Illinois Review

Di Leo: Will America Heed the Energy Warning from Abroad?

 

By John F. Di Leo - 

Europe is not burning.

When writers discuss economics and politics, we sometimes use figures of speech to attract the reader, in the hopes that a powerful visual will help carry the reader through the boredom of statistics and political analysis.

So, when activists riot, when protesters mob and chant, we may say "the city is burning." It catches your attention. It gets the reader to keep reading.

Sometimes, unfortunately, these words move beyond figures of speech, and become literal. In 2020, the Antifa riots that took over dozens of American downtowns did in fact include arson and fire bombing. Population centers were literally set ablaze, from Kenosha to Portland. Writers didn’t have to exaggerate, when the storm troopers of the modern Democratic Party were empowered by laissez-faire Democrat city governments.

Cabello proposes "Contract with Illinois" to counter Pritzker's "SAFE-T Act"

former state Rep. John Cabello

Op-Ed by John Cabello, GOP candidate in Illinois' 90th House District - 

Are you satisfied with the direction our state is headed? Democrats have enjoyed total control of state government, with super-majorities in both the Illinois House and Senate, but what do they actually have to show for it other than low-quality governance and high-quality campaign commercials?

The inescapable flood of campaign commercials is a testament to how the Madigan political machine is still beating Republicans from beyond the political grave. Madigan’s “creative” fundraising efforts added untold millions to Democrats’ campaign coffers, and the enormous Madigan cash advantage is likely to endure for years, if not decades.

Illinois Democrats want you distracted by multi-million-dollar ad buys hammering national political debates. They don’t want you to assess their job performance. They don’t want you to ask yourself if you’re satisfied living in one of the highest-taxed, most corrupt, and worst-governed states in the country.

Outside of numerous tax increases and countless ideas for how to spend our tax money, Democrats’ crowning legislative achievement is a bill that emboldens criminals and endangers law-abiding citizens. The so-called “SAFE-T Act” should actually be called the “We Love Criminals Act,” because it hamstrings law enforcement and prioritizes criminals over victims.

Illinois voter, I want you to see what Republican-led Illinois governance would look like. Democrats have failed to govern, but Republicans have thus far failed to stand up and deliver a unified message. We Republicans owe you a contract that details our pledge to voters.

Di Leo: Too Much News in the News Cycle

By John F. Di Leo - 

Do you ever get the feeling there’s an awful lot going on, all at once?

Consider:

Sinking into a Deepening Recession -

Goldman Sachs continues to downgrade their expectations for 2022 GDP on a monthly basis… and they’ve now tried to get ahead of things for next year by predicting 2023’s GDP  to be at a miserable 1.1%.  And yet, they don’t say the word “recession.”  What does this mean? Perhaps that they owe it to their investment customers to tell the truth about numbers, but they feel they owe it to their political friends to not tell the truth about words?

Funding A Foreign War -

Russia gains in Ukraine, and Ukraine gains on Russia.  Every day there’s more news that Russia is getting more daring, now shelling more sensitive Ukrainian infrastructure than before, but Ukraine is claiming more and more abandoned Russian equipment, and even pushing back on some land Russia conquered months ago. India is the latest of Russia’s “friends” to berate Vladimir Putin for the war and to encourage him to end it somehow.  And all the while, on a daily basis, Washington DC agrees to write seemingly blank checks to Ukraine, providing them both directly and indirectly with cash and equipment to help their war effort. We’ve had proxy fights with Russia before, throughout the Cold War, but we used to be much more careful about the risk of escalation. Whatever happened to that concern?

Living with Crippling Inflation -

The Federal Reserve is finally getting bolder and bolder in their rate hikes, attempting to address the monster of inflation – declared at 8.3% but more in the neighborhood of 20% or more for most Americans when the reality of their spending breakdowns is considered.  The Fed, therefore, gets all the attention on the issue, instead of Congress and the White House being rightly forced to bear the blame for it.  It’s their taxation, overspending, and crippling overregulation, after all, that has caused all this inflation.  Why is the issue conveniently lifted off their shoulders and shifted to the Fed, in an election year?  Might it have anything to do with the fact that the Federal Reserve isn’t on the ballot, but Congress is?

Di Leo: Audits, Recounts, and the Secret Ballot

By John F. Di Leo - 

The Big Lie.   Just saying these words brings to mind a number of potential meanings, but in today’s America, the most common — and conflicting — uses of the term are the following:

The Left asserts that the very idea that fraud occurred in the 2020 election is a dangerous lie, while the Right insists that claiming the 2020 election was squeaky clean is the dangerous lie.

Which position is correct?  Was there massive fraud in 2020, enough to change not only the presidency, but also countless, (and close) down ballot races, or not?

It’s an important question, and the Left has issued a gag order, as if challenging election results is somehow new and evil. There’s probably never been an election year in which at least some races haven’t been subject to allegations of error or fraud. 2020 is the first time in American history that a conscious movement actually sprang up to silence calls for investigation and election integrity.

“You don’t need to change the way we vote,” they tell us. “If you don’t trust the result, just do a recount. Call for an audit, and discover the truth one way or the other.”  

Easy, right?   But it’s not so easy. Here’s why:

More, Here:

Di Leo: Hidden Meanings in proposed Amendment 1

Opponents' arguments against "Workers Rights" proposal aren't easy to find

By John F Di Leo -

Launch YouTube, Facebook, or a search engine in Illinois these days - or worse, make the mistake of turning on the television - and you will likely be deluged with television commercials about the so-called "Workers' Rights Amendment," which will appear on our ballot across Illinois next month.

Depending on the commercial, this amendment could be presented as being about anything from patients in a hospital being viewed as dollar bills, or dangers in a workplace, or a threat to a worker's right to unionize.

Talk about a proposed law being “all things to all people!”

In truth, this state constitutional amendment (referred to as Amendment 1) is indeed many things: on the one hand, it’s a big lie… In another way, it’s completely unnecessary… But worst of all, in yet another way, it is a Trojan horse for almost anything the activists or courts might want it to be.

Di Leo: Governor Newsom Speaks from his Heart

By John F. Di Leo - 

In California this week, there is a heat wave.

There have been heat waves before; it’s not unusual for the area. But the energy grid is no longer up to it; so California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, took to the airwaves, to make an impassioned plea.

“Everyone has to do their part to help,” Governor Newsom declares, in his new public service commercial.  He then goes on to list his expectations for the taxpayers of California.

The state already told people not to charge their electric cars. Now, Governor Sunshine says, you should wake up early and run your air conditioning early in the morning, to pre-cool your home. You should kick up the air conditioning to 78 or higher - yes, 78 - from 4:00 pm onward. You should close your blinds to keep the evil sun out (I always thought people moved to California so they could see the sun!). And one more thing: don’t use your large appliances. Right. That's what we said.  Just don't.

Weyermuller: On hand when IL GOP Lieutenant Governor candidate returns to Chicago roots

Stephanie Trussell, GOP candidate for Lieutenant Governor with Darren Bailey

 

By Mark Weyermuller - 

Last week, Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate Stephanie Trussell running with Darren Bailey for governor returned to where she grew up - near the corner of Washington and South Pulaski in Chicago's Garfield Park neighborhood on the city's west side.  

 

"I'm running with state Senator Darren Bailey to RESTORE the great state of Illinois," Trussell, now living in Lisle Illinois, told reporters.

 

"Before I get started with my remarks, I want you to take a good look around you to see what is going on in our neighborhoods. We have boarded up businesses. There is trash on the streets and graffiti everywhere," she said.

 

"This is not the Chicago of my childhood.  Many of you know I grew up on the west side of Chicago. I proudly refer to it as the 'Best side' of Chicago," she said."I was 15 when I got my second job at a grocery store that was owned by my best friend's dad. Mr. Martin’s family owned a chain of Pick n’ Pay grocery stores. I worked at the location on 15th and Springfield. My other best friend’s dad Mr. Sullivan, owned a grocery store on 15th and Kostner."

There were a lot of locally owned businesses on the west side back then, she said.

Bailey criticizes Pritzker’s SAFE-T Act as "Dangerous" and "Extreme"

Bailey (2nd from Left) with Fraternal Order of Police Illinois Corrections Lodge 263.

LOUISVILLE IL — Wednesday, state Senator and gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey criticized the Pritzker-signed so-called "SAFE-T Act" that Bailey says will make Illinois' communities less safe. He is once again calling for the repeal of Governor Pritzker’s "soft-on-crime" policies.

“Though Governor Pritzker likes to claim that the law simply diverts low-level drug offenders from sitting in prison before trial, the fact is that the SAFE-T Act will put hardened criminals back on the street,” Bailey stated. “Pritzker trumpeted the law as bringing Illinois closer to ‘true safety, true fairness and true justice.’ The exact opposite has occurred, and the warning signs came right from the start.”

Bailey noted Chicago crime is spiking again. Theft is up 65%, car theft is up 62%, burglaries are up 29%, and robberies are up 19% just over the past year. Illinoisans are unsafe under Pritzker’s failed leadership.

Di Leo: Slander, Insults, and Agitation: Old Joe Returns to His Roots

By John F. Di Leo - 

On September 1, Joe Biden headed to Independence Hall in Philadelphia – where the Continental Congress met, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were created – and instead of rising to the heights deserved by the rooftop that once held the Liberty Bell, he sank below the gutters outside, and delivered a rant worthy of the lowest shop steward, the most guttural petty mobster.

In an insult-laden speech, Joe Biden kicked off his part of the midterm election season by insulting America’s voters and slandering the conservative movement.

None of this should be surprising, of course, as insult and slander have enjoyed the featured position in his toolbox throughout his fifty-year political career.

Di Leo: Vague Questions and Hidden Meanings in a Corrupt Poll

By John F Di Leo -

The news of the week concerns a new item that NBC has just begun to insert into their standard polling.  You know how pollsters like to ask “which of these is most important to you in this election,” and then they list a bunch of wildly different issues – domestic and international, social, economic, foreign policy, etc. – and ask you to choose or rank them?

Well, NBC’s newest twist on that list is to include asking whether one of their top fears is the category, “Threats to Democracy.”

Di Leo: President Trump Is 'Our Canary in the Coal Mine'

By John F. Di Leo - 

Over a century ago, scientist John Scott Haldane, recognizing the danger of carbon monoxide in coal mines, introduced the use of pet canaries as an early warning system for miners.  The concept caught on quickly, and for three-quarters of a century, coal miners would come to trust their pet "canary in the coal mine" as their potential lifesaver: carbon monoxide would kill the bird first, giving the men time to escape the mine before the deadly gas could get them, too.

Former President Donald J. Trump is the Republican Party's canary.

In the "pandemic year" of 2020, Democrat bureaucrats across the country took advantage of public fears of Covid-19 to scare millions of people out of the traditional American election practice: in person, at a polling place, where each voter could at least potentially undergo an identity check as protection against vote fraud.

In 2020, numerous state, county, and city governments authorized such corruptible concepts as mass mail-in ballots, unguarded non-mail public drop boxes, and virtually unlimited ballot harvesting.

More, HERE:

Di Leo: Answering Questions in the Village of Chelm

by John F. Di Leo -

 

The scene:  As the curtain rises, we see an empty podium, a few paces ahead of the front stoop of the village hall in the remote village of Chelm. The village of Chelm is a small town of a thousand or so, far from any real civilization, but closely situated to the things that really matter to politicians - the newspaper bureau office, the national banks, the lobbyists, the four and five-star restaurants.  Eventually, we see the Mayor of Chelm's press secretary, Benito Bugiardo, come out from the wings to appear behind the podium, as a few reporters walk on stage to take seats in front of him, cheating the angle just a bit, so they don't have their backs to the audience.  The spotlight hits the press secretary, and we begin.

