Illinois Review

Cartoon: Pimping Gay Marriage

Pension payment shift could cost local IL governments millions

SPRINGFIELD - If Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's (D-Chicago) plan to push pension payments back to the local level, local cities, municipalities, counties and villages will lose millions of dollars that they'll be forced to raise through local property tax hikes or cut from their locality budgets. 

Here's a peek at what could be lost throughout the state -

• City of Champaign - $950,000
• Champaign County - $900,000
• Parkland College - $1.9 million
• City of Danville - $1.5 million
• Vermilion County - $1.2 million

Kinzinger discusses F-22 issues on CNN

A pilot himself, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11) has taken the lead investigating potential oxygen issues affecting F-22 pilots' flying abilities -

Occupy Chicago protests Citibank foreclosures

CHICAGO - Arrests were made outside Citibank Chicago Wednesday by anti-NATO, Occupy Chicago groups demanding a statewide moratorium on foreclosures ...

The group Chicago Anti-Eviction, joined by Occupy Chicago, met Wednesday morning at Jackson and LaSalle and marched to Citibank and then to Daley Plaza, where they petitioned Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart to enact a moratorium on for-profit foreclosures.

Marchers said there is a direct link between NATO and the housing crisis.

"NATO is an organization that we as a community are spending a lot of tax dollars on," said Micah Philbrook of Occupy Chicago. "The United States itself has given over $800 million to NATO in tax funding, and we think that money could be better spent in our own communities, such as keeping people in their homes."

IL Road repairs could be ditched for IDOT employee demands

SPRINGFIELD -Governor Quinn's budget proposal could detour $250 million in state road funds away from fixing pot holes and resurfacing rough roads towards smoothing over Illinois Department of Transportation employees' pension and health care provisions. 

So that must mean Governor Quinn thinks the state's roads are safe and fine, and he thinks it's more important that IDOT employees are happy.  Here's the facts:

More than 2,500 miles of roads in the state are deemed unacceptable according to IDOT standards. That's about 15 percent of all state-maintained roads. That number could double by 2018 if nothing is done, bringing the total number of miles of unacceptable state roads to more than 5,000.

So, we wonder, what will happen to this recent announcement from the Governor's office and all those shovel-ready union construction jobs that will be delayed indefinitely??

SBA-List supports diversity of thought in "Womanhood" (video)

Susan B. Anthony's List just released this powerful Internet ad mocking Obama's "War on Women." Sign their petition supporting "Womanhood" -

Stripper Tax passes Senate Public Health Committee

SPRINGFIELD - Talk about double entendres ... the stripper tax has new collection options, the IL Senate GOP reports via Twitter. Next up, legalize and tax prostitution.  Think we're kidding??

Klein got it wrong in book about Obama and Illinois' Born Alive Act

By Jill Stanek -

Edward Klein’s unauthorized biography of Barack Obama, The Amateur, was released yesterday.

While I appreciate that Klein devoted a chapter of his book, albeit only three pages, to Obama’s opposition as state senator to the Illinois Born Alive Infant Protection Act, he got it pretty much all wrong. You can read the chapter at the link above, but here is the relevant section:

Obama did, however, have an interest in opposing a law that would have banned late-term partial birth abortions, a gruesome procedure that was once condemned by the late New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan as “too close to infanticide.” All across the state of Illinois, people were riveted by the controversial debate. The Chicago Sun-Times ran a cartoon showing God reaching down from heaven to a baby in front of Obama, who is holding a sign that reads “Live Birth Abortions” and yelling at God, “You keep out of this!”

An Illinois nurse named Jill Stanek testified before the Health and Human Services Committee that she had discovered that babies were being aborted alive and allowed to die in soiled utility rooms. One baby was accidentally thrown into the trash. Though Obama never showed up at the committee hearings, he voted against the bill – not once, but twice.

When, after a decade in the political wilderness, Illinois Democrats gained a majority in the legislature, Obama became chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee. As chairman, he prevented the “Live Baby Bill” from getting a committee hearing, guaranteeing that the legislation would die, much as the late-term babies were dying in the state’s hospitals.

People often get details about this chain of events wrong. For many years I, myself, thought Obama voted against the Born Alive Act three times, when it was actually four.  It doesn’t help that the Obama campaign and liberals persistently try to muddy the waters.

