Illinois Review

The Fallen Soldier

Others have made the ultimate sacrifice so that you could be free. Remember them—today, and always. A moving tribute, written and narrated by former Navy Seal and author Jocko Willink.

20 GOP IL House members form "IL Taxpayer Freedom Caucus"

Springfield, IL – A group of 20 Republican House members announced Friday they're forming the "Illinois Taxpayer Freedom Caucus" within the House Republican Caucus. 

Why are they forming? Thus far, there's been a "lack of meaningful action to address the state’s financial woes," they write in a press release.  Their primary focus will be the "promotion of the structural and ethical reforms Illinois desperately needs."

Members of the Taxpayer Freedom Caucus include Representatives John Cabello (R-Machesney Park); Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford); Blaine Wilhour (R-Effingham); Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur); Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville); Chris Miller (R-Oakland); Allen Skillicorn (R-Crystal Lake); Darren Bailey (R-Xenia); Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport); David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills); Amy Grant (R-Wheaton); Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro); Randy Freese (R-Quincy); Dave Severin (R-Benton); Tom Morrison (R-Palatine); Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa); Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis); Dan Swanson (R-Alpha); Charlie Meier (R-Okawville); and Tony McCombie (R-Savanna).

The group's joint statement says:

Who Are the COVID-19 Dictators?

We are at war against the globalists who wish to deprive us of our freedoms and other rights that America is built to protect.

America’s Democrat Party and both the Liberal and conservative parties of Canada remind us of the old South of the U.S. where plantation owners controlled the lives of all who resided there. Under the owners’ control were the slaves they owned as well as those who managed the business of products they grew. Under the rule of today’s liberals (and even Ontario’s so-called Progressive Conservatives, an oxymoron if there ever was one), our nations now look like huge plantations.

The way we have all been managed in the face of an overly-hyped health threat is a case in point. Many people are starting to see it for what it really is—a taste of socialism gone wild—and they are beginning to protest vociferously against having the governments as their nannies, and having to pay the bill to boot. Many politicians will undoubtedly reap their just rewards in coming elections.

More HERE

Thorner: How Mail-In Ballots will end fair and free elections

By Nancy Thorner - 

Our Democratic Republic flourishes when citizens are confident their vote is free, fair, and secure.  According to a recent survey, 81% of Americans believe that election fraud is a very real problem.  

This growing concern jeopardizes our entire system of government, eroding our trust in elected leaders and undermining our confidence in the system by which they govern, beginning at the polls and rising up through the highest offices in the land, despite the misleading messaging of those who insist voter fraud does not exist. It does!

Weyermuller: Chicago Catholic faithful reject Cardinal's plan to re-open churches

By Mark Weyermuller - 

A group of Chicago Catholic faithful said they reject Cardinal Blase Cupich's published plan to re-open churches that have been closed since March 15th, as Governor Pritzker's shelter-in-place order was beginning to take effect. 

The letter, signed by Lisa Bergman Joseph and Ann Scheidler of the St. Charles Borromeo Society, was hand-delivered to the Cardinal's Archdiocese offices Thursday afternoon. 

The letter to the Cardinal says: 

Representing many of the Chicago’s Catholic faithful, the St. Charles Borromeo Society rejects your published Plan for the re-opening of our Churches.

Rather than advocating for your people’s need for the Mass and the Sacraments, as the bishops of Minnesota have just done, you have chosen to go along with Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Executive Order allowing only ten people to attend any church functions, while many secular entities have either no restrictions or significantly broader limits on the number of people allowed. This first phase does not even allow for celebration of public Masses.

11 More Cases in Which Responsible Gun Owners Saved Lives

In one incident in Chicago, a doorbell camera captured a homeowner’s incredible defense against two armed, masked men who brazenly tried to rob the residence in broad daylight.

More HERE

Pill Pushers Exploiting COVID-19 to Promote Risky Telemedicine Abortions

While no one is immune from the strains of social distancing and stay-at-home orders, it would be difficult to overstate the impact of isolation on women facing unexpected or difficult pregnancies.

As a recent profile in The New York Times points out, that means big business for enterprising abortion companies—especially the small handful of groups utilizing a Food and Drug Administration loophole to offer their lethal product via video call. 

Touted as “telemedicine abortion,” the approach sidesteps regulations by allowing a prescriber to forgo any in-person visits prior to an abortion.

More HERE

MSNBC: Americans Are Too "Obsessed" With Freedom

Got that right.

Pritzker backs off attempt to impose misdemeanor charges on IL businesses violating COVID EO

SPRINGFIELD - Governor JB Pritzker reportedly has withdrawn his emergency rule imposing a Class A Misdemeanor on businesses that violate his executive order from consideration by the Illinois General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. 

State Representative Amy Grant posted the announcement on her Facebook page shortly after 1 PM Wednesday: 

State Rep. Grant Wehrli confirmed Grant's announcement, saying he too, had been inundated with constituent calls.

Gov Pritzker blasts "Re-Open Illinois" protests; accuses GOP lawmakers, US Senate candidate of being "dangerous"

From video taken at Chicago rally Saturday 

CHICAGO - Monday, Governor JB Pritzker told reporters he feared for his and his family's safety because of signs that were displayed at protests in Springfield and Chicago last Saturday. 

In response to the press conference question from NPR-Illinois, "Governor, are you worried about you, or your family’s safety after anti-Semitic hate speech was used during protests over the weekend?" Pritzker said he was - because of protest signs.

"Yes, I have to admit that I am worried about my family’s safety. You saw some of the signs, some of the vehemence - those people were carrying signs with swastikas and pictures of Adolph Hitler - uh, references to me and my family. Um, yeah, I’m concerned," he said.

Photos of the Springfield rally showed one handmade sign with two swastikas and Pritzker wearing a Hitler-like mustache. A video of the Chicago rally shows protesters loudly rejecting a person flaunting a flag with a swastika. "He's not with us," the protesters said. "Soros plant!" others shouted at the flag bearer.

Re-Open Illinois group responds to “Anti-Semitic Concerns”

SPRINGFIELD - "Re-Open Illinois" - the organizers of recent protests against Governor JB Pritzker's ongoing COVID shelter-in-place executive orders - does not support any viewpoint that discriminates against Jewish people, they said in a press release Tuesday.

"That said, in response to the threat Re-Open Illinois protests pose to Illinois’ ruling class, the media has collaborated with Governor Pritzker and his allies to disingenuously attack those protesting their agenda," the group said.

"Those Pritzker allies include a liberal mouthpiece Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which is run by former Obama administration staffer Jonathan Greenblatt and Illinois’ House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, who has been accurately called a 'fake Republican' and 'corrupt insider' by conservative state representatives in his own caucus," they said.

Rep. Bailey: When will Pritzker's emergency powers end?

LOUISVILLE – Governor Pritzker wants an emergency rule that would result in adding a legal crackdown to his weeks-long economic shutdown of Illinois - making the opening of "non-essential" businesses a Class A misdemeanor with punishments that could include up to a year in jail time for offenders. 

State Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) issued this statement in response:

The Governor’s proposed rule, “would give law enforcement the authority to enforce the governor's orders during the declared emergencies, including filing a misdemeanor charge against a business that defies the orders,” according to a report by the online news outlet, The Center Square.

The Governor was elected to office in 2018, but the public has been ignored since he began these series of Executive Orders.

The Declaration of Independence declares we have “unalienable rights.”  These are rights that come from our “Creator”, not the government. As the Declaration states, the government derives its just powers “from the consent of the governed.”

How long will the Governor be able to rule by Executive Order and Emergency Rule? The rest of the year? Through 2021, or 2022 when he is up for reelection? Or, until he gets tired, gives up and heads to his $12 million horse farm in Florida? 

New Lenox Salon providing hair extensions gets special permission to open to prevent "psychological harm"

NEW LENOX - A New Lenox hair salon was granted special permission to open under Governor Pritzker's ongoing Executive Orders simply because they provide hair extensions - something that would be considered an essential service. 

"The hair extension services that you provide your customers prevents physical and psychological harm. This essential service was permitted as of May 15, 2020," wrote Jason A. Anderson of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in a letter to the owner of Clean Beauty Boutique on Cedar Road.

McDermed: With Democrat Majority, Lower Expectations For General Assembly

By State Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) - 

After two months of inaction, the General Assembly is finally reconvening to have some input on how the state navigates the coronavirus pandemic.

Over the past few months I believe that our governor has chosen not to actually govern, but instead has turned over decision making about our state solely to scientists. Yes, we must be guided by science and safety but our jobs as elected officials is to balance complex, ever changing science with every other aspect of life.

The Governor and legislature are supposed to utilize science, but then create policy that weighs risks and outcomes. By hiding behind science, the governor can take the easy way out and avoid tough decisions. Naturally if the only basis for decisions is science, every problem is one-dimensional. If you’re a hammer, every problem is a nail. Life isn’t like that. It’s multi-dimensional.

Letter to Editor: Dear Class of 2020: Don't listen to the cynics. Keep that bar raised high!

By Nicole Santini -

My son, Connor, is a member of the Class of 2020. Right now we should be planning graduation parties and attending end of year banquets and festivities. We should be reminiscing about prom and all of the fun times that go along with senior year. Sometimes I wonder if all of the things they are missing are harder for us, as parents, than they are for our kids?  Maybe Connor will never really understand how great all of the things he missed out on could have been? The only thing I know for sure is that whatever is guiding this “virtual” movement has nothing to do with safety, and everything to do with intentionally changing American culture.

