Written by John Biver and David E. Smith
Illinois Republicans never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. Whether it is reaching enough Illinoisans with the facts about the dire fiscal state of Illlinois or about the terrible consequences of the misnamed “Equal Rights Amendment,” GOP leaders can’t seem to make use of the many teachable moments that occur weekly in Illinois politics.
One such teachable moment presented itself in a shocking investigative report by the Chicago Tribune on pervasive child sexual abuse within the Chicago Public School system that exposed that “Over a decade, police investigated more than 520 cases of juvenile sexual assault and abuse in Chicago’s public schools.”
Despite the shocking nature of the abuses outlined in the report, there has been virtually no response from Illinois Republican “leaders.” Where is the proactive, sustained and appropriate expression of outrage coming from GOP Chairman Tim Schneider, Governor Bruce Rauner, State Senator Bill Brady and State Representative Jim Durkin?… Continue Reading
Tags: Bill Brady, Bruce Rauner, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Tribune, Illinois GOP, Jim Durkin, Mike Madigan, sex abuse scand, Tim Mapes, Tim Schneider
Illinois Politics, LGBTQ Agenda, Marriage, Family & Culture | David E. Smith | 
June 14, 2018 4:00 AM | 
Comments Off on Illinois Republicans Miss the Target in Target-Rich Environment–Again
Written by John Biver
Usually when a legislator holds the top leadership post in their General Assembly caucus, reelection in their district is all but guaranteed. These are not usual times. The mood of the nation and the mood of Republican and independent voters in Illinois has changed.
State House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge) will be facing a probably-well-funded challenger in next March’s primary.
IFI and IFA readers have seen his name previously on these pages.… 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 Heather Niemetschek
On June 4, the Illinois House of Representatives passed House Bill 1287, including three amendments that made up the Democrats’ version of a workers’ compensation reform package. But the overarching theme of the debate was whether the amendments could be called “reform” at all.
A careful review of HB 1287 shows the House passed a bill lacking the cost-saving reforms Illinoisans desperately need.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has remained adamant for months that reform of the workers’ compensation laws in Illinois is one of the most important structural changes the General Assembly must address this session before the governor will consider revenue increases.… Continue Reading
Written by IllinoisReview.com
Illinois has a history of passing controversial legislation such as tax hikes during the last few hours before a new General Assembly is sworn in.
There’s two obvious reasons leadership uses this tactic: 1. Those members who were not re-elected are able to make votes for which they won’t be accountable to their districts, and 2. When the calendar moves into January, legislation no longer needs super majorities to pass, they go back to requiring simple majorities for bill passage.
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Continue Reading
Protesters gather in front of Sullivan’s office late last year
to protest his support of marriage redefinition.
Written by David E. Smith
Despite promises to conservative members of the Illinois House Republican Caucus, Minority Leader Jim Durkin on Monday selected state Rep. Ed Sullivan, Jr. (R-Mundelein) to the Illinois House Republican Leadership Team. Representative Sullivan will take the spot left vacant by JoAnn Osmond who recently retired.
“Ed Sullivan has done a great job as one of our floor leaders and is always eager to help members of our caucus,” said Durkin.… Continue Reading
