GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - July 18, 2007
GOPUSA Illinois Daily News for July 18, 2007 includes news and commentaries on the following topics:
- House calls on Governor to stay in mansion
- Local TV network general manager makes public his Bean preference
- Roskam campaign fund nearly $545,000
- Guiliani taps Ryan defense lawyer Dan Webb for prominence in IL campaign
and more . . .
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- House to gov: Stay in mansion Pihos resolution calls for Blagojevich to 'reside in Springfield' - Dave McKinney and Whitney Woodward
-- OUTSTANDING: Immigration law targets only criminals - Editorial
-- SNEED: Sneed hears a local TV network general manager just gave U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean a $500 campaign contribution and listed the station's address. Guess who? The big question: Will that give the station a problem when covering Bean's next election? Nawww.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- BEYOND TRAGIC: Oak Park trustees back same-sex civil unions in Illinois
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Introduced by state Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) in February, the measure (House Bill 1826) passed the House Human Services Committee with a 5-4 vote this spring. It now awaits a vote by the House. Peter LaBarbera, president of Naperville-based Americans for Truth, said it does not have enough support to pass.)
-- BEYOND TRAGIC: Democrats pledge support for wide access to abortion - Mike Dorning
-- Roskam campaign fund grows to nearly $545,000
(FROM THE ARTICLE: U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, a first-term Wheaton Republican, had $544,735 in cash available to spend on his 2008 re-election campaign at the end of June, according to a federal campaign filing this week. That tally is about twice as much as Roskam reported at the end of March, as he gears up to defend his west suburban 6th District seat next year. Roskam reported that he had received $334,306 in contributions during April, May and June.)
-- Giuliani pushing for Illinois support - Rick Pearson
(FROM THE ARTICLE: To that end, on Tuesday, his campaign announced a justice advisory committee being headed up by Ted Olson, a nationally prominent lawyer and former U.S. solicitor general. The campaign noted the committee is compromised of "some of America's leading conservative scholars and practicing attorneys." . . . Also a part of the team is Dan Webb, a former Chicago federal prosecutor and now a nationally prominent defense attorney who said he's known Giuliani since the two were serving in the Justice Department. . . . Giuliani's campaign also said it would be holding "open houses" at county GOP headquarters on Wednesday in Springfield and on Thursday in Pekin featuring prominent supporters in the state, such as Illinois House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego and state Rep. Aaron Schock of Peoria.)
-- So that's where Alan Keyes went - Rick Pearson
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Keyes, a former GOP presidential contender, famously declared during his Illinois campaign that "Christ wouldn't vote for Barack Obama." Things haven't changed much. At the first event of the "70-week" group in Lufkin, Texas, earlier this month, the Lufkin Daily News reported Keyes as saying, "Barack Obama is an evil man," citing the Democrat's record on abortion.)
-- Giannoulias: One Blagojevich is enough - Editorial
-- Pornifying politics - Kathleen Parker
DAILY HERALD
-- Giuliani taps Webb for panel - Eric Krol
(THE POSTING: Spoke with former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb today. Republican presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani tapped Webb to serve on his judicial advisory panel. Why Rudy, I asked Webb? He met Giuliani when both were U.S. attorneys in Chicago and New York, respectively. “I’ve always kind of stayed out of presidential politics, but I think we’re at a crossroads in this country and we need to put somebody in the White House who has extraordinarily strong leadership capabilities. I don’t think it matters if you agree with him on every single issue,” Webb said. The panel will advise Giuliani on Supreme Court nominees and frivolous-lawsuit reduction. Webb said he wrote a campaign check to Giuliani a few months back and plans to continue to raise money for him. Since I had him on the phone, I asked Webb what he's heard about the appeal of his client, former Gov. George Ryan. And Webb had no update. Ryan was convicted last year of political corruption and the 7th Circuit appellate court granted Ryan a rare appeals bond to keep him out of prison. Then they sped up the appeals process. Arguments were made earlier this year, and observers expected a ruling sooner rather than later, but so far we've heard nothing from the court. My guess is that it's summer and a lot of folks take vacation time. Basically though, the situation remains the same: the Ryan ruling could come down at any time.)
-- Petersen retires, four vie for opening: Duffy, Talbett, Gentes, Hammes - Eric Krol
-- Potential Senator Bill Peterson replacements: Dan Duffy, Michael Talbett -
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Dan Duffy: he's the managing partner at a data management company in Schaumburg a donor to Bush-Cheney. He's also on the Illinois leadership council for the NFIB. He's chairman of that group's Lake-Cook area action council. Duffy also is a first-time candidate. "I’m running to go down there and break the gridlock," he told me. And how exactly would he do that as a freshman senator in the minority? Duffy replied that he'd work hard to maintain and keep jobs in the district and to encourage businesses to grow. He would fight Blagojevich's gross-receipts tax and payroll tax for health care. “They hurt business and that hurts our county,” he said. Duffy is for promoting fiscal responsibility. Our credit card bill is maxed out, he argued, and selling the lottery ultimately gets us more in debt. Duffy already has an office and campaign manager and a fund-raiser (Lisa Wagner).)
