Press Releases/Announcements from local sources
Spring Break edition...
MattFuesting
"I would like to thank all of my supporters in DuPage, Kane, and Cook Counties. It was a privilege and honor to meet so many interesting, and interested, people throughout Illinois’ 55th Congressional District. "
Sen Peter Roskam"Protecting the families of fallen soldiers, cracking down on criminals who impersonate police officers and firefighters, and withholding drivers’ licenses from students who are chronically truant are among the measures considered by the Illinois Senate during the week of March 27-31, ..."
"When students at Wheaton Academy in West Chicago express concern about an issue, they take no halfway measures in addressing it."
Sen.
Obama
"Every American should be able to trust that when their taxes are prepared that their personal information will remain confidential. Since the IRS won't clarify its rules to keep taxpayer information private, Congress will."
"On March 29 and March 30, several news outlets uncritically reported Republican criticism of the recently released Democratic national security platform titled "Real Security: Protecting America and Restoring Our Leadership in the World,"..."
(Speaker Hastert did not use his government paid for website to do any sophomoric, negative, partisan campaigning today. Keep up the good work, Denny. - Bob)
GovernorBlagojevich
"“It’s inaccurate and deceptive of him to say there was no vulgarity in the moment,” said Peter Smith, the Boston University assistant photojournalism professor who made the shot. Despite Scalia’s insistence that the Sicilian gesture was not offensive and had been incorrectly characterized by the Herald as obscene, the photographer said the newspaper “got the story right.” "
"Municipal leaders cite aesthetics and safety concerns over what they call “eye pollution” created by billboards. Several of those efforts — in Lombard, West Chicago, Addison, Evanston and downstate Galesburg — have led to lawsuits."
Press
"Jedlovic said the referendum initiative rejection (3,406 no to 1,722 yes) will just slow the projects. He said the district will eventually get to the projects as funds become available. "And we will be back on the ballot come November," he said. "
"Voters recognize it helps to have backgrounds in areas that affects people on a daily basis. Through all these different position, I have been responsive to the needs of the constituents."
"Take Off Pounds Sensibly, a non-profit weight control / support organization, which had been meeting at St. Andrew Lutheran Church before its fire, is now meeting at The First Congregational Church of West Chicago, l525 N. Neltnor Blvd. (Route 59), just north of the VFW Post."
"Through their hard work, Community High School in West Chicago took first place in three of the seven divisions and third place in another."
Sen
Durbin"This Presidential disaster declaration will now start the process of matching needs with money,”
Sen.
Obama"There may be no greater failure of our government than the fact that we have done almost nothing to secure one of America's most vulnerable targets - the 15,000 chemical plants in America,"
"The bill passed 221-199 with approximately 180 Democrats voted against the bill. "
"I believe that it fell short in several very important ways - failings that hurt our students. To begin with, the bill freezes the level of Pell Grant scholarships at just $200 above current levels for the next six years. This is particularly troublesome because when the Pell Grant was first created, it covered 72% of the average cost of a four-year public college, but today it pays for only 30%."
"... the informational workshops will include counseling to help seniors asses their medication needs, weigh their options, and enroll in a plan that offers the most savings."
GovernorBlagojevich
Sen
JohnMillner
"Sen. Millner is the Senate sponsor of House Bill 4717, which allows municipalities to charge an offender with a municipal misdemeanor for “felony driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or intoxicating compounds.”"
"Senate Bill 2372 waives specific Illinois license requirements for foreign educated nursing students as long as they have acquired certain other qualifications through another certified program. The House of Representatives approved the bill unanimously on March 29."
(I have no idea what the WC link to this is or why this senator sent it... but until I do, I thought it was safer to post it.)
"West Chicago Community High School could employ 11 fewer teachers and three fewer administrators by fall as it looks to close a $1.4 million deficit. But those cuts won’t come without protests from students, parents and colleagues."
Sen
Durbin"“The equation is simple- if Amtrak covers the cost of four new trains, the state will cover the cost of operating them. That will result in additional roundtrip service for residents from Quincy to Chicago to Carbondale."
