Forensic Audits

In The News

• Liberty Lunch
  Please go to www.forthegoodofillinois/issues/liberty-lunch
• Audit under way at troubled north suburban waste agency
• Illinois should weigh use of Parent Trigger
  As rolled out first in California, the Trigger means that when more than half of a failing school’s parents sign a petition of no confidence in their school’s management, local school authorities are obliged to convert the facility to an independently man
• Chicago mayoral candidate Danny Davis releases tax returns
  U.S. Rep Danny Davis’s mayoral campaign released five years of the congressman’s federal and state income tax returns today, disclosing annual income of more than $200,000 from his congressional salary and pension earnings.
• Kay unseats Jay Hoffman
  Republican Dwight Kay campaigned on the premise that it was time to replace a politician with a businessman.
• McCarter wins state senate seat in own right
  State Sen. Kyle McCarter laid claim to his seat Tuesday, pulling out a win against challenger Tim Dudley in one of the most expensive races in the Illinois General Assembly.
• Kay Beats Hoffman in 112th House District
  During his second time vying to oust his longtime incumbent State Representative Jay Hoffman, businessman Dwight Kay of Glen Carbon emerged victorious Tuesday night.
• Republicans make rare inroads in Madison County
  Republican Dwight Kay was elected to the Illinois House, defeating Democrat Jay Hoffman, who held the 112th District seat most of the time since 1990. Both the Illinois House and Senate retained reduced Democratic majorities.
• Brown, McCarter thank supporters during Chamber of Commerce business breakfast
  State Sen. Kyle McCarter, R-Lebanon, joined Decatur Republican Adam Brown, who ousted state Rep. Bob Flider Tuesday, in speaking before the assembled Chamber members. Both candidates thanked their supporters and families and expressed joy in their triumph
• Kay beats Hoffman in statehouse race
  Republican Dwight Kay was overjoyed Tuesday night at defeating 16-year incumbent Jay Hoffman, D-Collinsville by a vote difference of 51 percent to 49 percent in the race for state representative for the 112th District.
• McCann takes state Senate seat held by Demuzios since 1975
  Republican Sam McCann of Carlinville won an Illinois Senate seat long held by the Demuzio family on Tuesday. With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, McCann had 34,206 votes to incumbent state Sen. Deanna Demuzio’s 31,725 votes.
• Drawing business Kay's key
  Three state business organizations have endorsed Glen Carbon Republican Dwight Kay in his bid for state representative.
• Hoffman-Kay race exceeds $1 million; contest among costliest in Illinois
  EDWARDSVILLE -- Spending in the race for the 112th House seat has topped $1 million, one of the top 20 legislative races in the state. Read more: http://www.bnd.com/2010/10/26/1451077/hoffman-kay-race-exceeds-1-million.html#ixzz144QDea54
• Teachers' Retirement System's unfunded liability jumps $5 billion in FY10
  (Crain's) — The Teachers' Retirement System for Illinois said Monday that its unfunded liability swelled by $4.8 billion in fiscal 2010.
• ‘Forensic audit’ sounds so ominous
  Adam Andrzejewski didn’t gain much traction in his maiden run for political office in February, but the Republican businessman from Herscher coined a phrase that continues to reverberate through the 2010 election. Read more: Herald & Review Blogs htt
• Will Co. early voting turnout almost triple compared to last gubernatorial election
  Will County Clerk Nancy Schultz Voots credits turnout to a handful of big races such as the gubernatorial, 11th Congressional, 43rd state Senate and the Will County Sheriff.
• Million Dollar Races
  Since July 1, for example, campaign committees controlled by Democrats gave $447,769 to Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi, who's worried about losing his normally safe 43rd District seat to Republican Cedra Crenshaw, a tea party favorite. Republican committees have give
• Associated Builders & Contractors, NFIB, & Illinois Chamber Endorse Sam McCann
  The National Federation of Independent Business, Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. and the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, today endorsed Sam McCann (R) for the 49th State Senate seat currently head by incumbent Deanna Demuzio (D) of Carlinvil
• Comptroller: Budget Deficit Could Reach $15 Billion
  The state’s record budget deficit is likely to get worse before it gets better, according to a recent report released by state Comptroller Dan Hynes. The Comptroller’s report said lawmakers and the next Illinois governor could face “the very real possibil
• McCarter, Brown pick up pro-business endorsements
  Two Decatur-area Republican candidates picked up a raft of endorsements Wednesday from a number of pro-business groups. Representatives of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, National Federation of Independent Business and Illinois Chamber of Commerc
• Fund-raiser: Jesse Jackson Jr. behind $6M Senate-seat scheme
  Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. directed a major political fund-raiser to offer former Gov. Rod Blagojevich millions of dollars in campaign cash in return for an appointment to the U.S. Senate, sources said the fund-raiser has told federal authorities.
• Comptroller candidates seek more transparency for TIF districts
  The Democratic candidate for state comptroller said he wants to shine more light on an economic development tool he contends may be diverting tax dollars from more important programs.
• Illinois SAT Scores Drop
  Average SAT scores in Illinois dropped across all subjects for the class of 2010, but there was good news too: Graduates showed they could outwrite their peers.
• McHenry County state's attorney indicted
  Misconduct allegations that fueled a bitter election two years ago in McHenry County resurfaced Friday when the sitting state's attorney was charged in a 17-page felony indictment.
• Illinois can't even pay office utility bills for legislators
  It's the same story at the district offices of Illinois' elected legislators across the state: Phone, utilities, garbage and rent payments months behind, prompting a monthly flurry of terse late notices and cutoff threats to offices with the state emblem
• Mayor Daley pays felon $40,000.00 in taxpayer money
  Another inspector for the city of Chicago was sentenced to 21 months in prison last Friday. Thomas Ziroli was a ventilation inspector for the city of Chicago's Department of Buildings. A federal jury convicted Ziroli of bribery in March 2010 for accepting
• Ex-Gov. Ryan appeals parts of conviction
  Imprisoned former Gov. George Ryan is seeking to have elements of his conviction thrown out based on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier this year.
• The Telegraph: Letter to the Editor Regarding Sam McCann
  When I read the article in The Telegraph on Aug. 5 titled, "Bill Haine questions statements on Service Record," my heart sank. I was disheartened with the implications in the article and the political attempt to hurt a candidate on the other side of the a
• Is Madison County dragging its feet on putting county checkbook online?
  A Madison County Board member wants to put the county's checkbook online and said the county administration is dragging its feet on doing so. Read more: http://www.bnd.com/2010/08/24/1374284/is-madison-county-dragging-its.html#ixzz0xdzUKt3Z
• Our state is $120.6 billion short!
  Here's their shocking truth: Even if Illinois used all of its assets -- except for our infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings, land, etc. -- we would not have enough to pay the $140.6 billion of bills when they come due.
• Should our local and state governments be subjected to forensic audits?
  In his Chicago Tribune column today, John Kass reports that Democratic Chicago Alderman - and possible mayoral candidate - Scott Waguespack is calling for a "forensic audit" of the financial records of the City of Chicago.
• Gov. Quinn's chief of staff resigns amid ethics probe
  Gov. Pat Quinn’s chief of staff resigned Sunday after the Chicago Sun-Times posed questions about a probe of three politically oriented correspondences sent from his government e-mail account in possible violation of a state ethics law.
• Potential Mayor Daley challenger calls for forensic audit
  Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd, has two terrifying words for Mayor Richard Daley: Forensic Audit.
• Candidates Disappointed by Blago Verdict
  Sudden headlines of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s self-assurance upon the assign of fibbing to the FBI had officials, possibilities for open bureau as well as residents thrown for the double back Tuesday.
• Republican leaders turn out for Hoffman challenger Dwight Kay
  Republican leaders stood by candidate Dwight Kay touting his business experience in his bid to unseat state Rep. Jay Hoffman.
• Can The Illinois Pension Catastrophe Be Stopped?
  A true financial valuation of unfunded pension liabilities reveals a debt of more than $200 billion for the state and local governments. That is around $42,000 per Illinois household and only counts benefits that public employees can claim based on today'
• Macoupin County Miracle!
  This past Friday, well over 500 people attended the McCann/Rosenthal Grand Slam Event in Carlinville, Illinois. The district wide event was an all day fundraiser for Sam McCann, Republican Candidate for the State Senate’s 49th District and Wayne Rosenthal
• Mom 1; Machine 0
  Party leaders brought out the big guns to try to blow Republican challenger Cedra Crenshaw off the November ballot for the 43rd District seat. But a Will County judge ruled Wednesday that Crenshaw's ballot petitions are valid, rejecting the argument contr
• Republican Candidate Vows To Fix Sate's Money Issues
  "I think the people in Springfield owe us an apology," said Kay, of Glen Carbon, referring to what he called Illinois' financial "death spiral." Read more: http://www.bnd.com/2010/07/30/1346577/kay-vows-to-fix-states-money-issues.html#ixzz0wjoByZnl
• Kay Pledges To Cut Pay If Elected
  Dwight Kay says that if voters elect him as the area’s state representative in the fall, he will take a 10 percent pay cut. First-year legislators in Illinois make $67,836 per year, and Kay’s action would save taxpayers $6,783. In addition, Kay said he wo
• Kay Touts Business Background In Illinois House Race
  Republican Illinois House candidate Dwight Kay made a public pledge Thursday to vote against higher taxes, cut waste, fight corruption and support term limits, among other goals.
• McCarter Recognized For Support Of Free Market Principles
  The Illinois State Chamber of Commerce has awarded State Sen. Kyle McCarter with their Outstanding Freshman award for support of key legislation, ‘in the defense of free enterprise, and the furtherance of economic opportunities for Illinoisans.’
• Both Parties' Candidates Critical Of Income Tax Plan
  Decatur-area lawmakers spoke out Thursday against early news the governor's office will seek to increase the state's income tax from 3 percent to 5 percent.
• GOP Has Fundraising Edge In Decatur-Area Races That Are Expected To Be Expensive
  With fewer than 100 days to go until the election, Republican candidates are leading the fundraising battle over their Democratic opponents in Decatur, according to the most recent campaign contribution reports from the Illinois State Board of Elections.
• Dudley, McCarter Take Shots At Each Other's Gun Rights Record
  Speaking Thursday, McCarter said Dudley did not defend the 2nd Amendment. "Actions speak louder than words," McCarter said. "He voted against a resolution supporting the 2nd Amendment as a member of the Macon County board. It doesn't matter if it's bindin
• Local 9-12 Leader Aids McCann In 49th
  The Jacksonville businessman who heads his local 9-12 group and has arranged for SAMUEL “Joe the Plumber” WURZELBACHER to come to central Illinois this month is also a key contributor to the state Senate campaign of Republican SAM McCANN of Carlinville.
• Tea Party Rally Draws A Crowd
  More than 250 people showed up to the TEA Party "1776 Freedom" rally Saturday at Grafton's Grove Park.
• Dems propose 67% income tax hike to cover budget shortfall
  Illinois budget director talks tax hike with Bloomberg.
• Illinois Has Nation's Largest Budget Deficit
  Study Says Deficits For All States Together Will Total $83.9 Billion Next Year
• Towns pad pensions despite crisis
  Shortly before Tim Baldermann retired as Chicago Ridge's police chief, the town boosted his salary by more than $70,000, handing the 44-year-old as big a paycheck in retirement as he earned full time on the police force.
• Illinois Stops Paying Its Bills, but Can’t Stop Digging Hole
  Even by the standards of this deficit-ridden state, Illinois’s comptroller, Daniel W. Hynes, faces an ugly balance sheet. Precisely how ugly becomes clear when he beckons you into his office to examine his daily briefing memo.
• State set records for failing finances in fiscal 2010, comptroller says
  The last budget year was a record-breaking one for Illinois finances, and all the records were bad.
• Hynes: Fixing Budget Can't Wait for November
  Chicago - The man who keeps tabs on the state of Illinois' checkbook said Friday it's never been in worse shape.
• Senate Seat For Sale--The Chicago Way
  Buying your way into the U.S. Senate is nothing new. The most notorious case took place one hundred years ago. As you'd expect, a Chicago politician was at the middle of it.
• Politics: The Art of the Unbelievable
  In many places, voters become disenchanted when politicians move directly from high offices to lucrative jobs as lobbyists and consultants. Not in Illinois. Here, we are just happy when a politician doesn't go directly from high office to prison.
• The Madigan Rules
  House Speaker Michael Madigan says he follows a personal code of conduct to avoid conflicts of interest. Even so, some clients of his private law firm have benefited from his public actions.
• Madigan's kind of town
  Michael J. Madigan wasn't calling to talk about state issues. Instead, Madigan was drumming up legal business for his property tax appeal firm.
• Madigan's allies get slice of village business
  Michael Madigan calmly sliced his daily apple as he listened to the 40-minute pitch from several leaders of Oak Lawn, long frustrated in their efforts to secure money for a dilapidated water system that supplies much of the south suburbs.
• How Reform Failed in Illinois
  Limits on how much contributors can give to politicians had come to symbolize what reform meant in the post-Blagojevich landscape. But the commissioners assembled that morning at the end of May thought the proposal scheduled for a vote in a few hours fell
• Keeping track of our imprisoned ex-governors
  More than 33 years and 1,600 miles separate Dan Walker from his days in the governor's mansion in Springfield. Yet he's bracing to have his name dragged into the news again when another federal jury renders another verdict in another corruption trial of a
• Gone to Sod
  Meanwhile the Land of Lincoln's political culture -- once renowned for spectacular corruption and amazing efficiency -- has merely become corrupt and incompetent.
• Index of Worker Freedom
  The 2009 Index of Worker Freedom (IWF) is the Alliance for Worker Freedom’s second sate-by-state comparative study that measures the level of worker freedom by analyzing actual policy as well as quantitative state data.
• Crenshaw talks fiscal, social issues with Tribune board
  State Senate candidate Cedra Crenshaw said Monday she supports a complete audit of the state financial records to identify wasteful spending and posting all documents online. “You’ve got to open everything up and reform how we do things,” said Crenshaw,
• Ballot Controversy Helped Campaign: Cedra Crenshaw
  A candidate for State Senate is focusing on her campaign after winning a battle to get on the fall ballot. Cedra Crenshaw is a suburban mom who identifies with the tea party movement, and she's taking on Democratic State Senator A.J. Wilhelmi in the south
• Dems Dirty Tricks
  The Chicago Machine’s desperate and unsuccessful attempt to knock us off the ballot has only rocketed our campaign to the national stage. Thanks to your passionate and pervasive voices, our message is ringing out across the country.
• CPS to use reserve funds to balance budget
  After seven months of dire predictions and the expected layoffs of about 1,200 classroom teachers, Chicago Public Schools finally crossed the final stretch to a balanced budget by completely drawing down its reserve funds.
• Schools give kids a pass on grading homework
  In a break with tradition, many teachers no longer grade homework and prefer instead to calculate a student's grade point average based on how they perform in class. They say homework shows effort more than brains.
• Cedra Crenshaw, Candidate Mom, Escapes Clutches of Chicago Machine
  Cedra Crenshaw proved to be too quick to be the latest victim of the Chicago Machine. She’s running for the Illinois state Senate as a Tea Party Republican, and Democrats did their best to keep her off the ballot. Though the district is reportedly 2-1 De
• Chicago Machine Is Afraid of a… Mom!
  In October, 2009, at an Illinois GOP Governor Candidate Debate, moderator Chris Robling opened the debate with the line, “The on-going concern of the State of Illinois is in question!” He was right, and the primary reasons Illinois is such a mess is the
• Breaking: Chicago Democrat Machine Throws Black Female Candidate Off the Ballot
  As we feared, the Chicago Democrat Machine reached into neighboring Will County and lined up a couple Democrat officials to throw Cedra Crenshaw, GOP candidate for the 43rd State Senate District, off the ballot. The Machine candidate in the district, A.J.
• One Mom Fights the Chicago Machine to Stay On the Ballot
  During the 1996 Illinois Senate race, an aspiring Chicago politician hired skilled attorneys to exploit election rules and challenge his primary opponents’ right to be placed on the ballot. This novice politician was Barack Obama who cut his teeth on Chic
• One Nation against the Obama’s Chicago Machine
  Last week, I reported how the Chicago Democrat machine had injected itself into neighboring Will County in attempt to knock me on the ballot. My candidacy against a legacy politician, the specially appointed AJ Wilhelmi, was too much of a threat to the st
• Chicago Machine Democrats Deserve NAACP Condemnation, Not Tea Party
  As the NAACP prepares to condemn the tea party movement for phantom “explicitly racist behavior”, the Department of Justice and the NAACP overlook actual instances of explicitly racist behavior by the New Black Panther Party. Blatant disregard for actual

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