Illinois Review

Di Leo: Sundae Time with Basement Joe - Pistachio Sundaes, Buckets of Cash

By John F Di Leo  - 

Introduction: Imagine, if you will, an alternate universe in which a confused old man - Joe Buckstop - stumbles into the presidency, and spends his entire term in his basement. Each evening, an aide walks downstairs and serves him his evening snack, and engages him in conversation about current events, in a losing effort to keep the old man's mind somewhat sound. Tonight's episode is an excerpt from the ongoing series, "Evening Soup with Basement Joe," by John F. Di Leo, a fictional chronicle of the events of 2021, a political satire available in paperback or eBook from Amazon.

"Hello? ... Hello in there? Anybody there?"

"Yeah, yeah, just a minute... umm... go ahead, come in... what is it?"

"I have your ice cream, sir."

"Who are you?"

"Jackson van Buren, sir. I brought you your ice cream the other night, remember?"

"No."

"I was working on your fence outside, sir... and your cook asked me to bring you your sundae when we finished up for the day, remember?"

"No."

Thorner: Common Sense Protects Borders and Nations

Yahoo News image

By Nancy Thorner - 

 

Eleven times between May and Sept. 2021, Croatia has pushed back against illegal migrants at four locations along the country’s border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their riot police carried out the push backs as part of a national strategy code named “Koridor”, which is part-funded by the EU. 

 

Greece and Romania have also carried out hundreds of what’s claimed to be illegal pushback operations at the European Union’s external borders since early 2020 as part of a “violent campaign” to deny access.

 

The findings, recently published by the Amsterdam-based investigative news organization Lighthouse Reports, reveal that masked security forces and police units in the three EU member states have repeatedly taken coordinated, clandestine action to prevent asylum seekers from crossing their borders.

Del Rio TX mayor disses VP Harris' immigration policy leadership fail

The VP is able to visit the fun events across the country, while American communities continue to grapple with failed immigration reform. Where is the visit to Del Rio, TX? @potus @cnn @FoxNews @USATODAY @GovAbbott @CBSNews @NBCNews https://t.co/pt9DSwKn6p

— Mayor Bruno “Ralphy” Lozano (@BrunoRalphy) September 19, 2021

Thorner: Could Biden's Taliban takeover be used by COVID Stasi?

By Nancy Thorner - 

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. - Ben Franklin.

There was Jimmy Carter's Iran incompetence, Hillary/Obama's Benghazi ineptitude, and now President Biden's junior high antics at Kabul.

Thousands of Afghans are struggling to ensure the physical safety of their families after the Taliban took control of the country have an additional worry.  It is that biometric databases and their own digital history can be used to track and target them. 

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned of “chilling” curbs on human rights and violations against women and girls.  On Monday, August 16, 2021, Amnesty International said thousands of Afghans – including academics, journalists and activists – were “at serious risk of Taliban reprisals.”

After years of a push to digitize databases in Afghanistan and introduce digital identity cards and biometrics for voting, these technologies can now be used to target and attack vulnerable groups. 

Thorner: Afghan refugee challenge confronts Europe and U.S.

By Nancy Thorner - 

Republicans and Democrat lawmakers and former Obama officials have criticized Biden's handling of the Afghanistan situation. A former ambassador to Afghanistan under Obama, Ryan Crocker, said the Biden administration had "a total lack of coordinated, post-withdrawal planning" and is now suffering a "self-inflicted wound." 

Jihad Watch Editor, Robert Spencer pointed out: "If Sharia were as benign as Islamic spokesmen and Leftists in the West insist, no one would be desperately trying to get out of Afghanistan."  

On Monday, August 16, 2021, thousands of desperate Afghans attempted to flee at Kabul's international airport. Videos on social media show people running across the tarmac as U.S. troops fired warning shots in the air. Another shows Afghans who had clung to a C-17 transport plane plunging to their death as it took off. See people clinging to U.S. jets leaving Afghanistan disaster.

Biden's plan for withdrawal (if he ever had a plan) was unconscionable.  Biden should have first taken out American citizens.  Now Biden is sending back troops to rescue American citizens.

