Weekly Republican Address 10/29/11: Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-IL) on the Forgotten 13

An impressive performance by a Pizza Guy no one thought would win. Keep that in mind when the justa-pizza-guy-shots taken at Herman Cain.



And a presser from the Speaker's Office,

Job Creators Call Excessive Government Regulations a Top Obstacle as "Forgotten 15" Languish in Democrat-Controlled Senate:

• According to Politico, a new Gallup survey found “small-business owners rank ‘complying with government regulations’ as the most important problem that they face.”

• President Obama says "we can't wait" to take action on jobs. Speaker Boehner told Laura Ingraham, "You know what, we can’t wait. We’ve got 15 bills that have passed the House that would help job creators around our country. They’re called the Forgotten 15; they’re sitting over in the United States Senate." We can't wait for Senate Democrats to pass them.

• We also can't wait for the Senate to pass a budget, the president to support a Balanced Budget Amendment, the administration to stop blocking American energy production ...

• In the weekly address, Schilling says the "forgotten 15" - part of the GOP jobs plan - represent opportunities to build on recent common ground between the two parties.

• Republican lawmakers, staff, and activists have co-opted the president's "we can't wait" slogan to urge the Senate to pass these "forgotten 15" bills.

Some of the House-Passed Jobs Bills Currently Delayed in the Democrat-led Senate Include:

• The House passed the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act which improves access to education and training and breaks down the barriers to employment for America's veterans.

• Another one of the forgotten 15 - the bipartisan bill stopping new government regulations on boilers used in factories and hospitals - would protect more than 200,000 jobs nationwide.

• The House voted to repeal the IRS withholding tax which threatens any business - large or small - that works with any level of government. Repeal is supported by state and local governments, a broad coalition of job creators, and President Obama as well.

• Job creators and local officials are backing the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act which will create thousands of new American jobs "without spending a dime."

• The House has passed several bills to expand American energy production and reverse the Obama administration's de facto moratorium. Learn more about the American Energy Initiative.

Some of the Upcoming Jobs Bills to be Voted on in the House Include:

• This week the House will vote on legislation increasing access to resources for small businesses. Watch Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) discuss this legislation here.

• The Judiciary Committee approved the Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, Pledge to America legislation that requires congressional approval of new federal regulations with a major impact on the economy.

• The Regulatory Accountability Act is bipartisan legislation that would reform the federal regulatory process and reduce unnecessary burdens on job creators.

• Learn more about the GOP jobs plan, and keep track of the "forgotten 15" and other House-passed jobs bills, using new apps from Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) and this regularly updated print-out.

Don’t forget to watch the weekly Republican address by Rep. Schilling, and be sure to stay connected with the Office of the Speaker on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, and Speaker.gov. Thank you!
- Speaker Boehner’s Press Office

Official 2012 Illinois Republican Pre-Presidential Straw Poll

It's open today and lasts until Nov 5th. Shell out five bucks and make your preference known.

Here's the link: http://www.illinoisstrawpoll.com/

Tony Rezko and Daniel T. Frawley's sentencing dates

A commenter writes,

Bill, "mark your calender":

November 22, 2011 Tony Rezko is being sentenced in the court room of Judge Amy St.Eve...

Novemeber 23, 2011 Daniel T. Frawley will be sentenced in the court room of Judge Ronald Guzman.

November 24, 2011 Thanks Giving Day...a coincidence??? I don't think so...

It does seem like a slow news week when everyone will be busy with family, cooking, and meals; and hardly paying attention to the fates of these two wheeler-dealers.

Wisconsin Recall Prospects Dimming - Public Policy Polling

Via PPP, Wisconsin Recall Prospects Dimming - Public Policy Polling A Democrat pollster finds the prospects of recalling Wisconsin's Gov Walker getting dimmer. Only Russ Feingold polls higher and that's just by 3 points. See if Democrats will want to throw more good money away on a recall.

Saving the American Idea: Rejecting Fear, Envy and the Politics of Division by Paul Ryan

Powerful Speech where Ryan lays out the case against the Administration's Class War frame. I was on a conference call with Congressman Ryan afterwords where he called upon us to make the moral case in response to the Class War model. So, in future posts, I'll give it my best.

Full transcript here.

Illinois Review: IL GOP Chairman to head up Burns' bid for Kane County Board Chairman

Via Illinois Review, Illinois Review: IL GOP Chairman to head up Burns' bid for Kane County Board Chairman

I like Pat Brady. He's an open unpretentious guy with a sense of humor. A good choice for the Illinois GOP. But he's got his work cut out for him bringing the party back in Cook County. I hate to see him get wrapped up with our fights out in Kane.

Update: The Prairie State Report's take.

Cullerton's measure to cut CME, CBOE taxes hits bump | Finance | Crain's Chicago Business

Via Crains, Cullerton's measure to cut CME, CBOE taxes hits bump Crains Chicago Business

If #OccupyChicago were serious, it seems to me they'd be marching over to Cullerton's office (or Mike Madigan's) and protest this. Illinoisans get whacked with Quinn's tax hike so Democrats can then go out and make deals to reduce the burden on selected and favored parties. No wonder Cullerton's hitting a bump. Let's home the bump is big enough next November to clean Springfield of these bandits.

Illinois Review: New Facebook page aimed at Hultgren

Illinois Review: New Facebook page aimed at Hultgren

This is exactly what Mike Madigan wanted to happen. An anon facebook page pitting tea party folks against each other. The result of a map that lets the powers-that-be pick voters, rather than a map designed to serve voters. How about an #OccupyMadiganistan demonstration to get at the real shotcallers in this State.

Marathon Pundit: Just like Wall Street: OccupyChicago protesters want others to bail them out

Just like the banks....

Marathon Pundit: Just like Wall Street: OccupyChicago protesters want others to bail them out

Rep. Paul Ryan To Headline Roskam Fundraiser |

Via Warner Todd Huston's new blog on Illinois Politics: Rep. Paul Ryan To Headline Roskam Fundraiser | A site you'll want to add to your blogroll.

Occupy Chicago Joins Destroy Israel Anti-war Peace March

Rebel Pundit neatly captures MSM failure to show the ever present anti-Israel crowd at almost any leftwing protest these days.



H/T Illinois Review

Illinois Review: Quinn & Company to blame for 10% unemployment rate

Illinois Review: Quinn & Company to blame for 10% unemployment rate

Progressives and Democrats devastating Illinois.

“In less than 10 months, we’ve lost over 100,000 jobs since these tax hikes,” Brady said. “Pat Quinn’s tax hikes are killing Illinois’ economy.”

Cheer-up, America! The Case for American Optimism

Cheer-up, America! The Case for American Optimism

Pretty powerful article putting into words the optimism I've felt for months now.

A majority of Americans are awakening to the notion that there is a battle of ideas to be won, which transcends any particular electoral battle. As we've seen, there is reason to believe the defenders of big government are seeing their power structures melt away. If we stay committed at the grassroots and keep developing the sector of civil society, that's dedicated to limited government principles, the political victories -- and a return to the American success story -- certainly will follow.

Don't give up! It's a great time to join in the battle of ideas.

Illinois unemployment rate hits double digits - Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois unemployment rate hits double digits - Chicago Sun-Times

Unlike North Dakota and Steubenville Ohio, our rate keeps climbing.

All Huffy, Joe Biden Stands By Rape Reference to GOP

I love the end of this when the perplexed Biden aide asks, who are you with?

Amnesty Day

Packing up in Iraq.

Study: Rural Illinois is Pessimistic On Local Economy

Via Prairie Farmer,

When asked about the overall prospects for rural Illinois families in the next five years, most respondents were fairly pessimistic. More than 60% of respondents believed the economic prospects for rural Illinois families would be "worse" or "much worse" in the next five years. Only 16% believed economic prospects would be "better" or "much better."

Farmers can be a pessimistic lot but this seems pretty extreme. True, but man, what a future we face.

Pantagraph.com | News from Associated Press

Pantagraph.com | News from Associated Press:


Gotta wonder who this close knit group of friends was. What other Illinois Politicans and Public Officials may have been in just for the partying. No crimes, just the social events.

In a full day grilling star government witness Stuart Levine on Monday, defense attorney Dan Webb sought to convey to jurors that Levine - who claims he was in on the 2004 extortion plot - was a habitual liar and serial crook.

In some of his most salacious testimony, Levine described arranging marathon drug parties for a close-knit group of friends, often at the Chicago-area's Purple Hotel. He sometimes flew the group by private jet, at his expense, to drug binges elsewhere.

