Illinois and Westchester County's Credit Downgrade

Illinois Democrats may think they "control things" now but they're going to have to contend with the impact of caps on the State and Local Taxes deduction.  SALT may well explain loss of Congressional seats but now local towns are going feel the heat from property tax bills.

From Bloomberg on Westchester County's downgrade,

The average property-tax bill in the county last year was $17,179, the highest in the the U.S., according to a report by Attom Data Solutions. The federal tax law changes set a $10,000 limit on deductions for state and local levies and capped the mortgage-interest deduction to loans of $750,000.

There are some signs that high property taxes and the federal shift are having an impact.

The median price of single family homes in the county dipped to $675,000 in the third-quarter of 2018, a 3.6 percent decline from the previous quarter, according to an October 11 report by Miller Samuel Inc. and and Douglas Elliman Real Estate. Luxury homes prices fell even more, with a 6.4 percent decline to $2.1 million.

President Barack Obama Endorses Emmanuel Macron For French President: 'V...

Probably wishes he didn't record this one.

14th Ward Construction

The most popular page on our site today, so far, is the 14th Ward Alder. Ed Burke map.

I guess people want to know more about the alder who's now under federal investigation. https://t.co/FlvDYfwmFX

— Chicago Cityscape (@ChiBuildings) November 30, 2018

Ukraine marks 85th anniversary of the Stalin-era famine aka Holodomor

Ukraine has marked the 85th anniversary of the Stalin-era famine, known as the Holodomor, in which millions of people died of starvation. https://t.co/GXgtGovV1w pic.twitter.com/pxXO88xbEw

— Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (@RFERL) November 24, 2018

A parth for Illinois's GOP

Michael Barone notes this GOP inroad into peeling away votes from Democrats

Florida was even closer, with Republican Ron DeSantis beating Gillum 49.6% to 49.2%. The reason, according to The Madison Institute's William Mattox, writing in the Wall Street Journal: "school choice." Florida has more than 650 charter schools and helps fund 100,000 kids' private school scholarships; most beneficiaries are black or Hispanic.

Gillum, endorsed by teacher unions, promised to cut these programs back; DeSantis backed them. As Mattox pointed out, the CNN exit poll showed an unusually high 18% of black women, as well as 44% of Hispanics, voting for the Republican. School-choice parents almost surely made the difference between victory and defeat.

Mission to Moscow (1943) - Pro-Stalin propaganda made in Hollywood

From IMD,



"Mission to Moscow" was made at the behest of F.D.R. in order to garner more support for the Soviet Union during WWII. It was from the book by Joseph E. Davies, former U.S. Ambassador To Russia. The movie covers the political machinations in Moscow just before the start of the war and presents Stalin's Russia in a very favorable light. So much so, that the movie was cited years later by the House Un-American Activities Commission and was largely responsible for the screenwriter, Howard Koch being Blacklisted.

After World War I (1/2) | DW Documentary (WW1 documentary)

The War didn't end in 1918. DW shows the next decade.

Lance Morrow: The Presbyterian Minister’s Son

City Journal piece on IMO one of our oddest Presidents.

ActivStyle drops out of Illinois Medicaid | HME News

ActivStyle drops out of Illinois Medicaid | HME News

House Bill 5930 would prohibit supply companies from being paid less than 10% below Medicaid fee-for-service rates by MCOs. Devin told Crain’s Chicago if ActivStyle needs to be the “sacrificial lamb” to move the bill forward, “it’s a worthy cause.”

I have a hard time believing a Bill like HB 5930 goes forward in the coming budget environment. Feel free to comment how I'm wrong.

Conservative Republican Lawmaker Jeanne Ives 11-18-18

Conservative Republican Lawmaker Jeanne Ives 11-18-18: Outspoken conservative Jeanne Ives joins Craig Dellimore to discuss what went wrong for Illinois Republicans in the midterms, her predictions for what will happen between Democratic Governor JB Pritzker and the General Assembly, and her call for new Republican leadership in the state.

AdvocateAuroraHealth's Health Tech Venture Challenge

I think of myself as an Idea Hamster but sadly go blank on challenges like this,

Reimagine primary care Technology has opened the door to new possibilities for primary care. Advocate Aurora Health has partnered with MATTER to inspire, explore and source novel solutions that: Increase access to care. Provide innovative digital and virtual options to extend care beyond office-based primary care visits — allowing patients to get care where they are and exactly when they need it. Improve the patient experience. Empower consumers to take an active role in managing their own health through educational and consumer engagement tools. Reduce the overall cost of care. Decrease the time providers spend on administrative work, enabling them to spend more time where it matters most: with patients.