“Americans feel less secure today because the Bush budget shortchanges our police and firefighters; refuses to provide the necessary resources to secure our ports and chemical and nuclear plants; and fails to offer a plan for victory in Iraq,”
"That bill is cruel that bill is wrong and yesterday the Senate Judiciary Committee on a bi-partisan decided there is a better," said Senator Richard Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois.
Sen.
Obama"We can pass all the ethics reforms we want - gift bans, travel bans, lobbying restrictions - but none of them will make a significant difference if there isn't a nonpartisan, independent office that will help us enforce those laws."
"Last week during a speech at an education forum, former Harvard Law Review editor and US Senator Barack Obama provided insight to his “Innovation Districts” legislation that embraces a both mentality for more money and more reform to ensure that America and its citizens retain a competitive advantage in education."
“America has a rich immigrant background. It is part of what makes our nation great, and a great nation protects its citizens. We must be constantly vigilant about strengthening our borders ..."
"Republican leaders hope to inoculate their party from Democratic charges by passing a reform package as soon as possible. Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) told members of the House Republican conference in February that they should work quickly to reach consensus on lobbying reform so that a reform bill could be brought to the floor by the end of March. "
GovernorBlagojevich
"The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Harry Osterman (D-Chicago) and Sen. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton), would toughen penalties for anyone who impersonates a police officer or fire fighter while committing a more serious crime and would broaden the definition of Peace Officer to include local, state, or federal officials."
"ut after Bush signed the Patriot Act reauthorization on March 9, he issued a signing statement ... asserting that he had the authority to withhold the information from Congress if he decided that disclosing it would interfere with foreign relations, national security, or executive branch operations."
City
of West Chicago"The “Spray and Pay Reward Program” creates a partnership between the police department and the residents of West Chicago for controlling graffiti in the community."
"The stories said the Labor Department ranks Illinois last in its ability to help veterans get jobs, and that many veterans in Illinois complain they have been fired or laid off after they are deployed."
“I haven’t a clue who’s documented and who’s not, and I don’t care,” Dumke said. “I guess whatever they pass is not going to change what we do because we’re going to continue to serve people in our community.”
"He said he wishes to just take 32 kids at a time. Gomez will move his academy into a new facility in Carol Stream April 1 that could accommodate about 10 more wrestlers."
Sen
Durbin"There is physical courage, which is rare enough. Then there is an even rarer moral courage. Once in a great while, you find someone who is both. Lane Evans is that sort of man."
"Spizzirri, who is from Illinois, encouraged legislators to pass an Illinois State Mandate requiring all police officers and firefighters to be trained in life supporting first aid. She also worked with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin to sponsor a federal appropriations bill to pay for the training."
Sen.
Obama"He was one of the first in Congress to speak out about some of the health problems facing Persian Gulf War veterans and has fought for benefits for them ever since."
"As a former Marine and ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, he has fought tirelessly for those in the armed services and advocated on behalf of those who bravely serve to protect our country."
“I commend Andy for his faithful service to the President and the American people."
"House Speaker Dennis Hastert ripped Card and presidential counselor Dan Bartlett for poor communications with the troops on the Hill, according to Congressional Republicans in attendance. Hastert said the White House had “blown it” with Congress after a year of failed Social Security reform, Hurricane Katrina and the doomed Harriet Miers pick."
"Some lobbyists were fearful early in the cycle that they would offend the Speaker if they supported Bean, whose district is in Hastert’s home state. But those concerns have largely dissipated, lobbyists said, especially with Bean’s CAFTA vote, which earned her the praise of House Republican leaders."
In these days of incessant complaints about the lack of positive news from Iraq, perhaps these inspiring pictures will help.
West
Chicago Police Dept."We are investigating some individuals that explained what is refered to as triple c's. Triple C's are over the counter medication that gives individuals a high."
Sen
Durbin“A domestic violence shelter should not be forced to decide whether the government would regard a situation as “an emergency” before they protect a battered mother and her children."
"However, the committee eventually approved a relatively broad measure sponsored by Senator Richard J. Durbin, Democrat of Illinois, that would cover people and organizations providing food, shelter, counseling, transportation and other services to people in the country illegally."
"He was involved with drafting and negotiations that led to Medicaid and Medicare provisions included in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. He also served as a Committee health counsel for then Chairman Billy Tauzin during the drafting and subsequent conference that led to the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003."
