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Back in the USSR?

Sometimes when I report on these events I wonder if the establishment media was at the same rally. Which is why I’m including two photographs here that I used in my Teamsters post last night. Chicago Tribune, where are your May Day pictures of the socialists and the communists? Chicago Sun-Times, where are yours?

If you aren’t going to report the entire story, then don’t bother at all.

More here…

Cost: None!

Refreshments will be provided.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday March 16th!

The Skillicorn’s
245 Dunridge Circle
East Dundee, IL 60118
847-417-5611

By Parking Ticket Geek

That didn’t take long.

When Mayor Rahm Emanuel fast tracked legislation in Springfield to allow Chicago to employ speed camera enforcement within 1/8 of a mile of schools and parks back in November, drivers wondered if and when speed cameras would come to their town.

Now, less than three months later, speed cameras may be expanding into towns outside Chicago.

In a recently introduced amendment to SB0952 sponsored by Senator Antonio Munoz (D-Chicago), other Illinois municipalities may be able to utilize the same enforcement technology Mayor Emanuel pushed so hard for if the bill can make it through the Illinois General Assembly.

Munoz cites Mayor Emanuel’s work to bring speed camera enforcement to Chicago as the inspiration for the bill.

“This proposal mirrors the mayor’s proposal for the city with the goal being to protect school children,” says Munoz. “We would all love for people to not speed in school zones and around parks where children are playing. Unfortunately, they do. At the same time, police departments aren’t immune from budget cuts. Here we have a cost-effective way to enforce our traffic and public safety laws.”

The original speed camera law restricts this type of enforcement to “municipalities with a population of 1,000,000 or more inhabitants.” The amended legislation would strike that and allow speed cameras to be used by towns in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Madison, McHenry, St. Clair, and Will counties where red light camera enforcement is also currently allowed.

But, the law would not be restricted to towns already employing RLC enforcement. Any municipality in the counties covered could start a speed camera enforcement program.

According to Munoz, several towns have already “expressed interest in the legislation”, including Chicago Heights, Melrose Park and Berwyn.

River Forest Village Administrator Eric Palm, was not aware of the bill and thinks its too early for their town to consider speed camera enforcement as River Forest is still waiting for approval from IDOT for their first red light cameras.

“It’s something we’d have to take a look at, but it’s somewhat premature,” said Palm explaining the town approved their RLC program less than a year ago. “We like to see how the red light cameras work first.”

Allen Skillicorn, a trustee for East Dundee, which has red light camera enforcement program, and won his seat running against red light cameras for his town was taken aback by the speed of the potential expansion of speed camera enforcement statewide.

“I’m surprised, but not surprised there are people in Springfield pushing for another money grab,” said Skillicorn after a pause.

If the law passed, would East Dundee consider speed camera enforcement?

“Over my dead body,” said Skillicorn. “Our town doesn’t seem to need it. I don’t think there would be a justifiable safety reason in our town. I would fight it tooth and nail.”

The legislation is currently being debated in Illinois Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday evening in Springfield.

Chicago Heights Mayor David A. Gonzalez did not return our request for an interview.

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It has been awhile since I last posted an article on this website. Excuses aside, I came to the realization that I need to write down the thoughts in my head. As a young woman entering politics and entering adulthood, it has been a struggle understanding why things happen. Why is gas rising or why is the country falling to pieces? When I ask why, think of a kindergartener asking why we go to war as an example. Something you just cannot explain to them because we have grown accustom to the idea. Therefore, my question is why are we as people of a country established on the fundamental ideas of liberty, allowing the government to decide what we will be doing with our lives? Think about it and let me know if you have an answer.

More…

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After attending State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay’s event in Lakewood, it seemed appropriate to see what was up at her opponent’s pizza affair in Lake in the Hills.

The table where Cliff Surges’ Campaign Treasurer took the $25 price of admission.

While McConnaughay’s was a freebee, Cliff Surges’s affair cost $25. When I got to the entry table, Surges recognized me and let me in free.

The fundraising room was crowded.

The place was packed, with some seeking a place for a quiet conversation in an overflow room.

The only elected official I found from McHenry County was Cary Village Trustee Bruce Kaplan. He is seen standing pretty much in the center of this photo.

While McConnaughay’s affair had numerous locally-elected officials, the only one I saw at Surges was Cary Village Trustee Bruce Kaplan and Cary is not in the district. Of course, his opponent had folks at her affair who live out of her district.

Cliff Surges worked the tables, here talking with Frank Muzzalupo

After an introduction by his campaign manager Scott Webb, the Northern Illinois campaign coordinator for Peter Fitzgerald’s U.S. Senate campaign, Surges test marketed a new talk.

Cliff Surges’ campaign manager Scott Webb.

Surges really was pretty good.

Cliff Surges delivered a high energy speech.

Surges revealed to us non-Kane County folks that there is a slate that has developed down there.

Kane County Circuit Clerk candidate Tom Hartwell (far right in photo) listens to Cliff Surges speak.

Kane County Campaign signs at Cliff Surges fund raiser.

Surges is aligned with

• State Senator Chris Lauzen’s County Board Chairmanship campaign,
• Tom Hartwell’s Circuit Clerk’s campaign,
• Dr. Bob Tiballi’s campaign for Coroner,
• Terry Hunt’s campaign for Auditor and
• County Board candidates Robert Sauceda and Drew Frasz,

and perhaps others I missed.

The main event was a speech by Adam Andrzejewski.

Andrzejewski ran in the GOP primary for Governor in 2010 and has been on a transparency campaign since then.

Adam Andrzejewski energizes Cliff Surges’ supporters.

His organization, For the Good of Illinois, has posted salary information for all sorts of public employees.

Andrzejewski said that Surges was “taking on the entire failed political class in Kane County.

“The Illinois political class still doesn’t understand the political crisis,” he continued.

Former Director of Development Phil Bus came in for comment.

Andrezejewski said that McConnaughay raised his salary over 60% in six years, retired, took a good pension and then was put on as a consultant.

He said that the man’s wife and brother made multi-thousand dollar contributions to McConnaughay.

Andrzejewski railed against

• “salary spiking”
• “pension padding”
• “contributions after retirement along the lines of pay to play.”

“His opponent has an unlimited access to tainted money.

“There’s not one person in this room that has a county contract.”

Adam Andrzejewski and East Dundee Trustee Allen Skillicorn had a chat after the event.

= = = = =
The event was full of people who seemed likely to campaign actively, including one 18-year old Surges had coached. He registered to vote in order to be able to vote for Surges.

Since the campaign for the 52nd State Representative seat began, David McSweeney has been an outspoken opponent of for-profit surveillance systems like speed cameras and red light cameras. More elected leaders need to take civil liberties seriously and emphasizing real safety measures over money making surveillance schemes is a step in the right direction. I am confident that David McSweeney is the right man for the job and he has my 100% support!

Allen Skillicorn
East Dundee Village Trustee
Illinois Representative for the National Motorists Association

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