Press Releases/Announcements from local sources
West
Chicago Police Dept."The West Chicago Police Department is investigating a suspicious incident that occurred on May 30, 2006 at 8:15 AM in the area of the West Chicago Middle School."
End-of-year round-up, Part 1...
Sen
Durbin“For any Middle East peace to be durable and enduring, it must address all outstanding issues, including the legitimate rights of all victims of the Arab-Israeli conflict. This resolution puts this critical issue on the international agenda,” said Senator Richard Durbin.
Safety inspectors tell me that the fines need to be higher when a company violates our safety laws and that we need to put more resources into training inspectors,"
Sen.
Obama"In the social networking sphere, as in elections, you need all the "friends" you can get. By comparison, an unofficial site dedicated to Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has about 4,700 friends. The profile isn't endorsed by Obama's office."
Rep
Hastert"We all know that (former House Majority Leader) Tom DeLay and Dennis Hastert have been the ringleaders responsible for the culture of corruption fostered in America's Congress," Laesch said. "And the recent story is just further evidence that this culture of corruption includes all leaders — President Bush, Tom DeLay and the Speaker himself."
"ABC News stands by its story. Ross and his team posted a series of updates to the ABCNews.com "Blotter" reporting that "federal law enforcement" authorities had re-confirmed to them that, although Hastert is not a formal subject or target of the probe, "ABC News accurately reported that Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert is 'in the mix' in the FBI investigation of corruption in Congress.""
"House Speaker Dennis Hastert has proclaimed a "majority of the majority" rule -- he won't even bring up a bill unless most of the House Republicans back it."
"Now they have enraged House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and many other members of Congress. Many of them are now afraid to steal from us. The FBI may be just around the corner. "
"But the sad irony is that Hastert and Pelosi find the Jefferson case far more compelling than most of the ones that have played out beyond the Beltway. Where's the outrage for the rest of us? "
GovernorBlagojevich
“Between the carnival Midway and Adventure Village, the fair has more than 100 thrilling rides, and the Mega Pass lets fairgoers ride them all as many times as they like.”
“Dogs can make great companions, but if they’re not trained well or restrained, some dogs can also pose serious threats – especially to children."
Student-Stranger Encounter Report...
Rep
Hastert"It is also vital to the well-being of our Nation that all branches of government safeguard the Constitutional system of checks and balances that were designed by the Founders to protect the American people from the potential for abuse of power by a single branch."
GovernorBlagojevich
“This additional funding will go a long way in helping thousands of families who otherwise couldn’t pay their utility bills,”
WegoWeb
"Carl A. Johnson of Winfield, West Chicago Community High School, Bradley University."
"So when the Geneva mom was headed down North Avenue last year and spotted West Chicago’s Cascade Drive-In, she just had to go. “It was kind of a nostalgic thing. I really wanted to go check it out,” said Meadows,"
Sen
Durbin"Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate, said Sunday that the raid was the first time that the F.B.I. had searched a Congressional office. He said, however, that federal agents in the past had searched a judge's chambers. "So it appears that there's been some precedent for this," said Mr. Durbin,"
Sen.
Obama"I've sat down with him and said, 'You ought to look at this long and hard,'" Durbin, the Democrats' No. 2 leader in the Senate, told "Fox News Sunday." "I know many people are saying wait, and he may decide to wait," Durbin said. "But he ought to take a hard look at it."
Rep
Hastert"But if the Justice Department is going after Democrats, Hastert astutely surmised, it might try the same tactics exploring convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff's ties to Republicans and the scandal surrounding former GOP Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham from San Diego."
"The task may prove impossible. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., said this week that he would not schedule a compromise bill for floor action unless it commanded the support of a majority of the House's Republican majority."
[A long held Hastert position, this means 25-30% of the House could deny an "up or down vote" ... Call it a HASTERT FILIBUSTER - Bob]
"He [Bush] tried to appease Hastert and company by sealing the materials for 45 days, at the expense of delaying justice. Apparently it comes as news to federal lawmakers that they are subject to the same laws as everyone else."
Cable
ComChannel 17
| noon | Unedited tape of the official Memorial Day Observance taking place at 10am at Oak Wood Cemetery |
| 6pm | Two programs sent to us by Bonneville Communications, provider of many or our holiday programs |
| 7pm | Past Memorial Day programs from our tape vault. |
Sen.