"... the top lawmakers on the House ethics committee have been quietly trying to figure out how to break a partisan deadlock and begin proceeding with the sizable backlog of cases facing the panel."
(Hard to believe that with all the Repbublican scandals this year, due to Denny's rules changes, this committee hasn't even met. Hopefully Denny will get them working and be cleared on the late Abramoff retaurant tab, the Abramoff related donations, the half million bucks from Turkey, and the Kane Co. lobbyist. - Bob)
"On Wednesday, Bonner pulled in $147,000 at a Bienville Club fund-raiser featuring U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., according to a written statement from Bonner's campaign consultant, Randy Hinaman."
GovernorBlagojevich
Cable
ComChannel 17
Sen Peter Roskam"On Friday, for the first time ever, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, Ken Mehlman, showed up in the 6th Congressional District to stump for a candidate."
Tammy Duckworth“The Republicans are losing their stranglehold on this district,” said the party’s nominee, Tammy Duckworth. “The middle-class lifestyle is in jeopardy. We need to take care of our families.”
"At the request of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Republican Justice of the Peace Jim Richards signed an order suspending Thomas Dale DeLay’s license to carry a handgun in the State of Texas."
(Texans still live in fear of Dick Cheney's shotgun. - Bob)
WC
Public Library- Myths, Types, and Stereotypes:
- Tai Chi (Back by Popular Demand)
Sen
JohnMillner
"The College Illinois! program is completely tax-exempt in Illinois and its designation as a 529 plan ensures that contract earnings are also exempt from federal income tax."
Sen Peter Roskam"This week, the Senate focused on wrapping up Committee work as the deadline to get House Bills out of Senate Committees was Friday."
Sen
Durbin"According to Durbin, critical law enforcement programs funded by the Justice Department have suffered steep and steady declines since Sept. 11, 2001."
Sen.
Obama"The proposed new rule largely slipped under the radar; the comment period expired in early March without generating much interest. The issue has kicked up plenty of interest in the last week, though, as people like Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) weighed in against the new rule."
"A plan by Senator Barack Obama of Illinois would relieve automakers of the ''legacy costs" of retiree expenses in exchange for Detroit's commitment to put serious money into state-of-the art hybrid cars."
"I will personally establish a Planned Parenthood clinic on my own land which is within the boundaries of the Pine Ridge Reservation where the State of South Dakota has absolutely no jurisdiction."
West
Chicago Police Dept.
"Bloomingdale Police are investigating a Robert Istok, a male white about 56 years old who was masturbating in his vehicle at Life Time Fitness."
West
ChicagoHigh School
"We also encourage community members who are interested in the high school to subscribe."
"On March 3, 2006, 15 Community High School drafting students competed in the 29th Illinois Drafting Educators Association regional drafting competition at the College of Du Page."
of German Exchange Program
St. Charles North High bomb threat...
North High bomb threat and referendum follow-up...
Sen
Durbin“It’s not just the drugs themselves and the users,” Durbin said. “It’s the clean-up of dangerous chemicals, the theft of anhydrous ammonia from farmers, the retail theft of cold medicines in bulk. The sheriffs are left to fight meth on several fronts and we need to provide the resources necessary to effectively combat the problem.”
“"Homeland security begins with hometown security,” U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today during a meeting with local fire and police chiefs."
“This is great news for America’s seniors. They recognize that this program will provide them with much-needed prescription drug coverage at a lower cost they can afford, and I’m pleased that so many will feel the benefit."
("...brings the total number of those who have signed up individually over the past four months to approximately 7.2 million." - US Newswire)
"But the timing of Fortner’s anticipated resignation could determine the next chance voters in West Chicago will have to choose their next mayor."
"His closest opponent, Carol Stream Trustee Pamela Fenner, pledged to support Ramey “because it is my responsibility as a Republican committeeman.” The third candidate, West Chicago attorney Matt Fuesting, pledged to use his experiences to become a better public servant."
"Nationally acclaimed Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl will perform the folk dances of many regions of Mexico in beautiful, authentic costumes."
Press
"During the two-week period, there are classes held on or off-campus during the day, internships, trips or tours."
