Q: Should i buy this car ?
http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/mercedes_benz-slk_class-cars277048540;_ylt=AjAGRMq0iAyeQH4DoC7n7mmgRpN4;_ylv=3?sortcol=price&sortdir=up&modelyearlb=2005&askpriceub=any&askpricelb=any&deliverymileageub=any&deliverymileagelb=any&location=Chicago%2C+IL+60632&listingtype=used&model=slk_class&make=mercedes_benz&distance=50

A: No, I don’t recommend getting a Mercedes Benz used.

Used are Mercedes are very, very expensive to repair and maintain.

Q: What automobile should I buy? Jeep Grand Cherokee, VW GTI or Golf, PT Cruiser, or BMW 323i?
I live in the lovely city of Chicago so its a little bit crazy because its snows, rains, and its really windy. Also there’s a lot of traffic and I just drive downtown and around the neighborhood. I also have many girlfriends that will get in my car lol. I would like to know which one is cheap to maintain and is good quality. THE CAR WILL BE USED (2001-2004)

A: You also should compare car insurance quotes for cars before buying one, for example here – carinsurance.yoll.net

Q: I live in chicago and I want to know..how do i get to cantonberry mall in harvey using public transportation?
All i know is that it is in markham harvey, IL…I dont have a car yet so i need to know how to get there using public transportation…If anyone can tell me what time the buses stop running out there it would also be a heap of help..Thanks!!

A: Use this website to plan your trip. =)

http://tripsweb.rtachicago.com/

Q: Traveling to Chicago with small child?
Will be in Chicago in the near future with my wife and small child ( 1 year old). Are they any places that rent out strollers? Also, I have a reservation for a car and one for a shuttle to and from the airport. Should I keep the car if we don’t plan on leaving the city limits or just take the shuttle to the hotel and use the CTA while were in the city?
Yea, I need one of those umbrella strollers. Might keep the car just in case.

A: Unless you know the city well, driving is a real pain. The CTA buses and trains provide excellent service with very little waiting anywhere. you can get a map from their website if you like, or when you get to Chicago. I found it far better to use the CTA or an occasional cab. Taking your own umbrella stroller is a great idea…or even buy an inexpensive one when you get there if you do not want to have to bring one on the plane.

Q: I want to turn my garage into an apartment. What do I need to do or know?
I know a guy who lived in a garage that had been turned into an apartment. It was big enough for a one bedroom apartment. We have a double car garage and barely use it. We live in Chicago if the that helps.

A: you need to know your are going to need permits

Q: where is the train station or more near in palatine 60074, IL?
i want to go to chicago downtown using the train, i wish to left my car in the station cuz i want to move free in downtown and the parking spaces are too expensive…help please!

A: You’d have to go to the Palatine Metra Station which is at 137 W. Wood, Palatine, IL (847-359-0043) and runs on the Union Pacific Northwest (UP-NW) line (this line runs often, including weekends). If you go on the weekend, you can get a $5 weekend pass (unlimited rides all weekend for $5). Otherwise, it’s zone F to zone A and costs $4.75 each way for an adult.

Q: Cheapest car insurance in Chicago? Please help.?
I just need the most basic blah insurance for the used vehicle i just purchased for the “ChicagoLand/ChiTown” area. The cheapest is the bestest. I am a single woman age 27 with no tickets or wrecks on my history in the last 5 years or more. And I live in Evanston. Please tell me which is the cheapest-pretty pretty please. Thank you!!!
Thanks everyone

A: i pay 336.00 for liability for 12 months-with a not so good record – esco ins. agency – drive a old bmw.

Q: Chicago knife laws and self defence?
Hello, I want to know how the laws in Chicago see carrying and using a knife in self defence. From what I know it’s ok to carry a folder knife but I have no idea how it would be seen if said knife is used in self defence.

Is it ok to have a knife of legal size on you in stores or on the train?

And if you must know than I want to carry a knife only to protect myself from my mothers ex who we have a withstraining order against. He has a record and after he got out of jail for slashing my mothers tires he started throwing bricks at our windows, her car (well she was driving), left threatening calls and the cops can’t seem to find him or come fast enuff when she calls.

I have seen him out-side recently on my way to/ from school and he has expressed that he may come after me.

A: http://www.thehighroad.org/library/blades/knifelaws.html
that link has all the states knife laws

Q: Is Boston a better move than Chicago?
hello,

I’m considering relocating from NJ to either chicago or boston. I’ve never been to either place yet. I won’t have a car there so the cities I can move to (excusing NYC) are limited without needing a car. How is the pub. trans. system there without a car? Also, I keep hearing chicago is so segregated, etc. I’m really used to being around and befriending MANY different races and not blinking an eye. How is it in Boston for minorities and which areas are “mixed” with people and also safe? How much does rent go for, one bedroom, one bath? Any other details. Thanks.
** I have car, can’t stand driving it. Where ever I move I want to get rid of it before I go.

A: Ok you will want to move to Boston. I live in Boston and I am 26 lived here all my life. T accessible and Bus accessible. The T is what we call the subway here in Boston.

If you do choose Boston you will want to live right outisde the city, because it is wicked expensive to live in the city unless you have a few roommates that live with you.

For great cities outside Boston that are wicked close you may want to try Cambridge or Somerville. I live in Somerville and it is a great place to live and literally 5min outside Boston. Cambridge and Somerville are both safe and T and bus accessible. You save money on gas by comming here and there is so much more to do in the city and north and south of the city.

I know right now a one Bedroom in Somerville is at least $1000 a month.

Q: what do i need to do to report my van damaged by a water pipe breaking?
i live in from of a park and 2 days ago a pipe busted from the park and flooded our whole street on saturday night. sunday morning, we all awoke to about 10 cars, including my van that i use to transport my 10 year old son to school and he’s in a wheelchair,frozen into about 10inches of ice. the van had to be towed the next day to the mechanic and probably is damaged due to the flood and then the ice. i want to file a report or something so that the city of chicago can pay to get my van fixed. i’m not sure what to do to do that. if anyone can help me and advise what steps to take, it would be appreciated.

A: i feel sorry for you in adelaide australia about 16yrs ago pipe busted destroyed a house and noone paid up

Q: does parkin pass for 6 flags cover every six flags? And can i use it n like a rental car or my bestfriends?
If I buy the parking pass at Six Flags St. Louis in my car. Then go up to Six Flags in Chicago in my cousins car. Will my pass work?

A: You season parking pass WILL work. It doesn’t matter what car you’re in or if it is in a rental car. Season parking passes work at every Six Flags amusement park in North America. (They are only in North America)

Q: Will my car do better stored or continually used?
I’m leaving for school in Chicago this fall (I live about 50 miles away and can use the train as transportation). Hence I will have no need for my car (2003 Malibu). This car has to last me past college (I will be considered a sophomore). My older sister believes it’ll remain in better condition if it is used when I’m gone (she and my little sister intend to use it).
However, I disagree and believe if it’s in our garage and used on occasion when I’m home, that it’ll fair better then being continually put through use and nature over the years. I’m not an auto expert, but that’s my opinion.

A: Your car doesn’t need as much use as your sister probably has in mind in order to keep it in good shape.

I would:

Tell your sister, “sorry Sis, better get your own car”
Disconnect the negative battery terminal as others have said.
Put some Stabil gasoline stabilzer in the tank – that should keep the gas fresh (enough) for at least a year.
Not worry about the oil going bad, not gonna happen.
Start the car every chance you get, or get a trusted friend to start it up for you and drive it around a little about once a month to keep the tires from sitting on the same spot continually and keep all the seals happy.
Forget about putting it up on blocks or anything – not necessary.
Take note of the mileage on it – self-explanatory.
Make sure there are no spare keys floating around.
Get a cover for it if it’s not going to be garaged.
Consider getting a trickle charger for the battery – solar if it’s going to be outside, small electric one if it’s inside.
“Critter-proof” the air intake.
Keep the gas tank FULL. Air in the tank will absorb moisture and continually deposit water into the tank as it condenses.
Add some dry-gas to the tank to help take care of the water that WILL collect in the tank. In fact, start using dry-gas now to make sure it doesn’t start its storage session with water sitting in the tank.

Good luck in school.

Q: i have no idea which car to buy. help ):?
geez talk about the pressure of buying a used car for your first car. i kind of have an idea of what to look for but im not for sure.
out of these cars which one would i be better off going for?

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ctd/1327786009.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/1327768922.html

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/ctd/1327782851.html

A: Malibu out of all the choices.

I don’t like any of them though.

Q: Tollway Laws and restrictions in Chicago?
Soo I just moved to Chicago with a Nevada license plate and I believe I have passed through the Tollways in Chicago a few times without knowing what they are and paying them.

It has not been a week yet, and I wanted to go online and pay them online. However, I don’t even know when I passed one for the specific date and time and I don’t even know if I have actually passed one that I was required to pay. Oh and I also don’t know if I have, which one have I passed and how much do I owe I am pretty sure I have seen them several times all over the city, but for actually getting charged, I’m not sure!

Bottom line is I have no idea what I have done, how much I owe, and what are the possible consequences of not paying them off.

The car again is registered to Nevada and not under my name. I will be using it in Chicago for another 4 years though. I really want to pay these before it adds up to too much and before I get fined for it.

Please share with me all you know about the Tollway laws in Chicago since I don’t dare to call themselves to ask. They might tell me I must pay it for their own benefit and in reality I might not have to since I am registered out of state!

Thank you!

A: Go here:

http://www.illinoistollway.com/portal/page?_pageid=133,2008701&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

Q: How to make a Floridan car survive in the cold?
Hello!

So I just moved to Chicago from Orlando.

I know I need to get the oil changed, and do something about the tires, but is there anything else I need to do before it gets cold here? Any other fluids? What fluids use antifreeze up north?

My car and I have only survived in the extreme heat of Florida, and I don’t know how to prepare for the snowy weather.

thanks for any help!

A: I made the opposite move 4 years ago. I would just make sure that all fluids that are due for a change are changed, especially the coolant. Also get your battery tested. Other than that you should be ok.

Q: Getting a ticket while on Probation?
Okay, so heres the story,
About 9 months ago I got arrested on a controlled substance charge while living in Colorado for college. During that time I was given a deferred sentence for my felony. Since then I have completed my jail time, moved back to my home state of illinois, have a job and am paying back my fines and what not.
But the other day I was hanging out with some friends and they decided to do something stupid. While we were driving around they pulled over and used some fireworks in the car to blow up a mailbox. The whole time I was voicing my opinion that it was stupid and I wanted nothing to do with it, but they were my ride home so I didn;t just get out of the car. A couple days later they were caught, and I have been pulled into this. It isn’t a huge deal, but it looks like we are all going to get a traffic ticket for the offense. Is this going to affect my probation?
As for being out of the state I was initially arrested in, O received an Interstate Compact and am permitted to be in Illinois.

A: In my state the “No law enforcement contact as a responsible party” is only for criminal issues, not traffic offenses. If the ticket is for a civil infraction (and your state laws are the same), you’re fine. If the traffic offense is a misdemeanor, you might have some issues.

