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Capitol Fax

Rich Miller's commentary on State Government

Back in 2005, I asked House Speaker Michael Madigan why he didn't just run somebody against Gov. Rod Blagojevich in the '06 Democratic primary if he was so upset at the way Blagojevich was running things.

"I did that once, and it led to 26 years of uninterrupted Republican rule," Madigan cracked.

In the early 1970s, a very young Rep. Madigan was Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley's point man in the House against Daley's arch nemesis, Democratic Gov. Dan Walker. That legislative opposition led directly to Daley's forces beating Walker in the 1976 primary. Their candidate went on to lose to Republican Jim Thompson, and the GOP held onto the governor's job until Blagojevich won the 2002 campaign.

I told you that story to give you an idea how Madigan may be sizing up next year.

Keep in mind that no matter what else you may read, the Speaker won't make the final decision about whether his daughter, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, will run for governor. Ms. Madigan has a mind all her own. The elder Madigan will have significant input, but he won't have any sort of veto power. Still, it's worthwhile to look at how both Madigan's are thinking right now and what options they confront.

Speaker Madigan is a man of unusually strict habits. When he finds something that works, he sticks with it forever, like having an apple every day at exactly the stroke of noon. And he almost always shuns things which don't work. The hard lesson Madigan learned about that 1976 primary has stuck with him ever since: Avoid primaries against sitting Democratic governors.

Had Blagojevich survived, a primary against him next year would've been a different matter. The race would've gotten messy and divisive, but Blagojevich's horrific unpopularity made him an easy mark. If the Madigan's try to beat Gov. Pat Quinn in the 2010 primary, however, all heck could break loose.

Quinn can be slammed for running with Blagojevich twice and even defending Blagojevich after his ethics were questioned. Gov. Quinn's new tax hike proposals are also extremely easy targets.

Quinn has never raised much money, and when he did it was at least partly because of his ties to Blagojevich. He had just $83,000 in the bank at the start of this year, compared to about $3.5 million for Ms. Madigan.

Quinn is not exactly the most astute campaigner and doesn't seem prepared at all for the February primary, as evidenced by his repeated failed calls to move the primary date to June or September. His campaign committee filed for a name change from "Taxpayers for Quinn" to "Quinn for Illinois," and then back to "Taxpayers for Quinn" within one 24-hour period last month. "Professional" is not a word anyone would use to describe his campaign style or apparatus.

So, he's definitely beatable in the primary, but a Quinn loss to Ms. Madigan could divide the party and cause enough controversy that the Democrats will suffer badly in the fall. If Lisa Madigan does beat Quinn, her father's powerful hold over the Democratic Party will likely become one of the most important November issues. The House Speaker and state party chairman doesn't want to give up either job, yet he may have little choice but to step down from one or both if he becomes the biggest obstacle to her victory.

And then there's the question of whether Lisa Madigan really wants to be governor. She wanted nothing more than to prevent a third Blagojevich term, but that primary motivation was removed from office. Madigan has a young family and she's young herself. She clearly loves being attorney general. There's plenty of time to wait.

The other side of the equation is whether Quinn can fend off the Republicans next November. Tax hikes everywhere, Blagojevich's humiliation, the ill legacy of total Democratic control and Quinn's shortcomings as a candidate all add up to a very big "If" indeed. If Quinn is judged incapable of holding on to his post, the Democrats may have to go with someone else, despite the inherent dangers.

There are a kabillion factors to consider here, and the Madigan clan is best known for looking at all of their options before making any move, big or small.

On the one hand, we have Dan Walker and the noontime apple. On the other is everything else.

Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and thecapitolfaxblog.com.

Be an American . . . Be a Rebel

Recently I read a letter to the editor where the author parrots the Democrat party line that capitalism (along with Christianity it seems) has died. Our present economic situation was not created by free markets as neither will the soon-to-be depression.

