Illinois Review

Reps Cross and Bradley debate workmen's comp reform

SPRINGFIELD - During the closing arguments on the House floor debate on workers' comp reform House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Plainfield) clearly outlined the House Republican Caucus' rejection of HB 1698's workers' comp reform, saying "This doesn't look like reform, it doesn't smell like reform, and that's because it isn't real reform."

Click to listen:  2011workerscompcross

HB 1698's Democratic House sponsor Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion) responded emotionally to Cross with the following arguments before calling for the vote:

Click to listen: 2011workerscompbradley

The final vote was 62 for, 43 against and 10 present.  60 votes were needed for HB 1698's passage.

Kay challenges House sponsor on numbers used to pass workers comp reform

SPRINGFIELD -- Just how much real reform State Rep. John Bradley's (D-Marion) HB 1698 is structured to bring upon Illinois' workers comp system was the topic of debate during Tuesday night's debate on the House floor.  Freshman State Rep. Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon) took Rep. Bradley to task for numbers the bill sponsor presented on just how much Illinois businesses would save with the passage of Bradley's plan that passed the Illinois House Tuesday with a 62 to 43 vote along party lines.

Kay, who is also vice-president of Cassens' Trucking in Glen Carbon, said Bradley's estimation that a workers comp plan would save businesses nearly $500 million was "mistaken" and "misleading."  Kay stood firm on research he had done and experts he'd talked to concerning Bradley's proposal.  

Kay said under the name of reform, workers comp was said to have been improved in 2005, but the changes were devastating to Illinois businesses.  Kay urged Bradley to continue working on the bill until the workers' comp system was truly revamped.  Earlier in the day, Kay removed his name as chief co-sponsor of Bradley's bill.

The exchange is worth a listen: 2011workerscompkay

The workers' comp reform bill will proceed to Governor Quinn's desk.  Quinn said Tuesday night he "looks forward to signing the bill."  The roll call vote is HERE.

Ready to serve in Cook County? Here's your chance

COOK COUNTY -- Do you dream of being involved in public service, especially in Cook County?  Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle extends the invitation to you to nominate yourself to serve Cook County taxpayers, appointed to a board by her:

Our democracy is built on the idea of participatory government.  One of the best ways you can participate is by serving on a county board or commission.  These groups of people just like you or I oversee and advise county elected officials, agencies, and departments on a wide range of vital issues.  Take a few minutes to find a board or commission you’re interested in serving on.  Click on a link to read more about the board, or if you know where you’d like to serve, click to nominate yourself.

It’s up to you to take the first step towards promoting open, honest and effective government.

To nominate yourself online, go to http://blog.cookcountygov.com/appointments/ and submit your name.  Let us know here at IR if you are lucky enough to be chosen.

House member Tim Schmitz inducted into infamous Century Club

SPRINGFIELD -- Tuesday, State Rep. Tim Schmitz (R-Geneva) brought a Senate-amended version of HB 2555 to the Illinois House, and 100 members voted "no."  That vote inducted Schmitz into the infamous Century Club, when 100 members reject a piece of legislation. The previous trophy holder was Democrat House member Kenneth Dunkin (D-Chicago). 

Illinois Statehouse News caught it all on video today:

BREAKING: Senate sends Smart Grid bill to Governor

SPRINGFIELD -- The Senate passed legislation that would subsidize Com Ed's upgrade of services to the tune of $3.7 billion paid by Illinois taxpayers over the next 10 years.  The Smart Grid system, Sponsor Senator Mike Jacobs (D), will upgrade Illinois systems, costing residents $3.40 a month more. 

Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the AARP worked against the passage of this bill, concerned more about how the deal was worked out more than upgrading the system itself.

More to come ... SB 1652's roll call will be attached HERE when available online.

BREAKING: Senate sends gambling expansion bill to Governor

SPRINGFIELD - With the help of six Republican senators, State Senator Terry Link (D-) shepherded a massive gambling expansion bill through the Senate Tuesday, promising between $400 and $650 million to go towards education.  Helped by phone calls from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, five new casino licenses will be distributed to the city of Chicago, the south suburbs, Park City, Danville and Rockford areas.  In addition, race tracks will now be allowed to offer slots as will Illinois airports.

The six GOP senators that voted for SB 744's historic gambling expansion are Larry Bomke, Kirk Dillard, Dave Leuchtefold, Matt Murphy, Carole Pankau and Dave Syverson.  

