State Rep Tom Morrison: The Results Are In!‏

October 5, 2011 | Filed Under Illinois, Illinois State Government, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Tom Morrison (R, Palatine, 54th District)…

A few weeks ago, I asked for your input on several questions regarding our community and our state and I wanted to share the results. As your representative in Springfield, I rely heavily on the input from my constituents. I sincerely appreciate your willingness to share your viewpoint/opinions with me. I am thrilled by receiving over 400 completed surveys from residents within our district, thank you.

Here are the results!

1. What issue/s in state government is/are most important to you?

Topping the list were government spending/borrowing, taxes, public mistrust in government and corrupt elected officials. Also, many social issues were addressed as well as firearm regulations.

2. Do you support legislation that will repeal the 66% income tax rate increase signed by Governor Quinn in January 2011?
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Cain Rises at TeaCon 2011: Straw Poll Win, Communications Director Loss, Disagreements With Jack Roeser

October 1, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Conservatives, Economy/Finances, Elections, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, Herman Cain, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Michele Bachmann, President, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | 4 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Herman Cain wins yet another straw poll of conservative activists. This time at Teacon 2011 held in a northwestern suburb of Chicago. There was no surprise that Cain won the straw poll, but there was some surprise fireworks in the media room and another surprise elsewhere in the Cain campaign as his long-serving Communications Director resigned over the weekend.

Herman Cain was the only candidate that decided to come in person, but to be honest, this crowd was a Cain hotspot even before that. Rep. Michele Bachmann sent in a video address that found favor with the crowd, too. But Cain and she were the only ones to give TeaCon 2011 the time of day.

The results, with over 77% of the vote, put Herman Cain in the lead. And in descending order was Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Rick Santorum — oddly enough President Obama came in next — and Jon Huntsman and Gary Johnson came in last.

As Erik Telford said on Twitter, “If you can’t beat Obama in a tea party straw poll, it’s probably time to end your campaign. (cc: Huntsman and Johnson).”

Ouch, indeed.
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Dirty Tricks in the 52nd District State Senate Race?

September 30, 2011 | Filed Under Congress, Conservatives, Elections, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Liberals, Republicans, Senate, Vote Fraud, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

One question has arisen in the race for the Illinois State Senate in the 52nd District: why is GOP Sen. Leader Christine Radogno getting involved in a local primary to the reported tune of some very tall cash? And why is she supporting a guy that supports civil unions and tax hikes?

The GOP primary race is between activist Champaign small business owner John Bambenek and 63-year-old Champaign County Board Member Al Nudo. And in this race there are some clear differences between the two candidates.

For instance, Bambenek is much more in line than Nudo with the ideals of the last crop of GOP Congressmen that were elected from Illinois in 2010. Bambenek’s ideas would find echos in Randy Hultgren or Bobbie Shilling. Nudo, on the hand is much more a social and fiscal “moderate.”

Certainly Al Nudo, running claiming the need for “bipartisanship” in Springfield, is thought of as the “moderate” candidate in the race. “I work with both sides. There’s issues you can take from both sides,” he recently told the Daily Illini.
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The $14,000 Question: Was Senator Jacobs Bought by Big Energy?

September 29, 2011 | Filed Under Conservatives, Elections, GOP, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Senate, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

Albracht: “If Governor Quinn has a dog in this fight, Senator Jacobs has four.”

MOLINE, IL–Despite a veto from Governor Quinn, Senator Jacobs continues to lobby for SB1652, also known as the “Smart Grid” bill, which would allow energy companies to automatically raise their rates over the next ten years without oversight from the Citizen’s Utility Board. Opponents to this bill have argued that this would put an unfair burden on the consumer.

Senator Jacobs recently told Read more

State Senate Candidate Arie Friedman Comments on Illinois Deepening Debt

September 28, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Conservatives, Economy/Finances, Elections, GOP, Government, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Republicans, Senate, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the campaign for State Senate of Arie Friedman…

“The news for job-seekers and employers in Illinois just doesn’t seem to get any better,” said Dr. Arie Friedman, Republican candidate for State Senate in the 29th District, southeast Lake County and Wheeling, Palatine, Northfield and New Trier Townships in northern Cook County.

“The jobs climate in our state is closely tied to the fiscal condition of the state government itself,” said Friedman, “as Illinois continues to rate red alerts about the state budget deficit and the state’s growing debt.”

Friedman cited Monday’s report by the Civic Federation documenting Illinois’s deepening debt, even in the wake of increased state revenue from the personal and corporate income tax hikes passed by Springfield Democrats in January.
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Assistant Republican House Leader Jim Durkin Endorses Dillard

September 27, 2011 | Filed Under DuPage County, Elections, GOP, Government, Government, Ill. County, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Republicans, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the campaign to re-elect Kirk Dillard, Illinois State Senate…

At a recent Republican meeting, Illinois State Representative and Assistant Republican House Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) endorsed Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) in Dillard’s race for re-election to the 24th Senatorial District.

Citing several pieces of landmark legislation sponsored by Sen. Dillard, including most recently a Internet Portal Act to disclose, on-line and in real-time (www.OpentheBooks.com), every salary, contract, tax break and tax deadbeat, Durkin said, “Sen. Kirk Dillard is the voice of families in Illinois and we must return Kirk Dillard to Springfield so we can draw on his valuable experience in creating jobs to get Illinois working again, protecting our families, controlling our out-of-control state budget and providing accountability in state government.”

Durkin then added, “Kirk knows Western Springs and our area well. He was instrumental in garnering the funds to replace the dilapidated Oak Street Bridge so that area residents have access to Hinsdale Hospital in case of emergency.”
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Cross Files Bill to End Pension Perks‏

September 26, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Democrats/Leftists, Elections, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Liberals, Republicans, Taxes, Tom Cross, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From Illinois GOP House Leader Tom Cross…

In response to a series of news reports in the Chicago Tribune on WGN-TV this week, uncovering huge pension hikes under the guise of public service, we filed a bill (HB3813) to close the little known loophole that nets some Chicago city workers tens of millions in pension bumps at the end of their careers.

Click here to watch WGN-TV’s coverage of our bill filling.

Click here to read the Chicago Tribune’s story.

“This is a huge slap in the face to taxpayers that government in cooperation with its employees comes up with a scheme, that is currently allowable under state law, to boost pensions sky-high,” said Cross. “This practice needs to stop—immediately—and we will file a bill today, so that this provision in state law cannot be abused.”
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Former Elmhurst Police Chief Millner Endorses Dillard

September 24, 2011 | Filed Under Conservatives, DuPage County, Elections, GOP, Government, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Republicans, Senate, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the reelection campaign of Senator Kirk Dillard…

At the York Township Republican Committeemen meeting, Illinois State Senator and long-time Elmhurst Police Chief John Millner (R-Carol Stream) endorsed Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont) in Dillard’s race for re-election to the 24th Senatorial District. Millner is also a Past President of the Illinois Police Chiefs Association.

Calling Dillard one of Illinois finest legislators, and a friend of all of the communities in DuPage County, Millner cited Dillard’s accomplishments, especially in the areas of accountability/transparency, fiscal policies and law enforcement.

“Sen. Kirk Dillard is the voice of DuPage County in Springfield and we must have his valuable experience in stopping the tax, spend and borrowing agenda,” Millner said.
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Illinois at Bottom of Favorable Business Climate List

September 23, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Capitalism, Democrats/Leftists, Government, Government, Corruption, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Jobs, Liberals, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Thanks to Illinois Democrats and Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois now sits among the worst states in the country for jobs and business. Texas and North and South Carolina rank as the best.

Illinois is the state with the third worst business climates in the country. Only New York and last rated California are worse in the survey of 322 corporate executives conducted by Development Counsellors International (DCI).

The survey, taken every three years, asks the executives a series of questions meant to discern the most effective tools for marketing and business that leads to deciding where to open new offices and expand business. Executives cited low operating costs and a pro-business climate as the chief reasons for looking upon a state favorably.

California remains the worst state, the survey found.
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A Blueprint for Illinois Job Creation

September 23, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Capitalism, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Jobs, Liberals, Regulation, Republicans, Senate, Taxes, Tom Cross, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the Illinois House Republican Caucus…

We traveled around Illinois this week introducing our new jobs plan to several communities in an effort to become more competitive with other states in order to retain and grow jobs.

Media Round-up:

Read about the jobs plan in Decatur (Decatur Herald-Review).
Watch our efforts on a television station in Peoria (WEEK-TV)
Listen to a radio show in Chicago (WIND radio-560 AM).

We’ve all seen the news. Mounting debt, sluggish consumer confidence, zero jobs created in August – the first time since World War II that the U.S. economy had a net zero jobs created for a month – and the Illinois unemployment rate at a staggering 9.9%, nearly a full point higher than the national average.
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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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Rep. Walsh WILL Run Against Hultgren in the New 14th District

September 21, 2011 | Filed Under Congress, Conservatives, Elections, GOP, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Joe Walsh, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

I spoke to Rep. Joe Walsh in Lake Villa, Illinois this past weekend and one of his first questions to me was about running against Hultgren in the new 14th District. Obviously the question was weighing heavily on him that weekend.

I told him it would be a tough fight but that I felt Joe had gone a long way to get his name recognition up in his first big year in D.C. Other than that, I had no advice on whether or not Joe could win there.

Well, now Congressman Walsh has made the final decision and will run against Republican Randy Hultgren in the new 14th District.
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Illinois Jobs Need to be Job One

September 21, 2011 | Filed Under Business, Capitalism, Economy/Finances, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Jobs, Republicans, Taxes, Tom Cross, Unemployment, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Illinois GOP House Leader Tom Cross

For nearly 100 years, Modern Drop Forge employees have been manufacturing metal forging tools in Blue Island. In August, the company announced it was moving to Indiana and taking 240 jobs with it. The reason: Illinois’ “poor business environment”–specifically, workers compensation laws and high taxes.

How many more companies and good jobs are we willing to let go before we get serious about workers compensation, regulatory, tort and tax reform?

In January, after Illinois’ governor and Democrats in the General Assembly passed the largest income tax hike and corporate tax hike in state history, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels actively began recruiting Illinois businesses. He isn’t alone. Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey came to Illinois and ran TV ads after the tax vote marketing his state to businesses.
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Cliff Surges for IL Senate Comments on Illinois’ Business Climate

September 21, 2011 | Filed Under Elections, GOP, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Republicans, Senate, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the campaign of Cliff Surges for Illinois State Senate, 33rd District…

The Chicago Tribune recently reported that Illinois is ranked among the three worst states for business, according to a survey of U.S. corporate executives. Illinois’ business climate consists of many more problems than a 67% income tax increase. Career politicians statewide have failed to properly address worker’s compensation, spending reform, and have continued with government barriers to job creation.

“The last thing people in the 33rd Senate District need is another career politician in Springfield. Voters need a State Senator with experience and knowledge in creating jobs, paying our bills, and improving our economic climate,” says Clifford Surges.

Current leadership has come up short and has promoted a poor substitute for the pro-growth policies that remove barriers to job creation. People in the 33rd State Senate district, who live from Geneva and St. Charles up north to Crystal Lake and Huntley, demand better.

http://www.cliffsurges.com/

Run for Republican Precinct Committeeman

September 20, 2011 | Filed Under Conservatives, GOP, Government, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Republicans, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Doug Ibendahl

In 2010 there were a total of 6,705 precincts in Illinois. (That’s across the state’s 101 counties other than Cook County. Cook has a unique legal structure and neither political party elects Precinct Committeemen there as explained below.)

Of those 6,705 precincts: 3,440 had no one running for Republican Precinct Committeeman in 2010. That’s a 51% statewide vacancy rate.

It also represents a major lost opportunity for thousands of Republicans and our entire Party. It’s unacceptable, and it’s a big reason why good Republican candidates are losing winnable races to the Democrats in Illinois.
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Friedman: Over 105,000 Jobs Lost Since January Tax Hikes

September 19, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Conservatives, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, GOP, Government, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Jobs, Republicans, Senate, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the Dr. Arie Friedman for Illinois State Senate campaign…

Illinois lost another 16,183 jobs in August, according to figures released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Illinois State Senate candidate Arie Friedman called the report “another call to action by state policymakers to repeal those ill-considered income tax hikes they passed last January.”

“What is it going to take to alarm our elected officials in Springfield?” asked Friedman. “The Democrats are not grasping the true meaning of Illinois’s steady drop in jobs. What will it take? Do they have to lose their own?”
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Kinzinger… IL Democrat to Taxpayers: Send More Money

September 17, 2011 | Filed Under Adam Kinzinger, Budget, Congress, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Liberals, President, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Ill., 11th District)…

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Adam Kinzinger spoke out against Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky who yesterday advocated for more of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars to be sent to Washington.

When asked about the President’s job proposal, which will cost nearly $450 billion and includes an estimated $467 billion in permanent tax increases, Schakowsky defended the plan and later added: “You don’t deserve to keep all of [your money] and it’s not a question of deserving because what government is, is those things that we decide to do together.”

“Unfortunately Congresswoman Schakowsky has proven herself to be vastly out-of-touch with Illinois families and believes more money from taxpayers, more government and more of the same failed policies of the last two+ years are the stepping stones toward prosperity and job creation,” said Kinzinger. “The fact of the matter is, 31 months ago, the President stood in front of Americans and pledged under his near-one trillion dollar stimulus package, unemployment would not rise about eight percent. The President got his stimulus and here we are today with unemployment above nine percent.
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State of Illinois Salaries Posted Online – The Books Are Open!‏

September 16, 2011 | Filed Under Adam Andrzejewski, For The Good Of Illinois, Government, Government, Corruption, Government, Ill. County, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Transparency, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From For the Good of Illinois…

We opened the books. We posted the payroll and pensions of virtually every public employee from every level of Illinois government. Click here to visit the new website.

Open the books on your local taxing body. See how they are spending your property, sales, and income taxes. Then, please forward this email to your entire address book.

Our purpose was to help you answer a simple question, “How much does my government cost?” For the first time in history, you can quickly and privately find an answer.
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Roskam Applauds House Passage of NLRB Legislation

September 15, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Congress, Conservatives, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Liberals, NLRB, Peter Roskam, President, Regulation, Republicans, Taxes, Unions, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (Ill 6th District)…

WASHINGTON – Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06), Chief Deputy Whip, issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 2587, the Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act, a bill restricting the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from ordering any employer to close, relocate, or transfer employment. The NLRB sued Boeing and told them they could not open a new plant in South Carolina, a right-to-work state, saying Boeing’s actions were an act of retaliation against unions. The House passed the bill 238-186.

“I applaud the House for taking action to free a Chicago-based business blocked by unelected Washington bureaucrats from simply creating more American jobs. The NLRB’s declaration and lawsuit was an unprecedented regulatory overreach – made worse since Boeing had already invested over $1 billion in their new South Carolina plant. Washington has no place telling American companies where they can and cannot create American jobs. The disappointing reality is that the NLRB’s cheap political trick has real consequences on local economies and families. Not only is South Carolina’s economy affected by the thousands of new good-paying jobs being stalled, but Boeing devoting resources to fighting this regulation means there’s less to invest in other parts of their business, a company with employees in all 50 states.

“Today’s vote is just the latest solution from House Republicans to help grow our economy and remove the government barriers to job creation. With roughly a dozen House-passed bills stalled in the Senate, it’s long past time the Senate joined us to make real solutions the law.”

http://roskam.house.gov/

Wheeling Township GOP Endorsed Dr. Arie Friedman for Ill. Senate

September 14, 2011 | Filed Under Elections, GOP, Government, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Republicans, Senate, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Arie Friedman for Illinois State Senate 29th District)…

Republicans of Wheeling Township Saturday endorsed Dr. Arie Friedman for the 29th State Senate District.

“Our organization has known Dr. Friedman for the past two years,” said Wheeling GOP Committeeman Ruth O’Connell of Arlington Heights. “We appreciate his leadership toward reforming the state’s Medicaid program, protecting us from the costs and burdens of the new national health care system, and repealing the recent state income tax.

“Arie is a friend of our organization, and we wanted – at our first meeting of the 2012 campaign season – to declare that he is our candidate for this important seat in the General Assembly,” O’Connell said.
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State Sen. Kirk Dillard Calls for Halt to Political Activity Over 9-11 Weekend

September 10, 2011 | Filed Under 9/11, GOP, Government, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Republicans, Senate, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the Office of Illinois State Senator Kirk Dillard…

State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont) called upon his local volunteers and precinct committeemen to suspend political petition passing and other political activities this weekend in observance of the September 11th terrorists attacks 10th year anniversary. This is the first week candidates can pass petitions to be on the March 2012 election ballot under the newly drawn legislative maps following the census. Dillard will be attending multiple official ceremonies and church services over the weekend.

“This weekend is the time to transcend politics and partisan activities,” said Dillard in a letter to his local volunteers and committeemen. “Let us count our blessings and remember what is truly important.”
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State Sen. Kirk Dillard Calls for Halt to Political Activity Over 9-11 Weekend

September 9, 2011 | Filed Under 9/11, al Qaeda, DuPage County, GOP, Government, Government, Ill. County, Illinois State Government, Islam, Islamofascism, Koran, Republicans, Senate, Sharia, War on Terror, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the Office of Illinois State Senator Kirk Dillard…

Hultgren Statement On President Obama’s Address To Congress

September 9, 2011 | Filed Under Barack Obama, Budget, Business, Congress, Conservatives, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Jobs, Liberals, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Senate, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

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

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) tonight released the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress.

“Tonight, I attended President Obama’s address to Congress because, although I expected partisan rhetoric but little in the way of new ideas, I felt that it was my constitutional responsibility to do so,” said Hultgren. “Unfortunately, despite his premise of bipartisanship, the President’s prescriptions for our economy were political and wholly inadequate. Once again he urged more scattershot ‘stimulus’ spending, at a time when we should be husbanding our constituents’ hard-earned tax dollars and ensuring that they are spent as wisely as possible.

“I agree with President Obama that investing in our nation’s infrastructure is needed and will create jobs. But we cannot do so blindly. We must ensure that our investments are targeted and timely, and we must work hard to cut red tape and limit the permitting delays that currently plague our investments in infrastructure improvement.
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Taxpayer Advocate Dan Patlak Announces Bid for Re-Election to Board of Review

September 8, 2011 | Filed Under Elections, GOP, Government, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Republicans, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

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

Wheeling – Commissioner and taxpayer advocate Dan Patlak today announced his intention to run for re-election to the Cook County Board of Review. Patlak, the only Republican on the three member Board was first elected in 2010. He is the first Board commissioner in history to devote full time to the position. In his first campaign for the mostly suburban (1st District) seat Patlak ran on his qualifications having previously worked at the Board as an analyst for eight years, serving as a local township assessor, being a Certified Illinois Assessing Officer and holding a real estate license since 1986. Commissioner Patlak’s re-election campaign will stress his record of accomplishment since his December 2010 swearing in.

“The Cook County Board of Review is more than just a body that adjudicates assessment appeals,” said Patlak. “It is also an office that has a responsibility to empower taxpayers by educating them about how the property tax system works. That’s why the seminars I’ve conducted throughout my district focus not just on the appeal process but also explain the role of exemptions and some of the intricacies about why tax bills are what they are. Taxpayers have a right to expect that their elected officials will focus their energies on serving the public. That’s why I work every day side-by-side with the employees of the Board to make it a more efficient and taxpayer friendly body,” concluded Patlak.
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Ron Sandack Announces Candidacy 81st House District

September 8, 2011 | Filed Under Elections, GOP, Government, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Republicans, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the Sandack for State Rep…

Downers Grove, IL – State Senator Ron Sandack announced today that he will run for State Representative in the 81st House District. Sandack was appointed to the State Senate in November of 2010 to replace State Senator Cronin, now DuPage County Board Chairman, in the 21st District.

“It is time to restore Illinois to its rightful place as the best State in the Midwest and the economic engine of America. I am introducing my prescription to restore our State to its inherent greatness. I call it “Five to Revive Illinois.” These initiatives are based on principles I championed as Mayor of Downers Grove,” said Sandack.

“We must return to a job-friendly environment where businesses can flourish and families can thrive; leaner government focused on the basics; ethics reforms to clean up Illinois’ tainted culture; fiscally prudent management to finally stop Illinois’ continued descent to the basement in every economic category and open government to provide access to the public and accountability for officials,” said Sandack.
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Illinois GOP State Central Committee Meeting: Sound and Fury Signifying No Changes

September 6, 2011 | Filed Under Conservatives, Democracy, Elections, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Mitt Romney, Pat Brady, President, Republicans, Rick Perry, State Central Committee, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

In one of the most well attended yet contentious State Central Committee meetings for some time, the movers and shakers of the Illinois GOP met on Tuesday evening to attempt to decide if the system for certifying delegates for GOP presidential candidates should be changed. The short answer is that there was a lot of sound and fury from party members lower on the food chain, much debate from those on top, and questions all around all of which resulted in a failure of the proposal to make the change. In the end a resolution was passed to keep it all the same as it was in 2008.

Beginning at 5 PM the meeting at the Boilingbrook Country Club was well attended by both SCC members, concerned party members, a few county party chairs, committeemen, and Tea Party activists. House leader Tom Cross made an appearance as did long-time conservative activist Jack Roeser. Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford was also there, like many of the others, to speak about the proposed rules change.

I should note that one reason this rules change was contemplated is that the national Republican Party is trying to get every state to change their system into one of proportional representation of delegates to the convention. The RNC gave Illinois the leeway to change its process and several activists took this opportunity to propose a major change to the system, a change that meets the law as well as state and national party rules.

Certainly the change being contemplated was extensive. Currently, the presidential candidates are awarded delegates via the ballot box, a method only three other states favor. Campaigns come to Illinois, build their Illinois machine, and solicit for delegates. These delegates then have to stand for election on the primary ballot. To do so they must each get 600 signatures of voters in their district so that they, the delegates, can get on the election ballot. Then, those elected are considered official delegates to the GOP nomination convention.
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Illinois GOP to Change How Presidential Candidate Delegates Chosen

September 6, 2011 | Filed Under Conservatives, Elections, GOP, Government, Illini Alliance, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Pat Brady, Regulation, Republicans, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

In a follow up to my post last week on the proposed changes on how Illinois selects the delegates for GOP presidential candidates, more needs to be said about this as on the evening of Tuesday, September 6, the Illinois GOP State Central Committee will meet to discuss whether or not the changes will be accepted.

My points made last week about the State Central Committee endeavoring to take away even more ability of Illinois GOP voters to influence the milieu of Republican politics in Illinois was written before I had seen the final wording of the resolution in question. From the old language I had seen up to that time, it seemed pretty clear that the GOP State Central Committee was trying to take even more power unto itself. This was intolerable, especially after so much GOP failure over the last decade in the Land of Lincoln.

However, I have now seen what is up to now the full proposal, the one that will be discussed at the Tuesday SCC meeting. The most recent proposal mitigates my fears somewhat… but not entirely.
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Arie Friedman Announces Candidacy for Ill. State Senate

September 6, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Conservatives, Elections, GOP, Government, Government, Ill. County, Illinois State Government, Indiana, Republicans, Senate, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the Arie Friedman for 29th District Ill. State Senate campaign…

Over 100 supporters march with candidate in Buffalo Grove parade

Touching off what will likely be a referendum on last winter’s state income tax hike; Highland Park pediatrician Arie Friedman announced his candidacy for the State Senate as over 100 supporters gathered about him just before stepping off as Team Friedman in the Buffalo Grove Labor Day weekend parade.

Friedman, 45, is the only announced Republican candidate. West Deerfield Township Supervisor Julie Morrison of Deerfield, a former Republican, is the sole Democrat to have announced thus far for the 2012 race in the newly drawn 29th District, which takes in the southeast corner of Lake County and parts of Wheeling, Palatine and Northfield Townships in Cook County. Incumbent State Sen. Susan Garrett (D-29th) recently announced her retirement.

In speaking to his volunteers, Friedman called for repeal of the state income tax hike and declared repeal would be a centerpiece issue in his campaign. He noted the income tax increase would be a defining issue between him and Morrison, should she become his opponent after the March 20 primaries.
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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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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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