THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER
Bill Brady
Governor Pat Quinn Announces Illinois Pension Reform Plan
(Chicago, IL) – April 20, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced an Illinois pension reform plan that he claims is expected to save taxpayers $65 to $85 billion. Continue reading
Despite Sheriff Tom Dart’s Opposition, Senator Emil Jones Wins Post-Burr Oak Cemetery Reforms
(Springfield, IL) – April 15, 2011. Despite a rhetorical assault by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, the Illinois Senate yesterday overwhelmingly approved, 54-2, legislation to rein in the legislative overreach of Illinois cemetery reforms that were rushed through the legislature in the wake of the Burr Oak Cemetery scandal in 2009, reforms whose regulatory requirements … Continue reading
Illinois Exit Poll Results 2010: Governor Pat Quinn Leads Bill Brady by 10 Points among Women, Exit Poll Says
(Chicago, IL) — November 2, 2010. In pre-election polls, Governor Pat Quinn was leading GOP rival Bill Brady by 1 to 2 points among women, but an ABC News exit poll has Quinn leading Brady by 10 points among women, giving the Governor an overall two-point edge in the exit poll. But it is only … Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Despite Visits by Barack, Michelle Obama, Likely Illinois Democratic Turnout Stagnates, Poll Data Says
(Chicago, IL) — October 27, 2010. Further depressing polling news is rolling in for Illinois Democratic candidates–likely Democratic voter turnout has stagnated, according to a review of polling data. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Bucking National Trend, Self-Identified Illinois Tea Party Members Surge, Poll Data Says
(Chicago, IL) – October 27, 2010. Despite slumping support nationally since last spring, the Tea Party movement in Illinois has gained strength, an analysis of polling data has revealed. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Bill Brady Distances Himself from Tea Party as Key-Voting Groups Abandon Protest Movement, New Poll Says
(Chicago, IL) — October 27, 2010. Illinois GOP governor candidate Bill Brady is bringing conservative GOP southern governors to a campaign Tea Party rally in Will County while downplaying the event’s “Tea Party” sponsorship, a distancing which comes on the heels of new polling data that reveals that self-identified Tea Party membership is slumping nationally, particularly among key voting groups. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Independent Voters Stampeding to GOP, Sinking Democrats Nationally, Gov. Pat Quinn in Illinois, New Polls Say
(Chicago, IL) – October 26, 2010. Independent voters are turning even more sharply in recent days against Democratic candidates—if that was possible—nationally and in Illinois, with Governor Pat Quinn looking more-and-more like a casualty here. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Conservative Southern Governors to Campaign for Bill Brady in Will County
(Chicago, IL) — October 25, 2010. Illinois GOP governor candidate Bill Brady on Wednesday will be bringing conservative GOP southern governors to campaign with him at a rally in Will County. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Outpacing Bill Brady, Gov. Pat Quinn Reports $1.2 Million in Campaign Cash within 48 Hours
(Chicago, IL) — October 22, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn reported late tonight that his campaign hauled in a whopping $1.2 million in campaign cash within the last 48 hours, according to state election records. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: House GOP Leader Tom Cross Expands Playing Field, Moves against State Rep. Lisa Dugan
(Chicago, IL) — October 22, 2010. In the battle for the control of the Illinois House, GOP Minority Leader Tom Cross has expanded the battle field by making a late move to knock incumbent State Rep. Lisa Dugan (D-Bradley), dumping tens of thousands of dollars into polling, direct mail, and a media buy for her GOP rival, Nick Been, according to state election records. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Chicago Tribune Owner Sam Zell Donates $65,000 to Paper’s Endorsed Candidate, Bill Brady
