Press Releases/Announcements from local sources
Cable
ComChannel 17
Sen.
Obama"Rally speakers included: Academy Award-winning actor George Clooney, who just visited the war-torn Darfur region; Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Jendayi Frazer; U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), co-sponsor of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act that would bring sanctions against Darfur genocide perpetrators;..."
"Having introduced Hastert into the discussion, I'll admit I was watching the House debate from my office, instead of the Press Gallery, because I was preparing to go to an event that had Saturday Night Live written all over it. Hastert was to appear at a service station on the far side of Capitol Hill to bemoan high gasoline prices."
"Kumpf said Monday's NIU rally is important because it is in Speaker Dennis Hastert's district. “It's in the heart of his congressional district and he has a huge role to play,” she said. “It's our responsibility to make our voices heard. This is a great thing to have right in his backyard.”
WegoWebI am sitting on linking to Denny's latest item... because I can't convince myself he wrote it and/or believes it.. The posting asserts, "Democrats opposed the forming of the Department of Homeland Security." Does he mean all Democrats? Homeland Security (much of which comes from non-partisan Hart-Rudman recommendations, was pushed by the Dems, in the face of a threatened presidential veto until union protections were removed.
City
of West ChicagoContract with Kramer Tree Specialists, Four Police Pursuit Vehicles, Fireworks Ordinance, Prevailing Rate of Wages for Loborers, Mechanics, and other Workers,
Cases PC 06-08A and PC 06-08B both deal with additional buildings planned for the southwest corner of IL 59 and North Avenue.
“We are so excited,” said Deborah Hervey, principal of Pioneer Elementary School in West Chicago, one of six schools in the district that will benefit from CareFest. “This is just a great way to get things spruced up.”
"On one front after another, the speaker finds himself either flummoxed or at odds with members of his Republican conference. On Thursday, the House had debated legislation to curb lobbyists and tighten ethics rules for just 25 minutes when Republican leaders yanked the measure from the floor, recessed the chamber and called an emergency meeting of its members behind closed doors. The problem: Not enough votes."
"House Republicans understand that fighting the War on Terror effectively means ensuring that our intelligence capabilities are cutting edge."
Sen Peter Roskam"Democrat leaders continued the Senate's hiatus, cancelling session during the week of April 24-28 and continuing budget negotiations with the Governor without allowing any input from Republican lawmakers, according to State Sen. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton)."
Sen
Durbin"I strongly urged him to reconsider his opposition to the drought relief contained in the Supplemental Appropriations bill. If the Secretary designates most of Illinois as a disaster area, he must understand the need to assist Illinois farmers.”
“The Bush Administration has been asleep at the wheel and the White House has failed to demonstrate real leadership when it comes to protecting consumers from being gouged at the gas pump,”
"Sadly, when the camera lights are off and this bill gets to a closed door conference with the House, it is another story entirely,” said Durbin. “By passing the Reservists Pay Amendment today, we are giving the House one more chance to do the right thing and stand behind our soldiers.”
Sen.
Obama"Actor George Clooney, with Illinois Sen. Barack Obama standing next to him, made a plea for international help in the Darfur region of Sudan."
"Despite the efforts of people like Dick Durbin and many of my other colleagues, the bill ended up being a major giveaway to drug companies and insurance companies."
"... after being dropped off by his big Suburbans, which parked down the street. Under the pressure of publicity, Hastert got into one of the hydrogen cars to drive back to the Capitol, but got out a block down the road to return to the Suburban."
[Picture available at http://blogs.usatoday.com/photos/
uncategorized/042806hastert2.jpg - Bob]
GovernorBlagojevich
"Earlier this year, the Governor ordered the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to begin a series of unannounced inspections of licensed mortgage companies in response to reports of growing instances of mortgage fraud."
"In fact, the plan is realistic: for well over a year, Hong Kong has been successfully using high tech screening machines to inspect every single container. Achieving that in the United States will undoubtedly take time, but it is technologically feasible, and should be our number one port security priority."
Rep.Randy Ramey“Fines collected by police departments in DUI cases should go toward further prevention of alcohol crimes so officials can continue to keep their communities safe,”
Press
"About one week before Dimitrova's arrest, West Chicago police arrested Andrew J. Brummel, 20, and Michael J. Forman, 19, both of 214 Indiana St., St. Charles, at about 2:30 a.m. April 15, during an alleged burglary in progress at Norton Creek Elementary School,..."
"Approximately 160,000 annuals, perennials and collections of jade, succulents and topiary creations will be on display."
"This is the economic engine to bring this primary and viable area back to life," which has been dormant for sometime. "We are hoping the market is able to open by December of this year or early 2007,"
"I think this covers two of the most important aspects of the ordinance, sending a message to those that engage in the act of solicitation here and the issuing of a certified registration is making a reasonable effort to assure the solicitors are law abiding,"
[To the best of my knowledge, this item was postponed... see the 20 April 2006 item WDCRC HOSTS CINCO DE MAYO LUNCH CELEBRATION ... "Due to unforeseen circumstances, West DuPage Community Resource Center's Cinco de Mayo Celebration that was scheduled for May 7, 2006 has been postponed."]
Sen
Durbin"Senate Democrats, especially Senator Dick Durbin, are ripped about the rising gas prices and they marched to a nearby gas station with the latest gas prices to prove a point."
"Without cutting rising US energy demand, "What we are doing here is complaining about price-fixing by the drug dealers instead of confronting the addiction itself," said Senator Richard Durbin, Illinois Democrat."
Sen.
Obama"This tax credit will encourage gas station owners across the country to invest in pumps that can dispense alternative fuels like E85 and give customers a cheaper, cleaner option when they fill their cars."
"It was a first step that many rejected as little more than election year politics, coming at the same time that such lawmakers as Illinois Democratic Senator Barack Obama are calling for investigations into perceived price gouging."
"This time President Bush, House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist called for the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice and Energy Departments to “open inquiries into possible cheating in the gasoline markets.” The Republican leadership didn’t want to be out-demagogued by Democrats on this hot-button issue in an election year."
"Grievances were aired at a closed two-hour meeting at which House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and other party leaders pledged that the final bill that comes out of House-Senate negotiations will expand the earmark language to cover all bills."
GovernorBlagojevich
WegoWeb
Pictures
of Railroad Bridges near Hurley, WISince it is now definitely springtime in the north woods and there are rail fans in WC, I thought some might be amused by this collage of bridges up there. That stone arch bridge is 70+ feet tall.
"Summer is just around the corner and the West Chicago Park District’s Summer Day Camp has begun their registration."
Open House honoring 80 and
over"Old friendships are renewed, memories are revisited and smiles are all around. Cake and coffee will be served. If you know someone who is the age of eighty and has not received an invitation please contact the West Chicago Park District..."
West
ChicagoHigh School
"If Elena could have any job in the entire world it would be working with children. “I just adore children, seeing them playing and happy,” she said."
Board of Education meeting synopsis, STC North High musical, and Internet safety...
Wednesday potpourri...
"The girls stopped folding and flying paper airplanes, studying navigation charts and lessons on nutrition in space while everyone--even "Amelia Earhart"--watched the takeoff and snapped photos of the World War II vintage aircraft at the West Chicago airfield."
Sen
Durbin
"Democrat Senator Dick Durbin, from Illinois , says, "The prices at the pumps don't reflect our addiction to oil, they reflect a failure in leadership by this White House."
"I have an opportunity to help the state. I do it with earmarks. They're very open. There's nothing secret or sinister about them."
Sen.
Obama
"The demonstration, which will take place between 3rd and 4th Streets in front of the U.S. Capitol, will feature a number of prominent speakers, from Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) to actor George Clooney and rap mogul Russell Simmons to Nobel Peace Prize Winner Elie Wiesel and Paul Rusesabagina of "Hotel Rwanda" fame."
“This legislation sends the message that the United States stands firmly opposed to Iran’s ambitions to acquire and develop nuclear weapons, and we urge them to stop participating in, planning, and pursuing international turmoil."
"Given their party's devastating experiences with cronyism and insider politics, you'd think the Illinois Republicans in Congress would be careful about even the appearance of favoritism in choosing new federal prosecutors to enforce our public corruption laws. But if you do think that, you're wrong. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, with an assist from several of this state's clueless GOP congressmen, has given President Bush the names of three candidates..."
" In a letter that could have been written by Ted Kennedy, Messrs. Frist and Hastert beseeched the president to instruct the Justice Department and the FTC to "investigate any potential collusion, price-fixing or gouging in the sale or distribution of gasoline, petroleum distillates or ethanol in wholesale and retail markets."
GovernorBlagojevich
“Today we are one step closer to passing the most significant and substantive school consolidation reform in more than 20 years,”
"In Illinois, it is uncertain whether Yarbrough's measure will make its way to a floor vote. House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) has not voiced an opinion on the legislation, and the session is winding down."
West
ChicagoHigh School
"A Mother's Day Community Pancake Breakfast will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2006 in the Commons at Community High School, ..."
"More than 600 students from area high schools participated in the event, which is the oldest festival of its kind in the country."
"Over 30 speakers will share information on their careers ranging from company president to sales, from graphic design to engineering. The speakers are community members and parents. "
Sen
JohnMillner
"Legislation aimed at protecting military families from disruptive funeral protests has gained the approval of the General Assembly, according to State Senator John J. Millner (R- Carol Stream)."
"For the third consecutive year United Recycling Industries, Inc. has teamed with Illinois Senator John Millner for an annual Earth Day Electronics Recycling Event."
"After five years of give-and-take over making one of DuPage County's most dangerous railroad intersections safer, a consensus has been reached on a proposed design for an estimated $20 million grade separation at Illinois Highway 38 and Kautz Road."
Chronicle
"It will overlap, but I don't expect a lot of problems," said Dave Boesch, chief of construction for the Kane County Division of Transportation. "It's construction, so you're going to get some disruption of service, but we try to maintain as many open lanes as possible."
Sen
Durbin“It was a tenuous situation that I became a student at Georgetown and was able to finish,” Durbin said, citing the value of the 1958 National Defense Education Act in enabling students to receive loans for their education."
Sen.
Obama" But there are reasons for optimism, and one of those is a 44-year-old freshman Democrat senator from Illinois, Barack Obama, who took office in January 2005. Obama is not new to politics, having spent seven years in the Illinois State Senate, but he is new to Washington -- and he is squaring off against the Bush administration's energy policy."
“House Republicans understand that high gasoline prices are a real issue facing Americans. That is why we have acted to deal with both the long term issues and short term prices to bring relief at the pump."
[Tax loopholes = $15 Billion ... Katrina relief = $20 Billion ... Florida offshore leases = $7 Billion ... Regular at the pump = $3.... Spinning to blame it on the Dems... priceless. - Bob]
"And Stupak, Michigan's 1st District Congressman, urged House speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., to allow a vote on his bill, the Federal Response to Energy Emergencies Act, which would instruct the Federal Trade Commission to define gouging and address the issue head on."
GovernorBlagojevich
“Although avian flu has not been found in Illinois, we can’t ignore the devastating reports of loss and major economic damage in other parts of the world where the virus has hit."
“Women doing the same work as men should be paid the same wages. That’s the law in Illinois. By signing the Equal Pay Act of 2003, we made a big step toward fairness for working women."
Sen Peter Roskam
"Republican lawmakers have been eliminated from the budget process, creating fear that the final Fiscal Year ’07 budget will be bloated with new spending initiatives while relying on a more than $1 billion pension fund raid. There is also concern the budget will do nothing to address the state’s nearly $2 billion backlog of unpaid bills or record-high state debt."
"This week the federal government arrested about 1,200 people, including about 30 in Chicago. The next day, the Department of Homeland Security announced an expanded enforcement plan and promised more arrests. U.S. Senator Barack Obama calls the strategy piecemeal and says it could be politically motivated."
"It's easy to be against something. But now we are stating really clearly what we want. And what we want is legalization for the millions of undocumented residents and workers in this country,"
Sen
Durbin"I understand that Senator Durbin has a bill in committee that would provide small businesses with the same kind of options Senators have. Why don’t we bring this bill to the Floor as well?"
"The provision, inserted by Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois, represents a tiny victory for critics of the Bush administration, who have become increasingly angry about what they see as the White House's misuse and abuse of science. They charge that the federal government widely dismisses or ignores scientific evidence or even, as one detractor puts it, manufactures uncertainty when the evidence challenges administration positions."
“Anyone who is trying to take advantage of this situation while American families are forced into making tough choices over whether to fill up their cars or severely cut back their budgets should be investigated and prosecuted."
