Concerning Secret Recordings of Public Officials Legality, Rhode Island Catches Up to Illinois

Rhode Island caught up with Illinois Monday when a Federal Judge ruled that the First Amendment allows individuals to video police officers and other public officials with getting their permission. MassLive wrote that the cases in question “involved defendants who … Continue reading

Paul Simon Family Escapes Unscathed from Sponsorship of Unconstitutional Law

It never ceases to surprise me that the mainstream media ignores the sponsor of the eavesdropping bill recently held unconstitutional by the Illinois Supreme Court. It was sponsored by Lt. Governor Shiela Simon’s mother, Jeanne Hurley Simon. The bill was … Continue reading

Illinois Eavesdropping Law Passed by Shiela Simon’s Mother Found Unconstitutional

The 1957 eavesdropping bill that Sheila Simon’s mother, State Rep. Jeanne Hurley, sponsored has been declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Federal Appeals Court in Chicago. The story of how Jeanne Hurley was tricked by legislators who wanted to prevent reporters … Continue reading

Cross, Gaffney, Schmitz Vote Against Easing Recording Prohibition

I have written how reformer State Rep. Jeanne Hurley got snookered into sponsoring a bill in 1957 to prohibit reporters like Jack Mabley from using tape recordings of legislative corruption. Hurley married Paul Simon and is Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon’s … Continue reading

Manipulating a Reformer

Ever hear of Roland Libonati? He was a state senator while Jeanne Hurley (then) Simon was state representative from Evanston. Libonati later became a member of Congress representing the west side of Chicago. I met him in the Springfield train … Continue reading