GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - January 17, 2008
GOPUSA Illinois Daily Clips for January 17, 2008 includes news and commentaries on the following topics:
- The transit bill
- Republican Party candidates, campaigns, and events
- Republican Party platform issues including limited government, abortion, homosexual activity, immigration, gambling, etc.
- Illinois, Cook County, DuPage County, and Chicago budget problems
and more . . .
GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- Democrats and RINOs vote for tax increases, Republicans do not - Dave Diersen
(THE COMMENTARY: Limiting the tax dollars that government takes in is the only way to slow down the tragic march toward socialism. Democrats and RINOs always want to grow the size of government, to get government to spend more and more, to get government to provide more and more services -- they always vote for tax increases. Republicans always want to limit the growth of government, to limit or stop spending increases, to encourage individual responsibility instead of dependency on government -- they always vote against tax increases. Forcing others to pay more and more taxes so that government can give more and more, like free transportation, to others is not noble, not moral, and not religious - it discourages individual responsibility, it encourages dependency on government, it is socialism. Needless-to-say, legislators who ran as Republicans, who got elected as Republicans, should vote against all tax increases. Democrats control just about everything in Illinois, including public transportation. Republican legislators should call the Democrats' public transportation "doomsday" bluff. Outrageously, time and time again, Democrats and RINOs have argued for tax increases to pay for one thing, like public safety, but the then use the revenues to provide more and more government services, that is, to promote socialism. Needless-to-say, again, all Republican legislators should vote against all tax increases today and every day.)
CBS2
-- Endgame Arrives For Mass Transit Funding If Legislators Don't Pass Bill, CTA Doomsday Will Come Sunday - Kristyn Hartman
-- Amended Transit Bill Clears First Hurdle Sources Say Majority Of Lawmakers Will Vote For Free Rides For Seniors - Jay Levine
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/cta.lawmakers.meeting.2.630717.html (Includes video clip)
NBC5
-- Transit Committee Reluctantly Approves Seniors Clause Daley To Lawmakers: Like It Or Not -- Pass It
http://www.nbc5.com/politics/15065793/detail.html?dl=mainclick (Includes video clip)
CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS
-- House committee passes Guv's amendment - AP
(THE ARTICLE: A key state legislative committee has voted to approve Governor Rod Blagojevich's proposal to offer free rides on mass transit to senior citizens. The House Mass Transit Committee voted 16-5 Wednesday in favor of the free ride amendment that the governor added to a mass transit funding bill. Blagojevich has said he wouldn't sign that bill if legislators don't approve the free ride initiative. Several committee members said they're angry at the governor for his last-minute addition to the bill. But they said they had no choice but to vote for it or risk forcing so-called "doomsday" service cuts and fare increases this weekend. The General Assembly is expected to vote on the amended bill Thursday.)
SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Mass transit funding bill routed toward another vote - Doug Finke
-- Jim Thompson helps Schock - Bernard Schoenburg
(THE ARTICLE: Meanwhile, Schock said that former Gov. JIM THOMPSON hosted a fundraiser for him in Chicago, and is hosting another in Springfield. The $125-per-person event will be 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Sangamo Club. Schock is not bothered that Thompson’s law firm, Winston & Strawn, represented convicted former Gov. GEORGE RYAN for free in his corruption case and has been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars by the Blagojevich campaign fund. "I think he’s got an outstanding legacy as a governor and certainly did a lot for Springfield in his tenure,” Schock said of Thompson.)
BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
-- No free ride for taxpayers - Editorial
(THE EDITORIAL: For months mass transit in Chicago has operated in crisis mode while Gov. Rod Blagojevich and lawmakers struggled to agree on a bailout plan. Last week when the legislature finally passed one, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Then Blagojevich pulled another political stunt. Instead of a bail-out, he wants a pile-on. He wielded his amendatory veto pen to insist that senior citizens ride free on public transit throughout the state. Ability to pay isn't a factor in the governor's plan. Even billionaire Warren Buffett can ride for free when he comes to visit. Blagojevich clearly is pandering to prospective voters. He could have asked that this idea be inserted into the bill before the vote, or included in a separate bill afterward. But he didn't even broach the idea of free rides with Chicago leaders. He wanted to save it for a big splash announcement and take all the credit. If Blagojevich wants to pander, why stop with senior citizens? Why not let students ride for free? And people with disabilities? And veterans? What about single mothers? And families with a household income of less than $50,000?. Might as well include tourists, also. Impractical? Yes, and so is Blagojevich's proposal. The "free" rides will cost other transit riders and taxpayers extra -- a detail the governor glosses over. The governor promoted his proposal to a group of senior citizens on Tuesday, but even some of them were skeptical. "Hold your nose and take a bus for free," Blagojevich told them. Illinois taxpayers are holding their noses, all right. The governor is taking them on a costly ride once again.)
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Transit-bill detour hurdled House panel backs free rides for seniors -
(FROM THE ARTICLE: At the end of a boisterous hearing Wednesday, a House panel endorsed Gov. Rod Blagojevich's plan to give senior citizens free bus and train rides as part of a mass-transit funding bill, setting up a potential final vote in the General Assembly as early as Thursday. But the measure's chief sponsor remained worried that lawmakers might not agree with the governor's changes to the $535 million funding bill in time to avoid Sunday's threatened service cuts and fare increases. The House Mass Transit Committee approved the changes 16-5 in a vote that may not have been legally required before the full House considers the governor's amendatory veto.)
-- Wiiliam 'The Pope' Cellini loses free ride, but people of Illinois pay - John Kass
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Taxpayers, through Cellini benefactor, combine boss and then-Gov. Jim Thompson, lent millions to the Cellini group. Thompson renegotiated the deal so that the Cellini group didn't have to pay the mortgage unless they turned a profit. Guess what happened? Expenses, expenses, expenses. No profit, almost no payments, though they remarkably stayed in business for a generation. I wonder what IRS investigators will find.)
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Chicago Tribune endorses Sauerberg over Martin and Psak for U.S. Senate
(THE ENDORSEMENT: The race to take on Durbin Leaders of Illinois' struggling Republican Party needed a challenger to Sen. Dick Durbin, the second-ranking Democrat in the U.S. Senate, and found one in Steve Sauerberg, a family-care physician from Willowbrook. He has two opponents in the primary. One is attorney Andy Martin of Chicago, who fashions himself a crusader and who has filed numerous lawsuits against perceived wrongdoers, including this newspaper. The other is Mike Psak, a truck driver from Chicago who argues for turning tollways into freeways across the country. Sauerberg says "people are very much overwhelmed. They're overwhelmed with the tax system, with worries over health insurance. The tax system has to be simpler and fairer. Spending must be reduced. Average Americans are afraid they'll lose their jobs and lose their health insurance. Health needs to be reformed by someone in the health-care field." Sauerberg is an intelligent man and he will present a conservative alternative to Durbin this fall. He is endorsed in the GOP primary.)
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: 18th Congressional District: Chicago Tribune endorses Schock
-- Getting what we need in transit aid Compromise bailout plan eases the sales-tax hit for senior citizens by letting them ride free -
-- Kane County Board: Newcomer MacRunnels challenges McConnaughay -
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- MARK BROWN: "Maybe this will be the beginning of Rod Blagojevich's pursuit of legacy, similar to what we saw from former Gov. George Ryan. The embattled Ryan became the darling of death penalty opponents. Blagojevich can be the darling of senior citizens."
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Chicago Sun-Times endorses Arnold in the 8th Congressional District and Biggert in the 13th
(FROM THE ENDORSEMENT: 8th: . . . Vying in the Republican primary are businessmen Steve Greenberg, Kenneth Arnold and Kirk Morris. Notably, Morris' son, a Marine, was killed in Iraq. Arnold is strong on policy, while Greenberg has greater financial backing. Arnold is endorsed over Greenberg, as brains should matter more than bucks. . . 13th: Republican Rep. Judy Biggert was first elected to Congress in 1998 and is focusing on transportation, economic development and conservation issues. She secured $1 million in funding for the Will County Sheriff's Department. Biggert is endorsed over Sean O'Kane, a home builder and contractor.)
