Republicans short-sighted on high-speed rail

Another state has spurned federal dollars to establish high-speed rail. …Florida Governor Rick Scott announced he will decline $2.4 billion in federal high-speed rail funding — putting a quick and unexpected end to the projected Tampa-Orlando line that was to be the Obama administration’s bullet model for the rest of the nation. Scott now becomes … Continue reading Republicans short-sighted on high-speed rail

Republicans happy to compare experience of Palin, Obama

The Obama campaign, within minutes of McCain’s announcement of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, issued a statement that said, “Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency.” The most notable thing about this statement was that they … Continue reading Republicans happy to compare experience of Palin, Obama

What? There are Republicans running for Senate?

Yes, yes there are. While all the drama has been on the 18th Congressional District and 92nd Legislative District races, there’s one race from which we’ve hardly heard a whisper: the U. S. Senate race. Dick Durbin’s latest six-year term is up, and he will have a Republican challenger. Three Chicago-area Republicans are running for … Continue reading What? There are Republicans running for Senate?

Peoria Young Republicans debate commentary

Last night the three Republican candidates for the 18th Congressional District participated in another debate — this one sponsored by the Peoria Young Republicans and televised live on WMBD-TV. Video clips of the debate are supposed to be posted on centralillinoisproud.com sometime today. The candidates gave opening statements, then answered one question on a litany … Continue reading Peoria Young Republicans debate commentary

Maybe this is why Schock and other Republicans aren’t signing on to HB 5766

A bill in the Illinois General Assembly, HB5766, would extend the current electricity rate freeze three more years (providing relief for Illinois families) and is supported by the Citizens Utility Board. However, our representative in the 92nd district, Aaron Schock, isn’t signed on as a co-sponsor, nor is any other Republican. I’d like to say … Continue reading Maybe this is why Schock and other Republicans aren’t signing on to HB 5766

Bill would rename Peoria post office after 9-11 victim

Yesterday, at the height of Speaker Boehner’s attempt to convince his fellow Republicans to approve his debt ceiling plan, the House instead voted on a bill sponsored by Rep. Aaron Schock: House leaders have delayed a scheduled vote on the debt ceiling plan offered by House Speaker John A. Boehner, a possible acknowledgement that Republicans … Continue reading Bill would rename Peoria post office after 9-11 victim

Probably no connection

On 11/17/2009, Gary Matthews of E. M. Properties contributed $10,000 to “Taxpayers for Quinn.” Previously, Matthews had given no more than $500 in a single contribution to any political candidate, most of them Republicans, according to campaign disclosures currently available online. In a completely unrelated matter, Governor Quinn signed Senate Bill 2534 on June 19, … Continue reading Probably no connection

Bill to ban red-light cameras sent to subcommittee

State Sen. Dan Duffy (Dist. 26) is the chief sponsor of Senate Bill 2466, which would ban red-light cameras in the State of Illinois. The bill was assigned to the Transportation Committee, where it got a hearing yesterday. According to the Daily Herald’s live blog of the meeting, it sounds like there wasn’t enough support … Continue reading Bill to ban red-light cameras sent to subcommittee

Illinois Senate redistricting hearing at noon today

From a press release: PEORIA, IL— The Senate’s Redistricting Committee will meet Tuesday [Sept. 22] in Peoria to continue a series of subject-matter hearings regarding how Illinois should best approach its redistricting process. The hearing will include proposals for changing the current redistricting process in Illinois. State Senator Kwame Raoul (D – Chicago) currently chairs … Continue reading Illinois Senate redistricting hearing at noon today