* State Rep. Mike Bost was asked during a tele-townhall meeting: “What do you intend to do for the middle class to get this weight off of us?” The GOP congressional candidate’s response…
I know that this might not be a popular statement, but this is the way I feel. You cannot lift up the middle class by continuing to have over-burdensome regulations on the job creators.
As they’ve tried to push forward with a minimum wage, that minimum wage will actually hurt the middle class. We need to make sure that a sensible, we need to make sure that the middle class’ buying power remains at the best possible level and then give them the opportunity to move up from the middle class to whatever class, whatever level that they want to work.
But that can only be done when we start removing government regulations that destroy job growth in this state or in this nation and stop people from being the entrepreneurs that they are naturally and seeking the American dream, whether they want to start their own business or expand their business to provide more jobs for people…
Overburdensomed government has kept us pinned down and it is hurting the middle class.
Full audio is here.
* The Southern Illinoisan followed up after a handful of people protested…
[Bost] said minimum wage was created to be a supplemental income for people working toward better jobs through job training and other programs.
Bost said Illinois suffers with its higher minimum wage of $8.25 per hour compared to the federal level of $7.25 per hour. Jobs around the Illinois borders with neighboring states are lost because of the state’s higher minimum wage level, he said.
He said when the minimum wage level is raised, it hurts middle-class wage earners because the cost of living goes up.
“The problem is the middle income wage earners are punished terribly when minimum wage is raised. Your buying power is reduced,” Bost said.
Discuss.
79 Comments  
|
Teh crazy
Wednesday, Jul 23, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From Facebook…
The accompanying video is here.
* Phil Kadner…
“The immigrants are coming! They’re bringing children from Central America here!”
That was the cry that arose from some panicked Southland residents this week after more than 100 military vehicles suddenly appeared on the campus of Cook County’s Oak Forest Health Center, 159th Street and Cicero Avenue.
“I’m almost 100 percent positive they will be shipping all the illegals from Mexico by the hundreds of thousands there …” one man emailed, sending a photo of the vehicles to illustrate his point.
Others called the SouthtownStar convinced that teenage immigrants from Central America soon would be camped out on the grounds of what used to be Oak Forest Hospital.
* Illinois Review…
Earlier this week, Illinois Review received several queries about military vehicles suddenly showing up at the now-closed Oak Forest Hospital at 159th and Cicero Avenue. Speculations were running wild, as some thought the National Guard was preparing for a citizen uprising, while others suggested that the federal government was transferring unaccompanied minors from the southern border to house in Oak Forest.
The hospital, deemed as an emergency shelter by Homeland Security, was used to house homeless victims after the Katrina hurricane.
Actually, those Katrina refugees were housed in Tinley Park.
* As it turns out, the vehicles were moved to make way for parking lot improvements. From the Illinois National Guard…
Parking Lot Improvements Underway at Crestwood Armory
Vehicles temporarily parked at nearby health center
Crestwood, Ill. – Construction is scheduled to begin this week at the Illinois Army National Guard’s Crestwood armory parking lot, 13838 S. Springfield Ave in Robbins, Ill.
The $1.5 million project will upgrade and rehabilitate the current parking lot. Construction includes drainage improvements, on-site storm-water management and improvements to the current loading ramp. It will also include new lighting, paved concrete areas and an additional gravel lot for parking.
The project will last four to six months. Throughout the project, military vehicles will park at the Oak Forrest Health Center in parking spots leased by Cook County.
Additional construction at the Crestwood armory includes improvements to the Field Maintenance Shop’s driveway approaches. A future construction project will include interior improvements to the armory.
The Crestwood armory is home to multiple Illinois Army National Guard units including Company B, 405th Brigade Support Battalion; Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment; Company G, 634th Brigade Support Battalion; Company F, Recruit Sustainment Program; 1744th Transportation Company; 108th Signal Company and Joint Force Headquarters Medical Detachment.
* Back to Kadner…
As for the sight of military vehicles scaring people, imagine what life would be like in a country where those vehicles are manned by hostile government forces intent on doing harm to anyone considered a threat to those in power. There are a lot of nations like that in the world right now.
We’re lucky. And sharing some of that good fortune, or at least showing people a little kindness, might not be the worst thing that ever happened to this country.
Why there’s so much fear among so many in a nation that has so much (even in the aftermath of the Great Recession) is both baffling and troubling.
