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Editorial: Martin McLaughlin for Illinois 52nd House District

Posted in BACOG, Board of Education, Chicago Tribune, Data Center, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, Fat Bastard, Illinois State Board of Elections, Immigration, Land Use, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Outmigration, Overhead, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, South Barrington, Springfield, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, Village Code on October 12, 2026| 1 Comment »

Martin McLaughlin is a Republican running to represent Illinois’ 52nd House District. (George Papadakis)

By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune

Republican state Rep. Martin “Marty” McLaughlin barely survived his last election, defeating Democrat Maria Peterson by just 47 votes in 2024. The two are facing off again in this northwest suburban district.

McLaughlin, 61, an investment manager and former Barrington Hills village president, has been a consistent voice for fiscal restraint in Springfield. He identifies property taxes as the district’s most pressing problem and has helped residents navigate the appeals process. “If government is going to keep raising the bill, taxpayers at least deserve to know how to fight an unfair assessment,” he told us.

McLaughlin’s fiscal conservatism is important in a state that desperately needs greater discipline in that area.

Martin McLaughlin is endorsed.

Read the full editorial endorsement here.

Editorial note: Representative McLaughlin is also endorsed by:

  • Eleanor Sweet McDonnell, Mayor, North Barrington*
  • Paula McCombie, Village President, South Barrington*
  • Karen Darch, Former Mayor, Barrington*
  • Andrew Burke, Mayor, Lake Barrington*
  • Kevin Richardson, Former Mayor, Lake Barrington*
  • Keith Vogeler, Mayor, Port Barrington
  • Jeff Sode, Mayor, Wauconda
  • Debby Sosine, Village President, Algonquin
  • Ray Bogdanowski, Village President, Lake in the Hills
  • Donna Johnson, Mayor, Libertyville
  • Richard McLaughlin, Mayor, Island Lake
  • Steve Henley, Mayor, Volo

It’s important to note McLaughlin’s campaign rival lives in North Barrington yet she could not garner an endorsement for this or her prior campaigns.

*Present and former members of the Barrington Area Council Of Governments (BACOG).

 

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Poll: Majority of voters concerned about socialists running for office

Posted in Blame Canada, Commodius Maximus, Cost of Living, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Ethics, Fat Bastard, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, The Center Square, Village Code on October 12, 2026| Leave a Comment »

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center Square

A majority of American voters are concerned with socialist candidates running and possibly winning political office, according to a new poll.

The Center Square Voters’ Voice poll found that 55% of American voters are concerned about Democratic Socialist candidates running for and winning elected office in the U.S., while 37% aren’t concerned.

A slew of candidates running as democratic socialists appears to be raising alarms with a majority of American voters.

Of the 55% who are concerned, 35% are very concerned, while 20% say they are “somewhat concerned.”

(Click on image to enlarge)

Of those not concerned, only 17% say they are not too concerned, while 20% say they are not at all concerned.

The poll comes as several Democratic Socialist candidates have risen in popularity across the country. The Democratic Socialists of America are touting 67 wins across the country, with 93 running. However, the group includes 62 DSA candidates who have lost.

Report continues here.

 

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Even after upgrades, Illinois’ credit rating is still worst in the nation

Posted in Cost of Living, Deception, Economy, Elections, Ethics, Fat Bastard, Illinois Policy Institute, Look For The Union Label, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes, Unions on September 30, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The ongoing pension crisis is a big part of it.

By Ethan Soifer | Illinois Policy Institute

Despite two recent upgrades, Illinois’ credit rating remains the worst in the country, with a couple key issues holding the state back.

Moody’s Ratings raised the state to A1 from A2, and S&P Global Ratings elevated Illinois to A from A-. The ratings are based on a government’s ability and willingness to pay back debt principal and interest on time.

The agencies said significant headwinds remain in Illinois, including sluggish economic and population growth and the state’s unfunded pension liabilities.

A higher credit rating enables a state to borrow or roll over existing debt at lower interest rates. A lower rating creates more risk for investors, who will demand higher interest payments.

Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation credit rating hurts taxpayers. A Charles Schwab report from shortly before the ratings upgrades using Bloomberg data showed that Illinois’ 10-year bond yields are 62 basis points, or 0.62%, higher than bonds issued under a “generic 10-year AAA index.”

Applying that to the $2.6 billion in general-obligation bonds Illinois plans to sell this year would mean $16.1 million more in annual interest payments than states with the highest rating. That could slightly improve given the recent upgrades.

The upgrades reflect the state’s progress in improving its fiscal standing. Since 2019, the year Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office, Moody’s has upgraded Illinois’ credit rating five times from Baa3, the lowest rating deemed investment-grade and one notch above junk status. S&P has upgraded the rating four times, from one notch above junk status, BBB-, to A. Including Fitch Ratings, the governor’s office boasts of 12 upgrades.

Report continues here.

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Other states will take Illinoisans’ money if Pritzker doesn’t opt into federal scholarship program

Posted in Commodius Maximus, Cost of Living, Education, Elections, Fat Bastard, Girlie man, Illinois Policy Institute, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Unions, WTF on September 23, 2026| Leave a Comment »

An Illinois neighbor is vying for donations from state residents.