DAILY HERALD
-- Free rides still imperil transit bill - Marni Pyke
-- Transit funding support in question Regionalism could put second vote on bailout plan in jeopardy - John Patterson
-- 8th Congressional District candidates Arnold, Greenberg, and Morris debate health care, immigration - Bob Susnjara
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR PHOTOS IN DUPAGE EDITION: 48th House District: Carlin, Connelly, and Krause don't agree on how to fund transit - Melissa Jenco
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: 6th Congressional District Democrat Primary: Daily Herald endorses Morgenthaler over Jagla
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: 10th Congressional District Democrat Primary: Daily Herald endorses Seals over Footlik
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: 13th Congressional District Republican Primary: Daily Herald endorses Biggert over O'Kane
-- Froehlich wants 'reasonable' toll enforcement - Joseph Ryan
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: David Krein of Schaumburg blasts Blagojevich
(THE LETTER: What in the world is governor doing?David Krein, Schaumburg Well, Gov. Rod Blagojevich has done it again. He supposedly worked a deal to get funding for mass transit, then dropped a bombshell after the session had ended: Seniors ride free or he won't sign the bill. The RTA and CTA don't have enough revenue, hence the bailout. So, the governor says to take some of the money they don't have and give it away. He is, without a doubt, the most arrogant politician in the state today. He was re-elected partially due to a very "cute" ad targeting his Republican opponent. It stated, very simply "What's she thinking?" The implication here is that at least Judy Baar Topinka was thinking. Not scheming and figuring out how to stick it to the legislative opponents to "Rod's pet projects." Maybe the legislature can get together and figure out how to shorten the governor's term and thereby lessen the damage to our state. First, it would be nice if they could pass a budget.)
-- Why stop with seniors, Governor? - James Mooney, Arlington heights
(THE LETTER: I'm sure our governor feels that his latest end-run around the legislature by "improving" the transportation bill was a 10 strike. Who wants to oppose a free ride for our senior citizens? However, viewed in the context of all the shenanigans being played out in Springfield, it's better understood as "same old, same old." On the one hand, we are advised that our transportation system is in such dire straits that it needs a financial bailout to survive in its current form. Then at the last moment we are told that a segment of the public independent of specific need should be given on-going vouchers. If cost is not a consideration, why don't we broaden it to include: children (under 21 years of age), unwed mothers, servicemen, the unemployed, anyone who doesn't own a car, etc. What the heck, let's make it free for everybody while we're at it. Even better why don't we ask our generous governor to further improve the Transportation Bill by providing everyone with free flights between Chicago and Springfield like he receives?If he wants to be a populist governor, he might as well go all out. It's free isn't it?)
-- Mass transit deal abuses suburbs - Christine Boreland, Barrington
(THE LETTER: That sucking sound is the city of Chicago consuming millions of tax dollars that the collar counties "contribute." For many years, the citizens of Illinois have had lots of tax dollars going to Springfield to be redistributed to a potpourri of schemes, schemers and their friends and relatives in the city. Over time, I guess we've mostly come to accept the situation because we keep electing the same people, and we like the pretty flower pots. And the newest plot this week is the increase in sales taxes on us for the Metra and whatever other sundry "doomsday" scenarios happen to loom near. (Did anybody demand an audit of the thing before giving them another cash infusion? Or how about the users paying the increase?) We've paid up (taxes) and moved to the suburbs for peace and quiet and to raise our kids. But now to further make Chicago "livable," they want to reduce train traffic, so they want to push it out here where we've come to escape all that. Now we get to pay a plethora of increased taxes and monstrous property taxes on homes that will surely depreciate in value due to the noise, gridlock and inaccessibility to emergency services. Will our elected representatives stand up for us against the Chicago controlled state of Illinois or will we get the worst of both worlds -- out of control taxes and degraded quality of life?)