The roll call will be posted HERE when available online.

Lake Bluff celebrates Memorial Day in a big way

by Nancy Thorner

As I reverently made my way to Lake Bluff's Memorial Day Ceremony on its Village Green, my steps quickened upon hearing the familiar strains of Sousa's "Washington Post March" played by the Lake Forest High School Band under the direction of Janene Kessler.

Upon reaching the Village Green, I mingled with the already large gathering of my fellow Lake Bluffers in front of the Gazebo who had come to pay their respects to all who have died fighting wars to protect this nation, one million in all.

It was strange to be welcomed to the solemn event by Post 510 Commander, David Cimarrusti, who assumed command of Post 510 after prior commander, Rudy Iberle, moved away from this area to be near his daughter.

State Sen. LaHood on the budget

After voting against a series of budget bills that would increase spending over last year’s level, contained no true spending cuts, and included a last minute amendment that added an additional $430 million in spending to the budget, State Sen. Darin LaHood made the following statement:

“The State is broke and we can’t keep spending money we don’t have,” said LaHood. “I voted no because I believe deep cuts are necessary to help put Illinois back on the path to fiscal solvency and ensure that the 67 percent tax increase that passed in January doesn’t become permanent.  Our State cannot continue to tax, borrow, and spend.”

“In total, the budget passed by the Sen. Democrats increases spending by around $1.25 billion over last year," says LaHood.  “It is unfortunate that this process couldn’t be used to create a responsible budget that makes Illinois a more fiscally responsible state.  It would appear that this year’s budget is just more of the same old story.”

The 62% Tax Rate Problem

by R.J. Moeller

In the latest in an incalculably long line line of acts that prove Democrats are less-than-serious about turning the US economy around, we learn this week that the top tax rate might soon be 62%. From Stephen Moore in today's Wall Street Journal:

Media reports in recent weeks say that Senate Democrats are considering a 3% surtax on income over $1 million to raise federal revenues. This would come on top of the higher income tax rates that President Obama has already proposed through the cancellation of the Bush era tax-rate reductions.

If the Democrats' millionaire surtax were to happen—and were added to other tax increases already enacted last year and other leading tax hike ideas on the table this year—this could leave the U.S. with a combined federal and state top tax rate on earnings of 62%. That's more than double the highest federal marginal rate of 28% when President Reagan left office in 1989. Welcome back to the 1970s.

Wow. Awesome. For such "progressive" people, the Left seems insistent upon returning America to the failed policies we learned don't work 40 years ago.

AFSCME wins; pension reform delayed to veto session ... or later, if ever

SPRINGFIELD - There will be no pensions reforms before the end of this regular session, Speaker Mike Madigan and Minority Leader Tom Cross announced Monday afternoon during the heat of the session's last two days.  

Groups like the Civic Committee, Americans for Prosperity of Illinois and the Illinois Policy Institute had pushed hard for pension reform while the unions - and the Democrats they buy each election season - pushed to keep things as they are.  The unions, the Chicago Sun-Times writes, won this round, no surprise to those observers that predicted the whole pension reform thing was a shrewdly-directed Democrat ploy to give the impression they were interested in changing things.  Laughs on taxpayers.

“Thanks to the most potent grassroots lobbying campaign ever waged, we have blocked passage of a measure backed by leaders of both political parties and the biggest corporations in the state of Illinois,” Henry Bayer, executive director of AFSCME Council 31, said in a prepared statement.

Madigan and Cross issued a joint statement with Tyrone Fahner, the head of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, in announcing the pension-reform package was dead for the spring.

Illinois House honors conservative Tom Roeser

Sponsored by House Minority Leader Tom Cross and House Speaker Michael Madigan, HR 444 passed the Illinois House Tuesday to honor Illinois conservative icon, WLS-AM 890's Tom Roeser who passed away Sunday at age 82:

HOUSERESOLUTION

2       WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of

3   Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Tom

4   Roeser; and 

5       WHEREAS, Tom Roeser was born in Evanston in 1928; he was a

6   graduate of St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota;

7   and 

8       WHEREAS, Tom Roeser began his career covering politics in

9   Minnesota, where he became a research-publicist for the

10   Minnesota Republican Party; he subsequently served as an aide

11   to two United States congressmen and a governor; he later

12   returned to Chicago to launch the Quaker Oats Company's

13   government relations department in 1964 and continued his

14   education with post-graduate studies at DePaul and Loyola

15   Universities; and 

Emanuel works phones for Chicago casino

CHICAGO -- Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is working the phone today, calling on Senators to support the House's gambling expansion bill that will authorize a Chicago casino, in addition to four others throughout the state, along with slot machines at horse racing tracks and airports, the Tribune reports.

