Illinois Review

FCC approves net neutrality

WASHINGTON DC - The Federal Communications Commission approved the policy known as net neutrality by a 3-2 vote at its Thursday meeting, with FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler saying the policy will ensure "that no one — whether government or corporate — should control free open access to the Internet."

UPDATE below the fold: Congressman John Shimkus responds to FCC decision

But Commissioner Afut Pal disagreed with Wheeler, saying the FCC was seizing power in "a radical departure" from its earlier policies. The Republican accused the FCC of "turning its back on Internet freedom" and said that the commissioners were backing the new measure for only one reason: "because President Obama told us to."

Crowdfunding proposal introduced in Illinois House

SPRINGFIELD, IL -  If you've got a great idea to start a new business, but no capital, there may be help on the way.

State Representative Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) has filed legislation that would give entrepreneurs and startup founders a kick-start into the market. House Bill 3091 allows the use of intrastate crowdfunding, a new investing concept that is capable of generating greater access to capital, allowing for entrepreneurs with ideas to make them into reality.

“Crowdfunding will be the way of the future and is the next step in evolution for startups and small businesses,” said Rep. Demmer. “There are a lot of entrepreneurs out there who have great ideas to start a business, but have no capital. This bill will give those people the opportunity to bring new and innovative business ideas to Illinois.”

State Rep. Wheeler: Human-Trafficking -- Closer to Home than You Think

By State Rep. Barbara Wheeler - 

Last fall, I reported progress on halting an appalling practice that is much closer to home than most of us realize, human-trafficking. Human-trafficking is a modern-day version of slavery that is thriving in the United States and sadly, in some our own communities. Every day, human beings are bought, sold, or smuggled so that others can profit from their forced labor or sexual servitude. While every state criminalizes at least some forms of trafficking activity, legislators across the nation continue to explore new ways to combat traffickers and provide support for victims.

Most of us are unaware, but human-trafficking is a lucrative business right here in northern Illinois. In this area, human traffickers are using the massage parlor industry as a cover and method for connecting sex-trade customers with mostly East Asian women, both documented and undocumented, who are being forced to perform sex acts. Operators of these parlors locate in communities where zoning laws do not specifically address licensure, lighting, dress codes, and hours of operation for massage parlors.

Big Pharma's PR problem could stymie lawmakers' efforts to limit vaccine choices

CHICAGO - Pharmaceutical companies have an image problem that could affect Illinois legislation about mandated vaccines.

An isolated measles outbreak in a Chicago suburb has prompted Illinois politicians to introduce legislation limiting citizens' freedom to exempt themselves or their children from state-mandated vaccines. Despite a 95 percent vaccination rate, proponents argue that curtailing exemptions based on faith or conscience would benefit society. A change in the law would also increase vaccinations and benefit vaccine manufacturers, such as Pfizer and Merck - two drug companies associated with what critics call "Big Pharma."

A recent Harris poll revealed that a mere 37% of the population has a positive perception of pharmaceutical companies. Only government, tobacco, financial services, airlines, and insurance have a more negative perception. (see chart below)

"There are many reasons why that perception has changed, but the common denominator amid the contention appears to be a lack of trust," writes Richard Carufel in a PR Biz update.

Elizabeth S. Mitchell of PR Newser explains the two reasons for the public's negative perception of drug companies:

"The first is direct-to consumer advertising; it’s nearly impossible to get through an entire TV show without at least one drug commercial featuring a personified depression cloud or a bad metaphor for erectile dysfunction. And many legitimate concerns have been raised about how this type of blanket targeting may be changing the doctor/patient relationship and the act of prescribing medication for the worse."

The second reason is the lucrative, but poorly disclosed, practice of drug companies marketing to doctors:

This strategy runs the gamut from drug reps buying lunch for every employee in a medical office to a drug company paying large sums to have doctors serve as 'thought leaders' who push certain drugs on other doctors by taking them out to dinner to 'discuss' new products.

In Illinois, Big Pharma has been influential on decisions made by the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations for vaccine mandates to the Illinois Department of Public Health director.

Drug companies' lobbyists have historically been active in committee decision-making, specifically when they were considering a Hepatitis B vaccine mandate for newborns and chickenpox vaccine mandate for school age children in the early 2000s.

When a 2001 legislative effort passed unanimously the Illinois House and Senate to ban committee members' financial ties to vaccine-manufacturing companies, then-Governor George Ryan vetoed the legislation.

Financial disclosures showed in 2000 that the majority of Immunization Advisory Committee members received either research grants from or were financially invested in the same drug companies lobbying the committee for vaccine mandates.

In addition, when immunizations are mandated, pharmaceutical companies are protected from liability lawsuits. Instead, parents that have evidence their children were damaged by vaccines must appeal to the federal government's fund for compensation.

Drug companies face the challenge of improving their products' trust factor with the same public lawmakers face for re-election. Illinois may be a place where this public relations' "needle-threading" sets national precedence.

State Rep. Batinick makes emotional pitch for “Stephanie’s Law”

SPRINGFIELD, IL - State Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) has teamed up with State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) to expand the state’s Sex Offender Registry. Batinick has introduced House Bill 2548, known as “Stephanie’s Law,” which would give judges the discretionary authority to require that individuals convicted of battery register as sex offenders if it is determined that the individual's intent was sexual.

“As a father, I feel it’s imperative that we do everything we can to protect all citizens from sexual predators. Stephanie’s Law would close a loophole in the current statute and give our judges additional discretion in placing those who commit sexually motivated batteries on the Sex Offender Registry,” said Batinick. 

Breitbart editor condemns Schakowsky's boycott of Netanyahu speech

CHICAGO - Four years ago, Republican Joel Pollak challenged liberal Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky for her Illinois Congressional seat.

Pollak is now living in Santa Monica California, the editor-in-chief of Breitbart California and general counsel for the conservative news outlet. But he's keeping an eye on the 9th Congressional District and the 31 percent of the district voters that supported his bid to oust Schakowsky.

Today, he sent an email to his friends in the 9th CD, calling on them to flood Schakowsky's phone lines with outrage that she's boycotting Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress next week. Pollak, now 37, wrote:

Reversing course in Illinois with a Republican governor

WASHINGTON DC - In George Will's latest column he writes:

The most portentous election of 2014, which gave the worst-governed state its first Republican governor in 12 years, has initiated this century’s most intriguing political experiment.... By electing businessman Bruce Rauner, it initiated a process that might dismantle a form of governance that afflicts many states and municipalities. Rauner, 58, won his first elective office by promising to change Illinois’ political culture of one-party rule by entrenched politicians subservient to public-sector unions.

Rauner has a plan to break “a totally rigged system.” ... hopes to ban, as some states do, public employees’ unions from making political contributions. ... hopes the Legislature will empower voters to ratify changes to the state constitutional provision that says public pensions can never be “diminished or impaired.” ... [and] impose term limits on state legislators.

An Illinois governor (Adlai Stevenson) once said, “Cleanliness is next to godliness, except in the Illinois Legislature, where it is next to impossible.” If Rauner emancipates Illinois from government organized, through its employees’ unions, as an interest group that lobbies itself for perpetual growth, so can other states. And the nation.

More HERE

Rauner urges cabinet to bring problems forward

By Greg Bishop - 

SPRINGFIELD, IL (INN Radio) - Illinois’ new Governor is sending a strong message to his cabinet, saying they have a moral obligation to report problems to his office. During a cabinet meeting at the capitol Wednesday afternoon Governor Bruce Rauner said the challenges facing Illinois are enormous and he encouraged department heads to look outside the box for solutions. Rauner says the team he’s put in place must report to him things previous executives may not have wanted to hear.

“You have a strong feeling in your heart as what’s right, you say so. You do not hold it back. And if you see something going on that you know is wrong you have a moral obligation to say so and bring it up. Don’t hold it back, bring it up. Let’s fix it. I can’t fix a problem I don’t know about. And I want to empower you. I’ve got your back. We’ve got to break some china, we’ve gotta change some things.”

Rauner said he wants his cabinet members to bring their disagreements forward so they can work through the problems facing the state. He also reiterated that he wants to reward employees who find taxpayers savings. The Governor says his job is to make his cabinet more effective and that in two years the state will be on a different trajectory.

Starkehaus: CPAC 2015 Thursday Lineup

By Irene Starkehaus - 

Today's CPAC 2015 agenda rolls out a lineup of GOP presidential hopefuls angling for conservative support in 2016. Thursday's company of speakers includes Ben Carson, Senator Mike Lee (UT), Governor Chris Christie (NJ), Senator Ted Cruz (TX), Governor Scott Walker (WI), Governor Bobby Jindal (LA), and Governor Sarah Palin.

The whispered question that can be heard throughout America's largest conservative convention is whether any of these potential candidates will reach out to the traditionalist audience with an authentic conservative message that will satisfy requirements rather than pay lip service to them.

LaHood seeks solution to ‘Common Core’ problems

PEORIA, IL – As educators across Illinois prepare to begin administering the federal “Common Core” assessment tests, State Sen. Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) is seeking a thorough review before the tests are conducted.

“It is not often that conservative advocacy groups and perceived liberal teachers’ labor organizations unite for a common cause. The cause is their opposition to the ‘Common Core’ standards and the tests that are being administered across Illinois,” LaHood said. “This is a classic overreach by Washington, D.C. bureaucrats who are determined to dictate our education standards.”

The Senator’s objections to the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) tests or “Common Core” standards are not new. He and several colleagues risen in opposition for more than a year on the topic. As a result, LaHood has joined Senator Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) in sponsoring Senate Resolution 89, which seeks to delay the implementation of the Common Core standards.

Harris & Connelly Author Legislation to Help Terminally Ill

MOUNT PROSPECT, IL – State Representative David Harris (R-Arlington Heights) has authored House Bill 2508, known as the Right to Try Act, to allow terminally ill patients access to experimental treatments. If the legislation becomes law, it would make Illinois a national leader by allowing patients who have exhausted all other treatment options the ability to utilize promising treatments that are still awaiting final FDA approval.

“Sadly, terminally ill patients often lose their struggle for life because they cannot wait several years for the FDA to approve a potentially life-saving treatment,” said Harris. “While testing new medical treatments is hugely important to ensuring their safety and effectiveness, it is reasonable to allow someone who has been diagnosed as terminally ill to use one of those treatments with the recommendation and supervision of their doctor."

State Senator Mike Connelly (R-Lisle) is shepherding identical legislation through the Illinois Senate.

“It is incumbent upon us in the General Assembly to provide our constituents afflicted with terminal illness access to potentially life-saving or life-extending medications that have been deemed safe by the FDA.   This legislation does just that,” Connelly said. 

Reps. Roskam and Hultgren Support Expansion of 529 College Savings Plans

WASHINGTON DC - U.S. Representatives Peter Roskam and Randy Hultgren today supported passage of H.R. 529, a bill which promotes saving for college by protecting, modernizing and expanding the popular 529 college savings plan. Among other provisions, H.R. 529 would allow computers to be included as a covered education expense, repeal an outdated reporting requirement, and allow tax-free reinvestment of refunds from colleges. 

“Saving for your children’s education is important, but daunting for many low- and middle-income parents. When the average student loan debt is $28,400 and tuition costs continue to increase each year, it’s no wonder nearly 12 million American families have turned to 529 plans to prepare for the education of their children,” said Hultgren. “The President was forced to withdraw his plan to tax and essentially eliminate these hugely popular plans after parents made it clear they wanted to be able to keep saving for their children’s education and plan ahead for the future. Studies show that college savings accounts, even with mere hundreds of dollars deposited, greatly encourage children to enroll and graduate from college. Let’s keep promoting a ‘culture of saving’ that helps parents plan for their children’s future, and ensure children succeed in education.”

Country star Garth Brooks got $1,000,000 in incentives from Rosemont

By Greg Bishop - 

ROSEMONT, IL (INN Radio) - A country star got around one-million dollars in incentives from a Chicago suburb to open his comeback tour in Rosemont. The Associated Press reports released documents show the Rosemont-owned Allstate Arena also gave Garth Brooks a reduced rate to rent the arena for his eleven shows in September. After having refused media requests for the documents the Illinois Attorney General’s office said Rosemont was violating open-records laws. That ruling led Rosemont to release the documents Monday. The suburb tells the AP they made more than two-million dollars from the nearly two-week run of shows.

Bill Kristol, E.J. Dionne talk about the role of government at the Univ. of Chicago

Policymakers, academics, and thought leaders often sharply disagree on the proper role of government in society. From energy and the environment to education and economic mobility, President Obama and Congressional Republicans also have fundamentally different views about the role government should play in addressing key issues.

So, what is the right size and scope of government in our daily lives? And how much government do we truly need? Should the federal government play a leading role in tackling our most pressing public policy issues, or would a smaller, more limited government better serve the American people and their interests?

The Real War on Women: Global Human Rights Abuses and the Americans Who Ignore Them

Iran Sinks Life-Size Model of U.S. Aircraft Carrier in Strait of Hormuz Navy Drill

During a February 25 naval drill by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, some 20 missiles and 400 shells were launched from land, air, and sea at a life-size model of an aircraft carrier of a "hypothetical enemy." According to the Iranian Tasnim News Agency, the model was of a U.S. Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.

The Ruling on Executive Amnesty: Attorneys General Argue Their Case

Despite concerns from both sides of the political spectrum, last year President Obama unilaterally granted as many as 5 million undocumented immigrants access to work authorization and protections from deportation. However, the Department of Homeland Security’s roll out of the new directives gave way to mounting concerns from citizens, states, and members of Congress.

Now these directives face a new roadblock: Texas federal Judge Andrew Hanen’s decision to halt the executive actions of President Obama. Finding that the 26 states bringing the challenge to the executive actions had legal standing and that proper public notice was not given, Judge Hanen’s ruling thwarts the implementation of these unlawful directives.

Illinois to withhold funding from schools that don’t administer PARCC test

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Many states are withdrawing from the federal Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessment. Mississippi was the latest, and their pulling out of the mathematics and language arts PARCC assessments left only ten states participating.

One of those 10 is Illinois, which announced that its schools will be administering the tests – or else.

Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Chairman James Meeks and the State School Superintendent Christopher Koch emphasized in a letter to all district superintendents and school board chairmen that state and federal funding is dependent on their using PARCC assessments this spring.

And the “or else”? If any district does not test, ISBE will withhold its Title I funds.

Illinois anti-bullying law runs into legal problems as principals decline to exploit

JOLIET, IL – An Illinois law -- approved with bipartisan support in 2014 (see roll calls below) -- gave public school officials the authority to force students to turn over the passwords for their private social media accounts. However, as Victor Skinner of EAGnew.org reports, principals and others given the license to invade students' privacy have so far declined to exercise it for fear of legal repercussions.

Springfield legislators passed the law (HB4207) as an anti-bullying measure with what critics argue was little consideration of the actual need or the operational or Constitutional applicability.

Plainfield School District 202 spokesman Tom Hernandez told MySuburbanLife.com the district hasn’t had problems dealing with students’ social media activity in the past.

Brian Schwartz, associate director and legal counsel for the Illinois Principals Association, told the news site he doesn’t believe school officials should seek students’ social media passwords because it would be an invasion of privacy, in most circumstances.

Joliet Public Schools District 86 attorney Nick Sakellariou says he can foresee the possibility of parents suing schools that request social media passwords on constitutional grounds because many believe the law violates students’ First Amendment rights.

And there’s plenty of examples of schools that have delved into monitoring students’ social media only to regret the decision later.

According to Ed Week:

Illinois measles vaccination rate exceeds CDC-recommended herd immunity levels

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Despite concerns among legislators that vaccine exemptions are too loose in Illinois, the percentage of kindergartners vaccinated in Illinois is above the national average.

The Center for Disease Control reports in its latest findings that 95.5 percent of Illinois' kindergartners are vaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), 94.6 percent are immunized for diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT) and 96.6 have had the varicella (chicken pox) vaccine.

The CDC data shows that Illinois is one of the top states for vaccinations, ranking higher than California and Florida, and just behind Texas and New York -- all of which have larger populations.

A recent outbreak of measles in a Palatine daycare center prompted Springfield legislators to introduce legislation to further restrict citizens' right to choose when and whether to vaccinate their children. Despite the CDC data and the fact that the children infected with the measles were too young to be vaccinated, the bill was introduced and is causing concern among parents as well as civil liberty and First Amendment groups.

Pediatricians appealing to lawmakers for tougher vaccine exemption rules say they are concerned those claiming exemptions could be endangering what's called herd immunity levels - a community environment with a high rate of vaccinations that keeps a virus from spreading. That rate, ideally, is 95 percent of the population.

“In order for a community to have herd immunity, you really need to maintain vaccination rates around 95 percent,” said Dr. Tina Tan, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. “Otherwise, what happens is, that when the rates drop below 95 percent, you can have the reemergence or reappearance of these preventable diseases occurring in individuals that are either not vaccinated or are too young to be vaccinated.”

The 95 percent rate Dr. Tan espouses is an updated number. Until recently, an acceptable herd immunity threshold rate for the MMR vaccine varied between 83 percent and 94 percent. A CDC chart shows the varying recommended levels for the desired herd immunity in 1999:

Durbin: Republicans Should Approve Loretta Lynch Because Of Selma Anniversary

WASHINGTON DC - Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin suggests that Republicans “should be more sensitive” towards U.S. Attorney General nominee Loretta Lynch (an African-American) because of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the events in Selma, Alabama.

More from Western Journalism

Medical pot lawsuit claims Illinois broke rules when awarding licenses

CHICAGO - A medical marijuana business has filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Agriculture claiming the department didn't follow its own rules when it chose companies to grow pot.

A company - PM Rx - filed the complaint late Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court. PM Rx applied for a cultivation center license in a region that includes Ford, Iroquois and Kankakee counties. Cresco Labs won the sole license to grow marijuana in that district.

PM Rx CEO Andy James said Wednesday that scoring procedures weren't followed and background checks weren't completed. James says the process wasn't fair and his company wants to see proof that applications were evaluated according to the law and the regulations.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction and an order that the applications be re-scored.

Catherine Kelly, a spokeswoman for Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner said the administration will participate fully in any judicial review of the medical marijuana license selection process, and has already taken steps to fix the process begun under former Gov. Pat Quinn.

Chicago Charter School teachers ready to unionize

CHICAGO - Last week, a group of Chicago charter school teachers announced their intentions to organize with Chicago ACTS Local 4343, and MoveOn.org is hosting a petition drive to push Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to back the effort. The website says:

"...[M]ore than one hundred courageous educators at the Urban Prep and North Lawndale College Prep charter school networks are standing up to be heard, to advocate for the needs of their schools and their students, and to be treated fairly. They seek to join Chicago ACTS Local 4343, which already represents 800 members working at 29 schools covered by union contracts.

Along with Chicago ACTS Local 4343, these educators are calling for commitments from their schools’ executives not to interfere with the staff’s right to organize, and to accept the decision of the majority of over 200 teachers and staff at these schools. And we are asking Mayor Emanuel to stand with us."

Mayor Emanuel's runoff opponent Cook County Commissioner Chuy Garcia was on hand at the press conference (third from right in photo).

Schakowsky, A Jew, Decides To Skip Netanyahu’s Speech To Congress

CHICAGO (CBS) - Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky, a Jew and strong supporter of Israel, will be skipping Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s politically sensitive address to a joint session of Congress.

“As a Jew, support for Israel is in my DNA,” she said in a statement.

As such, she said, her decision to boycott the March 3 speech was difficult. She went on to say the “ill-advised” invitation made to the prime minister by House Speaker John Boehner threatens Israel’s security and the nation’s bi-partisan support in Congress.

An Israel Supporter Who Won’t be at the Prime Minister’s Speech. My Statement: http://t.co/p6dnDLVrcB

— Jan Schakowsky (@janschakowsky) February 25, 2015

More HERE

Emanuel faces April 7th runoff against Garcia

CHICAGO - Even with President Barack Obama's in-person endorsement last week, Chicagoans decided Tuesday they wanted Mayor Rahm Emanuel to work a little harder to earn his re-election. Voters didn't provide Emanuel a 50 percent plus one majority to avoid a runoff in Tuesday's primary. Emanuel garnered 45 percent of the vote, with Jesus "Chuy" Garcia coming in second with 34 percent.

Tuesday's numbers mean 55 percent of the voters had no problem picking someone other than Emanuel, a significant message that Chicagoans aren't happy with their incumbent. Garcia, a former state senator, is backed by the Chicago Teacher's Union and SEIU membership. The non-partisan runoff election is April 7. 

Where's Weyermuller? Just Heard Voting Booth Selfies are Illegal

By Mark Weyermuller - 

Various news agencies in Chicago area are reporting that selfies are illegal. Specifically, taking a photo with your ballot in a voting booth may be a class 4 felony. It could result in a jail term of 1-3 years. 

The Illinois Policy Institute explains it: 

"To be fair, the purpose of the law may have been to prevent corruption. An unscrupulous electioneer could bribe people to vote for a given candidate and demand photographic evidence to confirm voters held up their end of the bargain."

While I didn't vote today in Chicago, I did some amateur poll watching. This included a trip to Graceland Cometary to find some of those infamous "dead voters."

Forced Blood Draws, DNA Collection and Biometric Scans: What Country Is This?

By John W. Whitehead - 

“The Fourth Amendment was designed to stand between us and arbitrary governmental authority. For all practical purposes, that shield has been shattered, leaving our liberty and personal integrity subject to the whim of every cop on the beat, trooper on the highway and jail official. The framers would be appalled.”—Herman Schwartz, The Nation

Our freedoms—especially the Fourth Amendment—are being choked out by a prevailing view among government bureaucrats that they have the right to search, seize, strip, scan, spy on, probe, pat down, taser, and arrest any individual at any time and for the slightest provocation.

Forced cavity searches, forced colonoscopies, forced blood draws, forced breath-alcohol tests, forced DNA extractions, forced eye scans, forced inclusion in biometric databases—these are just a few ways in which Americans are being forced to accept that we have no control over what happens to our bodies during an encounter with government officials.

Why the IRS Obamacare Handouts Should Lose at the Supreme Court

On March 4, the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in King v. Burwell, the latest challenge to Obamacare. This case involves the insurance exchanges created by Obamacare and the IRS’s interpretation of a provision of the law that authorizes tax credits for health insurance purchased through an exchange “established by the state.” When 36 states chose not to establish their own exchanges, the federal government stepped in and created federally run exchanges in those states. The IRS then extended the tax credits for insurance purchased through the federally run exchanges – an interpretation that directly violates the plain language of the law. The Supreme Court has been asked to decide whether the IRS’s interpretation may stand.

Ex-Homosexual Warns Against Banning Conversion Therapy [video]

Stephen Black of Restored Hope Network changed his sexual orientation as a young man and believes others should have the right to do the same. Some Springfield legislators disagree and are looking to pass HB 217 that will ban conversion therapy for minors.

French press service fakes Gaza flood story--media anti-semitism revealed

By Warner Todd Huston - 

On Feb. 23 the French press service AFP claimed that "part of the al-Mughraqa village in Gaza were flooded on Sunday after Israel opened the gates of a dam along its border with the Gaza Strip." The press service, though, had to disavow its own story when it was revealed that the video is of flooding from rain and that the area doesn't even have any damns to have been opened by the Joooooos. AFP lied to smear Israel. Plain and simple. Above is the original AFP report that it pulled and tried to send down the memory hole.

2015 Index of U.S. Military Strength

The 2015 Index of U.S. Military Strength is a path-breaking, comprehensive research project, to be published annually, which assesses the ability of the United States Armed Forces to provide for the common defense.

Taking its place as a flagship publication alongside Heritage’s Index of Economic Freedom and Index of Culture and Opportunity, the Military Strength Index analyzes the U.S. military’s status in capacity, capability, and readiness against an enduring strategic benchmark: the ability to fight and win two major regional contingency operations simultaneously. The publication further looks at how evolving threats and opportunities around the globe contribute to and influence this ability.

Finally, the 2015 Index of U.S. Military Strength provides individual analysis of overarching security themes such as how to think about National Security, the implications of prioritized national security policies like the Asia-Pacific pivot, and the critical roles played by strategic enablers such as the United States’ nuclear weapons capability and Special Operations Forces.

Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown Lawyers Speak out about Al Sharpton

Project Veritas has released a new video showing how the families and attorneys of Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, and Michael Brown really feel about Rev. Al Sharpton. Additionally, local clergy and others express their opinions about how Sharpton exploits tragedy for personal gain.

CNN's Cuomo Defends O'Keefe's Video below:

Monetary Policy Based on the Taylor Rule

Many economists believe that rules-based monetary policy provides better economic outcomes than a purely discretionary framework delivers. But there is disagreement about the advantages of rules-based policy and even disagreement about which rule works.

Illinois bill could deny doctors freedom of conscience

SPRINGFIELD, IL - New proposed legislation in Illinois would compel health care providers who may deny care for reasons of conscience or religious belief to provide patients with information about where to find treatment.

The bill (SB1564) is sponsored by state Senator Daniel Biss and co-sponsored by state Sen. Michael Noland. Biss and Noland say the new law would still allow health care providers to assert religious objections, but would require them to provide material information to patients despite those objections.

Critics argue the bill essentially denies doctors and health care providers the right to exercise their First Amendment religious freedom by requiring them to provide material support and assistance for things such as abortion or abortifacients - drugs that cause abortion.

The bill also requires that any refusal to provide health care cannot impair the patient's health, subjectively defined by the state or the patient.

The bill seeks to change the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act, under which an appellate court ruled three years ago that the religious beliefs of the provider trump the patient's needs.

Defying public opinion, President vetoes Keystone XL Pipeline

WASHINGTON DC - As expected, President Barack Obama sent back to the GOP-led House and Senate an effort to authorize the Keystone XL Pipeline Tuesday, despite the endorsement of major Obama supporters' like the AFL-CIO and 60 percent of the American public.

UPDATE: Illinois Congressman John Shimkus responds below the fold

More than 60 percent of the public and nearly half of Democrats support the pipeline, according to a March 2014 Pew Research Center poll.

The Laborer’s International Union of North America and the leader of the AFL-CIO, the largest U.S. labor federation, both support it, saying it would create union jobs. 

"Anything that makes sense and creates jobs and is sound environmental policy as well, we will be doing it. [With respect to] the XL pipeline, there’s no environmental reason that it can’t be done safely while at the same time creating jobs," AFL-CIO's president Richard Trumba said in 2014.

Former Republican Governor Jim Thompson retiring from Winston & Strawn

CHICAGO - Former Illinois Gov. James R. Thompson announced today that he will retire as senior chairman at Winston & Strawn on Jan. 31, 2016.

Considered the antithesis of a conservative Republican, Thompson parlayed his time in elective office into chairman and then senior chairman of the powerful law firm, which boasts revenue of $741M in 2014.

"Gov. Thompson has played a key role in Winston's enduring growth and success," firm chairman Dan Webb said in a statement. "Without his leadership and countless contributions, the firm would not be what it is today. We owe him a great deal of gratitude for his dedication and service."

No federal charges filed against Zimmerman in Trayvon Martin shooting

WASHINGTON DC - The Justice Department announced Tuesday that the independent federal investigation found insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights charges against George Zimmerman for the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin on Feb. 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida.

Prosecutors from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, officials from the FBI, and the Justice Department’s Community Relations Service met Tuesday with Martin’s family and their representatives to inform them of the findings of the investigation and the decision.

Obama campaign tech alumni launch Chicago-based startup

CHICAGO - A group of tech gurus from Obama’s 2012 campaign have launched a Chicago-based company called Modest, which allows retailers to create apps that lets customers make purchases through their mobile devices. 

According to The Hill, the company is led by Harper Reed (photo above), the Obama campaign’s former chief technology officer. Dylan Richard, the campaign’s director of engineering, is chief technology officer. Another senior engineer on the campaign, Clint Ecker, is a programmer at the new company.

In an interview with Ars Technica, Reed said the company is meant for users who do not have the resources of the Obama campaign.

More HERE | Image Source

American Stair steps across border to set up shop in Indiana

ROMEOVILLE - After nearly 60 years in Illinois, the American Stair company announced Tuesday they're stepping east to Hammond Indiana and taking 135 jobs with them.

With the help of Indiana's Regional Development Association, American Stair will invest $3.8 million into updating their new home. RDA will contribute $1.725 million to the project, the RDA Chief Operating Officer Sherri Ziller told the NWITimes.com.

Of that amount, $1.35 million will help American Stair purchase a 72,000 square foot vacant building on Calumet Avenue. The other $375,000 will go toward needed repairs and upgrades.

Indiana and Hammond's economic climate were keys to sealing the deal, according to Hammond Director of Planning and Development Phil Taillon.

“We have been working very hard negotiating with different Illinois companies over the past several years and in the end, American Stair realized the economic outlook in Indiana, and specifically in Hammond, is very bright”, Taillon told the paper.

Florist to lose life savings says "It's not about the money, it's about freedom"

WASHINGTON - When Washington State's attorney general sued a grandmother florist for refusing to provide flowers for a same sex wedding ceremony, few thought the case would end up endangering her life savings and her livelihood. 

But last week, a Washington court ruled against Barronelle Stutzman for acting consistent with her Christian faith. Barronelle referred a longstanding customer to nearby florists because she could not in good conscience create custom arrangements and provide wedding support for his same-sex wedding.

This ruling prevents Barronelle's case from going to trial and makes her personally responsible for paying any damages and attorney's fees incurred by the same-sex couple and the State of Washington. Everything she's worked to build, including her home, her family business, and her life savings are now at risk.   

Group lists 10 Reasons to Oppose PARCC testing

SPRINGFIELD - The House Education – School Curriculum and Policies Committee will take testimony Wednesday on the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) test mandate. The test assesses how well students are learning the Common Core curriculum. 

A parents' group called "PARK the PARCC" set up a Facebook page and is encouraging parents and taxpayers to support State Rep. Will Guzzardi's HB 306, which allows students to opt out of the PARCC testing.

There are 10 reasons, the group says, to oppose the PARCC assessment mandate:

Thorner: Find out why states are rejecting Common Core at upcoming event

By Nancy Thorner -

Common Core is a failed system both legally and academically. See here for "Common Core State Standards for Illinois." The System grew out of "No Child Left Behind", established during the administration of President George W. Bush.

In 2010 forty-three states, finding it difficult to meet the onerous requirements of NCLB, were receptive to the Obama administration's bribe-like waivers which granted exemptions from the NCLB requirements, but with this condition. The states had to agree to adopt standards (sight unseen and in exchange for the waivers) that were “common to a significant number of states.” Guess what? The only standards that satisfied this commonality requirement were the Common Core standards.

Legally, the U.S. Department of Education violated several federal laws by imposing curriculum nationally.  Under the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution there is no lawful role for the federal government in education.  Accordingly:  "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

University student charged with sexual assault re-enacting "Fifty Shades of Grey" scenes

CHICAGO - A University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) student was charged on Monday with aggravated criminal sexual assault after re-enacting scenes from Fifty Shades of Grey.

Mohammad Hossain, freshman studying bio-nuclear engineering at UIC, committed the crime on Saturday, Feb. 21, after bringing a 19-year-old female, also a UIC student, to his dorm room, USA Today reports.

How will the proposed state revenue cutbacks affect your town's budget?

SPRINGFIELD, IL - As part of his effort to get the Illinois state budget under control, Governor Bruce Rauner proposed a cutback on the amount state government sends to local and municipal governments. In his budget speech, Rauner said:

While the state tightens its belt, so too must local governments and transportation agencies.

The amount of money transferred to local governments has grown 42 percent over the past decade. The state currently transfers $6 billion every year to local governments. Those governments are currently sitting on more than $15 billion in cash reserves.

The reduction in local government sharing in this budget is equal to just 3 percent of their total revenue.

