GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - March 3, 2008

ABC7
-- Oberweis and Foster on Newsviews - Andy Shaw
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/channel?section=news/politics&id=5755449 (Video clips)

NBC5
-- Foster, Oberweis Meet On City Desk - Mary Ann Ahern
http://video.nbc5.com/player/?id=224416 (Video clip)
(THE ARTICLE: Jim Oberweis and Bill Foster, candidates in the 14th Congressional District, debate their ideas on City Desk one week before the special election.)

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Oberweis, Foster debate as vote nears Scientist hit on economics, mocks foe for fly-arounds - Mitch Dudek
http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/822488,CST-NWS-debate03.article
(THE ARTICLE: Republican businessman Jim Oberweis ripped his scientist opponent Bill Foster as a man who understands the atom but not economics while debating a final time before a March 8 election to fill Dennis Hastert's congressional seat. "I'm afraid that while Bill is very, very smart when it comes to quantum physics, his lack of understanding of how the economy works and the mortgage industry works . . . is pretty limited," Oberweis said. Foster, 52, a Democrat and former Fermilab physicist from Geneva, countered by saying Oberweis is a man who plays on people's fears. He pointed to a notorious commercial in which Oberweis, 61, flew over Soldier Field in a helicopter while saying enough illegal aliens enter the country every week to fill the stadium. "I think [Oberweis] is rather famous for flying around in helicopters and inciting people's passion and irritation," Foster said. The comments were made Friday during a debate that aired Sunday on WMAQ-Channel 5's "City Desk." They are among the many barbs voters will consider Saturday when choosing Hastert's replacement. Hastert retired in the middle of his term, forcing an oddly timed "special election" with just one race on the ballot. Oberweis, of Sugar Grove, is known for his dairy business and unsuccessful bids for governor and U.S. Senate. Both candidates largely support party-line views. Foster wants universal health care, U.S. troops out of Iraq and comprehensive immigration reform. Oberweis wants to make English the official language of the United States, keep troops in Iraq until military commanders suggest otherwise, and strictly enforce current immigration laws. Foster hopes to carry some of the Democrats' nationwide momentum into a heavily Republican 14th District that spans from western DuPage County almost to the Mississippi River. No matter who wins, the two will square off again in November for a full two-year term.)
-- Rezko case may define gov's troubled legacy "New day of integrity" Promises early in 1st term now ring hollow - Dave McKinney
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/822367,CST-NWS-blago03.article
(THE ARTICLE: SPRINGFIELD -- Tony Rezko's upcoming trial could show how a governor who rode into Springfield pledging every ethical reform in the book was, at best, neglectful and, at worst, a fraud. Gov. Blagojevich has much at stake in Rezko's trial, beginning with the question of whether the governor himself faces potential criminal liability over an alleged kickback and extortion scheme run ostensibly in his name. But regardless of whether the criminal trial presents a legal threat to the governor, the Rezko trial will be a blinding distraction for this administration. Signs of that have already emerged this year, beginning with the governor's undersize, 20-minute-long speech last month touting a new state budget -- a plan that almost appeared as an afterthought and seems dead on arrival. As Rezko's trial plays out and Blagojevich's legal problems possibly deepen, he very well could carry the air of a lame duck unable to advance even the most basic things in Springfield, including a budget. While Blagojevich continues to struggle, Illinoisans can look back to a legacy that was supposed to be different -- that of a governor who promised to "change business as usual" as successor to the corrupt George Ryan. "The people of Illinois expect a new day of integrity, of openness and accountability," Blagojevich told Illinoisans barely a week into his first term, "and they deserve a government as good and honest as they are." The Rezko trial could end up showing how Blagojevich allowed that promise to go unfulfilled.)
-- Did gov break vow to help church? Bronzeville church wants to know where cash is -- gov cites 'miscommunication' - Jaclyn Brenning and Dave McKinney
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/822548,CST-NWS-church03.article
(FROM THE ARTICLE: SPRINGFIELD -- Three days after Chicago's historic Pilgrim Baptist Church was gutted by a fire in 2006, Gov. Blagojevich pledged $1 million in state funds to help rebuild the Bronzeville architectural gem. Blagojevich made his election-year commitment to the ''rebuilding of the Pilgrim Baptist Church'' by stressing the money would have to go toward fixing a destroyed, adjoining church building that housed offices and classroom space but wasn't used for religious services. But in March 2007, that money instead went to a private school that leased space from Pilgrim Baptist but has no other church affiliation. No state money has come to rebuild the charred administrative and school building, as Blagojevich promised, prompting church leaders and at least one state lawmaker to question whether Blagojevich had lived up to his word. ''I still can't believe it. We aren't trying to have a fight with the governor or anything like that, but how can he let this thing happen?'' said Robert Vaughn, chairman of Pilgrim Baptist's board of trustees, who didn't learn of the school grant until after being contacted by the Chicago Sun-Times. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity routed the $1 million grant to Loop Lab School, a private, pre-K through eighth-grade school that has since moved from its burned-out quarters, taking with it money intended to rebuild the destroyed church complex.)
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: OUTRAGEOUS: Democrat Teresa Puente gives Republican John McCain advice on how to handle the immigration issue
http://www.suntimes.com/news/puente/822558,CST-EDT-puente03.article
-- OUTRAGEOUS: Chicago Public Schools gives bilingual students a break on tougher state tests - Annie Sweeney
http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/822227,CST-NWS-skul03.article
(THE ARTICLE: As Illinois students who are still learning English prepare to take, for the first time, the same achievement tests given to all other students, Chicago Public Schools chief Arne Duncan said Sunday he will not use their scores to decide who gets promoted. Duncan also said he would put together a team to evaluate what to do if low student scores affect individual school performance. Duncan and other Chicago educators have already criticized the decision to have the students take the tests. Even with about 20 accommodations -- such as a teacher reading scripted test questions or students using a bilingual glossary -- Duncan said the tests will make for a frustrating and difficult couple of days for the students. "We'll have some zeros,'' Duncan said. "It's heart-breaking.'' Duncan also fears that poor scores from the students will put schools into "failing'' status with the state. The new test policy was mandated by the federal No Child Left Behind law. In 2006, federal officials questioned whether the state's test for students in bilingual programs -- which was in English but in simplified language -- was adequate. Then in October, federal officials told the state that bilingual students in public school for more than a year would be required to take the same tests other students do. "There was plenty of time to come up with better solutions,'' Duncan said. Illinois State Board of Education spokesman Matt Vanover said the state worked "diligently'' for 15 months to find a solution after learning in 2006 that the existing exam was not acceptable. Also, permission to delay testing was sought until Friday, but federal officials said Illinois risked several consequences, some financial, if it did that, Vanover said.)
-- Mexico bans U.S. used car imports - except 1998 models - AP (SHOULD THE U.S. COUNTER BY BANNING ALL MEXICAN ILLEGALS - EXCEPT THOSE BORN IN 1988?)
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/822567,CST-NWS-mex03.article
(THE ARTICLE: HIDALGO, Texas -- Some are dented, scratched and rusty. But the '''98'' soaped onto their windshields and a surprise change in Mexican import rules have turned a single year's worth of used cars into pick of the lot. Beginning today, only cars built in 1998 -- none older and none newer -- can be legally imported into Mexico. Until now, used cars 10 to 15 years old were scooped up at auction by South Texas used car dealers and rapidly sold to Mexicans hungry for affordable transportation and ''la novedad'' -- or novelty -- of unfamiliar makes. Cars newer than that were banned from imports as unwelcome competition for Mexican car dealers, and anything more than 15 years old was seen as a potential hazard. But now, under pressure from Mexico's new car dealers who say ''vehiculos chatarra,'' or jalopies, undercut their sales, the Mexican government is allowing only 10-year-old used cars to be legally imported into Mexico. All of a sudden, 1998 Luminas, Astro vans and Ranger pickups are sought-after trophies. The Mexican Association of Automobile Distributors, which pushed for the change, said it was needed to ''stop the accelerated conversion of our country into the world's biggest automotive garbage dump.'' A mile north of the Rio Grande, 80 percent of the customers at Walester Auto Sales are Mexican. ''At this point we have a lot of merchandise that was going to Mexico that now will stay,'' said Elena Garcia, who owns Walester with her husband.)
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Be American, buy American. Diersen urges all Republican party leaders, Republican candidates, and Republican elected officials to own and drive American nameplate vehicles
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/822364,CST-NWS-cars03.article (Includes PDF map and files with car registrations broken out by counties and by zip codes)

DAILY HERALD
-- Rezko trial may have far-reaching effects - Rob Olmstead
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=145996
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Former political fundraiser Tony Rezko may be the man in court today as jury selection starts in his corruption trial, but there is little doubt that his court proceedings are just as much about Illinois' current governor. Whether Tony Rezko is found innocent or guilty will go a long way toward relieving or ratcheting up the pressure on his one-time bosom buddy, Gov. Rod Blagojevich. And he's not the only politician with something to lose. For Blagojevich, the glare of the spotlight flashed even brighter last week after U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve removed any doubt that he is the "Public Official A" identified in court papers as having benefited from the hundreds of thousands of dollars of campaign cash raised by Rezko. Blagojevich, for his part, says it doesn't matter one whit what comes out of the trial; he himself did nothing wrong. And indeed, government prosecutors have not charged Blagojevich with breaking any laws. But at a minimum, a guilty finding in the trial would show that Blagojevich had the same type of pay-to-play shenanigans going on in his administration as that of George Ryan, the former governor now in prison. That is politically damaging -- if not devastating -- for someone who campaigned on cleaning up state government, even if Blagojevich had no idea it was going on, experts say. "I expect (the trial) to probably end the governor's career . . . I don't think he can be re-elected," said Dick Simpson, a political science professor at University of Illinois at Chicago. But Blagojevich is not the only politician at risk from his trial. Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama, the freshman Illinois senator, has a lot to lose, even if he's never accused of wrongdoing in the case, simply because of his past relationship with Rezko. Obama has returned thousands of dollars that Rezko raised for his political fund. Obama also purchased a piece of land next to his Chicago home from Rezko -- a deal that's been a point of sharp criticism against Obama, who has said he never did any favors for Rezko in return.)
-- Lake County political parties set to choose leaders March 5 Democrat, Republican leaders sure of re-election despite criticism - Russell Lissau
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=145889&src=3
(THE ARTICLE: Lake County's Democratic and Republican precinct representatives are ready to choose their local leaders, but the elections come at unsettled times for both parties. State Sen. Terry Link, long the Democrats' county chairman, and Lake Villa Township Supervisor Daniel Venturi, the GOP's local chief since 2006, both stand to be re-elected to their posts. The biennial elections are set for Wednesday night in separate meetings in Waukegan. However, Venturi has been under fire from some conservative Republicans virtually since his election. Although they've been relatively quiet lately, members of the Republican Assembly of Lake County have sparred with Venturi since his ascension to the top of the local party. As for the Democrats, Link has been disparaged in recent months by members of his party, too; earlier this year, he briefly faced a rare primary challenge for his Senate seat from former North Chicago mayor Jerry Johnson until Johnson was knocked off the ballot. Link's under additional scrutiny because of a Lake County state's attorney investigation into complaints about his candidate petition. That investigation has not led to any charges. Despite the controversies, both men are confident they'll retain their party posts. "Last time, it was a contentious race. But even if there is a challenge, I think I would be successful," said Venturi, who defeated Cuba Township Highway Commissioner Tom Gooch to win his post in 2006. "The support is there; the votes are there." Link is seeking a ninth term as chairman and doesn't expect opposition Wednesday despite the recent criticism. The county's Republican convention will begin at 7 p.m. at the Midlane Golf Resort, 4555 W. Yorkhouse Road. It is open to local precinct committee representatives and Republican officials, not the general public. The Democratic event is set for 7 p.m. at the Ramada Inn, 200 N. Green Bay Road. It is open to the public, Link said, and admission is free. Only precinct committee representatives can participate in the political proceedings. Raymond True, chairman of the Republican Assembly, said he hasn't heard of anyone coming forward to challenge Venturi. The lack of opposition didn't surprise him. "The Republican Party has been so dismal under his leadership," True said, referring to seats that went to Democrats and decreasing GOP precinct representation. "Nobody wants to take over a sinking ship." Venturi declined to respond. Link hasn't had an opponent for the chairmanship in years. He's pleased the strides Democrats have made in Lake County -- recent victories include the sheriff's and coroner's posts -- and he's excited about the upcoming presidential election. As for his critics, Link said Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is no stranger to detractors, either. Nor was former Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley, he said. "If you're doing your job, you're going to have critics," said Link, of Waukegan. "If you don't, it means you're sitting back and doing nothing.")
-- Thomas Tawney wrong on 14th Amendment and children born to illegal aliens - Dave Gorak, Executive Director, Midwest Coalition to Reduce Immigration
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=144990&src=
(THE LETTER: Thomas Tawney is dead wrong when he says in his Feb. 25 letter the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to children born to illegal aliens. The Supreme Court has never decided the issue. The 1982 court decision Pyler vs. Doe was not about automatic citizenship for children born to illegals; it was about children of illegals brought here and whether they are entitled to a public school education. Further, this decision was not made on constitutional grounds but as a matter of good public policy, the thought being that as long as they are here, they should be educated. (By the way, the ruling never barred the government from deporting these children along with their families.) The U.S. is one of only a few countries left still foolish enough to grant automatic citizenship to children of illegals, and it is high time we joined the rest of those countries who finally got their heads screwed on straight. Tawney shows just how little he knows about this issue when he suggests that Jim Oberweis is aligned with white supremacists because he favors removing a major incentive for people to enter the country illegally. The race card always is played by those who refuse to address the facts in an intelligent manner.)
-- For conservative values, it's Oberweis - William Keck, Sugar Grove
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=145948&src=
(THE LETTER: In order to continue with the conservative values of Speaker Dennis Hastert, we need to elect a candidate who shares the same conservative values. That candidate is Jim Oberweis. As a successful businessman, Oberweis recognizes the need for permanent tax cuts. As a concerned citizen, he recognizes the need to secure our borders and protect our freedom. As a family man, Oberweis respects the need to protect innocent life. Please join with me in voting March 8 for Jim Oberweis as our 14th District U.S. House representative.)
-- Ad criticizing Skoien was right on - Louis A. Sands, Palatine
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=145961
-- Attacks on Skoien totally unwarranted - Congressman Mark Kirk, 10th District; State Sen. Matt Murphy, 27th District; Mayor William McLeod, Hoffman Estates; Gregg Goslin, Cook County Commissioner; Gene Dawson, state central committeemen, 8th Congressional District; Ruth O'Connell, Wheeling Twp. Republican Committeeman; Linda Fleming, Palatine Twp. supervisor; Kevin O'Connell, Palatine Twp. clerk; Terry Kelly, Palatine Twp. assessor; John Powers, Palatine Twp. Highway Commissioner; Art Goes, Bill Huley and Lisa Moran, Palatine Twp. trustees; Cary Collins, deputy mayor, Hoffman Estates; Ald. Tom Rooney, Rolling Meadows; Sue Quinn, Dist. 15 school board; Tom Donohue, Inverness Park District commissioner
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=145962
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Sadly, Rosemary Colbert of Schaumburg rejects conservative principles, demonizes conservatives, and argues that conservatives are merely a "wing" of her Republican Party. But in fact, the Republican Party platform is conservative and the Republican Party exists to advance that platform.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=145255
(THE LETTER: Can't conservatives unite with party? - Rosemary Colbert Watching CNN Feb. 6 relating to the Tuesday primaries and McCain's surge in the Republican Party, they showed a segment with Rush Limbaugh railing against McCain, stating why he is such an abomination to the conservative wing of the party. And what is Mr. McCain's great sin, according to Mr. Limbaugh? That McCain dared to try to work across the aisle with the Democrats. This is his great crime, the very nadir of malfeasance being perpetrated against all the conservatives in the country. Now I ask all you religious right conservatives: How on earth do we expect to come together as a nation, when the greatest problem that can beset us is talking across the aisles of our government, trying to establish support on issues that concern all of us as Americans? According to Mr. Limbaugh, anyone who deviates from the ideas set forth by him and his ilk are absolutely not to be countenanced. Does he not realize this very state of mind is what precipitated the Civil War? Those southern hotheads never waited to see what Mr. Lincoln would do before firing on Fort Sumter. They were not about to listen to any ideas but their own, and if it couldn't be their way, well, let's just tear the country apart. Isn't this why we've suffered through this social civil war for the last 25 years, because the social right wing conservatives will not allow for anyone else's ideas but their own? Will we always be red states and blue states, rather than the United States, because of people like Rush Limbaugh, spewing their vitriolic venom across the land? Whatever happened to "united we stand, divided we fall?")

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Rezko team aims to put star Stuart Levine witness under fire - Jeff Coen
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-rezko-strategymar03,0,3488756.story (Includes video clip)
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Antoin "Tony" Rezko is set to go on trial Monday, but the defense is expected at every opportunity to try to put his chief accuser on trial as well. Prosecutors allege that Rezko misused the power he gained from his prowess as a fundraiser for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, scheming to extort kickbacks from firms seeking state business or regulatory approval. But Rezko's lawyers will attack the credibility of Stuart Levine, the government's key witness, questioning his memory of events because of his alleged heavy use of cocaine, crystal meth and other illegal drugs. "That clearly is the battle line they want to draw," said Zachary Fardon, a former assistant U.S. attorney who was part of the prosecution team that convicted former Gov. George Ryan in 2006. "The defense wants it to be all about Stuart Levine.")
-- DIERSEN AGREES: Governor's surrender Plan to tear down NIU building is selling out to violence - Dennis Byrne
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-oped0303byrnemar03,0,5472788.story

NORTHWEST HERALD
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: OUTRAGEOUS: Northwest Herald endorses liberal Foster because politicians who claimed to be conservative failed to implement the conservative Republican Party platform
http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2008/03/03/opinion/editorials/doc47cbcf23efd20639178380.txt(THE ENDORSEMENT: It’s no ordinary election year Voters in the 14th Congressional District must be as conflicted as we are. Who should succeed former House Speaker Dennis Hastert: Bill Foster or Jim Oberweis? All else being equal, Oberweis would get the nod because he is a conservative and a Republican in a decidedly conservative Republican district. But all else is not equal in 2008. That is why we endorse Democrat Foster in the March 8 special election to decide who completes Hastert’s term in office. The incumbent resigned in November, in the middle of his 11th term. Foster, 52, and Oberweis, 61, will face off again Nov. 4 for a full 2-year term. Oberweis received Hastert’s early endorsement, which helped him to win last month’s Republican primary. But that backing brings baggage. Hastert was among the signatories of a conservative agenda, “Contract With America,” that Republicans rolled out in 1994 to help them take control of Congress. The concept was embraced by American voters after Democrats had held a majority in the U.S. House for the previous 40 years. Unfortunately, the 12 years that followed – before Democrats took back control in 2006 – were nothing as promised. The contract was breached by congressional scandals, continued pork-barrel spending, and – after Republicans also won the White House – record budget deficits. Those years were, in short, a betrayal of the conservative standards that were promised. And Oberweis hasn’t demonstrated a stomach for the kind of change that Washington needs. Both Foster and Oberweis could take a strong business-like approach to the job in Washington because neither has made a career in politics – although Oberweis has tried for elective office three times before. Foster is a businessman and scientist, formerly with Fermilab of Batavia; Oberweis owns an investment management firm, but he is better known for his family’s dairy business. But for the change we need and hope for, Foster is the better candidate.)

BEACON NEWS
-- DIERSEN HEADINE: Logic Beacon News uses to endorse Foster makes no sense
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/opinions/820410,2_4_AU02_EDIT_S1.article-- Foster v. Oberweis: Mud-slinging does voters a disservice
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/opinions/820408,2_4_AU02_EDIT_S2.article(THE EDITORIAL: If we're to believe the mud-slinging, Bill Foster is an extreme liberal who hates babies so much he wants to tax them at birth and Jim Oberweis is a corporate fat cat who wants to take away your health insurance and withhold Social Security until you're on your death bed. Needless to say, neither congressional candidate has raised the level of discourse. We're disappointed that both candidates -- and the national parties supporting them -- have engaged in non-stop attack ads that have skewed their opponent's positions on key issues. The campaign mailers and television commercials have been embarrassing to both sides. The tactics used in this race have done voters in the 14th Congressional District a disservice, and both men should be ashamed that they've spent millions of dollars in personal wealth on such trash talk.)
-- Rick Lawrence announces bid for mayor of Aurora - Andre Salles
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/822047,2_1_AU03_LAWRENCE_S2.article
SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Legislators refuse to fold on gambling expansion idea Some believe it will be seriously discussed again - Deanna Bellandi
http://www.sj-r.com/News/stories/26252.asp
-- NIU Cole Hall decision comes too soon - Editorial
http://www.sj-r.com/Opinion/stories/26172.asp

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: With the cooperation of anti-Americans, Mexico has sent millions and millions of its citizens into America illegally. If you want to hasten the day that Americans will not be able to get a job or keep a job unless you speak Spanish, vote for Democrats. If you want to hasten the day that Americans will not be able to get a job or keep a job unless no Mexican citizen wants that job, vote for Democrats. If you want to hasten the day that America formally surrenders to Mexico, then vote for Democrats.
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/opinions/822279,6_4_NA03_EDITORIAL_S1.article(THE EDITORIAL: Will immigration be hot button issue in campaign? Last week's debate, a microcosm of the Democratic campaign so far, was a vitally important event for both candidates. Barack Obama had to maintain his momentum and his cool, and it was Hillary Rodham Clinton's last chance to disrupt both before her make-or-break Ohio and Texas primaries. They covered a lot of ground, especially hashing over health care, the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Iraq war. One issue was inconspicuously missing - immigration. It was mentioned once, by Obama, and then only in passing. At the outset of the campaign, immigration was tabbed as the hot wedge issue, especially for Republicans. One candidate, Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., entered the race with immigrant bashing his only issue. Most of the other GOP candidates tried to outdo each other with their righteousness on immigration, the laughable low point coming when Mitt Romney's lawn came under attack for having been mown by illegals. THE ISSUE: Immigration has pretty much been on the back burner during the presidential campaign. OUR VIEW: But given the passions of some of those involved, that may change. The upshot: The almost-certain GOP nominee is John McCain, a champion of the ill-fated immigration-reform bill and a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who meet certain qualifications. The Democratic candidates mostly supported comprehensive reform bills along the lines of one proposed by President Bush, and if immigration is remembered at all as an issue on the Democratic side it was during a debate when Clinton tried to have it both ways on whether she supported driver's licenses for illegal immigrants. Her answer was notable for being so incomprehensible. (Her campaign said later that she did.) The default position for anti-reform candidates wishing to avoid dealing with the nastier implications of their positions - wholesale deportations, breaking up families, crippling certain industries - has been border security, longer and taller fences. But the fence is losing luster, especially with Texans through whose land it will run, and, as has been pointed out, we're walling ourselves off from the Rio Grande, effectively ceding it back to Mexico. Immigration may come back as a hot issue in the general election. There is a band of the political spectrum that cares about it deeply, passionately and noisily. But its disappearance as a front-burner issue suggests this may not be so with the electorate at large.)

HERALD NEWS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Outrageously, Joliet firemen promote dumping of unwanted babies. What is next? Unwanted sick people? Unwanted disabled people? Unwanted children? Unwanted spouses? Unwanted parents? Unwanted relatives? Unwanted neighbors? Unwanted elected officials? Unwanted candidates?http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/822315,4_1_JO03_SAFEHAVEN_S1.article(THE OUTRAGEOUS ARTICLE: Fire stations to be 'safe havens' for newborns - Brian Stanley JOLIET -- Abandoning a newborn baby raises many questions. But firefighters won't be asking them of anyone who drops off an infant. Over the next week, signs will be put up at each of the city's manned fire stations indicating it is a "Safe Haven." "If someone, man or woman, can't care for a child or just feels distressed, they can give the baby to fire personnel and will not face abandonment charges," Operations Chief Ray Randich said. "We can't stress enough (this doesn't) mean the infant can just be left outside the door. The baby has to be given to a firefighter." Firefighters will give anyone who uses the station as a "Safe Haven" an information packet. The packet contains information about counseling, how parental rights are terminated and the Illinois adoption registry. "There's also forms for medical information, so even if a girl decided she didn't want to have any contact with the baby. She could fill out her family history and mail that in and stay anonymous," Randich said. Infants will be examined by firefighters before being taken to the hospital. The hospital will then notify the Department of Children and Family Services. Police will be notified to confirm the newborn has not been reported missing and will only attempt to locate a parent if the child shows signs of abuse. "If there's someone out there who can't take care of a child or doesn't want anyone to know they've had a child, they can still leave it in safe hands," Randich said. Besides putting signs at the stations, Randich said the department will also be giving information about the program to the city's high schools.)

QUAD-CITIES ONLINE
-- VERY SAD: Civil-union bills pitched in Illinois House and Senate - Andrea Zelinski
http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=376798

ST. CLAIR RECORD
-- The deal Republicans should make on school funding in Illinois - Dan Proft
http://www.stclairrecord.com/arguments/208548-the-deal-republicans-should-make-on-school-funding-in-illinois

WASHINGTON POST
-- Obama and the Fixer Rezko - Robert Novak
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/02/AR2008030201858.html

NEW YORK TIMES
-- Why McCain Would Vote For Obama - Stanley Fish
http://fish.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/why-mccain-would-vote-for-obama/?ref=opinion

REPUBLICANS FOR FAIR MEDIA
-- Illegal Immigration From The Front Lines Of Texas: Schools Under Attack - Dodi Smith
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/03/illegal-immigra.html

ALAN KEYES
-- Alan Keyes speaking at the Denton County GOP Lincoln Reagan Day Dinner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTug7rwy7e0&feature=related (YOUTUBE video clip)