Q: Knife…laws. Can you carry one?
I live in Illinois. I want a knife to keep on me for protection. Is it legal to keep on in your pocket? How about it your car?
I would only use it for self defense but if i get pulled over one day or searched and I have one in the car or in my pocket.. and I committing a crime??

A: Illinois Criminal Code 720 ILCS 5/24-1. Unlawful Use of
Weapons. (a) A person commits the offense of unlawful use
of weapons when he knowingly… (2) Carries or possesses
with intent to use the same unlawfully against another, a
dagger, dirk, billy, dangerous knife, razor, stiletto,
broken bottle or other piece of glass… or any other
dangerous or deadly weapon of like character…
– 720 ILCS 5/33A-1… A person is considered armed with a
dangerous weapon… when he carries on or about his person
or is otherwise armed with a category I or category II
weapon. (b) A category I weapon is a [firearm or] a knife
with a blade at least 3 inches in length, dagger, dirk,
switchblade knife, stiletto, or any other deadly or
dangerous weapon of like character.
- 720 ILCS 5/24-1. Unlawful Use of Weapons. (a) A person
commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he
knowingly: (1) Sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses
or carries any… knife commonly referred to as a
switchblade knife, which has a blade that opens
automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring
or other device in the handle of the knife, or a ballistic
knife, which is a device that propels a knifelike blade as
a projectile by means of a coil spring, elastic material,
or compressed gas…
- 720 ILCS 5/33A-1… A person is considered armed with a
dangerous weapon… when he carries on or about his person
or is otherwise armed with a category I or category II
weapon. (b) A category I weapon is a [firearm or] a knife
with a blade at least 3 inches in length, dagger, dirk,
switchblade knife, stiletto, or any other deadly or
dangerous weapon of like character.

Illinois Case Law:
- “Possession of hunting knife is not a crime; however,
knowingly carrying or possessing dangerous weapon with
intent to use same unlawfully against another constitutes
offense…” (1982)
- “Weapon not listed in statute can become “dangerous weapon”
when it is used in a manner dangerous to well being of
individual threatened, and knife with blade less than 3
inches in length can be dangerous weapon if used in such
manner.” (1991)
- “A straight-blade razor did not constitute a per se
dangerous weapon, for purposes of armed violence
charge…” (1987)
- “Walking cane, even if not per se dangerous, was…
transformed by defendant’s usage into a dangerous weapon.”
(1977)

http://www.knife-expert.com

Q: How to cross the Canadian border? Need detailed help please.?
I need to get from Edmonton Canada to Illinois. I can’t afford a plane ticket and I need to get back home to Illinois ASAP because of a family emergency cutting our vacation short. I have two small children with me. I thought about renting a car but I don’t think they will let me cross the border with the car and return it to the US. Does anyone know if that is the case? Also, if they won’t let me cross the border with the car, is there anyway to get from the rental car place in Canada, across the border and to the nearest US car rental place affordably with 2 small children? And do you know where I should cross the border? What rental car biz should I use?

A: Couldn’t somebody in your family (since you said it was a family emergency) wire you the money to pay for the flight? If you can tell countless strangers on YA that you need the money, I don’t understand why telling your family the same thing would be so difficult.

Q: Are co-signers reported on credit for auto loan? (texas)?
Im a co-signer on technically my own car. I dont know how that happened with my girl being the primary. But anyway, I use to live in Illinois and they didnt report because they said it was an illinois law or something. How do I find out if this is the same for Texas? I would like these payments to show on my reports. I am with Chrysler Financial.

A: Auto loans should be reported on both signers credit the only thing that will show is either a “J” for joint or a “C” for co-sign under the lenders name on the left side of your report.

No one that looks at your credit will be able to tell who is the primary signer and who is the secondary signer.

I work for a Chrysler dealer and they should be reporting on both of you.

Q: People who worship Satan, I have a question about attending a church…….?
I am a satanist and I moved from Georgia to a place in Illinois called Crete. Once I arrived to Crete one of my top priorities was to get in touch with my fellow brothers of Satan. I wasn’t completely sure how to become admitted to the church for I was raised a satanist and my father was the one who took me to our church. I did however find the location of the church via internet. I went to their church and upon my arrival I noticed that there was a car parked out front so I went to the door. I knocked and nobody answered; I waited for 30 seconds or so and decided to leave. Once I got into my car and drove for 10 seconds I realized there was a car that was blocking me off and the car that was parked out front of the church approached me. I tried speaking to them but gunfire was used. I quickly drove around the car blocking me and I was chased for about a half of a mile (the church isn’t near much) and eventually escaped. I didn’t report any of this to the police because I do believe these people are my brothers. I want to know how I can admit myself to this church so they know that I am not one against them and I want to worship my god.

Thank-You.
-Alex Milton
None of this is a lie. I am not one that is very familiar with this website so I will say a few things that others have posted and respond to them.

To everyone who is saying things negative about Satan, just stop. If you don’t want to accept my beliefs then that is fine, don’t criticize me. Thank-You.

And to everyone who is saying I can relate to you because you’re an atheist is wrong. Atheists do not believe in a god, I do. He isn’t Jesus Christ but he is Satan.

Frater Athor: I am a Theistic satanist, first off. And secondly I was able to find the location of the church through responses in a thread, not an actual website. And I really cannot explain the shootings….possibly they saw me as an intruder or a threat? I really don’t understand those actions because it’s not like satanists to do so. Yet again, I don’t know how they are treated within this city.

A: trolling much?

Q: Should I transfer schools?
Right now I to go UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) and I might transfer to UWRF (U of Wisconsin, River Falls). I’m from Minnesota. Here are my reasons for each… opinions are appreciated

UIC:
The cultural diversity is a huge learning experience and something I wouldn’t have at River Falls.
I made some AWESOME friends here and leaving them would be devastating.
The city is a fun place.
I’ve already gotten to know the school/know my way around.
I might become an R.A. next year. (Free room & board)

UWRF:
Tuition is $12,000 compared to UIC’s $32,000 (MN students get in-state tuition at Wisconsin schools).
It’s only about an hour from home compared to 7 hours.
They have an award-winning elementary ed program which is what I want to do.
I can bring my car as opposed to using public transportation/walking.

A: “They have an award-winning elementary ed program which is what I want to do”

That is your answer.

Cultural diversity is great but you can have that during vacations from school and later when you choose where you want to teach.

You will not have to give up your friends. You will be able to keep in touch with Facebook and other internet sources. You will make new friends at the other school resulting in twice as many friends and contacts,

Most university cities are fun places because they attract a large number of people who are all the same age and are all confined to a small area (university campus)

You will get to know your way around another campus. Most universities are laid out in quite a simple manner. If you were smart enough to get into university, surely you can find a couple of classrooms.

Free room and board do not make up the difference in tuition. You might be an RA at the other school. You probably have good references and they can easily be accessed.

Q: Need Misdemeanor help?
I have a friend who went to court today in Illinois, and she got a Misdemeanor because she used improper use of Vehicle registration sticker, by using someone else’s sticker on her car! Now she has to go on trial next month, and the judge also mentioned she may have to pay $1000 Dollar fine or go to jail for 30 day’s. What is the chance of her going to jail?

A: The $1,000 and 30 days is the maximum. I doubt she will get anywhere near that.

She should make sure she renews her registration, and brings proof in court.

Q: if someone gives you 40 dollars to drive 5 hours to pick them up, are you suppose to say thank you?
because its not like the money is going to me, its going to my car so they can get home…they should be thanking me for using my resources and time…right? my bf just got mad because i didnt say thank you when he sent me money to go pick him up in chicago, i live on the tip of southern illinois

A: Forty dollars doesn’t even cover a trip like that. That is almost (but not quite enough) gas money, but is nothing for your time and fatigue, or wear and tear on your vehicle, or meal stops if you plan on having them.
How much did he thank you for making this loooooong trip for him? In this weather? Because he should be on his knees thanking you. You are very special that you would even consider doing that for him.

Q: I question to an Atheist, from a follower of Christ?
I have a question for an Atheist.

I was wondering (Not trying to offend anyone) but I was thinking, and I would just like someone who was atheist to explain to me what their take is on these things are:

1. In Revelations the bible speaks about a mark that will be given to all either on their right hand or forehead.
Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Revelation 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (666)
How would Prophets 2,000 years ago who were before the time of computers, cars, electronics know that there would be a chip used to buy and sell???
Now my first question is, doesn’t is strike you odd that every thing that the Bible said would happen in the end times is happening.
Earthquakes would be in diverse places (Matthew 24:7); Haiti, Chile, illinois, Japan …..
Deadly diseases would be prevalent (Matthew 24:7). The worldwide increase in AIDS deaths is almost inestimable. Over 160,000 Americans die of cancer each year
etc….
And now with the new health care plan stuff starting up, there is much to be said about the (V-Chip) and how it may be needed to help put all of our medical records in electronic files.
The V-Chip is inserted in your right hand. (Mark of the beast).
Revelation 16:2 tells us that a noisome, grievous sore befalls those who take the mark of the beast.
Revelation 16: 10, 11 tells us that they gnaw their tongues in pain from the sores
After the chip is inserted they keep saying that “Oh and you may get a few sores but its just a reaction to the chip,”
Now come on!
1. My second question is something i was thinking about while i was watching The Prince of Egypt.
My question is how does an Atheist explain how the Jewish people left Egypt without the wonders of God (parting the Sea etc)?
They didn’t make themselves a whole bunch of boats, and they didn’t shake hands with the Egyptians and say, “Hey, seriously you guys we are tired, we can’t work here anymore we’re leaving.” Egypt was one of the most powerful nations.
And there are sooo many more things that the Bible pin pointed that are happening how do you explain all of those.
Anyways those are my questions, and please no rude comments that are unnecessary.

A: Atheists probably do not like you talking about these kinds of things,but one day they will be sorry that they did not care.

Q: Under what circumstances do I need to get a smog check?
I moved out of California for about two years, and am now back in the state. My ‘98 Ford Windstar was originally licensed in California, then in Illinois, and now I have to get it re-licensed back in California.

I already paid the $112 DMV fee for title and registration, but they said I needed a smog check.

My question is… Do I need to get one if I used to live in the state? Or does the state require ALL cars to get smog checks upon registration, regardless of previous location?

A: See site below for more details. It looks like you would have had to get a new smog test anyway. California requires a smog check every other registration renewal period.

Q: 100 Facts (pt. 1)?
There are more cars in Southern California than there are cows in India.

The two-foot long bird called a Kea that lives in New Zealand likes to eat the strips of rubber around car windows.

The province of Alberta, Canada is completely free of rats.

Illinois has the most personalized license plates of any state.

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle; if the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle; if the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

There are two credit cards for every person in the United States.

The international telephone dialing code for Antarctica is 672.

The average chocolate bar has 8 insect legs in it.

There are 206 bones in the adult human body, but 300 in children (some of the bones fuse together as a child grows).

Fleas can jump 130 times higher than their own height. In human terms this is equal to a 6 foot person jumping 780 feet into the air.

Snakes are true carnivores as they eat nothing but other animals. They do not eat any type of plant material.

There are no poisonous snakes in Maine.

The blue whale can produce sounds up to 188 decibels. This is the loudest sound produced by a living animal and has been detected as far away as 530 miles.

The human eye blinks an average of 4,200,000 times a year.

It takes approximately 12 hours for food to entirely digest.

Erosion at the base of Niagara Falls (USA) undermines the shale cliffs and as a result, the falls have receded approximately 7 miles over the last 10,000 years.

The longest living cells in the body are brain cells which can live an entire lifetime.

The Main Library at Indiana University sinks over an inch every year because when it was built engineers failed to take into account the weight of all the books that would occupy the building.

North Dakota has never had an earthquake.

Alexander Graham Bell (who invented the telephone) also set a world water-speed record of over seventy miles an hour at the age of 72.

There is enough fuel in a full tank of a jumbo jet to drive an average car four times around the world.

Hawaii is moving toward Japan 4 inches every year.

Chimps are the only animals that can recognize themselves in a mirror.

The leg bones of a bat are so thin that no bat can walk.

There are more living organisms on the skin of a single human being than there are human beings on the surface of the earth.

Ants do not sleep.

Marilyn Monroe had six toes on one foot.

If you keep a goldfish in the dark room, it will eventually turn white.

Women blink nearly twice as much as men.

In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.

Almonds are members of the peach family.

Maine is the only state whose name is just one syllable.

Americans on the average eat 18 acres of pizza every day.

One person in two billion will live to be 116 or older.

If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days, you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee.

February 1865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a full moon.

More people are killed by donkeys annually than are killed in plane crashes.

Lorne Greene had one of his nipples bitten off by an alligator while he was host of “Lorne Greene’s Animal Kingdom”.

The dot that appears over the letter “i” is called a tittle.

All major league baseball umpires must wear black underwear while on the job (in case their pants split).

The Spanish word esposa means “wife.” The plural, esposas, means “wives,” but also “handcuffs.”

If all Americans used one third less ice in their drinks the United States would become a net exporter instead of an importer of energy.

If the Nile River were stretched across the United States, it would run nearly from New York to Los Angeles.

San Francisco cable cars are the only National Monuments that move.

The Hoover Dam was built to last 2,000 years. Its concrete will not be fully cured for another 500 years.

Abraham Lincoln’s dog, Fido, was assassinated too.

All of David Letterman’s suits are custom made – there are no creases in his suit trousers.

Cranberry Jell-O is the only flavor that contains real fruit flavoring.

Fewer than half of the 16,200 major league baseball players have ever hit a home run.

In comic strips, the person on the left always speaks first.

Richard Versalle, a tenor performing at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House, suffered a heart attack and fell 10 feet from a ladder to the stage just after singing the line “You can only live so long.”

If the entire population of earth was reduced to exactly 100 people, 51% would be female, 49% male; 50% of the world’s currency would be held by 6 people, one person would be nearly dead, one nearly born.

In 1920, Babe Ruth out-homered every American League team.

Topless saleswomen are legal in Liverpool, England, but only in tropical fish stores.

Toxic house plants poison more children than household chemicals.

The original name of Bank of America was Bank of Italy.

The ant, when intoxicated, will always fall over to its right side.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has issued six driver’s licenses to six different people named Jesus Christ.

Michael Jordan makes more money from Nike each year than all the Nike factory workers in Malaysia combined.

People in China and Japan die disproportionately on the 4th of each month because the words death and four sound alike, and they are represented by the same symbol.

Chicago is closer to Moscow than it is to Rio de Janeiro.

Dogs have two sets of teeth, just like humans. They first have 30 “puppy” teeth, then 42 adult teeth.

In 1950, President Harry Truman threw out the first ball twice at the opening day Washington DC baseball game; once right handed and once left handed.

A Swiss ski resort announced it would combat global warming by wrapping its mountain glaciers in aluminum foil to keep them from melting.

The chameleon has a tongue that is one and a half times the length of his body.

Beethoven dipped his head in cold water before he composed.

There once was a town named “6″ in West Virginia.

Ten years ago, only 500 people in China could ski. This year, an estimated 5,000,000 Chinese will visit ski resorts.

In 1920, Babe Ruth broke the single season home run record, with 29. The same year, he became the first major leaguer to hit 30 home runs. The same year, he became the first major leaguer to hit 40 home runs. The same year, he became the first major leaguer to hit 50 home runs.

A Nigerian woman was caught entering the UK with 104 kg of snails in her baggage.

Profanity is typically cut from in-flight movies to make them suitable for general audiences. Fox Searchlight Pictures has substituted “Ashcroft” for “A**hole” in the movie Sideways when dubbed for Aerolineas Argentinas flights.

Author Hunter S. Thompson, who committed suicide recently, wanted to be cremated and his ashes to be shot out of a cannon on his ranch.

Sports Illustrated magazine allows subscribers to opt out of receiving the famous swimsuit issue each year. Fewer than 1% choose this option.

There is a company that will (for $14,000) take your ashes, compress them into a synthetic diamond to be set in jewelry for a loved one.

The RIAA sued an 83 year old woman for downloading music illegally, even though a copy of her death certificate was sent to the RIAA a week before it filed the suit.

Two 1903 paintings recently sold at auction for $590,000 – the paintings were in the famous “Dogs Playing Poker” series.

Russian scientists have developed a new drug that prolongs drunkenness and enhances intoxication.

Romanian firefighters could not get their trucks close enough to a burning building, so they put out the fire by throwing snowballs at it.

A perfect SAT score is 1600 combined. Bill Gates scored 1590 on his SAT. Paul Allen, Bill’s partner in Microsoft, scored a perfect 1600. Bill Cosby scored less than 500 combined.

Motorists traveling outside Salem, Oregon saw one of the “litter cleanup” signs crediting the American Nazi party. Marion County officials had no choice but to let that group into the adopt-a-road program. The $500 per sign was picked up by Oregon taxpayers. The Ku Klux Klan is also involved in the adopt-a-road program in the state of Arkansas.

Spam filters that catch the word “cialis” will not allow many work-related e-mails through because that word is embedded inside the word “specialist”.

McDonald’s restaurants will buy 54,000,000 pounds of fresh apples this year. Two years ago, McDonald’s purchased 0 pounds of apples. This is attributed to the shift to more healthy menu options (the Apple Pie, which has been at McDonald’s for years uses processed Apple Pie Filling).

The biggest dog on record was an Old English Mastiff that weighed 343 pounds. He was 8 feet, 3 inches from nose to tail.

Mailmen in Russia now carry revolvers after a recent decision by the government.

All of Queen Anne’s 17 children died before she did.

There are over 87,000 Americans on waiting lists for organ transplants.

American made parts account for only 1% of the Chrysler Crossfire. 96% of the Ford F-150 Heritage Truck is American.

A Dutch court ruled that a bank robber could deduct the 2,000 Euros he paid for his pistol from the 6,600 Euros he has to return to the bank he robbed.

Only 6% of the autographs in circulation from members of the Beatles are estimated to be real.

The time spent deleting SPAM costs United States businesses $21.6 billion annually.

60.7 percent of eligible voters participated in the 2004 presidential election, the highest percentage in 36 years. However, more than 78 million did not vote. This means President Bush won re-election by receiving votes from less than 31% of all eligible voters in the United States.

John Quincy Adams, sixth president of the United States, loved to skinny dip in the Potomac River.

La Paz, Bolivia has an average annual temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it has never recorded a zero-degree temperature. Same for Stanley, Falkland Islands and Punta Arenas, Chile.

41% of Chinese people eat at least once a week at a fast food restaurant. 35% of Americans do.

A Wisconsin forklift operator for a Miller beer distributor was fired when a picture was published in a newspaper showing him drinking a Bud Light.

G-rated family films earn more money than any other rating. Yet only 3% of Hollywood’s output is G-rated.

Richard Hatch, winner of the first “Survivor” reality series, has been charged with tax evasion for failing to report his $1,000,000 prize.

The entire fleet of Unicoi County Tennessee’s salt trucks was rendered out of commission in one accident. All three trucks were badly damaged when one of them began skidding down a road, causing a chain reaction accident. Officials blamed road conditions.

More people study English in China than speak it in the United States of America (300 million).

Fast food provider Hardee’s has recently introduced the Monster Thickburger. It has 1,420 calories and 107 grams of fat.
Sorry it’s so long lol. Something to do right?
And yes….PART ONE!!!!
More will come….eventually…

A: Thanks!! I love learning random facts to tell my friends! They always wonder how I find things like that out!!

Q: Financial Aid Question : Help?
I plan to attend a community college in California; I am an Illinois resident.

My Pell grant will be $4,000 but I do not have enough money.

My parents make little money, so I think I would get a federal subsidized loan.

The maximum amount for that loan is $3,500.

To attend the community college I want to go to, it will be $6,000 for my first year.

So, I was wondering if I get a federal subsidized loan, will I be able to use some of the extra $1,500 for car expenses.

I am 2,000 miles from the college. Or does the money from the stafford loan only have to be used for education??

Oh, the $6,000 to attend the college is just the bare minimum number of classes that is considered full-time.

Any help would be appreciated!

A: There are government loans & grants, and then there are private loans & scholarships.

try to aim for grants/scholarships more… they are not to be paid back. its confusing sometimes, but just keep applying. Scholarships usually have a 1 or 2 page application, and require an essay. Take your time with the essay, so yours stands out.

every big (and small) company you see (manufacturer, orgs, corps and groups also) all have grants and scholarships they hand out like candy. Walmart, Kmart, Target, Coke, computer companies etc etc etc

here are some links with a HUGE list of what is available. some you will need to copy and paste into a new window. also, fastweb (take the time to fill it in) will search databases and get back to you with a list of scholarships you qualify for.

Also contact all mens, womens associations in your state, they almost always have grants & scholarships. What ever field you are going into, contact the orgs, associations etc for them; Also check with professional organizations related to your career interests, such as the American Bar Association or the American Medical Association. they also always have scholarships. Research and dig, call then write. Its all worth it.

OVER apply; it doesnt hurt to have too many, and the extra funds can help with housing.

