Press Releases/Announcements from local sources
29 Feb
Item in SoapBox
Comments
in Response to Gene Rennels"Usually adept at parry and counter thrust, Gene Rennels missed the point of my concern over Jim Oberweis' support for diluting the 14th Amendment."
Your
need for speed may cost you during rush hour"The existing Open Road Tolling technology that automatically deducts money from transponders will ease the transition, officials said... "We would establish tolls strategically so that tolls are directly related to congestion conditions, and people bound from areas where there are fewer travel alternatives are subject to less congestion pricing," Murtha said."
Filing
flap in the 14th Congressional District race"Oberweis failed to file a specific FEC form and notify both his Democratic opponent, Bill Foster, and Democratic party leaders within 24 hours of loaning his campaign more than $350,000 -- a requirement under the so-called Millionaire's Amendment in the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act..."It got filed inaccurately at the FEC," Pascoe said of the campaign disclosure form. "We said, 'Oops, sorry, (and) corrected it on the (FEC) Web site with an amended filing." "
"The Wheaton West Wild -- a hockey team comprised of players from Wheaton North, West Chicago and Wheaton Academy -- has reached the quarterfinals of the Blackhawk Cup, Illinois' state tournament for prep hockey."
DuPage
reluctance could knock EJ&E deal off track"Based on our investigation, the Forest Preserve District will not sell, lease or in any way turn over any ... property to Canadian (National Railway)," said district President D. "Dewey" Pierotti Jr. Thursday. "Number one, under the law, the Forest Preserve District does not have the authority to sell that property to a third party. And number two, more importantly, Canadian (National) does not have the power or authority to condemn the property."
"Aside from being a poor use of limited tax dollars, I'd be concerned that it could encourage people to copycat the tragedy for their own "infamy."
L. Brunsen, West Chicago"
In
letter, DuPage County forest preserve officials warn of railway sale's
effect on land"Increased train traffic on a line in western DuPage County could severely damage forest preserve plants, animals, air and water, the county's Forest Preserve District told a federal agency in a letter."
ComEd
and Natural Landscape Firm Earn Award for Prairie Restoration Effort"ComEd and natural landscaping contractor Pizzo and Associates, Ltd., have earned an award from the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association for the restoration of prairie and wetland property in West Chicago."
Conservation Voters
LCV
Endorses Bill Foster For Congress"The League of Conservation Voters, the independent political voice for the environment, today announced the endorsement of Bill Foster in the March 8th special election to fill the vacancy of Illinois’ 14th Congressional District."
[I have to admit that I didn't find this on my own. I stumbled on it as I did a background research on an email from the Foster campaign. - Bob]
DCCC
files complaint against Oberweis campaign"Democrats have asked federal election officials to investigate the Republican running for former GOP House Speaker Dennis Hastert's seat. ..."
Democrats
will not Give up on America Homeowners “Senate Republicans joined with the Administration and the very people who brought us this mess, the mortgage bankers. Their do-nothing leadership will cause this crisis to spiral farther out of control. It’s that kind of bold, innovative attitude which led Herbert Hoover to do nothing in the Great Depression.”
Durbin
demands meeting with railroad CEO - Crain's Chicago
Business“Many communities unaccustomed to and ill-equipped to handle freight traffic are facing a fourfold increase” in trains, the letter said. “This increase will cause significant delays on already congested arterial roads in the collar counties.”
"I am relieved that both sides now agree that tolls will not be necessary to partially fund the bridge's construction, which I had opposed from the start. I commend the Governors and Congressman Costello for their determination to make this project a reality."
Area
Republicans Gather to Endorse Bill Foster for Congress"Tomorrow -- Saturday, March 1 -- at a 1:00 pm press conference, a group of Republicans living in Illinois' 14th District will endorse businessman and scientist Bill Foster for Congress in the Saturday, March 8 special election race to replace Dennis Hastert. Bill Foster's message of change is resonating with Republicans and independents alike. According to a poll released by the Foster campaign this week, Foster leads among independents 47%-25%. "
Foster
& Sen. Durbin Say "No" to 72"Scientist and businessman Bill Foster will join Illinois' U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Social Security recipients, at Federal Plaza in the Loop, TOMORROW, Saturday, March 1, at 11 a.m. to demand that the Social Security not be subjected to unpredictable privatization plans like those advocated by Jim Oberweis and George Bush. Foster, whose special election to fill the seat vacated by Dennis Hastert is next weekend, Saturday, March 8, also opposes Oberweis' latest proposal to couple his risky privatization plan with raising the retirement age to 72. Oberweis revealed his latest idea on Wednesday at the Chicago Tribune editorial board endorsement interview."
