Illinois Review

Cabello: An Unjust Criminal Justice Reform

Op-Ed by candidate for State House John Cabello - 

As a career law enforcement officer, I’ve had countless difficult conversations with victims and their families. Time and again I’ve promised to do everything in my power to make sure the perpetrator is brought to justice. This obviously comes as little comfort to victims and their families, but at least it’s a glimmer of hope in the midst of otherwise terrible circumstances.

But now it pains me to know I’ll have the same difficult conversations with victims and their families who can’t understand why a hardened criminal was empowered by soft-on-crime politicians. How is that justice?

When the State of New York passed a scaled-down version of the SAFE-T Act, an NBC News article detailed the fallout after one week. In the seven days after New York curtailed cash bail, a woman accused of committing acts of anti-Semitic violence went on to allegedly commit yet another act of anti-Semitic violence. In that same week, according to the report, “[A] serial bank robber, a repeat burglar, a man accused of manslaughter, [and] an alleged hit-and-run drunk driver” were all set free.

Thorner: Diesel Supply Shortage Could Cripple Nation's Economy

By Nancy Thorner - 

 

As reported on October 24, 2022, US Has ONLY 25 DAYS OF DIESEL SUPPLY; Shortage Could Cripple Economy.

 

And why is this such an important story? 

 

"Diesel fuel shortages will disrupt the entire US transportation supply chain.  Not only do the trucks run on diesel but so do trains. Airports get their jet fuel by trucks. Think about that. That means gasoline, food, Thanksgiving and Christmas supplies all will get disrupted. Delivery of home fuel oil supplies by truck will be impacted. Think supply chain shortages were bad before, you ain’t see nuthin yet. And it will hit after the election."

 

Even a top White House official has declared the stockpile levels to be “unacceptably low.”

Di Leo: Misplaced Compassion Puts Lives in Jeopardy

By John F. Di Leo - 

A common charge in western republics has been the claim that conservatives insist on thinking rationally and have no compassion, while liberals make all their decisions on feelings, and refuse to use their heads. 

In the oft-misattributed aphorism, Winston Churchill first summed up this difference as: “If you’re not a liberal at 20, you have no heart; if you’re not a conservative by 40, you have no brain.”

Throughout the centuries-long struggle between the constitutionally-limited government and a Marxist welfare state, this tug-of-war between heart and head -- between compassion and the rule of law -- has remained at the core of so many of our policy disagreements. 

Should government insist on self-sufficiency, or issue welfare checks?  Do we rely on the self-policing of the invisible hand of the free market, or do we micromanage every business with crippling regulations?  Do we let a big business go under, or do we make future taxpayers bail it out?

The Left’s positions are always considered the “compassionate” ones. But are they really?  Perhaps the wrong side is getting credit for caring. Perhaps it’s time the Right starts fighting this method of classification.

MORE, here:

Op-Ed: The agenda hidden inside a top-notch DuPage County high school

By Ted McCarron - 

During this spring 2022 semester, I substitute taught full-time at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville. The students were mostly well behaved, the staff mostly friendly and the school itself was state of the art. Opened in 1997 it was one of the most expensive high schools in Illinois at the time. It boasts an impressive engineering department, an excellent theater, classes for multiple foreign languages, and other top academic programs.

In many ways Neuqua Valley High School would be a preferable school to send your teenagers to except for one major flaw: it's nauseating, constant 24/7 woke liberal left-wing propaganda.

Everywhere you go in that school the propaganda is there, particularly homosexual "LGBT" propaganda. You cannot escape it. Homosexual rainbow flag symbols are everywhere including a very large one draping the front desk of one of the main offices when you walk in. In April Neuqua promotes the "Day of Silence" to show solidarity with homosexuals and transsexuals. If for some reason you don't see one of the huge electronic billboards in the hallway promoting this event with rainbow flag symbols then you'll definitely hear it over the loudspeaker several times during the daily announcements leading up to that day.

New York Trial Court rules against COVID shot mandate

NEW YORK CITY, NY – The Supreme Court of the State of New York ruled this week that the COVID shot mandate involving former Department of Sanitation employees is “arbitrary and capricious.” In New York, the Supreme Court is the trial court, and the Court of Appeals is the state’s highest court. The court found that the shot mandate was not about safety and public health but “was about compliance,” reinstated the petitioners to full employment, and ruled they are entitled to back pay.

George Garvey and 15 other plaintiffs sued the City of New York, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the New York City Department of Sanitation, the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Mayor Eric Adams regarding the shot mandate that required all city employees to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 on October 29, 2021. The plaintiffs are former employees of the Department of Sanitation and were terminated in February 2022 for not complying with the mandate.

14th CD contest between Underwood and Gryder moved to "Toss Up"

OSWEGO - Amid an election year where likely voters are very concerned about inflation, energy, crime, and how the Democrat Party has poorly handled controlling the US Congress and the White House, there's definitely a shakeup taking place among voters. 

Today, Real Clear Politics reviewed polling and moved Illinois' 14th CD into the "Toss Up" category from being "leans Democrat." 

Republican Scott Gryder, who is chairman of the Kendall County Board, sent out an alert about the change in status in his challenge of incumbent Democrat US Rep Lauren Underwood:

Thorner: New Record Set In September for Illegal Immigrant Arrests

ICE photo 

By Nancy Thorner - 

President Joe Biden is facing fresh criticism after his administration finally released illegal immigrant apprehension numbers from September 2022, showing the number of arrests soared to a record high.

More than 2.3 million illegal immigrants have crossed the border in fiscal year 2022, breaking the record Biden's administration set a year ago by 37%. The total of the two record-setting years of illegal migration under the Biden administration is now 4.7 million.

That figure includes 3.8 million illegals apprehended by Customs and Border Protection and more than 900,000 known illegals that have escaped Border Patrol, suggesting the number of illegal migrants coming to the U.S. under Biden is likely even higher than his administration reports.

As predictably happens when bad news is involved, illegal migrant border crossing data was released on October 20^th -- a Friday night -- to avert heavy news coverage.

Di Leo: Who are the Real Extremists in 2022?

By John F. Di Leo - 

Illinois users of the internet can hardly open a YouTube video without first being greeted by an ad from Governor J.B. “Second Helping” Pritzker, calling Senator Darren Bailey an “extremist” for his position on abortion.

We can’t turn on the television without seeing an ad from our local Democrat state legislative candidates (in my case, it’s the incredibly deceptive Mary Beth Canty and Anne Gillespie), accusing their Republican opponents of attacking a woman’s “right to choose.”

Perhaps it’s time to sort out just what “extremist” policy really is, where abortion and other issues are concerned, so we can tell who the real extremists are, and who is actually being reasonable, or at least, being politically responsible and practical.

Pelosi flies into IL 06 to boost incumbent Sean Casten's re-election

Chicago Tribune photo of Nancy Pelosi at IL 6th CD's Advocate Samaritan Hospital Friday 

DOWNERS GROVE - House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi flew into the Chicago area last Friday to boost incumbent Democrat Sean Casten's re-election in Illinois' 6th Congressional District - which includes the western suburbs of Downers Grove, where the Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital is located. There Pelosi and Casten met with medical staff to discuss the importance of maintaining abortion rights. 

“Make no mistake, the difference between Democrats and Republicans on this is they have said they will have a national law to ban abortion,” Pelosi said, the Chicago Tribune reported. “We support women having the freedom to make family — and young people, to make their own decisions. That is a very big difference in the election. ... Your right to choose is on the ballot.”

At the same time, Democrats profusely demanded Illinoisans be vaccinated with the COVID shot or face the possibility of losing their jobs or educations - a direct contradiction to the "making their own decisions" plea concerning their health care and bodies.

Four Illinois women tell why they reject Pritzker's unlimited abortion dream

CHICAGO - Monday, the Illinois Right to Life organization released a 1 minute, 40-second ad featuring four Illinois women rejecting Governor JB Pritzker's proud declaration that Illinois has unrestricted abortion policy - making it a "beacon of hope" for expectant women that don't want the babies they're carrying. 

"I don't mean to laugh ... but I'm not sure what part of abortion is wrapped up in a 'beacon of hope' ..." one woman says. 

Pritzker and Bailey debate; "Pritzkerville" becomes new name for Chicago

CHICAGO - Chicago's WGN-TV hosted the second Illinois Gubernatorial Debate Tuesday night - and the discussion touched on crime, the state's economic condition, as well as other notable topics, including a new name Republican challenger Darren Bailey, came up with for the state's largest city, sadly crime-ridden and financially-struggling: Pritzkerville. 

Chicago media polls say Governor JB Pritzker leading by double digits in the race, but the crowd's enthusiasm was behind Senator Bailey. 

The debate:

Salvi stiffed by national and state Republican donors

MUNDELEIN - With less than three weeks until the November 8th election that most pundits say will be an anti-Biden Republican Wave nationwide, Illinois is such a strong blue political island among Midwestern red states that it appears the state's Republicans are bracing to be crashed as it is once again passed by.

The IL GOP simply cannot raise money - although Chicago financiers are a favored place for out-of-state Republicans to visit and fill their coffers to win races elsewhere. Why that is a reality is another story - but the fact is that while they are wooing qualified conservatives into the process, the IL GOP has a history of abandoning candidates that jump in to help the cause. 

Take, for instance, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kathy Salvi. She's challenging Democrat incumbent Tammy Duckworth, whose voting history and comments show she is as Leftist and radical as the US House's "Squad" - which supports defunding police, unrestricted abortion through and including birth, Marxist ideology and - on and on.

Yesterday, the Chicago Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet wrote about the $18 million Duckworth has raised in this campaign and the meager $1 million Salvi has raised. 

Salvi, who saved the Illinois GOP ballot from being headed by downstate conspiracy theorists Peggy Hubbard and Bobby Piton, has been abandoned and shunned by not only US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his leading fundraiser Senator Rick Scott, but the National Republican Senatorial Committee which raises funds for Republican candidates. 

Salvi has run almost half of her campaign on her personal retirement funds that she's loaned to run for the U.S. Senate. She's energetic, enthused, passionate and well-spoken. Her arguments and strategy are well-thought-out. She does well in discussions with supporters and opponents. 

There's no one than Salvi that could be a better challenger to Duckworth at this time. Kathy Salvi is a hard-working candidate. And still, she's unable to get support from either the NRSC or the IL GOP.

Does Pritzker really care about expectant women & girls?

CHICAGO - Illinois Right to Life Action just released a short video that asks the question raised by Governor Pritzker's comments about how promoting abortion for women and girls really doesn't address the deep problems those considering abortion are facing. 

He boasts that when women get abortions in Illinois, the state will furnish what they need during the process. 

Johanna Duncan, a professional counselor, says what Pritkzer offers is just not enough.

"A meal may be very nice. A roof may be nice. But where's this woman going to be at a year from now, two years from now? And that's where I think the government is not understanding the complexity of humans, and the complexity of this situation. They're just thinking of the immediate logistics," Duncan says.

The 1 minute, 30 second video: 

DeVore says local paper's endorsement of Raoul for combating crime is laughable

Raoul - DeVore

CHICAGO - The suburban Daily Herald's editorial board's rationale for endorsing incumbent Attorney General Kwame Raoul in the 2022 General Election is laughable, Republican challenger Tom DeVore said Tuesday.

The endorsement says about Raoul: 

He strikes us as a devoted public servant ... Te office has played a stronger role under his watch of helping to combat violent crime and we have been happy to see him involve it in some ethics cases as well.

However, only the federal authorities have pursued justice concerning former Speaker Mike Madigan - no involvement is apparent from Illinois' top law enforcement officer. 

“To suggest that Kwame Raoul is combating violent crime is laughable and even suggesting as much should be a crime in and of itself," DeVore said in a statement.

"Under his watch violent crime has skyrocketed - and thanks to his strong support for the SAFE-T ACT, even more violence will occur after January 1. If ever there was a case for moral and political malfeasance - Kwame Raoul should be found guilty.”

DeVore has been gaining traction throughout the state as he discusses with voters the dramatic changes that will take place in January 2023 with the policies in the Democrats' SAFE-T Act. His campaign says polls are indicating he's within 5 to 9 points.

The SAFE-T Act policy will eliminate cash bail, an unconstitutional provision, says three highly respected legal minds in a recent Chicago Sun-Times op-ed. That's just one issue the three find with the so-called "SAFE-T Act." 

They say:

The 764-page SAFE-T Act was introduced in the Illinois Senate at 4 a.m., and it passed at 5 a.m. It took the Illinois Senate only one hour to radically alter Illinois’ justice system. Hours later, the SAFE-T Act was introduced in the Illinois House for the first time. It passed at 11 a.m. No bona fide hearings or debates occurred. There was no opportunity for input from proponents or opponents. Ramrodding through any bill, let alone one that will profoundly affect the lives and safety of nearly 13 million Illinoisans, is irresponsible, improper and wrong.

The rest of the op-ed is HERE> https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/10/17/23400610/safe-t-act-legislature-criminal-justice-illinois-constitution 

Gryder questions Underwood: Where do you stand on SAFE-T Act?

OSWEGO – In Illinois' 14th CD, U.S. Rep Lauren Underwood refuses to condemn the SAFE-T Act, and Republican challenge Scott Gryder wants to know why. 

Pointing out that Underwood is taking campaign donations from "radical, defund-the-police politicians," Gryder lays out his thoughts on the state law that will begin taking effect January 1, 2023. 

"I stand, and will continue to stand, with law enforcement, first responders, and victims and their families. Every individual has the right to feel safe and secure in their home and community," Gryder said in a press release. "I will speak against and hold the line on bad legislation like I’ve done with this resolution." 

The resolution Gryder refers to is found on Page 43 of the Kendall County minutes. 

One question that remains to be answered from Congresswoman Underwood, Gryder says: "Where do you stand on the SAFE-T act, Lauren?"

Local law, national implications. The Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act, known as the SAFE-T Act has raised concerns among 100 State’s Attorneys and a growing number of local and state officials.

Cato Institute gives Pritzker an "F" again

WASHINGTON DC - The nation’s economy was damaged by the pandemic in 2020, but it bounced back strongly and grew until the end of 2021. The rebound generated a large tax revenue increase for state governments, which also received a flood of pandemic aid from the federal government. The states used soaring revenues to expand their budgets and provide individuals and businesses with temporary or permanent tax cuts.

That is the backdrop to this year’s [Cato Institute's] 16th biennial fiscal report card on the governors, which examines state budget actions since 2020. It uses statistical data to grade the governors on their tax and spending records: governors who restrained taxes and spending receive higher grades; those who substantially increased taxes and spending receive lower grades.

Five governors receive a grade of A: Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, Brad Little of Idaho, and Doug Ducey of Arizona. Eight governors receive an F: Tim Walz of Minnesota, Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania, J. B. Pritzker of Illinois, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Phil Murphy of New Jersey, Kate Brown of Oregon, Gavin Newsom of California, and Jay Inslee of Washington.

About Pritzker, Cato writes:

Billionaire J. B. Pritzker is a member of the family that owns the Hyatt hotel chain, and he has long been involved in Democratic politics. Governor Pritzker received an F on the Cato fiscal report in 2020, and he receives another F on this report.

In 2019, Pritzker signed into law $2.7 billion in net annual tax increases. He increased the gas tax from 19 cents to 38 cents per gallon, hiked vehicle registration fees, and increased the cigarette tax from $1.98 to $2.98 per pack.

Cato Institute's report card on Governor Pritzker is HERE: https://www.cato.org/white-paper/fiscal-policy-report-card-americas-governors-2022 

CDC Committee Could Likely Add COVID Shots to Childhood Vaccination Schedule

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Center for Disease Control Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets today and will likely vote on Thursday to add the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA COVID shots to the child and adolescent immunization schedules for children who attend public schools, Liberty Counsel says.

By adding the COVID shots to the childhood schedule, the committee will transfer liability for vaccine injuries to the federal government’s National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). This delivers permanent legal protection to Pfizer and Moderna by allowing them to bring an FDA-approved shot to the market without facing lawsuits and bring in billions of dollars in revenues for the drug companies.

Pharmaceutical companies are not liable for injuries or deaths associated with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) injections but can be held liable for injuries caused by a fully licensed “vaccine,” unless that shot is added to the CDC’s childhood schedule. This means liability protection also includes the adult COVID shots as well. This will allow the pharmaceutical companies to escape product liability which means the “emergency” can end, but the liability protection continues.

DeVore to discuss Illinois' "Un-SAFE Act" in Rockford Saturday

ROCKFORD – The public is invited to hear Republican Attorney General candidate Tom DeVore explain the controversial SAFE-T ACT at the Stockholm Inn in Rockford on Saturday October 22 at 5:00 pm. The event is the Winnebago County stop on DeVore’s “Safe-T Act Tour.”

DeVore is running for election as Attorney General against Democrat Kwame Raoul, who currently holds the office. In an October 10th debate, DeVore criticized AG Raoul for his failure to challenge the Safe-T Act in court.

“We now have over 50 state’s attorneys in the state of Illinois who are now doing, for all intents and purposes, the attorney general's job in bringing causes of action on numerous counts that it's unconstitutional,” DeVore said. “It is in fact unconstitutional.”

The Safe-T Act passed on a vote of 32-23-0 without a single Republican senator’s vote. The legislation will take effect January 1, 2023.

Will County States Attorney Jim Glasgow, a Democrat, is urging the repeal of the SAFE-T Act. "It will destroy the state of Illinois," Glasgow said. "I have 640 people in the Will County jail. All their bonds will be extinguished on Jan. 1, and 60 are charged with murder."

Villa Park school board violated Open Meetings Act, DuPage judge rules

freepic.com image

VILLA PARK - Concerned parents won a lawsuit last week against the Villa Park school district that closed the door to public participation in meetings, refusing to read comments submitted by concerned parents during meetings.

The DuPage County Circuit Court issued an order on October 11, 2022, finding that the District 45 School Board of Villa Park violated Illinois’ Open Meetings Act during several meetings in August and September 2021.

In advance of those meetings, the school district invited parents to submit any statements they wished to make during the meeting in writing rather than personally attend the meetings. However, the school district then refused to read those comments aloud, instead having a district representative “summarize” the comments received.

“The public was making a point about disagreeing with several policies, one of them being opposed to mandatory mask-wearing by children,” explained Erica Militello, referencing the August 3, 2022, meeting that the board shut down. “But the School Board refused to read the public’s comments during the meeting. The disaster is how this school board runs their meetings.”

The mask mandates are not the only issue provoking concern from District 45 parents.

IR EXCLUSIVE: No Vax, No Election Officiating before Nov 8th, says Chicago Board of Elections

CHICAGO - No vax, no officiating in Chicago elections before November 8th, election judges are being told - riling non-Democrats that want to be involved in making sure Chicago elections are fair and just. 

Illinois Review received a tip from our readers Monday that they had called to ask about election judge qualifications because they had been told they would need to show proof of COVID vaccination in order to serve as election judges or poll watchers. The readers were outraged about the information the board was giving out. 

Illinois Review followed up with the Chicago Board of Elections, and was told the following by Max Bever, the department's spokesperson:

Madigan's dark and corrupt shadow hangs over Democrats in 2022

CHICAGO - While you'll never see such a declaration on Democrat mouthpiece Rich Miller's CapFax blog, it is a fact - and it's becoming more and more prevalent as the November 8th election nears: Madigan's dark shadow is hanging over Illinois Democrats in 2022. 

Voters do care about Illinois' embarrassing notoriety as being politically corrupt - and in 2022, with former Speaker Madigan being indicted and in even the Democrat-protecting Chicago media, it's on more and more voters' minds:

How did we let ourselves get here? 

The whole scenario is featured in a new ad on behalf of Republican candidate Michael Burke for the Illinois Supreme Court - a race, many say, could determine Illinois' future: 

 

Pritzker lifts mandated weekly COVID testing for unvaccinated healthcare workers

CHICAGO — The COVID pandemic is winding down, Gov Pritzker said Monday in a press statement, so as of today, weekly testing requirements for unvaccinated healthcare and long-term center workers will be paused until further notice.

 

And masks will not be required in Illinois healthcare facilities.  

 

While the governor still continues to issue executive order disaster proclamations as he first issued in March 2020, just weeks before the 2022 election, he is feeling much better about the COVID situation in Illinois. 

 

“Thanks to the tremendous efforts of our health care workers and residents, Illinois has done better at keeping our people safe with vaccines, boosters, and masking, which puts us in a position to continue to scale back health care requirements in line with the CDC,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “COVID-19 is on its way to becoming endemic, like the flu, but it still poses a real threat to our immunocompromised and disabled communities. Here in Illinois, we look out for one another—it’s what defines us as Illinoisans. Let us continue to live up to those ideals by masking up and testing when we have symptoms and getting COVID-19 booster shots—as I recently did—so that we can protect our neighbors.”

 

His Illinois Department of Public Health director agreed - and pushed COVID vaccinations and treatments that are still being developed.

Di Leo: Government Checks and Account Imbalances in 2022

 May Fuller held her social security check for $41.30 on October 4, 1950. AP Photo

By John F. Di Leo - 

Residents of numerous states are receiving “tax rebates” and “stimulus checks" from their state governments this fall.  $50 or $100 here, $200 or $300 there… it depends on the state.

But they have this much in common: these states started issuing these checks once the general election ballots were finalized, and they should all show up in voters’ bank accounts or mailboxes by Election Day.

Hmm…

The Social Security COLA (cost of living adjustment) for 2023 has also been announced. Driven by inflation, it’s going up 8.7%, the highest increase in 40 years.

And when was this “generous” increase announced?  A few weeks before the general election.

Hmm…

FBI Report: AT&T Illinois To Pay $23 Million for unlawfully influencing former Speaker Madigan

Michael Madigan - Wikipedia photo

CHICAGO - AT&T Illinois admitted it sought to influence former House Speaker Mike Madigan and the state's legislation and public policy affecting AT&T Illinois last week when the company agreed to pay $23 million. 

As released from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Friday, October 14, 2022: 

CHICAGO — Illinois Bell Telephone Company, LLC, which does business as AT&T Illinois, today agreed to pay $23 million to resolve a federal criminal investigation into alleged misconduct involving the company’s efforts to unlawfully influence former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan.

The investigation of AT&T Illinois is being resolved with a deferred prosecution agreement under which the company admitted it arranged for payments to be made to an ally of Madigan to influence and reward Madigan’s efforts to assist AT&T Illinois with respect to legislation sought by the company.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office today filed one-count criminal information in U.S. District Court in Chicago charging AT&T Illinois with using an interstate facility to promote legislative misconduct.  Under the agreement, the government will defer prosecution on the charge for two years and then seek to dismiss it if AT&T Illinois abides by certain conditions, including continuing to cooperate with any investigation related to the misconduct alleged in the information.

The deferred prosecution agreement requires AT&T Illinois to pay $23 million to the federal Crime Victims Fund.  An arraignment in federal court in Chicago has not yet been scheduled. 

The charge and the deferred prosecution agreement were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Ashley T. Johnson, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; and Justin Campbell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amarjeet S. Bhachu, Diane MacArthur, Timothy J. Chapman, Sarah E. Streicker, Michelle Kramer, and Julia Schwartz.

DeVore Calls on Kwame Raoul to Return $1 Million Donation from Friends of Michael J Madigan

Raoul -- DeVore

The disgraced former House Speaker was indicted in 2022 for political corruption and remains one of Raoul’s top campaign contributors

CHICAGO – Republican nominee for Attorney General Tom DeVore is calling on Kwame Raoul to return the $1 million campaign donation he received in 2018 from Friends of Michael J Madigan. On March 2, 2022, the former House Speaker was indicted on federal racketeering and bribery charges for allegedly using his powerful position as speaker to enrich himself and his allies financially.

Last Friday morning, it was reported that a federal grand jury announced additional charges against Madigan and AT&T Illinois has agreed to pay a $23 million fine for trying to influence the then-House Speaker.

“Former House Speaker Mike Madigan is the poster child for political corruption in Illinois,” said Republican Attorney General nominee Tom DeVore. “And while Madigan and his friends got rich by abusing their political positions in Springfield and Chicago, the people of Illinois continued to suffer from their greed with higher taxes and utility rates.”

Amendment 1: Vote NO on November 8th

Illinois would become the first state to place a constitutional ban on any non-union efforts if 50 percent plus 1 choose “Yes” on the first question asked on their November 8, 2022 General Election ballot.

“Amendment 1,” as it is known, will hand over to Illinois’ 15 (and shrinking) percent of the state’s unionized workforce unprecedented powers over the other 85 percent of the non-unionized workforce, essentially giving unions more power than the legislature And knowing well how union bosses wield much more influence and power than the average rank and file union members do, in reality, those unprecedented powers would be in the hands of an elite group of union leaders — people that are commonly directly involved in the radically-Left Democratic Party.

Illinois’ proposed Amendment 1 would:

1. Use the state constitution to create a “fundamental right” for an employee to unionize — and eliminate alternatives for employees that do not want to unionize.
2. Give labor unions the “fundamental right” to implement negotiating tactics — including labor strikes and walkouts at their discretion — over a limitless array of issues: from wages, and working conditions to workplace safety and anything they perceive as affecting the union members’ economic welfare.
3. Increase property taxes by an average of $2100 per year, according to tax policy experts.

Hey Illinois, had Enough??

An ad hoc coalition of conservative and pro-family leaders has pitched in to set up an informational website on Illinois politicians that are promoting public policy that simply doesn't make sense, the Enough Coalition says. 

Citizens have been alarmed at the ultra-radical and woke policies being pushed in Springfield by the left. However, they also feel powerless.

ENOUGH! Coalition was formed by pro-family leaders and groups to give voice to the majority of Illinoisans who reject these policies but who also want to do something about it.

By consensus, the coalition put together a sampling of the woke policies being voted on in Springfield and highlighted the legislators who are voting for them and not representing their districts.

Here's a sample of what viewers find when they open up the page on Gov JB Pritzker: 

LaHood Raises Nearly $450k in the 3rd Quarter of 2022, with Over $4.3 Million Cash on Hand

PEORIA – U.S. Representative Darin LaHood (R-IL) and candidate for the 16th District of Illinois announced this week that he raised over $446,000 in the third quarter of 2022. Since the beginning of the 2022 campaign cycle, LaHood has raised over $3.68 million, and his campaign has $4.3 million cash on hand. 

LaHood has been an active fundraiser for candidates throughout Illinois and across the country. He has contributed over $1.3 million directly to candidates and raised over $2.4 million directly for the NRCC during the 2022 cycle.

“It is clear every day that Illinois residents and Americans are waking up to the harmful policies of the failed Biden-Pelosi agenda in Washington D.C. Prices continue to soar, the border gets worse, and America is weaker on the global stage. Democrats have no solutions to solve these challenges, and it’s time for a new direction in Congress,” said LaHood. “I look forward to the work ahead in the next month to earn the trust of 16th District voters, and help Republicans across the country retake the House on election night.”

LaHood is the National Finance Chair for the National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC). The NRCC announced that they raised $42.3 million in the third quarter and over $257 million for the 2022 election cycle. The NRCC has $92.3 million cash on hand, a $41 million increase from 2020.

Schuyler County omits emerging US Senate candidate Kathy Salvi from General Election Ballot

Kathy Salvi with supporter

RUSHVILLE - In Illinois' west central Schuyler County, the county clerk made a major blunder by placing the 2022 GOP Primary US Senate loser's name on the General Election ballot instead of the state's Republican Primary winner - Kathy Salvi.

Schuyler County voters - who voted 76% Republican in the 2020 Presidential Election - are not offered the choice of Illinois' GOP nominee Kathy Salvi on the General Election ballot for U.S. Senate. The Schuyler County ballot offers only Democrat U.S. Senate incumbent Tammy Duckworth, the losing Republican Primary candidate Peggy Hubbard and Libertarian Bill Redpath. 

The actual winner of the 2022 Republican Primary Kathy Salvi's name is nowhere on the Schuyler County ballot. 

A spokesman at the Illinois State Board of Elections told Illinois Review that the Schuyler County clerk plans to credit all the 127 or so early votes that went to Peggy Hubbard to the Republican nominee, Kathy Salvi. And that the county plans to print and re-issue a corrected version over the next few days.

However, the ISBE spokesman Matt Dietrich emphasized that the state board has no "authority" to require such a move.

A Salvi insider told Illinois Review Wednesday that the campaign is consulting with election attorneys, but the Schuyler County situation is one they've never encountered before, and that simply crediting the official Republican candidate with votes for the losing GOP candidate is not a good remedy.

"This is national news," the insider said. "How many more votes would have gone to Kathy Salvi if her name had been on the ballot as it should be?"

"Stop the Safe-T Act" website appears

SPRINGFIELD - A new website calling for the repeal and outlining the issues concerning the Democrats' highly-criticized SAFE-T Act has appeared. The website asks the viewer to sign onto a petition calling for the repeal of the Act, and offers an array of evidence from state's attorneys, prosecutors and other law enforcement officials. 

The site says:

In the mid-night hours of January 13, 2021, House Bill 3653/PA 101-0652 was filed and quickly passed by the Illinois legislature with little input from the public or law enforcement. Just a few short weeks later, that legislation, now referred to as the “SAFE-T” Act, was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker.

The rushed, poorly drafted 800-page law sparked outrage across the state for its little consideration to our law enforcement and public safety.

Today, Illinois is on the verge of many of the dangerous SAFE-T Act provisions taking effect. We must protect public safety at all costs and repeal this law before it’s too late.

While it's not clear who posted the website, the site appears to be associated with the Illinois Senate Republicans. 

Illinois parents demand rights concerning notice of children's health care

Tampa Bay Times photo

CHICAGO -  A bipartisan coalition of parents and parents’ rights groups are demanding that Illinois lawmakers reinstate the broadly supported Parental Notice of Abortion law they repealed last year.

The law’s repeal puts young girls at the mercy of human traffickers and other sexual predators—as evidenced by the recent criminal case of a Chicago Public School dean who impregnated a CPS student twice and himself took her to the abortion clinic both times.

Despite bipartisan legislative opposition, Governor JB Pritzker signed the repeal legislation, denying parents the right to be involved in the healthcare decisions of their minor daughters. The repeal was finalized earlier this summer. 

“Minor girls must have their parent's consent before getting their ears pierced, going on a school field trip, or even getting an aspirin at school,” said Amy Gehrke, Executive Director of Illinois Right to Life Action. “Because of the repeal of Parental Notice, the only people who will know about a minor girl’s abortion are the abortionist and those who will benefit from the abortion, like sexual predators.”

“Clearly the profits of the abortion industry meant more to Governor Pritzker and his legislative allies than the safety of our young girls.” said Gehrke.

Di Leo: Tulsi Gabbard and the Great Deception

By John F. Di Leo - 

Former congressman, veteran, and presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard (D, Hawaii) made news this week by leaving the Democratic Party, with a stinging public rebuke to the corruption and warmongering of its current leadership.

She wins points with reasonable people whenever she's on television, and why not? Tulsi Gabbard is attractive, well-spoken, logical... always a welcome talk show guest because she's willing to call out her fellow Democrats for some of their extreme, destructive positions.

But don't be fooled.

Tulsi Gabbard is NOT one of us.

Where's Weyermuller? Hearing no booing for Baileys at Chicago Columbus Day Parade 2022

 

By Mark Weyermuller - 

 

This past Monday was a beautiful sunny day in Chicago as the Columbus Day Parade headed down State Street from Wacker Drive to Van Buren Street. The parade included floats, marching bands, antique cars, and of course politicians. This is the second year back for the parade after a two-year hiatus due to pandemic restrictions. The holiday is a celebration of Italian heritage in Chicago.

 

Paradegoers demand the Columbus statue be returned to Grant Park immediately

IL Freedom Caucus calls on Lurie Children’s Hospital to cease gender services for kids

SPRINGFIELD – Earlier this week, the Illinois Freedom Caucus voiced their criticism concerning gender services the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is offering to children.

“We are appalled to learn that one of the premier Children’s hospitals in Illinois is offering gender services to minors. According to their website, the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago offers ‘services aimed at supporting the physical, mental and social health of patients and their families as youth progress through gender identity development.’ The kids they treat are ‘children and adolescents who exhibit behavior that is not typical of their assigned birth sex’ and ‘who are questioning their gender identities' or who ‘identify as a gender different from their assigned birth sex.’"

The hospital's website says they offer a "Gender Development Program":

Beckman: Is the Brigham Young University racial slur controversy another hoax?

Rachel Richardson

By Hank Beckman - 

After a thorough investigation, Brigham Young University officials came to the conclusion that there is “no evidence” that any BYU fan shouted racial slurs at female Duke volleyball player Rachel Richardson every time she served.

Duke has issued a statement defending Richardson, providing no response to the BYU statement, only stressing that the university will always stand by its students when their character is questioned.

Since the incident is relatively recent, there’s always the chance that more information will emerge confirming that the charge does have some basis in fact, so prudence dictates that a fair-minded person withhold comment until a sufficient amount of time has passed before concluding the charge was made maliciously and knowingly false.

And the BYU statement didn’t claim the slurs were never shouted, only that they found no evidence of it. So it’s possible that even though BYU interviewed at least 50 people in the vicinity where the slurs allegedly came from, examination of all available videos turned up nothing, and the BYU basketball team—with several black players—was seated right next to the area and heard nothing, it could have happened. Or she could have misheard something else shouted from the fan section; you may have noticed that sports fans can be loud and obnoxious.

Di Leo: A Medieval Visionary at the Battle of Tours

By John F. Di Leo -

Reflections on the anniversary of a historical turning point...

Within fifty years of the death of Mohamed in A.D. 632, his successors had engineered military conquests all across the Middle East and North Africa.

While their pace slowed after that, as they worked to consolidate their gains and establish bureaucratic management over the extensive lands they had won, the Muslims continued to expand, crossing Gibraltar and conquering much of the Iberian peninsula, in preparation for their eternal goal: the conquest of Europe.

Now, Europe in those days was hardly the organized collection of developed, defined, modern states we know today. Spain and Portugal fell as soon as the Muslims crossed the straits of Gibraltar. And with Europe little more than a shapeless hodgepodge of feudal realms back then, the Muslims were sure they could expand their caliphate easily once they crossed the Pyrenees.

We like to think of the Frankish empire as having replaced that of the Romans, but it was far from apples to apples, in reality. By the early 700s, Frankish kings - the distant descendents of Clovis - had really devolved to little more than a figurehead role, with what little power there was being held by a hereditary chief of staff, then known as the Mayor of the Palace.

Worse still, the Franks were always carving up and reforming their boundaries, because of a generous but hammerheaded approach to the concept of inheritance: every time a king died, they split the kingdom he had built among his two or three preferred sons. So, for a couple hundred years, borders were always moving, and vassals weren’t always sure who their lords were, or how long those lords would remain in power.

Ruppert: Face the Abortion Facts

By Martha Ruppert - 

Abortion is a complex issue. That is why I am grateful for public debate on the subject. But I am frustrated and often feel desperate about the lies women are being fed. We all need a good dose of truth regarding abortion, not more inflammatory feminist rhetoric.

Many people are shocked to learn that full-term babies can be aborted. The many disgusting truths about abortion cannot simply be dismissed by calling them “bogus.” (Most can be documented in pro-abortion literature.)

I, however, am perfectly able to face all arguments of abortion proponents without hiding behind their key verbal weapons: choice, rape, incest, back alley butchers, etc.    

A woman who faces an unwanted pregnancy is in an extremely vulnerable situation, facing a real crisis, but she should not be allowed, but less encouraged, to kill a small child at that time. She no longer has only her body to think of. She has invited a tenant and signed a nine-month lease.

50 Illinois counties sue Pritzker for "unconstitutional" SAFE-T Act

Stephenson County State’s Attorney Carl Larson

The number of counties opposing Governor Pritzker's SAFE-T Act - especially eliminating cash bail- is now close to 50. 

FREEPORT, Ill. — State’s attorneys from Winnebago, Boone, and Stephenson counties all announced new lawsuits against Gov. JB Pritzker, calling the SAFE-T Act, which would eliminate cash bail, unconstitutional.

Stephenson County State’s Attorney Carl Larson became the latest to announce a lawsuit on Thursday afternoon, filed on behalf of Stephenson County Sheriff David Snyders.

“The suit alleges various violations including the act was filed in violation of the single subject rule and that portions of the SAFE-T Act (which eliminates the current system of cash bond) violates Article 1 section 9 of the Illinois Constitution, which guarantees that ‘All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties,'” Larson said in a press release.

More at MyStateline

8 Reasons to Vote NO on Amendment 1

Opponent Arguments against Amendment 1:

1. Illinois public unions would gain the nation’s most extreme, anti-taxpayer powers.

2. Would drive Illinoisans’ property taxes – already the nation’s highest – even higher.

3. Erodes parents’ rights over their children’s education.

4. Enshrines private sector workers’ status as second-class citizens.

5. Strips lawmakers of their ability to pass important labor reforms.

6. Collective bargaining would become a fundamental right like free speech or religious freedom.

7. Locks vast public sector negotiating powers into the constitution.

8. Blocking Right to Work would harm Illinois’ competitiveness.

More at Wirepoints

Di Leo: A Much Easier Decision Than It Looks

 

By John F. Di Leo - 

 

We watch Dr. Mehmet Oz on television, and we feel that we have a decision to make.  In his long career in the public eye, why didn't he talk about more of these issues before? Why did he first start talking about politics only when he became a candidate himself?  Is he really ready to be the best senator we can get?

 

We watch Herschel Walker on television and we feel that we have a decision to make.  If this story is a lie, how did his own son fall for it? And if it's true, why wasn't the campaign prepared with a more organized response when it surfaced? Is he really ready to be the best senator we can get?

 

We watch Darren Bailey on television, and we feel that we have a decision to make.  He'd been a local politician - a school board member, then state rep, then state legislator - for a long time, but he was downstate; he's pretty new to the big leagues of big city news coverage. Is he really ready to be the best governor Illinois can get?

Law enforcement pushes back against Budzinski’s claims

Nikki Budzinski

Decatur, IL - The Illinois' Democrats' so-called "SAFE-T Act" has become a topic of contention in Illinois' 13th CD race.

Democrat Congressional Candidate Nikki Budzinski was criticized over the past week for an ad that misrepresents her support from law enforcement.

The ad features retired Macon County Sheriff Tony Brown.

Bailey and Pritzker meet face to face in Central Illinois debate

The Chicago Sun-Times hosted a debate between Governor JB Pritzker and challenger state Senator Darren Bailey Thursday night at Illinois State University in Central Illinois' Normal. 

Right out of the box, Pritzker defended the pro-criminal SAFE-T Act he signed into law, and refused to list specific changes he would make to the law. 

Bailey said he would work to repeal the SAFE-T Act - as 100 of 102 state attorneys statewide. 

Pritzker called Bailey "a hypocrite," and Bailey said Pritzker was "a liar." 

Crain's Chicago appeared surprised at how "Bailey held his own" in the debate - and Pritzker also appeared back on his heels several times assuming Bailey would not have the arsenal of facts and stats he used time and time again. 

Crime, taxes, COVID policies all came up during the debate. Twists and turns in positions ruled the night.

One memorable line was when Bailey asked if Pritzker would house illegal immigrants in his family business' Hyatt Hotels. 

Publish

Meet your Illinois candidates for US Senate - incumbent Tammy Duckworth and challenger Kathy Salvi

The Daily Herald hosted an online debate between Democrat incumbent US Senator Tammy Duckworth and Republican challenger Kathy Salvi earlier this week. The YouTube says only 500+ viewers have shown interest in the race that is the second question on the November 8th ballot. 

Kathy Salvi comes on strong out of the gate, attacking Tammy Duckworth as a Biden "rubber stamp" and supporting Biden policies that have brought on 40 year high inflation rates that are negatively affecting all working families throughout Illinois and the nation. 

Salvi, an attorney and small business owner, doesn't hesitate to criticize Duckworth, whose voting record lines up with like-minded Democrats in the US House such as "The Squad." 

Duckworth defends an open border, 87,000 new IRS agents and opposes 18,000 new border patrol agents.

Definitely worth the effort to listen to the contrast between Duckworth and Salvi - Salvi's polling numbers are showing the race is much closer than the liberal media would let on. 

Thorner: Yet more to worry about - food shortages?

 

By Nancy Thorner - 

 

Some of the reasons this might occur in the U.S. have to do with the high cost of fertilizer for farmers during their growing season, the high cost of diesel fuel to power their tractors, droughts in some areas of this nation, and the ongoing epidemic of food processing plants mysteriously burning to the ground.

 

According to Michael Snyder, author of The Economic Collapse blog, the world is facing an unprecedented worldwide food crisis.

Tyson to escape Illinois to find refuge in Arkansas

DOWNERS GROVE - Citadel, Boeing, Caterpillar are leaving or gone. And yet another major business is moving out of Chicagoland ... 

Tyson Foods is moving about 500 corporate jobs out of its office in Chicago and innovation center in Downers Grove to its world headquarters in Arkansas.

The food producer—known for its chicken processing and packaged-food brands such as Hillshire Farm and Jimmy Dean—said in a news release that the move would "foster closer collaboration, enhance team member agility and enable faster decision making." All corporate jobs will be moved, and the relocation will begin early next year.

More at Chicago Business

 

Reject Higher Property Taxes. Vote NO on Amendment 1

Thorner: Conservative groups debate whether or not to Feed the Chicago Bears

By Nancy Thorner - 

On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, The Heartland Institute, a free market think tank founded in 1984, with headquarters at 3939 North Wilke Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois, held a discussion/debate titled Please Don't Feed the Bears?, co-sponsored by Americans for Prosperity Illinois, at The Heartland Institute's Andrew Breitbart Freedom Center. Brian Costin is the state Deputy Director of Americans for Prosperity.  The debate centered around whether taxpayers should help build a stadium to bring the NFL to Arlington Heights.

Di Leo: Who Are Today's Political Parties? What Do They Want?

By John F. Di Leo - 

In the 1996 film, "Independence Day," the President of the United States attempts to communicate with a representative of the alien horde attacking the Earth. Assuming that some compromise can be reached, he asserts that surely we have much to learn from each other, and he asks the question, "What do you want of us? What do you want us to do?"

The alien responds, matter-of-factly.

“Die. We want you to die.”

Only then does the audience fully appreciate that the enemy we face is pure evil; not merely people with a different culture, different looks, different technology. It is a thoroughly malevolent organization, one that values and desires only death.

It is a painful shock, but it is a lesson that must be learned, one that must be absorbed and accepted, before we can move on, before we can hope to save our country and our planet.

Independence Day, of course, was just a movie. Fiction. Almost 30 years ago now. But even in fiction, there can be grains of truth, and lessons worth learning.

Today, Americans face each other across the ballot box.  A consequential midterm election is upon us.

Budzinski advocates expansion of Illinois' SAFE-T Act nationally

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois' SAFE-T Act has been proclaimed a disaster for law enforcement, but Democrat candidate for Congress in downstate 13th CD Nikki Budzinski is pushing for the precedent to spread nationally - at least that's what her website says. 

“Illinois’s recently passed landmark criminal justice reform legislation is a definitive step in the right direction, with important provisions on bail reform, sentencing guidelines, and policing, including a ban on chokeholds and body camera mandate for officers. However, we need more action at the federal level,” Budzinski states on her website: 

Opposed by nearly every law enforcement organization in the state, the SAFE-T Act was pushed through the Illinois General Assembly in the middle of the night of a Lame Duck session without a single Republican vote.

Among other radical provisions, the law eliminates cash bail, providing that criminal suspects will be detained before trial only in the case of forcible felonies that are non-probationary or they are considered a flight risk or a specific danger to someone in the community. Many violent crimes will not qualify under this law.

The Illinois States Attorneys Association echoed opposition from law enforcement saying that the SAFE-T Act will, “put the victims of crime and their families at great risk.” More recently, States Attorneys throughout the 13th Congressional District, including in Sangamon, Madison, and  Macon counties have all expressed serious concerns about how the law will impact public safety.

14th CD GOP candidate Scott Gryder awarded Young Guns status by NRCC

OSWEGO -  Scott Gryder, Republican nominee for congressional district IL-14, is drawing attention nationally, as he reached full "Young Guns" status from the National Republican Congressional Committee last week.

The Young Guns program, spearheaded by US House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy, helps equip Republican candidates running in competitive races with the tools they need to win. Candidates who achieve full "Young Guns" status have successfully collaborated with the NRCC and completed the requirements that establish a path to victory on Election Day.

Gryder, who is currently the Kendall County Board Chairman, is the Republican challenger to Democrat incumbent Congresswoman Lauren Underwood.

“I am honored that I have been selected to be in the program. The support from the NRCC and Leader McCarthy proves that our race is alive and competitive,” said Gryder. “I am excited to bring my pro-job, pro-growth, and pro-freedom agenda to Washington and properly represent the people of the 14th district.”

The 14th district spans across 7 counties: Joliet, Aurora, Kendall County, and agricultural areas including La Salle and Peru.