Prosecutors say Cellini and Levine, together with two Blagojevich insiders - Tony Rezko and Chris Kelly - tried to force Rosenberg into making the donation by threatening to withhold $220 million in state pension funds from Rosenberg's investment company.

Levine, a board member of the $30 billion Teachers Retirement System that oversaw the pensions, is the only scheduled witness to claim direct knowledge of Cellini's involvement - and so the government's case may hinge on whether jurors believe him.

Obama Spoke About "Fast & Furious" Before Holder Claimed He Knew

via Real Clear Politics Obama Spoke About "Fast & Furious" Before Holder Claimed He Knew

Holder and the guys at DOJ need a pic of Scooter Libby on the wall. They're walking right into s fiasco.

Plummer says he's planning to run for U.S. House

Plummer says he's planning to run for U.S. House

Plummer's young. Much to do in the Illinois GOP and I'd rather he stayed here rather than try for DC.

Iran's Qods Force commander involved in plot to kill Saudi ambassador - The Long War Journal

Iran's Qods Force commander involved in plot to kill Saudi ambassador - The Long War Journal

Above via Bill Roggio's LWJ. Must read stuff...

Jesse Jackson Jr calls for Suspending the Constitution

...and all sorts of other vows too I would suppose.

Illinois's Jackson via PJ Media,

Illinois Democratic Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. told The Daily Caller on Wednesday that congressional opposition to the American Jobs Act is akin to the Confederate “states in rebellion.”

Jackson called for full government employment of the 15 million unemployed and said that Obama should “declare a national emergency” and take “extra-constitutional” action “administratively” — without the approval of Congress — to tackle unemployment.

“I hope the president continues to exercise extraordinary constitutional means, based on the history of Congresses that have been in rebellion in the past,” Jackson said. “He’s looking administratively for ways to advance the causes of the American people, because this Congress is completely dysfunctional.”

“President Obama tends to idealize — and rightfully so — Abraham Lincoln, who looked at states in rebellion and he made a judgment that the government of the United States, while the states are in rebellion, still had an obligation to function,” Jackson told TheDC at his Capitol Hill office on Wednesday.

“On several occasions now, we’ve seen … the Congress is in rebellion, determined, as Abraham Lincoln said, to wreck or ruin at all costs. I believe … in the direct hiring of 15 million unemployed Americans at $40,000 a head, some more than $40,000, some less than $40,000 — that’s a $600 billion stimulus. It could be a five-year program. For another $104 billion, we bailout all of the states … for another $100 billion, we bailout all of the cities,” he said.

UN Rights Chief Calls for Action in Syria

Via VOA:
UN Rights Chief Calls for Action in Syria

Better late than never.

The top U.N. human rights official is calling on the international community to take immediate measures to protect civilians in Syria, saying the death toll in seven months of anti-government protests has risen above 3,000.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said Friday those killed in the Syrian government's crackdown included at least 187 children. Pillay added that 100 people have died the last 10 days alone.

Pillay warned that Syria's ruthless repression and killings could drive the country into full-blown civil war. She did not clarify what actions she believed the international community should take.

Syria has used military force to crush months of opposition protests calling for the ouster of Syrian President Bashar. Earlier this month, activists said security forces arrested up to 3,000 people in a series of raids to track down dissident soldiers.

Defense.gov News Article: U.S. Forces Have Met All Obligations in Iraq, General Says

Via DoD, Defense.gov News Article: U.S. Forces Have Met All Obligations in Iraq, General Says

From towards the end of the statement...

Noting several explosions in Iraq today, the general acknowledged that “Iraq still is a dangerous place.” Asked about the historically volatile Anbar province, Buchanan said “al-Qaida has reared its head a number of times” there recently. “They’ve never changed their tactics of wanting to drive a wedge between the Iraqi people and the government,” he added.

“What is different now is that people here seem universally determined not to go back to sectarian violence,” he said. “They’re determined to take on these enemies as terrorists. Unlike in the past, they are universally hated and isolated.”
Iraqis don’t yet have the security they need, Buchanan said, but it is greatly improved. Attacks now average 14 per day nationwide, down from 145 per day in 2007, he said.

The sacrifices of Americans and Iraqis since U.S. operations began in Iraq in 2003 have led to the evolving democracy there today, Buchanan said. While citizens of surrounding countries fought to have some say in their governments in the “Arab Spring” uprisings last spring and summer, Iraqis protested for better government services.

“In other places, people didn’t have a choice about their future,” he said. “That’s not true in Iraq, and they recognize that.

