GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - January 15, 2009

Articles of interest to Illinois Republicans recently posted by ABC7, NBC5, CBS2, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Crain's Chicago Business, Daily Herald, Suburban Chicago News, Suburban Life, Pioneer Local, Southtown Star, Rockford Register Star, Bloomington Pantagraph, Peoria Journal Star, Springfield State Journal Register, Belleville News Democrat, Southern Illinoisan, Illinois Review, Public Affairs, Champion News, Illinois Family Institute, Americans For Truth, Chicago Daily Observer, Tom Roeser, Capitalfax, etc. 

Since January 1, 2005, GOPUSA ILLINOIS has brought 40,627 such articles and information on many upcoming events to its subscribers' attention each morning, free of charge, and without any advertising.

FREE REPUBLIC
-- OUTSTANDING: Bill Ayers Event at College of DuPage Canceled
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2164398/posts

 

TAPROOT REPUBLICANS OF ILLINOIS
-- OUTSTANDING: 5th Congressional District Candidate Rosanna Pulido to Speak at TAPROOT Breakfast Meeting Saturday, January 17 - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
All Republicans are invited to attend TAPROOT's breakfast meeting Saturday, January 17, in the North meeting room of the Old Country Buffet restaurant at 551 East Roosevelt Road in Lombard. The restaurant opens at 8:00 AM and the meeting starts at 8:30 AM. Attendees need to purchase a $10 all-you-can-eat meal ticket. TAPROOT is honored that 5th Congressional District Candidate Rosanna Pulido will speak at the meeting.  For information about Rosanna and her campaign, please visit: http://www.rosannapulido2009.com/.  If there are any questions about the meeting, phone Dave Diersen at 630-653-0462 or George Kocan at 630-393-6401.

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- FROM THE POSTING: Even as Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) took over as the two legislative leaders in their chamber, they unveiled their top lieutenants and leadership teams. . .On Radogno's Republican team, the No. 2 position of Deputy GOP leader will be held by Dale Righter of Charleston. The rest of the Republican leadership: Assistant Minority Leaders Brad Burzynski of Rochelle, John Jones of Mt. Vernon, Dave Luechtefeld of Okawville and Dan Rutherford of Chenoa. Caucus Chair Dave Syverson of Rockford. Minority Whip Carole Pankau of Itasca.
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/01/senate-dem-gop.html

-- Trial overshadows swearing-in  Blagojevich opens Senate, a.k.a. his jury - Rick Pearson and Ray Long
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-senate-blagojevich-trial15jan15,0,3735879.story

-- Deb Mell refuses to vote to impeach brother-in-law Blagojevich - Ashley Rueff
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/01/deb-mell-refuse.html

-- Stage is set for heads to roll, cash to roll in - John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-15-jan15,0,5376331.column

-- Attorney general pick Eric Holder's links to Gov. Blagojevich come under scrutiny by GOP  GOP asks why Barack Obama's Justice pick didn't list legal work for Illinois governor - Josh Meyer
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-holder_15jan15,0,6307365.story

-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Birkett to "mingle" with "young Republicans" at an "Inaugural After Party" Tuesday evening at "Dugan's Drinking Emporium" in Chicago  (DIERSEN: To better assure the quality and timeliness of GOPUSA ILLINOIS daily emails, I have not had a drink for many years.  I am 60 years "old" now.  In 1980, after I transferred from IRS to GAO at age 31, my liberal Democrat GAO superiors told me that I was too "old" to have a successful GAO career.  They proceeded to waste my GAO career and force me take early retirement at age 49 in 1997.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/explore/chi-inauguration-events-0115jan15,0,6627385.story

-- Republicans flee Washington ahead of Inauguration Day  Members of GOP say they have far less to celebrate - Jill Zuckman and Richard Simon
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-obama-republicansjan15,0,5389319.story