A wise Exec once told me he succeeded by pointing out the painfully obvious. My guess is the new possibilities obvious too and maybe not so painful.

At Moscow conference, Taliban refers to itself as the "Islamic Emirate" 61 times | FDD's Long War Journal

For all the blather about Putin and Russia, MSM refuses to question Trump about a war going badly, and Putin giving a forum to the Taliban.

At Moscow conference, Taliban refers to itself as the "Islamic Emirate" 61 times | FDD's Long War Journal: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is the name of the Taliban's government before the US deposed it after the Sept. 11, 2001 attack by al Qaeda. The Taliban

Skillicorn calls for review of pensions in light of suspended actuary Sharpe

via Illinois Review

Bill Foster joins Dump Pelosi

Foster's History never shown him to take risks so I'm guessing others in Illinois pushing him to test response. Via Politico

The eight lawmakers or offices who have confirmed to POLITICO that they intend to vote against Pelosi on the floor are Democratic Reps. Ed Perlmutter of Colorado, who organized the Wednesday night call, Kathleen Rice of New York, Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, Bill Foster of Illinois, Tim Ryan of Ohio, Filemon Vela of Texas, Kurt Schrader of Oregon and Rep. Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania.

Louis Farrakhan in Tehran: The Iranians Have A Right to Chant "Death to America;" I Am More Of A Patriot Than Americans Who Bow Down To Evil

FWIW, hate doesn't drive Farrakhan, just love of money.  Iranians pay him; and it's a waste.



Louis Farrakhan in Tehran: The Iranians Have A Right to Chant "Death to America;" I Am More Of A Patriot Than Americans Who Bow Down To Evil: Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam, delivered a press conference in Tehran on November 8, 2018. He said ...

AP: Utah mayor, guard member killed by trainee in Afghanistan

Via the AP It's a story I haven't seen much coverage over.

A Utah mayor who was also a Utah Army National Guard major training commandos in Afghanistan was fatally shot by one of his Afghan trainees, officials said Sunday. Brent Taylor, 39, had taken a yearlong leave of absence as mayor of North Ogden north of Salt Lake City for his deployment to Afghanistan. He was a military intelligence officer with Joint Force Headquarters and was expected to return to his mayoral job in January. Another U.S. military member whose name was not immediately made public was wounded in Saturday’s attack that killed Taylor, who died from wounds from small arms fire, military officials said.

RIP Major Taylor

Bill Cameron: Political intimidation charges already reported on West Side | WLS-AM 890 | WLS-AM

Going to be a long few months before the next election.

Political intimidation charges already reported on West Side | WLS-AM 890 | WLS-AM https://t.co/YCEfpfF9PG

— Bill Cameron (@billjcameron) November 9, 2018

Adam Schiff and Supeonas

Considering DOJ and FBI's defiance of subpoenas to date I'm not sure Schiff's new found powers will be of much use for him. In fact Schiff may be more inclined to bury stuff than unearth anything @16megapixels

— Bill Baar (@BillBaar) November 8, 2018

Tom Fitton: What Does the FBI Have on the Obama Gang?

FBI sitting on hours and hours of wire taps of Illinois Politicans from 2008 and 2007. Tin foil stuff maybe but just listen to a few of the tapes FBI / DOJ or the courts have already leaked to the Trib and you realize it's a plenty weird crew at work in Illinois Politics. Mueller, Fitzgerald, and Comey had plenty to hang on people they were listening too. Fitton's one of the few asking we all hear.

For several years we have been seeking records of then President-elect Barack Obama’s interview with two FBI agents and two assistant U.S. attorneys regarding former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was sentenced to fourteen years in federal prison for attempting to sell Obama’s vacated Senate seat. 

Our Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests were rejected, and so we have now filed a lawsuit (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No 1:16-cv-00576)) against the U.S. Department of Justice in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking the FBI interview records of Obama, Rahm Emanuel, and Valerie Jarrett. 

The FBI denied our June 1, 2011, FOIA request seeking:

Records of FBI interviews with Barack Obama concerning or relating to Rod Blagojevich, including but not limited to notes, summaries, and recordings of the interview.
Records of FBI interviews with Rahm Emanuel concerning or relating to Rod Blagojevich, including but not limited to notes, summaries, and recordings of the interview.
Records of FBI interviews with Valerie Jarrett concerning or relating to Rod Blagojevich, including but not limited to notes, summaries, and recordings of the interview.
Records concerning any of the aforementioned interviews with Barack Obama, Rahm Emanuel, or Valerie Jarrett.