 

Press Secretary Bugiardo:  Good morning, everyone! I know we have a lot to talk about today. We're beating inflation; job growth is thrilling, and the Mayor is spending his working vacation putting the finishing touches on his next great project, the Comprehensive Crime Bill.  On top of all that, it is SUCH a beautiful day!  So where shall we begin?  Mr. Smith, I think you had your hand up first.

 

Mr. Smith, of the Chelm Bugle:  Mr. Bugiardo, we have heard a rumor that the Mayor plans to hire 87 new tax collectors.  Is that true, and if so, why do you need so many?

Di Leo: Manchin and Sinema Get Rolled - On Purpose

By John F. Di Leo - 

 

Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are known as the moderates of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

 

There are problems with that designation, of course, such as the fact that Manchin's and Sinema's lifetime ACU ratings are 27% and 15%, respectively - not exactly the definition of "moderation."

 

But the universe of Democratic Party officeholders has moved so far left that they now officially regard Josef Stalin as "squishy," so the definition of "moderate" has had to be softened a bit as well, in recent years.

 

Since the Democrats usurped complete control of both the national executive and legislative branches in 2020, Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema have become the official powerbrokers in Washington, able to keep tantalizing the Republican caucus with the possibility of stopping bad bills, and ensuring that their own Democrat caucus gives them whatever they want when they, ultimately, "give in."

Di Leo: The Chicago Dictionary, Volume Seven

By John F. Di Leo - 

It has recently surfaced that a large number of once well-known English words are suffering from a severe shortage of definitions.  We will do our best to help alleviate this condition.

Bike path:

        A scenic obstacle course for basement dwellers.

Carbon footprint:

        The image left behind by the jackboot of the Left on society’s neck.

Economy:

        The place where medieval doctors and modern bureaucrats inject the needle, when it’s time to start bleeding the patient.

Fertile farmland:

        A beautiful place to cover with Chinese solar panels and windmills.

Free market:

        An endangered species.

Free lunch:

        Ain’t no such thing.

Free fall:

        Sure, but Winter’s gonna cost ya…

Di Leo: The Final Months of a Bad Employee

By John F. Di Leo - 

If you work in the business world long enough, you will notice that an employee reveals the most about his own personal work ethic, not when he starts out, not when he’s angling for a bonus or promotion, but at the end, when he gets a new job and gives his two weeks’ notice, or when he starts training his successor as he reaches retirement.

How hard does he work those final weeks? Does he still put the company first, or does he just phone it in?  Or does he stuff his briefcase with office supplies, raid the petty cash drawer, and pilfer the prototype cabinet every evening before he goes home?

If he really gives it all he’s got, right up to the last day, then there’s a role model to remember with love.

The same goes for political leadership when it has had its walking papers served on Election Day, or even when that eventuality becomes evident, months in advance.

More, here:

Cook County GOP files General Election slate with over 30 candidates

CHICAGO, IL - Monday, the Cook County Republican Party and Chicago Republican Party slated over 30 candidates for the November General Election, including 11 women and 16 minority candidates. More specifically, five county-wide office seekers, three Cook County Board of Property Tax Review candidates, nine Cook County Commissioner candidates, seven Illinois State Senate candidates and 17 Illinois State Representative candidates.

 

They join the 35 Cook County & Chicago Republicans already on the ballot for offices ranging from Illinois State Legislature, MWRD and Cook County Commissioner who were on the ballot for the June 28 primary election.

 

"We are very proud of the efforts of our candidates and volunteers who stepped up to collect over 8,000 signatures in just 14 days to place the largest number of Republican candidates running in Cook County in more than a generation. Cook County voters are demanding a choice at the ballot box. They will now have a clear choice in November," stated Cook County GOP Chairman Sean Morrison.

Di Leo: Illinois Republican Nominees Hit the Campaign Trail in 2022

By John F. Di Leo - 

On the campaign trail Saturday, we visited with Republican candidates Stephanie Trussell, Chris Dargis, and Tommy Hanson...

This is an unusual election year, and not for the usual reasons.

Midterms have a certain dynamic, as it’s a different environment to have a US Senate candidate at the top of the ticket, as opposed to a presidential candidate as in leap years.

And the “2” years – 2002, 2012, 2022 – are always a challenge because it’s the first year with a new map, so all the candidates and their respective constituencies are just beginning to learn the new districts, both for Congress and the state legislatures.

But it’s an especially odd season for Illinois, because we are accustomed to spring primaries, and for the first time, Illinois had a summer primary this year, just under two weeks ago, on June 28.

Campaigns are normally fully engaged by now, in general election mode.  Summer can be prime campaigning season – but not when the nominees aren’t even identified until July.  Primaries this late are often thought of as incumbency protection plans, nothing else.  They shorten the campaign season to just a few months, making everything easier for incumbents and harder for challengers… as if incumbents didn’t have enough advantages already.

Di Leo: The Cookie-Cutter Protest Game is Tried Again, in Akron, Ohio

By John F. Di Leo - 

In the middle of the night on June 27, an Akron police car turned on its lights to pull over a car for a moving violation.  Instead of pulling over and cordially handing over both license and registration, hoping to evade a ticket through politeness and charm, as you or I would do, the driver did the opposite:

Instead of pulling over and hoping for the best, this 25-year-old genius named Jayland Walker floored it, leading multiple police cars on a high-speed chase, to the tune of 85mph in a 35mph residential zone, putting other drivers – and any late-night pedestrians too – in severe danger. 

Eventually, Walker fired a handgun at the police pursuing him, ditched his car, leaped out of the car while wearing a ski mask, and ran away.  In hot pursuit of a man who had shot at them already, when the police saw him turn toward them, they assumed what anyone would assume: that he was going to fire at them again.  So the police did what police are supposed to do: they fired, killing him instantly.

Akron has now been beset with growing demonstrations for days, and Democrat politicians all over the country are weighing in.

Thorner: Are Democrats as Out of Touch as They Seem to Be?

