Press Releases/Announcements from local sources
"“The chance of somebody drowning in these pools still exists,” he said, noting the city hasn’t issued any $75 citations yet and is focusing on educating the public first"
"Mr. Dudek, 89, formerly of West Chicago, a Polish World War II veteran and former prisoner of war who produced paintings included in the collections of many major Chicago-area corporations, died Thursday, June 15, in the DuPage Convalescent Center in Wheaton, after a series of strokes."
Sen Peter Roskam"Almost fifty bills were signed into law during the week of June 26 - 30, including measures that provide for more extensive regulation of sex offenders, and new laws intended to reduce teenage truancy and permit Illinois counties to regulate smoking."
Sen
Durbin"To honor the 200th anniversary of his birth, this special series of $1 commemorative coins will pay tribute to his life and work.”
"U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which Durbin is a member, has approved $222.752 million for energy and water-related projects in Illinois."
"Congress and the President must address this human-made crisis today because it is a threat not only to our generation, but generations to come.”
Illionois
Senators
“Senator Obama and I wanted to make it clear to the chairman that any plan to create regional nuclear waste sites without any local veto power is unacceptable."
Sen.
Obama"Faith doesn't mean that you don't have doubts," Obama declared. "You need to come to church in the first place precisely because you are first of this world, not apart from it."
“Even if this bill doesn’t become law, the Senate should adopt these modest rules to put an end to lobbyist-paid lunches and gifts and start to change the culture in Washington that led to the rise of Jack Abramoff and Duke Cunningham.”
Rep
Hastert"The following members of Congress, by their action or inaction, have stood against real investigations, hearings, and legislation dealing with government whistleblowers who have exposed waste, fraud, abuse, and or criminal activities within government agencies."
[Denny comes in 4th, behind Hilary Clinton... shouldn't we expect better? - Bob]
"In Hastert's 2002 filings, there was no mention of the property - no asset, no liability, no transaction, and no mention of his home/farm. The same is true for the 2003 filing."
GovernorBlagojevich
John Laesch(candidate for
US 14th IL)
Starting today, we are sending out the bots to collect and post articles about Rep. Hastert's Democratic opponent for the US House.
ElementaryDistrict 33
"The new preschool center will bring all District #33 preschool classrooms to one location. It will run parallel to the District #33 Office on Forest Avenue to the west, between the District Office and Gary School."
Press
"As a first generation Mexican family, they realized the American dream -- working hard, saving money and finally buying a home,"
"On Saturday and Sunday, July 15 and 16, the two communities will join in the American Cancer Society's first local Relay for Life, that will be held on the Community High School track in West Chicago."
"Before it was Railroad Days, now it is Heritage Days . But no matter what you call it, it is rapidly approaching. Again many fun activities are planned from Thursday, July 6 through Sunday, July 9."
Around
and About (scroll down)Brush pickup, Council meeting canceled, Trinity Lutheran School, Chamber's Fashion Show, Rotary Club installation, 3V Fishing Club's 16th annual Carp Fishing Tournament
"And in the race to replace Hyde, state Sen. Peter Roskam, a Wheaton Republican, received $33,150 so far this year from donors associated with the gas and oil industry. Roskam’s opponent, Democrat Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran from Hoffman Estates, has accepted $1,500 from oil industry-related campaign donors."
" PRAIRIE OAKS FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER: Union Pacific West line to West Chicago
Prairie Oaks Family Aquatic Center, 129 W. National St., West Chicago; 630-231-9474, is about a mile from the West Chicago station. There are cabs in town but you may have to call one from the station."
Sen
Durbin- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- $300,000 to develop permanent exhibits of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates and the Underground Railroad.
- acquisition of land tracts from willing sellers within the boundaries of the Shawnee National Forest.
- and others
"To date, $12 million has been appropriated for the EJ&E Bridge, which is hit by marine vessels more often than any other bridge in America. Repair of the bridge is a priority for the United States Coast Guard."
Sen.
Obama"After all, the problems of poverty and racism, the uninsured and the unemployed, are not simply technical problems in search of the perfect ten point plan. They are rooted in both societal indifference and individual callousness - in the imperfections of man."
"But today I'd like to talk about the connection between religion and politics and perhaps offer some thoughts about how we can sort through some of the often bitter arguments over this issue over the last several years."
Streaming Audio at + Windows Media or + RealPlayer
Rep
Hastert"Our economy grew at a robust 5.6 percent rate this quarter, the fastest in two and a half years and even stronger than economists projected."
