Mrs. Ives Heads to Springfield

… Continue Reading

The Crowded (and Contentious) Democratic Party Race for Attorney General

Written by John Biver

There are more Democratic Party candidates for attorney general (8) than there are for governor (6). Speaker Michael Madigan’s daughter, Lisa Madigan, retiring after the end of her fourth term, has held the office since first being elected in 2002.

The candidates are State Rep. Scott Drury, Sharon Fairley, Aaron Goldstein, Renato Mariotti, State Sen. Kwame Raoul, Nancy Rotering, Jesse Ruiz, and former governor Pat Quinn.… Continue Reading

Voters Need to Know Where Their Republican Candidates Stand on the Issue of Leadership

Written by John Biver

The Illinois House seat that gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives is vacating has three GOP candidates vying to replace her. Ryan Byrne, Amy Grant and Burt Minor are on the primary ballot in the 42nd house district. At least two of those house candidates have chosen sides in that primary race for Governor.

Burt Minor is supporting Bruce Rauner’s reelection and Amy Grant has endorsed Jeanne Ives.

Only Amy Grant responded to the IFI Voter Guide questionnaire, and earned an endorsement from IFA.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: “A Man who Shot Both His Feet Off”

Written by John Biver

The Chicago Tribune’s John Kass recently interviewed conservative Republican candidate for Illinois governor Jeanne Ives. Their conversation helps listeners get to know the West Point graduate Ives as well as where she stands on the issues that face Illinois taxpayers.

Bruce Rauner is a failed governor that needs to be defeated, Jeanne Ives told John Kass. They discussed the press conference Ives did with Brian McCann, the brother of Dennis McCann who was killed by a drunk driver who also happened to be an illegal alien (John Kass wrote about the incident here).… Continue Reading

Leftist Democratic Party Governor Candidates Debate How to Speed Up Illinois’ Demise

Written by John Biver

It is not easy to decide which is worse: watching the Illinois Democratic Party candidates for governor debate, be interviewed individually, or slogging through their fantasy-filled TV ads or campaign websites.

Generally speaking, those vying for the top job in Illinois on the Democratic side agree that —

• our state doesn’t currently raise enough in taxes,
• K-16 schools and health care are underfunded,
• recreational marijuana legalization won’t be a problem but a positive,
• more money for early childhood education is needed,
• free college tuition isn’t an insane notion,
• state taxpayers should contribute more so state employees can continue to enjoy an above average retirement income and health care benefits,
• the federal government should be ignored when it comes to immigration law,
• and rich white men are bad.

Rauner was For a State Income Tax Increase Before He was Against It

Written by John Biver

In this age of fake news it is problematic to cite big media reports as source material. Nevertheless, when State Representative Dave McSweeney says that Governor Bruce Rauner supported a tax increase if it was part of a “grand bargain,” then there is a good chance many of the links below are more factual than not.

Rep. McSweeney has been the most outspoken critic of Rauner of anyone in the General Assembly, and he didn’t wait for others to go public with their criticism — he led the way.… Continue Reading

Voting Registration in Illinois!

Voter Registration Deadline is February 20th

Written by Andrew Willis

Did you know that it is now possible to register to vote online in Illinois? Add to this seven full weeks to vote early, it is now easier than ever for citizens to fulfill their civic responsibility. While online registration raises legitimate concerns about potential fraud, there is no reason not to take full advantage of this law. You can do so by visiting the State Board of Elections website here.… Continue Reading

Any Given Sunday: Identity Politics and the Illinois Republican Race for Governor

Written by John Biver

Here is one definition of the expression “any given Sunday”:

It comes from American professional football, which is played (mainly) on Sunday. The full adage goes “on any given Sunday, any team can beat any other team,” meaning that a weaker team still has a chance against a stronger opponent. A related sports phrase is “you have to play the games (to determine the outcome).”

The IFI series on Identity Politics and Paraphilias continues to highlight one of the many the opportunities that the American political left has given the American political right.… Continue Reading

Will State Lawmakers Be Working in Springfield Before the Primary?

Written by John Biver

Monte and Dave are back with Ralph Rivera, a lobbyist for Illinois Right to Life Action and Illinois Family Institute.

This week’s edition of Spotlight features a discussion about the March 20th primary, the lawsuit surrounding HB 40, a bill enacting taxpayer funding of abortion, SB 1564 a bill that forces medical personnel to refer women to abortion clinics, the sanctuary state legislation signed by Governor Rauner, the Equal Rights Amendment, and new legislation concerns, including physician assisted suicide, and recreational marijuana.… Continue Reading

GOP Gubernatorial Primary 2018: Competent Uniter v. Incompetent Divider

Here is the WBEZ headline and lede for an article about one of the big news stories this week in Illinois:

Surviving War, But Not The Veterans’ Home
Since July 2015, 13 residents of a veterans’ home in west central Illinois have died
from Legionnaires’ disease. Eleven families are suing the state for negligence.

Typically this kind of governmental failure cannot be blamed on a guy who just took office less than three years ago. However, among the most publicized accomplishments of the Bruce Rauner administration is that fact that state-funded social services got short shrift during the two-year state budget impasse.… Continue Reading