Obama"But somehow you get the feeling that Obama would not make a fool of himself—indeed, it is far more likely that he would bring a freshness, eloquence and thoughtfulness to Democratic Party politics that have been absent since Bill Clinton was in the hunt."
Rep
Hastert"House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) continues to deny he is under investigation in the Jack Abramoff conspiracy case, despite an ABC report by Brian Ross saying he is “in the mix.” But Kim Eisler, national editor of the Washingtonian magazine and friend of Abramoff, told Think Progress that “Jack considered Hastert a reliable ally for his clients.” "
"In more than 219 years, the Justice Department has never found it necessary to use a search warrant to obtain documents from a congressional office."
"Some details on Hastert’s ties to the criminal lobbyist:"
Referendum survey, graduation, and more...
“From a veteran’s standpoint, what they have done with this is a fantastic tribute to all veterans. I hope the community appreciates it. It’s going to last another 90 years.”
Sen
Durbin
"Senator Dick Durbin, said he hoped the House would see the legislation as a rare opportunity. "We should seize this moment so America can move forward," he said."
Sen.
Obama"Now, Glasgow said, he is working with U.S. Senator Barack Obama’s office on the prospect of federal legislation to give the Nuclear Regulatory Commission more teeth regarding temporary storage of radioactive materials such a tritium."
"It is clear that alternative fuels are our energy future," Obama wrote. "That market is up for grabs, and the resistance of conventional branded gasoline retailers to offering E-85 at their service stations creates an opportunity for companies like yours."
Rep
Hastert"The issue that has concerned me, as Speaker, since Saturday night is not if the FBI should be able to search a member of Congress' office, but rather how to do it within the boundaries of the Constitution."
"Ross said in an interview: "I think our story is accurate. We've gone back to our sources, and they believe what we reported was accurate as they knew it. There seems to be some disconnect between what the congressman thinks, what the Justice Department thinks and what the FBI thinks. . . . There may be a semantics issue here as to what constitutes being under investigation.""
"Hastert, the top Republican in the House, was drawn into the swirl this week when ABC News linked him to the Abramoff investigation."
"It makes me wonder exactly what it is THESE guys have to hide. After all, if everything they are doing is above-board why in God's name would they be concerned about the fact that what Jefferson is doing isn’t and that he has been caught at it."
Sen
Durbin“With the state’s plans to provide additional service on all three of Illinois’ intrastate routes, full funding of Amtrak has never been more important."
Sen.
Obama"The bipartisan immigration reform legislation passed by the Senate today is the culmination of months of good-faith negotiations by Republicans and Democrats who understand that our broken immigration system can only be fixed by putting politics aside and offering a comprehensive solution that strengthens our security while reaffirming our heritage as a nation of immigrants. "
Rep
Hastert"The report, which first aired Wednesday night, cites an unnamed law enforcement source as saying convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff has given investigators information about Hastert that has broadened the scope of the investigation."
- There is no question that the letter was sent.
- There is no question that it was shortly after a $75K fundraiser.
- The only thing under dispute is whether the money caused the vote.
- Denying whether one is under investigation is irrelevant.
"Denny has been a willing and eager enabler of the Bushevik subversion of democracy from the time that the Commander-in-Thief stole the White House." (Previous Recipients)
[Tweeeeeeet ... Personal Foul.... Unnecessary Roughness... Fifteen Yards and a First Down. - Bob]
Cable
ComChannel 17
CableCom, West Chicago's Channel 17, would like to announce it's Memorial Day program schedule. At noon, we will broadcast the unedited tape of the official Memorial Day Observance taking place at 10am at Oak Wood Cemetery. At 6pm we will broadcast two programs sent to us by Bonneville Communications, provider of many or our holiday programs. Then at 7pm we will broadcast past Memorial Day programs from our tape vault. We hope our program schedule will honor those we remember this Memorial Day.
D. 303 adjusts H.S. curriculum to ensure opportunity for all...
Sen Peter Roskam"Reactions to Governor Rod Blagojevich’s latest campaign scheme, a $10 billion education funding plan, have ranged from stiff opposition to skeptical at best, according to Illinois State Senator Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton)..."
