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* LaHood Says Schafer Is A Long Shot

* No April fools here: It’s Cheap Trick Day

But in a speech to the City Club of Chicago, Donna Dunnings said while the sales tax hike will help “protect our bond rating” and “protect taxpayers from future economic downturns,” the county has bigger problems that need even more taxes to tackle.

* Cook County financial chief sees need for more money despite sales tax increase

* The extra taxes are real

* WBBM-TV dismisses 18, including leading anchor

* Admitted city job-rigger resigns 15 months after Daley declined to fire him

The city’s inspector general recommended in December 2006 that Kozicki be fired for his role in the 2004 hiring of Andrew Ryan, the 19-year-old son of a carpenters union leader. At the hiring-fraud trial of Daley’s patronage chief and other city officials, Kozicki testified that he inflated the teenager’s score on an interview to guarantee that Ryan would be hired.

* State settles museum overruns

* Prosecutor alleges $40 million telemarketing fraud

* Mayor, lawmakers promote tough anti-meth legislation

Parents who repeatedly put their children in danger by manufacturing methamphetamines could lose their custody rights under tough new legislation announced Monday.

That bill is part of a package drafted by Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner with the Aurora Police Department, and filed in February by three state legislators — Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora, and House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego.

* Films bring state cash

* Illinois plans statewide meetings on underage drinking

he state of Illinois plans a series of nearly 60 town hall meetings to discuss underage alcohol con-sumption.

* Park plug: $1M for theater leak

* Inside The Vice Presidential Guessing Game

posted by Kevin Fanning
Tuesday, Apr 1, 08 @ 8:32 am

Comments

I give LaHood kudos for being small “d” democratic enough to recognize, mention, and actually discuss the Green Party candidate in his district; but I also think that the fact that he felt obligated to suggest that Schafer is a long shot only shows that Schafer actually has a pretty good chance in this race.

Comment by Squideshi Tuesday, Apr 1, 08 @ 8:52 am
“”Martin Ozinga is the last thing Illinois voters need. There are a lot of questions about Ozinga’s ethical problems and willingness to bend or break the rules to make a buck,” said Ryan Rudominer, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.”

Rudominer says this, and if you know anything about this guy, you know you can’t believe him.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Apr 1, 08 @ 9:11 am
LaHood said that Schafer is a long shot because Schafer is a long shot. In 2006, LaHood received 67% of the vote, and he probably thinks that St. Rep. Schock will easily win, especially since the Democrat and Green Party candidates will split the liberal vote.

Comment by PhilCollins Tuesday, Apr 1, 08 @ 10:22 am
Whats with the Mayor of Aurora introducing legislation? Why do we need the 5 State Reps and 3 State Senators then?

Comment by BlueGirl Tuesday, Apr 1, 08 @ 10:24 am
Someone should inform the Aurora mayor of the recently expired deadline to get legislation out of committee in the House.

Comment by Frank Booth Tuesday, Apr 1, 08 @ 10:39 am
I didn’t know that we even had a Green running in the 18th district, but considering the make up of the district a Green has about zero percent chance of winning or making an impact. Rep. Schock will win and win easy, though possible not by the margins that LaHood has won in the pass since they have a Democrat candidate with some what of a name.

Comment by RMW Stanford Tuesday, Apr 1, 08 @ 10:40 am
Donna Dunnings is hilarious. She just takes a 12% raise immediately following a half-billion dollar tax hike, then hints that more tax hikes are needed, but they’ll be softened by “cost containmentment.”

I can just imagine a political satire show doing this one: “Just don’t be tryin’ no cost containment on my butt! I needs MY monay!”

Comment by Snidely Whiplash Tuesday, Apr 1, 08 @ 11:20 am
I think what’s interesting about Dunnings’ statement is that she feels confident enough to make it. Apparently, Stroger and his close aides do not believe that raising taxes is a political liability in Cook.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Apr 1, 08 @ 1:33 pm
BlueGirl and Frank Booth:

He’s running for re-election. So he needs to solve a meth problem that doesn’t really exist in Aurora.

Comment by Stuck with Sen. CPA Tuesday, Apr 1, 08 @ 2:47 pm
Cassandra,

I’m not sure about that, but they may be figuring that the crap’s already hit the pan, so a few more turdballs won’t make much difference. I think they’ll raise some more taxes until they feel that by mid-term they have enough to support the bloat without any tax hikes in the final two years of his term, so he can run on a platform of not having raised taxes for 2 years.

Comment by Snidely Whiplash Tuesday, Apr 1, 08 @ 3:41 pm
The “we are tough on crime” meth legislation:

Weisner - Holmes - Chapa LaVia and Cross - all up for re-election. Truly the “Illinois Combine” at work to keep the status quo…….. but I must say, at least a bit more meat on this legislation —then the more partisan press pop a couple of weeks ago headed by Cross and his lackies, Munson and Schmitz - you remember, the robo call bill. AAAHHH, our fine lawmakers at work again…………..

Comment by Please! Tuesday, Apr 1, 08 @ 5:03 pm