76 Comments
|
* From Gov. Pat Quinn’s campaign…
As gun violence continues to plague many communities, Bruce Rauner’s continued support for the proliferation of semi-automatic, military-style assault weapons was highlighted in a new Web video from the Quinn for Illinois campaign.
The hard-hitting new video shows Rauner’s response at a Republican gubernatorial debate earlier this year, where Rauner voiced strong support for assault weapon ownership, and merely shrugged when an incredulous host asked, “When it would make sense to use an assault weapon?”
* Rate the YouTube video…
This is mostly about the all-important suburban female vote. It worked well against Bill Brady in 2010. We’ll see how it does this time.
68 Comments
|
*** UPDATED x1 *** Rate Rauner’s new TV ad
Wednesday, Jul 23, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a press release…
Bruce Rauner’s campaign for governor launched a new television advertisement this week outlining the bad news that has marked Pat Quinn’s time as governor.
The ad, titled “Headlines,” underscores Quinn’s record of job losses, tax hikes and education cuts and also highlights the federal, criminal investigation into Quinn’s anti-violence program as well as questions about pay-to-play issues in Quinn’s administration.
“From a 67% tax hike and $500 million in cuts to education to becoming the latest governor to find himself in the middle of a federal criminal investigation, Pat Quinn’s meant nothing but bad news for Illinois,” Rauner spokesman Mike Schrimpf said. “It’s time for a fresh start in Springfield. Bruce Rauner is the change agent needed to bring back Illinois.”
* Rate it…
*** UPDATE *** From the Quinn campaign….
Paid for by vast riches he built using elite methods to dodge taxes, another Bruce Rauner bit of propaganda hit the airwaves today.
Marked by more dishonesty and distortion, the ad is remarkable for totally ignoring the $8 billion hole that the reckless Rauner Tax Plan blows in the budget, as well as the deadly negligence and abuse at long-term care facilities he owned and from which he profited that were supposed to care for people with disabilities and the most vulnerable.
Rauner makes more false claims about jobs, education and anti-violence programs.
Here are some simple facts about the records of Governor Pat Quinn and billionaire Bruce Rauner:
Jobs.
Unemployment is at its lowest point since October 2008 and more people are working today in Illinois than when Governor Quinn took office.
Meanwhile, Rauner built his riches by acquiring companies, stripping their value, massive layoffs, outsourcing and shipping jobs overseas.
Education
The Governor has increased funding for education, including making teacher pension payments and has proposed the largest investment in the classroom in Illinois history. He also has increased funding for job-creating vocational and technical programs.
Rauner, meanwhile, has introduced a Tax Plan that would blow an eight billion dollar hole in the budget and require massive cuts to schools.
Anti-violence program
As Mr. Rauner surely knows, there is no investigation of the Governor and to deceptively suggest otherwise is nothing but a political smear tactic by Rauner and the Republicans. While the Governor took action to fix problems with this now-defunct program and signed a new law to increase oversight of state grants, Mr. Rauner is hoping voters won’t notice all of his companies that were under investigation under his watch for everything from Medicaid fraud to criminal negligence to accounting fraud. Rauner has declined to take any responsibility for these disturbing revelations, but he has taken the money.
In addition, the Governor continues to fight against violence and is pushing to ban military-style assault weapons. Rauner supports military-style assault weapons and said he believes people should be able to use them “as they see fit.”
39 Comments
|
*** UPDATED x1 *** Rauner sides with Uber
Tuesday, Jul 22, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Bruce Rauner staged an event today designed to put pressure on Gov. Pat Quinn to veto the ride-sharing regulation bill…
“Our kids use it a lot,” Rauner said Tuesday morning while about to step into an Uber car – a 2005 Toyota Camry with 200,000 miles on it — whisking him to 5044 S. Wabash for a campaign stop about early childhood education. “There are a lot of neighborhoods in Chicago where there aren’t cabs.” […]
He said some level of background checks for ride-sharing drivers “probably does make sense.” So does a certain level of insurance, though he didn’t have any coverage minimums in mind. […]
Rauner’s Uber driver was Schaumburg resident Mohammed Meghani, 43. He has been driving an Uber car since December and bought a used Camry in 2013 for $5,500 for strictly that purpose. He has 20 to 30 Uber customers a day, and it’s his primary way of making a living for him, his wife, a stay-at-home mom, and their three children, ages 14, 11 and 7. Meghani said he had most recently worked in the banking industry, for Chase and earlier for Bank of America and LaSalle Bank and Bank of Lincolnwood. […]
[The bill] requires chauffeur licenses for drivers who work more than 18 hours a week, Rauner said.