Candidate Obama vs. President Obama on Clean Coal (video)

Illinoisans should be very concerned about the two faces of the Obama Administration on the issue of clean coal.

Little Pavel and the Third Party

By John F. Di Leo -

Our young volunteer returns… to a different party altogether?

Pavel hesitated as he turned the worn brass knob on the familiar door to 51st Ward Party Headquarters.  He hadn’t been back in quite a while, and he didn’t really want to go in.

But just as he let go of the knob and began to turn away and run, he heard a voice from within call his name. “Hey, Paully, welcome back! Long time no see!”

It was Pockets, the old Deputy Committeeman of the 51st Ward, waving him in from his spot at the head of the collating table.  Pavel no longer had a choice, if indeed he ever did; he stepped through the doorway and returned, after many months away. He had crossed the Rubicon.

“We’re just workin’ on a mailing, Paully!” said the old man through the usual filter of cookie crumbs.  The man ate, seemingly, from dawn until dusk. “Have a seat, and den ya can pitch in while we catch up!”

Healthy cookies a hit on Friedman campaign trail

By Nancy Thorner -

Illinois is not exactly a bastion of new business and economic development. Between our low bond rating, high corporate tax-rate and overall reputation as being one of the least business-friendly states in the country, new business ventures are not commonplace in the Land of Lincoln.

Even in Illinois there are exceptions and we must remember to never underestimate the entrepreneurial fortitude of the American spirit.

Obama pal grabs $5.9M HHS grant

CHICAGO - Michelle Malkin writes this week in the National Review about the $5.9 Million Health and Human Services grant Obama golf pal, crony Dr. Eric Whitaker's University of Chicago Medical Center's department is soon to receive:

The University of Chicago Medical Center grant walks and talks like just such a political payoff. I have reported extensively on how Mrs. Obama helped engineer the Urban Health Initiative’s plan to offload low-income patients with non-urgent health needs. With consulting help from Obama senior adviser David Axelrod’s Chicago-based PR firm and the blessing of fellow Chicago pal Valerie Jarrett (who chaired the hospital’s board of trustees), Mrs. Obama sold the scheme to outsource low-income care to other facilities as a way to “dramatically improve health care for thousands of South Side residents.”

The program guaranteed “free” shuttle rides to and from the outside clinics. In truth, it was old-fashioned cost-cutting and favor-trading repackaged by a nonprofit, tax-exempt hospital as minority aid. Clearing out the poor freed up room for insured (i.e., more lucrative) patients.

More at National Review - and other places on Illinois Review - search for "Eric Whitaker"

Senate President pushes more Internet Gambling

SPRINGFIELD - Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) has introduced an Internet Gambling bill expansion which will be heard in the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.  HB 4148 would allow wide open Internet gambling—poker, keno, scratch-off tickets, casino games—which would be decided by rule making after the legislation is passed.

With the passage of Cullerton's plan, anyone 21 and older could set up an account and gamble in Illinois or anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Gambling would be accessible in homes, offices and dorm rooms from computers or cell phones.   People could empty their bank accounts and lose their home with a few clicks of the mouse. 

Gov Christie and Mayor Booker: "Dont Worry, We've Got This" (video)

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will "have it" at CPAC- Chicago June 8th at the Rosemont Convention Center, Chicago Conservatives' premiere event for 2012. Despite the super human abilities demonstrated in this video, Mayor Booker's not expected, but who knows?

Nebraska GOPers pick Fischer in US Senate race

LINCOLN - Although she's never held a statewide office before, Nebraska Republican Deb Fischer pulled off an upset win in a three way GOP US Senate primary Tuesday. She'll be facing Democrat Bob Kerrey in November as Senate Republicans fight to win four US Senate seats.

The Hill reports Chicago Cubs owner Joe Ricketts was involved in Fischer's win over the GOP establishment as well as Tea Party picks -

But in the waning days of the primary, polls showed major movement in Fischer’s direction, and Fischer said her grassroots efforts and positive campaign had finally paid off. Former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) and former presidential candidate Herman Cain waded into the race to back Fischer, and a super-PAC controlled by Chicago Cubs owner Joe Ricketts pumped $200,000 into the race to support Fischer and attack Bruning.

GOP House staffer slapped for "prohibited political activity"

SPRINGFIELD - A staffer for House Republican Leader Tom Cross received a six-month probation and an unpaid five-day suspension for conducting “prohibited political activity” on state time.

