Illinois Review

UPDATE X2: State legislature agrees on stopgap measure to keep schools open, services for vulnerable and seniors available

UPDATE x1: Senate also passes the agreed upon stopgap budget bill. “Today’s actions in Springfield are proof that legislators can come together and create affordable and responsible solutions,” said Sen. Dan McConchie said. “I am glad to see that the political games were finally set aside so progress could be made.” (more below)

UPDATE x2: The four House members who voted no and statements from them are included below. 

SPRINGFIELD - Schools will get paid, children will go to school, the most vulnerable and seniors will get services and prisons will stay open after an agreed-upon stopgap budget measure passed the Illinois legislature Thursday, the last day of Fiscal Year 2016.

As the House discussion on four stopgap budget measures wound down in Springfield Thursday, a member from each side of the partisan aisle emphasized that while funding would continue into the new fiscal year starting Friday, that nothing had been done to correct Illinois' serious underlying financial issues. 

Giovanetti: Trade is Good and Normal

By Tom Giovanetti - 

Yesterday, after Donald Trump’s remarkable screed against global trade, I went out to get a sandwich.

I gave the shop what they wanted, my money, and I got what I wanted, a sandwich.

We were both equally well-off, because it was a voluntary exchange of equal value. If I didn’t like the deal, I didn’t have to buy the sandwich. If they didn’t like the deal, they didn’t have to sell me the sandwich.

Moreover, because they are specialists at what they do, they make a far better sandwich than I do. It would cost me far more in time and trouble to try to make an equivalent sandwich for myself. It’s cheaper and more efficient for me to buy from a specialist than to try to do everything myself.

Calls Increase for C.J. Baricevic to Return Shady Campaign Cash

WASHINGTON DC - There is an increasing number of calls for Democrat congressional candidate C.J. Baricevic to return nearly $40,000 in questionable campaign contributions after a nonpartisan watchdog group filed an FEC complaint outlining shady dealings between an Illinois law firm and Baricevic’s campaign. The complaint details how employees from the firm contributed $37,600, with many donations coming from low-level clerical staff on the exact same day, indicating an illegal “straw man” money laundering scheme.

Baricevic is running against incumbent Illinois Congressman Mike Bost.

After previous reports raised questions about the propriety of Baricevic’s campaign donations from lawyers who practice in his father, who serves as a St. Clair Country Judge, John Baricevic’s jurisdiction, this new complaint raises larger and more troublesome questions for Baricevic, his father, and the firm.

NRCC spokesman Zach Hunter wrote reporters: “C.J. Baricevic should immediately return the shady cash that is bankrolling his campaign. With the legality of tens of thousands of dollars in question, Baricevic owes it to the people of the 12^th District to ensure an ethical and transparent campaign.”

St. Louis Post-Dispath story below:

Roskam pushes harder on Boeing during speech at Northrop

PALATINE - Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) said last week that he was going to use every venue possible to stop Boeing from its announced deal with Iran.  Thursday, he took the fight back to his home district during an address to 2000 Northrop Grumman employees and veterans.

Roskam didn't mince words about Boeing's plans to sell 100 planes to Iran, a country that has consistently funded terrorism worldwide. 

Durbin: ‘I Asked For’ FBI Training Manual Purge Of ‘Wrong’ And ‘Embarrassing’ Docs About Muslims (AUDIO)

By Kerry Picket / The Daily Caller - 

WASHINGTON–Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin says he requested the purge of almost 900 pages of documentation in the FBI training manual that Muslim advocacy groups found offensive.

“I asked for it, because there were provisions in the training manual which were flat out wrong and embarrassing and they didn’t characterize the threat to America properly and after the FBI re-visited the manual, they changed it and I’m glad they did,” Durbin told The Daily Caller Wednesday.

Durbin sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee and listened to testimony Tuesday at a subcommittee hearing that explored federal law enforcement’s lack of emphasis of “radical Islam in combating terrorism.”

Thorner: Constitutional Sound Bites: Quick and Easy American History

By Nancy Thorner - 

Quick, pay attention - think you know all you should about America's founding? Well, here's some "Constitutional Sound Bites" from a powerful new book authored by David Shestokas:

 "Declaration of Independence - Did you know?

• Thomas Jefferson became a lawyer at 24 years old and wrote the "Declaration" at age 33.
• The impact of the "Declaration of Independence" upon the world was dramatic.  When written in 1776 it was the first such document in history to declare a people free and self-governing.
• Before the "Declaration of Independence", a government was typically an empire controlled by a royal family.
• The Declaration of Independence issued a list of grievances against King.
• Jefferson patterned the Declaration like a complaint in a court case.  There is a statement of law, a list of violations of law and the proper remedy for those violations

Preamble to Constitution -  Words and phrases as understood by our Founding Fathers -  Did you know?

NRA releases new ad with Benghazi massacre survivor

WASHINGTON - Mark "Oz" Geist survived the 2012 massacre in Benghazi, and he's backing Donald Trump for President.

"Hillary Clinton for President? No thanks," he says in a new ad distributed by the National Rifle Association's Victory PAC. 

Republicans hopeful about budget deal

SPRINGFIELD - There's good news coming out of Springfield. A budget agreement to be voted on tomorrow, June 30th - the last possible day before FY 2017. It will need a super-majority to pass both Houses and Governor Rauner's approval to go into effect.

From State Senator Dave Syverson's (R-Rockford)  Facebook page this evening:

Former Jack Ryan campaign staffer signs on with Trump

NEW YORK - Political primaries can be very tough, and one never knows what one may end up doing by the end of an election season - especially if you're running the campaign of one of 17 competing Republican presidential wannabes.

And that's true of Donald Trump's new communications director Jason Miller. The Lefty blog Think Progress went digging through Twitter trash this week, and found some rather tart Tweets from Miller about his new boss while he was working for his old boss, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz. 

The name "Jason Miller" may sound familiar for those Illinoisans who've been either active or actively politically observant going back to 2003. That's the year Miller signed onto the Jack Ryan for U.S. Senate campaign. He went on to eventually win the hard-fought GOP primary for Jack Ryan over competitors Jim Oberweis, Andy McKenna and Steve Rauschenberger.

However, after a non-sex scandal that eventually pushed Ryan off the IL GOP's preferred list, Miller did not stay on with Dan Proft and Bill Paschall to direct the subsequent failed Alan Keyes effort. 

On the Democrat side, now-President Barack Obama emerged as the 2004 U.S. Senate nominee.

And, well, the rest is history. 

Back to Mr. Miller, the Trump campaign announced this week:

Daily Show features Illinois' budget bickering

SPRINGFIELD - The Daily Show featured a segment about Illinois' budget impasse Tuesday night, featuring Democrat Senator Daniel Biss and House Republican Floor Leader Ron Sandack. Assessment? Not that funny, clever or creative. (The Daily Show segment, not the lawmakers.)

McCann breaks with GOP again to stand with SEIU daycare workers

 
Republican Senator Sam McCann (right of podium) stood with two Democrats at SEIU presser Wed

SPRINGFIELD - At a press conference held at the Capitol today by representatives of the Service Employees International Union, conservative Republican State Senator Sam McCann called on Governor Rauner to sign into law SB 730. Flanked by Democrat Senator Daniel Biss and State Rep. Litesa Wallace, Senator McCann and the SEIU reps called on funding to be restored for the state's Child Care Assistance Program.

McCann said the Senate's job is to have a conversation about public policy, and the CCAP is "a program that enables people to go to work," something McCann said everyone in the Capitol supports. McCann said child care assistance is comparable to the federal Earned Income Tax Credit for working families.

While McCann did not point fingers at Governor Rauner like the other presser participants did, he did call on the Governor to sign SB 730 into law. He's the only GOP Senator to have voted yes on the final consensus roll call on SB 730:

Romano: Did a tax-exempt gay rights group host a partisan parade attack?

By VWH Romano - 

The NYC Pride says it is a non-profit organization whose entire mission is to empower, enlighten, engage and help to commemorate how far the LGBT community has come. The non-profit that runs/owns NYC Pride is Heritage of Pride. Both might have to lose their non-for-profit status as they have gone on a benighted political attack on Republicans, marching with a street wide banner reading “Republican Hate Kills!"

Ironic enough, on their website, it says Heritage of Pride "works toward a future without discrimination where all people have equal rights under the law. We do this by producing LGBT Pride events that inspire, educate, commemorate and celebrate our diverse community.”  

Syverson points to Chicago politicians as the culprits blocking budget progress

SPRINGFIELD - Both Illinois legislative chambers are in session Wednesday, just hours away from the June 30th midnight deadline when Illinois could enter into its unprecedented second year without an agreed-upon budget.

The Democrats are blaming Governor Rauner and the Republicans are blaming Mike Madigan for no resolution satisfactory to all sides. They're trying a last ditch effort to pass a short term budget that will get the state through until after the November election - the time when Democrat leadership has said they expect a budget to pass. 

State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) made his thoughts on the impasse public earlier this week with this statement posted on his website, and he points to yet a third culprit as the real problem: Chicago politicians (which happen to include House Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton ... as well as Mayor Rahm Emanuel).

Trump issues TPP challenge to Clinton: will she answer?

