Fiscal Cliff: How Illinois Legislators Voted

Four Republicans voted against the Senate bill.

With the clock ticking, Congress voted 257-167 to pass a Senate bill to stop the country from going over the so-called "fiscal cliff." On Tuesday, members of the House of Representatives from Illinois voted 14-4 in favor of the bill. For Republican Judy Biggert, who was defeated in November by Bill Foster, her vote in favor of the bill was her last as a member of the House of Representatives. Adam Kinzinger, R-Manteno, joined Biggert in voting yes, along with Dan Lipinski, D-Western Springs. Four House Republicans from Illinois voted no: Randy Hultgren (Winfield), Peter Roskam (Wheaton), Bobby Schilling (Colona) and Joe Walsh (McHenry). In the Senate, Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, voted to pass the measure. Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, did …

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Poll: Foster and Biggert Neck and Neck

A week before the election, poll shows less than a point difference between the 11th Congressional District rivals.

A new poll shows Democratic challenger Bill Foster leading incumbent Judy Biggert by less than 1 point in the candidates' battle to represent the new 11th District. Professional polling firm We Ask America released the results of an automated Oct. 28 poll showing former 14th District Congressman Foster leading the seven-term Republican 50.4 percent to 49.6 percent. According to the poll, which sampled more than 1,300 likely voters, the candidates were tied among women, while Foster showed a slight — as in 2-point — lead among male voters.  The race between Biggert and Foster has been a contentious one, with the two accusing each other of negative campaigning and Foster taking aim at Biggert over a controversial ad released by the National …

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Biggert, Foster Talk Gay Marriage, Tax Cuts at Final Debate

Candidates spar during live event on WTTW.

It’s a question many voters have for candidates: Are you for or against gay marriage? On Wednesday night, Republican Congresswoman Judy Biggert and Democratic challenger Bill Foster took on the issue during their final debate as they battle to represent the new 11th Congressional District. The candidate forum aired live on WTTW-Channel 11’s “Chicago Tonight.” After Biggert made the ambiguous statement “I’m close to reaching for gay marriages,” Foster went on the offensive. “She has not yet evolved. So, she's crawling out of the swamp or something,” said Foster, a scientist, according to the Chicago Tribune. Foster noted he supports marriage equality. Biggert did note that she supports civil unions. Another hot topic that surfaced Wednesday…

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Patch on Politics

Bipartisan Backing for an Obamacare Play in Illinois

Durbin and Kirk support $150 million loan for SimpleHx • Few approve of Quinn • Convicts collect $2 million in unemployment • Poll: Biggert-Foster very close • State House candidate's domestic battery case dropped with scant attention.

One aspect of Obamacare is drawing bipartisan support — at least in Illinois. Democrat Dick Durbin and Republican Mark Kirk both back an outfit called SimpleHx, which wants a $150 million federal loan to establish the state's first health insurance co-op under the president's federal healthcare law. The people behind SimpleHx met at Northwestern University last year while pursuing their MBAs, according to Modern Healthcare reporter Kristen Schorsch. SimpleHx is competing against four proposals, including one backed by the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, a trade group founded in 1935 that represents more than 150 local hospitals and health care organizations. If the proposals are similar, in terms of promises to save money and …

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Illinois Education Association Recommends Republican Judy Biggert in 11th District

Biggert (R-Hinsdale) is running against Democrat Bill Foster in the 11th Congressional District.

Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Hinsdale) faced some tough political questions when she was endorsed by the Illinois Education Association as its candidate for the 11th Congressional District race Monday, and so did those endorsing her. Biggert and members of the Illinois Education Association answered questions from the media at Hinsdale South High School in Darien after the announcement was made. Although some members of the Republican Party have actively said they don't agree with teachers' unions, Vice President Kathi Griffin of the Illinois Education Association said it's important to look past Biggert's political party. "I think it's important that we focus on what the candidate stands for," Griffin said. "It's not whether you are a Democrat or…

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Will County GOP Declares Independence From 'Chicago Machine'

Infuriated by new district maps in Illinois, Will County Republican officials and candidates signed a "declaration of independence," calling on voters to stop the "tentacles of Cook County" from reaching into Will County policy.