Abortion rivals in Illinois should agree on this issue, social justice activist says

CHICAGO - Rivals on the abortion issue should be able to agree on fighting human trafficking, says Renee Pollino, the owner of My Half of the Sky, a social justice coffee shop that employs refugees, those living in poverty and women who have been trafficked.

Ms. Pollino says no matter what side of the fence one is on politically, or religiously we have to come to together to make sure the nation's young girls are protected.

With that goal in mind, she asks Illinois lawmakers to keep the parental notification of abortion law.

No, Trump Didn’t Create The Border Crisis. Democrats Did

Whether you agree with Trump’s immigration policies or not, Joe Biden and his team own this current border crisis--no one else. Chad Wolf writes:

President Joe Biden has essentially told the American people the buck does not stop at the Oval Office — at least not on the border crisis. Having dismantled many of the immigration policies the Trump administration used to regain control of our southern border, Biden administration officials now insist the current mess is somehow all Trump’s fault.

Marter: I'm "all in" to replace Congressman Adam Kinzinger

By James Marter - 

Now more than ever, America needs protection from the Radical Left, rather than surrender and submission. I have unfinished business with Adam Kinzinger. I am "all in" to repeal and replace him. Let’s send him to an early retirement from Congress!

We need real Republican leadership in Congress, which will stick to conservative principles, not just side with the politically-abusive and dangerous Left.

Last week I had an interview on the SiriusXM Patriot Channel's Wilkow Majority Show. The show’s host, Andrew Wilkow, stated “(James Marter is) ...a serious primary candidate who's running in a juxtaposed set of principles to Adam Kinzinger. If you want Kinzinger out, do not complain about it, support the primary challenger."

Di Leo: Schooling, Safety, and Reality in the Age of Covid

By John F. Di Leo - 

The Chicago Public Schools have been closed for about a year now, but they finally got a deal.  Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles: they will finally return to the workplace, part time, for some early grades.  

Why the long delay?  Because the Chicago Teachers’ Union, like so many people across the country, have spent the past year primarily concerned about being “safe.” 

“Safe.”  Such an interesting word.  Its definition has been radically transformed, hasn’t it, in the twelve months since news began to leak out that the Chinese government was welding shut the doors and windows of Wuhan apartment buildings, sealing the fate of thousands of innocent victims, all from fear of the deadly new China Virus, known as the Wuhan Flu or Covid-19. 

Di Leo: St. Valentine's Day's Lesson for the Ages

By John F. Di Leo - 

Across the country, Saint Valentine’s Day is thought of as one of the great romantic date nights… unless you grow up as a Chicago Italian, in which case a very different kind of event comes to mind.

At 10:30 AM on February 14, 1929, at a usually quiet garage located at 2122 N Clark Street, one of the most memorable and defining dates in Chicago history occurred, when seven mobsters of the North Side Gang were killed by four other mobsters from a rival gang who were impersonating Chicago police officers.

The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre is remembered as a cultural moment, one that defines 1920s Chicago.  It has long been cited by libertarians in their argument against prohibition, and has been a treasure trove for Hollywood screenwriters ever since.

Di Leo: Georgia Day, and the Story of America

By John F. Di Leo -

On February 12, 1733, James Oglethorpe disembarked from the Anna, a ship full of British settlers, at a site near present-day Savannah, officially founding the settlement that became the Georgia colony.

Georgia was the 13th colony to be established, of the group that became the United States of America, 43 years later.

Just like its neighbors, Georgia was built by British settlers who were to spend the following generations building farms and ranches, towns and cities, churches and businesses.

Di Leo: Immigration, the Welfare State, and the Public Charge Rule

By John F. Di Leo -

Through a temporary stay of a lower court’s action, which is usually a signal about what they will decide in the end, the Supreme Court has hinted that it will soon settle one of those obvious questions that never should have needed to go to the Supreme Court in the first place:

In confirming the “public charge rule” in DHS v. NY, SCOTUS will confirm that a President of the United States has the right to refuse green cards to applicants for immigration who would be virtually certain to be dependent on welfare if we let them in.

"Refugees" and "immigrants" - the same, or very different in Illinois?

Sign located on a Pilsen neighborhood church in Chicago

WEST CHICAGO - Immigration could be a key issue in Chicago's western suburbs next November as Republicans fight to retake control of the U.S. House. But a letter in response to President Trump's executive order concerning refugee placement has opened the discussion in Illinois' purple DuPage County.