"If his plea is accepted at the sentencing hearing on Monday, April 17, he could face five years in prison. He is currently being held at the DuPage County Jail, in Wheaton, because he is unable to make the $200,000 bail."
Sen
Durbin“Help is on the way for Illinois residents who are facing a terrible choice – heating or eating,”
“In the State of Illinois, the drought significantly lowered yields and the value of the year’s harvest. According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the value of Illinois’ corn crop decreased by more than $1.1 billion..."
"The best investment we can make in our nation is in our students and in access to education.”
"Durbin said the final bill includes many of the items the banks pushed for including increased loan limits and elimination of origination fees. Students will no longer be able to take advantage of historically low interest rates which are currently around 5.3 percent for student borrowers and 6.1 percent for parent borrowers."
Sen.
Obama"There is still more work to be done to tilt our energy balance toward alterative fuels. That is why Senator Obama and I will soon introduce a new bill that will promote other means to move these fuels into additional markets and make them widely available."
"A spokesperson for House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) said that Hastert asked the Bush administration to delay the enactment of the legislation, but despite those concerns Bush decided to sign the legislation on the advice of White House attorneys. The "budget consequences would be huge if the court were to rule against the administration," the Wall Street Journal reports"
| Lest Denny think that we have forgotten ... there is still work to be done by the ethics committee. Why isn't it meeting? | |
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Admonished by House |
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Indicted |
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Warrant |
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Booked ... print and mug shot |
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DisArm |
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Trial |
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Shame and Remorse |
| Additional Documents at Public Citizen | |
GovernorBlagojevich
“Assault weapons don’t belong on our streets. They don’t belong in our state. And anyone who doesn’t understand that just has to look at the tragedies we saw in Chicago earlier this month."
"Thank you to all the voters and to all my great volunteers! I am honored by the victory in the primary yesterday. It is a victory for all who worked so tirelessly throughout the campaign."
- 6,664 people voted for the referendum;
- 6,798 peopled voted against.
- That's a difference of 134 votes, or 1 percent of the 13,462 votes cast.
Post-referendum statement from Board of Education president...
"Congratulations to Mayor (and soon to be State Representative) Michael Fortner on a landslide victory bringing in 58% of the vote."
DuPageCounty
Sen
Durbin"The Mine Safety, Enforcement, Reporting and Training Act of 2006 will dramatically increase minimum fines for safety violations while creating a system of accountability for payment for those fines. The bill also doubles current funding for education and training grants."
"Sen. Dick Durbin spent Tuesday morning dabbling with wide-eyed preschoolers who played with colored rice and sand, cut triangles from construction paper and danced with miniature maracas."
"Nomadix, Inc. (www.Nomadix.com), the leading supplier of intelligent network devices and interconnect services for guest access, digital cities, and carrier HotSpots, and ROC-net Services, a co-operation of local private businesses providing Internet connectivity and other high-tech solutions in Northern Illinois, launched a Wi-Fi canopy for an 8-square-mile area of downtown Rockford."
Sen.
ObamaSen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said in a letter last week to IRS Commissioner Mark Everson that taxpayers often hastily sign documents and tax forms prepared by commercial firms without reading them. With the proposed rule, personal income and demographic data could then be easily sold with that written consent, opening up greater risks for identity theft, he said."
"Republicans such as Senators Sam Brownback, Dick Lugar and Representative Frank Wolf have joined Democrats like Senator Joe Biden, Senator Barack Obama, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine, and Representatives Donald Payne and Nancy Pelosi in calling for a stronger military response."
"GOP Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and GOP House Speaker Dennis Hastert could fight that stereotype – and do the rest of us a favor – by cutting down on the number of breaks. Maybe that way, Congress could stay in session long enough to knock more significant items off the national "must do" list."
"Shortly after Bush signed the bill, the Senate passed legislation that Republican leaders hoped would clear up the confusion. The legislative fix stated that the version signed by Bush reflected "the intent of the Congress in enacting the bill into law." The House never took up that bill."
(Come on, Denny! We've seen America Rock I'm Just A Bill.
"But Laesch, a former U.S. Navy intelligence analyst in Iraq, recently met in Washington with 40 of 55 Democratic U.S. veterans running for Congress in this election."