"Back in January House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois called for a ban on privately sponsored travel. He may have been reading the polls. A Washington Post-ABC News survey a few days after Abramoff’s guilty plea found that nearly 60 percent of the public said the case reflected “widespread corruption” in the capital.
"After that, GOP Speaker Dennis Hastert let his chamber do everything possible to disrupt a compromise with the Senate. He and his leadership team fear the Republican faithful storming the election booths in November over this issue."
"Since his resignation from the House this month, DeLay has held at least two meetings with his old friend and political ally House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.). The two met yesterday afternoon in Hastert’s office, and last week DeLay attended a regular gathering of former House leaders in the Speaker’s Capitol suite."
GovernorBlagojevich
"Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy, and starting next Saturday, hard working Illinois parents who can’t afford private health insurance will have an affordable option in the All Kids program,"
"Now Salon has the first hard proof of that connection, via one document buried among 1,000 pages obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union through the Freedom of Information Act. A March 22, 2005, sworn statement by the former chief of the Interrogation Control Element at Guantánamo said instructors from SERE also taught their methods to interrogators of the prisoners in Cuba."
West
ChicagoHigh School
"Four Community High School students have been chosen as finalists in the 2006 American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)/Lexmark Photo Contest."
"There, along with almost 40 other peace advocates, Kelly organized a rally in an attempt to speak with the GOP leader about the war in Iraq. "Hastert has a unique opportunity to distinguish himself and take a political chance," Kelly said through a loudspeaker."
"Those making a difference
The West Chicago City Museum recently received a $2,000 grant from the Illinois Humanities Council to support programming for the exhibit "Immigration: Building a Community.""
Sen
Durbin“Republicans cut $12 billion from student aid – the largest single cut in financial aid programs in history to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. The leadership cannot continue to place the burden of paying for tax cuts for the richest Americans on the backs of students from middle class families."
"Participants in the two-hour public program at the test road site included U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, who noted the courage it took for Eisenhower and the Congress to pass the legislation because the move instituted a 50 percent increase in the federal tax on gasoline from two cents to three cents."
"But Senator Richard Durbin, deputy leader of the Democrats in the Senate, said the news reports of a phased withdrawal coupled with Mr. al-Maliki's national reconciliation plan are a vindication of Democratic opposition to an open-ended stay."
"One hundred percent of the Democratic caucus believes it's time for change," said Senator Dick Durbin. " One hundred percent of the Republican caucus believes it's time to stay the course."
Sen.
Obama"Across America, there are millions who are looking for us to do something about health care, about education, about energy. The Senate will likely be in session for about 50 more days for the rest of this year. To spend the precious time we have left battling an epidemic of flag burning that does not exist is a disservice to our country."
Obama said that if Democrats don't reach out to religious Americans, then ... quote ... "Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons will continue to hold sway."
Rep
Hastert
free
Trips of the folks working for j. Dennis Hastert"Total cost of 251 office trips: $443,859.58" ... including BOTH the Speaker and his staff.
"What we're talking about is people who are leaking classified information. It's not news. It's classified information our government is using to fight terrorists," said House Speaker Dennis Hastert, of Illinois.
"Republican leaders in the U.S. House are playing Americans for fools on immigration. Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., has announced a series of Mexican-bashing sessions thinly disguised as public hearings in cities along the southern border. There isn't much doubt what those staged events will produce after they've whipped up a hand-picked audience with xenophobic rhetoric and dire warnings on terrorism."
GovernorBlagojevich
"The alternative to the proposed 8-lane cable-stayed New Mississippi River Bridge and associated roadways is building an "MLK Bridge Coupler.” This concept utilizes the existing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge along with a new parallel structure as a means to improve river-crossing capacity with available funding."
“Having the right equipment is critical to police work, but sometimes you need to increase enforcement or raise awareness to make a difference, especially when it comes to reducing instances of drunk driving.”
Board of Education meeting synopsis, and more...
Sen Peter Roskam"Several facilities throughout the 48th District will share in nearly a half million dollars worth of grants from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation to complete projects that reduce pollution, save energy, and increase energy efficiency, according to State Senator Peter Roskam (R- Wheaton)."
"So the West Chicago-based not-for-profit organization is looking to expand its offices so it can better serve low-income seniors, families and their children."
"Three of the local winners also won national prizes, including Jessica Klein, a senior at Wheaton Academy in West Chicago; Noura Choudhury, a junior at Wheaton Warrenville South High School in Wheaton and Jack Millikan, a fourth-grader at Erickson School in Bloomingdale."
Sen
Durbin"A provision which directs the Architect of the Capitol to install the first ethanol (E-85) fuel pump on the Capitol complex. The provision also requires existing legislative branch flex fuel vehicles to use the ethanol pump and all future legislative branch vehicles to be E-85 compatible and use E-85 fuel."
“Families in Illinois and across America have given their best and their bravest. In order to truly honor the sacrifice of our fallen heroes, we must set a clear path to bring our troops home with their mission truly accomplished."
“Renewable fuels provide us with a dependable domestic source of energy that reduces our reliance on foreign oil and enhances our ability to control our own security and economic future – while helping farmers by increasing demand for their crops."
Sen.
Obama"This legislation would require the Air Force to explain to them what future missions are under consideration for the 183rd and what criteria is being used to decide their eventual mission."
Rep
Hastert"But Hastert's latest comments, issued shortly after he abruptly pulled reauthorizing legislation from the floor, rang a bit hollow this time around. Having scheduled a vote to reauthorize the act, Hastert and other GOP leaders buckled to last-minute pressure from a handful of mostly Southern Republicans."
"Senators Bond, Enzi and Gramm are not the only lawmakers who may have run afoul of congressional ethics rules. After an exhaustive search of congressional and campaign records, Marketplace could find no disclosures revealing who paid for the travel and lodging expenses for two of the most powerful men in Washington: Speaker Dennis Hastert and former Majority Leader Trent Lott."
"A technical glitch that prevented the Senate from sending the measure to the House and triggering establishment of a conference committee gave Hastert some wiggle room. And he decided to just make the issue basically go away for a couple of months."
GovernorBlagojevich
“This law helps make sure that we not only inspect retailers, but wholesalers too. It’s critical that everyone involved in the supply chain for prescription drugs meet all of the safety requirements,”
"Limbaugh was returning on a flight from the Dominican Republic when customs officials found a Viagra prescription that did not bear his name."
The line up positions for the parade are now posted. Check the list and then spot yourself on the map. Unfortunately, the city and their management company has provided me with no music schedules or other information.
"The city’s fire department responded to a structure fire at about 10:30 a.m., and it was extinguished in about 30 minutes, Fire Lt. Dennis Keefe said. The fire was in an outside wall of a single-family house located at 0N570 Sunset Ave."
Sen
JohnMillner
“This bill will not only increase the state’s nursing rolls by allowing qualified people to avoid a lot of red tape, but it will also keep unqualified foreign nurses from practicing in Illinois - because they could no longer slip through the cracks in the current system,” Millner said.
" Angela Rojas of West Chicago prefers print versions. "Growing up, my sister and I did crossword paperbacks," said the University of Illinois at Chicago junior. Now, she works the Chicago Tribune puzzle while commuting to school, always carrying a pocket dictionary in her bag."
GovernorBlagojevich
“Emergency operations plans drive our response to any emergency, whether it’s a natural disaster like a tornado or flood, or even a terrorist attack,” Blagojevich said. “The better prepared local emergency management agencies are, the better their response to a disaster will be.”
“I'm delighted that Dr.Whitaker is taking this opportunity to remind us that the 3 percent decrease in infections should be welcomed with a redoubled effort at prevention and testing,” said Danny Davis, U.S. Representative – 7th District.
Cable
ComChannel 17
"Here's this week's adventure in Public Access TV!"
- City Council 6/16/06
- Literacy Begins With You
- Dual Language Program
- Railroad Days Parade '04
"Washington is abuzz with the disclosure that House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) recently made a windfall profit in a real estate venture linked to a highway deal that he personally "earmarked" in Congress. What should concern voters, however, is not that such deals routinely occur, but that they are allowed under the widely ridiculed ethics rules that the members wrote for themselves."
Sen
Durbin“This [Iraqi] national unity plan calls for beginning the withdrawal of American troops with a timetable,” said Richard Durbin. “That is a position now taken by the Iraqi government, by the Iraqi people, by the American people and by the Democrats, 39 out of 45 in the United States Senate. The only ones who disagree, apparently, are the Republican senators.”
"To think of the lives that we have put on the line for the future of this nation and that those who are responsible for killing our soldiers would not be held accountable is not acceptable," Durbin said on ABC television's "This Week" programme.