-- Illegality matters in more than one area - Mary Willis, Elgin
(THE LETTER: This is in response to Kathy Reid from the Association of the Brethren Caregivers Jan. 6 letter on immigration. It seems that it makes no difference to her that the people she defends are here illegally. Illegal means they are breaking the laws of this country. In order to live here, they had to steal someone's identity. Is she saying we should forget the commandment of thou shall not steal? She doesn't seem to care about the burden this places on the people who live in the communities where illegal immigrants migrate. The cost of education is paid by the homeowners, a burden on seniors and middle class families with both parents working that are barely keeping up. Illegal immigrants siphon off city and government funds by receiving high levels of benefits never intended for them. They overcrowd neighborhoods, affecting home values. They hold down the wages of legal citizens and legal immigrants. They pay little or no medical expenses by using hospital emergency rooms like they are their doctors' offices. Illegal immigrants cost this country's taxpayers billions. Backing them shows contempt for our values and laws. It's easy to have views that cost her association nothing and lay the high costs on Elgin taxpayers. These people are not undocumented workers, as Reid called them. They are illegal aliens.)
SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- 11th Congressional District: Baldermann's straight talk: Will it win over voters? - Kristen McQueary
BEACON NEWS
-- 50th House District: Graff, Hatcher, Hunt, and Richmond seek GOP nod to replace Lindner - Heather Gillers
COURIER NEWS
-- 49th House District: Tim Schmitz continues low-key approach - David Gialanella
NAPERVILLE SUN
-- Sorting out issues in congressional race Incumbent Biggert faces three challengers for 13th District seat - Paige Winfield
-- Madigan probes destruction of DuPage County election documents Local officials say procedure was followed - Paige Winfield
PIONEER LOCAL
-- Experience divides DuPage County District 3 Forest Preserve candidates Brown and Painter - Jane Michaels
-- Endorsement: Curran, Bennington best picks in DuPage County District 3
-- Money is driving force in DuPage County District 3 race - Ashley Saluga
-- DuPage County District 2: The Doings picks O'Shea, Sheahan
WBBM780
-- Gov. Thompson: Giuliani's Strategy Is Strong
(THE ARTICLE: While most of the Republican presidential candidates are battling it out in the early primaries and caucuses, one of them has been virtually under the radar.
Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is focusing all of his money and attention on the upcoming February 5th primaries including Illinois'. WBBM's Regine Schlesinger reports his supporters here think it's a sound strategy. Giuliani decided not to compete in the early rounds. Is that a risky strategy? One of his prominent Illinois supporters, former governor Jim Thompson, doesn't think so. Since none of the Republicans has emerged as the clear frontrunner in the early states, Thompson says Giuliani's strategy doesn't seem to have hurt him.)
Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is focusing all of his money and attention on the upcoming February 5th primaries including Illinois'. WBBM's Regine Schlesinger reports his supporters here think it's a sound strategy. Giuliani decided not to compete in the early rounds. Is that a risky strategy? One of his prominent Illinois supporters, former governor Jim Thompson, doesn't think so. Since none of the Republicans has emerged as the clear frontrunner in the early states, Thompson says Giuliani's strategy doesn't seem to have hurt him.)
GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- Horist, Norquist, Ponnuru, and Proft speak at "State of the Republican Band" roundtable - Rosanna Pulido
www.gopillinois.com (1/17/08 News Clips page)
(ROSANNA PULIDO: America's Future Foundation Chicago Roundtable: The State of the Republican Brand Last night I attended this meeting with high hopes of some good discussion and hoping to witness true desire and direction for the Republican Party, (especially in Illinois). While in the meeting I experienced several moments of Deja Vu and may I say it wasn’t pretty! If I had not known better, I would have thought I was reliving my time at the Andy McKenna/Dan Cronin “We are Illinois” dog and pony show. I did enjoy comments from National Review's, Ramesh Ponnuru who strived to be authentic and discussed the way the GOP has not reached out to minorities. Grover Norquist believes the GOP is healthy across the United States, (Heaven help us!!) Larry Horist believes illegal immigration is America’s fault and so the U.S.should grant immediate Amnesty to illegal aliens. (Wait I think it's Bush's fault!) Oh and Dan Proft? He had his good friend Joshua Hoyt from the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights in the audience right in the front row. I dared to express my distaste for illegal immigration. Mr. Proft related that folks “like” myself demagogue the issue. But, if we investigate Proft the master of words, lets see if his analogy is correct! When you look up the word DEMAGOGUE in the dictionary here is one of the definitions: A politician who seeks to win and hold office by appeals to mass prejudice. Demagogues often use lies and distortion. Dan Proft eludes to 80% of the American public is distorting the issue of illegal immigration because we are sick and tired of spending 3.5 billion dollars in Illinois for example on services for illegal aliens. This is not lies and distortion as Dan eluded to. But His definition of folks "Like" me just shows that Joshua Hoyt has taught Dan very well. If you want to read some of Dan Proft’s views and emotional rants on illegal immigration you can check the La Raza archives, where his articles are sometimes featured. The State of the Republican brand? We can easily see where the Republican Brand is going when a major political consultant in Illinoisis befriending the Director of the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights and featuring his articles in La Raza news paper. I think Lou Dobbs is correct! We need to register as Independents!! Si Se Puede!!)
REPUBLICANS FOR FAIR MEDIA
-- Oberweis: "The Milkman Cometh" or Goeth? - Daniel T. Zanoza
FAMILY TAXPAYERS NETWORK
-- A 2008 story of political redemption devoutly to be wished - John Biver
ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Republicans Gone Wild - Tony Peraica
(THE ARTICLE: The fact that the Illinois General Assembly last week passed a CTA bailout bill that will heap a massive tax increase on the voters is bad enough. Punishing the hard-working taxpayers of Cook County and Illinois for the failure of our government to run an efficient and corruption-free transit system is just plain wrong. But perhaps the most disheartening part of this massive tax increase is the fact that it was passed with the support of so many Republicans who abandoned their principles in favor of political expediency. For those of you who don't know, the Illinois General Assembly last week passed a CTA bailout bill that would increase the sales tax by a quarter of a percentage point in Cook County and a half of a percentage point in the five collar counties. The legislation also gives the Chicago City Council six months to enact a 40 percent increase in the real estate transfer tax. The bill - House Bill 656 - was passed with the support of three DuPage County Republican Senators –Dillard, Cronin and Millner; and three Republican House members – Mathias, Mulligan and Coulson. Governor Blagojevich used his amendatory veto power to add a provision in the legislation providing for free public transportation for all seniors – yet another government program the taxpayers cannot afford. The General Assembly will vote on the amended legislation this Thursday. We have reached a new low in Illinois politics where the corrupt can cover their tracks by reaching into the taxpayers’ wallets, and where the two-party system has faded into oblivion. Our Illinois legislators – especially the Republicans – have a second chance to support the taxpayers and strike a blow to the status quo by opposing this legislation and protecting us from this massive tax grab. If not, it's the taxpayers who will pay the price. . .and the taxpayers who should exact a price by holding their politicians accountable at the voting booth next November.)
