Illinois Review

CNN's exit polling in Florida primary shows GOP political ideology

Here's a taste of CNN's exit polling from Florida - and how Republicans voted per their self-identified political ideology ... What do you see in these numbers? 

The unfairness of welfare

My guy lost but I'm still proud of him

By Mark Rhoads -

Rick Santorum ran third in Florida with a very small budget. Romney outspent the three other campaigns combined almost 4 to 1 and got 47 percent of the GOP primary voters in Florida or almost $3 per vote but don't worry, he'd got more money left. That is a big plurality in a multi-candidate race but it is still not closing the deal in my opinion. The GOP needs more than just rich people and senior citizens who back Romney in GOP primaries to win in November.

Former Sen. Rick Santorum ran an honorable and positive campaign and I remain proud of him. He stands for principle consistently over a period of years and has an appealing common touch and refreshing humility that I admire in contrast to the overwhelming vanity of many candidates. I understand the preferences of other IR readers and I repect their differences of opinion as to the qualities they most want in a GOP nominee. But the test for me is would I be proud of a candidate win, lose, or draw and Rick Santorum passes that test for me.

A haircut

One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, 'I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing community service this week.' The florist was pleased and left the shop. When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.

Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing community service this week.' The cop was happy and left the shop. The next morning when the barber went to open up, there were a 'thank you' card and a dozen doughnuts waiting for him at his door.

Then a Member of Congress came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I can not accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The Member of Congress was very happy and left the shop. The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen other Members of Congress lined up waiting for a free haircut.

And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.

Romney wins in Florida

Immediately after the Florida panhandle polls closed at 7 PM CST, Fox News Election HQ projected Mitt Romney to win the Florida GOP primary with 47% of the vote. Newt Gingrich is projected to come in second with a projected 31%, Rick Santorum with 17% and Ron Paul with 7%.

Obama's real accomplishments

Obama's real accomplishments:

• First President to apply for college aid as a foreign student, then deny he was a foreigner.
• First President to have a social security number from a state he has never lived in.
• First President to preside over a cut to the credit-rating of the United States.
• First President to violate the War Powers Act.
• First President to be held in contempt of court for illegally obstructing oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.
• First President to defy a Federal Judge’s court order to cease implementing the Health Care Reform Law.

The Mighty Quill of a Westchester Patriot

By John F. Di Leo -

Reflections on the anniversary of the birth of Gouverneur Morris

Willis Haviland Carrier invented the first modern air conditioning machine in 1902 at the Buffalo Forge Company, and today, a century later, it’s difficult to imagine a home or office being built anywhere in America without either central A/C or at least a window or room unit to alleviate the summer heat.

There was no such technological solution in the Founding Era, when statesmen committed to the Glorious Cause spent months at a time in Philadelphia, trying to think straight in a muggy meeting room at what we now call Independence Hall.

Hultgren: New CBO Report Underlines Need For Fiscal Reform

Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) forecasted that the federal budget deficit will exceed $1 trillion once again in 2012.

“A fourth consecutive trillion dollar tidal wave of red ink is unacceptable, and underscores the need for Congress to enact serious budgetary reforms,” said Hultgren. “I remain convinced that the key to breaking Washington’s addiction to spending is the Cut, Cap and Balance Act we passed last year.

Candidates: Nine hours to get Conservative Coalition questionnaire in

Candidates want our votes, but unless we get the chance to speak with them individually, it's nearly impossible to know their positions on pertinent issues. Nine conservative groups and bloggers have joined together on a single questionnaire we're asking legislative candidates to answer. Conservatives want to know how candidates think and if they understand conservative principles. This is a great way to get those answers.

The deadline for the Conservative Coalition questionnaire is midnight January 31st, 2012. If we haven't heard from you, click on the Questionnaire icon on Illinois Review's right margin today and get it back in. For any questions, feel free to write info@illinoisreview.com.

IR interview hat-tipped in Daily Herald

KANE COUNTY - The Daily Herald graciously points out Illinois Review's multi-part interview with Karen McConnaughay, GOP candidate for the 33rd Senate District in a story today. 

McConnaughay, who moved to the Fox Valley in 1979, first got involved in politics when a bike path was proposed along the Fox River that would have gone through her backyard, she told the conservative blog Illinois Review last fall. McConnaughay and neighbors set into motion what they called a Stop Taking Our Property campaign.