"Republican Senator Mitch McConnell and Democratic Senator Dick Durbin both told A-B-C's "This Week" that they opposed the amendment. Republicans have been putting pressure on McConnell to vote in favor of the ban, but the Senate majority whip from Kentucky has said he has concerns about the ban infringing on freedom of speech."
Rep
Hastert"On behalf of the wrong wing of the GOP (nobody should call it "right"), House Speaker Dennis Hastert called hearings around the country "to listen to the American people" on the subject of immigration reform."
"Clearly, Hastert's announcement is a ploy to delay any effort on immigration for this year, but even knowing his political motive, the idea of having hearings on a bill that has already passed both in the House and Senate is inane."
"Instead Hastert allowed last-minute whining at least momentarily to derail reauthorization of sections of the Voting Rights Act set to expire next year. This is the same Hastert who last month stood on the steps of the Capitol with Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate to pledge enactment of the measure that has now been set aside."
Sen
Durbin"Westminster College officials say Marie Gonzalez was notified by Illinois Senator Dick Durbin that she has been granted a year extension to continue her studies."
"But Durbin says instead of Cheney's glowing picture of the administration's economic policies, Americans should hold the administration accountable for the nation's rising deficit and debt."
Sen.
Obama
"Barack Obama is a shining star in the Democratic party. He is smart, passionate and has the support of his constituents more than most. His election to the U.S. Senate was a landslide. He has spoken eloquently in the Senate and on the "talking head" shows about the direction the party should be taking in the future."
Rep
Hastert"Hastert didn't want the FBI searching the office of William Jefferson because he was afraid they might search his own office next. And Hastert didn't condemn DeLay and other corrupt Republicans because it turns out he's mired in the same old mud. Indeed, when it comes to corruption in the House of Representatives, the old Greek saying proves true: "The fish stinks from the head down.""
"On the ethics side, earmarks -- and the ability of some powerful lawmakers to virtually write projects into law -- are at the center of the investigation of convicted GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff."
""The sound bites from politicians have always been that they're doing what's best for their districts, but we're starting to see a pattern that looks like they might be doing what's best for their pocketbooks," said Keith Ashdown, vice president of the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense."
"Now that the GOP has been caught breaking the Voting Rights law, they have found a way to keep using their expensively obtained “caging” lists: let the law expire next year. If the Voting Rights Act dies in 2007, the 2008 race will be open season on dark-skinned voters."
Board of Education meeting, and more...
Sen Peter Roskam"An initiative requiring young drivers to spend more practice time behind the wheel, a tax checkoff to help municipalities buy defibrillators, and more comprehensive insurance coverage for persons with autism were among the bills signed into law during the week of June 19-23, according to State Sen. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton)."
"But the district’s health insurance costs decreased by $1.4 million. The pleasant surprise eliminated the shortfall and allowed the district to balance its books for the school year that just ended."
[I think somebody should start thinking about rebuilding the reserves that were spent in the last five or six years... the district is not financially healthy until they return to 1980's levels. - Bob]
"When Dwight Shilling took his Kyosho chopper to the field, he created his own buzz. The West Chicago semiprofessional flier routinely places in national competitions and competes for the U.S. in the FAI World Championships, including last year's event in Zamora, Spain."
Sen
Durbin“Today, we received assurances that if the plant decides to close, the 1,000 workers in Herrin, Illinois will receive critical assistance to help them find new jobs.”
“I am honored to have worked with Secretary Mineta and wish him the best as he prepares to leave the public arena for private life.”
“In Illinois, this type of restoration funding has successfully repaired more than 27,000 acres of wetlands since 1990. The decision by the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide the Wetlands Reserve Program with full funding will help us protect nature’s most productive ecosystem.”
“The $1.5 million approved by the Senate committee will help Illinois officials develop a plan to meet this challenge and avert a potentially devastating situation."
"U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved nearly $17.9 million for Illinois agriculture projects. Durbin is a member of the Appropriations Committee."
Sen.
Obama"We need to make sure our scarce homeland security dollars are distributed according to risk and threat, not pork-barrel politics. Political concerns should be put aside when we are talking about protecting our citizens."
"More than 400,000 will experience homelessness over the course of a year, but our government is doing far too little to help get these veterans off the streets. This legislation will provide some much-needed assistance to these veterans who have sacrificed so much for us."
Rep
HastertHastert
miffed at land debate"At a GOP fundraiser Monday, Hastert blasted what he called the "unrelenting Democratic media.'' He seems irritated at accusations of personal profit from the "Hastert Highway" and why he did not specifically describe the transactions on his disclosure statement, as required by the House Ethics Manual."
[As one who has voted for more Republicans than Democrats in my life, I am more offended by the Daily Herald's non-coverage, than the many newspapers that cover the alleged scandal. - Bob]
"This Executive Order will protect property owners by limiting the taking of private property by the Federal Government. This includes situations in which the taking is for public use with just compensation, and the purpose of benefiting the general public,..."
[I think he got this mixed up. - Bob]
GovernorBlagojevich
“New treatments are available to help autistic children and in Illinois, we’re going to make sure that insurance covers them.”
"The couple, Kerry and Dee Seghers, who live near West Chicago, downplayed their involvement. “We didn’t do anything extraordinary,” the wife said. “We just did what everyone should do.” "
Press
Around
and about - fox Community Center hosts an open house June 27"We would like to see what persons envision for the center to meet the current needs, the concept and importance of the utilizing the center to its full extent."
"The Illinois Department of Agriculture confirmed the beetle as an emerald ash borer June 15, and began a survey of the area to determine the extent of the infestation. The surveyors will be in the Campton Township area for about a week."
[Readers are reminded of the more extensive coverage from the Aboretum on June 14th, EMERALD ASH BORER CONFIRMED IN ILLINOIS. - Bob]
"In a staggering display of brass-faced gall, Hastert is now claiming a freeway running 5.5 miles from his land is not close enough to affect the price of the farm. Then what did the developer pay the extra $3 million for?"
"After a week of staring at bark and shinnying up trees, authorities have yet to find any signs that the emerald ash borer has spread beyond a handful of yards in Kane County."
"Blackwell Forest Preserve in DuPage County is barring visitors from bringing in their own firewood -- and requiring them to buy it for $3 a bundle from the agency -- because of fears about the tree-destroying emerald ash borer beetle."
Saint Louis
"St. Charles authorities say the body of Matthew Thies, 27, didn't have any signs of foul play or violence. That leaves them baffled about how it came to be found last Friday sprawled on a park bench at an elementary school just blocks from his home."
Sen
Durbin"One hundred percent of the Democratic caucus believes it's time for change. One hundred percent of the Republican caucus believes it's time to stay the course,"
"The legislation is meant to counter the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which will raise student loan interest rates and cut funding to government programs for low income students effective July 1."
Sen.
Obama"America and the American people have paid a high price for the decision to invade Iraq and myriad mistakes that followed. I believe that history will not judge the authors of this war kindly."
"Local and national clergy, church activists and leaders of faith-based organizations will convene to focus national attention on the rising poverty rate in America. Republican and Democratic political figures, like Senator Barack Obama and Senator Rick Santorum, will address the conference."
Rep
Hastert"Ashdown, of Taxpapers for Common Sense, who has chronicled Hastert's efforts to secure the parkway funding, also remains suspicious.
"The facts are the facts," he said, "and the facts are, he made a lot of money off this deal, and he was the one who got this earmark."
[This article is getting additional play from Talking Points Memo with sweet earmark deal. - Bob]
"House Speaker Dennis Hastert said the nation must stand firm "in its commitment to fight terrorism." Mr. Speaker, we've stood firm for three years even after the president made the mistake of once declaring that major hostilities were over. The war continues, and insurgency remains even as our leaders make false predictions that the end is in sight."
"On the day after these votes, reform Republicans in Congress were startled by a report in the Chicago Sun-Times, based on research by the Sunlight Foundation, that House Speaker Dennis Hastert earned $2 million by the 2005 sale of land he purchased in 2004. Hastert last July earmarked $207 million as the first appropriation for the proposed Prairie Parkway,..."
Speaker Hastert's Land Deal Questioned - CBS News"House Speaker Dennis Hastert denied Thursday that he pushed for federal funding for a proposed highway in northeastern Illinois so he and his wife could reap about $1.8 million from land deals near their home in Kendall County."
GovernorBlagojevich
"House Bill 4768, sponsored by Rep. John D’Amico (D-Chicago) and Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago), doubles the amount of behind the wheel training teens must have from 25 to 50 hours, and requires that 10 of those hours be driven at night."
"Rapidly expanding villages such as McHenry, West Chicago and Oswego, all of which grew more than 10 percent between 2000 and 2005, represent a new frontier for the ever-expanding Chicago area."
Sen
Durbin“The decision to conduct a study of Godley’s water system is a positive development in our efforts to ensure the safety of Braidwood area residents,”
“There is no more fitting way to permanently and publicly recognize Congressman Evan’s work than to name the Rock Island Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center in his honor.”
Rep
Hastert"Last week, we noted House Speaker Dennis Hastert's (R-IL) sweet real estate deal - a deal that, as many TPM readers pointed out, Tammany Hall pol George Washington Plunkitt would have dismissed as " honest graft." "I seen my opportunities and I took 'em," Hastert might say."
“This morning we heard from several of our members regarding the expiring provisions of the Voting Rights Act, and they asked for more time to discuss and review the bill."
GovernorBlagojevich
WestChicago
Garden
Club
"There are five porches and five gardens on the walk. You can purchase a ticket for either the porches or the gardens, or a combined ticket giving
you admission to all ten locations."
Cable
ComChannel 17
"Members of "Citizens Against the Sprawlway" have gone so far as to criticize Hastert at public meetings for purchasing property a few miles from the parkway's proposed route. Hastert sold some of that land last December for more than three times the original price, making a $2 million profit."
"The CLEAR system is a useful tool, but the information it contains is scant compared with what is available to the Police Department in West Chicago, Police Cmdr. Bruce Malkin said. "One of the things that we lacked was gang intelligence, so we developed our own [database],""
Sen
Durbin"The Republican leadership would rather eliminate taxes for the wealthiest Americans instead of working on behalf of Americans looking for a decent wage, for an honest day’s work.”
“Congress can no longer ignore the real solution to ending our dependence on foreign oil and reversing the growing and harmful effects of global warming. The road to energy security, a healthier environment and consumer relief begins with increasing the fuel economy for all cars and trucks.”
"The Democratic proposals, which have not yet been introduced, call for the redeployment to begin this year. Illinois Senator Richard Durbin says the goal is to "serve notice on the Iraqis that their future has to be in their own hands.""
"Senator Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, rejected the surrender imagery, saying: “We have to serve notice on the Iraqis that their future has to be in their own hands.”"
Sen.
Obama"The article hints twice at Obama’s religious beliefs. Once here:
"Invitations he has turned down included a chance to be Stanford University’s commencement speaker, because he tries to spend Sundays at home in Chicago with his wife, Michelle, and their two young daughters."
Rep
Hastert"It fully funds a 2.2 percent military pay raise, effective January 1, 2007, as well as $50 billion in funding for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and $7.25 million for body armor and other gear our troops need in the field."
"It is an insidious and corrupting practice, yet the congressional leadership seemingly cannot help itself. House Speaker Dennis Hastert and leaders of important committees continue to defend earmarks and punish members who try to prevent them."
"No sir, with Big Denny Hastert, it's all up front, just like his prodigious belly: "We gonna build this highway I pushed throught right near this land I done bought and, son, we gonna make ourselves a great big pile." That's the American way!"
"Hastert is the driving force behind the Prairie Parkway, a proposed federally-funded highway that runs nearby Hastert`s newly acquired property, the newspaper said."
Rep.Randy Ramey"Just last Wednesday, a story surfaced in the Chicago Sun-Times about how payroll records in Springfield containing Social Security Numbers of government workers were found in a state recycling Dumpster accessible to the public."
City
of West Chicago"West Chicago City Museum receives $2,000 from the
Illinois Humanities Council to provide exhibit programming for
Immigration: Building a Community "
"Sureno 13 gang members were first spotted in the suburbs about a decade ago and their membership continues to grow here, said West Chicago Cmdr. Bruce Malkin, who trains police officers on identifying and dealing with gangs."
"Members of the U.S. House and Senate released details of their personal income and holdings this week in annual financial disclosure statements. Highlights of the statement by House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Yorkville, include:"
"From its inception, Davis maintains, the 36-mile outer beltway was advertised as a regional bypass to keep truck traffic off of overburdened local highways and not as an engine for economic development. "This present map is so far removed from what the project is supposed to have been," Davis said. "I just have to ask, 'Who will benefit from this road?'""
"Hastert received five-eighths of the proceeds from the land sale, said Dallas Ingemunson, one of his partners. That indicates a profit of more than $1.5 million for Hastert."
