edited by: Douglas Welch,
Illinois Editor
from the McKenna/Murphy campaign
CHAMPAIGN - State Senator Dale Righter and State Representative Chapin Rose endorsed State Senator Matt Murphy today for Lieutenant Governor.
“Working alongside Matt, I have seen that he is determined to reform Illinois’ financial woes without raising taxes. Most importantly, Illinois needs [...]
from the Schilling for Congress campaign
EAST MOLINE, IL--Bobby Schilling, Republican candidate for the Illinois 17th Congressional District, criticized the so-called "New Deal for a New Economy Act" today, for using false predictions and bogus facts, and for ignoring the input of real people who know how to create real jobs.
"The" [...]
Millions of those involved in the medical industry gathered throughout the nation November 21, 2009 to demonstrate their opposition to the government takeover of health care. One of the speakers at Chicago's rally was Dr. Victoria Harris, who gave a clear, understandable explanation of the controversial public option Senator Joe' [...]
by Nancy Thorner
A Docs4PatientCare Town Hall Meeting was held this past Tuesday at the Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel in Northbrook, IL. The Town Hall Meeting was attended by 50 concerned citizens, including several doctors.
It was an event that deserves repeating throughout Chicagoland at various venues, as Congress presses [...]
We've been trying to tell those within the DC Beltway about The Chicago Way for a couple of years, but few would listen. There's another Congressman about to become a believer -- U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess of Texas. Burgess is expected to file a resolution calling for the White House' [...]
While Iran is building nuclear capabilities, threatening nearby nations, radical Islamists are terrorizing worldwide, H1N1 vaccines being recalled and unemployment over 10%, Barack Obama focuses on energy efficiency and tax credits for caulking. The "insulation is sexy" comment is at 7:13.
[...]
from Maria Rodriquez for Congress, 8th CD
Long Grove, IL - The U.S. House narrowly voted to raise the U.S. debt ceiling by $290 billion bringing the total amount the federal government can borrow to $12.394 trillion. Melissa Bean, the current representative from Illinois' 8th district, voted for the debt increase.
Maria' [...]
Illinois is finally getting public recognition for being the very best in something. The Animal Legal Defense Fund evaluated all 50 states laws for protecting animals, and announced today Illinois ranked "the very best of the best" in anti-cruelty laws for animals.
Not noted in the announcement, though, was the fact [...]
Washington, DC – Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) issued the following statement after Speaker Pelosi’s Stimulus II legislation passed the House today by a vote of 217 to 212.
“As the old axiom goes, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing twice and expecting different results. [...]
from the Hultgren for Congress campaign
State Senator Randy Hultgren today received the endorsement of Tax Accountability, the political action arm of National Taxpayers United of Illinois (NTUI), in his race for Congress.
Jim Tobin, the President of Tax Accountability, said the group is supporting Hultgren “in recognition [...]
from the Hughes for U.S. Senate campaign
"Two months ago Mark Kirk had no problem voting Yes for a H.R. 2892, a bill that would transfer detainees out of Guantanamo Bay and into our backyards. However, now that the detainees are being moved into Illinois and Mark" [...]
from the Hughes for U.S. Senate campaign
"As I have stated before, I oppose the transfer of enemy combatants from Guantanamo Bay to Thomson Illinois. However, because it appears that the transfer is imminent we need to impress upon the Obama administration that Thomson should be converted" [...]
Dear Attorney General Madigan:
As you are aware, last month Governor Pat Quinn announced his intention to consider selling the Thomson Correctional Center to the federal government for the purpose of establishing an alternative detention center to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. In the weeks [...]
The rating cuts made by [...]
Chicago School Board members will decide today whether to dump their $24,000-a-year receipt-free expense accounts -- tabs (aka: "slush funds") in favor of submitting receipts for all work-related expenses.
They need to discuss and decide this?