By Hannah Schmid | Illinois Policy Institute

A new local billboard is garnering media attention by advertising that Illinois taxpayers can get a federal income tax credit for donating money to students out of state.

The billboard, in south suburban Chicago near the Indiana border, refers to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, also known as the Education Freedom Tax Credit. The program offers taxpayers a dollar-for-dollar income tax credit for donations of up to $1,700 per year to qualified scholarship-granting organizations.

Any taxpayer in any state can claim the credit starting in 2027. But only students in states whose governor has opted into the program can benefit from the donated education money.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has not opted Illinois in. Four of Illinois’ neighbors have, including Indiana, where the billboard is advertising Illinoisans to donate scholarship money.

The billboard is correct:

  • If Pritzker opts Illinois in: Donated money flows to eligible Illinois students.
  • If Pritzker does not opt Illinois in: Illinois donors can still claim the federal tax credit by contributing to qualifying scholarship-granting organizations in participating states such as Indiana, but Illinois students cannot receive any of the donated money.

Article continues here.

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Juliana Stratton is hiding from Illinois voters. That tells you everything.

Posted in Cost of Living, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, Fat Bastard, Flock Cameras, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Open Meetings Act, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Taxes, The Center Square, The Chicago Way, Transparency, Unions, WTTW News on September 15, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Juliana Stratton (left)

By Mark Glennon | Wirepoints

The balance in the United States Senate after November’s elections is likely to be razor thin, making each Senator’s competence critical in what is among the most dangerous periods America has faced, both internationally and nationally.

Juliana Stratton wants a promotion to the Senate from lieutenant governor — a mostly ceremonial post in Illinois. She’s asking for that promotion from behind a curtain, denying voters any opportunity to see whether she has even a meager understanding of the issues she will face.

Multiple debates and forums would be the best means to learn about Stratton — as well as about Don Tracy, her Republican opponent, whose Senate credentials are also little known to Illinois voters. Tracy accepted offers to no fewer than seven such events from CBS2 Chicago, FOX 32 Chicago, the League of Women Voters of Peoria, the Illinois Farm Bureau, the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, the Technology and Manufacturing Association and the Illinois Municipal League.

Stratton, however, refused all but one , and it will be very late, set for October 20. Early voting starts September 24 in Illinois, nearly a month before that. And with Chicago’s PBS affiliate, WTTW, being the moderator, we should expect no tough questions for Stratton.

How about a long interview by a fair reporter versed on national issues?

Forget it. You will find none. For that matter, you won’t find one on any matter for the entire duration of her political career in Illinois. When asked for an interview in July by one source that can be reasonably expected to ask hard questions, The Center Square, Stratton declined. Tracy, in contrast, has given multiple interviews to sources both left- and right-leaning.

In fairness, Stratton did participate in multiple debates and forums when running in the Democratic primary. However, that was against fellow progressive Democrats who largely agreed with her and she was never challenged on the major issues that divide the country and would be important to undecided and swing voters.

What do we know about Stratton, aside from her record of complete allegiance to Gov. JB Pritzker on Illinois issues?

On her web pages and elsewhere you can find the standard list of the far left’s policy positions. They include abolishing ICE, which she says is unfixable; a national $25 per hour minimum wage, even in rural areas; Medicare for all, with no cost analysis provided; and ending the 51-year old Senate filibuster rule.

Her top priority, however, is fighting back against President Trump, she has emphasized. We might therefore expect some substance in her views about Trump, right?

Her most notable words about Trump were in an ad that did get her national and international attention, but it was ridiculed for its vacuous crudeness, even by left-leaning sources like Britain’s The Guardian. It was a 30-second ad in her primary race with a string of “F— Trump.”

Article continues here.

Mark Glennon is founder of Wirepoints.

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Pritzker defends 57% toll hike approved by board he appointed

Posted in Appointments, Clown Car, Deception, Elections, Fat Bastard, IDOT, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Tollway, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Springfield, Taxes, Unions on August 25, 2026| 1 Comment »

The governor also tried to distance himself from the increases by pointing to the board — which he appointed.

By Ethan Soifer | Illinois Policy Institute

Gov. J.B. Pritzker both defended the toll hikes that were approved last week and sought to distance himself from them.

Pritzker appointed all eight Illinois Tollway board members who signed off unanimously on the increases, which include the largest passenger hike in state history.

Asked about the rate increases last week at the Illinois State Fair, Pritzker said they were necessary to ensure Illinois has proper road infrastructure to keep the state competitive for commercial activity.

“Let’s be clear. We want to make sure that our roads are pothole-free, that we’re making sure to build more so we can build our economy across the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said.

He also defended the hikes in June at an unrelated event.

“It’s something that they need to do in order to make sure that we have the best roads, the best infrastructure, and I think that’s something that you may overlook may when you contemplate why they would consider this,” Pritzker said.

But also at the fair, he said, “That was something voted on by the tollway authority.”