-- President George W. Bush's admirers, though clearly in the minority, are saddened by his upcoming departure  They say he was never given his due - Bonnie Miller Rubin
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-illinois-republicans-15-jan15,0,644112.story
(FROM THE ARTICLE: If he could tell Bush anything, it would be: "Thank you for keeping us safe."  The president standing atop the rubble of the World Trade Center, rallying a heartbroken nation, is by far the most enduring image for admirers like Laura Kotelman, 36, of Chicago. She blames the media for the lack of credit Bush has received—especially for the absence of another attack on American soil. "That's no coincidence," said Kotelman, an officer of the Chicago Young Republicans, who will host a post-inaugural party to galvanize members, featuring DuPage County State's Atty. Joseph Birkett. In addition to decisiveness in times of trouble, Gary Safron singled out Bush's pro-business record during his first term for praise. "He reduced taxes, which helped small business . . . which helped everybody," said the Flossmoor entrepreneur. For Angel Garcia, 33, the judicial appointments of John Roberts and Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court are two of the many reasons he will miss the president. "The justices have strengthened the court and given America a solid legal foundation for many years to come," he said.)

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

-- SNEED: Love Boat vote . . . Both sides now: In a symbolic gesture, state Senators John Cullerton, a Dem, and Christine Radogno, a GOPer, voted for each other for Senate president. It was a first, Cullerton won, the gesture got a thumbs-up, and love was in the air. (DIERSEN: I am sure that the Combine approved of the gesture.)
http://www.suntimes.com/news/sneed/1379611,CST-NWS-SNEED15.article

-- House votes to impeach Blago; Deb Mell voted 'no'  House impeaches gov again, 117-1 - Dave McKinney and Jorden Wilson
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/1377870,house-votes-impeach-blagojevich-011409.article
-- Ford, GM, Chrysler skipping Tokyo auto show  (DIERSEN: What do the Toyota Republicans say about this?)
http://www.suntimes.com/business/1379106,w-detroit-automakers-tokyo-car-011509.article
-- Impeachment trial will be like no other  The rules are stacked against Blago, but so are the facts - Mark Brown
http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/1379542,CST-NWS-brown15.article
-- OUTRAGEOUS: Drug firm targets kids for sex virus vaccine  Vaccine could lead to false assumptions - Betsy Hart (DIERSEN: If encouraging children to engage in sex acts is not illegal, it should be.)
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/betsyhart/1378983,CST-FTR-hart15.article

 

DAILY HERALD
-- Renewed impeachment drive crashes lawmakers' Opening Day - John Patterson
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=264365

-- New legislators (including Connelly, Duffy, Hatcher, and Senger) discuss their priorities - Nicole Milstead
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=264490

-- DuPage County Republicans: Rare show of transparency refreshing - Editorial  (DIERSEN: Will the Daily Herald use the new information source to do anything other than to promote Democrats?  Outrageously, the Daily Herald claims to be independent and objective.  But outrageously, it acts like it is far more interested in electing Democrats who can and will advance the Democrat Party platform than in providing information and making a profit.  Why doesn't the Daily Herald act like it is in business to make a profit?  When is the Daily Herald going to show some transparency about how it is controlled by the Democrat Party?)    
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=264397&src=
(THE EDITORIAL: Thomas Jefferson might get most of the credit for his fervent support of a free press as a government watchdog, but his successor, James Madison, was no slouch. "A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy or perhaps both," he is quoted as saying. He, too, was speaking of newspapers, which two centuries ago were the only avenue for getting information on the workings of government into the hands of the masses. As brilliant as they were, neither man could have envisioned the Internet. But we're fairly certain they'd be proud of how one government body today is using the World Wide Web. It may seem mundane to many and probably not something you'd spend your afternoon combing through, but what DuPage County Auditor Bob Grogan has done is an important step in providing a level of transparency in government that we haven't seen before. Grogan has posted the county's monthly expenditures on line, which is tantamount to opening the county's checkbook for the world to see. "I have a small staff of six people and now I'll have a million and six people looking over these reports," Grogan said. "In the long run I see this as something that is going to save me time and make me more efficient." You can find out how the county spends money in each department, how it pays its vendors and how its projects cost out. Data will be updated monthly. Grogan may be overestimating the sexiness of poring over ledger sheets, but in an era where too many governments still hold onto information with a death grip, it's hard to overstate importance of such governmental openness. DuPage is the first county in the state to do this, according to watchdog group forthegoodofillinois.com, which has sung the county's praises. It should not be alone. The Freedom of Information Act was born more than 40 years ago and to date remains one of the great protections against abuses in government, giving regular people access to a plethora of information. Too often, reporters are forced to go through the process of filing Freedom of Information Act requests to get data. And too often that process is used by government bodies to delay the release of information that rightfully should be public. Auditor Grogan said he was able to post his county's data on line with no added cost or manpower. And maintenance only amounts to a couple hours a month. In reality, this probably will save the county money in collecting data to answer Freedom of Information Act requests. In the interest of better serving the public while saving money, why isn't everyone doing this?)

