Ray Hanania
Public need, campaign greed
By Ray Hanania
Does Gov. JB Pritzker really think Illinois voters are stupid? Does he think we are just not smart enough or that we are indifferent to the harsh world around us?
The past two years have been the most difficult taxpayers have faced economically.
The pandemic changed our lives and delayed much, including the election from March until June 28. That’s when the priority shifted in Illinois from helping families to helping candidates.
Last week, JB pushed through a stimulus payment of…don’t hold your breath…wait for it…let me choke it out…$50 for anyone filing state taxes under $200,000 or a joint return under $400,000.
Wow! $50!
It’s insulting, intended not to help the public but to make it look like the governor and his buddies care for the public, which will be voting very soon.
The $50 doesn’t even come close to covering the monthly hike in Nicor Gas, which has more than doubled. It’s like spitting at a house fire, because this state is on fire.
Billionaire JB doesn’t know what economic need is. Everything has doubled. It’s like our incomes dropped 50 percent, which makes $50 sound even more offensive!
The only benefit, which most people won’t really feel because prices are so high, is Pritzker suspended the one-cent state sales tax on groceries. Instead of food costing twice as much, it will not cost, well almost twice as much.
Rhetoric from the governor and legislature is crafted to make us “stupid people” think they are fighting the rising cost of gas, when in fact, they are raising the gas tax by two cents. They said they will delay that six months after the June 28 primary elections.
COVID-19 has changed everything. The only thing it hasn’t changed is how politicians exploit public suffering for their own greed to get votes.
Instead of winning votes, the insulting $50 “un-relieving relief” payment only creates voter anger.
THE POLITICAL GRAPEVINE: Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is the politician who keeps on giving. The “Politics over People” poster boy has been attacking his rival in the June 28 Republican Primary for 6th Congressional District, Scott Kaspar, falsely accusing him of attacking the police. Kaspar has never attacked the police, but he has said what everyone in Orland Park and the 6th District have been saying; that crime is on the rise and not enough is being done. Crime is not rising, Pekau asserted. But then 24 hours later, Pekau whined on Facebook that his foes–whom he calls “weasels”–were tearing down his campaign signs.
Eight cars were stolen in Orland Park in 2014 but 31 were stolen last year. The carjacking phenomenon was showcased at a forum by a mayor who cares, Tinley Park’s Michael Glotz (whose daughter’s car was jacked Jan. 10). Some officials care to fight rising crime, like Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, police leaders and others like Liz Gorman, the endorsed candidate for the 17th Cook County district. (Gorman received the largest regional campaign donation, $100,000, and was endorsed over her do-nothing foe, Sean Morrison, by the state’s largest unions.)
For Pekau, the rise in carjackings doesn’t seem important, but the alleged “theft” of his political campaign signs is the crime of the century. Most are placed illegally on the public easement near the curb, which by the way is another crime Pekau doesn’t see. Gorman and Kaspar are the only ones concerned about rising crime. Warning “crime is on the rise,” Kaspar created a task force headed by New York crime fighter Bernard Kerik to address the rising crime problem.
HOW DO YOU SEPLL HYPOCRISY? President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, is under more pressure as Congress members demand a probe into his influencing peddling to get multimillion dollar contracts in Ukraine and China. California Congressman Darrell Issa and other Republicans have been calling for the probe, but so far the White House and the pro-Biden media have been fighting it. But, they are pushing for a probe into influence peddling by former President Donald Trump’s children, Ivanka Kushner and Donald Trump Jr.
APRIL IS A BLESSED month. Mainstream Christians celebrate Easter April 17 while Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter April 24. Jews celebrate Passover April 15-22. Muslims are currently celebrating Ramadan through May 2.
I re-launched my show on Arab American issues and politics on four stations. The show is rebroadcast in Chicago at noon Thursdays on WNWI-AM (1080). I hope you listen.
Check out Ray Hanania’s columns and political podcasts at hanania.com.