Sen. Plummer: Disappointing "Politics over Policy" during COVID-19 Crisis

By State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) - 

Compassion. Leadership. Empathy.

There aren't many Governor JB Pritzker supporters in Iroquois County but, wow, one found us and she's classy. I've attached her comment.

This is what happens when you have a governor who demeans and name-calls, not leads. This is what happens when you try to scare people instead of provide accurate information and transparency. This is what happens when you hide data and move goal posts. People react in negative ways and they are unsure what is real and what is not.

The governor messages that if you don't agree 100% with him then you don't care about health, safety, and people's lives. It's childish, ridiculous, and it is obviously wrong. He knows it's not true, but he hides behind straw-man arguments instead of engaging in reasonable dialogue. Other states are far more transparent and other governors are far more accountable. Those states are seeing more success in their fights against this terrible virus.

Sadly, some people who want to put politics over policy are willing to mimic the governor's bullying strategy. This has all led to something very disappointing - people turning on each other instead of working together during this crisis. I'm saddened to watch certain people attack their neighbors during this time when we should all be helping our neighbors.

Thorner: Will the US learn from Canada's serious coronavirus blunder?

     Canadian scientist        Tom Harris

By Nancy Thorner - 

The idea for this article originated from a YouTube lecture shared with me by Canadian scientist Tom Harris. Harris presented his lecture titled, Covid-l9 in Canada: A Serious Blunder, from his home in Ottawa, Canada, on April 30, 2020.  At the time, Harris was stuck at home because of Covid-19; however, a recent communication with Harris informed me, "We are in partial lock down. Some businesses are starting to open up.”

Harris is Executive Director of the Ottawa, Canada-based International Climate Science Coalition, and a policy advisor to The Heartland Institute. He has 40 years of experience as a mechanical engineer/project manager, science and technology communications professional, technical trainer and S&T advisor to a former Opposition Senior Environment Critic in Canada’s Parliament.

As with our northern neighbor, the situation in Canada is strikingly similar to the scenario now playing out with the coronavirus pandemic in the US, in particular Illinois.

Di Leo: A Day at the Mall - back when shopping was fun

By John F. Di Leo - 

For at least two hundred years, one of the goals of the retail industry has been to make shopping fun – to make a trip to the general store, or the downtown retail district, or the indoor mall an enjoyable, even entertaining experience.

Stores are designed with an eye to bright colors and comfortable surroundings. Malls have been built with stages in the wings, so they could bring in high school choirs for Christmas caroling, or personal appearances by pop stars or children’s TV performers. Department stores like Nordstrom’s, and grocery stores like Mariano’s spend the money for both a fine piano and a live pianist to entertain the shoppers as they go by.

None of these measures really add anything to the value of that pair of earrings or cufflinks, that candelabra or easy chair, that case of wine or bag of groceries for which you came. 

But these various forms of decoration and entertainment work together to draw you to that store or mall in the first place, and then to inspire you to stay and shop some more. And the longer and more frequently you’re there because you’re comfortable, the more you’ll buy.  A win-win, for both the store itself and the economy at large.

The 2006 Origins of the Lockdown Idea

Now begins the grand effort, on display in thousands of articles and news broadcasts daily, somehow to normalize the lockdown and all its destruction of the last two months. We didn’t lock down almost the entire country in 1968/69, 1957, or 1949-1952, or even during 1918. But in a terrifying few days in March 2020, it happened to all of us, causing an avalanche of social, cultural, and economic destruction that will ring through the ages.

There was nothing normal about it all. We’ll be trying to figure out what happened to us for decades hence.

How did a temporary plan to preserve hospital capacity turn into two-to-three months of near-universal house arrest that ended up causing worker furloughs at 256 hospitals, a stoppage of international travel, a 40 percent job loss among people earning less than $40,000 per year, devastation of every economic sector, mass confusion and demoralization, a complete ignoring of all fundamental rights and liberties, not to mention the mass confiscation of private property with forced closures of millions of businesses?

More HERE

Illinois Has Most Coronavirus Restrictions In Country: Study

A new report shows Illinois has implemented the most-restrictive measures of any state in the country to combat the coronavirus, according to the personal finance website WalletHub, less than two weeks after a previous list ranked Illinois as the No. 4 "most strict" spot.

The least restrictive states in the country were South Dakota, Wisconsin and Idaho, according to the report. The WalletHub study put states into four general categories: those with low restrictions and low death rates, low restrictions and high death rates, high restrictions and high death rates, and high restrictions and high death rates.

Illinois fell into the last category, ranking high for both restrictions and deaths.

More HERE