Shimkus back in safe territory on Illinois congressional map

Illinois House Democrats sent their congressional district map to the Senate, with a slight, last-minute change that puts U.S. Rep. John Shimkus back in his own district.

A new district had lassoed Shimkus' Collinsville home with much of the territory currently represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, including his residence. Shimkus would have been thrown into unfamiliar territory.

Two hours ago, Democrats filed an amendment that they say would separate the two.

via www.stltoday.com

Democrat Senator Raoul threatens to blow up Illinois' workers' comp system

SPRINGFIELD - Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) could call the "nuclear option" that would dismantle the state's workmen's comp system Tuesday in this legislature's last scheduled regular session. The "nuclear option" passed the Senate Executive Committee Monday evening and may be called for a vote in the Senate today.

Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) said in committee that Raoul's decision to move forward is a "testerone-filled game of chicken," in an attempt to force the doctors to accept a 30 percent fee cut that's part of the workmen's comp package Raoul passed in the Senate, but the House rejected Sunday.

The committee exchange got heated at one point.  State Senator Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) said employers would view Raoul's approach as dangerous and portray Illinois as an unstable business climate.  State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) told Raoul he "couldn't believe we've come to this," and Raoul replied, "Me either." Brady and Raoul's emotional discussion was ended by Chairman Harmon's gavel before Raoul's proposal passed the committee with a vote along partisan lines, the Democrats for, Republicans against.  

Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) urged a "yes" vote in committee, saying if the workers' comp system revamp passed, the sky was not falling.  

No need to drop adoption services, Catholic legal group says

ROCKFORD -- Rockford Catholic Charities ending their adoption services should not set the example for other religious groups throughout Illinois, one Catholic-affiliated legal service provider advises.

"Catholic adoption agencies have no need to stop serving foster and adoption families," said attorney Peter Breen of Chicago-based Thomas More Society.  "In our view, Illinois law does not require sectarian agencies to abide by the same non-discrimination standard as non-sectarian agencies. We're encouraging Catholic Charities adoption agencies to continue their work just as they have before."

Repercussions resulting from Illinois becoming the sixth state to implement civil unions are being blamed for Rockford's Catholic Charities announcing they will withdraw from facilitating adoption and foster care services in Illinois immediately.

Catholic Charities' communications director Penny Wiegand said Thursday that because of Illinois' soon-to-be-enacted civil unions law, Rockford's adoption agency would shut down, all leasing contracts would be severed and all staff would be dismissed.

Biden curbs press freedoms

A little more than a week ago, Vice President Joe Biden traveled to fundraisers in two battleground-state cities, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

Neither stop included the White House press corps; requests by local media to cover the events were denied by the vice president's press office. The Democratic National Committee arranged the events for the Obama Victory Fund.

A number of seasoned political reporters and former White House press-office staffers consider that lack of coverage a dangerous precedent.

"It would behoove the Obama administration to keep its promise of transparency even with fundraisers," agrees Jeff Brauer, a political history professor at Keystone College. "The United States is a democracy, after all."

More HERE

Obama Goes Golfing on Memorial Day

by Keith Koffler

The business of memorializing our war dead done, President Obama headed out to the Fort Belvoir golf course today, finding his way onto the links for the ninth weekend in a row.

Obama earlier today laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and met with families of those killed in battle. But he emerged from the day’s solemnity to go golfing for the 12th time this year and the 70th time of his presidency.

The decision to golf on Memorial Day invites comparison with President George W. Bush, who gave up the game early in his presidency and said he did it out of respect for the families of those killed in Iraq.

via www.whitehousedossier.com

Roskam commemorates Memorial Day in hometown Wheaton

Warner Todd Huston of Publius Forum joined Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-6) as he walked in Wheaton's Memorial Day Parade Monday ...

Wheaton, Ill- Illinois Congressman Peter Roskam (R, 6th District) walked in the Wheaton Memorial Day Parade to some applause and ended the exercise by speaking to those assembled at the Wheaton Cemetery to commemorate those that have served us in peace and war and those who gave their last full measure so that we could remain the last best hope of the world.