"“America is hungry for change,” Laesch said Tuesday from a victory party in Plano. He named as his issues the “four pillars of the Democratic Party”: affordable health care, education, a “made in America” economy and an exit strategy for Iraq."
GovernorBlagojevich
“The Financial Data Protection Act, which places the interests of corporations ahead of the rights of consumers, would put personal information at a tremendous risk,”
“While we can’t control the weather, our drought task force continues to meet to keep close watch over weather conditions to make sure we’re doing all we can to prepare for the summer months.”
WegoWeb
ELECTION DAYToday is the Primary Election Day. Polls opened at 6AM and close at 7PM. It is not just a right, but the duty of every American to vote. Both parties are having primaries and Winfield Township has a referendum to increase your taxes for roads.
Board of Education meeting synopsis...
City
of West Chicago
Talent Show Auditions, 7th Annual Blooming Fest, Gallery 200 Features, Laughter League,
"The school’s cheerleaders sponsored the 12th annual Mr. Wildcat contest last week, where 10 seniors trotted out their talents, looks and charm in hopes of grabbing the Mr. Wildcat title."
"Juan Carlos Perez, 21, of the 200 block of East Blair Street pleaded guilty to grabbing and trying to kiss the girls, one at the city's commuter train station on Jan. 2 and the other at West Chicago High School on Jan. 19."
Quarterly
"Tuesday’s Democratic contest in Illinois’ 6th Congressional District has drawn unusual attention for an early-season House primary — largely because of the striking personal story of one of the contenders. Tammy Duckworth lost both of her legs in 2004 when the helicopter she was flying in the Iraq war zone was hit by hostile fire."
"Washington -- The House passed a $92 billion emergency spending package Thursday to pay for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and for Hurricane Katrina relief operations. The House, in approving the spending bill 348-71, also gave anti-war Democrat Rep. Barbara Lee of Oakland a rare victory by accepting her proposal to bar permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq."
MattFuesting
"Caption: Matt meets future constituents as he rings his 6,000th doorbell while campaigning in the final days of the race. March 19, 2006"
Rep.Randy Ramey"As Republicans, we must remember to get behind those who are elected and fight against those who will oppose us in November."
Election Day Eve edition...
Sen
Durbin"I think that the political leaders in Washington have failed when it comes to our policy in Iraq. They misled us into believing there were weapons of mass destruction and connections between 9/11 and Saddam Hussein. None of that existed."
Sen.
Obama"McGovern, who first backed Patrick’s bid last June, was one of the first in a series of high-profile figures to endorse Patrick, a former Dunster House resident. Senator Barack Obama, D-Ill., and two former Clinton administration labor secretaries, Robert Reich and Alexis Herman, have also backed Patrick’s candidacy. Patrick served as the top civil rights enforcement official in the Clinton Justice Department."
Rep
Hastert"We have set ourselves on the course for freedom and democracy, and our goal must be that the people of Belarus can free themselves of their Soviet past and participate in free and fair elections without fear of intimidation.”
"Though political demonstrators have been coming to Hastert's office at 27 N. River St. for more than a decade, the most recent war protests marked the first weeklong demonstration in the city's history."
"House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., questioned whether the federal government should spend money to restore sections of the city below sea level, and members of conservative think tanks urged Congress not to put any money into rebuilding properties that lacked flood insurance."
City
of West Chicago"Public Hearing Case PC 06-03 - ... The City of West Chicago is proposing amendments to the City of West Chicago General Development Plan adopted in 2002, to discuss modifications to the future land use designations."
(The significant item is changing areas along Rt 59 from residential to commercial. This does NOT change their zoning. It only tells developers what kind of proposals they wish for the property in the future. - Bob)
MattFuesting
"Over 75 supporters joined Matt Fuesting in the St. Charles St. Patrick’s Day Parade."
"The campaign flyer from Mr. Ramey states that he defeated the transfer station proposed for a site just a stone’s throw from my home in West Chicago. Mr. Ramey had nothing to do with that defeat."