-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: The 2005 steel blue Chrysler 300C Hemi that Obama used to own is for sale -- asking price is $1 million and bidding starts at $100,000.  Who will be the high bidder?  Certainly, he/she will not be someone who hates American nameplate vehicles.  Certainly, he/she will not be someone who hates unions.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=264553

 

ABC7
-- Blago swears in Senate that will try him
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/politics&id=6603698

 

NBC5
-- Don't Ask Don't Tell to End Under Obama  Aide says gays will be able to serve openly in the military - David Hogarty  (Diersen: This will cause reinstitution of the draft, and then, the collapse of America's armed forces. Sadly, that is what some want.)
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/us_world/Dont-Ask-Dont-Tell-to-End-Under-Obama.html

 

CBS2
-- Blagojevich Hopes Senators 'Will Sort Things Out'   Body Holds Governor's Political Future In Its Hands
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/blagojevich.state.senate.2.907765.html

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
-- BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: New leaders in state Senate not ruling out tax hike - Kurt Erickson and Jason Nevel (DIERSEN QUESTIONS: Democrats always argue that all Republicans are wealthy and that all Democrats are poor.  What percent of Illinois' revenues is paid by Republicans?  What percent of Illinois' revenues is paid by Democrats?  What percent of Illinois' expenditures go to Republicans?  What percent of Illinois' expenditures go to Democrats?  I am sure that Republicans pay far more to Illinois than Democrats do and that Democrats get far more back than Republicans do.  I am sure that DuPage County pays far more to Illinois than it gets back.)
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2009/01/14/news/doc496e658ba2f26184130395.txt
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The new leader of the Senate Republicans said the GOP believes a major tax hike isn’t needed. "I will tell you the Republicans will not support a general tax increase, like an income tax," said Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont. "I don’t know that we’re going to go down that road." She didn’t, however, rule out support of some other, smaller targeted tax increase. "We’ve got plenty of time to figure out the nuances of how we’re going to solve this budget crisis," Radogno said.)

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Seeing governor before body that will try him was striking - Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/news_columnists/x2009613182/Bernard-Schoenburg-Seeing-governor-before-body-that-will-try-him-was-striking

-- Ethics, budget top issues for area lawmakers - Eric Naing
http://www.sj-r.com/state/x512388282/Ethics-budget-top-issues-for-area-lawmakers

-- Trying time at Capitol  Senators sworn in, start to work on impeachment trial - Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/blagojevich/x2009613401/Trying-time-at-Capitol

 

MARION DAILY REPUBLICAN
-- State faces many problems according to Radogno - Diane Wilkins
http://www.mariondaily.com/news/x512386910/State-faces-many-problems-according-to-Radogno

 

THE TIMES
-- No festivities in House, Senate - Scott Reeder, Kevin Lee, and Pete Nickeas
http://mywebtimes.com/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=373451

 

JOURNAL GAZETTE TIMES COURIER
-- Republican Senator Dale Righter named to GOP leadership post
http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/2009/01/14/news/doc496ea9aaa2318588774886.txt

 

SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN
-- Blagojevich returns to silence, impending trial - Kurt Erickson and Jason Nevel
http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2009/01/14/breaking_news/doc496e6b4bb3ff7068908192.txt

