McHenry County Blog

There was so much in the congressional Labor Department and Health and Human Services budgets this year that I could not download the file. I had to wait for Taxpayers for Common Sense to create a spreadsheet.

This the final of five installments of the projects earmarked by Illinois congressmen, commonly called “pork.”

Some pork is truly atrocious. I’m sure you’ve seen some articles on some such examples. Although I would be very interested in being able to compare campaign contributions from those given grants, that’s a bit beyond my ability at McHenry County Blog.

I also have found some earmarks that are overly broad to put it mildly. I would not be surprised to see some of them be the subject of investigative articles in the future.

But, let’s look at the rest of the projects in just these two budgets for now.

McHenry County’s 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo is in this list.

Just as 8th District Congresswoman Melissa Bean earmarked nothing for McHenry County in these two budgets, neither did Manzullo.

None of the piggies’ hams made it across the border, not considered the home base by either United States Representative.

Dan Lipinski

• HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration $285,000 Lipinski – Oak Lawn Family Service, Oak Lawn, IL, for Counseling Services to Village Residents and their Families
• Labor Employment & Training Administration $143,000 Lipinski – Catholic Charities, Chicago, IL, for Veterans Training Services
• Institute of Museum & Library Services $190,000 Lipinski – Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, IL, for Educational Programs

Don Manzullo

• HHS Health Resources and Services Administration $238,000 Manzullo – Crusader Clinic, Rockford, IL, for Electronic Medical Records, including Purchase of Equipment
• HHS Health Resources and Services Administration $238,000 Manzullo – University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, Peoria, IL, for Facilities and Equipment

Peter Roskam

• HHS CDC $95,000 Roskam – Access Community Health Network, Martin Russo Health Center, Bloomingdale, IL, to Implement Community-Based Heart Health Program
• HHS Health Resources and Services Administration $143,000 Roskam – Adventist GlenOaks Hospital, Glendale Heights, IL, for Facilities and Equipment
• HHS Health Resources and Services Administration $190,000 Roskam – DuPage Convalescent Center, Wheaton, IL, for Facilities and Equipment

Bobby Rush

• HHS Health Resources and Services Administration $238,000 Rush – St. Bernard Hospital, Chicago, IL, for Facilities and Equipment

Jerry Weller

• HHS Health Resources and Services Administration $381,000 Weller, Durbin – Olivet Nazarene University, Boubonnais, IL, for Facilities and Equipment
• HHS Health Resources and Services Administration $238,000 Weller, Durbin – Riverside Healthcare, Kankakee, IL, for Facilities and Equipment

Taxpayers for Common Sense have totaled up the congressional earmarks in the budget bill being voted on this week.

I was reminded of that when I read an editorial cartoon sent to me by my Joplin, Missouri, brother-in-law. It was in the Saganaw News.

Scene: Husband and wife sitting at the breakfast table.

Husband: “Sez here they arrested a D.C. Madam for running a house of ill repute…”

Wife: “They arrested Polisi?”

Below is the list of who got what in this year’s budget, which is due to be passed only about six months after the beginning of the fiscal year. They are listed in descending order from highest to lowest dollar amount of pork projects

• Ray LaHood, 23 earmarks totaling $8,774,250
• Rahm Emanuel, 10 earmarks totaling $6,523,000
• Jerry Costello, 12 earmarks totaling $5,425,175
• Dan Lipinski, 12 projects totaling $4,451,172
• Melissa Bean, 10 earmarks totaling $3,687,314 (one in McHenry County)
• Bill Foster, 12 earmarks totaling $3,095,000
• Danny Davis, 10 earmarks totaling $3,066,014
• Tim Johnson, 8 earmarks totaling $2,806,100
• Jesse Jackson, Jr., 15 earmarks totaling $2,783,500
• Peter Roskam, 12 earmarks totaling $2,655,330
• John Shimkus, 13 earmarks totaling $2,421,750
• Bobby Rush, 8 earmarks totaling $2,073,375
• Don Manzullo, 6 earmarks totaling $2,070,500 (one in McHenry County)
• Phil Hare, 7 earmarks totaling $2,031,000
• Jan Schakowsky, 8 earmarks totaling $1,644,000
• Luis Gutierrez, 2 earmarks totaling $760,000
• Jerry Weller, 7 earmarks totaling $1,243,250

$47.8 million in total.

Eschewing pork were Republicans Judy Biggert and Mark Kirk.