"With the backing of House Speaker Dennis Hastert, and in exchange for some likely Tom DeLay-style quid pro quo that will give the GOP lots of "Baby Bell" campaign cash, legislation is being rushed through Congress. Local oversight is to be replaced by a "national franchise" that will permit the most powerful communications giants in the Internet era--large cable and phone companies--to operate without regard for local concerns."
"Josh Hastert, who used to own a record store called Seven Dead Arson—a career path he attributed to the band KISS. He was hired by lobby shop Podesta Mattoon, which promises Josh will not lobby his father, Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.)."
GovernorBlagojevich
“This is the first time Illinois is awarding state funded grants for stem cell research and that makes today an important day for our state. The promise of stem cell research is unlimited. We need to do everything we can to help our scientists and researchers make the most of it,”
"Still, don't expect dramatic changes in the culture of corruption. House members, like their Senate counterparts, don't like the idea of an independent ethics office conducting investigations, and both House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., are among the leaders of the effort to keep outsiders from looking in."
"We want to remind (U.S. House Speaker Dennis) Hastert that we need his help to get comprehensive immigration reform," Gomez said.
"Whenever I get stressed out, I just think about my dad and I don't feel so bad," said his son David. "He survived a lifetime of pressures, of people depending on him for one thing or another, and he never let them down."
Sen
Durbin“New interest rates on student loans could make the price of a higher education unaffordable and cost students the opportunity to get a college education.”
"U-S Senator Dick Durbin says the Justice Department should investigate one of its employees who testified at former Governor George Ryan's corruption trial. Durbin says it's troubling that former U-S Attorney for southern Illinois Ed McNally testified for Ryan's defense and somehow produced a written conversation that may have been illegally taped."
Sen.
Obama"Coburn and Obama introduced earlier this month S. 2590, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. Their bill would establish an Office of Management and Budget website, listing all entities receiving Federal grants and contracts. Grants and contracts would be posted within a month of award. The recipient’s location, the dollar amount of its grant or contract, and previous grants and contracts would be readily accessible on the database."
TGIF edition...
Sen
JohnMillner
"The bill is aimed at setting stricter and more transparent guidelines on the use of eminent domain and ensuring property owners are fairly reimbursed for relocation and legal expenses."
"The vinyl chloride contamination affects about 80 homes with more than 150 residents in unincorporated DuPage southwest of the Mallard Lake Forest Preserve, site of a 534-acre landfill in Hanover Park, according to the potentially multimillion-dollar suit, which seeks class-action status."
Sen.
Obama"Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and other members of Congress have introduced bills that would ban the sale of tax return information to other companies. We stand with the senator, and say the whole of Congress must do the same."
"Tunnell, a one-time Orange County sheriff’s deputy, dubbed Jackson "Jesse James" and called Obama "Osama bin Laden," during an agency heads meeting earlier this week. Bush said Friday that during a meeting at the Governor’s Mansion, Tunnell offered to resign. "His departure, I think, was the right thing to do," Bush said."
"One reason that Hastert is so disappointed is because he personally met with the heads of three oil and gas companies last winter to express his concern about rising prices."
WDCRC"Due to unforeseen circumstances, West DuPage Community Resource Center's Cinco de Mayo Celebration that was scheduled for May 7, 2006 has been postponed. "
Press
"Fuesting is familiar with the community, Fortner said. Prior to living in the Cornerstone Lakes subdivision, he was a resident of Winfield. He and his wife, Laura, and their 8-year-old son, Matthew, have lived in Cornerstone Lakes for six years."
"The West Chicago Police Department has a new program for controlling graffiti in the community. The "Spray and Pay Reward Program," will give up to $200 to citizens for information leading to the arrest and conviction of graffiti vandals."
"It was a fun event. But best of all, we were able to donate almost $1,000 to the Humanitarian Service Project," Manna said.
"Banks do not generate sales tax dollars" at key commercial intersections. Another perspective to consider is that if a bank does not make and closes its doors, the structure itself is difficult to retrofit into another business,"
"The plaintiffs seek to be compensated for the cost of hooking up to "a permanent and safe domestic water supply," said attorney Shawn Collins, whose Naperville firm represents the families. He added that the proposed hookup likely would be to a public system that supplies Lake Michigan water. He estimated the cost would be about $50,000 per household, or $4 million total for the 80 homes."
