Illinois Review

Biggert endorsed by Operating Engineers Union Local 150

While public sector unions, their demands on taxpayers and Illinois' state budget continues to be at the center of controversy, the Biggert campaign sent out a press release Wednesday afternoon announcing the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 endorsed Congresswoman Judy Biggert and encourages their members to support Biggert over Democrat challenger Bill Foster.

“I’m honored to have the support of the Operating Engineers Local 150,” said Congresswoman Biggert. “Whether building our roads, improving our railways, or working on our gas pipelines, these highly-skilled workers help to maintain the safety of our transportation infrastructure and make great contributions to our local economy. I will continue to work with the Operating Engineers to create an environment for job growth and greater opportunities for middle-class families.”

Illinois Family Institute demands Lou Lang correct mailing

Seems the always liberal State Rep. Lou Lang (photo right) is following the Democrat playbook again this year. While refusing to answer questionnaires himself, Lang is using the policy positions provided by his opponent, Vincent Romano, against him. So says Illinois Family Institute Executive Director Dave Smith.

Smith is upset about Lang's recent mailer says Romano supports a policy that would allow gangbangers to carry loaded guns in neighborhoods, parks and shopping centers. Immediately following this quote, the mailing states that the source for this information is the IFI Voter Guide.

Chicago Teachers Union files suit to stop new pension reform law

CHICAGO - Pension reform the Illinois General Assembly passed in August that would eliminate six digit, taxpayer-funded pensions for teachers union employees is being challenged in court. Wednesday, the Chicago Teachers Union filed a lawsuit to stop the reform measure's implementation. The Tribune reports teachers union members say the reform is illegal and that more tax dollars should be paid in, rather than their retirement benefits reduced:

Under the new law, CPS teachers who go on leave to work for the union will be barred from participating in the public pension plan, which means they no longer can get deals that have long been a staple of the system.

For example, CTU President Karen Lewis, who makes about $148,000, can collect a public school teachers pension worth as much as 75 percent of her union salary averaged over four years.

Even though she hasn't worked for CPS in more than two years, the teachers pension fund bills the district for contributions on her behalf as if she were still earning $82,000 a year as a high school science teacher. The union covers additional contributions required to make up the difference between that salary and her union paycheck.

More at the Tribune

Kids outraged with Crowder's Halloween redistribution trick

A must see - just in time for Halloween ... Comedian Steven Crowder outrages kids with his Halloween redistribution plan.

Walsh responds to Duckworth coverup attempt

CHICAGO - On Monday, The Washington Free Beacon released a breaking report revealing an email (below) from Tammy Duckworth showing what looks like an attempt to cover up the firing of a whistleblower during her tenure at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. The email shows Duckworth acknowledging she "screwed up" in trying to fire the whistleblower, but encouraged her staff to find what they could to justify her decision after the fact.

In a press release, Congressman Joe Walsh responded, "Duckworth's blatant abuse of power in attempting to fire a whistleblower was bad enough. The fact that she then tried to cover it up by encouraging her staff at the Illinois VA to dig up what they could to justify her mistake is even more sickening. An innocent woman had the courage to report illegal political campaigning on taxpayer property and this is what Tammy Duckworth does?"

Schock endorses Schilling in final Peoria plea

PEORIA - With a segment of Peoria in Congressman Bobby Schilling's newly-drawn 17th CD, a popular Congressional colleague, Aaron Schock, endorses Schilling as part of his campaign's closing plea to Peoria-area voters:

Former Deloitte partner sentenced to 21 months for insider trading

From Chicago FBI - 

CHICAGO—A former partner at a major accounting firm in Chicago was sentenced Wednesday to 21 months in federal prison for engaging in insider trading after he obtained material, non-public information about publicly traded clients and used the information himself and shared it with a relative to make illegal trading profits. The defendant, Thomas P. Flanagan, a certified public accountant, was a partner in the Chicago office of Deloitte & Touche LLP when he engaged in insider trading between December 2006 and May 2008.

Flanagan, 65, of Chicago, remains free on bond and was ordered to begin serving his sentence on January 15, 2013, by U.S. District Judge Robert M. Dow, Jr. Judge Dow also imposed a $100,000 fine and ordered Flanagan to perform 200 hours of community service after he is released from prison.

Romney tightens race outside Illinois

From NYT: “Race Narrows As Campaign Enters Its Final Week” - The economy continues to be the overwhelming issue on the minds of voters, with about three-quarters selecting the economy as either their first or second most important concern. Another 23 percent named the budget deficit as one of their top two issues. Most voters consider Mr. Romney the better candidate to deal with both of those challenges.

From AP: “Romney, GOP Suddenly Plunging Onto Democratic Turf” - Mitt Romney is suddenly plunging into traditionally Democratic-leaning Minnesota and Pennsylvania, and his GOP allies are trying to put Michigan into play. It's forcing President Barack Obama to defend his own turf - he's pouring money into television ads in the states and dispatching top backers - in the campaign's final week.

Always Right: The state of dysfunction

By Fran Eaton -

"The State of Dysfunction" is the new name for the Land of Lincoln per an October 25th Wall Street Journal editorial. The disgraceful moniker was bestowed after last week's blue ribbon panel report on Illinois' pitiful financial status.

The main culprit? Illinois' out-of-control, $85 billion in unpaid pension obligations.

The report released by former New York Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch and former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker said that Illinois' pensions were fairly stable until 2000, when things began going south quickly.

Already beginning to struggle with expanded entitlement programs for middle income and illegal immigrants, Governor Blagojevich's funding holiday in 2006 and 2007 exasperated the state's fiscal woes. Then when the 2008 financial crisis hit the nation, Illinois became essentially insolvent.

Illinois Republican Party issues Halloween warning (video)

The Illinois Republican Party is politicking Halloween by asking citizens to observe their local ordinances regarding Trick-or-Treating hours, and above all, "be on the alert for Democrats who may try to trick you with more debt, higher taxes, more wasteful spending and sucking the blood (money) out of suburban taxpayers with their plan to shift their pension mistakes on suburban homeowners who already pay some of the highest tax rates in the country."

Six days out: new polling on Illinois Congressional races

Some new polling from WeAskAmerica:

ILLINOIS 8 Date: 10/28/12, 1,010 Likely Voters - Margin of Error: ± 3.1%

• Tammy Duckworth (D) - 54.6%
• Joe Walsh (R) - 45.4% 

ILLINOIS 10 Date: 10/28/12, 1,257 Likely Voters - Margin of Error: ± 2.8%

• Bob Dold (R) - 53.6%
• Brad Schneider (D) - 46.4%

ILLINOIS 11 Date: 10/28/12, 1,303 Likely Voters - Margin of Error: ± 2.7%

• Bill Foster (D) - 50.4%
• Judy Biggert (R) - 49.6% 

ILLINOIS 12 Date: O10/28/12, 1,313 Likely Voters - Margin of Error: ± 2.7%

• Bill Enyart (D) - 50.6%
• Jason Plummer (R) - 45.6%
• Paula Bradshaw (G) - 3.8%   

ILLINOIS 13 Date: 10/28/12, 1,360 Likely Voters - Margin of Error: ± 2.7%

• Rodney Davis (R) - 50.2%
• David Gill (D) - 45.1%
• John Hartman (I) - 3.9%

ILLINOIS 17 Date: 10/28/12, 1,325 Likely Voters - Margin of Error: ± 2.8%

• Bobby Schilling (R) - 52.0%
• Cheri Bustos (D) - 48.0%

Green Bay Fans Will Give up Packers for Romney--but Not Obama

If Green Bay Packers fans are any indicator of how next Tuesday's presidential election will go in Wisconsin, it could be a landslide for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.

Jeremy Segal of Rebel Pundit surveyed and crunched the numbers. He found that out of 106 Packers fans interviewed at Lambeau Field before game time this past Sunday, Romney took 62, Obama 37, and "Undecided" 7.

54% of Obama supporters would not give up rooting for the Packers for the rest of the season if doing so would guarantee an Obama victory. Only 24% would take Obama over the Packers, with 21% undecided.

In contrast, Romney supporters were more eager to see their candidate elected. 54% of Romney supporters would give up the Packers for a season to ensure a Romney win, while only 32% would not, and 13% were undecided.

See Rebel Pundit's video and graphs HERE

Springfield-based polling firms says "no way" Romney wins Illinois

After polling 1,198 likely Illinois voters yesterday, WeAskAmerca says there is no way Obama loses his "home" state. With a margin of error of ± 2.95%, their polling shows:

• Barack Obama (D) - 57%
• Mitt Romney (R) - 41%
• Third Party - 2%

As the firm notes, Chicago and Suburban Cook County each account for about 20% of the vote in the Land of Lincoln. They believe that no matter how well Romney does in the five suburban “collar counties” or downstate, Cook County is not going to abandon it’s Favorite Son.

WeAskAmerica is a new polling firm. This election should prove how good they are.

Tribune comes out against constitutional amendment

Guess who's paying for these Chicago Tribune ads running on numerous political websites and blogs? Follow the clicks back and you'll end up at "We are One" - the public-sector union conglomeration that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from state employees' dues. AFSCME, SEIU, and both teachers unions have refused to negotiate with Illinois lawmakers to address the pension crisis. Read more on the amendment HERE. 

2012 federal election campaign spending to surpass $6 Billion

From OpenSecrets.org - 

The 2012 election will not only be the most expensive election in U.S. history, the cost will tower over the next most expensive election by more than $700 million.

Earlier this year, the Center for Responsive Politics estimated that the 2012 election would cost $5.8 billion -- an estimate that already made it the most expensive in history -- but with less than a week to go before the election, CRP is revising the estimate upwards. According to CRP’s new analysis of Federal Election Commission data, this election will likely cost $6 billion.

Jeanne Ives: A New Headline for Illinois

By Jeanne Ives -

Election season can be overwhelming. There are calls from politicians asking for your opinion, your vote, your time, and, of course, your money. If you turn on the television, open your mailbox or sign on to Facebook you will find no end to the mud-slinging and finger-pointing. If that isn’t enough for you, there are countless editorials, blogs, and websites dedicated to political discourse. Most people can’t wait for November 7: the day all of the campaigning will die down.

As a candidate for State Representative, I know that I will not have this reprieve. If I am elected, November 7 is the day the real work will begin. Therefore, I review everything I can get my hands on. My campaign staff has even gotten in the habit of forwarding me articles and reports (as well as the occasional YouTube video) regarding Illinois’ political climate.

Supply without demand: Illinois public schools hire while enrollment drops

By Josh Dwyer, Illinois Policy Institute -

There are too many people working in America’s schools. From 1950 to 2009, the amount of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees grew 386 percent while the amount of public school students only grew by 96 percent, according to a recently released report from the Friedman Foundation for Educational Excellence.

Unfortunately, Illinois follows this trend. From 1992 to 2009, total staff at public schools grew at more than twice the rate of the state’s student population – 27.8 percent versus 14.3 percent. Teaching staff grew at 1.5 times the rate of the student population – 14.3 percent versus 21.5 percent. And administrators and other non-teaching staff grew at 2.5 times the rate of the student population – 14.3 percent versus 35.9 percent.

More HERE

Conservatism is calling! (video)

Sandy Gives Lame Stream Media a Temporary Excuse for Benghazi Blackout

By Teri O'Brien -

Before Hurricane Sandy made landfall, the tv geniuses who analyze and enlighten us speculated about the impact that the storm would have on the One's re-election prospects. Would he benefit from looking "presidential?" Would Gov. Romney "strike the right tone" in the aftermath?

I'm not sure whether it will help or hurt either candidate, but I know one group who should be breathing a sigh of relief is the national media. They know that every day more Americans catch on to their role in Obama's 2008 con game. The genuine article, the cold, calculating, crypto-Communist community organizer is a far cry from the pragmatic, pro-active, post-racial problem solver that they presented as this rising star "Barack Obama." Still, they hoped that they could keep up the con for 8 or 9 more days. Then, as we heard on last Sunday's show, Denver reporter Kyle Clark asked Barack Obama some very embarrassing questions about what happened in Benghazi on 9/11/12; specifically, whether the 4 murdered Americans were denied help during the attack, and whether it's fair to tell Americans we have to wait for the results of an investigation that will completed after the election.

Man with bionic leg to climb Willis Tower Sunday

CHICAGO - Sunday, a 31 year old Washington amputee will climb to the top of the 103 floor Willis Tower with the help of a bionic leg developed by Chicago researchers. IT developer Zac Vawter lost his leg in a 2009 motorcycle accident, but using a prosthetic limb, he's run marathons. He's also been working with researchers to advance a new bionic leg that responds electronically to his brain's instructions.

Vawter is featured in an Associated Press story Wednesday in numerous national newspapers, leading up to Sunday's challenge at Willis Tower. The hour-long climb will be the leg's first public test and will be part of a "Skyrise Chicago" fundraiser for the Center for Bionic Medicine.

The Center is part of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, the same world-renowned facility where U.S. Senator Mark Kirk began recovering from partial paralysis following a stroke in January. 

Obama Endorses Gay Marriage in Washington State, Maryland, Maine

President Obama said Thursday that he is formally endorsing gay marriage in the states of Washington, Maine and Maryland, joining Minnesota, where he has already lent his support to the issue earlier this year.

Homosexual activists are gaining confidence that the issue will pass in at least one of the four states. They are hoping Obama's endorsement will help.

The blanket endorsement was exactly the same statement Obama's campaign team released earlier this year in North Carolina, where the legalization of gay marriage was defeated by voters in May. ...More HERE

Chick-fil-A finds increase in business amid Chicago controversy

According to Sandelman & Associates of San Clemente, the evangelical Christian-led fast-food chain experienced a 2.2 percent increase in visits from customers from July to September.

Paul Clarke, spokesman for Sandelman & Associates, provided The Christian Post with a press release regarding the data from the group's Quick Track Study.

"Despite protests and predictions that the fast-food chain would be hurt by the publicity, Chick-fil-A appears stronger now," reads the statement. ...More HERE

Minnesota Senior Citizen Barred From Sharing Faith at HUD-Funded Complex

A senior citizens housing complex in suburban Minneapolis is under fire after a staff social worker barred a woman resident from praying or discussing her Christian faith in the the building's commons area.

Ruth Sweats, a resident of Osborne Apartments in Spring Lake Park, was reportedly sitting in the commons area of the complex discussing a Bible passage with a friend, when the building's social worker, Rachelle Henkle, stepped into the scene and demanded that she stop. Sweats told World Net Daily that she and her friend were discussing the book of Revelation, specifically the passage that speaks about those who take the “mark of the beast,” when Henkle walked up to the two and declared dramatically, “You can't talk like that here!”

When Sweats pointed out that her right to free speech was protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution, Henkle countered that such rights did not apply at the housing complex since it was funded by the federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), making it a religion-free zone. ...More HERE

Palos Township GOP produces "Right Now 2012" GOTV ad

By Sean Morrison -

On Saturday, October 20th, the Palos Township GOP hosted a very successful Republican Town Hall at Moraine Valley Community College. Our committee - namely Tony Martin - developed a five minute video using public domain video images to create a visual video symbolic of the disappointment that Mr. Obama and the Madigan administration have been for our country and namely, Illinois. It ends with a call for action right now to turn things around.

This video was received well. Because we received numerous requests for it, we created a YouTube so more can watch the five-minute video. Please pass it along to help get voters to vote for our Republican answer to this mass disappointment of House Speaker Mike Madigan, Governor Pat Quinn and President Obama.

Sean Morrison is Palos Township GOP's Committeeman.

Obama Pays Off Chicago and County $100 Million a Year Federal Waiver

By Warner Todd Huston -

It must be nice to have friends in high places! Ask Cook County, Illinois Board President Toni Preckwinkle who just reaped a huge back room payoff from Da Prez in Washington.

In the best Chicago-style politics, the White House quietly awarded Cook County a $100,000 per year pay off via new Medicaid “waivers.”

For those unaware, Cook County is the home of Chicago, the most corrupt city, in the most corrupt county, in the most corrupt state in the union. It is also the home of President Barack “Scarface” Obama.

Over the past weekend the Obama administration approved a request by Cook County to give the country $100 million a year to care for indigents that come to its hospitals for care.

That’s $100 million in federal tax dollars going right into the county’s pockets. ...More HERE

GOP's Mulligan repeats '08 Obama support with Kotowski in '12

PARK RIDGE - In 2008, Republican State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan teamed up with presidential candidate Democrat U.S. Senator Barack Obama, based on their joint positions on social issues.  (see image to right, click to enlarge)

Four years later, Republicans in Maine Township, where Mulligan is the GOP Committeeman, are calling for the state rep who failed to acquire enough petition signatures to get on the ballot earlier this year to step down from heading up their local organization.  In her anger and frustration for not making it on the ballot, Mulligan is backstabbing fellowan Republicans by enthusiastically supporting Democrat candidates.  She's helping Des Plaines Mayor Marty Maynor and State Senator Dan Kotowski - both Democrats - get elected next Tuesday.

Mulligan is proudly repeating her identification and support for Democrats in a new mailer that just hit mailboxes in the district she now represents, saying she and Senator Kotowski are a "pro-choice" team.  The flyer misleads voters into thinking Mulligan is once again on the ballot, joining forces with Democrat Kotowski. 

The mailer, which the state Personal PAC reports on Kotowski's behalf:

The Kotowski - Mulligan mailer:

Plummer challenges Enyarts' public pension stash

Tuesday, the Plummer campaign released info about the Democrat Bill Enyart family's treasury of public pensions. While some political observers declare Plummer's attack as "desperate," most say focusing on the issue of the Enyart family stashing seven taxpayer-funded pensions makes sense. While no one would question Enyart's earned military pension, the issue Plummer raises begs the question, how many public retirement funds should one family be allowed to accrue? 

At a time when Illinois is facing the reality of a seemingly insurmountable unpaid state pension debt, a wealthy trial lawyer like Enyart and his wife "seven-dipping" has to irritate taxpayers with pockets already picked bare.

The news Plummer released:

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill.- While seniors and working families in Southern Illinois are left in limbo about the future of the pensions they earned, millionaire trial lawyer Bill Enyart and his family continue to enrich themselves on the taxpayer's dime.

Abortion group spends hundreds of thousands to oppose 5 GOP candidates

 CHICAGO - With all the emphasis polling and focus groups has encouraged campaign to put on jobs and the economy rather than social issues, pro-abortion advocacy groups have spent hundreds of thousands in cable, network, radio and internet ads to attack prolife Illinois candidates. 

No Illinois prolife group has had the funding to match groups such as the pro-abortion rights group Personal PAC, which formed a contribution-capless, federal Super PAC this year, headed by Executive Director Terry Cosgrove.

The Illinois Board of Elections shows Personal PAC's following media buys in the month of October, opposing Republican Senate candidates Carole Pankau, Joe Neal, Bill Albracht and GOP House members Rich Morthland and John Cabello.

Congressional Leadership Fund Launches $900k-Plus Ad Campaign in IL-10

WASHINGTON - The Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF) released an ad today that is part of a $900,000+ television and digital ad campaign in Illinois' 10th congressional district in the final week. The ad, "Income," is focused on Brad Schneider's refusal to release his tax returns. The ad will air on broadcast television in the Chicago media market and will be accompanied by a digital advertising campaign.

You can see the add here.

The Left Wing Goes Hyper Creepy

By Mark Rhoads - 

First is was the pro-Obama commercial featuring Lena Dunham pretending that voting for Obama was like a great loss of virginity. Then along came the bizarre commercial from an ad agency featuring zombie-like "children of the future" singing that Romney would kill polar bears. Now the always classless Michael Moore has produced a super vulgar pro-Obama commercial for seniors with dirty mouths. Has the entire left gone completely insane over their worry that Obama might lose?  It sure looks that way.

Constitutional Abuse Defines This Election

By Nancy J. Thorner -

Throughout this nation, Illinois not excluded, concerned Americans who believe this nation is on a fast track to Socialism and with it a Godless society -- notably among those who embrace the Christian faith -- must do more than pray.  It's not enough to pray and then leave the rest to God to handle (to get things done) without doing our part. 

Although prayer cannot be dismissed, it is important to realize how today's concerns have resulted from the abuse of our Constitution over many years.  Too many Americans have little or no understanding of this nation's Constitution and what the amazing document stands for:  It encompasses the building blocks which should serve as the foundation of our nation today, even as it did when ratified for a new and fledgling nation on September 17,1787.

Jason Plummer releases new ad

The Plummer campaign launched a new ad yesterday.

Below is another ad recently released:

O’Hare renovations 30 times more expensive than Illinois’ high-speed rail plans

By Brian Costin, Illinois Policy Institute -

If taxpayers thought high-speed rail was a boondoggle, recently announced upgrades to O’Hare International Airport’s people-mover system might raise a few eyebrows, too.

Last week, a mayoral aide announced upgrades and expansions to O’Hare’s 2.7-mile people-mover system that will add 2,000 feet of track. The project will cost $340 million.

With a track length of nearly 3.1 miles, taxpayers are looking at footing a cost of almost $110 million per mile.

There are also plans for a $360 million improvement to O’Hare’s rental car campus, putting the overall cost of the upgrades at $700 million.

For comparison’s sake, the 2009 estimated cost of the 360-mile Illinois high-speed rail corridor is $1.26 billion, an average cost of $3.5 million per mile. ...More HERE

Can we admit they don't work? Third of Chicago schools fail food inspections

CBS Chicago has been doing some investigating of Chicago Public Schools. Since 2011, 244 of Chicago’s 681 schools failed at least one inspection, according to a review of city health department inspections by the 2 Investigators. That’s 35 percent with at least one failed inspection.

The Anton Dvorak Elementary School had the worst record. Since 2011, Dvorak has failed city health inspections six times for reasons such as no hot water in bathroom sinks, food kept at unsafe temperatures and more than 200 rodent droppings found in food service areas.

Food safety expert Kantha Shelke reviewed the city health inspection reports. “Rodent infestation, in addition to soiling and destroying property, also spreads disease, some of which can be painful and fatal,” she says.

At Cameron Elementary, inspectors found a mice dropping infestation in the main kitchen, with “more than 600 scattered” droppings. ...More HERE

Michael Moore uses foul-mouthed seniors to get out the vote (video)

Michael Moore and MoveOn.org use foul-mouthed seniors to threaten Republicans with what they will do if Mitt Romney wins on November 6th. Combine this video with Lena Dunham "losing your voter virginity" one, and the political process doesn't get much more distasteful. One can't help but wonder what Washington, Franklin, Jefferson and Patrick Henry would say if they were alive.

Schilling Announces 14-Stop "Bob's for Jobs" Tour

EAST MOLINE, IL  - U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-Colona) will finish off his campaign with a 14-stop "Bob's for Jobs" tour across the Illinois 17th District, featuring stops in Aledo, Pekin, Sterling, Galesburg, Oquawka, Galena, Kewanee, Canton, Monmouth, Geneseo, and Freeport, as well as Rockford, Peoria, and the Quad Cities.

Schilling's "Bob's for Jobs Mobile" recently passed 300,000 miles on a trip to Peoria. Schilling said he's excited about the tour and the final stretch of the campaign.

How would a conservative vote on Amendment 49?

The first thing Illinois voters will see when they open their ballots is a question about Constitutional Amendment #49. So, the question everyone is asking is: how do I vote? There are three choices:

YES -While some argue the wording hides much more sinister and bad projections for Illinois taxpayers, Republicans in the General Assembly voted "yes" to get the proposal on the ballot to let the voters tell lawmakers whether it should be more difficult to raise state employee union pensions. A yes vote, we're led to believe, would require that 3/5 of the General Assembly would need to support a pension increase in the future for state employee union members. A "yes" would send that message that taxpayers aren't happy with the current standard, and at least would begin to take on the pension issue for future rate increases. 

NO - State employee unions are pushing hard for their workers to get to the polls and vote "NO" on the proposal, so that a 3/5 majority will not be required to fatten up pension benefits. The unions argue that it is not their fault lawamakers haven't set aside the money they've been promised - and thus, their members should not be punished for lawmakers' bad decisions. Democrat House Speaker Mike Madigan is sure to get a hefty, enthusiastic turnout of SEIU, AFSCME, police and firefighters to the polls to vote "against" the amendment and "for" his Democrat candidates on the ballot.

NOT VOTE - The third option is one being taken by many who don't think their vote matters either way, and are frustrated that public discussion of the amendment, its pros and cons, and the economic and political repercussions has not taken place. Not surprisingly, many Illinoisans have grown so cynical of the political process that they're abstaining from participating when it comes to their position on the amendment. In short, they're taking the positions President Obama took when he was in the Illinois legislature and voting "Present."

So, how would a conservative vote? In the end...it's your decision.

ILGOP continues to hammer on Foster's domestic abuse

Politico reports that Monday night the Illinois Republican Party began putting out robocalls to nearly 100,000 independent, soft Democrat and hard Democrat female voters in the 11th District. Along with a new BillFosterAbuse.com website, they are going up today with online banner ads. They say polling shows the race between Foster, who lost in 2010, and Republican incumbent Congresswoman Judy Biggert as neck-and-neck.

Republican Party volunteers will stake out a Foster early voting rally in Aurora later to pass out copies of an old divorce filing that included allegations of domestic abuse. Their survey data indicates that it will resonate with female swing voters. These allegations have been brought up and fought over in Foster's past races:

“When I saw her I marveled greatly…”

By Cranky Housewife -

I'll admit it. I have scoffed in the past about this whole "War on Women" rhetoric as a blatant attempt to portray conservative values as oppressive, regressive and not particularly well educated…which is such sophistry – I just can't stand it, but that's because I was looking at this whole thing from the wrong perspective. I'm telling you with complete and utter sincerity. I was wrong.

There is, in absolute truth, a "War on Women" that has been ignited throughout the nation. Having now witnessed for myself the great "First Time" political ad brought to you by Obama for America and featuring the young Lena Dunham as the deflowered voter who seeks to lead other young women into a life of putrefying liberalism…

Test of Fire (video)

Former Governor Mike Huckabee narrates a short get-out-the-vote video "Test of Fire":

Storm Sandy hits Lake Michigan

CHICAGO - Chicago's lakefront trail was closed Tuesday as the historic East Coast-pummeling Storm Sandy made its way west. Chicago Sun Times' grabbed videos of powerful wind-generated waves, some predicted to reach 29 feet. Video below:

Park Ridge GOP women join call for Mulligan to step down as committeeman

From Republican Women of Park Ridge -

PARK RIDGE - Last week, in a shocking betrayal of the Republican Party, Rosemary Mulligan endorsed Democrat Marty Moylan for the office of State Representative. Mulligan’s stated reasons to the media were twofold: Moylan’s pro-abortion agenda, which she shares, and Mulligan’s vendetta against House Republican Leader Tom Cross.

This week, Mulligan went even further by endorsing Democrat Dan Kotowski for State Senate.

The Republican Women of Park Ridge condemn Mulligan’s actions and call for her immediate resignation as Maine Twp. Republican Committeeman for the following reasons:

Illinois family group makes robo calls against civil union supporters

MOKENA - Illinois Family Action (IFA) has organized a combined 125,000 robo call and email blitz against Illinois incumbent lawmakers that supported same sex civil union legislation when it came before the legislature just after the November 2010 election (SB 1716 House vote) (SB 1716 Senate vote)  The group's director, David E. Smith, told Illinois Review, "We picked those candidates (incumbents all but Hoffman) who voted in favor of the civil unions bill and who had decent challengers."

While sending out letters in opposition to Republican Judge John Schmidt for his decision against allowing Catholic Charities to uphold religious convictions by assisting only heterosexual married couples in adoption cases, IFA has also targeted the following with robo-calls:  

• Rep. Lou Lang – Skokie (HD 16)
• Rep. Jay Hoffman (Ret) – Belleville (HD 113)
• Senator Michael Frerichs – Champaign (SD 52)
• Senator Toi Hutchinson – Kankakee (SD 40)
• Senator Mike Jacobs – Moline (SD 36)
• Senator Dan Kotowski – Park Ridge (SD 28)
• Judge John Schmidt – Sangamon County 

Gallup shows Republican and Democrat "likely voters" evenly split

In a huge sampling of 9100 likely voters taken last week, Gallup is showing Monday that those polled are evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, with 29 percent choosing to identify themselves as independent, Fox News reports. When asked which party they identify with in this election, the voters divided thus:

• Democrats - 35%
• Independents - 29%
• Republicans - 36%

Political strategists say if they were in "Chicago" - where the 2012 Obama campaign is headquartered - they would be worried, as independents are reported to be overwhelmingly voting for Mitt Romney. 

Exodus: Inner City Blacks Fleeing Obama, Democrats (video)

By Jeremy Segal, Rebel Pundit -

After his meteoric ascent to the top of the American political arena in the country’s history, we are now in the midst of witnessing one of the most stunning collapses of any man ever to hold the office of President of the United States.

Over the past few weeks we have begun to see the ultimate unraveling of support for the president, with women and youth fleeing from his side. But what is even more surprising and perhaps unimaginable to the president and his faithful media cult is that he is now also losing members of his normally deemed “untouchable” base of support—poor, inner-city black Americans.

Must see video HERE

Air Force One delivers pizzas in Florida

In the midst of the storm hitting the East Coast, President Obama decided to campaign today, taking Air Force One to Florida last night. Once there, however, Obama changed his mind. Instead of campaigning, he delivered pizzas to an Obama campaign office - prompting  one reporter, Bloomberg's Hans Nichols, to tweet: "Obama's 12 hour trip to Orlando. ... Most expensive pizza delivery in history?"

More HERE

Walsh claims Duckworth finance chair paid-to-play in Blago administration

It seems like the Joe Walsh's strategy of connecting Tammy Duckworth to Rod Blagojevich is working, and widening. The Walsh campaign is reporting that it has discovered that Duckworth's campaign finance chairman, William Brandt Jr., was the beneficiary of an appointment to run the Illinois Finance Authority by Rod Blagojevich after Brandt's company donated $165,000 to Blagojevich's reelection campaign.

In a press release, Congressman Walsh stated, "...In Brandt's first meeting as head of the IFA, he fired the board's lobbyist for what was deemed a 'political decision' by Governor Blagojevich's office. This is not far off the path of Tammy Duckworth's actions, who as a fellow Blago appointee attempted to fire, humiliate and threaten two whistleblowers in the Illinois VA."

Walsh concluded, "The Duckworth for Congress campaign is a group of political insiders from the Blagojevich era," and called on her to "remove fellow Blago appointee William Brandt from her finance committee."

Also from the Walsh campaign comes the following ad:

Horses, bayonets, and Illinois

By Scott Reeder, Illinois Policy Institute -

“Well, governor, we also have fewer horses and bayonets, because the nature of our military’s changed.” – President Barack Obama

Who would have guessed the most talked about quote from this week’s presidential debate would involve bayonets and horses?

According to the Associated Press, the Twitter hashtag “horsesandbayonets” immediately began trending in the United States, becoming the top trend in the country and third most-trended worldwide, even an hour after the debate ended.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the U.S. Army has 419,155 bayonets in its inventory. The Marine Corps has about 195,334 bayonets (and has plans to acquire 175,061 more).

But here is a bit of bayonet trivia. The current military design for the bayonet was created in Illinois back in 1995 at the Rock Island Arsenal. ...More HERE

Liberty Principles PAC takes aim at Natalie Manley

Liberty Principles PAC has a new ad out. This one is aimed at Natalie Manley. Liberty Principles PAC, formed by conservative Republican activist Dan Proft, has been targeting Illinois State Senate and House candidates, including Sen. Mike Jacobs, Rep. Pat Verschoore, Rep. Elaine Nekritz, and Democratic Senate candidate Julie Morrison.

Log Cabin Republicans back Biggert

NAPERVILLE – Judy Biggert, candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 11th Congressional District, issued the following statement Monday after receiving the endorsement of the Log Cabin Republicans:

“I’m thrilled to have the endorsement of the Log Cabin Republicans, a group that shares my commitment to an inclusive, big tent GOP,” said Congresswoman Judy Biggert. “Together, we can work towards a smaller, smarter federal government that respects the rights and privacy of all Americans.”