Three retired members, Rahm Emanuel, Ray LaHood and Jerry Weller get credit for projects anyway.

Newly elected Congress folks Debbie Halvorson and Aaron Shock were not listed.

Tomorrow, the bacon our United States Senators brought home.

Barge users get subsidized transportation from the Corps of Engineers on the Mississippi River. Army engineers get to stay on the payroll.

Past environmental sins like the creek that flowed past the old Chicago Stockyards called Bubbly Creek has money thrown at it.

Suburban developers who build homes where a diminished watershed pushed streams out of their beds during rains like last weekends get big money spent to lessen the impact of poor planning.

And congressmen take credit.

Even ex-congressmen like Ray LaHood and Ron Emanuel.

Below is what’s in this year’s budget.

Again I have listed the U.S. House member named first, if there is more than one or if Senator Dick Durbin is also named. Only projects where Durbin is the only congressman identified are listed under his name. There is really no way to know which congressman was most influential in getting projects where more than one is named.

Taxpayers for Common Sense gets the credit for posting the information where I could find it.

Melissa Bean

Corps of Engineers $28,709,000 Bean, Davis, Jackson, Roskam, Rush, Schakowsky, Durbin – McCook and Thorton Reservoirs

Jerry Costello

Corps of Engineers $502,000 Costello, Shimkus, Durbin – Prairie Dupont Levee and Sanitary District and Fish Lake Drainage and Levee District, IL

Corps of Engineers $2,392,000 Costello, Shimkus, Durbin – Chain of Rocks Canal, Mississippi River, IL (Def Corr)

Corps of Engineers $718,000 Costello, Shimkus, Durbin – E. Saint Louis, IL

Corps of Engineers $335,000 Costello, Shimkus – Madison and St. Clair Counties, IL

Corps of Engineers $2,632,000 Costello, Shimkus, Durbin – Wood River Levee, IL

Corps of Engineers No Price Given O&M Costello – Kaskaskia River Navigation, IL

Danny Davis

Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 206 Davis – Ping Tom, IL

Dick Durbin

Corps of Engineers $478,000 Durbin – Des Plaines River, Il (Phase II)

Corps of Engineers $125,000 Durbin – E. Saint Louis and Vicinity, IL

Corps of Engineers $2,486,000 Durbin, Bond – Lock and Dam 27, Mississippi River, (Major Rehab)

Corps of Engineers $144,000 Durbin – Nutwood Drainage and Levee District, IL

Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 206 Durbin – Squaw Creek (Round Lake Drain), IL

Phil Hare

Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 206 Hare, LaHood, Durbin – Emiqoin Preserve, IL

Corps of Engineers No Price O&M Hare – Andalusia Harbor, IL

Jesse Jackson, Jr.

Corps of Engineers $500,000 Jackson, Durbin – Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Second Barrier, IL

Corps of Engineers $4,000,000 Jackson, Durbin – Chicago Shoreline, IL

Corps of Engineers $125,000 Jackson, Lipinski – Cook County, IL

Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 1135 Jackson – Indian Ridge Marsh, IL

Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 1135 Jackson – Spunky Bottoms, IL

Tim Johnson

Corps of Engineers $96,000 Johnson – Grayville Dam, IL

Ray LaHood

Corps of Engineers $382,000 LaHood – Illinois River Basin Restoration, IL

Corps of Engineers $48,000 LaHood, Durbin – Peoria Riverfront Development, IL

Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 205 LaHood – Meredosia, IL

Dan Lipinski

Corps of Engineers $411,000 Lipinski – S. Fork, South Branch, Chicago River (Bubbly Creek), IL

Don Manzullo

Corps of Engineers $526,000 Manzullo, Durbin – Keith Creek, Rockford, IL

Peter Roskam

Corps of Engineers $5,750,000 Roskam, et al – Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Dispersal Barrier, IL

Corps of Engineers $7,500,000 Roskam, Durbin – Des Plaines River, IL

John Shimkus

Corps of Engineers No Price Given O&M Shimkus, Durbin – Lake Shelbyville, IL

= = = = =
The Algonquin dam was rebuilt by the U.S. Corps of Engineers recently. You see what it looked like last year when it was wide open.

In descending order, there are pictures of Melissa Bean, Dick Durbin (talking to Don Manzullo), Jesse Jackson, Jr., and Don Manzullo.

Below is the press release based on a letter that 49 congressmen signed to their House leadership. It urges that American companies be given preference in stimulus package purchases.

