November 30, 2011
ILLINOIS IS "MOST BANKRUPT STATE" IN AMERICA, SAYS TREASURER RUTHERFORD
Illinois, according to state treasurer Dan Rutherford (R), is the "most bankrupt state" in America. Illinois' debt -- bonded, pension and unpaid bills -- is a staggering $191.2 billion, roughly four times the state's budget of $53 billion. And it's going to get worse, predicts Rutherford. The state borrowed $3.7 billion this year pay 2011 bills and pensions, and that debt will be borne by taxpayers over the next 25 years, to 2036. "Insanity," said Rutherford, who insists that there be no more state borrowing, and a freeze on new spending. Governor Bozo, Pat Quinn, hasn't a clue about solving this crisis, other than more taxes. Quinn will run again in 2014. Lisa Madigan will likely run for the Illinois Supreme Court. Expect Rutherford to try for governor. Full Article...
November 23, 2011
MAIS AND MOVE.ON.ORG AID DOLD IN 10TH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL RACE
In the North Shore 10th congressional district, the all-female "A-Team" is MIA, and the "B-Team" -- dubbed "Mossad Lite" versus "the Move.On.org Kid," leaves a lot to be desired. Republican incumbent Bob Dold won the seat by 4,651 votes (51.1%) in 2010, and Democratic remappers made it even more Democratic. Obama got 65% in 2008. That means Dold, to win in 2012, needs one in six Obama voters to opt for him. Dold's voting record is largely anti-Obama. The "Occupy Wall Street" agenda symbolizes the campaign of Ilya Sheyman; the establishment is backing Brad Schneider; also running is John Tree. Schneider and Tree are stressing their support of Israel; Sheyer wants to defund all the U.S. wars. The district has a large Jewish population. Dold can win if his opponent is Sheyman. Full Article...
November 16, 2011
JUDGE-MAKING IS NOT UNLIKE SAUSAGE-MAKING
The best and brightest it ain't. Judge-making in Cook County and Illinois is akin to sausage-making. You really don't want to know the ingredients. A salient example is the 2012 Democratic Appellate Court race between Justice Rudy Garcia and Judge Jesse Reyes. "It's all about revenge," fumed Garcia, in reference to Joe Berrios, Democratic county chairman and assessor, who is backing Reyes. "That's bull----," retorted Berrios, "undignified...disgraceful language." Over a decade ago, Garcia ruled adversely to Berrios's daughter. It's a multi-step process to get on the bench, and it does not require judicial talent; instead, it requires political clout and money. The Illinois Supreme Court race is a must-win for the Democratic machine. Full Article...
November 9, 2011
"NEXT DALEY" EMERGES ONTO MAYORAL TRACK
While abortion activists wrangle about "personhood," voters in Chicago and Illinois are well acquainted with the analogous concept of "officehood." It's the DNA that matters. Successful politicians are made at the moment the sperm inseminates the egg. The latest manifestation of "officehood" is Patrick Daley Thompson, 42, grandson and nephew of Mayors Daley. He's emerging onto a fast track to be Chicago's mayor. First, he must be elected in 2012 as a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioner. Second, be promoted to 11th Ward alderman. Third, be a credible and visible presence in City Hall. And then when Rahm Emanuel runs for governor, and wins, make a bid for mayor. The Daley Clan wants power back, and young Thompson is their vehicle. Full Article...
November 2, 2011
BLACK ALDERMEN UNVEIL "NO-RETROGRESSION" WARD REMAP -- NO LOSS DESPITE BLACK POPULATION LOSS
"No retrogression," screams the Council Black Caucus (CBC), the mouthpiece of the 19 Chicago black aldermen. Twenty black-majority wards now and forever, they insist. Despite a black population loss in Chicago of 181,453 in the past decade, which should be three fewer black aldermen, the CBC is prepared to fight the issue in court, claiming that the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act mandate that there can be no diminution of black representation in any governmental entity. The CBC map puts white 36th Ward Alderman Nick Sposato in a black ward. If blacks keep their wards at 50% of the voting population, they do so by adding Hispanics, who don't vote. A Hispanic ward needs a 66% super-majority to elect a Hispanic alderman. The new ward map will be unveiled on Dec. 1. "A lot of unhappiness" will result. If 40 aldermen don't vote their approval, it goes on the March 20 primary ballot as a referendum. Nasty committeeman contests are bubbling in the 32nd, 36th and 1st wards. Full Article...
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