Restoring American Exceptionalism – Chicago Townhall

January 24, 2012 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Budget, Chicago, Children, Congress, Conservatives, Democrats/Leftists, Education, Ethics, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Jobs, Liberals, President, Public Employees Unions, Radio, Republicans, Rights, School Choice, Senate, Talk Radio, Taxes, Teachers Unions, Unions, Vouchers, Warner Todd Huston | No Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

I just got back from a wonderful evening taking school choice at the Restoring American Exceptionalism, Chicago Townhall. In attendance were radio talk show host Michael Medved, Fox News contributor Juan Williams, and Dr. Paul Worfel, Director of Education of Trinity International University. The discussion was moderated by John Tillman of the Illinois Policy Institute.

The event was sponsored by National School Choice Week, an effort by Americans for Prosperity, and is one of many events being held across the country to encourage parents, legislators, and activists to work toward allowing parents a choice in their children’s education. Co-sponsors were Townhall.com, Salem Radio Networks, and Chicago’s WIND Radio, AM 560

Arriving at the sprawling campus of Trinity International University of Deerfield, Illinois, the biting cold outside was quickly forgotten by the warm reception all received by the event staff. The program started promptly with an introduction by local radio host Big John Howell of AM 560, WIND radio who turned the program over to John Tillman of the Illinois Policy Institute.

The night’s debate was nicely balanced from right, center and left with a panel featuring the conservative side of the debate on education represented by talk show host Michael Medved, the center represented by Fox News contributor Juan Williams, and the more traditional educrat’s position taken by Dr. Worfel.

I won’t repeat the whole discussion, but here are some of the more interesting (and some might say provocative) highlights.
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CBS This Morning Losing to Fox And Friends?

January 20, 2012 | Filed Under Atlanta, Cable, CBS, Chicago, Detroit, Entertainment, Fox News, Hollywood, Media, TV, Uncategorized, Warner Todd Huston | No Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Apparently it is not morning in America for CBS. The big network roll out of its revamped morning show, CBS This Morning, is struggling to gain a foothold. It’s so bad that even the Fox News’ morning show, Fox and Friends, is beating the network morning extravaganza. In Chicago, Fox and Friends even beat the debut episode of CBS This Morning despite the fact that Gayle King, a long-time Oprah confidante, was one of the main features of the program.

In fact, CBS This Morning isn’t even beating its own former iteration when it was called The Early Show. The new show is down 10 percent in total viewers and down 13 percent in the key demo of 25-45 year-old viewers. Interestingly, Fox and Friends is beating CBS in four of the top 20 national markets in total viewers (Atlanta, Detroit, Orlando, and Tampa).

Market	Fox And Friends (P2+)	CBS This Morning (P2+)
Atlanta	30,000	17,000
Detroit	19,000	12,000
Tampa	40,000	30,000
Orlando	23,000	19,000

Period	Dates	Program	P2+ AA(000)	% Diff	24-54 AA(000)	% diff
CBS This Morning Launch	1/9/12 to 1/15/12	CBS This Morning	2718		1115
Same Week 2011	1/10/11 to 1/16/11	Early Show	3016	-10%	1287	-13%

(Stats from Nielson)

It should be remembered that Fox News cable channel reaches just over 102 million homes whereas CBS ostensibly gets to 100 percent of the 116 million homes with TVs. Since CBS is one of the “big three” original TV networks, it is interesting that a cable channel has seen such an amazing success rate for its early morning show.
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We Finally Didn’t Rank as Worst: Chicago 14th Rudest City

January 20, 2012 | Filed Under Chicago, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Ethics, Government, Illinois, Liberals, PCism, Society/Culture, Warner Todd Huston, Western Civilization | No Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Finally. Illinois isn’t coming in as the absolute worst of something. This time is is rudest American city as ranked by Travel and Leisure magazine.

Chicago did rank into the top 20 rudest cities, but the Windy City — apparently “windy” for all the yelling at people a’going on — slides in outside the top ten at slot 14. Not bad. Even some southern cities are supposedly worse than Chi-Town.

Here is what T&A says:

Chicago

Can these not-so-sunny midwesterners blame their demeanor on those frigid winters? If you want to get Chicagoans to warm up, try complimenting their city — by pointing out that you love their music scene or find their pizza much preferable to that thin New York stuff. Chicago ranked fourth for its glowing civic pride.

So, for a welcome change, Illinois has something going that doesn’t put us in the worst of the worst category. Finally!
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FULL VIDEO: Rep. Walsh Picks 8th District for 2nd Run

December 9, 2011 | Filed Under Barack Obama, Budget, Business, Capitalism, Chicago, Congress, Conservatives, Constitution, Cook County, Economy/Finances, Elections, GOP, Government, House of Representatives, Illinois, Jobs, Joe Walsh, Republicans, Taxes, Tea Party, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

On Thursday night I attended the Chicago Tea Party meeting which featured a jazzed up first term Congressman Joe Walsh who came to announce in which District he’d take a crack at running to affect his reelection to Congress. Without stringing you along, Walsh chose the newly redistricted 8th for his run.

The Chicago Tea Party event was held at Chicago’s famous Cubby Bear restaurant right across the street from The Cub’s Wrigley field stadium.

With the Democrats in control of how Illinois’ electoral map was redrawn — due to the fact that the Illinois GOP has practically no power at all in the state — Walsh became the chief target that Democrats wanted to eliminate for 2012. Walsh’s home is currently in his 8th District, but redistricting casts his home into the 14th District, a district that is already represented by Randy Hultgren, also a solid Republican (and also a freshman congressman To boot).

A full House for Joe’s announcement at Chicago’s favorite Cubby Bear Pub

Initially Walsh announced plans to primary Hultgren and run in the newly jiggered 14th District. But as the weeks rolled on that prospect seemed an increasingly dismal idea. To primary another Republican would have meant a very, very bloody primary fight, one that would do neither Hultgren nor Walsh — nor Republicans for that matter — any good at all regardless of who won the primary.

This led Walsh to a hard decision and that is what brought him to the Cubby Bear that night.
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Chicago: Terrorists Celebrated by Tax Funded Organization

December 7, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Barack Obama, Chicago, Crime, Democrats/Leftists, Education, Ethics, Government, Government, Corruption, Illinois, Liberals, Los Angeles, President, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Illinois Humanities Council is celebrating its 10th Anniversary with an auction fund-raiser. A good cause you might ask? Well, perhaps, but one of the items the council is auctioning features a special dinner with notorious domestic terrorists Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn.

Why is a tax-funded organization celebrating the lives of these admitted and unrepentant domestic terrorists? That would be quite a good question.

As Illinois Review notes, we the taxpayers have been floating this IHC group with our tax dollars. “While Medicaid providers wait and wait to be reimbursed from the state,” IR says, “certain vendors don’t have much trouble getting their taxpayer funds every year. Such as the Illinois Humanities Council. Since 2007, the Council has been the beneficiary of $4,189,582, compliments of Illinois taxpayers.”

Once again we see how the left supports terrorism and propagates hate for our own system and country by celebrating murderers such as Dohrn and Ayers, two people that have never apologized or shown any remorse for their part int he death of a police officer.
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Ex Governor Blagojevich Gets 14 Year Prison Sentence

December 7, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Chicago, Crime, Democrats/Leftists, Ethics, Government, Government, Corruption, Illinois, Judges, Rod Blagojevich, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

I won’t waste too much time on this — still it is something that should be put on record here at the blog — but former Democrat Governor Rod Blagojevich has been sentenced to 168 moths, 14 years, in federal prison for his corruption.

In his statement before sentencing, Blagojevich apologized for his “unintended” actions, and said that as governor he should have known better. Rod even had his kids plea for leniency. Judge Zagel didn’t seem to think that the ex-guv’s apology was sufficient enough to lighten the sentence, however.

Sadly, the baneful influence of Blagojevich isn’t over just because he is now headed to prison. “The people that enabled him, all these guys are still in power,” GOP Chairman Pat Brady lamented on WLS radio after the verdict was announced. “As long as you have Mike Madigan and his absentee Attorney General daughter Lisa in office none of these problems will be fixed,” he said.

The Illinois Policy Institute also notes that Blago’s destructive “fiscal legacy is alive and well.”

Rod Blagojevich’s tenure as governor of Illinois will have a lasting effect on the state’s reputation and fiscal condition. From January 2003 to January 2009, Blagojevich made headlines for his sensational comments, political feuds and backroom deals. After being arrested in December 2008 on charges of political corruption, the Legislature removed him from office the following month. He since has been convicted on federal criminal charges.

See the full Ill. Policy Institute report HERE.
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Abe Lincoln and His Convicted Felon Pal, Bill Cellini?

November 8, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Chicago, Democrats/Leftists, Ethics, Government, Government, Corruption, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Liberals, Rod Blagojevich, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

This is the kind of nonsense that we get with political influence peddling and corruption. A painting that now hangs in the new Lincoln library and museum in our state capitol has a ridiculous tie to long-time Springfield corruption king Bill Cellini, who was just last week convicted on charges of extortion and bribery.

Standing behind Lincoln whispering in his ear is a person that looks suspiciously like the corrupt Cellini.

According to The Southern, Bill isn’t the only Cellini memorialized in paint at the museum. His wife, Julie, is also in a scene depiction Civil War era Washington D.C. Mrs. Cellini is a key benefactor of the museum.
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Ill. Policy Institute CEO Tillman Is Just Plain Wrong About ‘Occupy’

October 28, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Banks, Budget, Business, Capitalism, Chicago, Communism, Conservatives, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, Illinois, Illinois Policy Institute, Jobs, Liberals, Regulation, Republicans, Socialism, Stimulus, Taxes, Tea Party, Warner Todd Huston | 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, penned an op ed in the Chicago Tribune touting what he claims is the common ground between conservatives and the Occupy Wall Street leftists who have trickled into the streets across the country. I hate to say it, but his op ed was puzzling and its base concept — that conservatives and these Occupy nuts should work together — is incredibly off base.

Before I get into Tillman’s points, though, let me say that I generally support the good works of the Illinois Policy Institute. I’ve covered many of its events in the past, I’ve worked closely with some of its members, and I’ve met Mr. Tillman many times at many events. I repost the Institute’s email blasts on my sites, as well.

I will continue with my support of the Illinois Policy Institute (don’t call them IPI because some other organization has that trademarked and they get mad) despite this disagreement with Mr. Tillman. They often do very good work.

OK, now that that’s out of the way… Tillman, my friend, you are soooo wrong!
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Occupy Chicago Wants to ‘Collapse American Government’

October 28, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Banks, Barack Obama, Budget, Business, Chicago, Communism, Democrats/Leftists, Government, Corruption, Jan Schakowsky, Liberals, President, Socialism, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Retired Palatine teacher, Roger Fraser, who makes nearly $8,000 a month in pension benefits off the backs of the Illinois Taxpayer, says that he wants to “collapse American government.”

These people want to “collapse” this country. They want to destroy it and remake it as an alien, communist abomination.

This is why there should be no sympathy for these Occupy-Whatever idiots. They are not Americans. They hate America. Unlike the Tea Party movement, these Occupy people are anti-American to the core.

Remember, these are the sort of people that Democrats like President Obama and Representative Jan Schakowsky are falling all over themselves to support.
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Suspected Terror Supporter Attacks Jews at Occupy Chicago

October 22, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Anti-Semitism, Business, Capitalism, Chicago, Communism, Constitution, Crime, Democrats/Leftists, Government, Government, Corruption, Hate Crimes, Jobs, Liberals, Socialism, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Chicago’s RebelPundit came across some of those nice Occupy Chicago folks wishing good thoughts for all the kind participants at the protest… they kindly wished that Israel be destroyed.

Worse, one of the guys these Occupy-Whatevers allowed to speak is a suspected funder of Middle Eastern terrorists.

Just like the left, eh? Haters, racists, and anti-Semites galore.

Note also that a Chicago TV station was filming the event. Note also that said film was never aired in Chicago.

The “news,” you see, don’t want to discredit the Occupy-Whatevers as much as they can avoid it.
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A Hate Crimes Double-Standard‏ in Illinois

October 21, 2011 | Filed Under Bible, Catholicism, Chicago, Christianity, Crime, Democrats/Leftists, Ethics, Gays, Illinois, Liberals, PCism, Religion, Society/Culture, Warner Todd Huston, Western Civilization | Comments Off

From Liberty Counsel…

Pro-Family Leaders Question Double-Standard on Hate Crimes – Homosexual Attackers Threaten More Violence against Illinois Christian School

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Illinois – A coalition of ministers and pro-family advocates is questioning the double-standard on “hate crimes” in the wake of an attack Saturday against Christian Liberty Academy (CLA) – which was threatened with more violence if it continues to host conservative groups like Americans For Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH).

Assailants threw two large paver bricks through the glass doors of CLA with a note, “This is just a sample of what we will do if you don’t shut down Scott Lively and AFTAH.” On a left-wing Chicago website, the alleged attackers took credit for the crime and wrote:
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Citing Elmhurst Dillard Calls for Pressure on ComEd

October 19, 2011 | Filed Under Business, Chicago, DuPage County, Electric, Energy, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Kirk Dillard, Republicans, Senate, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Ill. State Senator Kirk Dillard (24th District)…

In a Friday, October 14, 2011 interview on WLS radio’s Don Wade and Roma Show, Illinois State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont) outlined his concerns about the SmartGrid legislation being pushed by Commonwealth Edison.

Voicing concerns relayed to him by local citizens and elected officials, Dillard said on the radio station that the SmartGrid legislation needs improvement. “The status quo is not enough,” Dillard said. “Cities like Elmhurst, which is right in my area, have had severe power outages. We need reliability. We’ve got to do something and we need to look at our electrical grid. In some places it’s old and decaying, so the status quo is not acceptable.”

In response to a question about how Quinn thinks raising electric rates are bad for businesses but thinks a 66% increase in income tax is okay, Dillard said, “I don’t believe in guaranteed rate increases [for utilities] by the Commerce Commission.”

Lisa Fithian: Teaching Radicalism to Chicago Teachers Union

October 18, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Budget, Chicago, Children, Democrats/Leftists, Education, Ethics, Government, Corruption, Hate Crimes, Liberals, Public Employees Unions, Society/Culture, Taxes, Teachers Unions, Unions, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

Violent, union thug comes to Chicago to fake teacher “arrests”

When people ask me, “What do you do?” I say I create crisis, because crisis is that edge where change is possible.
– Lisa Fithian

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) trained under radical street organizer, and leader of the anti-capitalist #occupy movement, Lisa Fithian, to stage a protest march in Chicago on 10/10/11.

During this event, more than 20+ members of the CTU were arrested.

THE NYT MAGAZINE SAYS THIS ABOUT FITHIAN
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Rep. Jan Schakowsky Thinks Gov’t ‘Creates Jobs’

October 10, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Banks, Budget, Business, Capitalism, Chicago, Communism, Constitution, Democrats/Leftists, EPA, Ethics, Government, Government, Corruption, Health, House of Representatives, Illinois, Jobs, Liberals, Regulation, Socialism, Stimulus, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

Recently Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D, Illinois 9th District), whose husband has been convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion, was interviewed by the far left website truthout.

You’ll remember truthout for its scoop back in 2009. It was truthout that was the first to report the big news that Karl Rove had been indicted. Unfortunately for this “news” site, Karl Rove was never indicted. That was a spot of bother, indeed, going to impugn the site’s veracity just a bit. You may also know that original editor, Marc Ash, was ousted from the site by a coup from within when it was discovered he was making $140,000 a year off the donors and left-wing foundations supporting the site. But he’s all for the downtrodden masses, ya know?

Now that we have established the forum upon which Schakowsky appeared, let’s look at some of the extreme things she said, shall we?
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Head of Chicago Tea Party Resigns

October 9, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Capitalism, Chicago, Conservatives, Illinois, Taxes, Tea Party, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

After the controversy over his recent legal troubles, Steve Stevlic of the Chicago Tea Party resigned from his post as head of that organization on Friday, Oct. 7.

On the Chicago Tea Party website, Stevlic thanked supporters and apologized for any trouble he may have caused the movement.
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Friedman for State Senate Fundraiser Announced

October 9, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Chicago, Conservatives, Elections, GOP, Government, Illinois, Republicans, Senate, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the Friedman for State Senate campaign…

A www.FriedmanForSenate.com, by calling 847/220-7337, or by sending a check and reservation request to Friedman for Senate, P.O. Box 831, Northbrook, IL 60065.

Arie Friedman is seeking the Republican nomination for the seat opened by the retirement this summer of State Sen. Susan Garrett (D). The newly drawn district takes in southeast Lake County and, in northern Cook County, parts of Glencoe, Northbrook, Palatine and several communities in Wheeling Township.
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A Note About Morrison’s Bid for Cook County Board of Review

October 7, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Chicago, Cook County Board, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Elections, GOP, Government, Illinois, Property Taxes, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

Last cycle this website did not support Mr. Morrison for the first district seat on the Cook County Board of Review. There was a big reason for this. Morrison was a heavy supporter, donor and voter for Democrats prior to suddenly launching his campaign as a Republican.

Morrison gave a lot of money to Democrats, voted as a Democrat, and supported them where he lived in Chicago’s 19th Ward (See Morrison’s campaign donation and voting history here). This made me very, very wary that he was merely a Democrat plant attempting to steal away a GOP seat. It looked like a typical, left-wing, dirty trick that we are so used to seeing from unprincipled Democrats.

Morrison, however, denies he is a Democrat. He says he supported Democrats and voted Democrat in the 19th Ward because there weren’t any viable Republicans in his area to help support his business interests.
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Cook County: Incompetent Stroger Appointee Fired Over Million$ in Tax Discrepancies

October 6, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Chicago, Cook County, Cook County Board, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Illinois, Liberals, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

I did not vote for Toni Preckwinkle to become the Cook County Board President, but I have to say she has made a few tough decisions that one would not expect from a common Chicago Machine Democrat. In another one of those good moves, Preckwinkle sacked the Cook County Comptroller for her incompetent work with accounting for the county’s tax revenue among other failures.

Cook County Comptroller, Constance Kravitz, was another one of those oh, so wonderful appointees of the dismal Todd Stroger, the previous failure that sat in Preckwinkle’s chair. Kravitz was struggling to make ends meet at $165,000 tax dollars annually, so I can see why it was so hard for her to get her facts straight at work. It’s a lot of pressure to be living at such subsistence pay, you know?

Kravitz was at two strikes before Preckwikle lowered the boom. Not only had Kravitz badly bungled the accounting of tax revenue, being off by a whopping $90 million, but her reports detailing which county employees had taken their furlough days and which hadn’t were a complete mess.
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Confirm Your Property Tax Exemptions‏

October 2, 2011 | Filed Under Chicago, Cook County Board, Government, Corruption, Illinois, Property Taxes, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Dan Patlak…

Within the next week, the Cook County Treasurer will be mailing you the second installment of your 2010 tax bills. The time period to appeal your 2010 assessment at the Assessor’s office or at the Board of Review has already expired. However, you should make sure that this bill includes the Exemptions to which you may be entitled. The most common Exemption is called the Homeowner Exemption. You must have lived in your home as of January 1st 2010 to qualify. To qualify for the Senior Exemption (which must be renewed each year) you must have lived in your home as of January 1, 2010 and you or another owner of the home must have been at least sixty-five years old during 2010. To see if you received these exemptions, look at the right side of the bill a little more than half way down where the exemptions are listed. Then look farther to the right to see what the dollar amount is that corresponds with the respective exemption. If the dollar amount is $0.00 and you think you qualify for the exemption, then you should bring your tax bill to the nearest Assessor’s satellite office located at each of the five Cook County Courthouses (except Maywood which is closed). Bring proof of your residency and age and they will issue you a new tax bill that reflects the discount for the exemption(s).
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One Illinois Guy Who Won’t Be At TeaCon 2011

September 30, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Capitalism, Chicago, Conservatives, Economy/Finances, Free Trade, GOP, Government, Illinois, Libertarian, Republicans, Taxes, Tea Party, Warner Todd Huston | 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Well, there is one local Illinois activist that apparently won’t be at this weekend’s TeaCon 2011, but not for want of trying. Bill Kelly, one-time candidate for Illinois Comptroller — he came in second, by the way — has told me that he’s been barred not only from getting media credentials for the event, but even from buying a ticket.

Kelly has a page on the Washington Times community section blogs and was told by the Times that he could get media creds representing them at TeaCon, but when he went to the event staff with his request TeaCon organizers denied his credentialing.

Kelly feels that people at WIND radio, one of the event co-hosts, put the kybosh on his credentials because of a recent dust up between Kelly and Senator Dick Durbin not to mention another dustup between Kelly and local TV reporter Jay Levine.
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Chicago: Union Members Collect Millions in Tax $$ With Sweetheart Pension Deal

September 22, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Democrats/Leftists, Ethics, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Liberals, Pensions, Public Employees Unions, Taxes, Unions, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

Now this is the sort of corruption we are used to seeing in Illinois, eh? This week the Chicago Tribune and WGN TV has found up to 23 retired union operatives that are collecting millions in taxpayer dollars because they had pals in government tweak the state’s pensions laws to favor them.

These former government workers that were government union members got pliant politicians to alter the pensions laws to say that their pension remuneration would be calculated not on the lower pay they received when they retired from government, but from the much higher salary they received when they worked as union operatives. These folks worked as union bosses at the same time as working on the clock for government.

The “luck” of former union boss and Dept. of Streets and Sanitation worker Thomas Villanova is a typical example. Villanova last worked full-time for the city in 1989 and made $40,000-a-year. But he was also a union big wig making $198,000 annually upon his retirement in 2008 at age 56. His city pension, it appears, was calculated on the union salary of $198,000 instead of his real salary of $40,000 — itself obviously a no-show job in the first place.

Villanova stands to make millions off the taxpayers.
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Cook Commissioners Refuse to Take Furlough Days?

September 22, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Chicago, Constitution, Cook County, Cook County Board, Democrats/Leftists, Government, Illinois, Liberals, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

News today had it that two Cook County Commissioners have refused to take the agreed upon furlough days as required by the 2011 budget, days meant to save the county money. Both William Beavers and Earlene Collins have both refused to take the 10 days off.

Collins claimed on Chicago’s WLS AM 89 radio that she shouldn’t have to suffer the indignities of the cut in salary that the days off would mean. She says her base pay has never risen since she was first elected to office and that she has already cut out much of her office allowances and other staffing funds so she should not have to take a cut in pay, too.

In fact, claims Collins, she’s already made cuts that amount to more than the some $9,000 that her 10 day furlough would add up to.
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Illinois Congressman Apologizes to Muslims for Being Discriminated Against

September 19, 2011 | Filed Under 9/11, al Qaeda, Anti-Americanism, Budget, Business, Chicago, Congress, Democrats/Leftists, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Islam, Islamofascism, Liberals, Taxes, Terrorism, War on Terror, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

Mike Quigley, the Democrat Congressman from the Chicago area’s 5th Congressional District thinks he needs to apologize for America. Why? Well, because we have been so darn evil towards Muslims and all, dontcha know? And why are we so mean to Muslims? It’s because Republicans want to cut the budget.

It looks like Quigley has taken a page out of President Obama’s world apology tour playbook by going back to his district to attend the American Islamic College Conference in Chicago where he felt compelled to apologize for America.

After a long winded wind up saying that the “war” we are experiencing between the diverging ideas about the economy is an “ideological war,” and it’s one that is causing us to somehow lash out against Muslims! Never mind that Muslims declared war on the U.S. long before the U.S. had any major economic troubles. He capped that surreal assessment with his grand apology…
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American Majority National Training Bomb- Chicago September 17, 2011‏

September 15, 2011 | Filed Under Chicago, Elections, GOP, Government, Corruption, Illinois, Republicans, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From American Majority-Illinois…

The day has finally come! We have officially opened our Illinois office, and now have a ground force here full time to engage on a local level. As you know, American Majority is a national non-profit and non-partisan political training institute whose mission is to train and equip passionate individuals and groups committed to individual freedom through limited government and the free market.

My primary reason for reaching out to you today is to let you know about our National Training Bomb event taking place this Saturday, September 17,2011, in Chicago. We ask you to strongly encourage your readers to attend. Each training module that will be presented offers vital information that will equip attendees to become effectively active.

Thank you for your dedication to conservatism in Illinois. We believe real political change begins at the local level—and that freedom can be only effectively implemented on a national level if we work together as engaged citizens within our communities. Please visit our website http://www.trainingbomb.com/ and share it with your readers. You may contact us anytime. We have attached a flyer you are free to use for your blog. We cannot turn this country around without you!
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You Can Win a Chance to Meet Glenn Beck at TeaCon

September 15, 2011 | Filed Under Chicago, Democrats/Leftists, Glenn Beck, Government, Corruption, Illinois, Liberals, Tea Party, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the Chicago Tea Party…

TeaCon 2011, the Midwest Tea Party Convention is coming up soon on Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1 in Schaumburg, IL. TeaCon will feature Glenn Beck, Andrew Breitbart, Dana Loesch, Steven Crowder, a day of engaging training and breakout sessions, a Presidential Straw Poll and much more. Tickets are going fast, so make sure to get yours now. Please use code “CHI” at checkout and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Chicago Tea Party.

We are also offering an exciting opportunity to attend an exclusive meet and greet with Glenn Beck at TeaCon. This is your chance to meet and talk with Glenn and have your picture taken with him. We have three different ways you can win:
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Illinois Policy Institute: That is SO Illinoying!‏

September 4, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Chicago, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Government, Government, Corruption, Illinois, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois State Government, Liberals, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | 1 Comment

From the Illinois Policy Institute…

Many of you are familiar with FOIA requests: they allow engaged citizens to request public documents. State requirements ensure governments provide these documents in a timely manner.

But on Friday, Gov. Quinn signed a bill that weakened these rules. Now, governments will be allowed to characterize citizens as “recurrent requesters.” If a citizen requests more than 15 documents in a month or 50 in a year, government entities no longer need to respond promptly.

This law punishes citizens who pay close attention. Instead of creating new obstacles for the very people who are most engaged in holding our government accountable, we should be celebrating their efforts.
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Local Ill. Library Board Wants ‘People Feeling Pain’ to Vote Tax Hikes for New Building

September 3, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Chicago, Democrats/Leftists, Government, Government, Corruption, Illinois, Liberals, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

Even left-wing Morton Grove, Illinois is feeling the pinch of Tea Party principles as new town library board members begin revealing the perfidy of past board members that violated the state’s open meetings laws where they were found to be scheming to fool the taxpayers into hiking taxes for unnecessary new library building projects and other wasteful spending.

You might remember back in 2008 that Morton Grove was one of the first towns in American history to ban the Second Amendment within its jurisdiction, an action that went counter to the Supreme Court’s Heller decision. But despite the law city fathers tried to violate the Constitutional rights of their citizens until the threat of lawsuits forced the city to reverse course.

Morton Grove’s left leaning city officials, though, kept at their agenda in other ways after the change to their handgun ban in 2008. During 2010 library board meetings, for instance, it appears Morton Grove library board members violated Illinois open meetings laws by holding closed door meetings called executive sessions that they did not properly record and/or did not conduct approved business.
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AFP: Help Advance Conservative Change

September 2, 2011 | Filed Under Americans For Prosperity, Anti-Americanism, Chicago, Congress, Conservatives, Democrats/Leftists, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Liberals, President, Republicans, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

‏From Americans for Prosperity – Illinois…

Are you frustrated with the direction our country is going in? Are you ready for real conservative change that will get our economy moving again?

Join Americans for Prosperity, United to Restore Freedom, and the Joliet Tea Party for a special “Candidate and Campaign Management” workshop on Saturday, September 10th at 9:00 a.m. conducted by the prestigious Leadership Institute.

The campaign and candidate workshop is designed to help develop potential candidates and community activists to run for office. The campaign and candidate workshop focuses on personal and political preparation to help advance a candidate or cause of your choice.
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Rep. Peter Roskam Starts Ball Rolling On Regulation Scale Back

September 1, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Capitalism, Chicago, Congress, Conservatives, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Elections, EPA, Free Trade, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Jobs, Liberals, Peter Roskam, Policy, President, Regulation, Republicans, Senate, Taxes, Tea Party, Warner Todd Huston | 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

I spent most of the day on Aug 30 sort of embeded with Congressman Peter Roskam, Republican of the Illinois 6th District and Chief Deputy Whip in Washington, as he toured his district talking to local businesses. The whirlwind tour of businesses in Roskam’s district — topped with a presser in downtown Chicago — was the precursor of Roskam’s next focus. Roskam wants to begin an assessment of the regulatory edifice in Washington D.C. with any eye toward making Washington more business friendly in this moribund, recessionary economy.

My chauffeur was Roskam communication director, the genial Dan Conston. He told me he was born and bred in Philly, but I assured him that I would not hold that against him. No matter that he is an Eagles fan, he knew his way around the area. Still I promised not to tattle on his driving… but I guess even saying that much is saying something!

Our first stop was Federal Signal Corporation located in Oak Brook. The folks at Federal Signal told Congressman Roskam that they were worried that new EPA rules on the engines they use in their street sweeper machines were threatening to shut down production lines and put workers out of work. And not just for them but the engines of similar styles in every industry that uses them are facing the same jobs-killing requirements.

The problem was all the “uncertainty” which is casting a pall over what Fed Sig’s Dennis Martin, President and CEO, was happy to say is a recent uptick in orders for their machines. Orders have been down for years, said Martin, but now older street sweepers are not only wearing out but are themselves long out of compliance with new EPA rules and new orders are now rolling in.
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Hultgren, Illinois Representatives, Call On Illinois Legislature To Enact Concealed-Carry Legislation

August 31, 2011 | Filed Under 2nd Amendment, Anti-Americanism, Chicago, Constitution, Crime, Democrats/Leftists, Freedom, Government, Government, Corruption, Guns, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Law, Liberals, Liberty, Property Rights, Randy Hultgren, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (Ill. 14th)…

Geneva, IL – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement regarding a letter he recently sent to Illinois leaders, including Governor Quinn, Attorney General Madigan, and legislative leaders from both parties, calling on them to join every other state in the nation and enact concealed-carry legislation.

“I was dismayed to learn that Illinois is now the only state in the nation that does not recognize its citizens’ Second Amendment right to concealed carry,” said Rep. Hultgren. “The Supreme Court has twice affirmed self-defense as a fundamental right in recent years, and it past time that Illinoisans enjoy that right as every other American does. I hope Governor Quinn and the legislature will pass concealed carry legislation in a timely manner so that Illinoisans can enjoy the legal right to protect themselves.”

In the letter, Hultgren detailed recent Supreme Court decisions from The District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and McDonald v. Chicago (2010). In the case from 2008, the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual’s right to possess a firearm. In the second case, from 2010, they ruled that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self defense in one’s home is fully applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.
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