(Chicago, IL) — October 22, 2010. Chicago Tribune owner Sam Zell, whose newspaper has endorsed GOP governor nominee Bill Brady over Governor Pat Quinn, yesterday dropped $25,000 into the downstate senator’s campaign kitty, bringing Zell’s total donations to Brady for his campaign to $65,000, according to state election records. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Pat Quinn Beating Bill Brady 2 to 1 among Hispanic Voters, New Poll Says
(Chicago, IL) – October 22, 2010. Despite a modest job approval ratings amongst Hispanic voters, Governor Pat Quinn is nevertheless winning Hispanic voters by 2 to 1 in the Illinois governor’s race over GOP rival Bill Brady, a new poll says. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: “Latinos for Brady” Want Bill Brady to Return Campaign Cash Raised by Top Blagojevich Aides
(Chicago, IL) — October 22, 2010. Illinois GOP governor nominee Bill Brady acknowledged on Thursday at a debate with Governor Pat Quinn that top aides to ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich had been raising cash for his gubernatorial campaign, and the acknowledgment prompted the leaders of Latinos for Brady to denounce the fund-raising and called on Brady to return the money. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Bill Brady Brings Newt Gingrich to Illinois
(Chicago, IL) — October 22, 2010. Illinois GOP governor candidate Bill Brady is bringing former US House Speaker Newt Gingrich to campaign in his behalf at a rally in downstate Collinsville today, from 1:30p.m. to 3:00p.m. Gingrich, who served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 until being forced to quit … Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Pat Quinn, Bill Brady in Dead Heat; Cohen, Whitney Hurting Brady, New Polls Says
(Chicago, IL) – October 22, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn has shrunk GOP rival Bill Brady’s lead to only one point as the campaign nears its final turn, and he’s being boosted by third party candidates, according to a new poll. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Mark Kirk, Pat Quinn YouTube Campaign Videos Most Viewed
(Chicago, IL) — October 19, 2010. The races atop the 2010 ballots are moving into overdrive, which means televisions and car radios are moving into negative campaign mode. Illinois residents who turn on the television tonight will more than likely hear about prisoner release, failed banks, imagined military commendations and job creation. But grave voice-overs … Continue reading
Illinois Governor Debate 2010: Green Candidate Rich Whitney Attacks “Fantasy Economics” of Pat Quinn, Bill Brady
(Chicago, IL) — October 14, 2010. The Illinois gubernatorial debate tonight among Democratic Governor Pat Quinn, Republican State Senator Bill Brady and Green Rich Whitney was not even close. Whitney won hands-down. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Dan Rutherford, Robin Kelly Fight for Nickels-and-Dimes
(Chicago, IL) – October 14, 2010. State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Chenoa) and Democrat Robin Kelly have both sketched out either small bore or undetailed ideas for the Illinois Treasurer’s office that will likely have little impact on the state, but more likely a greater impact on their campaigns. Continue reading
Elections 2010: Hispanic Voters Overwhelming Back Democrats, But Unmotivated to Vote, New Poll Says
(Chicago, IL) – October 6, 2010. Hispanic voters this year overwhelming support Democratic candidates, but they are unmotivated to vote, according to a new poll. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: GOP Support Drops 5 Points, Tied with Dems, New Poll Says; Local Fears Ease
(Chicago, IL) – October 6, 2006. More national polling results continue to roll in that point to stalling GOP momentum, a slackening which is showing up in local Illinois races. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Gov. Pat Quinn Surges Past Bill Brady in New Poll, 43%-37%
(Chicago, IL) — October 4, 2010. Here’s a post that you will not find on GOP Bill Brady’s Facebook page: Governor Pat Quinn is beating Brady by six points in a new poll. Continue reading
Illinois Elections 2010: Bill Brady Begins Series of Bus Tours
(Chicago, IL) – October 4, 2010. Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady rumbles off on the “Clean Break Express” bus tour of Western Illinois on Monday, the first of several statewide tours before election day. Continue reading
Illinois Election 2010: Does New CNN/Time Poll Put Pat Quinn Back in the Game against Bill Brady?
(Chicago, IL) – September 30, 2010. A new CNN/Time poll released on Wednesday says the Illinois gubernatorial contest between Governor Pat Quinn and GOP and rival Bill Brady “is all tied up.” Continue reading
Is The Tea Party Over? Democrats Seize Lead in Wake of Odd-Ball Tea Party Wins, New Polls Say
(Chicago, IL) – September 23, 2010. The Tea Party has finally stirred a tempest in the Democrats’ cup. In one week’s time, the victories of odd-ball Tea Party candidates, like U.S. Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell in Delaware, has finally shaken up the U.S. electorate, pushing Democrats ahead in two new national polls, thanks to gains … Continue reading
New Inspector General Monthly Report Reveals Illinois Ethics Violation Allegations Surge; August Highest in 2010 So Far
(Chicago, IL) — August 25, 2010. Ex-Illinois Executive Inspector General James Wright has left Governor Pat Quinn another parting gift–his monthly report for August–his last–reveals that his office received more ethics violation allegations from agencies under the Governor’s control than in any other report during 2010. In August, Wright’s August report says the office received … Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Election: Bill Brady Leads Pat Quinn by 7 Points, New Poll Says
(Chicago, IL) — July 29, 2010. The staff pay raise fiasco has fouled Governor Pat Quinn‘s effort to get back in the game. After trailing GOP opponent Bill Brady by only three points in a June Rasmussen poll, Quinn is now down by seven points according to a new poll released today: The latest Rasmussen … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: GOP Senator Larry Bomke Backs Illinois Tax Increase to Pay State’s Bills
(Springfield, IL) — July 27, 2010. This is what statesmanship looks like. State Journal-Register political reporter Bernie Schoenberg today reports that State Senator Larry Bomke (R-Springfield) has asserted the kind leadership that has been gravely absent from GOP lawmakers until now. State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, told Gov. Pat Quinn’s chief of staff Monday he … Continue reading
Illinois Governor 2010 Elections: Human Rights Activists Boost Governor Pat Quinn with Fundraiser Bash
(Chicago, IL) — June 16, 2010. Honesty. Equality. Those words pulsated on tongues last night—like the secret sauce over the beef tenderloin—among the guests at a private, $1,000-a-plate dinner party in Chicago for Governor Pat Quinn and running mate Sheila Simon. “I think Quinn is one of the few true honest politicians today. He does … Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Elections: Senate President John Cullerton Aims for Hyper-Majority
(Chicago, IL) — June 15, 2010. Most Democrats are in a defensive crouch as the November 2010 elections approach. Not Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago). Cullerton, who is serving his first term as Senate President, says he is looking to add seats this year to his current 37-22 super-majority in the Illinois Senate. At … Continue reading
A Majority of Illinois Voters Back Repeal of Barack Obama’s Health Care Reform Law, New Poll Says
(Chicago, IL) — June 10, 2010. A majority of Illinois voters favor the repeal of President Barack Obama‘s health care reform, according to a new poll. According to a survey of 500 Illinois voters by Rasmussen Reports on June 7: Fifty-four percent (54%) of voters in Illinois favor repeal of the health care plan, slightly … Continue reading
Illinois Governor 2010 Elections: Bill Brady’s Campaign Against Pat Quinn Stalls, New Poll Reveals
(Chicago, IL) — June 10, 2010. Despite going up early with his own television ads in the Chicago media market, ads from a GOP governor’s group, and relentlessly bad budget news from Springfield, State Senator Bill Brady‘s campaign against Governor Pat Quinn has stalled, according to a new poll. Fortunately for Brady, he has stalled … Continue reading
Elections 2010: Anti-Incumbent Moods Exceeds 1994 Levels; Tea Party Support Erodes, New Poll Says
(Washington, D.C.) — June 8, 2010. Americans’ foul political mood is deepening and spreading. It is tainting both Democrats and Republicans and is even souring on Tea Party types. However, its wrath is especially focused on incumbents, according to a new poll. A fresh survey by The Washington Post-ABC News says voter support for U.S. … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Senator Mike Jackobs Says a “Governor Bill Brady” Will Need to Swallow an Illinois Tax Increase
(Springfield, IL) — May 20, 2010. Democratic lawmakers say the state’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year will be finalized in a matter of days, even though consensus on key matters is still lacking. Lawmakers are planning to return to Springfield next week and Democrats want to finalize a budget to pass to Governor Pat … Continue reading
Illinois Governor 2010 Election: Has GOP Lt. Governor Candidate Jason Plummer Paid Income Taxes?
(Springfield, IL) — May 19, 2o10. Has Republican Lt. Governor candidate Jason Plummer paid income taxes? No one knows. His campaign isn’t saying. John Hoffman, a spokesman for the Brady-Plummer campaign, said Plummer has filed his taxes and did not seek an extension. He would not say how much Plummer paid the government. Unless Plummer … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Senator Larry Bomke Expects Speaker Michael Madigan to Push New Budget Through House Without GOP
(Springfield, IL) — May 19, 2010. Republican lawmakers in the Springfield area are lamenting that the Illinois General Assembly could pass a version of the Illinois state budget and conclude the legislative session by the end of this month. With strong majorities in both the Illinois House and Senate, Democratic lawmakers can push through a … Continue reading
Elections 2010: Enthusiastic GOP Voters Fall by 9 Pts, New Poll Says
(Princeton, NJ) – May 6, 2010. It may be premature to draw a definitive conclusion, but the Republicans’ political momentum seems to be stalling. According to a new Gallup poll: Republican registered voters’ enthusiasm about voting in this year’s midterm elections has declined significantly in recent weeks. As a result, Republicans’ advantage over Democrats on … Continue reading
Health Care Reform: Gov. Pat Quinn Seeks to Tap $200 Million from Feds to Expand Health Insurance to Illinois Uninsured Residents
(Springfield, IL) — May 4, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today announced legislation that will expand insurance coverage for uninsured people with pre-existing conditions by tapping into nearly $200 million in federal funds. As part of this legislative push, Quinn is also introducing a measure to create a Health Consumer’s Bill of Rights. Both bills will … Continue reading
Illinois Governor 2010: Bill Brady Holds Wide Lead over Pat Quinn in Southern Illinois, New Poll Says
(Carbondale, IL) — April 21, 2010. State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) holds a wide lead over Governor Pat Quinn in Southern Illinois, according to a new poll. It’s a football field-wide lead. The poll, conducted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute (named after the father of Quinn’s running mate Sheila Simon), reveals that Brady … Continue reading
Governors Pat Quinn, Jay Nixon Launch Mississippi River Bridge Project; 2,200 New Jobs Expected
(Springfield, IL) — April 19, 2010. Score a big one for Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. Quinn today joined Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood at the Eads Bridge in St. Louis to break ground on the new $667 million Mississippi River Bridge project. Quinn’s disgraced predecessor Rod Blagojevich had earlier in … Continue reading
Illinois Economy: Illinois Job Loss Continues, Poses Stiff Challenge to Pat Quinn in Election Battle against Bill Brady
(Chicago, IL) — April 2, 2010. The Illinois job market continued its downward slide in February battering Illinois communities and posing a stiff challenge to Governor Pat Quinn‘s election campaign against State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington). Unemployment rates rose above previous-year levels in all 12 metro areas for the 33rd consecutive month, according to data … Continue reading
Health Care Reform–Illinois: Barack Obama May Have Approved It, But Pat Quinn or Bill Brady Will Have to Implement It
(Chicago, IL) — March 24, 2010. President Barack Obama yesterday approved the new health care reform law, but Governor Pat Quinn or a Governor Bill Brady will be largely responsible for carrying it out in Illinois. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune‘s Judith Graham, Illinois Department of Insurance Director Michael McRaith swatted aside one … Continue reading
Illinois Governor 2010: Bill Brady Parties with Karl Rove
(Chicago, IL) — March 21, 2010. State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), the Illinois Republican candidate for governor, apparently thinks that boasting of nights out with Karl Rove is a big selling point in deep-blue Illinois. Brady’s Facebook page this weekend squealed with happiness regarding the candidate’s face-time with George Bush’s brain. “Great events in DuPage, … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: In Response to Pat Quinn Budget Proposal, Bill Brady Sticks to His 10% Cut, Despite Jim Edgar Calling it “Naive”
(Springfield, IL) — March 11, 2010. Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady on Wednesday called Governor Pat Quinn’s fiscal year 2011 budget a “catastrophe,” insisting his own plan for a 10 percent across-the-board cut would balance the budget and dig the state out of its $13 billion hole. His comments came after Quinn’s budget speech to … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Jim Edgar on Bill Brady’s Budget Proposal-”Naive”
(Chicago, IL) — March 10, 2010. Former Republican Governor Jim Edgar took a not-too-subtle swipe at GOP gubernatorial nominee Bill Brady‘s 10% cut across-the-board proposal to fill the Illinois budget’s $12 billion hole, calling it “naive”. Ouch. During an interview with Chicago WBEZ radio, which Progress Illinois overhead, Edgar said: “I don’t agree with across-the-board. … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: State Senator Bill Brady Gets What He Wished For
(Springfield, IL) — March 4, 2010. The latest proposal from Democratic state senators to fix the budget looks a lot like an idea from the presumptive GOP gubernatorial candidate, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington). In a committee on Wednesday, state senators discussed a proposed 10 percent cut to some of the state’s most expensive programs, … Continue reading
Illinois Cemeteries: Pat Quinn Announces New Cemetery Protections Begin March 1; But Regulations, Fees May Doom Hundreds of Cemeteries
(Chicago, IL) — March 1, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn yesterday announced that a series of protections for consumers provided by the new Cemetery Oversight Act take effect on March 1, but the new regulatory beast created by the law may force hundred of small cemeteries out of business. The Act, which Quinn signed into law … Continue reading
Illinois Governor Race 2010: GOP Lt. Governor Nominee Jason Plummer Says No Skeletons in Background
(Chicago, IL) — February 15, 2o10. Unlike Democrat Scott Lee Cohen, Republican Lt. Governor nominee Jason Plummer says his background is clean. “I don’t think there’s anything in my past,” 27-year-old Jason Plummer told the Daily Herald‘s Timothy Magaw. “I’m proud of what I’ve done. I’m proud of what my family’s done.” Heck, at 27, … Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Republican Primary-Governor: Poll Says Andy McKenna, Jim Ryan and Kirk Dillard Lead GOP Governor Race; Bill Brady, Adam Andrzejewski, and Dan Proft Lag
(Chicago, IL) — January 24, 2010. Money may not be able to buy happiness, but it may be able to buy an election–which would be happiness for the winner. Perhaps. Given the financial collapse that is Illinois, the winner may just end up with the booby prize. Anyway. Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna … Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Elections: Adam Andrzejeski: “We’re the only campaign surging in the polls” – LOL
From the Department of Kid-You-Not, Illinois 2010 Republican Governor candidate Adam Andrzejeski announces in a new press release “We’re the only campaign surging in the polls…” Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Elections: THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER Today on “Mornings with Ray Hanania” WJJG 1530 AM
Yours truly, the editor of THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER will appear today morning at 8:00 a.m. on “Mornings with Ray Hanania”, a lively new radio show in Chicagoland. Continue reading
David Ormsby, Editor
Gov. Pat Quinn
- Pat Quinn On Gay Marriage: Illinois Governor Endorses Marriage ... The Huffington Post News Editors
- Hon. Pat Quinn, Governor, State of Illinois « City Club Chicago Videos city club chicago
- FREEDOMISMIST: PAT QUINN MAY BE ABLE STAY OUT OF ... Eileen
- Governor Pat Quinn Puts His Foot Down On Gambling Expansion ... Mark
- Teachers picket against pension changes : News : ConnectTriStates ... KHQA Newsdesk
- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn Endorses Gay Marriage unknown
- Democurmudgeon: Gov. Pat Quinn exposes Scott Walker as a fake ... Democurmudgeon
- Quinn Launches “Save Our State" Website | Chicago Tonight | WTTW Yasmin Rammohan
- McHenry County Blog | Pat Quinn Tells Truth about Pension ... Cal Skinner
- Pat Quinn Criticizes Scott Walker On Jobs The Huffington Post News Editors
IL General Assembly
- Illinois General Assembly Approves Money to Keep Day Care Center Open, Bill ... - WJBD Online May 18, 2012
- State's Minimum Wage Could Become Highest in Country - Patch.com May 18, 2012
- Legislative update: Budget, pension, Medicaid await Illinois General Assembly ... - NIU Today May 15, 2012
- General Assembly puts health exchange bill on back burner - Crain's Chicago Business May 10, 2012
- American Progressive Bag Alliance Urges Illinois General Assembly To Pass ... - MarketWatch (press release) May 1, 2012
- Personal property tax diversion goes nowhere in legislature - The State Journal-Register May 16, 2012
- American Progressive Bag Alliance Urges Illinois General Assembly To Pass ... - PR Newswire (press release) May 1, 2012
- Feds give Illinois more money for insurance exchange as Legislature stalls - Crain's Chicago Business May 17, 2012
- Chicago Cubs, Obama controversy part of final days of legislative session - Examiner.com May 19, 2012
- Our View: Illinois pensions, casinos and Rockford's new bishop in stew - Rockford Register Star May 13, 2012
The Capitol Fax Blog
- Reader comments closed for the weekend May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Chicago Tribune: Coal plant closures could send electricity costs soaring May 18, 2012 Advertising Department
- Protected: *** UPDATED x5 *** SUBSCRIBERS ONLY: This just in… May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Question of the day May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- OK, so where’s your plan? May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Caption contest! May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Topinka: Cigarette tax hike a “common sense solution” May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Slots at tracks a possibility? Maybe May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- AFSCME loses appeal over canceled raises May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- *** UPDATED x2 - Ricketts gave preliminary approval, lauded TV ad *** Cubs owners try damage control May 18, 2012 Rich Miller