Republicans
And DuPage - We Want Local Control (But Only When It’s Good For Us)"Collar counties normally supporting local control appear not to want to be responsible for saying ok to a tax hike they requested that they will benefit from - at least when they can duck it"
Nobel
laureate estimates wars' cost at more than $3 trillion -
McClatchy Washington Bureau" Coming up on the fifth anniversary of the invasion, a Nobel laureate now estimates that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are costing America more than $3 trillion. That estimate from Noble Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz also serves as the title of his new book, "The Three Trillion Dollar War," which hits store shelves Friday."
28 Feb
"Mr. Tawney has a long history of many times radically supporting Hispanic, but not necessarily other, immigration issues. I do not always find fault with his positions. However comparing an amendment to or the eradication of the 14th with the horrible beliefs of the Ku Klux Klan goes beyond even what he has postulated previously."
Funeral Hom
"Evaristo “Louie” Moreno, age 70, of West Chicago, passed away Tuesday February 26, 2008."
"Joel Yepiz, 28, of 1N373 Route 59, West Chicago, was arrested at 12:24 a.m. Friday on the first block of South Seventh Avenue and charged with speeding 86 mph in a 30 mph zone, illegal transportation of alcohol by a driver, improper lane usage and driving while license suspended, police said. Yepiz also was wanted on outstanding arrest warrants in Aurora, Kane and Will counties, according to a police report. He is scheduled to appear in court March 20."
Listen
to your lakes and protect them - Dr. Jeff Boehm"Our lives are affected everyday by the Great Lakes, and we need to take responsibility for protecting them. If we don't, it is becoming increasingly clear, no one will. Visit www.listentoyourlakes.org to learn about more ways you can help protect our magnificent, yet vulnerable Great Lakes on Great Lakes Day, and every day of the year."
DuPage
County announces scholarship grant program"The grant was secured from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Scholarships can be used for formal education or occupational training. Special consideration will be given to students interested in high-technology fields or other occupations."
"According to the plan, there are adequate waste-handling facilities in the region to continue to accommodate DuPage County for the next five years. This is in part due to a strong recycling rate, especially from residential properties. Redick also noted that without additional transfer stations, the cost of waste disposal is going to continue to increase for residents and businesses."
Taking
sharper aim at cancer"The Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board approved the DeKalb university's ambitious plan to build the 130,000-square-foot cancer-treatment and research center in the DuPage National Technology Park."
Turnout
poses challenge in Oberweis, Foster race"I do believe I am very closely aligned with the people of the 14th District," Oberweis, a former investment manager, told the Tribune editorial board Wednesday... "There are very big policy differences [between us]," Foster said. It is about "whether you favor a continuation of George Bush's policies or whether you think things should change."
Bush
Vows to Veto a Mortgage Relief Bill - New York Times"“Avoiding foreclosure can’t be just a part of the proposal, it is the heart of the proposal,” said Senator Richard J. Durbin, Democrat of Illinois and sponsor of the Senate measure. Senate Democrats have narrowed Mr. Durbin’s original bill, tailoring it to people with particular kinds of problems and applying it to existing mortgages rather than to all mortgages in the future."
State
GOP Removes Release Targeting Obama From Site - WKRN -
Nashville,TN"“Any comment that is disparaging to either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama is totally inappropriate,” McCain has said. Just days ago, the state GOP Party posted an article titled "Anti-Semites for Obama" on it’s Web site."
GovernorBlagojevich
“This new bridge will reduce congestion and make it easier for Illinoisans to get back and forth across the river, whether it’s for work, going to a Cardinals game or any other reason. And, perhaps most importantly – we are not building a toll bridge. I applaud Gov. Blunt and his administration for working with us to make this project a reality.”
Private
Medicare Plans’ Cost Questioned"The report says, “Medicare spends more per beneficiary in Medicare Advantage than it does for beneficiaries in the original Medicare fee-for-service program, at an estimated additional cost to Medicare of $54 billion from 2009 through 2012.”
27 Feb
Around
and About in West Chicago - 20 Feb 2008- Jane Golchert’s last day as Winfield Township Assistant
- Wheaton Academy Spring musical
- Fourth annual Bowling for Diabetes
- Lions Club 33rd Annual Spring Pancake Breakfast
West
ChicagoHigh School
COOK'S
NIGHT OUT -- Fundraiser"PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS THAT DO NOT HAVE STUDENTS AT OUR SCHOOL, SO THAT THEY CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE TO HELP SUPPORT : WEST CHICAGO PEP CLUB AND CHEERLEADERS"
NIU
gets OK to build proton cancer center"Members of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, however, noted concerns over whether the university could finish the project within two years -- a key requirement of the approval process -- and questioned whether NIU could secure funding for the nearly $160 million cancer center."
"Relay For Life of West Chicago/Warrenville, 6 p.m. May 30 at Community High School, 326 Joliet St., West Chicago"
"Gabrielle Fink, 38, of 2495 Lehman Drive, West Chicago, was arrested at 3:47 a.m. Sunday and charged with failure to report an accident after striking a parked car on the first block of South First Avenue, police said. Fink paid $100 bail and was released with a March 27 court date."
"Spencer Kroning, a Commander with the West Chicago Police Department in West Chicago, graduated from the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University in Evanston."
Candidates
kick in $3.5 million of own money"The two wealthy businessmen, who square off in the March 8 special general election to fill out retired Rep. Dennis Hastert's term, have combined to spend almost $4.4 million since the race for Congress began last year. On the flip side, they've run their campaigns on close to $5 million, with about $3.5 million coming in the form of loans from the candidates themselves, the campaign finance report stated."
"Congressional hopefuls Bill Foster and Jim Oberweis Tuesday night clashed on the war in Iraq and health care as the special March 8 election draws closer."
Candidates
face off in Beacon endorsement interview"Foster said if he is elected, he would vote for universal or near-universal heath-care coverage... Oberweis disagreed, saying the country needs to move away from employer-based health-care systems and into a more flexible model that allows people to buy the level of health care they want."
"The two wealthy businessmen, who square off in the March 8 special general election to fill out retired Rep. Dennis Hastert's term, have combined to spend almost $4.4 million since the race for Congress began last year."
"The fourth annual Bowling for Diabetes will be held from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday at Bowling Green, 30W150 Roosevelt Rd., West Chicago. The event, sponsored by the West Chicago Sons of the American Legion Post 300, will include two games of bowling and appetizers. Cost is $20 per person. Call 630-231-3181."
"In fact, the promise of employment in the United States is the single greatest lure drawing illegal immigrants," Oberweis continued, "and that's why my Plan To Secure America's Borders includes two key provisions -- strengthening verification of worker identity and legal status, and toughening sanctions against employers who hire illegal immigrants."
Vote Early
"Don't wait until Saturday, March 8 to cast your vote for Bill Foster in the
Special Election — do it today, and tell your friends and family to do the
same. See our list of locations in select counties."
DUPAGE COUNTY LOCATIONS
"A television commercial by 14th congressional district candidate Jim Oberweis has been pulled from rotation by WGN and NBC-affiliate WMAQ, in response to violations of Federal Communications Commission (FCC)."
Response from Justin Shimkus at
the Oberweis campaign...
"When editing the ad, we made a mistake by having Jim's image appear a
fraction of a second shorter than what is required. FEC regulations require
a 4 second appearance, yet we mistakenly cut it at around 3.7 seconds. The
mistake has been corrected and we sent the same ad, only a fraction of a
second longer, to the stations to be aired."
“American families should not have to play guessing games when it the safety of their food,” Durbin said. “Vital information about recalls should be made available immediately to consumers. This rule needs to be implemented quickly so people can make timely decisions at their supermarkets and kitchen tables to protect their families."
"After more than fourteen years, the Senate took an important step today by voting to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and comprehensively modernize Native American health care services. With alarming health disparities between the Native American population and the American population as a whole, improvements to Native American health care could not come at a more urgent time."
“It’s my understanding,” he said, “that before I came in here a person who was on the program before I spoke made some disparaging remarks about my two colleagues in the Senate, Senator Obama and Senator Clinton. I have repeatedly stated my respect for Senator Obama and Senator Clinton, that I will treat them with respect. I will call them Senator. We will have a respectful debate, as I have said on hundreds of occasions. I regret any comments that may have been made about these two individuals who are honorable Americans.”
GovernorBlagojevich
26 Feb
ElementaryDistrict 33
"Due to inclement weather and low reservation responses, the all-district
Family Night scheduled for tonight, Tuesday, February 26, at West Chicago
Middle School at 6:00 has been cancelled. We apologize for this
inconvenience, but cancelling was unavoidable. The topic for the evening, Internet Safety, will be incorporated into the next Family Night scheduled for Tuesday, March 25. Please plan to join us then, and be sure to bring the whole family!"
West
ChicagoHigh School
SECOND
ANNUAL 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT"March 8th is the day for you or your kids to compete in the Second Annual West Chicago Wildcat Classic 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. New this year is the addition of a youth and adult Wheelchair Division. This event is being presented by NorthStar Credit Union in order to benefit the District 94 Community High School Education Foundation."
- "Who: Bill Foster, Jim Oberweis
- What: 14th congressional district candidates appear on WTTW's "Chicago Tonight"
- When: TONIGHT, Tuesday, February 26, 7:00 pm
- Where: WTTW Studios, 5400 N St. Louis Avenue Chicago, IL 60625
Televised live, WTTW, Channel 11"
FACe-TO-face
FORUMS ARE DONE in 14th"Foster's team has not responded to repeated invitations from The Beacon News to set a date for a debate like the ones sponsored by The Beacon News and CBS2 at Aurora University ahead of the primary election. Oberweis did respond to The Beacon debate proposal, and his campaign staff was open to scheduling suggestions."
Kane
Democrats cheered by voter interest, turnout"Durbin recalled a time when Kane County's Democrat Party could gather in the back yard of a supporter. "There was a time when we could gather all the Democrats in a back yard and had plenty of room to spare," he said. "Times have changed.""
