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' [...]
The Heritage Foundation's attorneys have been looking at Obamacare, the fact that it mandates citizens buy health insurance or be fined, or worse, jailed. Their arguments are interesting and compelling, but it causes one to wonder, "Will Americans care if the Democrats' plan is unconstitutional?"
Public Affairs' Jeff Berkowitz did us all a public service again yesterday by asking Governor Quinn a tough question about the ethics reform legislation he signed on the one year anniversary of former Governor Blagojevich's early morning arrest -- something Quinn rarely gets from other Chicago journalists. Jeff writes:
This reporter asked Governor Quinn [...]
The Glenn Beck segment earlier this week that aggravated Bob Creamer and Jan Schakowsky as mentioned in Thursday's Trib.
' [...]
The Trib can't ignore this ongoing media scuffle between a Chicago leftist community organizer and a New York rightist talk show host. The Trib's Katherine Skiba asked Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky's felonious husband Bob Creamer what he thought about Fox News talk show host Glenn Beck's attacks on him earlier [...]
from the McQuillan for State Rep campaign
On Tuesday December 8th, The Illinois Federation For Right to Life PAC endorsed the candidacy of Bob McQuillan as Republican Candidate for State Representative in the 50th District in the February 2nd primary election. In their announcement IFRL-PAC, states "that not only has Mr." [...]
Amazing Grace Techno - Computer Controlled Christmas Lights from Richard Holdman on Vimeo.
[...]Exhibit X of the tasteless, disrespectful and irreverant Obama White House: at the President's Christmas Ball Monday night, the Obamas sarcastically and crassly served ACORN-shaped cookies, as photographed and Twittered to his followers by Iowa Congressman Steve King.
And to think those cookies were taxpayer-funded while people are starving and' [...]
If you're snowed in, like many in Chicago are tonight, how about joining Illinois conservatives on Illinois Review as together we watch -- via UStream -- the Will County Tea Party-style Forum. While hundreds are expected at Joliet's Holiday Inn on Larkin Avenue, others will be joining via computer, and [...]
from the Coulson for Congress campaign
NORTHBROOK (December 9) - Today, former two-term Republican Governor Jim Edgar announced his endorsement of Elizabeth Coulson for Congress in the 10thCongressional District.
"As governor, I worked closely with Beth Coulson," said Edgar. "I find her to be a person of tremendous" [...]
Two other Republican candidates asked us to share with IR readers that they, too, received endorsement from the Illinois Federation for Right to Life this week -- Republican candidate for Congress in the 17th District Bob Schilling and Republican candidate in the 41st State Rep race, Rafael Rivadeneira.
With no primary [...]
Moody's said Illinois has yet to take action to tackle a structural budget gap' [...]
from the Ratowitz for Congress campaign
CHICAGO – December 9, 2009 – Minutes before the Illinois State Board of Elections was set to formally dismiss the case, objectors to 5th Congressional District candidate David Ratowitz’s nominating petitions withdrew their challenge.
An official records review on December 3 overwhelmingly upheld the validity of [...]
from the Brady for Governor campaign
Senator Bill Brady, Republican candidate for Governor, released the following statement today:
This year Illinois witnessed an historic new low, the impeachment of a Governor who faces trial next year on federal charges of using his office for his own personal gains. [...]
Mike Manzo, Republican candidate for State Representative in the 41st District House seat being vacated by Bob Biggins, released the following new television advertisement this week. The ad takes a direct shot at local mayors who are supporting his Primary opponent - Elmhurst Alderman Chris Nybo - [...]
Last week, Illinois Review reported GOP candidate for US Senate Mark Kirk signed Americans for Prosperity-IL's pledge to oppose any Climate Taxes if he's elected to the US Senate in 2010. We wondered how Kirk was going to explain this apparent flip on his Cap [...]
Oh, if only Illinoisans were as perceptive as Connecticut-ans. Can you imagine an electorate so fed up with their longtime Democratic U.S. Senate that no matter which Republican were to emerge from a primary to challenge him, they each were polling a victory over their leftist, out-of-connection Senator?
That's what Rasmussen [...]
Okay, the D-Day of February 2, 2010 is closer today than it was yesterday. Illinois conservatives are being treated to a buffet of ideas to fix the Illinois budget by the seven GOP primary candidates. It's time we, the voters, begin to engage. First, let's talk about proposed budget solutions. [...]
[Article syndicated from TomRoeser.com. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of IR.]
McKenna Pere Sucks Up All the Money for His Kid.
This from a veteran GOP ex-campaign manager I respect: No one...and I mean no one...worries about Andy McKenna, Jr. as a [...]
A columnist for the Kansas City Star did some online Googling a few days ago and found the sordid history of 9th CD Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and her felonious husband Robert Creamer, who, it was noted earlier this week, are good friends of the President and were invited to the same state dinner the [...]
State Senator Kirk Dillard's campaign will neither confirm nor deny reports that the Republican gubernatorial candidate sought the endorsement of the Illinois Education Association over the weekend. Although the senator hinted at a meeting during Monday's Chicago Tribune editorial meeting.
Since 1993, Dillard has received campaign donations [...]
Blogger David Shestokas brings up an interesting topic on Suite 101.com: Could Obama's health care plan be unconstitutional? Shestokas writes:
In most of the health care proposals pending there is included two problematic issues from a constitutional standpoint. The individual mandate and government involvement in the doctor patient relationship.
Regarding the [...]
U.S. Senator Ben Nelson's amendment to place Hyde Amendment language in HR 3590 -- the Senate version of Obamacare -- was killed tonight in a 54 to 45 vote. But now Nelson's facing heat from Democrat prolifers who expect him to hold tight to his prolife convictions. Illinois Senator [...]
Among six Republicans vying for primary nomination in the 8th CD, Long Grove Village President Maria Rodriguez is the only woman, the only elected official and the only candidate in the race endorsed today by the Illinois Federation for Right to Life.
Rodriguez told Illinois Review she's honored [...]
from the Vernon Township GOP
Lincolnshire, IL Dec 8, 2009: Vernon Township's Monday evening GOP endorsement session surprised local incumbents Congressman Mark Kirk (R-IL 10) and IL State Senator Matt Murphy (R-27), who both failed to garner the nod in their respective state-wide races for US Senate and Lt. Governor. Kirk [...]
Sources inside the Randy Hultgren campaign are reporting that Jeff Danklefsen will be dropping out of the GOP Primary race in the 14th congressional district and removing his name from the ballot. Danklefsen would be the third candidate in recent days to bow out of that [...]
from the Ryan for Governor campaign
We are proud to announce that the Illinois Federation for Right to Life Political Action Committee (IFRL-PAC) has endorsed Jim Ryan for Illinois Governor. Dawn Behnke, chair of IFRL-PAC, writes in the organization’s endorsement letter:
We are pleased to announce our endorsement [...]
from the Illinois Republican Party
One year ago tomorrow, December 9, 2008, Democrat Rod Blagojevich became the first sitting Governor of Illinois to be arrested. He was subsequently indicted and charged with, among other things, attempting to sell a United States Senate Seat and extorting a children’s hospital for campaign contributions. [...]
[Article syndicated from TomRoeser.com. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of IR.]
That low rumble you hear is the beginning of an electoral earthquake which is going to bring Barack Obama's house down around his ears in 2012.
After a fantastic love affair with [...]
[Article syndicated from Cdobs.com. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of IR.]
by Roger Pielke
Michael Schlesinger, a climate scientist at the University of Illinois, sends an message to Andy Revkin of the New York Times (via his widely circulated email distribution list) threatening some sort of boycott — [...]
from the United Republican Fund
Following its Annual Meeting on December 1, 2009 the United Republican Fund of Illinois, Inc. announced the corporation’s 2010 officers:
Denis J. Healy, Chairman of Turtle Wax, Inc., was re-elected ChairmanFormer State Senator Steve Rauschenberger endorsed Republican gubernatorial Dan Proft this morning on 890 AM WLS' Don and Roma show. Rauschenberger's endorsement gives a cold shoulder to Illinois Senate colleagues Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard, who are also running for governor.
Rauschenberger himself is struggling through one of this' [...]
from the Vargas for Congress campaign
St. Charles, IL—Republican candidate for Congress Mark Vargas, in an attempt to unify the Republican Party, has decided to step aside, and instead, endorse fellow Republican Ethan Hastert in his bid to become the next Congressman from the 14th Congressional District.
“Politics [...]