... Rep. Roskam had a group of about fifty supporters march with him and I joined them to document the event. As we walked the distance from downtown Wheaton to the Wheaton Cemetery it was obvious that the congressman had many fans along the route. There were surprised smiles and a healthy amount of applause as the congressman and his lovely wife led the contingent.

The rest is HERE.

Welcome Bikers for Liberty

by Mark Rhoads

For decades senior Republican pundits have lectured that the GOP should be "a big tent" and more inclusive of many diverse groups.  But when country-club Republicans see real people enter the tent who are outside of their own elitist comfort zone, suddenly the tent is not really big enough for everyone and GOP elitists  become very selective about which groups in America should be under the tent.  Some snobbish commentators at National Review were shocked and embarrassed to see former Gov. Sarah Palin wearing a black leather jacket and helmut while riding on a Harley with thousands of people who come every year to Washington, DC for the Memorial Day ceremonies of Operation Rolling Thunder.

Apparently some of them feel that riding a motocycle is somehow per se a disqualification to run for high office where the Brooks Brothers suits dominate the stage.  The purpose of this post is NOT to put another log on the endless debate about Sarah Palin's "qualifications" to run for president.  I am trying to make an entirely different point.  The most important factor in defining who is or is not a conservative is the ideals they believe in and not how they dress or whether or not they graduated from an Ivy League university.

IL House passes DREAM Act to Governor

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights applauded final passage of Illinois' DREAM Act in the Illinois House Monday.  Winning the effort by eight votes, and Governor Pat Quinn's assurance that he would sign the DREAM Act into law, the ICIRR released the following statement:

Today, the Illinois DREAM Act (SB2185), legislation that would offer undocumented youth better access to higher education, passed in the Illinois House of Representatives on a bipartisan 60-54 vote. SB 2185, sponsored in the House by Rep. Edward Acevedo, has the support of Cardinal George, 15 university presidents, and hundreds of other faith leaders, business leaders, and community organizations.

“Today’s bipartisan vote in the Illinois House is truly historic,” said Lawrence Benito, deputy director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), who led the effort to win approval of the bill in the General Assembly. “This vote is a victory for our state and an important step forward in recognizing the contributions of immigrants.”

The Illinois DREAM Act will establish a privately-funded Illinois DREAM Fund, administered by a volunteer state commission, to make scholarships available to children of immigrants who graduate from Illinois high schools. It will also enable high school counselors and college admissions officers to be fully informed regarding educational opportunities for immigrant youth. The Illinois DREAM Act will impose no costs on Illinois taxpayers.

And while supporters insisted the state DREAM Act had nothing to do with the federal DREAM Act, the ICIRR pointed out how the two are distinctly connected:

Illinois House supports more gambling - five new casinos and race track slots

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois House passed yet another massive expansion of gambling Monday, allowing slot machines at racetracks and airports, five more casinos -- including one in Chicago, Lake County, the south suburbs -- and all for the sake of paying down unpaid bills, State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Chicago) told House members.

Towns with already struggling casinos weren't supportive of the new licenses and expected the competition the drain potential gamblers resulting in less revenue and staff layoffs.  

SB 744 passed the Illinois House in a close 60 to 55 vote, with Republicans and Democrats both supporting and opposing.  The bill, sponsored by Democrat senators Terry Link and Donne Trotter and Republican Dave Syverson, is likely to be heard for concurrence in the IL Senate Tuesday.

The state's recent expansion of video poker gambling in liquor-selling restaurants is still in the regulation process, as the Gaming Commission works its way through mounting obstacles.

What kind of people are we?

by Sam Pierce

Today is Memorial Day and most of us seek to honor those who gave everything for our nation. The men and women to whom this day is dedicated sacrificed their lives on our behalf. They went off to serve their country and left behind parents, spouses, siblings, and children... some of whom would never get the opportunity to know their fathers or mothers. There is no greater sacrifice than that of those who lost their lives fighting our wars.

This piece is not about our fallen heroes. It is about the rest of us. We know what kind of people we lost in military action. What kind of people are we, the civilians? For what do we stand? What are we sacrificing? To what do we believe we are entitled? Who do we believe is responsible to provide us that which we believe is our due?

