Dr. Dongsheng Di: China's Economic Reforms and Their Implications

Adlai Stevenson Center on Democracy

Chinese economist and university professor, Dr. Dongsheng Di will examine the economic reforms being initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping and discuss the implications for that nation and other of the world's economies. His research covers topics such as the politics and economics of global currency and financial issues, as well as Chinese foreign economic relations.

• Saturday
  February 6, 2016
  2:00 pm
• The Stevenson Center on Democracy
  25200 N St Mary's Rd
  Mettawa (Libertyville), IL 60048
  773- 281-0378
• $15
  No Charge for Students
• Coffee and Conversation Afterwards

Justice is Not Cheap

The fundamental flaw of the American criminal justice system: Cases are decided by twelve people who couldn't manage to get out of jury duty. Lake County, to its credit, has come up with a unique solution. As County Board Chair Aaron Lawlor explained to the News-Sun ...

a bill passed through Springfield reducing the number of jurors needed in court, but the bill included a pay increase for remaining jurors. He said Lake County is paying $400,000 more per year as a result.
Lake County officials question state report on consolidation

At a pay-scale of $400K per annum, your LakeCountyEye is quite sure the Lake County courts are now awash in quality jurors.

Haha. But one court-appointed attorney cautioned your LakeCountyEye not to blame Springfield: "Think about it. Every wrongful conviction in Lake County means there was a criminal trial. And appeals. And then a civil suit, followed by jury-awarded damages. And more appeals. Even if you only pay your jurors $5 per day -- a wrongful conviction here, a wrongful conviction there, and pretty soon you're talking real money!"

The Motor City Madman

Don't look for Chief Keef at the Oscar ceremonies, this year. Also, the Lake County rap star, and fugitive, will likely be boycotting a Waukegan music festival this summer.

The News-Sun has the backstory:

While a proposed Memorial Day weekend concert series at Waukegan Municipal Beach remains in the concept stages, opposition was voiced at this week's City Council meeting to one of the possible performers mentioned earlier this month by Mayor Wayne Motley: outspoken rocker Ted Nugent. "If Ted Nugent comes to Waukegan, as the chair of the Lake County Black Lives Matter movement, I will contact every chapter from California to New York, and we'll have the biggest protest in Waukegan you have ever seen," Zion resident Clyde McLemore told the council on Tuesday.
Protest threatened if Ted Nugent performs at Waukegan music festival

Ted Nugent, as Operatives know, was frontman for the Amboy Dukes -- the one-hit-wonder 60s psychedelic band. Their anthem to psychotropic substances is nodoubt #1 on the playlist of anyone who was alive in the 1960s (and with only sketchy recollections to prove it):

It's the land unknown to man,
Where fantasy is fact.
So if you can, please understand
You might not come back.
Come along if you care,
Come along if you dare,
Take a ride to the land inside of your mind.
Journey to the Center of the Mind

The demand for drug-soaked nostalgia rock'n'roll may be on the decline, however, because the 67 year old Nugent has transitioned to a new career. The former teen-idol is now a successful insult comic:

Ted Nugent on Barack Obama:
The "Piece Of S**t" should "Suck On My Machine Gun."

Ted Nugent on Hilary Clinton:
"Toxic C**t"

Ted Nugent on Gays:
"How Can We Offend Guys That Actually Have A**l Sex?"

Ted Nugent on Undocumented Immigrants:
"I'd Like To Shoot Them Dead."

It is unknown if Ted Nugent will headline the Waukegan music festival this summer. If he does, look for your LakeCountyEye -- clad with love beads and a peace medallion.

Raise? Hell!

The only thing not frozen in Lake County may be the salaries of elected officials. According to the News-Sun ...

A Lake County Board committee is poised to debate this month whether to raise the salary of the chairman's position after at least one board member noted that the position's compensation lags behind that of chairmen in surrounding counties.
County Board set to discuss possible pay raises for chairman

Whenever the question is "whose is bigger?", your LakeCountyEye looks up Dr. I.M. Bhatschidtkhrazzi, Professor of Behavioral Overcompensation at the College of Lake County.

"Ya," said Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi, "you can't make ends meet these days on a public servant's salary. I've heard that some elected officials are trapping and hunting wild game in Waukegan."

To be sure, the low salaries are a hidden tax on wildlife. But your LakeCountyEye wanted to know if this was a bad thing for the human taxpayers.