Legislative aide Nicholas McNeely, who’s worked for the GOP since 2005, campaigned for an incumbent representative during work hours, according to a February report by Thomas Homer, the Illinois legislative inspector general.

McNeely supported and worked for Rep. Kent Gaffney, R-Lake Barrington, during Gaffney’s failed primary bid. ...The rest at Chicago Tribune

The news ... illustrated

AFP-IL converges on Springfield to demand pension reform

SPRINGFIELD - On Wednesday, the Illinois chapter of Americans for Prosperity, America’s largest organization advocating for economic freedom, will join Illinois taxpayers in delivering “leftovers” to Illinois’ legislative leaders to make the point they are tired of receiving the funding leftovers from the General Assembly and to demand pension reform.

“Illinoisans pay more in state taxes than at any point in history, yet due in part to unsustainable pension payments, they are receiving the leftovers in state funding for their priorities,” said David From, AFP-Illinois State Director. “We’re delivering the leftovers to the politicians in this case to make the point that Illinois needs real pension reform now because they are sick of the leftovers.”

Connelly and Sandack discuss state and local issues on "Capitol Agenda"

LISLE - The latest edition of Downers Grove State Senator Ron Sandack's "Capitol Agenda" cable access program, discussing state and local issues with State Rep. Mike Connelly (R-Lisle):

Murphy bolsters College Illinois! with investment transparency

SPRINGFIELD, IL – 30,000 College Illinois! families will now have more transparency regarding the investments that are held by the tuition guarantee program, thanks to legislation sponsored by State Sen. Matt Murphy (R-Palatine).

“As we continue to add even more ‘sunshine’ into state government, sometimes programs like College Illinois! are overlooked, and with the financial issues that have plagued the program, it was way past time to bring the investment portfolio into the Open Meetings Act,” Murphy said. “We have audit after audit that have shown the program is in significant trouble and we must ensure that the College Illinois! contractual obligations are met with the 30,000 investment families.”

Schock honors Komen with pink socks

U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock and his D.C. office staff pose in their pink socks and other clothing on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. The office staff are taking part in a challenge to support the annual Race for the Cure held to raise money for breast cancer research in honor of Peoria native Susan G. Komen.

Lake Co Right to Life opposes Dold's Planned Parenthood defense

From Lake County Right to Life -

On Wednesday last week, U.S. Congressman Robert Dold introduced HR 5650, the Protecting Women's Access to Healthcare Act. In his introduction of this egregious bill, Congressman Dold said, "As a pro-choice Republican, I believe that this legislation is critical because it insures non-discrimination within the Federal Title X family planning program. We have seen several attempts to block funds and exclude health care providers from participating in the Title X program, simply because they separately offer services beyond the scope of Title X. We should not discriminate against hospitals and organizations that provide access to basic preventative and in some cases, lifesaving services for so many underprivileged women through Title X."

51% trust Romney more than Obama on economy

Voters now trust likely Republican nominee Mitt Romney more than President Obama on all five issues regularly surveyed by Rasmussen Reports, especially when it comes to money.

A new national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters trust Romney more than Obama when it comes the economy, while 39% trust the president more. Ten percent (10%) are undecided.

Rep. Jim Watson Honoring Illinois' Fallen Veterans (video)

Jim Watson's May 4th speech in Jacksonville to a crowd gathered to see the Illinois Patriot Guard Traveling Memorial Wall. The Wall is dedicated to fallen Illinois veterans of the recent Iraq and Afghanistan wars. More information on the Memorial Wall can be found HERE:

Chris Christie skips NJ AARP Day to speak at CPAC Chicago

Leftist bloggers in New Jersey are unhappy that Gov. Chris Christie is skipping the liberal AARP Biennial Day at the state capitol in Trenton on June 7.

Christie's office told the state chapter of the AARP that he would skip the event because of a scheduling conflict. The day after, June 8, the AARP confab, Christie will join Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Gov. Bobby Jindal and many of other conservatives at CPAC Chicago.

Doug Johnston, one of AARP's numerous paid lobbyist, seemed less than pleased. He admitted that Christie gave a "spellbinding speech" at last year's AARP event. But noted that Christie is the first governor to take a pass in the past 10 years "or so".

FYI - Tickets for Christie's speech can be purchased HERE

Grover Norquist to play cameo role as wino in Atlas Shrugged: Part 2

Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, has a cameo role as a wino in “Atlas Shrugged: Part 2.” He’s got his own caption idea — what’s yours?

