Change Illinois Blog Dot Com

Excellent Summary of What Caused Our Economic Woes

2008-10-01T12:18:00.001-05:00

This is excellent video detailing (in easy to understand plain English) what brought us to this point in our economy today. Enjoy, and pass along.

Republican Leadership Council

2008-09-21T21:55:00.002-05:00

I was recently notified that I received the endorsement of the Republican Leadership Council. I attended the Republican National Convention in St. Paul where I spent some time with distinguished Republican's such as Pennsylvania Governor and former Homeland Security Chief Tom Ridge, former California Governor Pete Wilson and New Jersey Governor and former EPA Chief Christine Todd Whitman.

Illinois Tops National Unemployment Data

2008-09-19T12:45:00.000-05:00

Ill. 7.3% unemployment tops US average
By: Lorene Yue Sept. 18, 2008
(Crain’s) — Illinois’ jobless rate in August not only beat the national average; it’s also the second-highest figure in nearly 15 years.

The seasonally adjusted rate of 7.3% was slightly higher than July’s 7.2% and higher than the country’s 6.1% August unemployment rate, according to figures released Thursday by the U.S Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

There were 491,500 Illinois unemployed residents in August, the fourth-consecutive month that figure has grown.

The highest unemployment rate in the past 15 years was a 7.5% rate recorded in September 1993.

The T. Boone Pickens Plan for Energy Policy

2008-09-04T23:24:00.001-05:00

T. Boone Pickens is a successful oil and energy man and he has a plan to get our energy policy on track. As a member of the group Republicans for Environmental Protection I believe it is a plan worth considering. He says drill now but also invest in wind energy and other alternate sources. Here is a synopis:

The Pickens Plan for Energy
By REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso, published in the Hawaii Reporter on July 10, 2008

There are congressmen who see oil drilling hither and yon as the magical answer to the high cost of fuel.

Then, there is T. Boone Pickens, the Texas oilman from central casting whose Pickens Plan would put the U.S. on a healthier energy diet with a significantly smaller serving of oil.

The Pickens Plan would not be easy to implement, but it's a terrific example of the creative thinking that we need in order to fix our country's energy predicament. That's more than can be said for the tired ideas coming out of Congress.

The latest bromide to hit the airwaves is "drill here, drill now, pay less." The peddlers hope to convince Americans that a return to the glory days of cheap and easy oil is just around the corner.

Don't be fooled. As Pickens the oilman will tell any sloganeering congressman who cares to listen, cheap and easy oil is a thing of the past. Demand is up and low-cost pockets of black gold are increasingly hard to come by.

It's time to try something new. The Pickens Plan's centerpiece is to substitute wind for natural gas for meeting some 20 percent of the nation's electric power needs. In a recent report, the Department of Energy said that boosting wind's share of power generation to 20 percent is doable.

The freed-up gas would then be available to fuel automobiles, cutting oil imports by more than one-third.

Pickens says his primary motive is to reduce the drain of American dollars to oil exporting regimes, which he calls "the greatest transfer of wealth in the history of mankind."

The Pickens Plan would benefit his sizable wind and natural gas investments. But no one should begrudge Pickens the wealth that would be his if the plan works.

Will it? That depends on many things falling into place. First, wind energy plants must beat the price of gas-fired generators. Wind is the fastest growing energy source in the country, but investment will plunge if Congress fails to renew production tax credits due to expire at the end of the year.

The wind blows hard and steadily on the western Great Plains. But few people live there. Transmission lines would have to be built to ferry the juice to big loads on the coasts. Utilities would have to figure out the technicalities of integrating wind energy into their grids.

A fueling infrastructure for natural gas-fueled cars would have to be built up. Automakers would have to manufacture the cars and consumers would have to be willing to buy them.

Pickens estimates that building the wind turbines and transmission lines would cost $1.2 trillion. It's a big number, but we spend that much on foreign oil every 20 months.

As Pickens points out, his plan is not a complete or permanent solution for oil dependence. But if it works, it would serve as a bridge to a more robust transportation system, with cars running partially or entirely on electricity. The juice may come from on-board fuel cells, or, perhaps more likely, from quick-charging batteries supplied by wind, other renewables, nukes, or coal plants equipped to capture and bury carbon dioxide.

The Pickens Plan is worth a serious look. It's not a panacea, but there is none to be found. The sooner we face that, the faster we can build an energy economy that cuts our dependence on dangerous regimes, keeps dollars at home, and helps us be better environmental stewards.

Senator Matt Murphy Proposes Legislation to Curb Family Succession in Illinois Politics

2008-08-28T13:44:00.001-05:00

STATE: Law would curb family succession
08/28/2008, 10:28 am
Comment on this story | Print this story
Andrea Zelinski, sng2@springnet1.com, 217-524-5797,
In Illinois, politics is all in the family.
But state Sen. Matt Murphy, R-Palatine, thinks it's time for a divorce.

He plans to introduce a bill this week that would make it harder for politicians who bow out of an election to pave the way to appoint someone of their choosing -- like a son or a daughter.

"I think people are fed up. They are offended that so many Chicago politicians seem to think they have a right to hand down a public office to their children," he said. "They don't trust us. Things like handing off a seat and carving voters out of the process makes it hard for them to trust us."

Just last week, Sen. President Emil Jones withdrew his name from the November ballot after announcing his retirement. His son, Emil Jones III, promptly filled his spot on the ticket after an approval from the district's Democratic committeemen.

State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, was appointed to his Senate seat in 2005 after his father, former Sen. Denny Jacobs, stepped down from office.

"If you're dad's a fireman, you're going to be interested in being a firefighter. If you're dad's a construction worker, you're going to be interested in construction," said Jacobs, a fourth-generation elected official. "My father happened to be a politician."

Democratic Party chairmen appointed him in 2005 -- although sitting Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline, expressed interest in the post. Jacobs ran his first successful election as an incumbent in 2007.

County political committees choose who will fill mid-term and pre-election vacancies, said state Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, who serves as chairman for Bureau County Democrats.

He, too, was appointed to fill his father's seat in the General Assembly after state Rep. Richard Mautino died in office in 1991.

"Whenever this happens, it hits a nerve with the public," said Cindi Canary of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. "What tends to get people's goats is when it appears to be very blatant when it's their son or daughter."

While Murphy said the bill isn't specifically aimed at Jones, the matter did renew some questions he's had about the political appointment process.

In 1987, Kankakee Democratic County Chairman Phil Novak appointed himself to fill a vacancy in the House of Representatives.

Murphy said his bill would encompass federal, state and local politicians and would only be exempt in the event of a lawmaker's death in office or a debilitating illness that prevents them from serving their post.

The bill would require those recusing themselves from the election to make that decision official 90 days before the ballot is certified. In the case of Jones' retirement, he would have had to make that call by the end of May.

Under the proposed legislation, there then would be a special primary election where voters could choose between party candidates looking to fill the senator's seat in the November election.

But that's an expensive venture, says Ron Michaelson, former head of the State Board of Elections. The cost to rent polling places, pay election judges, order supplies and pay printing costs all will fall to taxpayers, he noted.

"It's a pretty tricky issue to solve," Michaelson

Obama's Illinois Democrat Party--Not exactly a model of how to govern...Interesting Article from today's Daily Herald

2008-08-24T10:04:00.001-05:00

When Barack Obama announced his candidacy for president from the steps of the Old State Capitol, he described Springfield as the crucible where he learned the art of politics and bridging division.

"It was here in Springfield where I saw all that is America converge," he told a crowd of thousands that frigid February day in 2007. "It was here where we learned to disagree without being disagreeable. That it is possible to compromise so long as you know those principles that can never be compromised. And that so long as we are willing to listen to each other we can assume the best in people instead of the worst."

One has to wonder today what Springfield Obama was talking about.

Given complete control of state government, Illinois Democrats have produced unbalanced budgets, callous funding cuts, and antagonistic gridlock.

Yet the Democratic leader Obama describes as his political mentor believed state lawmakers deserved a pay raise for their work.

And the Democratic governor whose administration is under criminal investigation is quick to remind anyone listening of Obama's ties to those in trouble.

Plus, the Democrat who Obama backed for Cook County Board president produced the nation's highest sales tax.

Sheesh, it seems like enough to make Obama bid aloha to his adopted Land of Lincoln and start calling himself a Hawaiian Democrat. In the midst of Obama's shining moment in Denver this week, the Illinois Democratic Party could be a political blemish.

"I would guess they're going to try to keep Illinois out of the spotlight and if Illinois is in the spotlight, it will be a challenge for them to show the unity and hope that the national campaign is trying to emphasize," said John S. Jackson, political scientist and author who's written about presidential races, Obama's career and Illinois politics.

Some Illinois Democrats seem to recognize this. Gov. Rod Blagojevich was recently asked if he had any official role in this weeklong coronation of Obama.

"I've got a big speaking role," Blagojevich said. "I think it's something like four o'clock in the morning in the men's room of the convention center speaking to a handful of voters. I'm hopeful I can persuade them and we can carry Colorado.

The line might be funnier if Blagojevich hadn't used it four years earlier.

But there's little humor among the state's Democrats these days.

"They kill jobs. They kill education funding, they try to take away health care from people," the governor recently said of the Democrats in the Illinois House.

And in a recent memo, Illinois House Speaker and Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan criticized labor heads for buying into "the (expletive deleted) of the Blagojevich people."

Heading into this Democratic celebration, Illinois Democrats are downplaying their differences and painting the picture of a party united behind Obama, who was back in Springfield Saturday to appear with is running mate, Joe Biden.

"At this moment, everyone's on the same page," said Steve Brown, Madigan's spokesman, noting that Democrats moved up the Illinois primary to increase the visibility of Illinois and Obama's campaign.

The Chicago Democrat's presidential campaign offered this comment when asked whether it was concerned about the Illinois dysfunction becoming a political problem.

"Voters know that in Illinois and in Washington, Barack Obama stood up to members of both parties to pass sweeping ethics reforms that reduced the influence of money and special interests over the legislative process," said Illinois spokesman Justin DeJong.

Still, while the Illinois delegation will be front-and-center when Obama takes the stage later this week, don't look for him to tout any great accomplishments from back home. The ethics legislation he championed has been deemed insufficient. The new, tougher version lawmakers sent to the governor has - in a truly Illinois move - become a bargaining chip in a battle over billions worth of government spending.

Obama's campaign promises to bring national health care. But Illinois' venture into expanded health care has produced turmoil at every turn. Obama's idea of taxing employers who don't provide benefits to pay for health care is one that was rejected here.

Meanwhile, the Illinois Republican Party is trying to capitalize on this Democratic dysfunction, saying Democrats have failed at their chance to run the state. Don't be surprised if the McCain campaign doesn't also begin using this as ammunition.

"The campaign is aware of what's going on in Illinois," said Western Springs Republican state Rep. Jim Durkin, co-chair of McCain's Illinois effort. "I think it's fair game and I think the Republicans nationally should pounce on it."

With friends like these...

Here's a look at some of the key figures in Illinois politics and why Barack Obama might not want them in the spotlight.

Todd Stroger: Already facing claims of nepotism and cronyism regarding his ascension to Cook County Board president, Stroger then pushed a sales tax hike that makes the county's the highest in the country. Obama backed Stroger for the post.

Emil Jones Jr.: Obama's political mentor is an old-school Chicago Democrat who steered state money to favored institutions and got family on state payroll. Amidst recent Illinois financial gridlock, Jones wanted higher pay for lawmakers.

Michael Madigan: After Obama's pick for state treasurer - Alexi Giannoulias - beat Madigan's in 2006, the Illinois House speaker and Democratic Party chairman contemptuously called Obama "the Messiah." They've since buried the hatchet. Accused of thwarting the governor's agenda to advance his daughter, the state's attorney general.

Rod Blagojevich: During a recent spat with reporters, the Illinois governor repeatedly brought up Obama's name when asked about the conviction of Blagojevich's political fundraiser and adviser Tony Rezko. Blagojevich's administration is under federal investigation for its hiring and contracting practices.

Tony Rezko: Convicted this year for a multimillion-dollar state pension kickback scheme he orchestrated trading on his clout with the governor. Also had been a longtime pal of Obama who most recently helped the Obamas buy their Hyde Park mansion in 2005.

While The Economy Goes From Bad To Worse The Legislature Engages In Politics As Usual...

2008-08-14T09:36:00.001-05:00

Do-nothing special legislative session called a 'sham'
By Kurt Erickson
kurt-erickson@lee.net
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SPRINGFIELD -- The question of the day for many state lawmakers Tuesday was: Why are we here? Called into special session by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, members of the House and Senate were directed to do something about the state’s school funding formula, which allows wide disparities in funding levels among the state’s 800-plus school districts.

But nearly everyone agreed the topic simply cannot be handled in a one-day, hours long session.

“It’s absurd,” said state Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth. “We know we can’t accomplish anything.”

Mitchell was among those who were particularly bothered by the $40,000 cost of calling lawmakers back to town at a time when budget cuts have affected numerous parts of state government. The issue, instead, should be dealt with during the regular legislative session which runs from January until June, he said.

House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, slammed Blagojevich for calling the special session.

“Today is a joke. It’s a sham. It’s a farce,” Cross said.

If nothing else, the special session put a spotlight on an issue that has been percolating for years.

In recent weeks, state Sen. James Meeks, a Calumet City Democrat, has brought the disparities in school funding to the forefront again.

Meeks, pastor of a large Chicago church, is calling for Chicago Public School students to boycott the first day of classes next month to protest a lack of state funding. He made his pitch for a funding revamp to Senate Democrats Tuesday, but emerged angry that Blagojevich was spending more time at the state fairgrounds Tuesday than meeting with lawmakers.

“He did not call a special session to deal with cows. He called a special session to deal with kids,” Meeks said. “If his priority is cows rather than kids, I guess he proved that today.”

Blagojevich says he opposes getting rid of local property taxes as the primary funding source for schools. He also said he’d veto any tax increase for education.

“I’m not going to raise taxes on people,” Blagojevich told reporters on Friday.

To avoid having to raise taxes for schools, Blagojevich previously called for using money from selling the state lottery to finance schools.

But, he now wants to use those proceeds to pay for a $25 billion public works program.

At the Illinois State Fair Tuesday evening, Blagojevich expressed disappointment.

“It’s disappointing to see that all the lawmakers did was convene for about a half an hour -not many of them showed up -and that was their answer for education funding,” the governor said.

Lake Forest Days Parade

2008-08-02T13:41:00.002-05:00

I hope to see you and your family at the upcoming Lake Forest Days Parade on Wed, August 6th in downtown Lake Forest at 10am. I'll be there marching in the parade and talking with voters along with my friends and supporters. If you are so inclined, join our parade entry and march with us! There is always room for more people. See you Wed.

Speaker Madigan Refusing to Attend Meetings...

2008-07-31T15:35:00.003-05:00

Grow Up Guys! This isn't kindergarten where you can take your toys and go home--this is our state--start governing.

Blagojevich scales back construction plan
Associated Press
1:34 PM CDT, July 31, 2008
CHICAGO - Lawmakers say Governor Rod Blagojevich has proposed ratcheting down the price tag of a statewide construction program and is abandoning a proposal to expand gambling to pay for it.

Top lawmakers who attended Thursday's meeting at Blagojevich's Chicago office say the capital plan would shrink from $34 billion to $25 billion.

It would be paid for in part by a partial lease of the state lottery rather than a large gambling expansion.

Representative Barbara Flynn Currie is already expressing skepticism about the lottery lease. She's a surrogate for House Speaker Michael Madigan, who skipped the meeting.

But House Republican leader Tom Cross says he thinks there's support for this latest plan, and he says he'll take it back to his caucus members.

Tim Stratton Lays Out Ethics Reform for State of Illinois

2008-07-29T17:07:00.000-05:00

Stratton Plan to Enact Tough Government Ethics Laws

For Immediate Release Contact:
Tim Stratton
(312)505-3599

Kevin Artl
July 25, 2008 (815) 577-1400

Stratton Announces Agenda to Enact Nation’s Toughest Anti-Corruption Laws

Glencoe…Equipped with a commitment to regain public trust in government and reform the way Illinois conducts business, Republican candidate for State Representative of the 58th District Tim Stratton has a plan to enact the nation’s toughest anti-corruption laws. As part of the House Republican “Agenda for Action,” Stratton wants to end pay-to-play politics and provide greater transparency and oversight to state government.

“Illinois has become a playground of political corruption and U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has referred to the current administration as pay-to-play on steroids. Tax payers deserve a state government that finds pride in operating under the most honest and ethical principles,” Stratton said.

If elected, Stratton plans to put an end to pay-to-play politics and increase transparency by:

banning government officials from soliciting contributions from contractors conducting business with their office

preventing elected officials and other state appointees and employees from receiving fees related to legal, banking and consulting work with state bonds

increasing disclosures for investment advisors and consultants with work before a State board or commission

“As a frequent speaker across the state on government finance, I believe Illinois must conduct business like a corporation with appropriate checks and balances. It is simply wrong to trade jobs for campaign contributions. Instead companies who do business with the state should have to earn their work based on their quality of service and competitive costs,” Stratton said.

“If elected, I will work to ensure that state government is accountable to the people and not to special interest groups,” Stratton said.

###

Tim Stratton Appears on Public Affairs TV Show...

2008-07-24T22:40:00.001-05:00

Stratton for Property Tax Relief

2008-07-23T14:58:00.000-05:00

For Immediate Release Contact: Kevin Artl
July 23, 2008 (815) 577-1400

State Rep. Candidate Tim Stratton Announces Plan to Produce Relief for Skyrocketing Property Taxes

Glencoe…Skyrocketing property taxes are putting an added financial burden on Lake County families and seniors. Republican candidate for State Representative of the 58th District Tim Stratton demonstrated his commitment to secure property tax relief by rolling out an Agenda for Action that will keep money in the bank accounts of Illinois residents.

Included as part of their Agenda for Action, Stratton and House Republicans propose:

• Increasing the Homestead Exemption from $6,000 to $7,500 and increasing the Senior Homestead Exemption from $4,000 to $5,500

• Doubling the Income Tax Credit from 5% to 10% to Increase the Property Tax Rebate

“Families and seniors in Lake County are enduring enough financial hardships with prices at the pump consistently climbing above $4 per gallon, escalating college tuitions rates, and the increasing costs of everyday necessities like food and medicine. During today’s troubling economy, we have a real opportunity to offer residents relief by helping them save on their property tax bills,” Stratton said.

The Homestead Exemption is applied against the assessed value of a home to reduce the assessment. Seniors can utilize both the General and Senior Homestead Exemptions; and families can utilize only the General Homestead Exemption. Under Stratton’s plan, a senior’s $200,000 home assessment would be lowered to $187,000 and their property taxes would be reduced.

“Many seniors are on fixed incomes and this type of savings would allow them to keep their homes. We also don’t want young families to be turned away from our community because they can’t afford the taxes,” Stratton said.

-More-

Page 2

Additionally, all Illinois homeowners receive a 5% credit on their income taxes for property taxes paid. A homeowner who pays $5,500 in property taxes currently receives a $275 tax credit; but under Wait’s plan, the credit would double to $550.

Stratton, a Glencoe resident, is running to replace State Representative Karen May and draws a clear distinction between his commitments to fight taxes and her willingness to raise taxes.

“If elected, securing immediate property tax relief will be among my highest priorities. This is an issue that people care about because it’s affecting their quality of life and financial well-being,” Stratton said.

###

Daily Herald Embraces Illinois House Republican Agenda

2008-07-17T10:20:00.000-05:00

GOP presents its case for reform
Daily Herald Editorial Board
Published: 7/17/2008 12:08 AM
Illinois House Republicans are saying the right things on what the state must do to honor its commitments to the public to be ethically and fiscally responsible in managing tax dollars and providing services.

The question is if a public that is disgusted with the state of affairs in Springfield will warm to these reforms. And, in turn, to the state Republicans proposing them. In that regard, there is not an item on the Republicans' agenda that the public should have trouble embracing.

House Republicans vow to fight for stronger anti-corruption measures - including supportt for an end to the pay-to-play scheming in which those who contribute to campaigns get the benefit of state contracts. Certainly the public is weary of seeing the wretched consequences of such in full display in federal corruption trials. It is satisfying to see the crooks nabbed and imprisoned. But better to have it all stopped before it lands on the desks of federal prosecutors.

The public should be pleased that House Republicans are hitting hard at the Democrats' penchant for expanding state government without a means of paying for it. The most recent and best evidence of this is the budget passed by a Democratic-controlled legislature, that by some Republican estimates is close to $3 billion out of balance. A continuation of such reckless disregard for fiscal discipline is going to hurt taxpayers for generations to come. House Republicans say they won't let that happen.

They also say they will ease the tax burden by offering more tax property relief. They also want to require that proposed state budgets be made available for public scrutiny. This way, taxpayers have a say in how much money should be spent before a vote is taken that leaves them no choice.

The Republicans' agenda goes beyond dollars and cents and ethical use of them. They support programs that taxpayers truly need the state to provide, such as a construction program to repair battered roads and bridges. They want to make higher education more affordable.

But if Republicans aren't having much luck getting their platform endorsed in the legislative chambers, where their power is diluted by their minority party status, they are hoping to make a good impression in the public arena. They are presenting their "Agenda for Action" in town hall meetings. One was held in Arlington Heights on Tuesday night.

The public should care about what Republicans are saying. Of course, Republicans have to back up their agenda by their own actions. These agendas come and go. And it sure wouldn't hurt if they were able to run a candidate for governor on a reform platform who would actually present voters with a real choice and a competitive race.

Voters would do well to end business-as-usual balloting by supporting those who are genuinely committed to reform. Republicans vow to offer such. For that matter, so should Democrats.

We Need More Republicans in Springfield

2008-07-11T10:17:00.000-05:00

I think this says it all.

We need more Republicans in Springfield

July 11, 2008Recommend

STEVE HUNTLEY shuntley.cst@gmail.com
They're at it again. This time, a special session of the General Assembly is providing the spectacle of the battling, bickering Democrats slugging it out in the family feud that passes for government in Illinois these days.

Why anyone would cast a Democratic ballot in a legislative race is beyond me. Gov. Blagojevich, not on the ballot this year, is the prime culprit in the Springfield meltdown, but House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones are far from blameless. Still, a Barack Obama avalanche in the fall in a state already becoming ever more blue could pad the Democratic majorities.

I've written that voting Republican in legislative contests, no matter how worthy the Democratic candidate, is the only way you can protest the failure of one-party rule in Illinois. I also have suggested that the GOP needed to come up with its version of a Contract with America to give voters a reason to believe in Republicans again. It turns out that House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Kendall) was already working on that. He will unveil a House GOP "Agenda for Action" Tuesday. The seven-point agenda advocates:

• • A capital program to fix roads and bridges, build schools and hospitals, and create 700,000 jobs.

• • A balanced budget, ending carryover of unpaid bills into the next year, and a minimum "sunshine" period for everyone to examine budget bills.

• • Property tax relief.

• • Ethics legislation to end the state's "pay-to-play" scandals.

• • Reversing Blagojevich's years of cutting higher ed funding.

• • Electronic monitoring of abusive men to protect victims of domestic violence.

• • Cyber-safety laws to protect children from online sex offenders.

"There are no quick fixes or gimmicks here, just proposals reflecting the concerns the voters have about fiscal responsibility, job creation, lower taxes and ethics," Cross said. These are issues stuck in legislative limbo or passed but not acted on by Blagojevich.

The agenda's political goal is to "localize" the election and remind voters -- independents, Obamacans (Republicans in favor of the Democratic presidential contender) and Democrats disaffected by the Springfield antics -- that there's a reason to cast split-ticket ballots. That's not to say Republicans are abandoning John McCain. The agenda only recognizes that the enthusiasm for McCain is, in Cross' words, "tempered a little bit by the assumption" Obama will carry Illinois.

Polling in six battleground legislative districts in the northwest suburbs commissioned by Cross found the Democratic-led General Assembly earning only a 24 percent approval rating, with 62 percent of voters disapproving.

Blagojevich fared even worse at 20 percent approval vs. 76 percent disapproving. "Suburban voters are very aware of the lack of state government, that the Democratic leadership can't do anything of substance," Cross said.

In these six districts, the GOP is defending four seats (one open because of a retirement) and trying to retake the other two, the 44th District lost to Rep. Fred Crespo of Streamwood in 2006 and the 56th District lost last year when Rep. Paul Froehlich of Schaumburg switched to the Democratic side of the aisle. Cross said Republicans are "playing offense" to win those back with two strong candidates. Peggy Brothman, former Schaumburg District 54 Board of Education president is running against Crespo, and Anita Forte-Scott, owner of an early childhood education school, is trying to unseat Froehlich.

In the once solidly Republican suburbs, the poll found only a 1-percentage-point advantage for Republicans on the generic ballot.

"It's going to be a very tough year with Obama, the hometown guy with lots of appeal, at the head of their ticket," Cross acknowledged. "But I don't know why the voters would reward the Democrats [in Springfield] with more members." Amen.

Message to the Illinois General Assembly---Pass the Capital Bill!

2008-07-08T13:41:00.002-05:00

Indecision In Springfield Puts $9B In Federal Funds At Risk

CHICAGO (WBBM) -- On the eve of the General Assemby's special session in Springfield, two prominent Illinoisans who helped draft a 31 billion dollar capital spending plan are pleading for its passage.

WBBM's Regine Schlesinger reports that otherwise, Illinois stands to lose 9-billion dollars in federal money.

Governor Blagojevich enlisted former US House Speaker Denny Hastert and Southern Illinois University president Glenn Poshard to help write the infrastructure repair bill. The bill they came up with easily passed the Senate but stalled in the House.

Now, they're pleading for state representatives to pass it in the 2-day special session. Hastert says the political feud between the Governor and some of his fellow Democrats shouldn't get in the way.

The spending plan would be funded by building a new Chicago casino, expanding gambling and leasing the Illinois lottery. Poshard and Hastert warn that if lawmakers don't approve their bill, Illinois will lose 9 billion dollars in federal money for transportation, highways and other vital needs.

Illinois $42 Billion in Debt! What is Karen May's plan to Save Illinois?

2008-07-02T22:09:00.002-05:00

See this interesting article from the Bond Buyer, an influential financial publication in the bond and investment world. Illinois has problems folks and the finance gurus are starting to notice. This will mean higher interest rates for the state and a possible downgrade in our bond rating. While incumbent State Rep Karen May arranges deck chairs on a sinking ship, what is the General Assembly doing to avert this crisis? I propose legislation to create an emergency pension oversight board of recognized pension and finance experts to make recommendations to the General Assembly. Raiding monies from the pension funds should be outlawed and we must pay our obligations on time and in full first before we spend money we don't have.

Illinois Governor Outlines Possible Cuts As Budget Stalemate Continues - June 25, 2008

Illinois Budget Imbroglio - June 3, 2008 CHICAGO - Two days into a new fiscal year without a budget in place, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich yesterday announced a two-day special session of the General Assembly for next week aimed at winning passage of revenue measures that would trim about $850 million from a $2 billion deficit in the $59 billion operating budget approved by lawmakers. "Yesterday we started another fiscal year without a state budget. Last week I told the General Assembly that I would not sign a budget bill with a $2 billion shortfall - Illinoisans must be able to trust that our checks will not bounce," he said at a news conference. The governor's action is aimed at the state House, as the Senate did approve a series of revenue-generating measures in May when they signed off on a spending plan. The House approved the spending side of the package, but did not vote on a $16 billion pension obligation bond issue, the transfer of various funds, and a capital budget that combined would have trimmed the deficit by more than $1 billion. Yesterday, the governor backed off his push for the pension bond issue and did not provide another idea for how to replace the $400 million it would have saved in the fiscal 2009 budget. Blagojevich called on the House to approve the Illinois Works capital budget that would free up about $320 million in the operating budget and the transfer of $530 million from various non-general fund accounts. The governor last week outlined a series of potential cuts as he urged the House to return on its own. Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan's spokesman Steve Brown said there's not sufficient support for the various measures to win passage. The already strained relationship between the two Democrats has grown only more hostile in recent months.Yesterday, Brown said Madigan would "go to Springfield next week" as requested by the governor, but added there was "no way of knowing what happens after that. "The special session is set for July 9 and 10th. The governor said if the House fails to approve the needed-revenue measures during the first day, he would issue a proclamation on the secondenacting the cuts. "I will not take those actions lightly, and will only act when it becomes abundantly clear that the House can't or won't act responsibly on its own," said Blagojevich. Without a budget in place, Comptroller Dan Hynes has warned that bill payment could be delayed along with employee paychecks. Because of a drafting error in the budget, about 39 capital projects are being idled, but the governor said that would be fixed during the session next week. Support is strong for a capital budget, but differences remain among lawmakers on how to pay for it. The proposed capital budget relies on about $7 billion from a partial leasing of the Illinois Lottery, $800 million in upfront funds from the issuance of new gaming licenses, $7.8 billion in new general obligation borrowing, and local and federal matching dollars.About $6.2 billion of the bonding would be repaid with recurring gaming expansion revenues and $1.6 billion from transportation-related taxes and fees. The state has lacked a major infusion of capital dollars since the $12 billion Illinois Works program approved in 1999 and congressional officials have warned that without new funding the state risks the loss of federal matching dollars. With support for the pension borrowing plan more tenuous in the House among both Democratic and Republican members, the governor yesterday dropped his push to win its passage. The proposal calls for the restructuring of the 50-year payment schedule approved in 1995, increasing future year payments while trimming about $400 million off the fiscal 2009 payment. The infusion into the pension system of the funds raised through a new pension borrowing would help bring the funded ratio of the system up to 75% from 62%.

The current unfunded liability is $42 billion. The governor has promoted the pension plan as one that would ultimately trim 12 years off the time needed to reach a 90% funded ratio. Blagojevich said the pension plan overall would result in a savings of $34 billion in contributions. Yesterday, Moody's Investors Service issued a special report saying it was monitoring the situation in four states - California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania - that have entered new fiscal years without a budget in place. The delay is not expected to impact debt service payments, but it does have the potential to disrupt the flow of a state's payment to vendors and employees, as well as to the cities, public universities and other municipalities that receive state funds. "Moody's views repeated delays, or those causing government shutdowns, as signs of political polarization, and for those reasons, the timing of state budget enactment can affect the ratings Moody's assigns to state issued general obligation bonds and other debt," analyst and author of the report Ted Hampton wrote.

Back to Springfield for the General Assembly

2008-07-02T12:54:00.002-05:00

The GA's failure to come up with a balanced budget has resulted in the start of a second straight fiscal year without a state budget. The Governor today has ordered lawmakers back to Springfield to work on a budget. The Democrats can't work together and all have pet projects so we'll see how long this special session lasts. Given all the infighting last year I think it is safe to say they will be in Springfield a long, long time.

Governor calls lawmakers back to Springfield
Posted by David Mendell at 12:35 p.m.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday called state lawmakers back to Springfield for a session next week to make changes to a state budget that he has so far refused to sign.

Blagojevich is trying to take political advantage of the House and Senate decision to send him a budget that may be $2 billion out of balance.

The governor called the special session for the House and Senate for July 9 and 10. But he is clearly aiming his pressure at House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago).

Madigan's House Democrats have refused to pass legislation that Blagojevich wants. That includes selling $16 billion in bonds to shore up pension plans and free up spending pressure in the new fiscal year that started July 1. He also wants them to pass a multi-billion dollar public works program.

Unlike 2007's yearlong budget impasse, this spring the House and Senate Democrats joined together to pass the shaky budget. But the House refused to go along with the Senate on a variety of proposals to help cover the proposed spending.

Madigan has said the governor should use his amendatory veto power to cut the budget if he thinks there is not enough revenue for it. Blagojevich does not want to take the political pain that would come from making huge spending cuts

Blame the Democrats

2008-06-27T21:06:00.002-05:00

Editorial from the Joliet paper...

Joliet Herald
June 8, 2008

Next time you drive over a pothole-filled road or become upset that your child is in an overcrowded classroom, think of the Illinois House Democrats and especially their "leader," House Speaker Michael Madigan.

In an amazing display of political idiocy, the House Democrats have failed to show any backbone to pass a $34 billion capital bill. That bill would have funded roads, bridges and schools, including $149 million for school construction in the Joliet Grade School District. Why did the House members choose a path of inactivity?

Because they were concerned that Gov. Rod Blagojevich might have too much power in deciding where the funds come from and where they will go.

In other words, the Democratic governor isn't trusted by many House Democrats, and because of this "mistrust," money won't be available on the innumerable projects that are so desperately needed.

Ironically, many of these same House Democrats had no problem giving former Republican governor and current federal inmate George Ryan free rein to spend in his $12 billion Illinois FIRST program, which was funded by higher license plate stickers and a raise in liquor taxes. Ryan gave $5.5 million for an ice arena in his hometown of Kankakee and used FIRST money to pay for an Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame. No House Democrats voiced concerns about Ryan's handouts.
But now the Democrats have a problem with Blagojevich. What's obvious is this problem is rooted in the inability of House Democrats to work for the people and instead cater to the petty interests of the misguided, bitter House Speaker who is having another of his endlessly exasperating and childish standoffs with the governor.

Republicans, led by House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, see the Democrats' inaction as unacceptable, and we agree.
"Do they trust him or not?" Cross said of the House Democrats' attitude toward the governor. "The fact that we don't like someone is not an excuse for not getting our work done."

Cross crystallizes our view. The Democratic-controlled Senate found the capital plan acceptable, including funding the bill by leasing the state lottery and expanding gambling.

Lawmakers haven't passed a new statewide construction program in nine years. And it appears that House Democrats are going extend the wait until at least the November veto session.

It's very clear. If you want road repairs, school additions and construction, then contact the House Democrats. They must decide whether to serve the people's interests or continue blindly following Madigan.

New Poll Shows Illinois Voters Ready for Change

2008-06-23T10:30:00.001-05:00

Poll shows deep level of distrust in Illinois government
6/20/2008

Kathleen Haughney, St. Louis Post Dispatch

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois politicians have been largely mired in scandal and controversy the past few years, and voters are tired of it, according to a recent poll.

Former Gov. George Ryan was sent to prison last fall on conspiracy and fraud charges. A top fundraiser for Gov. Rod Blagojevich was recently convicted for using his political influence to squeeze bribes from contractors seeking business with the state. And political infighting between lawmakers and Blagojevich has stopped a state infrastructure plan and balanced budget from materializing so far this year.

It's a problem that seems unlikely to yield a quick solution, and according to a recent poll by political reform coalition Midwest Democracy Network, voters aren't happy about it.

