tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64585919732156533342024-02-28T04:31:31.240-08:00Suburban ChicagolandSuburban: def, sub-urban; sub- below, urban-city life. Well water, no curbs, street postal boxes, garbage cans in front of the house; and the best darn political shenanigans that are not covered enough by the major news media. The official blog of veteran political writer Ray Hanania.Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.comBlogger907125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-40797934237596842132017-04-03T12:59:00.003-07:002017-04-03T12:59:31.198-07:00pekau says he won't take pension benefit<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<strong>pekau says he won't take pension benefit</strong></h1>
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<em>The high profile battle for the office of mayor of Orland Park in southwest suburban Chicago is fueled by the board's decision to give the 23 year incumbent Mayor Dan McLaughlin a massive salary boost and huge pension after only one term in office. The salary and pension spike has outraged many voters and for the first term in many years a challenger, Keith Pekau, appears on the verge of winning</em></h3>
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<strong>By Ray Hanania</strong></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
Public anger that Orland Park's mayor will benefit from a huge pension is fueling the anger and tensions that have turned Orland Park's Mayoral Dan McLaughlin's re-election bid into one of the most contested elections in years.</div>
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The issue hits hard because so many people in our society today are facing retirement with either little or no pension to support their retirement, an issue that is especially sensitive to senior citizens who happen to be the largest voting block not just in Illinois but in Orland Park.</div>
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McLaughlin has said he did not push for the pay hike and that making him full-time would save the village millions. But his critics including a former mayor and trustee, Ed Schussler, insist that the pay hike plan was always McLaughlin's idea and that the board, which rarely votes against the mayor, just went along.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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Tragically for Mayor McLaughlin, had he not accepted the huge pension, he would have been easily re-elected as many voters say they are content with the direction of the village. But finances and taxes and spending are too critical to voters and the mayor's pension spike controversy has turned the election upside-down.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQO6AJwr6eSZMFdO5g0e7nKFrMWmxMxENxrvj_OSGyPcsSM03M20jc2KoxaW8wNRSYaH11DAJzvff65vbuKr2x8TiPKCFDbd4KyX1aJukU7vTuVtyENgVqUMh7nlVN9xY278NkvpkOnI/s1600/10-17-16Orland-Park-Board-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #33595e; font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQO6AJwr6eSZMFdO5g0e7nKFrMWmxMxENxrvj_OSGyPcsSM03M20jc2KoxaW8wNRSYaH11DAJzvff65vbuKr2x8TiPKCFDbd4KyX1aJukU7vTuVtyENgVqUMh7nlVN9xY278NkvpkOnI/s400/10-17-16Orland-Park-Board-3.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">About 100 Residents of Orland Park filled the board meeting room Monday Oct. 17, 2016 to protest increasing Mayor Dan McLaughlin's salary 375 percent from $40,000 to $150,000 a year. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania.</td></tr>
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<strong>Opponent says he will reject pension if he wins</strong></h3>
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Keith Pekau, who never ran for office before, said he was as outraged as everyone else when the Orland Park Board approved the pay hike and the pension spike which would raise McLaughlin's pension from $30,000 a year to $110,000 a year. The salary hike increases his salary fro $40,000 to $150,000 a year.</div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #800000;" style="color: maroon;">============================</span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #800000;" style="color: maroon;">Pekau said that he got in the race not just out of anger</span><br /><span data-mce-style="color: #800000;" style="color: maroon;">but with the promise that if he is elected</span><br /><span data-mce-style="color: #800000;" style="color: maroon;">he will not take the pension benefits</span><br /><span data-mce-style="color: #800000;" style="color: maroon;">and will do everything he can to repeal the salary hike.</span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #800000;" style="color: maroon;">============================</span></h3>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
But a point that angers many is that the salary and pension spike was only intended to help McLaughlin and only takes effect during the next four years of the term of the next mayor, whom the board said they expected to be McLaughlin.</div>
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But the pension spike issue has changed everything.</div>
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And Pekau said that he got in the race not just out of anger but with the promise that if he is elected, he will not take the pension benefits and will do everything he can to repeal the salary hike.</div>
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"I didn't get into the race until right after the board voted," Pekau said. "I was angry about the salary and about the huge increase the mayor would get in his pension. There are so many voters out there who don't have a pension and it just didn't seem right."</div>
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Pekau said that if he is elected on April 4, he will refuse the pension benefits and save the taxpayers millions, whether he serves one term or more than four years.</div>
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"I will not take any pension benefits. I will opt out of the pension. That's my commitment to the voters," Pekau said.</div>
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I asked Pekau about this when a follower on Facebook asked me what Pekau would do.</div>
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"Some argue that I can't opt out of the pension and that I must take it," Pekau said. "But that's not true at all. Full time employees can't opt out of the pension but elected officials can if they have never been in the pension system before."</div>
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When you look at all the issues facing both candidates there are positives and negatives, but no single issue stands out more than the issue of the pension.</div>
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Voters who support McLaughlin are criticizing the influx of outside funding from the Liberty Principles PAC, a conservative Republican PAC.</div>
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But Pekau's supporters point out that McLaughlin is a Democrat who has received similar support from the Democratic Party.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/2017/03/31/orland-mayoral-race-states-attention/" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/2017/03/31/orland-mayoral-race-states-attention/" style="color: #33595e; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Republican-Democratic issue is of some importance</a> especially since Orland Park voter overwhelmingly to break from the Illinois trend in the last Presidential Election to support Republican Donald Trump. Trump received 50.4 percent of the vote while Hillary Clinton received on 44.4 percent of the vote.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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Click here <a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/2017/03/31/orland-mayoral-race-states-attention/" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/2017/03/31/orland-mayoral-race-states-attention/" style="color: #33595e; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">to read how Democrats and Republicans are battling</a> in the McLaughlin-Pekau race.</div>
Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-12966038786338124952017-04-03T12:58:00.000-07:002017-04-03T12:58:35.943-07:00orland mayoral race has state's attention<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<h1 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 1.5em; margin: 0px; text-transform: lowercase;">
<strong>Orland mayoral race has state's attention</strong></h1>
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<em>The battle between Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin and challenger Keith Pekau has the attention of the entire state apparently creating a wild election contest filled with a lot of unusual issues, supporters and claims</em></h3>
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<strong>By Ray Hanania</strong></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
The battle to lead Orland Park, one of the fastest growing suburbs in Chicagoland, has never been as heated and as close as is this contest April 4 between 23-year incumbent Dan McLaughlin and his Republican challenger Keith Pekau.</div>
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McLaughlin has had challenges in the past but never as tough and as strong as Pekau is mustering this time around.</div>
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The battle is all out war.</div>
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Pekau's candidacy is fueled by a move made by McLaughlin last year to boost his salary from $40,000 a year -- which was already high for a part-time mayor -- to more than $150,000, the largest salary increase any incumbent politician has ever given themselves.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGseXXGIC7G1PUcqBWxUU3UO2faqpGaalWyCOlmtk9QVAa7azYspIW9dYUHBUYo5kpdpOBrt1h_wpxZ87Jr_Dbhx9fWQVYPMCn8TePEmTWp0gKhj-28oeiNQiSH7XxXyteEIdzVLNTnE/s1600/KeithPekau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #33595e; font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGseXXGIC7G1PUcqBWxUU3UO2faqpGaalWyCOlmtk9QVAa7azYspIW9dYUHBUYo5kpdpOBrt1h_wpxZ87Jr_Dbhx9fWQVYPMCn8TePEmTWp0gKhj-28oeiNQiSH7XxXyteEIdzVLNTnE/s320/KeithPekau.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Keith Pekau</td></tr>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
But more significantly, it's not just about a pay hike and a monthly wage. It's also about the pension McLaughlin will receive as a result of this record pay hike. McLaughlin has no pension with the Village of Orland Park because he was always part-time, and his primary fulltime job has always been with the unions.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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Under the pay hike approved last year, McLaughlin will immediately qualify for a pension of more than $100,000 a year if he is re-elected April 4 and begins taking the record $150,000 annual mayoral salary.</div>
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In the past, the battles have been about policies. This time it's personal for many voters in Orland Park who are struggling with the still slow economy and changes in healthcare and retirement concerns. The issue of pension abuse has so bruised Illinois residents because this state tops the list of the worst government pension abuses on record.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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McLaughlin's pension grab has fueled Pekau's candidacy and clearly has caused McLaughlin and his allies to shudder in some fear of what might happen Tuesday April 4.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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That's why so many unusual things have happened. Here is a look at the few of the unusual issues at hand.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidSUeUoX5xx_taDrxGxTKHDcv6q3PAtVq0xMBg5lHDKHuwCqP3DXxZPuK1wcshIrLuSD_onxywBOsxMbWYBb3KRnTqkoAmV6hlfyiCwQLEQiudSYKgwFQ9Lahyphenhyphensy6pDi1qYRYLeZoAls/s1600/DanMcLaughlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #33595e; font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidSUeUoX5xx_taDrxGxTKHDcv6q3PAtVq0xMBg5lHDKHuwCqP3DXxZPuK1wcshIrLuSD_onxywBOsxMbWYBb3KRnTqkoAmV6hlfyiCwQLEQiudSYKgwFQ9Lahyphenhyphensy6pDi1qYRYLeZoAls/s320/DanMcLaughlin.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<strong>Jim Dodge the Republican Democrat</strong></h3>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
McLaughlin is a hardcore Democrat but one of his supporters is a former Republican Committeeman and ally on the Village Board Jim Dodge. Dodge, who hasn't done much in the Republican Party in a long time sent a letter hoping that his support will weaken the support Pekau is receiving from Republicans.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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The Republican vote is important. Republican Donald Trump won Orland Park in the presidential election with over 50 percent of the vote over his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, who received only 44.4 percent.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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Yet in his letter, despite supporting one of the region's strongest Democratic mayors, Dodge noted how he previously ran as a Republican for Illinois State Comptroller in 2010 and served as Republican Township committeeman.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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Of course, Dodge didn't mention in his letter that in his bid, he tried to torpedo one of the most respected Republican office holders in the state, Judy Baar Topinka. Many people viewed Dodge's run for Comptroller not as an effort to win as a Republican but to weaken Topinka, the only Republican to hold a statewide office. She previously served as Illinois Treasurer, ran unsuccessfully for Governor, and then ran for Comptroller in 2010.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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Topinka trounced Dodge with nearly 60 percent of the vote and criticized Dodge for entering the race rather than backing a Republican Party incumbent. She believed that Dodge's candidacy was intended to weaken her in the 2010 Republican Primary to make it easier for<br />
a Democrat to defeat her in the November 2010 General Election.</div>
<div class="mceTemp" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
But Topinka won anyway and was re-elected in 2014. Unfortunately Topinka, one of the most beloved Republican leaders in Illinois, died a month later on Dec. 10, 2014.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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Reminding Republican voters of how he tanked Topinka probably wouldn't do his support for McLaughlin a lot of good.</div>
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<strong>Senator Durbin jumps into the fray</strong></h3>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
How often does a U.S. Senator jump into a local mayoral election. But that's exactly what U.S. Senator Dick Durbin did this past week,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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Durbin sent an email to voters in Orland Park that urged them to support McLaughlin, which to me only reinforced the growing perception that Mayor McLaughlin is in real serious trouble.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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If you thought Pekau had no chance of beating McLaughlin, Durbin's letter puts the nail in that coffin. Unofficial polling shows Pekau and McLaughlin running neck-and-neck and that is shocking for someone who has been in office 23 years and easily defeated every past challenger.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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What's the issue this time?</div>
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Well, it's the issue Durbin's letter didn't address, the issue of the $110,000 pay hike and the corresponding pension boost that the mayor will receive.</div>
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You see, Durbin is one of those Illinois politicians who could be blamed for the huge pension turmoil that Illinois is experiencing, a pension crisis that has dragged Illinois to the lowest levels of the economic scale. Illinois ranks as the worst state in the nation economically and you can't blame that on Gov. Bruce Rauner. It was that way before he even stepped in the door.</div>
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Durbin's email talked about all the good things Orland Park has achieved but avoided any mention of the salary hike and the pension boost.</div>
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<span class="s1">Durbin wrote:</span></div>
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<em><br /></em><em>"In Illinois many municipalities are in financial crisis, and have seen their credit and bond ratings tumble."</em></div>
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Yea, you should know Senator!</div>
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Durbin goes on to detail McLaughlin's assets and in and of themselves, they pretty good. Orland is one of the best communities in Chicagoland. That's true. There are some economic issues but the retail base is strong.</div>
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Yet, after listing all of McLaughlin's benefits, Durbin just couldn't get himself to acknowledge that his "pal of 20 years" made a huge mistake in ratcheting up his salary from $40,000 to $150,000, and gifting himself a pension of a record $80,000 a year after only a few years of service?</div>
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No wonder this country is so screwed up in Washington D.C.</div>
Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-20685073228409626352017-02-12T15:16:00.000-08:002017-02-12T18:36:20.860-08:00NEWS: Bridgeview police arrest adult male in sexting solicitation with under-age girl<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<span class="s1"><b>NEWS: Bridgeview police arrest adult male in sexting solicitation with under-age girl</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">The Bridgeview Police Sunday announced that charges have been filed against a 46-year-old male truck driver from Iowa who is accused of soliciting sex with an under-aged girl using cell phone texts.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Michael G. Bronkhorst was arrested at 2:15 PM on Harlem Avenue near 77th Street as he walked to meet a young girl who lives in Bridgeview who he had engaged in a text conversation.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Bronkhorst drove from Iowa to a fast food restaurant on Harlem where he parked his semi-truck and trailer expecting to meet the girl. Police arrested Bronkhorst as he walked to the restaurant for the meeting.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Bridgeview Detectives Robert Tomiczak, Tim Prince and Dan Matuszak were assisted in making the arrest by Oak Forest/ICAC Detective Greg Okon, Oak Forest Detective Casey Gallagher, Lyons/ICAC Detective Dave DeLeshe, and Forest Park/ICAC Detective Jarlath Heveran.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZLIjTZRLyzGgFtQsV8AximFV9rc82GKjPSIwCP_xhP_umIC5d4k7gYr5pv5gXOYAenCzYEnutuAEtBPot3TQYg3ctlnweKAVI4k6EizaqR9eOlfMvodCLQpNu_0H8qZSix48HsbKrulX/s1600/02-11-17Michael+G.+BRONKHORSTArrestBridgeview3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZLIjTZRLyzGgFtQsV8AximFV9rc82GKjPSIwCP_xhP_umIC5d4k7gYr5pv5gXOYAenCzYEnutuAEtBPot3TQYg3ctlnweKAVI4k6EizaqR9eOlfMvodCLQpNu_0H8qZSix48HsbKrulX/s320/02-11-17Michael+G.+BRONKHORSTArrestBridgeview3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1">Detectives established surveillance after obtaining permission from the girl’s parents to access her cell phone and to continue the text conversations.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Bridgeview Police Chief Ricardo Mancha said that no harm had come to the young girl, who did not meet the suspect. He said that the girl’s parents notified police after viewing their daughter’s texts.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">“The parents did the right thing and monitored their daughter's use of the cell phone and who she was texting. They immediately realized their daughter was being drawn into an inappropriate situation and called the police,” Mancha said.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">“This is a common problem and a reminder that parents need to monitor the texting and social media of their under-aged children to protect them from predators."</span><br />
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<span class="s1">Police said that the investigation began in late December when the girl was only 12 years old. She is now 13.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">The Cook County State’s Attorney reviewed the investigation and approved charges for Indecent Solicitation of a Child (Class 1 felony) and Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class 3 felony).</span></div>
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<span class="s1">BRONKHORST was charged accordingly and will be ready for transport to bond court in the morning.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">(Photo Mugshot attached courtesy of the Bridgeview Police Department)</span></div>
Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-63131912868195212016-10-23T08:19:00.000-07:002016-10-23T08:19:06.847-07:00Waking up to a new world of a Cubs Pennant<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<h1 style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif;">
<strong>Waking up to a new world of a Cubs Pennant</strong></h1>
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<em>I've always loved the Chicago Cubs since I was a little kid. Maybe it started with the name but it grew into admiring the great players that have been on the team, and being in love with one of the greatest baseball parks in America, Wrigley Field. Cheering for the Cubs to win the Pennant has always been fun in a large part because they have always fallen short, 71 years for a Pennant and 108 years since a World Series win.</em></h3>
<h2 style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif;">
<strong>By Ray Hanania</strong></h2>
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<a data-mce-href="http://RayHanania.podbean.com" href="http://rayhanania.podbean.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="RayHananiaColumnPodcast_" class="alignleft wp-image-7008" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/RayHananiaColumnPodcast_.jpg" height="179" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/RayHananiaColumnPodcast_.jpg" style="float: left; height: auto; margin: 0.5em 1em 0.5em 0px; max-width: 100%;" width="179" /></a>I've always loved the <a data-mce-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Cubs" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Cubs" target="_blank">Chicago Cubs</a>, ever since I was a little kid growing up on the South Side of Chicago where most of my neighbors were all diehard White Sox fans. Even Chicago's great mayors, Richard J. and Richard M. Daley were Sox fans.</div>
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Still, maybe that love was with the Cubs' name. But it grew into admiration of the many great players that have played for the team, and definitely true love with one of the greatest baseball parks in America, Wrigley Field.</div>
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Cheering for the Cubs to win the Pennant has always been fun in a large part because they have always fallen short of making it to a World Series game -- it's been 108 years since their last World Series victory in 1908. The Cubs played three back-to-back World Series in 1906, 1907 and 1908, winning the last two. But that led to a 108 year draught. The Cubs won the Pennant in 1945 but lost the World Series to the Detroit Tigers.</div>
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It would be the last World Series they would ever play, until now. The Chicago Cubs were the "underdogs" of baseball.</div>
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The "underdog" is a powerful symbol of determination, persistence, stubbornness to succeed. It's something that I have always embraced, in everything, including politics. I'm definitely an "underdog" fan, not just of the symbolism but of the many other related spin-offs including the popular Underdog animated series that began in 1964 and ended in 1973.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cubs_field.jpg" href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cubs_field.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Deutsch: Wrigley-Field, Chicago (IL)" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" data-mce-src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Cubs_field.jpg/350px-Cubs_field.jpg" height="456" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Cubs_field.jpg/350px-Cubs_field.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" title="Deutsch: Wrigley-Field, Chicago (IL)" width="607" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd zemanta-img-attribution" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Wrigley-Field, Chicago (IL) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)</dd></dl>
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"There's no need to fear. Underdog is here," the proud and powerful yet "humble and lovable" Shoeshine Boy cartoon doggie would declare as he quickly turned into a superhero, whose goal was to save people.</div>
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The Underdog saving people. It's a heartwarming theme that kept Cubs fan's hearts warm for more than 108 years in this country.</div>
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The Chicago Cubs changed that last night, October 22, 2016, a day that will go down in history as one of the great days in American baseball. They won the National Championship and the 2016 Pennant.</div>
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The Chicago Cubs defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games, and the clincher was at Wrigley Field on Saturday night when Chicago's team shutout the Dodgers and their over-ballyhooed "fearsome" Goliath of a pitcher, Clayton Kershaw. Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Kyle Hendricks, our phenomenal pitcher that night, Ben Zobrist, David Ross, Willson Contreras, Jason Heyward, Jake Arrieta and so many more brought it home together.</div>
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In my eyes, Rizzo, Bryant, Hendricks are the Mickey Mantles and Roger Maris' of my boyhood baseball heroes.</div>
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<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 549px;" id="attachment_7315" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: 549px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Aaron Hanania interviews Cubs First Baseman Anthony Rizzo in 2015 as the Cubs began their rise." class=" wp-image-7315" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/AaronRizzo2-300x200.jpg" height="359" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/AaronRizzo2-300x200.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="539" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Aaron Hanania interviews Cubs First Baseman Anthony Rizzo in 2015 as the Cubs began their rise.</dd></dl>
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That feeling that the Underdog saved Cubs fans is overpowering, overcoming a mythical curse that many used as the excuse to explain why so many other Cubs greats had failed to bring their team to a Pennant sooner. Ernie Banks, who lived in Pill Hill, a few blocks away from where I grew up on Chicago's South East side in the 1960s, which was also right down the street by another underdog powerhouse, Muhammed Ali. And Ron Santo, and power hitter Billy Williams. The faces changed many times. Great pitcher Fergie Jenkins, Randy Hundley and power hitter Glenn Beckert.</div>
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We saw all the names come and go, dogged under the shadow of an excuse, a hyped-up curse about a Greek immigrant and bar owner, Billy Sianis, who tried to bring his goat into the 1945 World Series game, the last game the Pennant flying Cubs would play for 71 years. The blue and gold clothed Andy Frain ushers refused to allow Sianis and his goat into the ballpark, and he gave them an Old World, Middle Eastern curse. The Cubs lost the World Series to the Detroit Tigers and it's been drought ever since.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Aaron Hanania at the 2014 Cubs Convention with Cubs Pitcher Fergie Jenkins" class=" wp-image-7336" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/AaronHananiawithFergieJenkinsCubsPitcher-300x225.jpg" height="456" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/AaronHananiawithFergieJenkinsCubsPitcher-300x225.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="608" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Aaron Hanania at the 2014 Cubs Convention with Cubs Pitcher Fergie Jenkins</dd></dl>
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No World Series victory since back-to-back victories in 1907 and 1908. No Pennant win since 1945. World Series hopes dashed year after year since. No wonder wags would manufacture a stupid excuse that would become folklore in Chicago and around the country about a goat and an immigrant bar owner.</div>
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Columnist Mike Royko, who I knew and worked with, glommed on to the story told by the goat owner's nephew, Sam Sianis, at none other than the <a data-mce-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Goat_Tavern" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Goat_Tavern" target="_blank">Billy Goat Tavern</a> under Michigan Avenue where Royko and his adoring entourage of journalist pals and bar admirers would sit, eat burgers and get drunk on beer. Billy Sianis was a entrepreneur and super promoter who was in the news all the time, mainly in Royko's columns. But Sianis also created his own news, like when he petitioned Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley for the first liquor license for the moon.</div>
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Royko later wrote that it was all just in good fun. A typical Chicago good story, or "gawd stawwy" as my City Hall journalism mentor would put it, the late great Harry Golden Jr. And it was a good story, the only believable explanation for why the Cubs had not won a pennant (71 years) or won a World Series (108) in such a long time.</div>
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Great players. Great fans. Great ballpark.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Aaron Hanania at a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field" class=" wp-image-7335" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/AaronHananiaCubsGameWrigleyField-300x225.jpg" height="431" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/AaronHananiaCubsGameWrigleyField-300x225.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="575" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Aaron Hanania at a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field</dd></dl>
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The truth is that the Billy Goat story is nothing more than an excuse to explain away years of not winning. Underdogs are often shouldered with that explanation. They just didn't make it. A team isn't just a few great players like Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Fergie Jenkins and Ron Santo who can slam in home runs. It's a team that comes together to keep the other team from scoring.</div>
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And that's what the Cubs did Saturday night. They kept the Los Angeles Dodgers from scoring. They played almost perfect baseball. Three memorable double plays took the Dodgers off the bases before they could get past First Base, the criteria needed to threaten runs.</div>
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The Cubs will play the Cleveland Indians, who are also in a mini-slump of their own, having not won a World Series since 1948. If only the Cubs just had that problem.</div>
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Winning the World Series is great. Playing in the World Series as the underdog is dynamic. Electrifying. Something that will charge up Cubs fans more than any other baseball or sports fan in the country.</div>
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This is a new world where Chicago Cubs fans can lift up their heads with pride. They did what everyone said they couldn't do. It took a long time to get there, 71 years, and who knows if they will win the World Series ... I hope they do ... something they haven't done in 108 years since 1908.</div>
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I don't care. We counted the years since Pennant and World Series wins like the statistics we count for the players themselves.</div>
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The Chicago Cubs won the 2016 National League Pennant and that is good enough for me. If they win the World Series, I will be happy, but we will always be the underdogs of baseball.</div>
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Where were you when the Cubs clinched it? It's a question that will go down in the history books along with several other. Where where you when John F. Kennedy was assassinated? Where were you when Princess Di was murdered by the paparazzi to prevent her from marrying a Muslim Arab playboy?</div>
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Whatever.</div>
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The Cub has become the Bear, and not soon enough, ironically.</div>
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"There's no need to fear. The Underdog Cubs are here!"</div>
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Check out Aaron Hanania's interview with Anthony Rizzo in 2015 and visit his website at <a data-mce-href="http://www.Aaron411.com" href="http://www.aaron411.com/" target="_blank">www.Aaron411.com</a>.</div>
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Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-15863287104816423762016-07-28T11:12:00.001-07:002016-07-28T11:12:09.637-07:00Morton High school receives National Honors as District of the Year<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<strong>Morton High school receives National Honors as District of the Year</strong></h1>
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<em><strong>J. Sterling Morton High School named District of the Year for Advanced Placement by the National College Board in a recent evaluation of more than 6,000 campuses. Morton was selected from more than 450 schools that were credited with AP achievements.</strong></em></div>
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J. Sterling Morton High school District 201 in west suburban Chicago was named “District of the Year” by College Board Advanced Placement, a national education association representing more than 6,000 educational institutions around the country.</div>
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Morton was selected from all school districts across the nation that participate in the AP program. More than 21,000 high schools take part in Advanced Placement testing.</div>
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Morton High school, which has two campuses in Cicero and in Berwyn, Illinois, has 2,350 students who are currently enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) classes through the collaboration between College Board and Morton.</div>
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“We are very proud of our students and staff and this achievement which once again proves that Morton High school is one of the best educational institutions in the Midwest and Illinois,” said the Jeff Pesek, president of the Morton High School Board.</div>
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“This award is a reflection of all of their hard work and dedication. District leadership will continue to work hard to ensure that every student continues to succeed.”</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Morton High school District 201 named District of the Year by College Board, 2016" class=" wp-image-6940" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/MortonHighschoolstudents-300x200.jpg" height="421" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/MortonHighschoolstudents-300x200.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="632" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Morton High school District 201 named District of the Year by College Board, 2016</dd></dl>
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Trevor Packer, senior vice president of AP and instruction at the College Board, said the award is an important educational achievement.</div>
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“This award shows that the teachers and administrators at Morton are challenging students to achieve at the highest levels,” Packer said.</div>
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“They are succeeding in helping students attain the benefits of the AP Program — to gain confidence, learn to craft effective arguments, earn credit for college, and eventually graduate from college on time. The College Board applauds the district’s leadership to ensure that a more diverse population of students is prepared to succeed in college.”</div>
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College Board is an American private non-profit organization that was formed in December 1899 as the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) to expand access to higher education. It runs a membership association of institutions, including over 6,000 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations. College Board develops and administers standardized tests and curricula used by K–12 and post-secondary education institutions to promote college-readiness and as part of the college admissions process.</div>
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Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success — including the SAT and the Advanced Placement Program. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Morton High school students" class=" wp-image-6941" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/MortonHighschoolstudents2-300x225.jpg" height="410" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/MortonHighschoolstudents2-300x225.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="547" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Morton High school students</dd></dl>
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The competition for placement was intense, Pesek said, but added, “Our students academically are up to the challenge and are proud to showcase their educational abilities.”</div>
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Of 21,000 high schools that participated in the AP Program this year, Morton was one of 425 school districts across the U.S. and Canada that achieved placement on the annual AP District Honor Roll. From this list, three AP Districts of the Year — one for each category of district population size: small, medium, and large — were selected based on an analysis of three academic years of AP data.</div>
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From 2013 to 2015, J. Sterling Morton School District:</div>
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Simultaneously and continuously increased the number of students taking AP classes while improving successful outcomes (a score of 3 or higher out of 5 points) on AP Exams, with 33 percent of all AP students scoring a 3 or higher in 2015;</div>
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Increased student participation in AP by 19 percent annually and the percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam by 7 percent annually; and</div>
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Increased the percentage of traditionally underrepresented minority AP students earning a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam by 9 percent annually — an increase of 266 students since 2013. (80 percent or more of the AP students in J. Sterling Morton School District is American Indian, African American, or Hispanic/Latino. In addition, over 90 percent or more of the AP students in the district qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.)</div>
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Increasing access to AP course work while simultaneously increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher out of 5 points is the ideal scenario for a district’s AP program, indicating that the district is successfully preparing a larger array of its students for the rigor of AP and college studies.</div>
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Participating in AP course work can also lead to college savings for families because the typical student who scores a 3 or higher on two AP Exams has the potential to save, on average, $1,779 at a public four-year college and over $6,000 at a private institution.</div>
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Morton High school was presented with the honor in Anaheim, California during the 2016 AP Annual Conference held this month.</div>
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In 2015, more than 3,900 colleges and universities around the world received AP scores for college credit, advanced placement, and/or consideration in the admission process, with many colleges and universities in the U.S. offering credit in one or more subjects for qualifying AP scores.</div>
Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-64205055683999797482016-07-07T10:08:00.001-07:002016-07-07T10:08:40.873-07:00Attempted Bank Robbery: Threat but no weapon visible<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<h2>
Attempted Bank Robbery: Threat but no weapon visible</h2>
A suspected attempted to rob a Bank of America branch in the Town of Cicero at 2337 South Cicero Avenue this morning (Thursday July 7, 2016) at around 10 am.<br />
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The suspect did not display a weapon or imply he had a weapon but he did hand the cashier a threatening note.<br />
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The suspect fled without getting any funds from the clerk who immediately notified police.
The FBI and the Cicero Police have released three photos of the suspect, an African American Male, taken during the attempted robbery.<br />
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Police are asking anyone who recognizes the suspect to contact either the Cicero Police at 708-652-2130 or the FBI at 312-421-6700.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0S5eKptU8iTqqpdcSed5b8XsUZyNkidhG2qM6Ux8d1bFqNvlUE5J_wGqvCneTZyIABlmRetqVs1CEkxAk6o0m81hpGiFlpfmPja7S0kusPdWiukkFzYs56mDsIHpPW7ULPo15oFOQEts/s1600/07-07-16AttemptedBankRobberyCicero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0S5eKptU8iTqqpdcSed5b8XsUZyNkidhG2qM6Ux8d1bFqNvlUE5J_wGqvCneTZyIABlmRetqVs1CEkxAk6o0m81hpGiFlpfmPja7S0kusPdWiukkFzYs56mDsIHpPW7ULPo15oFOQEts/s400/07-07-16AttemptedBankRobberyCicero.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cicero Attempted BankRobbery Suspect July 7, 2016,<br />Bank of America, 10:17 am, 2337 S. Cicero Avenue, Illinois</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-54325728984144574562016-07-06T15:59:00.005-07:002016-07-06T15:59:58.566-07:00ComEd Restores 99 Percent of Customers Affected by Wednesday’s Storm<h2>
<b>ComEd Restores 99 Percent of Customers Affected by Wednesday’s Storm </b></h2>
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<i><b>More than 53,000 customers restored since the start of the storm </b></i></h3>
CHICAGO (July 6, 2016) - Following storms that brought strong winds and lightning that swept through northern Illinois Wednesday, ComEd has restored power to 99 percent of the 54,000 customers affected.<br />
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The damaging winds and lightning snapped power lines and brought down heavy trees onto electrical lines.<br />
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More than 600 ComEd and contractor crews worked around-the-clock in challenging working conditions to restore power to the majority of impacted customers in less than 24 hours.<br />
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The remaining outages are those where the power infrastructure sustained significant damage. ComEd and contractor crews continue to work on restoring power to the remaining pockets of customers.<br />
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“We recognize that power outages disrupt the lives and businesses of our customers,” said Terence R. Donnelly, executive vice president and chief operating officer for ComEd.<br />
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“With the heat coming into the area, our restoration crews are focused on safely and quickly restoring power to every single impacted customer. We appreciate our customers’ patience and thank our employees as we complete the repairs to our system following this damaging storm.”<br />
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ComEd urges customers to contact the utility immediately if they are experiencing a power outage. Customers can text OUT to 26633 (COMED) to report their outage and receive restoration information.<br />
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ComEd also offers a mobile app for smart phones that gives customers the ability to report power outages and manage their accounts. In addition, customers can report outages through the website at ComEd.com or on ComEd’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/ComEd or by calling 1-800 EDISON1 (1-800-334-7661). Spanish-speaking customers should call 1-800-95-LUCES (1-800-955-8237).<br />
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Public safety is paramount during storms and ComEd encourages the public to remember to take the following precautions:
If a downed wire is on your vehicle, stay in your vehicle and wait for help.
Never approach a downed power line. Always assume a power line is energized and extremely dangerous.<br />
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If you encounter a downed power line, stay at least 35 feet away and immediately call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON1 (1-800-334-7661) or access our website at ComEd.com and report the location.<br />
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Spanish-speaking customers should call 1-800-95-LUCES (1-800-955-8237).<br />
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In the event of an outage, please do not approach ComEd crews working to restore power to ask about restoration times.<br />
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Crews may be working on live electrical equipment and the perimeter of the work zone may be hazardous.<br />
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# # #Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-85309794050533456162015-10-28T01:25:00.002-07:002015-10-28T01:26:02.262-07:00Lyons Approves Ordinance to safeguard public in gun sales<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<h2>
<b>Lyons Approves Ordinance to safeguard public in gun sales</b></h2>
<i>(See supporting documents, ordinance, settlement agreement and key points at end of story.)</i><br />
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Lyons,
Illinois – Village Mayor Christopher Getty today announced that the
village has approved an ordinance that spells out procedures to help
crackdown on the sale of guns to “straw purchasers.”<br />
<br />
The ordinance
responds to a lawsuit filed last July by Chicago activists who alleged
three suburban Chicago communities including Lyons are responsible for
guns sold legally at a village-based gun shop that later made their way
into the hands of criminals.<br />
<div class="mceTemp">
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 516px;" id="attachment_5256" style="width: 516px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/0-IMG_0180-1.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/0-IMG_0180-1.jpg"><img alt="Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty (2nd from right) is joined by Cook COunty Sheriff's representative Michael Anton, Lyons Deputy Police Chief Matthew Buckley and attorney Burton S. Odelson" class=" wp-image-5256" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/0-IMG_0180-1-300x202.jpg" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/0-IMG_0180-1-300x202.jpg" height="341" width="506" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Lyons
Mayor Christopher Getty (2nd from left) is joined by Cook County
Sheriff's representative Michael Anton, Lyons Deputy Police Chief
Matthew Buckley and attorney Burton S. Odelson</dd></dl>
</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;">
Getty
said he is confident Lyons would have been dismissed from the lawsuit,
but said taking action to increase the safety and security of residents
is a priority. In response, the plaintiffs have agreed to remove the
Village of Lyons from their lawsuit.</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
“The new ordinance approved
today spells out a strategy to help prevent straw buyers from purchasing
guns that end up in the hands of criminals,” Getty said.<br />
<br />
“Working
with the Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, the plaintiffs, the Lyons Police
and the gun shop in Lyons, we believe that through this partnership we
can significantly reduce the likelihood of legally purchased guns ending
up in the hands of people who use them in the commission of a crime.”<br />
<br />
The
ordinance calls for close cooperation between the Village of Lyons and
the gun shop, Midwest Sporting Goods, 8565 Plainfield Rd, which is the
only gun retailer in Lyons.<br />
<br />
A few components would include the gun
shop sharing the same information with the Village of Lyons Police that
they provide to the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives, random inspections by the local officials as well as
providing proper training to gun shop employees to better detect straw
purchases.<br />
<br />
“Some guns that are sold legally do fall into the hands
of the wrong people. But the gun dealer, who cooperated with us, and
the Village of Lyons have no control over that, we can only aim to work
together to continue to make policies better” Getty said.<br />
<br />
“This is about being practical to prevent the sale of guns to the wrong people.”<br />
<br />
The
ordinance was approved unanimously at a special board meeting held on
Tuesday afternoon (October 27, 2015) and becomes law immediately.<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:</b></i></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>KEY POINTS IN ORDINANCE</b><br />
<br />
1.
Information on legal FOID card holders who are denied purchase of a
gun will be transmitted within 48 hours of the denial to the Lyons
Police Department (potential legal purchasers who appear to be straw
buyers).<br />
<br />
2. All “trace” information received from ATF or the
Illinois State Police regarding prospective illegal gun purchasers will
be transmitted to the Lyons Police Department.<br />
<br />
3. At least two
random inspections of the gun shop will be made by Lyons Police and the
Sheriff of Cook County, collectively, and will include inspection and
approval of an anti-theft safety plan which includes:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
a. exterior lighting;<br />
b. surveillance video cameras, including point-of-sale;<br />
c. alarm systems; and<br />
d. safe storage of weapons and ammunition.<br />
4. Inspection and approval of internal record keeping procedures and inventory audits.<br />
5. Employee background checks and training.<br />
6. Maintain a “DO NOT SELL” list.<br />
7. Record all persons who purchase multiple guns within a 12-month period.<br />
8.
An Intergovernmental Agreement between Lyons and the Sheriff of Cook
County to work collectively in doing inspections and sharing documents.<br />
9.
Enforcement of the Ordinance through the Mayor’s office whereby if
there are more than two violations of the business regulations, the
Mayor may suspend or revoke the business license of the gun shop.</blockquote>
<a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Settlement-Agreement-fully-executed-10.27.15.pdf" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Settlement-Agreement-fully-executed-10.27.15.pdf" target="_blank">Click here to view the lawsuit Settlement Agreement</a> (PDF)<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/SignedCopyogGunOrdinance.pdf" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/SignedCopyogGunOrdinance.pdf" target="_blank">Click here to view the Village of Lyons Ordinance</a> (PDF)<br />
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Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-90458266199688720402015-10-01T02:39:00.000-07:002015-10-01T02:39:18.897-07:00Fall fun at Children's Museum in Oak Lawn<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<br />
<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif;">
<em>Children came out in force for the Fall Fest at the Oak Lawn Children's Museum. Photographer Steve Neuhaus captures a lot of the fun in this photo array</em></h3>
<h2 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif;">
<strong>By Steve Neuhaus</strong></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
Super heroes, a pirate, Cinderella and of course that cape crusader Batman were on hand at Sunday's annual Fall Fun Fest at The Oak Lawn Children's Museum, 5100 Museum Dr. at the Patriot Station.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
Families and children of all ages enjoyed many activities including train rides, face painting, children's garage sale and even free pumpkins handed out to the first 500 children.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
"We expect this years crowd to be well over last years attendance of 2000" said Kevin Mathers museum board president.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
For more information on the <a data-mce-href="http://www.cmoaklawn.org" href="http://www.cmoaklawn.org/" target="_blank">Children's Museum, visit there website by clicking here</a>.</div>
<div class="mceTemp" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 525px;" id="attachment_5068" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: 525px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2346.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2346.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus" class=" wp-image-5068" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2346-300x200.jpg" height="343" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2346-300x200.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="515" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus</dd></dl>
</div>
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<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 558px;" id="attachment_5069" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: 558px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2371.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2371.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus" class=" wp-image-5069" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2371-300x198.jpg" height="362" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2371-300x198.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="548" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus</dd></dl>
</div>
<div class="mceTemp" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 546px;" id="attachment_5066" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: 546px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2313.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2313.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus" class=" wp-image-5066" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2313-300x200.jpg" height="357" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2313-300x200.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="536" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus</dd></dl>
</div>
<div class="mceTemp" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 543px;" id="attachment_5065" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: 543px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2302.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2302.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus" class=" wp-image-5065" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2302-300x200.jpg" height="355" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2302-300x200.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="533" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus</dd></dl>
</div>
<div class="mceTemp" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 543px;" id="attachment_5067" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: 543px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2322.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2322.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus" class=" wp-image-5067" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2322-300x200.jpg" height="355" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2322-300x200.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="533" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus</dd></dl>
</div>
<div class="mceTemp" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2296.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2296.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus" class=" wp-image-5064" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2296-300x200.jpg" height="343" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2296-300x200.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="515" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus</dd></dl>
</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2291.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2291.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus" class=" wp-image-5063" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2291-300x200.jpg" height="350" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2291-300x200.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="526" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus</dd></dl>
</div>
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<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 553px;" id="attachment_5062" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: 553px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2282.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2282.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus" class=" wp-image-5062" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2282-300x200.jpg" height="362" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2282-300x200.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="543" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus</dd></dl>
</div>
<div class="mceTemp" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2263.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2263.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus" class=" wp-image-5061" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2263-300x200.jpg" height="360" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2263-300x200.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="540" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus</dd></dl>
</div>
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<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 553px;" id="attachment_5060" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: 553px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2227.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2227.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus" class=" wp-image-5060" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2227-300x200.jpg" height="362" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2227-300x200.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="543" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus</dd></dl>
</div>
<div class="mceTemp" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2217.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2217.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus" class=" wp-image-5059" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2217-300x200.jpg" height="361" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2217-300x200.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="542" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Oak Lawn Children's Museum Photos by Stephen Neuhaus</dd></dl>
</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2209.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2209.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Oak Lawn Children's Museum opens Sept. 28, 2015. Photos by Stephen Neuhaus" class=" wp-image-5058" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2209-300x200.jpg" height="357" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_2209-300x200.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="536" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Oak Lawn Children's Museum opens Sept. 28, 2015. Photos by Stephen Neuhaus</dd></dl>
</div>
Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-64922121490717647162015-09-23T09:19:00.002-07:002015-09-23T15:38:24.235-07:00<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<h2 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif;">
<strong>Female jogger assaulted by knife wielding attacker in Bridgeview, suspect sought by police</strong></h2>
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<strong>Bridgeview Police seek suspect in knife attack against female jogger</strong></h2>
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On Sept. 22 at approximately 9 pm, the Bridgeview Police Department responded to an emergency call involving an armed assault of a female jogger at Founders Park, located at 8200 S. 78<sup>th</sup> Avenue.</div>
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Upon arrival, officers learned that a 26-year-old woman and resident of Bridgeview had been jogging on the Park’s walk/run path and was attacked from behind by an unknown male assailant.</div>
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The male suspect grabbed the victim, tearing her clothing and slashing at her with a knife, cutting the victim on her legs and upper torso.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/FounderPark-Bridgeview.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/FounderPark-Bridgeview.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Founders Park, Bridgeview, Illinois" class="size-medium wp-image-5020" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/FounderPark-Bridgeview-300x222.jpg" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/FounderPark-Bridgeview-300x222.jpg" height="222" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="300" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Founders Park, Bridgeview, Illinois</dd></dl>
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The male suspect is described as being about 40 years old, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall with a stocky build, gray beard and hairy arms, and White.</div>
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Bridgeview Police immediately responded conducting a search of the area, with assistance from neighboring police agencies, and using a Police K-9 unit and helicopter provided by the Cook County Sheriff’s Police.</div>
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Bridgeview officials also immediately issued an alarm notice to nearby residents and homeowners (using the Everbridge System, reverse 911).</div>
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Bridgeview Police are continuing the manhunt for the suspect and are urging residents to take caution and be on alert. Anyone with any information about this incident or the suspect is urged to immediately contact the Bridgeview Police by calling 708-458-2131.</div>
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“We take this very seriously and we are out in full force looking for the suspect,” said Bridgeview Police Chief Walter Klimek.</div>
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“We also urge residents that if they are walking or jogging on the park path and in park areas to always be vigilant and observant of their surroundings for their safety.”</div>
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The victim is reportedly recovering from non-life threatening injuries, and is in stable condition at Advocate Christ Medical Center.</div>
Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-39036786068881307412015-09-23T07:35:00.002-07:002015-09-23T07:35:44.146-07:00The excitement of opening a baseball pack and finding an autographed card<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<h3 style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.6em; margin: 0.4em 0px 0.3em;">
<em>The excitement of opening a baseball pack and finding an autographed card</em></h3>
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<strong>By Aaron Hanania</strong></h2>
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The suspense of waiting to open a box or packet of baseball cards is like being a little kid trying to fall asleep on Christmas Eve. You hope that you get a legendary card and imagine the future when you strike gold.</div>
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But, when you don't get the million dollar card, you want to go buy another box. This happens like an endless life cycle. When you are the Baseball Card King, this cycle is your livelihood. Collectors flee to your store and hope to get a big card.</div>
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When you buy baseball cards or video games, or almost anything, your brain releases more of a special chemical called Dopamine than it normally would. This causes your brain to have the emotion of being excited or eager for something. In this case you become excited to open your cards. Another thing dopamine can cause is addiction. That is why so many people buy and buy cards and eventually have no money. It is really amazing how much your brain works without you realizing it.</div>
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Then I come along and test my luck like so many others! I like to film when I open my baseball cards only because it is fun and if I do get a great card I want to relive the time again. I recommend you try to film when you open your box because if you get a 1/1 card, other people can enjoy it like you did.</div>
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<a href="http://aaronhanania.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/AutographedBaseballcards.jpg" style="color: #2585b2;"><img alt="Autographed baseball cards from the Bowman and Topps baseball card boxes" border="0" class=" wp-image-77" src="http://aaronhanania.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/AutographedBaseballcards-300x225.jpg" style="height: auto; margin-bottom: 12px; max-width: 100%;" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #444444; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Autographed baseball cards from the Bowman and Topps baseball card boxes</div>
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All I know is that The Baseball Card King stores in the Chicagoland area have all of the most popular card boxes and staff who can help you decide which ones are best. Whenever I go to one of their many stores, the service is always amazing. I have never pulled a legendary card, but I don't expect to. I collect because I enjoy having to organize and record each card I get. Some people make collecting a living, but I would not want to.</div>
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This time when I went to the Oak Lawn store Saturday September 19th, I was not planning to leave the store empty handed. Like always, I buy the box that has the most autographs in it for a reasonable price. Some boxes can run upward of $400.00 each, but I stay away from those.</div>
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Today I decided to buy two boxes, the Topps Chrome 2015 jumbo box with 5 autographs in it, and the Bowman Inception 2015 premium baseball cards, also with 5 autographs.</div>
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The whole way back to my house I was held in suspense at the possibility of unearthing a rare find, valuable card. It is just like trying to figure out a magic trick someone showed you that you cannot figure out.</div>
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I of course filmed the Box Breaks, because when you watch people opening a box of cards you still have the feeling of suspense. The only downside to watching box breaks is when someone gets a really rare card and then I go out and buy the same box and do not get a rare card.</div>
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<a href="http://aaronhanania.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/bowmanboxofbaseballcards.jpg" style="color: #2585b2;"><img alt="Bowman baseball card box" border="0" class=" wp-image-78" src="http://aaronhanania.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/bowmanboxofbaseballcards-300x225.jpg" style="height: auto; margin-bottom: 12px; max-width: 100%;" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #444444; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Bowman baseball card box</div>
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When I finally got home, I had to do a few things before I could open the boxes. When I finally started to open them I was hoping that I got a card worth more that $20.00. I did get a few good cards, but not any cards that caused me to go crazy.</div>
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I definitely would recommend collecting cards, because it is fun and enjoyable. Don't be devastated when you don't get a million dollar card, because that’s the industry of baseball card companies. Our luck is their entire industry fortune. I think of it as being the little fish eating a worm and then being caught by the fisherman. When the fisherman is the card company, and the worm is like knowing that a thousand dollar card is only one pack away. But it is often not.</div>
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I would recommend bringing your kids, or just yourself out to one of the Baseball Card King stores because trust me, you cannot walk out of that place without getting something good. I know I cannot not buy something, because some of the things you can buy there are so cool.</div>
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<a href="http://aaronhanania.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/toppschromebaseballcards.jpg" style="color: #2585b2;"><img alt="Topps Chrome baseball card box" border="0" class=" wp-image-79" src="http://aaronhanania.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/toppschromebaseballcards-300x225.jpg" style="height: auto; margin-bottom: 12px; max-width: 100%;" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="color: #444444; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Topps Chrome baseball card box</div>
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Even though I only collect baseball memorabilia, the Baseball Card King sells boxes for all sports. They have literally hundreds of different boxes for each sport. They can get you any card box, even if they don't have it in stock, they will go out of their way to get you what you want.</div>
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You can see my box opening video from Saturday September 19th in the links below. You can also see more of my writing and videos on my various websites.</div>
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Click here to visit <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Wfas1-ynoR1ehd4mcwG-w" style="color: #2585b2;" target="_blank">Aaron's Youtube Channel</a>.</div>
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Click here to visit Aaron's website at <a href="http://www.aaronhanania.com/" style="color: #2585b2;" target="_blank">www.AaronHanania.com</a>.</div>
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<em>(Make sure to check my Youtube channel for the video report on opening the Bowman and Topps baseball card boxes.)</em></div>
Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-19277187188404881122015-07-29T10:22:00.002-07:002015-07-29T10:22:29.726-07:00No injuries at Orland Home seriously damaged by fire<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<h2 style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
<span class="s1"><b><i>No injuries at Orland Home seriously damaged by fire</i></b></span></h2>
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<b><i>Lightning suspected, officials said. The family was on vacation</i></b></h3>
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The Orland Fire Protection District responded to a fire reported in a home located on the 108th block of West Scarlet Drive in Orland Park early Wednesday morning.</div>
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<span class="s1">The fire was reported at about 2:46 am on Wednesday July 29, 2015 and initial arriving fire companies found heavy fire had spread through the attic and roof areas of the 5,000 square foot residential home. Firefighters reported that heat radiating from the blaze was extensive.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">OFPD Chief Ken Brucki said that firefighters immediately went into a defensive position to get the fire under control preventing any injuries.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">“This fire had a tremendous amount of heat and it concerned us,” Brucki said. “We were concerned about structures around the property and took appropriate precautions to keep nearby properties safe.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Brucki said the cause of the fire is under investigation.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">“Crews were able to conduct a rapid primary search to confirm there were no occupants in the property at the time, and we were able to verify that the family was vacationing,” Brucki said.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">The alarm was elevated to a full still to bring in additional companies. A total of two aerial master streams and five large diameter hand-lines were required to extinguish the fire. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">The structure suffered major fire damage to the entire roof and extensive damage to the interior of the structure from fire, smoke, and water. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">It took approximately an hour to bring the fire under control. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Brucki said one possible cause of the fire may be lightning noting “there was a tremendous amount of lightning in the area at approximately the same time of the fire.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Brucki also said that the fire department was able to deploy a drone to assist in quickly identifying the fire location on the home.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">“It was a very large home and the drone helped give us an immediate, aerial view of the property and the fire,” Brucki said. “The aerial view assisted the Battalion Chief to direct suppression efforts to bring the fire under control.”</span></div>
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Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-6853216694016772452015-07-29T05:09:00.000-07:002015-07-29T05:09:31.865-07:00Village of Orland Park to Host 12th Annual Taste of Orland Park - July 31 to August 2, 2015<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<b>Village of Orland Park to Host 12th Annual Taste of Orland Park - July 31 to August 2, 2015</b></h3>
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A Village of Orland Park summer favorite, the Taste of Orland Park, will return July 31 to August 2, 2015 at the Orland Park Village Center, 14700 South Ravinia Avenue.</div>
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Now in its twelfth year, the Taste of Orland Park showcases Orland Park eateries, community organizations, event sponsors, and offers a number of activities, including Kids’ Day, a car show and live entertainment on two stages.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Taste of Orland Park will be held Friday, July 31 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, August 1 from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, August 2 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission and parking are free with participating restaurants selling tastes of signature dishes at individual food booths.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“We look forward to the Taste of Orland Park every year,” said Mayor Dan McLaughlin. “It is a summer favorite for everyone and this year will be no exception. This is a great way to learn more about and taste the different dishes from Orland Park restaurants, learn about our wonderful community groups and enjoy a great entertainment-filled weekend,” the mayor said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Participating Orland Park eateries include 94 West Grille and Tavern, Beggars Pizza, Blissful Banana Café, The Brass Tap, Café Gaston, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, El Famous Burrito, El Pueblito, Granite City Food & Brewery, Mo’s Chinese Kitchen, Oberweis Dairy, Orland Park Bakery, Palermo’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, Papa Joe’s Italian Restaurant, Q Restaurant, Riviera Country Club, RoccoVino’s Italian Restaurant, Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, Square Celt Ale House and Grill, and Wooden Paddle Pizza.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A number of food items food items will be sold including, fried goat cheese and gluten free gelato from Wooden Paddle Pizza and fish and chips and candied beer bacon from Square Celt Ale House and Grill. Select restaurants are alcohol vendors with soft drinks and water being available for purchase from all participating restaurants.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“There are so many great things about the Taste of Orland Park,” said Trustee Patricia Gira, chair of the village’s Recreation and Parks Committee. “The food, the activities, the people and the entertainment, among other things, are what make it such a great weekend for everyone to enjoy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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A variety of musical talents will perform on two stages throughout the weekend. The main stage will have Nick Lynch of American Idol and Trippin’ Billies perform on Friday, July 31, Dr. Rock, The Chicago Kingsnakes and 7th Heaven perform on Saturday, August 1 and The Lowdown Brass Band, Tumbling Dice and American English perform on Sunday, August 2.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kid’s Day will be held at the adjacent John Humphrey Sports Complex Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. A number of free games, activities and programs will be held for kids of all ages. The Annual Taste of Orland Park Car Show will be held at the Humphrey Complex on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. Orland Park’s Got Talent live finals will be held on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Community Stage.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Orland Park Lions Club will host Bingo inside the Civic Center on Saturday and the Orland Park Kiwanis Club will do the same on Sunday, with both events starting at 1 p.m.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Taste of Orland Park sponsors include The University of Chicago Medicine, The Orland Park Prairie, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., Mercedes Benz of Orland Park, JamesHardie, Brannigan Chiropractic Center, Bear Home Improvements, Inc., ComEd, Illinois Energy Windows & Siding, Inc., Saint Xavier University, Moraine Valley Community College and Xfinity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For more information, visit the Taste page on the village's website or call the Village of Orland Park Recreation Department at 708/403-7275. </div>
Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-4322415226554773032015-07-15T12:55:00.001-07:002015-07-15T12:55:27.391-07:00Gorman leaves Cook County office at top of her public service<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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Gorman leaves Cook County office at top of her public service</h1>
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<em><strong>Popular Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman shocked the public Wednesday when she resigned her county board seat to take a position with a major Fortune 100 Chicago corporation as director of Government Affairs. The District’s GOP Committeemen will meet to select a successor but the leading candidate is Gorman’s closest political ally, Palos Township Committeeman Sean Morrison. Gorman’s announcement came after announcing she would not criticize but could not support Preckwinkle’s 1 Percent Sales Tax increase, which passed 9 of 17 votes</strong></em></h3>
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<strong>By Ray Hanania</strong></h2>
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<a href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/ChiCityHall1985.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #3b77bf; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Ray Hanania, City Hall Reporter, (1976-1992)" class=" wp-image-4712" height="139" scale="0" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/ChiCityHall1985-300x198.jpg" style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="211" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="border: 0px; color: #777777; font-family: georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 7px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Ray Hanania, City Hall Reporter, (1976-1992)</div>
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Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman announced Wednesday she will resign her county board seat effective next week after declining to support a controversial one percent sales tax increase proposal introduced by County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.</div>
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The sales tax increase was adopted following six hours of debate and public testimony at a special meeting of the Cook County Board held Wednesday (July 15, 2015), with 9 votes in favor, 7 votes against and 1 vote (Gorman) present.</div>
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Gorman, who championed the fight against the sales tax increase proposed by former Board President Todd Stroger, told the board that there is a major difference between Stroger and Preckwinkle. But she could not support the sales tax hike proposal, she said.</div>
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On December 1, 2009 Commissioner Gorman successfully led the effort to roll-back Stroger’s proposed Cook County’s sales tax increase, and override Stroger’s veto. The move cut the county sales tax from 1.75 percent to 1.25 percent.</div>
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Gorman heaped praise on Preckwinkle arguing the Board President has done everything possible to avoid raising taxes, and has already helped to shore up the county’s finances since Preckwinkle’s election on Feb. 2, 2010, when she unseated Stroger.</div>
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“Madame President, you have proactively faced and tried to resolve the county’s pension crisis when predecessors neglected to. You were left no favors. Five years of substantive reform under your leadership has put Cook County on a strong path but the reality of the unfunded pension liabilities have put us in this position today… between a Rock and a Hard Place,” Gorman said, calling comparisons of Preckwinkle to Stroger as “irresponsible.”</div>
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“Having wrestled with as to what is the best vote for the District and Cook County government, it has been a very conflicting decision to make. This is a difficult vote no matter which side of this issue you are on – No commissioner should be criticized. With that said – I will vote Present.”</div>
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<a href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Cook-County-Board-of-Commissioners-Group-Photo-2014-2018-1024x682.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #3b77bf; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="2015 Cook County Board members: Standing: Larry Suffredin, Greg Goslin, Jerry Butler, Robert Steele, President Toni Preckwinkle, John Daley, Jesus Garcia, Peter Silvestri, John Fritchey, Stanley Moore. Seated: Richard Boykin, Jeffrey Tobolski, Joan Patricia Murphy, Deborah Sims, Liz Gorman, Bridget Gainer, Tim Schneider, Luis Arroyo Jr" class=" wp-image-4728" height="361" scale="0" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Cook-County-Board-of-Commissioners-Group-Photo-2014-2018-1024x682-300x200.jpg" style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="542" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="border: 0px; color: #777777; font-family: georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 7px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
2015 Cook County Board members: Standing: Larry Suffredin, Greg Goslin, Jerry Butler, Robert Steele, President Toni Preckwinkle, John Daley, Jesus Garcia, Peter Silvestri, John Fritchey, Stanley Moore. Seated: Richard Boykin, Jeffrey Tobolski, Joan Patricia Murphy, Deborah Sims, Liz Gorman, Bridget Gainer, Tim Schneider, Luis Arroyo Jr</div>
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The tax vote and her decision to resign were unrelated, Gorman told the county board following the sales tax debate. But Southwest Suburbanites were in shock at learning that Gorman, one of the most popular elected officials in the region, had decided to step down at a time when her popularity has never been higher.</div>
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After the sales tax was approved</div>
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“On a personal note – I will be resigning this seat that I have been so fortunate to serve effective July 20. An opportunity in the private sector has been offered and I have accepted, as this will require my full attention,” Gorman said after explaining her “present” vote on the Preckwinkle Sales tax increase.</div>
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<a href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_4986.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #3b77bf; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Liz Gorman, Bruce Rauner, Sean Morrison in March 2014" class=" wp-image-646" height="295" scale="0" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_4986-300x200.jpg" style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="443" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="border: 0px; color: #777777; font-family: georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 7px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Liz Gorman, Bruce Rauner, Sean Morrison in March 2014</div>
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“I would like to thank you Madame President for bringing distinguished leadership to this board, and for your friendship. Cook County has benefitted greatly by your efforts over the last five years and will continue to do so far into the future. To my board colleagues, both past and present, I will miss each and every one of you. And the respect and camaraderie we shared, as well as the disagreements and debates. I have learned so much and respect your insights and opinions.”</div>
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Gorman will take a position with a Fortune 100, big ten accounting firm as Director of Government Affairs beginning on July 20. Republican Committeeman in the 17th Cook County District will have to meet to name a successor.</div>
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Palos Township Republican Committeeman Sean Morrison, one of Gorman’s closest political allies, is considered the frontrunner to succeed Gorman. Morrison worked closely with Gorman on building support against the Stroger sales tax increase, in introducing reforms to the Cook County Board, and laying the political groundwork to help position businessman Bruce Rauner to win the Republican Party nomination for governor and then to go on to defeat Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn.</div>
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Rauner’s biggest mistake was not bringing Gorman into his administration after his election, although Gorman has remained loyal to both Rauner and the Republican Party. She was also viewed as a political centrist and maintained close ties to key Democrats including County Commissioner John Daley, and others.</div>
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Gorman leaves office at a high point in a career and will be remembered as a champion of taxpayer rights. She fought hard to defend the rights of residents of suburban Cook County who were often marginalized by the dominance of Chicago municipal politics and needs.</div>
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First elected in November 2002, Gorman was re-elected in 2006, 2010, in 2014. In the March 18, 2014 Republican Primary, Gorman fought off a primary challenge and defeated her opponent by nearly 60% of the vote to advance to the General Election on November 7, 2014, where she was re-elected to her fourth term with an overwhelming victory margin.</div>
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When the new term began on December 1, 2014, Gorman was chosen as the Committee Chairperson of the Environmental Control Committee and Vice Chairperson of the Roads and Bridges Committee, Rules and Administration Committee and the Technology and Innovation Committee.</div>
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Gorman is also the Chairman of the Suburban Caucus of the County board and a member of 10 additional committees: Audit; Criminal Justice; Business and Economic Development; Finance; Health and Hospitals, Homeland Security; Legislation; North Suburban METRA Nominating Committee; Northwest Suburban METRA Nominating Committee; Southwest Suburban METRA Nominating Committee and Zoning and Building.</div>
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During her time on the Cook County Board, Gorman has opposed the “Hotel Occupancy Tax” and the “Food and Beverage Tax” in 2003, the 150% cigarette tax increase in 2004 and the additional 100% increase in 2006. She opposed the “Food and Beverage Tax” and the “Hotel Occupancy Tax” again in 2007, and she opposed the “Sanctuary County” resolution for illegal immigrants in 2007 and sponsored a repeal of the ordinance later that year and most recently she voted against Board President Todd Stroger’s 2008 budget and opposed the increase in the Cook County sales tax.</div>
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<strong><em>Here are Gorman’s prepared remarks that she presented to the Cook County Board this morning:</em></strong></h3>
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<strong>Gorman on Sales Tax:</strong></div>
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This is a very difficult vote we’re considering today and I respect both sides of the sales tax debate. I know the President and her administration did not come to this sales tax proposal lightly.</div>
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Madame President, you have proactively faced and tried to resolve the county’s pension crisis when predecessors neglected to. You were left no favors.</div>
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Five years of substantive reform under your leadership has put Cook County on a strong path but the reality of the unfunded pension liabilities have put us in this position today… between a Rock and a Hard Place.</div>
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Much effort, energy and resolve was put forth to rescind the previous administration’s Sales Tax. I know that as well as anyone on this board; and the reasons for doing so still stand today.</div>
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The blanket comparison of this proposal to the Stroger Sales Tax and the maligning of the President and her administration that has been made by some people are nothing short of irresponsible.</div>
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It’s unfortunate that some people have chosen to overlook and completely ignore the accomplishments over the past five years of this President and this board.</div>
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We have made significant strides in the areas of reform, accountability, transparency, payroll and head count reduction, cutting bloat and wasteful spending, incorporating quantifiable measures, integrating new technology, streamlining county government from top to bottom. And contrary to a few reports in the media, we continue to do so each and every month.</div>
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Others have said, “Let’s wait for Springfield…” We’ve been waiting on Springfield for well over a year as our Pension Reform bill languishes down there. Waiting for pension reform in Springfield comes with a $30 million dollar a month “Wait & See” price tag. Can we afford that?</div>
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After having led the repeal of the previous sales tax; I am very aware of the loss of our border tax revenues and the impact tax increases can have on local businesses and residents. I’ve been steadfast in my opposition during my time in office.</div>
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So as we weigh this important decision on the long-term financial health and solvency of Cook County government, and regardless of today’s outcome, I’m confident this administration and this board will continue to move Cook County government forward in an efficient and effective manner.</div>
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Having wrestled with as to what is the best vote for the District and Cook County government, it has been a very conflicting decision to make. This is a difficult vote no matter which side of this issue you are on – No commissioner should be criticized. With that said – I will vote Present.</div>
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<strong>Gorman on Resignation:</strong></div>
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On a personal note – I will be resigning this seat that I have been so fortunate to serve effective July 20. An opportunity in the private sector has been offered and I have accepted, as this will require my full attention.</div>
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I would like to thank you Madame President for bringing distinguished leadership to this board, and for your friendship. Cook County has benefitted greatly by your efforts over the last five years and will continue to do so far into the future.</div>
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To my board colleagues, both past and present, I will miss each and every one of you. And the respect and camaraderie we shared, as well as the disagreements and debates. I have learned so much and respect your insights and opinions.</div>
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It’s been an honor and privilege to serve alongside all of you in this distinguished body. My nearly 13 years on this board have been some of the most rewarding of my life.</div>
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Thank you and god bless you all.</div>
Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-70755988312239076552015-07-12T10:49:00.002-07:002015-07-12T16:36:35.862-07:00Support the Orland Park Library<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<b>Support the Orland Park Library</b></h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">They have been targeted by out-of-town extremists who want to impose their views on the library and the Orland Park community. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">The critics exaggerated claims about pornography cost the taxpayers a lot of wasted money. If they want to change this country's and state's laws regarding censorship and free speech, they should take their fight to the State and the Federal Government and change the laws. But they can't, so the critics bully people. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">Keep up the GREAT WORK Orland Park Library. The MAJORITY of Orland residents support what you are doing and recognize the extremists for what they really are. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">LIKE the Orland Park Library today </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/orlandparklibrary" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px; text-decoration: none;">https://www.facebook.com/orlandparklibrary</a><br />
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Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-28392020998456074572014-07-20T19:16:00.001-07:002014-07-20T19:30:46.625-07:00Fire District puzzled by Orland Mayor’s criticism of fighting drug abuse<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<b>Fire District puzzled by Orland Mayor’s criticism of fighting drug abuse</b></h1>
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<b>Orland Fire District rebuffs criticism from Orland Park Mayor McLaughlin and urges government agencies to work together to fight rising drug use</b></h3>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_5364.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_5364.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Parents and students packed an Orland Fire Protection District community-wide meeting on drug and substance abuse Tuesday July 15, 2014" class="wp-image-2554 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_5364-300x200.jpg" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_5364-300x200.jpg" height="200" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="300" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Parents and students packed an Orland Fire Protection District community-wide meeting on drug and substance abuse Tuesday July 15, 2014</dd></dl>
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The Orland Fire Prevention District is puzzled and surprised that Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin would criticize the Fire District for hosting a program to raise awareness among parents about drug and substance abuse in the suburban region. </div>
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The program was held on Tuesday night (July 15) and has been hosted annually for the past four years. It was widely publicized, showcasing student role models and parents whose children and families have experienced the tragedy of drugs and substance abuse.</div>
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McLaughlin <a data-mce-href="http://www.orland-park.il.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=890" href="http://www.orland-park.il.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=890" target="_blank">issued a press release</a> Friday that falsely accused the Fire District of disseminating “inaccurate information” about drug use. It implies there is no heroin or substance abuse problem in Orland Park or the immediate suburbs and contradicts public statements made only four weeks earlier by Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy.</div>
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“We are deeply disappointed McLaughlin would issue his criticism without even contacting us to discuss the issue, or even attending the event which was widely publicized in the media,” Orland Fire Protection District President Jim Hickey said.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BrianKirk.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BrianKirk.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Brian Kirk, The HERO Foundation" class="size-medium wp-image-2557" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BrianKirk-200x300.jpg" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BrianKirk-200x300.jpg" height="300" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="200" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Brian Kirk, The HERO Foundation</dd></dl>
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“The mayor’s press release was filled with inaccurate and irresponsible statements. I am deeply disappointed when public officials show more concern for their public images rather than for the safety and well-being of our citizens.”</div>
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Hickey said the information disseminated at the Fire District’s public meeting was accurate and correctly defined the threat of heroin and substance abuse as serious concerns that must be addressed by an educated community.</div>
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“It would be shameful to believe public officials would bury their heads in the sand and pretend there is no drug abuse problem in our region. The data shows a frightening increase in heroin and opiate abuse in this region and it needs to be addressed,” Hickey said. “That’s the only conclusion I can make from the mayor’s actions.”</div>
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Hickey said McLaughlin overreacted to a newspaper article which may have unfairly characterized the school district as being unresponsive, but the fact is there hasn’t been a concerted effort to address the rising drug problems.</div>
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“Drug use isn’t a problem that plagues ‘bad neighborhoods’ or ‘poor communities.’ It’s a problem everywhere and responsible public officials should do everything they can to educate and inform the public. That’s what the Fire District has and will continue to do,” Hickey said.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/speakersattendeesatDrugMeeting.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/speakersattendeesatDrugMeeting.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Fire Chief Ken Brucki, Bat Chief Michael Schofield, Brian Kirk, Sandburg athlete Pat Brucki, Denver Broncos draft pick Michael Schofield, US Olympic Ice Hockey Medalist and Sandburg Graduate Kendall Coyne, Tami O'Brien, OFPD Board President Jim Hickey, OFPD Trustees Chris Evoy and Jayne Schirmacher." class="wp-image-2559" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/speakersattendeesatDrugMeeting-300x155.jpg" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/speakersattendeesatDrugMeeting-300x155.jpg" height="250" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="484" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Fire Chief Ken Brucki, Bat Chief Michael Schofield, Brian Kirk, Sandburg athlete Pat Brucki, Denver Broncos draft pick Michael Schofield, US Olympic Ice Hockey Medalist and Sandburg Graduate Kendall Coyne, Tami O'Brien, OFPD Board President Jim Hickey, OFPD Trustees Chris Evoy and Jayne Schirmacher.</dd></dl>
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The Fire District is more than willing to meet with Mayor McLaughlin, Police Supt. McCarthy and officials from the local schools, Hickey said, to work together and develop a unified stand against drug abuse in a more appropriate manner rather than through public criticism from officials who didn’t even attend the meeting.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/TamiObrien.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/TamiObrien.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Tami O'Brien" class="size-medium wp-image-2560" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/TamiObrien-200x300.jpg" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/TamiObrien-200x300.jpg" height="300" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="200" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Tami O'Brien</dd></dl>
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The Fire District program was not funded by taxpayer dollars and was conducted by volunteers who included three current and former Sandburg students, Michael Schofield, who was drafted by the Denver Broncos, Olympic Ice Hockey Silver Medalist Kendall Coyne, and Patrick Brucki a current Sandburg student athlete. The three students reached out to the more than 100 parents and students who attended the two hour long seminar.</div>
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Their message was clear: “Drugs are not fun. They are dangerous. And students must resist the temptation to hang around other kinds who are using drugs.”</div>
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The meeting included the experiences of two parents whose children were involved in drugs and substance abuse, including the father of a high school senior who died of heroin use. They related how their children made the “wrong choices,” destroying their lives and their families. Tami O’Brien and Brian Kirk represented the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM) and The Hero Foundation.</div>
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The program, cohosted by In the Blink of an Eye Foundation headed by OFPD Battalion Chief Michael Schofield, was widely publicized for six weeks. It attracted many community leaders including Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman, and Village of Orland Park Trustee Dan Calandriello.</div>
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The information reflected firsthand data as experienced by emergency medical personnel and first responders from the Fire District.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Kendall-Coyne.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Kendall-Coyne.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Kendall Coyne, Olympic Ice Hockey Silver Medalist" class="size-medium wp-image-2558" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Kendall-Coyne-200x300.jpg" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Kendall-Coyne-200x300.jpg" height="300" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="200" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Kendall Coyne, Olympic Ice Hockey Silver Medalist</dd></dl>
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“Firefighters are oftentimes the first people at the scene of a drug or substance abuse incident. We are called to save their lives,” said Fire Chief Ken Brucki.</div>
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“Helping parents understand what is involved and what can be done can help save more lives. That’s why we continue to host this program and will host it again next year.”</div>
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Data clearly shows an alarming increase in heroin use in Orland Park, in the Fire District, and in the suburban region.</div>
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During the presentation, Brucki said he spoke about drug use among elementary school children “throughout the region,” not specifically or just in School District 135 or with respect to the local schools.</div>
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“At no time did we criticize the Village, the Police or the school districts. We noted the drug problem is growing not just in Orland Park but in neighboring suburban communities,” Brucki said.</div>
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Brucki cited an article in the local media on Friday July 18th that highlighted the success of the HELPS program started in Will County which has created "a phenomenal downturn in heroin related deaths" and which works to combine efforts from various branches of community leadership.</div>
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“We have most recently had a great relationship with the leadership of local school districts, including District 135, on education and prevention and we want that to continue,” Brucki said.</div>
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Hickey said that last month, Police Supt. McCarthy <a data-mce-href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-06-17/news/ct-orland-police-naloxone-tl-ssw-0619-20140617_1_naloxone-orland-park-overdose-antidote" href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-06-17/news/ct-orland-police-naloxone-tl-ssw-0619-20140617_1_naloxone-orland-park-overdose-antidote" target="_blank">told local media that heroin use was a problem</a>. He announced police will carry Narcan (Naxalon) in their vehicles to respond to drug abuse issues. Narcan can reverse the effects of opiate and heroin overdoses.</div>
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McCarthy’ was quoted as saying he “first noticed” an increase in heroin use in 2009, noting last year “Orland Park had 13 drug overdoses and six deaths, including five that involved heroin.” This year, McCarthy said, the department has seen eight overdoses and one death.</div>
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Hickey said McCarthy’s observations only reinforce the need to bring government officials together to address this growing problem.</div>
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Orland Park is only one community in the Orland Fire Protection District, which serves 75,000 residents in 33 square miles, including in Orland Hills and areas of unincorporated Orland Township.</div>
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The Fire District released the following incident report which shows a steady increase in heroin and opiate use since 2009. The figures do not include substance abuse incidents where Narcan was not administered.</div>
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“The incidents involved patients who displayed extreme drug seizures, were visibly unconscious, or were facing an extreme danger to life, such as experiencing a Heroin or opiate-like overdose,” Hickey said.</div>
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<strong>2009: administered Narcan 47 times, with 22 positive results.</strong></div>
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<strong>2010: administered Narcan 49 times, with 23 positive results.</strong></div>
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<strong>2011: administered Narcan 49 times, with 33 positive results.</strong></div>
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<strong>2012: administered Narcan 63 times, with 32 positive results.</strong></div>
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<strong>2013: administered Narcan 59 times, with 30 positive results.</strong></div>
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<em>(Photos courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District.)</em></div>
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<strong>Here’s the video of the public community program:</strong></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/100897985" style="border-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></div>
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<em>Here is a link to a story broadcast about the meeting by WBBM TV (CBS) Tuesday night.</em></div>
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<a href="http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/07/15/orland-park-hosting-heroin-awareness-program/" style="border: 0px; color: #3b77bf; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Click here</a>.</div>
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Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-83346019997979777872014-03-18T19:27:00.003-07:002014-03-18T19:27:37.543-07:00Liz Gorman sails to 4th term victory<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<h1 style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; line-height: 21px;">
<strong>Liz Gorman sails to 4th term victory</strong></h1>
<h2 style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; line-height: 21px;">
<strong>By Ray Hanania</strong></h2>
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<dl class="wp-caption alignleft zemanta-img" data-mce-style="width: 260px;" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-left-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); float: left; margin: 10px 0px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 260px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a data-mce-href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Liz_Gorman_in_2002.jpg" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Liz_Gorman_in_2002.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Elizabeth Ann Doody Gorman" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" data-mce-src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/20/Liz_Gorman_in_2002.jpg" height="335" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/20/Liz_Gorman_in_2002.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; cursor: default; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Elizabeth Ann Doody Gorman" width="250" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd zemanta-img-attribution" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Elizabeth Ann Doody Gorman (Photo credit: Wikipedia)</dd></dl>
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Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman sailed to a 4th term election victory representing the 17th Cook County district over rightwing Tea Party challenger Barbara Bellar.</div>
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Gorman, who has played an instrumental role in building the candidacy of Bruce Rauner as the Republican Party's choice for governor, was projected to win with a heavy landslide margin of 60 percent, based on early voter returns. The Rauner race was still close, as early numbers showed him leading State Sen. Kirk Dillard by about 3 to 5 percent, although the numbers were still early for the governor's race when Gorman claimed victory.</div>
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A champion of taxpayer rights, Gorman attributed a part of her victory to the "sloppy, garbled robocall" that former Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica made on Bellar's behalf Sunday night. Some voters said that hearing Peraica's voice reminded them of everything that is wrong with politics, and pushed them to vote for Gorman, giving her the extra voter boost.</div>
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Voter turnout was projected as being extremely low statewide, but Gorman said that she appreciated all the support she received from voters.</div>
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Gorman made a name for herself as a champion of taxpayers when she singlehandedly led the fight to repeal the repressive Todd Stroger 1 Cent Cook County Sales Tax increase. Stroger won the tax hike with a large majority of support from the county board, despite Gorman's opposition. But Gorman continued to push for a repeal of the tax introducing several resolutions to demand it be withdrawn.</div>
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While most commissioner simply fell in line with Stroger, Gorman showed voters that it was possible to repeal the tax which cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands in added sales taxes each year. And as public opposition to the sales tax hike grew as a result of Gorman's efforts, other commissioners joined in untilt he sales tax was removed in two steps.</div>
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"I want to thank all of the voters for the mandate they have given me," Gorman said early Tuesday night. "I promise to continue to fight to represent the rights of the taxpayers."</div>
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Gorman also credited her victory over Bellar and Tea Party extremists to her refusal to respond to Peraica's and Bellar's campaign mud-slinging.</div>
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"Their robocall showed how desperate they really were. Voters don't want to listen to candidates who throw mud. They want their candidates to talk about the programs they plan to implemented when elected and that's what I focused on," Gorman said.</div>
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Gorman had received endorsements from every major newspaper, including one from the Chicago Tribune that acknowledged her role in repealing Stroger's hated sales tax increase. <a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/2014/03/12/tribune-endorses-liz-gorman-17th-cook-county-district-race/" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/2014/03/12/tribune-endorses-liz-gorman-17th-cook-county-district-race/">Click to read that story</a>.</div>
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The night before on Monday, Gorman organized a huge rally at the Lexington House on 95th Street for Rauner that drew more than 500 attendees. <a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/2014/03/17/rauner-ignites-crowd-gorman-organized-rally/" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/2014/03/17/rauner-ignites-crowd-gorman-organized-rally/">Click her to view that story and video</a>.</div>
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<em>(Ray Hanania is an award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter an columnist. He is the editor of the Illinois News Network <a data-mce-href="http://www.IllinoisNewsNetwork.com" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/" target="_blank">www.IllinoisNewsNetwork.com</a>.)</em></div>
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Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-1311590559566924522014-03-17T19:46:00.002-07:002014-03-17T19:50:02.124-07:00Rauner ignites crowd at Gorman organized rally<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<h1 style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; line-height: 21px;">
<strong>Rauner ignites crowd at Gorman organized rally</strong></h1>
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<strong>By Ray Hanania</strong></h2>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014-03-17-18.59.31.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014-03-17-18.59.31.jpg"><img alt="2014-03-17 18.59.31" class="size-medium wp-image-716 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014-03-17-18.59.31-300x224.jpg" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014-03-17-18.59.31-300x224.jpg" height="224" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; float: left;" width="300" /></a>More than 500 supporters attended a rally at the Lexington House banquet Hall on 95th Street Monday night, St. Patrick's Day, organized by Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman on behalf of gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner.</div>
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Supporters packed the room as Gorman introduced leading members of the Cook County Republican Organizations including Cook County GOP Chairman Aaron Del Mar, Palos Republican Committeeman Sean Morrison, and other Republican officials from the region. Rauner had the crowd on their feet as he walked in like a rock star at a Rolling Stone's concert to music, lights, and a crowd of television news media reporters.</div>
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He continued his pummeling of Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, who many are saying is losing momentum and will have a tough fight on his hands to hold his office in November. Rauner has surfaced above a crowded field of qualified Republican rivals including State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, State Sen.Kirk Dillard and State Senator Bill Brady.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_4986.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_4986.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4986" class="size-medium wp-image-646 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_4986-300x200.jpg" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_4986-300x200.jpg" height="200" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; float: left;" width="300" /></a>Gorman was duking it out with rival Barbara Bellar during the past few days as Bellar turned to controversial former Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica, who did a robocall blasting Gorman in a mumbled voice that many described as laughable. And Bellar, the darling of the Tea Party extremists, claimed in her own robocall that she was the "Republican" endorsed candidate for the Cook County Board seat which Gorman has held form 12 years. Gorman pounded Peraica in her own robocall and brushed off Bellar as "nothing more than nun-sense," alluding to Bellar's false claims that she was a former nun.</div>
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But while Brady, Dillard and Rutherford concentrated their punches against Rauner, Rauner focused his powerful right hooks at Quinn, even though the General Election is seven months away. Here's the video. Ray Hanania, <a data-mce-href="http://www.OrlandParker.com" href="http://www.orlandparker.com/" target="_blank">http://www.OrlandParker.com</a>, <a data-mce-href="http://www.SuburbanChicagoland.com" href="http://www.suburbanchicagoland.com/" target="_blank">http://www.SuburbanChicagoland.com</a>, <a data-mce-href="http://www.IllinoisNewsNetwork.com" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/" target="_blank">http://www.IllinoisNewsNetwork.com</a></div>
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Here's the video: </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/89365589" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe>
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<em>(Ray Hanania is an award winning for Chicago City Hall reporter and columnist. He is the managing editor of the Illinois News Network at <a data-mce-href="http://www.IllinoisNewsNetwork.com" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/" target="_blank">www.IllinoisNewsNetwork.com</a>.)</em></div>
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Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-33930179306186016582014-03-16T14:51:00.002-07:002014-03-16T15:14:22.683-07:00Bellar throws mud with her “nun-sense” and phony sainthood<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">Bellar throws mud with her “nun-sense” and phony sainthood</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';"><b>By Ray Hanania</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">Barbara Bellar sent a letter to my home the other day, but I didn’t know if she was asking for prayers as a former Nun (as we all know, she never was a nun), or just making a pitch for Obamacare as a Medical Doctor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">Turned out the letter was just a huge mud ball Bellar is throwing at taxpayer champion Liz Gorman, the Orland Township Republican Committeewoman and the Republican Cook County Commissioner who almost singlehandedly overturned the oppressive 1 percent sales tax imposed by ousted Democratic County Board President Todd Stroger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">It was a single page with text on both sides of the page, like one of those legal pitch letters from a credit card company filled with empty promises and exaggerated service claims.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">All Bellar did in the letter was attack Liz Gorman and claim that she is too cozy with the Democrats. Are you kidding me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">The truth is that if anyone was sucking up to the extremists in the Democratic Party, it is Bellar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">In a letter to the Chicago tribune, Bellar praised Obama. And when she met with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the left wing Democratic liberal and former president of the ACLU, Bellar praised Ginsburg saying she admired her. Maybe that’s when she was hoping the Democrats would give her a job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">Bellar is attacking Gorman for hanging around Democrats? Are you kidding me. It’s all more “nun-sense.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">By bashing Gorman, Bellar wants you to believe she is a Republican Messiah of sorts, although honestly like most of you, I’ve never heard of her before. And that is a testament unto itself, considering I have been covering Chicagoland politics for more than 35 years. Where was she and what did she ever do for the taxpayers?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">She’s done nothing for the Republican Party or for Cook County taxpayers. But she sure wants that public government job. The letter she sent reflects the kind of disrespect false Messiahs show when they don’t know anything about what it means to be a struggling taxpayer. It’s just a desperate attempt hoping you’ll put her on the public payroll for doing nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">Bellar says she cares about you because you are overtaxed. Well, at least she knows what the problem is for most residents in Chicagoland. But when she assaults Liz Gorman she reveals her true lack of knowledge and exposes herself as another self-righteous false prophet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">In a prior failed race for the 18<sup>th</sup> Senate District (she is working overtime trying to put herself at the banks of the public trough) in 2012, she claimed in her literature that she was a Catholic Nun. But many columnists and journalists who covered that race point out that in fact, that’s not true. Which is quite a quagmire since Nuns are supposed to not lie. But then, she isn’t a nun so maybe a lie is in character?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">Her campaign slogan was “there is ‘nun’ better.” Well, at least the first part of that sentence was true. There is none! It was all “nun-sense.” Turns out Bellar, the wealthy medical doctor, was never a nun. Just a wannabe nun like the wannabe elected government official she desperately wants to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">As I read through the blah, blah, blah of her letter, and all the mudslinging she is throwing at Gorman, it reminded me about how much Liz Gorman has actually done for the taxpayers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">I won’t lie. I like Liz Gorman. It’s pretty hard to top what Gorman did, almost singlehandedly repealing the Stroger 1 Cent Sales Tax increase that was a true burden on the taxpayers that Sister Bellar doesn’t seem to think is important. In fact, this past week, the Chicago Tribune endorsed Gorman spotlighting how Gorman led that battle almost by herself to succeed in repealing the Stroger Sales Tax.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">Wealthy doctors don’t know much about how the average person has to deal with taxes. But they love to talk about how much they would do if you would just give her your vote.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">Well, Liz Gorman doesn’t have to tell us what she “plans” to do if elected because what she has done is more than most others have done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">The Stroger Sales Tax was the most repressive tax ever imposed on Cook County residents. Instead of fighting it, other county commissioners shockingly tried to increase the tax to 2 cents. When Stroger was finally tossed out of office by angry taxpayers, a lot of the commissioners who supported the tax increase reversed and jumped on the Gorman bandwagon to reluctantly repeal the Stroger Sales Tax.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">Gorman wasn’t reluctant. She was persistent. She introduced the resolution three times to repeal the Stroger Sales Tax. Most other commissioners would have given up when the first effort failed. But not Gorman. She just kept on going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">And that makes Bellar’s letter look even more stupid, especially when Bellar writes, “Liz Gorman was close with the Todd Stroger team.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">You’re no Nun, Doctor Bellar. Instead wasting the time trying to win public office, you should go back to Church and ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness for lying. Forgiveness for never lifting a finger to help the over-taxed homeowners of Cook County. And, forgiveness for mailing out a sleazy campaign letter that spends every drop of ink slandering a good person like Liz Gorman but never once offering a single fresh idea on what you would if you ever happen to stumble into public office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">Someone needs to rap your knuckles with a ruler, Sister Bellar. But I think that slam is coming in the Republican Primary Tuesday, March 18.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-14456060588608521222014-03-12T13:08:00.002-07:002014-03-12T13:08:40.108-07:00Tribune endorses Liz Gorman in 17th Cook County District Race<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<strong>Tribune endorses Liz Gorman in 17th Cook County District Race</strong></h1>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/LizGorman.jpg" href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/LizGorman.jpg"><img alt="LizGorman" class="size-medium wp-image-175 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/LizGorman-223x300.jpg" height="300" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/LizGorman-223x300.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; float: left;" width="223" /></a>The Chicago Tribune has given Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman an enthusiastic endorsement in the March 18 Republican Primary election.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
Gorman, who was first elected to the Cook County Board in 2002 and has been re-elected with overwhelming district support two more times in 2006 and 2010, seeks her 4th term in office in the General Elections, to be held November 4, 2014.</div>
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Gorman has received widespread support for standing up the extremists not just in the Republican Party, but the extremists it he Democratic Party, too, embracing a "centrist" approach to regional government that focuses on defending the rights of taxpayers, homeowners, senior citizens and fighting unnecessary tax increases.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
Gorman led the fight in 2008 to repeal the 1 cent sales tax increase imposed by then Cook County Board President Todd Stroger. Although today many commissioner claims that the "led" the repeal fight, Gorman was the only commission to support the repeal each of the three times it was introduced. It was the final, third repeal motion that received majority support from the county board. But Gorman refused to drop the issue when initial efforts failed to win board majority votes. That persistence is recognized by the Chicago Tribune in their editorial March 12, 2014, in which the editors wrote:</div>
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<em>17th District (Southwest, west and northwest suburbs): The lone GOP board race pits Barbara Bellar, a physician and attorney, against incumbent Elizabeth Doody Gorman. The Tribune has endorsed Gorman often and does so again here. Unlike board members who see taxpayers as the handy solution to Cook County's problems, Gorman has focused on keeping metropolitan Chicago attractive to employers. Proof: She worked tirelessly to exterminate Stroger's sales tax increase.</em></div>
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Although extremists in both parties have targeted Gorman over the years, her signled-minded focus on fighting for taxpayers' rights have earned her enormous support and election victories.<br data-mce-bogus="1" /></div>
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Recently, Gorman was instrumental in leading a group of centrist Republicans in Illinois to endorse the candidacy of Bruce Rauner in his battle for governor against challengers Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard and Dan Rutherford. The winner of the March 18 Gubernatorial Republican Primary is expected to face Democratic governor Pat Quinn.</div>
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Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-57603377497075522272014-03-11T11:31:00.003-07:002014-03-11T11:31:28.842-07:00Rauner plans pre-election Night/St. Patricks Day Rally March 17<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<h1 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1; margin: 10px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong>Rauner plans pre-election Night/St. Patricks Day Rally March 17</strong></h1>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_4986.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #3b77bf; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="IMG_4986" class="size-medium wp-image-646 alignleft" height="200" scale="0" src="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_4986-300x200.jpg" style="border: none; display: inline; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 4px 10px 8px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="300" /></a>Bruce Rauner, the Republican candidate for governor of Illinois, has scheduled a pre-election night, St. Patrick’s Day celebration for Monday March 17 at the Lexington House banquet hall, 7717 W. 95th Street in Hickery Hills in Chicagoland’s Southwest Suburbs.</div>
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The event is co-sponsored by Rauner backer Cook County Commissioner and Orland Township Republican Committeeman Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman.</div>
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Gorman has been a major supporter of Rauner’s candidacy, which has picked up major steam over the past few months.</div>
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The event is open to Rauner supporters and will run from 7 pm until 9 pm with free beer, wine and food for attendees.</div>
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“We’re expecting a strong crowd to send a strong message that Illinois residents are ready for change that will improve the economic situation for families, seniors and young people in our state,” Gorman said.</div>
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Last week, Gorman hosted a rally for Rauner in Orland Park that was attended by several hundred voters. (<a href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/2014/03/03/rauner-woos-orland-township-residents-meeting-monday/" style="border: 0px; color: #3b77bf; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Click here to view that story and video</a>.)</div>
Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-5991348142891138922014-03-01T08:09:00.003-08:002014-03-01T08:09:37.911-08:00Rauner wins debate over decent performances by Brady, Dillard and Rutherford<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<h2>
<b>Rauner wins debate over decent performances by Brady, Dillard and Rutherford</b></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Seal_of_Illinois.svg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Seal of Illinois. Center image extracted from ..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="214" src="//images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2Fe%2Fe7%2FSeal_of_Illinois.svg%2F215px-Seal_of_Illinois.svg.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 215px;">Seal of Illinois. Center image extracted from Illinois flag. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Seal_of_Illinois.svg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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To read my initial analysis of the Rauner-Brady-Dillard-Rutherford debates on WLS AM Radio, go to the Illinois News Network website and read the story there.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.illinoisnewsnetwork.com/2014/02/28/illinois-republican-debate-sets-new-standard-public-service/" target="_blank">Click here</a><br />
<br />
Rauner won mainly because he did what the other debaters refused to do, stay focused on the issues and what is good for Illinois. Rauner refused to criticize the others while Dillard and Brady were eager to criticize him and others. Rutherford did his best to stay focused but seemed bruised by the attacks.<br />
<br />
During the debate Dillard said that Rauner had more friends in federal penitentiaries that Illinois has had governors. But one might point to veteran Illinois politicians like himself (a great guy, a witty comment, but so open for response and criticism) have more colleagues in federal prisons than some states have politicians.<br />
<br />
What was great about the debate was that beyond those few moments with Dillard and Brady attacking, the focus was on issues. Rauner contributed significantly to keeping that positive focus, despite the efforts of his opponents Dillard and Brady.<br />
<br />
All four did make good suggestions, offered great ideas and it was one of the best debates I have seen in a long time.<br />
<br />
<b>-- RAY HANANIA</b><br />
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Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-83661760588048334522014-02-22T05:42:00.000-08:002014-02-22T05:42:01.675-08:00Suburban Orland Park's ethnic diversity comes out at Taste of Jerling event<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<h2>
<b>Suburban Orland Park's ethnic diversity comes out at Taste of Jerling event</b></h2>
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A woman came up to me who has been reading my columns since the 1980s said she has been living in Orland Park more than 35 years, and that during that time "It really has changed."<br />
<br />
I was at the Jerling Junior High school "Taste of Jerling" event which featured food samplings from 17 ethnic groups, including "United States," which I thought was cute.<br />
<br />
"When we first moved here, it was all White. All Irish, some Poles and Italians and maybe a few Koreans," she said. "Now there are so many Arabs, Mexicans and Asians. Indians. It's really changed."<br />
<br />
We talked. She wasn't being racist or bigoted. She was just remarking about the reality of Orland Park that the community had changed, and become more diversified. And in truth, she was right. Orland Park has changed over the years. I noted that I moved in 30 years ago, too, and jokingly said, "It seems like there are more and more White people living here, don't you think?"<br />
<br />
I was being facetious, of course. In a nice way. I mentioned that when I moved in, people stayed int heir homes and you didn't hear or see them. Now, as the population has become more and more diverse, you see more and more White people rising up and speaking out about it.<br />
<br />
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Maybe for some, this would be an uncomfortable conversation. But it was genuine. The woman I spoke with honestly was not being racist, and neither was I. She was just noting a fact. And she was so excited to see all the different cultures and taste their foods which were on display in the Jerling Gymnasium Friday night.<br />
<br />
The event was held to celebrate the "rich cultural and ethnic diversity" of Jerling and the community. There were 17 ethnic groups represented at the Taste of Jerling. China, Croatia, France, Greece, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Palestine, Phillpines, Poland, Serbia and the United States.<br />
<br />
I told my wife, who is Jewish, that I was proud to see three Arab cultures represented, Jordan, Palestine and Morocco.<br />
<br />
Sandburg students joined in to provide some ethnic entertainment. Students performed traditional dances from Lithuania, Mexico and India.<br />
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It was really nice to see all the parents and the kids attend to show support. Each of the food displays included some ethnic artifacts that represented their culture. Some of the kids did extra-credit work and completed a survey of each display and wrote down something important about what they learned from the ethnic cultural displays. One student wrote down, "In their culture, they give away wives." And he wasn't talking about my ethnic group. Apparently, the host of one of the ethnic groups had said that in their country, women are not allowed to chose their husbands and the wives and chosen for the husbands.<br />
<br />
It's not a racist thing to say, I thought. It is a fact. A fact in several of the cultures. The reality of our world. Why shouldn't kids know that?<br />
<br />
Of course, as a Baby Boomer, it's hard to identify with today's young kids Their world is so much different from my world. But I can identify with the adults.<br />
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I wanted to explain to the woman who observed that it appeared that Orland Park has changed with so many new ethnic and cultural groups moving in, that the reality is that the numbers don't support that conclusion.<br />
<br />
I understand why, though. Arabs, for example, are among the ethnic group that has moved into Orland Park over the past 30 years. Most are Christian Arabs, something many Americans don't even realize exists (especially based on how Americans ignore the plight of Christians in Israel and the Arab World). But many are Muslim and some of the Muslim women where Hijabs, head coverings that are very similar to the head coverings Polish women would wear in my old neighborhood on Chicago's South East Side. So they stand out, even though there are only a few of them. They appear like there is an invasion, even though there are really not that many.<br />
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Darker skinned cultures, too, have increased. And again, even though there are really not many, they stand out. Years ago when the community was nearly all White, culture was not noticeable. That's what I had meant by how there seems to be more White people today than before. It's not until you get diversity that you actually start to see everyone. Some, more than others, even if the numbers don't match the perceptions.<br />
<br />
Here are some numbers about Orland Park's diversity.<br />
<br />
The population, according to the 2012 U.S. Census, is 57,392.<br />
<br />
86.1 % of that population is White. That's a big population number, folks.<br />
<br />
1.7 % are African American. While that is negligible, it is noticeable.<br />
<br />
6.2 % are Hispanic.<br />
<br />
4.9 % are Asian.<br />
<br />
That leaves 1.1 percent of "Other," which according to the U.S. Census which does not include "Arabs."<br />
<br />
Has Orland Park really changed that much over the past 35 years?<br />
<br />
Not really. And not enough.<br />
<br />
<i>(Ray Hanania is an award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter. Reach him on his website at <a href="http://www.themediaoasis.com/">www.TheMediaOasis.com</a>.)</i><br />
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Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-79695850359065114042014-02-20T06:38:00.002-08:002014-02-21T18:00:48.427-08:00Patch activist joins up with Bellar to oppose popular Gorman in March primary<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<h2>
<b>Bellar & Patch activist join in vicious attack against popular Gorman in March primary</b></h2>
<b>By Ray Hanania</b><br />
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I was reading the slop that passes for "journalism" these days on the Patch, a web-based platform that just as often reports news as it engages in partisan political activity.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center; width: 224px;">English: Chicagoland map (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chicagoland_Counties.JPG" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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The most recent attack is from Barbara Bellar, the Tea Party nut-job whose friend happens to be an editor at the Tinley Park Patch. Bellar is challenging Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth "Liz" Gorman in the March 18 Republican Primary.<br />
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The Patch gave Bellar a self-serving bully pulpit to repeat a litany of distorted accusations against Gorman, who is by far one of the most responsible leaders of the Republican Party and a champion of the taxpayers.<br />
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Bellar's invective drips with anger, hatred and lies against Gorman because, frankly, she has no idea about what the taxpayers of Cook County need or want. It's all about getting herself into a position of authority.<br />
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Never mind for a moment that the Patch should be ashamed of itself for allowing Bellar to use the Patch as her own campaign platform. But worse is that Bellar, in her rundown of some of the most vicious and ignorant accusations ever published in Chicagoland regional politics, doesn't have one idea on how to make Republicans and taxpayers stronger.<br />
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Professionally, the Patch should be ashamed of itself for throwing away its credibility and being used for a selfish political agenda.<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Liz_Gorman_in_2002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Elizabeth Ann Doody Gorman" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/20/Liz_Gorman_in_2002.jpg" height="335" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="250" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center; width: 250px;">Elizabeth Ann Doody Gorman (Photo credit: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Liz_Gorman_in_2002.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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She'll attack me, I'm sure, but at least I am upfront. I am a former journalist (many awards -- some the editor probably never heard of or will ever hope to win) and today I work as a media and political consultant, always upfront about who I work for. I don't work for Gorman, though. I just happen to be believe she is one of the best elected officials in the Chicagoland suburbs, and a role model for what Republicans can be if they turned away from the fanatics and started to listen to what voters want, instead of to themselves.<br />
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Yet, I'd rather be aligned with Liz Gorman as a friend, than to be so tackily associated with a pathetic activist like Bellar, who based on her attack against Gorman doesn't have one intelligent idea to help make the situation of taxpayers better. Not one idea in her rant that includes 16 of the most obnoxious, ridiculous assertions any political candidate can make about another candidate. Not one idea.<br />
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Gorman has fought for taxpayers. Her battle to stop and then rescind the Todd Stroger Sales Tax hike is legendary. Neither Bellar nor her Patch pal would know what the taxpayers need.<br />
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Bellar's most obnoxious accusation is to falsely claim she was assaulted by Gerry Gorman, Liz Gorman's husband. No, Bellar, a nut case who claims to have been a "Nun,"is lying because she has nothing else to say. Yes, Bellar filed a complaint that police totally ignored because it was so clear that it is untrue. It was so politically motivated, it was a waste of police manpower.<br />
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Bellar claims to be pro-Choice. For a self-proclaimed "Nun?" Wow. Bellar is a political activist from the lowest rungs of the political ladder, and only with the help of her whacky friends, she is trying to distract voters from her own past.<br />
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<a href="http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/news/kadner/23770995-452/kadner-bellar-eyes-challenge-to-gorman.html" target="_blank">Click here to read</a> Phil Kadner's column on Bellar, which should pretty much tell you everything about Bellar. Kadner wrote:<br />
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<i>"I wrote a column about Bellar during last fall’s election season because on her campaign literature and website she used the slogan there’s “Nun Better,” a reference to claims she made repeatedly in pubic that she had been a Catholic nun.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i></i><i>"But when I checked into her background, I discovered that Bellar had only been a postulant in the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago and could find no evidence that she ever took vows of fidelity and obedience.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Bellar refused to answer my repeated inquiries about the discrepancy between her campaign claims and information provided by the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago."</i></blockquote>
The real issue is why would the Patch run this false slop without checking it?<br />
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Most voters are smart enough to see past these kinds of cheap lies. For a Nun, Bellar can't even come up with one positive thing to say that she would do if she were ever elected to public office. But she can't because she has no ideas. All she can do is throw mud.<br />
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No one cares about Bellar's religion. No one cares about Bellar's vicious attacks. All the people care about is what will their elected officials do to ease the burden of taxes on their families. Gorman has done more for the taxpayers and suburbs than anyone.<br />
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Bellar says she wants to debate Gorman, but I would urge Gorman to ignore this nut job and continue to do what you are doing, working hard to champion the needs of the taxpayers. Bellar is a goof who has shamed the Tinley Patch. There's nothing to debate. Bellar wants a debate obviously so she can repeat all of her stupid claims. And they are stupid.<br />
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Bellar proves that there is no contest in the race for the Cook County Board in the 17th District. Liz Gorman is the best candidate for the job and there is no doubt, based on the overwhelming support she has already received from voters, that she will earn another term.<br />
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<i>(Ray Hanania is an award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter and president is his own media and political consulting firm.)</i>Related articles<br />
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Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458591973215653334.post-41367968583611871132014-02-13T13:18:00.000-08:002014-02-13T13:18:28.243-08:00Democratic shots at Rauner seem lame for $2 million<a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&pub=rayhanania" onclick="return addthis_sendto()" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" height="16" style="border: 0;" width="125" /></a><br />
<h2>
<b>Democratic shots at Rauner seem lame for $2 million</b></h2>
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Bruce Rauner, the independently wealthy Republican businessman has everyone in a tizzy. His campaign came out of nowhere, made some smart decisions and is moving forward to headlock the Republican Party nomination on March 18.<br />
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The Democrats have invested some $2 million through PACs to target Rauner and dirty him up for the final stretch, assuming he does win the GOP Primary defeating better known rivals: Bill Brady, the Republican State Senator who is making his 3rd bid for the office after losing in 2010 to then Acting Gov. Pat Quinn; Sen. Kirk Dillard, whom most "Reagan Democrats" would have supported in 2010 had Brady not nosed Dillard out in that primary race; and the congenial Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford who has been dragged down by ugly attacks raising questions about his sexuality and allegations of sexual harassment.<br />
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The GOP primary mess only reinforces Rauner's certainty of winning. None of this rivals have the cash to beat him. It will be a gubernatorial version of the 2011 Chicago Mayoral election in which Rahm Emanuel moved back in to Chicago with a $14 million campaign war chest to blow away a field of veteran Chicago Democrats, former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley Braun, City Clerk Miguel Del Valle, and legal powerhouse Gery Chico, all of whom barely had $3 million in campaign funds together.<br />
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A lot of Democrats don't like Quinn. I recall Quinn as being a great outsider when I covered Chicago City Hall but when I moved to community radio, Quinn never thought I was worth spending any time on. No problem. Unfortunately, Quinn does that to a lot of people he once leaned on for support when he was the outside crusader battling the old Chicago Democratic Machine. Now, he's the insider. It comes with its privileges, of course, but Quinn brings in a lot of not-forgotten battles with his new suitors.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pat_quinn_governor_of_illinois.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="English: Gov. Pat Quinn making a point at Gree..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="430" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Pat_quinn_governor_of_illinois.jpg/350px-Pat_quinn_governor_of_illinois.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center; width: 350px;">English: Gov. Pat Quinn making a point at Green Expo (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pat_quinn_governor_of_illinois.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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While Rauner has dominated the field with more TV commercials than Personal Injury Attorney Glenn Lerner, he's focused almost entirely on attacking Quinn. His Republican challengers have been left trying to dent Rauner's image. But Rauner was smart. His first move was to lock in key Republican support. His move to win over the support and endorsement of key mainstream Republican Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman locked in his prominence with Republicans in the Democratic heavy Chicagoland region.<br />
<br />
Rauner's strategy has to be very simple. Get through the Republican Primary without bashing his Republican Rivals, leaving the door open to their possibly rallying around him afterwards. And then do what every Republican easily does, win the downstate Republican vote by a large margin. It won't be enough to win the gubernatorial election. But Rauner needs to also win soft Democratic support in the Democratic havens in Chicagoland. If Rauner can win some of those Democrats who have long memories, or have felt burned by Quinn's attitudes over the past few years, he has a formula to take the state and be the next Governor of Illinois.<br />
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In 2010, Quinn only beat Brady by about 30,000 votes. That's not too much to expect from disgruntled conservative "Reagan Democrats" who live in the Chicagoland area who just might turn to Rauner.<br />
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Additionally, the Democrats, who have less money to spend than Rauner, are not spending it wisely. The attack ads they've funded with their last ditch burst of funds are lame, attacking Rauner for allegedly being friendly with Stuart Levine, the convicted felon who was part of the corrupt circle around former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rod_Blagojevich_mug_shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="English: Mug shot of Rod Blagojevich." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="377" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Rod_Blagojevich_mug_shot.jpg/350px-Rod_Blagojevich_mug_shot.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center; width: 350px;">English: Mug shot of Rod Blagojevich. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rod_Blagojevich_mug_shot.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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But throwing Blagojevich at Rauner is so ineffective. Voters are tired of the "use Blagojevich to dirty up an opponent" by arguing someone was close to Blagojevich. The fact is Quinn was Blagojevich's running mate, after all. Quinn was his Lt. Governor, though he quickly distanced himself from Blagojevich when the governor's federal troubles exploded in newspaper driven investigations.<br />
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If they are going to beat Rauner, the Democrats need to come up with a better attack than simply throwing Blagojevich at him.<br />
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In the end, the truth is the Democratic controlled House and Senate can just as easily work with a Republican Governor as they work with a former liberal who has joined the Democratic Party parade.<br />
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Quinn has years of experience spinning the media and can easily handle himself in a debate. But what's the real issue that voters care about? So far, no one has defined that, making it easy for Rauner to bludgeon his way into office with his bottomless financial pockets.<br />
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Of course, having a guy who knows how to make money, instead of wastefully spending it, is probably what appeals to voters the most. It's something Rauner is hammering away, unimpeded by the Democratic Pacs and consultants. And unless they can stop it with another issue, the certainty of what's going to happen in the Nov. 4 General Election is clear.<br />
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<b>-- RAY HANANIA</b><br />
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Ray Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.com0