http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/illinois/ en-us Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:44:53 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416029/posts New population figures give a boost to the GOP By: Chris StirewaltPolitical EditorDecember 28, 2009 The 2010 census is sure to be controversial.Republicans will thunder about the community organizers who get hired to do the counting, and Democrats will wail that the homeless and migrant workers are undercounted.But in the final pre-count estimate just released by the Census Bureau, we already have a broad idea of where the results are headed and what they will mean politically.The numbers are cause for alarm for Democrats.Of the states gaining House seats -- Texas (three) and Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah... Washington Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416029/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:44:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415818/posts Think back to December 2008. Your governor was in handcuffs, accused of trying to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat -- and of shaking down a children's hospital executive for campaign lucre. In response, Illinois politicians passed middling "reforms" that in some ways enhanced their power and diminished yours. For this, yes, they now praise themselves. Also in 2009, the political heirs of Rod Blagojevich surveyed the abyss of debt they've dug in Springfield and . . . dug deeper. They can't pay today's bills, yet continue to stick taxpayers with obligations to be paid in endless tomorrows. Their motto: "Splurge.... Chicago Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415818/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:22:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416647/posts U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, the front-runner in the Republican primary election for U.S. Senate, finds himself the object of an unusual attack ad from one of his lesser-known opponents. Andy Martin, once known as Anthony Martin-Trigona, who has run for numerous elective offices over the last three decades in Illinois, Florida and Connecticut, taped a commercial questioning whether Kirk is gay. Chicago Sun Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416647/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:31:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416294/posts It has been more than four years since Jacob Kiferbaum pleaded guilty in a kickback scheme involving a hospital that needed state approval for a construction project, one of the earliest corruption scandals under former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Kiferbaum, though, has yet to spend a day in prison. The north suburban construction magnate is one of 12 men convicted in Illinois political corruption cases who still await sentencing months -- in some cases, years -- after their convictions. The lone exception among them: Tony Rezko, who was a major campaign fund-raiser for Blagojevich, among other politicians. Like the others, Rezko... Chicago Sun-Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416294/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:57:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414500/posts A conservative activist and Illinois comptroller candidate was escorted from the Illinois State Capitol building Wednesday when he tried to remove a sign put up by an atheist group. William J. Kelly announced Tuesday that he planned to take down the sign put up by the Freedom from Religion Foundation, and on Wednesday, he tried to make good on his plan. But Kelly said when he turned the sign around so it was face down, state Capitol police were quick to escort him away. CBS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414500/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:49:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414350/posts SNIPPET: "...let's get back to the woeful tale of Bro. Ismail Royer, as presented at the Umar Lee blog:" SNIPPET: "Mr. Royer, formerly associated with CAIR, is currently serving a 20 year sentence for his work on behalf of designated Terrorist group Lashkar e Taiba. Lashkar e Taiba is notable among other things for having killed 171 people in Mumbai in 2008, among many other atrocities." INTERNET HAGANAH.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414350/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:16:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412875/posts Detroit's (predominantly black) public schools are the worst in the nation and it takes some doing to be worse than Washington, D.C. Only 3 percent of Detroit's fourth-graders scored proficient on the most recent National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) test, sometimes called "The Nation's Report Card." Twenty-eight percent scored basic and 69 percent below basic. "Below basic" is the NAEP category when students are unable to demonstrate even partial mastery of knowledge and skills fundamental for proficient work at their grade level. It's the same story for Detroit's eighth-graders. Four percent scored proficient, 18 percent basic and 77 percent... Townhall.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412875/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:47:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413870/posts Rebuffed this month by skeptical lawmakers when it sought finances to buy a prison in rural Illinois, the Obama administration is struggling to come up with the money to replace the Guantánamo Bay prison. As a result, officials now believe that they are unlikely to close the prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and transfer its population of terrorism suspects until 2011 at the earliest — a far slower timeline for achieving one of President Obama’s signature national security policies than they had previously hinted. While Mr. Obama has acknowledged that he would miss the Jan. 22 deadline for closing the... The New Media Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413870/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:51:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2411318/posts PEORIA — A lawsuit alleging