"Enger, a Marine Corps veteran and union ironworker, said, if elected, he won’t vote strictly by party line. “I will reach across the aisle,” he said. “It’s more justice to this district to give people a choice. It’s time to look at the candidates for what they are, not the (party) label.”"
[Persons wanting more info on Mr. Enger can find his website at http://www.enger4rep.org/ .- Bob]
Press
"On May 15, the council agreed to donate its May stipend, totaling about $1,800, to the Michael Browning Memorial Fund, which annually awards a $500 scholarship to a West Chicago college student working toward a law enforcement career."
"Starting at 8 a.m. Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, West Chicago observances begin at Glen Oak Cemetery, on Arbor Avenue, as members of the American Legion Post 300, Veterans of Foreign Post 6791 and their Ladies Auxiliaries pay homage to men and women, who served the country and now are in their final resting place."
"The increase in activities, vendors and the West Chicago Garden Club's annual plant sale has made this event a truly growing experience for residents and non-residents alike."
"Thus receiving a proclamation acknowledging S.A.M. and its mission at the West Chicago City Council meeting on May 15 was a "huge honor and surprise. It recognizes that neighbors help neighbors."
"State Public Health Director Eric Whitaker said the finding is not surprising. The sample was collected Monday in West Chicago. Last year, the first bird and mosquito that tested positive for West Nile virus was reported in DuPage County on May 24."
Sen
Durbin"We must strengthen border security, improve enforcement of our immigration laws, and deal with the approximately 12 million undocumented immigrants who are in the United States today."
“With the cost of law school continuing to climb, some of the best law students cannot serve as criminal prosecutors or defenders because of student loan obligations,”
Sen.
Obama"This is probably the single most important thing we can do in terms of reducing the inflow of undocumented workers, making sure we can enforce in a systematic way rules governing who gets hired,"
"Sens. Dick Durbin and Barack Obama asked Congress Tuesday for authority that could enable Southern Illinois to win federal grants to boost tourism and historical preservation."
Rep
Hastert"Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) today made the following comments regarding the passage of House legislation to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and eventually help lower energy costs in America: “Yet again, House Republicans have voted in favor of opening ANWR..."
-
Hastert lawyer may sue ABC over Abramoff report
ABC News
"ABC News reporter Brian Ross said he stood by his story. "The people we're talking to feel very strongly about what they told us," Ross said in a telephone interview. " -
Hastert implicated in Abramoff scandal
News 8 Austin - Austin,TX - FLASHBACK:
An Earlier Chapter in the Hastert Bribery Allegations
Brad Blog - USA -
When Tom stepped down, I had to step in
The Hill - Washington,DC
The DeLay Defense (Partisans Are Out to Get Me)
- Hastert
Proposes Justice Leak, Demands Retraction
NBC5.com - Chicago,IL - Hastert: Justice Dept.
trying to intimidate
MSNBC
GovernorBlagojevich
"The idea that kids can go on line and easily get their hands on a dangerous drug is appalling. This law helps put to stop that, and that's why I'm signing it,”
"With the expansion of the LaSalle Veterans’ Home we will be able to provide better care for more of our disabled veterans,..."
"Turn on your headlights when you’re driving, switch on your porch light to symbolize your commitment to finding these children. And throughout the year, let’s all remain vigilant and engaged in our communities and help us return kids to safe.”
"CAROL STREAM: Jackson, Gregory C., Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Wheaton Academy, West Chicago"
Sen
Durbin"Safety inspectors tell me that the fines need to be higher when a company violates our safety laws and that we need to put more resources into training inspectors,”
“Hope is a powerful medicine for millions of Americans living with Parkinson’s, diabetes, cancer and other diseases. Through embryonic stem cell research, the hope for a cure may one day become a medical reality,”
Sen.
Obama"... overall 12% of voting age American do not have a driver's license, most of whom are minority, new U.S. citizens, the indigent, the elderly or the disabled. AARP reports that 3.6 million disabled Americans have no driver's license."
"That's why we need a better alternative. We need an electronic verification system that can effectively detect the use of fraudulent documents, significantly reduce the employment of illegal workers, and give employers the confidence that their workforce is legal."
Rep
Hastert"Federal officials say the Congressional bribery investigation now includes Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, based on information from convicted lobbyists who are now cooperating with the government."
"Officials said the next logical investigative step would be for the FBI to seek a wide range of documents from the members of Congress named by Abramoff, including letters and business documents."