Local News
Willow Springs expected to hire Lyons official as village administrator
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Ryan Grace, public works director in Lyons for the past four years, is expected to be hired as the Willow Springs village administrator tonight. The village board is expected to approve his hiring during its 7 p.m. meeting. Grace, 38, said he was offered the job by Willow Springs Mayor…
Chicago Ridge librarian knocks off ‘Jeopardy’ champion
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Rhone Talsma grew up watching “Jeopardy!” – the classic game show with a twist where the answers are given first, and the contestants supply the questions. On Wednesday, Talsma knocked off 40-day champion Amy Schneider and won almost $30,000 in the process of becoming the new champion. Locally, the show…
Seven Mt. Carmel wrestlers win titles, help Caravan to Chicago Catholic League crown; Brother Rice takes 3rd
Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent Ryan Boersma did not get the opportunity to become a four-time Catholic League champion because the COVID-19 pandemic caused to the cancellation of the conference tournament. But winning three Catholic League championships at two schools, and wrapping it up by winning a Lawless Award for the league’s best senior…
Davion Lawrence’s double-double leads Oak Lawn over Richards
Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent When they were growing up, Johnny McGowan had the upper hand when squaring off on the court against Davion Lawrence. “Me and him go way back,” said McGowan, a senior guard at Oak Lawn. “He used to sleep over at my house when we were younger. We went to…
Funds flow to Back of the Yards
Spread the loveFour groups get grants; millions more available By Tim Hadac Four organizations in Back of the Yards—three businesses and a non-profit—are among 31 awarded more than $14.4 million in small business grants being allocated through the Chicago Recovery Plan. They are: Diaz Group Office Space, 5100 S. Damen, $250,000. El Nuevo Guadalajara, 4350…
Offer reward in grandma’s slaying
Spread the loveWas shot on 71st Street By Tim Hadac A $15,500 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever shot and killed a 49-year-old grandmother in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood. Tamiko L. Talbert Fleming, of south suburban Dolton, was in the driver’s seat of her vehicle at 71st…
A sweet salesgirl
Spread the love Alessandra Valentina Paredes, a Daisy Scout with Girl Scout Troop 20637 (sponsored by St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish), shows a sweet smile as she begins her first-ever time selling Girl Scout Cookies. The daughter of West Lawn residents Jose Antonio and Lorena Paredes, Alessandra, age 5, joined the Daisies just four months…
Midway is new for Frontier
Spread the loveLow-fare airline coming in April By Tim Hadac Low-fare passenger airline options are set to increase at Midway International Airport this spring, with the arrival of Frontier Airlines. The expansion of air travel options was announced at a press conference last week at the airport. With 10 new nonstop routes taking off starting…
Rush rips USDA over plight of black farmers
Spread the love‘House is on fire,’ congressman says From staff reports U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-1st) recently questioned U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack about what Rush called “the dire prognosis of black farmers in the U.S. and the steps USDA is taking to help minority farmers.” “As you well know, our nation’s…
Neighbors
Memorial service honors longtime Independence art teacher
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Palos School District 128 honored the life of one of its beloved educators with a Memorial Service. The service at Independence Jr. High School, 6610 W. Highland Dr., Palos Heights, May 24 honored the legacy of longtime art teacher, Mike Maholland, of Hickory Hills, who passed away on February 18.…
Oak Lawn Chamber to sponsor Restaurant Week
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong More than a dozen restaurants have signed up to take part in the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Restaurant Week in June. “This is a new endeavor for us,” said Anne Fritz, chamber executive director. “This will be our unofficial kick off to summer.” Fritz said the chamber’s marketing…
One-in-a-million blue-eyed cicada found in Orland Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Kelly Simkins is an aspiring musician and someday she just might hit the stage and perform a Frank Sinatra song. Meanwhile, the Crestwood resident is partnering with another “Ol Blue Eyes” for a little fame. So, start spreading the news… Simkins, who owns Merlin’s Rockin’ Pet Show, was in Orland…
Summit looks to replace aging pedestrian bridge
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Generations of Summit residents have used the 74th Avenue pedestrian bridge and village officials are now getting ready to replace the aging structure. Village Engineer Tim Klass from Novotny Engineering recently discussed replacing the bridge with a crowd of about 75 people at a community meeting on May 15 at…
Flagg Creek golfers will pay more for greens fees
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch It will cost more to play at Flagg Creek Golf Course in Countryside this summer. The Pleasant Dale Park District, by a 4-1 vote, recently approved a rate increase that had been unanimously approved by the Countryside City Council in April. The park district and city are co-owners of Flagg…
McCook fire hydrants to be sandblasted and painted
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Decades of paint – some three-quarters of an inch thick – will be sandblasted off most of the fire hydrants in McCook this summer. “For 30, 40 years we’ve been painting over them. They’ve never been sandblasted. It’s well overdue,” Mayor Terrance Carr said during the most recent board meeting.…
Woman sentenced in 2003 murders of newborn twins
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A 44-year-old woman, charged in the 2003 deaths of her newborn twins following an extensive cold case investigation by Cook County Sheriff’s Police, has been convicted of murder. On May 8, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced that Antoinette Briley pled guilty to murder at the Bridgeview Courthouse and…
McCook approves ‘preventive’ rodent control program
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The McCook Village Board earlier this month approved what Mayor Terrance Carr calls “preventive maintenance.” The board on May 6 unanimously approved paying Rose Pest Solutions $12,000 for a 10-week rodent control program throughout the village. It’s not that the McCook now has a rat problem, Carr said. It’s that…
Summit, property owners discuss apartment inspections
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Nearly 75 people attended a community meeting last Wednesday evening in the multi-purpose room of Graves School to learn about changes coming to the village. Three topics highlighted the meeting. Rental property inspections, lead line replacement, and replacing the 74th Avenue pedestrian bridge. Mayor Sergio Rodriguez tackled the controversial rental…
Tollway to hand out free transponder stickers in Justice
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Earlier this year, the Illinois Tollway began phasing out the plastic I-Pass transponder and introduced a sticker tag that goes on your vehicle’s windshield. If you’re still using a transponder, or want to get a new sticker, the Village of Justice is the place to be on Saturday, June 8.…