“That’s just a restraint of competition,” Rauner said. “That shouldn’t be necessary.”
I’m not sure that’s a “restraint of competition” because taxi drivers have to obtain the same license.
And one of the main hangups is the insurance coverage requirement. Uber doesn’t insure drivers very much in between rides.
Also, an old Camry with 200,000 miles on it isn’t exactly what one thinks of when one thinks of Uber. That’s gotta be UberX.
The campaign also posted a brief video to Instagram and is planning to send an e-mail to supporters.
…Adding… The blast email…
I am running for governor to bring back a booming economy to Illinois. We need to encourage job growth by giving innovative companies greater opportunities – not restricting them.
Uber is an innovative, growing company that provides ride-share services to millions of people across the country and wants to create 425 more jobs right here in Illinois. Yet, Governor Pat Quinn may sign a bill that will hamper this fast growing company with burdensome regulations and impede job creation.
Illinois should encourage companies like Uber to grow here, but this bill does the opposite. I’d veto it. Ride-share drivers should have insurance and background checks. But Pat Quinn shouldn’t sign this bill – it sends another signal that Illinois is closed to innovation.
I love Uber. And we need a state that supports job creation — not runs it off. Tweet Pat Quinn — tell him to veto the anti-Uber bill.
*** UPDATE *** From Mara Georges, Illinois Transportation Trade Association…
“This legislation is simply focused on making sure all Illinoisans have basic consumer protections when they step into a car for hire. Customers have the right to know their driver has passed a comprehensive police background check and drug test and carries sufficient insurance in case of an accident.
Ride-share companies claim they can regulate themselves, but time and time again they have proven that they cannot protect their drivers or passengers. It is unfortunate that Bruce Rauner would side with Silicon Valley multi-billionaires and venture capitalists, rather than Illinois consumers.”
They’ve released a second version of the statement…
“This legislation was passed by the Illinois General Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support and is simply focused on making sure all Illinoisans have basic consumer protections when they step into a car for hire. Customers have the right to know their driver has passed a comprehensive police background check and drug test and carries sufficient insurance in case of an accident. It is unfortunate that Bruce Rauner would side with Silicon Valley multi-billionaires and venture capitalists, rather than Illinois consumers.”
61 Comments
|
* From Chip Englander, Bruce Rauner’s campaign manager…
Campaign videographers are commonplace, especially at public events on public property. We treat the governor’s campaign videographers with respect and we expect nothing less from the governor.
Earlier today, a member of Governor Quinn’s taxpayer funded security verbally assaulted and physically removed a young member of the Rauner team from a public event being held on public property. The stress of multiple criminal investigations does not excuse the behavior of Governor Quinn and his staff.
I’m told by the governor’s campaign that Rauner’s trackers “have become somewhat of a security issue lately as their tactics have been more aggressive.” One tracker was recently found “hiding in a bathroom” the gov’s campaign says. Today, I’m told, Rauner had 3 trackers, 2 clowns and 3 staffers at the Quinn event.
* From the twitters…
* Rauner tracker video…
Tense.
Currently awaiting formal responses and counter-responses.
…Adding… Just as an FYI, according to the governor’s public schedule, the press conference was held today at the…
Circle Interchange
Intersection of W. Harrison St. & S. Des Plaines St.
Chicago
Looks like a public event to me.
…Adding More… Rauner’s Blagojevich impersonator was, according to the Quinnsters, “repeatedly asked to move” away from the governor’s car by the cop in this pic…
The Rauner folks say the guy was just standing in a parking lot.
…Adding More… The Quinnsters insist that the Blagojevich clown was “standing in front of the governor’s car” which isn’t pictured.
*** UPDATE *** From a buddy of mine who was at the event. Some sentences were deleted to protect the person’s identity…
As it happens I was standing next to the young man when security escorted him away. I can tell you that the kid was videotaping the podium area and the group that was invited to attend the bill signing event. I didn’t notice him, much, since the area was filled with real media. The kid had a puny video camera, and that did catch my attention. The security guy in question did ask him to leave, the young guy refused, security said (right before the beginning of this clip), “I’m not going to take this anymore.” Sounds like this wasn’t their first rodeo. He grabbed the videographer by the arm and hustled him away.
I will tell you that when I went to park, I pulled in front of security’s car. The same guy got out before I exited my vehicle and politely asked me to move my car. Which I did, of course. There were several Rauner supporters there, one with the Blago mask carrying a sign, and the ubiquitous “Quinnocio.” They stayed behind the barricades to the event at all times. I don’t quite get why the young guy was videotaping anything since the Governor had yet to arrive. Security being what it is, the officer seems to have exercised his duties out of an abundant caution for the Governor’s safety. My two cents.
187 Comments
|
*** UPDATE 1 *** The Rauner folks just found some new audio of Quinn debating Democratic primary opponent Dan Hynes in January of 2010, months after Quinn testified on that Senate bill. Here’s what Quinn said about the Senate’s revenue bill that included the new service tax…
Transcript…
Quinn: “Rev. Sen. Meeks, who’s my friend and who’s supporting me, feels the same way I do and he got a bill passed through the Illinois Senate that I support and I testified for it in the Illinois House… We don’t forget people in need. If they need education, then we invest in it. And I think the only way to do it is to do it the right way, the way Sen. Meeks has proposed… I called up Mike Madigan that night, one minute after Rev. Meeks got that bill passed, and I said ‘Mike, how about tomorrow let’s go vote for that’ and he said ‘No.’ But I went and testified for it for two hours with David Miller.”
I’m tempted to withdraw the question. Your thoughts?
*** UPDATE 2 *** I’ve given it some thought and I’m withdrawing the question. Quinn obviously worked to pass this bill, which included a service tax, then months later touted his support for the bill.
[ *** End Of Updates *** ]
* From the AP…
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner said Thursday he wants to lower Illinois’ income tax rate, freeze property taxes and impose a new sales tax on some services, a plan he said would help improve the economy and grow jobs but that Gov. Pat Quinn dismissed as “a dumb idea.” […]
“This is a dumb idea and I don’t believe people in Illinois are going to buy it whatsoever,” the Chicago Democrat said […]
[Rauner’s] campaign also raised an eyebrow at Quinn’s criticism, saying the governor testified in favor of a 2009 budget proposal that included a tax on services, including dry cleaning. But Quinn spokeswoman Brooke Anderson said that testimony was part of budget negotiations. The governor only favored part of the proposal, and not the tax on services, she said.
The Rauner campaign is doing its level best to connect Quinn to Rauner’s service sales tax proposal. But Quinn’s campaign has pushed back hard against this notion that Quinn testified on behalf of the service tax, and they point to his budget address this year, during which he forcefully opposed a service tax. Quinn likely did so because Rauner long ago signaled that he was open to the tax.
* Gov. Quinn was asked specifically about the service tax during that 2009 testimony. This audio was sent to me on background…
Transcript…
Question: “Governor, there’s…we’ve had conversations talking about Illinois’ competitiveness and I know you’re concerned about that issue. But, raising taxes…income tax, and sales tax the way this bill does, what is that going to do to our competitiveness?
Quinn: “Well, I think our biggest problem when you talk about taxation and business job creation is the property tax system. We have to address that. The Illinois property tax system is antiquated, it was written in the 19th century, it’s hundreds of pages long. This is an opportunity to address property taxes and reforming them, and reducing them. I think that we have to deal with that if we want to have a good job climate and that to me is one of the features of this bill that is a very good one. It is a strong effort to get the state of Illinois pay at least half the cost of education and to reduce the property tax burden on families and businesses.”
* Brooke Anderson’s complete response, slightly edited for style…
The Governor clearly stated his position on service tax this year in his budget address.
Re 2009, the bill HB 174 was based on a long-standing proposal known as SB 750. Among key components, the bill did the following, all of which the Governor has long supported:
-raised the income tax from 3-5%
-provided signficcant new property tax relief
-provided an increase in the personal exemption
-increased the earned income tax credit
At the time, this was the last day of session and it was a comprehensive package designed to address the State’s fiscal challenges, avert the cliff and impending bond downgrades, and to reduce reliance on property taxes for funding eduction, one of the Governor’s top priorities– it was also the vehicle for revenue and a work in progress like so many things in Springfield. This is pretty obvious when you watch the clips.
The sales tax to services piece was a minor component and advocated by Senate Democrats - not the Governor- the above-listed were the key parts and sought by the Governor
When asked if he supports the bill in Q&A, the Governor says it is worthy of debate and stresses the need to reduce property taxes and balance the budget. He urges consideration and further dialogue.
The clip rauner’s camp sent is consistent with all this - the Governor makes no reference to sales taxes on services and clearly speaks to the need to reduce property taxes. Also I can’t even confirm it’s from the same committee hearing where the Governor testified because there are no details available, date, etc. - just sketchy freeze frame & audio.
Here’s more video:
* The Question: Is this a fair hit by Quinn on Rauner’s “dumb” plan, or is it a fair retort by Rauner that Quinn supported a similar “dumb” plan, or is it both or is it neither? Withdrawn.
27 Comments
|
Go, go White Sox!
Monday, Jul 21, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I think I told you this already, but years ago I turned down one of Pat Quinn’s White Sox tickets. Some of his lieutenant governor staffers were going to a game and they offered one of his tix to me.
Call me a snob, but I hate the upper deck and that’s where Quinn’s season tickets are. Dan Proft and I went to a game years ago and we sat in the upper deck and I vowed I wouldn’t ever do that again.
* Anyway, Steve Bogira at the Reader was surprised that Quinn would sit there…
I leaned down to him. “Governor—what are you doing in the upper deck?”
He turned and said, “I’ve got season tickets here. Had ‘em ten, 11 years.”
“But why in the upper deck?”
He shrugged. “You can see the game.”
Quinn doesn’t ordinarily look down on Chicagoans, but he does at Sox games.
I know what he means: the height offers a nice perspective. But this benefit is mostly canceled out by the yawning span between you and the field. Even Adam Dunn looks small. And the sound delay is disconcerting—the crack of the bat you hear in the second inning was the double in the first.
Bogira writes later in the story that Quinn was going over fundraising schedules. I asked Quinn about that when the story came out and he said he wasn’t doing fundraising stuff. He told me what he was actually doing, but it was a couple of months ago and I’ve since forgotten. I think it was bill lists.
* Anyway, that brings us to this Kurt Erickson column…
Quinn’s campaign manager Lou Bertuca sent out a fundraising appeal in which a lucky donor could win an afternoon at a Chicago White Sox game sitting in the stands with Illinois’ chief executive.
“This isn’t just a handshake and a photo op – this is a real opportunity to hang out with the governor of Illinois,” Bertuca wrote.
The letter noted that anyone who chips in $5 or more is automatically entered in the contest.
Because reporters don’t give money to politicians, I was about to close out the email.
Then I read the small print. It said, “No purchase, payment or contribution necessary to enter or win. Contributing will not improve chances of winning.”
Excellent, right? I clicked the link to enter and got this message: “Page not found.”
Oops.
Then again, I clicked the same link last week and it worked for me.
* And that brings us to the new Quinn campaign video…
Simon’s back on his game.
* And that brings us to this from Rep. Jeanne Ives…
Representative Ives is organizing a Health and Fitness Boot Camp for children in her district, ages 8-12.
Last year, the event was a great success! This year Ives has expanded the program to promote fitness throughout the summer.
I’m really excited about this event,” Ives told reporters last year. “It’s something I started doing just as a mom. Having been in the military, I knew my kids loved fitness and they loved to do it in a fun and exciting way. So we came out to Cantigny to build this bigger event about kid’s nutrition and kid’s health and fitness, which we hope to grow every year.”
This year, recruits will be able to pick up a fitness pass book at their local library, community center or Ives’ District Office. Recruits will use the pass book to track their fitness level over the summer by completing four fitness activities each week, which parents will sign off on in the passbook. Each completed week will be a raffle entry for prizes from local businesses. Parents are also encouraged to administer an initial fitness test at the beginning of the summer (optional). On August 15, those who have taken the initial assessment will re-test and if a recruit shows a 20% improvement in their fitness level they will be entered into a “Grand Raffle.”
Children can join the contest and fun at any time over the summer or just show up to participate in the Boot Camp on August 15.
At Ives’ Fitness and Health Boot Camp, recruits will participate in a variety of health and fitness events, including:
Complete an Obstacle Course by FTX Crossfit
Scale a Climbing Wall
Participate in a Fitness Test
Earn personalized, commemorative dog tags
Receive BMI testing and learn safe stretching from Advanced Healthcare Associates
Take part in basic First Aid Instruction from Cadence Health and Edward Hospital
Participate in activities from FORWARD of DuPage County
Receive samples of healthy snacks
First Aide provided by Superior Ambulance
Raffle Sponsors include:
Eagle Martial Arts
MOVES Dance Studio
Sports Authority
Sox tickets from Dan Proft, WLS-AM
I hope those Proft tickets are better than the ones we had back in the day.
40 Comments
|
|
Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
|
   
|
Hosted by MCS
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax
Advertise Here
Mobile Version
Contact Rich Miller
|