Hear for yourself the interview with Karen McConnaughay and her neck-in-neck Republican primary opponent Cliff Surges by going HERE.

Andrzejewski gives nod to Sandack

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – For the Good of Illinois PAC and Adam Andrzejewski announced their support today for Ron Sandack for the Republican nomination in the 81st Illinois House District.

In the endorsement, Andrzejewski said: “In Springfield, Ron Sandack champions the principles of accountability and limited government. Sandack has the political weight to carry real reforms. He has demonstrated the courage to challenge and change the status quo.”

Emanuel sets off Chicago Teachers Union over education video comments

CHICAGO - Looks like Mayor Rahm Emanuel's appearance on Juan William's new education choice video "A Tale of Two Missions" has good ol' Rahm in an uncomfortable position, what with the Chicago Teachers Union contract negotiations staring him in the face - and that mean CTU president Karen Lewis, too. Chicago Cooperative News writes about the dustup...

Illinois Review readers pick Romney to win Florida

Thank you to all the Illinois Review readers who voted in our poll. Below are the results:

Help Palos Park Fire House #1 win new kitchen

PALOS PARK - Help a local fire department get a kitchen renovation with no cost to taxpayers.  Sounds like something you could support? 

Well the Palos Park Fire House #1 is in the running to be IKEA's national kitchen remodel winner and you can help. All you need to do is click on www.rescueremodel.com, and vote for - Palos Park Fire House #1.

OP-ED: Chris Lauzen, Champion for the Republican Platform

By The Oncoming Storm -

The Republican primary for the open Kane County Board Chairman position between State Senator Chris Lauzen and Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns is one of 4 open countywide positions in Kane County. It is also the one race where conservatives will have the opportunity to nominate a genuine and proven reformer who firmly believes in all planks of the Republican platform, including the social conservative planks, with a voting record to back it up.

On January 17th, Senator Lauzen received the endorsement of the For the Good of Illinois PAC Chairman (and former gubernatorial candidate) Adam Andrzejewski, backed up with a $500 donation to Lauzen’s campaign.

During this press conference, Senator Lauzen brought up the appearance of “pay-to-play” politics in Kane County, and passed out a detailed list of county contributors to Citizens for Karen McConnaughay (the outgoing board chairman) cross-referenced to county vendors. The high correlation of entities on both lists really challenges their presence on both as purely coincidental. It is important to note that no one is accusing anyone of wrongdoing. It is the perception to voters of significantly high fundraising from vendors which asks a question: “Can more be done?”

CBO report confirms U.S. fiscal crisis

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), announced today that the government faces a fourth year of trillion-plus deficits in 2012—with little relief in the future unless Washington comes to grips with needed changes in its tax and spending policies. More HERE

CBO also announced that the amount of money the federal government takes out of the U.S. economy in taxes will increase by more than 30 percent between 2012 and 2014. More HERE

McSweeney receives ICE-PAC endorsement

David McSweeney, candidate for State Representative in the 52nd District, announced today that he has received the endorsement of Illinois Citizens for Ethics Political Action Committee ICE-PAC.

“We are impressed by both your background and your commitment to the mainstream values important for life and family that ICE-PAC promotes. With your experiences working with at-risk youth in Harlem, as a father of teen daughters, as a successful businessman, and as a man of faith, we are confident that if you are elected, you will be a visible advocate for policies that protect and promote the right to life for the unborn, and for policies that will protect traditional marriage,” said Brian Hengesbaugh, ICE-PAC Board Member, in an endorsement letter to McSweeney.

Oped: National School Choice Week exposes Illinois's lag in school choice

By Nancy Thorner -

In sync with parents, children, teachers and community leaders throughout this nation who celebrated National School Choice Choice Week from January 22nd through the 26th, the Illinois Policy Institute likewise participated in the week out of its conviction to continue the fight for school choice here in Illinois.

But before proceeding with the Illinois Policy Institute's involvement in National School Choice Week, it is important that school choice be defined.

The term covers a wide array of programs that provide families the opportunity to choose the school that their children will attend.

Chicago Teachers Union organizer welcomes Occupy Chicago to new home

Marathon Pundit analyzes of the alliance between the CTU and Occupy Chicago.