Along with this modest cutback, our turnaround reforms will reduce unfunded mandates, and give local governments and voters the tools to save hundreds of millions of dollars through consolidation, employment flexibility and compensation restructuring.

Rauner emphasized that the amount he proposed cutting back would be equal to three percent of the local governments' total revenue. He suggested the local governments find ways to cut their staffs, and he would work to alleviate some unfunded mandates at the state level.

Those three percent cuts have sent mayors and county clerks into a frenzy. Local news medias are focused on what their municipalities will lose if this facet of the Rauner budget is adopted. 

Sen. Biss Wants 2 Hours of Free Campaign Air Time For All Candidates, Every Election

By Ulysses Arn - 

SPRINGFIELD, IL - State Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) has introduced legislation (SB0037) that would give all state and local candidates in Illinois two hours of free campaign air time in the month before any election on public broadcast and educational channels. Biss told WCIA that "If everyone's already on TV for a couple of hours, that becomes a baseline that reduces the value of all the other time that's put in and all the other funds that are raised.”

Rauner fills two vacancies on University of Illinois trustees board

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Governor Bruce Rauner nominated Ramon Cepeda and Jill Smart for openings on the University of Illinois’ Board of Trustees.

Name: Ramon Cepeda

Position: Board of Trustees - University of Illinois

Cepeda is a graduate of UIC and is currently a senior vice president at Northern Trust, where he has worked since 2007. He oversees the commercial real estate group he created in 2010 and works as the managing director of the wealth management division.

Cepeda worked for LaSalle Bank (now Bank of America) as the first vice president in the commercial real estate group before going to Northern Trust. 

Cepeda graduated from the University of Illinois in 1990 with a degree in criminal justice. He was also selected as a Leadership Greater Chicago fellow in 2011.

Name: Jill Smart

Position: Board of Trustees - University of Illinois

Jill Smart is a graduate of U of I and worked as an adjunct professor, and she was a guest lecturer at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Smart also has nearly 35 years of experience in human resources. 

Cleveland: Tomorrow's election: What's a Republican to do?

By Chris Cleveland, 43rd Ward GOP Committeeman - 

It's traditional for a ward organization to publish a palm card with our picks in the municipal election. Here goes:

For Mayor:

• Rahm Emanuel NO
• Chuy Garcia NO
• Bob Fioretti NO
• Willie Wilson NO
• "Doc" Walls NO

For Alderman:

• Michele Smith NO
• Caroline Vickrey NO
• Jen Kramer NO
• Jerry Quandt NO

Ives & Murphy: No Laughing Matter

House Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton 

By State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) and Kathleen Murphy - 

Heading into the 2016 Budget Address, no one expected that Governor Rauner’s plan to scale-back Illinois’ oversized, outdated, underperforming state government would receive a warm welcome from Democrat Party leaders, who have spent decades colluding with special interest groups and expanding their own power. However, as there is a certain amount of pomp and circumstance surrounding the address, we might have expected some decorum from those on whom the cameras were fixed.

As the pro-business governor described the severity of our state’s fiscal crisis, Senate President John Cullerton could barely contain his condescension – laughing mockingly as the Governor outlined cuts to state programs. His cuts are necessary after over 12 years of reckless spending under the leadership of one party.

The state’s fiscal circumstances today, for example, put low-income families at risk of being denied day-care they had come to count on, because the very same liberal politicians who claim to lookout for the little guy failed to considered the sustainability of the program; and failed to take responsible measures to fund the program.

Biss introduces bill to limit government use of license plate readers

CHICAGO – Using automatic license plate readers to trace the location of a car at a particular time is unregulated in the state o fIllinois, and State Senator Daniel Biss (D-Chicago) wants the state to establish guidelines. 

“ALPRs can play an important role for law enforcement,” said Senator Biss when he filed the bill. “But like any tool, it must not be used in an unchecked fashion. This measure proposes modest guidelines that will ensure that this law enforcement tool does not evolve into a broad surveillance system.”

ALPR systems consist of cameras mounted on police cars or a pole, where the cameras scan and “read” the license plate number of every car that passes.The plate number is recorded and stored with the precise location. The plate number is then compared against police and other government databases.

Where's Weyermuller? Getting Ready for a Chicago Election 2015

By Mark Weyermuller - 

I was thinking about voting Tuesday in the Chicago elections for mayor and alderman. Since moving to the suburbs years ago, I have kept my Chicago apartment/office as a second residence. As far as I can tell, I could vote as long as I declare this to be my residence 30 days ahead of Election Day. 

There is new case law in Chicago, which I have studied. It appears if you leave your wife's wedding dress at a house, you can claim residency even if somebody else lives there, even a renter. I like to follow the law, so this is what I have done. This, of course, was done with the current Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Someday I might want to run for mayor.