Illinois Review

Astronaut Harrison Schmitt defies global warming claims

Now serving as a professor at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Harrison Schmitt was the last man to walk on the moon with the Apollo 17 moon mission. A geologist and a former U.S. Senator, Schmitt  recently explained to Fox Business News why the environmentalist movemet's CO2 alarmist claim is a "red herring" and why the Obama Administration's Cap and Trade effort is wrong for America.

Sen. Schmitt addressed the Heartland Institute's 25th Anniversary Dinner this past Thursday night. More on Schmitt's speech upcoming on Illinois Review.

Weekend Query: What are undecideds looking for?

On Monday, there's likely to be two or three more candidates that will join Adam Andrzejewski, Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard and Bob Schillerstrom on the February 2, 2010 GOP gubernatorial primary ballot. Those three expected to file petitions are Dan Proft, Andy McKenna and Jim Ryan. The former four all met the 8:00 am Monday morning mark and will participate in a drawing to determine the order their names will appear on the ballot. The other three will vie to be placed at the bottom of the gubernatorial slot, the second best location to the top one, voting experts say.

Polling indicates differing levels of name ID among the candidates, but there's not yet been a GOP candidate break out of the pack when it comes to fundraising, endorsements, message, or charisma. Right now, as IR commenter "spintreebob" noted this weekend, it's the "undecideds" who have yet to weigh in. 

When petition filing closes Monday afternoon, the 2010 governor's race will be on in earnest -- not that it hasn't already been. But at 5:00 PM Monday, the clock begins ticking and days and hours will pass quickly until February 2, 2010. The question is, what are GOP undecideds waiting for? What are they looking for? If you're an undecided, tell us what's keeping you from deciding which candidate you'll vote for in the IL GOP gubernatorial primary. We're very interested.

Gorman: My property taxes increased 31.32%

Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman explained the huge increase in property taxes Cook County homeowners were notified of this week in an email to her constituents ...

This past week brought property tax bills to the mailboxes of Orland Park residents with most homeowners seeing a steep rise in their taxes. As a fellow Orland Park resident, I personally saw a 31.32% increase in my own property taxes so I’m very aware of the excessive taxation.   In our household and throughout many others in our village we were surprised to find a massive increase in our taxes even though property values might have leveled off or even dropped some over the last 12 to 18 months.   The reason for this discrepancy is because this year’s tax bill actually reflects 2008 taxes which were assessed from 2005, 2006 and 2007 property values.

When analyzing your property tax bill you will find that the largest portion of your bill goes to your local public school districts. Nearly 70% of your tax bill could be allocated to local schools. To identify other “high tax” sources look closer at the breakdown of the local taxing bodies listed within your bill and you will be surprised by some of the numbers.

Edgar endorses Dillard via letter

In case you didn't get one, below is a copy of the Kirk Dillard endorsement letter former Governor Jim Edgar sent out via snail mail earlier this month (click to enlarge). From the letter, Edgar says:

"Kirk Dillard was my right hand man when I took over as Governor in 1991. He served as my first chief of staff and was instrumental in helping My administration wade through a mountain of debt, unpaid bills and legislative nightmares. Kirk's kmowledge, management style and ability to work with a variety of people with different points of view were essential in helping me restore fiscal discipline to the state..."

Are Tea Party Activists the New GOP?

That's what longtime conservative activist Richard Viguerie is saying today.

"In her statement announcing suspension of her campaign in the special election for New York's 23rd congressional district, Assemblywoman and liberal GOP nominee Dede Scozzafava refused to throw her support behind a fellow Republican, Doug Hoffman, who is running on the Conservative Party ticket in this particular race.

"That was one more example of the 'closed tent' mentality of big-government, establishment Republicans who have worked long and hard to keep conservatives out of power at the national, state, and local levels.

BREAKING NEWS -- Scozzafava drops out, Conservatives Win in NY 23

from RedState.com

Dede Scozzafava has dropped out of the NY-23 race. In her statement, she said

I hereby release those individuals who have endorsed and supported my campaign to transfer their support as they see fit to do so. I am and have always been a proud Republican. It is my hope that with my actions today, my Party will emerge stronger and our District and our nation can take an important step towards restoring the enduring strength and economic prosperity that has defined us for generations.