"Bad for Lake County." replied Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "The County Board Chairs in Cook and the collar counties all make 150% or 200% over what the Lake County Chair is paid. Even in McHenry County -- where they maintain a standard-of-living far below the other, developed counties."

How bad could that be?

"Quite bad," sighed Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi "because all the good talent is fleeing Lake County for greener pastures -- quicker than an office supply company can flee to Wisconsin."

Low salaries for public servants have led to a Lake County brain drain?

"Exactly." agreed Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "You don't need to be a rocket scientist to get on a Lake County ballot. Can you name any?"

Your LakeCountyEye could not. The last one was thrown off the ballot because he bollixed his paperwork.

"Proves my point." shrugged Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "Most Lake County candidates wouldn't qualify for a door prize, let alone a Nobel Prize."

And all because of the low pay scale?

"No flies on you today." smiled Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "When there is more money to be made in the private sector, the remaining talent pool tends to get stocked with fish feeding from the bottom of the barrel. As a consequence, those who rise to the top of the County government food chain are those who know how to steer public policy in the direction of the donor class and the special interests."

A revolting development -- just who are these people?

Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi brightened up. "They are easy to spot. Look for the guy who yells the loudest that he doesn't need a raise."

Word to the wise. Did Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi have any parting advice?

"Tell your Operatives they get what they pay for."

Eating Off the Dollar Menu

How far will a politician go for a free meal? Operatives with GPS can find out for themselves. According to the Daily Herald ...

The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce will host a candidate forum from 7 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at Concorde Banquets, 20922 N. Rand Road, Kildeer. Candidates running for the 6th Congressional District, state Senate District 26 and Lake County state's attorney seats will be in attendance. Light breakfast included. A $5 donation at the door is encouraged to help offset the cost of the food.
Lake Zurich chamber to host candidate forum

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but in politics there is sometimes a free breakfast.

Admittedly a free breakfast should not include a rider for a $5 donation. And admittedly that's a dollar more than you would spend at the Steak 'n Shake ...

But your LakeCountyEye has been told that you'll never see a bigger bang-for-your-breakfast-buck than with this deal at the Concorde Banquets:


Breakfast Menu | Concorde Banquets

As a bonus, candidates for the 6th Congressional District have been invited. And Operatives will have an opportunity to witness Congressman Peter Roskam match wits with his tea-party opponents.

Or what's left of them. According to the Suburban Life ...

Glen Ellyn resident Gerald "Jerry" Drabik has dropped out of the Republican primary race against U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Wheaton, and has thrown his support to fellow candidate and Glen Ellyn resident Jay Kinzler.
Glen Ellyn candidate drops out of Republican primary race against Roskam

Drabik, your LakeCountyEye surmises, should be contacted at the Steak 'n Shake.

Ralph Martire: The Fiscal Crisis in Illinois: Its Cause and Potential Solution

Adlai Stevenson Center on Democracy

Ralph Martire, Executive Director of the Chicago-based Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, will examine Illinois' deepening fiscal crisis, what factors led to it and some possible solutions. He teaches a Master's Class on Education Finance and Fiscal Policy at the University of Illinois and at Roosevelt University where he is also a distinguished lecturer on public policy. His areas of expertise include tax policy, pension reform and school funding. He has taught fiscal policy seminars for a number of other universities and the International Fulbright Scholar Program.

• Sunday
  Jaunary 24, 2016
  2:00 pm
• The Stevenson Center on Democracy
  25200 N St Mary's Rd
  Mettawa (Libertyville), IL 60048
  773- 281-0378
• $15
• No Charge for Students

The Upheavaland in Cleveland

They may not be muscle-bound thespians dressed in tights. But as epic battles go, Aaron Lawlor vs Bob Bednar may just rival Superman vs Lex Luthor or Spiderman vs Dr Octopus or Batman vs The Joker. Lawlor and Bednar are locked in a winner-take-all struggle for the opportunity to nominate the 2016 Republican candidate for the President of the United States.

According to the Daily Herald ...

Which local people are presidential delegates

Aaron Lawlor and Bob Bednar will both appear on the March Primary ballot as delegates for GOP Presidential candidates. Who will go to Cleveland this summer to participate in the Republican National Convention? And who will be left behind like some guest invited to the State of the Union Address by Robert Dold?

The smart money says Aaron Lawlor. A successful career politician, Lawlor is the current Chairman of the Lake County Board. Bob Bednar, on the other hand, ran for Shields Township Highway Commissioner in 2005. And lost. He ran for Shields Township Assessor in 2001. And lost. He ran for Lake County Recorder of Deeds in 2012. And lost. And ran for 51st District State Representative in the 2014 Primary. And lost.