[...]The same people who have brought you 10 percent unemployment, government run health care and a national energy tax are now attempting to bequeath you with another unwanted holiday gift. This time, however, the stakes are even higher as they want to [...]
The Daily Herald is reporting today that Lt. Governor candidate Rickey Hendon (D) thinks there is a conspiracy amongst the Democrat Party powers to "get" fellow Democrat Pat Quinn. According to Hendon, the leader of the conspiracy is none other than Mike Madigan.
If it weren't' [...]
After talking to several Republicans in Cook County who are challenged by primary opponents that have consistently voted in Democrat primaries, given to Democrats and are unknown to Republicans, it just seemed appropo to start out today's Southtown Star column like this [...]
Even though Illinois Review asked the State Party to confirm Michael Sneed's report that the State Central Committee was opening an ethics probe about a poll conducted last April that included McKenna's name, we couldn't get an answer from Executive Director Curt Conrad. And the McKenna' [...]
Liberal Democrat Bobby Rush claims that the “white-dominated” media is ignoring the only African-American candidate running for Obama’s old Senate seat - Cheryle Jackson. In an interview with The Hill, Rush said Jackson's candidacy hasn't gotten more attention because of her race. Noted Rush, "The'" [...]
We cannot afford to take our eyes off of Iraq as we focus more on Afghanistan. If we leave before a stable, functioning government and society have developed, we risk losing not only Iraq but all of the Middle East, including Afghanistan, to extremist [...]
Illinois Churches in Action says Illinoisans should take seriously the Chicago Tribune's editorial warning that state lawmakers may vote in January to stop municipalities from banning video poker in their localities. That means localities should pass bans now, while they have the chance. The editorial reads:
"This list of local government opt-outs" [...]
Federal Observer columnist Rick Biesada finds Governor Pat Quinn's dramatic shift from consistently supporting veterans and honoring fallen heroes to welcoming their murderers to Thomson prison a diabolical change of heart:
Pat Quinn has been an avid supporter of the Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run, whose mission statement [...]
Blogger Liberty Watchman makes the best of what appears to be a done deal between Governor Pat Quinn and Barack Obama, implementing the Chicago Way on the Thomson Prison plan:
Forget the appraisals, Mr Quinn. Figure out how much we paid to build the thing. Then add every dollar we ever [...]
from the Schillerstrom for Governor campaign
NAPERVILLE – Republican Bob Schillerstrom on Tuesday responded to the Illinois Republican Party launching an Ethics investigation into its former Chairman, Andy McKenna:
“I appreciate the decision of the Illinois Republican Party to investigate the conduct of its former Chairman, Andy McKenna. [...]
What the ACLU has to say about Gitmo North ...
NEW YORK – The Obama administration announced today that it will purchase the Thomson Correctional Center in Illinois for the purpose of holding some of the detainees currently remaining at Guantánamo. Though the administration is leaving unsaid which detainees [...]
If you're concerned about Obama's plan to move Gitmo prisoners to Thomson, IL and then hold military trial commissions on site, Denise Cattoni of Illinois Tea Party network tells us there's several things you can do:
1. Attend a public hearing Tuesday, 12/22, to determine whether the state of Illinois should sell the' [...]
Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes blasts Democratic gubernatorial opponent Governor Pat Quinn on his early release prisoner program undermines Illinoisans confidence in how he would handle the Gitmo-in-Illinois:
"As I said at the outset, I have full faith that President Obama would weigh this decision carefully and would never endanger the safety" [...]
from the Hughes for U.S. Senate campaign
(HINSDALE) - The Patrick Hughes for U.S. Senate campaign recently did a benchmark survey through Wilson Research Strategies on the Illinois Republican U.S. Senate primary race. The survey polled 600 likely Republican primary voters on December 9th and 10th. The [...]
from the Brady for Governor campaign
Senator Bill Brady, Republican candidate for Governor, released the following statement today:
It’s become abundantly clear in recent days that during his time as Illinois Republican Party Chairman, my opponent Andy McKenna, may have violated the conflict-of-interest ethics rules he himself put [...]