One Less Enemy of the Unborn in the U.S. House?

by Sam Pierce

73wire.com, which will officially launch on November 4, 2009, is reporting that Margaret Sanger Award winning, Card Check supporting ridiculous excuse for a Republican, DeDe Scazzafava is dropping out of the race to represent NY-23! I cannot help but wonder if Newt regrets getting off the sofa he shared with Nancy Pelosi in that commercial advocating for the Enviro-Statist, to support this miserable candidate?

If this bears out and the real Republican, Doug Hoffman, wins the special election will other state Republican Parties or the National Republican Party get the message? I doubt it, especially not here in Illinois, where the NRSC and John McCain are rewarding Mark Kirk's vote for Cap and Trade with their support, financial resources, and political power as they purchase his status as front-runner to win the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by Roland "Monument to Myself" Burris.

SEIU's Andy Stern White House's most frequent visitor

When the White House released its list of visitors from January to July this year, several very familiar names showed up (more about that on IR later), but the SEIU's president Andy Stern topped the rest with 22 visits with Obama. 

Stern hyped up the crowd of protesters at the "Showdown in Chicago" against the American Bankers Association's annual meeting this week. Despite Stern's rhetoric, only a handful of banks represented at the conference were bailout recipients. The rest are struggling to stay afloat.  But you wouldn't know it by listening to the SEIU's national president. 

As produced by and featured on SEIU-funded liberal political blog Progress Illinois, the man who has the President's ear along with Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod and Michelle and Valerie Jarrett.

Henry Meers challenges opponents to 10 debates

Illinois businessman and 11th Congressional District Republican candidate, Henry Meers, has called on his three opponents to engage in a series of ten debates to be held throughout the District.

Meers said there is nothing better than face-to-face debates to let the voters know about the character and positions of those who seek to serve them in the United States Congress.

“Never has this nation been in greater need of effective leadership in the halls and back rooms of the Congress,” said Meers.

Pelosi's sweeping reform

IR Liveblogs Milton Township's Oktoberfest Candidate Forum & Straw Poll

Kirk Introduces Centrist Republican Alternative to Pelosi Health Care Bill

from Mark Kirk's congressional office

WASHINGTON - One day after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled the final version of her trillion-dollar government-run health care bill, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Dr. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) today introduced the Medical Rights and Reform Act (H.R. 3970), a centrist Republican alternative to lower health care costs and expand insurance coverage without raising taxes, cutting Medicare or compromising the doctor-patient relationship.

"Over the last 10 months, five dozen patient, doctor and hospital groups joined with centrist Republicans to craft reforms that would lower costs, expand coverage, protect Medicare, reject tax increases and defend our doctor-patient relationship," said Kirk who co-chairs the centrist Republican Tuesday Group. 

UPDATE 1x: ILGOP to simulcast gov debate

UPDATE 1x: IL GOP confirms that all candidates -- including Andy McKenna and Jim Ryan who've not participated in any other forums thus far -- will be participating next Thursday night.

From the IL GOP:

The upcoming Illinois Republican Gubernatorial Debate in Chicago on November 5, 2009 will be live broadcast to fifteen locations throughout the State of Illinois. This is the first time an effort of this magnitude has been conducted by the State Party. The extra exposure for our gubernatorial candidates will be tremendous and we expect the list of locations to grow. These “Debate Parties” were coordinated through Republican County Organizations. For details on exact locations and other arrangements, feel free to touch base with the listed contacts (listed below).

Senate votes to protect video gambling investments

With the passage of HB 1306, local citizens that vote to outlaw video poker machines in their localities will have to wait two years before the referendum goes into effect. With the growing number of municipalities and counties resisting the state legislature's carte blanche to video poker machines, the state's Coin Operators' Union must be panicking -- what happens if they buy machines and don't get their money out of them?  Or get the community's money out of them? 

Joe Berrios' pressure as a key Coin Operators' lobbyist must be pressuring in Springfield as the Senate voted 40 to 12 (several senators missing) to allow video poker machine owners to defy the public's decision and continue operating video poker machines for two years, even if the public says it doesn't want the machines there.

Schillerstrom congratulates Dillard for folding on video poker

from the Bob for Illinois campaign

NAPERVILLE –Bob Schillerstrom released the following statement Friday regarding 15-year State Senator Kirk Dillard’s vote against House Bill 1306, which would allow Video Poker operators to stay in business even if local governments ban the machines. Dillard voted in May to move Video Poker into Illinois communities, saying he felt immense pressure to make a decision. He has since said he opposes the gambling expansion.

