CONGRESSMAN GETS TAX-CUT BOOS AT NORTHWEST SUBURBAN FORUM
1 Congressman Randy Hultgren stood firm in his support for the federal tax overhaul despite fervent booing from more than 150 constituents in a forum at the McHenry County Administrative Building Monday night.
Constituents asked why the 14th District congressman from Plano voted “to give tax cuts to the wealthy at the expense of the rest of us.” The loaded question referred to a vote Hultgren cast last November when the House passed its version with a 227-205 vote. Hultgren also supported the amended version compromised with the Senate in a 224-201 vote in December.
Hultgren told the audience he’s not seeing an unbalanced benefit of the cuts flooding to the wealthy at the expense of everyone else. The act helped transform the No. 1 issue when Hultgren first won the seat in 2010, unemployment, into a positive, he said.
“I’m so encouraged by the growth we’re seeing,” Hultgren said. “I see so many people who are working. Anything we can do to grow this economy is really important.”
The forum was part of a week of question-and-answer sessions with Hultgren throughout the 14th District.
Hultgren said people he’s met with are seeing an average annual income increase of $1,600 per family. The audience
Gov signs Tollway-contract bill
2 A new law requires the Illinois tollway to publicize information about contracts over $100,000 at least two business days before tollway meetings. “This will better enable Illinoisans to have adequate advance notice when large sums of tollway user-fee dollars are being considered for allocation toward transportation projects,” said Gov. Bruce Rauner, who signed the legislation, SB 2291, on Tuesday. The agency denies any patronage and said it follows state regulations on contracts.
—Daily Herald report
responded he must be meeting with the wrong people. So Hultgren took an impromptu poll.
“Are you better off now than you were two to four years ago?” He asked.
“No,” responded most of the crowd.
Hultgren persisted in his view.
“Families are seeing growth and opportunity,” he said. “I will say that until the very end.”
A follow-up question asked why workers aren’t seeing the tax cuts translate into their own paychecks and when constituents should expect to see a financial benefit.
“They ought to see more [money] right now,” Hultgren said. “They ought to see a reduction in their withholding. We all benefit when
Village expresses Foxconn concerns
3 Long Grove has joined four other suburban governments in opposing Wisconsin’s purported plan to waive environmental restrictions for a Foxconn plant. “There are no facts,” Trustee Bobbie O’Reilly said of concerns that have been raised about the potential effect on the Des Plaines River watershed. “There are just accusations.” Saying she would go along with being a “lemming,” O’Reilly grudgingly joined colleagues Tuesday in supporting the resolution urging Wisconsin to enforce regulations on the project. —Bob Susnjara
the economy is growing. Jobs are good for people. If you haven’t seen it yet, I’m surprised. I believe you will see it.”
The overhaul brought the largest one-time reduction in the corporate tax rate in U.S. history, from 35 percent down to 21 percent. The bill also lowers taxes for the vast majority of Americans, as well as small-business owners — at least until those cuts expire after eight years.
In an interview after the forum, Hultgren said the tax cuts were not perfect legislation, but he believes the overall impact has been measurably positive throughout the broader economy. But there are several aspects of the law he’d like to change, he said.
—James Fuller
Mother upset about movie in cemetery
4 After the tragic death of her 21-year-old son in late 2016, Leyla Durmus chose an Arlington Heights cemetery as his final resting place.
It’s a decision she now regrets after the cemetery, Memory Gardens, hosted outdoor movie viewing of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” on the night of Aug. 11.
“I’m sad and disappointed,” Durmus said. “Had I known this was going to be a thing there, I never would have chosen Memory Gardens.”
Memory Gardens’ owner, Dignity Memorial, said in a statement that the movie would be shown in a field where no graves are located and that similar events at other cemeteries in the Chicago area have been well received.
Attendees were invited to bring blankets, chairs and food, according to a flier for the free event. Proceeds from nonalcoholic drink sales benefit the Arlington Heights Historical Museum. —Robert Sanchez
Propaganda for white supremacist group found
5 Flyers promoting a white supremacist group appeared in downtown Wheaton last weekend, but officials say they were quickly removed. A resident who contacted the Daily Herald said he was downtown on the morning of Aug. 12 when he saw “numerous” Patriot Front flyers taped to streetlight posts along Front Street. The propaganda for the Texas-based group was found on the anniversary of the clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia. —Robert Sanchez
Palatine mulls banning vaping in indoor places
6 Citing health concerns, Palatine officials are exploring whether to have a local ban on vaping in indoor places along with boosting the legal age to buy such products in the village. Palatine Councilman Tim Millar floated the idea of the vaping ban in indoor places. Illinois has had an indoor smoking ban since 2008, but it doesn’t include vaping. Vaping delivers nicotine without tobacco.
—Bob Susnjara