Debate on Lincoln Legacy February 13, 2010
Bill Ford and Mike Flores will debate “Did Abraham Lincoln Do More Harm or Good to the United States of America?” at the College of Complexes on February 13, 2010.
Night of the Living Death Tax
By Dennis Constant “The idea of the government reaching into the grave and grabbing 37 percent to 60 percent of the wealth accumulated during a lifetime is ghoulish to many.” — Owen Ullmann
ITEF Comment: Volume 15, Issue 15
Illinois Business Tax Climate Worsens Significantly from 2009 to 2010 The business tax climate of Illinois worsened significantly from fiscal year 2009 to fiscal year 2010, according to a report just released by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation in Washington, D.C. The Illinois ranking among the 50 states dropped from 23rd to 30th.
ITEF Comment: Volume 15, Issue 14
HOW TO CUT MEDICAL CARE COSTS WITH ZERO COSTS TO TAXPAYERS If federal, state and local governments passed the proper laws, regulations, restrictions and mandates, medical care costs could be cut by 20%, 30% or even 50% according to Michael Cloud, co-founder of the Center For Small Government (www.centerforsmallgovernment.com) and editor of Small Government News™. [...]
ITEF Comment: Volume 15, Issue 13
STATE UNIVERSITY RETIREMENT SYSTEM PENSIONERS PAY NOTHING FOR GOLD-PLATED MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR PENSION BENEFITS By Bill Zettler Of the top 100 pensions received by retired Illinois government employees, State University Retirement System (SURS) Pensioners receive the ten largest, ranging from $243,000 to $379,000 per year. In fact, these affluent retirees account for 84 of the top 100 [...]
ITEF Comment: Volume 15, Issue 12
IT’S OFFICIAL: ILLINOIS FY2009 REVENUE HIGHER THAN FY2008 The figures just released from the Illinois Comptroller’s Office for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, (http://www.ioc.state.il.us) indicate that total state revenue for Fiscal Year 2009 is higher, not lower, than total revenue of Fiscal Year 2008, according to Jim Tobin, President of the Illinois Taxpayer [...]
ITEF Comment – Volume 15, Issue 11
NEW INVESTIGATIVE VIDEO BLOWS LID OFF ILLINOIS GOVERNMENT TEACHER GET-RICH PENSION PLAN! By Dennis Constant A new video featuring pension expert Bill Zettler analyzes the pensions and benefits plans for retired Illinois public school teachers. The video dramatically shows how teacher unions over the years, with huge political contributions, have carefully engineered a lavish, gold-plated [...]
ITEF Comment – Volume 15, Issue 10
TOTAL STATE REVENUES DIP MODESTLY IN FY2009 By Jim Tobin For the first time in six years, since ITEF began tracking state revenue, total Illinois state revenue is down from the previous year, according to data from the Illinois Comptroller’s website. Total tax revenue for the first 9 months of FY 2009 decreased $742 million, [...]
ITEF Comment – Volume XV, Issue 9
TAX FREEDOM DAY ARRIVES ON APRIL 13 THIS YEAR By Dennis Constant Tax Freedom Day, the day when taxpayers will have earned enough money to pay this year’s tax obligations at the federal, state and local levels, will arrive on April 13 this year, according to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation in Washington, DC.
ITEF Comment Vol. XV Issue 7
Fourth in a series of articles examining the Lincoln myth vs. reality LINCOLN DESTROYED FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF SECESSION IN 1860s Until the tragic and brutal War of Southern Independence in the 1860s, secession was assumed to be a natural right. Secessionists founded the U.S., and the Declaration of Independence justified the secession of the separate [...]
ITEF Comment – Vol. XV Issue 6
TOTAL STATE REVENUES DIP MODESTLY IN FY2009 By Jim Tobin Peoria – For the first time in six years, since ITEF began tracking state revenue, total Illinois state revenue is down from the previous year, according to data from the Illinois Comptroller’s website. Total tax revenue for the first 7 months of FY 2009 decreased [...]
ITEF Comment – Vol. XV Issue 5
Third in a series of articles examining the Lincoln myth vs. reality By Jerry Kohn In announcing the criminal charges against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald commented, “The conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave.” Like many Americans, Fitzgerald was likely taught in school that Lincoln was a paragon of [...]
ITEF Comment – Vol. XV Issue 4
Second in a series of articles examining the Lincoln myth vs. reality By Jerry Kohn LINCOLN AS TYRANT Lincoln has become an iconic figure in American politics. In government-run (“public”) schools, where criticizing or questioning Lincoln or his legacy is virtually unthinkable, Lincoln is lionized for saving the union and as a champion for racial [...]
ITEF Comment – Vol. XV Issue 3
First in a series of articles examining the Lincoln myth vs. reality
By Jerry Kohn
LINCOLN’S LEGACY: “LAND OF LINCOLN”
Next week, we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. But should we be celebrating? Lincoln has become an iconic figure in American politics. Politicians on both sides of the aisle sing his praises. In government-run (“public”) schools, Lincoln is lionized for saving the union and as a champion for racial justice and equality. Criticizing or questioning Lincoln or his legacy is virtually unthinkable. Nevertheless, it is vital to the future of liberty that we reassess both the man and his legacy.
ITEF Springfield News Conference
15 reporters, including all 3 local network TV stations, attended ITEF’s Springfield news conference yesterday, January 12. There, ITEF President Jim Tobin fielded questions regarding state revenues and what should be done to curb government spending.
ITEF Comment – Vol. XV Issue 2
TOTAL STATE REVENUES DIP MODESTLY IN FY2009
By Jim Tobin
Springfield – For the first time in six years, since ITEF began tracking state revenue, total Illinois state revenue is down from the previous year, according to data from the Illinois Comptroller’s website. Total tax revenue for the first 6 months of FY 2009 decreased $1.2 billion, 3.8%, over the same period in FY 2008. This modest dip in state revenue is not a fiscal crisis…
Illinois Taxpayers May Lose a Friend, Gain an Enemy
By Dennis Constant The legal system, not the press, will determine if Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) has committed any crime by shooting-off his mouth regarding the Senate seat vacated by President Elect Obama. Stupid, ill-advised, possibly rhetorical comments ultimately may not be determined to be a “conspiracy.” But one thing is certain: If Gov. [...]
DRACONIAN TOBACCO TAXES AND NEW SMOKING BAN CAUSE STATE TOBACCO AND CASINO REVENUES TO PLUMMET
By Alex Voorman Chicago — Illinois politicians again proved that they are quite adept at cutting their own throats, financially speaking. Both state cigarette and casino revenues are down significantly in the 5 months of fiscal year 2009 (FY09) ending November 30, 2008.
ITEF Comment Vol. XIV Issue 9
CTA’S BIG DIG KEEPS SUCKING IN TAXPAYER DOLLARS CHICAGO-The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has halted construction on its “super station” in downtown Chicago that would have been the hub for express trains running between Midway Airport, downtown Chicago, and O’Hare Airport. In typical government fashion the project was under-budgeted and there were cost overruns. Springfield [...]
ITEF Comment Vol. XIV Issue 8
$25 BILLION PORK FEST PLAN RUNNING IN EXPENSIVE CIRCLES There has been a lot of talk in Springfield recently about passing a capital budget plan. The Governor called a special session next week to spend $25 billion. Of this $25 billion, $3.4 billion would go towards mass transit pork. One of the projects being proposed [...]
ITEF Comment Vol. XIV Issue 7
TOTAL STATE REVENUES UP FOR SIXTH YEAR IN A ROW CHICAGO- For the sixth year in a row, since ITEF began tracking state revenue, total Illinois state revenue is significantly up from the previous year, according to data from the Illinois Comptroller’s website. Total tax revenue for FY 2008 has increased $2.3 billion over FY [...]
ITEF Comment Vol. XIV Issue 6
CHICAGO PENSION TALKS A STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION CHICAGO-The pension reform committee of Chicago has at last taken a bold step in solving their ballooning pension liabilities. They are talking about shifting newly hired city employees from the current pension system to a defined-contribution 401(k) retirement plan. This is a step in the right direction [...]
ITEF Comment Vol. XIV Issue 5
Total State Revenues Continue To Outpace Inflation CHICAGO- For the sixth year in a row, since ITEF began tracking state revenue, total Illinois state revenue is significantly up from the previous year, according to data from the Illinois Comptroller’s website. Total tax revenue for the first 11 months of FY 2008 has increased $2.9 billion [...]
ITEF Comment Vol. XIV Issue 4
Capital Spending Plan Proposal Is Replay Of 1999 Spending Binge The current “Capital Plan,” languishing in the Illinois General Assembly, is reminiscent of the six massive “Illinois First” pork barrel spending bills of 1999. Three Illinois First bills increased Illinois taxes by $16 billion, to be paid over 25 years, and three spending bills totaling [...]