(WASHINGTON) U.S. Reps. Don Manzullo (R-IL) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and 49 of their colleagues today co-signed a letter to the House leadership urging them to require any money spent under the proposed stimulus bill be used to buy American-made products whenever possible.

“Whether you support the stimulus bill or not, we should all agree tax dollars should focus on creating American jobs, not more jobs overseas,”

said Manzullo.

“That’s why I support this Buy American provision. It will ensure any spending in the stimulus bill will support American jobs.”

Lipinski added,

“Congress is currently considering whether we will spend $825 billion – or more – American taxpayer dollars to get the economy moving again and put people back to work. Everyone should agree that these taxpayer dollars should be spent here at home. Wherever possible, Federal, state, and local governments, contractors and subcontractors should spend the stimulus grants to help American industries and American workers.”

The Buy American Act of 1933 requires the federal government to support domestic manufacturers and workers by purchasing American-made goods, but it is riddled with loopholes and is often waived. Unless a strong “Buy American” provision is added to any economic stimulus bill, American industries, workers, and families will not reap the full benefits of the stimulus package.

Manzullo has led Congressional efforts to strengthen American manufacturing and has successfully passed several bills to strengthen the Buy American Act. In 2001, he forced the Defense Department to cancel several foreign-based contracts for Army berets and instead rebid the contracts for American-based firms.

Below is the press release based on a letter that 49 congressmen signed to their House leadership. It urges that American companies be given preference in stimulus package purchases.

(WASHINGTON) U.S. Reps. Don Manzullo (R-IL) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and 49 of their colleagues today co-signed a letter to the House leadership urging them to require any money spent under the proposed stimulus bill be used to buy American-made products whenever possible.

“Whether you support the stimulus bill or not, we should all agree tax dollars should focus on creating American jobs, not more jobs overseas,”

said Manzullo.

“That’s why I support this Buy American provision. It will ensure any spending in the stimulus bill will support American jobs.”

Lipinski added,

“Congress is currently considering whether we will spend $825 billion – or more – American taxpayer dollars to get the economy moving again and put people back to work. Everyone should agree that these taxpayer dollars should be spent here at home. Wherever possible, Federal, state, and local governments, contractors and subcontractors should spend the stimulus grants to help American industries and American workers.”

The Buy American Act of 1933 requires the federal government to support domestic manufacturers and workers by purchasing American-made goods, but it is riddled with loopholes and is often waived. Unless a strong “Buy American” provision is added to any economic stimulus bill, American industries, workers, and families will not reap the full benefits of the stimulus package.

Manzullo has led Congressional efforts to strengthen American manufacturing and has successfully passed several bills to strengthen the Buy American Act. In 2001, he forced the Defense Department to cancel several foreign-based contracts for Army berets and instead rebid the contracts for American-based firms.

You know your congressman or state legislator has made the big time when he ends up on Chicago television.

Last night 16th district Congressman Don Manzullo was the point man for opponents to the financial bailout on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight.

I was astounded that there were actually two opponents versus one who voted “Yes.”

Supporting the opposition to the bill was Democratic U.S. Representative Dan Lipinski. In support was Democrat Danny Davis.

Manzullo complained about the “dictatorial powers” being given to the Treasury Secretary, more than Alexandra Hamilton would have ever dreamed of.

And, without judicial review.

As Manzullo explained the bill, the types of checks and balances that keeps the United State government working just are not included.

As for bipartisanship, Manzullo said House Republicans were left out.

Manzullo suggested using the “same method as was used in the savings and loan bailout.”

He complained about the “take it or leave it” approach, as well as the complete lack of committee action. Manzullo serves on the Financial Services Committee chaired by Democrat Barney Frank, which supposedly has jurisdiction over the legislation.

“There was no oversight,” he complained.

Lipinski, a southwest side congressman said that the problem is “those on Wall Street don’t understand the rest of America.” He pointed out that the average family would be saddled with a $10,000 burden had the legislation passed.

“The people who are saying congress doesn’t understand Main Street are the ones who caused the problem,” Manzullo added.

He suggested immediately changing the “mark to market” rule for banks. As I understand it, that requires banks to mark down the value of their mortgages when the market value of the asset mortgaged decreases.

This suggestion is being hotly opposed by auditing firms.

“Before we spend $700 billion, we should exhaust every other possibility,” Manzullo asserted.

“Most of the constituents are opposed to (the bailout),” he revealed.

Manzullo’s Democratic Party opponent Robert Abboud has not commented on the failed vote.

You know your congressman or state legislator has made the big time when he ends up on Chicago television.

Last night 16th district Congressman Don Manzullo was the point man for opponents to the financial bailout on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight.

I was astounded that there were actually two opponents versus one who voted “Yes.”

Supporting the opposition to the bill was Democratic U.S. Representative Dan Lipinski. In support was Democrat Danny Davis.

Manzullo complained about the “dictatorial powers” being given to the Treasury Secretary, more than Alexandra Hamilton would have ever dreamed of.

And, without judicial review.

As Manzullo explained the bill, the types of checks and balances that keeps the United State government working just are not included.

As for bipartisanship, Manzullo said House Republicans were left out.

Manzullo suggested using the “same method as was used in the savings and loan bailout.”

He complained about the “take it or leave it” approach, as well as the complete lack of committee action. Manzullo serves on the Financial Services Committee chaired by Democrat Barney Frank, which supposedly has jurisdiction over the legislation.

“There was no oversight,” he complained.

Lipinski, a southwest side congressman said that the problem is “those on Wall Street don’t understand the rest of America.” He pointed out that the average family would be saddled with a $10,000 burden had the legislation passed.

“The people who are saying congress doesn’t understand Main Street are the ones who caused the problem,” Manzullo added.

He suggested immediately changing the “mark to market” rule for banks. As I understand it, that requires banks to mark down the value of their mortgages when the market value of the asset mortgaged decreases.

This suggestion is being hotly opposed by auditing firms.

“Before we spend $700 billion, we should exhaust every other possibility,” Manzullo asserted.

“Most of the constituents are opposed to (the bailout),” he revealed.

Manzullo’s Democratic Party opponent Robert Abboud has not commented on the failed vote.

One of the issues that Don Manzullo attacked his one-term Democratic Party opponent on in 1992 was spending taxpayer dollars to promote himself.

Congressmen are low profile folks in huge metropolitan areas. They don’t get their names in the paper much or on TV unless they are leaders like Denny Hastert was and Rahm Emmanuel is.

So, most congressmen take advantage of the incumbent protection program known as “franking.”

It gives them free postage.

Just affix your signature to an envelope, stick in the post office and it gets delivered free.

Your name appears in every mailbox in your district and you don’t even have to address it.

Associated Press’ former Springfield buy, Dennis Conrad did the research on who did how much franking this year for a Sunday article.

Tucked away in the bottom is this paragraph:

Rockford GOP Rep. Donald Manzullo has never spent money on mass mailings during a 14-yea congressional career. He has returned more than $1.1 million in unused office allowances, spokesman Rich Carter said.

And in the Sun-Times version, Manzullo $1.1 million even rated a sub-headline, as you can see here.

“(Cook County U.S. Rep. Daniel) Lipinski acknowledged that some mailings are difficult to differentiate from advertising, and said he understands how some people may view them as propaganda,” the article said.

Peoria’s Republican Ray LaHood, whose district is dominated by Peoria media, making him well-known, told AP that he considers the mass mailings “self-promotion.”

Self-obvious, it would seem to me.

One of the issues that Don Manzullo attacked his one-term Democratic Party opponent on in 1992 was spending taxpayer dollars to promote himself.

Congressmen are low profile folks in huge metropolitan areas. They don’t get their names in the paper much or on TV unless they are leaders like Denny Hastert was and Rahm Emmanuel is.

So, most congressmen take advantage of the incumbent protection program known as “franking.”

It gives them free postage.

Just affix your signature to an envelope, stick in the post office and it gets delivered free.

Your name appears in every mailbox in your district and you don’t even have to address it.

Associated Press’ former Springfield buy, Dennis Conrad did the research on who did how much franking this year for a Sunday article.

Tucked away in the bottom is this paragraph:

Rockford GOP Rep. Donald Manzullo has never spent money on mass mailings during a 14-yea congressional career. He has returned more than $1.1 million in unused office allowances, spokesman Rich Carter said.

And in the Sun-Times version, Manzullo $1.1 million even rated a sub-headline, as you can see here.

“(Cook County U.S. Rep. Daniel) Lipinski acknowledged that some mailings are difficult to differentiate from advertising, and said he understands how some people may view them as propaganda,” the article said.

Peoria’s Republican Ray LaHood, whose district is dominated by Peoria media, making him well-known, told AP that he considers the mass mailings “self-promotion.”

Self-obvious, it would seem to me.