Illinois Review

Ives pushes bill to make union contracts available to public before approval

SPRINGFIELD - This week in Springfield, State Rep Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) testified on behalf of a bill she introduced to make union negotiations available to taxpayers before local governments commit.

Although HB 4268 remains in the State Government Administrative Committee, an amendment has been introduced that would provide that no collective bargaining agreement would be binding on any government agency until it has been ratified by a majority vote of the agency's governing body, with that vote taking place after the public meeting. A hearing is scheduled for March 20th on the amendment.

Propagandizing our children: YA book review of Wise Young Fool

By Irene F. Starkehaus - 

Title: Wise Young Fool I Author: Sean Beaudoin I Publisher: Little Brown & Co.

Young Adult literature is defined by the American Library Association as fiction that would be appropriate for children between the ages of 12 to 18. A branch of the American Library Association known as the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) offers the following synopsis for Wise Young Fool:

Wannabe rock star Ritchie Sudden is spending 90 days in juvie – just enough time to tell his tale of lust, loss, and, of course, rock-and-roll.

Actual Plot Summary: This is a flashback/flashforward story told in first person from the perspective of a high school senior (Ritchie Sudden) who starts a rock band with his best friend in order to compete in a "battle of the bands" contest.

Illinois employers warn state of another 1,000 private-sector job cuts

Eight companies have informed the state that they may shed a combined 1,061 jobs in Illinois in coming months. The largest losses come at three locations of Passages Hospice. Last month Passages' Lisle cut 118 positions, while its downstate Bloomington location lost 88 jobs. A third location in Rockford shed 74 jobs.

Accretive Health Inc. also announced it will shed approximately 148 Illinois jobs, and Graham Packaging Co. will close a South Side plant and lay off about 170 people.

American TV & Appliance of Madison Inc., will close its two Illinois stores in Rockford and Peoria. The company said 137 jobs will be lost at the two locations.

Sodexo Inc., will be eliminating 127 jobs here in Illinois, and Hart & Cooley Inc., a heating and air-conditioning equipment manufacturer, is closing its west suburban Carol Stream facility and will shed 112 positions.

PolyOne Designed Structures, a plastics manufacturer will shutter its Evanston plant and eliminate 75 jobs. And MacPherson's, an art and office supply company, said it will lay off 25 workers as it closes its west suburban Elgin office.

H/T: Crain's

Lawsuit challenging Illinois' caps on campaign donations unlikely to affect 2014 election

SPRINGFIELD - A lawsuit challenging Illinois' caps on political donations is unlikely to be resolved before the 2014 elections. That means limits put in place after Gov. Rod Blagojevich's impeachment will probably remain in place for the rest of this election season.

The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers reports that a federal judge this week dismissed most of the challenges brought by the Liberty Justice Center.

The judge kept one element of it alive for debate, but an attorney for the Chicago-based group says it will take months to play out.

As a result, attorney Jacob Huebert says it's unlikely it will be settled by November.

The group argues the donation limits in the 2009 law are unconstitutional because contributions from legislative leaders are not capped in general elections.

Liberal Mayors of four major US cities confab at Axelrod's Institute of Politics

In a talk that spanned a range of topics, the Democrat mayors of four of the nation's largest cities spoke about the challenges they face and the role of teamwork in overcoming those challenges, in what was called an “unprecedented” event.

Mayors Rahm Emanuel of Chicago, Kasim Reed of Atlanta, Bill de Blasio of New York City, and Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles took part in a discussion on Thursday evening at International House, sponsored by the Institute of Politics (IOP) and the International House Global Voices Program and moderated by IOP Institute Director David Axelrod.

More HERE

Ruberry: As Illinois remains frozen, Schakowsky clings to global warming

By John Ruberry - 

I'm a reluctant constituent of US Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), possibly the most liberal member of the House. You name the lib cause--and you betcha she's for it. Including so-called human-caused global warming. In a statement yesterday, she said this:"As I said to my Congressional colleagues, history will not be kind to climate change deniers."

But there has been a 17-year pause in global warming. If Schakowsky walks a mile east from her Evanston home, she'll see a frozen Lake Michigan. And the Chicago area is enduring its third-coldest and third-snowiest winter ever.