Trump - Biden (NYTimes.com photo) 

By Nancy Thorner - 

The contrast between the Trump economy and Biden’s economy couldn't be starker.  Under Trump Inflation was low, wages were high, infant formula was on the grocery store shelves, and gas was cheap.

Bad economic policies from Congressional Democrats and President Biden have turned tough economic circumstances into an absolute disaster that many believe will manifest itself at the ballot box in November for Democrats.

Furthermore, regardless of what Secretary Yellen claims, this nation is heading toward a recession. The real question is not if it will happen but how severe it will be.

For many Republicans, it seems a given that there will be a red wave in the November mid-term elections.  Accordingly, the following article posted on July 3, 2022, from the Canadian Free Press by Stan McHugh caught my attention and also seemed important enough to pass along to IL Review readers for their evaluation: Democrats Out of Control? Not Very Likely 

IL GOP boasts six possible Congressional pickups in 2022

The Illinois Republican Party reports the National Republican Congressional Committee is looking to Illinois for six possible GOP pickups after yesterday's primary - if Illinois joins the expected Red Wave in November. 

The districts that are currently represented by Republicans were not mentioned in the IL GOP's statement - such as Darin LaHood, who won the nomination in IL's 16th CD, and Mary Miller, who defeated GOP incumbent Rodney Davis in the 15th.  

The IL GOP's statement sent out by Communications Director Joe Hackler: 

Republicans in the US House are just four seats shy of a majority. In Illinois, the National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) has identified six target congressional contests that are prime Republican pick-up opportunities. It’s safe to say the battle to take back the House runs right through Illinois. 

In tonight’s Republican primary contests, the AP has called the races in each of those six seats. Our Republican nominees in target districts are:

• Keith Pekau - IL-6 (Offensive)
• Chris Dargis - IL-8 (Offensive)
• Catalina Lauf - IL-11 (Offensive)
• Regan Deering - IL-13 (Open)
• Scott Gryder - IL-14 (Offensive)
• Esther Joy King - IL-17 (Offensive)

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy has released the following statement responding to tonight’s results:

“Nancy Pelosi and the Socialist Squad’s days in power are numbered. Illinois alone can provide the margin we need in flipping seats to take back the majority in the House. I am confident we will do just that. From a decorated combat veteran and mayor to a next-generation woman of color, our crop of candidates in these target races are extraordinary and bring with them a diverse set of life stories and backgrounds. The Illinois Republican Party looks forward to helping them secure victory in November."

Di Leo: Like a Seinfeld episode, Illinois Republicans do the Opposite

By John F Di Leo - 

It is said that "there is a Seinfeld for everything."

Who would’ve expected an Illinois primary election to give support to that, of all theories? But, so it has.

First, the fundamentals: Despite Illinois having been a reliable swing state for generations, due to the powerful Chicago Democrat machine countered by the reliably conservative Republican suburbs and rural downstate, a change began in the 1980s, when a new state constitution tipped the balance of power to the Democrats.

As Chicago and Illinois' other large cities grew more dangerous and more corrupt, the lifelong Democrat voters of the cities moved into the suburbs (without changing their voting patterns), overturning that old balance, and making it easier and easier for Democrats to win the state.

No longer called a swing state, Mike Madigan’s record-setting two-generation hold on the Speaker’s chair, combined with incredibly bad luck (and unforced errors) in numerous US Senate races, have resulted in an almost unshakably defeatist attitude in the minds of Republican activists, party officials, media, and worst of all, donors.

Di Leo: Considering the Most Serious Complaint in the Outcry over Dobbs

By John F. Di Leo - 

On Friday, June 24, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

The Dobbs ruling was significant, for two reasons: It settled a question regarding abortion at the national level: that it’s not the federal government’s business, so it’s up to the states. Also, since it overturned a 50-year-old ruling, it reminds both the general public and future courts that our respect for precedent should not be so blind as to allow blatantly unfounded rulings to stand if a chance comes up to correct the error.

The outcry was loud and immediate, and no wonder: a multibillion dollar industry has grown up around the concept of “abortion on demand,” not to mention incredible behavioral changes, both micro and macro, as everything from individual dating practices to the nature of the pop culture were altered to accommodate the practice.

Bourne's hubby is voice in Davis' sour campaign tone

Rep. Bourne w/ hubby Aaron De Groot

CHRISTIAN COUNTY - Political consultants are fascinating behind-the-scenes tone-setters for political campaigns. And because they're behind the scenes, they're paid little attention while they can and do make all the difference.

For instance, there's a name that shows up in most press releases US Congressman Rodney Davis put out this campaign season in the volatile and nasty 15th CD runoff between two U.S. House Republican incumbents - Rodney Davis and Mary Miller. 

That name is "Aaron DeGroot." DeGroot identifies as the Davis campaign spokesman. 

He's also been married to State Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) since 2018. You know, the same Avery Bourne that is running with Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin as Irvin's pick for lieutenant governor. In other words - the person next in line to be governor if something was to happen to the person elected as governor.

But back to the Davis/Miller battle. It's a tough race. It has become nasty and ugly - especially in the tone coming from the Davis campaign. 

And with former President Donald Trump coming to Quincy to boost Miller's national image this coming Saturday, there's a good chance the Davis camp's voice will be even more intense and sour as June 28th primary election day nears.

Di Leo: Why Does Ashley Biden's 'Shower Story' Matter?

By John F. Di Leo - 

A news story has been circulating lately, more on social media than mainstream. Nothing unusual there.

It seems that Joe Biden’s daughter Ashley was in rehab in 2020, and part of her therapy was to keep a diary, perhaps recounting her thoughts on what problems caused her lifelong addictions to sex and substance abuse. In this diary, she postulated that being hypersexualized at a young age, engaging in sexual activity in her youth, and taking showers with her father, may have contributed to this sad problem. She annotated her mention of showering with her father as “probably not appropriate”, but no further details about the showering appeared in the book (at least, no more detail has been published).