2
candidates in 14th District heavily fund own campaigns"Democrat Foster, 52, of Geneva, has loaned his campaign $1.3 million of the $2 million he had spent as of Feb. 17. Republican Oberweis, 61, of Sugar Grove, provided $2.3 million of the $2.9 million that has made its way into his campaign fund, according to campaign finance reports."
"NIU officials also confirmed that doctors affiliated with Northwestern Memorial Hospital will oversee patient care at the facility under a tentative agreement that the school expects to finalize within three months."
"Our new tracking survey of likely special election voters in Illinois' 14th Congressional District continues to show a very tight race to replace Dennis Hastert, but Bill Foster has now taken the lead. Foster leads Republican Jim Oberweis by 4 points, 45%-41%. The closeness of the race is highlighted by the generic ballot preference in the district, as 42% prefer a generic Democrat, and 41% prefer a generic Republican. "
Jim
Oberweis Believes In Health Care For Cows - Not People"Jim Oberweis supports health care for all cows in his business. But the Chicago Tribune points out Jim Oberweis is against employers providing health care insurance for people - he says employees should go it alone. Cows get guaranteed health care while people go without. Should we treat cows better than people? Yes, it sounds strange, but you know where Jim Oberweis stands.
[The article provides this link to "The Oberwis Farmer's Pledge". - Bob]
"“I’ve got the best protection in the world,” Mr. Obama, of Illinois, said in an interview, reprising a line he tells supporters who raise the issue with him. “So stop worrying.” Yet worry they do, with the spring of 1968 seared into their memories, when the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert F. Kennedy were assassinated in a span of two months."
Analysis
Details Missing White House E-mails - Washington Post"A 2005 technical analysis found that up to 1,000 days of e-mails were missing from White House servers during a 2-1/2 year period, amounting to more than 1 million separate e-mail messages, according to statements from a former White House technology manager released today... McDevitt said in his statements that the analysis included participation by a wide array of government technology officials and outside contractors, and that the full report--which has not been given to Congress--was approximately 250 pages long."
25 Feb
West
ChicagoHigh School
ST.
PATRICKS DAY BASH & AUCTIONS "The ‘All Night Long Committee’ of Community High School District #94 in West Chicago will bring the community together to support a safe After Prom experience for junior and senior high school students and their dates."
Wheaton
Academy defeats Maine South & St. Charles North High Schools
"Despite defeating both opponents at the Northwest Suburban Invitational Tournament this past weekend, the legal Warriors from Wheaton Academy just missed placing in the Top Three for the first time all season. Coach Jon Keith commented, “I am really pleased that all of our performances this week were actually better than our last tournament.”"
"State Representatives Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago) and Franco Coladipietro (R-Bloomingdale) and State Senator Carole Pankau (R-Itasca) will be hosting a legislative forum on autism. This forum is free and open to the public. In addition to residents sharing their concerns with the representatives, there will be four guest speakers sharing information about existing programs available to local residents."
Cable
ComChannel 17
Cablecom
Schedule Posted- Tues 6:00 PM COD Images
- Wed 6:00 PM City Council (2/18/08)
- Thur 6:00 PM COD Career Paths
EAB
Newsletter"This month's EAB Newsletter discusses the significant shift in monitoring strategy in Illinois. "
"DuPage County Teen Parent Connection, Inc., is seeking volunteer baby sitters 18 and older. Volunteers provide care while the child's parents attend support group meetings evenings during the school year at churches in the following locations: Naperville, Roselle, West Chicago and Wheaton. "
DuPage
Co. families calendar"West Chicago's Community High School District 94 Wildcat Preschool has openings at the school, 326 Joliet, West Chicago. Children ages 3½ to 5 must be toilet trained. Sessions begin from 12:20 to 2:05 p.m. Wednesday. The fee is $150 for 36 days. For details, call Patti Kozlowski at (630) 876-6377."
Oberweis
wrong on 14th Amendment - Tom Tawney"Jim Oberweis is wrong to support the diluting of the 14th Amendment and plays to the agenda of the Ku Klux Klan and like-minded white supremacist groups, when he does. We do not need a congressman who unwittingly or wittingly supports the agenda of white supremacist groups."
"ComEd and natural landscaping contractor Pizzo & Associates recently received an award from the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association for the restoration of prairie and wetland in West Chicago. The roughly 2-acre restored area is located near the Ball Horticultural Co. at 622 Town Road. Since 1994, ComEd has restored more than 300 acres of prairie habitats in its service territory."
The Midwest Gardening Symposium at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle March 7 and 8 brings together designers and plant experts from Chicago and the Midwest to speak on "Innovation in the Garden." ... Among the other speakers: Anna Ball, president of Ball Horticultural Co. in West Chicago,..."
"Inside the dimly lit blues club, Chicago Johnny played electric guitar for a few friends and family. But the music wasn't live. It was an old recording, because John Spira hasn't been seen or heard from in exactly one year."
