Illinois Review

Rain washes away railroad track foundation in McHenry

MCHENRY - After unusually heavy rains this week, the Union Pacific Northwest Line - McHenry Branch will be down until further notice, and this is why:

via ABC7 News - Roz Varon

Heritage responds to SCOTUS decisions

The Supreme Court announced disturbing decisions today on two important cases dealing with marriage law. The Court refused, however, to create a constitutional right to same-sex marriage.

Proposition 8

In its ruling on California’s Proposition 8, the Court declared that the citizen group that sponsored Prop 8 did not have standing to defend the constitutional amendment that millions of Californians voted to pass. The only reason this jurisdictional question was an issue is because the governor and attorney general of the state of California decided to not defend a law passed by the people of that state.

It is scandalous that the governor and attorney general refused to perform their duty. That abdication of their constitutional responsibility should not have prevented these laws from having a vigorous defense in court. This sets a disturbing precedent and distorts the balance of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. It would allow the executive branch to effectively veto any duly enacted law simply by refusing to defend it against a constitutional challenge.

DOMA unconstitutional; Prop 8 appeal dismissed, making SSM available in CA

First decision is DOMA - in a 5 to 4 ruling, DOMA is ruled unconstitutional. Scalia, Roberts, Alito and Thomas dissent. 

"DOMA is unconstitutional as a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons that is protected by the Fifth Amendment," SCOTUS blog writes.  "DOMA singles out a class of persons deemed by a State entitled ot recognition and protection to enhance their own liberty."

Kennedy wrote the opinion - including these words at the bottom of 25-26: "The federal statute is invalid, for no legitimate purpose overcomes the purpose and effect to disparage and injure those whom the State, by its marriage laws, sought to protect in personhood and dignity. By seeking to displace this protection and treating those persons as living in marriages less respected than others." 

A link to the decision is HERE

Second decision: The Proposition 8 appeal is dismissed in a 5 to 4 opinion on the issue of standing. Chief justice Roberts and Scalia write opinion. This means that the current status in California will stay in place. "Same-sex marriage will be available in CA, at least where court clerks take the position that Prop 8 is unconstitutional," according to the SCOTUS blog.

Outside the SCOTUS this morning. People awaiting three decisions, including DOMA and Prop 8.

Is moral clarity above Pelosi’s pay grade?

By Irene F. Starkehaus - 

You may suppose that the ongoing disagreements between conservatives and liberals are triggered first and foremost by our deeply felt political philosophies, but maybe this continuous disagreement over the best direction for the country could be better described as an American religious war that is simply being waged on the political battlefield. It seems clearer by the day that the only way for the Left to ultimately succeed in its political agenda is to first pervert and then eradicate Christianity and its traditions.

We see this play out through the distortions of religious doctrines regarding social justice all the time. We have been told by our political leaders that spending our energy, pity and tears on the Christ who died on the cross over two thousand years ago seems farcical and wrong when there are children who are in need of nutritious meals. It is our children that society crucifies for lack of yet another federally subsidized free lunch program. To satisfy our Christian obligations to our fellow man, the Left insists that we must hand our paychecks over to the federal government so as to provide all the processed cheese that money can buy or we fail in our efforts to love our neighbors as ourselves and in this case we have failed Jesus.

SCOTUS to rule on Proposition 8 and DOMA today

WASHINGTON DC - The US Supreme Court is expected to issue their rulings on the gay marriage issues raised in California's Proposition 8 defining marriage in that state to be between one man and one woman, and in the federal Defense of Marriage Act signed into law by President Bill Clinton.

In April, those opposing and those supporting gay marriage in Illinois rallied outside State Rep Linda Chapa-Lavia's Aurora office. Illinois Review asked The Gay Liberation Network's co-founder Andy Thayer his thought about whether the Illinois House would pass gay marriage and what he expected the Supreme Court to decide on the gay marriage issues. Thayer said no matter what the Court decides, he will continue to push for more gay rights. Here's what he predicted in April 2013:

Heritage: What you need to know about marriage

Heritage Foundation outlines the options before the Supreme Court of the United States on the issue of same sex marriage. The decision is expected at 9:00 am CST.