 

PIONEER LOCAL
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Baird & Warner is closing its Wheaton office at Roosevelt and Warrenville in Diersen's Precinct 9.  But happily, hopefully, the DuPage County Republican Party will buy the building and move into it.
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/elmwoodpark/business/1378240,pp-WEBbaird-011409-s1.article

-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Pioneer Local promotes Maine Township Democrat candidates
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/parkridge/news/1377896,pr-mainedems-011509-s1.article

 

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Township political slates take shape - Susan Lafferty
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1379194,011509township.article

 

SUBURBAN CHICAGO NEWS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Suburban Chicago News (SCN) reports the results of the Naperville Township Republican caucus, the Lisle Township Republican Township caucus, Lisle Township Democrat caucus, and the Wheatland Township Republican caucus.  Just about all SCN reporters read GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails every day for "opposition research."  Therefore, SCN knew yesterday morning what the results of the Milton Township Republican caucus were. Yet outrageously, SCN says: "Results were not available for all of the townships organizations."
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1380096,NA15_Naperville-caucus-results.article

 

BEACON NEWS
-- Democrats Aurora Twp. caucus 'chaotic' - Andre Salles (DIERSEN: By way of contrast, in DuPage County, the Republicans' Milton Township caucus was very orderly, and afterward, everyone was very satisfied. The only complaint heard was from Wheaton's Mayor Gresk -- he complained about my complaints about Wheaton property owners who don't shovel their sidewalks.)
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1379793,2_1_AU15_CAUCUS_S1.article
(THE ARTICLE: Aurora Township Democrats slated six candidates for April's election this week. But those results are likely to be challenged by at least one candidate, in the wake of what many are calling a poorly organized, mess of a caucus. Several hundred Democrats filed in to Piper's Banquets on Butterfield Road Tuesday night, and when they filed out seven hours later, many were upset with the process they saw unfold and with the man tasked with holding it together, Aurora Township Democrat Chairman Alex Arroyo. "I've never seen anything this chaotic (at a caucus)," said Frank Craig, husband of township Supervisor Annie Craig, who was a candidate to continue as supervisor. The issues raised Wednesday by the Craigs and Paul Greviskes, who also ran for supervisor, were many. Because of lax procedures, they said, some voters could have cast multiple ballots. Greviskes said some of the 300-plus attendees were not from Aurora Township, and he saw no attempts to stop them from voting. Some longtime Democrats were barred from voting, since records provided by the Aurora Election Commission showed them pulling Republican ballots in last year's primary elections. The township's rules state that a voter can be disqualified for taking a ballot from any competing party in the 12 months prior to a caucus. One of those lifelong Democrats was Bob Mangers. He was initially told his vote would not be accepted. "They told me to get out, to go to Gaslite Manor (where the Republican caucus was held the same night)," Mangers said. He later was given a provisional ballot, while his voting record was checked. "I told them I haven't voted Republican since 1950," said Mangers, a former township trustee. However, election commission officials confirmed Wednesday that their records show Mangers pulling a Republican ballot in last February's special primary election in the 14th District Congressional race. Mangers' vote for Greviskes in the supervisor's race counted, and turned out to be pivotal -- Greviskes and Trustee Christina Campos tied, and Craig fell short by one vote. This led to a runoff, and when the two candidates tied again, Arroyo cast the deciding vote. He picked Campos, and according to Township Clerk Juan Thomas, Arroyo did so with an eye toward slating a Hispanic candidate. Neither Arroyo nor Campos returned calls for comment Wednesday. "He spoke to the racial demographic of Aurora and the racial demographic of our ticket," Thomas said. "There were no Hispanics on our slate, and he said we needed diversity." "I thought we were past that sort of selection process, as Democrats and as a country," Greviskes sighed. "I was disappointed to see him using ethnicity (as his criteria)." While the complaints may seem like sour grapes coming from Greviskes and the Craigs, they're not the only ones with concerns. Bill Catching, one of the four nominees for trustee, said he was dismayed at the lack of organization. Each voter was given an identifying card, which was to be initialed each time that voter cast a ballot in a certain race. However, Catching said his own card was not initialed in one instance, meaning he could have voted twice. And, he said, stacks of these cards were out in the hall where anyone could take them. Greviskes and Frank Craig said they were considering challenging the results of the caucus, but neither had made a decision. In contrast to the Democrats, the Aurora Township Republicans had their slate for the April township election picked by 9 p.m. Tuesday. "It was very orderly, and afterward everyone was satisfied," said Kane County Board member Bill Wyatt, Aurora GOP chairman.)