"U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Rock Island County was added to the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) making the county eligible for more funding for equipment, technology and additional resources to combat drug trafficking."
“We stand in solidarity with Northern Illinois University and its students, faculty, staff and administration, as they mourn their losses and as they recover from this tragic incident,”
"The Illinois families and businesses affected by January's flooding deserve federal relief to rebuild as quickly as possible," said Senator Obama. "I call on the President to immediately provide grants and loans so these communities can recover."
GovernorBlagojevich
Honoring
Illinois' Fallen"... fly the United States and Illinois flags at State occupied buildings at half-staff on behalf of: Cpl. Albert Bitton, United States Army - Hometown: Chicago, Illinois"
"The campaign of Democratic congressional candidate Bill Foster today released a schedule of joint appearances between Foster and Republican Jim Oberweis. Including last Friday's WBBM-AM radio debate, which aired yesterday, there are six scheduled joint appearances before the Saturday, March 8 special election. The candidates will appear side-by-side before three editorial boards: the Aurora Beacon News tomorrow, and the Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald on Wednesday. The Beacon News and Tribune will post video of the candidate interviews on their websites. In addition, the candidates will square off on two more televised forums. WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" will broadcast live tomorrow night, Tuesday, February 26, at 7:00 pm. The candidates will sit down at WMAQ studios on Friday morning at 11:00 am for NBC 5's "City Desk," which will air on Sunday morning. "
Clintonite
Stabs Obama Supporter"Ortiz, a Clinton supporter, replied that "Obama was not a realist." While not exactly fighting words, the verbal political tiff led to some mutual choking and punching. And, allegedly, a stabbing in the abdomen."
[This item is provided for those who are getting tired of the rather lengthly presidential campaign. It could be worse. - Bob]
23&24 Feb
DuPageCounty
"DuPage County Election Commission 421 N County Farm Rd
Wheaton Office Foyer
Monday thru Friday - 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Saturday - 9:00 am to 12:00 Noon
Sunday – 9:00 am to 12:00 Noon"
ElementaryDistrict 33
"The annual Indian Knoll Fun Fair will be held on Friday, March 7 from 6 - 9 pm. This is one of the favorite night for our students. (It ranks just behind Santa Claus paying a visit!) We have games, a Moon Walk, face painting, a raffle, popcorn, baked goods and other yummy food, and a silent auction."
City
ofWest
Chicago
West
Chicago to Establish a Senior Citizen Advisory Council"A new community outreach program in West Chicago, intended to address the needs of senior citizens, will debut in the near future, according to Mayor Michael B. Kwasman. He, along with other City leaders and members of the community, is the driving force behind the initiative to further connect with the senior population in West Chicago."
"Linda Mary McGregor nee Maderer, age 41, of Warrenville passed away Feb. 19, 2008. Visitation will be held Friday from 3pm until time of service 5 pm at Williams-Woodward Funeral Home 820 Pine Street, West Chicago, IL 60185"
Governor
Budget Address Offers No Solutions for State’s Problems"Stressing the need for the state to have a strong capital bill and cut excessive state spending, State Representative Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago) was disappointed by Governor Blagojevich’s budget address which lacked specifics in addressing the state’s loss of jobs and our growing deficit."
Foster,
Oberweis engage in first debate"Meeting Friday at WBBM-780 AM's Chicago studio for a taping of the "At Issue" weekly public affairs interview show, the candidates expressed opposition to amnesty for illegal immigrants. Foster, a Democrat, proposed taxing both employers who hire illegal immigrants and illegal immigrants themselves when they apply for citizenship."
"Among the unanswered questions is whether arson was behind a fire that destroyed Spira's business outside West Chicago, Universal Cable, on Sept. 17, more than six months after he was reported missing. A day before the fire, relatives discovered a 10-by-10-foot banner with Spira's photo and reward information had been vandalized."
- "Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church will hold lent services at 7 p.m. Wednesdays through March 12 at the church, 331 George St., West Chicago. For details, call (630) 231-1175.
- The First United Methodist and Congregational Church and St. Andrew's Lutheran Church will hold combined services beginning with a light meal at 6 p.m. Wednesdays through March 12 at First Congregational Church, 525 Route 59, West Chicago. For details, call (630) 231-3344."
"DuPage County sheriff's officers arrested two people suspected of a botched home burglary Friday afternoon on the 0S400 block of Prince Crossing Road near West Chicago. The two suspects are being held in DuPage County jail pending formal charges."
Special
election will cost Kane $500,000"They showed detailed breakout figures that totaled $483,989 to pay for the election to replace former U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert, R-Yorkville, who resigned last fall. More than half of the cost is for training and paying the election judges, which comes to a little more than $272,000, Bennett said."
"Democratic congressional candidate Bill Foster proposed an "impact fee" for companies that hire people who enter the U.S. illegally and then become guest workers - - an idea Republican foe Jim Oberweis blasted as a tax to allow businesses to break the law."
