Illinois Review

Facts defy gun crimes perception

By Nancy Thorner and Ed Ingold - 

An interesting survey by the Pew Foundation shows that gun crimes, including homicide, have been steadily decreasing irregardless of an increasing number of guns owned by citizens. Despite the recent headlines, homicides in schools have dropped at a similar rate, and are the lowest level in recent history.

But despite this decrease, most people think gun crimes are increasing, largely because of what they hear from main stream media and anti-gun politicians. According to a Rasmussen poll released on Friday, May 10, while gun killings have plunged 39 percent since 1993, and non-fatal gun crimes have dropped 69 percent in the same period, those who want gun control think that gun crime is up. Rasmussen reports that only 7 percent of adults believe there are fewer gun owners in the country than there were 20 years ago -- and more importantly, 64 percent of those who want more gun control think that gun crime has escalated. 

How can this be? 

Citadel CEO Griffin criticizes Chicago 'powers-that-be'

CHICAGO - Monday night, Citadel LLC Ceo Ken Griffin, who is on the exploratory committee for Bruce Rauner's possible gubernatorial bid, took on Mayor Rahm Emanuel during a keynote speech at the Economic Club of Chicago. Crain's reports:

While the hedge fund manager said he supported Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel when he ran for office in 2011 because he was “the best man for the job,” Mr. Griffin said Mr. Emanuel hasn't done enough to address these problems.

“We will see in his next two years, does he have the strength of will and the moral fortitude to do what must be done — the early returns are lackluster,” Mr. Griffin said in addressing hundreds of Chicago's business leaders last night for a meeting of the Economic Club of Chicago. “I'll say it as it is: I'm good friends with our mayor, I think the world of him, he is as bright as they come — but he's got to step up and really deal with the problems we have in our city.”

Mr. Griffin said the city should close twice as many schools as it plans to and took on large corporations for pressuring state lawmakers for tax breaks. Members of the audience defended the Mayor, while others said they appreciated how provocative Griffin's speech was.

Victims of sex assaults in military are silent men

WASHINGTON DC - More military men than women are sexually abused in the ranks each year, a Pentagon survey shows, highlighting the underreporting of male-on-male assaults.

When the Defense Department released the results of its anonymous sexual abuse survey this month and concluded that 26,000 service members were victims in fiscal 2012, which ended Sept. 30, an automatic assumption was that most were women. But roughly 14,000 of the victims were male and 12,000 female, according to a scientific survey sample produced by the Pentagon.

Back in the fight to help others cope with Obamacare

By C. Steven Tucker - 

My Fellow Patriots- 

Like many of you, I felt largely defeated when we suffered our losses in the general election. Prior to November 2012, I spent a lot of time and personal capital traveling the Midwest trying to educate the public about Obamacare.  When Barack Obama won a second term, I had to seriously ask myself, "Can I financially afford to continue this fight and is it really worth my time away from my wife and family to continue trying to make a difference?" Especially since I am not a politician nor do I desire to be one. 

Until recently, I concluded that the answer was no and I began turning down invitations to speak because I determined that continuing to drive long distances to inform voters about the President's version of health care 'reform' was futile, since so many voted the wrong way in November and a disturbing number of Conservatives didn't even take the time to vote. 

Sandy Hook parents testify to ban sale of magazines over 10 rounds

SPRINGFIELD - Parents of Sandy Hook, Connecticut children that were killed during an attack by a lone gunsman with high capacity magazines testified in the Illinois Senate Monday for a state ban on the sale of magazines over 10 rounds. 

"People often say there are no words," Nicole Hockley, mother of one of the slain children, said in Senate Executive Committee, said. "But taking action says more. Taking action to prevent your own Sandy Hook 

The person who killed my son carried ten thirty rounds high capacity magazines into Sandy Hook Elementary School - 300 rounds," Hockley told the committee. "In approximately four minutes he shot 154 bullets and killed 26 women and children. In an instant, my precious boy was gone." 

But in the time it took for him to reload between magazine, 11 children escaped from the massacre.

Re-Run: High Capacity Magazine PSA (video)

First run on May 6, we had this video requested to be re-run -

Below is the first of several Public Service Announcements MB Studio Productions is producing to demonstrate who gun laws really affect and why they don't work.

MB Studio Productions is using media to support the 2nd Amendment, and is raising money for the production of "Shoot To Thrill," a television show that will promote the positive image of responsible gun ownership.

UPDATE x3: State Medical Examiner confirms tornado death toll up to 51 in OK

UPDATE x3: 8:03 PM - The State Medical Examiner has updated the casualty number to 51. Approximately 100 patients transferred to area hospitals from Moore and Oklahoma City. The city of Moore's population was approximately 55,000 in the 2010 census.

UPDATE x2: 7:17 PM - The Oklahoma Medical Examiner has confirmed is up to 37 dead statewide from the tornado that swept through Oklahoma Monday. The number is expected to rise.

UPDATE x1: 6:43 PM - Fox News is reporting 24 third graders at the Plaza Towers Elementary School are presumed to have died in the school's basement. Reports still coming in ...

MOORE, OK - At least four -- reported now up to eight -- are dead as a result of a mile-wide tornado that stayed on the ground Monday afternoon for about 40 minutes, leaving the city of Moore Oklahoma a path of destruction. Children at two elementary schools have been pulled from the rubble, and the situation is still tense as storms hover overhead.

Americans for Prosperity Townhall in Lombard to Oppose Progressive Income Tax

LOMBARD, IL - Americans for Prosperity - Illinois will host a townhall in Lombard to organize grassroots opposition to the proposed progressive income tax. Tuesday night's townhall at the Lombard Village Hall will feature former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger.

"Illinois has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Imposing a so-called “progressive” income tax will hike the tax burden on nearly all Illinois taxpayers,” explained David From, State Director of Americans for Prosperity - Illinois. “The adoption of a progressive tax will further destroy job creation and incentivize the flight of businesses to more friendly states. As Illinois considers this change, our neighboring states such as Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa are debating tax cuts and finding ways to lower the tax burden on their residents. We should follow their example, not raise taxes on the majority of Illinoisans.”

Chicago Teachers Union blocks city hall elevators in school closing protest

CHICAGO - Chicago Teachers Union Local 1 blocked Chicago City Hall elevators Monday afternoon, protesting planned school closings. The Chicago Public School Board will take a vote Wednesday on whether to shut down a proposed 54 city schools, causing the layoff of hundreds of union teachers and workers.

Photo by WLS AM 890 City Hall reporter @BillCameron

Call for protest outside Durbin's office in reaction to his part in the IRS scandal

Following Illinois Review's story about U.S. Senator Dick Durbin pressuring the IRS to scrutinize conservative groups, Republican activist Bill Kelly (photo right) called today for a protest outside the senator's Chicago office tomorrow when other groups are planning to protest IRS offices around the state. ...More HERE

Duffy resolution demands transparent investigation of surveillance company

State Senator Dan Duffy has introduced Senate Resolution 314 condemning Redflex Traffic Systems Inc. and calling for further investigation into a scandal involving the company, Red Light Camera’s, and the City of Chicago.

Redflex operates red light cameras in 38 Illinois municipalities. Since 2003 Redflex has generated more than $300 million in revenue for Chicago. However, the company’s business practices were recently called into question when a bribery scandal emerged in the media.

“The Chicago Tribune has said that this egregious scandal would rank among the largest in the annals of Chicago corruption,” said Duffy. “We need to conduct a proper investigation into this scandal to understand the full depth of the corruption. Red light cameras are already a subversion of due process, and now they’re contributing to the inherent culture of corruption already present in Chicago.”

IRS demanded group provide info on how much time they spent praying

WASHINGTON - Six months after the Obama Administration's inauguration, the Internal Revenue Service told the Coalition for Life of Iowa to detail activities at prayer meetings and how much time they spent praying. They were also asked to explain how their activities - including prayer meetings - were based on scientific or medical facts. 

Please explain how all of your activities, including the prayer meetings held outside of Planned Parenthood are considered educational as defined under 501c3. Organizations exempt under 501c3 may present opinions with scientific or medical facts. Please explain in detail the activities at these prayer meetings. Also, please provide the percentage of time your organization spends on prayer groups as compared with other activities of the organization. 

IRS' Exempt Organizations Specialist Ms. Richards wrote in a June 22, 2009 letter to the Coalition for Life of Iowa after they applied for 501c3 status. The letter also demanded the group reveal the content of any signs they held outside Planned Parenthood clinics:

In a phone conversation with POA it was asked about certain signs that may or may not be held up outside of a Planned Parenthood. Please explain in detail the signs that are being held up outside of Planned Parenthood and explain how they are considered educational.

Illinois Review obtained a copy of Ms. Richard's letter, which also says, "If you do not provide the requested information in a timely manner, we will assume that you do not want us to consider your application further and will close your case."