Ashley Biden accidentally left the book behind at the rehab residence, to be found by the next resident. It found its way to the hands of the UK’s Daily Mail, which published some excerpts. Project Veritas tried to follow up in more detail, legally, and the FBI immediately started attacking them with harassment and search warrants.

Since this story appeared on the scene, many months ago, it has created a bit of an ethical challenge for those in the media who still have ethics.

Thorner: The 2nd Supreme Court District... the hottest Illinois Republican Primary around?

By Nancy Thorner - 

Now that the Governor’s race seems to be tilting strongly for Darren Bailey with the latest poll showing him with a 15-point lead over Richard Irvin and a 21-point lead over his next closest rival, Jesse Sullivan, some might say the Mary Miller vs. Rodney Davis contest for Congress is now the most interesting and the hottest Illinois Republican primary.  

The Second District Supreme Court contest, however, may even be more interesting and hotter with all the new developments that have occurred in this race since I last wrote about it on Illinois Review.

The first new development is the return of McHenry County Judge Hutchinson and Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran to the ballot.

Di Leo: Biden Whips Up the Longshoremen, As Strike Fears Rise

By John F. Di Leo - 

Joe Biden went to the port of Los Angeles on Friday, June 10, to make a speech about the economy.

Nothing odd there.  The stock market is down 15% so far this year, inflation is skyrocketing, and energy prices are so high that the unemployed can't afford the commute if they accept a job.  An administration is expected to address these matters.

Unfortunately, in this case, virtually all the problems are caused by the very positions on which this regime is doubling down. 

And of all the indelicate, inopportune times and places to choose for this speech, he headed to the busiest, most important seaport in the Americas, twenty days before the deadline crashes down on the most delicate labor negotiation of the year.

All laborers on the west coast seaports belong to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU).  While some of them still do the heavy, physical jobs of traditional shipping, the lion's share of this industry was changed, some seventy years ago, with the advent of containerization and the growth of intermodal transportation.

Continued, in the American Thinker, here:

Di Leo: The Recall Vote Heard Round the World

Chesa Boudin

By John F. Di Leo - 

On Tuesday, June 7, voters went to the polls in California, and produced a surprising result. San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin was overthrown in a rare, successful recall election.

Ask the typical American voter what inspires his dislike for politicians, and he is likely to say he’s turned off by their dishonesty, their platitudes, their failure to keep campaign promises (they’re not necessarily right about this, but these are the answers one gets).

That wasn’t the case here.

Chesa Boudin, son of the Weather Underground, ran for District Attorney on a clear political platform: throwing open the prison gates, attacking police instead of criminals, and eliminating bail so that criminals could be set free upon capture, rather than holding them for trial. It was a clear platform of support for the criminal element, and just as clearly, a statement of opposition to the valid concerns of the millions of law-abiding citizens who fear the growing crime problem in America’s cities.

Di Leo: The Many Lies of a Dishonest Age

By John F. Di Leo - 

The Second Amendment

A former United States Senator and Vice President of the United States, currently pretending to the title of the presidency, Joe Biden said this week that “The Second Amendment is not absolute.”

Wrong, Mr. Biden. The Second Amendment is absolute. The Constitution is absolute. 

It’s our political offices, such as Senator, Vice President, and President, that are not absolute.   Your office is constitutionally limited. That’s the whole point. That’s what living in a constitutional republic means.

Irvin/Bourne campaign boasts more IL GOP leadership, law enforcement endorsements

Via Press Release from the Irvin/Bourne campaign - 

AURORA – Friday the Irvin for Illinois campaign is rolling out a new list of co-chairs; a group of over 50 grassroots Republican leaders who are endorsing Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne’s campaign to take back Illinois from out of control crime, corruption, and Democrat overspending. The new list adds to the continuous growing support of now over 200 leaders — including 18 current or former county sheriffs, 27 current mayors, and 17 state legislators. 

Highlighting Mayor Irvin & Representative Bourne’s wide support from the law enforcement community is LaSalle County Sheriff & Past-President of the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association Sheriff Tom Templeton. 

“I’m honored to join with 17 other current and former sheriffs in endorsing Richard Irvin’s campaign for Governor. Richard understands the unprecedented challenges we face in law enforcement better than anyone else in this race and is the only candidate capable of defeating J.B. Pritzker so we can rollback 4 years of disastrous radical policies that have made all of our communities less safe,” said Templeton.

14th CD Republican candidate Jim Marter endorsed by Veterans for America First

OSWEGO – “I’m excited and grateful to receive this important endorsement from the Veterans For America First. Their mission to support our veterans and first responders is a mission I share with them and I’m glad to be recognized for it,” said Marter.

“These folks deserve our highest level of honor and support and their well-being should be a top priority. It will be a priority of mine when I’m in Congress. I share the VFAF’s recognition that vets and first responders have service and life experiences that are valuable in all policy discussions, not just ones related to military, law enforcement or emergency health services. We need to benefit from their wisdom and be inspired by their unique sacrifices. They will a Representative in the House who listens to them once again and who will be a voice for them in Congress, once I’m elected.”

Democrat Governor's media buy shows they're worried about losing Illinois in November

CHICAGO - If polling showed JB Pritzker taking a walk in the park to re-election next November, it's unlikely the Democratic Governor's Association would be doing a media buy to meddle in the IL GOP gubernatorial race. But that's exactly what they're doing according to @MediumBuying's report. 

They'll likely be spending some of the $3 M Pritzker donated to the DGA.

Watch for anti-Republican candidates ads on Fox News and Turner Broadcasting starting Thursday: 

The Illinois Republican Party put out the following statement in reply: 

“The DGA and the Pritzker campaign, like everyone else that does polling, is watching in real time as Governor JB Pritzker’s re-election chances plummet under the considerable weight of his own failures and extreme agenda. The Pritzker campaign is desperate and has hatched a plan to launder Pritzker’s inherited wealth through the DGA to begin running ads to interfere in the nomination of our Republican nominee. 

"It’s up to every person in Illinois, including the media, to call out this charade for what it is - a desperate plan from a desperate man with a lot of money. 