State income tax collections up 65 percent

Higher rates helped drive individual income-tax collections up more than 65 percent, to $7.1 billion, in the first six months of the fiscal year begun last July 1, 2011, according to an analysis by the Illinois Department of Revenue. More HERE

Quinn's State of the State to focus on social issues instead of fiscal crisis

Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn intends to strike familiar themes of jobs and helping working families during his State of the State address Wednesday, a speech that is expected largely to steer clear of Illinois’ ongoing budget problems. Aides say Quinn will focus on what he views as his accomplishments since narrowly winning office in November 2010: the state’s growing export industry, new manufacturing and helping tech companies get off the ground. The governor also is expected to talk about his priorities this year, including tax breaks for families. More HERE

Emanuel won't say if backers getting city money amounts to patronage

Democrat Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Monday declined to say whether it’s appropriate for faith-based groups that have become vocal public supporters of his controversial education agenda to receive millions of dollars in contracts from his administration. Some organizations that were awarded grants to run after-school programs and to ensure children make it to and from school safely have come under scrutiny following complaints they paid people to testify in favor of Emanuel’s plans to lengthen the school day and close underperforming schools. More HERE

Doctors upgrade Senator Kirk's condition

CHICAGO - Northwestern Hospital physicians upgraded U.S. Senator Mark Kirk's condition following a debilitating stroke last weekend.

“Senator Kirk’s recovery is continuing. He is alert, talking and responding well to questions,” Dr. Richard Fessler, said in a statement from the hospital Monday morning. “He has been upgraded to fair condition and we are very pleased with his progress.”

Doctors are very confident about Kirk’s mental recovery, but have said he may continue to have physical problems with his left arm and leg, requiring lengthy rehabilitation. WLS

Madigan prosecutes criminal justice program instead of criminals

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit earlier this month against Westwood College, alleging the for-profit school misled criminal justice students at its four Chicago-area campuses with false promises of future job placement.

"We want this program shut down in Illinois, and we want students to get a refund of their money," Madigan said during the Jan. 18 news conference. More HERE

Of course we wouldn't want people with criminal justice backgrounds in Illinois...they might uncover some of the corruption Lisa seems purposefully unwilling to prosecute.

The plan to save College Illinois: Form a committee

(Crain's) — Gov. Pat Quinn remade the state agency overseeing the College Illinois prepaid tuition program seven months ago, and on Friday his commissioners produced a recommendation to save the troubled college savings plan: Form a committee.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is moving to name a task force to save College Illinois, made up of representatives from all the key constituencies interested in its future — the state's universities, lawmakers, ISAC leaders and parents holding prepaid tuition contracts under the program.

Legislators push exceptions to new civil unions law in Illinois

Religious organizations that provide foster care and adoption services are again trying to carve out exceptions to Illinois' new civil unions statute, saying they shouldn't be forced to choose between their values and the law.

Supporters of the new law—which gives same-sex couples the same adoption rights as traditional couples—are vowing to keep it intact. Randy Hannig, director of public policy for Equality Illinois, said "this marks the fifth time in a year that our opponents have tried to carve out an exemption for themselves, and all three branches of state government have rejected their argument.”

State Rep. Dwight Kay, R- Edwardsville, (pictured right) again filed legislation that would allow religion based or affiliated adoption agencies with state contracts to decline an adoption or foster family home application, as well as licensure and placement, to anyone in a civil union. State Rep. David Reis, R-Ste. Marie and state Rep. Paul Evans, R-O'Fallon, are co-sponsors of the legislation.

More HERE

Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois forced to change name

As of February 1, 2012, Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois will become Christian Social Services of Illinois (CSS). CSS has chosen to become independent of the Catholic Diocese of Belleville in order to adhere to the new State of Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act and to avoid closing the agency. More HERE

Walsh Takes Stand Against Contraceptive Mandate

WASHINGTON - Congressman Joe Walsh (IL-8) released the following statement after the Obama Administration announcement yesterday that it would follow through with the proposed rule forcing U.S. employers—including those with religious affiliation—to provide free contraceptives to their employees.

Walsh stated: “This is a slap in the face of every U.S. employer and religious institution. The President seems to have forgotten that this country was founded on religious freedom.  This decision goes against that and everything this country stands for.