discrimination has been filed by a group of current and former white employees at Trewyn Middle School against Peoria School District 150 and retired Superintendent Ken Hinton. The suit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, names eight employees who allege the district had a policy of discrimination against white employees. According to the suit, the administration "adopted policies, practices and plans to increase the number of black teachers and staff within District 150; avoid lawsuits by black employees and citizens; and appease a large black community with numerous complaints." The employees are Tammy Williams, a... Peoria Journal-Star http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2411318/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:00:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412804/posts US Citizens in nearly every state awoke this morning to the news of the Senate passing its version of the Health Care Reform bill, but what most citizens haven’t realized yet is that their US Senators cost them as much as $300 Million in cash payments, cost deferments or additional benefits as part of the legislation. For the sake of argument, let’s put aside our opinions on the merits of the Health Care bill itself and instead ask some tough questions about the people who represented us during these negotiations. Senators from Louisiana, Vermont, Nebraska, Nevada, and one other unnamed... Daniel Bryan Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412804/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:11:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412242/posts Showdown in Sterling on 12/22: rally against the jailhouse jihad moving north to Thomson No, al Qaeda will not break out of “beyond Supermax.” They’ll just wage jailhouse jihad at every opportunity and force guards to extract them from their cells when its feeding time. The slightest bruise will be dutifully reported to the press by their pro bono lawyers. Those indicted will have similar fun in lockups around the country for, in addition to Manhattan and Brooklyn, an additional 50 detainees will be farmed out for federal prosecution. Gitmo in the heartland Attorney General Eric Holder is, of course,... 911NeverForget.Us http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412242/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:36:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411220/posts President Obama's scramble to close Guantanamo is picking up speed as his arbitrary one-year deadline approaches, with Yemen and Illinois as the latest detainee destinations. Neither decision will enhance U.S. security. The government of Yemen announced yesterday that it will take six detainees, and more could follow if this transfer goes smoothly. Yemenis account for 97 of the 210 men still left at Gitmo, and 34 have been cleared for release. The problem is that Yemen is emerging as one of the world's sanctuaries for al Qaeda, and its government has essentially run a nonaggression pact with the terrorists. The Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411220/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:32:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410921/posts Illinois Family Institute has come out with their voter guide for 2010 Primary's in Illinois, see how how canditate will vote on key issues. 2010 Voter Guide | Senate & U.S. Congressional Candidate Survey Questions U.S. Congressional candidates were asked if they Support or Oppose: 1 | Tax Increase/Cap and Trade — will tax energy consumption to combat “global warming.” (American Clean Energy and Security Act - 2009) 2 | “Hate Crimes” legislation — allows 2 identical crimes to be prosecuted differently if one victim is homosexual, a cross dresser or transsexual. (H.R.1913 - 2009) 3 | Employment Non-Discrimination Act... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410921/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:04:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2410477/posts Thomson prison: Illinois attorney general rules Gov. Pat Quinn can sell Thomson prisonIllinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said Thursday that Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn has the authority to sell the state prison that the federal government wants to use for terrorist suspects now at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The legal opinion by the Democratic chief legal officer swept aside Republican questions on whether state law required lawmakers to sign off before the barely used Thomson Correctional Center in northwestern Illinois could be sold. Madigan wrote that state law provides the governor with the necessary authority to close and sell the prison... 911NeverForget.Us http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2410477/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:34:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410012/posts A southwestern Illinois man claims he shot in self defense when a 17-year-old gang-banger attempted to break into the home where he was staying Tuesday night. Law officers, however, tell another story. They say the 38-year-old shooter fired at the teen from a distance of 75 to 100 feet away. And -- they say -- the teen wasn't trying to break into the house. He was shot while spray painting graffiti on the garage in the backyard. The incident occurred unincorporated Collinsville just down the street from the Fairmount Park race track. The teen was found a few blocks away... blogs.riverfronttimes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410012/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:58:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2409729/posts I meant to mention this story yesterday and didn't get to it. I guess the reason why I wasn't so all fired up to highlight it is that it all seemed as no surprise, it seemed like ho-hum news. Don't get me wrong, certainly it is big news that Gubernatorial candidate Andy McKenna is being investigated by the State Party over possible misuse of party money to fund his own first poll to ascertain whether or not his run for Gov. would be viable. No question that this is interesting news on several levels. It is interesting, for instance, that... Publius