Of course, a CV alone does not guarantee a ticket to your party's nominating convention. But Lawlor parlayed his clout into a prize opportunity to be a delegate for Jeb Bush. This is the same Jeb Bush who has raised $100 million, is the brother and son of former US Presidents, and is the runaway front-runner in the 2016 GOP Presidential sweepstakes.

On the other hand, Bednar in all likelihood is facing another loss -- because he saddled himself with another loser: the casino-owner, Donald Trump.

Presidential primaries are difficult to predict. But as of next July someone will be relaxing in a borrowed pied-à-terre at the Cleveland GOP convention. And someone else will be in an unairconditioned booth, handing out GOP lit at the Lake County fair. And your LakeCountyEye has a pretty good idea who that someone will be.

The Dold Heave-Ho

Note to Operatives: Everyone who has an all-expenses-paid trip to the State of the Union Address in Washington DC, please step forward.

... not so fast there, Kowalski!

Haha, according to the News-Sun ...

Rep. Bob Dold planned to bring a felon to President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech next week as a guest, but he withdrew the invitation Thursday after learning that a Waukegan woman had accused the man of threatening to kill her in 2014 and obtained a restraining order against him.
Rep. Bob Dold withdraws invite to felon to attend State of the Union

Your LakeCountyEye, being under no such constraints, immediately contacted Dr. I.M. Bhatschidtkhrazzi, Professor of Criminal Neglect at the College of Lake County.

"At this point," said Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi, "Robert Dold may as well just order a side of bacon. He already has egg on his face. And just how do you uninvite a felon to a State of the Union Address -- send them a Dear Con letter? Still, I wouldn't fault the Congressman. If you can't trust a convicted felon these days who can you trust?"

Why would Congressman Dold invite a felon in the first place?

"Street cred, pure and simple." explained Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "The 10th Congressional District follows the Amstutz all the way to the Wisconsin border. A diversity challenged candidate like Robert Dold is going to need all the street cred he can get if he hopes to win an election in the Tenth."

Street cred?

"Ya." chuckled Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "If Mr. Dold gonna be down with the voters, he better be seen with the right type of guys."

Like Frank Sinatra did with Sam Giancana?

Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi grimaced. "I was thinking more like guys with the name D-Money, Smoothie, Shifty."

Your LakeCountyEye could not recall ever having the pleasure.

"The State of the Union speech is next week." observed Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "The Congressman better get on the stick if he wants to round-up a new criminal sidekick. He could look in Highland Park for an illegal AR-15 rifle owner. Or if he goes to Mundelein it shouldn't be hard to find a DUI."

Would that send the right vibe the Congressman is looking for?

"Well, Chief Keef's people told me he is booked that week." replied Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "But, it's not all bad news for Mr. Dold. I can get him the names of a hundred or more other ex-cons, any of whom he could invite. They've all sued Lake County for wrongful conviction, and can afford to pay for their own Washington airfare and hotel."

A penny saved is a penny earned. Did Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi have any parting advice?

"Tell your operatives they still have time to get arrested and contact Congressman Dold's office."

The Road to the White House

From the Chicago Tribune:

When Jeb Bush was governor of Florida, he said his constituents didn't fully understand what they were doing when they amended their constitution in 2000 to build a high-speed rail line connecting the state's five largest cities. "People thought it was 'cool' to have a really fast train running from Miami to Tampa," Bush wrote to a constituent at the time. "No costs were discussed. The higher taxes that are necessary will dramatically change the dynamic." After slashing funding for the project, Bush campaigned in favor of a second voter referendum, to kill the project. It took him four years, but he won.
Jeb Bush's war against Florida high-speed rail shows his governing style

In related news ...

When Aaron Lawlor was County Board Chair of Lake County, he said his constituents didn't fully understand what they were doing when they approved a referendum in 2009 to build a Route 53 Extension connecting the County's largest arteries. "People thought it was 'cool' to have a really fast highway running from Long Grove to Grayslake," Lawlor wrote to a constituent at the time. "No costs were discussed. The higher taxes that are necessary will dramatically change the dynamic." After slashing funding for the project, Lawlor campaigned in favor of a second voter referendum, to kill the project. It took him four years, but he won.

Haha, j/k.

The record does show that Aaron Lawlor has filed to be a delegate for Jeb Bush ...

Candidate List GENERAL PRIMARY - 3/15/2016

Perhaps not coincidentally, your LakeCountyEye learned that construction has already begun on the spur-ramp that connects the Route 53 Extension with the Republican Convention site in Cleveland.

2016 is the New 2015

It has come to your LakeCountyEye's attention that the odometer has rolled over to 2016. Ordinarily this would be an occasion for a roundup of the year's top stories. However, your LakeCountyEye can't think of anything noteworthy that happened last year in Lake County -- certainly nothing that merits review.  The B-plan in this situation is to review some of the new laws that went into effect on Jan 1.

The Northwest Herald observes that ...

One law, created by House Bill 3533, allows drivers who have had their licenses permanently revoked after a fourth DUI conviction to obtain a restricted driving permit after five years if he or she demonstrates a minimum of three years of sobriety and has completed rehabilitative treatment.
Ring in the new year with more than 200 new Illinois laws

In related news, the Village of Mundelein declared today a city-wide day of celebration.

Party like it's 2016.

A Coalition of the Unwilling

If there was a fly on the wall at the last Waukegan City Council meeting, it was eaten by the canary in the coal-mine. According to the News-Sun ...

An official with New Jersey-based NRG Energy reiterated this week that its Waukegan Generating Station will continue to function as a coal-burning plant indefinitely despite ongoing calls by local environmental groups for the company and the city to publicly detail long-term plans for the lakefront site. More than two dozen members of Clean Power Lake County and the Sierra Club attended last week's City Council meeting to present what they said were more than 2,000 petitions signed by Waukegan residents calling for a task force to study options for plant operation and future land use.
Despite protests, Waukegan power plant to burn coal indefinitely

In related news, Santa Claus released his post-holiday audit. The ledgers show a significant uptick in lumps of coal delivered to stockings in Lake County.

That's all your LakeCountyEye has. Now dash away, dash away, dash away all.

Cold Caller

In Waukegan, he will be instantly recognized. He has white hair. He has a white beard. He has been sent out into the cold and goes ring-ring ring-ring ring-ring ring-ring ring-ring.

If you guessed the Salvation Army Santa, give yourself a lump of coal. The correct answer is former Lake County State's Attorney (and a founding member of the Waukegan Emergency Telephone System Board) Michael Waller.

Haha, according to the News-Sun ...

Waukegan Mayor Wayne Motley has announced that former Lake County State's Attorney Michael Waller — one of the founding members of the city's Emergency Telephone System Board — will not be reappointed to another term. Both Waller and Motley said this week that the decision was unrelated to criticism Waller has faced in light of several disastrous prosecutions.
Embattled ex-Lake County prosecutor leaves Waukegan's 911 board

It is not known if Waller plans to file a lawsuit against Lake County for wrongful eviction. Your LakeCountyEye will keep you apprised when further developments warrant.

Godwin's Law

Although today marks the winter solstice, it may already be springtime for Hitler. The international symbol for evil incarnate, Adolf Hitler has been getting a lot of press lately. Even the Daily Herald has jumped on the bandwagon ...

"FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2013 file photo Adolf Hitler, leader of the National Socialists, emerges from the party's Munich headquarters."
Records show Hitler enjoyed special treatment in prison

It should be noted that Mr Hitler has been looking very relaxed in more recent file photos. Small wonder, he commands a comfortable double-digit advantage in all the presidential polls.

Hot Numbers

Who is polling all the Lake County Republicans these days? The News-Sun is on the story ...

"Lake County Republican Federation President Larry Falbe (left) showing County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor and LCRF Executive Committee member Chris Foreman results of the straw poll (Posted by erin0000060, Community Contributor)"
Lake County Republican Federation Announces Results of Presidential Straw Poll

Your LakeCountyEye would be remiss not to note that Lake County Republican Federation President Larry Falbe (left) never looked better. Photographic proof that a December tan, facial scruff and shredded physique are guaranteed to turn any bean counter into the chairman of the board!

Uneasy Marks

James Marter

Under ordinary circumstances, Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran would have announced that he will be a candidate for Lake County Coroner. However this election cycle has been anything but ordinary. So yesterday Curran, instead, endorsed US Senator Mark Kirk's opponent in the March Primary. According to the Daily Herald ...

GOP Senate hopeful James Marter of Oswego announced the endorsement by Curran on Tuesday. "Mark Kirk may have spent significant time attending to the needs of the Cook County law enforcement, but has done nothing for the Lake County sheriff's office," Curran said in a statement. The comment drew a swift rebuke from Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor, who backs Kirk.
Lake sheriff backs Kirk opponent for U.S. Senate

As of this posting, Mark Curran has not switched his endorsement of James Marter to someone else. But your LakeCountyEye will keep you apprised when further developments warrant.