Illinois Catholics argue for religious freedom in the face of Obamacare

Roman Catholic bishops and institutions across Illinois are mounting their defenses against the Obama administration's requirement to include birth control and abortifacients in employees' health benefits, a state mandate they have been able to avoid for years. More HERE

IMA optimistic about changes to state's workmen's comp law

CHICAGO - Last Thursday, as part of last year's workmen's compensation reform, Governor Pat Quinn appointed three new arbitrators to the state's work injury panel. The new panelists are Brandon Zanotti of Jackson County, D. Douglas Johnson of Macon County and William R. Gallagher of St. Clair County.

As the new law requires, all three appointees are attorneys that will be required to follow ethical practices required for judges. They will also be required to take courses concerning fraud detection as well as evidence-based medical treatment.Illinois Review asked Illinois Manufacturers Association Vice-President and COO Mark Denzler about the reforms and the new work injury panel commissioners.

Rev. Hawking wants IL's minimum wage to be $10.65 per hour

CHICAGO - Monday, Occupy Wall Street-associated Rev. CJ Hawking - a Chicago Methodist pastor and ED of Arise Chicago - wrote on Huffington Post why she's making a trip to Springfield Tuesday. She and her colleagues want Illinois to raise the minimum wage again.

An increase in the minimum wage takes a step toward making this vision a reality. The proposed Illinois minimum wage bill (SB 1565) calls for increasing the minimum wage by 50 cents an hour plus inflation every year over four years until it reaches $10.65 an hour. Going forward, the minimum wage would then be adjusted each year for inflation, as it is already in 10 states.

We recognize that some might say, "Now is not the time. This will stifle economic growth for the Illinois. This will increase our unemployment rate." Indeed, these are troubled economic times -- making this precisely the right time to raise the minimum wage. Low-income families will spend that additional income on basic necessities in their local communities, thereby stimulating the economy, creating more jobs, and assisting in the overall economic recovery.

The existing Illinois minimum wage law states as one of its purposes "to sustain purchasing power and to increase employment opportunities." Further, it states that the standard wage is set to "meet the minimum cost of living necessary for health." Clearly, the current rate of $8.25 an hour does not meet this standard.

Does the name "Rev CJ Hawking" ring a bell? Maybe you're recalling this encounter in September, 2010.

 

$35 Billion in Red should help Republicans win back Illinois

By Pete Speer, in response to the Civic Federation's prediction that Illinois will be $35 Billion in debt within the next five years -

It is now up to the Illinois Republican Party to organize for the Fall election with this as the basic issue.

There are so many threads that lead back to the democrat control of the Executive Mansion and the General Assembly. But it is up to every single nominee to speak on a platform for Reform and Change. The drumbeat should start the day after the primaries. If the Ill Republican Party is not organized for this crusade -- if it does not supply data to every Republican candidate in ways that can be broadcast to each District then it does not deserve to act as a State Party.

Cartoon: Obama's SOTU

Illinois candidate on Discovery Channel

From the Albracht campaign -

The DISCOVERY cable channel has produced a three part series on protection of the President of the United States (POTUS) by the United States Secret Service (USSS). In producing this documentary, The Discovery channel production staff (KARGA SEVEN) selected five former USSS agents to interview from the entire former agent population. Bill Albracht was one.

In July of 2011, Bill flew back to Washington, DC and spent the entire day before the Discovery cameras. Having a career that spanned over twenty-five years and seven presidents, Bill supplied firsthand and experienced knowledge into the world of dignitary protection.

Oped: A Megaload of Unintended Consequences

By Bill Wilson, Americans for Limited Government -

After an outpouring of opposition by millions of Internet users and tens of thousands of websites against the "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA) and the "Protect Intellectual Property Act" (PIPA) in the House and Senate, congressional proponents of the bills have delayed votes on Capitol Hill.

That is not stopping the Obama Administration, however, which has been acting as if the proposals have already been passed.  The most recent example is the shutdown of Megaupload.com, a web-based data storage company that boasted over 150 million users, by the Justice Department and New Zealand law enforcement officials.

Civic Federation releases dire budget analysis for Illinois

From the Civic Federation -

Prior to the release of the Governor’s annual budget recommendation the Institute for Illinois’ Fiscal Sustainability at the Civic Federation releases an analysis of the State of Illinois’ fiscal condition. The FY2013 Roadmap includes a review of Governor Quinn’s three-year budget plan, a rough five-year budget projection for FY2013 to FY2017 and recommendations for the Governor and General Assembly to improve the state’s financial condition.

