Show updates for this week March 25 and 27

Tonight's show features an interview with Patricia Herbst on the services offered to children with Cerebral Palsey ... Mark Smith of Wild Garden talks about his new product, Wild Garden Hummus Dip and its popularity with schools and airlines ... a 30 minute segment from Ray Hanania's standup comedy performance at B'nai Yehuda Beth Shalom Synagogue March 22, 2008 in Homewood, Illinois, and Ray's column on Western (March 20th) and Greek Orthodox Easter (April 28th) celebrations in America. This show was pre-taped.

Thursday, March 27, begins with an interview with John Stanton, a writer with RollCall Report in Washington D.C. on the controversy surrounding Oak lawn Trustee and Congressional Chief of Staff Jerry Hurckes in his role bringing federal services for Oak Lawn. Also discussing the controversy include Oak Lawn Trustee Tom Phelan and Oak Lawn Mayor Dave Heilmann. Stanton's story suggests that Hurckes may be violating congressional regulations for staff personal which prohibits them from arranging any federal services for places where they work. Stanton will clarify the issue for us. Hurckes, chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, 3rd District Illinois, has also been invited to joint he show.

We will have time in the 2nd hour for telephone calls from listeners at 773-777-1450. Listen to the show live on streaming Internet during the show at www.WCEV1450.com if you are not in the six-county Chicago area. Or, podcast the show afterwards from www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Ray Hanania

Chicago Reader picks up on Pera media conflict

The Chicago Reader has a more detailed story of the controversy involving Mark Pera's spokesman, Patrick Corcoran, who has been writing bylined news stories about Pera's campaign challenge to U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski in the "Trib Local," (http://www.triblocal.com/) the weekly community tabloid published every Thursday in some 21 suburban communities, many on the Southwest Side and suburbs.

Here's the link to Michael Miner's story:

http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/hottype/080124/

The story coincidentally comes out the same week I wrote a similar column, appearing this week in the Southwest News-Herald on the same topic. Both of us have deadlines the previous week. And, at the same time, according to the Trib-Local web site, the "news stories" bylined by Patrick Corcoran have been rebranded to relfect what was not reflected in more than 12 past news stories byt he writer, that Pat Corcoran works for the Mark Pera campaign.

Here's the link to my column:

http://swnewsherald.com/news_inside/2008/01/012508cs_rh_shellgame.php

What was missed in the Chicago Reader story is the manipulation of the Corcoran bylined stories by the Pera campaign. Pera has repeatedly asserted that former Congressman Bill Lipinski has been "running" his son Dan's re-election campaign, arguing that is something wrong with that "fact." Pera cited "press accounts," placing the blame for the charge on the news media.

Of course, the only place that made that accusation was in the Trib Local, in a "news story" bylined by Patrick Corcoran.

The Chicago Reader goes into more details about the the Trib Local managing editor, Kyle Leonard, was an editor at the Pioneer Press, the same time Corcoran worked there.

You won't see the downtown mainstream media hammer away at that one!

Ray Hanania

Elected officials who have endorsed Dan Lipinski for Congress

Elected officials who have endorsed Congressman Dan Lipinski in the 3rd Congressional District:

Elected officials who have endorsed Congressman Dan Lipinski’s re-election campaign include: James Balcer--Alderman, City of Chicago, 11th Ward
Frank Olivo--Alderman, City of Chicago, 13th Ward
Edward Burke--Alderman, City of Chicago, 14th Ward
Ginger Rugai--Alderman, City of Chicago, 19th Ward
Lona Lane--Alderman, City of Chicago, 18th Ward
Michael Zalewski – Alderman, City of Chicago 23rd Ward
Samuel Simone--Committeeman, Palos Township
John Thoman--Committeeman, Riverside Township
Bob Lovero – Committeeman, Berwyn Township
Charlie Hernandez – Committeeman Cicero Township
John Daley--Committeeman, City of Chicago
Michael Madigan--Committeeman, City of Chicago, 13th Ward
Matthew O'Shea--Committeeman, City of Chicago, 19th Ward
John Joiner--Committeeman, City of Chicago, 18th Ward
Luis Gutierrez—Congressman, Illinois 4th District
Michael O'Connor--Mayor, City of Berwyn
Gene Siegel--Mayor, Village of Chicago Ridge
Michael Howley--Mayor, City of Hickory Hills
Harry Klein--Mayor, City of Burbank
Ed Guzdziol--Mayor, Village of Worth
Jeffrey Tobolski--Mayor, Village of McCook
Robert Conrad--Mayor, Village of Countryside
Richard Scheck--Mayor, Village of North Riverside
Paul Gatusso--President, Village of Westchester
Donald Tabor--President, Village of Stickney
Steve Landek--President, Village of Bridgeview
Krzysztof Wasowicz--President, Village of Justice
David Brady--President, Village of Bedford Park
Joseph Strzelczyk--President, Village of Summit
Michael Garvey--President, Village of Brookfield
Richard Andrews--President, Village of Indian Head Park
Noel Cummings--President, Village of Hodgkins
James Discipio--President, Village of LaGrange Park
David Visk--President, Village of Lyons
Harold Wiaduck--President, Village of Riverside
John Lynch--President, Village of Western Springs
Dennis Magee--President, Village of Merrionette Park J
ames Brosnahan--State Representative
Mary Flowers--State Representative
Kevin Joyce--State Representative
Robert Molaro--State Representative
Jacqueline Collins--State Senator
Edward Maloney--State Senator
Martin Sandoval--State Senator
Louis Viverito--State Senator

Jerry Bennett fundraiser draws 19th ward supporters

Contact Information:
Alex Behrend, 708-907-5063

Bennett Bash at Bourbon Street

19th Ward Operations Shaping up for Bennett’s Bid to Oust Lipinski

[CHICAGO, Illinois] -- Demonstrating his growing support in key regions of the Third Congressional District, supporters in the 19th Ward communities of Beverly and Mount Greenwood are hosting a campaign event today at Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park for Democratic challenger to Dan Lipinski, Mayor Jerry Bennett.

“We are building a grassroots network of local leaders and elected officials in this campaign to bring renewed pride to our Congressional District and change to Washington, DC,” says Jerry Bennett of his network of support in the 19th Ward and throughout the 3rd CD.
“Our support is homegrown in the district and we have the momentum in these final days before the election.”

Last month, Bennett enjoyed a strong turnout of supporters at an event in Berwyn at Michael Anthony’s restaurant. The campaign has also held house parties in La Grange, Palos Hills, as well as lined up ground operations in Worth, Lyons, Stickney and the 11th, 13th and 23rd Wards of Chicago.

Bennett’s energetic leadership and proven accomplishments for Southland communities stem from his life-long roots and record in the area. Born and raised in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood of Chicago, Bennett went to school in Beverly and also lived in the community right after he and his wife, Christine, were married in 1970. Both sides of Bennett’s family are from the District … his wife grew up in Chicago’s Garfield Ridge near Midway Airport.

19th Ward leaders, including John Sullivan who ran against Dan Lipinski in 2006 and Maureen Kelly, co-hosted the event along with Bennett’s sisters Kathy Guitierrez and Barb Bennett.

ABOUT JERRY BENNETT

A proven leader with a proven record to change Washington DC, Jerry Bennett is running for Congress to get the U.S. out of Iraq, get the economy back on track and pass universal health care. As Mayor of Palos Hills for 27 years and a small business owner, Bennett is the only candidate running in the Third Congressional District who has the experience providing good jobs with real benefits and standing up for what is right for our region.

A lifelong resident of the Third Congressional District, Bennett’s roots and record run deep. Born and raised in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood of the City of Chicago, Bennett went to school in Mt.
Greenwood and lived in Beverly with his wife Christine when they were first married. Christine grew up in Garfield Heights near Midway Airport. They moved to Palos Hills to raise their three daughters - Sara, Rebecca and Kristen.

As President of the Illinois Municipal League and Chair of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Jerry Bennett has worked with leaders across the region to implement and deliver critical economic development initiatives and quality of life proposals.
Many of the suburban towns of the Third Congressional District are represented by the Southwest Conference of Mayors, which Bennett founded to provide a strong, united voice in Washington, DC and Springfield.
Bennett also started Southwest Central Dispatch – covering this area and beyond – which coordinates critical first-responders such as fire, police and EMT in life-saving emergencies

- END -

Pera draws more endorsements

Media contact:
For immediate release: Patrick Corcoran
Wednesday, January 2, 2008 (708) 579-2834

More prominent Democrats back Mark Pera for Congress

Illinois Sen. Carol Ronen, D-7th, Illinois Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-12th, Chicago Ald. Tom Tunney, 44th Ward, and Ald. Joe Moore, 49th Ward formally announced this week their support for Mark Pera for Congress.

The group, along with Rick Garcia of Equality Illinois and others, has joined the host committee for Pera’s January 9 fund-raiser in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.

Pera’s aggressive campaign against Dan Lipinski in Illinois’ 3rd District has been named one of the top primary races to watch in the entire country by the Washington D.C.-based Congressional Quarterly and a number of online publications.

Pera said he’s attracting such wide support from across the city and suburbs because progressive politicians and voters are disappointed with Lipinski’s voting record on the issues that matter to them most, such as Iraq, energy and the environment, choice and LGBT rights.

“Illinois Democrats take great pride in delivering forward-thinking, progressive candidates to Congress. They believe Illinois’ 3rd District should be represented in Congress by a Democrat who votes with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, not President George Bush and the Republicans,” Pera said.

These prominent supporters join a number of Democrats who have already endorsed Mark Pera for Congress, including Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool, Illinois Sen. Dan Kotowski, Illinois Rep. John Fritchey, Chicago aldermen Manuel “Manny” Flores, Brendan Reilly and Scott Waguespack and Water Reclamation District Commissioner Debra Shore.

For more information on the Jan. 9 event, call (708) 579-2834.

The invitation to the can be downloaded at http://www.PERA08.com.

###

Lipinski lists funds secured for district

Lipinski Secures Millions of Federal Dollars for Local Communities
FY2008 Appropriations Bill Passes Congress

[Washington D.C.] – Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL) announced that with the passage of the FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill today, he has secured millions of dollars that will aid Third District residents.

"These federal funds will help our communities by easing traffic congestion, expanding mass transit, cleaning up the local environment, increasing care for abused children, housing homeless veterans, providing communications equipment for area first responders, protecting food safety, helping local communities improve water infrastructure, and developing environmentally friendly transportation,” said Congressman Lipinski. "These are the issues that affect people every day, and I am proud to be bringing back the funding that will improve the daily lives of Third District residents.”

In addition, thanks to Congressman Lipinski’s efforts, the legislation also includes more than $20 million for the Capital Grants Rail Line Relocation and Improvement Program, a federal grants program that could help create quiet zones, build underpasses, improve safety, and aid economic development in local communities with rail lines.

The FY2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill includes funding for the following projects requested by Rep. Lipinski:

$400,000 for a parking garage in Berwyn that would serve area communities as well as provide economic development and traffic mitigation in the area.
$500,000 for extension of the Chicago Transit Authority's Orange Line from its current terminus at Midway Airport to Ford City Mall. The extension would feature a new station with intermodal connections to nearby neighborhoods and southwest suburban communities.
$250,000 for the construction of a community center at Saint Richard Parish serving the Archer Heights Community. This center will be used by the parish, the local community, and organizations such as the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.
$238,000 for the Cook County Environmental Infrastructure Fund, to aid in improving local water and sewer systems and community environmental infrastructure needs.
$500,000 for a feasibility study of the South Fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River, also known as Bubbly Creek, to address problems of odor and water quality issues.
$100,000 for a study to determine alternatives to using the Lucas-Berg Confined Dredged Facility as a disposal site for dredged material from the Calumet-Sag Channel Modification and Illinois Waterway.
$1,000,000 for fuel research and development at Northern Illinois University. Working in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory, Northern Illinois University will continue a joint research program to develop a viable fuel cell vehicle that will provide environmentally-friendly transportation.
$2,228,000 for the National Center for Food Safety & Technology, run by the Illinois Institute of Technology, to continue conducting food safety, security and prevention technology research. With recent events having raised awareness of the importance of food safety, this funding will facilitate research that will help ensure that Americans have a safe food supply.
$316,000 for Advocate Health Care’s Childhood Trauma Treatment Program for specialized and comprehensive psychotherapy and support for abused and neglected children and their families.
$243,000 for Northern Illinois University’s College of Engineering and Engineering Technology for a center developing new technologies and working on interdisciplinary projects ranging from homeland security to noise cancellation.
$487,000 for Catholic Charities for a proposed St. Leo’s Residence to provide all aspects of rehabilitation to homeless veterans with the goal of them self sufficient.
$2,256,000 for Cook County to spend on Interoperable Safety and Emergency Communications Radios to allow local villages and municipalities to communicate in the event of a biological, chemical or terrorist attack and would assist thousands of first responders in the Cook County region.

The funding bill has been approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate and is expected to be signed into law this week.

###

Mayor Bennett statement on Bush veto of Schip bill

For Immediate Release: December 12, 2006

Contact: Alex Behrend, 708-907-5063

Statement of Mayor Jerry Bennett (Candidate for Congress, IL-3) re Bush Veto of SCHIP Bill

"As a small business owner and Mayor, I have always made sure my employees and those working for the City of Palos Hills have quality, affordable health care because it is devastating to be without coverage.

George W. Bush’s veto of health insurance for children is outrageous and an all-too-familiar example of why we need experienced leaders in Congress who can be effective on key issues such as comprehensive health care – especially for the youngest and most vulnerable in America."

- END -