Under Illinois law, the governor appoints the nine-member tollway board (it’s currently eight members) and serves as an ex-officio member along with the state Transportation Secretary.

Pritzker and the transportation secretary did not vote.

Report continues here.

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Illinois Tollway board approves largest passenger toll hike in Illinois history

Posted in Aunt Blabby, Fat Bastard, Girlie man, IDOT, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Tollway, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Preckwinkle's Rules of Order, Road construction, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Unions on August 19, 2026| 2 Comments »

 

The sign-off from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s board came despite overwhelming online comment opposition.

By Ethan Soifer | Illinois Policy Institute

Despite overwhelming online public opposition, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Illinois Tollway board unanimously approved a proposal Wednesday to hike tolls 57% for passenger vehicles and 30% for commercial vehicles.

The increases take effect Jan. 1.

The measure will increase tolls by about 45 cents each for passengers to an average of $1.24 per toll, costing a commuter who passes through two tolls a day for 50 weeks $225 more in 2027. Commercial vehicle tolls will increase 30%, which could increase the price of consumer goods transported through Northern Illinois.

Worse, starting in 2029, automatic inflation-linked increases would be imposed every two years without additional board approval. The Illinois Policy Institute projects that passenger toll prices will triple from current levels by 2055.

The proposal was approved 8-0 to fund a new $26.5 billion, 15-year capital plan, but the automatic toll hikes will continue beyond the timeline of the proposed projects.

More here.

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76% of online comments oppose proposed toll hikes

Posted in Aunt Blabby, Clown Car, Cost of Living, Deception, Fat Bastard, IDOT, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Tollway, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Springfield, Taxes, Unions on August 19, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The Illinois Tollway board is slated to vote on the proposal this week.

By Ethan Soifer | Illinois Policy Institute

Online public commenters overwhelmingly oppose proposed Illinois Tollway hikes slated for a vote this week.

Out of nearly 13,750 online comments received from June 18 to Aug. 3, about 10,500 oppose the proposal, 2,250 support it, and 1,000 were neutral. The Illinois Policy Institute obtained the results via a Freedom of Information Act request.

The public comment period has closed, but you can still let the board and Gov. J.B. Pritzker know you oppose the hike here.

The tollway board will likely approve the largest passenger toll hike in Illinois history at its Aug. 19 meeting. The plan would increase fees by 57% for passengers, costing a commuter who passes through two tolls a day for 50 weeks $225 more in 2027.

Commercial vehicles would pay 30% more, which could increase the price of consumer goods transported through Northern Illinois.

Starting in 2029, automatic inflation-linked increases would be imposed every two years without additional board votes.

Report continues here.

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83% of online commenters oppose proposed toll hikes

Posted in Aunt Blabby, Commodius Maximus, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Fat Bastard, IDOT, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Tollway, Look For The Union Label, Overhead, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Unions on August 10, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The Illinois Tollway board could vote as soon as next week on a proposal that would include the largest passenger toll increase in state history.

By Ethan Soifer | Illinois Policy Institute

Public commenters online overwhelmingly oppose the Illinois Tollway’s proposed rate hikes.

Of the nearly 9,000 online responses received from July 12 to 24, approximately 7,500 opposed the proposal, 1,000 supported it, and 500 were neutral. The Illinois Policy Institute obtained the results via a Freedom of Information Act request.

The public comment period has closed, but you can still let the board and Gov. J.B. Pritzker know you oppose the hike here.

 

The tollway board could vote as soon as next week on the largest passenger toll hike in Illinois history. The plan would increase fees by 57% for passengers, costing a commuter who passes through two tolls a day for 50 weeks $225 more in 2027.

Commercial vehicles would pay 30% more in toll fees, which could increase the price of consumer goods transported through Northern Illinois.

Starting in 2029, automatic inflation-linked increases would be imposed every two years without additional board votes.

Report continues here.

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Sales tax hike to hit Cook, collar counties on Aug. 1

Posted in BOHICA, Commodius Maximus, Cost of Living, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Fat Bastard, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Taxes, The Center Square, Unions on July 25, 2026| Leave a Comment »

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square

Consumers in six Illinois counties will be soon be paying higher sales taxes.

Transit funding legislation signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last December provided for the 0.25% increase to take effect on Aug. 1 in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.

The tax hike is projected to generate $478 million a year as part of the $1.5 billion in annual transit funding provided in Senate Bill 2111.

State Rep. Steven Reick, R-Woodstock, said suburban taxpayers are bailing out the Chicago Transit Authority.

“We’re giving them a lifeline of money that we’re not getting anything in return for,” Reick said.

The Center Square asked Reick if higher taxes might drive people out of the area.

“Here in McHenry County, we’re obviously on the border with Wisconsin. I think people are going to make economic choices to drive up to Walworth, in my case, to buy gas and things like that,” Reick said.

SB 2111 also gave the Illinois Tollway Board the power to raise tolls.

Before the bill passed, state Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, said he appreciated the desire for a state-of-the-art mass transit system.

“I don’t know how, though, we justify spending more money than we need after $2 billion of tax increases in the last few years,” Ugaste said.

Report continues here.

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