The Civic Federation’s Illinois research institute warns that Illinois could face an unprecedented $34.8 billion backlog of unpaid bills if action is not taken immediately by the Governor and General Assembly to stabilize the State’s finances in FY2013 and beyond. The Federation’s five-year forecast incorporates known spending pressures in the areas of Medicaid, health care and pensions while keeping other areas of spending flat and takes into account future revenue expectations including the scheduled reduction in income tax rates beginning in FY2015.

The increase in the State’s unpaid bills is driven by an unsustainable rise in State Medicaid costs and rising pension costs. The Civic Federation urges aggressive implementation of Medicaid reform legislation passed in January 2011. In this analysis, the Federation also recommends for the first time that current Illinois retirees and employees hired before January 1, 2011 receive reduced annual increases to their pension benefits.

The Report can be found HERE.

Franklin on Obama

"History affords us many instances of the ruin of states, by the prosecution of measures ill suited to the temper and genius of their people. The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy. An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy... These measures never fail to create great and violent jealousies and animosities between the people favored and the people oppressed; whence a total separation of affections, interests, political obligations, and all manner of connections, by which the whole state is weakened."

Benjamin Franklin, Emblematical Representations

Obama's entire campaign in one cartoon

Federal employees enjoy significant advantages over private sector workers

From Congressman Paul Ryan's (R-WI) -

Earlier today, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a study confirming the differences in compensation between federal government employees and their private-sector counterparts. While millions of Americans continue to struggle with stagnant wages and high unemployment, government bureaucrats in Washington continue to enjoy significant advantages over those whose tax dollars finance their compensation.

Key points from the CBO’s comparison of employee compensation between federal civilian employees and the private sector:

Taxpayers United blasts Pollastrini for misleading about group's endorsement

CHICAGO - The chairman of Tax Accountability (TAC), the political action arm of Taxpayers United of America (TUA), today issued a statement warning candidates for office that they must refrain from stating or implying they have been endorsed by Tax Accountability unless the organization specifically states that it has endorsed them. 

“Candidates must return our questionnaire and our signed and dated Taxpayer Protection Pledge in order for us to consider endorsing them,” said Jim Tobin, TAC Chairman. “Not all candidates who return our questionnaire and pledge end up being endorsed by us. It is not permissible for a candidate to state or imply he or she has been endorsed by TUA if we have not issued a formal endorsement.”

Tobin referred to the January 24 Naperville edition of the Chicago Tribune that ran a story written by 42nd Dist. State Representative candidate Laura Pollastrini, featuring a picture of her signing the committee’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge.

Rockford Rep Dave Winters Endorses Kinzinger for New 16th CD

From Kinzinger for Congress campaign -

Rockford, Ill. – Today, State Representative Dave Winters (R-Rockford) endorsed Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) for the newly drawn 16th Congressional District. Representative Winters represents portions of Congressman Manzullo's current district in the Winnebago County area, including Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Rockton, Roscoe and South Beloit.

Shortly after the new map was announced for the Illinois’ State Legislature, Representative Winters made the decision to retire rather than run against another Republican.  An eighteen-year representative, Winters felt it was time to step aside and allow a fresh voice to run for the 68th District.

Lawson thinks Mussman's out of whack with online dating bill

From the Lawson for State House 56 campaign -

SCHAUMBURG, IL – John Lawson, Republican candidate for State Representative in the 56th District, has challenged State Representative Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg) on her recent introduction of legislation regarding online dating sites. The legislation would further regulate online dating sites by notifying users that background checks have been performed by them. The legislation also mandates the font size used in the warning.

"I am outraged. It is disappointing that Michelle Mussman has used this issue as a smokescreen to cloud her and her party's mismanagement of Illinois' finances,” said Lawson. “At a time when unemployment in Illinois is at 10% and the state is $8.5 billion behind on its bills, I find it hard to believe that Michelle Mussman feels the most pressing issue we face is online dating standards. As a police officer for 27 years, I've never heard of online dating as a threat to public safety.”

