Prairie Stater

Will Illinois' Current Members of Congress Vote for Jobs in the 'Lame Duck'?

anonymous — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 10:11:00 CST

Illinois elected a new U.S. Senator and a four new members of Congress (all Republican), but before they can be seated (with the exception of Senator-elect Mark Kirk, who will be seated in December), the current members of Congress have returned to Washington, DC for the "lame duck" session.

There are a number of key bills facing these members that could determine the future of the American economy.

Illinois House Judiciary Committee Advances 'Shell' of Lawsuit Lending Bill

anonymous — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 09:11:00 CST

The Illinois House Judiciary Committee advanced a "shell" of Senate Bill 3322 — legislation that would legitimize a "lawsuit lending" industry in Illinois.

The business community and some experts are critical of the legislation, saying it would increase the amount of lawsuits against Illinois employers. That would be the last thing Illinois needs as we struggling to recover from the economic downturn.

Former CBO Director Has Economic Growth Advice for Illinois, Governor Quinn

anonymous — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:11:00 CST

Douglas Holtz-Eakin, former director of the Congressional Budget Office and current president of American Action Forum, has a new article in which he proposes his recipe for national economic growth.

While his proposals are aimed at the federal government — they can certainly be applied to our financial challenges in Illinois.

His advice: reduce spending and don't increase taxes.

New York Times Report Reinforces Concerns about Illinois' 'Lawsuit Lending' Bill

anonymous — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 08:11:00 CST

The New York Times this week highlighted "lawsuit lending" legislation that is pending in several states across the country — including here in Illinois, where an Illinois House Judiciary Committee hearing has been scheduled on one such bill for later today.

The Times article reinforced many criticisms of the legislation — namely that it would incentivize trial lawyers to file more lawsuits against employers, and actually cost plaintiffs' money.

Wisconsin vs. Illinois: Who Will Win the Fight for Jobs?

anonymous — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:11:00 CST

Over at the Illinois Policy Institute blog, Kristina Rasmussen posts on the fight for jobs between Wisconsin and Illinois. Wisconsin, of course, just elected Republican Scott Walker to the governorship, while Illinois is once again stuck with Pat Quinn for the next four years.

Walker is preparing to push an agenda of economic growth by empowering private employers, instead of empowering the government. Quinn, of course, is focused on getting and spending more federal cash.

FoxNews.com Highlights New Illinois Congressmen Schilling, Kinzinger

anonymous — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:11:00 CST

FoxNews.com today put a spotlight on two of Illinois' new members of the U.S. House — Congressmen-elect Bobby Schilling (R-17) and Adam Kinzinger (R-11) in a story entitled, "Congress' Class of 2010: Pilots and a Pizza Man Among Pro Politicians."

Rahmbo Hits the Airwaves

anonymous — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 07:11:00 CST

Rahm Emanuel officially announced his candidacy for Chicago Mayor on Saturday — and is going up on the air today with his first TV ad, which you can watch below:

Governor Quinn, Please Watch this Video

anonymous — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 11:11:00 CST

In this excerpt from Fox News Channel's Journal Editorial Report, Texas Governor Rick Perry (who was just elected to a third straight term) discusses how his state deals with potential revenue shortfalls: low taxes, economic growth and reduced spending. Governor Quinn — are you listening?

Incidentally, more than half of all the new jobs created in the United States last year were created in ... the State of Texas.

Local Healthcare Organization Releases "Community Assets" Report

anonymous — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 10:11:00 CST

From the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council...

In the wake of efforts to heap hundreds of millions of dollars in new, onerous taxes on local hospitals, the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council has released a new Community Assets Report to educate taxpayers and policymakers about the economic benefits and charitable contributions of hospitals in the Metropolitan Chicago area.

VIDEO: Schock Discusses Tax Relief and Budget Priorities with MSNBC's Mitchell

anonymous — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 19:11:00 CST

U.S. Congressman Aaron Shock (R-18-IL) this weekend appeared on MSNBC to discuss tax and budget priorities with Andrea Mitchell:

VIDEO: Rahm Makes it Official

anonymous — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 19:11:00 CST

Rahm Emanuel makes his run for Chicago official (video below) and the Chicago Tribune's John Kass writes that the "Rahmfather makes it all seem inevitable."

Illinois Lawsuit Loan Shark Bill is Back in Veto Session

anonymous — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 09:11:00 CST

Earlier this year, we reported about a bill in Springfield that critics say would legitimize an industry of "lawsuit loan sharks."

Well, that bill is back in the General Assembly's veto session, and being considered in a House Judiciary Committee hearing this Tuesday.

Quinn Should Fight for Economic Growth, Not Federal Cash

anonymous — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:11:00 CST

While Illinois' neighboring Governors steal our employers, Governor Quinn is wasting his time trying to steal neighboring states' federal cash.

Thank you, Illinois voters, for electing four more years of economic failure.

Did America Vote for Change — or Special Interest Handouts?

anonymous — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:11:00 CST

from the Institute for Legal Reform ...

Last week, the American voters overwhelmingly voted to change the direction of our country. They voted to put an end to job-killing policies, and to stop special interest handouts.

But when the "lame duck" Congress returns to Washington next week, we need them to say "NO" to the biggest special interest handout of all: the Treasury Department's proposed $1.6 billion tax break for trial lawyers.

Trial Lawyer's Dream, Job Creator's Nightmare

anonymous — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 08:11:00 CST

from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ...

The American people voted for change in last week's elections -- but that obviously wasn't enough to stop the majority leadership from pushing job-killing bills through during the lame duck session.

In fact, such a bill is scheduled for a vote next week in the Senate: the deceptively-named "Paycheck Fairness Act.