“The ABC News report is absolutely untrue. As confirmed by the Justice Department, ‘Speaker Hastert is not under investigation by the Justice Department.’"
[Review of Speaker Hastert's website reveals no previous statement. - Bob]
"It is not at all clear to me that it would even be possible to create special procedures that would overcome the Constitutional problems that the execution of this warrant has created,"
GovernorBlagojevich
"In the greater Chicagoland area, all lanes on the Edens, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Stevenson, Dan Ryan, and Bishop Ford expressways, as well as I-80 and I-57 will be open."
Post-referendum survey, and Board of Education meeting synopsis..
"A Sugar Grove man was ordered to pay $9 million to a West Chicago family. The judge’s order ends a civil lawsuit over a fatal DUI. The default judgment was issued last week on behalf of Daniel Hummell, 45, who is currently serving a five-year prison sentence in the death of Julio Herrera, 41, a father of two."
Sen
Durbin“Southern Illinois not only played an important role in the history of the Civil War, it was a strategic meeting point for pioneers during the westward expansion of the United States."
"The Braidwood Nuclear Generating facility recently informed local residents that their plant leaked tritium 22 times since 1996, with significant spills in 1996, 1998 and 2000, totaling over 6 million gallons of tritiated water."
Illionois
Senators"If we do nothing, veterans who have already used their federally mandated, no-cost look at their credit report will have to use other services that are available from the credit bureaus, and cost approximately $10 to $20 a month.”
Sen.
Obama"The Lugar-Obama bill will build on this success by helping other nations find and eliminate conventional weapons that have been used against our own soldiers in Iraq and sought by terrorists all over the world,"
"It's time for the oil companies to give something back to America by investing just 1% of their record profits into the cheaper, cleaner renewable fuels like E85 that can finally free us from our dependence on Middle East oil."
Rep
Hastert""Hey, Marie [shown as a waitress, serving a ham and eggs breakfast], do you pay taxes? The Republican Speaker of the House says that you don't. He thinks only the wealthy need a tax break. Do you agree with him? Vote Democratic, because we know how it is to stand in your shoes. [shot of waitress taking off her shoes and rubbing her heels]""
"But Hastert is the Marie Antoinette of American politics. The fairest assumption is that he simply does not know who pays taxes in America. Hastert, the dim bulb who was screwed into the speaker socket by Tom DeLay, lives in a world of managed spin."
[Readers are reminded that this was first posted here on May 20th and the scrubbing of the file linked on May 22nd. - Bob]
GovernorBlagojevich
"Building on the work of the previous four budgets and legislative sessions which saw more than $3.8 billion in new funds invested in Illinois schools, the creation of universal preschool in Illinois, and raising graduation standards to require students to take more reading, writing, math and science, Governor Rod Blagojevich today unveiled his new plan to continue reforming and improving schools,..."
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"The HRSA Report was developed at the request of the US Senate and the Critical Care Workforce Partnership looks forward to working with Senator Durbin, other members of Congress, and the Administration to develop solutions to the critical care workforce issues through legislative and regulatory changes."
Sen.
Obama
"Democratic Sen. Barack Obama recently introduced legislation in Congress that would help address soaring health care costs for automakers by defraying industry's costs of investment in more fuel-efficient cars."
"It is unconscionable that this breach of trust occurred, and the federal government needs to do everything it can to make it right."
"U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today sent a letter to Mr. H. Lee Scott, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and to other top executives of hypermarket chains, which include major national and regional merchandisers, club stores, discount chains and national supermarket chains, asking them to commit to installing alternative fuel pumps at all store locations that sell gasoline."
"We need a national plan, not unlike President Kennedy's strategy for putting a man on the moon. As Senator Barack Obama put it, "Saying that America is addicted to oil without following a real plan for energy independence is like admitting alcoholism and then skipping the 12-step program."
Rep
Hastert""The press release writers in House Speaker Dennis Hastert's office may lose their performance bonus this month. Last week, Hastert left Democrats chortling when he issued a release with the headline, "Fiscal responsibility is not an option in this House of Representatives."
The headline was pulled, a bit clumsily, from a quote by Hastert, which read in full: "Make no mistake about it: Fiscal responsibility is not an option in this House of Representatives. It's a mandate from our voters who have every right to know that lawmakers are being responsible with taxpayer dollars.""