The poll, which surveyed 402 Illinoisans and had a margin of error of 4.9 percentage points, gave Blagojevich a 13 percent approval rating and the legislature a 17 percent rating.

"If any of us only had a 17 percent approval rating, we'd lose our jobs," said Cynthia Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform and a spokeswoman for Midwest Democracy Network.

The poll was conducted from April 21 through May 4, during the highly publicized trial of Blagojevich fundraiser Tony Rezko, who was convicted.

According to the poll, 3 percent of those polled "almost always" trust the government to do what is right, down from 7 percent in 2006. Meanwhile, 25 percent of respondents said they "almost never" trust the government, up from 14 percent in 2006.

Canary said voters are always grumbling about politicians, but recent years have been particularly bad in Illinois.

"In Illinois, in many ways this does stem back to the conviction of Gov. Ryan and the sense that our former governor went to jail and the response of our current governor and Legislature was nothing," she said. "They did nothing. They made no changes."

Brian Williamsen, a spokesman for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, said many voters are upset because of high prices at the pump, grocery stores and elsewhere. However, he added that the governor would not base any future decisions on public opinion polls that could swing up or down at any time.

"One thing that is pretty clear — times are rough, people are not pleased with the political games and the lack of action that they are seeing from their leaders, and really who can blame them," he said.

Excellent Article in Sun-Times about the Dangers of One Party Rule and Their Advice to Vote Republican!

2008-06-18T16:54:00.001-05:00

June 17, 2008
Just Say No To Incompetent Government
Chicago Sun-Times

How to say 'no' to incompetent government

June 17, 2008
Recommend (1)

STEVE HUNTLEY shuntley.cst@gmail.com

Voting matters. Sometimes folks find that out the hard way. That unhappy lot would include Cook County suburbanites jousting at windmills in their uphill campaign to secede from the county.

Two years ago these suburban residents probably didn't think it much mattered who ran county government -- only half of the registered voters cast ballots in the election that made Todd Stroger Cook County Board president. He rewarded their indifference with a big 1 percentage-point increase in the county sales tax. That will bring in more than enough money to cover a current budget shortfall -- enough to ensure more spend-thrift business-as-usual in county government for years. Now, despite the secession dreams of Palatine and a few other suburbs, voters have little choice but to wait until the 2010 elections to register their displeasure with Stroger.

Similarly, Illinois voters disillusioned by the incompetency of government under Gov. Blagojevich and disgusted by its corruption have to wait until 2010 in hopes of replacing him. A recall movement died in the state Senate. Impeachment is on the table, but as columnist Rich Miller wrote last week, House Speaker Michael Madigan is using that issue to try to win Republican seats and pad his majority. Although Blagojevich shoulders the lion's share of the blame for the breakdown of state government, he is not solely responsible. Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones have had a hand in the mess that Democratic one-party rule brings to Illinois.

But voters don't have to wait until 2010 to voice their dissatisfaction with that. They can vent in the balloting for the seats in the Illinois General Assembly at stake in the November elections.

Their watchword should be: Just say no to one-party rule.

That means voting Republican.

Yes, that's a hard sell in this blue state. With Barack Obama heading their ticket, Democrats are salivating over their prospects. The GOP brand nationally is in trouble. Many voters remember the corruption that sent former GOP Gov. George Ryan to prison. Still, those have to be weighed against a Democratic vote that is, in effect, a vote of confidence in a one-party stranglehold in Springfield, its petty bickering, poisonous feuds and incompetence.

The state Republican Party could do its part by coming up with a campaign to persuade voters that it is worthy of their trust. The Illinois GOP might take a page from Newt Gingrich's strategy in capturing the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994. His masterstroke was the "Contract with America," a simple and short list of goals that the Republicans would work to achieve if they gained control of the Congress. National Democrats stole the idea two years ago with their "six for '06" agenda of six goals if they retook the Congress, which they did.

Republicans need something like a five-item "Contract with Illinois" and a comprehensive media campaign to sell it to the voters. It should be clear-sighted and confined to bread-and-butter issues like jobs, taxes, health care, pension reform and ethics reform.

A media campaign would be expensive. Maybe one or more of the wealthy Republicans contemplating running for governor in 2010 could help out. After all, a successful wooing of voters to the idea of a stronger GOP role in Springfield could only help their chances two years down the road, just as Obama's change theme is riding the Democratic tide of 2006.

Sure, some worthy Democratic lawmakers might be lost. But Springfield is run by the party generals, not the field soldiers.

A GOP takeover in the Legislature likely isn't in the cards (especially as just 40 of the 59 Senate seats are in play). But just cutting into the big majorities of foot soldiers would tell the irresponsible generals Blagojevich, Madigan and Jones that the voters are mad as hell and aren't going to take it any more. It also might boost impeachment prospects. Voting matters.

Daily Herald Blasts State Legislators for Failing to Enact Pension Reform

2008-06-17T23:20:00.003-05:00

The Daily Herald took the State Legislature to task today for not proposing a solution to the state's runaway pension problem before they adjourned for summer vacation. This may be the single biggest issue facing the state and certainly has the biggest potential negative impact on our state's fiscal health. I will make pension reform a central part of my time in Springfield as your State Representative.

SPRINGFIELD -- State lawmakers had the incentive and the opportunity to work on the nation's worst pension debt problem, but they left town last month without a new solution -- and with even more money problems because of their inaction.

Here are some questions and answers about the latest on state government pensions.

Q: What is the financial condition of the pension systems today?

A: Pretty sad. The five state systems have a combined debt of about $44 billion, and they only have about 63 percent of the funding they'll eventually need to cover all their obligations to retirees. Those two factors combine to create the worst pension debt problem in the nation.

Q: Will any retirees be shorted this year?

A: No. The systems have enough cash and assets to cover their yearly obligations. State pensions will all be paid.

Q: Then what's the problem?

A: Debt -- costly, costly debt. The entire state budget is $59 billion, so $44 billion in long-term debt to the pension systems is a huge liability. The debt's growth rate is even scarier. The systems essentially are owed 8.5 percent interest every year their full costs aren't covered. That equates to more than $3.6 billion a year in interest -- or $120 a second.

Q: Did lawmakers do anything to deal with the problem this year?

A: Not to this point. Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration and Senate Democrats wanted to issue $16 billion worth of pension bonds to pay down the debt. That would then free up money destined for pensions to be spent on other state budget needs: education, health care, etc.

Q: How would this pension bond work?

A: The governor and lawmakers did the same thing in 2003, only with $10 billion. The idea is to put that borrowed money into the pension systems to cut their debt and reduce interest costs. The Blagojevich administration hopes the bond debt would have an interest rate of less than 6 percent, compared to 8.5 percent for the pension debt, so the state would come out ahead.

Advocates say paying down the debt quickly and spending less in debt payments each year will save Illinois a whopping $55 billion by 2045. And they estimate it would cut this year's required payment to the pension systems from $800 million down to $300 million. The "leftover" $500 million would be directed to other spending needs.

Q: What happened with this idea?

A: The Senate approved it with only Democrat votes. Democratic Speaker Michael Madigan never called it for a vote in the House, where it needs some Republican votes to pass.

Q: What's behind the opposition?

A: Critics point to several problems. They say it's unwise to borrow more money to pay off existing debt, particularly when it means converting pension debt that can be paid off any time into bond debt with a strict payment schedule.

They argue it could be risky to invest such a large amount of money at a time when the stock market and economy is shaky. If the investments don't cover the costs of the extra borrowing, the pension debt problem would grow worse. They also protest spending the "leftover" $500 million on other needs when the pension systems are woefully underfunded.

Q: How long has this been a problem?

A: For decades. Lawmakers failed to put aside enough pension money for years. That added up over time, leading to the massive debt problem.

Q: What is the state doing about it?

A: There's a payment schedule that began in 1995 and is supposed to get the systems up to 90 percent funding over 50 years. But it was structured to require small payments in the early years and increasingly large payments later. As a result, the state is finding it harder and harder to make the required payments and has skipped them in some years.

Q: Where does all this leave the budget for the coming year?

A: Under state law, the pension systems automatically get an additional $800 million. But legislators approved a budget that assumes the pension bonds will be issued, cutting the payment. Since the bond plan failed, the budget will have a $500 million hole -- part of a deficit that, according to the governor's estimates, totals $2 billion.

Q: What will happen next?

A: Blagojevich could bring lawmakers back to town this summer to try to pass the pension bond and make other budget changes. Or the pension bond could be discussed again after the fall elections during the veto session.

House Democrats Playing Politics with Impeachment

2008-06-12T14:45:00.003-05:00

This is an interesting development. For those of you who have not yet heard, Domcratic House Leader Mike Madigan's office authored a memo that contains talking points on impeaching the governor. I think many of us would agree that impeachment is something that should be on the table given the situation. However, reading the memo is an illustrative example of how the Democrat majority operates. It is filled with politics as usual and is certainly a brand of politics that Barack Obama would reject given his recent public statements! If you support impeachment or not you should be concerned with the pure political sleaze of the memo.

It is worth a read just for the interesting aspects of the memo. Any reasonable person would look at this and see the House Democrats as attempting to use impeachment talk against an unpopular governor to curry favor with the voters but while at the same time advising members of the house not to say that Madigan put them up to it. This is what I hate about our political system in Illinois and this is why I am running for office. Do what you say you will do--Say what you will do--and Stick to your word. C'mon, it's really not that hard guys.

Fallout continues in Illinois' 'Memo-Gate'
6/12/2008

Kevin McDermott, St. Louis Post Dispatch

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has long been known around Springfield as "The Velvet Hammer" for his ability to quietly crush political adversaries.

But the velvet has slipped off the hammer this week.

Madigan is in a rare defensive position in his year-long tussle with Gov. Rod Blagojevich, after the airing of a secret memo from his staff directing legislative candidates to call for Blagojevich's impeachment — complete with instructions to deny that they're getting instructions.

The leaked memo may already have weakened Madigan's position in ongoing conflicts over state spending and other issues, with the Democratic governor's allies emboldened in their defense of him and even some Republicans taking his side.
"It's outrageous," state Rep. Kurt Granberg, D-Carlyle, said Wednesday of the Madigan memo. "It's very transparent now that this is just a personal vendetta" by Madigan against Blagojevich.

The episode has chipped at the aura of political infallibility that Madigan has long enjoyed.

"It was pretty heavy-handed and out of character … for someone who has a reputation of nothing happening by accident," said Kent Redfield, a political scientist at the University of Illinois at Springfield. "If the idea was to draw attention to the governor's problems, what it's ended up doing is drawing attention to this memo."

That was clear on Wednesday, as Blagojevich and other leaders met in Chicago on budget issues.

House Republican Leader Tom Cross, talking to reporters, accused Madigan of "a scheme to lie" to the public about his own involvement in anti-Blagojevich campaigns.

Senate President Emil Jones chided Madigan (who in addition to being House Speaker is the State Democratic Party Chairman) for going after a Democratic governor.

Madigan is the only leader who hasn't been at the recurrent budget meetings, sending surrogates and generally refusing to negotiate, Blagojevich says.

State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Collinsville, a top Blagojevich ally, suggested Wednesday that fallout from the memo gaffe might ultimately force Madigan to take a softer stance.

"Using a Democratic office to carry out his personal feud with a Democratic governor, to me, that's offensive," said Hoffman. "If that brings him to the realization he's got to stop these games, then it's a positive."

Madigan's office says the memo was merely a staff-written response to inquiries from numerous Democratic legislative candidates this year who asked Madigan's office how to respond to questions the media have been asking about whether Blagojevich should be impeached.

Madigan spokesman Steve Brown rejected the assertion by Hoffman and others that, as a top Democrat, Madigan had a duty to support Blagojevich.

"We're not going to fall over the cliff with these people," said Brown, who cited a widespread belief among the public that Blagojevich's administration is inept and perhaps corrupt. "If Mr. Hoffman thinks Democratic Party resources ought to be used to defend the schemes of this administration, he's whistling in the dark."

The 14-page memo — first revealed by The Associated Press on Tuesday — advises legislative candidates to call for Blagojevich's impeachment for myriad reasons, including the recent corruption conviction of his top fundraiser, Antoin "Tony" Rezko.

"Criminal activity in the Blagojevich administration is no longer theoretical — it is proven," the memo advises them to say.

Ultimately, the impeachment memo could have the ironic impact of making it less likely that Blagojevich actually faces impeachment — because his defenders certainly will point to the memo as evidence that such talk is merely a cynical political tool.

House Republican Plan to Reform Illinois

2008-06-03T21:12:00.003-05:00

The Illinois House Republicans have put forward a real agenda for change in Illinois. I embrace this agenda and look forward to working with other concerned legislators to implement these much needed bills to reform Illinois and get this state moving forward again. Check out more at my website: www.timforillinois.com

House Republican
“Agenda for Illinois”

Give us 6 days and we will change Illinois

House Republicans support an economic stimulus package to boost business productivity and individual purchasing power. Also critical to Illinois’ business climate is the need to begin a comprehensive capital program that would target resources to roads, school buildings, higher education facilities, state facilities, and mass transit, creating jobs and community prosperity.

· Negotiate a comprehensive capital plan that will reinvigorate Illinois’ economy and create jobs statewide.

· Introduce job-creating business incentives, such as (1) broadening the investment tax credit for businesses, (2) readopting the job training expense credit, (3) reinstating the entire research & development income tax credit.

Real tax relief for Illinois families and seniors

Senior Property Tax Relief

· Reduce the of property taxes on seniors by:
i. exempting Social Security income from the definition of income assessment freeze eligibility purposes;
ii. decreasing the age limit from 65 to 55 to qualify for the senior citizens’ assessment freeze;
iii. increasing the “ceiling” level of income needed to qualify for the assessment freeze;
iv. expanding the senior citizens’ Homestead Exemption from $4,000 to $5,500; and
v. indexing the Homestead Exemption and the assessment freeze to the inflation rate. (All in HB 4916)

Property Tax Relief for Families

· Double the Income Tax Credit for property taxes paid from 5% to 10%.

Reducing the cost of gas in Illinois

· Suspend the State sales tax on motor fuel for a 4.5 month period. (HB 6318)

Creating a sales tax holiday

· Authorize a one-time sales tax holiday to provide consumer tax relief and encourage consumer spending. (HB 6319)

Require a “real” balanced budget be approved

· Prohibit unpaid obligations of the State from being transferred from one fiscal year to the next, thereby ensuring a true “balanced” budget.

· Require the State to establish a single, updated, searchable database website accessible to the public at no cost that includes each entity that receives Illinois funding.

· Provide “sunshine” to the budgeting process by requiring defined, minimum time periods a budget bill must be made available for inspection and scrutiny by legislators, the public, and the media.

Safe families. Safe communities.

Technology in the 21st century is easy to access and, more importantly, dangerous for our youth when used without supervision. Social networking sites have become popular venues for child predators, House Republicans are pushing for (1) more child protections and parental control when youth access social networking sites and (2) tougher penalties for individuals who prey on children.

Educating parents how to protect children using the Internet
· Require owners of social networking websites to obtain parental notification and enforce age requirements of minors. (HB 4874)

· Ban sex offender access to social networking websites.
(HB 4875)

Protecting families from domestic violence
· Provide for electronic surveillance of violators of orders of protections.

· Formally establish a violence surveillance program that requires police authorities to use specific monitoring equipment.

· Mandate intervention treatment as a remedy in every order of protection issued by the court. Make it a violation of a protective order for an abuser to not complete intervention treatment.

Restoring ethics to state government
Enhance Illinois ethics laws to (1) end pay-to-play tactics that have become all too pervasive in State government, and (2) bring sunshine to investment advisor and consultant fees, commissions, and expense reimbursements made to outside lobbyists or other consultants.

· Require individuals who lobby boards and commissions to register as lobbyists. (HB 5737)

· Prevent elected officials and other state appointees and employees from receiving fees related to legal, banking, and consulting work with state bonds.
(HB 1)

· Increase disclosures for investment advisors and consultants with work before a State board or commission. (SB 1305)

· Require bids for state contracts worth over $10,000 to disclose all political contributions over $500 made within the previous 2 years to the officeholder that will award the contract. (HB 1)

· Prohibit any entity, or affiliated entities or persons, with an aggregate total of more than $25,000 in state contracts from making political contributions to the officeholder that awards the contract. (HB 1)

Making higher education affordable

Affordability is a key element of college opportunity. Families want, and understand, that education and job training is important beyond high school. To keep higher education a reality for families, and to maintain the academic excellence of our institutions of higher learning, we must increase the State’s financial commitment to our universities and community colleges.

· Make higher education funding a budget priority.

· Increase student financial aid opportunities to a broader number of qualified students to help working families afford educational expenses.

U of I Economist Calles the Illinois Democrats Pension Borrowing Plan a Gimmick

2008-05-30T14:05:00.003-05:00

This article underscores the need for real government pension reform in Illinois. The way to address the pension issues facing our state is to go back to a law the famed "Fab 5" freshmen legislators advocated back in the 1990's. The law, sponsored by then Illinois Senators Peter Fitzgerald and Steve Rauschenberger required the State to fully fund, on an annual basis, its pension liabilities. Governor Blagojevich and his allies suspended that law and declared "pension holidays" which allowed the state to skip payments. Now the liabilites are increasing and threaten to topple the system. We need a return to fiscal responsibility.

Economist contends pension Ill. debt plan merely 'gimmick'
5/30/2008

Kurt Erickson, Pantagraph

SPRINGFIELD — A University of Illinois economist says a pension borrowing plan pushed through the state Senate by Democrats Thursday is “nothing more than a book-keeping gimmick” that won’t solve the state’s long-term financial problems.