The FBI contends the release of these records “could reasonably be expected” to interfere with law enforcement proceedings and withheld them under Exemption 7 (which allows agency to withhold certain law enforcement records).

The Pritzker Lawsuit

My guess's this Law suit's a preview of the fight to come in the Illinois Democrat Party between Progressive Activists and the Progressive Establishment.  It's just started a bit early as the activists figure they've one and it's time to put down some markers.  Pritzker, Madigan & Company in for a wild ride.

https://amp.theguardian.com/books/2018/sep/08/sas-spy-memoir-claims-he-probably-saved-gorbachev-life-pilgrim-spy-tom-shore?CMP=share_btn_tw&__twitter_impression=true

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38 North on North Korea

A useful site for following North Korea. https://www.38north.org/

BBC Comedy: When you so woke, you asleep.

When you so woke, you asleep. 😜 pic.twitter.com/USEgKWPExM

— BBC Comedy (@bbccomedy) June 22, 2018

Chicago Tribune starts following Crime in Wrigleyville and Boystown Blog

This is a hoot...

A @chicagotribune editorial board becomes a follower today and starts asking questions. How dare we jest about their "downtown mayhem" to "downtown peace" conversion. HI, Lara. And welcome. https://t.co/1wkNJN0exO

— CWBChicago (@CWBChicago) May 30, 2018

Sharyl Attkisson's Collusion Aganist Trump Timeline

You really need a timeline to keep to stay on top of the story.  Attkisson's got a good one and hopefully she keeps it update.  Find it here.

The true story of how senior officials in the FBI and intelligence community conspired to spy on the Trump campaign and presidency on suspicion of nefarious dealings with Russia is starting to emerge, and with it, the possible role of a shadowy figur...

The true story of how senior officials in the FBI and intelligence community conspired to spy on the Trump campaign and presidency on suspicion of nefarious dealings with Russia is starting to emerge, and with it, the possible role of a shadowy figur...

Facebook deleting "John Brennan’s ‘Exceptionally Sensitive’ Issue" as spam

FaceBook deleted this link to a Spectator Special Report as spam.

Just as Inspector General Horowitz's report on the Department of Justice is about to be released, The New York Times published a long article attempting to present the narrative of the spy operation against Donald Trump in a light favorable to ca...

Just as Inspector General Horowitz's report on the Department of Justice is about to be released, The New York Times published a long article attempting to present the narrative of the spy operation against Donald Trump in a light favorable to ca...: They are in a hole and can't stop digging. But the principal effective way to do that would be taking the Fifth Amendment. Stay tuned.

Tweet from WWII Siberian Exile (@polishodyssey)

WWII Siberian Exile (@polishodyssey) tweeted at 1:23 PM on Thu, May 10, 2018:
"The Gulag museum's centre draws from Memorial's database and will work with government archives to add information."  It's important to remember how much @MemorialMoscow has documented in recent decades, especially regarding Polish exiles in the USSR: https://t.co/FvHyCD7OrQ
(https://twitter.com/polishodyssey/status/994644087503491072?s=02)

Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download?s=13

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Volfas Wilensky: Hero of the Soviet Union

Interesting times when Netanyahu and Putin marching together a day after taking out Iranians in Syria.

Benjamin Netanyahu was in Moscow today where he walked alongside Putin in the "Immortal Regiment", a march to honor the fallen in the Great Patriotic War. Normally people carry portraits of their relatives or others who fought in the war. Bibi was handed this one: pic.twitter.com/J8cEnl6xwH

— Alexey Kovalev (@Alexey__Kovalev) May 9, 2018

Release the Comey Memos

Comey talktalktalk, based in part on his still-secret memos, is going to fuel more calls for release of memos. He can send memo(s) to friend for leak to NYT. He can use them for book promotion. But public can't see? Link from February: Why are the Comey memos secret?

— Byron York (@ByronYork) April 13, 2018

Trump, Syria, Tucker and Ingram.

Trump needs to go to Congress and get a new Authorization for Use of Military Force. He'd doing this under Bush and Obama era AUMFs. Failure to get the country behind him on Syria will be a far greater threat to Trump than any thing Mueller can do.

As Trump prepares to bomb Syrian Govt targets (again), 2 of the loudest media voices against it are Tucker Carlson & Laura Ingraham (sorry, just a fact). For all the talk about "state TV," were any similar levels of dissent aired on MSNBC about Obama's various bombing campaigns?

— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) April 10, 2018

Chicago and Cook County see population drops: U.S. Census

Chicago and Cook County see population drops: U.S. Census: The greater Chicago region was the only one of the 10 largest metropolitan areas nationwide that saw a population decrease between 2016 and 2017.