More HERE

Turning Point USA at CPAC

WASHINGTON - Turning Point USA, an Illinois-based nationwide group of college and high school-aged conservatives, has gathered at the annual CPAC conference in D.C. They're doing radio and TV appearances, meeting conservative superstars and raising hopes for the next generation. The group is led by Wheeling High School grad Charlie Kirk.

Scathing audit of Quinn anti-violence program sent to U.S. Attorney

SPRINGFIELD - A scathing audit of an anti-violence program launched by Gov. Pat Quinn in 2010 has been sent to law enforcement authorities.

Republican lawmakers released a letter Friday from Auditor General William Holland. It indicated the audit of Quinn's $55 million "Neighborhood Recovery Initiative" went to James Lewis, U.S. attorney for the central district of Illinois, and Ricardo Meza, the state's executive inspector general. The legislators had asked Holland to forward his findings.

The Democrat Quinn initiated the Chicago-area anti-violence program in the fall of 2010. But Holland's audit found "pervasive deficiencies" in the program which Republicans believe could involve criminal activity.

Durbin, Gutierrez demand Obama stop deporting illegals

Sens. Durbin and Menendez accept awards at recent NCLR event. Photo: durbin.senate.gov

Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is encouraging calls from left-wing immigrant-rights groups pressuring the Obama administration to halt al deportations of illegal aliens.

Durbin told reporters Wednesday that he has been urging Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and to reduce the number of deportations of individuals who are in the country illegally.

The increased number of deportations under Obama is a sore spot between the White House and progressive groups who politically organize people who are in the country illegally. The administration is poised to mark 2 million deportations under Obama sometime this spring.

Janet Murguia, president of the extreme left-wing National Council of La Raza (NCLR) called Obama the “deporter-in-chief” in her gala speech Tuesday. Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez continued on that theme on the House floor Wednesday, when he posed a “quiz” meant to make the case that Obama has deported and detained more immigrants than his two predecessors, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

(video below)

Former Governor Jim Thompson endorses Ron Sandack

DOWNERS GROVE - State Rep Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) announced Friday via Facebook that former Governor Jim Thompson has endorsed him for re-election in the 81st House seat. Sandack is in a heated contest with GOP challenger Keith Matune.

Independent expenditure group funds ad for Bert Miller

A group called the New Prosperity Foundation is running an ad for Republican congressional candidate Bert Miller.

The New Prosperity Foundation is an independent expenditure organization created by Greg Baise, who is the president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturer's Association (IMA).

Miller is a former chairman of the IMA, and generally considered a moderate Republican.

Miller is running against state Rep. Darlene Senger, Gundy County Board Member Chris Balkema, and radio host Ian Bayne.

University of Illinois adds sex-changes to insurance

URBANA - University of Illinois trustees have voted to add coverage for sex-change operations to the health insurance plan used by students.

About 28,000 of the Urbana-Champaign campus' 40,000-plus students use the insurance and will see costs rise by 15 percent. Undergraduates will pay $291 a semester starting next fall. That's an increase of $37.

But university officials argue that only $2 of that amount is to added for sex-change coverage. The other $35 is due to Obamacare.

Victim who fought for concealed carry gets permit

ANNA - Mary Shephard, the elderly Illinois woman who fought the state's illegal ban on carrying concealed weapons, has finally received her permit to have a handgun in public.

Shephard was severely beaten by an intruder in 2009 while working at her church in Anna, Illinois (photo above).

Unable to defend herself because of the state's ban on carrying handguns, she sued the state for the right to protect herself. 

After years of fighting to deny citizens second amendment rights, the state was finally forced to lift the ban following a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. It was the last state in the nation to do so.

Cardinal George faces another bout with cancer

CHICAGO - Cardinal George announced Friday in his weekly column published on the Chicago Archdiocese's website that tests show he is facing another bout with cancer. 

...If I may speak personally, this Lent finds me once again in poor health. My cancer, which was dormant for well over a year, is still confined to the area of the right kidney, but it is beginning to show signs of new activity. After many tests, scans, biopsies and other inconveniences, the settled judgment is that the best course of action is to enter into a regimen of chemotherapy, with drugs more aggressive than those that were used in the first round of chemo. This treatment will take place over the next two months, when my reaction to the chemo will be evaluated.