-- $356,375 and counting - Eric Krol
(THE ARTICLE: This is the estimated cost of keeping lawmakers in Springfield so far. Gov. Rod Blagojevich ordered them to stay in overtime starting July 5 until they can give him a budget deal to his liking. Such things as lawmakers' meals, housing and mileage cost upward of $42,000 a day. Job equivalent Enough to hire nine new school teachers in Illinois. No progress There was no meeting Monday between the legislative leaders and Blagojevich. Instead, lawmakers were in session briefly and then met in small groups. Attendance House: 84 of 118 Senate 21 of 59 (estimated))
-- Like starting from scratch for new GOP chief Michael Adelizzi Schaumburg Twp. committeeman follows Froehlich void -
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Daily Herald publishes at the top of page 4 of its DuPage edition what reads like a press release from those who want DuPage County to have home rule so that it can increase taxes - the title is: "Departments brace for more cuts Convalescent Center says cuts could be devastating to patient care"
(Not posted as of 5:30 AM)
-- Get tougher on sexual predators - Lynda Filipello, President, GROW, Lisle
(THE LETTER: I want to thank your newspaper for publicizing local sex crimes to alert the community about these predators. The state of Illinois is lacking in tough sentences for these repeat offenders. Illinois has become a “safe haven” for these criminals because of our courts’ disregard for the facts surrounding this type of predator. Illinois is bordered by states that have tougher sentencing. There are presently over 21,000 registered convicted sex predators in Illinois. Your readers can get this information by searching “Jessica’s Law” on the Web. Jessica Lunsford was kidnapped, raped and buried alive by just such a repeat predator in Florida. Florida passed Jessica’s Law in 2005, and over 40 states have since followed its lead. We need dedicated citizens to write and pressure our lawmakers and the governor to approve a 25-year minimum sentence for sex crimes against a child 13 years and under. SB 288 addresses some of these very issues, but it sits in the Illinois Senate’s Rules Committee. The governor claims there is no money to enforce this and some of our judges do not want their discretion tampered with. Tell that to the victims and their families.)
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Dan McGuire of Bensenville blasts the Pope
(THE LETTER: Recommended reading for pope - Dan McGuire, Bensenville God is at the heart of most religions around the world, and the vast majority of the faithful believe that God calls them to lead upright lives and live in peace with their neighbors. Sadly, in all religions, there are radicals who believe that all who do not share their faith are infidels deserving of death, or lost souls needing to be “saved.” In the 1950s, Christian translator J. B. Phillips wrote a book called “Your God Is Too Small.” It should be required reading for Pope Benedict XVI and all the Vatican hard-liners who still insist that the Roman Catholic Church is the “one true church.” )
-- Waukegan should enforce the law - Paul Boardman, Lake Villa
(THE LETTER: The Daily Herald’s recent reporting of the protest in Waukegan by 5,000 illegal immigrants and their supporters over the very idea that the citizenry of the city, state and United States might expect and require their police to enforce the laws of the land and cooperate with the U.S. immigration service in identifying and processing criminals, reveals that these same criminals hardly “live in the shadows.” As the marches in Chicago showed, the “shadow people” are bold with demands for all the rights of legal citizens and more; rights to which they have no legitimate claim and privileges of position both unearned and outside the purview of law. The community priest in the story estimates that as many as 70 percent of his congregation are illegal residents. While any thinking Christian will be quick to confirm that the church is for sinners and not for saints; the Padre needs to be mindful that “while sins are forgiven, consequences remain.” The consequences for criminal acts by illegal aliens include (or should) incarceration, restitution and deportation. When the wrongs have been adjudicated and amended, then legal application for residency may commence. Additionally, the forgiven are admonished to “go forth and sin no more.” How heart warming it was, then, to read in the Daily Herald that the illegals would “encourage” each other to obey the laws of the city and state and also to become legal “if possible” provided the mayor of Waukegan would prohibit police raids on businesses illegally employing illegal aliens. This must be recognized as ludicrous empty promise. The cooperative efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement are correctly feared by criminal trespassers into our country. Only with such combined programs for discovery and apprehension can the entire body of illegal immigrants be deported and dissuaded from returning in the same manner in which they came to be here in the first place; in small numbers at a time over a protracted period of time. Substantial penalties for employers of illegal immigrants must be incorporated into the laws of the state as they are in Georgia, and enforced with vigor. The borders must be closed and the closed status enforced by whatever means is necessary and adequate. Sanctuary cities and counties must be denied federal funding until they are compliant with law. The resounding defeat recently of the McCain-Kennedy immigration bill was engineered by the citizenry of this country (both Republican and Democrat) not because it was too harsh but because it was too lenient! “Shadow people” and their supporters should take notice.)