 

LAKE COUNTY NEWS SUN
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Republican Congressman Mark Kirk to give out 198 tickets for Democrat Obama's inauguration.  Have any Republicans asked for any of those tickets?  Because Democrat Obama rejects virtually every plank in the Republican Party platform, why would a Republican want to attend Democrat Obama's inauguration?  Because Republican McCain rejected many planks in the Republican Party platform, I could understand why Democrats would want to attend his inauguration if he had won. 
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1379050,5_1_WA15_KIRKINAUG_S1.article

 

CHICAGO DAILY OBSERVER
-- A Tale of Three Townships (Elk Grove, Maine, and Schaumburg): Republicans in Retreat - Russ Stewart
http://www.cdobs.com/archive/1/a-tale-of-three-townships-republicans-in-retreat,2492

 

CHAMPION NEWS
-- No Recession in Illinois Public Schools - $100,000 Salaries Up 17% in 2008 - Bill Zetter
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1506
-- Education reform: The cultural tip of the iceberg - John Biver
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1503

 

AMERICANS FOR TRUTH
-- SADLY, BUT CERTAINLY, ALL OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS EVENT VOTED FOR OBAMA: Doubletree Hotel in D.C. Plays Host to Homosexual ‘Pig Sex’ Orgy during Inaugural Weekend - Peter LaBarbera
http://americansfortruth.com/news/breaking-newsdoubletree-hotel-in-dc-plays-host-to-homosexual-pig-sex-orgy.html

 

NEWSMAX

-- U.S. Military: Mexico Could Collapse Under Drug Violence, Corruption - Jim Meyers
http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/mexico_collapse/2009/01/14/171339.html?s=al&promo_code=77A2-1

 

CNS NEWS
-- The War Bush is Losing is Not in the Middle East - Terence Jeffery
http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=41935

 

REUTERS
-- Republicans target Obama's former Senate seat - Thomas Ferraro
http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed2/idUSTRE50D7LZ20090114

 

ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- Blagojevich presides over Senate that will try him - Christopher Wills
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ga4r6Ic7fPOykfh6cdeLeKYKO6vwD95N5I700

-- New Illinois Senate set for governor impeachment trial - Christopher Wills
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ga4r6Ic7fPOykfh6cdeLeKYKO6vwD95N9CM00

-- Blagojevich gets cold reception in Senate - Christopher Wills
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ga4r6Ic7fPOykfh6cdeLeKYKO6vwD95NHKUG0

 

WASHINGTON POST
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Obama "charms" certain conservative commentators.  Hopefully, they will not start throwing conservatives and conservative principles under the bus.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/14/AR2009011404155_pf.html

 

INDIANAPOLIS STAR
-- What's up with Obama and his radioactive pastors?
http://blogs.indystar.com/thoushalt/2009/01/whats_up_with_o.html

 

LOS ANGELES TIMES
-- Republicans say they'll grill Holder on Blagojevich ties  The Senate Judiciary Committee's GOP staffers say new information indicates the attorney general nominee did legal work for the embattled Illinois governor. Democrats say the connection was minimal. - Josh Meyer
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-holder15-2009jan15,0,5386733.story

 

QUEENSSPEECH
-- VERY SAD: Afternoon Delight: Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois
http://queensspeech.com/conversations/kenneth-in-the-212/afternoon_delight_rep_aaron_schock_of_illinois