"According to Shawn Collins, attorney for the Cannatas, the same chemicals found in the drinking water are found in the landfill and not anywhere else in the area. The groundwater moves in a direction from the landfill toward the homes affected by the contamination, he said. "
Illionois
Senators"U.S. Senators Richard Durbin and Barack Obama have asked the Bush Justice Department to investigate federal prosecutor Ed McNally, until recently the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, for circumstances surrounding his testimony on behalf of convicted former Republican Gov. George Ryan."
Sen
Durbin"Ask all of them to contact their congressman and their senator and ask them: 'How did you vote when it came to an increase of cost in student loans, and will you support legislation to change it and are you up for re-election'?"
Sen.
Obama""There is no military solution for Iraq, but there is a political solution," he said. An opponent to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, Obama said an ideal situation would be to have a functional government there and a significant U.S. troop pullout by the end of the year. He said that likely it will not happen soon because no exit strategy has been set. "
“I have cosponsored this legislation because the brave men and women of our military who have given their lives in service to our country deserve to be buried peacefully and with dignity. "
"The most egregious recent example of this legislative legerdemain came in December, when House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist quietly inserted a 40-page section into the defense spending bill. It shielded the pharmaceutical industry from lawsuits involving vaccines that sicken or kill patients. Lawmakers first learned of the drug-industry protections around midnight. The must-pass defense measure cleared the House about 5 a.m."
GovernorBlagojevich
“These bright and talented students dug in to Illinois history and produced thoughtful and insightful essays,” said Gov. Blagojevich. “Hopefully their work will give other Illinois students a better appreciation of our state’s rich heritage.”
"There's never been a single earmark anywhere near $700 million," says Ronald Utt, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington. Tuesday he released a report, "Deadly Sin: Larding up Emergency Appropriations," which details the CSX freight line relocation plan. "That's more than twice the size of the [$223 million] bridge to nowhere."
WegoWebTomorrow at 4:20 (on 4/20/2006) many youngsters will smoke marijuana. Check out Urban Legends Reference Pages: Language (420)
Cable
ComChannel 17
"Due to the length of Monday's (4/17/06) City Council meeting, our schedule has changed. There will be no other program shown after after the meeting's broadcast on Wednesday night. Also, Friday's broadcast of the meeting begins at 8PM instead of the usual 9pm start time. Thank you for watching Channel 17."
John Kruser
[Citizens from unincorporated WC along Rt 59 showed up to oppose commercial development south of Hawthorne on Rt 59. - Lemon]
Mid-week edition...
“I’ve worked with all of the aldermen on one occasion or another,” he said. “I couldn’t be around a more professional group.”
“This is going to be the engine to bring life back into a shopping center that has been dormant,” said Alderman Mike Kwasman, whose ward includes the redevelopment. “It’s a win-win for the city and leaves our liability at very little.”
"Police have arrested two St. Charles men suspected in the theft of nearly $65,000 in computers, digital cameras and other items from three District 303 schools in the last three weeks."
"Storyteller Patrice Beal", "homemade, authentic Mexican lunch", "Run for Education"
Sen
Durbin"Durbin promised the officials he would take quick action by making phone calls to resolve the problems, one of which was to be a call to State Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley. "The priority is to clean up these properties," Durbin said after the meeting."
"I think we have a responsibility. If we regulate this industry it has to be, not just so we have electricity at the end of the day, but so the people who live near these power plants are safe," said Durbin.
Sen.
Obama"THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS in an April 2nd editorial noted that the amendment by Coburn and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) to open up earmarks to true public scrutiny was thwarted by Senator Trent Lott (R-MS), who claimed it lacked relevancy to ethics legislation."
"After being introduced by Village President Paul Gattuso, Obama told of why he holds meetings all over the state. "It's a way to stay in close touch with all of you," he said. "Some of the best ideas I get come from residents across the state."
"Suddenly, with American public opinion evident, some sanity seemed to be settling in on the two top GOP leaders last week--Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and House Speaker Dennis Hastert--who said they would not pass legislation that criminalized illegal immigrants now living here. Good start, but not enough. And maybe too late for the Republican Party."
"You can support converting unauthorized presence in the United States from a civil violation to a criminal offense -- an idea that was recently squashed by House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist -- without saying it should be a felony rather than a misdemeanor."