“Kirk Dillard did better, this time, in voting to protect the right of local governments to ban Video Poker – and it is unfortunate others in the Senate did not do the same. Dillard’s vote reflects his latest position of opposing Video Poker, even though he voted for it in May, and it is the right decision for our communities, even if late.

ILCAAAP: Oppose HB 1306 – Amendments 1 & 4

From ILCAAP -- the vote is being taken today back in the House; passed the Senate.

These amendments to HB 1306 would allow existing licensed establishments to conduct video gambling for up to 2 years after the date of the approval of an ordinance to ban video gambling. As Rep. Jack Franks commented, “What other business gets a free insurance policy courtesy of the State to protect their investments? He further commented that this bill guarantees a profit for private businesses. This is not right.

Suppose the municipality where you live does not ban video gambling. After a few years of having the machines in a community, voters then circulate petitions to put a referendum on the ballot to  ban video gambling machines. If that referendum passes, the licensed establishment could continue to conduct video gambling for up to 2 more years! 

Conservatism on the rise, send a big message to Republican leaders in NY 23

by Lee Newcom

Next Tuesday several important elections will take place, outside Illinois, that will be very instructive to both the Democratic and Republican leadership. One of the very biggest is in the New York 23rd Congressional District, in the north of the state near the Canadian border. You can send a powerful message to GOP leaders today by sending a $25 donation (more if you can) to candidate Doug Hoffman HERE.

Hughes, Lowery and Wallace: Top three in Rockford straw poll

Last week, an estimated 100 Rockford area residents heard from Republican candidate vying for the U.S. Senate nomination on the February 2, 2010 ballot.  Concerned Christians for America, the hosting organization, asked attendees to vote for their top two choices for nominee.  Businessman Pat Hughes (45%), Springfield judge Don Lowery (20%) and Matteson publisher Eric Wallace (19%) racked up the top three picks.

Of the ten GOP candidates -- John Arrington, Patrick Hughes, Mark Kirk, Tom Kuna, Don Lowery, Andy Martin, Kathleen Thomas, Ed Varga, Eric Wallace and Robert Zadek -- six, including Hughes, Lowery, Wallace, Arrington, Varga and Zadek, appeared. 

CCA's emphasis is motivating, educating and supporting social and fiscal conservatives. They will be holding a GOP gubernatorial candidate forum at Rockford's Stockholm Inn at 6:30 PM November 2.  For more information, contact Wendy at 815-871-3949.

Race to the bottom...of the US Senate GOP primary ballot

Last night at the Heartland Institute anniversary dinner, GOP candidate for US Senate Patrick Hughes rolled his eyes when Illinois Review asked whether Springfield pundit speculations were true that he didn't have enough signatures to file yet. 

No, it's not, he said.  He's waiting to file on purpose. 

Big Wigs: Andy, if the wig fits, wear it

from the Proft for Governor campaign

Illinois is in a quiet state of crisis. I say a quiet crisis because through years of corruption and neglect, the conditions have been created for Illinois’ financial collapse. The day of reckoning has not yet come but the numbers clearly indicate that it is coming if evasive policy action is not taken.

When it comes and those left in Illinois are forced to

Campaigns, cemeteries, gambling and free rides

Chicago Public Radio highlights key issues on the Illinois Legislature's table this last session day of 2009...campaigns, cemeteries, gambling and free rides.

• Legislation on limiting campaign contribution passed through the Illinois House yesterday, and the Senate is considering the plan, today.
• The Senate is also expected to debate new cemetery regulations. The plan could require cemetery operators to submit burial records to the state.
• Various proposals to expand gambling are also on deck. That includes a plan to allow video poker payout at truck stops.
• Lawmakers are also expected to continue negotiating a plan to scale back a statewide program giving free public transit rides to seniors citizens. The Governor is reportedly asking the Chicago Transit Authority not to raise fares in exchange for state money.

McKenna stands firm: Quinn no different than Blagojevich

from the McKenna-Murphy campaign

CHICAGO – In light of Pat Quinn’s latest assault on future generations by seeking to borrow another $1 billion, family businessman and gubernatorial candidate Andy McKenna today stood by his comments that when it comes to taxes and spending, Pat Quinn is just like Rod Blagojevich "with a little less hair."

Candidate Hastert blasts Pelosi's partisan plan

from the Hastert for Congress campaing

Ethan Hastert, candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 14th Congressional District, today issued the following statement after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House Democrats emerged from weeks of closed-door negotiations creating their massive new $1 trillion partisan proposal for government-run health care:

“Instead of producing a bipartisan proposal that delivers the solutions Americans want, Democrat leaders are simply pushing ahead with a government-run health care experiment that will drive families into government-run care and kill jobs with massive new tax hikes and mandates. 

