Dupage Policy Journal

Scientist says 'reprehensible' coverage of Sterogenics emissions caused needless fear in community

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 21, 2018

Ambient air measurements for the carcinogen formaldehyde in the Schiller Park area during 2017 registered many times higher than a risk assessment threshold in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), the standard used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). What does air quality expert and author Rich Trzupek think about that? Not much.

Hinsdale teachers stand to gain if new referendum passes

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 19, 2018

The union representing the teachers at Hinsdale 86’s two high schools, Central and South, has a $29.5 million reason for getting yet another tax increase referendum on the ballot.

Campaign to remove Kifowit fires up

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 5, 2018

A pro-family group in Illinois has started a petition drive to oust state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Aurora) after she said on the House floor that she wished state Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) and his family to be infected by a lethal bacteria.

Yellow journalism? Chicago Tribune reporter Hawthorne accused of hyping Sterigenics scare

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 4, 2018

An environmental analyst blames Chicago Tribune reporter Michael Hawthorne for duping many Willowbrook, Darien, Burr Ridge and Hinsdale residents into believing the air in their communities causes cancer.

Duckworth, Durbin taking advantage of Willowbrook scare

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 2, 2018

The general elections are over, but elected officials are still getting plenty of play out of a false alarm in the Willowbrook area over reports, since retracted, that unhealthy levels of a gas are being released from a local business, Sterigenics.

Study: Normal, non-threatening levels of ethylene oxide (EO) exist throughout Chicagoland area

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 29, 2018

Evidence is piling up that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) owes residents in the Willowbrook area a public apology for discredited claims that elevated levels of the gas ethylene oxide (EO) placed the community at higher risk for cancer and other illnesses.

Legislation targeting ethylene oxide (EO)/Sterigenics likely off until next session; new testing shows normal EO levels

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 28, 2018

Legislation filed in the General Assembly in reaction to a near panic in the Willowbrook area stemming from faulty reports of unhealthy levels of the gas, ethylene oxide (EO), is unlikely to see action this year, industry sources told the DuPage Policy Journal.

"You can make it up;" Sterigenics scare stems from two suspect EPA studies

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 27, 2018

Federal agencies relied on faulty, even completely unreliable, air quality figures to target the Sterigenics plant in Willowbrook as a regional health threat, air quality and "junk science" experts say.

“Clarification,” not apology is all Willowbrook residents can expect from federal agencies over hyped-up cancer scare

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 26, 2018

A regional director for a federal health agency said Monday that he expected a “clarification” from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but not a public retraction or formal apology over its erroneous reports of harmful emissions of ethylene oxide (EO) from the Sterigenics plant in Willowbrook.

Tax expert warns Wheaton District 200's claim that referendum won’t lead to higher taxes is “too good to be true”

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 5, 2018

District 200's claim that building a new early childhood center won't increase property taxes is unsupported, according to property tax expert Todd Barron.

“Plain and simple: a vote for Terra Costa Howard is a vote for Madigan”

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 1, 2018

On Oct. 29, the campaign for Terra Costa Howard, the Democrat from Glen Ellyn challenging incumbent State. Rep. Peter Breen, accepted a massive $750,000 donation from Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, campaign records with the Illinois State Board of Elections show.

Howard “Madigoon” caught taking Breen literature from homeowner’s front door handle

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 26, 2018

A video doorbell caught a campaign worker for Terra Costa Howard taking literature supporting incumbent state. Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) from a homeowner’s front door handle. The worker in the video, identified only as Kerry, puts the Breen literature in a folder she’s carrying before knocking on the front door.

From Prairie State Wire

Communist Party USA “involved” in Sean Casten bid to unseat Peter Roskam in the 6th

By W.J. Kennedy | 5 years ago

An election guide posted on the Communist Party USA’s (CPUSA) website said that the party is “deploying its resources” to unseat U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), as part of a larger effort to flip 24 Republican seats the Democrats need to capture control of the House.

A queen of the Chicago machine launches her political career in the western suburbs

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 20, 2018

Like some other single 30-year-olds, Bridget Fitzgerald still lives with her parents, in Western Springs.

Lincoln Foundation's finances could face multiple inquiries

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 9, 2018

The secretive and costly operating style of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation (ALPLF) is expected to come under scrutiny by the House Tourism Committee during November’s veto session.

Hinsdale’s proposed $166 million referendum faces opposition

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 8, 2018

A $166 million referendum proposed by Hinsdale High School District 86 won’t win voter approval in November without a tough fight from a newly-formed political committee.

Terra Costa Howard waffles on support for her benefactor, House Speaker Michael Madigan

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 30, 2018

Appearing before the Daily Herald editorial board with her opponent, incumbent State Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard), Terra Costa Howard dodged the near certain blow-back that would come from voicing support for the controversial Speaker.

In a first in Illinois, Lisle CUSD 202 may be required under new law to reduce property taxes

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 25, 2018

Lisle CUSD 202 is in line to be the first school district in the state required to reduce property taxes under a provision in the new education funding formula approved last year by the General Assembly.

Howard hedges during discussion of tax hikes, spending

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 20, 2018

Terra Costa Howard, the Democratic candidate for the 48th House District, came down on both sides of several issues during a recent Chicago Sun-Times editorial board meeting with her opponent, Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard).

In an inexplicable move, Republican primary loser endorses Madigan loyalist Deb Conroy

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 13, 2018

The same Roger Orozco who demonized state Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park) when he ran in the Republican primary for her 4th District House seat recently appeared on her campaign Facebook page endorsing her.