GIULIANI CAMPAIGN
-- Giuliani Campaign Announces Illinois Swing for Lincoln Day Dinners
(THE PRESS RELEASE: The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced Rudy Giuliani will attend three county Lincoln Day Dinners in the final days before the Illinois primary. On February 1st, Mayor Giuliani will speak at the DuPage County Lincoln Day Dinner. The following day, Giuliani will speak at both the Sangamon County and Tazewell County Lincoln Day Dinners. “Rudy has always placed Illinois as a top priority for his campaign and his trip to the state leading up to the Super Tuesday primaries shows he is serious about winning here,” said Giuliani State Chair Tom Cross. “Rudy has gotten the backing from the local level in DuPage, Sanagamon, and Tazewell and his visit will showcase that outpouring of support.” Rudy has been endorsed by the Sangamon County Republican Party, Tazewell Republican Party Chair Demetra Demonte, and by several county officials from DuPage, Sangamon, and Tazewell counties. For more information: DuPage County Lincoln Day DuPage County Republican Central Committee 630-653-7200 Sangamon County Lincoln Day Sangamon County Republican Headquarters 217-528-6267 Tazewell County Lincoln Day Demetra DeMonte, Tazewell County Republican Chairman 309-648-7556)
PERAICA CAMPAIGN
-- Peraica Urges Illinois Legislators to Block Massive Tax Increase Says Republicans Who Supported CTA Bailout Bill Abandoned Party Principles
http://www.joinperaica.com/news/contentview.asp?c=44371
http://www.joinperaica.com/news/contentview.asp?c=44371
(THE PRESS RELEASE: CHICAGO, IL - Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica today urged Illinois legislators to block final passage of the mass transit bill that would increase the sales tax by a quarter of a percentage point in Cook County and a half of a percentage point in the five collar counties. The legislation also gives the Chicago City Council six months to enact a 40 percent increase in the real estate transfer tax. The Illinois General Assembly passed House Bill 656, the CTA bailout bill, with the support of three DuPage County Republican Senators -Dillard, Cronin and Millner; and three Republican House members -Mathias, Mulligan and Coulson. "Punishing the hard-working taxpayers of Cook County and Illinois for the failure of our government to run an efficient and corruption-free transit system is just plain wrong," said Peraica. "Perhaps the most disheartening part of this massive tax increase is the fact that it was passed with the support of so many Republicans who abandoned their principles in favor of political expediency." Governor Blagojevich used his amendatory veto power to add a provision in the legislation providing for free public transportation for all seniors - yet another government program the taxpayers cannot afford. The General Assembly will vote on the amended legislation this Thursday. "We have reached a new low in Illinois politics where the corrupt can cover their tracks by reaching into the taxpayers' wallets, and where the two-party system has faded into oblivion," said Peraica. "Our Illinois legislators - especially the Republicans - have a second chance to support the taxpayers and strike a blow to the status quo by opposing this legislation and protecting us from this massive tax grab.")
ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY
-- Does Obama even care? With five-year presidential campaign taking its toll, does Obama even remember which state he was elected to represent. . .does he care? History holds true - another no-show job for Chicago Democrat
GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- Lauzen and Oberweis; Fenner, Larsen, and Zay; and Demling, Fawell, French, Kinsella, and Stock participate in outstanding Wayne/Winfield candidates forum - Dave Diersen
(THE ARTICLE: 14th Congressional District candidates Chris Lauzen and Jim Oberweis; DuPage County District 6 Board candidates Pam Fenner, Bob Larsen, and Jim Zay; and judicial candidates John Demling, Blanche Fawell, Dorothy French, John Kinsella, and Rick Stock participated in outstanding Wayne/Winfield candidates forum Wednesday evening, January 16, at the American Legion building in West Chicago. Roger Kotecki and Michael Kwasman served as masters of ceremonies. Attendees included Fred Bucholz, Bob Earl, Matt Fuesting, Linda Kurzawa, Dr. Bob Krzyzewski, Gerald Marchese, Ken Popejoy, and Pam Rion.)
-- Gresk and Olson speak at outstanding Eckhoff fundraiser in downtown Wheaton - Dave Diersen
(THE ARTICLE: Wheaton Mayor Mike Gresk and fellow DuPage County District 4 Board Member Debra Olson spoke highly of Grant Eckhoff at his outstanding fundraiser at The Bank restaurant in downtown Wheaton Wednesday evening, January 16. Attendees included Bob Carlisle, Lori Carlson, Bob Cherry, Tina Connelly, Liz Corry, Lynn Crane, John Demling, Craig Ellinghausen, Sal Falbo, Blanche Fawell, Dorothy French, Chris Hage, Gwen Henry, Mark Kmiecik, Sara Lee, Carl Lofgren, J.R. McBride, Bob Mork, Gary Muehlfelt, Todd Scalzo, and Don Sender.)