AFP Illinois targets Amanda Mancke on her progressive tax position

NAPERVILLE - Republicans in the 97th House District are getting mailers blasting Republican candidate Amanda Mancke for supporting a switch from Illinois' longtime flat tax system to a progressive system. Americans for Prosperity - Illinois' director David From said their effort hit district mailboxes Thursday.

Two other Republicans - Richard Chapman and Mark Batinick - are also running to fill State Rep. Tom Cross' (R-Plainfield) vacancy in 2015.

House Republican Organization releases court docs on Sandack's GOP opponent

CHICAGO - Republican donors should be frustrated that money they thought was going to be used to shrink Democrat House Speaker Mike Madigan's majority is being used to beat up other Republicans, 81st House District GOP candidate Keith Matune told Illinois Review Friday.

"I thought 'HRO' stood for House Republican Organization, not 'hit squad,'" Matune said. "Instead, they're out beating up Republicans that dare to challenge the establishment. The rank and file get what going on. They're not going to be fooled by HRO and Ron Sandack's desperate antics."

Matune was speaking in response to HRO's effort to defend incumbent 81st House District State Rep. Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) Thursday, releasing court documents to the media showing Matune has been arrested three times and convicted once.

The court documents released by HRO show that 23 years ago, Matune wrote a bad check for $500 in the state of Virginia. Matune was stopped for driving with bright headlights, and the Dupage County Police ran a warrant search to find the Virginia warrant. Matune settled the complaint by paying restitution.

HRO also reported that while attending Purdue University, Matune was arrested and convicted for public nudity and two years later for climbing through a women's dorm window. Matune fulfilled a year of probation for the conviction and paid $100 fine for trespassing.

Another document HRO obtained via FOIA shows that when applying for a position at the Indian Prairie School District 204, Matune told the school where he now teaches that he had never been convicted of a crime. Matune says what he put on the 2013 application lines up with Illinois State Police records, and doesn't fear losing his job.

"No, I've checked with the administration, and they understand what's going on. They like have a teacher of the year on their staff, and my answers lined up with the Illinois State Police records," Matune said.

Unions back Dillard to stop Rauner and punish Madigan and Quinn

CHICAGO - While the names of union coalitions and political action committees have changed over the past few weeks, their efforts are becoming more focused as the March 18 primary gets closer.

Pro-union groups such as Republican Fund for Progress & Jobs, the Fund for Prosperity & Jobs, the Illinois Freedom PAC and the Democrat Governors Association are raising money, running ads, and preparing to put boots on the ground - all to try and stop Bruce Rauner from winning the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

For teachers and public sector unions, stopping Rauner in the primary would prevent them having to spend possibly historic amounts of money on the November General Election.

Insiders tell Illinois Review it would also allow the unions to teach Gov. Quinn and House Speaker Madigan a lesson after they passed and signed a pension reform bill over the objections of the unions.

If state Sen. Kirk Dillard wins the GOP nomination, the teachers unions and AFSCME (which have endorsed Dillard) will, we are told, sit out the General Election and let the chips fall where they may.

Supposedly the union polling shows the race between Rauner and Dillard "within a few points."

How truthful those reports are is debatable. But there are indications there may be some truth to it.

Meanwhile the anti-Rauner groups continue to raise money. The Republican Fund for Progress & Jobs recently raised another $485,000 from four union-affiliated groups: the Prosperity and Jobs Fund, Chicago Federation of Labor, the Illinois Education Association and the Operating Engineers Local 150.

Powerful union players are also getting involved:

Brokerage to get $20.7M in taxpayer-funded incentives to stay in Illinois

CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has promised more than $20 million in taxpayer-funded incentives to Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. to keep its headquarters in Illinois.

The firm will get an estimated $20.7 million in tax credits and other state incentives over 10 years, contingent on retaining 825 jobs and adding 500 jobs, which comes to Illinoisans paying $15,622.64 per job.

Gallagher's headquarters search had supposedly included Indianapolis and Kansas City, Mo.