The Sun-Times Michael Sneed reports this morning that the IL GOP State Central Committee, now chaired by Pat Brady, has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the ILGOP's poll taken last April, while Andy McKenna was the party chairman, and before he decided to step' [...]
Senator Matt Murphy’s campaign for Lt. Governor continued to gain momentum this week with the endorsements of Maine and Libertyville Township Republican Organizations. Maine Township endorsed Murphy with a unanimous vote over his five Lt. Governor contenders.
“I am honored to receive [...]
House Minority Tom Cross sent the following letter to House Speaker Mike Madigan on November 25, 2009. The letter raises questions about the State of Illinois selling the Thomson Correction Center to the Feds for housing Gitmo detainees. It contains a list of questions raised by [...]
from Pulido for Congress (R-5) campaign
Rosanna Pulido, Citizen Candidate for the Illinois 5th Congressional district seat is strongly opposed to the Amnesty Bill legislation being introduced by Representative Gutierrez of the 4th district.
Pulido states that, ‘with one in ten Illinoisans laid off of work ,unemployment rates at the highest [...]
GOP candidate Adam Andrzejewski posted the photo below on his Facebook page with the title "Posterous Photos," something maybe should have been titled "Preposterous Photo"? Nevertheless, it occurred to us that this should be a featured Caption Contest photo for our clever and creative IR readers.
So, in this photo [...]
The Illinois Alliance for Growth today called on Illinois GOP gubernatorial candidates to reassure Illinoisans that they will hold the line against taxes and overcome their credibility gap with voters on the tax issue.
Polling conducted on December 2nd through December 8th on behalf of The Chicago Tribune by the Market [...]
by John F. Di Leo
Nobody can really be a "jack of all trades." As complex as the Presidency is today, it's unfair to expect any candidate to be expert in all of the myriad fields in which the modern President finds himself.
And yet... don't we expect a President to' [...]
Last week, candidates for US Senate, statewide offices, Illinois House and Senate, as well as DuPage and Cook County primary races received notification of Illinois Federation for Right to Life-PAC's endorsements. The full list of endorsements, IFRL-PAC's questions and the candidates' answers are now published at IFRL's website.
Among those listed, IFRL-PAC [...]
Chicago Tribune is reporting tonight that Senator Dick Durbin and Governor Pat Quinn will be in DC tomorrow when the White House announces that Thomson Correctional Center has been chosen to transfer between 35 and 90 Gitmo prisoners being detained for alleged terrorist activities.
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has [...]
The taxpayer-funded Metra folks had to apologize today for refusing to allow 135 children on the Union Pacific line for their pre-paid "Polar Express" ride. Seems the Metra bureaucrats couldn't get their signals straight regarding the annual event. However, they were successful in leaving the kids - many in their' [...]
Hey, if you haven't noticed yet, Illinois Review is privileged to have alongside on your right a new IR sponsor -- this one "E-Voter," a service we hope you'll find helpful up through the February 2, 2010 primary. All you need to to is enter in your address, and E-voter [...]
from the Ryan for Governor campaign
Illinois gubernatorial candidate and former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan reacted today to revelations in an Associated Press story that Governor Pat Quinn secretly released more than 850 inmates since September by immediately awarding them months of good-conduct credit, some of [...]
UPDATE 1x: Thomson's Mayor Jerry "Duke" Hebeler says turning Thomson Correctional Center into a supermax prison to house Gitmo detainees while they await military or civil trial is his "dream." Sure, a few of the 559 locals may be concerned about Gitmo-in-Thomson, but Hebler told the Sun-Times today "they haven't contacted him."
The Village [...]
by Nancy Thorner
This week's Pioneer Press publication, the Lake Forester, published an ad that called attention to a group that is about a year old, Docs4PatientCare, a grassroots organization that not only recruits doctors, but is also open to all who are interested in advocating for responsible healthcare reform by' [...]
by Rafael Rivadeneira, candidate for 41st State Rep District
Well, we’ve got another case of Power to the Pork brewing among Illinois machine Republicans.
In the past weeks, former governor Jim Edgar and GOP gubernatorial candidates Kirk Dillard and Jim Ryan all refused to close the door on tax increases for [...]
from Illinois Republican Party:
CHICAGO – Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady today blasted Democrat Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky for ignoring President Obama’s call for earmark reform and defending millions of dollars in wasteful spending projects.
In 2008, Illinois Congressman Mark Kirk joined then-Senator Barack Obama in declaring a self-imposed moratorium on [...]
from the Adam for Illinois campaign
Last Wednesday, Adam Andrzejewski, Republican candidate for Governor, called on each of his 6 opponents for the Republican nomination for Governor to join him in supporting a new law to prohibit teacher strikes in Illinois. Support for this legislation was voted [...]
The Will County Tea Party Coalition released ratings and seals of approval for U.S. Senate candidates, based on "numerous factors," organizer Tim Kraulidis said, following last Wednesday's candidate forum held in Joliet. Not only did the group focus on which candidates' opinions, beliefs and record most closely aligh with issues [...]
from the Proft for Governor campaign
Nine is a small number with enormous consequences. Nearly all of our state’s public power and resources are concentrated in the hands of nine people. Of course, someone has to hold these positions, but it is important to recognize that the [...]
from Rodriguez for Congress campaign
Long Grove, IL - This weekend, Republicans in Libertyville Township voted to endorse Maria Rodriguez in the 8th district Congressional primary. The winner on February 2 will determine who will take on Melissa Bean next November.
In response to the endorsement, Maria Rodriguez stated, "I am thrilled" [...]NewsRadio WTAX and the Citizens Club of Springfield bring you a live forum with the Republican candidates for governor in Illinois this Monday night at 7:00 PM. Six of the seven candidates will be participating at the forum at the Hoogland Center for the Arts at 420 South Sixth.
WTAX [...]
from the Dodge for Comptroller campaign
Jim Dodge, Republican Candidate for Illinois Comptroller calls The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees’ endorsement of his opponent an illustration of “business as usual.” Judy Baar Topinka was the only Republican endorsed by AFSCME which has also backed others in the past [...]
from the Put-Back Amendment campaign
Monday at the State Capitol at 1pm, the principal author of the Put-Back Amendment, John Bambenek, will announce that individuals representing all points on the political spectrum have endorsed the Put-Back Amendment including former Republican Congressional and Gubernatorial Candidate Jim Oberweis has endorsed the Put-Back Amendment.
In [...]
In an Associated Press wire story released yesterday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Ryan pledged to sign a ban on Assault Weapons and promised to veto any Concealed Carry legislation that reaches his desk.
In making these pronouncements, Jim Ryan was very clear that he would [...]
Early this week WLS 890 AM listeners heard talk show co-host Don Wade join the call for Barack Obama to fire his Safe Schools' czar Kevin Jennings. Wade's outrage was sparked by BigGovernment.com's review of obscene passages in books Jennings' organization Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Networkrecommends [...]
by Nancy Thorner
State Senate Republican Leader, Christine Radogno, was the featured speaker at the 2009 Holiday Coffee sponsored by the Women's Republican Club of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff at the Lake Forest home of William and Kim Madden. The WRC of LF/LB is celebrating its 67th birthday this year and is' [...]
by Mark Batinick of Plainfield, IL
I cannot say thank you enough, to both the organizers of the Tea Party movement, and its supporters. With the bank bailouts and the near trillion dollar stimulus, your blood pressure finally boiled to the point where you stopped yelling at the TV, and started [...]
You're the victim of a violent crime, your attacker is tried and found guilty, and as you continue suffering the after effects, you feel a little better knowing at least the culprit is getting his just due until you find out Governor Quinn secretly let him out of prison after' [...]
US News' blogger Robert Schelsinger wrote Saturday that Rasmussen's poll revealing that 51% of Illinoisans are opposed to the feds moving Gitmo-detained terrorists to western Illinois' Thomson Correctional Prison is the result of paranoid Republicans feeding irrational fears.
"If Rasmussen's polling is correct, we have a triumph of cheap" [...]
by Phyllis Schlafly
We were shocked to read a November report from the U.S. Army that 75 percent of America's 17- to 24-year-olds are not eligible for military service, largely because they are poorly educated, involved in crime, or are physically unfit. According to this report titled "Ready, Willing and'" [...]
You've got to wonder what changed American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees' mind about Judy Baar-Topinka from 2006, when they chose not to endorse neither her nor her gubernatorial Democratic opponent and eventual winner Rod Blagojevich. This week, AFSCME threw their support behind the former treasurer in her GOP primary bid for state [...]
Governor Pat Quinn appointed Chicago attorney Marty Castro as new head of the state's Human Rights Commission Saturday. Castro started a new endeavor this year called Castro-Rioja Enterprises, after being Aetna's regional vice president of external affairs for two years, and before that working at private law firms.
Castro is an [...]
For the 2010 election cycle:
Harry Reid (D-NV) - $289,028 Charles Schumer (D-NY) - $171,670 Byron Dorgan (D-ND) - $170,177 Patty Murray (D-WA) - $154,192 Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) - $135,949 Arlen Specter (D-PA) - $133,560 Blanche Lincoln (D-AK) - $126,285 Daniel Inouye (D-HI) - $119,173 Richard Burr (R-NC) - $105,299 Chris Dodd (D-CT) - $87,800 [...]You've gotta love it. The Tribune's ultra-leftist Eric Zorn got his hackles up over IR contributor Teri O'Brien's column yesterday, and smears Illinois Review this morning as the "bathroom wall of the conservative community."
We've been called worse, Mr. Zorn. But your comments cause us to remember last year when you' [...]
With a federal judge ruling Friday in New York, the way has been set for federal funds to begin flowing to ACORN again, as soon as next week. Despite allegations of voter fraud, embezzlement and inappropriate financial counsel to defraud the use of [...]
News about a leaked Obama Administration document giving orders for the Attorney General and Defense Department to move forward with the purchase of Illinois' Thomson Correction Center is followed this morning by a new Rasmussen poll saying Illinoisans aren't so eager to host international terrorists.
A majority of Illinoisans aren't happy about' [...]
The Tribune poll indicates today that Mr. & Ms. Undecided hold the fate of the Illinois gubernatorial primary in their hands. Almost 1/3 of the 600 GOP likely voters say they haven't made their choice yet between seven candidates.
So why are so many undecided? Too early, not enough information,' [...]
Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich was in the Chicago area Friday afternoon, fundraising for another former U.S. House Speaker Denny Hastert's son Ethan, who's vying for the 14th CD Republican nomination in the February 2 2010 primary.
"If we're not careful, the other side is going to turn the whole country'" [...]
With seven weeks until the GOP 2010 primary, a Chicago Tribune puts former Attorney General Jim Ryan in a commanding lead over the other six Republican gubernatorial candidates. Among 600 likely GOP voters during the week of December 2 through 8,
26% said they'd vote for Jim Ryan, 12% for Andy McKenna, 10%' [...]At the Tea Party US Senate/Congressional forum in Joliet, one lady in the audience asked the GOP candidates' position on whether the Federal Reserve should be abolished. Every candidate in attendance agreed the Federal Reserve should either be abolished or at the very least, audited.
Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) has been' [...]
from the Hultgren for Congress (R-14) campaign
St. Charles – State Senator Randy Hultgren confirmed today that he will attend a February 4 Unity Party, sponsored by the Kane County Young Republicans meant to bring all Republicans together following the February 2 Primary Election.