HB 607: another gambling expansion for Illinois

The Illinois House will be voting today on HB 607, which, ILCAAAP says, is not a "clean up" bill like some legislators are trying to frame it as. It's yet another expansion of gambling in Illinois while stripping away prevention measures. Call your House member this morning through the Capitol Switchboard at 217.782.2000. 

Below is a brief synopsis of HB 607's gambling changes and reasons why you should oppose:

Emergencies

Shimkus opposed to government-run health care

from Congressman Shimkus' office

Washington, DC...Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-19) issued the following statement after the House Democratic leadership unveiled its nearly-2000 page health care legislation in Washington Thursday:

"I support health insurance reforms that would make health care more accessible, affordable, and portable. I cannot support a plan that raises taxes, hurts businesses, and cuts Medicare seniors rely on...all to put the federal government in control of everyone's health care.

Cost of Dems' health care: $1,055,000,000,000 or $894,000,000,000?

Roll Call reported late Thursday night on the Congressional Budget Office's tally on what taxpayers will pay for Pelosi's health care solution. While she told the press it would be less than $894,000,000,000, here's what Roll Call says the CBO's numbers show:

The House Democratic health care reform bill will cost $1.055 trillion over the next decade but will still slash the federal deficit overall by $104 billion, according to a preliminary Congressional Budget Office score released late Thursday.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) had touted the bill as costing $894 billion when she released it online earlier in the day, but that number nets out $167 billion in new pay-or-play taxes on individuals and businesses. Pelosi's office had also said the bill would cut the deficit by $30 billion, but the CBO score came in much better.

ACLU Works to Kill Family Rights in Illinois

Thursday, the Thomas More Society filed a petition to intervene, on behalf of three Illinois state’s attorneys, in Cook County Circuit Court to defend the Illinois Parental Notice of Abortion Act. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) recently brought suit in Illinois state court to enjoin or block the Act, after the ACLU lost its bid in federal court earlier this year to stop the Act from going into effect

“At some point, the ACLU will realize that Illinois law, just like the law in 36 other states, provides parents the right to know before their underage daughters are taken for abortions,” said Peter Breen, Executive Director & Legal Counsel for the Society. “Until that time, we will defend against the ACLU’s continued attempts to thwart the will of Illinois voters, the large majority of whom support parental notice before an abortion.”

Does Anyone Stand for Freedom?

by Mark Rhoads

America's two political parties often seem to compete for the title of which can be the most foolish.  House Democrats propose a bill that has never gone through any committee and runs 1,990 pages that no living soul has ever read and that may easily cost more than one trillion dollars (in spite of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's misrepresentations to the contrary) over the next ten years and they are actually proud of the fact that they will take money away from Medicare (a previous pet Democratic program for decades) and will leave all Americans with less personal economic freedom and less choice.  They no longer even pretend to shun the word "socialist" because the only real debate inside the Pelosi wing of the Democratic Party is this: "how much socialism can we get away with and how fast before voters wake up to what happened while they were sleeping?"

Hayes: Public option has already failed

from the Hayes for Congress campaign

CHICAGO -- Democrats in Washington -- including the scandal-plagued Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. -- seem intent upon pushing a socialist-style health care plan on an unwilling American public. But the so-called "public option," or government-run health care, has failed everywhere it has been tried in the U.S. already. The laboratory of the states has proven that this experiment is just for mad social scientists, not serious public policy advocates, the public record demonstrates.

Cantor reacts to Pelosi health care takeover

Pelosi's Bill Supported by Partial-Birth Abortionist

The abortionist who failed to overturn a ban on partial-birth abortion prominently sported a sign at a press conference in support of Nancy Pelosi's health care bill that she unveiled today. LeRoy Carhart is currently under investigation by the Nebraska Attorney General for unsafe medical practices.

1990 page health care bill ready to be viewed

It's ready for our consumption ... Pelosi's 1990-page health care bill.  Get out four reams of white paper and begin printing now.  By late this afternoon and four printer ink refills, you'll have weekend reading all set and before you know it -- as soon as next Tuesday or Wednesday -- the U.S. House hopes to be voting on it.  Easy and painless ...

The Hill writes that Blue Dog Dems are happy with the "centrist" health care bill that penalizes the health insurance industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and those making $500,000 or more.  One must surmise that with a huge cut in Medicare, seniors might feel a little bit of the pain as well.

