Tag Archives: Dan McConchie

Illinois Senate Passes Legal Weed

Posted on May 30, 2019 by David E Smith
The Illinois Senate approved the so-called  “Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act” (HB 1438 Senate Amendment 2) late yesterday by a vote of 38–17 with two voting present and two not voting. This bill now moves to the Illinois House for consideration. We have been told that Governor Pritzker has been making personal calls to lawmakers, promising them favors for their yes vote.
Posted in Drugs/Alcohol/Addictions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Illinois Senate Passes Legal Weed

Emergency Injunction Against Taxpayer-Funded Abortions Sought in Lawsuit Against Illinois Officials

Posted on December 26, 2017 by David E Smith
The Thomas More Society has now moved for an emergency injunction to be heard on Thursday, December 28, to stop State of Illinois officials from providing tens of thousands of taxpayer funded abortions in the New Year. Additional legislators and groups will also seek to join the suit that day, including State Representative Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) and State Senator Neil Anderson (R-Rock Island).
Posted in Sanctity of Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Emergency Injunction Against Taxpayer-Funded Abortions Sought in Lawsuit Against Illinois Officials

As Its Population Drops, Illinois Has Highest Pension Burden in Nation

Posted on December 21, 2017 by David E Smith
Since it is the Christmas season, I chose not to title this article “The Dumbest People in America.” But how else do you describe a state that has 25 percent of its budget going to pay government employee pensions and its voters who continue electing the same people who won't do a thing about it?
Posted in Illinois Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on As Its Population Drops, Illinois Has Highest Pension Burden in Nation

Rep. Breen & Sen. McConchie File Legislation to Ban Use of Taxpayer Funds for Elective Abortions

Posted on October 12, 2017 by David E Smith
Today, State Representative Peter Breen (R-Lombard) and State Senator Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) filed the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,” which would prohibit units of government in Illinois from using taxpayer funds for elective abortions, reversing key provisions of the recently enacted HB 40. Breen and McConchie are pressing for full debate and a floor vote on the measure during the upcoming fall veto session later this month, before HB 40 goes into effect...
Posted in Illinois Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Rep. Breen & Sen. McConchie File Legislation to Ban Use of Taxpayer Funds for Elective Abortions

Unsustainable: Raising Taxes Solves Nothing, Makes Illinois Worse Off

Posted on July 6, 2017 by David E Smith

The Illinois State House was back in session during the afternoon of July 6th to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of a 32 percent permanent tax hike on Illinois families (SB 9). This tax grab also raises the corporate income tax rate by 33 percent. As anticipated, the House voted to override the veto this afternoon by a vote of 71-42 — with 61 Democrats and 10 Republicans voting in favor of increasing our taxes.

To see how your state representative voted, please click HERE. To see how your state senator voted, please click HERE.

Much …

Posted in Illinois Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Unsustainable: Raising Taxes Solves Nothing, Makes Illinois Worse Off

State Senator McConchie Outlines the Simplicity of the Budget Crisis

Posted on May 24, 2017 by David E Smith

Two years after the “temporary” income tax expired, rapacious Springfield lawmakers are once again working toward raising our taxes, supposedly in order to solve the state’s fiscal problems. This time they want to raise the state’s income tax from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent, raise the corporate tax from 5.25 percent to 7 percent and expand the state’s sales tax to include certain services.

In a partisan line vote, Illinois Senate Democrats passed these ridiculous proposals in SB 9 on Tuesday afternoon by a vote of 32-26.  Most of these lawmakers honestly believe that taking more money from citizens …

Posted in Illinois Politics, Marriage/Family/Culture | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on State Senator McConchie Outlines the Simplicity of the Budget Crisis

‘Taxpayer Bargain’ Budget Puts Taxpayers First

Posted on May 9, 2017 by David E Smith

Editor’s note: Since the op ed below was first drafted, the authors have introduced their proposal in a series of bills to be considered by the state senate.

By State Sens. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) and Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods)

For two years, a political paralysis has had a grip on Illinois government. For two years, we have operated the state without a regular budget – the longest in American history. Unfortunately, even though we don’t have a budget, the spending spree continues unabated. With no controls, spending is out-of-control. The state is on pace to spend 38 billion in the …

Posted in Illinois Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Taxpayer Bargain’ Budget Puts Taxpayers First

Steve Rauschenberger: There is Too Little Interest in Addressing the State’s Budget Fundamentals

Posted on May 4, 2017 by David E Smith

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to talk with former state Senator Steve Rauschenberger, an old friend and former boss. When I first met him during his first campaign back in 1992, the political operative I was with made a prediction to me after the meeting: Steve is not going to play along — he’s going to be a problem for the GOP establishment. And he was.

Along with four other senators elected the same year, Steve became part of what was called the “Fab Five”: Peter Fitzgerald, Chris Lauzen, Pat O’Malley, and …

Posted in Illinois Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Steve Rauschenberger: There is Too Little Interest in Addressing the State’s Budget Fundamentals

Senators McCarter and McConchie Provide a Sign of Life in the General Assembly

Posted on April 24, 2017 by David E Smith

There is little doubt that many Illinois citizens tune out their state’s political and governmental news because like any soap opera, the characters may change, but the basic drama remains the same. The plot hasn’t advanced much since Governor Bruce Rauner took office, so it’s easy to doze off when the news reports come on the radio.

The main soap opera in Illinois during the past few years has revolved around our lack of a state budget. Things were bad even with a budget, now without one they’re getting worse.

The Illinois governor is charged with a big task. The …

Posted in Illinois Politics | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Senators McCarter and McConchie Provide a Sign of Life in the General Assembly

Gov. Rauner Kills Conscience Rights by Signing SB 1564

Posted on July 29, 2016 by David E Smith
Despite a full-court press by IFI and many Illinois pro-life groups--including dozens of pregnancy resource centers (PRCs)--Governor Bruce Rauner today chose to sign legislation that will result in our state government requiring pro-life medical professionals to refer patients for medical procedures/services they find morally objectionable such as abortion, sterilization and certain end-of-life care protocols. This is not the result for which so many hoped and prayed.
Posted in Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Gov. Rauner Kills Conscience Rights by Signing SB 1564

Rights of Conscience on the Operating Table in Springfield

Posted on June 11, 2015 by David E Smith

The regular session of the Illinois General Assembly ended on May 31st,  but with lawmakers at an impasse over the state budget, they could be meeting in overtime sessions well into the summer.  Along with debate over a spending plan, workman’s compensation and the public sector pension crisis will keep lawmakers busy in  Springfield for at least several more weeks. According IFI  sources, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) has told  state representatives that the Illinois House will be meeting every Tuesday throughout the month of June, and even into July.

Lawmakers could use their extra time in the State …

Posted in Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Rights of Conscience on the Operating Table in Springfield