Does the 2010 GOP Primary tell us anything about the 2014 election

Last month, Illinois Review ran a story entitled: 2010 Redux: Polls Show Undecided GOP Voters Could Determine 2014 Gov Nominee.

The Illinois Manufacturer's Association's polling company - We Ask America - followed up on this particular idea writing yesterday: "...a number of people have contacted us about whether our latest poll for the Illinois GOP governor’s race is “projectable” (meaning, can those results mathematically be manipulated to project the final outcome). ...Maybe."

We Ask America provided the following chart from the 2010 GOP tracking polls (click to enlarge).

As WAA noted, the 2010 Primary Election was held on February 2. Kirk Dillard led the field going into the final week before the Primary. But Andy McKenna had been running negative ads against Dillard and Ryan for weeks. As a result, both Dillard and Ryan dipped in the polls.

At the same time, Bill Brady was largely ignored. His downstate ads spoke directly to the Republican base, and circumstances put him in an ideal position win in a photo finish in the end.

The question in 2014 is can the same kind of thing happen. The answer seems to be yes. But as with all elections, each one is unique with different candidates and variables.

Rauner is leading in all the polls, but continues to pour money into his campaign, which seems to indicate his internals are not as positive as the public numbers. Dillard seems to be trending and is likely hoping to get enough cross-over union votes to get him over the top. Accomplishing that would be historic. But this is Illinois politics. Anything is possible.

Rasmussen: The progressive tax hike stokes envy in Illinois

By Kristina Rasmussen - 

Proponents of a progressive income tax hike want to set into motion one of the largest transfers of wealth in the history of Illinois. Not from the wealthy to the poor – but from the general public to government unions.

Under the progressive tax scheme, vast sums of money would be sucked out of the productive private sector, laundered through the political elite and deposited into the pay, perks and pensions of the public sector.

But to amend our state constitution to give politicians more power to pick winners and losers, the “divide and conquer” crowd will need to pit Illinoisans against each other.

Why? Because our current fair, flat tax asks us all to share a similar proportional stake in funding our government. Everyone has skin in the game.

GOP senators step up pressure to eliminate "unfair" Chicago schools block grant

SPRINGFIELD - On the heels of yet another scathing public funds audit, lawmakers today began a renewed push to prioritize education funding and eliminate the Chicago Public School block grant which allows CPS to end-run the school aid formula.

“Schools in my area – and every other area of the state -- are owed $500 million in backlogged payments, but Chicago schools get at least $230 million in ‘extra’ funding from the state,” State Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) said. “Couple that with the most recent report from the Chicago Board of Education Inspector General that shows a rampant pattern of waste, fraud and abuse.” Rose is a former prosecutor.

Two more Illinois counties issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples

CHICAGO - Two more counties say they will start issuing marriage licenses to gay couples before the state’s new law takes effect on June 1.

Following Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's directive to ignore the law and issues same-sex marriage licenses, St. Clair County Clerk Tom Holbrook and Cass County Clerk Michael Kirchner announced they will start accepting applications immediately.

They join Cook and Champaign Counties. Most other county clerks seem to be waiting out of concern that issuing licenses before June 1 might open them up to lawsuits.

GOP Lieutenant Governor candidates debate one another

CHICAGO - The four GOP candidates running for lieutenant governor faced tough questions from WTTW Chicago Tonight's Phil Ponce Thursday evening:

New poll shows Quinn in trouble with Democrat voters

We Ask America polled 1,162 likely Democratic voters asking two questions.

QUESTION: In general, do you approve or disapprove of the job Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is doing?

Approve	56.76%
Disapprove	31.42%
Neutral	11.83%

QUESTION: Do you agree, or disagree with the following statement? “I will probably vote to re-elect Pat Quinn as governor no matter who is running against him in the fall.”

Agree	49.63%
Disagree	34.25%
Undecided	16.11%

The crosstab below showing those responses to the re-elect question by location:

State Rifle Association celebrates Illinois legalizing Concealed Carry

SPRINGFIELD - At its eighth annual I-GOLD Rally in Springfield Wednesday, gun rights activists marched on the state capitol and celebrated Illinois' new concealed carry law.