"DGA, let Republicans pick our own nominee. Too scared to play fair?”

Edgar County Watchdogs challenge Sullivan's new ad

EDGAR COUNTY - A new campaign ad featuring law enforcement officer that support Republican gubernatorial candidate Jesse Sullivan is drawing attention from the Edgar County Watchdogs. Using publicly funded props in campaign ads isn't legal, they say, and it needs to be challenged.

So they are on their website: 

The campaign for Jesse Sullivan for Governor recently published a campaign advertisement, which we believe constitutes improper electioneering - not only by Sullivan but also by all of the Sheriffs who appeared in uniform with their publicly owned vehicles behind them, while endorsing Sullivan.

Specifically, Article VIII Section I of the Illinois Constitution outlines public funds, property, and credit shall only be used for a public purpose and the use of the public property for a private purpose can constitute Official Misconduct by the County Sheriffs.

Here's the ad Edgar County Watchdogs is concerned about: 

Thorner: My take on IL's 2022 GOP gubernatorial candidates

Illinois Review disclaimer: The following is the opinion of this particular Illinois Review columnist, and not that of the Illinois Review news source. We uphold free speech and encourage opinions. 

By Nancy Thorner -

Who is the most-qualified Republican gubernatorial candidate to defeat Governor J.B. Pritzker? 

 

All Information regarding each gubernatorial candidate featured below is a matter of public record. Bailey will be first on the ballot, with Jesse Sullivan appearing last on the ballot.

 

Illinois' Uniparty has seemingly hit rock bottom with Ken Griffin’s attempt to take over the Republican Party.

 

Even if Griffin, as Illinois’ richest man, gives nothing more than 20 million to Richard Irvin, his “team” will have gotten a boost to their fundraising.  In any case, Griffin can either openly or behind closed doors help the Irvin team with his money.

97th House GOP primary breaks open as McCullagh calls on opponent Michelle Smith to withdraw

SHOREWOOD, IL — Monday, Illinois House 97th District candidate Thomas McCullagh called on his GOP 2022 primary opponent Michelle Smith to withdraw after McCullagh filed a petition challenge detailing what he says is "evidence of fraud in the collection and certifications of signatures."

McCullagh filed a petition challenge with the Illinois State Board of Elections on GOP primary opponent Michelle Smith’s candidacy packets. McCullagh alleges false swearing on Smith's petitions and a pattern and practice of fraud while circulators collected signatures for the 2022 GOP primary ballot.

“I, my campaign manager (Camielle Holcombe), alongside 20 other campaigns and their volunteers, went door-to-door together collecting valid and authentic signatures. We worked hard for hours each day in 20 degree weather to get the job done," McCullagh said in the statement. "It’s disappointing when a candidate, regardless of political party, arrogantly degrades our Republic by submitting fraudulent signatures. She needs to withdraw.”

McCullagh says his exploration uncovered circulators, including GOP candidate Michelle Smith, that allegedly coached and/or allowed signers to fraudulently sign for other members of their households - a violation of Illinois election law.

Di Leo: Destruction in Ukraine, and the Conflict to Come

By John F. Di Leo - 

For three weeks now, the world has watched the Russian war machine move into Ukraine. We have witnessed the shelling of cities and towns; we have seen crowds of women and children fleeing the country to escape.

We have watched hospitals, business districts, and apartment buildings emptied of people, emptied of vehicles; their storefronts destroyed, their windows blown out.

It’s a war zone. That’s what war zones look like. And if our hearts bleed for these refugees, then that’s as it should be. Our hearts should care.

But that’s not where our minds should be.

Our minds should be half a planet away, on the coast of Mainland China, and the little economic powerhouse just off its shore: the island of Taiwan, Republic of China (R.O.C.).

More, in the American Thinker, here:

(photo: city and port of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C., American Thinker)

Di Leo: Quoting Out of Context, from Inflation to Petroleum

PBS photo

By John F. Di Leo - 

The Biden-Harris regime is delighting in the opportunity to pin the blame on Putin’s War - for skyrocketing fuel prices today, and for the food shortages and economic challenges of tomorrow.

As the regime’s lies go, we must admit: this one isn’t a lie.  Putin’s War has indeed caused the interruption of certain international supply lines.  Necessary sanctions against Russia have almost immediately ended the flow of considerable export business that employed countless American workers, and the import bans and duty rate hikes being imposed on Russian products will cause some shortages, from grocery shelves to factory stockrooms.

Ukraine was long known as the breadbasket of Europe; this war zone won’t be producing a harvest in 2022.  If dozens of countries have grown accustomed to getting their energy from Russia and their grain from Ukraine, these buyers will definitely be paying more, to other vendors, as their supply chains adjust.

From Joe Biden’s speechwriters to his cabinet and his press secretaries, we now hear these points made with frequency and… perhaps even… with relief?  It can hardly be our imagination, as we take note of the genuine ease with which these experienced spin artists direct the blame for our current problems toward Putin’s War.

Thorner: Bailey and DeVore make campaign stop in Libertyville

Darren Bailey

By Nancy Thorner - 

On Thursday morning, March 3, 2022, GOP 2022 candidates Darren Bailey and Thomas DeVore appeared together at Murphy's Health Food store in Libertyville. 

DeVore previously announced his candidacy for the downstate 5th Appellate Court, but in a Facebook video DeVore said he changed his mind and will now seek the GOP nomination for attorney general. 

As to why he changed his mind: Having seen students stand up for themselves regarding the mask mandate issue, DeVore set his sights on the Attorney General’s Office in an attempt to keep a similar situation from happening again.

Inhofe announces retirement from U.S. Senate

On Feb. 25, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) announced he would retire on Jan. 3, 2023. Inhofe's current term ends in 2027. His retirement will trigger a special election in November 2022. So far, six senators whose terms end in 2023 have announced they will not seek re-election this year. Five are Republicans and one is a Democrat.

