Illinois Review

"Listener in chief" Roskam featured in Washington Post

Terrific piece in the Washington Post's "Post Politics" about Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-6), the U.S. House leadership's "listener in chief."

As chief deputy whip — an unelected but important slot in the leadership hierarchy — Roskam does most of his work behind closed doors. He likens his job to that of “a listener in chief.”

“What I have found is that members feel a level of [comfort] telling me things that, my hunch is, they’re not saying to the speaker of the House, or they’re not saying to the majority leader,” Roskam said.

Optimist or not, there are always things to fear

by John F. Di Leo

Political thoughts on Halloween

At Halloween time, our children dress up in their scariest costumes, but if they’re too scared, the masks can always come off. Teenagers go to the movie theater for their fright, but as terrifying as a horror movie may be, the kids can always just head back to the lobby “for some popcorn and soda” until they’ve calmed down.

Some are afraid of the dark; they can just turn on the light.  Some are afraid of the neighborhood; they can invest in a burglar alarm system, or move to where it’s safer.  So many of the fears we have can be easily assuaged, by a light-switch or a change of scenery.

But there are some fears that are all too real, and we’re reminded of them too, each Halloween.  Because Halloween comes before the 1st Tuesday in November, a time when genuine fears rise to primacy in the public consciousness.

Halloween at the White House: Trick or Treat? Captions please

WASHINGTON - The Obamas celebrated Halloween Saturday afternoon at the White House. Several military families were invited to join them for Halloween fun. Captions anyone?

Treasurer Rutherford Requesting Legislative Budget Cut to His Office

SPRINGFIELD –  Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford is proactively cutting his office budget by two percent and asking the state legislature to codify the reduction through legislation during this fall veto session. Rutherford appreciates the House’s passage (116-0) of House Bill 3848, sponsored by Rep. Sandy Cole (R-Grayslake) and Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Streamwood). The downsizing in the amount of general revenue operations funds appropriated to his office will result in a funding level that is lower than what it was ten years ago.

“Finances in the state of Illinois are a calamity. As a 25-year private sector businessman, I have performed a careful analysis of the treasurer's office budget – including input from an independent, volunteer, performance audit committee – and I have identified common sense ways to reduce my office's General Revenue Fund operations budget,” Rutherford said. “The budget I inherited when I took office was flat from the previous number of years. I made structural changes in the office while increasing results in services to taxpayers. Now, three months into the new fiscal year, the changes I made are paying off.”

Action steps taken to implement cost reductions:

Illinois House Republicans Veto Session Priority: Jobs

Urge Madigan and Democrats to pass provisions of HB3811

House Republican Leader Tom Cross and his caucus are demanding that lawmakers and the Governor take a broader based approach to job creation in Illinois—pass and sign into law the provisions of House Bill 3811 during the second week of Veto Session (Nov. 8-10).

“The ideas in this bill will create jobs in all areas of the state from large to small corporations, startup businesses to family farms,” said Cross.  “Some of the ideas being tossed around in Springfield are too narrow and help just one or two businesses in the state.  We need a broader based approach to job creation in Illinois to at least put us on par with our neighboring states.”

Herman Cain: "I was falsely accused"

WASHINGTON - The accusations Politico.com ran last night, stirring controversy in the Republican ranks, are "baseless."  GOP Presidential candidate Herman Cain said this morning on Fox New that if the National Restaurant Association arranged a financial settlement with the anonymous accusers, he was not aware of the deal until the story blew up Sunday night.

IR Interview: Dr. Arie Friedman, GOP candidate, 29th Senate District - Part 4

In the concluding Part 4 of Illinois Review's interview with Lincolnshire pediatrician Dr. Arie Friedman, we learn about 1. his motivation and what he says he will work on if he's elected to serve in the Illinois Senate next year, 2. the difference between himself and his Democrat opponent and 3. his campaign's biggest challenge, among other key concerns facing the state.

As we conclude the interview, Dr. Friedman reviews the support he's building for his bid in the 29th District:

2011_Friedman_intvw4a2

Lawmakers deny contributions affected their 'smart grid' votes

“During Wednesday’s debate in the legislature over whether to allow the state’s two major utility companies to raise rates without approval from the Illinois Commerce Commission, Sen. Kyle McCarter, R-Lebanon, called out an elephant in the room…A State Journal-Register review of campaign finance records found that, of the Springfield area’s six lawmakers, Ameren was among the top 10 overall donors to three of them – Reps. Rich Brauer, R-Petersburg, Jim Watson, R-Jacksonville, and Raymond Poe, R-Springfield – during their political careers.”

More HERE

Ryan and Parker are right. Sound the LIFT Principles.

Townhall columnist Star Parker is right. America should listen to Congressman Paul Ryan (WI-1) and the points he made last week at Heritage Foundation. We should combat the Democrats' weapon of choice for this campaign season -- class warfare rhetoric -- and return to America's tried and true basics for success: limited government, individual rights, free markets and traditional values. 

Illinois' conservative leadership at the URF calls them the "LIFT Principles" - limited government, individual liberty and responsibility, free markets, and traditional values.

Ms. Parker explains why she agrees with Paul Ryan that traditional values are important to keep as a conservative warfare staple:

Jarratt announces bid for 31st Senate seat

LAKE COUNTY - Still anticipating confirmation that State Senator Suzi Schmidt has decided to not seek re-election in 2012, Illinois Review received notice this morning that Lake County Tea Party leader Lennie Jarratt has thrown his hat into the GOP ring to succeed Schmidt:

Round Lake's Lennie Jarratt is announcing the formation of an exploratory committee to seek the 31st State Senate District.

Illinois has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Springfield and local politicians have raised taxes and fees driving businesses out of state. Illinois now has an unemployment rate of 10% and Lake County has the highest property taxes in the Midwest. We must change the people and the culture in Springfield. I am running to change Illinois; restore jobs; and lower taxes.