Only thing is, the House's "Progressive Caucus" hasn't decided what to do yet.  They're meeting with the President this afternoon to determine their response.

Read the bill for yourself ... HERE. The clock is ticking.

Dodge Lauds Halt in Free-Ride Programs

from the Dodge for Comptroller campaign

As a Metra Board member and Republican candidate for Illinois Comptroller, Jim Dodge applauds the agreement reached with legislative leaders regarding funding and in particular, supports ending the blanket free ride programs for seniors.

“As I stated at a recent Metra Board meeting, one of the reasons we had to make fare adjustments for other customers was the loss of revenue because of this program. Seniors have always had the ability to get reduced fares at Metra, and they will be able to do so again,” Dodge said.

Purcell joins 14th CD race

from the Purcell for Congress campaign

BATAVIA, IL – Jim Purcell, candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 14th Congressional District, announced today the launch of his campaign website at www.purcellforcongress.com. He also officially filed paperwork this week with the Federal Election Commission to form his campaign committee.

Purcell has assembled a strong campaign team of seasoned leaders and professionals needed to win in 2010.

“I am grateful and humbled by the outpouring of support for my campaign from the residents of the 14th Congressional District,” said Purcell. “After traveling the district for several months, I am convinced now is the time for a new class of principled leaders in Washington – leaders who will stand boldly for the values upon which our nation was built.”

ACORN fights back

Invoking the name of Jesus Christ as a purpose for defending the scandalous extortion-like practices of ACORN and SEIU is indefensible.  Nevertheless, the left never sits down and turns the other cheek.  They always, always fight back, using whatever tools available to them.  The video below is Exhibit D of ACORN/SEIU's tactics. 

Other examples are this week's demonstration at the Chicago American Bankers Association annual meeting to demand small banks stop legal means to get loans paid back as well as SEIU/ACORN's pressure on Advocate Health Care services in 2004 to wipe clean unpaid medical bills are nothing but schemes to rile more and more hysterical and unfounded class envy and animosity.

Voters expect health care plan to raise costs and lower quality

Rasmussen reports today that voters nationwide believe Obama's plan will raise health care costs and lower its quality ...

The president and congressional Democrats continue to argue that their health care reform plan will reduce how much most Americans spend on medical care. But 57% of voters nationwide believe the plan will raise the cost of health care if it passes, and 53% believe the quality of care will get worse. That’s part of the reason that just 45% support the plan. A slight majority (51%) of Americans are opposed to it.

While 49% of voters say that passing no health care reform bill this year would be better than passing the plan currently working its way through Congress, 39% feel the current effort is better than doing nothing.

Rasmussen also reports that 62% of those polled said America's headed in the wrong direction.

SEIU says "Health care plan means 'Yes we can!'"

From the Service Employees International Union pressroom in response to the Democrats' universal health care plan presented this am ...

"Today, the House of Representative's introduction of the America's Affordable Health Choices Act made clear that President Obama's challenge to our nation holds true: 'Yes We Can.'

"Yes we can provide quality health insurance that is affordable to 97 percent of the nation.

"Yes we can have a strong public option that drives costs down and gives people the power to choose what is best for their family.

Where will Foster, Halvorson or Bean be on Obamacare?

Finally, after months and months of backroom negotiations, the House Democrats will unveil their bill outlining the government takeover of healthcare. Though not as radical as the “robust” version of the government-run option, this version is nonetheless frightening: tax increases, job losses and more than $100 billion in cuts to Medicare. We’ll soon know what the bill looks like; it’s time to find out where Bill Foster, Debbie Halvorson and for that matter, where Melissa Bean stands.

1948 cartoon: Make Mine Freedom

Ethan Hastert Advances to ‘On the Radar’

From the NRCC:

Washington- The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Tuesday officially announced Ethan Hastert (IL-14) as an ‘On the Radar’ candidate, the first step of its Young Guns program. Founded in the 2007-2008 election cycle by Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Paul Ryan (R-WI), the Young Guns program is a member-driven organization dedicated to electing open-seat and challenger candidates nationwide.

The Young Guns program is designed to assist Republican candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives to achieve goals and benchmarks throughout the election cycle focused on the fundamentals of a winning campaign. By achieving ‘On the Radar’ status, Hastert has already proven his ability to build a successful campaign structure and achieve important fundraising goals.