Daily Chronicle
State
planners to hear proposal for NIU's proton cancer research ..."The treatment and research center is proposed to be the first-of-its-kind in the upper Midwest, using a proton accelerator to treat a variety of cancers. The center would be built in the DuPage National Technology Park in West Chicago contiguous to the northern boundary of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, which in the late 1980s developed the first proton-therapy accelerator for use in cancer treatment, according to the proton treatment and research center's Web site."
"The college's research was right on target when it was determined that West Chicago had an underserved population," he said. "The WCCEC has helped a large number of adult students to enter, continue or re-enter the world of secondary education. This has been a tremendously successful venture."
- EVOLUTION IN FLORIDA: THANK GOD IT’S ONLY A THEORY
- ANTISATELLITE WEAPONS: THE HYDRAZINE DECEPTION
- GUNS: HAVE WE DECIDED TO GIVE UP ON CIVILIZATION?
- VALENTINES DAY MASSACRE: WHO MURDERED COMPETES?
"So far, Democrat G. William Foster, a former Fermilab physicist and small-business man, has beat his GOP rival, dairy and investment firm executive James D. Oberweis, in the money race by about $100,000, according to Federal Election Commission reports. Each also put roughly $1.4 million of his own funds into the campaign for the March 8 special election. Mr. Foster has drawn heavily from donors at Fermilab, a major employer in the far west suburban district, as well as from scientists at other national labs and universities across the country. He's even tapped philanthropist William Gates Sr., father of the Microsoft Corp. founder."
China
Opportunities Fund (OBCHX)"... under normal circumstances, invests at least 80% of its net assets in China securities. Currently, China securities include equity securities of companies that are organized under the laws of The People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan or Singapore. Also, equity securities of companies that have at least 50% of their assets in China or derive at least 50% of their revenues from business activities in China."
"Berkowitz: "Would you have supported NAFTA if you were there in 1994?" Oberweis: "Yes." Berkowitz: "And CAFTA a few years ago?" Oberweis: "Yes." Berkowitz: "And you would have no regrets about that?" Oberweis: "No.""
[This links to a You Tube copy of Mr. Oberweis being interviewed by Jeff Berkowitz. It is a wide ranging conversation where the candidate covers many of his core beliefs. - Bob]
"IT HAS been a week of contrasting fortunes for the two US presidential front-runners. While Barack Obama has been taken under the wing of a paternal nation after fears were raised he might be the target of an assassination attempt, John McCain's squeaky-clean image has been taking a battering."
"In an article he has written for India Abroad, the Illinois senator has also committed that he will encourage the active engagement and partnership of the Indian American community in "making the change we seek" in US. "The world's oldest democracy (US) and the world's largest democracy (India) are natural partners, sharing important interests and fundamental democratic values," Obama said in the article for the next edition of the weekly newspaper headquartered in New York."
From
the Fact Check Desk: Obama's Army Anecdote"I called the Obama campaign this morning to chat about this story, and was put in touch with the Army captain in question. He told me his story, which I found quite credible, though for obvious reasons he asked that I not mention his name or certain identifying information. Short answer: He backs up Obama's story."
22 Feb
Merle
Berleigh- Ward 2 Alderman Greg Kauth
- Wheaton Academy Spring musical is “My Fair Lady.”
- West Chicago Wildcat Classic 3-on-3 Open Basketball Tournament
- Increased Water and Sewer Bill in each of the next two years
Scholastic Book Fair
Mary's Parish School, 147 Garden Street, will be hosting the
Scholastic Book Fair from March 3rd through March 7th. On Wednesday, March
5th, there will be a Family Reading Night from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Mayor
Michael Kwasman of West Chicago will be at the event reading a short story
at 5:30 followed by West Chicago Police Officer Robyn Nielsen at 6:00 p.m..
They will be followed by other guest readers from the school community. All
are welcome to attend. You can get more information by calling the school
office at 630-231-1776 for hours and more information.
West
ChicagoHigh School
WILDCAT
PRESCHOOL HAS OPENINGS"Community High School District #94, in West Chicago, would like to invite your preschoolers to the Wildcat Preschool. Along with the CHS teachers, the high school students and student assistants will participate as cooperative teachers. Your children will be learning in a safe and fun environment. They will get ready for kindergarten as they explore the hands-on area, dramatic play, art and much more!"
3-ON-3
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT"This year the CHS Education Foundation welcomes the youth and adult Wheelchair Division to the Second Annual West Chicago Wildcat Classic 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. The entry fee for all wheelchair players will be $60. All players will receive a Wildcat Classic T-shirt and each division champion team member will receive a trophy. The adult Wheelchair Division Champion team will receive a cash prize. This event is being presented by NorthStar Credit Union in order to benefit the District #94 Community High School Education Foundation."