Earlier this week, President Trump told a group of young conservatives at a conference in West Palm Beach, "We believe our country should be a sanctuary for law-abiding Americans, not for criminal aliens. The open borders agenda of the radical left causes profound harm to poor, working-class Americans."

The debate erupting in DuPage County Illinois has come down to determining the difference between the terms "refugees" and "immigrants." If they're one and the same, Republican DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin is giving conservatives the impression he is shrugging off President Trump's views on protecting law-abiding Americans.

Di Leo: The evolving concept of "Sanctuary": from Yesterday's Altars to Today's Refugees

By John F. Di Leo - 

Long, long ago… in the early middle ages in fact… the English monarchy established the concept of sanctuary.

In those days, if an accused criminal was being chased down by the police, he could run into the first church he could find, grab hold of one corner of the altar, and claim sanctuary, gaining protection from the law for an extensive period of time.

Other countries have had variations on the concept, but this English method is the best known. For over a thousand years, up until the English Civil War in fact, this was the law in Great Britain: police in hot pursuit had to stand down if their quarry made it to a church altar.

Trump announces plans to enforce long-ignored policy banning welfare for non-citizens

WASHINGTON DC - Monday, President Trump announced reinforcing a rule first passed by Congress and signed into law by Bill Clinton in 1996 that would keep non-citizens from receiving public welfare benefits.

In an announcement posted on the White House website the Administration says the requirement has been ignored for "many years," placing a burden on American taxpayers.

"To protect benefits for American citizens, immigrants must be financially self-sufficient," President Trump said.

The Trump policy will do as follows:

Di Leo: Border Politics and the Risk to Our Nation

By John F. Di Leo - 

There is an effort being waged – by politicians, media, and pop culture figures – to convince Americans that we should feel sorry for the illegal aliens on our southern border.

Now, in one way, this is unnecessary, because we already do.   As individuals, American are famously generous and compassionate; American citizens give more to charities, both at home and abroad, than the citizens of any other country. If anything, the effort is offensive, because it gives the impression that we don’t already feel sorry for them, when we most certainly do. We don’t need to be convinced to shed tears.

Pierce: When Vocabulary Aids Those Who Degrade Society

By Sam Pierce - 

Perhaps some of us on the right struggle with vocabulary more than others. Some can speak or write eloquently and impact policy or its perception. Still others string words together in an artful yet shallow manner. it really does seem that vocabulary and phraseology are often stumbling blocks or at least challenges to effective communication of arguments for life, liberty, and property.

The challenge presents itself on multiple fronts. The most egregious and dastardly of these are the intentional misleading abuse of language by the enemies of society on the left. The trickiest challenge, though, comes from the actual broad definitions of politically charged words such as abortion, immigrant, and gender.

Illinois bans immigrant detention centers; prohibits law enforcement from coordinating with ICE

CHICAGO - With the notice that President Trump was authorizing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) units in major cities like Chicago to enforce judges' rulings rejecting certain families' asylum requests, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law three bills protecting those living in Illinois without legal papers.

Last Friday, the governor signed the measures in an effort "to protect Illinois' immigrant community amid growing attacks from the federal government,"  Pritzker's office said in a press statement. While signing the bill, Pritzker blasted the president's actions.

Di Leo: President Trump Draws One More Arrow from the Quiver

By John F. Di Leo - 

One of the problems with the news is that it always requires some background information.  Without context, it is difficult to tell what’s really going on.

It may be reported that Israel fired on an apartment building in Gaza; that sounds horrible until you learn that terrorists based in that apartment building had been shooting rockets into Israel for weeks, making such retaliation necessary.

Or it may be reported that the average worker in some town is paid 30% less than you are for doing the same job as you; it sounds like  he’s being taken advantage of, until you learn that the cost of living where he works is 30% lower than where you are.

Context is particularly challenging in the world of international trade, since – even though we all participate in trade in some way, as manufacturers, resellers, or consumers – it’s not taught at all in school, and necessary background is never mentioned in news stories that involve it.