Rep.Randy Ramey- Glenn Auble
- John Wood
- Greg Fenton
- Personal Note From State Representative Ramey
Mike
FortnerSen
Durbin""In every organization, you have showhorses and workhorses. Senator Durbin is the showhorse. Bill Houlihan is the workhorse," Caldwell announced to the room before asking Houlihan, Durbin's point man in Springfield, about efforts to open up vacant Springfield Housing Authority units to storm victims. Durbin laughed, and Caldwell added, "The mayor is probably going to scold me for that joke.""
Sen.
Obama"Senator Barack Obama followed Cantwell with a powerful and inspiring speech that was filled with wisdom and common sense. He also condemned the Bush administration's inexplicable, outrageous cuts in education funding."
"It's one thing to cut a program that's wasteful or doesn't work," said Obama. "But Byrne Grants have made a real difference. For State Police, they pay the salaries for the officers who patrol our streets. In smaller towns with limited resources, the staff provided by these grants partners with local task forces and serves as the town's only chance to fight rising drug use and violence."
"The district also is virtually in the backyard of Chicago Rep. Rahm Emanuel, who heads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and House Speaker Dennis Hastert, the Yorkville Republican who would lose his position as the most powerful member of Congress if the Democrats win a House majority."
" In this flyer, they claim that they stopped the siting of the proposed Waste Transfer Station in West Chicago in 2003. This is simply not true!"
"The three candidates in the Republican primary for the 55th House District all agree the Western suburbs need a more sophisticated public transportation system."
"Those issues are exemplified by the ongoing debate in Bartlett and parts of Carol Stream over possibly breaking away from the state’s second-largest school system, Elgin Area School District U-46."
"West Chicago Mayor Mike Fortner said the first way to find more money for schools is for state and federal governments to fund any mandates that go beyond basic education requirements."
Sen
Durbin“It is out-of-sync with the priorities of Illinoisans -- doing virtually nothing to make education, health care and energy costs more affordable. It also fails the test when it comes to providing real security from terrorism and ensuring our veterans get the care they need when they return home."
Sen.
Obama"Taylor has been accused of committing war crimes by international prosecutors in Sierra Leone. He was given political asylum by Obasanjo in August 2003 and has been living in the Nigerian city of Calabar."
"In his role as Chairman of the Science Committee, he has been at the forefront of promoting science, technology and American innovation, and he has championed the need to improve math and science education in our nation’s public schools."
"It provides funds so that American troops can get much-needed supplies and equipment, like armored Humvees and tracked combat vehicles. It also provides nearly $2 billion to prevent the improvised explosive device attacks that are targeting so many of our troops."
"All Irish Day" edition...
STUDENT/STRANGER ENCOUNTER
City
of West Chicago- Streets in Preston Field Subdivision
- Zoning Ordinance Revision
- Go Tane Service Station Liquor License
- Professional Services Agreement with D33
- Borrow from Public Benefit Fund for East Main Improvements
- Right of Way Maintenance
Sen Peter Roskam"Nearly 15 months after their terms began, the directors of many state agencies had their appointments approved by the Illinois Senate this week, according to State Senator Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton)."
Rep.Randy Ramey
"Rep. Ramey is committed to protecting us from identity theft. I will be voting for him on Tuesday, I hope you will be too!"
"Apparently, even she is ashamed of the ad, as her name and picture are noticably absent from the mailer. And, you need a microscope to find the legally required disclosure that her campaign mailed this piece."
Sen
Durbin"Senator Richard Durbin, (D) Illinois, says, "Clearly there's profit taking, the most massive profit taking in the history of American industry.""
"This is a debate we have been through over and over and over again," Durbin told colleagues. "There is no way in the next fiscal year, even if we approve drilling in ANWR there will be proceeds that can be contributed to the Energy Policy Act funding. This is no way to fund energy policy and ANWR is not the answer to our energy prayers."
Sen.
Obama"Obama and Lugar's bipartisan legislation, the American Fuels Act of 2006 (S. 2446), would take a four-step approach to reducing America's dependence on foreign oil."
"Not surprisingly, ethics reform itself is not shaping up as initially advertised. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., who recommended banning meals and gifts from lobbyists and privately funded travel after Abramoff's guilty plea in January, has backed off. "There's been a lot of mincing and parsing as we go through the process," he said. Indeed. So much for leadership."