“I am well aware [...]
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Illinois voters finds Giannoulias ahead of Kirk 42% to 39%. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, and 15% are undecided.
In October, the two men were tied at 41% each. In mid-August, Kirk held a modest 41% to [...]
from the McKenna/Murphy campaign
CHICAGO - Andy McKenna, Republican gubernatorial candidate and Lt Governor candidate Matt Murphy received an endorsement from the Cuba Township Republican Organization.
Andy McKenna remarked, "To receive the endorsement of the Cuba Township Republican Organization is an honor. With the support of Tom Gooch" [...]
The Illinois State Board of Election (ISBE) rendered its decision about whether former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger was qualified to be a Republican on the 2010 GOP Primary Ballot next February. The vote was 4-4. The Democrats challenging Rauschenberger needed 5 votes to knock him off [...]
by Patti Bellock and Kristina Rasmussen
Much of the debate over national health-care legislation has centered on flashpoints like higher taxes, abortion and immigration.
Yet one major aspect of the health-care plans being developed on Capitol Hill has received relatively scant attention. House and Senate Democrats are planning on significantly expanding Medicaid in an attempt to [...]
A back and forth between Chicago News Bench's Tom Mannis and Illinois GOP gubernatorial candidate Dan Proft erupted earlier this week over a commentary Mannis discovered on Proft's business website and WLS' AM's archives. It's a 2007 piece wherein Proft voices his frustration with' [...]
UPDATE: The Trib reports Governor Quinn said he expects a decision "very shortly" about whether the feds plan to buy the Thomson prison.
A growing group of Illinoisans concerned about Obama/Durbin/Quinn's plan to transfer Gitmo terrorists to western Illinois' Thomson Corrections facility will protest a public hearing to be held Tuesday, December 22, at the nearby Sterling [...]
Following that statement, a Ryan spokesperson explained that Ryan doesn't believe that' [...]
U.S. News put out its annual ranking of the nation's top 100 high schools this week, and only two Illinois schools listed were Northside College Preparatory High School and Walter Payton College Prep, Math, Science and World Language Academy, both located in Chicago.
Based on Advanced Placement testing scores, Northside is' [...]
Wednesday night, the Will County Tea Party Alliance forum question that gave crucial insight into the ongoing multiple candidate GOP primary campaign for the US Senate seat and the 11th CD was "How much money have you raised, and how many people do you have on staff?" [...]
from the Walsh for Congress campaign
Lake Zurich: Joe Walsh, candidate for the Republican Nomination to the 8th Congressional District, is pleased to announce the co-endorsement of his candidacy by the Illinois Federation for Right to Life PAC. The IFRL PAC notified candidates December 8th.
“The IFRL PAC [...]
Democrat machine mayor Richard Daley floated the idea of waiving Chicago's $4-a-month employee head tax -- for only two years -- and only for newly hired employees. The Mayor admits that the $48/year won't do anything to help the economy. But he thinks the "symbolism" is important. [...]
A coalition of "public health groups" (read: nanny staters) have released a report they wrote that shows that Illinois ranks 42nd among U.S. states in its funding of tobacco prevention programs.
Why?
Well, seems the Democrat-controlled state government has spent only 1 percent of the $857 million Illinois received this year [...]
from the Plummer for Lt. Governor campaign
I am proud to announce that I have received the endorsement of the Illinois Federation for Right to Life. In her endorsement letter, IFRL-PAC chair Dawn Behnke writes, "We are pleased to have a candidate seeking election for Illinois Lieutenant Governor, who will help" [...]
[Article syndicated from TomRoeser.com. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of IR.]
"Your President Has Disrespected Us!" Oh Joy!
It is delicious to savor the terribly wounded feelings of the preciously oh-so-liberal Norwegian elites who are incensed that what they see as Barack Obama's shabby' [...]