[Wegoweb still uses the original headline of May 18th but the article goes 404. - Bob]
"House Speaker Dennis Hastert questioned whether the raid of the congressman's office, believed the first in history, overstepped constitutional limitations on executive powers. "Nothing I have learned in the last 48 hours leads me to believe that there was any necessity to change the precedent established over those 219 years," the Illinois Republican said in a statement"
GovernorBlagojevich
"These town hall meetings will help us inform residents about our plans, and about the job opportunities that will become available,”
"Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed the Fiscal Year 2007 budget, making historic increases in funding for education and health care and allocating funding to make college more affordable, increase the number of nurses in the state, help seniors and veterans with more comprehensive assistance and continue to streamline state government. "
Cable
ComChannel 17
"A West Chicago man was sentenced Friday to 30 months of probation as a sex offender for the aggravated battery of two 16-year-old girls in January."
"Until you crest a hill and see the old mining town of Hurley and its Silver Street: a quarter-mile-long stretch of road with twenty-five bars and half a dozen strip clubs. We crossed our Rubicon when we entered Nora's Bar & Red Carpet Lounge. "
WegoWeb"The community is invited to the new event organized by Hungry Souls, an interdenominational ministry directed by Karen Mains, who also is a co-director of Mainstay Ministries in West Chicago."
Rep
Hastert"Well, folks, if you earn $40,000 a year and have a family of two, you don't pay any taxes. So you probably, if you don't pay any taxes, you are not going to get a big tax cut."
"A technical glitch by the U.S. Postal Service caused several hundred property tax bills to be returned to their senders and marked “not deliverable as addressed,” Treasurer David Rickert said Friday."
"I want to congratulate the Iraqi people, who have shown a determination for freedom and democracy even in the face of daily threats from terrorists who oppose it."
"When asked Tuesday to respond directly to Bush's support of providing illegal immigrants with a path to legal status, House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., only reiterated his support for border security legislation."
"I don't know why they (the troops) should be stuck in the middle of a family squabble within the Republican Party," said Rep. David Obey (news, bio, voting record) of Wisconsin, top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee."
"Fletcher had pardoned his entire administration – other than himself – for any charges that could result from a probe into allegations of hiring misconduct."
"Thursday, students and faculty members celebrated the culmination of the school’s Community Leadership class project WeGo 2 Africa. The effort raised $10,000 to erect a new school in war-torn Angola."
“While Peter Roskam was climbing up the political ladder, using connections to disgraced leaders like Tom DeLay, Tammy Duckworth was climbing into helicopters and serving her country,”
"West Chicago Police Cmdr. Bruce Malkin teaches about gangs around the country and surfs the Internet searching for gang sites almost daily. He keeps a cache of Web sites, though he discourages the public from visiting them."
Sen
Durbin“I hope everyone who agrees that this assistance is necessary will sign this petition and let the President know that he needs to support our family farmers.”
Illionois
Senators"The senators requested that EPA analyze the exposure threat and human risk factors at each site, evaluating which sites pose the greatest risk of human exposure."
Sen.
Obama"Back in 1945, Springfield resident Dale Hunter was wounded by a German machine gun near the Rhine River. A claim for disability payments was filed about a year later, but because of paperwork snafus, Hunter was denied compensation by the Veterans Administration, which later grew into the Department of Veterans Affairs."
Rep
Hastert"This bill demonstrates our commitment as we give them and their families our full support so that they can carry out their missions and continue to fight and win the Global War on Terror.”
"But Hastert's discontent goes beyond the CIA. The GOP mood on Capitol Hill, particularly the House, is poisonous. With pessimism rising over a contemplated loss of their majority in the 2006 elections, Republican lawmakers blame their parlous condition on Bush's performance."
GovernorBlagojevich
“Cigarettes that self-extinguish will help keep families all across the state safe from the kind of accidents that destroy homes and lives.”
“Medicaid providers across Illinois are providing critical healthcare to working parents, children and seniors and shouldn’t have to wait any longer to receive the payments they’re owed,”
"WHEN THE House passed the California Desert Protection Act in 1994, it was the culmination of seven years of study, numerous public hearings and more than two months of debate on the House floor.... By contrast, when Rep. Richard Pombo (R-Tracy), chairman of the House Resources Committee, rewrote the Endangered Species Act in 2004, it took just a matter of days."
