Upstream Ideas

Priebus out. Kelly in. Is the President hitting the reset button with his new Chief of Staff? Can General John Kelly tame "Operation Chaos" in the White House? Who is anticipated to replace General Kelly as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security? Tim Carney, Senior Political Columnist for the Washington Examiner joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon is pushing for a tax reform plan that would include a new 44% top marginal rate on those making over $5 million annually. Under his plan, the revenue realized from that rate increase would pay for the relief to the bottom 99% of Americans. What is the likelihood of this plan passing? On Healthcare, how does the "Skinny Repeal" look in the Senate? Is Trump's treatment of Jeff Sessions something that will allow Conservatives to re-assert themselves or is it something that could further marginalize the Conservative base? 

In just 3 tweets Donald Trump reversed the Obama administration's policy that allowed transgender people to serve openly in the military. Was the decision political or was it about a budget? What will happen with regards to the transgendered men and women currently serving honorably in the military? Jed Babbin, Former United States Deputy Undersecretary of Defense and Contributor to the Washington Times and The American Spectator, joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Imran Awan, Debbie Wasserman Schultz' IT Consultant with substantial access to Congressional computer files, was arrested at the airport as he was trying to flee the months-long gaze of the FBI. Is this story being under-reported by the press and under-amplified by Republicans? What does the arrest of Awan mean about the evidence investigators have? How has Andrew McCabe done as acting FBI Director? FBI Special Agent, Officer in the U.S. Army and former member of Congress representing Michigan's Eighth District, Mike Rogers joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

A week after changing his chief of staff and several key advisors, Gov. Bruce Rauner continued his staff shakeup with the addition of Illinois Opportunity President Matthew Besler to lead his political team. On this edition of Illinois Rising, Dan Proft and Pat Hughes talk to Besler about how he plans to help Rauner's political operation. They also analyze Senate Bill 1,  Democrats' bailout of Chicago Public Schools, with state Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield). And they discuss how one suburban Chicago local government is working to save taxpayer money.

There have been 391 homicides in Chicago to date in 2017. That is 4 more than this point last year, when violent crime in the city reached a level not seen in decades. Part of self-defense is understanding firearms and ammunition. Why are there so many women fearful of firearms as a self-defense mechanism? How does Lynn Dunagan and "The Ladies of Steel Gun Club" aim to change the stigma around firearms and self-defense? Can informed and trained, law-abiding citizens help to reduce crime in their community? Dunagan joins Dan and Amy to discuss her mission and her work in Chicago. 

Yesterday, Jared Kushner testified in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee in regards to allegations of Russian Collusion. Does the sheer number of members of the Trump Administration being questioned by Special Counsel point to the Administration's guilt? If we are willing to follow the evidence wherever it leads, shouldn't we also be willing to accept the evidence, or lack of evidence, that is uncovered? What information should Americans be able to understand as a result of this investigation? Retired U.S. Army Officer, columnist and Strategic Analyst for Fox News Channel, Lt. Col. Ralph Peters joins Dan and Amy to discuss. 

In advance of the Senate's procedural vote on the GOP Healthcare Bill, POTUS - along with the "Victims of Obamacare" - delivered a message to Senate Republicans regarding their efforts on the legislation. How unusual is it for an insider like Mitch McConnell to not know how his caucus will vote on a significant piece of legislation? Will Senator John McCain's presence in the Senate for the vote be influential? Does Attorney General Jeff Sessions still have the confidence of Trump and his inner-circle? Where can you go to meet FNC Chief National Correspondent and author of 42 Faith: The Rest of the Jackie Robinson Story, Ed Henry at tomorrow's White Sox Game? Where will Dan be sitting? Henry joins Dan and Amy to discuss. 

Are House Speaker Madigan and Senate President Cullerton trying to manufacture a crisis by not sending the school funding reform bill to the Governor? When the bill gets to his desk, what will be the result of Governor Rauner’s amendatory veto? What does the hold harmless provision do? Will tax credits be included in the school funding reform bill?  Dan and Amy discussed with State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Champaign).

Jared Kushner released a statement saying he didn’t collude with Russian officials nor did he know the agenda of the meeting. Will Kushner’s closed-door testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee have any meaningful impact on the Trump administration? What will happen with Obamacare replacement this week? Can Trump’s new communications director keep the President on message? David Drucker, senior political correspondent for the Washington Examiner, joined Dan and Amy for a wide-ranging discussion on Kushner, Obamacare replacement, and the Trump communications team shake up.

Congressional Republicans will ultimately be judged on whether they can reduce Healthcare premiums. How do Congressional Republicans proceed if Obamacare Replace doesn't pass? Is there an alternate plan and how do you get the votes for it? Why does the individual mandate need to go? When can we expect to see some action on Tax Reform? CNN Senior Economist Stephen Moore joins Dan and John Kass to discuss.

What should the Trump administration do about the North Korea Regime? Should they drop tactical nuclear weapons on North Korea? What should we expect from Trump's meeting with Putin? Will Russia serve as an ally in Syria? Col. Cedric Leighton joined Dan & John Kass to discuss.

In June, 222,000 jobs were created. Are we on the cusp of the "Seven Fat Years?" Could Illinois still be dropped to Junk Status despite passing a budget? And what does it mean for the state if a credit rating agency does drop Illinois to junk status? Fox Business Contributor, Scott Shellady joins Dan Proft and Kristin McQueary to rain on sunny jobs numbers.

President Trump's speech in Poland on the ties that bind the West received very good reviews. He continues today to the G20 Summitt and a meeting with Vladimir Putin. What can we expect from this trip? Putin smiles through his lies. What does Trump need to do to keep the meeting on track? For the benefit of Jim Acosta, what is the difference between a "journalist" and an "advocate?" Fox News Contributor Steve Cortes joins Dan Proft and Kristin McQueary to discuss.

The "Fire the 15" campaign begins today to rid the General Assembly of the 15 Surrender Republicans who voted with Speaker Madigan and Democrats to pass a budget that included 32% permanent tax hike with no reforms. How much effort did the Governor put into corralling the 15 Surrender Republicans? Why does the IL Republican Party repeatedly fail to make their case and advance their vision, instead of just staking out the safest position? Is it time for a leadership change in the IL House Republican Caucus? State Representative Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) joins Dan Proft and Kristin McQueary to discuss.