Government as Family: Illinois’ ‘First Lady Launches Illinois Family Connects’

Written by John Biver

The Illinois state government’s fiscal condition has been a national news story for some time – even the butt of jokes and sarcasm as illustrated by this headline:

State That Can’t Pay Its Bills Gets Obama Holiday

(In case you missed that Obama holiday news, click here.)

That means it’s time for a new state-sponsored program, wouldn’t you say?

Back in May, the Office of the Governor broke the news with these four paragraphs (I’ve bolded a few passages for emphasis):

First Lady Launches Illinois Family Connects

FREEPORT — First Lady Diana Rauner is celebrating the launch of the Illinois Family Connects pilot program, a universal newborn support system.

Former Miss America Wants to Unseat Lisa Madigan as Illinois Attorney General

Written by Dan McCaleb

Former Miss America Erika Harold announced Tuesday that she plans to seek the GOP nomination for Illinois attorney general with hopes of taking on Lisa Madigan next fall.

An attorney from Urbana, Harold in 2012 and 2014 unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for U.S. Congress in Illinois’ 13th District.

Harold is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She says she entered the Miss America pageant to help fund her graduate education at Harvard Law School.… Continue Reading

Illinois Republicans Set National Record for Losing Elections

Written by John Biver

The Illinois News Network reported some big news about a new national “political power” record that was set this week:

Illinois’ longest serving House speaker is now the United State’s longest serving statehouse speaker.

The title was held for years by a South Carolina politician from the 1970s, but the title now goes to Chicago Democrat Michael Madigan.

Madigan has been speaker of the Illinois House every year since 1983, except for two years in the 1990s when Republicans were in the majority.

U.S. Supreme Court’s Possible Challenge to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan

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

SPOTLIGHT: Tax, Spend, Repeat

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

Strategy 2017: From Outrage to Action [Conference]

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

SPOTLIGHT: Springfield 2017 Legislative Recap

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

911 Tax Increase in Illinois for all Telephone Users

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

Madigan’s Bipartisan Deception vs. Taxpayers

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

Ineffective GOP Messaging Leads to Tax Hikes Without Reforms Every Time

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