YOU WILL NEED ADOBE READER:
(yes, its free)

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

TESTING & PRACTICE TESTS
(SATs, PSATs, ACT, GRE LSAT, MCAT, GMAT,TOEFL, etc)
http://www.kaptest.com/college
http://collegeboard.com/splash/
http://act.org/
http://lsac.org
http://toefl.org
http://www.ets.org
http://www.gre.org
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat

http://www.gmac.org

TURNITIN
(don’t copy papers, teachers/professors
DO check your papers with this)
http://turnitin.com/static/home.html

http://plagiarism.org/

INFO
NACAC & COMMONAPP
http://www.nacacnet.org/MemberPortal/
http://commonapp.org/

http://nsse.iub.edu/index.cfm

DVD TOURS OF COLLEGES

http://collegiatechoice.com/

CRIME STATS, DATA OF COLLEGES

http://ope.ed.gov/security/search.asp

SCHOLARSHIP LIST
http://scholarshipamerica.org/
http://www.lifebridge.org/gran-list-alph.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/nj4/njcomputerchick/school.html

http://www.chrome.org/scholarshiplist.html

MORE SCHOLARSHIPS, HELP & INFO:
http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/servlet/scholarshipsearchservlet?SS_ACTION=DB_SEARCH&pageIndex=1
https://www.collegedata.com/cs/search/scholar/scholar_search_tmpl.jhtml?Referrer=OvScholar
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-jobs.htm
http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/other.phtml
http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/
http://www.back2college.com/library/scholarships.htm
http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/
http://www.scholarshiphelp.org/
http://www.findtuition.com/scholarships/
http://www.collegeconfidential.com/
http://college-scholarships.com/
http://www.statefarm.com/about/part_spos/grants/grants.asp
http://www.gmsp.org
http://www.gmsp.org/gmsp_web/(nb5ctd55gavpfi55bb3a3j45)/scholarships.aspx
http://www.sfa.ufl.edu:16080/scholarshipcafe/
http://www.edsf.org/scholarshipAwards.cfm
http://www.fafsaonline.com/
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
http://www.feea.org/
http://www.greenzone.org/
http://www.salliemae.com/
http://www.ed.gov/finaid/landing.jhtml
http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/
http://www.educationplanner.com/ss/code/Profile1.asp?level=u&region=s&mode=EDIT&sponsor=2859&volume=SS&e&h
http://www.studentawards.com/
http://www.collegeanswer.com/index.jsp
http://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/
http://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/Detailed/Scholarships/Meta_indexes_and_other_scholarship_directories/Women_s_and_Non-traditional_students_scholarships_meta-directory_126.php
http://www.akaeaf.org/programsandinitiatives/
http://www.schoolsoup.com/
http://www.blackexcel.org/link4.htm
http://www.dellscholars.org/
http://www.thurgoodmarshallfund.org/
http://www.jackierobinson.org/
http://www.bpwusa.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=4212
http://www.wilsonfund.org/scholarships/scholarships.shtml
http://www.uncf.org/
http://www.socxfbi.org/login.asp?reason=denied_empty&script_name=/cgi-alumni/adir2.dll&path_info=/search&sitename=FBI&scroll=10&p=1&S=scholarships&x=0&y=0
http://www.finaid.org/
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp
http://www.act.org/recognition/clients.html
http://www.act.org/kfcscholars/index.html
http://www.kfcscholars.org/
http://www.rhodesscholar.org/
http://www.collegedata.com/
http://www.fastweb.com/
http://www.getreadyforcollege.org/gPg.cfm?pageID=139
http://www.policylink.org/EDTK/AH101/Financing.html#4

http://www.hud.gov/grants/index.cfm

MISC FIELDS OF STUDY
http://www.arts.ucla.edu/support_ucla/primary.htm
http://www.act.org/goldwater/yybull.html
http://www.act.org/recognition/clients.html
http://whereyouheaded.com/
http://luth.org/schools.htm
http://www.nwboatschool.org/
http://soloschools.com/
http://www.nols.edu/wmi/

http://etruscanfoundation.org/

NURSING / CNA
http://www.scholarships-ar-us.org/grants/nursing.htm
http://www.dar.org/natsociety/edout_scholar.cfm
http://nursingworld.org/nursecareer/edfund.htm
http://www.medi-smart.com/finaid.htm
http://www.discovernursing.com/nursing-scholarship-search
http://www.ncaa.org/about/scholarships.html
http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/DSA/nsl.htm
http://www.nsna.org/foundation/
http://www.4cnas.com
http://www.choosenursing.com/
http://www.minoritynurse.com/
http://www.tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/subptyschol.inc
http://www.straightforwardmedia.com/nursing/

http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/scholarship/

BECOMING A TEACHER
http://www.siemens-foundation.org/TeacherScholarship/
http://www.aft.org/teachers/jft/becoming.htm
http://www.fseog.com/
http://www.childcareservices.org/ps/teach.html

http://www.act.org/recognition/clients.html

CHILDREN OF MILITARY
http://www.militaryscholar.org/about/about.shtml
http://www.mcsf.com/site/c.ivKVLaMTIuG/b.1677655/k.BEA8/Home.htm
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm <-do search for ‘scholarships’
http://www.milspouse.org/Educ/Fund/MilFScholar/

http://www.aerhq.org/education_dependentchildren.asp

INTERNSHIPS
http://www.fasttrackinternships.com/
http://www.internprograms.com/
http://www.brillstreet.com/

http://ceri.msu.edu/

DEPENDENCY or NOT

http://www.salliemae.com/get_student_loan/apply_student_loan/understanding/financial_aid/dependency/

LOAN FORGIVENESS
http://www.pheaa.org/loanforgiveness/healthier_futures.shtml
http://www.aft.org/teachers/jft/loanforgiveness.htm
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/cancelstaff.jsp?tab=repaying
http://www.finaid.org/loans/forgiveness.phtml
http://www.aessuccess.org/manage/cant_make_payment/Federal_Teacher_Loan_Forgiveness.shtml
http://www.staffordloan.com/repayment/forgiveness.shtml

http://www.educationplanner.com/ss/code/Profile1.asp?level=u&region=s&mode=EDIT&sponsor=2859&volume=SS&e&h

STATUS OF LOAN OR AID

http://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/

IF YOU DON’T HAVE YOUR PIN yet (for your loan / aid status) apply for one:

http://www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.jsp

ESSAY HELP
http://essayedge.com/
http://www.scholarshiphelp.org/
http://www.gradesaver.com/resources/scholarship.html
http://www.collegeadmissionsessays.com/
http://www.nataviguides.com/broke_essay.html
http://www.princetonreview.com/college/apply/articles/process/essayjump.asp
http://www.scholarshipessay.us/
http://www.freschinfo.com/tips-brainstorming.php
http://www.freschinfo.com/tips-topic.php

http://www.korepetycje.com/Essays_Articles/scholarshipessay.html

GRANT SCHOLARSHIP SCAM LIST
(if you find a scam report it here too)
http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer/media_psas_classads.html

http://www.actstudent.org/finaid/scholarshipscams.html

LOANS
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DirectLoan/index.html
http://www.acteducationloans.com/
http://www.finaid.org/loans/educationlenders.phtml
http://www.financialaid.com/plus/index.cfm?id=plusloans
http://www.alternativestudentloan.com/
http://www.parentplusloan.com/
http://www.financialaidpodcast.com/about/
http://www.myspace.com/financialaidpodcast

http://www.FinancialAidPodcast.com

GRAD LOANS & SCHOLARSHIP
http://www.gradloans.com/graduate-plus-loan/
http://www.gfoa.org/services/scholarships.shtml

http://www.akaeaf.org/programsandinitiatives/

DEFAULTED STUDENT LOANS

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DCS/index.html

CONSOLIDATE LOANS
http://loanconsolidation.ed.gov/
http://www.plusloanconsolidator.com/
http://www.salliemae.com/after_graduation/manage_your_loans/consolidate_student_loans/student_loan_consolidation.htm
http://www.salliemae.com/content/privateconsolidation/index.html

http://loanconsolidation.ed.gov/

TEACHER / PROFESSORS reviews, rated by students
http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/index.jsp
http://teacherreviews.com/

http://pickaprof.com/

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
http://www.edupass.org/finaid/
http://www.irex.org/programs/grants.asp
http://ciee.org/
https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/home.html
http://www.iie.org/programs/gilman/index.html
http://www.iie.org/programs/gilman/resources.html
http://www.iefa.org/
http://www.iefa.org/resources/
http://educationusa.state.gov/
http://college-scholarships.com/
http://www.studyabroad.com/forum/financial_aid.html
http://www.internationalstudent.com/
http://www.internationalscholarships.com/
http://www.internationalstudentloan.com/
http://www.globalslc.com/
http://www.edupass.org/finaid/loans.phtml
http://www.abroadplanet.com/student-loans/the-global-student-loan-corporation/
http://www.salliemae.com/international/
FROM OTHER COUNTRIES

http://fordfound.org/

HISPANIC SCHOLARSHIPS
http://www.hsf.net/
http://www.scholarshipsforhispanics.org/
http://www.statefarm.com/about/part_spos/grants/hispanic.asp
http://www.hsfi.org/
http://scholarships.hispanicfund.org/applications/
http://www.chci.org/chciyouth/scholarship/scholarship.htm

http://www.bpwusa.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=4212

Q: So what do you think about stimulus bill that is going to get pass.?
Remember, this economic stimulus bill is supposed to be used as a catalyst to re-start our economy. Period.

$1 billion for Amtrak, which hasn’t earned a profit in four decades.

$400 million for research into global warming.

$2.4 billion for projects to demonstrate how carbon greenhouse gas can be safely removed from the atmosphere.

Remember, this economic stimulus bill is supposed to be used as a catalyst to re-start our economy. Period.

$650 million for coupons to help consumers convert their TV sets from analog to digital, part of the digital TV conversion.

$600 million to buy a new fleet of cars for federal employees and government departments.

$75 million to fund programs to help people quit smoking.

$21 million to re-sod the National Mall, which suffered heavy use during the Inauguration.

Remember, this economic stimulus bill is supposed to be used as a catalyst to re-start our economy. Period.

$2.25 billion for national parks. This item has sparked calls for an investigation, because the chief lobbyist of the National Parks Association is the son of Rep. David R. Obey, D-Wisc. The $2,25 billion is about equal to the National Park Service’s entire annual budget. The Washington Times reports it is a threefold increase over what was originally proposed for parks in the stimulus bill. Obey is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

$335 million for treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

$50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts. $4.19 billion to stave off foreclosures via the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The bill allows nonprofits to compete with cities and states for $3.44 billion of the money, which means a substantial amount of it will be captured by ACORN, the controversial activist group currently under federal investigation for vote fraud. Another $750 million would be exclusively reserved for nonprofits such as ACORN – meaning cities and states are barred from receiving that money. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., charges the money could appear to be a “payoff” for the partisan political activities community groups in the last election cycle.

$44 million to renovate the headquarters building of the Agriculture Department.

Remember, this economic stimulus bill is supposed to be used as a catalyst to re-start our economy. Period.

$32 billion for a “smart electricity grid to minimize waste.

$87 billion of Medicaid funds, to aid states.

$53.4 billion for science facilities, high speed Internet, and miscellaneous energy and environmental programs.

Remember, this economic stimulus bill is supposed to be used as a catalyst to re-start our economy. Period.

$13 billion to repair and weatherize public housing, help the homeless, repair foreclosed homes.

$20 billion for quicker depreciation and write-offs for equipment.

$10.3 billion for tax credits to help families defray the cost of college tuition.

$20 billion over five years for an expanded food stamp program.

Remember, this economic stimulus bill is supposed to be used as a catalyst to re-start our economy. Period.

Now how about those earmarks…?