ACORN maneuvers onto key federal financial board

The audacity of Congressional Democrats and ACORN is breathtaking.  Last week, in the midst of the ACORN scandals nationwide, the Dems not only ignored the allegations about giving illegal tax counsel and mortgage information to a pretend pimp and prostitute, they elevated ACORN.  Indeed, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) found a way to include ACORN reps on a financial oversight board, giving them a seat at the table of deciding the nation's financial future. 

The Washington Examiner's Byron York did an excellent job of explaining exactly how the ACORN con got around Congr. Michelle Bachmann, who has emerged as ACORN's #! Congressional enemy.  Waters' introduced legislation affecting the members of the new Consumer Financial Protection Agency's Oversight Board, and Bachmann misguessed and targeted instead the CFPA's Advisory Board.  Waters found her way around Bachmann's anti-ACORN language this way ...

Peraica: Property Tax Burden Unfairly Distributed

CHICAGO, IL — Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica held a press conference this morning to discuss what he perceives as gross inequity in the county's property tax assessment system.

Peraica also released a "White Paper" on the unfair tax burden distribution, which be viewed online by clicking here.

"While Cook County follows Illinois in basing real property taxation on Market Value, such value for Commercial/Industrial property can often be inconsistently estimated (assessed) and taxes inconsistently administered," Peraica observes.

Foster and Co. Could Back Path to Single Payer System

from the National Republican Congressional Committee:

Washington- Did Bill Foster cut a deal with Democrat leaders to support a government healthcare takeover that one longtime advocate of the single payer system called “progress” toward a fully socialized healthcare system? From the way that leading Democrats are discussing the matter, it appears that Foster is ready to jump on board with his party’s reckless healthcare agenda.

As news comes out today that Democrats are ready to introduce a bill favored by the party’s more ‘moderate’ wing, one senior liberal was quick to remind his colleagues that this version of his party’s government healthcare takeover still paves the way for government-run healthcare for all.

Ever wanna tell Durbin what you think?

Our not-so-esteemed U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is rarely out among the commoners like us, but he has opened his website up for an opinion survey on health care reform.  Ignore his intro, and proceed to tell him what you think. .... Here's your chance.

Reid Me a Story: A Mind is A Terrible Thing to Lose

by Teri O'Brien

I have repeatedly expressed what I am sure is the collective astonishment of many over the ability of liberals to recite easily demonstrated inaccuracies, fabrications and outright lies with not only a straight face, but an earnestness that renders the vigilant truth seekers in the Jurassic media incapable of the cranial activity required to formulate even the most mundane inquiry.

Miss America judges ask more challenging and less predictable questions than journos ask liberals, but after so many decades of that, its lost the least bit of shock value. In fact, it is now official: Most members of the Lame Stream Media who have achieved even D list fame are not only not the best informed, most knowledgeable, and smartest people in the room. The reality is the exact opposite.

IR asks Bill Brady how he would work with Democrats

More "Illinois Review asks" to come ...

Durkin and Connelly move to overturn Quinn's EO 09-15

State Representatives Jim Durkin and Mike Connelly agree with home care parents who fought off union bullies last week that Governor Pat Quinn's Executive Order 09-15 should be rescinded. 

Unless EO 09-15 is rescinded families who care for their seriously disabled family members in their own homes will be forced to ward off purple-t-shirted SEIU visitors and AFSCME phone calls every year.  Despite the fact parents overwhelmingly voted against joining either union last Monday, Quinn's EO 09-15 oipens the way for a vote to be taken annually.  The parents want this whole controversy to go away.  The unions want those 3500 home health workers to be on their due-paying union rolls. 

Today Durkin and Connelly introduced House Resolution 720 which calls on the Governor to withdraw the order.  The resolution will need to be called in the House, something only Speaker Mike Madigan decides.  Calls to Speaker Madigan's office (217-782-2000) to vote on HR 720 is in order.

IR asks Kirk Dillard about the importance of electing a Republican in 2010

More IR interviews with 2010 GOP candidates at "Illinois Review asks ..."

Might preborns become a trendy cause?

by Jill Stanek

"Causes are the new black," quipped the moderator as he introduced actor Anthony Edwards, first up on a celebrity panel discussing how social media has impacted the lives of pop stars.

This was at the Blog World and New Media Expo in Las Vegas 10 days ago.

Edwards' cause is funding the construction of what will be the largest children's hospital in Kenya, via his organization Shoe4Africa.

My ears perked up at the moderator's observation, because I'd noticed this recurring theme the previous two days during BWE panels and keynotes.