The effort, sponsored by groups such as Illinois State Rifle Association and GunsSaveLife.com, started at the Prairie State Capitol Convention Center, where GOP gubernatorial candidates Dan Rutherford, Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard confirmed their Second Amendment support. 

The fighting 48th: Pihos vs. Breen

The normally quiet 48th Illinois House district has come alive in what may be shaping up to be an anti-incumbent election year.

The GOP primary in this solidly Republican district is a hotbed of activity, with newcomer Peter Breen pitted against 10-year incumbent state Rep. Sandy Pihos. According to polls, the race is neck-and-neck.

The majority of Pihos' support seems to be coming from teachers unions (HERE and HERE). With little help from the House Republican Organization, Pihos has launched the following television ad:

Breen has received financial support from Illinois Liberty PAC (HERE and HERE), and the Liberty Principles PAC (HERE and HERE), which is running television ads and doing mailers on Breen's behalf (below).

 

IDOT uses winter weather to seek extra $47 million

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Transportation is asking lawmakers for another $47 million to cover the costs of the harsh winter.

Tony Small is the agency's director of finance and administration. He told a House committee Wednesday that this winter has "impacted IDOT operations tremendously."

Small said the agency will use 1 million tons of salt this winter, more than the previous two winters combined. The old record was 840,000 tons.

The House Public Safety Appropriations Committee made no immediate decision Wednesday on the supplemental spending request.

Matune launches info video

The Keith Matune campaign has released the following informational video. The campaign told Illinois Review that it is not an ad, but rather a video to introduce Matune to the voters.

Matune is running against incumbent state Rep. Ron Sandack in the 81st House District.

Thorner & O'Neil: Our Responsibility For Making America Strong

By Nancy Thorner and Bonnie O'Neil - 

America is in trouble: controversies circle the White House, foreign affairs are flailing, the economy remains anemic, controversy is covered-up. Republicans blame Obama, Obama blames Bush, and the P.C. media yawns while the chaos continues. If America ever needed a change in direction, it is now!

Citizens have the power to elect candidates capable of making appropriate changes that can put us back on the right road to prosperity. Yet, many remain oblivious and/or unconcerned about the serious problems. How do we educate those who have been deceived by years of lies and deceptions? How do we get the attention of those who ignore politics and most everything else outside of their own personal world?

Only 16 percent think life for young black Americans is better since Obama

Just 16% of Likely U.S. voters think life for young black Americans has gotten better since Obama’s election in November 2008, while 22% believe it’s gotten worse. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that half (49%) feel life for these Americans is about the same. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure.

More problems for Manju Goel campaign

The problems continue to mount for 8th congressional district candidate Manju Goel. Yesterday the Kane County Republican Central Committee censured the Goel campaign, writing in a press release (HERE): "...In recent days we have been deeply disturbed at the barrage of falsehoods against the 8th Congressional District Candidate Larry Kaifesh. ...We unanimously condemn these tactics. ...We ask all voters and the news media to consider or reconsider carefully the motivation and special interests of those who seek political gain from character assassination."

It was then revealed that the Indian Americans for Freedom SuperPAC, which is a primary supporter of Goel, is "NOT IN GOOD STANDING" with the Illinois Secretary of State's office. As reported by Illinois Review, the organization was created by businessman Shalabh “Shalli” Kumar in August 2012.

Finally, another complaint (HERE) against Indian Americans for Freedom (IAFF) has been filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

This one concerns the IAFF's failure to file required FEC reports, and the amount of money the Kumar family has invested in the IAFF's pro-Goel and anti-Kaifesh political activities after individually maxing out their support to the Manju Goel campaign. The complaint also cites the IAFF's failure to use a proper disclaimer on its public communications.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
SEE ALSO:

GOP Primary in the 8th Congressional District Goes International

Manju Goel and Key Supporter Shalabh Kumar Accused of FEC Violations

Stantis: Junk Bond

Illinois lawmakers to study ways for students to pay increasing college debt

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois House has approved a taxpayer-funded plan to study alternative ways for people to pay for college. The "Pay it Forward" plan calls on the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to consider programs other states have adopted to address the rising cost of a college education.

Instead of addressing why tuition is so high at state universities and colleges, "Pay it Forward" will analyze programs that allow young people to attend community colleges or state universities tuition-free as long as the student signs a contract to repay the state from a portion of their future earnings.

The measure won approval 111-0 and moves to the Senate.

Foster: What if all illegals voted Republican?

By Howard Foster - 

Suppose a million illegal immigrants entered the U.S. every year across the Canadian border and they were conservative evangelical Christians whose children were automatically granted citizenship at birth and when they turned eighteen voted 80% Republican.

Over a decade, that unabated level of immigration would produce 20-30 million new Americans of a strongly conservative Republican-bent. After two decades those children would be voting, and given the close partisan alignment of the country, casting decisive Republican votes in federal and state elections.

Suppose further that those evangelicals were philosophically opposed to the welfare state and spoke out from their churches and in their communities against entitlement programs and called those who go on food stamps slackers, perhaps even publishing their names on the internet to shame them.  Suppose further, that these evangelicals demanded that prayer be instituted in the public schools and called on the public at large to stop giving charity to drug addicts. 

In short, suppose that these tens of millions of evangelicals, all the children of illegal immigrants, began to erode some of the foundations of American culture and philanthropy. Do you think the Left would remain tolerant and say nothing disparaging about these people? The question answers itself.

Fund for Progress & Jobs endorses Kirk Dillard in new ad [video]

PEORIA - Yesterday Illinois Review reported on the latest money collected by the Republican Fund for Progress & Jobs (HERE). Steve Shearer, who heads the PAC, told IR they've dropped the word "Republican" from their name and are now just 'The Fund for Progress & Jobs'. They've also endorsed, and rolled out a video for, state Sen. Kirk Dillard (below). Up until now, they've focused on anti-Rauner ads.

Video gambling "exclusion" list moves forward

SPRINGFIELD - A bill creating an exclusion list of people the Illinois Gaming Board deems shouldn't be involved with video gambling unanimously passed a Senate committee Wednesday.

Under the legislation, the gaming board would be allowed to place someone on an exclusion list if the board or a court finds their conduct unsuitable. That could include people with a criminal history or an association with organized crime.

Illinois' Riverboat Gambling Act allows the gaming board to exclude people from casinos, but the state's Video Gaming Act does not.

The gaming board said it would help stress that video gaming is a privilege. Opponents say the list could interfere with due process.

Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka endorses Erika Harold [video]

URBANA - Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka is cheering for Erika Harold in the 13th CD GOP primary. He's recorded a radio ad supporting Harold that will start playing on radio stations in the district, saying the former Miss America is a natural leader, a conservative and "tough."

Harold is challenging incumbent GOP Congressman Rodney Davis.

Buffett Says Pension Tapeworm Means Decade of Bad News

Public pension plans threaten the financial health of U.S. cities and states more than taxpayers realize, billionaire investor Warren Buffett said.

“Citizens and public officials typically under-appreciated the gigantic financial tapeworm that was born when promises were made,” Buffett wrote in his annual report to shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK/A) released on March 1. “During the next decade, you will read a lot of news –- bad news -– about public pension plans.”

Obligations to retirees have weighed on governments from Puerto Rico to the bankrupt city of Detroit. Illinois lawmakers passed a bill last year to bolster the worst-funded U.S. state pension system. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said last week that Detroit shows what could happen if his state doesn’t limit obligations to workers.

via Bloomberg

Soros Money Linked To Controversial FCC Newsroom Study [video]

It has been revealed that George Soros' money may be behind the recent controversial government study of newsrooms.

The study, ordered by the Federal Communications Commission, sought insight on how journalists and management determined a station’s news coverage. The study was highly criticized as a government attempt to regulate how newsrooms operate, and the FCC quietly killed the project in late February.

The Washington Examiner’s Byron York said on “Fox and Friends” Wednesday that the journalism schools involved with the FCC’s study were both recipients of large sums from the liberal Soros. Soros’ organization Open Societies Foundation gave $1.4 million to the University of Wisconsin’s journalism school, and $195,000 to journalism school at the University of Southern California.