Arkansas’ Democrat State Treasurer Arrested for Extortion

By Warner Todd Huston - 

On Saturday the FBI arrested two-term Arkansas State Treasurer Martha Shoffner (D-Newport) on charges of “extortion under color of official right,” a violation of the Hobbs Act.

Shoffner has been under scrutiny in Arkansas for a seemingly unexplainable investment she made of state funds. After a legislative audit last year it came to light that in 2011 her office sold 11 bonds that hadn’t matured and then bought similar bonds from the same brokers, resulting in a loss of more than $58,000 of the state’s money.

In December of 2012, state authorities decided to hand over their investigation to federal authorities once it appeared that, along with the failed investing practices, Shoffner had also converted campaign funds to her personal use. ...More HERE

WSJ: Obama's Counsel Was Told of IRS Audit Findings Weeks Ago

The White House's chief lawyer learned weeks ago that an audit of the Internal Revenue Service likely would show that agency employees inappropriately targeted conservative groups, a senior White House official said Sunday.

That disclosure has prompted a debate over whether the president should have been notified at that time.

Senators call Dems on sneaking pro-euthanasia doc to Public Health slot

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Citing a need for a proper, unrestricted vetting and the unwillingness by the Democrat Senate Majority to allow a confirmation hearing on Dr. David Gill’s credentials to become the Assistant Director of the Department of Public Health, State Sen. Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) is raising a red flag. LaHood was joined by Senators Sam McCann, Kyle McCarter and Chapin Rose to ask for additional scrutiny by the public.

“This is a blatant attempt by the majority party to hide a controversial appointee from the taxpayers. We have serious questions about the timing of Dr. Gill’s appointment. More importantly, today is the last scheduled meeting of the Senate Executive Appointments Committee so he will be in place until at least the fall before a public-legislative vetting,” said LaHood. “This appointment seems to be nothing more than a political payoff to keep a guy off the ballot, who is considered extreme by members of his own political party. During the 2012 election cycle, the Democratic establishment backed another candidate.”

Illinois one of only 7 states with unemployment higher than one year ago

By Ted Dabrowski & John Klingner - 

Illinois continues to have the nation’s second-worst unemployment rate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ April labor report. The state’s unemployment rate dropped to 9.3 percent in April, down from 9.5 percent in March, and is still nearly two percentage points above the 7.5 percent national average.

The state’s drop in unemployment was not due to good news – the fall was due to people leaving the work force rather than an increase in employment. Illinois lost more than 2,000 payroll jobs and more than 30,000 Illinoisans left the workforce, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

Buyer’s remorse: ObamaCare tax will slam union workers

By Paul Kersey - 

Americans for Tax Reform compiled a list of tax increases associated with Obamacare, and union workers in particular are staring at a whopper in a few years – a hefty tax on premium health insurance plans that could easily cost them $1,000 per year. According to ATR:

Obamacare Tax on Union Member and Early Retiree Health Insurance Plans: Obamacare imposes a new 40 percent excise tax on high cost or “Cadillac” health insurance plans, effective in 2018. This tax increase will most directly affect union families and early retirees, who are likely to be covered by such plans. This Obamacare tax will be levied on insurance policies whose premiums exceed $10,200 for an individual and $27,500 for a family. Middle class union members tend to be covered by such plans in states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Editorial: Tighten Link card rules to fight abuse

For state Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, this was the last straw: A food stamp recipient in his district used her Link card to bail herself out of jail.

"We are losing a couple billion dollars in fraud and we know that," Bost says of Illinois' Link program, which provides food and, in some cases cash, to needy families. "I've never been one opposed to providing for the needy. There are true needs. But if it's just for the greed, it doesn't matter if it's this or corporate greed, it's got to stop."

Link card for bail money? What's next? Link cards to gamble at slot machines ? Oh, wait ... read on...HERE

Breaking: Obama administration media spying scandal gets worse

The Justice Department spied extensively on Fox News reporter James Rosen in 2010, collecting his telephone records, tracking his movements in and out of the State Department, and seizing two days of Rosen’s personal emails, the Washington Post reported on Monday.

The revelations surfaced with President Barack Obama’s administration already under fire for seizing two months of telephone records of reporters and editors at the Associated Press. Obama last week said he makes “no apologies” for investigations into national security-related leaks. The AP's CEO, Gray Pruitt, said Sunday that the seizure was "unconstitutional". ...More HERE

the news ... illustrated: Obamacare & IRS