"... Although House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) has not adopted an official policy, his office has consciously cut back on privately paid travel ..."
GovernorBlagojevich
"The damage assessment found that more than 60 homes were destroyed in the six counties, including 40 in Sangamon County. Nearly 130 homes in those areas received major damage, meaning repairs are needed before residents can return to their homes."
"In addition to Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, the new plan would lift protections in parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio."
(Just being a smart aleck but I think somebody should be doing something to protect West Chicago's wild fray wolf population. - Bob)
WC
Public Library"...the West Chicago Public Library is able to offer free brochures, new books to check out and reference materials on the subject."
"They're predicting snow" edition...
Rep.Randy Ramey"Randy always tempered his remarks with good humor, acknowledged the opposition with grace and ultimately pushed to do the right thing."
"He is a thoughtful, intelligent and committed public servant, husband, father and community leader."
Press
"Attending were Steve Arnold, David Dean, Ronald "Butch" Hansen, Steve Kimery, Patti Kozlowski, Robert "Bruno" Owens, Winifred "Wini" Thomassen and JoAnn Sargent, accepting the award on behalf of her husband William, who died in July 2000. Not present were Ronald Benner, Joseph Dichtl and Jean Thomassen Smith."
"The battle for the Republican Party nomination in the 55th District of the Illinois House of Representatives features three individuals with different ideas on the issues and on what taxpayers locally and statewide are looking for."
"If there is one thing Pamela Mitroff and Michael Fortner have both learned in their quest for the Republican nomination in the state's 95th District House seat race, it is that the voters are keeping a close eye on their pocketbooks."
Sen
Durbin“The funding level proposed for Amtrak is inadequate. It’s as if a man was drowning 50 feet from shore and the Bush administration has thrown him a 25 foot rope,”
"“We have more than 3,500 miners in Illinois. We owe it to them and to their families to ensure all 25 mines in operation in Illinois are being held to the highest standards of safety.”"
Sen.
Obama"Each and every night, more than 200,000 of our nation's veterans are homeless," said Obama. "More than 400,000 will experience homelessness over the course of a year."
"Occasionally, an over-hyped star proves he's not all hype. That's what happened with Senator Barack Obama at this year's dinner. He had the right mix of skewering the opposition and himself."
"That the House speaker's son is a lobbyist with the company certainly doesn't dampen Google's influence on Capitol Hill. Neither Google or Hastert returned calls seeking comment."
“Let’s face it folks. What we have here is a real ‘A Team.’ We’ve got an agenda and real accomplishments."
"So I want to challenge all of us, after the laughter and the fun and the good times of this holiday celebration, let’s each go back to our respective jobs renewed for that common goal of a better world."
GovernorBlagojevich
“But despite the obvious reasons to eat healthy, for children, the temptation to eat junk food can just be too great. Today, the State Board approved rules to reduce this temptation for kids to replace nutritious meals at school with things like candy, soda, pizza and chips.”
City
of West Chicago"To schedule an audition appointment, call Great Events at 847-480-9500. A registration form will be available at City Hall the day of the audition and a parent’s signature is required on the form for minors."
Ides of March edition...
Sen
JohnMillner
"Senate Bill 2372 waives specific Illinois license requirements for foreign educated nursing students as long as they have acquired certain other qualifications through another certified program."
Rep.Randy RameyPersons with Windows Media Player can see the television ads by clicking Video #1 or Video #2. They are large files and take a while to load.
'Neither Fortner nor Mitroff has run for office outside their communities. Fortner, an associate physics professor at Northern Illinois University, is mayor of West Chicago. Mitroff is a GOP precinct committeewoman in Wheaton and secretary of the Milton Township Republican Party."
"In House District 55, incumbent Republican Randy Ramey of Carol Stream is trying to fend off challenges from Pamela Fenner, also of Carol Stream, and Matt Fuesting of West Chicago."
Sen
Durbin"Seniors deserve a simple, affordable and guaranteed Medicare drug benefit, and Democrats are offering a prescription to fix the Part D fiasco. It is time for the President to start listening to America’s seniors, not to Washington drug company lobbyists.”
Illionois
Senators