On the Beat

If a tree fell on the Amstutz Expressway would anyone care? To test the hypothesis, the City of Waukegan shut down the beleaguered freeway last week. According to the News-Sun ...

The Amstutz Expressway in Waukegan is scheduled to be shut down from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday for the filming of a TV commercial, another in a series of temporary closures of the roadway over the years by film productions.
TV commercial shoot will close Amstutz Expressway Monday

Local residents were polled for their reaction, and were asked: "How do you beat the rat race in Waukegan?"

One public servant told the pollster "with a tire iron."

That's all your LakeCountyEye has. Beat it.

The Rain of Terror

Ordinarily the City of Highland Park would be up in arms. But the Supreme Court declined to lift the ban on their assault weapons. The News-Sun says ...

The U.S. Supreme Court's refusal Monday to take up a challenge to Highland Park's ban on assault weapons protects similar restrictions in Chicago and other parts of Illinois and sends a message that municipalities have the right to determine how to best protect their communities, according to legal experts. The lack of action was a blow to the National Rifle Association and other pro-gun advocates who had hoped the high court would issue a ruling that once and for all clarified whether weapons such as AK-47s, AR-15s and Uzis are protected under the Constitution.
Supreme Court rejection of gun case considered a victory by Highland Park

When the issue is a blow of any kind, your LakeCountyEye immediately thinks of Dr. I.M. Bhatschidtkhrazzi, Ordnance Professor at the College of Lake County.

"The Supreme Court just kneecapped their holiday celebration, over in Highland Park." said Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "Everyone gathers at Port Clinton Square on New Years to fire their AR-15s."

Your LakeCountyEye was under the impression this was a safety concern.

"Safe for the terrorists, maybe." grimaced Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "The word on the street is that Highland Park has been disarmed. I've heard that the terrorists have all the B&B rooms there booked up straight through Valentines Day."

An unwelcome development.

"Ya." agreed Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "Highland Park has become a mecca for the radicals."

Was Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi making like Donald Trump?

"Mr Trump says the Muslims are not welcome here." shot back Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "But he is pandering to the prejudice of his supporters with a gross and inadequate stereotype."

The blaggard.

"Studies show there are specific, well-defined demographic populations who are a clear and present danger to themselves and others. Religious extremists, drug dealers, whack jobs, to name a few. And they all share a common mental disorder. The clinicians classify them as douchebags with guns."

Douchebags?

"Don't be surprised if you're not familiar with the term." explained Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "The latest DSM-5 only recently identified these douchebags as anyone in possession of a weapon who would be hardpressed, if asked, to hold their nose -- let alone a firearm."

Your LakeCountyEye did not know that.

"I agree with Mr Trump that the borders need to be sealed." explained Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "But if we are serious about protecting ourselves, then it is the douchebags with guns who need to be kept out."

Your LakeCountyEye felt safer (but not safe) already. Did Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi have any parting advice?

"Remind your Operatives that if all our guns get douched, then only douchebags will have guns."

The Peter Roskam Principles: Divide & Conquer

Bonjourno, as they say in Benghazi, Italy. You probably don't know who I am. My name is Peter Roskam, the vestigial Congressman of Lake County. I've agreed to conduct this virtual townhall meeting for the benefit of this blog ... but more importantly this is my opportunity for me -- U.S. Congressman Peter Roskam -- to better get to know, and fraternize with you, my constituents.

Has this ever happened to you? Your hardworking staff works overtime long hours and weekends to ensure that you, Peter Roskam, are safely on the 2016 election ballot:

Candidate List -- GENERAL PRIMARY -- 3/15/2016

Only you wake up that very same day and discover that you, Peter Roskam, have been primaried. And not only that, but primaried by some guy named Gordon Kinzler. Just who is Gordon Kinzler anyways, and why isn't he voting for his Congressman in Washington, Peter Roskam? Staff says he must be some teaparty deadender:

Candidate List -- GENERAL PRIMARY -- 3/15/2016

Now you are probably wondering, why am I -- Peter Roskam, 5-term Congressman, former Chief Deputy Whip and current member of the House Benghazi Committee -- worried about some teaparty deadender who is on the same ballot against a 5-term Congressman, Peter Roskam? Well, the answer in a word is two little words: Eric Cantor. Eric Cantor, you will recall was the 7-term Congressman and House Majority Leader, who got challenged by a teaparty deadender (some guy named Dave Brat) in the 2014 primary. Long story short, I've been told that Mr Cantor currently manages a 24-hour Chipotle in Bethesda.