Beckman: #1 Issue to fry in local elections? Illegal immigration

... (F)or this election cycle, put all the other issues aside and become a particular type of one-issue voter. There’s an enormous fish to fry, even if it doesn’t seem to swim in local political waters: illegal immigration

By Hank Beckman -

Want to know who to vote for in the upcoming local elections? A little conflicted about the various issues involved, whether they be local or county?

Maybe you like the fiscal policies of one candidate, but are a little uneasy with his or her social views. Or maybe you’re a one-issue voter and you can’t imagine voting for a candidate who favors unbridled development.

The election in your area might have candidates for a park board where the hot-button issue is whether to devote resources to open space or a soccer field. Or there might be a school district that has a particularly divisive spending referendum that has had district voters particularly engaged.

Thorner: Today's National Sovereignty Threats on Par with WWII's

Ambassador Szabo

By Nancy Thorner - 

Dr. Laszio Szabo, Hungarian Ambassador to the United States, was the only world leader that believed prior to his 2016 election that Donald Trump was America's best choice for this nation and the world.

Ambassador Szabo's remarks, presented at the recent "Gathering of Eagles" in St. Louis centered on the challenge of mass, unchecked immigration.

Following Ambassador Szabo’s account, Eagle Kitty Werthmann and Eagle Pastor Michael Sust spoke of their WWII experiences during which the nation’s sovereignty was likewise threatened.

El Paso widow recalls husband's 2015 disappearance, pleads for Border Wall

EL PASO - "Moms for America" visited with a woman in El Paso that lost her husband to violent drug cartels that invaded their ranch on the Mexican border. 

On behalf of Moms for America, Will County's Debbie Kraulidis interviewed Liz Uribe-Sinclair, whose husband disappeared in 2015 after Mexican gang members threatened him for testifying against them in a crime case.

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.

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.

Thorner: Democrats claim compassion, but resistance to wall proves otherwise

By Nancy Thorner - 

It's a well-known truth that most of what politicians say when running for office amount to lies. It’s a way of seducing us for our votes. Did anyone really believe any of the Democrats running in the midterms on a vow to be bi-partisan would honor their campaign vow to be bi-partisan going forward?  Of course not, which is one reason why Joe Donnelly and Heidi Heitkamp lost their Senate seats.  The folks in Indiana and North Dakota knew they were lying and that if re-elected, they’d continue to take their marching orders from Chuck Schumer.

That’s part of what makes Donald Trump unique. He has devoted two years to trying to keep his promises. The problem is that even Trump can’t keep promises that require the cooperation of politicians, including Republicans.

Di Leo: Immigration, Past and Present, One by One and Into the Millions

By John F. Di Leo - 

Reflections on Immigration at a time of Thanksgiving

Immigration looms large on the public consciousness these days, with daily news stories about the cultural, economic, and historical effects of mass immigration on our nation.

After decades of illegals sneaking across the border in secret, we now see thousands of uninvited illegals traveling together, boldly heading northward through Central America and Mexico, in notorious caravans. 

But the daily news also reminds us that the risks of unchecked immigration can be found in legal immigration as well as illegal.   Consider:

Rauner: "I will never let Illinois be a sanctuary state. Period."

Chicago Tribune photo

PALOS PARK - "The bill I signed did not make Illinois a sanctuary ... period, end of story," Governor Bruce Rauner told a group of Republicans gathered in Palos Park Saturday.

Whether the Trust Act made Illinois a sanctuary state is a topic that the governor has been facing since he signed it into law last year. His frustration with what he considers confusion over the issue was evident in his reply. 

"Then why are they saying that?" one of the members of the United Southland Republican Women asked.

"Because they are political attacks to undermine me," Rauner replied. "Fake news. Listen guys, this is really important, it's really important. I have fought sanctuary every year, I have vetoed bills and stopped it. That bill I did sign - that was a 40 page bill when it started. It ... made us a sanctuary.

"I said no, and we shrunk it down to a 2-page bill and all it does is do what judges said we need to do when we're interacting with illegal immigrants. It still says we should coordinate with ICE agents. In no way does it make us a sanctuary."

(Recording of Rauner's comments below)

National legal immigration group: With Republicans like Rauner, who needs Democrats?

SPRINGFIELD - Friday, a national immigration group defied Governor Rauner's claim earlier this week that Illinois is not a sanctuary state. 