”

IL GOP: Where is Lisa Madigan on Union Leaders’ Pension Abuse?

Geez, no kidding. C'mon out from under your rock AG Madigan!

Where is Lisa Madigan on Union Leaders’ Pension Abuse?

Is state’s chief law enforcement officer silent because of political support from union bosses?

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady called on Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to immediately launch a full-scale investigation into allegations of abuse of the public pension system by leaders of various well-connected labor unions.

“Taxpayers have lost millions of dollars because of the abuse of power that has taken place by Lisa Madigan’s political allies,” said Brady. “Where has Attorney General Madigan been on this issue?”

“She has been quick to investigate many other issues that have gotten her good press,” said Brady. “Is Lisa Madigan’s silence and inaction on this issue caused by her past – and perhaps future – political support from labor union bosses?”

At least eight Chicago labor union leaders who are eligible for inflated city pensions also stand to receive union pensions covering the same work period, thanks to a questionable interpretation of state law by officials representing two city pension funds as well as potentially false information being reported by the union leaders on public applications regarding their private union pension contributions.

“Laws may have been broken yet our state’s chief law enforcement officer has been silent – perhaps because of politics,” said Brady.

Biden, Hoyer Embrace Occupy Wall Street, Lunch with Bankers | The Weekly Standard

Via the Weekly Standard, Biden, Hoyer Embrace Occupy Wall Street, Lunch with Bankers | The Weekly Standard

Democrats must think Americans awfully stupid.

Senator Kirk Supports Free Trade Agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea

Illinois's an exporting State. This is a big deal for us.

Illinois Review: Roskam Applauds House Passage of South Korea, Panama, and Colombia FTAs

Illinois Review: Roskam Applauds House Passage of South Korea, Panama, and Colombia FTAs

Good news! This means jobs expecially for the small manufacturers supplying machine tools. Roskam has plenty such firms in his district.

Double-dipping labor leaders stand to reap millions from union retirement funds while also collecting city pensions

Via the Trib, Double-dipping labor leaders stand to reap millions from union retirement funds while also collecting city pensions


I'd like to see the #OccupyChicago kids try and take over Laborer's local 1001's offices.

Most Transparent Administration Ever Won't Release Contact Info for Public Affairs Officers | The Weekly Standard

Via The Weekly Standard: Most Transparent Administration Ever Won't Release Contact Info for Public Affairs Officers The Weekly Standard

No Questions on ObamaCare please. I guess that's the policy.

Illinois GOP to hold first-ever online/in-person Presidential Straw Poll on Nov. 5

A Press Release from the Illinois Republican Party:

Illinois GOP to hold first-ever online/in-person Presidential Straw Poll on Nov. 5

The Illinois Republican Party will host a unique opportunity for Republican voters to participate in the first-ever in-person/online presidential straw poll held by a state Republican Party.

Complete with early voting online and in person locations, the Illinois Republican Straw Poll allows any Illinois resident a chance to participate.

“Other states have had straw polls at one location and websites have had online polls but no one has ever done what we’re doing,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady. “Republican voters in Illinois from Chicago to Cairo and anywhere in between can participate without traveling very far and they can even do so without leaving their house. We’ll even have early voting just like a regular election to maximize convenience.”

Online voting will be open from 9:00 AM Central Time on Saturday, October 29 until 7:00 PM Central Time on Saturday, November 5 at IllinoisStrawPoll.com. Voters are able to view the online Straw Poll ballot in order to review candidates now. The in person paper voting, run by county party organizations wishing to participate, will take place from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturday, November 5. The results will from both online and paper will be combined and announced during in a special event.

Republican voters who want to participate in the Straw Poll, either online or in person, must be Illinois Residents (for online voting, they must have a credit card with an Illinois zip code) and contribute $5 to the Illinois Republican Party to cover the cost of the straw poll.

Once online voters have cast their vote, they’ll also be given an opportunity to volunteer or donate to the presidential candidate they have selected.

“We have a great field of candidates looking to replace Barack Obama as President,” said Brady. “The general election may be a year away but we want to encourage Illinois Republicans to get involved in the 2012 campaign now.”

For more information, including the full rules of the Illinois Straw Poll, go to IllinoisStrawPoll.com (See Link Below)


Click HERE for Illinois Straw Poll

Illinois for Cain

Here's the site for Illinois: Illinois for Cain:

We're just getting started here so please bear with us as we post more content.