NEW YORK - Republican candidate Donald Trump appears to be finding his message for the fall campaign. The gist of it seems to be boiling down to a key contrast between Democrat Hillary Clinton and himself: she's a globalist and he's a patriot.

From the Trump campaign Wednesday morning:

In his speech yesterday, "Declaring American Economic Independence," Donald J. Trump made the case for Americanism over Hillary Clinton's Globalism, and detailed how the Trans-Pacific Partnership would undermine U.S. sovereignty and economic prosperity. He announced he would withdraw from the TPP and negotiate bilateral trade deals that protect U.S. economic interests.

He then challenged Hillary Clinton, longtime enthusiastic booster of the TPP, if she too would pledge to withdraw from the pact and rule out its passage in any form. Clinton now weakly says she only has issues with the TPP "currently...in its current form," politician-speak for saying she will approve it at the very earliest opportunity.

Di Leo: A Personal Matter ... concerning a Mother, a Child, and her Doctor

By John F. Di Leo - 

When the modern abortion movement first began, a century ago, Planned Parenthood founder and hero Margaret Sanger was quite clear on her belief in the theory of eugenics.  She wanted to reduce the numbers of undesirable people in America (you know, all those “other” races and ethnicities), and abortion was the easiest way that sprung to mind.  But it didn’t catch on; it was too extreme.

So, when a renewed effort for legalization of abortion really kicked into high gear in the 1960s, it was couched in a mantle of compassion instead.

“Since people will get abortions anyway,” we were told, “the horse is out of that barn, you know… we need to legalize the practice, so that it can be safe, legal, and rare.”

This was the promise: that legalization would protect the mother from the back alley abortionist, that legalization would defend her from the infections and shoddy workmanship and inherent malpractice of so-called doctors who work on the other side of the law.

Since society has already given up on saving the baby, they told us, let’s at least save the mother.  It may not be full compassion, whole-hearted compassion, but at least, this distasteful choice is born in compassion, of a sort.  At least the Left’s intentions were good.

Or so we were told.

Biga: That's it, in response to Brexit, a two-day selloff ?

By Frank J Biga III - 

Really? Despite all the angst regarding the Brexit vote and the calamitous effects that a "Leave" vote would have on the world, the worst that happened was a two-day selloff of equities? More to the point, the transformation of our cultures and societies was worth only a lousy 1000 points on the Dow?

I know. I know. The consequences haven’t been fully felt yet. George Soros is predicting serious consequences and maybe even a Depression. Maybe it will happen. The last Depression produced the Greatest Generation though. If a Depression is what is needed to chasten the globalist ruling class, so be it.

President designates Stonewall Inn as national park

WASHINGTON - Last week, President Barack Obama designated the site of a 1969 riot between gays and New York City police a national monument. 

"I’m designating the Stonewall National Monument as the newest addition to America’s national parks system. Stonewall will be our first national monument to tell the story of the struggle for LGBT rights," President Obama said.

Senate fund announces $40 M in First Round of Fall TV ads; none for Kirk

Sen. Kirk meeting with Obama SCOTUS nominee Merrick Garland

WASHINGTON – Tuesday, the Senate Leadership Fund (“SLF”) announced its first round of fall broadcast and cable reservations totaling $22.8 million and something pretty noticeable for Illinois U.S. Senator Mark Kirk is missing:

Dold to launch "People before Politics" bus tour Wednesday in Lake Bluff

 
Bob Dold campaigned with Senator Mark Kirk in 2012

Lake Bluff, IL – Maybe you live in Illinois' 10th Congressional District, represented in the U.S. House by Bob Dold - who, like his predecessor Mark Kirk has taken numerous positions that clash with the Republican Party's platform - and you'd like to discuss it with him. You'll have several chances over the weekend, the campaign announced Tuesday.

Dold for Congress will kick off its “People Before Politics” bus tour on Wednesday, June 30 at the Dold for Congress Headquarters in Lake Bluff, IL. During Independence Day weekend, Rep. Bob Dold will be traveling throughout the District to speak with voters and participate in local July 4th celebrations.

During the tour, Dold will travel to local restaurants, manufacturing facilities, community events, senior centers and parades with community leaders, 10th District residents and special guests in tow. Volunteers will be distributing yard signs, bumper stickers, buttons, literature and other campaign information to inform and energize voters for Election Day November 8.    

Trump promises to withdraw U.S. from Trans-Pacific Partnership; condemns Clinton's support

PENNSYLVANIA - The Trump campaign released the following memo Tuesday afternoon on the topic of the Trans-Pacific Partnership - a topic about which he spoke Tuesday in Monessan, Pennsyvlvania.

In the speech, he promised to withdraw the U.S. from the international agreement if he is elected president. 