-- Daily Herald missing info in gay rights debate - Emmit Lehman, Grayslake
(THE LETTER: Your June 25 editorial, “Reflect on issues facing gay Americans,” continues your efforts to influence the opinions of your readers on the subject of homosexuality. Your editorial asks if we have considered “all sides” of “those issues” which you say face people who practice homosexuality. How can you expect your readers to be informed on all sides of those issues when your paper publishes only the views taken directly from the homosexual agenda which is proclaimed on all of their Web sites? Why aren’t we allowed to learn that it is possible to come out of that lifestyle — especially when aided in that effort by Christian groups or Exodus International? Where is information about the high financial costs of that addiction? Will you report on the increased costs to families due to rising insurance costs resulting from “civil union” requirements? Can we expect to see accurate figures on the percentage of practicing homosexuals (about 2 percent of the total population)? Or the number of homosexuals who enter into “marriage” where it is allowed? (Two per cent of homosexuals is one estimate I have seen.) A second topic of your editorial requests that those of the homosexual lifestyle be treated with respect, tolerance and dignity. Unspoken is the demand that any criticism of that lifestyle be made illegal, even though such laws trample the U.S. Constitution’s freedom of religion clause. Respect and tolerance? Not from activists who support that life style, including most news sources.)
-- Don’t raise taxes; control spending - John Culloton, Chicago
(THE LETTER: To tax or not to tax; that is the question. The General Assembly is considering several alternate ways to increase tax revenue. Increased taxes on cigarettes, businesses, sales and income tax are a few. As I recall when the state income tax was implemented during the Ogilvie administration, it was going to be the solution to tax problems into the next millennium. But then the lottery was going to solve the problem of funding education, and the tollway was going to revert to a freeway. The one thing that is clearly evident is that if you give the politicians more money, they will spend it. A surplus is unknown to state government. They will hype the increase as a temporary necessity to be eliminated as soon as fiscal needs are met. To our General Assembly, temporary is forever. There is no need for a tax increase, but what is needed is monetary responsibility by elected officials. We live in an era where business is downsizing as government is expanding. Our governmental offices are overstaffed and redundant and frequently in conflict with other offices and functions. Oversight on spending is a joke. As to the question of taxation, there is no doubt that the General Assembly will come up with some method to increase our taxes rather than taking a good look at the state’s spending practices. We will pay again, and it is our fault for electing the public officials that we have. I fervently hope that in next year’s elections we do better in the selection of officials than our past record shows. In 1973, we did that when Ogilvie wasn’t re-elected.)
SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- House to governor: Stay in Springfield - John O'Connor
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Illinois House sent a message to Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday: Stay in Springfield. Lawmakers adopted a resolution calling on the governor to "reside in Springfield ready to negotiate" during an overtime session on the budget stalemate. Rep. Sandra Pihos, R-Glen Ellyn, withstood complaints from Democrats that her proposal was a bad joke when Blagojevich and legislative leaders are deadlocked over a spending plan for the budget year that began July 1. "We want to the governor to know how important he is to these talks and how strongly we need his leadership," Pihos said. The resolution, which has no force of law, passed on a voice vote despite complaints by Democrats, who hold a majority.)
WBBM780
-- Lawmakers: Blagojevich Has To Live In Springfield
(THE ARTICLE: SPRINGFIELD - Ever since Governor Rod Blagojevich was elected, his refusal to move his family from Chicago to Springfield has been a point of contention. Things boiled over on the House floor Tuesday afternoon, when a resolution urging him to live in Springfield during overtime and special sessions passed on a voice vote. State Rep. Gary Hannig (D-Litchfield) ruled in spite of several loud shouts of "NO!" from the floor. After saying he didn't hear much of the shouting, he pointed out nobody had asked for a roll-call vote. State Rep. Sandra Pihos (R-Glen Ellyn) introduced the resolution, which Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) says is unfair, since it applies only to Blagojevich and not to his successors. Some Democrats, including Reps. Monique Davis (D-Chicago) and Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago), accused Pihos of trying to gain publicity and embarrass Blagojevich. Spokeswomen for the governor have said representatives should concentrate on resolving more important issues than this.)