They Fought for Us

Soldiers Coming Home

"I Honor Back"

Memorial Day

They Gave All

Trace Adkins - Arlington

Welcome Home

Please Remember Me

Remember

Memorial Day

Remembering Them

IL Senate Dems fail to borrow Quinn's additional $6.2 B

SPRINGFIELD - The first of an expected four bills that would have given permission to Governor Pat Quinn to borrow $6.2 Billion to pay off overdue obligations failed Sunday night on the Illinois Senate floor.  

State Senator Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora) spelled out three points of opposition to the idea of more borrowing while debating the first piece of legislation, SB 342:

LauzenSB342

SB 342's Senate sponsor Senator John Sullivan (D-Quincy) responded, a bit frustrated with the resistant Republicans saying "Not paying our bills is hurting our state," and that "This is not new debt ..."  Sullivan lists at the end of his call for the vote several groups that supported the Governor's plan to borrow $6.2 billion -- groups like teachers' unions and state workers' unions -- that have the most to lose if the state is unable to pay their bills.  Sullivan commented:

SullivanSB342

SB 342 was then voted upon, and it fell short with 19 for, 23 against and 4 present votes.  The Senate adjourned abruptly after SB 342 was defeated.  Back to the drawing board for Senate Democrats that urgently need budget passage before the clock strikes midnight Tuesday night.

UPDATE: IL House rejects Senate workers comp changes

SPRINGFIELD -- The Democrat-controlled Illinois House rejected workers comp changes the Illinois Senate overwhelmingly accepted Saturday.  Needing 60 yes votes, House sponsor John Bradley, who successfully passed the workers' comp "nuclear option" Saturday night, failed to deliver the Senate's suggested changes with 55 yes, 39 no and 19 voting "present."  

UPDATE:  Senator Raoul won't rule out calling Rep. Bradley's abolishment of worker comp system for vote.

IL Sen Dems Tweet: "Sen. Raoul says House vote frustrating after bipartisan support in Senate on workers comp reform."

The roll call on HB 1698 concurrence is HERE.

More to come ...

Will Sarah Run? Today on Teri O'Brien

by Teri O'Brien

This week we’ll be talking about Campaign 2012. Sarah Palin continues to play the Lame Stream Media like a fiddle. Do you think she’s running for president? Do you want to see her enter the race? Can she win the nomination? More important, can she defeat Barack Obama? What impact would her entry into the race have on the other candidates, including alleged “front runner” Mitt Romney?

Watching Mitt is like watching last century over-the-air networks trying to drum up enthusiasm for summer reruns of shows we didn’t want to watch the first time. Even Chris Matthews admits that Gov. Palin is a charismatic, interesting figure who generates the excitement that seems to be missing from the rest of the field, yet some other democrat strategists like Andrea Mitchell seem to be relishing the possibility of running against her.

One prominent GOP commentator, “well-respected,” by which I mean beloved by the media for her turncoat statements and behavior, blames Gov. Palin for her dating problems. Perhaps, or perhaps it’s the fact that her room-temperature level I.Q. and her TMI remarks about her sex life are a turn off. Is she, in the word of the week, a “slut?” And is that a bad thing?

Tom Roeser, "Mr.Conservative," RIP

by Chris Robling

Mary Anne Hackett sent a note at 11 this morning that said Tom Roeser's passing was announced at the 9 am liturgy at St John Cantius today.

Please pray for Lillian, his wife, and for the four beautiful children of their marriage, Tom Jr., Michael, Mary Catherine and Jeanne.

IR Editor's note:  Tom announced his retirement from radio just last week, and his radio talk show home at WLS AM 890 features a biography of Roeser's amazing career HERE.  He would have been 83 years old in July.

Workers comp reform passed to gov amidst debate over degree of reform

SPRINGFIELD -- During Saturday's Senate floor discussion on workers compensation reform several senators rose to express his or her views on Senator Kwame Raoul's HB 1698 before the vote of 46 to 8 with 2 not voting.   Senator Raoul did not take kindly to his opponents' criticism:

WS4001312

More below the fold ...

Vote Fraud and A Lesson from History

By John F. Di Leo

What can today's patriots learn from Cato the Elder?

The year is 150 B.C.  Cato the Elder has been a Roman senator for some forty years.  He’s a good senator, and a heck of an orator.  Old he may be, but he can’t retire; he has a mission:  He must convince Rome to go to war with Carthage.  Again.