See the entire graphic below:

Illinois taxpayers contributed $1.1B to gov. employees retirement system last year

By Ted Dabrowski & John Klingner - 

Employee contributions to the State Employee Retirement System, or SERS, have gone up by 66 percent since 1998. During the same time period, taxpayer contributions to state employee retirements increased by 593 percent.

In 2012 alone, Illinois taxpayers contributed $1.1 billion more to SERS than state employees did.

And the disparity between taxpayer and employee contributions is projected to get worse. Between 2013 and 2045, taxpayers can expect their annual contribution to SERS to increase by 164 percent, to $4.4 billion. Employee contributions, on the other hand, will rise only 118 percent, to $535 million. The increase in taxpayer contributions occurs because taxpayers, and not the employees, are required to pay for any shortfalls in the pension system.

Franks, Harris demand taxpayers not pay for Metra CEO’s Golden Parachute

In response to the large severance package granted to outgoing METRA CEO Alex Clifford, Democrat State Rep. Jack Franks (photo upper right) and Republican State Rep. David Harris (photo bottom right) are calling on METRA to ensure that Illinois taxpayers and fare-paying commuters are not forced to cover the cost of Clifford’s golden parachute.

The buyout pays Clifford $442,237 to cover the remainder of his contract, and includes a provision for an additional $300,000 if Clifford fails to find another job within 13 months. The compensation owed to Clifford for the eight months remaining on his contract, conversely, would only have been about $168,000.

“The wastefulness inherent in this decision is truly shocking,” Franks said. “The board could very easily have bought Clifford out of his contract or placed him on leave until it expired. Instead, they chose to give him more than his predecessor allegedly looted from the agency in the first place and send the bill to the taxpayers. ”

Long knives come out on eve of Brady's 2014 campaign announcement

The day before State. Sen. Bill Brady officially announces his candidacy for the 2014 GOP nomination for governor, the Safer Families Coalition, chaired by Bill Kelly, has come out against his campaign based on the state senator's support of driver's licenses for illegal aliens.

"Sen. Bill Brady was a key early supporter of driver's licenses for illegal immigrants in Illinois," said Kelly. "His reckless and irresponsible support of this bad legislation - despite the opposition of Illinois police ch and sheriffs - is proof that he lacks the judgment and the integrity to be Governor of Illinois. If the compromise on federal immigration legislation is passed, Illinois families will be even less safe than they are now and they will have Sen. Bill Brady to thank."

Brady will face State Sen. Kirk Dillard, State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, and businessman Bruce Rauner who have announced, or plan to announce, their candidacies for governor.

Late last year the Safer Families Coalition released a video on the subject (below). Kelly has often been a candidate himself, and has hinted he may throw his hat in the ring against U.S. Senator Dick Durbin next year.

News...illustrated: Voting Rights Act

Polls say GOP voters unlikely to vote for lawmakers that support the amnesty bill

WASHINGTON - Following U.S. Senator Mark Kirk's vote in favor of the Senate Immigration Bill, a new poll finds that a small minority of Republicans say they will favor re-electing an incumbent that supports the immigration reform package.

The National Journal poll found that 49 percent of GOP voters say they will less likely support their incumbent lawmaker if he or she votes for a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens. Only 15 percent of Republicans would support the incumbent who backs a pathway to citizenship.

These poll results come after 15 Republican Senators voted to pass the Schumer-Corker-Hoeven amendment yesterday. The passage of this amendment will make it easier for the Gang of 8 amnesty bill, S. 744 to likely pass the Senate. 

Kinzinger calls on President to support "all-of-the-above" energy approach

WASHINGTON – Tuesday, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s speech on energy policy:

“At a time when more than twelve million Americans are still out of work and vast energy resources remain untapped right under our feet, President Obama has decided to pursue more onerous regulations on the energy industry,” said Congressman Kinzinger. “The President’s proposals will not only cost thousands of jobs, but will also raise electricity prices for every American at a time when millions are struggling just to make ends meet. I support an all-of-the-above energy approach that includes swift approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline and I urge President Obama to do the same.”

Backlash: Amnesty to spending, GOP base looks to primary wayward Republicans

By Ulysses Arn - 

Now that the dust is beginning to settle following the Senate's cloture vote on the Gang of 8 amnesty bill a backlash against the Republicans that voted for it is starting to materialize. Coupled with a desire among the GOP base to punish certain Republican lawmakers for their votes in favor of reckless spending there is a real possibility that the 2014 Republican primaries could be a bloodbath for wayward Republicans and the GOP moderate-liberal establishment.

The Daily Caller has the following from Tea Party Patriots Jenny Beth Martin:

PC: Blackhawk ok, Chief Illiniwek not?

Anyone else notice this hypocrisy today? What does that say about political correctness gone awry?

5 New Laws for Illinois starting July1

SPRINGFIELD - While most new laws are enacted at the beginning of the new year (January 1), some take effect at other times of the year. This year there are five new laws effective as of July 1, 2013, they include:

1.  “Julie’s Law” prohibiting court supervision from being granted to people caught driving more than 31 miles per hour above the posted speed limit.

2. Creation of the Sex Offender Evaluation and Treatment Disciplinary Board established under  SB 3638 to assist the Department of Professional Regulation in the licensing of sex offender evaluators and treatment providers. 

African Americans applaud Supreme Court decision on Voting Rights Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Legal experts with the Project 21 black leadership network are hailing a ruling that was handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court today to bring American civil rights law into the 21st century by recognizing the evolving racial opinions of the American people and how increased fairness has come with such change.

In its decision in the case of Shelby County, Alabama v. Eric H. Holder, Jr., the justices ruled that Section 4 "coverage" provisions within the Voting Rights Act of 1965 do not reflect an America that has changed for the better since the Act was signed into law almost 50 years ago. Up until now, Section 4 was used as a tool to establish certain areas of the country (all or part of 16 states) that needed federal approval to make any changes in their voting laws.

"Federalism and state sovereignty are the big winners today -- and, once again, Eric Holder's Justice Department was the loser," said Project 21 Co-Chairman Horace Cooper, a former constitutional law professor and congressional leadership staff member. "Fundamentally, the position put forward by Justice Department, if accepted, would have created all kinds of distortions that our nation's founders never intended. We all support voting rights, but the quest for voting rights shouldn't come at the expense of preventing voter fraud nor the equal rights of states."

Libs react to SCOTUS decision on voting rights

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that when Congress reauthorized the Voting Right Law in 2006 it did not have sufficient basis to re-adopt the formula set decades earlier. Those challenging the Voting Rights Act’s preclearance provision, known as Section 5, argued that it unfairly punishes the covered states and communities by singling them out for special requirements based on evidence of racial discrimination in 1965 rather than the present day. The challengers also claimed that the rule placed costly and cumbersome burdens on the covered jurisdictions by requiring that changes as minor as a shift in polling places be submitted to Washington for approval.

Liberals voiced their displeasure: 

Obama War on coal kills jobs, raises energy costs

WASHINGTON - According to the American Coalition For Clean Coal Electricity, 288 coal units across 32 states are currently slated to close because of EPA policies. The projected coal unit closures represent 41,303 megawatts of electricity.

Livestream: Chicago Digital Learning Symposium

CHICAGO - Illinois Policy Institute is holding a digial learning symposium in Chicago today - and encouraging discussion about innovative ideas on using the web, alternative grading methods and school choice.

Brady to announce '14 gov bid in Chicago, Springfield, Marion and Bloomington

BLOOMINGTON - As noted here, on Wednesday Republican state senator Bill Brady will officially launch his campaign for Governor in 2014 with announcements in Chicago, Springfield, Marion and Bloomington. The bid for governor will be Brady's third attempt.

"Illinois is facing serious challenges. We see them everyday ... on the front page, at boarded-up businesses and around the kitchen table as families struggle with their household budgets. With the right leadership, Illinois can grow and prosper again," Brady wrote. "Nancy and I believe in Illinois, and we’re not giving up on Illinois. And I’m going to be right there, sleeves rolled up, working for sounder communities, vibrant job growth and a stronger Illinois."

Brady's announcement schedule is below:

Former Illinois GOP chair Pat Brady to head Chicago-based public affairs firm

CHICAGO – Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady (photo right) has formed a Chicago-based public affairs and capital sourcing firm called Next Generation Public Affairs Inc. (NGPA).

The founding principals of the firm include Brady, Chicago business advisor Bob Fitzsimmons, and former Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn. Brady says the firm will have a distinctive upper Midwest focus with initial offices in Chicago, Des Moines and Washington, D.C.

“NGPA is a full-service public affairs firm providing clients with comprehensive and technologically sophisticated government affairs, issue advocacy and media relations strategies,” said Brady.

Last month, Jack Dorgan was named chairman of the ILGOP following Brady's resignation.

Taxpayer-funded Metra didn’t have to pay outgoing CEO any severance, experts say

As reported hear several days ago, resigning Metra CEO Alex Clifford (photo right) will receive an extremely generous severance package worth $750,000 over the next 26 months.

Turns out, the original employment agreement of Clifford, who resigned Friday, clearly states that he is not entitled to a severance package if he resigns, experts said Monday. ...More HERE

Chicago cop stole merchandise and solicited bribes

A Chicago cop who allegedly made a habit of helping himself to chips and soda without paying for them at a West Side liquor store finally found himself the target of a federal sting.

Sgt. Ray M. Ramirez is looking at up to 20 years behind bars if he’s convicted of extorting the store’s owner and soliciting bribes. ...More HERE

Arrested again and again — but still a Chicago cop

Over the past seven years, Chicago police Officer Richard A. Rizzo (photo right) has been arrested four times by fellow members of his department. The charges included domestic battery, child endangerment and aggravated assault with a gun.

Each time, officers booked Rizzo and took his mugshot. Each time, prosecutors filed criminal charges against him. And each time, prosecutors ended up dropping the charges against the 15-year police veteran.

There’s no public record showing Rizzo ever has been disciplined for violating Chicago Police Department rules and regulations, which generally target officers who break the law or otherwise bring discredit upon the department. So Rizzo, 44, is still a member of the department, making $80,724 a year, records show.

Dems stir Davis-Harold feud; Harold "unequivocally" remains focused on 13th CD

URBANA - Democrats are exploiting the self-inflicted wound in the 13th CD caused by the derogatory comments from the former Montgomergy County GOP chairman about GOP primary challenger Erika Harold. The Dems are gleeful this morning, as the head of a 912 group that helped freshman Congressman Rodney Davis win in 2010 now says she's "waiting" to see who the group will back in 2014.

Brandon Lorenz, the DCCC's regional rep, tweeted this morning, "Yesterday @RodneyDavis lost a County Chair. Now a local Tea Party group Now says its neutral too," and linked to a News-Gazette story, which quotes Harold as saying she thinks the furor will end up benefiting her campaign.

"I view the episode as being one in which a lot of Republicans stopped to think about what are the values of our party and reflected that back to me in their messages of support," she said. "It was very encouraging to feel that support from people who had never met me, but once they read the email, they went on to our website and learned a little bit more about me and now want to stay engaged in the campaign in some capacity."

Harold told Illinois Review over the weekend that suggestions she should run for the Attorney General or Lieutenant Governor slots do not interest her. 

"I cannot state more unequivocally that the only office I will be pursuing in 2014 is the Republican nomination for the 13th Congressional District," Harold said.

