Across the Aisle: From Springfield to Washington D.C.

A compilation of news and views

“There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.”
~Alexis de Tocqueville

“Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.”
~Richard Armour

Mayor Emanuel: Fire Striking Teachers, Or Be Fired Yourself

September 12, 2012

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel should, for once, take the side of Chicago taxpayers and fire the city’s striking teachers, said Jim Tobin, President of Taxpayers United of America (TUA).

“Huge raises have been offered to striking teachers. Four percent raises per year would take the average salary of Chicago government-school teachers from $76,000 to $88,900 by 2016. The teachers union is still keeping its exact demands under wraps.

“Where is this additional money going to come from? From Chicago taxpayers, of course, by way of significant hikes in their property taxes. Mayor Emanuel is supporting a $340+ million property tax increase on the middle class and poor.”

Tobin suggests that it’s time Chicago taxpayers demand that Mayor Emanuel fire striking teachers rather than saddling them with more property tax increases.

“Using his unlimited home rule powers, and working with the Democrats controlling the Illinois General Assembly to eliminate tenure, he could replace these greedy public employees with qualified teachers who care more for children than their own pocketbooks.

“If Rahm Emanuel is not up to the task, Chicago taxpayers should fire him when he runs for re-election.”

Quinn & Economic Impact

Governor Pat Quinn was busy Thursday, Sept. 13, as he delivered remarks at the “Illinois Golf Day Luncheon” on the positive economic impact of the 2012 Ryder Cup in Illinois.

The noon luncheon was held at the Ronald McDonald House-Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago.

There was no media availability after the event.

Bustos: ‘Washington has rigged the game against workers’

Wednesday, Sept. 12, the Bustos campaign released a new TV advertisement that focuses on a major contrast between the candidates - Congressman Schilling’s failed priorities on the off-shoring of American jobs. Set on a basketball court, Bustos, a former collegiate basketball player says, “The game only works when the rules are fair. On trade, Washington has rigged the game and sent our jobs overseas.

The TV ad highlights how Bustos opposes unfair trade deals and would fight to end tax breaks for companies who offshore. In contrast, Bobby Schilling voted for trade deals with Panama, South Korea and Columbia, and he supports tax breaks for companies that outsource.

“Congressman Schilling wants to keep using our tax dollars to reward companies shipping our jobs overseas,” said Bustos. “I’ll stop them. I know our workers can compete against anyone, if we give them a fair shot”. Bustos then hurls the basketball backwards over her head into and into the basket.

Cheri Bustos has made job creation her No. 1 issue since the beginning of the campaign while Congressman Schilling refused to take responsibility for his votes that give tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas and trade deals that stack the deck against Illinois workers.

Trick Shots Won’t Bring Jobs Back to Illinois

Former Alderwoman Cheri Bustos (D-East Moline) is on the air with another commercial, this time touting her basketball playing abilities. The Schilling campaign responded by analyzing her game.

“There’s no doubt she’s aggressive—Cheri Bustos was the first candidate in this race to go negative on air. Demagoguery and personal attacks have been key themes of her campaign,” said Jon Schweppe, communications director at Bobby Schilling for Congress. “The truth is Bustos knows her outsourcing claims are completely false. In reality, Bustos would take the Pat Quinn model of over-taxation and over-regulation and inject it with steroids by supporting a new ‘Bring-Back Tax’ on businesses that attempt to bring jobs back from overseas.”

Schweppe said that Bustos’ record in East Moline is not very impressive.

“Cheri Bustos is great at trick shots, but her fundamentals are lacking,” Schweppe said. “In East Moline, Cheri Bustos voted repeatedly for tax increases and fee hikes, while running up a million-dollar deficit. Under her watch, unemployment nearly doubled, resulting in a clear loss for the city of East Moline. Illinois families don’t care about trick shots—they want results. Bobby Schilling has fought to create jobs, balance the budget, and lead by example in Washington, and with the clock winding down, voters know they can count on him to represent the hard working people of this area.

Senator Jacobs Receives Teamsters Endorsement

State Senator Mike Jacobs (D – East Moline) recently earned the endorsement of Teamsters Joint Council 25 for the 2012 General Election.

“I am proud to receive the Teamsters Joint Council 25 endorsement and look forward to the support of their membership this November 6,” Jacobs said. “The hard work of our organized labor in the 36th Legislative District is the main reason our local economy has not been as negatively impacted as most around the country. I am honored the men and women of organized labor stand with me as we continue to strengthen our community.”

According to the endorsement, the Teamsters endorse Senator Jacobs because of his support for workers’ rights, strong record of public service and commitment to the community and the issues affecting working families.

During his career in the Senate, Jacobs has been committed to voting for increased education funding to ensure that teachers receive the resources and support necessary to help students in the 36th Legislative District reach their full potential.

As a former member of several Quad City area unions, Jacobs believes in legislation that focuses on improving education, capital infrastructure investment projects and local business initiatives in the 36th district.