"ALIPAC finds Governor Bruce Rauner's comments ... to be false, disingenuous and dangerous ..." William Gheen of Americans for Legal Immigration PAC told Illinois Review.

In an effort to unite his Republican base, Rauner said Wednesday, "...We can have issues where we can disagree, and by the way, I'm adamantly against illegal immigration and we are not a sanctuary state, and we'll never be one. I oppose that. But, you know what? We gotta unite."

Governor Rauner and his advocates have insisted for a year that Illinois is NOT a sanctuary state - despite the bill he signed last year forbids local law enforcement from being in direct contact with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency about persons that are in the country illegally that law enforcement is releasing from local imprisonment. 

Former Presidents Support Trump's Immigration Plan

In their own words, former presidents support Trump's immigration plan.

Thorner & O'Neil: Open Borders Pose Threat to US Constitution and Way of Life

Sun Times photo of "Families Belong Together" march in Chicago last Saturday

By Nancy Thorner & Bonnie O'Neil -

Giddy with excitement, Democrat activists finally found an issue to attack President Trump that resonated with the public: separating children from parents who were attempting to illegally enter our country from the Mexican border. Media sources favorable to Democrats and who appear at war with our President joined in the excitement by making the border situation appear as if our President and America’s border agents are heartless. 

The public was invited to believe a baby was ripped from his or her mother's breast by a border agent.  A Telegraph News headline stated: "Children separated from parents at US border were held in cages in Texas warehouse.”  Vox, a Leftist media source had this headline: “It’s not just cruel to separate a breastfeeding baby from a mom; It’s medically dangerous.” All these comments were designed to incite the public against our President and border control agencies.

Thorner: Illegal immigrant discourse plunges into hysterics

By Nancy Thorner - 

President Donald Trump was catapulted into office on the pledge to crack down on illegal immigration.  As of 2017, FAIR estimates the number of illegal aliens in the US to be approximately 12.5 million; however, estimating the size and characteristics of the illegal alien population is an inexact science.

Anyone claiming to have calculated a definitive number should be looked upon skeptically, as there is no central database of illegal aliens.  Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security only counts those who enter and leave in a lawful manner. Those who evade immigration authorities or sneak across the border are not counted.

Illinois AG Lisa Madigan signs onto Democrat demand to rejoin immigrant families

CHICAGO - Illinois' Attorney General Lisa Madigan signed on along with 17 Democrat attorneys general that filed a multi-state lawsuit Tuesday challenging the federal administration’s policy of forced family separation on the U.S. southern border.

“The federal government’s separation of children from their parents at the southern border is an atrocity that has already had profound consequences for families in search of a better and safer life,” Madigan said. “The inhumane and illegal separation of families must end and all of the impacted children must be reunited with their parents.”

In response to the Democrats' lawsuit, federal Southern California Judge Dana Sabraw - appointed by George W. Bush - ruled for immediate changes in handling the minors entering the US with their parents through locations other than designated ports of entry.  

Petition to oust Maxine Waters emerges on WhiteHouse.gov site

A petition appeared on the WhiteHouse.gov website Monday calling for the US House to oust Congresswoman Maxine Waters for inciting harassment of Trump officials over the weekend. 

"It's time for Maxine Waters to go," the appeal begins. "Waters has crossed a dangerous line, calling for attacks and violence against all Trump officials." 

The petition is in reaction to what Congresswoman Waters said over the weekend in California, when she called on Americans to "push back" against Trump officials, and make it impossible for them to shop, eat out, or go to gas stations. Waters comments are "irresponsible" statements from anyone, let alone a so-called Democrat leader.

Illinois Attorney General sues to end Trump Administration's "zero-tolerance policy" towards immigrants

CHICAGO — Attorney General Lisa Madigan, along with 10 other attorneys general, announced Thursday she is filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's policy of forced family separation on the U.S. southern border.

"The new federal executive order does not bring back together the thousands of families that were torn apart by the federal government's policy, and it does not prevent families from being separated in the future," Madigan said. "I will join with my colleagues across the country to bring action against the federal government for this inhumane and unAmerican policy."

