Do You Know Erica & Myah Jackson ~aka~ The Birdie Sisters?
October 21st, 2011 by ShortyDo you know Erika & Myah Jackson ~aka The Birdie Sisters?
Thirteen-year-old Erica and eleven-year-old Maya are junior golf champions from the South Side of Chicago. On September 10, Myah placed 1st and Erica won 2nd place at the 2011 Illinois Elementary School (IES) Golf Tournament. Myah was also the player of the year. They were the only players from Chicago in this competition, and they beat over 35 more girls to win 1st and 2nd place.
Read more about The Birdie Sisters in the story below.
Erika & Myah - The Birdie Sisters
Do Low-Income Individuals Get Too Many Benefits?
July 13th, 2011 by Shorty
A neighbor on Everyblock Chicago made this statement:“Is it not enough that Section 8 pays the rent, link buys the food, green card pays the medical benefits, working tax payers support the schools….”
Let me clarify that this person was referring to people who make a living off of collecting benefits with no intention of working. Ever.
What are your thoughts on this statement? Do you think low-income individuals get too many benefits?
Minnesota State Government Shut-Down…Illinois Could Be Next
July 2nd, 2011 by Shorty
The news reports are abuzz about Minnesota state government shutting down because the Democratic governor and the Republican state lawmakers could not come to an agreement on the budget.
If you are not aware of this story, please keep your eye on it because it could happen here in Illinois. In fact, things that are happening in other states, like the cutting of retirement benefits for government workers and teachers, are being considered here.
I just want to advise you NOT to get too comfy. Just because it hasn’t happened on a huge scale here, doesn’t mean that it won’t reach great heights.
And, if you notice, the people who are being attacked in all these situations are middle-class people. These people have worked hard over the years to earn all of the benefits that they currently have. Yet, it’s so easy for people with power and money to decide the fate of their future. They are cutting the benefits of working people while they and other wealthy people are getting tax breaks.
Citizens need to recognize that it’s time to fight because if we don’t, the people with wealth and power will win on ALL levels.
I just wanted to give you something to think about. We need to pay attention to what’s happening at government at all levels – Federal, State, County and City. We need to know how people in other states are being impacted because, ultimately, we are affected, too. Just know, despite what you see and read, power rests in the hands of the people.
What are your thoughts on government shut-downs in general? What do you think can be done to avoid them?
Image: Another Black Conservative
Governor Quinn: Where Are the Incentives for Residents & Small Business Owners?
May 16th, 2011 by Shorty
According to a Crain’s Chicago Business article, “Mr. Quinn has been showering incentive money on companies that promise to keep their companies in Illinois, including Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. in Libertyville, truck maker Navistar International Corp. of Warrenville and Chicago-based wireless carrier U.S. Cellular Corp.
Motorola announced Friday it will keep its headquarters in Libertyville after the state promised the company $100 million in tax breaks over the next decade. Also Friday, a bill signed by Mr. Quinn will provide a $19-million tax break to Continental Tire, which operates a facility in Downstate Mount Vernon.”
So, my dear fellow residents and small business owners, have you ever thought to ask what types of incentives and breaks can Governor Quinn give to you? After all, your pockets are not as deep as the companies he’s offering breaks to, but I’m not seeing any relief ahead for the common folk and small businesses.
How do you feel about the breaks the businesses are getting?
Image: Baltimore Sun
Illinois Wants to Pimp Online Shoppers for Sales Tax for Purchases Beginning in 2004
January 4th, 2011 by Shorty
Chicago’s are getting pimped – AGAIN. First, it’s was those freaking parking meters. Now, the state is coming after us.
Yes, my fellow Chicagoans. The geniuses running our state government value our residency so much that they NOW want to charge shoppers for sales tax on online purchases made from June 20, 2004 to the present. And they are giving us amnesty to pay it back through October 2011. How noble of them.
I can’t say I understand where they are coming from with this one. I know they need money according to news reports, but pimping residents in an already busted economy really won’t help the situation. In November 2010, the Illinois unemployment rate was 9.6% which was two points lower than the national unemployment rate of 9.8%. This is the first that the Illinois rate was lower than the national rate since January 2007. So, it’s almost three years into the economic crisis and people are still hurting, yet the state wants online shoppers to help with the budget.
According to the Crain’s Chicago article,
“Illinoisans can often dodge sales taxes by shopping online, but the state is hoping to collect on those taxes next year by offering a sales tax amnesty.
A new law allows people who didn’t pay sales tax on items bought online, through the mail or over the phone between June 20, 2004, and the end of 2010 to pay what they owe without penalty. The tax amnesty runs from Jan. 1 through Oct. 15.”
Doesn’t this violate some type of right to shop law or a civil right? If there are no requirements for the retailers to tax during the purchase, why should we have to pay for things we don’t remember purchasing five to six years later? That is so not fair. While online shoppers are paying this tax, how are non-online shoppers contributing to the budget?
What are your thoughts on online shoppers being pimped for purchases made over 5 years ago?
Sources:
Does Governor Pat Quinn’s Promises Meet Your Needs? – Part 1
October 11th, 2010 by ShortyAs we quickly approach election season, it is imperative we listen to what candidates have to say what they will do for you. Check out this video to determine if Governor Pat Quinn’s promises meet your needs.
Have You Checked the Sex Offender Listing Lately?
March 28th, 2010 by Shorty
If you have not, here are a few sites to get you started. Even though I’m not an expert and don’t know how often these sites are updated, I would advise checking these sites at least once a month.
www.sexoffender.com/state.html
www.jail.org/sex_offenders_search.html
This is the site of the Illinois Department of Corrections
www.idoc.state.il.us/subsections/so_search/default.asp
Save 20% on Travel in Illinois on Amtrak Thru April 27th
March 11th, 2010 by Shorty
Explore the Prairie State on any of the five Illinois Service routes and save 20% through April 27, 2010.
Connecting 30 cities from the big metropolis to the small town, you can watch the miles roll by in comfort on Illinois Service trains. Visiting Chicago? You’ll arrive far more rested than if you’d traveled by car. Enjoy a slice of deep-dish pizza or some live music. Or visit Quincy, with many year-round attractions such as the Quincy Museum. Springfield, former home of Abraham Lincoln, offers many reasons to visit, including a Frank Lloyd Wright “Prairie” House.
Visit Amtrak for more information.