City
of
West
Chicago
School
of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University Has Graduated
Commander Spencer L. Kroning"The West Chicago Police Department is pleased to announce the recent graduation of Commander Spencer L. Kroning from the School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) at Northwestern University."
Rep.Randy Ramey
"With an impending recession already negatively affecting state spending, State Rep. Randy Ramey (R-Carol Stream) said Illinois residents cannot be subjected to another tax increase proposal this year."
"West Chicago police officer Spencer Kronig recently graduated from the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University. The 10-week program, which was held in Elmhurst, allows officers to take college-level courses on a variety of topics, including management theory, organizational behavior, budgeting, staffing allocation and personnel deployment."
Durbin
comes to town for Foster health-care message"Citing rising health-care costs and millions of people without insurance, Foster promoted a plan that invests in preventative measures, lower drug prices and a "pooling" of health insurance available to small businesses."
"Spira, an accomplished blues musician and an aviation and racing enthusiast, was last scene at about 7 p.m. Feb. 23, 2007, at Universal Cable Construction, the business he started more than a decade ago, in unincorporated West Chicago."
Amtrak
receives good news on access to CN lines - Salem Times
Commoner - IL," The letter, dated February 14, assures Durbin that Amtrak will be allowed to continue its use of CN's St. Charles Air Line route indefinitely, until an acceptable alternate route is found. When CN announced plans to acquire the EJ&E lines, there was concern that Amtrak would no longer be able to use the St. Charles Air Line route, along the Lake Michigan shoreline, and would instead have to travel along the new lines, adding several hours to the travel time of commuters and jeopardizing the Amtrak service for downstate residents traveling to and from Chicago."
""The Illinois families and businesses affected by January's flooding deserve federal relief to rebuild as quickly as possible," said Senator Obama. "I call on the President to immediately provide grants and loans so these communities can recover."
Durbin,
Foster Say Cut Health Care Costs, Don't End Employers Paying for Health Care“In 2006, the cost of health insurance increased by 6.9 percent, with the average family paying nearly $12,000 for insurance. It’s clear that our health care system needs to change. I’ll take on the big drug and insurance companies and fight to cut costs for health insurance."
"Foster specifically contrasted his own health care proposal, which would increase access and affordability, with Oberweis' intention to get rid of employer-provided health insurance. Employer-based health insurance covers over 158 million Americans, including nearly 7.5 million Illinoisans. Foster advocates a guaranteed basic level of care combined with additional private insurance."
- "Who: Bill Foster and Jim Oberweis, nominees for 14th congressional district special election
- What: The taping of the forum, for WBBM-AM's "At Issue," will take place at 10 AM in Chicago, and will be broadcast on Sunday morning. Members of the media are invited to cover the debate at the WBBM News Radio studios.
- When: TOMORROW, Friday, February 22, 2008, 10:00 am
- At Issue" will air at 9:30 am and 9:30 pm, Sunday, February 24, and a podcast will be available at wbbm780.com."
"The analysis provides a summary of the $60 billion-plus budget and the Governor’s proposed tax increases, program expansions and borrowing plans. The General Funds component of the budget totals $28.9 billion which represents an increase of $1.45 billion, or 5.3%."
21 Feb
West
ChicagoHigh School
Board
Briefs for Feb 19th meetingThe District 94 Board Briefs are unofficial minutes/notes of what occurred at a school board meeting used to keep the faculty and staff informed. They are posted at the District 94 web site to help inform the citizens about what happened. Official minutes are posted only after approval by the board, typically at the next meeting.
St.
Patrick’s Day Bash & Silent Auction Fundraiser- 7:00 p.m.Saturday, March 15th, 2008
- Kline Creek Country Club, 1 N 333 Pleasant Hill Road,
Winfield, IL - Please join us to raise money for the 2008 After Prom Event!
Please mark your calendars. - For tickets contact Becky Koltz at 630-251-0251
- Tickets are on sale now at Pal Joeys, Sandpiper Restaurant and the State Bank of Illinois!
- Tickets $20 or $25 at the door.
Roskam
insensitive on social justice"According to the chart, my congressman, Peter Roskam, voted with this social justice lobby just 8 percent of the time. This can be contrasted to past years when his predecessor, Henry Hyde, would vote with Network closer to 50 percent of the time ... What surprises me is that his votes do not seem to reflect the views of the majority of his constituents in Illinois' 6th U.S. District. "
Foster,
supporters,
give McCain
cold
shoulder"I respect Senator McCain and his decades of service for this country, but when it comes to Iraq, I think Senator McCain, President Bush and Jim Oberweis are flat wrong on Iraq,"
Split
GOP in Kendall issues call for unity"At the same time, Kendall County saw an unprecedented 9,600 voters pull Democratic ballots, compared to 11,600 residents who voted Republican. "We could definitely use more help," Oberweis told KCRCSC members who predominantly favored his primary opponent, State Sen. Chris Lauzen, in the race to succeed former House speaker Dennis Hastert as 14th District congressman. "It doesn't matter whether you voted for me."
