Illinois Review

Illinois should cut deeper, says AFP

from Americans for Prosperity - Illinois

The Illinois chapter of the grassroots free-market group Americans for Prosperity (AFP-IL) applauded Governor Pat Quinn’s announcement today to cut $1 billion in spending, and will continue to push for accountability and transparency in state government.

“This is merely the beginning for Illinois,” said State Director Joe Calomino. “Serious spending cuts, increased transparency, and fundamental reform to pension and education systems are all necessary to put Illinois back on track to economic prosperity.”

Quinn blames others for budget mess

As reported by the Tribune's Clout Street, Democrat Gov. Pat Quinn began his news conference on budget cuts today by ignoring the fact that his Democrat Party has been in control of all levels of government for nearly a decade and telling the assembled audience that he did not create the budget mess. Updates HERE.

Quinn attempted to avoid openness and transparency by not speaking to the media or allowing television cameras. After media protests, he reluctantly began talking to reporters. His cuts can be found HERE.

The Health Care Cash-For-Clunker Program

by Lee Newcom

The government Cash for Clunker car program is dead, maybe. In just one week, for a program meant to last until November 1st (Congress may quickly reauthorize it with more of your money). This was the program where you trade in a car that gets low gas mileage, for a high MPG car, and the government will give you $3,500-4,500. Never has a program been so convincing for those of you who want the government to run health care. The problems with this are numerous and laughable. It is a wonderful demonstration of how a government agency can screw up and make monumentally expensive the most simple of programs.

To Alcohol: The Solution to Every Problem

by Teri O'Brien

Yesterday’s “beer summit” was an attempt to reposition the inexperienced empty suit B. Hussein Obama, a man who built his entire career on exploiting white guilt and otherwise race baiting, and who spent 20 years nodding in agreement with a screeching raving racist lunatic in the Church of the Black Panther, as the Great Uniter, hoping to foster understanding and healing, with the amen chorus of media lapdogs all playing along.

It’s like Perez Hilton presiding as the god-like wise neutral third party over a make-nice beer soiree between Mayor Stu and the angry parents who protested his decision to wear a halter top and mini skirt to address a group of teenagers. (Yes, I said “his” intentionally. If you don’t know the story, please click here.)

Where's Joe Birkett?

As candidates continue to position in preparation for the start of the Primary race this Fall, a question remains: Where's Joe? A month ago Birkett strongly hinted/leaned toward running for Attorney General. That was before Lisa Madigan decided she'd like to retain her position and announced her run for re-election. Since then, little has been seen or heard from the DuPage States Attorney.

With high name recognition and a statewide network, Birkett could be one of the front-runners in the GOP Gubernatorial Primary. We're told he's weighing his options. A decision will have to come soon.

Dillard now says 'no' to video gambling

After voting in May to legalize video gambling in Illinois, State Senator Kirk Dillard now wants Gov. Quinn to find a different source of revenue for the state. Quoted today in the Daily Herald, Dillard said: "I don't like video poker" and "urge Governor Quinn, if he can, to immediately look for a different revenue source."

Asked why he voted for gambling expansion in the first place, Dillard told the Daily Herald that he "was torn in his vote, but wanted to keep his word to labor unions and business groups to support a major public works package." He noted: "I had a gun to my head"; and said that if elected governor "he would reconsider the legalization of video gambling" and would "prefer to see the state use revenue from the sales tax on gasoline" and "grow the economy" in order to bring in additional revenue.

Update 1x: Republicans likely to dub Obamacare as "socialism"

The Republican National Committee is meeting in San Diego California this week, and Illinois' National Committeewoman Demetra DeMonte reports to Illinois Review that all three resolutions proposed by the National Republican Conservative Caucus have passed committee, and will be voted on today by the Committee of the Whole. 

DeMonte, a resident of Pekin, has signed on to co-sponsor the resolution she described as "the most important of the three" being voted on today, and that is the following resolution on Obama's proposed health care plan. "This resolution is likely to stir the debate on Obama's health care plan, and we're optimistic that Republicans on the National Committee will be supportive," DeMonte said.

UPDATE 1x:  Mrs. DeMonte reports the Republican National Committee accepted all three proposed resolutions, including the "Obama Czar" resolution she co-authored with Arizona's Bruce Ash.  See HERE for wording.

Most controversial is the proposed resolution's several references to the word "socialism."

Cullerton to endorse Giannoulias

Democrat State Senate President John Cullerton will endorse Democrat State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias for U.S. Senate today. Cullerton will be the highest-ranking elected official to endorse Giannoulias to-date. More here.

Denny Hastert hits fundraising circuit for son Ethan

Ethan Hastert was in Washington DC earlier this week fundraising for his campaign with his father Denny. Hastert Sr. headlined one event at his law firm Dickstein Shapiro, which cost $500/ticket. Former NRCC Chairman Tom Reynolds co-chaired another fundraiser for Ethan at the Capitol Hill Club; and a third, private event was held by Denny's former chief of staff Sam Lancaster and fundraiser Lisa Wagner.

In case you missed it: Quinn signs capital bill

Illinois Review has been running a series of posts about "interesting" projects in the Build Illinois capital program. We'll continue to do so over the next few weeks. In case you missed Gov. Quinn's comments when signing the bill into law July 13, below is a video. Note the comments Democrats made while signing the 900+ page bill into law. The Governor's press release accompanying the signing boasts the retention and creation of 439,000 jobs over the next six years. Note his emphasis on "green collar" and union jobs, a "Green Chicago and Illinois," and the proposed high speed rail from St. Louis to Chicago. Also note his several references to FDR: