Boland Blog

A new law goes into effect this year that requires any American flag flying at a public building in Illinois to be made in the USA. KWOC recently reported on the law introduced by Mike Boland.

The American flag is the most recognizable symbol of our country and you might assume they're all made in the USA. But one Quad City lawmaker's discovery not only shocked him, it made him take action.

State Representative Mike Boland says, "Caskets coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan had American flags on them, but they were made in China." Those Chinese-made flags draping the caskets of fallen American soldiers were enough to spur Boland into action. "To think that our soldiers were coming back and they don't even have an American flag made in America - it's just outrageous."

As a state representative, Boland can only change laws in Illinois. But the foreign-made flags gave him an idea. "There's so many things that aren't made in America anymore, but you ought to at least have the American flags that are used by the American government or state government to be American made. It's a matter of patriotism."

Other state lawmakers agreed, and as of Friday any American flag flying at a public building or in a public office in Illinois has to be made in the USA.

Mike Boland recently issued this press release.

Midwest Generation, a top campaign donor to both Rod Blagojevich and Terry Link, seeks weaker environmental standards

Chicago, IL - Representative Mike Boland, Democratic candidate for Illinois Lieutenant Governor , called on Terry Link to return donations from Midwest Generation, which has been a frequent target of community groups and EPA lawsuits. The company's six aging coal-fired power plants, including the Waukegan Station in Link's Senate district, are some of the worst contributors to air pollution in the Chicago area. Midwest Generation and its parent company are a top career donor to Link, giving his campaigns over $30,000.

A report by the Chicago Tribune in August, 2009 suggests politics played a role in the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's failure to take action against Midwest Generation under Rod Blagojevich, even while thousands of environmental violations were recorded at their plants.
Midwest Generation is one of Blagojevich's top donors, giving over $100,000 to his campaign. Two of his top political aides were hired as lobbyists for the company, including a former chief of staff. Another served simultaneously as re-election campaign spokesperson and a Midwest Generation lobbyist.

With Blagojevich out of office, the Illinois Attorney General and U.S. Department of Justice recently sued Midwest Generation for frequent violations at their Chicago area plants. A coalition of environmental organizations filed a supporting suit focusing on soot (particulate matter) and other pollutants. Pollution from the plant is linked to increased rates of asthma attacks, respiratory disease, heart disease, and early deaths in the Chicago area.

"Bringing green jobs to Illinois while we move toward a new energy future will be my top priority as Lieutenant Governor," said Boland. "State office holders should fight for public health interests without regard to big money special interests. Democratic candidates must make it clear to voters that the Blagojevich era of pay-to-play politics and special favors is over. It's time for Terry Link to come clean and return those donations."

Mike's campaign issued the following press release.

During his campaign for Lt. Governor, Scott Lee Cohen has been very reluctant to specify what type of "Chicago Businessman" he is exactly. Cohen built his fortune as a pawnbroker targeting lower income minorities who have resorted to selling their belongings for loans and cash. Support for Cohen have slowed after accusations of racist comments made by his spokesman became public.

When asked about his businesses during his campaign for Lt. Governor, Cohen has said that he operates Cohen Green Cleaning Supplies, a company that distributes environmentally friendly cleaning products. However, the only evidence to be found online of this operation's existence is from Cohen plugging it during his campaign. With no accessible website or company information available to the public, Cohen has admitted that Cohen Green Cleaning Supplies is a recent startup that was put on hold when he began his campaign for Lt. Governor.

In late summer 2009, Cohen met with City News publisher James Taylor Sr. However, when B. J. Mason, a City News advertising representative, contacted a Cohen spokesman about advertising in the publication, an insulting racial comment was made. "He said something about 'you people' and not voting anyway," said Mason.

The Cohen campaign also has a history of challenging petition circulators and signatures made by lower-income and African American citizens. One of his political operatives challenged petitions Lt. Governor candidate Mike Boland running against Cohen. In the challenge, Cohen's operative systematically challenged petition signatures and petition circulators from predominately African American neighborhoods. The State Board of Elections found in Boland's favor dismissing the allegations from the Cohen campaign operative.

Downstate Democrat Mike Boland is a candidate for Lt. Governor who has made it his mission to create jobs and opportunities for the low income public struggling to get by in this economically depressed time. Mike Boland was one of the founders of the Citizens Utility Board which has saved consumers more than $10 billion in utility costs. Boland also was a key supporter of legislation to curtail the payday loan industry that preys on the low-income community and has been criticized for exploiting financial hardship for profit. Boland is also the only candidate for Lt. Governor with a comprehensive jobs program.