14th
District vote counting closes today"Today is the last day for election officials across the 14th Congressional District to count properly cast provisional and absentee ballots for the Feb. 5 primary. Those ballots are what Laesch, unofficially trailing Bill Foster by 355 votes for the Democratic nomination, has hinged his next move on."
"Although
Bill Foster claimed victory in the Democratic primaries, Laesch has yet to
concede in the general primary. Laesch conceded in the special
election Feb. 5. “We’re just waiting at this point,” Laesch campaign
spokesman Alan Nowakowski said. “We’re still awaiting results."State
Rep Paul Froehlich Holds DuPage Board Accountable With HB4717"What this means in plain English is that if DuPage wants to use the quarter cent sales tax increase County Chair Robert Schillerstrom quietly inserted into the state transportation bill - then the county board has to formally vote for it - and agree to annually report on the taxes it collects. Otherwise they receive no extra money."
Durbin
Focuses On Foreclosure Problem During Visit To Central Illinois
- WEEK-TV - East Peoria,IL"There are fewer dollars for police protection, fire protection and all the things you account for in government. So, it has a negative ripple effect all the way down,"
"While Durbin said no such law could have prevented the killings at NIU in DeKalb or at Virginia Tech, he said the federal government has a "special obligation" to encourage campus safety. He urged Congress to adopt a measure he co-sponsored with Sen. Barack Obama."
"It is hard to see who can stop Senator Barack Obama becoming the next President of the United States. He has built up an excitement such as no candidate has created since President Kennedy in 1960. He is, in my view, a better speaker than Kennedy. Like Kennedy, he combines personal magnetism with a strong appeal to American idealism."
Durbin,
Foster Say Cut Health Care Costs, Don't End Employers Paying for Health Care“In 2006, the cost of health insurance increased by 6.9 percent, with the average family paying nearly $12,000 for insurance. It’s clear that our health care system needs to change. I’ll take on the big drug and insurance companies and fight to cut costs for health insurance."
Front-Runners
Join Fray Over Hastert's Seat - Wall Street Journal"The 14th District has long been a Republican stronghold -- with Republicans outnumbering Democrats by about two to one. Mr. Bush won 54% of the vote in the district in 2004. Even in 2006, when Mr. Hastert was enduring the lowest personal approval ratings of his career in the wake of the Mark Foley-page scandal, he won re-election with 60% of the vote ... A poll taken by the Foster campaign pegged the race at a statistical dead heat."
"Today scientist and businessman Bill Foster will be joined by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin at a press conference at the Dreyer Medical Clinic in Aurora to discuss expanding access to health care. Foster will fight to expand access to health care in Washington; Republican Jim Oberweis says he wants to eliminate employer-based health insurance.
- Who: Illinois Senator Dick Durbin; scientist and businessman Bill Foster, IL-14 congressional nominee
- What: Press conference on expanding access to health care
- When: TODAY, Thursday, February 21, 2008, 10:00 AM
- Dreyer Medical Clinic -- West Aurora 1870 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL "
Rep
Hastert
"Whether McCain helps or hurts vulnerable Republicans will be tested in House elections as well. The first real insights into McCain's pull in congressional elections will be a March 8 special election for former House Speaker Dennis Hastert's Illinois seat. McCain is holding a $1,000-a-person fundraiser for GOP candidate Jim Oberweis on Wednesday in what has become a surprisingly competitive race."
GovernorBlagojevich
Governor
Blagojevich appeals federal decision not to provide assistance for flood
victims in Iroquois, Livingston“We were disappointed when our request for federal assistance was denied. I urge President Bush to review the new information we’re submitting showing just how extensive flood damage is in Iroquois and Livingston Counties and quickly approve our appeal so people can repairs and return to their homes.”
“Economic times are getting rough throughout our country. Families and businesses are struggling to get by. People are looking to their elected leaders for solutions to get our economy moving again,” said the Governor. “The plan I announced yesterday will pump billions of dollars back into our economy and put more people to work. Ultimately, when people are working and their families are doing well, then government is doing well.”
"Both Mr. Grassley and Mr. Leahy – a Republican and a Democrat, who interviewed her at length in 2002 – attest to Ms. Edmonds' believability. The Department of Justice inspector general investigation into her claims about the translations unit and an internal FBI review confirmed most of her allegations. Former FBI senior counterintelligence officer John Cole has independently confirmed her report of the presence of Pakistani intelligence service penetrations within the FBI translators' pool."
[Some readers might recall that this is the lady that accused Rep. Hastert of accepting $500K of illegal campaign contributions from Turkey. A Google search shows 29,700 hits. - Bob]
20 Feb
WEST
CHICAGO: Early road-salt deal yields sweet savings"The City Council on Monday approved spending $75,000 for 1,500 tons of it from Cargill Salt of Ohio. At $49 a ton, one-third the going rate for