IOP Response to 2016 State of the State
Today, Illinois is in a better place than it was a year ago. Better, but not remotely good enough. The governor’s work – and ours – to improve the way Illinois operates at every level is just beginning. Some necessary reforms will take time and require a continued political shift of power, but others are immediately at hand.
Read Full Article“I think it’s disgraceful that we treat the truly vulnerable in Illinois as cannon fodder…” Dan Proft
I think it’s disgraceful that we treat the truly vulnerable in Illinois as cannon fodder for a big government agenda from which they derive no benefit.
Read Full ArticleAFSCME impasse: Will Rauner show the Political Ruling Class who’s boss?
This is a story of the funding arm of the Illinois Political Ruling Class that preaches fairness but enjoys being downright spoiled by those it has bought, paid for and sent to Springfield. AFSCME has always gotten what it has wanted — no matter the price. It likes it that way. And it’s not particularly keen on changing the cozy arrangement it’s had with both parties for generations. This is Rauner’s moment of truth.
Read Full ArticlePat Hughes: “It’s a Violation of the First Amendment”
Pat Hughes, President of the Liberty Justice Center appears on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight to argue that forcing government workers to pay union dues against their will is unconstitutional.
Read Full ArticleSorry, I’m Just Not Sorry
A woman who censors her own speech to conform to some pop-movement is hardly a feminist. A woman who insists that other women censor their speech to conform to that pop-movement is not “pro-woman…” A feminist is a woman who uses her voice – her own, authentic voice – to advocate the ideas that lift all women – and men – up.
Read Full ArticleRahm, Rauner and Illinois’ Tipping-Point
This is gut-check time in Illinois politics. And so politicians must ask themselves: Are we willing to champion the new Chicago, the new Illinois that is relentlessly rising around us, or are we the dying wail of the old “Chicago Way” that – once gone – is never coming back?
Read Full ArticleIllinois’ Cartel Economy
It is fun to watch the popular HBO show “Game of Thrones.” It is considerably less fun to live in a dressed up iteration of the feudalism of the Middle Ages. If we are being honest with ourselves, the realm of Illinois is such a version with ruling families of shared interests replacing strict bloodlines. It is a government-directed cartel economy where the rule of men has replaced the rule of law.
Read Full ArticleStanding Up for System Change
We support the legislation filed by State Rep. LaShawn Ford to allow for a recall election of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the group of legislators and candidates standing up when they should stand up with Rep. LaShawn Ford.
Read Full ArticleReaction to Rahm Should be Peaceful, but Not Calm
This incident has laid bare how far our elected officials will go to protect the established political power structure in our state… Some have urged “calm” in the wake of this video, but that’s not quite right. Peaceful, yes, but we should not be “calm.” Any person with a conscience and a sense of right and wrong should be furious about this entire situation: both the tragic unnecessary killing of a human being, and the deep corruption of a political system to the point that people will do anything to protect their power and elective offices.
Read Full ArticleProft: Republicans Should Take the Lead to Recall Rahm
We have a recall mechanism for Illinois’ governor. Why shouldn’t we have one for Chicago’s mayor? More former governors are convicted felons, yes. But that doesn’t mean as many former mayors weren’t just as deserving.
Read Full Article