Obama supporters frustrated with their Chosen One

WASHINGTON - With headlines like these: “Obama in the Doldrums,” “At Progressive Gathering, Hints of Anxiety About Obama” and “White House Hopes Obama’s Climate Change Announcement Will Generate Positive Press In a Brutal Month,” it’s no wonder Obama is making moves to shore up his base. But even as the President pivots away from jobs with his job-killing War on Coal, the left is still mad about Keystone and Obama’s lack of transparency and the rest of America has serious questions about Obama’s out of control government. 

Sens. Cruz, Vetter, and Sessions call on grassroots to stop amnesty bill

By Nancy Thorner - 

Monday the U.S. Senate voted 67-27 to limit debate and amendments on the Corker-Hoeven amendment to the S. 744 amnesty bill.

That means the 1,100+ page bill, as amended by 119 pages of amendments, can come to a vote as early as Wednesday morning. The final cloture vote (requiring 60 votes) on the whole bill could be as early as Thursday morning.

Shortly after the vote was finalized on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Monday night, I joined a National Tele-TownHall call with Sens. Cruz, Sessions, and Vetter. These three senators, along with Senator Mike Lee, Charles Grassley, and John Coynyn, have invested much time in trying to defeat the legislation, taking many slings and arrows in the process.

The audacity of a black Republican: Erika Harold

By Crystal Wright - 

When I think the Republican Party can’t get any more broken or branded as the party for out of touch white men, the GOP falls deeper into stupidity. Our latest ambassador to repel voters from the party is Montgomery County, Illinois GOP Chairman Jim Allen. He called black Republican Erika Harold, candidate for Illinois’ 13th Congressional seat,  “a street walker and her pimps are the DEMOCRAT PARTY and RINO REPUBLICANS…” Wow. Really Wow!

Republicans can’t save themselves from shooting themselves in the foot. So much for growing the party to reach more diverse voters and win elections, which the GOP desperately needs after 2012’s presidential butt whooping.

Coming off the heels of Arizona Senator Jeff Flake’s son Tanner liberally using racially offensive words on social media sites and the Daily Caller jokingly tweeting RNC Chairman Reince Priebus was the “HNIC,” Head Nigger in Charge, one would think Republicans had exhausted their racist quota for the summer. Not nearly! It appears, the GOP is headed into the “Summer of its Demise.”

Blackhawks win Stanley Cup

Check out the congratulatory Tweets from notables below the fold ...

Kirk explains vote in favor of Corker-Hoeven amendment to immigration bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) was one of 15 Republican US Senators that voted to invoke cloture on Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) amendment to enhance border security provisions in the immigration reform bill. He released the following explanation and his commitment to support the controversial bill's final passage:

“A secure border and a path to citizenship are good for Illinois’ economy and good for Illinois jobs, and I look forward to supporting its final passage in the coming days.”

IRS chief: Agency improperly screened political groups until last month

WASHINGTON - The Hill reports the acting head of the IRS said Monday that the agency was still giving improper scrutiny to groups seeking tax-exempt status when he arrived in May, suggesting that the probe into the IRS’s treatment of conservative groups could widen.

Danny Werfel, the acting chief, said that the IRS division overseeing tax-exempt applications used other “be on the lookout” lists as they tried to flag cases that needed more attention.

The so-called BOLO list has proven to be a key detail in the current investigation over the IRS’s singling out of conservative groups, with agency officials searching for groups with the name “Tea Party,” “patriots” and “9/12.”

In a Monday conference call, Werfel gave little detail about the ideology or interests of groups receiving additional scrutiny, though he added that the IRS hopes to circulate more information soon after it takes more steps to protect confidential information.

Read the story here.

Brady to announce '14 gubernatorial bid Wednesday

BLOOMINGTON - Although Illinois Review hasn't received notification yet, the Williamson County GOP is circulating news that State Senator Bill Brady will be announcing his third bid for governor this Wednesday at 3:00 pm at the Williamson County Airport in downstate Marion.

Brady lost his 2006 bid for the IL GOP gubernatorial nominee to then-State Treasurer Judy Baar-Topinka and narrowly won the 2010 IL GOP nomination over State Senator Kirk Dillard. He went on to lose the 2010 race to Democrat Pat Quinn after Governor Rod Blagojevich was impeached and tossed out of office in 2009.

Three other Republicans have already announced they are in for 2014 - Businessman Bruce Rauner, State Treasurer Dan Rutherford and State Senator Kirk Dillard of Burr Ridge.

Bill Kelly on school choice

By Bill Kelly:

I read with some interest "The Fight for Educational Choice Lives On" by Illinois Policy Institute's John Tillman here on the Illinois Review. I, too, share the dream that is true educational choice.

My parents were both teachers; in fact, my father, William F. Kelly, who passed away in 2006, was principal of Abbott Elementary on Chicago's South Side and spent his decades on Earth filling young minds with wisdom. In addition to his subscriptions to Smithsonian and American Heritage Magazine, teaching was my dad's great passion and he did it well. He never tired of the written word and he consumed it voraciously. Consequently, education and educational choice has always meant a great deal to me.

One-third of IL State Police earn $100k plus annually

SPRINGFIELD - Certainly you've seen or met an employee of the Illinois State Police at sometime or another when you've been driving along Illinois' miles and miles of interstate highway. You may be surprised to learn than one-third of Illinois State Police employees earned more than $100,000 last year, a GateHouse News study shows.

There were 1,052 employees — nearly 35 percent of the department — that earned over $100,000. This group earned more than $125.8 million in 2012, which accounted for 47 percent of the department’s payroll.

The agency has the highest percentage of $100,000-plus workers of any large state department, except for judges and Supreme Court justices.

Obama appoints gay activist Eric Fanning Acting Secretary of US Air Force

LIBERTY NEWS - The U.S. Air Force now has its first openly gay Acting Secretary of the Air Force – a man who has never actually worn a military uniform.  His name is Eric Fanning.

The Air Force’s longest serving Department Secretary, Michael Donley, an Army Airborne Special Forces veteran, stepped down from his post on Friday.

Mr. Donley served as the highest ranking civilian in the Air Force since his appointment in 2008.

The openly homosexual Fanning, served as Mr. Donley’s Undersecretary after the U.S. Senate confirmed him in April of 2013.

More at LibertyNews.com 

Black conservatives have run on the IL GOP ballot since 2004

CHICAGO - Despite the theme currently resounding on Chicago and Springfield airwaves, black conservative Republicans from Illinois have run for office often - they've just never won.

None were enthusiastically backed by the IL GOP, because the IL GOP has limited resources, and what they accumulate is used most often to protect threatened GOP incumbents at the Congressional, rather than the state levels. 

But the fact is, there is a notable list of black conservatives that have run for public office as Republicans over the years in Illinois. 

In 2004, former UN Ambassador Alan Keyes ran for U.S. Senate against then-state Senator Barack Obama after GOP nominee Jack Ryan pulled out of the race.

In 2006, Dr. Eric Wallace, endorsed by the United Republican Fund as one of their "6 in '06" candidates, ran for state Senate against south suburban Democrat Maggie Crotty. In 2008, Wallace bid to be a delegate for presidential candidate Fred Thompson and in 2012, he ran to be a delegate for presidential candidate Rick Santorum. 

Prager U: Why Europe has a problem with Israel

Why does Europe have such a problem with accepting Israel as a state in its own right? Other countries are fully acknowledged, despite a shorter and more volatile history. Prager University offers the answer in a 5 minute course -

GOP gubernatorial race in full swing: candidates woo NTRO

By T.J. Brown - 

Any questions about how engaged the Republican base is in the gubernatorial race were answered Sunday afternoon at Clarkson Park in Northfield.

Candidates Bruce Rauner, Dan Rutherford and Kirk Dillard each laid out their plans to restore Illinois' fiscal and economic health before an overflow crowd at the New Trier Republican Organization’s (NTRO) Wine and Cheese Party. The Evanston GOP co-sponsored the event. (photos below)

Illinois' $100,000 club

Gov. Pat Quinn may be CEO of the state, but an analysis of state records shows he's only the 687th highest-paid employee on the payroll. More than 6,200 employees made more than $100,000 in 2012.

At the top of the heap is someone taxpayers might not necessarily expect, and almost certainly have never heard of: Robert Rupnik, the chief investment officer for the Teachers Retirement System. He brought home $357,500 in 2012.

That’s not out of the ordinary, though, said the spokesman for the pension system, David Urbanek. ...More HERE

Musical chairs begins for 2014 Republican statewide candidates

Minority House Leader Tom Cross is looking at a 2014 bid for Attorney General. The decision is a big one. If Cross runs for AG, he'll need to walk away from his House leadership position. A statement from his political office this weekend said much depends on a Democrat - Attorney General Lisa Madigan and whether or not she will run for re-election in 2014.

"[Cross] has been asked to consider running for Attorney General by Republican Leaders from across the state and he is listening to what they have to say and will evaluate  his options should Lisa Madigan decide not to seek re-election," an email from political director Kevin Artl said. "But right now, he is devoting his time and energy towards recruiting candidates and raising funds in preparation for the 2014 House Republican campaign program."

Possible ILGOP 2014 AG candidates: Tom Cross, Erika Harold, Mark Curran, Jim Durkin

ILGOP statewide candidates that either won or came close to winning in 2010 were those with notoriety, networks and resources. Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady came close to winning with nearly $18 million from the Republican Governors Association, and State Treasurer Dan Rutherford and State Comptroller Judy Baar-Topinka handily won open seats over their Democrat rivals.

The two Democrat statewide incumbents in 2010 were Secretary of State Jesse White and Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Their Republican challengers - businessman Robert Enriquez and attorney Steven Kim - didn't come close to victory. White won over Enriquez by 42 points and Madigan won over Kim by 33 points.

Deadbeat Illinois: Lifesaving services suffer state's delays

GALESBURG - Andy Schultz’s ambulance service in Rockford was once called by a hospital two hours away to see if he would transport a public aid patient.

Shultz wasn’t the hospital’s first choice, either; a series of other, nearer services had turned down the request. Because of the state’s reputation for delayed payments and because of the low Medicaid payment rate, Schultz also had to say no.

“The amount of money I’d get paid wouldn’t cover my gas,” he said. “We will only take public aid patients on contracted services.”

Retired DuPage County State Senator Beverly J. Fawell dies

GLEN ELLYN - Retired State Senator Beverly J. Fawell died Saturday at the age of 82. Fawell was a member of the Illinois General Assembly from the 41st district (1981–82), and a member of the Illinois Senate from the 20th district from 1983 until she resigned in late 1999 after the death of her son Steve, to care for his surviving children. She was succeeded in the Illinois Senate by Peter Roskam.

Senator Fawell is fondly remembered by her former colleagues. “Bev Fawell made a tremendous contribution to the Senate Republican Caucus but more importantly, to the state of Illinois. She was a passionate legislator who was willing to put in the time and effort to get results," said Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno.

Fawell was the chief architect of Illinois’ first law to establish assisted living facilities in the state, and she cajoled, negotiated, and dogged everyone for more than two years to pass the legislation, Radogno said.

Reps. Ives and Morrison promote true pension reform

  By Nancy Thorner - 

It was in March of this year when a prediction was made that Illinois would probably exceed $100 billion in pension debt sometime in the month, which amounts to a huge and reckless shortfall in money owed to current and future retired teachers, judges, state workers, and even lawmakers themselves. To put in perspective:  $100 billion in stacks of $100 dollar bill would weigh 10 tons, enough to buy Boeing Co. and Kraft Foods Group Inc., with a few billion left over.   

Although a warning was issued in 2011 of a potential collapse of the state pension system, already the most underfunded in the nation, Democratic lawmakers and Governor Quinn continued to kick the can down the road failing to muster the political willpower to make meaningful changes. At $100 billion Illinois pension debts stand at about twice annual state expenditures, including capital spending, with pension liabilities growing by $17.1 million per day.

10 Problems with the Gang of Eight Immigration Bill

More at Heritage Foundation

Tillman: The fight for school choice lives on

By John Tillman - 

In May of 2010, the Illinois House of Representatives voted down the 2010 voucher bill. My hopes had been high for this bill, because I knew what school choice would mean for Illinois families.

Vouchers mean freedom from failing schools; the possibility of students and families choosing their own path instead of being stuck with the failing status quo. I knew this bill would provide hope and possibilities for thousands of Illinois students, and at the Illinois Policy Institute we worked tirelessly to pass this voucher bill.

But in the end, the Illinois General Assembly failed to make choice a reality. I relived this heartbreak during a recent vacation when I re-read a piece I had published in the Chicago Tribune shortly after the 2010 vote (see below).

Illinois’ new normal: chronic unemployment

Ted Dabrowski & Paul Schumacher - 

Despite Illinois’ improved May unemployment numbers, the state continues to lag the nation in job creation. Illinois has the second-highest unemployment rate in the nation – a position it has held since March.

Illinois’ jobless rate dropped to 9.1 percent from 9.3 percent in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Net payroll job growth was 5,600 for May, also an improvement. But when compared to the rest of the nation, Illinois’ employment situation is bleak. Only two other states have an unemployment rate above 9 percent – Nevada and Mississippi.

Illinois is also one of only four states to see its unemployment rate worsen in the past 12 months. Illinois’ unemployment rate now stands 1.5 percentage points higher than the 7.6 percent national average, and that trend has worsened over time. The last time Illinois’ unemployment rate was on par with the national average was in late 2010. But since then, the state’s unemployment rate has remained higher. 

Fox 32 Chicago Sunday features GOP county chairman's attack on Erika Harold

CHICAGO - More mainstream media coverage on the GOP county chairman's attack on Erika Harold in the 13th CD.

O'Brien: 21 (and counting) Things You Have to Believe to Support Amnesty

By Teri O'Brien - 

This morning, I posted 21 ridiculous things you have to believe in order to go along with the amnesty scam currently making its way through the U.S. Senate. Since that writing, I have thought of a couple more and I’d love to hear yours, both in the comments on that post, and on today’s edition of The Teri O’Brien Show. Could current amnesty savior Sen. Bob Corker’s history of hiring illegals in his own business belie his real motives in this mess? In addition to being really terrible public policy in the short and intermediate term, is this bill really something much more sinister? Is it the realization of a plan to destroy capitalism and the United States of America conceived over 50 years ago by two radical college professors, who, like Barack Obama, were acolytes of Saul Alinsky? 

Hultgren nominates military academy candidates

GENEVA, IL – The following candidates were nominated by Congressman Randy Hultgren (IL-14) for 2013 enrollment in the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy and U.S. Military Academy at West Point.  Congressman Hultgren posed for a photo with the soon-to-be cadets and midshipmen at his Geneva office on Friday, June 21, 2013.

Pictured left to right surrounding Congressman Hultgren are Michael Borger, Elgin   (U.S. Air Force Academy), Mitchell Pepa, Elgin (U.S. Air Force Academy), Cinthya Elizondo, Aurora (U.S. Air Force Academy), William DeBord, Wayne (U.S. Air Force Academy), Devon Zych, Oswego (U.S. Coast Guard Academy), Nate Harms, Batavia (U.S. Air Force Academy), Jon Wagner, Batavia (U.S. Military Academy), Pierce Parlier, Oswego (U.S. Naval Academy)

Rhoads: Is President Obama turning incoherent?

By Mark Rhoads - 

Columnist George Will, a native of Champaign, Illinois, calls the speech by President Obama in Berlin a pratfall that is exemplary of a second term that has already turned just plain silly. Will dissects rambling and convoluted Obama rhetoric with his careful laser scalpel.