$2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Dept. of Energy defunded last year because the project was inefficient

$650 million for the digital television (DTV) converter coupon program

$88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (ship)

$448 million for constructing the Dept. of Homeland Security HQ

$248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters

$600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees

$400 million for the CDC to screen and prevent STD’s

$1.4 billion for a rural waste disposal programs

$125 million for the Washington, D.C. sewer system

$150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities

$1 billion for the 2010 Census, projected cost overrun of $3 billion

$75 million for “smoking cessation activities”

$200 million for public computer centers at community colleges

$75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI

$25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction

$500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River

$10 million to inspect canals in urban areas

$6 billion to turn federal buildings into “green” buildings

$500 million for state and local fire stations

$650 million for wildland fire management on Forest Service lands

$150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities

$1.2 billion for “youth activities,” including youth summer job programs

$88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service

$412 million for CDC buildings and property

$500 million for building and repairing NIH facilities in Bethesda, MD

$160 million for “paid volunteers” at the Corporation for National and Community Service

$5.5 million for “energy efficiency initiatives” at the VA “National Cemete

A: ITS THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT.

So come on democRATS…lets hear from you. Do you really support this bill? If so….tell us why. And justify if you will, all the pork spending.

Q: Can someone please advise me on this? I am really having a difficult time making this life changing decision.?
When I was 20 my wife(g/f at the time) and I foudn out we were having a baby. We quickly jumped into an accelerated college program (i went for business and she went for accounting) to make sure we would be able to provide for our son and be very wealthy. During the last 3 years I was working a job m-f 7:00 am- 2:30p.m and also work 4 hours saturday and 4 hours sunday. I would go to school two days a week from 5-9:30 at night and either take a saturday class or an online class. Well I got really used to the schedule and having time. I would get home on days I didn’t have school spend a few hours with my son then go to the gym with my friends and my brother for 2 hours and then come home most days to spend time with my family and other times go to my friends house and just hang out a little. A perfect balance right? Well I graduated in December and a friend from school who like my work at school was actually pretty high up in a fortune 300 company and he was able to get me a supervisor job that I started early February. Since I have started the job I have been miserable. My thoughts are very depressed. I can not help but to think how short life is and how life is going to fly by. I don’t think in days I only think in years. Things I used to enjoy doing I do not get the same enjoyment or I feel I don’t have the time to balance those things. The hours are 3:30 in the morning till about 4:40 or sometimes to 6:00 at night. Other hours I work are 4:45 to 3:30(which isn’t that horrible) and currently I am working 3:00p.m. to 1 or 2 a.m. I will be 24 years old at the end of next month and I feel so trapped. I have been thinking about going back to school to get a Secondary Education Degree in Matematics( which is what I went to college for when i was 18 but dropped out because I was still dealing with issues from my moms deatht he past year). My wife wants to go to school to teach younger kids as well. Since we both already have bachelor’s degrees it will take only 2 years maximum to get the education degrees. I am scared to take this chance because I do get paid pretty well( just under 50k) fresh out of college and I will get two nice raises int he first year and I am not sure if the economy will have any teaching jobs open for me when I graduate. I would work while going to school but teaching programs do not have night school. I feel that I may be also too old to make this change. One benefit I might have is that the Department Head of math, the vice principal, and a teacher of over 18 years in the math department at my old highs chool all said they would put their names on the line to get me a job and that math teachers are always needed. I am sure I would have the balance of time and decent pay again when i get a math teaching job. Where I am from in Illinois , math teachers start out about 45k. I really want to be happy again and enjoy life but also be able to enjoy what I do and provide for my son. By the way we live with my wifes parents. So my bills are cell phone($130/month), car insurance on two cars($150/month), which I would bring down to one car if we went to school, rent ( $250/month), cable t.v. which I cna cancel and a gym membership I can cancel. All other bills are just food and gas and entertainment. Please give me some advice. All I hear all the time is how lucky i am to have a job and that gets really frustrating being how miserable I am. I do not have insurance yet for another month so I can’t see a therapist yet either.
For the comment about walking in poor people shoes. Since my parents split when I was 14 and mom died at 17 I have lived in my car for months and slept in tents during the summer even while working and going to school full time which makes this decision even tougher now that I actually have money.

A: Holy crap. You are working fifteen hour days. Not worth it. I think a higher education degree is a good option, but are you sure you are not fleeing to school to get out of some responsibility or to avoid growing up? If not, than go for it. But if one of those reasons is true (although you seem responsible and grown up to me) there are plenty of jobs that pay fairly well and have eight or nine hour days. You should look into one of those. Fifteen hours is grueling and just crazy, so even if you have to take a significant pay cut, it is worth the time you can spend with your wife and kids.

Q: Help!!! Please give me your opinion or advice!?
When I was 20 my wife(g/f at the time) and I foudn out we were having a baby. We quickly jumped into an accelerated college program (i went for business and she went for accounting) to make sure we would be able to provide for our son and be very wealthy. During the last 3 years I was working a job m-f 7:00 am- 2:30p.m and also work 4 hours saturday and 4 hours sunday. I would go to school two days a week from 5-9:30 at night and either take a saturday class or an online class. Well I got really used to the schedule and having time. I would get home on days I didn’t have school spend a few hours with my son then go to the gym with my friends and my brother for 2 hours and then come home most days to spend time with my family and other times go to my friends house and just hang out a little. A perfect balance right? Well I graduated in December and a friend from school who liked my work at school was actually pretty high up in a fortune 300 company and he was able to get me a supervisor job that I started early February. Since I have started the job I have been miserable. My thoughts are very depressed. I can not help but to think how short life is and how life is going to fly by. I don’t think in days I only think in years. Things I used to enjoy doing I do not get the same enjoyment or I feel I don’t have the time to balance those things. The hours are 3:30 in the morning till about 4:40 or sometimes to 6:00 at night. Other hours I work are 4:45 to 3:30(which isn’t that horrible) and currently I am working 3:00p.m. to 1 or 2 a.m. I will be 24 years old at the end of next month and I feel so trapped. I have been thinking about going back to school to get a Secondary Education Degree in Matematics( which is what I went to college for when i was 18 but dropped out because I was still dealing with issues from my moms death the past year). My wife wants to go to school to teach younger kids as well. Since we both already have bachelor’s degrees it will take only 2 years maximum to get the education degrees. I am scared to take this chance because I do get paid pretty well( just under 50k) fresh out of college and I will get two nice raises in the first year and I am not sure if the economy will have any teaching jobs open for me when I graduate. I would work while going to school but teaching programs do not have night school. I feel that I may be also too old to make this change. One benefit I might have is that the Department Head of math, the vice principal, and a teacher of over 18 years in the math department at my old high school all said they would put their names on the line to get me a job and that math teachers are always needed. I am sure I would have the balance of time and decent pay again when i get a math teaching job. Where I am from in Illinois , math teachers start out about 45k. I really want to be happy again and enjoy life but also be able to enjoy what I do and provide for my son. By the way we live with my wifes parents. So my bills are cell phone($130/month), car insurance on two cars($150/month), which I would bring down to one car if we went to school, rent ( $250/month), cable t.v. which I cna cancel and a gym membership I can cancel. All other bills are just food and gas and entertainment. Please give me some advice. All I hear all the time is how lucky i am to have a job and that gets really frustrating being how miserable I am. I do not have insurance yet for another month so I can’t see a therapist yet either.

A: You said a teaching career is 45k per year so you really are not going to lose that much money, if you change careers.. Here are some things to think about:
You will be doing this [career] for approx. 30 yrs.——–you will either love going to a job you love for 30 yrs. or HATE going to a job you hate for 30 yrs.
Of course you want to make great money this makes it easier to provide for your family BUT there is nothing worse than spending 30 years doing something that makes you miserable. If you’re already miserable imagine how sickening it will feel doing this 5 or 10 yrs. from now….
There will always be a demand for teachers..People will always require learning. There may be a freeze in your area, but there will always be a job somewhere for teachers..A teaching career is along the lines as nursing, in nursing there will always be sick people needing care and in teaching there will always be people who will need to be taught.
My advice is, while you are motivated, while you can, make a career decision that is going to be fulfilling inside of you. Your wife and child will be thankful to have a husband and father around who is happy and content, they will be happy that he is able to provide financially and emotionally…
Best to you and your family…:)

Q: So my friend is taking his drivers license test in chicago..?
he asked to use my car, im okay with it, but the insurance is under my dads name, im on the account too, but will this be a problem?

A: This is not only going to be problem but if anything should happen your dad will be responsible plus the insurance company may not cover your friend………

Q: So my friend is taking his drivers license test in chicago..?
he asked to use my car, im okay with it, but the insurance is under my dads name, im on the account too, but will this be a problem?

A: I your Dad has Full Comrehensive insurance then no problem..

Q: How much would it cost me to manage a car?
I’m 18 years old and a freshman in college. I live at home and I don’t work

I will have $2,500 in the bank by the summertime because I get financial aid checks from my school which I deposit straight to the bank. My classes are already paid off. All this money is going to a car.

My goal is to purchase a car by June 1st.
I want to spend about $1,000-$1,5000 on a used car that works. Pretty much anything that could get me from Point A to Point B and looks decent.

I live in Chicago and I will have to get
a city sticker [around $60 I think]
insurance [could anyone estimate what I might pay for 1 year? I have had my license for over 2.5 years and I clean record.]
gas money [Most of my friends live near me and I don't expect to spend alot on gas]
repair fund [just in case something goes wrong I want to have extra cash.]
do I need anything else? I don’t want a big sound system or rims or anything.
I’m not a big spender. All the bank money goes towards the car, I have a couple hundreds for other stuff so I won’t be taking money out of my car fund for clothes, food, etc. I get my next check for about $1,500 around November of 2008. Do you think I would be able to manage my car until November of this year without going broke?

A: i would suggesst you to save some more money for next year and buy a decent car with it..

the amount of money you are planning to buy a car from..is a bit tooo less..yeah obviously you can get a car..but its not worth spending money..cuz those used cars will give you problems every once in a while… and the maintenance will be high compared to some nice decent cars…

thats the best thing i can tell u… otherwise you are free to buy it..

Q: Please help!!! I can’t decide if I should move to Philadelphia or Chicago?
I need to move to one of these two cities by September1st and I simply can’t decide which one. I love Chicago because it’s a world class city, it’s clean, amazing shopping, the people overall are friendly with a midwest mentality, and the summers are awesome. The downfalls are
1) freeezing winters (colder than Philly)
2) extremely expensive
3) Can’t really use my car in the city b/c parking is too expensive
4) outside of Chicago, there’s not much else

I like Philly because it’s more centralized (closer to NY, DC, Boston, and Pittsburgh), less expensive than Chicago but still an urban, metropolitan city. The downsides are:
1) overall, it’s not half as clean as Chicago
2) Lots of crime (have to be very careful about going into certain areas)
3) The people are not as friendly as they are in the midwest
4) Not as pretty as Chicago

Which city should I move to????

A: I would just challenge some of your points.

I know Chicago has some areas that you need to be careful about. Any large city does. Philadelphia also has amazing shopping, not to mention world class restaurants.

If you have a job offer in both places, take the job offer which you think you’ll like better. You spend too much time working and since you seem to be torn between both places, take the better job.

Q: Parking in Chicago – Wrigleyville, Lincoln Park, Lakeview?
I’m moving to Chicago from the suburbs and am looking at apartments in Wrigleyville, Lincoln Park, Lakeview. I do have a car and can’t really afford paid parking, so street parking is a priority. I plan on using CTA to get to get to work daily, but will still use my car a lot.

I know parking anywhere in the city is rough, but I’m not sure which of these neighborhoods is better. I have a feeling I know the answer when it comes to Wrigleyville (that parking is a nightmare there during Cubs season), but I’m not sure about that or the other two. I don’t trust potential landlords to give me an honest answer, so I’d appreciate any tips.

A: You’ve actually chosen 3 neighborhoods with worse than average parking; try considering Rogers Park, Andersonville, Bridgeport, and maybe even Old Town.

Q: of suv,minivan,pickup which is…
the best value to get as a used car (99-02 models in my price range.)

im a mom, i have a new cleaning business. i’m looking for a good model that is reliable, which i won’t have to keep putting money into for repairs. one that gets decent gas mileage (we live in chicago burbs, heavy traffic.)

one that will easily hold the cleaning equipment without costing a fortune on gas when i’m doing the day to day running around for the kiddos and shopping etc.

recomendations, expirences pleaze

A: If you don’t need more than 5 seats, get a Toyota Rav4 or Honda CRV. They are nice car that looks like SUV, but actually has a sedan’s base, so it does not burn gas like traditional SUV.

If you need more than 5 seat, my suggestion is on Honda and Toyota or even Nissan’s Mini Van…. I drove my uncle’s 02 Chryler mini van.. it is really not that great that it is even worse than my 93s.

Q: I have a few questions about Chicago for a college student?
I graduate high school this year and I think I want to go to college in Chicago. I love big cities.I really don’t like to drive and I just love the idea of being able to sell my car and use a subway all the time. I was wondering:

(1) If I sold my car it would save me about 250 a a month ( car plus insurance) plus some gas money. Does that savings balance out going to a more expensive city?

(2) What are the realistic drawbacks of only using the subway?

(3) How is Chicago’s attitude towards gay guys?

(4) Please rate gay life in the following places of best to worst: Chicago, Houston, or Wichita Kansas, which is my current residence.

(5) What would be a realistic $$$ amount for a studio, what about renting a room?

Thank you!
Where would be a good site to find roommates or studios? The sites I looked at were all like $500-thousands. One reason I think I can afford Chicago is that I wont own a car, will the higher expense of daily goods eat up that savings?

A: (1 and 2) The transit system is great. 75 dollars to ride all of the trains and the buses per month. I’ve been up here w/o a car, and I have to say that sometimes it sucks waiting for a bus to come by, but the trains are super reliable.

(3) Chicago is super gay-friendly. And yes, there is Boystown, which I would recommend checking out. Also, there are a lot of pride events and advocacy groups for the GBLT community.

(4) I don’t know about Kansas or Houston, but I have to say that Chicago, being a progressive city, is bound to be more gay-friendly than either places you mention. And there are so many hot guys here I can’t believe it.

(5) You can get a studio anywhere from 400 and up. But you can get a nice studio in a safe neighborhood for around 700. But given your car savings, you will have plenty of cash. For renting a room, you can expect cheaper, from 300-600 a month.

You’ll heart chicago. You may want to come up for a weekend visit (soon, since it’s getting cold) to feel it out. Maybe spring break.

Q: My 12th grade daughter & boyfriend are shacking up in July. What should I do?
I been a full time dad to my daughter for 3 years. She came to live with me & my x-fiancee after her mom (my x-wife) decided to move to Chicago with her boyfriend. She was almost 15 & about to enter 10th grade. Since she was born & raised in So. Cal she didn’t want to move there (my x-really didn’t even ask her to). To say the least she hasn’t done well after her mom pretty much “abandoned” her for a man. She was barely getting over our divorce & her anger of blaming me for it when her mom dropped that bomb on her. It didn’t help matters much that my x-fiancee & her didn’t get along after she moved in with us. I did the best I could & even sent her to private counseling twice a month for a year to deal with her depression & anxiety.

10th grade I sent her to all Girls Catholic school, then public school for 11th & 12th. I worked hard with her & the school to keep her on track to graduate this June, took her to all her counseling & doctor appts, and kept her happy with a used car, cell phone & clothes. Before starting 12th she finally let the anger go & said she loved me for being there for her & not abandoning her like her mom.

I thought the boyfriend she had since September was good to her. I been working on her college stuff like registration, financial aid & housing all this month when I find out from her boyfriend BY TEXT that they’d plan to move in together when she turns 18 in July & are taking care of the college details. To say the least I was floored, got really upset with him for undermining me all this time with her. She then got really upset & text’d me with pretty hurtful & hateful words. She also said she doesn’t want me to help her financially if it means she can’t make her own decisions.

I text’d her mom in Chicago who apparently knew of her plans before i did & didn’t bother to tell me. I did everything for her & even sacrificed my own relationship of 3years to focus on her need. Her grandparents (my folks) who she’s really close to don’t yet & i don’t know how to break it to them without hurting them.

I feel so hurt, betrayed, angry, sad & used by my daughter that I don’t want to talk to her, do anything for her, or even want to attend her graduation in 2 weeks. Please help!
Thank you everyone who’ve replied so far. All your words of support, wisdom & encouragement are having a positive effect on me. Like u suggested, I’ll go to her graduation. I really don’t want or need any more regrets in my life.

My original plan after my daughter was situated for college was to move from So Cal to No Cal (San Francisco) in August. I have a brother up there I’d like to get closer too + it’s a great place to meet new people & finally live my life that’s been on hold for the last few years.

Should I make the move or wait 6months & be here in case things go wrong with my daughter & her boyfriend?

Thanks again.

A: Oh man, I don’t even know where to begin here.

First off … graduation. Don’t skip it. It’s the biggest day of a teen’s life, and parents should be there. There comes a point where you can’t, as a parent, set conditions like that.

So, on graduation day, set your feelings aside for just one day. You can deal with them again starting the next day. Don’t skip her graduation.

Second … her boyfriend. You didn’t say much about him, but he sent you a TEXT to tell you about their plans? Tell both of them that if they want to be adults, they have to act like it.

If they want the privileges and rights of adulthood, then they also need to accept its responsibilities. They should have sat down with you, together, to tell you their plans. That’s what adults do. Not hide behind a text message.

Third … as for the plans themselves … you didn’t say how long she’s been with this boyfriend. I’m guessing it isn’t very long. Certainly not long enough to be “shacking up” and for her to be depending on him for college and other financial things. She should be doing that on her own, with you as her father helping her.

But you can’t force it on her. A few months or a year later, when/if the real possibility of her breaking up with her boyfriend becomes a reality, then you will have some fine mess to help her clean up. But that’s what good parents like you do. She’ll have learned her lesson, she’ll tell you how foolish she had been, and you’ll help her out … again, unconditional love and all that.

Now, if this all happens a second time, well, that’s a different story …
.

Q: business law class…?
A) on MArch 20, Andy small became 17 but he appeared to be at least 21. on april 1, he moved into a rooming house in chicago where he orally agreed to pay the landlady $300 a month for room and board, payable at the end of each month.
B) on april 4th he went to honest hal’s carfeteria and signed a contract to buy a used car on credit with a small down payment. he mad no representation as to his age, but honest hal represented that car to be in A-1 condition, which it subsequently turned out not to be.
C) on april 7th andy sold and conveyed to Adam Smith a parcel of real estate which he owned.
on april 30th he refused to pay his land lady for his room and board for the month of april; he returned the car to honest hal and demanded a refund of his down payment; and he demanded that Adam smith reconvey the land although the purchase price, which andy received in cash had been spent in riotous living. Decisions as to each claim?

A: I would say that since Andy is a minor he had no standing to make a contract and all agreements oral or written would be unenforceable../

Q: it is a business law question it will not fit so see below?
A) on MArch 20, Andy small became 17 but he appeared to be at least 21. on april 1, he moved into a rooming house in chicago where he orally agreed to pay the landlady $300 a month for room and board, payable at the end of each month.
B) on april 4th he went to honest hal’s carfeteria and signed a contract to buy a used car on credit with a small down payment. he mad no representation as to his age, but honest hal represented that car to be in A-1 condition, which it subsequently turned out not to be.
C) on april 7th andy sold and conveyed to Adam Smith a parcel of real estate which he owned.
on april 30th he refused to pay his land lady for his room and board for the month of april; he returned the car to honest hal and demanded a refund of his down payment; and he demanded that Adam smith reconvey the land although the purchase price, which andy received in cash had been spent in riotous living. Decisions as to each claim?

A: Is this homework? We don’t do homework here on Yahoo Answers – it is sort of an “unspoken” rule.

Ask your classmates.
Read your textbook(s).
Talk to your professor(s).

Q: Want to test your IQ?
Test Your I.Q
Answers are at the bottom. No fair cheating unless you are a politician under oath.

Questions

Some months have 30 days, some months have 31 days. How many months have 28 days?
If a doctor gives you 3 pills and tells you to take one pill every half hour, how long would it be before all the pills had been taken?
I went to bed at eight o’clock in the evening and wound up my clock and set the alarm to sound at nine o’clock in the morning. How many hours sleep would I get before being awaken by the alarm?
Divide 30 by half and add ten. What do you get?
A farmer had 17 sheep. All but 9 died. How many live sheep were left?
If you had only one match and entered a COLD and DARK room, where there was an oil heater, an oil lamp and a candle, which would you light first?
A man builds a house with four sides of rectangular construction, each side having a southern exposure. A big bear comes along. What color is the bear?
Take 2 apples from 3 apples. What do you have?
How many animals of each species did Moses take with him in the Ark?
If you drove a bus with 43 people on board from Chicago and stopped at Pittsburgh to pick up 7 more people and drop off 5 passengers and at Cleveland to drop off 8 passengers and pick up 4 more and eventually arrive at Philadelphia 20 hours later, what’s the name of the driver?
Answers:

All of them. Every month has at least 28 days.
1 hour: If you take a pill at 1 o’clock, then another at 1:30 and the last at 2 o’clock = 3 pills in 1 hour.
1 hour. It is a wind up alarm clock, cannot discriminate a.m. from p.m.
70. Dividing by half is the same as multiplying by 2.
9 live sheep.
The match!
White. If all walls face south, the house must be on the North Pole.
2 apples.
None. It was Noah, not Moses.
YOU are the driver!
Grading Scale

10=Genius
9=Mensa Member
8=Nuclear Engineer
7=High school pupil
6=College Student
5=Porn star
4=Used Car Salesman
3=Teacher
2=Doctor
1=University Lecturer
0=Member of Congress.
Please do not get upset with this IQ test it is all in fun.
If you would take your sense of humor out of your other clothes then you can have some fun with these.
If not please do not read and complain.

A: These were too easy. I got all of them correct.

But the best part was the grading scale…why is a doctor listed so low?

0 = member of Congress! That is hilarious!

Q: How can I become a paperboy?
I live in chicago and i want to know how to get a newspaper route while at he same time use my bike like in the 70’s i dont want to use a car

A: Most of the old fashion routes are gone. The trib and the times have pretty much taken control of the newspaper routes which use to be run by independent contractors.

The best bet is the local neighborhood papers. They are still running the normal old-style type routes. These are your best bets.

The trib and times mostly look for guys now with cars to handle large areas.

Q: Planning a trip to Chicago?
I’m going to Chicago in late august for 3 days. I need suggestions are neighborhoods to stay in, things to see, places to eat, should I rent a car or use public transit?

Thanks

A: Tourists usually don’t stay in the neighborhoods. There aren’t many hotels located in them. A few neighborhoods do…Wrigleyville, Hyde Park, Lincoln Park. See lists of hotels below:

http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4GFRD_enUS218US218&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=wrigleyville+hotels&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&view=text&ei=Fwl5Sp3REt-3twecpc2WCQ&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=more-results&resnum=1

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&view=text&gl=us&q=hyde+park+chicago+hotels

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&view=text&gl=us&q=lincoln+park+chicago+hotels

There are really hundreds of things to see. If you’re interested in museums, there are over 50. If you like to shop, go crazy on Michigan Av.

http://collaboratory.nunet.net/museums/pages.cfm

http://www.chicagotraveler.com/chicago_magnificent_mile_shopping_map.htm

Other attractions too:

http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4GFRD_enUS218US218&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=chicago+tourism&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&view=text&ei=owp5SsKYH9STtgeFzNSWCQ&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=more-results&resnum=1

Check out Navy Pier for a ferris wheel ride, a cruise on the lake, fireworks on Wed and Sat night, and more:

http://www.navypier.com/

Baseball fan? Either tje White Sox or Cubs will be in town trying to get into the playoffs:

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=cws

http://www.mlb.com/ticketing/index.jsp?c_id=chc

Forget the car rental. Parking lot fees will shock you and you will get frustrated and probaly lost while looking at a map as cab drivers honk at you. Take public transportation during the day and a taxi at night.

There are hundreds of places to eat along the lake….thousands in the entire city. Your hotel concierge will help out with neighborhood gems or specific cuisines. Chicago is very much a multi-ethnic city with recipes from around the world in both fast food places and elegant restaurants.

Q: public transit in Chicago?
Hi, i am going on a vacation to Chicago with my family soon. they want me to make a “report” for them on how we will go around Chicago, as they do not want to use our own car since finding a parking space is a hassle. they want to use like the bus or maybe even the subway. and since Ive lived in a small city my whole life, i really do not know how to use public transit to go from point A to point B…. I have been to Chicago a lot of times before so i know how the city is.

This is my hotel: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=849

these are our destinations so far: http://www.msichicago.org/

http://www.fieldmuseum.org

so can one of you guys tell me what to use and how to use (like the bus or something) to go from my hotel to those two places and come back?

im looking forward to the best answer!

Thank you!

A: First you need to get to downtown Chicago, you have two ways to go by train to get there, the Chicago Transit Authority-CTA Blue Line, The Rosemont CTA Station is about 3 miles from your Hotel and the Blue Line goes to Washinton Street Station in the heart of the “LOOP”/Downtown. Or, you can take the METRA, your hotel is about midway between two Metra Stations the Mannheim Metra Station is about 1 mile from your Hotel and the Shiller Park Metra Station is also about a mile away and the Metra goes to Chicago’s Union Station. If you take the CTA Blue Line, get off at the Washington St. Station, walk one block north to Randolph Street and 3 blocks east on Randolph to the Metra Electric Train at Millenium Station (down the stairs at Michigan Ave). This railway will take you to the Museum Campus/11th St. get off the train here and walk to the Field Museum. This same rail route will also take you further south to the 55th/56th/57th Street station for the Museum of Science and Industry. Go the extreme southern end of the rail station platform and you will exit on to 57th street, walk to the left on 57th street and the Museum will be in view. If you take the Metra from the Mannheim Station to Union Station then you will need to walk or take a CTA bus to get over to the Field Museum or the Metra Millenium Station or Metra Van Buren Street Station on the Metra Electric Line. Your destinations are also served by CTA bus routes. All the info you need to complete your travel plans can be found at http://www.transitchicago.com and http://www.metrarail.com

Q: DMV Road Test in Chicago?
When you go for the road test do you have to bring your own car / moms / or friends ?
Or do they provide you a car to use.

A: bring your own.

Q: What to konw about Ethanol Industry ? and the result of this political idea? another state plan ?
Each year in early October my grandfather summoned my entire family to come to his farm and harvest potatoes. Hunched over on all fours, each person quietly filled their buckets with these “earth apples.” Each year he used a different field for his crop. One year he would plant potatoes, the next year beets or wheat. The potato replaced the grain diet on the European continent. It became survival food, especially during the two World Wars. Dumplings, potato salad and mashed potatoes are only a few potato dishes found in a long list in the European cuisine. The easy adaptability of the potato to grow almost anywhere in the world can produce an annual crop of 322 million tons of potatoes. Many African countries greatly benefit from growing the potatoes because they make them more self-sufficient in their food production.

In the age of nation building, stamping out of global warming, and driving for energy self-sufficiency, the new state appointed rival of the potato is maize, which is better known as corn – the yellow cob-born grain used in the production of ethanol fuel. As a blend with gasoline, biofuel powers automobiles and farm equipment. Its environmental friendly side effect is to reduce greenhouse gases, and some say it is the key to everlasting energy security in the future.

Ethanol fuel production received its first stimulus after the Arab oil crisis in 1973. During 1978 the US federal government sealed the project with the Energy Tax Act authorizing tax exemptions by blending gasoline with 10 percent ethanol. A floodgate of free money opened up for farmers and ethanol producers as the energy and agricultural departments spent billions of dollars on subsidies. This year’s estimates are between $5.5 billion to $7.3 billion of our tax dollars to be handed out to corn growers.

The incentives for farmers to grow corn in the US is not to meet the needs of a market that entails a healthy profit. Instead, they plant corn because they get paid to do so by a federal government interested in ethanol production. And as it turns out, producing ethanol is an expensive process. Archer Daniels Midland Corporation (ADM) out of Illinois, one of the largest producers of ethanol, received as much as $10 billion in subsidies between 1980 through 1997 along with favorable tax breaks costing taxpayers an average of $30 for every dollar ADM earns in profits. Add to that the $500 of federal and state subsidies it takes to reduce one metric ton of CO2-equivalent, one can literarily say that it is governments who heat up the globe by burning cash.

This year corn production has already increased by 15 percent over last year. Even President Bush, not a green lover but excited about ethanol, is expecting that farmers will plant 90.5 millions of acres of corn in 2007 in order to meet the demands of ethanol production of 132 billion liters by 2017. Corn prices already went up by 50 percent. The average price per bushel of $1.95, which had held steady over the past eight years, jumped up to $3.05 in January of this year, and is expected to rise as high as $3.40.

Corn is feedstock. It is consumed not only by humans but also by hogs, chickens and cattle. The drastic side-effect of higher corn prices is now reflected in the higher prices in the grocery store. The price of food went up 3.9 percent last year – faster than the inflation rate, which ranges around 2.7 in 2007. In particular, pork, beef, milk, eggs and poultry show drastic increases in their prices. So do fruits and vegetables. Considering that most people spend an average of 10 percent of their disposable income on food, higher prices in grocery reduces the spending on cars, homes or clothing. Health Nazis should also be concerned, since these higher prices drive people to cheaper processed foods that add to increased health risks in the poor segment of the population.

The US Federal Government’s targeted goal is to replace gasoline with corn-based fuel as an alternative energy source. This has caught the attention of poorer countries. Mexico, for example, is gradually replacing agave, a spiky-leaved, large plant which grows on high and arid land and takes eight years to reach maturity, with corn. Agave is the main ingredient for Tequila. Mexico produced 25 to 35 percent less agave this year and farmers take less care of their agave crop in favor of higher corn prices. The World Food Program (WFP), which recently stated that it can no longer feed the poor due to the impact of biofuel demand on food prices, is foolishly encouraging African and Latin American countries to take advantage of the rising demand of biofuels by planting corn; a popular world practice that is now devastating 900 million of the world’s poorest which rely on the UN feeding program.

It is quite clear that the state-inflated demand for corn is causing a global imbalance in food production. Farmers are replacing a variety of vegetables and fruits with corn due to the higher profit-per-acre corn brings. The two-year practice of crop rotation for corn drains the soil and requires more fertilizers on the following soybean crop. The additional cost ends up with the consumer. As food prices rise, it is the poor who suffer most from this inflated demand for biofuel. It is a burden that most people cannot afford as inflation keeps rising because of irresponsible spending and government debt.

The federal budget for the fiscal year beginning this October called for $2.9 trillion dollars in government spending. It includes increases for all the various cabinet-level departments. Among them were a 5.4 percent increase for the Department of Energy and 3.6 percent increase for Agriculture. According to Richard M. Ebeling, President of The Freeman, the average US household would have to shell out approximately $25,845 in taxes to cover the budget. Include with it the US federal government’s pre-existing liabilities of several trillion, and the average US household would have to pay an additional $31,000 a year for 75 years to pay off the debt already incurred by government spending. How can an average income household cover the basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter when tax burdens already devour the wages of a lower income population? Poor people only become poorer as spending continues.

Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ron Paul seems to be the only congressional member who understands the global effects of subsidies. During his second presidential debate the question came up about oil profits. His response was: “I don’t think the profits are the issue. The profits are okay if they’re legitimately earned in a free market. What I object to are subsidies to big corporations when we subsidize them and give them R&D (Research & Development) money. I don’t think that should be that way. They should take it out of the funds that they earn…”

Here lies the answer to many of the energy questions. Let the private sector find a solution to new energy sources. Already technology advances at a rapid speed and its products remain ultimately competitive on the market where prices drop and become affordable to the average consumer. Just think of recent changes from VCRs and phonograph records to DVD’s and CD players, and the addition of cell phones and portable computers to modern life. All are now available at reasonable prices to low-income households. Industry continually comes up with new inventions that contribute highly to communication, organization and entertainment. The only sectors that remain high in cost with outrageous prices are sectors that are under government regulation and control: health care, medicine, education, housing, and now food prices. It would be a life-saving act of mercy to close these various departments of government, if people want to have a future for the next generation.

The trouble caused on the global market by the federal government’s sponsored ethanol industry increasingly outweighs the good it does. The idea of sacrificing food production in the name of biofuel as a future source of energy is an irrational concept. The consequence of higher food prices due to corn production hasn’t come from consumer choice but from government coercion. If the demand for energy is increasing, and biofuel is the answer, then where will the world grow its food? The big believers in a government supported biofuel industry might have to prepare for another big tsunami to hit the shores of Third World countries and at home if this insanity isn’t stopped. Just don’t blame capitalism if and when it comes.