More via The Washington Free Beacon

Weyermuller: Republican governor hopefuls enter "lion's den"

By Mark Weyermuller - 

Last night at the University of Chicago, the republican gubernatorial hopefuls sparred with moderator Carol Marin from WMAQ channel 5. It was like being in a lion's den. All four GOP candidates participated. The debate was sponsored by the Institute of Politics run by former Barack Obama advisor David Axelrod.

The questions asked centered around social issues including capital punishment, minimum wage, campaign finance, gun control, marriage equality, ISAT testing, and abortion. One awkward question was, "as governor would you allow a same sex couple to stay overnight at the Springfield mansion?" One of the candidates blurted out something like, "in separate rooms?" This was followed by all the candidates saying they had "gay friends" and would allow it. It was somewhat humorous, awkward, bizarre, and offensive at the same time.

Study shows EPA regs could wipe out jobs from Illinois' new $320M Digital Lab

According to Nicolas Loris and Filip Jolevski, last month's celebration about the creation of Illinois manufacturing jobs as a result of the $70 million, taxpayer-funded digital lab, may be short lived. In a recent Heritage Foundation article (HERE), Loris and Jolevski argue the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) forthcoming climate change regulations are more than just a "war on coal," because the proposed limits for carbon dioxide emissions will extend well beyond the coal industry, hurting families and businesses and taking a significant toll on American manufacturing across the nation.

According to the authors, the manufacturing base in the Midwest will be particularly harmed by the EPA’s climate regulations.

As more coal generation is taken offline, the marketplace must find a way to make up for that lost supply. Manufacturing is an energy-intensive industry, and the impact of the higher energy prices on manufacturing averages to more than 770 jobs losses per congressional district nationwide.

However, not all regions are affected the same, as districts in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois are especially hit hard. In fact, 19 out of the top 20 worse off congressional districts from the Administration’s war on coal are located in the Midwest region. In those districts, the manufacturing industry, on average, will slash more than 1,600 jobs by 2023.

More HERE

Anti-Rauner PAC collects another $485,000

The Republican Fund for Progress and Jobs PAC reported an additional $485K in donations todday. The political action committee is run by former Aaron Schock associate Steve Shearer, and has so far focused most of its resources on anti-Bruce Rauner ads and mailers.

H/T: CapFax

State Senate advances bill making it illegal for 911 dispatchers to tip off criminals

SPRINGFIELD - State Sen. Dave Koehler has advanced his legislation that would make it a crime for 911 dispatchers to tip off criminals when law enforcement is nearby. The bill now goes to the Illinois House.

Koehler says the legislation is necessary because in 2010 the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that nothing in Illinois law made it illegal for a dispatcher to alert a drug dealer that police were in the area.

In 1998 a dispatcher in the Chicago suburbs was convicted of official misconduct after she tipped off a local drug dealer that police were near his house. The dispatcher appealed. However, the incident seems to be an isolated one, and not an ongoing or widespread problem.

Another fake 'hate crime': Transgender student admits attack was a hoax

By Warner Todd Huston - 

On March 3, a transgender student at a California middle school claimed he was attacked, beaten, and sexually molested by other students in a school bathroom. Only a day later the student admitted that the claimed attack never happened.

The 15-year-old student, who identifies as a boy, claimed that he was attacked by other male students in a bathroom at Hercules Middle High School in Hercules, California. The student said that he was beaten and sexually molested.

District officials and police immediately jumped to investigate the claimed incident as a hate crime, but it was quickly discovered that the student showed no evidence of being beaten after an exam by a hospital.

The student ultimately admitted that the attack never occurred.

This incident joins a rash of hate crime hoaxes that have made national news in the last year.

More HERE

Liberals calls for "aggressive, illegal actions" against lawsuit by Illinois mother

Pam Harris and her son

CHICAGO - Dr. Alan Singer, a Professor of Secondary Education at Hofstra University, has called for "aggressive, illegal actions" as "the only way" to save America's labor movement. His statement was read as a not-so-veiled threat toward Pam Harris and her family.

In his Huffington Post article Monday, Singer cited Mrs. Harris' case (Harris vs. Quinn) currently before the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that it "could seriously weaken, if not destroy, all public employee unions," and called on union supporters to actively "disobey" what he called "unjust laws."