Roskam lone IL GOPer to oppose Goodlatte immigration bill

WASHINGTON - A conservative response to America's long-simmering immigration dilemma was defeated narrowly in the US House Thursday, and many were surprised that one of Illinois' leading Republicans voted against the measure - veteran Congressman Peter Roskam.

Roskam, who is normally a dependable Republican conservative vote, joined the Democrat delegation from Illinois and voted "No" on Congressman Bob Goodlatte's H.R. 4760.

Chicago Tonight features discussion on immigrant family separations

Shannon Shepherd (l) and Jennifer Nevins (r)

President Trump's executive order to keep families together that chose to cross America's southern border at locations other than official ports of entry was the topic of conversation on WTTW's Chicago Tonight (PBS) this week.

The discussion - worth a listen in our opinion - was between immigration attorney Shannon Shepherd, a member of the Chicago Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association; and Jennifer Nevins, a Trump delegate from Illinois to the 2016 Republican National Convention.

Gutierrez on immigration bill says GOP wants to be both arsonists and firefighters

WASHINGTON DC - In a heated discussion on Congressman Bob Goodlatte's "Securing America's Future Act of 2018" Thursday, Illinois' retiring Congressman Luis Gutierrez (IL-04) stepped to the podium of the US House and ripped Republicans, the President and anyone else that supported H.R. 4760.

"The reelection strategy for every single Republican Member of the House is to stand strong with a President willing to take children from their parents in order to look mean and nasty when children are fleeing for their lives. You own that. That is your campaign strategy...." Gutierrez said.

Then he stepped up the rhetoric as only Congressman Gutierrez can do. 

"Republicans want to be both the arsonists and the firefighters, and you can't be both," he said, pointing his finger.

How did your Illinois Congressman vote on H.R. 4760? All but one Illinois Republican voted yes, all Democrats voted no.

Watch Gutierrez' comments HERE on C-SPAN.

IL GOP Congress members call on Senators Durbin, Duckworth to re-open government

WASHINGTON DC — Members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation released a statement Monday urging Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth to re-open the government. The Senate is expected to vote at 12:00pm EST Monday on a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government through February 8 and fully fund the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years.

Di Leo: The Founding Fathers and the Immigration Debate

By John F. Di Leo - 

As we debate the ongoing question of immigration – not just who and how many to allow in, but also when, if ever, to allow them to vote – it might be helpful to remember the thoughts of our Founders on the issue.

It is now common for one side of the debate to say “we’re a nation of immigrants,” giving rise to the assumption that we always believed in open borders in the past, so this current concern about a wave of cultural invaders is something new… but in fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

215 years ago today, in fact, one year into the Jefferson administration, this very issue was in the headlines, as Federalist Party leader Alexander Hamilton assailed the President in a published op-ed, known as “The Examination, Number VIII,” for Jefferson’s political flip-flop on the matter. 

Chicago bakery loses $21M after 800 workers caught up in immigration raids

Photo from Univision news broadcast

CHICAGO - A Chicago area bakery lost one-third of its workforce during immigration raids in June and July this year that has cost them over $21 million, ARYZTA Bakery's 2017 report shows.

The bakery, which makes hamburger buns for McDonald's and other vending machine companies, says the recovery is taking a long time. They are being forced to increase wages in order to get the staff back up to the 2500 plus level. 

Judge rules against Sessions' attempt to withhold Chicago funding over sanctuary status

Chicago Tribune photo

CHICAGO - A federal judge ruled Friday against the Department of Justice's attempt to withhold funding from Chicago because the city refuses to cooperate in sharing immigration status info with federal officials.

“The court finds that the city has established that it would suffer irreparable harm if a preliminary injunction is not entered,” U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber wrote in his ruling.

Illinois AG signs onto lawsuit defending 42,000 state residents in DACA program

CHICAGO - When Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan first took her oath of office in 2003, she said these words: 

I do solemnly swear that I will support the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of attorney general, according to the best of my ability.

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's daughter said those words again in 2007, 2011, and most recently in January 2015. 

Wednesday, she joined 15 other attorneys general suing President Donald Trump and his Administration for rescinding former President Barack Obama's executive order setting up the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in six months.