(photo: Justin M. Lesniewski)

Taxpayers to pay $600,000 to get Cook County out of Burge torture case

Cook County commissioners agreed Monday to pay $600,000 to settle the county’s portion of a lawsuit brought by a freed prison inmate whose allegations of police torture have shined a spotlight on former Mayor Richard Daley. By voting to settle, commissioners removed county government as a defendant in the case brought by Michael Tillman, who alleges that detectives working for then-Chicago police Lt. Jon Burge (photo right) tortured a confession out of him in a 1986 rape and murder case. ...More HERE

U.S. Taxpayers Funding Forced Sterilization in India

U.S. and British taxpayers are funding brutal forced sterilizations and a growing network of appalling “camps” in India through foreign-aid programs and even the World Bank, according to human rights activists and news reports. But as the scandal surrounding the controversial population-control campaign grows with an Indian Supreme Court investigation into the matter, governments are publicly distancing themselves from the program.

Citing dubious United Nations theories about “climate change,” population-reduction fanatics — especially in the West — have been working fiendishly around the world for decades to scale back the number of humans. Their methods include everything from promoting abortion and contraception to developing sterilization programs targeting poor women in particular. And the barbarity is largely being bankrolled by taxpayers and elite donors in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. ...More HERE

No Kidding: Gov’t Issues Study of Study of Studies

The Pentagon was inundated with so many studies in 2010 that it commissioned a study to determine how much it cost to produce all those studies.

Now the Government Accountability Office has reviewed the Pentagon’s study and concluded in a report this week that it’s a flop.

The study of a study of studies began in 2010 when Defense Secretary Robert Gates complained that his department was “awash in taskings for reports and studies.” He wanted to know how much they cost. 

Two years later, the Pentagon review is still continuing, which prompted Congress to ask the GAO to look over the Pentagon’s shoulder. What they found lacked military precision. ...More HERE

What do a Chicago strip club and the President’s campaign fund have in common?

By Adam Andrzejewski -

ANSWER: BOTH were paid - with public funds - as “VENDORS” to the City of Chicago.

Yesterday, OpenTheBooks.com upgraded it's transparency portal to include the City of Chicago checkbook from 2002-2011. It contains $74 billion in vendor payments. Last year 69,800 entities received checks. Here’s what I found while scanning the data...

The City of Chicago approved checks to both The Admiral Theatre Inc, a Chicago strip club, and Obama For America, the president’s campaign organization. According to data received, both share the same “vendor code.” Yet, neither organization exists in Chicago’s current transparency portal: click here and here.

The Admiral Theatre strip club received $5,197.78 in City of Chicago checks. Sixteen checks range from $1.20 to $1,900. A buck twenty? See a database of City payments to The Admiral here.

The check to Obama for America raises more questions. The campaign received a $1,000 check on August 28th, 2007. For some reason, they didn’t disclose this to the Federal Election Commission: click here and here.

Click here for my Freedom of Information Act Request seeking more information. See the detailed accounting data surrounding the check: vendor code, transaction id, PO#, fund, department, amount, check number, and date.

Surely, the City will have some sort of explanation. Because, public funds used for campaign purposes violates federal and state law. And, we know that no Illinois or city worker would ever violate those laws, right?

The City has five days to respond to our request for additional information. I can barely wait for the naked truth.

Romney to collect $2.3M from Winnetka fundraiser today

Mitt Romney hits Winnetka on Tuesday to scoop up, I’ve learned, $2.3 million at a fund-raiser as key figures are emerging from Illinois bolstering his White House drive.

Romney’s fund-raising dinner is at the home of insurance mogul and civic activist Pat Ryan and his wife, Shirley; between 50 and 60 people will attend, with the minimum donation $25,000. Romney returns to the Chicago area on June 14 for an event with a sliding price tag, from $2,500 to $75,000. Proceeds will be divided between the Romney campaign, the Republican National Committee and several state GOP parties. ...More HERE

Obama pal Eric Whitaker linked with Tony Rezko

CHICAGO - With accusations flying that it was Illinois former state health chief Dr. Eric Whitaker who offered Rev. Jeremiah Wright $150,000 to stop preaching until after the November 2008 election, a new spotlight is on the Obama's close friend.

During Whitaker's tenure as then-Governor Rod Blagojevich's top health official, Whitaker oversaw the scandal-plagued Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board. The board was allegedly used to solicit kickbacks and payoffs to the likes of convicted felon Tony Rezko and associates, who controlled the board. Whitaker told the Chicago Sun-Times he was not involved in the Board's daily operations. He escaped accusation during Rezko and Blagojevich's trials.

$5.9M federal grant awarded to FLOTUS' former employer

Chicago Sun Times' Lynn Sweet reported last week on a $5.9 million grant to the University of Chicago Medical Center from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Indeed, Sweet reminded, before her husband was elected President, First Lady Michelle Obama worked on the project designated for these federal funds. 

And, the center's current head is Obama's close ally and friend - Dr. Eric Whitaker, the same person Rev. Jeremiah Wright told author "The Amateur" Edward Klein had offered him $150,000 to stop preaching until after the 2008 election.

Sweet's report of HHS grant  HERE.

New book suggests Obama ally Eric Whitaker was source of Wright offer

CHICAGO - The author of a new book about Barack Obama being released Tuesday, "The Amateur," reveals that Dr. Eric Whitaker was the source of the $150,000 offer to shut up Rev. Jeremiah Wright.  And, as Edward Klein told Sean Hannity Monday night, Wright's seething anger towards Obama paved the way for a very revealing audio-recorded interview.  From the Daily Caller:

Dem Congressman Describes Asbestos Lawyers as Parasites

A recent Harris Interactive survey finds Illinois ranked as having one of the worst legal climates (45th out of 50) in the country — and a big reasons is Madison County, IL, which has a national reputation as a haven for asbestos lawsuits. According to the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform , from 2006-2008, the number of asbestos filings in Madison County doubled, and increased in 2009 — at a time when the number of asbestos claims should be decreasing given that the product has been banned for nearly 40 years.

Madigan's terrifying fund sweep proposal

The Southtown Star's Phil Kadner explains the dramatic proposals House Speaker Mike Madigan presented Monday that vacuum up billions of local government funds to place them in the Teachers' Retirement System. 

Amendment 1 to House Bill 3637 diverts $536 million in corporate personal property replacement tax money from school districts outside of Chicago.

Amendment 2 diverts $982.3 million from all local governments outside of Chicago.

Amendment 3 diverts $1.4 billion (all the money collected in 2011) from all local governments, including Chicago. That ain’t going to pass because Mayor Rahm Emanuel won’t let it.

And what those three proposals mean must be terrifying to mayors, local officials, and will be very soon to property taxpayers, Kadner says:

The news ... illustrated

Departing leader of NARAL laments the youth of the pro-life movement

By Joshua Mercer -

Nancy Keenan told the Washington Post that she’s stepping down as the president of NARAL, the rabidly pro-abortion lobbying organization. But she also told the Post about a trend that scared her.

“While most young, antiabortion voters see abortion as a crucial political issue, NARAL’s own internal research does not find similar passion among abortion-rights supporters,” wrote the Post’s Sarah Kliff. “If the pro-choice movement is to successfully defend abortion rights, Keenan contends, it needs more young people in leadership roles, including hers.”

Keenan, 60, said she would step down at the end of the year in favor of a younger executive. “There’s an opportunity for a new and younger leader,” Keenan told the paper. “Roe v. Wade is 40 in January. It’s time for a new leader to come in and, basically, be the person for the next 40 years of protecting reproductive choice.”

More HERE

Obama website sells "two daddies" baby onesies

All set and ready to go within days after Obama announced his support for same sex marriage, baby onesies flaunting two daddies or two mommies are now available on the Obama-Biden website for $20 each:

Thomas More Society asks, "Got Morals?"

From Thomas More Society -

Got morals? That's what the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo - Scalabrinian want to know.

A gigantic $3 million strip club, complete with flashing neon lights and a continuous "thump thump thump" drumbeat from rap and hip-hop music playing into the week hours, will be opening less than 500 FEET from the nuns' main chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed.

And "Get It!", which had to have helicopters install its air conditioning units because of their monstrous size, is scheduled to open in the Blessed Mother's month of May - on May 30th which is traditionally observed as "Memorial Day."

Ron Paul Finally Drops Out

By Mark Rhoads -

The Ron Paul campaign charade is finally over. Those who sincerely believe in advancing Libertarian principles can now focus on the more important long-term job of public education rather than the distraction of short-term elections with dubious long-term consequences. Now there is little excuse for Mitt Romney to fail to break 65 percent of the GOP vote in primaries where he has no opposition left.

President Obama Embraces Same-Sex Marriage

In the wake of North Carolina voter’s overwhelming approval of a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as one man, one woman, President Obama announced that he now supports same-sex marriage.

Obama explains, “I’ve always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally.” 

Who isn’t for fair and equal treatment for every American – including those who identify as homosexual?  But fairness and equality does not include legally elevating same-sex relationships to the same level of the God ordained institution of marriage.

Missing Our Pal Henry

By Mark Rhoads -

It is hard to realize that it has now been almost four and a half years since we lost Congressman Henry Hyde (R-IL), who died at the age of 83 in late 2007. Those of us who remember Henry, often recall most of all his goodwill and terrific sense of humor even though he had to take hard uncompromising partisan positions from time to time. He was an eloquent advocate for the cause of pro-life. He had human flaws as all children of Adam and Eve do, and they were magnified in the political arena as they are for many leaders who dare to lead and draw powerful adversaries.

NATO Summit meets “the Chicago way”

By Cranky Housewife -

The NATO Summit countdown has begun – which you know, in New York City, when they do a countdown for the really exciting events…you've got to admit it…they know how to do it right; they drop that gigantic ball at One Times Square as a mob of partiers goes wild, and this is not only an effective visual clue that a new era is descending upon them, but it's also just a lot of fun. The crowd eats that kind of stuff up.

Frankly, Chicago ought not allow itself to be outdone by the Big Apple in this respect. The whole point of hosting NATO is to give Chicago the international attention that it so rightly deserves and to make people want to visit. How better to do this than to model itself after the city that never sleeps. I wonder how quickly the NATO organizers can pull together a giant replica of a Molotov cocktail to lower in similar fashion in commemoration of Chicago's modern-day descent into martial law. There's no reason that riots, looting and general violence can't be as festive as New Year's Eve in Times Square. It's all in the packaging.

I jest. I'm sure Mayor Emanuel has it under control. Nothing to worry about. Pay no attention to the man behind the iron curtain.

8500 plus 5 other reasons Chicagoans are right to be concerned about NATO protests

CHICAGO - Chicagoans are concerned about what law enforcement and secret service expect this weekend during the NATO Summit 2012 conference:

• 8500 face masks ordered by city of Chicago "to protect officers from being blinded by bags of urine and feces that are thrown by 'anarchists' and other militant protesters"
• Milwaukee American Red Cross prepared for mass evacuation from Chicago
• Ten years ago, violence erupted on the streets of Seattle during 1999 NATO Summit 
• Three years ago, protestors set fires to French hotels and looted stores during the Strasbourg NATO Summit
• Chicago companies are warning employees that travel to work via mass transit to "dress down" Friday May 18th and Monday May 21st
• Numerous military exercises involving low-flying helicopters and heavily-armed personnel hovering around Chicago Loop high rise buildings

Found via local news sources -

CARTOON: Wasn't Lucy a bully, too?

By Robert Ariail

Catholic Workers launch NATO Protests in Chicago

CHICAGO - Six days before the beginning of the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago, Catholic Workers set up what's expected to be several days of growing protests in the Loop as international leaders converge at the McCormick Convention Center. ABC 7 News covers: 

IL GOP's Brady wedgies Quinn over where gov keeps underwear

Monday, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady issued the following statement:

"In 2010, Governor Pat Quinn said: 'My clothes are at the governor’s mansion in Springfield - even my underwear is there. I think that establishes residency, doesn't it?'

"In 2011, Quinn stayed only 40 nights in Springfield.

"For the sake of everyone working in his Chicago office, I really hope the Governor was lying about where he kept his underwear."

2 Reasons why LGBTQ folks should protest NATO Summit

The CanG8.org website gives 2 major reasons why they think LGBTQ- Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders and Questioning- ers should protest the NATO Summit in Chicago next weekend:

NATO Community promotes Chicago, host of 2012 summit

CHICAGO - While Occupy Wall Street protesters join with numerous, diverse groups as they prepare for May 20 and 21, the NATO Community has produced several videos promoting the host of the 2012 NATO Summit - where the world's eyes will be focused next weekend - Chicago, Illinois. Here's one: