How Much Does the Federal Govt. Cost You? Hultgren Calls for 2 'Common-Sense' Tax Brackets

The "Your Federal Taxpayer Receipt" widget, attached here, tells literally how much of your tax dollar went where. U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren is using it to illustrate his call for simplifying tax codes.

Tax day came and went a few days ago, but it was an occasion Congressman Randy Hultgren used to call for tax reform in the FY14 budget. "On Tax Day, hardworking Americans are reminded of the burden of our current tax code and the need for comprehensive tax reform to create a simpler, fairer one," Hultgren said. "Tax reform will help create a stronger economy — leading to more jobs, better take home pay and more opportunity for every family. The federal budget I helped to pass in the House last month would achieve this by replacing today's complex, costly and time-consuming tax code with two common-sense brackets to allow families keep more of their hard-earned money." "I am calling on the President and the Senate to make tax reform a …

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Fiscal Cliff: How Illinois Legislators Voted

Four Republicans voted against the Senate bill.

With the clock ticking, Congress voted 257-167 to pass a Senate bill to stop the country from going over the so-called "fiscal cliff." On Tuesday, members of the House of Representatives from Illinois voted 14-4 in favor of the bill. For Republican Judy Biggert, who was defeated in November by Bill Foster, her vote in favor of the bill was her last as a member of the House of Representatives. Adam Kinzinger, R-Manteno, joined Biggert in voting yes, along with Dan Lipinski, D-Western Springs. Four House Republicans from Illinois voted no: Randy Hultgren (Winfield), Peter Roskam (Wheaton), Bobby Schilling (Colona) and Joe Walsh (McHenry). In the Senate, Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, voted to pass the measure. Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, did …

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Hultgren Defends Vote Against Fiscal Cliff Measure

Bill clears Congress, heads off crisis with expiration of Bush, Obama tax cuts, plus new taxes.

Congressional action late Tuesday night ended months of the nation teetering on the edge of the so-called fiscal cliff, a significant tax increase set to begin Jan. 1 with the expiration of the Bush tax cuts and temporary tax cuts put through by President Barack Obama, as well as new taxes and automatic spending cuts. Many feared that had Congress failed to address the issue, the tax increases and automatic spending cuts would have pushed the nation once again headlong into recession. Politico reported that the bipartisan solution was approved in a 257-257 cote by the U.S. House. U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-14th District, was one of those voting against the measure. “The lack of spending cuts in this package is indefensible, which is why I…

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Gun Control: Where Does Your Congressman Stand?

Patch contacted 10 newly elected representatives to find out what they plan to do to help curb gun violence in our country in the wake of last week's mass killing in Newtown, CT. Those who actually wanted to discuss the issue say it's time for a change.

When members of the 113th Congress take their seats in January, one of the top items on their agenda very well could be a new look at federal gun control laws.  In the wake of the Newtown, CT, tragedy of one week ago today, President Obama on Wednesday set a January deadline for his administration to "create concrete proposals" to curb gun violence in the United States. Obama also called on Congress to reinstate an assault weapons ban that expired in 2004 to "pursue the possibility of limiting high-capacity ammunition clips" and to "close a gun show loophole that allows people to purchase firearms from private dealers without a background check."  What will come of this renewed debate is yet to be seen, but what is certain is that …

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Hultgren Announces House Science & National Labs Caucus

The new caucus will concentrate on reinforcing federal investment in research and the national laboratories.

Congressman Randy Hultgren has announced the formation of the House Science & National Labs Caucus. Hultgren is joined by Congressmen Chaka Fattah (D-PA-02), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM-03) and Alan Nunnelee (R-MS-01) who will serve as co-chairs of the new group, with other members of the 113th Congress expected to join next year. The new caucus will concentrate on reinforcing federal investment in research and the national laboratories, as well as raise awareness in and out of Congress about the role they play in long-term economic growth. “These laboratories, much like the rest of the economy, deserve certainty from the government so they can continue their important work with confidence,” Hultgren said. Hultgren, named earlier this year as the …

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Hultgren Win Brings GOP Dominance Back to Illinois' 14th Congressional District

Randy Hultgren coasts to an easy win over Democrat Dennis Anderson—the first incumbent to win 14th District re-election since Dennis Hastert.

