The Road to Ill Health is Paved with 53 Extensions

Note to Operatives: If you are sick of hearing about the Route 53 Extension then hit the volume on your Beltone. That's because the Route 53 Extension will make you sick.

According to the Daily Herald:

Opponents of a proposed Route 53 extension into Lake County are seeking support for a study to determine potential health impacts of the highway.
Grassroots group wants health study of Route 53 extension

Along with being pancaked under an 18-wheeler, other health risks associated with prolonged exposure to a highway include lung disease, heart attack and stroke. And if to add insult to injury, no one living near the Route 53 Extension will have any health insurance, because the GOP is going to kill the Affordable Care Act.

Peter Roskam (Lake County's vestigial Congressman), who voted to repeal Obamacare last month, was quick to issue a statement: "Voters can rest assured that Trumpcare will be a huge improvement over Obamacare. Under Trumpcare your exposure to the Route 53 Extension will be classified as a pre-existing condition -- a major benefit. Provided, of course, the Route 53 Extension gets built first!"

That's all your LakeCountyEye has. Please bend over and cough.

A Door to Door Campaign

Ever since Peter Roskam voted to repeal Obamacare, he's been having trouble sneaking out of buildings. His constituents are now all standing at death's door.

Haha, Roskam, Lake County's vestigial Congressman, has taken to secreting himself in and out of public venues to avoid contact with voters and the press. The press noticed, nonetheless:

Several congressmen, including Roskam, slipped through the side doors of the restaurant
After protesters gather, Rauner skips Republican fundraiser

What Roskam, a Republican from Naperville, does not like is meeting with actual voters, not unless he can hand-pick them.
Come out, come out, wherever you are, Peter Roskam

constituents of Congressman Peter Roskam — one of the most powerful Republicans in Congress – have accused him of ducking their questions. As CBS 2 Political Reporter Derrick Blakley explains, Roskam is now ducking reporters' questions as well.
Rep. Roskam Avoids Angry Constituents At Chicago Appearance

The closed door meeting comes just four days after Roskam's staff in his West Chicago district office abruptly canceled a meeting with 16 constituents who had arranged to meet with them about their concerns over a repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
Protesters gather outside GOP meeting attended by Roskam

Of course, if you're in a hurry and the front door is out of the question, there usually aren't many other options available. Unless you are Peter Roskam -- who by your LakeCountyEye's count has found 10 alternate exits to look for whenever he's in the sights of a reporter or voter:

Ten Doors to Watch for Peter Roskam

The Back Door The Side Door The Stage Door The Revolving Door Better a Door Than a Window The French Doors The Trap Door The Barn Door The Double Doors The Pompa Door

Look for your LakeCountyEye to defenestrate near you.

Love Goes Out the Door When Money Comes Innuendo

Everyone knows that if it is Thursday it is time to play the game sweeping the Internet by storm ...

Which Door Will Peter Roskam Take?^®

This week's winner is the Daily Herald. The Herald (who was all over Governor Bruce Rauner like duct tape on actual ductwork) spotted Roskam in a Rosemont doorway:

Tickets for the "Cocktails with the Congressmen" event at Gene & Georgetti steakhouse ranged from $10,000 for hosts to $100 for general admission. Along with Rauner, congressmen Peter Roskam of Wheaton, Randy Hultgren of Plano, Rodney Davis of Taylorville, Mike Bost of Murphysboro and Adam Kinzinger of Channahon were scheduled to attend the event, closed to members of the media. Several congressmen, including Roskam, slipped through the side doors of the restaurant, to the jeers of the roughly 50 protesters outside.
After protesters gather, Rauner skips Republican fundraiser

Sharpeyed operatives should note that Peter Roskam (Lake County's vestigial Congressman) was seen slipping through the side door.

If you did not win, there will be another opportunity next week (and every week) to play ...

Which Door Will Peter Roskam Take?^®

Campaign trackers and Roskam PAC staff are not eligible.

In Your Case I'll Make an Exemption

It has come to your LakeCountyEye's attention that property taxes are due in Lake County. Two weeks ago. Oops.

While searching the sofa cushions to take care of the minimum payment, your LakeCountyEye came across a tip for reducing your tax bill. It's called a General Homestead Exemption, according to this Daily Herald story:

Homestead exemptions, granted for homes occupied by their owners, make up as much as 95 percent of eligible property in some townships but as little as 70 percent in others.
How suburban assessors discovered hundreds of illegal exemptions

And while you can claim the exemption for your primary residence, enterprising home owners are also taking the exemption for their vacation homes, rental properties, and most importantly Florida real estate.

While technically not legal, this seems a win-win by your LakeCountyEye's reckoning. Even if it did mean you would have to live in Florida.

Chicken Dance

Hindsight being 20/20, it is now apparent that Joe Walsh was voted out of Congress for not being extreme enough. And while there may be no second acts in life, the ex-Lake County Congressman quickly slid into broadcasting, where he is now a DJ. And (as his rabid fans attest) Walsh performs under the stage-name DJ-Walsh-Alt.

Note to Ops: Need a superstar DJ to beat-mix your next Rave, EDM Cellar or wedding rehearsal, and you don't have an unlimited budget? DJ-Walsh-Alt will have even your sleepiest septuagenarian tripping the light fantastic quicker than you can say gangnam style.

Catch these snaps of DJ-Walsh-Alt on the floor ...

Joe Walsh Holds Summer Shindig

... of a recent McHenryCountyBlog hootenanny:


"What do you say we turn up the music and kick up some fun?"


You put your right wing in,
You put your right wing out ...


You put your right wing in,
And you shake it all about ...


You do the hokey pokey
And you turn yourself around and ...


... I wanna dance with you,
With you my Lambada, Lambada.
La La La La La La Lambada!

[h/t: McHenryCountyBlog]

Q the Eye/06.09.17

Dear LakeCountyEye,

Speaking for every public servant who has spent 5 years in the Illinois legislature, I deserve a gold clock -- and not a primary opponent. Objection your honor!

A Former Federal Prosecutor

Dear With Whom Do You Wish to Speaker?

Your LakeCountyEye firmly believes that if Illinois legislators were intended to serve for life, there wouldn't be term limits.

You are not alone, one Lake County favorite son finds himself in a similar predicament:

The first statewide project coordinator for the Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program is planning to challenge state Rep. Scott Drury of Highwood in the Democratic primary next spring.
A challenge for Drury

Take heart, your LakeCountyEye firmly believes that whenever there is the political will there will be a political way. In your case, the way is to simply vacate your legislative seat and run for Governor instead.

To be sure, a state-wide campaign will pose challenges totally at odds with running for some local office from out of your kitchen. Totally. And you're probably thinking "anyone like me who ran for Governor is asking to get his clock cleaned." And you would be right. Don't expect to make it through the primary with more than a few hundred votes. But -- wait for it -- after that defeat, file to run as an Independent for your old legislative seat. With the ballot name recognition gained from running in a state-wide contest, you would be a shoo-in.

And you go back to Springfield where that gold watch is waiting. Tick tock!

If you are an elected official, or a previously elected official, or just a private citizen under indictment, send your political questions to Q the Eye c/o ... LakeCountyEye@gMail.com

Two Thumbs Up

Note to Ops: If you want to see Peter Roskam at a townhall you will have to first get a job -- a job on the editorial board of Chicago's leading business publication. Roskam, Lake County's vestigial Congressman, sat down with Crain's Chicago Business last week for a one hour interview. In the video, Roskam confirms that legislating is indeed like making sausages -- he wanted to get out of there in the wurst way.

See for yourself. Slide the shimkus over to the last minute, at about -1:10 ...

Watch Roskam's interview with Crain's

Crain's:	Thank you for coming by.
Roskam:	YEAH IT'S GOOD ALRIGHT (Thumbs Up)

Peter Roskam subsequently disappeared faster than the Republican Liberty Caucus prescription Rogaine at the US Capitol drugstore. It is not known if Roskam exited by way of the back alley.

Your LakeCountyEye will keep you apprised when further developments warrant.

Townhall on Affordable Health Care

Adopt-a-District Town Hall with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky

Join the Coalition for a Better Illinois 6th as they host Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky for the first open town hall meeting with a sitting Member of the U.S. Congress in Illinois’ 6th congressional district in a very long time. Everyone is invited to attend.

• Saturday
  June 3, 2017
  5:00 to 6:30pm
  (Doors Open 4:30)
  
  
• Fremd High School Auditorium
  1000 S Quentin Rd
  Palatine, IL