More HERE

IL Congressional candidates respond to Biden's State of the Union address

AP photo

Two Republican Congressional candidates sent out these responses to President Joe Biden's first State of the Union address Tuesday night - Esther Joy King in Illinois' 17th CD and James Marter in Illinois' 14th CD: 

“First, I appreciated the strong support the President and Congress showed for Ukraine at the beginning of tonight’s State of the Union address. However, this must be followed by strong action in the best interest of American national security," GOP candidate Esther Joy King said after the speech in a statement.

“President Biden also mentioned several ‘America First’ policies championed by Republicans tonight — securing the border, funding the police, and the importance of making products in America — because they know these policies resonate with the American people. When elected, I will do everything I can to work with the President on solving these issues to put America first, but there cannot just be rhetoric from the other side. We need action, we need a plan that both sides can get behind.”

King's 17th CD is an open seat in the November 2022 General Election. Cook Political Report lists the district as a "Democratic Toss-Up" district.

Family-Pac Federal spotlights Mandel and Miller

Former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel

Correction: Since first published, this post has been corrected to remove incorrect information concerning Josh Mandel's candidacy. He has NOT been endorsed by President Trump as of March 1, 2022. Our apologies for the error.

By Nancy Thorner - 

Family-Pac Federal Chairman John McEnroe sponsored a fundraising brunch for U.S. Ohio Senate candidate Josh Mandel, running to replace Rob Portman, on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Gibson's Restaurant in Oak Brook, IL. 

Josh Mandell, Ohio U.S. Senate candidate 

 

Josh Mandel is running for the U.S. Senate in Ohio to replace retiring Senator Rob Portman.  As mentioned by Josh, he doesn't wish to go to Washington to D.C. to make friends but to make good decisions, with a Bible in one hand and the Constitution in another. 

 

He has also been endorsed by US Senator Mike Lee (UT-R), Senator Cynthia Lummis (WY-R), Ambassador David Friedman (former Trump ambassador to Israel), Mark Levin, Club for Growth, and the Senate Conservative Funds.

 

With a clear record of conservative leadership and courage to stand up to powerful forces on both side of the aisle, Josh was elected to statewide office twice winning both the Primary and General elections by double-digit margins.

P Rae: Stay out of our daughters' panties, Gov. Pritzker

By P Rae, Black Excellence Hour, WVON 160am Chicago - 

The United States of America is the best country in the world because of how it protects children and vulnerable from predators and harm. Our government functions as a body elected by the people to protect the interests of the people. However, in 2021, the IL State Legislature and Governor JB Pritzker passed a bill that was not in the best interest of IL families or girls from around the country, HB 370, repealing Illinois's Parental Notice of Abortion law. This law mandated that the guardians of minor girls be notified that their child was receiving healthcare. 

The issue behind HB 370 is not abortion. The right to terminate a pregnancy has been affirmed by the US Supreme Court. Governor Bruce Rauner (R) passed the Reproductive Health Act establishing the fundamental right to reproductive health care, including abortion, in 2019. Now that the Parental Notification Act has been repealed, any pregnant girl from around the world country can come to IL and get an abortion sponsored by IL taxpayers without her parents knowledge. The average age to begin menstruation in America is 10 years old. This means that a 10 year old can become pregnant, consent to an abortion without her parents’ knowledge, receive the abortion free of charge and go home to bleed on her pretty pink sheets. A doctor can give her an abortion pill at her school clinic without her parents’ knowledge or consent but the girl cannot receive an aspirin for a headache without signed paperwork.

Illinois Family Action picks Miller over Davis in 15th CD GOP primary

U.S. Rep. Mary Miller

ILLINOIS - Due to the Democrats' redistricting tactics and the loss of a whole congressional district due to population loss over the last 10 years, two Illinois GOP Congress members were drawn into the 15th CD.  The two will be facing each other in Illinois' June 28, 2022 GOP primary: U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13) and U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (IL-15). 

Friday, Illinois Family Action released the following endorsement of Congresswoman Mary Miller in Illinois' 15th Congressional District:

"We agree with President Donald Trump’s assessment that Congresswoman Mary Miller is the right candidate to represent the good people of the 15th Congressional District," said David Smith, executive director of Illinois Family Action.

 

"Mary is a proud and vocal believer in Jesus Christ, and her Christian faith guides her positions on moral issues. Mary Miller is pro-life, pro-religious liberty, and pro-marriage between a man and a woman. She supports a strong military, the opportunity for parents to choose home education, and she stands with the nation of Israel. Mary bows her knee to no one but Jesus Christ, and her actions demonstrate that she will always make sound moral judgments as to how legislation will affect the people in her district and the nation."

 

"I am honored to be endorsed by Illinois Family Action, and I will continue to be an outspoken and fearless fighter for life in the womb, parental rights, freedom of conscience, and traditional marriage," said Congresswoman Miller.

Di Leo: GOP gubernatorial primary candidates vie for suburban voters

Bailey, Solomon, Schimpf, Rabine

 

By John F. Di Leo - 

A Republican town hall was held in Naperville, and Illinois Review was there...

On Saturday, February 12, Freedom Initiative Now hosted a GOP Gubernatorial Town Hall, featuring four of the announced Republican candidates for Governor of Illinois, with a couple hundred activists in attendance at the Embassy Suites in Naperville.

State Senator Darren Bailey, former State Senator Paul Schimpf, businessman Gary Rabine, and attorney Max Solomon were seated on the dais.  Three other candidates believed to be in the running - Chris Roper (who at some point had accepted), Jesse Sullivan and Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin – were not in attendance.

Co-hosts Nick Richmond and Kelly Dittmann kept their introduction to a minimum, asked three appropriate, general series of questions, then closed with a couple of final questions from the audience.  The format wasn’t perfect, but it was impressively, scrupulously fair.

Di Leo: An Afternoon with Darren Bailey, GOP 2022 Candidate for Governor

By John F. Di Leo - 

photos by Mark Weyermuller

Looking back at the Founding Era after 250 years, we often think of the challenges the Framers faced.  A single legislature, or a bicameral arrangement?  A strong head of state or a figurehead… or none at all?  How often should terms last?