Malkin takes sides with Santorum

A hot national debate among political online pundits is raging today, leading up to Tuesday's Florida GOP presidential primary. Ann Coulter has lined up with Mitt Romney. Sarah Palin said she'd "vote for Newt" if she lived in South Carolina. And yet another internet maven made her choice Monday.

Nationally-syndicated columnist and conservative blogger Michelle Malkin broke from the conservative blogger uppity-insider club and endorsed former Senator Rick Santorum for president Monday, citing several things Santorum did not do as her reasons for supporting him.

Read the endorsement at www.michellemalkin.com

The price of immorality

CHICAGO - We can't help but make note of a post in the Belleville News-Democrat Monday that points out Chicago is getting a $1 Million grant to pay for government-funded HIV testing and treatment.  The $1M is in addition to a previous $500,000 obtained through the city of Chicago for mental health programs.

Tell us again how social issues don't matter - and how only budget, pension and taxes are what matters these days.

Oh, that's right - those old-fashioned ideas like morality and monogamy are privacy issues, even when fellow workers are forced to pay for the consequences. 

If tobacco and obesity are so detrimental to Americans' health and the health care system, why shouldn't immorality be scorned just as much?

Illinois scrapes the bottom of the barrel in creating jobs

by Nancy Thorner -

As Governor Pat Quinn continues to use taxpayer money as perks to keep companies and jobs from moving out of the state to greener pastures, what returns are taxpayers receiving for their monies?

On January 26 The Illinois Policy Institute published a revealing Tax & Budget Brief - Wrong way, Illinois:  Failed policies lead more Illinoisans down path of unemployment -- that relates the stark truth about how Illinois's lack of economic recovery factored into creating jobs, using graphs to display Illinois's failure, unlike forty-six other states, to create an environment where people can be put to work. 

IR Interview: Lennie Jarratt, GOP candidate for Senate 31 - Part 3

ROUND LAKE - Lennie Jarratt, GOP candidate for Senate 31, spoke with Illinois Review a few weeks ago about his bid to succeed State Senator Suzi Schmidt (R-). Jarratt is active in the Lake County Tea Party and the Lake County Right to Life, while working to build his own precinct for the Lake County GOP. He's also been endorsed by the Illinois Conservatives Facebook group and the Illinois Center Right Coalition.

This is Jarratt's first time as a legislative candidate. He's struggled to raise campaign funds, but he's successfully energizing a conservative grassroots base that will be involved in getting out the vote in the 4-way GOP primary race on March 20th.

Part 3 of the 3-part interview with Illinois Review follows ...

IR: Has the Senate Republican leadership gotten involved in this 4-way primary?

Jarrett4a2

Chicago Police Supt.: It’s good to record officers

Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said last week the Illinois law against recording conversations between police and civilians is just as bad for the police as it is for citizens. McCarthy’s comments may help pass a bill out of committee Tuesday reversing that law. More HERE

Gas prices soar in Illinois

WLS is reporting that the most recent Fuel Gauge Report by AAA estimates that regular unleaded gasoline has increased 16 cents during the past month, which is nearly 30 cents more than last year at this time. In Cook County, self-serve regular unleaded gas averages $3.69. That's up 18 cents from last month and 32 cents higher than January of 2011.

Chrysler to announce jobs in Illinois

Chrysler is planning to announce plans to add 1,600 jobs at the automaker's assembly plant in Illinois this week, according two people familiar with the plans. Last week, Chrysler confirmed that it plans to hire 400 to 500 part time and temporary workers at the plant.

The additional 1,100 workers would be for a third crew at the plant to support production of the Dodge Dart, a new compact car, as well as Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot. The additional crew of workers will start in July, one of the people said. More HERE

Report shows Illinois finances dogged further

Illinois’ backlog of unpaid bills could go from bad to catastrophic, according to a new report from the Civic Federation that crunched state budget numbers looking ahead five years.

The analysis comes two days before Gov. Pat Quinn delivers his State of the State address, traditionally a chance for governors to tout the health of the state. The report shows Illinois’ $4 billion backlog of unpaid bills could climb to more than $34 billion by 2017.

“All governors like to talk about the positive aspects of their administration and certainly Governor Quinn has some positive aspects,” Civic Federation President Laurence Msall said. “But the fiscal reality of the state of Illinois isn’t rosy and it isn’t optimistic.”

More HERE