Singer's comments disturbed the Harrises. "The Huffington Post crossed the line when it published an overt threat, a call to arms rallying cry for people who are unionized to take up aggressive, illegal actions. What's aggressive, illegal actions?" Harris asked.

"Nothing good comes from illegal actions," said Harris. "They are something always taken against someone who makes the laws, upholds the laws. Citizens like me, who only have our legal process for recourse and justice."

Lawmaker introduces bill to ban welfare for drinking, gambling and bail money

By Benjamin Yount - 

SPRINGFIELD - Rep. John Cavaletto has heard all the stories about people using public aid in Illinois to get alcohol and tobacco, to play video poker, and even to make bail. He’s finally had enough.

Cavaletto, a Republican, has introduced a proposal that would define exactly how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families can and cannot be used.

“I understand one person used their TANF card to (get) out of jail,” Cavaletto told Illinois Watchdog. “He was put in jail and within five hours he was out of jail, and he used his TANF card to bail out for $350.”

He wants to limit purchases with cards to the essentials.

“I’m talking about milk and bread, and I’m talking about wholesome foods and vegetables, and baby diapers,” Cavaletto said. “The basic needs for survival.”

Why the State Journal-Register is wrong about city pensions

Image credit: spirit of america / Shutterstock.com

By Ted Dabrowski & Kristina Rasmussen - 

The State Journal Register’s recent editorial critiquing the Illinois Policy Institute’s study, The crisis hits home: Illinois’ local pension problem, was disappointing on many fronts.

The city of Springfield performed dismally in the Institute’s statewide audit, which measured ten different metrics to arrive at a comprehensive picture of a city’s fiscal health. Springfield scored worst among the state’s 20 largest cities and ranked 112th of the 114 cities audited.

Rather than embrace a report that brings to light a crisis that is hurting the retirement security of city workers, not to mention city budgets and taxpayers, the SJ-R chose to dismiss the message because of its bias against the messenger.

Illinois lawmakers mixed on bill to expand speed cameras beyond Chicago

BELLEVILLE - Illinois lawmakers have mixed thoughts on a proposal that would allow communities around the state to install revenue-generating speed cameras, which are currently only allowed in Chicago.

The legislation, which was introduced by Collinsville Democrat Rep. Jay Hoffman is generating discussion among legislators.

Murphysboro Republican Rep. Mike Bost calls the devices a "cop-in-a-box," and says his constituents think they harass drivers. But Sen. Andy Manar, a Bunker Hill Democrat, says they can increase safety.

Legislation signed by the governor in 2012 limited speed cameras to cities with at least 1 million residents, making the statute apply solely to Chicago.

All four GOP gubernatorial candidates in favor of bringing back the death penalty

CHICAGO - All four Republican candidates for Illinois governor say they're in favor of reinstating the death penalty in the state.

Illinois abolished the death penalty in 2011 after former Gov. George Ryan halted all executions in Illinois in 2003 over fears that a flawed system had led to wrongful convictions of death row inmates.

At a forum hosted by WMAQ-TV on Tuesday night, Rutherford and Brady said the death penalty should be brought back. Dillard said it should be kept for the "worst of the worst" criminals. Rauner said it could be a "workable option" for those who were guilty beyond a doubt.

Illinois bill to ban smoking in a car with children advances in state Senate

SPRINGFIELD - As reported by Illinois Review (HERE) liberal Democrat State Sen. Ira Silverstein (photo right) introduced legislation that would make it illegal for Illinois citizens to smoke in a car while any child (even their own) is present.

Silverstein, who has a history of pushing similar, big government regulation argues the legislation is aimed at "protecting children."

Today the Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers reports the Senate Public Health Committee approved the bill by a 5-2 vote on Tuesday. It now heads to the full Senate.

Last year, Springfield politicans passed a resolution that discouraged people from driving and smoking with "children" in the car, but the measure didn't ban the practice.

If Silverstein's bill passes, anyone who violates his measure would face a $100 fine. It would apply to any motorist caught smoking in a vehicle with a person under age 18. However, motorcycles and convertibles would be exempt. And police wouldn't be able to pull over drivers solely for committing the offense - yet.