What we tend to forget is that the first debate, before they could even get started in planning all this in the summer of 1787, was the question of whether any of it was possible at all.

Our Founding Fathers were educated in the history of government; they had studied political science for years, even decades.  And there were two conclusions that seemed almost certain, and had been agreed-upon for centuries: First, that direct democracy can only work in the smallest of towns, and second, that even a representative republic could probably work as a city-state or similarly small country, but most likely couldn’t be successful in a large nation… because you could never know your representative personally, if the country was too large.

Does a statewide candidate's voting history matter?

AURORA - Does it matter to Illinois Republicans whether their candidate for governor has a history of voting Democrat? Should it matter?

Or should Illinois Republicans give up on the concept of a candidate with proven Republican conservative values ever winning a statewide race? 

With the announcement of Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin running for governor, an array of information has been bombarding the internet - especially as it becomes more well known that Irvin and his running mate state Rep. Avery Bourne are being directed by the same consulting group that ran Bruce Rauner's campaign in 2014 and his re-election campaign in 2018.

The group ran the Rauner campaign both years - alienating, ridiculing and ignoring the state's grassroots conservative base and their principles.

GOP opponents respond to Irvin entry into gubernatorial primary race

Mayor Richard Irvin.                       State Sen. Darren Bailey                Businessman Gary Rabine

SPRINGFIELD - Two GOP gubernatorial primary opponents that have been campaigning for several months responded to the news that Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin is entering the Illinois GOP's effort to oust Illinois Governor JB Pritzker in November 2022.

Illinois 2022 GOP Congressional primary races to watch

From 270towin website

WASHINGTON DC - Illinois will have one less representative to the US Congress in 2023, and after a chaotic re-mapping that Illinois Democrats controlled, the new districts are very different and purposely drawn to weaken Republican strongholds. 

The process left downstate districts in confusion - and as candidates begin to notify the Federal Election Commission of their plans to run in the 2022 election, the FEC listing is showing just how this normally considered quiet "off year" election is likely to get a lot of attention. 

Illinois Review is hearing rumors of various campaign entry announcements to be made next week -  from new GOP entries in Congressional races to new GOP entry slates in the state's gubernatorial race. 

According to current projections, analysts see Illinois coming out of the 2022 with 13 Democrat US Congressional districts, three Republican and one - the 17th CD - a toss-up.

Di Leo: Joe Manchin, Giant-Killer?

by John F. Di Leo - 

In the great Woody Allen comedy, Love and Death, Allen plays a Russian nebbish who is celebrated for his heroism when, after hiding in a cannon during a battle, he gets fired into the Napoleonic command tent, taking down four enemy generals and thereby winning the battle.  His rival, played by Harold Gould, derides his newfound celebrity with the understated line, “I understand your heroism was quite inadvertent.”

Americans may soon realize that the newfound celebrity of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin may be due to something similar.

The Build Back Better Bill, also known as the $5 Trillion spending plan, or the $2 Trillion spending plan, or the $3.5 Trillion spending plan, or the Moving Target spending plan, is essentially the Green New Deal married to a Welfare State wish list, with an alliterative and euphemistic title slapped on top for PR.

Conservatives rightly oppose it, not merely because it’s expensive, but because it includes a litany of distinct policy directions that are dead wrong for this country – wrong, in fact, for any country.

For Example...

More, in the American Thinker, here...

Di Leo: Illegal Mandates and the Abandonment of a Sacred Oath

By John F. Di Leo - 

In just one week, four federal courts have said no, and the US Senate voted the same way. The vaccine mandate is crumbling.

Earlier this fall, Jabbin’ Joe Biden issued his commands in no uncertain terms:  OSHA will mandate that all employers of over a hundred people must force their employees to accept these experimental Covid-19 vaccines.  Every federal department must mandate that all their federal employees accept it too.  All federal contractors and health care workers, all members of the military, must take it as well.  There is no freedom anymore; the days of human rights are over. Uncle Joe has spoken.

Many of us assumed that the federal mandate was a con from the start – that even the ultra-statists of the Biden-Harris regime knew full well that they don’t have the authority, so they hoped that Biden’s speech would be enough to scare people into compliance on the basis of his speech. He might never have to issue an illegal executive order; his department chiefs might never have to publish illegal regulations in the Federal Register, if they just said they were going to, and a gullible public acted on that promise alone.

But no, to the surprise of some, the regime went ahead and filed those illegal rules, knowing they would eventually be overturned.  And many businesses, especially the “woke” ones, both small and large, did climb aboard that sinking ship.  A few vocal refusals by airline pilots and mailmen followed, along with thousands (or maybe hundreds of thousands?) of quiet resignations as well, and the mandate defenders are more visibly desperate every week.

Update 1x: Marter boasts national taxpayer group's endorsement

Editor's correction: The Marter campaign sent IR a correction Wednesday evening, saying their press release had listed the wrong group endorsement. The National Taxpayer Union does NOT endorse candidates. The campaign asked the endorsing group to be correctly identified as the Taxpayers United of America and extended their apologies for the error in their previous campaign statement.

From Marter campaign spokesman Paul Hurst: 

...We noticed after sending you today's release, that our contact person appeared in TWO tax advocacy organizations' online searches and this led to some confusion. While both NTU and TUA oppose Lauren Underwood, it is actually TUA (Taxpayers United of America) that has confirmed their endorsement of James Marter this time. Our contact was speaking on behalf of TUA, not NTU. Therefore, I thought I should send you our correction in case you wish to issue one.

OSWEGO - There's a clear contrast in tax policy between the Republican and Democrat candidates running for Illinois' 14th Congressional District in 2022, challenger James Marter said Tuesday. 

UPDATE 1x: A spokesperson for the National Taxpayers Union Taxpayers United of America confirmed the group will be officially endorsing GOP challenger James Marter, while Democrat 2-term incumbent Lauren Underwood received an F Grade from the NTU every year she has been in office.