Let's take banks for an example. A large part of the current problems were a result of regulations requiring banks to make sub-prime mortgages. Democrats in Congress passed a bill called the Community Revitalization Act which basically coerced banks to make loans to people who normally did not fall within the traditional parameters of financial stability to receive such loans. Congress (Democrats actually) then also reduced the percentage of down payment required to three percent and as recently as 2007 further reduced the amount of down payment required to 0 percent! Some banks were accused and sued for discrimination (ACORN was very active in this) and were protested against when initially they tried to deny poor loans. The Democrats slammed their businesses so hard that they forced all banks to fall in line to their dictates.

GM is not being bailed out, it is the UAW which is being bailed out. Same with Chrysler. Our manufacturing has been gutted by Democrat-led and -passed legislation giving unions monopolistic power over the industries they participate in. This has reduced real individual productivity (the measured productivity increases you read about include technological advances like robots . . . which replace jobs with machines), and with outrageous pay levels and benefits, has caused the downfall of our auto industry. It isn't because the manufacturers produced cars the people didn't want, rather than the "green" cars the Democrats are trying to force upon us. It is because of socialistic power exerted over our industry. It is gone. There is absolutely no hope for it's existence as a positive economic participant in our society. The Democrats may keep it alive by causing all of us to continue to pay for those union workers while they decide what kinds of cars you will be allowed to drive. Remember folks, they tried this in the Soviet Union, Communist China, and Cuba with disastrous results for the people.

Free Trade is one of the greatest tools in man's history for raising the world populations' standard of living. There has never been a more prosperous time, in global terms, than the last decade with the expansion of free trade. We have also seen free trade benefit people in China, Ghana, and a host of other socialist or formerly socialist nations who have achieved more freedom and indeed, it is a road that will be difficult to reverse unless the Democrats succeed in defeating free trade. Sure we have had some adjustment to our economy, we are relatively socialistic and thus have weaknesses (like our home grown auto industry). But, the answer is not more government control. Government is the problem, not the solution. Especially, the Democrat version of ruling over us with their socialistic delusions.

Freedom is natural, it is in the fabric of the universe God created for us. Hence, so are free markets. You cannot kill free markets, it is impossible. Consider the Soviet Union, where there was great effort put into killing any free choices by the people. The so-called black market economy was estimated to be as large or larger than the so-called legitimate economy. Why would that be? Because each of us as individuals have unique desires and needs for what they want to purchase for their own unique reasons. The reason one person buys a pickup truck will differ in some way from why another person buys the same kind of pickup truck, and then there is the person who doesn't even want a pickup truck, etc. etc, etc. billions of times over. No man or government can control these individual desires or wants. They can limit them, they can make it more difficult by reducing quantity or choice, but they cannot remove them. It is impossible, it is God's creation after all.

Ask yourself, do you really think Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Frank, or Dodd know what you and your family should be spending your hard earned money on better than you? Do you really want them deciding which car you can drive or what food you can eat? Many of them are calling for legalization of drugs that are extremely harmful to society and families, but want to make it harder for you to buy your own medical care, cars, insurance, what have you . . . by limiting your choices.

Speaking of medical care, you abortion supporters who are aging are going to get a new perspective on "viability of life" after universal health care is forced upon us. I sincerely hope you get to see all the wonders of your messiah's (Obama) glory as you try to get medical help and are denied because you simply are not as valuable to the "collective good". Think about it people, there is limited supply no matter what, but when you remove the profit motive there is a drop in supply. You simply cannot force someone to create a new drug, be a doctor or nurse, or invest in a hospital . . . as the profit motive is limited there will be a reduction in supply. And, on the other side of the coin, the perception is that everyone will have all health care. Think about it, that is simply not true, there isn't enough supply of health care available for that, especially after the profit motive is removed or greatly reduced. Hence, someone is going to have to ration health care. That will be the same kind of folks who ration our education, welfare, unemployment, postage, etc. - except this will be true rationing. If you are over 50, overweight and smoke a pack a day forget about getting heart disease treatment in this country. You will no longer have the CHOICE, it will be decided by your Democrat rulers who gets health care and who doesn't. It will be a question of viability, just like the rationalization for killing babies, "they are not viable enough to be considered alive".

Obama has brought change to our nation, he is destroying it. It will be up to us to try to stop the destruction of freedom and faith. A day after Obama bowed before an Islamic King, Obama told an Islamic audience that America is not a Christian Nation. Well, I have news for him, we are and always will be.

Personally, I don't see the attraction to a party that has kept blacks down with their failed school system and denial of vouchers or better schools for these kids, and the welfare chains that have left entire generations of government-broken families shackled and separated from the American dream, where perversity and immorality is held as an ideal or expression of freedom, or where you get along only as long as you do as you are told and think as they want you to. That is not American, but it sure is the Democrat party.

Want to be a real rebel? Then join the American movement, be a good Christian, be a freedom lover, then you will be a true rebel in this current environment. Let's work to throw these bums out of power and bring freedom and Christian moral values back to this nation. Or, watch as your nation dies and withers spiritually and economically.

John H McConnel Jr.
Mount Carroll, IL

READ All About It

This week, schools, campuses and communities across the country celebrate National Library Week, a time to remind the public about the contributions libraries, librarians and library collections and programs make to their communities everyday.

In today's economy, libraries offer free resources to help people find jobs and learn new skills. Worlds connect at your library, with people of all ages and backgrounds finding entertainment, self-help or their place in the community. With free resources like books, in all formats such as regular print, large print, audio, magazines, DVDs and computer access, all are assets to help you do better in school, tackle projects, read for education and recreation, plan a vacation or just relax. Improve your memory, motivate your family and learn new ways to improve your health through resources that the library has to offer.

What makes the library unique is ­ librarians ­ to help people find and interpret the information they need to make a difference in their lives. Lanark Library has unlimited access to interlibrary loan of materials not owned at the local level. Stop by the library and learn to search the Prairie Area Library System on-line catalog called Prairie Cat.

Here are just a few of the things you can do this week at the Lanark Public Library. Tues: LPL Cookbooks for sale at $17 each, get your copy today, only 16 remain. Wed: Join the Friends of the LPL for $10. a year and $10, for a heavy canvas bookbag, Thurs: Free photocopies of worksheets for Lanark Day Care providers, Fri: Mini-Mini-Mini- Book Sale 5 for $1.00, Sat: Unlimited check out DVD's 0-725 for three days.

All week overdue book fines will be forgiven for a donation of non-perishable food for the Eastland Food Pantry.

Are you starting to spring house clean and weeding out extra books and VHS/DVD's? Recycle your items for the upcoming Friends book sale on June 26 and 27. Items may be dropped off at the library any time during regular hours.

What can you discover? National Library Week is the perfect time to find out. Worlds connect at your library. Library hours, Tues, Wed, Fri Noon-5, Thurs. Noon-7:30, Sat. 10-3. Call for more information about purchasing a non-resident card if you live outside of Lanark but in the Eastland School district.

Respectfully,

Janie Dollinger
Director

Sticker Shock Campaign

I just wanted to thank everyone who participated in the 2009 Sticker Shock Campaign. The response from the local businesses and volunteers involved was very positive. This was a great opportunity for our area youth to raise awareness about underage drinking and the responsibilities of adults, especially those who provide alcohol to those under 21. We are seeing an increase in the level of concern and support in the community, and individuals and businesses have been very helpful in this effort.

My hope is that as we continue to raise awareness others will get involved. We as a community have been very lucky in regards to the number of critical incidents related to underage drinking, but the concern still remains. While we may not be seeing a lot of drinking and driving incidences, it does not mean that we don't have a problem, as there are many other problems directly and indirectly associated with underage drinking. And while addressing underage drinking may not be the "popular" thing to do, based on the data and conversations with our youth and others, it is necessary.

I urge parents and adults to talk with their children about the risks of underage alcohol consumption, and I urge everyone to get the correct information about the long term affects of underage drinking and the adolescent brain development. There is no such thing as "Moderation" when it comes to alcohol and your child's brain development.

Thank you for your continued help and support,

Carol Geary

Concerned parent, grandparent and Project Coordinator for the Strategic Prevention Framework-State Incentive Grant

(Visit www.pacc-news.com to see exclusive video of the Sticker Shock campaign in action)

Test Your Well Water

Spring is finally here. Now is the time to consider the condition of your well water. Way too often water quality issues get overlooked by the private well owner. The Illinois Dept of Public Health suggests having well water sampled at least annually for Coliform bacteria and every 3-5 years for Nitrates. Both tests are used primarily as indicators and often identify well problems that could otherwise go unknown.

Sample collection is relatively easy to do and inexpensive. Contact an Illinois Certified lab or the Environmental Health Division at your local Health Dept in order to receive test kits and instructions.

Spring is also a good time to look around your outside surroundings and reduce the number of areas which may accumulate water. The standing water becomes home to vast numbers of mosquitoes. Large amounts of the insects greatly increase the odds of West Nile Virus being present.

Remember something as easy as testing your well water and dumping out stagnant water could yield great health benefits! Douglas P Lieb

Environmental Health Associate
Carroll County Health Department

Red Cross Tightens Belt

As we close the door on March ­ Red Cross Month ­ our Northwest Illinois Chapter looks forward to the second part of our semi-annual Heroes Campaign with hope. A hearty thank you goes out to everyone who participated in our annual March gala, "It's a Red Affair" held March 7. We could not have had the level of success we did without everyone's contribution.

But we openly invite more of you in the 3-county area we serve to become a member of the American Red Cross by participating in our Heroes Campaign, which kicks off May 16 Armed Forces Day when we will host a rummage sale in our parking lot! During this Heroes Campaign, we have a special request.

We are seeking one patriotic soul (or a combination of souls) to help us purchase three flagpoles so we can raise an American flag, an American Red Cross flag, and a POW/MIA flag outside our offices. It is often painfully obvious we need them and we were reminded again of our shortcoming when so many other flags flew at half-mast for SPC Norman Cain III on March 27.

While they don't give us money, National Headquarters is providing direction for all of our Chapters on cost-cutting methods to help us all improve our fiscal position so that items like flagpoles aren't so hard to come by. Some of the initiatives nationwide include consolidating Chapter office operations, like accounting, reducing travel expenses, and revising vendor contracts, among other efforts.

Here at your local Chapter, we have taken pay cuts to insure we can close our books with as small a deficit as possible. While the numbers still aren't where they should be, for now, coming close is the best we can do.

There are bright spots. A "circling of the wagons" is bringing everyone impacted by the economy closer. I can feel it in my Chapter as we constantly encourage one another to find a more economical way to accomplish our goals. And I can hear it in the voices of those I call when I ask for their support. Second, the cost-cutting efforts we are taking now will serve us well long-term. And last, despite the cuts, we want the clients we serve to know our mission, helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters, has not and will not change as long as the community continues to remember us with their support. We are not aided by the government and rely on YOUR generosity to serve.

Visit us online at www.nwilredcross.org to volunteer, register for a class, find out where and when to donate blood, or give to us through our secure PayPal link. We accept credit card donations online and personal checks, cash, and credit card donations at our offices, 224 W. Galena Avenue, Freeport.

Thank you for supporting the American Red Cross. We will all get through these hard times somehow and come back even stronger when they're over.

Please always remember: we need you with us, every day.

Diana Roemer
Executive Director
American Red Cross
Northwest Illinois Chapter

Correction and Apologies

Dear Sirs:

I write to apologize for a serious mistake in a column I sent to you on March 29th that you published on April 8th. The first half of the column was based on an incomplete analysis of the recent changes in the Mauna Loa observations of CO₂. I examined the internal discussion of ongoing data, misstated the conclusions, and thus misinformed your readers. We discovered the mistake within hours, and sent a message to put a hold on the column, but apparently our warning didn't reach your editors.

An amended column was sent on March 31st, but apparently too late to prevent your publication of the first one.

A double-check with my science advisors which I should have conducted before I drafted the columnsays I was wrong. I was lured into a premature conclusion by my desire to be "first." However, the Hudson Institute's role in the climate-warming/ environmental debate is not to be first; it is to provide long-term perspective. We will now return to that first principle.

I am deeply sorry for the mistake, and for its negative impact on your credibility and mine.

Dennis T. Avery
Hudson Institute

(See the article entitled "Now CO₂ is Declining as well as Temperatures" of published April 8, 2009,)

Our Children - Leaders of Tomorrow

While reading the paper the other day an article caught my eye. It was titled "Child abuse cases on the rise in Illinois." Being a board member of the Lee/Carroll/Ogle CASA, my interest was aroused. The statistics were very alarming, particularly the increase in the death rate. The article went on to state several reasons that might contribute to this rise. Based on the data supplied the Illinois Department of Children and Family services, a national anti-crime organization, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, commissioned an opinion poll of 1,100 Illinois law enforcement officials with the following results.

About 80 percent of those polled said they believe economic stress has contributed to an increase in child abuse and neglect. Almost 90 percent felt that coaching high-risk parents would reduce violence against children.

In today's economy where people in all walks to life are stressed out about possible loss of employment, housing and other financial assets, now is the time when the work of CASA and their dedicated advocates is extremely needed. With caseloads on the increase, the need for more advocates is always present.

Our children are the leaders of tomorrow. The protection of these children has to be our prime purpose. So when you see advertisements asking you to become an advocate or to help out with a fund-raiser, please remember these statistics and what needs to be done. The communities in the three counties have been great supporters of this program and we always want to express our gratitude. For more information about the CASA program and upcoming CASA/GAL training classes, contact Vanessa White, Director of Advocate Services (CASA ­ 15th Judicial Circuit - Lee/Ogle/Carroll Counties) at .

Nancy Dittmar
Lee/Carroll/Ogle CASA Board Member

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative, 89th District

Each week I attempt to share with you some semblance of what the office of State Representative entails and the issues we attempt to tackle. One of the most amazing things we all deal with is our great diversity. Issues that are of significant concern here in Northwest Illinois simply may not be as important in other parts of this very unique state. Conversely, issues that are priorities for areas such as Chicago may not be important to our local communities, but they are very important to the legislator who presents them and attempts to convince the rest of us that their bill really does make sense.

Last week two bills took significant time to debate on the House floor that, when you read about them, you will likely respond "You've got to be kidding me!" One of the finest gentlemen I know and truly hold in the highest regard is Representative Art Turner (D-Chicago). Art is an exceptional legislator and works very hard for his constituency. He presented House Bill 45 that would allow certain prisoners serving a life sentence in the Department of Corrections to be released after serving 25 years if they were 50 years old or older. Needless to say, the debate was spirited and Art's bill received more than 80 "no" votes.

Representative Monique Davis (D-Chicago) presented House Bill 419 that would mandate the Department of Corrections make condoms readily available to all prisoners. Again, Monique is a very gifted and sincere legislator with a master's degree in guidance who has spent most of her life in classrooms in the poorest neighborhoods in Chicago. I work hard at becoming better acquainted with legislators like Monique because our worlds are so vastly different. Her passion for her constituents is every bit as sincere as mine. Philosophically, we are on different planets; but I certainly respect her. After significant debate, her bill garnered only 11 "yes" votes.

During these tough economic times when we're faced with so many budgetary issues, many of you have expressed to me your disgust that we "waste time" on such issues. Remember, to the legislators who propose the bills, these are very significant issues and we must respect each other's priorities.

On March 31st, Reverend Patricia Havis from the Trinity CME Church, the guest of my good friend Representative Bob Flider (D-Decatur), brought the House to order with her prayer:

"Gracious Creatorallow for constituencies to receive favor by your hand. Please reveal your realm of righteousness, peace and wisdom throughout this gathering.

Listening is a powerful antidote to the desire to dominate, so help all to listen. Help all focus on those in need. Help all to know that we should seek to understand and then to be understood. Please loose compassion that is beyond fears and attitudes.

I ask in faith knowing that this prayer has been heard and acknowledged. We thank you and trust your power."

Reverend Havis captured well the need for all of us to practice understanding.

As always, you can reach me, Sally or Barb at or e-mail us at . You can also visit my website at www.jimsacia.com. It's always a pleasure to hear from you.