nearly defeated incumbent Governor Bruce Rauner in the 2018 GOP gubernatorial primary, will not be returning to the Illinois House next session. 

Because of her commitment to the IL GOP platform principles and her conservative stance on issues of importance to the IL GOP conservative base, she's risen to leadership. Her parting message challenging Illinois taxpayers to engage in the state's political future, or sustain more heartache is one we at Illinois Review fully support. 

From Jeanne Ives to the people of Illinois:

U.S. Becomes a Big-Time Oil Exporter Again

The next time you fill up your car at the pump, remember that the fracking revolution and increased domestic oil production are the primary reasons we are not now paying $4 per gallon for gasoline. And you have President Trump to thank for that happy news.

More HERE

What Does Diversity Have to Do with Science?

Do you care about the race of your doctor, or the gender of the person who built the bridge you drive across? The latest trend across STEM fields claims you should. Heather Mac Donald, Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of The Diversity Delusion, explains where these destructive ideas are coming from.

Annual March for Life Chicago scheduled for Sunday, January 13th

CHICAGO -  Next Sunday afternoon, thousands of life advocates are expected to gather at the Chicago Loop's Federal Plaza at 2:00 PM CST for the city's annual March for Life.

Archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich and Chicago Bears’ co-owner Pat McCaskey will be among featured speakers emphasizing the 2019 march theme of "Unique from Day One." Jeanne Mancini, National March for Life President, Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, President of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and Ryan Bomberger, founder of the Radiance Foundation, will address how medical technology reaffirms that humans are unique, beginning at conception.

Activist Tells Kids 'Abortion Is All Part of God's Plan' in Shock YouTube Video

A YouTube channel for kids is facing controversy after posting a video of a pro-choice activist working to convince children it's ok to have an abortion.

Amelia Bonow, the woman who started the social media hashtag #ShoutYourAbortion, appears in the video talking with children about her abortion experience and sharing her views on the issue. 

The popular organization known as HiHo Kids has more than 2 million followers on YouTube. HiHo published the video online on Dec. 28 entitled "Kids Meet Someone Who's Had An Abortion."  It's already been seen by more than 200,000 people.

In the eight-minute video, young children squirm as Bonow tries to indoctrinate them with her pro-abortion worldview. She compares having an abortion to a bad dentist appointment and a bodily procedure that's "kind of uncomfortable." She also tells one child that she believes abortion is "all part of God's plan."

More HERE

Ocasio-Cortez’s Radical Green New Deal

Incoming Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., pledged to voters she would be a far-left outsider who would push her party toward adopting “democratic socialist” policies, including universal health care and free college tuition. So far, she has kept her promise.

Ocasio-Cortez has been calling for the creation of “Green New Deal” legislation, which would eliminate much of the United States’ fossil-fuel consumption. So far, Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.,  and Cory Booker, D-N.J., and 40 House Democrats have said they support the proposal.

More HERE

Good Idea Leftists: Let's Follow the Climate Money

As France’s Yellow Vest protests and the latest climate confab in Poland demonstrated, the world is not prepared to do the bidding of Big Green. In fact, countries worldwide are expanding their reliable fossil fuel use.

More HERE

Solving America’s Civics Education Crisis

According to the 2018 Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey, only 32 percent of Americans can name all three branches of the U.S. government. Even worse, 33 percent could not correctly name one branch.

More HERE

Dec 2018 jobs report surpasses expectations

WASHINGTON - The December 2018 jobs report showed 301,000 new jobs last month, beating predictions of 178,000. 

In response, Michael Glassner, Chief Operating Officer of Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. released the following statement:

The FBI's complaint against Alderman Burke

CHICAGO - In a 37-page complaint filed by an FBI special agent January 2, the powerful Chicago Alderman Ed Burke is accused of extorting national Burger King restaurant chain executives for their property tax appeal business and for at least one campaign donation. 

The alderman appeared in federal court in downtown Chicago Thursday, required to post $10,000 bond and relinquish possession of 23 firearms found at the alderman's City Hall office in November during an FBI raid.

The complaint, filed by FBI Special Agent Edward McNamara, alleges the alderman

"did knowingly attempt to commit extortion, which extortion would obstruct, delay and affect commerce, in that defendant attempted to obtain property, namely, fees arising from the retention of his law firm, Klafter & Burke, to be paid by Company A and its affiliate , with the consent of Company A and its affiliate, induced by the wrongful use of actual and threatened fear of economic harm, and under color of official right."

GOP Seeking McHenry County Board Vacancy Applicants for District 3

McHenry County, Ill. – Frustrated with county politics enough to step up and be part of the solution? 

McHenry County is seeking qualified candidates to apply to succeed County Board member Michael Walkup, who resigned from office effective Dec. 1, 2018. The McHenry County Board Chairman shall fill the vacancy with the County Board’s advice and consent.

Where's Weyermuller? Outside Dirksen Building as accused Alderman Burke exits

By Mark Weyermuller - 

Longtime Chicago Alderman Ed Burke had a day in court Thursday. Federal Court, that is.

In a 37-page criminal complaint, Burke is accused of attempting to extort money from Burger King restaurant executives.  Thursday afternoon Burke appeared at the Dirksen Federal Building around 2:30 p.m. accompanied by his attorney. A Chicago Police protection detail was not with the two as they left the Dirksen Building.

Di Leo: Sparkling Wine and the Regulatory State

By John F. Di Leo - 

The kids are heading back to school, and a new Congress is taking their seats (well, technically, our seats, though many of them quickly forget that fact). This means the holiday party season of Christmas and New Year’s is finally over.

One of the things we do during party season is to select our beverages, both for ourselves and for our guests – and, as much as personal taste plays a role in that selection, the government plays a role as well.

How much government do we want?  How much government do we need?  What should our federal, state, and local legislatures demand of us?  And how should the executive branch – from federal departments and their agencies, to local zoning boards and liquor commissions – write the rules to enforce those demands?

Let’s look at that most basic of purchases – our choice of champagne – as we consider the question.

Rep. Skillicorn: Where does the IL GOP go from here?

By State Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) - 

Where does the Illinois Republican Party go from here? Up, because it is an opportunity to rebuild.

The revelations from Governor Rauner regarding his total disregard for the Party and the people of Illinois have laid waste to what was left of his kind of Illinois GOP -- where one man and his money is all that matters. One that only blames others, only attacks Speaker Madigan, buys supporters, bypasses the base, disparages the Party’s President, and cannot govern because “I’m not in charge.”

It is now in this new year that we, the Republicans of Illinois, must move forward from the deep disappointment and betrayal we experienced, and take back our party. We must set aside our differences and commit ourselves anew to the principles that made our Party and this Nation one of the greatest in human history. Principles articulated in our Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, the Republican National Platform and the Illinois GOP Platform.