Jeffrey R. Brown, director of the U of I Center on Business and Public Policy, said the plan passes the burden of future pension debt to the next generation of taxpayers.

“It is a classic case of using smoke and mirrors to try to fool the public into thinking we have done something meaningful when we have not,” said Brown.

Democrats in the Senate want to borrow $16 billion to pay down the state’s pension debt. The move would free up about $500 million to help finance other parts of state government. It was approved in the Senate Thursday with no Republican support. It now heads to the House.

Brown, who has been nominated by President Bush to serve on the board of trustees for the nation’s Social Security and Medicare programs, says the move doesn’t lower the overall cost of state pensions.

The only way to address that is to raise taxes or reduce other government spending and direct that money to pay off pension debt, he said.

“Neither of these is attractive to politicians, particularly in an election year,” Brown said.

State Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, told senators that the move is financially solid.

“It’s a very conservative estimate,” Harmon said.

Great Editorial from the Daily Herald

2008-05-30T14:02:00.000-05:00

Get fed up with our state officials
5/30/2008

Editorial, Daily Herald

We can't recall a time when there wasn't questionable spending in last-minute state budget and construction plans that never get publicly vetted.

Watch out. You might not realize it yet, but the next few days are very hazardous to all Illinoisans' financial health and well-being.

State legislative leaders and Gov. Rod Blagojevich suddenly are careening toward trying to approve a multibillion-dollar state budget and a $31 billion capital construction plan.

Democrats who control both the House and Senate face a midnight Saturday deadline to push through financial deals. If they don't, then super majority votes are required and Republicans gain more power at the bargaining table.

We've seen it all far too many times before. Months were wasted and now Democrats Blagojevich, Senate President Emil Jones and House Speaker Michael Madigan are trying to hammer out a back-door deal. Sadly, the game remains the same and the frustrating truth is that Illinoisans lose no matter the outcome.

If legislators ram budget or construction plans through both houses by midnight Saturday, we all lose because none of us or the rank-and-file legislators most of us elected will have much of a handle on any of the details.

If they don't, they have failed to do their jobs and the state's business is not being managed.

Last year, a Democratic draw prompted months of special sessions that cost nearly another $1 million out of our pockets. Any overtime session is going to cost taxpayers as more people spend more time in Springfield. This at a time when the state already isn't paying its bills on time.

It's unconscionable and we're all not complaining loudly enough.

Democratic and some Republican caucus chiefs are talking about a $31 billion construction program. While we have said before in this space that some construction money is needed, when something is slammed through in a weekend or in an overtime session, history shows there's bound to be reckless overspending on questionable projects we won't find out about until it's too late.

Remember Illinois FIRST? That mere $12 billion construction plan, approved nine years ago, included plenty of projects many saw as frivolous. The money didn't run out until 2003.

Right this second, Blagojevich and the caucus chiefs are talking about something more than twice that amount to be funded by borrowing money, selling off the rights to state lottery profits, adding slots at racetracks, and more and much bigger casinos in the region.

We can't recall a time when there wasn't questionable spending in last-minute state budget and construction plans that never get publicly vetted.

Whether a deal happens this weekend, or in weeks, it's more than likely our elected officials will have been reckless with our money.

And they wonder why so many of us want the power to recall them from office. It's all enough to make us sick.

PRESS RELEASE FROM STRATTON CAMPAIGN

2008-05-19T15:16:00.001-05:00

May 19, 2008 Contact: 312-505-3599
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE tim@timforillinois.com

TIM STRATTON CALLS FOR
IMMEDIATE GAS TAX RELIEF
TIM STRATTON URGE REP KAREN MAY TO SUPPORT GAS TAX RELIEF MEASURE THIS TUESDAY

Glencoe.…With gas prices rising past $4 per gallon and expected to approach $5 per gallon this summer, Republican candidate for State Representative Tim Stratton is calling on legislators to support an immediate suspension of the state sales tax on gasoline that is to be voted on this Tuesday by the Illinois House of Representatives. According to Stratton, suspension of the sales tax on gasoline purchases would provide immediate relief to consumers by reducing the cost per gallon by at least 17 cents.

“Nothing impacts a family budget more than the rising cost of gasoline,” said Stratton, candidate for State Representative for the 58th District. “Illinois’ high gas prices not only affect families at the pump, it has a chilling effect on the whole economy. Illinois families need relief and they need it now,” said Stratton.

According the AAA fuel gauge, gas per gallon is averaging $4.05 per gallon in the Chicago area. Just one month ago, the average cost per gallon was $3.65.

“Saving families $20 to $30 dollars per month makes a big difference for their budgets and is real money to families already stretched thin,” said Stratton

Stratton supports a House Republican initiative (House Bill 6318) that would suspend the state portion of state gas sales tax immediately through September 15th.

A similar measure was enacted in 2000 by the General Assembly and produced results for Illinois consumers by immediately reducing the cost of gas, according to the AAA (see attached).

House Republican Leader Tom Cross has said the Republicans will move to call the sales tax suspension initiative on Tuesday. On April 9th, House Republicans attempted to call the initiative for a vote, but Democrats used a parliamentary procedure to block the vote. Representative Karen May voted with the Democrat majority on that date to block a vote to suspend the sales tax on gasoline.

“Since Representative May last voted against gas tax relief, prices have risen over 50 cents per gallon,” said Stratton. “I hope she changes her position…again.”

“Since being elected, Representative May has seen her pay increase, she’s passed a budget that is over $1.5 billion in the red and she’s voted against gas tax relief,” said Stratton. "Just last week May voted to increase her pay again. “Now is the time for Representative May to stand with working families, or at least get out of the way.”

On Tuesday, May 20th, House Republicans will move to discharge House Bill 6318 from the Democrat controlled Rules Committee. If approved by the House, the suspension of the state sales tax on gasoline would begin immediately following approval by the Senate and Governor.

####

In 2000, Suspension Of The Sales Tax On Gasoline Worked…
And It Will Again

In 2000, Gas Prices Suddenly Dropped Between 8 And 10 Cents A Gallon Overnight When The Tax Suspension Went Into Effect. “When the tax suspension went into effect July 1, the change in price was obvious, as prices suddenly dropped between 8 and 10 cents a gallon overnight.” (Karen Mellen and Ray Long, “As Gasoline Prices Drop, Tax Debate Continues,” Chicago Tribune, 7/20/00)
AAA Attributed Part Of The Decline In Gas Prices To Illinois’ Temporary Suspension Of Its Gas Tax. “The price of gasoline in Illinois dropped 40 cents since its peak this summer, according to the latest survey Wednesday, a record decrease for one month. … The AAA credited both states [Illinois and Indiana] for temporarily suspending their five percent sales tax on gasoline, and on an increased supply of cleaner-burning reformulated gas.” (Robert McCoppin, “State Gas Prices Set Record One-Month Decline,” Chicago Daily Herald, 7/19/00)
• AAA Chicago Motor Club’s Steve Nolan: “The Temporary Repeal Of The State Gas Tax Has Helped [With Gas Price Drop]…” (Robert Manor, “Illinois Finds Dramatic Relief At Gas Pump,” Chicago Tribune, 8/17/00)
The Decline In Gas Prices Was “Aided By The Suspension July 1 [2000] Of The State’s 5 Percent Sales Tax on Gasoline.” “State legislators had called for the hearings as pump prices soared well above $2 a gallon. The recent decline-aided by the suspension July 1 of the state's 5 percent sales tax on gasoline-took some of the political expediency out of the hearings.” (Courtney Challos, “Legislators Now Irked Over Falling Gas Prices,” Chicago Tribune, 7/13/00)

Great Editorial From the Daily Herald

2008-05-19T10:07:00.003-05:00

This is a good editorial from the Daily Herald. Also an interesting poll I found on the Capitol Fax Blog found that more Illinoisans thought Governor Ryan did a better job running the state than Governor Blagojevich is doing.

"Ask Illinois, a group that conducts automated polls, asked 2,301 registered voters this question last week: “If you were given the choice between former Gov. George Ryan and current Gov. Rod Blagojevich, which do you think would do a better job running our state?”

More than half, 52 percent, chose Ryan, the imprisoned former governor. Blagojevich scored 48 percent. The poll had a margin of error of plus/minus 2.19 percent.

You know things are bad when you’re losing a popularity contest to a federal inmate.

Legislators, governor, start talking now
5/16/2008

Editorial, Daily Herald

In less than two weeks' time, the Illinois General Assembly's spring session is supposed to close.

May 29th is the scheduled conclusion.

It's not happening.

By June 1, Democrats will have to have Republican votes to pass a budget.

Yet, there's no hint of any movement toward even setting up a meeting among the Democrats who control state government.

No hint that House Speaker Michael J. Madigan or Senate President Emil Jones or Gov. Rod Blagojevich ever even speak to one another.

And they wonder why so many voters want recall power and are outraged by talk of pay raises? We see little more than hot air coming out of the Capitol.

Illinois needs a state budget. The Associated Press reported a recent audit found more than $1 billion in Medicaid payments were being carried over into the next fiscal year to try to balance the books in this one.

Illinois also desperately needs a construction program. Blagojevich lined up former House Speaker Dennis Hastert and former Congressman Glenn Poshard to help build support and consensus for a construction program, but we see little evidence of either.

The governor suggested selling off the rights to state lottery sales to fund a $25 billion construction program. How about cutting spending and reprioritizing like so many families and businesses in Illinois have been forced to do in recent months? And then -- only after combing every budget for every dollar that can be saved -- looking at raising revenue? How about raising the cost of lottery tickets or raising fees on vehicles, vehicle titles or alcohol? How about some kind of minimum gambling expansion?

How about committing to coming up with a budget or construction program that has no pork? Or a capital improvement program tied to criteria based on highest need?

Someone start talking about something. Now.

A recent auditors' report noted 1,700 bridges were overdue for inspection, some for more than a year, and many already had been found to be "structurally deficient."

After this past crazy winter, many, many of our roads are in pathetic shape. A construction plan would put many Illinoisans to work who need it and save the rest of us from repeatedly having to spend money on costly car repairs.

As state Rep. Suzanne Bassi, a Rolling Meadows Republican, put it: "We have bridges in worse shape in Illinois than the one that caved in in Minnesota. So not to be addressing that is absolutely criminal."

We could not agree more.

We understand there is no trust and little love or respect among Blagojevich and the four legislative leaders.

But gentlemen, we don't care. This is serious business. There is no question lives and jobs are at stake. Maybe even yours.

You were elected to lead. Please. Quit posturing, step up, get in a room and start leading.

Illinois Audit Finds State Owes Massive Amounts of Back Medicaid Bills

2008-05-13T12:56:00.001-05:00

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A new audit confirms Illinois has a severe backlog of overdue health care bills, but problems with the Medicaid system go much deeper.

Auditor General William Holland found that Illinois ended each of the last three years with an average of $1.5 billion in unpaid bills.

He also found the Department of Healthcare and Family Services did a poor job of handling the bills it did manage to pay.

There was no clear system for deciding who got paid first. The state held bills for nearly two months before even starting the process of paying them.

Illinois could owe up to $$81 million in interest on overdue bills.

The department says it will make improvements but defends many of its procedures.

Illinois Republicans "Get It"

2008-05-13T10:40:00.003-05:00

Here is a compelling guest editorial from the Illinois Republican Chairman Andy McKenna that appeared in today's Chicago Tribune. The Illinois Republican Party understands that it let people down and has learned its lesson. The State is in worse shape now than it ever was under Republican leadership. The time for change is now. Join the new Republicans in making our state the best it can be.

TIME FOR CHANGE IN ILLINOIS

The people of Illinois have endured failed leadership at the very top of their government for nearly a decade. They trusted their leaders, and that trust has been violated time and again.

Last summer, the Republican Party went around the state to listen to voters. One idea we kept hearing: a recall amendment to keep political leaders honest. Out of those talks, some legislators started to seriously consider the idea.

As the Antoin "Tony" Rezko trial revealed more allegations of deep corruption in Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration, we heard voters demanding the ability to recall public officials who violate the public trust. Unfortunately, not all legislators listened.

Senate Democrats protected Blagojevich by killing any chance of putting a recall amendment on the November ballot.

They chose Blagojevich over the people. And then to cap the day, Senate President Emil Jones, who led the fight against a recall amendment, declared he needed a pay raise.

This is the attitude voters seek to change in Springfield—an attitude of arrogance and entitlement, an attitude that ignores the wishes of the people, that protects a culture of corruption.

Six years ago, Illinois voters threw Republicans out of office in response to their failed leadership, arrogance and inability to listen to the wishes of the people. We were rightfully held accountable.

We listened. When the votes were tallied in the Senate, one group stood together in support of the recall amendment: Republicans.

Republicans believe it is time for ethics reform and a recall amendment. We believe it is time for tax and spending reform and greater transparency in government.

We believe it is time for change in Illinois.

—Andy McKenna
Chairman
Illinois Republican Party

Chicago Sun Times Editorial re Legislature and its Failures

2008-05-12T14:18:00.002-05:00

Raise issue helps prove lawmakers don't deserve it
5/12/2008

Editorial, Chicago Sun-Times

You have to feel sorry for Illinois state lawmakers. They live in a world where you don't have to ask for a raise, you get it automatically, unless you say no.

And you get the raise -- a good one, too, consisting of a percentage hike plus a cost-of-living increase -- whether you do a good job or not.

Which is good for state lawmakers, since they are doing a miserable job. They have yet to even resolve the state's current budget woes, yet alone grapple with the next budget.

So you can imagine the shock that shot through some lawmakers when the possibility arose they may not get their pay raises this year.

Take Senate President Emil Jones, who has been repeating himself like Dustin Hoffman's Rain Man.

"I need a pay raise," Jones says. "I need a pay raise."

Or Sen. Rickey Hendon, who was so stunned when the House voted to reject the raise, that he mistook the Senate for a TV feature.

"They want to use the Senate and pimp us, and they keep taking the money," Hendon said of the House, in an explanation perfect for MTV's Choose or Lose.

Hendon also attacked a fellow state senator, Susan Garrett, who wants to reject the raise, calling her "filthy rich."

And just in case voters wondered where the filthy rich live, Hendon informed them, after consulting his Looney Tunes map:

"Richville."

Hendon asked Garrett to sign her expense check over to him.

In all seriousness, we have no problem with the principle of giving lawmakers pay raises, even in tight economic times. With these raises, lawmakers would be making from roughly $70,000 to more than $100,000 a year.

Good salaries are a way to attract good people to these jobs, which can demand long hours and hard work when done right.

But all this squabbling over a pay raise serves only to underscore the buffoonery that passes for the state legislative process these days.

State lawmakers should be required to actively vote themselves a pay raise -- up or down. Forget this nonsense of raises that kick in automatically unless they are voted down.

In the real world, a pay raise comes with a job well done.

Nobody in Springfield is doing any kind of a job.

We want your money!!!

2008-05-12T14:04:00.001-05:00

Is Emil Jones serious??? He is attacking Senator Susan Garrett who spoke out against the Democrats pay raise grab. My opponent, Representative Karen May voted IN FAVOR of the pay hike. She also suppored a 9% plus increase in her pay last year.

Not just 'filthy rich' who object to lawmakers' pay hike
5/12/2008

Editorial, Pantagraph

Senate President Emil Jones and Sen. Rickey Hendon might have been directing their caustic remarks at Sen. Susan Garrett for opposing a legislative pay increase.

But their comments were also insulting to taxpayers - particularly those struggling to make ends meet while their elected representatives are poised to receive their second double-digit percentage pay increase in two years.

All three are Democrats.

Hendon called Garrett of suburban Lake Forest the senator from "Richville."

He also said, "It just blows my mind how the filthy rich are always the ones saying we don't need the raise."

It's not just "the filthy rich" who are saying that, Sen. Hendon. Those opposing the 11.7 percent increase include taxpayers who make far less than the Legislature's base pay of $65,353 - along with a $125 per diem to cover their expenses each day they are in session.

Then there's Jones who quipped, "I've got to get me some food stamps," while walking near Garrett after the heated discussion on pay increases.

On top of his base pay, Jones receives an additional $26,471 for serving as Senate president. In other words, even without the raise, his salary is approaching six figures.

For Jones to joke that he needs food stamps without the raise shows arrogance and callousness toward people in his Chicago district and elsewhere in Illinois who need food stamps to feed their families and meet their basic needs.

Furthermore, most lawmakers will receive pensions their constituents can only dream of.

Although Jones and Hendon are full-time lawmakers, many of their colleagues have other jobs that supplement their pay.

While no one gets "rich" working strictly as a state lawmaker in Illinois, no one is heading to the poorhouse on those salaries.

The House voted 94-8 on Wednesday to reject the pay increases recommended by the Illinois Compensation Review Board. However, both chambers must vote to reject the increases in the same resolution in order to block them - and its questionable whether the matter will even come to a vote in the Senate, at least not with a "clean" bill.

Hendon is suggesting a different version that would muddy the political waters by barring any lawmaker who voted against a pay increase from receiving it if the pay increase eventually takes effect. That's ludicrous.

If the Senate approves Hendon's proposal or some different bill on which the House doesn't act, the raises will take effect and taxpayers will be left holding the bag -again.

Non-partisan Watchdog Group Give Budget Solutions a Failing Grade

2008-05-12T10:54:00.000-05:00

Watchdog barks at governor, assembly
Group: Proposed budget clashes with fiscal reality

By BERNARD SCHOENBURG
POLITICAL WRITER

Monday, May 12, 2008

The Civic Federation of Chicago, accusing Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the General Assembly of not facing the state’s fiscal crisis, is opposing new spending and borrowing proposals in the governor’s proposed budget, but backing across-the-board cuts and sweeping money from special-purpose funds to help the state live within its means.

The governor’s plans, the influential government watchdog group says, “do not adequately address the grim fiscal reality facing the state of Illinois.”

In an analysis released today of the operating budget proposed by Blagojevich for the next fiscal year, the influential government watchdog group also calls for state pension reforms, including a moratorium on new benefits, a 1 percent increase in employee pension contributions, and a more affordable retirement package — including a higher retirement age — for people hired by the state in the future.

“The Civic Federation opposes the state of Illinois FY2009 operating budget and urges dramatic recasting of the state’s financial priorities,” the report states.

“Governor (Rod) Blagojevich has proposed a $49.7 billion operating budget that includes $1.9 billion in new initiatives, $1 billion in new business taxes, $16 billion in new pension obligation debt, the lease of the state lottery in the form of a partial concession, and a massive $25 billion capital plan,” the report says.

The report says that the new programs for the fiscal year beginning July 1 are “unaffordable and imprudent during an economic downturn” and that the pension borrowing plan is not linked to reforms to eat into more than $44 billion in unfunded liabilities.

Selling off part of the lottery to fund a building program before specifying what projects should be funded provides “no basis to evaluate whether the plan adequately addresses the state’s most critical needs,” the federation says.

Blagojevich spending initiatives the federation opposes include a $300-per-child tax credit for qualifying families — a $900 million program the governor pushed in his February budget address as a state stimulus package. The group also opposes a $417 million expansion of the governor’s Illinois Covered health insurance plan.

The group also withdrew its earlier approval of a 1 percentage point increase in the state income tax.

“Until the State can clearly demonstrate its dedication to putting its fiscal house in order, the Civic Federation and the public will not be convinced that any new tax dollars will be well spent,” the report says.

The Civic Federation supports other Blagojevich budget ideas, including a 3 percent across-the-board cut in non-priority spending, which the federation said would cut personnel by 1,464, and moves to increase efficiency. It also supports “proposed special purpose funds sweeps and the governor’s efforts to consolidate special purpose funds into the General Fund when appropriate.”

While the report keys on the proposals made by Blagojevich in his combined State of the State and budget address in February, that address merely laid out his ideas. It remains up to the General Assembly to pass a budget.

The scheduled adjournment date of the General Assembly — and the date by which a budget for fiscal 2009 would be passed if all goes smoothly — is May 29. However, last year, several months of post-deadline wrangling were needed to fashion a budget, and this year, many lawmakers have again been skeptical of some of the governor’s proposals.

The Blagojevich administration responded to the report by saying the governor’s plan tries to meet the needs of people in the state.

“While we are pleased that the Civic Federation recognizes that we have taken steps to increase government efficiency, what their report fails to recognize is that there is a huge human aspect to what government does, especially when there is an economic downturn,” said Katie Ridgway, spokeswoman for the governor’s budget office.

“Being more efficient and saving money is important because it allows us to meet the needs of people — from creating jobs, to making sure that people have access to health insurance, ensuring that all kids have access to quality schools, and guaranteeing that our roads, bridges and other infrastructure is safe.

“We would like to hear the federation’s ideas on how the state can really help people during the national economic downturn,” Ridgway said.

Bernard Schoenburg can be reached at 788-1540.

Civic Federation positions in brief:

Opposes
*Selling lottery unless building program is spelled out
*$300 per child tax credit stimulus
*Expansion of Illinois Covered health insurance program
*State income tax increase until state puts its “fiscal house in order”

Supports
*State employee pension reforms, including higher retirement age
*Cuts in non-priority spending
*Special-purpose fund sweeps

The Civic Federation of Chicago
At 115 years old, the Civic Federation of Chicago, whose members include business and professional leaders from a wide range of Chicago-area institutions, is considered the oldest taxpayers’ research organization in the country.

The federation “is a non-partisan government research organization working to maximize the quality and cost-effectiveness of government services in the Chicago region,” the group says on its web site.

Ethics Reform in Illinois Politics

2008-05-09T09:17:00.002-05:00

Mike Tryon, a relatively new State Representative from the McHenry County area is proposing some legislation that would add sunshine and transparency to Illinois government. This legislation is a much needed start to end the pay-for-play politics that have crippled the Blagojevich administration and which the Democrats in charge have allowed. I support Representative Mike Tryon's legislation outlined in his press release below and would co-sponsor it in the House. On another note, my opponent Karen May, was one of only 8 Representatives to vote to give the politicians in Springfield another payraise! She also supported a bill last year that hiked lawmaker pay about 9%. The hubris of these people to take from the government trough when so many Illinoisans are about to break under the financial strain of high gas prices, higher sales taxes, higher property taxes. How many forclosures are underway in this state now? Is it really social justice to vote to allow yourself a pay raise in this situation--especialyl when you helped create it? Don't get me started! Representative Mike Tryon's legislative press release:

A Call to Action:
Web Portal Would End
Culture of Corruption

Since I began serving in the General Assembly, there have been several attempts by lawmakers to pass transparency legislation.

Illinois residents are so tired of corruption in state government with our former governor serving prison time and our current governor under federal investigation.

U.S. Attorney General Patrick Fitzgerald has called the Governor’s administration ‘pay to play on steroids.’

Due to increased infighting between the Governor and the state’s Democrat leaders, suspicion and distrust have replaced compromise and negotiation.

Everyone agrees on the need for transparency to break down the walls of secrecy and bring about real accountability to the process….. but somehow, these pieces of legislation always end up lost in the shuffle. A parliamentary move to keep them in committee or a claim that previous transparency bills are not comprehensive enough has left this issue in limbo.

Enough is enough.

This year, I have introduced the most comprehensive piece of transparency legislation that would shed sunshine on state finances and end this culture of corruption once and for all.

House Bill 4765 would create the Illinois Accountability Portal and would provide the public with direct access to:
• State Employees & Consultants: a database of all current state employees and individual consultants, sorted separately by name, agency, position title, current pay rate and year-to-date pay

• State Expenditures: a database of all current state expenditures, sorted separately by agency, category, customer and representative district

• Tax Credits: a database of all current state tax credits, sorted by tax credit category, customer and representative district

• Sales Tax Breaks: a database of all revocations and suspensions of state occupation and use tax certificates of registration and all revocations and suspensions of state professional licenses sorted by name, geographic location and certificate of registration number or license number, as applicable. Professional licenses revocations and suspensions shall be posted only if resulting from a failure to pay taxes, license fees, or child support.

• State Contracts: a database of all current state contracts, sorted separately by contractor name, awarding officer or agency, contract value, and goods or services provided.
With the help of taxpayer watchdog group Americans for Prosperity who partnered with me on House Bill 4765; this legislation was unanimously approved in the House of Representatives last month.

House Bill 4765 has garnered widespread support from several grassroots organizations, trade associations, press associations, and taxpayer protection groups. More than a dozen local and national organizations have signed a letter in support of the bill.

I firmly believe the Illinois Accountability Portal will reduce the culture of political handouts, pay-to-play politics and pork barrel spending that has tarnished the public’s trust in government.

Over the years, Illinois has invested in technology that can easily put state spending on the desktop. The Illinois Accountability Portal will also be a cost-saving measure as it will reduce the number of Freedom of Information requests that are processed.

Currently, House Bill 4765 is being held hostage in the Senate Rules Committee.

With more than two dozen House sponsors and several Senate sponsors signed on, it is imperative that this bill be given a fair trial and be debated in a Senate Committee.

This week, newspapers reported that Senator Debbie Halvorson was removed as the powerful chairperson of Rules and replaced by Senator Rickey Hendon. With a week to get bills out of Senate Committee, I urge you to call Senator Hendon and demand that he release this bill out of Rules.

Additionally, call your Senator and those serving on the Rules Committee and urge them to help take Illinois off pay to play steroids. Illinois taxpayers deserve to see how their hard-earned money is being spent.

Enough is Enough.

Sincerely,

Michael W. Tryon
Illinois State Representative
64th District

Why We Need Republicans in State Government

2008-05-06T23:00:00.004-05:00

How did the GOP Lose the Suburban Voters?

A central question asked is "How did the GOP lose its suburban support?" it happened because it has strayed from the core Republican principles of limited government and fiscal conservatism. The play-to-the-base strategy that demagogues moral issues and abandons fiscal conservatism is why so many suburban voters feel alienated and have left the party.

Generally speaking, suburban voters are fiscally conservative and socially moderate...They used to be Rockefeller Republicans but now they're Democrats because they feel there is no room in the Republican Party anymore for Rockefeller Republicans."

Whether you're a "Rockefeller Republican," an Eisenhower Republican, or a Republican of the Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Dewey or Ronald Reagan mold, or just a moderate/independent who is sick of the mess that is Illinois government there is a place in the GOP for you. If you share our vision of a Republican Party that is unified by the basic tenets of fiscal responsibility and personal freedom, but that allows for diverse opinions on social issues, our campaign welcomes you.

If you believe in ethical government; low taxes with balanced budgets; rewarding hard work and economic growth; protection of the environment; and less government interference in individual lives, I invite you to join our efforts. It's only by rebuilding the party from the grassroots up that we'll get a government that works to protect the health, safety and prosperity of all Illinoisans. It's only by having a strong Republican party in Illinois that we will have a fair, honest and open government.

More Pay Raise Fallout

2008-05-05T11:45:00.001-05:00

Great Editorial from the Belleville News.

No to pay raises
5/5/2008

Editorial, Belleville News Democrat

"I need a pay raise. I need a pay raise." That was Senate President Emil Jones' reaction last week when reporters asked him about the raised recommended for lawmakers and other state officials.

Clearly he wants a raise. But needs? He's making $91,869 this fiscal year. Not bad for a part-time political post.

If the pay raise proposal goes into effect -- and it will automatically unless lawmakers block it -- Jones would make $102,597 in fiscal 2010. Rank-and-file lawmakers' salary would go from $65,398 to $73,035. The governor's salary would go from $171,034 now to $192,905.

If lawmakers had any shame, they would refuse the money. They just got a 9.6 percent raise in November 2006. More importantly, they haven't done anything to earn another raise.

During the good times in recent years, they squandered their chance to get state finances in order as other states did. Despite robust revenues until recently, Illinois' pension funds are among the most poorly funded in the nation. Lawmakers have not addressed the multibillion liability facing taxpayers for retiree health care benefits.

The state's deficit at the end of fiscal 2007 was $3.6 billion -- the absolute worst in the nation.

In the business world, where compensation generally is based on merit, lawmakers wouldn't be getting a pay raise, they'd be getting their pink slips.

But expect them to thumb their noses at the taxpayers and take the money. They think they're entitled, no matter how dismal their track record.

No wonder they won't let the voters decide whether they want the power to recall elected officials.

DEMS BLOCK RECALL LEGISLATION

2008-05-05T10:46:00.003-05:00

Well guess what? Emil Jones and Terry Link successfully blocked a bill that would have allowed Illinois voters to recall ineffective lawmakers like our esteemed governor. Do you know what they demand now from voters? A raise in their salaries! That's right, this bunch is now getting a pay raise when hardworking business owners and families are struggling to survive the economic mess created in part by these very politicians.

I have a better idea. We already have two recall provisions in Illinois. They are called the Primary Election and General Election. Every Illinois voter should be outraged at what is going on. Democrat, Republican, Green, Independent, every last one. If you are---REFUSE to vote for the people in office now. Send a message. How much worse could it get? Better yet, take a look at some of young energetic candidates running against some of these old aging "power brokers".

Candidates like Brendan Appel for State Senate against Jeff Schoenberg, an Emil Jones ally; Dan Duffy for State Senator out in the Barrington area; yours truly, Tim Stratton running against long time politican Karen May on the North Shore. Kathy Ryg, Terry Link, Mike Bond are all facing Republican opposition this fall. Given their track records why would we send them back?

Here is a great editorial I came across on the legislator pay raise scandal:

Legislators don't trust us? Feeling is mutual

BY CAROL MARIN Sun-Times Columnist
Out of the legislative madness in Springfield this week came five little words said twice for emphasis: “I need a pay raise. I need a pay raise.”

It was Senate President Emil Jones speaking

The chamber he controls in the Illinois General Assembly had just moments earlier denied voters of this state the right to decide for ourselves if we should be able to recall politicians we have elected to public office.

Whether you are a fan of the recall idea or not, you now have been summarily stripped of the opportunity to say yes or no to amending the state constitution thanks to the Senate that Jones controls and his Democratic camp followers who packed the measure with poison pills to assure it would be voted down. And who then adjourned, preventing Republicans from calling up an earlier, less onerous recall measure that might actually have passed. One that would have permitted the recall of Gov. Blagojevich or legislators themselves.

No, fellow voters, recall is a measure lawmakers think is just too dangerous to put in our hands.

Why?

If this doesn’t make you laugh until you cry, nothing will. Citizens, they warn, might seek revenge against politicians who take courageous but unpopular stands.

Courage? In Springfield? Your chances of seeing a cougar roam the Capitol are better than that.

This isn’t about courage. It’s about flacking for a governor whose future is in flames thanks to the federal pay-to-play corruption trial of fund-raising pal, Tony Rezko, in Chicago. And thanks to a gridlocked, venomous, warring Legislature where the battle lines are set in stone: Blagojevich and Jones vs. House Speaker Michael Madigan.

The whole sad, stupid, egomaniacal mess has stalemated everything from legislation on education to capital spending (roads, buses, bridges), and (shudder) ethics.

A compromise ethics bill is now close to being worked out. How great is that? Not.

While testimony in the Rezko corruption trial details outrageous, secret, multimillion-dollar “finders fees” for political power brokers who do pension business with the state and appointments to state boards and commissions that are bought and paid for by huge campaign contributions, the current ethics compromise language addresses none of that. Nor does it prohibit firms like Exelon, parent of Commonwealth Edison, from giving huge contributions to guys like Emil Jones, something that almost every other state in the union forbids.

At best, this ethics bill will narrowly address state contractors, prohibiting them from making political contributions if they do more than $50,000 worth of state business.

But hey, if the state Legislature can’t do anything else well, give credit where credit is due. They’ve sure cornered the market on figuring out how to get a pay raise without even having to vote on it.

And so today, when Illinois’ unemployment is 5.5 percent, higher than the national average; when foreclosures across the state are up 25 percent since 2006, and almost 2 million people here don’t have health insurance, Jones has the tone-deaf temerity to declare, “I need a pay raise.”

That, fellow citizens, is courage.

But don’t blame just him.

Though a handful of legislators are openly appalled by the notion of a pay raise in these hard economic times, it’s all but a done deal.

Again. A 7 percent boost this year on top of last year’s 10 percent increase. (Governor: $170,917 to $192,773; Jones and Madigan $91,824 to $102,547). The Legislature simply sits back and lets the state Compensation Review Board recommend raises that are automatically adopted unless lawmakers vote in protest.

So remember, you, dear citizen, can’t be trusted with the power of recall. But you sure can be relied upon to pony up the money to pay for state officeholders who denied you the possibility.

Budget Crisis Looming Again...Should we send our Legislators back to an Econ 101 Class?

2008-05-05T10:24:00.003-05:00

When are the people of Illinois going to finally wake up and demand a government that works? The state budget (or lack of one) is beginning to become a major obstacle to the progress of this state. The Democrats brilliant idea now is to stop making payments that the state owes for Medicaid and to "transfer" i.e steal money from other restricted accounts to plug the hole in the budget. Here's a good idea to anyone listening: How about showing a modicum of fiscal restraint and not spending more money than we have?

I'm sorry, but if a family in Illinois doesn't feel like they have enough money they can't just decide they are not going to pay their bills. Why are we giving the state a free pass here? The Democrats have turned Illinois into a "deadbeat state" and are doing the government equilvilent of using the state's 401-K to go on a shopping spree at the mall. Does this make any sense?

Illinois budget in a hole, next fiscal plan in flux
Gov. Rod Blagojevich, legislators tussle over $750 million shortfall

By David Mendell
Tribune reporter
9:17 PM CDT, May 4, 2008
Now that Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich has fended off an effort to allow him to be recalled from office, his administration is turning to another feud the governor historically has found himself engaged in with lawmakers: the state budget.

As the governor's aides work on next year's budget, they also are trying to figure out how to close what they estimate is a $750 million hole remaining in this year's budget, which ends June 30.

The shortfall, which Illinois Senate budget officials believe is closer to $395 million, largely results from overly optimistic projections during a weakening economy, a situation now faced by many states.

For weeks the governor had threatened to squeeze some programs and de-fund grants in hopes that the legislature would provide a boost in revenue or approve a series of fund transfers to close the gap.

Last week, however, Blagojevich released money for 4-H programs and soil and conservation districts as state senators were considering a measure asking voters to allow recall of public officials from office. The push for recall was aimed at Blagojevich, sponsors said, but the administration said the money's release was not tied to the recall effort.

All of which leaves the governor still looking at a mix of options to erase the $750 million shortfall: delaying Medicaid payments, holding back advance payments to school systems statewide, holding back operating-expense payments for colleges and transferring money from other funds that have not been drawn down.

Of these, the fund transfers would provide the most cash.

The Senate already has passed a $530 million fund-transfer package, but the House has yet to take action on the bill.

House lawmakers, whose bitter budget war with Blagojevich last year remains a backdrop, have been irritated with the governor's budget-making ever since he cut legislators' special projects last year.

Some lawmakers blame the governor for increasing money for his own initiatives, particularly an expansion of health-care coverage, while he derides lawmakers for not tightening their belts.

"It's irresponsible stewardship and just bad governance," said state Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont). "He doesn't understand the budget and he doesn't understand the numbers. When you don't have any money, you can't expand programs. That's just logic."

Blagojevich's aides, however, blame the General Assembly for approving a budget that was overly optimistic in revenue projections. They noted that the state finds itself in this budget hole even after the governor vetoed $463 million in lawmakers' projects—mostly those of House Democrats and Senate Republicans who opposed Blagojevich's agenda.

The governor's aides argued that his current-year health-care expansion cost less than $20 million and that this fiscal crisis partially stems from lawmakers being too focused on politics while the state's fiscal woes go unattended. As evidence, they pointed to $180 million in supplemental spending that the legislature has passed in recent months.

"It's not an extreme problem unless it remains unaddressed," said Sheila Nix, Blagojevich's deputy governor. "This is a problem that can be fixed, but we need to get beyond the political distractions to solve it."

But getting beyond those "distractions" has proved to be a challenge amid the highly charged atmosphere of Springfield.

A spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) said there is little support in that legislative chamber for Blagojevich's fund-transfer plan.

"I have not seen anybody rush to say that this is a good idea," Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said Friday. "There are a variety of other alternatives that they could look at if they wanted to."

As one option, Brown suggested taking whatever remains of the $463 million in member projects that Blagojevich vetoed from the 2008 budget—perhaps $125 million—and paying down the backlog of Medicaid bills. That would spur an infusion of matching money from the federal government, Brown said.

With such opposing views, it's uncertain how this budget drama will conclude.

Legislators are four weeks from their spring adjournment deadline, and they must come together with solutions for the problems of the current fiscal year as they grapple with passing a budget for the one that begins July 1.

"We've been talking about this since February, and nobody has really been listening," said Kelley Quinn, a spokeswoman for Blagojevich's Office of Management and Budget. "But June 30 isn't going away."

Northbrook Town Hall Meeting Announcement

2008-04-29T14:49:00.003-05:00

There will be a townhall meeting in Northbrook at the Northbrook Public Library on Monday May 19th at 7pm. Republican Cook County Board Member Tony Peraica and others (including 58th District State Representative candidate Tim Stratton) will talk to residents about the exorbitant cost of government in Cook County Call June to RSVP at 847-441-5177. I encourage all to attend.

Hope Fades on Capital Bill for Illinois

2008-04-28T11:19:00.001-05:00

Hope is fading fast on the Democrats chances for putting together a capital spending bill to address our state's crumbling infrastructure. It doesn't look like the politicians can agree on anything given the vicious personal attacks and general animosity towards one another (and we're talking about the Democrat lawmakers here). I found this good artice in the Decatur Herald today. The voters of Illinois have a chance to send a message this November by electing new State Representatives and Senators to represent them in Springfield.

The following news article is reprinted from the Decatur Herald-Review at:
http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2008/04/28/news/state/1032084.txt

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hopes fade for meeting budget deadline

By MIKE RIOPELL - H&R Springfield Bureau Writer
SPRINGFIELD - Lawmakers plan to return to Springfield on Tuesday for what's scheduled to be their final month of consistent work before election season.

At the beginning of the year, Republicans and Democrats alike talked highly of spending $25 billion to fix roads, bridges and schools, as well as put thousands to work.

But as April comes to an end and lawmakers are scheduled to have a state budget done by the end of May, some have seen that optimism diminish.

"I don't feel as good now as when I first came in," state Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, said of the prospects of such a plan.

State Rep. Patrick Verschoore, D-Milan, said he was optimistic in January about the chances to get construction money. But the past several months have brought more infighting among Democrats, who have the most power to shape such a plan.

"Well, here we are," he said.

The situation mirrors last year, when lawmakers and Gov. Rod Blagojevich missed their budget deadline mark by months, leaving the day-to-day operation of state services such as police, parks and prisons in question.

A construction plan is a separate matter from the state's yearly budget.

If they banded together, Democrats in the House and Senate would have enough votes to approve a yearly budget without any Republican support.

But after May 31, rules change, and spending plans need more votes, so Republicans would have a say.

State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, said he'd prefer things were done on time. "Because you know it's not going to be pleasant," he said.

Forby said that while he doesn't like how the state's billions of dollars are being handled lately, last-minute decisions aren't uncommon around the Capitol.

"Nobody ever does anything until May," Forby said. "They always try to do it in the last two or three weeks."

But even before a new spending plan can be worked out for next year, some are focusing on whether the state has enough money to even finish this fiscal year, which closes at the end of June.

A gap in the budget means Blagojevich has vowed to cut off cash to some agriculture and other programs until lawmakers find him more funds.

Some lawmakers are particularly concerned about cuts to agricultural programs such as the University of Illinois Extension and 4-H this year, making it tough for Extension employees to plan.

"So, some would say, why worry about next year?" said Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville.

Mike Riopell can be reached at mike.riopell@lee.net or 789-0865.

# # # # # # #

A Very Critical Story from a London Newspaper on the Democrat's Nomination Fight

2008-04-25T10:31:00.002-05:00

Obama and Clinton: two cynical losers
Despite having all the trumps, the Democrats have squandered the chance of a lifetime
Gerard Baker--The Times

How do they do it? How do the Democrats manage to squander repeatedly and with such ease the chance of a lifetime? What inverse alchemy have they created that turns the gold bullion of electoral opportunity into the base metal of political oblivion?

Eight years of George Bush, an unpopular war and a recession have handed the Democrats their best chance, not merely of winning their first presidential election in 12 years, but of achieving a rare, once-in-a- generation transformational shift in American politics.

Four fifths of the American public think the country is on the wrong track. The President wallows in the highest disapproval ratings since polling began. The Republican Party has spent most of a decade bungling almost everything it touches, abandoning its principles and sinking into a mire of corruption, hypocrisy and incompetence.

And here we are, six months from a presidential election, and it is the Democrats once again who seem to be staring defeat in the face. It's like a soccer match in which one team keeps conceding a penalty in the final minutes only to watch as the opponents repeatedly boot the penalty kick high into the stands.

Hillary Clinton's solid victory in the Pennsylvania primary on Tuesday has condemned the party to many more weeks of strife and sinking public esteem. There's a popular view among Democrats and the media establishment that the reason for the party's current disarray is that it just happens to have two most extraordinary candidates: talented, attractive, and in their gender and race, excitingly new. But there's an alternative explanation, which I suspect the voters have grasped rather better than their necromancers in the media. Both are losers.

The longer the Democratic race goes on, the more obvious it appears that each is deeply, perhaps ineradicably flawed.

Until about a month ago Barack Obama had done a brilliant job of presenting himself as a transcendent figure, the mixed-race candidate with bipartisan appeal who promised to heal the historic and modern rifts in American life.

But the mask has slipped. Under pressure in a Democratic primary, Mr Obama has sounded just like any other tax-raising, government-loving Democratic politician. Worse, he has revealed himself to be a member of that special subset of the party's liberal elite - a well-educated man with a serious superiority complex.

His worst moment of the campaign was when he was caught telling liberal sophisticates about his anthropological observations on the campaign trail. In the misery of their daily lives, he said, the hicks out there in the sticks cling to religion and guns and the other irrational necessities of the unenlightened life. His wife had earlier told voters that they should be grateful that someone of his protean talents had deigned to come among them and be their president.

The events of the last month have also revealed another side of Mr Obama that threatens to undermine his whole message. He is a cynic. He tells the mavens of San Francisco one thing and the great unwashed of Pennsylvania another. In defending his long relationship with the Rev Jeremiah Wright, he shopped his own grandmother, comparing the reverend's views (God Damn America! The US deliberately spread Aids among the black population) to his grandmother's occasionally expressed fears about the potential of being the victim of crime at the hands of an African-American.

Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, has been busy shedding the final vestiges of shame and honesty in her desperate attempt to save her candidacy. She has abandoned any pretence of a message, and simply seized on every opening presented to her by her opponent.

Mr Obama's missteps with the working class of Pennsylvania have thus transformed Mrs Clinton from the bluestocking Wellesley graduate into the good old girl, hanging out there with the straw-chewing rednecks, embracing their values, their worldview and even their lifestyle.

Obliterate Iran! Here comes Osama bin Laden! I love duck hunting! I can do shots and beer at the same time! It's hard to know what's worse - expressing condescending views about the working class or pretending to be one of them. The Democratic campaign is simply disappearing in the enveloping vapidity of the candidates' making.

The economy's a mess; the US is bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead of seizing the opportunity to present a convincing vision of an alternative way forward the Democrats are fumbling. When they are not scrapping about each other's street cred they are falling back on the old verities of left-wing dogma: class warfare on taxes; irresponsible (and unredeemable) promises to pull out of Iraq in an instant; a protectionism that makes a mockery of their claims to want to restore America's standing in the world.

Amid this sorry spectacle of cynical opportunism and atavistic dogmatism, the Republicans have contrived somehow to select in John McCain the one candidate in their party who might actually have a shot at winning the election.

American presidential elections turn as much on the characters of the candidates as they do on the saliency of policies. Democrats, of course, think this is all rather crass. They think voters should confine themselves to the “issues”. But Americans understand their government a little better. They know the limits of presidential office and they understand the president's role as head of state is as much about leadership of the nation as it is about implementation of policy.

What they want is a man - or a woman - of character and record to inspire and lead them. That may be why the Democrats are in trouble.

Impeachment Talk Begins at State House

2008-04-24T11:32:00.002-05:00

Well, the bombshell revelation the other day by a former Blagojevich administration official that the Governor was present at a meeting when a $25,000 campaign contribution check was handed over and talk of a quid pro quo for a political appointment was discussed has heated things up down in Springfield and for the first time we have our legislators publically talking about the topic of impeachment of the Governor. We need to clean up Springfield politics and it starts in November by electing new leadership (from both parties) to office.

Here is the article from the Rockford Register-Star:

Whispers of impeachment grow louder at Capitol

By Aaron Chambers
RRSTAR.COM
Posted Apr 23, 2008 @ 09:21 PM
Last update Apr 23, 2008 @ 10:15 PM

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Rod Blagojevich, following his usual practice, slipped into a gathering through a little-used service entrance here today and prayed with lawmakers and citizens during his annual prayer breakfast.

It marked one of his rare appearances here, even more infrequent now, as the capital has become increasingly consumed by developments in a public corruption trial in Chicago involving his former fundraiser and adviser, Antoin “Tony” Rezko.

Some observers wonder whether Blagojevich will become even more isolated as the trial and broader federal investigation of his administration continues. On Tuesday, a witness claimed the governor was on hand when he traded a $25,000 campaign donation for a ranking state post.

There is a “growing public clamor” for an impeachment case against Blagojevich, said Rep. John Fritchey, a Chicago Democrat whose district includes Blagojevich’s home. Fritchey said lawmakers must approach impeachment with “great reluctance” but that they may consider the remedy now that Blagojevich was “alleged to have committed very troubling acts.”

For the governor’s part, he seemed to allude to his situation Wednesday toward the end of his remarks to the prayer breakfast when he quoted an old Hank Williams song.

“You never stood in that man’s shoes or saw things through his eyes, or watched with helpless hands while the heart inside you dies,” the governor said. “So help your brother along the way, no matter where he starts, because the same God that made you made him too, these men with broken hearts.”

Some observers say the escalating legal probe may do little to change matters at the Capitol.

“You’ve got a governor who is not trusted by the vast majority of legislators,” said Mike Lawrence, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University. “He has not been trusted for several years now. And the fact that he’s having legal problems will just reaffirm their distrust.”

Blagojevich and lawmakers have for months been at loggerheads over how to patch a deficit in the current budget, how to craft the next budget and how to structure a capital construction plan. The Rezko trial coupled with the related probe is just one factor driving gridlock.

Some observers called Tuesday’s development significant. Ali Ata, the former executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority, admitted in a court document that he lied to the FBI in December 2005 when he told an agent he did not owe his $127,000 job to his donations to Blagojevich or to the influence of Rezko.

Charles Wheeler, director of the public affairs reporting program at the University of Illinois at Springfield, said Ata’s statement “seems to implicate (Blagojevich) more directly” than previous allegations concerning the governor.

“For Blagojevich, this ratchets up the concern of what the federal government is doing, and it’s got to be a major distraction for him,” he said.

Blagojevich has not been charged criminally with wrongdoing.

Spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said today that Blagojevich is focused on crafting a capital construction program — the “primary goal of the next fiscal year,” she said.

“Those who suggest that resolutions can’t be reached because of an unrelated court case are fishing for excuses,” she said.

Chris Mooney, a UIS political studies professor, said the intensifying federal probe could increase pressure on Senate President Emil Jones Jr., D-Chicago, to break his alliance with Blagojevich.

Blagojevich and Jones have since last spring feuded with House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago.

“In that way it might help things, get things moving, to get (Blagojevich) out of the picture,” Mooney said.

Jones spokeswoman Cindy Davidsmeyer dismissed that notion, saying the Jones/Blagojevich alliance is based not on politics but on mutual policy goals.

Staff writer Andrea Zimmermann, GateHouse News Service writer Meagan Sexton and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

# # # # # #

Transportation Funding in Jeopardy as a Result of Political Games

2008-04-24T11:27:00.003-05:00

Once again, the importatnt transporation needs of Illinois are fodder for political gamesmanship between the Democratic controlled leislature and Governor's office. As this article points out if the state does not agree on a capital spending bill (which seems less likely with each passing day) then the taxpayers of Illinois stand to loose more than $10 billion dollars of Federal money we have already paid for! This underscores the importance of this fall's election and the consequences of not sending new leadership to Springfield to deal with these and other issues.

The article from the Chicago Tribune is below:

$5 billion a year needed to maintain Illinois roads and bridges, experts say
Bipartisan panel warns public officials that time is running out to shore up funding

By Richard Wronski
Tribune reporter
11:08 PM CDT, April 23, 2008
Illinois needs to invest at least $5 billion a year in additional funding just to maintain its roads, bridges, transit systems and airports, experts told a bipartisan panel grappling with the problem of the state's crumbling infrastructure Wednesday.

But it has been more than eight years since the General Assembly enacted the state's last public works package, and time is running out for legislators to act on a new measure this spring, according to the Transportation for Illinois Coalition.

The organization sounded the warning before about 250 public officials, transportation heads and business representatives at a DuPage County transportation summit.

The Naperville gathering was one of the largest in a six-week series of statewide "listening sessions" held by former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Glenn Poshard, president of Southern Illinois University, to bring attention to the issue.

Hastert, a Yorkville Republican, and Poshard, a Democrat from Carbondale, were appointed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to pitch his $25 billion public works program. But many believe that proposal would not meet the state's needs.

"You can't do a capital bill on the cheap," said RTA Chairman Jim Reilly. "You will find out you haven't done anything."

The state must invest a greater local match to recover $10 billion in federal highway funds—tax money that Illinoisans already have paid, Hastert said.

"If you leave $10 billion on the table, it doesn't make much sense," he said.

The longtime congressman said after the session that he is confident that the political gridlock in Springfield that has stalled a public works plan can be broken. There is still time for legislative leaders to talk out their differences as the spring session winds down, he said.

Hastert said he was optimistic because he served in the state legislature with three of the four leaders, House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President Emil Jones and Senate GOP leader Frank Watson. And House GOP leader Tom Cross "was a student of mine" when Hastert was a Yorkville High School history teacher, he said.

"We can sit down with the legislative leaders and the governor, around the table, and try to define the scope [of the legislation] and try to find what the revenue sources are [to fund it] and have a good bipartisan effort," Hastert said.

It Just Goes From Bad To Worse For This Guy

2008-04-23T16:51:00.002-05:00

A bombshell revelation of the Governor's involvement in public corruption came out late the other day in the trial of an administration insider. Here is an article explaining the situation. What makes this ever more astonishing is the fact that this governor championed "ethics reform" during his first term in office. Remember the governor's re-election tag line about Judy Topinka..."what's she thinking"? Reading this account one has to ask the same question of the Governor and his people..."what were they thinking?".

Governor tied to job scheme
4/23/2008

Natasha Korecki, Chicago Sun-Times

A former top official in Gov. Blagojevich's administration said Tuesday the governor gave him a $127,000-a-year state job in exchange for pouring cash into Blagojevich's campaign fund, including tens of thousands of dollars out of his own pocket.

That bombshell from Ali Ata came as the onetime director of the Illinois Finance Authority pleaded guilty in a deal in which prosecutors plan to have him testify in the ongoing corruption trial of former Blagojevich fund-raiser Tony Rezko.

Ata placed the governor at a meeting where money was exchanged and a reward -- his future state job -- was promised. Ata said that, in 2002, he met with Blagojevich at Rezko's Chicago offices and gave the governor a $25,000 check for a campaign contribution. Rezko placed the check on a conference table, according to Ata's plea deal. Then, according to Ata, Blagojevich "expressed his pleasure and acknowledged that the defendant had been a good supporter and good friend." The governor, "in the defendant's presence, asked Rezko if he [Rezko] had talked to the defendant about positions in the administration, and Rezko responded that he had."

Later, at a July 2003 fund-raiser for the governor at Navy Pier, Ata -- who had contributed another $25,000 -- said Blagojevich spoke of having him join the administration and said, "It had better be a job where [Ata] could make some money."

Ata started working as director of the state agency in 2003 and was formally appointed to the job in 2004, the year Blagojevich created the authority.

Responding to Ata's allegations, a Blagojevich spokeswoman said: "We don't endorse or allow the decisions of state government to be based on campaign contributions."

Blagojevich hasn't been accused of any crime. His administration is the target of a federal investigation involving "pay to play" allegations that state positions and contracts were traded for campaign contributions.

Ata's plea deal refers to the governor only as "Public Official A" -- the same reference prosecutors have used. But sources -- and the judge in Rezko's corruption case -- previously identified Blagojevich as "Public Official A." And Ata made the same dollar-amount contributions on the same dates detailed in the plea deal to the governor's campaign, state records show.

Besides saying he had to give money to the governor's campaign to get his state job, Ata said he also had to keep Rezko happy to keep the job. To do so, he said he agreed to Rezko's repeated pleas for cash and ended up giving him a total of $125,000 in cash.

Ata, 56, of Lemont, was a co-defendant in a business-fraud case against Rezko -- involving Rezko's fast-food franchises -- that has yet to go to trial.

Rezko is on trial on unrelated charges that he used his influence in the Blagojevich administration to orchestrate a kickback scheme involving state business deals.

Ata pleaded guilty to lying to an FBI agent when he said he didn't get anything in return for making contributions to Blagojevich and admitted he lied about Rezko's influence.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to report $1.2 million in income related to a development at Addison and Kimball.

Ata, facing 12 to 18 months in prison, could get less time based on his cooperation. Prosecutors dropped a charge that Ata helped Rezko fraudulently secure $10 million in loans related to his Papa John's pizza restaurants in Chicago and Milwaukee.

Ata gave a total of $65,000 to Blagojevich's gubernatorial campaign fund. He also contributed $5,000 to Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama, who gave that money to charity after Ata's indictment last year.

Though Ata left his state post after about a year, following a critical audit, he soon got a three-year, $55,200-a-year consulting deal with the agency -- which he declined after the Chicago Sun-Times reported a foreclosure he didn't disclose. Ata said then: "For someone to imply that I paid $60,000 to get a job of $127,000 is erroneous and wrong."

Loosing Trust in State's Democrats

2008-04-08T14:05:00.002-05:00

This is a good editorial I ran across on the Capitol Fax Blog from the Galesburg, Illinois newspaper. The Democrats have let this state down and its time to rethink who we send to Springfield. To be clear, the old Republican party had its blemishes too but independent moderates realize that people and not parties solve problems. I want to work within the two party system to bring change to Illinois. Problems aside, it was the Republican party in Illinois that stood for fiscal discipline, paying bills on time and protecting our state pensions. Structural deficits were never this bad and job creation was a priority under Republican leadership--so was holding the line on the crazy tax and fee hikes. We need a return to the ficsal conservatism of the Republicans. Enjoy.

By DAVE CASS
Letter to the Editor
Posted Apr 08, 2008 @ 11:24 AM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I usually don’t write a letter to the editor unless I encounter something which I consider frustrating or just absolutely stupid. I got a double-whammy in Friday’s edition of The Register-Mail.

First, State Rep. Mike Smith (Democrat of Canton) is proposing a constitutional amendment that would increase the state income tax rate for people earning more than $250,000 a year from the current 3 percent to 6 percent. Is that really a good idea?
The American Dream has always been to become successful through initiative and hard work. Why penalize those among us who have achieved this? Unless I beat the odds and win the lottery, I don’t ever expect to be one of those earning a quarter million a year, but I don’t harbor ill feelings toward those who do. These are the people who have either taken a risk in business or who have gone to school to learn a skill which is highly sought after by the rest of us. We couldn’t function without these people. Why should we tell them that we are going to take twice as much proportionally from them as from everybody else? What does it say to our young people when, by our actions, we tell them not to try to achieve success because a greater percentage of their incomes will be usurped in order to make the rest of us feel better?

OK, as if that wasn’t bad enough. I also see that the State Senate has voted to expand health care, an admirable idea. The problem comes with the mechanism for funding this noble purpose.

The Democratically-controlled Senate decided it would be a good idea to raid “many small piggy banks” in order to raise the necessary funds for this action. Unfortunately, these “many small piggy banks” are funds that were set aside for specific purposes. One of them is the Teachers Retirement Insurance Program. I have seen what Blagojevich has done to the Teachers’ Retirement System funding recently and I don’t relish the idea of him tapping into my health insurance to pay for his pet projects.

For many years, I have voted Democratic because I thought they were the party that looked out for us “little guys.” (The exception to this would be my voting for Don Moffitt, a man for whose work I have the utmost respect). I am beginning to realize that, when it comes to what’s happening here in Illinois, my allegiance to the Democratic Party has been misguided. Until they prove to me that they have the intelligence and fortitude to deal with the state’s financial crisis in a reasonable manner, they have seen the last of my support! — Dave Cass, Galesburg

It just keeps getting better and better...

2008-04-03T21:51:00.002-05:00

Can you believe this latest piece of legislation that has been introduced by the Democrats. It seems they aren't satisfied with the taxes they are already taking from the hard working people of the State of Illinois. This bill would double the income taxes on those families making more than $250,000 a year.

Here is the article from today's Daily Herald:

Double state taxes for the rich?
By John Patterson | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 4/3/2008 10:22 AM | Updated: 4/3/2008 6:19 PM
SPRINGFIELD -- A state lawmaker wants voters to decide if people making more than $250,000 a year should have their Illinois income tax doubled, with the billions of new dollars paying for education, roads and tax breaks for everyone else.

If successful in Springfield, the question would be put to voters in November. If voters endorse it, the current 3 percent state income tax rate would double to 6 percent for individuals and joint tax filers making more than a quarter-million dollars.

Colleagues have already dubbed downstate Democrat Rep. Mike Smith's plan the "Robin Hood referendum." State tax data shows 107,000 people in the state made more than $250,000. That's roughly 5 percent of all tax filers.

"Let's take from the rich and give to the poor," said state Rep. Joseph Lyons, a Chicago Democrat.

Supporters hope the other 95 percent -- who'd pay nothing more and could see upward of $300 in state tax breaks -- would swamp polling places to vote for this.

"I'm not sure who would campaign against this other than those 107,000," Smith said.

But some suburban lawmakers were quick to oppose the plan. Not surprisingly, the greatest concentration of top earners is in the Chicago and suburban region. Cook County had 45,146 tax filers reporting income over $250,000 in 2005.

The numbers in the other suburban counties were: DuPage County, 15,054; Lake County, 12,846; McHenry County, 5,449; Kane County, 4,558; and Will County, 2,693.

Sen. Kirk Dillard, a Hinsdale Republican, said the low, flat income tax is "one of the last good economic tools" in Illinois.

"We should not get sucked into class warfare," said Dillard, who estimated his own income would fall short of the $250,000 threshold.

Dillard was among the Republican lawmakers who, also on Thursday, unveiled their own economic plan that calls for rolling back state taxes on gasoline and businesses.

Illinois now has a flat, 3 percent income tax regardless of how much someone makes. The state constitution requires a flat rate regardless of income, so an amendment would be needed to create an upper-bracket tax.

Under this tax plan, the increase would generate nearly $3 billion annually to be split equally among education funding, state-sponsored construction and tax relief in the form of doubling the personal exemption for those making less than $250,000 annually.

The proposal comes as lawmakers are again considering plans that raise income taxes and expand sales taxes to come up with billions of new dollars for school funding. They're also considering new casinos and other gambling expansion to finance road, bridge and school construction.

But Smith said he believes those plans are hopelessly stalled, and putting the income tax before voters is a better option. A proposed constitutional amendment also would skip Gov. Rod Blagojevich's desk and go straight to voters.

Blagojevich has repeatedly vowed not to raise the state income or sales tax. He did, however, recently agree to a higher Chicago and suburban sales tax to bail out mass transit agencies.

Of the 40 states with an income tax, Illinois is one of seven charging all taxpayers a flat rate. Indiana similarly has a flat, 3.4 percent income tax rate.

Wisconsin has four tax brackets ranging from 4.6 percent to 6.75 percent, Iowa's tax rates cover nine brackets ranging from 0.36 percent to 8.98 percent, and Missouri's 10 income tax brackets range from a low of 1.5 percent to a high of 6 percent.

To make the November ballot, the proposed tax question would need House and Senate approval by May 4. Smith said he hopes for initial approval in the House as soon as next week.

General Assembly Back in Session "working" for you and I...

2008-04-03T10:59:00.002-05:00

The General Assembly returned to Springfield April 1st and boy the joke is certainly on the voters.

One of the first items they took up was a plan to raid dedicated funds and sweep the money into the state's general fund (read--steal the money from pledged causes and use it to shore up run away spending and failure to cut budgets). The money would come from dedicated funds for things like open space, environmental protection, among other things.

This is a purely political act of a desparate group of people who need money to fuel their addiction to new programs and cover up past abusive spending. The people of Illinois have got to stand up to this nonsense and say enough is enough. It starts by sending new people to Springfield to clean up this mess.

Here is a recent article from the Springfield State Journal-Register explaining the raid proposal:

Democrats’ plan would raid funds
Senate panels OK bills that add spending; Madigan calls idea ‘delusional’

By DOUG FINKE
STAFF WRITER

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Illinois Senate Democrats on Wednesday put forward a plan to fill the state’s three-quarter-of-a-billion-dollar budget hole, but it calls for additional spending and raiding restricted funds.
House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office called the idea “delusional.”

Senate committees controlled by Democrats approved bills that expand health-care programs by $43 million for the budget year that ends June 30 and add back $53 million in House Democrat pet projects that Gov. Rod Blagojevich cut from the budget last fall.

To pay for it all, Blagojevich would be given authority to take $530 million out of hundreds of state accounts that are set aside to pay for certain programs and are not funded with general tax dollars — for example, regulatory funds set up to collect licensing fees from certain professions.

Money left over after the increased spending would be used to close the shortfall in the fiscal 2008 budget, estimated by Blagojevich’s office to be $750 million. The shortfall, caused by lagging tax receipts from the economic slowdown, has further delayed payments to state vendors and others reliant on government spending.

Some Democrats said they were trying to send an olive branch to Madigan, who was furious when his members’ pet projects were cut from the budget while those of Senate Democrats were left intact. Madigan believes

Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, broke a promise to restore any such cuts made by Blagojevich.

“This is a carrot that may get the speaker back to the (bargaining) table,” said Sen. Donne Trotter of Chicago, the Senate Democrats’ top budget negotiator.

However, Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said the plan makes no sense, even if some of the money would go to House Democrats’ districts.

“We’ve been talking for weeks about a $700 million deficit, and now we are talking about new (spending)?” Brown said. “It’s a delusional act.”

Brown also said it makes no sense to again tap into restricted accounts, given the lawsuits that have been filed challenging the state’s authority to do that.

The special funds have about $3.2 billion in them, Trotter said. Since 2003, the legislature have taken $1.6 billion from the funds to balance state budgets.

Although the health-care expansions would cost $53 million through June 30, Republican lawmakers said it will add $300 million to next year’s budget.

“This is not chump change,” said Sen. Christine Radogno, R-Lemont. “We’re not addressing the problem … We just keep spending more and more and more.”

The bills approved in committee now go to the full Senate for a vote. They must also pass the House and be signed by Blagojevich before they would become law

McCain Democrats versus Obama Republicans

2008-03-27T14:10:00.003-05:00

There has been much lamenting of late of the impending doom of the Republican Party in the face of the Obama tide sweeping across our great land. I came across this interesting piece online posted on the Politico website.

Much to the disappointment of many of the partisans it seems to show the numbers are telling us a different story. Senator McCain is very appealing to Democrats, independents and moderates and is doing a better job wooing those groups to his candiacy than is either Senator Obama or Senator Clinton.

The meaning of all of this? It shows that the people reject the idea that one party (The Democrats in this case) has a monopoly on reform and good government and stands as a lesson to those of us in Illinois that with the right message and genuine care and concern for the people we serve we can win in this state again.

Here is the article:

GOP Counting on McCain Democrats
A new analysis of March polling data suggests that John McCain's cross-party support surpasses that of either Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton.

According to data provided by the Gallup Organization at Politico’s request, in a hypothetical contest between McCain and Obama, McCain wins 17 percent of Democrats and those leaning Democratic, while Obama wins 10 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaners.

In a potential contest with Clinton, McCain wins 14 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaners while Clinton wins 8 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaners.

By way of comparison, exit polls in 2004 reported that George W. Bush won 11 percent of Democrats and John F. Kerry won 6 percent of Republicans.

The new analysis, calculated from a compilation of Gallup’s daily polls between March 7 and 22, seems to indicate that there are more “McCain Democrats” than the much-ballyhooed “Obama Republicans” — or “Obamacans,” as they are sometimes referred to.

The polls were aggregated at Politico’s request as part of an effort to assess the cross-party appeal of each candidate. The compilation created a larger sample size, allowing pollsters to more accurately decipher voting patterns by party affiliation.

McCain’s potential to win more crossover votes than either of the Democrats, a finding that also surfaces in surveys conducted by Fox News/Opinion Dynamics and in private GOP polls, could upend the political calculus for the November general election.

Equally important, Gallup finds that McCain wins independents against either Democrat — 48 to 23 percent against Clinton, and 40 to 31 percent against Obama.

In 2004, exit polls showed independents cast 26 percent of the vote, splitting their support evenly between Bush and Kerry.

Both the Republican National Committee and the McCain campaign are depending upon McCain’s potential appeal to Democrats and independents to compensate for the depleted Republican ranks.

“Democrats currently have a lead in voter identification; it’s axiomatic that you have to look beyond your party’s base to get to 50 percent,” said Frank Donatelli, the deputy chairman of the RNC.

Late February polling by the RNC, passed along to top officials in the McCain campaign, also found that more Democrats said they would vote for McCain than Republicans said they would vote for Obama, according to an RNC operative and a senior adviser to the McCain campaign.

“There will be something in the range of a quarter of Democrats available or accessible to him when the this Democratic contest is over but that doesn’t mean we won’t have to work for them,” said a senior McCain adviser, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

That estimate may prove optimistic, though not wildly.

A Fox News poll released last week also found that McCain wins 18 percent of Democrats while Obama wins 11 percent of Republicans. McCain maintains his advantage among independents in the Fox poll, as well.

Clinton, according to the Gallup findings, hemorrhages slightly fewer Democrats than Obama. But Obama more than compensates for Clinton’s strength among Democrats with his greater capacity to narrow McCain’s advantage among independents. Private polling conducted by Republican strategist Tony Fabrizio reflects the same trend. “There’s going to be McCain Democrats,” Fabrizio said, adding that it was only a question of whether they will be a small sliver of the political left or a movement toward McCain.

If Obama is the Democratic nominee, the McCain adviser said the campaign will target male and female blue-collar white Democrats, a group viewed by Republicans as Obama’s soft spot.

“They already sense that [Obama] may be too liberal,” the adviser added. “They tend to also agree with McCain on the war and on social issues and we’ll have to satisfy them that McCain agrees with them on the economy.”

McCain’s appeal to Democrats has some Republican strategists envisioning a Ronald Reagan-like road map for the 2008 race. Today, most of the so-called Reagan Democrats have become independents.

“One similarity between 1980 and 2008 is you have a very tough Democratic primary,” said the RNC’s Donatelli, who served as the political director in the Reagan White House. “After that ended, there were a lot of bruised feelings and Democrats who would not vote for the winner.”

Gallup published results Wednesday that showed evidence supporting a similar scenario for 2008. Twenty-eight percent of Clinton’s supporters say they would vote for McCain if Obama is the Democratic nominee. The data, aggregating the same period of March polling, also showed 19 percent of Obama’s supporters pledging to back McCain if Clinton wins the nomination.

“The bulk of the Democrats you would try to appeal to are not Harvard-educated lawyers who are feminists. They’re working-class Democrats that you have more of a shot at getting. And the core of that appeal is social conservatism, right to life, Second Amendment and obviously national security,” Donatelli said.

Comparing Reagan to McCain, Donatelli said “both of them were and are viewed as mavericks, and a lot of that is character, and a lot of that is the persona of the individual. And it’s issue-based too, because you’ve challenged the orthodoxy on occasion.”

Democrats say they must undercut McCain’s maverick image in order to shore up their flank.

“People tend to confuse maverick with moderate,” said Steve Rosenthal, a Democratic leader in mobilizing voters. Rosenthal said Democrats must position McCain as a conservative and introduce them to the “real John McCain” on issues ranging from abortion to the war in Iraq to the environment.

“If Republicans are successful in defining John McCain as a moderate who can work across party lines and is a straight talker, then we will be in a real battle to win Democrats in some of these swing states,” he continued.

“Against McCain,” Rosenthal said, “it’s clear this is going to be an extremely close race. Anybody who thought that Democrats were going to waltz to the White House in 2008 is crazy.”

www.politico.com

Key to Winning in November is "Suburblicans"

2008-03-24T14:30:00.003-05:00

This is an intersting article I read today from the Republican Leadership Council. It is s funny piece on the voter base that put Ronald Reagan into office and helped change the course of America back in the 1980's. The point of the story for the 58th District (and Mark Kirk's 10th Congressional) is that as a party we need to woo the suburban independent middle of the road voters. This is what we, the Republican Party of Illinois MUST do to re-establish ourselves as the "good guys". There are some lessons to be learned from this. We must offer a message of hope and reform to the suburban voter who is turned off by Blagojevich and the politics of destruction practiced by the current Springfield "leadership". We have to win these "suburblicans" back over to our side. Enjoy.