Thorner/O'Neil: Brexit's Fine Line Between Committing and Correcting

By Nancy Thorner and Bonnie O'Neil - 

Donald Trump’s rise in political power seems to be America’s angry message to its leadership just as the Brits sent a blistering message in the form of “Brexit” to their leaders. The recent vote to leave the European Union sent shock waves throughout Europe and various parts of the World.  Political leaders and the media in both the United States and Europe expressed bewilderment, or perhaps an unwillingness to understand that Americans and the Brits have the following in common: both are disgusted with the inability of their leaders to resolve basic problems, such as a failed immigration system.

It is incumbent upon a government to be concerned about its own citizens first, not other countries or foreign immigrants, no matter how urgent the need may be. The majority of British citizens no longer had faith in their elected officials to protect their own country’s interests, and they retaliated through the ballot box with a referendum to sever ties with the now 27-member European Union.  Will what happened be a wake-up call to other EU countries? Germany has warned that five European countries may seek to follow Britain’s lead in leaving the EU in a Brexit domino effect.

Biga: Rauner’s Losing Hand

By Frank J Biga III - 

As a precinct captain and local NW suburban politico, I get the chance to see a lot of politicians and candidates give speeches, especially during campaign season. I traveled the circuit quite a bit during the 2014 gubernatorial primary and got to see all of the GOP candidates speak and debate. And thinking back on that time it certainly felt as if the primary was Rauner’s to lose. He won endorsement after endorsement at the local level and successfully dodged some of the debates not allowing his opponents to pin him down. He ran a masterful operation and his omnipresent media buys gave the impression that he could get things done in Springfield and turn our state around.

Of course, he was asked several times during the primary campaign about the fact that the Legislative branch was very likely to be run by the Democrats and therefore how did he propose to deal with Speaker Madigan and Senate President Cullerton? Two specific points I recall then candidate Rauner making at a Palatine Township Republican meeting was that he was studying the moves taken by Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana and he implied he would model his governorship after Daniels’. Second, he was hard at work analyzing the office of Illinois Governor and asserted that in Illinois, the office of Governor was made very powerful in the State Constitution and that he would use those powers to positive effect.

Hours away from another budget-less fiscal year, Gov Rauner repeats goals

SPRINGFIELD – With the clock ticking and midnight of June 30th - the end of FY 2016 - just hours away, Illinois will have just completed a year with no budget and will embark on a new budget-less year.

Governor Bruce Rauner, who has declared several times he is open to income tax hikes and increased school funding if the Democrats would agree to a few more business-friendly policy adjustments, issued the following statement:

Democrat leaders who control the General Assembly made it clear they will not take any major action on balancing our budget or passing real reforms until after the General Election in November.  That is wrong and that is why, despite their refusal, I am advocating for two bills: a stopgap funding measure to ensure our most critical government services continue being funded and a school funding bill that puts more money into education, holds all schools harmless and ensures they open on time in the fall.

This morning Republicans will introduce an updated stopgap measure to add funding for higher education, MAP grants, and human services.

We are three days away from the end of the fiscal year. While we have essentially reached agreement on a six-month stopgap budget, the super majority is focused on passing a school funding bill that forces suburban and downstate taxpayers to pay for a massive bailout of the severely mismanaged Chicago Public Schools system.

Benghazi Committee reveals findings in 800-page report

WASHINGTON - The Select Committee investigating the Benghazi attack in 2012 released its report at a press conference Tuesday morning in D.C. The conference included comments from Illinois Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) who served on the committee.

Major findings include that while President Obama and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta ordered military assets to be deployed, they were not. Also, political operatives focused on spinning the scenario around the attack rather than being open and honest with the American people.

Reeder: Is it time to talk about Chicago and Downstate splitting up, too?

By Scott Reeder - 

SPRINGFIELD – As soon as the Brits voted to depart from European the Union, I began listening for the first rumblings of discontent in Illinois.

You know what I’m talking about: Should Chicago and the rest of the state part ways?

There are plenty of downstaters who would just as soon see Chicago depart the Land of Lincoln. And hey, I know more than a few Chicagoans who view Downstate as a parasite leaching away a great city’s life blood.

In case you are wondering, I’m using a political scientist definition of downstate – not a geographer’s. Downstate in a political sense is anyplace in Illinois that is not part of Chicago or its suburbs. Even northern Illinois communities like Rockford, Ottawa, Kankakee and Freeport are considered “downstate.“

Senator Kirk's last four Tweets insult Republican voting blocs

CHICAGO - In what can be explained only as the Tweets of a desperate re-election campaign, Republican U.S. Senator Mark Kirk's last four posted comments insult and demean three key sectors of Illinois' Republican voting bloc: those who are pro-life, pro-natural family and pro-2nd Amendment.

From Chicago's Gay Pride Parade Sunday afternoon:

He congratulated the pro-abortion lobby for the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to throw out Texas' reasonable health care standards for abortion clinics:

He advocated stricter gun control by twice pushing out his op-ed published in the Daily Herald:

Democrat Party Platform Calls For Prosecuting Global Warming Skeptics

Democrat operatives responsible for creating their party’s platform this year have unanimously adopted a provision calling for the Department of Justice to investigate companies who disagree with Democrats on global warming science.

A panel of Democrats voted Friday to approve a final draft of the party’s platform to promote “Progressive Democratic Values,” which apparently includes investigating energy companies who “misled” shareholders about global warming. The platform reads:

"...the 2016 platform draft re-frames the urgency of climate change as a central challenge of our time, already impacting American communities and calling for generating 50 percent clean electricity within the next ten years. The Committee unanimously adopted a ... joint (Clinton/Sanders) proposal calling on the Department of Justice to investigate alleged corporate fraud on the part of fossil fuel companies who have reportedly misled shareholders and the public on the scientific reality of climate change was also adopted by unanimous consent."

Thomas More Society: Supreme Court views vital protection as "unnecessary"

Peoria Abortion Clinic has been inspected twice in 15 years

CHICAGO - Over the past five years, two abortion clinics voluntarily shut down because Illinois state inspections showed so many problems that that it financially made more sense than updating the abortion facilities. The offenses forced the state to revoke the licenses of the Northern Illinois Women's Center in Rockford and the Women's Aid Clinic in Lincolnwood.

Monday, the United States Supreme Court struck down a Texas law that requires abortion clinic facilities to meet the same standards as other surgical centers. The Thomas More Society filed an amicus brief in the case (see it here), which stated the law is constitutional. 

Governor, Local Mayors Urge Passage of Stopgap Budget and Education Funding

SPRINGFIELD – Monday, Governor Bruce Rauner and several mayors from around Illinois urged the Democrats in the General Assembly to return to Springfield and pass the GOP Leaders’ stopgap budget (HB 6585/SB 3435) and education budget (HB 6583/SB 3434).

“We are in a critical time in Illinois with government services at risk of being shut down on July 1st without a stopgap budget,” Governor Rauner said. “It would be an outrageous, tragic failure for the people of Illinois, and we can’t allow this to happen.”

The stopgap budget bill funds a variety of critical government operations and services including: paying vendors at the Illinois Department of Corrections and the Illinois Department of Human Services; allowing federal dollars to pass through state agencies to fund programs like the Child Care Assistance Program; ensuring construction projects at the Illinois Department of Transportation continue uninterrupted; and providing another bridge to public universities and community colleges.

Prager U: "Why Don't Feminists fight for Muslim Women?"

SPRINGFIELD - Should Illinois officially incorporate an advisory panel made up of Muslims - with no restriction on the level of their fundamentalism? To even ask such a question about legislation being considered now by Governor Rauner is offensive to some.

If Governor Rauner were to sign SB 574 into law, Illinois would become the first state with such an advisory panel, and it would be the first council associated with religion that the state would recognize. It currently has no similar panel consisting Western culture representatives from Jewish, Catholic, Protestant or evangelical faiths.

Exploiting terrorist fear, Illinois House Takes Up More Gun Control Legislation

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Seizing the opportunity to exploit an act of terrorism in Orlando, Florida, left-wing Illinois House member Gregory Harris (D) introduced another gun control regulation in the House, and it’s gaining some bi-partisan support.

According to reports, the bill would bar terrorists and those the state deems a threat to public safety from obtaining firearms. And if someone on the terrorist watch list applies for a FOID card - Firearms Owner’s Identification Card (required in Illinois to purchase or possess firearms and/or ammunition), Illinois State Police would be permitted to inform the FBI, which the already do before issuing a FOID card. 

While many across the country have expressed their concerns about a lack of “due process” in the federal gun control proposals, especially those authored by Democrats, Harris claims his bill is different and will provide “appropriate” due process, adding that someone who has their FOID card denied or revoked will be able to petition through a multi-level government appeals process.

Rep. Ed Sullivan, a Mundelein Republican, is one of the bill’s chief co-sponsors. Other sponsors and supporters include State Rep. Ron Sandack, R-Downers Grove, and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs.

Trump lags Clinton by 12 points in national poll; neck-in-neck in four swing states

US Senator Elizabeth Warren, who's being vetted for VP, campaigned with Hillary Clinton Monday

NEW YORK - Republican presumed nominee Donald Trump is twelve points behind Democrat Hillary Clinton in an ABC poll released Sunday, but another poll shows the two very close in four all-important swing states. 

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are virtually tied in Florida, Colorado and North Carolina, with Clinton's lead within the margin of error in each of the states, according to a new CBS poll.

Clinton is only up by 5 points in Wisconsin, which hasn't gone for a Republican since 1984 but is now seen as in play.

"Hillary Clinton holds narrow leads over Donald Trump across a number of key states of Florida (up 3 points, 44-41 percent); Colorado (Clinton 40 percent, Trump 39 percent); Wisconsin (Clinton up 41-36 percent) and North Carolina, which has flipped back and forth between the parties in the last two elections, where it's Clinton 44 percent and Trump 42 percent," CBS reports.

More on ABC poll HERE. More on swing states polling HERE

Illinois Secretary of State harvests $10 million in fines from unsuspecting citizens

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Last year Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that his office would stop mailing citizens license plate renewal notices because it cost his office too much. The result has been marked increase in unsuspecting drivers being ticketed for outdated stickers, and a huge windfall of cash for the government.

Dave Druker, a spokesman for the Secretary of State’s office, says that due to the lack of notices, Illinois has collected nearly $10 million on 476,550 late fees so far in 2016. That’s compared to the $4.3 million on approximately 214,500 late fees over the same time period last year.

The Illinois House passed a bill that would’ve given drivers a 30-day “grace period” in which drivers couldn’t be fined for having expired stickers, but the Democrat-controlled Illinois Senate failed to act on the bill.

h/t: WROK

Kirk uses terrorist tragedy to crusade against citizen rights

CHICAGO - Ignoring the failure of government to protect citizens from home-grown terrorism, Illinois' U.S. Senator Mark Kirk took to the op/ed pages of the Daily Herald to continuing his crusade against the weapon rather than the perpetrator. In a letter to the newspaper, Kirk wrote:

Harvard Law Professor to Conservatives: You’re Losers. Live With It.

By Laurie Higgins - 

Conservative friends, if it weren’t clear to you already that the halcyon days for theologically orthodox people of faith in America are over, read the ominous, hostile, and arrogant words of Mark Tushnet, William Nelson Cromwell professor of law at Harvard Law School:

The culture wars are over; they lost, we won…. For liberals, the question now is how to deal with the losers in the culture wars. That’s mostly a question of tactics. My own judgment is that taking a hard line (“You lost, live with it”) is better than trying to accommodate the losers, who—remember—defended, and are defending, positions that liberals regard as having no normative pull at all. Trying to be nice to the losers didn’t work well after the Civil War, nor afterBrown. (And taking a hard line seemed to work reasonably well in Germany and Japan after 1945.) I should note that LGBT activists in particular seem to have settled on the hard-line approach, while some liberal academics defend more accommodating approaches. When specific battles in the culture wars were being fought, it might have made sense to try to be accommodating after a local victory, because other related fights were going on, and a hard line might have stiffened the opposition in those fights. But the war’s over, and we won.

Conservatives are the equivalent of racists and Nazis because they believe human beings whose lives begin at conception have a right to exist and that marriage has an intrinsic nature central to which is sexual differentiation. No more need for politically expedient rhetorical deception about tolerance and diversity. Carpe Diem, Tushnet proclaims. To the victors belong the spoils, which to “progressives” like Tushnet just might include the presumptive “right” to abrogate the religious liberty of conservative losers.

U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Texas law on abortion clinic health regulations

WASHINGTON DC - Today, in the first abortion case to reach the United States Supreme Court in nearly a decade, the high court struck down a Texas law, 5-3, which required abortionists to adhere to the same basic health and safety standards for invasive surgery as all medical practitioners.

Eric Scheidler, Executive Director of the Pro-Life Action League, issued this statement:

“It is shameful to see a majority of the Supreme Court sacrificing public health and safety to prop up the abortion industry in Texas. If this case were about anything other than abortion, this law would have been upheld. Indeed, it would never have been challenged. Only the abortion industry balks at adhering to the same standards considered routine by legitimate health care providers.

“How many Kermit Gosnells will it take for public officials to uphold common sense health and safety standards for the abortion industry? In the wake of this irresponsible ruling in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, pro-life activists will be redoubling our efforts to highlight the dangerous conditions at America’s abortion clinics -- like the ambulances we see turning up regularly at abortion clinics around the country -- in hopes that one day the abortion industry will be held accountable for endangering public health.”

Thorner: Stephen Moore Exposes the Mad War on Energy

By Nancy Thorner -  

On Monday, June 20, The Heartland Institute hosted a rare opportunity to hear one of the nation’s acknowledged leading conservatives, Stephen Moore, speak on his new book, Fueling Freedom: Exposing the Mad War on Energy, which flies in the face of the nation’s political and media love affair with climate change. The luncheon event was held at The Union League Club, in the Loop in downtown Chicago. 

Heartland is known globally for its work debunking myths about human-caused climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels – in short, that global warming is driven by human activity and a warming planet is, on whole, beneficial. Fossil fuels constitute the lifeblood of the modern world, having ushered in the Industrial Revolution, but continue to be vilified by global warming alarmists.

In his book, Moore, with co-author Kathleen Hartnett White, make an unapologetic case for fossil fuels. They argue that if fossil fuel energy is supplanted by “green” alternatives for political reasons, humanity will take a giant step backwards and the planet will be less safe, less clean, and less free.

Berman: What Would Gay Christians Have Straight Christians To Do?

By Steve Berman - 

The issue of gay Christians has played itself out as a sub-theme of the Orlando terror attacks. Because there’s some talk of Omar Mateen, a radical Muslim, possibly being himself a closet homosexual, now Christians are being drawn into the discussion as enablers of hate.

One such heartfelt opinion came from Isaac Archuleta, who wrote that he’s the son of two pastors, and that he is bisexual. Scholar and theologian Dr. Michael Brown* responded to Isaac’s open letter with one of his own.

What's the Difference Between England, Britain and the U.K.?

Unless you are living under a rock, you likely woke up today to plenty of news and commentary on the decision of U.K. voters to “Brexit” the European Union. But what is the United Kingdom, anyway? The telltale “Br” in the term seems to have created some confusion as to who’s really saying bye-bye to the EU—prompting well-intentioned onlookers abroad to perpetuate some misconceptions about how to refer to the political drama’s players.

Here’s a quick primer to help you sort out who’s who when it comes to the U.K.:

Durbin's part in the U.S. Senate anti-gun filibuster

WASHINGTON - In an effort to demand the U.S. Senate take up gun control proposals, Illinois' senior U.S. Senator Dick Durbin joined a filibuster at 12:45 am on June 17, 2016. 

Durbin said using semi-automatic guns are being used in "a new wave of terrorism," and condemned Illinois' gun shows where customers pick up similar weapons "with no background checks." The senator did not state that no one may legally purchase a firearm without a FOID card, which is distributed only after a background check. 

In his soliloquy, Durbin urged the U.S. Senate to vote on legislation to set up new guidelines for gun purchases - especially in Illinois. 

The next week, the Senate voted on four measures - two proposed by Democrats, two by Republicans. None of the four were supported enough to pass the Senate. All were met with bi-partisan opposition.

Video below:

American Enterprise Institute's Rohac foresees somber outcome for "Brexit"

WASHINGTON DC - At least one voice at the conservative American Enterprise Institute is very concerned that Britain opted to "Brexit" this week. 

Dalibor Rohac, who makes a conservative case for keeping things the way they were, has a dire prediction of what is about to happen after the Brits voted to leave the European Union.

Rhoads: The Sky is Not Falling Because of Brexit

By Mark Rhoads - 

Earth to Brussels, there are more unhappy campers in France, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Hungary who now say they would like the chance to vote on leaving your anti-democratic bureaucracy unless you wake up and smell the coffee now.

On Thursday, 72 percent of voters in the United Kingdom participated in the highest turnout for any national vote since 1992. UK voters cast 17,410,742 votes (51.9 percent) to Leave the European Union while 16,141,241 (48.1 percent) voted to remain in the EU. But even many leaders of different parties who argued for the remain vote were not enthusiastic about their own position and they publicly admitted that the EU needed to reform the bureaucracy in Brussels.

Rauner to attend PrideFest at Navy Pier Saturday

CHICAGO - Two years ago, the Gay Pride Parade in Chicago featured huge signs quoting then-GOP candidate Bruce Rauner telling conservative downstaters that if he were governor, he would have vetoed same sex marriage in Illinois. Incumbent Pat Quinn had just signed the bill into law after passing the Illinois House with one Republican vote to spare.

Things have changed since then. The U.S. Supreme Court made same sex marriage legal nationwide and now-Governor Bruce Rauner will be visiting Navy Pier's first Gay Pride celebration Saturday, a memo from his office said Saturday morning.

There Are Now More Bureaucrats With Guns Than U.S. Marines

Report: Non-military federal agencies spend $1.48 billion on guns and ammo since 2006

There are now more non-military government employees who carry guns than there are U.S. Marines, according to a new report.

Open the Books, a taxpayer watchdog group run by Illinois-based Adam Andrzejewski, released a study Wednesday that finds domestic government agencies continue to grow their stockpiles of military-style weapons, as Democrats sat on the House floor calling for more restrictions on what guns American citizens can buy.

The “Militarization of America” report found civilian agencies spent $1.48 billion on guns, ammunition, and military-style equipment between 2006 and 2014.

Rep. Dold Received $3M In Support from Bloomberg's Gun Control Super PAC

WASHINGTON DC - As reported in the Washington Free Beacon, Illinois Congressman Bob Dold (R), one of the Republican congressmen introducing a gun control bill today, received millions of dollars in support from Michael Bloomberg’s gun control PAC.

The Independence USA PAC, which was founded by Bloomberg in 2012, supports candidates who support gun control laws that limit or remove citizens' Second Amendment rights. According to FEC records, the PAC has been funded entirely by Bloomberg since its inception, and has supported just a handful of candidates who are mostly Democrats.

Rep. Dold, however, has received nearly $3 million in backing from Bloomberg’s PAC, which gave $963,477 to Dold in 2012, and spent $1,925,410 in 2014. It is likely the left-wing Bloomberg will be investing more money this year as Dold again faces a serious election challenge.

More HERE

Governor Rauner considers making Muslim American Council official

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Rauner is considering a bill on his desk that would make Illinois the first state in the nation to set up an official Muslim-American Advisory Council.

The proposed panel, made up of 21 members appointed by the governor and chamber majority and minority leaders, could consist of representatives from Chicago's radical Nation of Islam led by Minister Louis Farrakhan.

Not only is the proposed council the first in the nation, it's the first such council representing a religious sector in Illinois. No similar council is in place that represents Catholics, Protestants, Jews or Hindus. Muslims are the third largest religious group in Illinois, following Roman Catholics and evangelical Christians.

Governor Pat Quinn was the first to appoint a Muslim-American Advisory Council. This legislation would make the council official, and continue its service whoever is in the Governor's Mansion.

The purpose of the Council is to advise the Governor and the General Assembly on policy issues impacting Muslim Americans and immigrants; to advance the role and civic participation of Muslim Americans in Illinois; to enhance trade and cooperation between Muslim-majority countries and Illinois; and to build relationships with and disseminate information to, in cooperation with State agencies, boards, and commissions, Muslim American and immigrant communities across Illinois.

U.S. House GOP leadership rolls out tax reform plan

WASHINGTON - Republican leaders in the U.S. House unveiled another aspect of their "A Better Way" agenda Friday morning in Washington D.C. As chairman of the Oversight subcommittee, Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) joined Speaker Paul Ryan and Ways & Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady at a press conference.

“Today we unveiled a bold agenda to simplify our tax code for working families, provide certainty and job security to America’s workforce, and end the IRS as we know it. Our current tax code is a mess and it puts American workers at a competitive disadvantage," Roskam said.

"The IRS is out of control and needs to reined in and broken up. Everybody knows we need something new and now House Republicans have put forward a bold plan – a better way. I’m grateful to Speaker Ryan and Chairman Brady for their leadership as we show the American people there’s a better way forward.”

The tax reform aspect of the GOP House agenda includes:

New York limits opioid prescriptions to 7 days

NEW YORK - Amid a crisis of painkiller deaths, the state of New York passed a law limiting the prescription of opioids to seven days. 

According to the CDC, Illinois is one of the 18 states with the highest increase in drug overdose cases, with an 8.3% increase from 2013 to 2014.

Medications that fall within this class include hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin), oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin, Percocet), morphine (e.g., Kadian, Avinza), codeine, and related drugs. Hydrocodone products are the most commonly prescribed for a variety of painful conditions, including dental and injury-related pain. Morphine is often used before and after surgical procedures to alleviate severe pain. Codeine, on the other hand, is often prescribed for mild pain.

The law, effective in 30 days, limits initial prescriptions for acute pain to seven days, down from 30 days, with refills or renewals after further consultations. There are exceptions for chronic pain and hospice and palliative care.

New York's new law also requires insurers to cover necessary inpatient services in their networks for detoxification and rehabilitation without pre-authorization or utilization review during the first 14 days of inpatient treatment, provided the company is notified within 48 hours of admission.

More at New York Times

Conservative member of British Parliament celebrates #BREXIT

LONDON - In a very close count, British voters chose sovereignty for their country by exiting the European Union - a major blow to the globalist movement. 

Daniel Hannan, a prominent conservative member of the British Parliament posted the following video on his Facebook page with the words, "I feel so proud to be British this morning..."

Rhoads: Mike Flynn, Rest In Peace

By Mark Rhoads - 

Former Illinois congressional candidate and Breitbart News contributor Mike Flynn died last night.

He was also on the March GOP primary ballot in the 17th CD as a delegate for Ted Cruz.

Details are emerging, read more here