Well, I informed my staff in no uncertain terms that this would not do. I immediately got on the horn and made some phone calls. And one week later, on the last petition filing day, lo and behold there were three names on that same ballot:

Candidate List -- GENERAL PRIMARY -- 3/15/2016

I, Peter Roskam, will let you in on a little secret.  A wise man -- who was named H.L. Mencken (and not Peter Roskam) -- once said: "No one ever lost an election underestimating the intelligence of the American voter." So when John Q Teaparty-Voter goes to cast his ballot against Peter Roskam next year, he won't know the difference between a Gordon Kinzler and a Gerald Drabik -- or between a Peter Roskam for that matter. This is an example of Peter Roskam's Divide and Conquer principle: divide the opposition vote, and virtually ensure that 5-term Congressman Peter Roskam will be well on his way to being 6-term Congressman Peter Roskam.

This is Peter Roskam reminding you that if you keep true to your principles you will never have to see the insides of a D.C.-area Chipotle.

The Lackey Doth Request Too Much

It is guaranteed by the Illinois Constitution: you have a fundamental right see your candidate for office removed from the ballot. In Lake County, the ballot action is in the 6th Congressional District, where an epic number of candidates (five) have filed:

Candidate List

One sole individual requested the petitions of four of these candidates -- all with the exception of Peter Roskam:

Who is this assiduous requestor? The shutterbugs at the McHenryCountyBlog snapped an old photo of David Rivera in a Roskam for Congress teeshirt:

Although Congressman Peter Roskam was absent, campaign worker David Rivera was there to carry the flag ... or at least wear the tee shirt.
Pro-Life Pig Roast at Irene Napier’s Farm

The US House of Representatives Telephone Directory lists David Rivera as Congressman Peter Roskam's "outreach rep":

US House of Representatives Telephone Directory

... while zoominfo says that Rivera is Roskam's "Outreach Coordinator":

David Rivera | Outreach Coordinator

What does a Congressional Outreach Coordinator do? As far as your LakeCountyEye can tell, he is the guy you turn to when you want to reach out and knock someone off the ballot.

Your LakeCountyEye will keep you apprised when further developments warrant.

Chinese Take Out

Q:	How many Chinese hackers does it take to hijack the Village of Lakemoor website?
A:	Ha ha ha, of course they do.

If you answered correctly then the joke is on you. The Daily Herald said that when Chinese hackers took down Lakemoor's website in September ...

The village summoned its technology consultant to investigate. For a time, the website remained visible. Then it went black. A check of the activity log showed attempted and actual log ins from an address in China
Lakemoor uses hack as opportunity to improve website

Whenever fact is stranger than fiction, your LakeCountyEye summons Dr. I.M. Bhatschidtkhrazzi, Professor of sino.cyber.spycraft at the College of Lake County.

"Ya," said Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "The tiny Village of Lakemoor has a bigger case of Chinese crackers on its hands than a fortune cookie factory."

Your LakeCountyEye was at a loss to why the Chinese would hack the Lakemoor website.

"They probably were not applying online for a building permit on a laundromat." deadpanned Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "Some think it was a training exercise. When young Chinese boys and girls go to hacker school, they start out practicing on easy targets."

Like Hogwarts?

"No, like the Village of Lakemoor." replied Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi.

Your LakeCountyEye whipped out the BlackBerry, and produced a news clipping:

More than 50,000 vehicles pass through the intersection of routes 12 and 120 in Lakemoor every day. Village officials need 50 of those drivers to get caught by red-light cameras and pay $100 fines to hit this year's $1.8 million revenue target.
Tiny Lakemoor gets big bucks from red-light cameras

"Ya, who hasn't hacked into a municipal website to expunge a red-light camera violation?" asked Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "But I daresay the Chinese have bigger fish in their gunsites. A fish to the tune of $1.8 million."

The Chinese hackers stole $1.8 million?

"I said big fish. $1.8 million is small potatoes." chuckled Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi.  "If that was me, I would hack into the camera system and get a livestream of the video feed."

The Chinese are spying on Lake County?

"Don't be silly." smiled Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "They could use that video to mail out their own traffic tickets."

Your LakeCountyEye heard enough. Did Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi have any parting advice?

"Tell your Lakemoor operatives to watch their speed when they are on Route 12. And if they do get a ticket in the mail, be sure to doublecheck that the return address is in English."