Larry Teren's Chicago West Side Past and Present

Larry's done what I had hoped to do ten years ago when I started blogging. I never had the discipline for it and went off onto all sorts of tangents. Larry's compiled an encyclopedia of West Side stories using google maps. Here's a new blog site where he's collected his work. It's really remarkable stuff. Many thanks to Larry for the hard work here.

Tweet from US AFCENT (@USAFCENT)

US AFCENT (@USAFCENT) tweeted at 1:16 AM on Sat, Mar 17, 2018:
It is with heavy heart I share words the USAFCENT family lost seven brave
Airmen in a crash in Iraq March 15. My thoughts are with the family &
loved ones of our fallen. The AFCENT team & Coalition partners are forever grateful for their selfless devotion-- Lt Gen Jeff Harrigian
(https://twitter.com/USAFCENT/status/974892297354694656?s=02)

Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download?s=13

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Tweet from OIR Spokesman (@OIRSpox)

OIR Spokesman (@OIRSpox) tweeted at 6:46 AM on Fri, Mar 16, 2018:
.@CJTFOIR mourns the loss of @coalition personnel in yesterday's helicopter crash in western Iraq. Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and fellow service members of our fallen troopers. https://t.co/mxkCKGNVEx
(https://twitter.com/OIRSpox/status/974612753225838593?s=02)

Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download?s=13

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It is hard to overstate the significance of a hugely symbolic move by the reformist crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman (MbS). American media mostly are clueless about religion and lack any understanding of the momentous chan...

It is hard to overstate the significance of a hugely symbolic move by the reformist crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman (MbS).  American media mostly are clueless about religion and lack any understanding of the momentous chan...: It is hard to overstate the significance of a hugely symbolic move by the reformist crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman (MbS).

Biss demands Speaker Madigan resign as chairman of Illinois Democratic party

http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/democrats-republicans-call-for-speaker-madigans-resignation

Biss demands Speaker Madigan resign as chairman of Illinois Democratic party www.fox32chicago.com House Speaker Mike Madigan says he will "cooperate fully" with an investigation of sexual harassment in Springfield.

Gulf War 1991 National Victory Celebration

Tweet from Frank's Bar (@frankschicago)

Frank's Bar (@frankschicago) tweeted at 4:13 PM on Thu, Feb 08, 2018:
Time to hunker down. In a bar! #LincolnPark #Chicago https://t.co/8gvHPf8CdY
(https://twitter.com/frankschicago/status/961724621199429632?s=02)

The three faces of the Democratic Party are coming to a head – Orange County Register

http://www.ocregister.com/2018/02/03/the-three-faces-of-the-democratic-party-are-coming-to-a-head/

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FBI Used Dossier Funded by Clinton Election Campaign to Spy on Trump Adviser

http://freebeacon.com/national-security/fbi-used-dossier-funded-clinton-election-campaign-spy-trump-adviser/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=6c780fc29b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_02_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-6c780fc29b-45599489

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Iranian Police Arrest 29 Women for Participation in Anti-Hijab Protests

http://freebeacon.com/national-security/iranian-police-arrest-29-women-participation-anti-hijab-protests/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=6c780fc29b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_02_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-6c780fc29b-45599489

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https://amgreatness.com/2018/02/02/worse-than-watergate/

House Intel Memo Reveals Deeply Politicized Obama Administration

http://thefederalist.com/2018/02/02/house-intel-memo-shows-just-politicized-obama-administration-become/

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My experience with Andy McCabe: No criticizing James Comey allowed | TheHill

http://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/371902-my-call-with-andrew-mccabe-proves-he-should-have-left-the-fbi-long-ago

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House Intelligence memo released: What it says

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/house-intelligence-memo-released-what-it-says/article/2647937

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Daily Presidential Tracking Poll - Rasmussen Reports®

http://m.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/trump_administration/prez_track_feb02

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Groundhog Day: A Movie for All Time | National Review

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/456041/groundhog-day-movie-all-time-jonah-goldberg

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Iranian women leading chants of "Death to Dictator"

NEW FOOTAGE
Isfahan, #Iran
Brave women leading chants of "Death to Dictator"#IranProtests #تظاهرات_سراسری pic.twitter.com/2MZegzmOhv

— Heshmat Alavi (@HeshmatAlavi) January 11, 2018

Who are the Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers leading Houthis in Yemen?

Who are the Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers leading Houthis in Yemen?: The Iranian Crime Research Institute revealed on Monday the names of four military commanders of the