Forum http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2409729/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:58:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2409064/posts While we argue amongst ourselves as to whether there really is an Islamic threat in America, Muslims remain focused and continue to push forward with their agenda. Group distributes Qur’ans to front doors By Khalil AlHajal DEARBORN — Many Dearborn residents have been wondering about the source of paperback Qur’ans found hanging from doorknobs throughout the city in recent months. The group distributing free copies of an English translation of the Muslim holy book hopes to create better perceptions of Islam by simply making the scripture available. Logan's Warning http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2409064/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:05:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408612/posts Note: The following text is a quote: Some Guantanamo Detainees to Move to Illinois Prison By Gerry J. Gilmore American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2009 – President Barack Obama’s administration plans to transfer a limited number of detainees held at the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to a prison in rural western Illinois, senior administration officials said here today. The federal government plans to acquire Thomson Correctional Center, a 10-year-old maximum security prison in Thomson, Ill., a farming community about 150 miles west of Chicago, officials said in a background briefing. The administration would need to work... DEFENSE.gov - American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408612/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:54:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2382397/posts Arabic classes coming to three more Chicago schools Mayor Daley announces grant, says he doesn't see Fort Hood shooting stoking anti-Muslim sentiment November 9, 2009 By FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter The Chicago public schools will expand its Arabic-language program to three more high schools, thanks to a three-year, $888,000 federal grant announced this morning. Mayor Daley accepted the grant at Durkin Park Elementary School, 8445 S. Kolin, as he rejected suggestions that the Fort Hood, Texas, massacre could lead to an outbreak of anti-Muslim sentiment. “I don’t think so,” Daley said. “Every day, in society, someone’s being killed .... Chicago Sun-Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2382397/posts#comment Mon, 9 Nov 2009 20:58:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408330/posts Now for those in northern Illinois, welcome to the area becoming stigmatized for a very, very long time. Allvoices http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408330/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:30:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408267/posts The Obama administration has decided prisoners at the controversial Guantanamo Bay prison will be transferred to a jail in rural Illinois. The US Government will buy the Thomson Correctional Centre from the Illinois government and the Department of Defence will lease part of the prison to house detainees from the prison in Cuba. ABCNews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408267/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:00:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2407761/posts Note: Informative hyptertext links at the article link. -Cindy # "Chicago: Anti-Democracy Hizb ut-Tahrir Group Event in Lombard, IL on December 20" SNIPPET: "Once again, another village in the Chicago suburbs will be the target of a public event by the anti-democracy, Islamic supremacist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir on Sunday, December 20 – this time using a government-managed community center in Lombard, Illinois. Hizb ut-Tahrir is an extreme group that is opposed to democracy and religious freedom, has called for the killing of Jews, recently called for whipping of homosexuals and stonings to combat AIDS, has reportedly called for the murder... Muslims Against Sharia - Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2407761/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:44:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407668/posts SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Critics heaped scorn on Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn on Monday over a secret prison program that allowed hundreds of inmates — some violent offenders — to be released early, including some who only spent 11 days behind bars. An Associated Press report released Sunday showed that more than 850 inmates — including repeat drunk drivers, drug users and even people convicted of battery and weapons violations — were released early under the program since September. This happened because the Corrections Department abandoned a policy that all prisoners serve at least 61 days and gave inmates months of... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407668/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:30:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405807/posts In a shocking news flash, BigGovernment.com has published a Department of Justice Memo that authorizes the Obama Administration to send terrorists into Illinois! Via Obama Executive Order 13492, terrorists WILL BE SENT to Illinois. Publius Forum http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405807/posts#comment Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:09:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405722/posts The Land of Lincoln may still be licking its wounds–and certain real estate transactions–over Chicago’s losing the Olympics to Rio, but the Obama Administration has delivered up a small consolation prize: the state’s very own federal prison for terrorists. Big Government has received what is claimed to be a leaked DOJ memo that was allegedly sent yesterday from Eric Holder’s Department of Justice to Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Memo below: Big Government http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405722/posts#comment Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:05:59 GMT