"Raw Politics: Horton Hears a Suburblican
In the great book of Republican lore, the story lives on, read in reverent tones to tiny Red Staters even in their youngest years: On the eighth day, Ronald Reagan reached into the suburbs, the burgeoning fields of new homes filled with families yearning for hope, and he picked up an average working-class Democrat.

Cradling him gently in his mighty hand, and speaking in soothing tones, Reagan said to the trembling voter, "I have terrible news. Your party has lost its way. Democratic leaders are no longer the defenders of middle-class jobs, values and security. They are pandering to special interests. Don't you want someone to be your president again?"

The voter cried "Yes!" and in that moment, the Suburblican was born.
Suburblicans: Former Democrats who believed their party had abandoned them, and who came to be Republican voters. They put Reagan into office twice. They helped elect George Bush. And now, Sen. John McCain must see if he can summon the mighty Suburblicans to work their magic once again.

In many ways, McCain may be the right man for the job. His moderate and much ballyhooed maverick ways appeal to many of these voters. His positions do not force them too far to the right, where they would have to cozy up to the hard-core conservatives. Yet his steely resolve and record of service project a certain stability that Suburblicans enjoy.

He faces real challenges. The war, which McCain supports, is disliked by a great many Americans. Yes, there has been much progress in the past eight months. Yes, public opinion is swinging back toward at least neutral.

But it's still a sore point.
The economy is staggering, and McCain himself has said economic theory is not his strong suit.

The current president (a Republican, in case you haven't heard) is about as popular as outgoing New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer is, well, I guess, in his own home. That won't help.

There also is this: Remember, sometimes Suburblicans can undergo a remarkable metamorphosis. While holding onto virtually all their beliefs, expectations and principles, they can magically change into Suburblicrats. Sen. Barack Obama knows it's true. He has been doing well drawing those same moderate, independent and cross-over voters who McCain wants.

Sen. Hillary Clinton is firmly bolted to her Democratic base, so you might want to count her out of the Suburblican sweepstakes, and truth be told, her chances of cleaning up with that crowd do not look good.

But if we could predict with certainty where the Suburblicans will land, we could call this election tomorrow. Because the simple truth is, in a race this tight, these swing voters -- maybe more than the bases -- will decide who wins.
The defining characteristic of the Suburblicans right now is that they are migrating; great swarms of them are darkening the skies of the election, unwilling to make it clear which candidate they will ultimately favor.

But when the Suburblicans finally perch, and shake off their molting feathers, we shall see what emerges: New Suburblicans? New Suburblicrats? Or some fantastic new political animal no one has yet imagined.

Recent Cook County Sales Tax Hikes Hurting 58th District

2008-03-21T21:06:00.002-05:00

The recent sales tax hikes by Cook County and the State of Illinois are hurting Illinois residents, especially merchants, small businesses and the consumers who buy their goods. Especially troubling is the impact on so-called border areas--those areas of Cook County that are near the border of other counties. In the 58th District that includes the towns of Glencoe and Northbrook. How will this extraordinary Cook County tax increase affect the merchants in northern Cook County? We'll have to wait and see but evidence is mounting that many border towns are poised to loose sales to less taxing towns in friendlier counties. This is especially true with big ticket items such as cars, home electronics and appliances. Most interesting is the current legislation which would allow certain areas of northern Cook County to break away and form their own county (Reagan County perhaps?) To be sure this legislation faces long odds with the Chicago machine firmly in control of the State House and Democratic party. Here is an interesting article on efforts of House Republicans to require Cook County to hold the line on future tax increases.

GOP seeks to bring reform to Cook County

Legislators want to limit Cook County board's power

By David Beery | Daily Herald Staff

Published: 3/18/2008 12:11 AM
Using Todd Stroger's new budget as a rallying cry, Republican lawmakers are calling on Springfield to restrict Cook County's ability to raise taxes and add workers.

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger two weeks ago pushed through a budget that more than doubles the county sales tax and adds more than 1,000 workers to the payroll.

On Monday, GOP state Reps. Suzie Bassi, Angelo "Skip" Saviano and Michael McAuliffe denounced the higher sales tax as an unnecessary burden on residents facing higher costs of living on all fronts.

"Instead of tightening the county's financial belt, Todd Stroger chose to double the sales tax on people who are already struggling," McAuliffe said.

Each of the three Republicans has filed a bill aimed at restricting the Cook County Board's budgeting authority.

All three proposals figure to face rough sledding in the General Assembly, where both chambers are led by Cook County Democrats. Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, said narrowly written restrictions will be not get far.

"Now, if they plan to make these measures applicable to all home-rule units of government, then there might be some discussion," Brown said.

The Republican lawmakers said they are open to talks on applying the limits to other home-rule units of government. As introduced, though, the bills apply only to Cook County.

The idea from McAuliffe, of Chicago, would require a three-fifths, super-majority vote for any tax or fee increase by the Cook board. Under that provision, Stroger would have needed 11 of 17 commissioners' votes instead of the nine that sealed the budget Feb. 29.

Stroger spokeswoman Ibis Antongiorgi said a super-majority requirement would be "essentially a vote to shut down county government."

A measure from Saviano, of Elmwood Park, would install in Cook County an independent personnel director -- the goal, he said, being to halt politically connected hiring and promoting.

Bassi, of Palatine, filed a bill calling for details of any proposed tax increase and the annual budget to be Web posted at least a week in advance of a board vote.

Saviano said these restrictions should appeal to Democrats as well as Republicans.

"I'm hearing from constituents who tell me they feel disenfranchised by their Democratic officials over this sales tax," Saviano said.

Bassi said the sales tax is particularly damaging to businesses in her district -- the county's far northwest corner -- because residents can easily shop in nearby Lake County to avoid the higher sales tax.

The county's portion of the sales tax will increase by a full percentage point -- from .75 to 1.75 percent -- and will give Chicago the nation's highest big-city sales tax, at 10.25 percent. The sales tax will raise an estimated $426 million annually, more than enough to cover a $230 million budget deficit.

On Monday, Antongiorgi called the budget vote an act of political courage, adding that "President Stroger is proud of those commissioners who were willing to take a stand to place our residents above narrow political concerns."

For their part, the GOP legislators drew support from Jerry Roper, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce president, who said the tax increase will result in job losses and reduced business investment in the county.

Congressman Kirk Fights for Homeowners

2008-03-21T21:01:00.002-05:00

I found this article in the Pioneer Press. Congressman Kirk is looking at innovative ways to help homeowners stave off foreclosure:

Kirk unveils foreclosure deterrent

March 20, 2008
By TODD SHIELDS
U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, R-10th, wants to restart a Depression era federal program that he believes will help stave off home mortgage foreclosings.

In 1934, Congress established the Home Owners' Loan Corporation at a time when nearly 50 percent of all home mortgages had defaulted. Kirk said that for the next three years, the corporation saved mortgages by purchasing them from banks at a discount, followed by refinancing financial terms to homeowners.

He outlined the program March 10 at Chambers of Biz 6, an association of business people and community leaders in Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Hoffman Estates, Mount Prospect and Wheeling.

"The Home Owners' Loan Corporation would manage these homes in trouble and could allow millions of Americans to keep their homes," Kirk said at the Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows.

"We should find the most successful precedent in history and repeat it," Kirk said, referring to the corporation.

In 1951 when HOLC closed, it returned a $14 million profit to the taxpayer, according to press release issued by Kirk.

He said when first formed, HOLC relieved homeowners from high interest payments, imposed less cost on the federal treasury and protected investment banks on home loans.

In the bill, Kirk proposed the loan corporation have $25 billion in funds for emergency home mortgage relief.

Under Kirk's legislation, low-income individuals could receive a credit up to $2,000 annually and low-income families up to $4,000 a year

Tax Swap Legislation is Bad for Our Schools

2008-03-21T00:24:00.000-05:00

Property Tax Swap Legislation Bad for Local Schools and Taxpayers, By Tim Stratton

The Illinois General Assembly is considering legislation that would increase state income taxes on residents. The legislation, Senate Bill 2288 would increase income tax rates by 67% according to the Pioneer Press. The legislation increases taxes on individuals estates and businesses and promises a property tax reduction.

This is wrong for the state, wrong for Lake and Cook Counties and wrong for our District. Increasing the tax burden on our residents, small business owners and entrepreneurs will only drive us deeper into financial malaise. We need to create incentives for investment and job growth, not drive it away.

The tax-swap bill gaining traction, Senate Bill 2288, is sponsored by allies of Senate President Emil Jones, who long has pushed for higher income taxes to raise money for districts with less than strong tax bases.

The schools in our District are some of the best in the state, if not the nation. We need to protect these assets and make sure our kids have the best education possible. A tax swap is a bad idea because it will put the state in charge of education spending. I pledge to keep your local property tax dollars in your local school districts.

If the state government gets it hands on your money that will be a disaster. They have already demonstrated a complete lack of fiscal responsibility, just look at the CTA and the unfunded state pensions. It’s a mess and we don't need to rob the children of this state. There is no guarantee that the tax swap will result in lower property taxes. What will happen is an immediate income tax increase and then the property taxes will increase again over time. This is nothing more than a power grab at the expense of the suburbs.

Unfortunately my opponent is not showing leadership on this issue and that is one of the reasons I am running for State Representative. Karen May told the Pioneer Press that, "Whatever (legislature leadership) comes up with, I have to be sure they do not hurt our area."

I applaud Karen for her concern about our area but frankly the question we need to ask is why is she waiting for leadership to come up with something?" If the voters of the District elect me to be their next State Representative. I will seek to be a part of that leadership. We need a State Representative who will tell Springfield what we need, not one who just reports back on what leadership is doing.

Tim Stratton

Mark Kirk is in a Tough Race Too

2008-03-21T00:18:00.000-05:00

Mark and I agree on many issues.

Your's Truly...banner from my campaign webpage at www.timforillinois.com

2008-03-21T00:16:00.000-05:00

Republicans for Environmental Protection...we can be environmentally friendly AND economically prudent

2008-03-21T00:12:00.000-05:00

Check out their website at www.rep.org

Republican Economic Incentive Plan

2008-03-21T00:10:00.000-05:00

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tim Stratton
Tuesday, March 18, 2008 tim@timforillinois.com

State Representative Candidate Announces Support for Economic Incentive Plan

Glencoe – Tim Stratton (R-Glencoe) announced his support today for House Minority Leader Tom Cross's (R-Oswego) economic incentive plan and urged the Democratic controlled Illinois House of Representatives to take quick action on the plan. The plan, introduced at a Friday press conference at the Illinois Employment Training Center in Champaign by State Rep. Chapin Rose, (R-Mahomet), and House Republican Leader Tom Cross, also aims at freezing property tax bills for some seniors, and increasing tax credits for businesses.
Stratton said the plan should generate about $10 billion in state money - matched by about $9 billion in federal money - for the building and upkeep of state roads and facilities.
"The State of Illinois has lost over 200,000 jobs in a short amount of time and this plan will allow us to take steps to stem the tide of failing businesses."
Stratton said the plan will contain a tax credit for businesses for job training and investments including research and development, as well as benefits tied to depreciation of assets.
The plan which is still being worked out will directly help those who need it, the middle-class, lower-income working people in the state because it will spur job growth and employment opportunities for those who desperately need work.
Stratton noted that House Republicans are pushing for the state getting a $10 billion capital building bond, which will contain a federal near-match of dollars. That money would go toward improvements in roads, K-12 schools, higher education and state facilities.
According to Stratton, "Congressman Mark Kirk has sent us a wake up call that Illinois risks losing vital Federal transportation money unless we can come up with our matching share. The impasse created by the Democratic controlled state government and my opponent illustrates a lack of understanding of sound fiscal practice. By leaving billions of dollars on the table they are not doing the taxpayers of the state any favors. It is time we put partisan politics aside and work together to move Illinois forward."

###

Illinois Government Among the Worst in Nation

2008-03-21T00:07:00.001-05:00

Report Says Illinois Government Among the Worst

SPRINGFIELD -- A messy state budget picture and constant fighting at the state Capitol have earned Illinois poor marks for governmental management and performance from a public interest watchdog group.

The Washington, D.C.-based Pew Center on the States put Illinois near the bottom of its rankings in the report released Monday covering how well the 50 states manage their money, people, information and infrastructure.

Illinois received an overall grade of C, but that's only better than New Hampshire and Rhode Island and tied with six other states in the ratings basement. Illinois also scored worse than the B grades received by each of its five neighboring states.

The governor's office says the report mistakenly focuses more on politics than policy. But an Illinois-based watchdog group praised the report for vindicating its past warnings about an assortment of state government problems.

"At a C, we're overrated," said Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. "We just haven't gotten it right."

The Pew Center determined Illinois has weaknesses in nine of the 20 areas in which it was judged. It found a strength in only one category: the state's online services and information available to the public.

Weaknesses included the state's budget process, long-term money outlook, training and development for workers and lack of a statewide program for road, school and other construction projects.

The group noted the acrimony between state lawmakers and Gov. Rod Blagojevich that dominated last year and cautioned that officials must clear a "poisoned political atmosphere" to take care of its government problems -- especially "in a state where long-term financial prospects are a bit frightening."

"It can't be easy to manage a state such as Illinois, with huge outstanding bills and troubled revenue streams," the center wrote in its report. "But when the state's leaders are effectively stuck in the mud, the difficult becomes all but impossible."

The Blagojevich administration said the report missed the mark by not reflecting progress made in recent years, such as reducing government employee headcount and improving the budget deficit and overall efficiency.

"We respect the Pew Center's commitment to this project, but unfortunately, the Pew Center chose to focus on politics instead of fiscal facts," said Kelley Quinn, a spokeswoman for the governor's budget office.

Martire said the report hopefully will help persuade officials to do more to deal with budget deficits, construction needs and other nagging structural problems.

"It's time that we've got to deal with the facts," Martire said. "Reality is good. Let's deal with reality."

Stratton is Right for the 58th District

2008-03-20T23:29:00.000-05:00

This is an editorial that appeared in the Pioneer Press today...

"Tim Stratton right for the 58th District"

I would like to introduce readers to a young, successful business and
family man who is the Republican challenger to replace State
Representative Karen May of the 58th District which includes Lake Forest and
Lake Bluff. His name is Tim Stratton. He is a practicing lawyer and
resident of Glencoe, who presently is Treasurer/Park Commissioner of the
Glencoe Park District Board of Commissioners.

Even though Karen May is a fairly well-entrenched incumbent from
Highland Park, having been in the General Assembly since 2001, it was
reported in the Lake Forester on Thursday, March 6 that May is refusing to
agree to a series of town hall debates in each community in the
district. Basically Karen May is refusing to agree to letting the voters of
each village have a chance to question both candidates at the same time.
What is Karen May afraid of?

Karen May is well known and has considerable constituent support in
the 58th District, but voters might not be so supportive of Karen if her
Springfield record were known. Here are several revelations:

1) Karen supported the budgets of the governor that have resulted in
the largest tax and fee hikes in the state's history. This drives
business away and has resulted in Illinois not being competitive for jobs
and investment.

2) Karen was one of only 19 legislators to support Gov. Blagojevich
in his veto of HB6764 which provided property tax relief to homeowners
and seniors. The governor vetoed this bill and Karen May voted to uphold
the veto. This shows how Karen votes in lockstep with this unpopular
and reckless governor and not in the best interests of her district.

3) Karen was recently quoted by the Pioneer Press as saying "we'll
have to review whatever leadership comes up with" with respect to a
proposal to increase income taxes to fund schools at the expense of suburban
school. Karen's statement speaks volumes and exposes her absence of
leadership. Why is Karen May waiting for "whatever leadership comes up
with"? Why isn't Karen part of the leadership? Why isn't she helping to
craft a solution in Springfield?

We deserve a state representative who puts the interests of the 58th
District first and who is part of the leadership, not one who only
reports back on the happenings and then acts powerless to do anything about
them.

Tim Stratton has leadership skills. If elected he will not sit on the
sidelines in Springfield and allow others to craft politics that
adversely affect the 58th District. Tim Stratton deserves your
consideration and vote in November to replace Karen May as our 58th District
representative.

Nancy J. Thorner

Inagural Post

2008-03-20T23:12:00.000-05:00

This is the first post to the Change Illinois Blog Dot Com. I am the moderator / creator of the blog and my name is Tim Stratton. I am currently running for State Representative in the 58th District of Illinois. I decided to create the blog to give concerned residents a forum to discuss the serious political issues facing the State of Illinois and the 58th District. By coming together as concerned citizens we can start to change politics in the State of Illinois. Meteoric sales tax increases, fiscal mismanagement, a broken transportation system and a disfunctional State House---how has the State of Illinois arrived at this place and what do we need to do in order to fix it? This is the central question we must ask ourselves. I believe there are good people on both sides of the political aisle--Democrats and Republicans (and Independents too). I believe people solve problems, not political parties. We must put aside the partisan politcs of old and start electing Leaders to state and local government. I am running for State Representative because I am convinced that we can do better. I encourage you to learn more about my campaign and the issues facing the State of Illinois.