There have already been two Punic Wars, and they have been taxing for the Senate and People of Rome.  There are many reasons to go to war again, some very good, some bad.  Carthage remains a rival on the seas, a rival in trade… and Carthage still engages in the horrible practice of feeding children to a furnace, as food for their satanic “god.”  All this must stop.  But the people don’t want war; only Cato does.

So Cato has made it his mission in life.  Every speech he gives – on agriculture, on the budget, on taxes, on spending, on requisitions for the troops, on cobblestones for the roads, no matter the topic – he always ends the exact same way, with conviction: “…and furthermore… Carthage must be destroyed!”

On Redistricting and politics

Ms. Janet Silosky gave this testimony at the Will County Board's May 25th redistricting hearing

With malice toward none, and respect for all, I am here today to voice my objection to the proposed re-districting plans. Many may not know of this meeting, nor care, if they did. They most certainly would not be interested in the power-grab this plan affords.

But I do care. Furthermore, this plan is not compact, as maps statewide are required - section3, Article 4 of the Illinois State Constitution. The township I live in would be cut in four, not to mention the village, itself. What could possibly be the rationale? What this jigsaw of a puzzle does do, is afford a 2-1 Democratic majority where none was before. I wonder if this wasn't the original intent? Actions speak louder than words. 

Radogno: Workers’ compensation measure advanced in Senate

from Senator Christine Radogno

SPRINGFIELD – After months of negotiations, Senate lawmakers advanced workers’ compensation reform that State Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) said will lower costs for Illinois’ employers and improve the state’s job climate.

Radogno said that House Bill 1698 seeks to lower the state’s workers’ compensation costs and tighten the current system, which has become associated with scandalous abuses and high costs to employers and taxpayers. The measure is the product of a complicated process that required bipartisan participation and compromise by employers, the medical community and other stakeholders. 

“This is not a perfect bill, but I think we’ve achieved our main objective of lowering costs for job creators, while protecting the rights of injured workers,” Radogno said. “While this measure alone will not eliminate all abuses of this system, it is good step towards addressing a system that has driven employers and business out of our state.”

Civil unions in Illinois stir effort for another marriage referendum

CHICAGO - Both a prayer vigil to protect the sanctity of marriage and a counter-demonstration supporting civil unions and gay marriage took place outside St. Peter's Church in Chicago Friday afternoon.  The prayer vigil launched a petition drive to get an advisory referendum on the 2012 ballot, asking the people of Illinois whether the Illinois General Assembly should pass a constitutional amendment to protect one-man/one-woman marriage.  

If a majority of Illinois voters were to support the referendum, the Illinois General Assembly would then have to take up the measure.  If the Assembly then passed the constitutional amendment, it would go back to the voters of Illinois for one last vote.  A similar effort in 2006 failed to gather enough advisory referendum petition signatures to get on the statewide ballot.

Next Wednesday, Illinois will become the sixth state in the union to permit same sex or opposite sex civil unions.

Foster files to regain congressional seat in 2012

AURORA - Former congressman Democrat Bill Foster filed Saturday with the Federal Election Commission to run in the newly-drawn 11th CD, which now includes Aurora.

The current 11th CD is represented by Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, but the Democrats drew the new 11th CD much further north, and if Kinzinger were to run for the 11th CD, he would no longer be representing his hometown of Bloomington-Normal.  

Foster was beat in 2010 by 14th CD U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren.  Hultgren's 14th CD map now includes portions of Congresswoman Judy Biggert's 13th  and Congressman Don Manzullo's 16th districts.

McCarter says workers' comp reform is a "Band Aid" bill

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Senate passed Senator Kwame Raoul's (D-Chicago) workers' comp reform Saturday with only eight votes opposing the bill.  One of those opposing HB 1698, but not at the Capitol to cast a vote today, was State Senator Kyle McCarter, who was attending his son's wedding.

Sen. McCarter, who has been working on another workers' comp reform told Illinois Review if he'd been at the Capitol today he would have opposed the "Band Aid" bill.  He told the Decatur Tribune about the provisions he would have preferred to see in reform:

“In my measure, Senate Bill 1349, collective bargaining rights were maintained for the entire construction industry but in this alternative the operating engineers and steelworkers are the only unions whose bargaining rights are protected, said McCarter.

McCarter said the new legislation is anemic at best; it singles out doctors and leaves out the participation of other major players, high-powered special interests such as trial lawyers, in what should have been a fair and equitable reform that all parties would have shared responsibility.

IL Senate Exec Committee passes workers comp reform; Senate floor action shortly

SPRINGFIELD - Saturday, the Illinois Senate Exec Committee passed to the Senate floor with a 14 to 1 vote a workers comp reform package labeled by Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno as "a compromise." Senator Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) voted no, saying he feared the reform will increase business owners' workers comp costs.

With the encouragement of Illinois Manufacturers Association's Greg Baise, saying the proposal was an improvement to the current system, both Democrats and Republicans got on board.  HB 1698 was kept alive, the IL Senate GOP Tweeted, by the Belleville News-Democrat's continuing investigation into Department of Corrections' employees' claims.

UPDATE: The Illinois Medical Society told committee members they would drop their opposition to HB 1698 if the amount doctors' fees in workers comp cases would drop by 20 percent instead of the bill's 30 percent rate.  Democrats say that the reform uses American Medical Association's fee chart.  The Illinois Hospital Association also voiced their opposition.   

There was no report of discussion whether workers' comp lawyers fees would be reduced to match the discount doctors will face with passage of Senator Kwame Raoul's proposed reform package.

Although State Rep. John Bradley's "blow up the system" bill was scheduled for Senate Exec, when HB 1698 passed committee, it was adjourned shortly thereafter and Bradley's bill was not discussed.

Senate floor action is expected on HB 1698 shortly.

You Know You're a Socialist If.....

By Mark Rhoads

With apologies to Jeff Foxworthy, I would like to start a list of indicators that a person might be a socialist and invite other IR readers to contribute their nominations also.

1.  If you cannot imagine any area of human activity so personal or minute that it should not be regulated completely by the federal government, you might be a socialist.

Walsh's Memorial Day weekend to include 3 district parades

WASHINGTON– U.S. Congressman Joe Walsh (R-IL) today announced that he will commemorate Memorial Day on Monday, May 30^th by participating in community events honoring those who have lost their lives in service to our country. Congressman Walsh encourages all 8^th District residents to remember the significance of Memorial Day by participating in local parades and ceremonies.

“Throughout our nation’s history, many servicemen have given their lives in defense of our freedoms. It is important that we honor and remember them,” said Congressman Walsh. “Memorial Day is the only day designated to publicly honor their sacrifices. I encourage my constituents to join me at one of the observances listed below or participate in the many Memorial Day activities taking place in communities throughout the 8^th Congressional District.”

Constituents are invited to join Congressman Walsh at the events listed below. Congressman Walsh asks that political t-shirts and signs be left at home and participants instead wear red, white and blue and bring an American flag to carry (POW/MIA flags would also be appropriate).

Calls needed to Capitol on anti-family bills

The Illinois Family Institute asks for calls this weekend to the Capitol. The Capitol switchboard number is (217) 782-2000 and is open 24/7. Simply make the call and ask to be transferred to your state rep. to leave a message with the legislative assistant urging your lawmaker to oppose both HB 3027 and SB 744:

• HB 3027 -- promoted by the ACLU of Illinois -- mandates that every public school which teaches sex education in grades 6-12 must teach "comprehensive" sex education. Contraception-centered sex-education curricula encourage children and youth into early sexual experimentation. They mislead youth and create a false hope that condoms will provide sufficient protection from the physical, emotional and social consequences of early sexual activity. (Click HERE to learn more about what comprehensive sexperts from the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) think our children need to know.)

• SB 744, the massive expansion of gambling, was amended and passed out of committee on Friday afternoon. Read more about this legislative proposal HERE.

Families of disabled children look for help outside Illinois

Illinois parents of children with disabilities are  moving to neighboring states to get help, because Illinois is broke and way behind on its pension and state agency obligations.  Even with a 67% income tax increase earlier this year, the funds are going to pay off debts rather than assist families struggling to provide care for their kids.  Decades of expanding programs and buying political constituents with pork projects and crony favors have contributed to the mess we're in, and will find harder and harder to exit ...

In its 2011 state analysis, United Cerebral Palsy ranked Illinois 48th for providing services. By comparison, Michigan is third, Minnesota 14th and Wisconsin 20th. The University of Colorado's Coleman Institute of Cognitive Disorders also puts Illinois near the bottom for funding autism spectrum disorders, while the National Alliance on Mental Illness gives Illinois a D.

More about the growing exit in the Chicago Tribune

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