In the days when House Speaker Dennis Hastert roamed the Earth, Illinois' 14th Congressional District was a guaranteed red-state Republican romp. The Grand Old Party had gone unbeaten, untied and unscored-upon in this conservative Chicago collar-county district since 1939, and when the former Yorkville High School wrestling coach rose to the lofty post of House speaker, it seemed there would be no end to the 14th District Republican dynasty. Then came Hastert's curious midterm retirement. And a nationwide Democratic insurgence. And Bill Foster’s 2008 win over Hastert’s hand-picked successor, Jim Oberweis. Randy Hultgren righted the 14th District ship for his political party with a close win over Foster in 2010 and sealed the deal Tuesday …

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Hultgren: Brace Yourself for Major Tax Bite in 2013

Bush, Obama tax cuts set to expire on Jan. 1, as new taxes are set to begin. The bite s expected to affect 84 percent of Americans.

Three months from Monday, Oct. 1, the nation will see the largest tax increase in history unless federal lawmakers act first to extend existing tax rates, U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-14th District, said in a release Monday. The tax rates set to expire Jan. 1 are the Bush-era tax cuts, which would push taxes back to 2001 levels, and President Barack Obama’s temporary tax cuts — a 2 percent payroll tax holiday and the earned income credit. The combination of the expiration of those two sets of tax cuts and new tax increases set to begin on Jan. 1 has been dubbed by CBS as a “fiscal cliff.” The impact is expected to mean a tax increase for 84 percent of Americans, according to the CBS report, and CBS’ Moneywatch is advising taxpayers prepare …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Dennis Doesn't Know

Plainfield resident weighs in on 14th Congressional district race.

I am an independent registered voter of Plainfield, and I recently had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Dennis Anderson who is running for the 14th Congressional district against Randy Hultgren.   Too often voters of both parties do not question the people that represent them, and rather vote a certain way because a (D) or an (R) is present on the ballot next to their name. While most of us are guilty of doing this at one point in our lives, it would benefit the individual to find out where our representatives stand on important issues. In the end, their representatives decisions effects them and their families. So when Dennis Anderson knocked on my door Friday, Sept. 14, I asked him some of these important questions. My first question was …

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Illinois Republicans Discuss Akin, Party Response

The GOP Senate candidate from Missouri came up during the Multi-County Young Republican Conference in Yorkville on Tuesday.

Within hours of GOP Senate candidate Todd Akin's deadline to withdraw from the race without a court order, Illinois congressmen were discussing his heavily criticized comments about "legitimate rape" and the party's reaction. Rep. Peter Roskam (6th District), who also is the Chief Deputy Whip, and Rep. Randy Hultgren (14th District) said Akin had a responsibility to Republicans to consider whether he could unseat Democrat Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri. “I hope he does look beyond himself," Hultgren said. "We’re at a tipping point right now. We do need the Senate, and we do need the White House.” Their comments came during a Multi-County Young Republican Conference in Yorkville designed to rally participants and help form talking points…

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UPDATE: March 2012 Primary: 14th Congressional District Results

Two Democrats are vying for the nomination in the 14th Congressional District. Check here for updated results.

UPDATE 8:55 p.m. This update includes totals for 92 percent of Lake County precincts reporting, 85 percent of DeKalb, 55 percent of McHenry, 65 percent of Kendall, 50 percent of DuPage, 73 percent of Will and 45 percent of the City of Aurora. *** UPDATE: 8:27 p.m. This update includes totals for 92 percent of Lake County precincts reporting, 41 percent of DeKalb, 18 percent of McHenry, 21 percent of Will and 1 percent of the City of Aurora. *** UPDATE: 7:46 p.m. This update includes totals for 71 percent of Lake County precincts reporting Dennis Anderson leading with 74.85 percent and Jonathan Farnick with 25.15 percent. *** U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren is running uncontested, but Democrats Jonathan Farnick and Dennis Anderson are slugging it …

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