Area Republicans rallied Monday to declare independence from "the tentacles of Cook County and Chicago politics" reaching into Will County. The gesture was symbolic but served to fire up a crowd of well over 100 people as the Nov. 6 election nears.  Last year, Illinois Democrats drew new state and congressional districts that Republicans say could remove any Will County representation in Congress. "We have to take back what's ours and make sure we stand up for it," said Dave Carlson, the Republican candidate for Will County states attorney. "To implement what we believe in, we need the voters' support in November." Want to blog about politics on Patch? Email michael.sewall@patch.com. Various elected officials and candidates for office …

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Congresswoman Biggert to Hold Heroin Forum

U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert is set to hold a Heroin Education and Prevention Forum next week at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall.

U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert will host the Heroin Education and Prevention Forum next week at North Central College. A Drug Enforcement Administration special agent as well as health education and addiction specialists will also join Biggert for the event.  The forum will be held at North Central College’s Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., on Monday, July 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. and is open to the public. “Heroin use among kids has taken an alarming turn, and for many parents, it’s not a drug we’re used to watching out for,” said Biggert, a senior member of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workplace, in a press release. “One drug-related death is one too many. And experts agree that the most important weapon we have in this …

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State Board Rules Against Cunningham in the 11th

On Monday, the State Board of Elections ruled that Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham did not have enough valid signatures to remain on the ballot in the 11th Congressional District. A final court decision is expected this week.

The State Board of Elections on Monday ruled against Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham’s bid to remain on the ballot in the 11th Congressional District. Cunningham is hoping to face off against Rep. Judy Biggert in the newly-drawn 11th, but he’s spent more time defending his candidacy than campaigning in the past few months. The State Board initially removed Cunningham from the ballot in January, citing the mistyped address of a petition circulator on 31 sheets of signatures. Cunningham took that decision to court, and won – a circuit court judge reinstated him on the ballot in February. But Biggert’s campaign appealed that decision, and brought another charge: that two of Cunningham’s petition circulators were not present as required when…

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PHOTO: High-Ranking Republicans Visit Lemont for Illinois Straw Poll

U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, Congresswoman Judy Biggert, and Illinois Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno were among the many elected officials who visited the Lemont Township Community Center on Saturday.

Several of Illinois' most influential Republicans gathered at the Lemont Township Community Center on Saturday to show support for the state's first presidential straw poll. Guests included U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, Congresswoman Judy Biggert, State Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, Asst. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman and Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady. Also in attendance were Cook County GOP Chairman Sig Vaznelis, Lemont Township Supervisor Steve Rosendahl and Lemont Trustee Paul Chialdikas. "It's extremely exciting that Lemont has the opportunity to host something like this. It's not often that we have this many elected officials in Lemont at one time," Vaznelis told Patch last week. U.S. …

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Local Girl Scout Honored by State Fire Organization

Second-grader Abby Beranek, 8, helped her family to safety during a dryer fire in April — just two days after visiting Lemont Fire Station 1 with her Daisy troop.

At just 8 years old, Abby Beranek has received more recognition than most people receive in a lifetime. It all started with a trip to Lemont Fire Station 1, 15900 New Ave., where Beranek's Daisy Girl Scout troop learned about fire safety and prevention. The presentation was led by Jeff Hawthorne, director of fire safety for the Lemont Fire Protection District. Just two days later, a fire broke out in the laundry room of the Beranek's home. While Abby's mom, Beth Beranek, ran to gather her youngest three children, Abby remained calm. Using lessons from her field trip two days earlier, she made sure her family got out of the house immediately and and that no one else tried to enter. "During the fire house visit, Abby learned to 'get out and …

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