Boland Blog tag:,2010:/6 2010-01-29T20:50:50Z State Representative Mike Boland Movable Type 3.33 Lt. Governor Candidate Scott Lee Cohen Shows a Pattern of Racial and Social Insensitivity and Questionable Business Practices tag:www.bolandblog.us,2010://6.1066 2010-01-29T20:50:17Z 2010-01-29T20:50:50Z 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... Boland Blogger http://www.bolandblog.us/ 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. Boland calls on opponent to return donations from one of Illinois' worst polluters tag:www.bolandblog.us,2010://6.1045 2010-01-07T20:38:51Z 2010-01-07T12:43:51Z 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... Boland Blogger http://www.bolandblog.us/ 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." Flags flown at Illinois buildings must now be American made tag:www.bolandblog.us,2010://6.1043 2010-01-01T23:00:07Z 2010-01-01T15:09:03Z 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... Boland Blogger http://www.bolandblog.us/ 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.
Read the rest at their website. ]]> IVI-IPO endorsement tag:www.bolandblog.us,2009://6.1026 2009-12-05T18:50:18Z 2009-12-05T18:54:54Z Mike Boland's long record of standing for real reform helped to earn endorsement by the Independent Voters of Illinois - Independent Precinct Organization. The group is "dedicated to good government activism and an idealistic vision of open, honest government in... Boland Blogger http://www.bolandblog.us/ real reform helped to earn endorsement by the Independent Voters of Illinois - Independent Precinct Organization. The group is "dedicated to good government activism and an idealistic vision of open, honest government in Illinois." The endorsement recognizes Mike's leading role as a progressive voice for good government and election reform. ]]> Rep. Boland welcomes federal involvement with Thomson Prison tag:www.bolandblog.us,2009://6.1020 2009-11-16T20:30:12Z 2009-11-16T20:36:25Z East Moline, IL (11/15/09) - State Representative Mike Boland, a Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor, praised Governor Pat Quinn's efforts to get the federal government to use the Thomson prison. "The jobs created by a more full use of Thomson... Boland Blogger http://www.bolandblog.us/ East Moline, IL (11/15/09) - State Representative Mike Boland, a Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor, praised Governor Pat Quinn's efforts to get the federal government to use the Thomson prison. "The jobs created by a more full use of Thomson prison are welcome to the communities surrounding Thomson," Boland said. Rep. Boland, the only downstate Democrat in the Lt. Governor's race, said that he has been trying for nearly a decade to get more use out of the maximum security prison. "This area needs the jobs that will come with a broader use of Thomson prison," Boland said. "We finally have a Governor who takes the economic development of Western Illinois as seriously as I do." A study done by Governor Quinn's office estimates that between 2,500 and 3,500 jobs could be created by selling the prison to the federal government. News reports indicate that the Obama Administration may consider bringing prisoners to Thomson from the Guantanamo Bay detention center when it closes sometime next year. An eight term legislator, Rep. Boland said that Republican opposition to Governor Quinn's plan is political. "Of course anyone brought to a maximum security prison is dangerous by definition," Boland said, acknowledging the violent nature of the potential new inmates. "This is why we built Thomson prison to begin with-to house dangerous individuals." Boland said he is confident that "any potential danger" can be managed by federal and state officials working together. Rep. Boland, whose legislative member initiatives have brought hundreds of jobs to the region, said that in this tough economic time, "Jobs have to be our number one priority. While the Republicans peddle fear, we choose jobs." Appearing with Governor Quinn at the press conference Sunday to announce the potential sale of Thomson prison to the federal government, Rep. Boland said, "I fail to see how safely housing Guantanamo Bay inmates is different than safely housing Manuel Noriega, Gangster Disciple inmates, John Gotti, or mass murderers, or other violent criminals that are or have been routinely housed in maximum security prisons in Illinois," Boland said. "Apparently Republicans do not think it is possible to chew gum and walk at the same time. We can create jobs by opening Thomson prison and do it safely, regardless of who is imprisoned there." Rep. Boland said that over the years, he has worked with local officials, three Governors, even legislators from neighboring Iowa to try to get the prison opened. He even suggested selling it to the federal government several years ago. "I have worked my heart out to get the more use out of this prison," Boland said. "If it means jobs for my district, we would even take Stu Levine as a prisoner," Boland joked. Rockford announcement video tag:www.bolandblog.us,2009://6.1013 2009-11-03T02:40:10Z 2009-11-03T02:48:56Z Check out the TV news video of Mike's campaign announcement stop in Rockford. Mike filed candidate petitions for Lieutenant Governor today with signatures from all 102 Illinois counties!... Boland Blogger http://www.bolandblog.us/ TV news video of Mike's campaign announcement stop in Rockford. Mike filed candidate petitions for Lieutenant Governor today with signatures from all 102 Illinois counties!]]> Challenge Scholarships and health care tag:www.bolandblog.us,2009://6.1012 2009-11-01T23:20:27Z 2009-11-01T23:26:47Z Mike has been busy traveling the state to talk about issues that matter. In case you missed it, check out this news article about the Challenge Scholarship, and Mike's support for real health care reform. You can read about the... Boland Blogger http://www.bolandblog.us/ news article about the Challenge Scholarship, and Mike's support for real health care reform. You can read about the Challenge Scholarship and other issues at the campaign website. ]]> Announcement Tour tag:www.bolandblog.us,2009://6.1011 2009-11-01T23:04:06Z 2009-11-01T23:07:27Z Mike Boland began a statewide tour to announce his campaign for Illinois Lieutenant Governor! It started with a energetic event in Chicago earlier today. Monday he'll be in Rockford, Galesburg, and Moline. Watch for more details and news coming soon.... Boland Blogger http://www.bolandblog.us/ Mike Boland began a statewide tour to announce his campaign for Illinois Lieutenant Governor! It started with a energetic event in Chicago earlier today. Monday he'll be in Rockford, Galesburg, and Moline. Watch for more details and news coming soon. Rockford Labor Day Parade tag:www.bolandblog.us,2009://6.959 2009-08-25T17:35:55Z 2009-08-25T17:40:03Z JOIN MIKE AT THE ROCKFORD LABOR DAY PARADE! Bring your friends and family, too! Monday, September 7, 2009, in Beautiful Rockford, Illinois. Line-up Begins at 9:00 a.m. Parade Starts at 10:00 a.m. Rep. Mike Boland, D-71, Invites YOU to be... Boland Blogger http://www.bolandblog.us/ JOIN MIKE AT THE ROCKFORD LABOR DAY PARADE! Bring your friends and family, too! Monday, September 7, 2009, in Beautiful Rockford, Illinois. Line-up Begins at 9:00 a.m. Parade Starts at 10:00 a.m. Rep. Mike Boland, D-71, Invites YOU to be Part of ALL the Fun & Festivities at Rockford's Labor Day Parade! Please Bring a Canned Non-Perishable Food Item for the Greater Rockford Pantry Coalition Food Drive, too! If You are Interested in Car-Pooling, Please Call 630 251-1538 to Let Us Know if You Would Like to Drive or Ride. BOLAND BIRTHDAY BASH! tag:www.bolandblog.us,2009://6.957 2009-08-21T16:40:23Z 2009-08-21T16:49:10Z Rep. Mike Boland, our candidate for Lt. Governor, celebrated a birthday Thursday! Mike's a true progressive who has had the political courage to champion the causes most important to the us, the people of Illinois: · governmental accountability; · fiscal... Boland Blogger http://www.bolandblog.us/ www.bolandforillinois.com now to create real reform in Illinois and to show your support of Mike's bid for Lt. Governor with a generous birthday donation! No amount is too small or to large! You're generous support will make Mike's day extra special and make Illinois the great state it should be! TOGETHER, we can create real reform in Illinois!]]> Two Receptions in Springfield tag:www.bolandblog.us,2009://6.952 2009-08-14T19:19:39Z 2009-08-14T19:24:04Z Join State Rep. Mike Boland for a FREE reception at: Celtic Mist Pub 117 S. 7th Street Springfield, IL 62701 Tuesday August 18th from 7 - 9 pm For more information call 630.251.1538 Download a flier here. You are cordially... Boland Blogger http://www.bolandblog.us/ Download a flier here. You are cordially invited to attend a reception and pizza party for State Rep. Mike Boland! Wednesday August 19th from 5 - 7 pm Joe Gallina’s Pizza 432 East Monroe Springfield, IL 62701 Donation: $20.00 For more information call 630.251.1538 Download flier here. ]]> Election Reform Article tag:www.bolandblog.us,2009://6.862 2009-04-06T17:35:40Z 2009-04-06T17:41:14Z The Beacon News published an article following Mike Boland's visit to Aurora in support of election reform. Aurora voters will have the chance to vote on an advisory referendum in favor the Clean Elections Act, which creates a voluntary system... Boland Blogger http://www.bolandblog.us/ published an article following Mike Boland's visit to Aurora in support of election reform. Aurora voters will have the chance to vote on an advisory referendum in favor the Clean Elections Act, which creates a voluntary system for public financing of campaigns. The article states:
Boland said the legislation has been stymied, and it is up to the electorate to "shake the system" by sending a message with their votes. "We know Illinois is the laughingstock of the country (due to the impeachment, removal and indictment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich). We have to do something if we want to change that," Boland said.
]]> In Aurora for Clean Elections tag:www.bolandblog.us,2009://6.860 2009-04-03T20:20:32Z 2009-04-03T20:22:20Z Mike Boland will be in Aurora Saturday, April 4, for a press conference and forum with the Clean Elections Campaign for the Illinois Clean Elections Act, HB 1324. The public is invited to come Saturday at 2:30 in the Aurora... Boland Blogger http://www.bolandblog.us/ HB 1324. The public is invited to come Saturday at 2:30 in the Aurora Township Hall, 80 N. Broadway. ]]> Welcome to Boland Blog tag:www.bolandblog.us,2009://6.859 2009-04-03T20:00:18Z 2009-04-03T20:45:06Z Thank you for visiting my blog. I'm using this blog to reach out to inform voters and get input, especially from young people. In the coming months I'll ask for ideas and feedback about several policy proposals, including the Challenge... Mike Boland http://www.bolandblog.us/ Thank you for visiting my blog. I'm using this blog to reach out to inform voters and get input, especially from young people. In the coming months I'll ask for ideas and feedback about several policy proposals, including the Challenge Scholarships. Blogging is a new experience for me so I'll have volunteers post news and event updates under another name in addition to my own postings. You can join my email list by sending a message to subscribe@mikeboland.us.