NickDzierzanowski
"If you want to donate any items this Saturday and you live in the Cornerstone Lakes neighborhood, please leave the items on your porch."
"All of the plants for sale by West Chicago Garden Club members are grown locally in area backyards, meaning they’re accustomed to the soil and unpredictable weather of the suburbs."
"According to the National Association of Theatre Owners, the number of drive-in movie screens dropped from 2,084 in 1987 to 1,014 in 1989. The numbers, however, actually increased from 640 in 2004 to 648 in 2005."
Press
Wycliffe USA helps West Chicago touch the world""West Chicago Touches the World" was the theme of Wycliffe North Central's 10th Anniversary open house celebration May 6. The facility, which is the home base for nine states, is one of the six regional offices of Wycliffe USA."
Sen
Durbin"In addition to eliminating the College Tuition Tax Deduction, the $70 billion tax bill will deliver to middle-income households an average tax cut of just $20. On the other hand, households with incomes over $1 million would get average tax cuts of $42,000."
"The president gets it," said Senator Dick Durbin, although he and other Democrats were quick to raise doubts about the commitment of numerous congressional Republicans to the approach Bush outlined."
Sen.
Obama"It makes no sense that people without health insurance pay more than people with insurance for the same operation," said Democratic Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.
Rep
Hastert“This legislation outlines our spending priorities for this year’s budgetary process: reining in spending, reducing the federal deficit and continuing America’s strong economic growth."
"Hastings and Berman added that other investigations could be launched against other lawmakers or staff members."
"Monkey
on Back" Picture RetiredOriginally scheduled for June 9th, Tom DeLay Resignation Day, the retirement of the satirical picture of Speaker Hastert has been moved forward because of the sighting of a once thought to be extinct House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
“You have been learning about the importance of getting involved in your community, in your government,” Hastert said. “This is no different. The Youth Advisory Board exists solely for your input – so make your opinions known.”
GovernorBlagojevich
"Everyone deserves an equal chance and an equal opportunity to not only earn a paycheck but to chase their dreams. We are very proud to be supporting disabilityworks because it is bringing the public and private sector together to increase opportunities for people with disabilities so they can turn a turn dream into a reality."
“I don’t think we can continue treating people as disposable, not providing them with health care or the means to save.”
WC
Public Library"Please register at the Reference Desk starting Monday, June 5, 2006. Our 8-week program ends on Saturday, July 29, 2006."
Dellora Norris fundraiser, and much more...
Sen
JohnMillner
"Legislation aimed at protecting military families from disruptive funeral protests has been signed into law by the Governor, according to State Senator John Millner (R- Carol Stream), a sponsor of the bill. "
"A new analysis of Capitol clout lists Speaker Dennis Hastert, perhaps not surprisingly, as the king of his House."
"What began six years ago as a volunteer activity to plant flowers in the downtown area has blossomed into a festival. Most of the activities will be centered around the Fox Community Center, 306 Main St.."
Sen
Durbin"As the state’s third largest city, Rockford and its residents deserve to have convenient and affordable access to the city of Chicago and the nationwide Amtrak network.”
“We have a chance – maybe our last chance – to do two things: move seriously toward the goal of energy independence before our economy stalls and to begin to reverse the environmental damage that threatens our way of life"
"National Meth Prevention Week will help increase awareness of the growing problem of methamphetamine abuse in Illinois and throughout the country through public education programs."
Illionois
Senators“Whirlpool’s decision to close the Herrin, Illinois plant is a painful loss for Southern Illinois,” said Durbin. “We must do everything possible so that these 1,000 employees have the help they need to find new jobs.”
Sen.
Obama"Staff for Senator Obama contacted a representative at the Department of Veterans Affairs and discovered that the paper work for the remaining $12,500, which should have been entered months before, was buried beneath a stack of other claims awaiting processing. The final compensation was awarded shortly thereafter on April 29, ten months after Hunter received his first check."
"The Senate needs to throw overboard, unnecessary add-ons and help us get the needed funds to our troops in the field and our fellow citizens suffering the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.”
"And that real truth is: unemployment is at 4.7 percent, there are more than 2 million jobs created in the last 12 months, we have record homeownership, increased productivity and improved numbers in areas like consumer confidence, personal income and factory orders. But the numbers are just part of the story."