WGN RADIO
-- Lawmakers Tell Governor to Stay in Springfield House Criticizes Blagojevich over Frequent Trips between Chicago and Springfield
(THE ARTICLE: The Illinois House has passed a resolution, calling on Governor Blagojevich to "reside in Springfield ready to negotiate" during an overtime session on the budget stalemate. Republican State Representative Sandra Pihos of Glen Ellyn withstood complaints from Democrats that her proposal was a bad joke when Blagojevich and legislative leaders are deadlocked over a spending plan for the budget year that began July 1. "We want to the governor to know how important he is to these talks and how strongly we need his leadership," Pihos said. The resolution, which has no force of law, passed on a voice vote despite complaints by Democrats, who hold a majority. House Speaker Michael Madigan, who has been at odds with Blagojevich over the size of the state budget, released the resolution for a vote on June 20, the day The Associated Press reported the Democratic governor had been flying round-trip between the capital and his Chicago home almost daily from mid-May through the middle of June. An AP analysis pegged the round-trip cost to taxpayers at $5,800, based on costs averaged over the past four years and reported earlier in a state audit. At the same time, Blagojevich was telling lawmakers they should be working five days a week to solve the budget crisis. In early July, when the governor started calling lawmakers into daily special sessions, he pledged to stay in Springfield's Executive Mansion. Blagojevich was unfazed by the resolution, saying he thinks there are better ways for the House to spend its time, such as working on the state budget.)
CBS2
-- Group Calls For Impeachment Of Gov. Blagojevich Republicans Deliver Petition To House Speaker Madigan
(THE POSTING: (CBS) CHICAGO A group of Republicans wants to impeach Governor Rod Blagojevich, accusing him of near-criminal mismanagement of the state's finances. "Citizens to Impeach Blagojevich" on Tuesday delivered a petition to House Speaker Michael Madigan, demanding an immediate investigation. At the same time, the Illinois House adopted a resolution urging the governor to stay in Springfield, and be ready to negotiate during an overtime session on the budget stalemate. You can see the petition yourself at www.impeachblago.com.)
CAPITOLFAX
-- 1,365 Impeach Blagojevich Signatures Delivered - Rich Miller
(THE POSTING: Only 1,365 signatures? Judging from comments here and elsewhere on the Intertubes, I thought they’d get more. From a press release… Citizens to Impeach Blagojevich delivered via email today the signatures of 1,365 Illinoisans on a petition calling for House Speaker Madigan to launch an impeachment investigation of Governor Blagojevich in accordance with Section 14, Article IV of the 1970 Illinois Constitution. The ongoing budget crisis has clearly shown that Rod Blagojevich has become to Illinois what Gray Davis was to California. Unlike the Golden State, however, Illinois has no recall provision upon which the people can act. Therefore, a group Illinoisans launched a petition website (www.impeachblago.com) in an effort to give voice to their fellow citizens who have grown frustrated with the near criminal mismanagement of the state’s finances.)
DAILY SOUTHTOWN
-- Illinois budget on far too long - Editorial
BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
-- Budget delay looks like one for record book - Kurt Erickson
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Attendance by lawmakers picked up Tuesday after several days where dozens failed to show up to work. In the Senate, 36 of 59 members were on the floor when the session got under way. The roll call in the 118-member House roll topped 100 for the first time in a week.)
-- Latest action by Durbin another political stunt - Mark W. Johnson, Normal
(THE LETTER: Headline: ``Officials worry of summer terror attack.'' From Fox News: ``A Senate appropriations panel chaired by Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., refused to fund $4.8 million in the vice president's budget until Cheney's office complies with parts of an executive order governing its handling of classified information.'' So when Dick Durbin is not happy with Homeland Security or the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the CIA, then is he going to hold up funding for them to? I hope he does for the sake of being consistent. Otherwise, this smells like a cheap political stunt in advance of an election year where Sen. Durbin hopes we forget he implied our troops in Gitmo were like Nazi war criminals. We won't forget Mr. Durbin's election in 1996 was an accident brought on by defeating a candidate that had one gaffe at the end of his campaign. Durbin's statements about Gitmo and now this stunt with Cheney's office show his lack of gravitas to be called a U.S. senator.)
CHICAGO SUBURBAN NEWS
CHICAGO SUBURBAN NEWS
-- DuPage County Addison Township leader Pat Durante slams Democrats on campaigning style - David Heitz
-- Annual DuPage County Fair to start next week
SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Governor in a different world - Editorial
-- Educators: Don’t forget schools - Adriana Colindres
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
-- Thompson Reaches to the Right Laying the groundwork for evangelical support - Dan Gilgoff
NEW YORK TIMES
-- VERY SAD: Mexican Migrants Carry H.I.V. Home - Marc Lacey