"Instead of cash, Hastert (R-Ill.) took most of his share of the proceeds in land, some of it less than 2 miles from the parcels he and two partners in a land trust sold for nearly $5 million to a developer who plans to build more than 1,500 homes and commercial space on the property near Little Rock and Galena roads in Plano."
Sen
Durbin“It appears nothing has changed at the sites but something has changed at EPA,” Durbin said Thursday..."
""We are driving the Senate while so many of our colleagues are intoxicated with the idea of being president," Durbin said. The wave of ambition is taking a toll. Critics say the political self-interest of would-be candidates sometimes conflicts with the broader interests of their party and the Senate as a whole."
Sen.
Obama"Whether it's the war or Katrina or health care or outsourcing, you'll hear people say that, now, surely we've come to a moment where things have to change. And there are Americans who still believe in an America where anything's possible; they're just not sure that their leaders still do."
"Obama reported today that book deals boosted his earnings last year to at least one-point-three-nine (m) million dollars. Besides his Senate salary, Obama reported income of 378-thousand dollars from book royalties and 847-thousand dollars for a book advance."
"Rocker Neil Young may want Sen. Barack Obama to run for president, but the freshman Democratic senator from Illinois isn‘t having any of it — at least not yet. The 44-year-old Obama said at a news conference before a fundraiser Saturday that he had read the lyrics. But despite being name-checked by a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Obama said he has no intention of running for president in two years."
"A school in Mali is being built for Illinois Senator Barack Obama. The junior senator was told the news Monday morning at a breakfast that encourages community service."
Rep
Hastert"The Chicago Tribune said the quick profit came on property bought and sold in three years near the route of a proposed freeway in western Chicago. The property near Plano, Ill., was sold three months after the transportation bill was signed into law."
"Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert and two partners turned a profit of more than $3 million on property they accumulated and sold in just over three years near the route of a proposed controversial freeway on the western fringe of suburban Chicago, according to land records and financial disclosure reports released Wednesday."
GovernorBlagojevich
"We want our kids to be healthy and enjoy their summer. But when a child gets injured or becomes ill, we want to make sure they have access to the best healthcare coverage,”
“The effects of crime on a victim can extend well beyond the crime itself,” said Governor Blagojevich. “These laws are in place to protect people from being victimized again.”
"Once complete, the new road will allow containers from the Far East to enter the United States through the Mexican port of Lazaro Cardenas, bypassing the Longshoreman’s Union in the process. The Mexican trucks, without the involvement of the Teamsters Union, will drive on what will be the nation’s most modern highway straight into the heart of America. The Mexican trucks will cross border in FAST lanes, checked only electronically by the new “SENTRI” system."
"Numerous exotic meats will be featured, including Boar Ribs, Prairie Fire Burgers, sausages made from pheasant, alligator and a special mix called the Mountain Man Brat."
"Tim Fritz, sales manager at DuPage Honda-Yamaha in West Chicago, said his store ordered 20 scooters last summer as gas prices spiked. "We sold them all. Nobody cared what the price was," Fritz said,"
"If this were some other individual who wasn't in a position of power and influence you would say, `Gee, they were smart, they made some money,'" Strasma said. "In this case it just doesn't look right."
"A pest blamed for killing millions of trees across the Midwest has reached Kane County, but is not known to have reached Logan or Mason counties - yet. "Boy, I hope not," said John Fulton, unit leader of the Logan County Cooperative Extension Service. "It wasn't supposed to be in Kane County."
Sen Peter Roskam"A hearing on the proposed sale of the Illinois Tollway System and a law that will boost environmental standards at nuclear power plants were the focus this week in the Illinois Senate, according to State Sen. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton)."
WegoWeb"All three dissenting voters said they supported the program but noted other programs were ranked higher on the staff’s priority list for coming years."
"So, it has nothing to do with the Prairie Parkway," Hastert said. "I owned land, and I sold it, like millions of people do every day."
"Members of the U.S. House and Senate released details of their personal income and holdings this week in annual financial disclosure statements. Highlights of the statement by House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Yorkville, include:"
"The property near Plano, Ill., was sold three months after the transportation bill was signed into law. It was purchased by a real estate developer who is planning to build more than 1,500 homes on the land."
Rep
Hastert"Here’s a graphic timeline explaining how House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) used a federal earmark to turn a $1.5 million profit:"
"Three months after that, in December, Hastert and his partners cashed out, selling the land to a developer for a $3 million total profit."
Sen
Durbin