GovernorBlagojevich
"Senate Bill 1144, the “Let Them Rest in Peace Act,” requires protesters to stay at least 200 feet away from family and friends as they mourn soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice."
“These frontline employees are being recognized for their outstanding work ethic, professionalism and leadership,”
" ... officially launched a State Agency Walking Challenge as part of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich’s Fit 4 Life initiative."
West
ChicagoHigh School
"The Community Leadership Class at West Chicago Community High School will hold a special assembly Thursday, May 18 at 9:30 a.m. in the auditorium to celebrate meeting its goal of raising $10,000 for We-Go 2 Africa, a project to build a school in Angola, Africa. "
Tuesday edition...
Sen Peter Roskam"Senator Roskam explained that in the spring of 2005, Governor Blagojevich and his legislative allies pushed through a massive raid on the state’s pension systems in Senate Bill 27 (now Public Act 94-0004). As a result, $1.2 billion was diverted from the state retirement systems last year."
“Looking at consolidation doesn’t mean we’re consolidating.”
[Seems the only time Winfield Schools mention consolidation is when they want to scare community bigots into voting for a referendum. - Bob]
“This is a signal flare to suburban toll payers and suburban taxpayers that the asset of the Illinois Toll Highway Authority is at risk,” said Roskam. “We’re trying to protect the assets that have been created by suburbanites from being misused and misallocated.”
Sen
Durbin
"U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Secretary of Interior Nominee, Governor Dirk Kempthorne (R-ID), to discuss issues related to the Department of Interior including the need for two National Heritage Areas in Illinois: the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area and the Land Between the Rivers Heritage Area."
"Illinois Senator Richard Durbin says President Bush is proposing "a military solution to break a political stalemate." The Senate took up the issue Monday, and Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin issued the official Democratic response after President Bush’s prime-time speech."
"It's amazing how tone-deaf this man is. This is the No. 1 issue that will lead to the takeover of Congress by Democrats," said longtime conservative activist Richard Viguerie. "The White House doesn't seem to have receivers. They only have transmitters." Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois, delivering a Democratic response, said Democrats were "willing to support any reasonable plan." But, he said, Democrats would not go along with "a plan cobbled together to win political favour."
Sen.
Obama"Whether or not the President can repair the divisions in his own party so that we can pass this type of reform will be the true test of our ability to secure our borders in the months to come."
"It's a time where you can go to any town hall or street corner or coffee shop and hear people express the same anxiety about the future; hear them convey the same uncertainty about the direction we're headed as a country. Whether it's the war or Katrina or their health care or their jobs, you hear people say that we've finally arrived at a moment where something must change."
"These troops will help to protect our borders from terrorists, criminal gangs, drug runners and others who are crossing to harm Americans."
"The federal courts have also ordered Devine to pay two-point-nine (m) million dollars in restitution. According to a federal complaint, Devine used tours of U-S House Speaker Dennis Hastert's office in Washington to persuade investors."
"Bush‘s call for a guest worker program ... for illegal immigrants, drew no public support from top House Republicans. Speaker Dennis Hastert , R-Ill., issued a statement that made no reference to elements of the president‘s speech other than border patrol. "
GovernorBlagojevich
"Now that drivers know they’ll be photographed if they go around lowered crossing gates, hopefully they won’t do it,”
“It would be wrong to turn our back on people who need their medicine just because they missed an arbitrary deadline. That’s why we’re making sure they can get drug coverage through the state’s Illinois Cares Rx program while they wait for the next opportunity to enroll in Medicare Part D.”
"Congressional Republicans are complaining of "reports of wiretaps, searches on Congressional grounds, open-ended document requests and demands to interview committee aides" coming from federal prosecutors, Roll Call reports this morning."
[Would I vote for a prosecutor just because he nailed a public official for graft... of course ... "Bring 'em On!" - Bob]
Educator of the Year, and curriculum info at STC North PTO meeting...
Sen
Durbin“The Medicare Prescription Drug Savings Act would ensure that Medicare beneficiaries receive the benefits of their purchasing power.”
Sen.
Obama"When it comes to reducing our dependence on oil, the resources are there. The technology is there. The demand is there. Now we just need the will to get the job done."