Written by John Biver
The above headline is from an informative short post by Dennis Bryne over at the “Barbershop.” The topic is “gerrymandering,” the now 200-year-old fight over how legislative district lines are drawn.
Every ten years it’s big news here in Illinois — and, of course — around the country. Following each U.S. census, legislative districts are reapportioned and district lines are redrawn.
Whichever party happens to be in power has the chance to create districts that favor their own candidates.… Continue Reading
Written by David E. Smith
As most readers know, the Illinois General Assembly voted to approve a massive income tax increase on citizens and corporations in Illinois over the Independence Day holiday weekend. Governor Bruce Rauner vetoed this tax grab as soon as it arrived on his desk. But within two days of his veto, Democrats in the Illinois Senate and House overrode his veto with the help of eleven weak-kneed Republicans. Ironically, many of these state lawmakers openly acknowledge how fiscally irresponsible the state has been in the stewardship of taxpayer dollars.… Continue Reading
August 18th & 19th in Elmhurst!
Written by Jane Carrell and Carol Davis
OUTRAGED. That’s how most of us reacted over the Independence Day holiday, as many of our so-called “public servants” in Springfield betrayed the citizens of Illinois once AGAIN. In addition to outrage, many of us felt genuine fear: How much more will this cost me? What else will I have to cut from my budget, which is already so tight?! I don’t know about you, but as these thoughts raced through my mind, my fear was soon replaced by white-hot anger and determination.… Continue Reading
Written by Benjamin Smith
In this 50th edition of the Illinois Family Spotlight podcast, IFI’s and Illinois Right to Life Action’s lobbyist Ralph Rivera gives us a recap of the spring legislative session in Springfield. Well over 6,000 bills were introduced between January 11, 2017 and May 31, 2017. Dozens of these bills were on our radar screen. For a quick reference guide to these bills of concern, please click HERE.
In this podcast, Monte, Dave, and Ralph focus their discussions on HB 40, a bill which removes the ban on taxpayer funded abortions.… Continue Reading
Written by Benjamin Yount
The fee that supports 911 systems across the state is going up under a law that lawmakers approved against Gov. Bruce Rauner’s wishes.
The law also keeps the 911 services operational statewide.
Outside of Chicago, phone users are going to pay $1.50 a month for 911 service. Chicago’s 911 fee will jump to $5 to pay for pensions, not 911 service.
State Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard), said it’s not that lawmakers wanted to end 911 services, they just wanted to settle on fair fees.… Continue Reading
Written by David E. Smith
As you know by now, over the Independence Day weekend, the Illinois General Assembly passed a massive tax hike for families and businesses. When Governor Bruce Rauner vetoed the proposal, the Illinois Senate and House quickly overrode his veto. What does that mean for taxpayers? Well, the personal income tax rate has now increased by 32 percent, surging from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent, and the corporate rate has jumped from 5.25 percent to 7 percent.… Continue Reading
Tags: Big Government, Bill Mitchell, Bruce Rauner, Illinois Republican Party, Income Tax Increase, Jim Durkin, Michael Madigan, Mike Fortner, Mike Unes, Norine Hammond, Reggie Phillips, Steve Andersson, Tax and Spend, Terri Bryant
Illinois Politics | David E. Smith | 
July 8, 2017 3:00 PM | 
Comments Off on Madigan’s Bipartisan Deception vs. Taxpayers
Written by John Biver
Every time state spending increases and taxes are raised, Republicans and conservatives issue statements expressing disappointment and disgust with those who played a part in making it happen. For many of us watching this Illinois tax and spend train wreck year after year, these statements are tiresome.
Bad things happen. Our side reacts to those bad things with statements.
These pages have outlined and linked to other articles explaining that Illinois’ problem is a simple math problem.… Continue Reading
Tags: Barack Obama, Bill Brady, Bruce Rauner, Donald Trump, Ken Griffin, Reagan Democrats, Republican Party, Ronald Reagan, Tax Increases
Illinois Politics, Marriage, Family & Culture | David E. Smith | July 7, 2017 5:00 PM | Comments Off on Ineffective GOP Messaging Leads to Tax Hikes Without Reforms Every Time
Written by John Biver
On Monday, the Illinois News Network featured as its top story the above headline with this lead:
State Rep. Jeanne Ives blasted her Democrat colleagues in the Illinois House for removing her as chief sponsor of a Senate bill that would increase taxes on Illinoisans by $5.4 billion.
For the record, Illinois Representative Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) is a staunch opponent of tax increases. So why in the world would she sponsor a tax increase?… Continue Reading
Written by John Biver
The anti-baby forces are already out in full force as they stake a claim to your tax dollars to pay for their abortions. Using the dishonest and tired rhetoric of a “war on women,” the death industry seeks to punish legislators who voted against HB 40, a bill that would remove all restrictions on taxpayer funding of abortion.
One case in point is that of State Representative Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield), who was featured in one ad, asking people to call his office to ask him why he didn’t “stand up for women’s rights.”… Continue Reading
Written by Ted Dabrowski and John Klinger
Illinois politicians are notorious for making deals in the middle of a crisis that end up being good for the political establishment but destructive for Illinois residents and taxpayers. It’s no coincidence that the author of the famous quote “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste” – Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel – hails from Illinois.
Now Illinois is in the midst of its worst fiscal crisis ever, and yet another bad deal is on the horizon.… Continue Reading