Victims' families grieve over Rauner's snub and new sanctuary law in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - Those that have suffered the loss of family members at the hands of non-citizens in the country illegally were categorically denied calls from Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner before he signed a controversial immigration law into effect Monday.

Three of them conveyed their disappointment to Illinois Review after the bill signing.

What the IL GOP Platform says about Immigration

SPRINGFIELD - At the Illinois Republican Party's 2016 Convention, the state's GOP delegates overwhelmingly supported a platform that contained this strong plank on the issue of immigration. It emphasized a "front door" policy. 

The issue plank concluded with these words that rank and file Republicans are saying has been totally ignored by the IL GOP leadership - including Governor Rauner - despite Republicans throughout the state supporting this position: 

We call on the Illinois government to assist our federal government in the mission of protecting our homeland. We therefore urge reversal of “sanctuary city” policies, which bar our law enforcement officers from aiding Immigration & Customs Enforcement agents. Border control is a national security and public safety issue. We further call on the federal government to secure and protect our borders and vigorously enforce the law of the land.

We further call on the federal and Illinois government to abandon all incentives that encourage illegal immigrants to settle in Illinois, as these incentives put a strain on our already struggling economy and is insulting to those who immigrated here legally.

Does the Illinois Republican Party's platform mean anything at all?  Should IL GOP demand their party officials adhere to the platform rather than ignore it?

UPDATE 2x: Now six IL GOP lawmakers file effort to repeal sanctuary law

UPDATE 8.31. 2017 - Republican State Senator Kyle McCarter and former sheriff Senator Tim Bivins reportedly have filed an identical bill in the Senate. More to come...

UPDATE 8.31.2017 - Two state reps added their names Wednesday as co-sponsors: C.J. Davidsmeyer and David Reis.

ROCKFORD - Two Illinois Republican state reps are very concerned about the immigration law enforcement measure Illinois Republican Governor Bruce Rauner signed into law Monday.

State Reps. John Cabello (R-Rockford) and David McSweeney (R-Barrington) filed a measure Wednesday that would repeal a new law banning law enforcement in Illinois from stopping persons suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. 

"I swore to uphold the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions when I became a legislator," Cabello told Illinois Review Wednesday. "As a member of law enforcement, I took a vow to uphold the law. I believe and trust in those oaths, and intend to do all I can to keep them." 

IL GOP warns not to believe "misinformation" circulating about immigration law

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Republican Party leaders are being told that the bill Governor Rauner signed into law Monday concerning how state and local law enforcement are to deal with non-citizens is really no big deal and not to overreact. 

National watchdog group files FOIA request of Governor's office on immigration bill

CHICAGO - Within an hour of Illinois' Governor Bruce Rauner signing into law a bill making Illinois the "latest sanctuary state," the national watchdog group Judicial Watch filed a FOIA request with the governor's office, looking for information about who the governor did and did not meet with before signing the bill into law Monday. 

Illinois Review asked Judicial Watch's Michael Bekesha why the national group was interested in Illinois' new state law. 

ACLU Illinois blasts Trump policy; lauds Governor signing controversial immigration bills

CHICAGO - The Leftist ACLU blasted the Trump Administration's immigration policies as "reckless" in a statement applauding Governor Rauner's signing of the controversial immigration bill Monday. They also congratulated radical immigration groups for their "tireless work" in pushing the bill through. 

GOP lawmakers call on governor to veto bill protecting non-citizens living in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - Six GOP state lawmakers - four in the House and two in the Senate - sent Governor Rauner a letter Friday afternoon, asking him to veto SB 31, a bill that would protect non-citizens living in Illinois from Federal law enforcement. The bill, opponents say, would provide sanctuary for those in the country illegally. 

GOP Representatives Allen Skillicorn, David Allen Welter, John Cabello and Tom Morrison, as well as GOP Senators Kyle McCarter and Jim Oberweis signed onto the letter sent out Friday afternoon asking the governor to veto the bill, saying "the State should not interfere with lawful action by the federal government." 

Rauner emphasizes "broken" 10 times in national cable news interview

CHICAGO - This interview Friday afternoon between Fox News' Bret Baier and Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner continues to create controversy Saturday. In case you missed hearing the Governor use the word "broken" ten times, here is the eight minute, 40 second exchange in its entirety: