GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - March 5, 2009

Articles of interest to Illinois Republicans recently posted by ABC7, NBC5, CBS2, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Crain's Chicago Business, Daily Herald, Suburban Chicago News, Suburban Life, Pioneer Local, Southtown Star, Rockford Register Star, Bloomington Pantagraph, Peoria Journal Star, Springfield State Journal Register, Belleville News Democrat, Southern Illinoisan, Illinois Review, Public Affairs, Champion News, Illinois Family Institute, Americans For Truth, Chicago Daily Observer, Tom Roeser, Capitalfax, etc. Since January 1, 2005, GOPUSA ILLINOIS has brought 42,655 such articles and information on many upcoming events to its subscribers' attention each morning, free of charge, and without any advertising. To view the March 5, 2009 GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips, please visit www.gopillinois.com or www.illinoisreview.com. The copy you find on Illinois Review may not be complete because Illinois Review deletes articles posted by Champion News and others it disapproves of. Thanks

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Deficit and guns

Deficit redux
By Hilary Russell
Members of the bipartisan Senate Committee on Deficit Reduction held the first of four hearings today to determine how to pare down the state deficit. Education advocates and officials testified for three hours about how budget cuts to education would have lasting consequences.



Sen. Matt Murphy, a Palatine Republican, chairs the committee with Sen. Donne Trotter, a Chicago Democrat. Murphy said today’s hearing detracts from the committee’s initial intention. “We want to know where you’re willing to cut and where we think we can cut. I mean, it’s not supposed to be a parade of people explaining how they’re indispensable,” he said.

Glenn Poshard, president of Southern Illinois University, said the school received $ 9 million less this year than it did eight years ago, and that loss resulted in tuition hikes that nearly doubled the cost of an education since 2004.

Trotter said he viewed the committee hearing as a positive work-in-progress. “We asked the individuals, the stakeholders, to talk about how we could find money. And there were some ideas that weren’t considered before. I think we are getting the feel of what we can seriously be looking at that individuals are willing to stomach,” he said.

The hearings will span through March 24, covering topics such as health and human services, pensions and state government operations and revenues and reductions. The next committee meets Tuesday, March 10, and will discuss the Healthcare and Family Service budget deficit and revenue shortfall. Senate President John Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat, and Senator Minority Leader Christine Radogno, a Lemont Republican, each appointed five party members to the committee.

Gun bill advances
By Jamey Dunn
Gun owners may have to report any loss or theft of a handgun to local police within three days or they could lose the right to own a firearm.

House Bill 845, sponsored by Chicago Democrat Sen. Edward Acevedo, passed out of a House committee today with a 6 to 4 vote. Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez testified in favor of the measure, which she called “common sense gun legislation.” She said it would help law enforcement track guns that are used in crimes because the owners often supply the guns to people who commit the crimes, and then the owners claim they lost the gun.

Todd Vandermyde, spokesman for the Illinois Rifle Association, said the bill is unconstitutional because it could take away the right to own a firearm for a “failure to report a property crime.” He said that current laws should be properly enforced to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.

Failing to report a lost or stolen handgun the first time would be a petty offense. A second offense could carry the weight of a felony, possible jail time and loss of the Firearm Owner’s Identification Card, which is required for gun ownership in Illinois.

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March Forth

Cross posted from ICPR's blog, The Race is On:

Today is March Fourth, one of my favorite days of the year, the only day that is also a verb. And in that spirit, we offer the following advice for Illinoisans who are tired of business as usual in state government. The State Journal-Register editorialized over the weekend on the prospects for reform, noting, "Never has there been a more fertile time for political reform in Illinois government." The good news is that legislators are lining up to tout their support for reform bills. The bad news? It's March, not May, and nothing has passed yet. Reform is possible, and maybe even more likely now than usual, but mark our words -- nothing will happen unless voters demand it.

If you believe in reform and you have not yet called your legislators to tell them to support campaign reform, then pick up the phone already. Now is the time. And there are many, many opportunities in the coming weeks for you to make your views known. Write a letter. Make a phone call. Attend a hearing. Join a coalition. Do all these things. But do it now. Here's how to get involved:


* The SJ-R editorial offers advice on how to contact your public officials, including this information for the legislative leaders.

Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago
327 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
782-2728
john@senatorcullerton.com
www.senatorcullerton.com

House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago
300 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
782-5350

House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego
316 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
782-1331
tom@tomcross.com
www.tomcross.com

Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont
309A Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
782-9407
cradogno@sbcglobal.net
www.senatorradogno.org

* Join a Coalition
Civic, non-profit and business leaders came together last week to announce a new reform coalition, CHANGE Illinois. The group, which includes ICPR, has launched a new website, www.changeil.org. Co-chairs include former DEA Administrator Peter Bensinger, Woods Fund President Deborah Harrington, and Chicago Metropolis 20/20 CEO George Ranney. At the launch, the group called for campaign contribution limits and more powers and resources for the State Board of Elections. To get involved, please visit their website.


* Attend a hearing
The legislative Joint Committee on Government Reform has cancelled tomorrow's hearing on Outside Influences on Government. But there remain hearings of the Joint Committee (PDF) and Gov. Quinn's Illinois Reform Commission in the weeks to come. All of these meetings are open to the public. Your elected officials need to hear from you. Here's an updated list of where they'll be:


Tuesday, March 10
Joint Committee on Government Reform - State Capitol - focused on Outside Influences on Government
AND
Quinn Reform Commission Zeke Georgi Building Auditorium, 2000 S Wyman Street, Rockford
Tuesday, March 17
Joint Committee on Government Reform - State Capitol - focused on Campaign Reform
Tuesday, March 24
Joint Committee on Government Reform - State Capitol - focused on Procurement Issues
Thursday, March 26
Quinn Reform Commission TBD, Quad Cities
Tuesday, March 31
Joint Committee on Government Reform - State Capitol - focused on Procurement Issues
Monday, April 6
Quinn Reform Commission University of Illinois College of Law, Max L Rowe Auditorium, 504 E Pennsylvania Ave.
Thursday, April 23
Quinn Reform Commission TDB, East St. Louis
Tuesday, April 28
Quinn Reform Commission TDB, DeKalb

At the same time that voters are outraged about the corrupt practices of the Blagojevich administration and their long-term impact on the state, news reports are claiming that reform is "not a very popular position" in the Capitol. You know what legislators have to do. Tell them: in person, by phone, in the mail, and by joining together with other reformers. Now is the time.

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GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - March 4, 2009

Articles of interest to Illinois Republicans recently posted by ABC7, NBC5, CBS2, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Crain's Chicago Business, Daily Herald, Suburban Chicago News, Suburban Life, Pioneer Local, Southtown Star, Rockford Register Star, Bloomington Pantagraph, Peoria Journal Star, Springfield State Journal Register, Belleville News Democrat, Southern Illinoisan, Illinois Review, Public Affairs, Champion News, Illinois Family Institute, Americans For Truth, Chicago Daily Observer, Tom Roeser, Capitalfax, etc. Since January 1, 2005, GOPUSA ILLINOIS has brought 42,633 such articles and information on many upcoming events to its subscribers' attention each morning, free of charge, and without any advertising. To view the March 4, 2009 GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips, please visit www.gopillinois.com or www.illinoisreview.com. The copy you find on Illinois Review may not be complete because Illinois Review deletes articles posted by Champion News and others it disapproves of. Thanks

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FutureGen confusion

By Jamey Dunn
With speculation running rampant about how federal stimulus funds will be spent, it seems that Illinois lawmakers and the U.S. Department of Energy may not be on the same page when it comes to FutureGen, a one-of-its kind project slated for Mattoon that got the kibosh at the last minute in late 2007.



Supporters of the near-zero-emission power plant that would use Illinois coal say they are waiting on Energy Secretary Steven Chu to sign the record of decision, a statement that says the plant has met all required environmental standards for construction. “I think this is the best project to move quickly in coal research, good for Illinois, good for the United States and the world,” said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, who appeared in Springfield last week. “And so what we’re looking for is [Secretary Chu’s] signature on something called a record of decision. And if he would sign that document, we’d be ready to move forward. And so I’m going to do everything I can to urge him to do so.”

Meanwhile, John Grasser, a spokesman for the department’s Fossil Energy Division, says the project has been restructured, so the record of decision no longer matters. “The original FutureGen does not exist right now as a federal project. The record of decision is moot.”

Regardless of the record of decision, FutureGen is eligible for the $1 billion in grants included in the stimulus package for fossil fuel research. The money could be given to one project or split up over several. Chu could hand it out as he sees fit, or several projects may be given the opportunity to compete for the money. According to a timeline on the federal stimulus Web site, agencies must start reporting on these competitive grants by May 20. Even if FutureGen got all the funding, it would not be enough to cover the plant’s estimated $1.8 billion dollar price tag.

Warren Ribley, new director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, says that FutureGen has a good chance to receive funding, partially because the project has potential to stimulate the economy almost immediately.

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GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - March 3, 2009

Articles of interest to Illinois Republicans recently posted by ABC7, NBC5, CBS2, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Crain's Chicago Business, Daily Herald, Suburban Chicago News, Suburban Life, Pioneer Local, Southtown Star, Rockford Register Star, Bloomington Pantagraph, Peoria Journal Star, Springfield State Journal Register, Belleville News Democrat, Southern Illinoisan, Illinois Review, Public Affairs, Champion News, Illinois Family Institute, Americans For Truth, Chicago Daily Observer, Tom Roeser, Capitalfax, etc. Since January 1, 2005, GOPUSA ILLINOIS has brought 42,576 such articles and information on many upcoming events to its subscribers' attention each morning, free of charge, and without any advertising. To view the March 3, 2009 GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips, please visit www.gopillinois.com or www.illinoisreview.com. The copy you find on Illinois Review may not be complete because Illinois Review deletes articles posted by Champion News and others it disapproves of. Thanks

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Township Government Newsletters Used as Campaign Tools

Somehow I found an editorial in the Quad City Times that links right to McHenry County's recently defeated Grafton Township Supervisor John Rossi's sending out a township newsletter right before the Republican primary election.

But, it's worse.

Butchie, a commenter under a Quad City Times editorial rant againt township government, wrote this,

“Taxpayers also should be aware of the blatant political mailing that the Rock Island Township Board sent out, timed to be delivered on the day before the election on Tues., Feb. 24.

“It was eight pages long, printed in two colors, and was filled with pictures of the board and its supervisor, John Brown. – who, of course, were all running for reelection. If this mailing was paid for with tax money it is unethical as well as illegal.”

Rossie sent his out about two weeks before the election.

Among other things, the editorial points out,

“Not a single township budget is viewable online in the Illinois Quad-Cities. Not one. That 1980s standard of transparency doesn’t cut it in 2009.”

The paper is talking about Rock Island County. I don't know what McHenry County Townships do.

It is illegal for legislators to send out newsletters within 45 days of an election. Sounds as if it is time for an updating of election laws with regard to township government.

Click to enlarge the newsletter.

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Replacing Rahm: IL-05 Special Election

The election is tomorrow!

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Beaubien Disturbed at Greg Hinz Story Pinning Him with Pension Income Tax Idea

by Cal Skinner

Friday, Crain's Chicago Business political reporter Greg Hinz wrote a story that certainly sounded as if State Rep. Mark Beaubien was proposing taxing pensions.

Since Beaubien represents the mid-eastern part of McHenry County, I posted a story on McHenry County Blog. Right up front, I even admitted my self-interest--having a generous pension after 20 years as an elected official and 4 in the state bureaucracy. (I thank you Illinois taxpayers.)

Monday morning Beaubien called to vehemently deny that the pension tax hike idea was his and state that he did not endorse it. Naturally, I put up his reaction.

I note that Hinz, not someone whom anyone would confuse with a conservative, found “financial experts” to support the idea of raising

“about $900 million a year by taxing retirement payments above $50,000 and pensions paid to any one who retires before age 65.”

Beaubien was telling Hinz the idea is being discussed.

Combined with a 67% income tax rate hike (from 3 percentage points to 5 percentage points), that would cut retirement income by 5%--about $3,500 for me.

I imagine there are a lot of retired teachers that might be interested in the idea.

I further predict that, if passed, a lot of retiree pigeons will fly the Illinois pension tax coop. No way for the General Assembly to close that door.

Maybe a legislator will push for making the pigeon the state bird. It would be more appropriate than the cardinal.

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GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - March 2, 2009

Articles of interest to Illinois Republicans recently posted by ABC7, NBC5, CBS2, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Crain's Chicago Business, Daily Herald, Suburban Chicago News, Suburban Life, Pioneer Local, Southtown Star, Rockford Register Star, Bloomington Pantagraph, Peoria Journal Star, Springfield State Journal Register, Belleville News Democrat, Southern Illinoisan, Illinois Review, Public Affairs, Champion News, Illinois Family Institute, Americans For Truth, Chicago Daily Observer, Tom Roeser, Capitalfax, etc. Since January 1, 2005, GOPUSA ILLINOIS has brought 42,535 such articles and information on many upcoming events to its subscribers' attention each morning, free of charge, and without any advertising. To view the March 2, 2009 GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips, please visit www.gopillinois.com or www.illinoisreview.com. The copy you find on Illinois Review may not be complete because Illinois Review deletes articles posted by Champion News and others it disapproves of. Thanks

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GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - March 1, 2009

Articles of interest to Illinois Republicans recently posted by ABC7, NBC5, CBS2, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Crain's Chicago Business, Daily Herald, Suburban Chicago News, Suburban Life, Pioneer Local, Southtown Star, Rockford Register Star, Bloomington Pantagraph, Peoria Journal Star, Springfield State Journal Register, Belleville News Democrat, Southern Illinoisan, Illinois Review, Public Affairs, Champion News, Illinois Family Institute, Americans For Truth, Chicago Daily Observer, Tom Roeser, Capitalfax, etc. Since January 1, 2005, GOPUSA ILLINOIS has brought 42,490 such articles and information on many upcoming events to its subscribers' attention each morning, free of charge, and without any advertising. To view the March 1, 2009 GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips, please visit www.gopillinois.com or www.illinoisreview.com. Thanks

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Roland Burris throws Pres. Obama 'under the bus'

It has long been obvious, at least to him, that Roland Burris is more important than President Obama. Now he's got someone to play along.

Burris' latest media strategy is to associate Rod Blagojevich with President Obama in the attempt to lessen the attention paid to the fact that he didn't do what he promised to do (disclosure fully and truthfully the contacts he had with the Blagojevich people before his appointment to the U.S. Senate). Burris' media consultant writes in a recent email (which was originally published on the Chatham/Avalon Park Community Council blog but the offending portion has since been removed -- undoubtedly due to its inflammatory nature):

The two biggest beneficiaries of Tony Rezko were Rod Blagojevich and Barack Obama, so no one can afford to be self-righteous.

Now this is a line that you'd expect from Rush Limbaugh or even Michael Steele, but not from someone who claims to be a Democrat. While Roland is reduced to waving at the President and trying to get some of that Obama glow, Delmarie Cobb was setting up the conditions for Obama's defeat in 2012.

I've already been told in conversations with Southern Republicans that linking President Obama with William Jefferson and Roland Burris is their best chance at re-taking the White House next time. Clearly, Roland is eager to play along and they've got Delmarie Cobb singing their song.

For Roland Burris -- and Delmarie Cobb -- keeping a "black seat" in the U.S. Senate is clearly more important than re-electing Barack Obama. What are they thinking?

What Burris is thinking is obvious. This is all about him. Freddrenna Lyle makes that obvious:

Roland Burris wanted the Senatorial seat and talked to everyone who would listen once it became obvious that Sen. Obama had a chance to win the Presidency. In fact when he would hear discussions about possible replacements he would get upset when he did not hear himself mentioned.

Cobb continues the assault on the President:

Many black elected officials didn't like Barack, but they stayed quiet and got on board and they need to do the same for Roland.

Understand, Delmarie Cobb is undoubtedly talking about herself. Whether she can find "many" black elected officials who didn't like the president remains to be seen, but there is no question that *she* doesn't like him.

And now she seems eager to tear down the first African American elected to office. Cobb has never made a secret of the fact that she preferred Hillary Clinton over the first black president, but her argument that we have to protect the only black senator and be willing to sacrifice the only black president is more than a tautology. It defines hypocrisy. It is the perfect example of self-destruction.

That Roland Burris' public face is someone who is best known for her opposition of the president, someone eager to sow controversy, shows a lack of political judgment that will neither serve him -- or Illinois -- well. Delmarie Cobb may be eager to throw Barack Obama under the bus, but I haven't found a black voter who is willing to do so. By accepting this appointment from such a fatally flawed figure had already put Burris' political skills and judgment in doubt. Surrounding himself with people who clearly oppose this president only cements it. Roland Burris is too naive to be our senator.

Roland Burris needs to decide if he is standing with our new president or fighting against him. Delmarie Cobb's email suggests to me that she is using Burris as a means for tearing down Barack Obama. We have no indication that Burris is willing to stand with the president or his agenda, but we do have indicators that he and his campaign are eager to sacrifice Barack Obama for their own benefit. It seems to me that those very "black elected officials" who "stayed quiet and got on board" for Barack Obama are now basking in his limelight. Roland Burris faces an uphill battle to divide them from the president but it appears Delmarie Cobb is eager for the challenge. I'd say 'good luck with that,' but I don't really wish her luck. I -- and many others -- worked too hard to get Obama elected president to sacrifice him for Roland Burris. I'd much rather have a good man in the White House. I strongly suspect I'm not alone in that sentiment...

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