We need 3,000 signatures to put Herman Cain on the Primary ballot in Illinois. You can get started gathering signatures for Primary petitions.Click here to download and print them. Also, check out this memo on collecting signatures. It includes state statutes for collecting signatures, in addition to helpful tips for how to and how not to collect signatures.

Illinois Review: Wanted: #OccupyWallStreet Protesters

Illinois Review: Wanted: #OccupyWallStreet Protesters

The left soliciting demonstrators on Craigslist....

House Committee To Subpoena Holder In 'Fast And Furious' Probe | Fox News

Via FoxHouse Committee To Subpoena Holder In 'Fast And Furious' Probe Fox News:

A photo of Holder with former Ill Guv Rod Blagojevich. Blagojevich hired holder to prove Chicago's Rosemont not a mobbed up community hence worthy of a Casino license.

Evidence of the weird reality these guys live in.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is planning to subpoena Attorney General Eric Holder this week to determine who in the Justice Department knew about "Operation Fast and Furious" -- the plan to let thousands of guns sold in the U.S. get into Mexican drug cartel hands -- and when they knew it.


The subpoena targeting Holder aims to get at the heart of the authorization for the program, and when the people in charge decided the program was a problem.

Holder vs White House: Who Is Accountable?

Dem Rep. Costello to retire, giving GOP opening for his seat - The Hill's Ballot Box

Via The Hill, Dem Rep. Costello to retire, giving GOP opening for his seat - The Hill's Ballot Box

I have the feeling Democrats have given up on downstate Illinois.

Illinois Review: Interview with Kane Co Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay - Part 1

Via Illinois Review, Illinois Review: Interview with Kane Co Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay - Part 1

IR interviews Kane County Board Chair Karen McConnaughay.

When you consider Kane rode the housing bubble, I'd say the county under McConnaughay has done a pretty good job not getting sucked down the drain as the bubble burst and real estate (and transfer tax revenues) tanked.

The consultant thing's bothered me, but a rank-and-filer GOPer told me the consultants may be the only unbiased voice McConnaughay hears.

Kudos to IR for landing the interview from a Pol who hasn't said wonderful things about bloggers in the past.

Joe Walsh's advice on what an average American can do to bring about real change

Marathon Pundit's been doing yeoman's work covering TeaCon 2011. Here's Joe Walsh's advice on what an average American can do to bring about real change

Also Check Walsh slams ObamaCare at TeaCon 2011 breakout

Conservative Bloggers Reax to TeaCon Organizer's Hooker Arrest - Oak Lawn, IL Patch

This one hurts but I guess scandals sort of a coming of age for the Tea Party. Steve did a great job and will be hard to replace, but none the less he's gotta stand down. An outfit built around fiscal responsebility's gotta do a pristine job with the bucks too. Get an outside auditor guys .

Via the Oak Lawn Patch:Conservative Bloggers Reax to TeaCon Organizer's Hooker Arrest - Oak Lawn, IL Patch

Chicago Tea Party activist Steve Stevlic’s arrest for soliciting a hooker over a year ago was the talk of TeaCon 2011 that is being held this weekend in Schaumburg, IL.

Gawker.com confronted Stevlic about his June 2010 arrest on opening day of the Midwest tea party’s confab. Stevlic is one of the top organizers of TeaCon 2011. Gawker chided Stevlic for his attacks against Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.’s revelations of his extra-marital affair just months after Stevlic’s own prostitution arrest.

Charges against Stevlic, who resides in Berwyn, IL, were ultimately dropped after he completed a rehab program “Unhooked Johns,” Gawker reports.

Cain Rises at TeaCon 2011: Straw Poll Win, Communications Director Loss, Disagreements With Jack Roeser « Publius Forum

Good coverage of TeaCon 2011 in Chicago via Publius Forum, Cain Rises at TeaCon 2011: Straw Poll Win, Communications Director Loss, Disagreements With Jack Roeser « Publius Forum:

Herman Cain wins yet another straw poll of conservative activists. This time at Teacon 2011 held in a northwestern suburb of Chicago.

Today's Daily Herald also has some big stories on the event: Cain gets 77% of straw poll votes at TeaCon in Schaumburg and here: Beck rouses crowd at tea party convention in Schaumburg.

I'll hunt down some YouTube of Cain's speech. That's certain to be good.