GovernorBlagojevich
“Abraham Lincoln’s humility, perseverance and loyalty to the Union enabled him to guide our country through one of its most turbulent periods in history. While our entire nation recognizes his contributions to our democracy, Illinois can claim him as one of its own home-grown heroes,”
West
ChicagoHigh School
"WE-GO 2 Africa’s mission statement is to "provide the people of rural Angola an opportunity for a better life through education that will address literacy and healthcare issues, as well as provide an atmosphere for their democracy to thrive."
"A vocal group of more than 65 people showed up at the meeting to fight a designation change from residential to commercial for the southwest corner of Hawthorne Lane and Route 59, where single-family homes now sit on wooded lots of several acres."
"But Wiggins said he is concerned the party might not be able to shake the case through the fall, as Ryan's motions to set aside the verdict and possible appeals continue. In that sense, he said if Ryan had been found innocent, the case would really have been over."
"On Monday, the company led journalists on a tour of its West Chicago factory where McDonald's makes hamburger patties. It normally is closed to outsiders."
Sen
Durbin"It is the second largest county in the state, with a population that is much younger, more diverse, and more transient than in previous decades. Successful Democratic politicians such as Secretary of State Jesse White and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, U.S. Senator, both put a significant amount of effort into this district on their inaugural campaigns and are still reaping the benefits."
"Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is fighting back against big cuts in federal college education funding. Congress cut $12 billion out of federal student aid programs."
Sen.
Obama"Senator Barack Obama, the influential son of a Kenyan father who sits on the Africa Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urged the George Bush administration to review its relations with Nigeria in the hope of forcing Abuja to embrace democratic tenets."
"On three occasions, House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., has honored donors in the record. He received more than $8,500 from them."
“Republicans in Congress look forward to continuing to work closely with him to strengthen the growing economy, keep a tight reign on federal spending, and reform entitlement programs."
"After the GOP lost seats in 1998, Republicans ousted Gingrich from power: The lesson taken by the new leaders under Speaker J. Dennis Hastert was to maintain Gingrich's tight control -- and strengthen it with further rule changes -- while avoiding egotistical excesses."
GovernorBlagojevich
"Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the cornerstone of the Illinois economy and critical to creating more good jobs, so it’s essential that we provide high-growth entrepreneurs with the resources they need to grow and flourish."
"Having health insurance means parents can take their children to the doctor for regular checkups. It means having prescription drug coverage. It means being able to afford necessities like eyeglasses and asthma inhalers. That’s why we created All Kids,”
West
ChicagoHigh School
"A few highlights of the evening include a mock wedding, a fashion show, homemade goodies, and a singing performance by the Wildcat pre-schoolers. "
"Classes will be held from 9:45 to 10:40 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and from 9:35 to 10:50 a.m. on Thursdays."
City
of West Chicago
City Council Update, April 17 Meeting 7:00 p.m., Chicago White Sox World Championship Trophy at City Hall, West Chicago Heritage Days – Talent Show Auditions, 7th Annual Blooming Fest Downtown Garden Festival
Wayne Township Republican Organization"Voters in Wayne Township elected Republican Precinct Committeemen at the March 21st primary election. These elected representative comprise the Wayne Township Republican Organization (WTRO) and met April 13th to choose party officers."
Sen
Durbin
"U.S. Congressman George Miller (D-CA) and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote the Reverse the Raid on Student Aid Act in response to the cuts that many termed the “Raid on Student Aid.” This bill would reduce interest rates on subsidized loans from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent and on parent loans from 8.5 to 4.25 percent beginning July 2006."
"The top 10 list includes Senators John McCain of Arizona, Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, Jon Kyl of Arizona, Carl Levin of Michigan, Richard Lugar of Indiana, Thad Cochran of Mississippi, Olympia Snowe of Maine, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, Richard Durbin of Illinois and Kent Conrad of North Dakota."
Sen.
Obama"The Democratic senator provided a packed audience in the Lesar Law Building auditorium with a brief update on his doings in Washington, D.C., noting it was a relief to come to Illinois for town hall meetings for inoculation from what he called "Beltway fever.""
"As that enormity finally dawned (the day after another round of protests across the country) on at least House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, the two top Republican congressional leaders jumped in the nearest lifeboat and rowed away from the disaster at warp speed. Not a felony, not a felony, not a felony, the Hastert-Frist statement insisted."
"The thoughtful legislation being sponsored by senators McCain and Specter — along with the energy provided by the demonstrations — is already providing results. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and House Speaker Dennis Hastert announced that they would no longer support the Sensenbrenner-Tancredo provision that makes illegal immigration a felony."
"Firefighters cut through the roof to extinguish the fire. Damage to the roof, wall and attic were estimated at $50,000."
"Shearer, who worked the late shift at a boxmaking company in DeKalb, was engaged to Walker's sister Marlene, said his sister, Dawn Keding of West Chicago."
"In years past, with the exact same arrangement of invited guests, those that spent all night outside for tickets were given tickets to the event's opening times. When was the decision made, and by whom, to exclude those families from the opening ceremonies? This is the first time that no early tickets were distributed to those that waited the longest. Do you know why?"
[Sounds to me like Bu$h conspired to move the gays to the back of the bus... or did he just chose to leave their children behind? - Bob]
"The mothers have given birth to 10 calves since late March, one as recent as this week, in secluded pasture away from the herd, where they now care for their young. Wobbly but staying afoot, the cinnamon-colored calves reach into their mothers to nurse. The mothers are attentive in bathing their babies."
Sen.
Obama"U.S. Sen. Barack Obama fielded the usual questions - health care, gas prices, the Iraq war and education - during a town hall meeting at Southern Illinois University Carbondale Friday. It was his 47th such meeting since taking office last year."
"When it came to pending ethics legislation before Congress, Roskam did say he would back whatever proposals House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) wanted. Duckworth spokesman Billy Weinberg seized on that Friday, saying in a release, "In a Chicago Sun-Times column about the race, he gave his proxy on ethics reform to House Speaker Dennis Hastert."
"The other, sponsored by Sen. Joe Barton, R-Texas, and House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois, would grant the FCC authority to grant licenses. Language in that bill calls for cable companies to continue to support public television, but would save the so-called Bell companies from needing to get municipal licenses."
Thursday night news...
“Yes, we’re spending more than we’re taking in,” said teachers union President Barb Laimins, noting no administrator positions were cut. “But the district is not bankrupt. We have to remember that.”
"Shall the United States Government immediately begin an orderly and rapid withdrawal of all of its military personnel from Iraq, beginning with the National Guard and Reserves?"
"... added that he plans to help organize public forums and debates on the DeKalb Township ballot question, hopefully with US House Speaker Dennis Hastert and his ..."
[I don't know the circumstances of its removal or movement, but this article is now going 404. - Bob]
"It is time for House Leadership to roll Jerry Lewis after the Easter recess. Boehner may owe his position to chairman like Lewis, but Speaker Hastert most assuredly does not. The Speaker has 5 votes on the Steering Committee, the GOP body that decides who chairs and who serves on what Committee. Boehner has two votes, and the rest of the 28-man Committee have one vote a piece. Most of the other Steering Members vote with the Speaker. It is time to put Lewis and all the other subcommittee cardinals on notice. Change the way the you do business, change the earmark process to be more accountable, and change your hardball tactics—or be removed."
GovernorBlagojevich
“Thousands of men and women go to work in the mines every day. They work in dangerous and unpredictable conditions. Fortunately, for three straight years, things have been safe."
“Our veterans put their lives on the line to defend our freedom. They deserve every state and federal benefit and service available. The federal government has been short-changing Illinois’ veterans for years. That’s why we’re expanding services at the state level, so veterans get the help they need,”
Press
"The proposed amendment changes to the Comprehensive Plan will be voted upon by the full council at its April 17 meeting."
"After low-level releases in November and December, the lab must now revise its hazardous waste management permit to include tritium, which is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen."
"...a schedule of activities and services to be held in West Chicago churches from Good Friday, April 14 through Easter Sunday, April 16."
"If you haven't heard about We Grow Dreams, it's run by the non-profit We Grow Dreams, Inc. and provides employment opportunities and job training for disabled young adults."
Sen Peter Roskam"The General Assembly has missed its scheduled April 7 deadline, and now days after the scheduled Spring Session adjournment date, the State of Illinois is without a final budget bill and without a foreseeable date of adjournment, according to State Senator Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton)."
Sen
JohnMillner
"House Bill 4789 restores the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption to ensure that seniors will be able to claim the exemption when they pay their property taxes this year."
Sen
Durbin"Currently about 215 immigration judges hear approximately 300,00 removal cases per year. See Letter from Hon. Richard Posner to Hon. Richard Durbin (March 15, 2006). This caseload makes it virtually impossible for immigration judges to avoid frequent errors in deportation orders."
"In a letter to President Bush, Durbin says it was premature to place McCallum in a new position of trust as long as the Justice Department is conducting an ethics inquiry into the handling of the tobacco case."
Sen.
Obama
"Then on March 16 they received a $64,342 check in the mail from the Social Security Administration. "It was just out of the sky," Joseph said. "We were overjoyed. God had smiled on us -- and (so had) Sen. Obama.""
“He’s someone who is familiar to many people here and has been extremely articulate and effective as a senator for Illinois,” Cubbage said. “He’s a rising star, an extremely good speaker.”
"Besides engaging in sheer political stupidity, Frist and Hastert are also guilty of treason by abdicating their sworn oaths to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution. Treason is still a felony, right? Or have Frist and Hastert managed to subvert that law as well?"
"The State Department said safety concerns also forced the cancellation of a planned visit by the US House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert and a seven-member delegation to Nepal on Wednesday."
[The Nepalese Police opened fire on a demonstration by lawyers... which should not scare Denny. He has been near Dick Cheney on numerous occasions. - Bob]
"After the vote, teachers hugged and cried. Anger and disappointment also prevailed among union members. “It’s ridiculous,” said Barb Laimins, union president. “It’s a sad day for West Chicago.”"
Sen
Durbin“Giving Medicare the right to negotiate on behalf of seniors is old-fashioned free market economics: if one buys in bulk, the price will come down,” Durbin said. “Until the President reverses his position and Congress gives Medicare the authority to bargain on behalf of seniors, the current drug plan will continue to be a financial boon to insurance companies and a bad deal for seniors.”
“This is an alarming report. It shows that we face a global health crisis with profound consequences,”
“In December, the House of Representatives passed a strong border security bill aimed at securing our borders and preventing illegal immigration.
"Hastert and Frist blamed the fact that the bill was so tough in these areas on....get ready for the surprise...Democrats: They said an effort had been made earlier to change the bill to make "unlawful presence" a misdemeanor, but it was rejected mostly by Democrats in the Republican-led House."
GovernorBlagojevich
"The legislation was prompted by several cases in Chicago where co-op boards and condo associations have attempted to pass rules that would ban the display of religious symbols in hallways."
Board of Education meeting synopsis and more...
"Open House honoring those 80 and Better, Dog Park Pass Renewal, Get Your Season Passes for the Best Place in Town., Season Pass Holder Appreciation Night, Reiman Publications, History of Lincoln Tour – Springfield, IL"
Rep.Randy Ramey“I’m urging the Governor to sign this legislation because it restricts state employees from criminally tampering with citizen personal, private information,” Ramey said. “We’re taking a proactive step in fighting the war on identity theft.”
"“It puts on notice any current or future property owners any particular vision the city has for those areas,” said Pat Bond, city attorney."
"Programming at Collins has since shifted to West Chicago High School, and parks officials are working with the nearby Bartlett Park District to allow Carol Stream residents to use Bartlett’s aquatic center at resident rates."
"We are currently at the crossroads. The county is now built out, for all intents and purposes," said James Healy, ... The following is a list of upcoming meetings: April 18 in Wayne Township Hall, 27W031 North Ave., West Chicago;
Sen
Durbin“I am renewing my call for the NRC to investigate this public health threat as quickly as possible,”
Sen.
Obama"President Bush promised in this year's State of the Union speech to enact policies that would wean America from its "addiction to oil." Skeptics said it was just a speech, that Bush had made similar promises in the past but never followed through. Once again, it appears the skeptics were right."
"Senator Obama looks forward to visiting West Virginia in the near future to support his colleague, Sen. Byrd, but is unable to be there on June 2,"
“House Republicans understand that making the tax cuts permanent will continue to create new and better jobs."
Clinton Describes `Troubling Issues' in Economy - Bloomberg
"In an interview previewing a major speech she will give tomorrow at the Chicago Economic Club, Clinton cited ``skyrocketing'' health care costs, widening federal budget and trade deficits and the disappearance of middle-income jobs."
"“I would like to commend the NAACP for supporting the effort to get seniors enrolled in the new Prescription Drug Program before the May 15th deadline. "