July 21, 2007

Sabine Barnhart

A: Ethanol fuel is ethanol (ethyl alcohol), the same type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. It can be used as a fuel, mainly as a biofuel alternative to gasoline, and is widely used in cars in Brazil. Because it is cheap, easy to manufacture and process, and can be made from very common materials, such as corn, it is steadily becoming a highly respected and researched alternative to gasoline throughout much of the world.

Anhydrous ethanol, that is, ethanol with at most 1% water, the same alcohol as found in alcoholic beverages, can be blended with gasoline in varying quantities up to pure ethanol (E100), and most spark-ignited gasoline style engines will operate well with mixtures of 10% ethanol (E10).[1] Most cars on the road today in the U.S. can run on blends of up to 10% ethanol,[2] and the use of 10% ethanol gasoline is mandated in some cities where harmful levels of auto emissions are possible.[3]

Ethanol can be mass-produced by fermentation of sugar or by hydration of ethylene from petroleum and other sources. Current interest in ethanol mainly lies in bio-ethanol, produced from the starch or sugar in a wide variety of crops, but there has been considerable debate about how useful bio-ethanol will be in replacing fossil fuels in vehicles. Concerns relate to the large amount of arable land required for crops,[4] as well as the energy and pollution balance of the whole cycle of ethanol production.[5][6] Recent developments with cellulosic ethanol production and commercialization may allay some of these concerns.[7]

According to the International Energy Agency, cellulosic ethanol could allow ethanol fuels to play a much bigger role in the future than previously thought.[8] Cellulosic ethanol can be made from plant matter composed primarily of inedible cellulose fibers that form the stems and branches of most plants. Dedicated energy crops, such as switchgrass, are also promising cellulose sources that can be produced in many regions of the United States.[9]

In the U.S., there is potential to expand the market for ethanol fuels beyond the farm states where they have been most popular to date. Flex-fuel vehicles are assisting in this transition because they allow drivers to choose different fuels based on price and availability. The Energy Policy Act of 2005, which calls for 7.5 billion US gallons of biofuels to be used annually by 2012, should also help to expand the U.S. marketThe top five ethanol producers in 2005 were Brazil (4.35 billion US gallons per year), the United States (4.3 billion US gallons per year), China (530 MMgy), the European Union (250 MMgy) and India (80 MMgy). Brazil and the United States accounted for 90 percent of all ethanol production. Also, it should be noted that the United States, now producing at a rate of about 4.6 billion US gallons per year, is widely considered the world’s largest ethanol producer. Strong incentives, coupled with other industry development initiatives, are giving rise to fledgling ethanol industries in countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, Columbia, the Dominican Republic and Malawi. Nevertheless, ethanol hasn’t yet made much of a dent in world oil consumption.[32]

[edit] Brazil
Main article: Ethanol fuel in Brazil

Gasoline on the left, alcohol on the right at a filling station in BrazilBrazil has one of the largest bio-fuel programs in the world, involving production of ethanol fuel from sugar cane, and ethanol now provides 18 percent of the country’s automotive fuel. As a result of this, together with the exploitation of domestic deep water oil sources, Brazil, which years ago had to import a large share of the petroleum needed for domestic consumption, recently reached complete self-sufficiency in oil.[33][34][35]

Brazil produced around 16.4 billion liters of ethanol in 2004 and used 2.7 million hectares of land area for this production (4.5% of the Brazilian land area used for crop production in 2005[36]). Of this, around 12.4 billion liters were produced as fuel for ethanol-powered vehicles in the domestic market. In Brazil, ethanol-powered and flexible-fuel vehicles are manufactured for operation with hydrated ethanol, an azeotrope of ethanol (around 93% v/v) and water (7%).

Production and use of ethanol has been stimulated through: (1) low-interest loans for the construction of ethanol distilleries; (2) guaranteed purchase of ethanol by the state-owned oil company at a reasonable price; (3) retail pricing of neat ethanol so it is competitive if not slightly favorable to the gasoline-ethanol blend; and (4) tax incentives provided during the 1980s to stimulate the purchase of neat ethanol vehicles.[37]

Guaranteed purchase and price regulation were ended some years ago, with relatively positive results. In addition to these other policies, ethanol producers in the state of Sao Paulo established a research and technology transfer center that has been effective in improving sugar cane and ethanol yields.[38]

[edit] United States

A Ford Taurus “fueled by clean burning ethanol” owned by New York City.Main article: Ethanol fuel in the United States
Most cars on the road today in the U.S. can run on blends of up to 10% ethanol, and motor vehicle manufacturers already produce vehicles designed to run on much higher ethanol blends. Ford, DaimlerChrysler, and GM are among the automobile companies that sell “flexible-fuel” cars, trucks, and minivans that can use gasoline and ethanol blends ranging from pure gasoline up to 85% ethanol (E85). By mid-2006, there were approximately six million E85-compatible vehicles on U.S. roads.[39]

There is potential to expand the market for ethanol fuels beyond the farm states where they have been most popular to date. Flex-fuel vehicles are assisting in this transition because they allow drivers to choose different fuels based on price and availability. The Energy Policy Act of 2005, which calls for 7.5 billion US gallons of biofuels to be used annually by 2012, should also help to expand the U.S. market.[40]

It should also be noted that the growing ethanol and biodiesel industries are providing jobs in plant construction, operations, and maintenance, mostly in rural communities. According to the Renewable Fuels Association, the ethanol industry created almost 154,000 U.S. jobs in 2005 alone, boosting household income by $5.7 billion. It also contributed about $3.5 billion in tax revenues at the local, state, and federal levels.[41]

[edit] Sweden
Main article: Ethanol fuel in Sweden
All Swedish gas stations are required by an act of parliament to offer at least one alternative fuel, and every fifth car in Stockholm now drives at least partially on alternative fuels, mostly ethanol.[42]

Stockholm will introduce a fleet of Swedish-made electric hybrid buses in its public transport system on a trial basis in 2008. These buses will use ethanol-powered internal-combustion engines and electric motors. The vehicles’ diesel engines will use ethanol.[43]

[edit] Australia
Main article: Ethanol fuel in Australia
Legislation imposes a 10% cap on the concentration of fuel ethanol blends. Blends of 90% unleaded petrol and 10% fuel ethanol are commonly referred to as E10. E10 is available through service stations operating under the BP, Caltex, Shell and United brands as well as those of a number of smaller independents. Not surprisingly, E10 is most widely available closer to the sources of production in Queensland and New South Wales. E10 is most commonly blended with 91 RON “regular unleaded” fuel. There is a requirement that retailers label blends containing fuel ethanol on the dispenser.

[edit] China
China is promoting ethanol-based fuel on a pilot basis in five cities in its central and northeastern region, a move designed to create a new market for its surplus grain and reduce consumption of petroleum. The cities include Zhengzhou, Luoyang and Nanyang in central China’s Henan province, and Harbin and Zhaodong in Heilongjiang province, northeast China. Under the program, Henan will promote ethanol-based fuel across the province by the end of this year. Officials say the move is of great importance in helping to stabilize grain prices, raise farmers’ income and reducing petrol- induced air pollution.[44]

[edit] Environment

[edit] Energy balance
Main article: Ethanol fuel energy balance
All biomass needs to go through some of these steps: it needs to be grown, collected, dried, fermented and burned. All of these steps require resources and an infrastructure.

Opponents of corn ethanol production in the U.S. often quote the 2005 paper [45] of David Pimentel, a retired Entomologist, and Tadeusz Patzek, a Geological Engineer from Berkeley. Both have been exceptionally critical of ethanol and other biofuels. Their studies contend that ethanol, and biofuels in general, are “energy negative”, meaning they take more energy to produce than is contained in the final product.

A 2006 report by the U.S. Department Agriculture compared the methodologies used by a number of researchers on this subject and found that the majority of research showed that the energy balance for ethanol is positive. In fact, a large number of recent studies, including a 2006 article[46] in the prestigious journal Science offer the consensus opinion that fuels like ethanol are energy positive. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that fossil fuels also require significant energy inputs which have seldom been accounted for in the past.

It is also important to note that ethanol is not the only product created during production, and the energy content of the by-products must also be considered. Corn is typically 66% starch and the remaining 33% is not fermented. This unfermented component is called distillers grain, which is high in fats and proteins, and makes good animal feed. [47]

In Brazil where sugar cane is used, the yield is higher, and conversion to ethanol is somewhat more energy efficient than corn.[14] Recent developments with cellulosic ethanol production may improve yields even further.[48]

[edit] Air pollution
Compared with conventional unleaded gasoline, ethanol is a particulate-free burning fuel source that combusts cleanly with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water. The Clean Air Act requires the addition of oxygenates to reduce carbon monoxide emissions in the United States. The additive MTBE is currently being phased out due to ground water contamination, hence ethanol becomes an attractive alternative additive.

Use of ethanol, produced from current (2006) methods, emits a similar net amount of carbon dioxide but less carbon monoxide than gasoline.[49] If all bioethanol-production energy came from non-fossil sources the use of bioethanol as a fuel would add no greenhouse gas.[50]

[edit] Manufacture
In 2002 , monitoring of ethanol plants revealed that they released VOCs (volatile organic compounds) at a higher rate than had previously been disclosed.[51] The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) subsequently reached settlement with Archer Daniels Midland and Cargill, two of the largest producers of ethanol, to reduce emission of these VOCs. VOCs are produced when fermented corn mash is dried for sale as a supplement for livestock feed. Devices known as thermal oxidizers or catalytic oxidizers can be attached to the plants to burn off the hazardous gases. Smog causing pollutants are also increased by using ethanol fuel in comparison to gasoline.

[edit] Greenhouse gas abatement
Corn ethanol has received much support on environmental grounds primarily because of its role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the evidence for this claim is mixed.

A recent ten-year forecast of ethanol production by the USDA places 2017 corn ethanol production at 12 billion US gallons and growing at only 2% per year. This estimate, together with a parameter publishing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), indicates that this near-maximum level of ethanol production will abate GHG emissions by 0.13% (~1/10 of 1%) of current US GHG emissions. However, this does not hold for all greenhouse gases. Another study has suggested that replacement of 100% petroleum fuel with E85 (a fuel mixture comprised of 85% ethanol and 15% petroleum) would significantly increase ozone levels, thereby increasing photochemical smog and aggravating medical problems such as asthma.[19][20]

This value reflects increases in corn area and the use of 30% of the corn crop for ethanol. It also apparently takes into account anticipated improvements in corn yields and ethanol production. The PNAS value is a 12% reduction in greenhouse gas emission relative to the “net emissions of production and combustion of an energetically equivalent amount of gasoline.”

The January 2006 Science article from UC Berkeley’s ERG, estimated this parameter to be 13% after reviewing a large number of studies. However, in a correction to that article releases shortly after publication, they reduce the estimated value to 7.4%. None of the other values needed to complete the calculation are controversial.

GREET model maintained by Argonne National Labs in Chicago has produced a series of publications on GHG abatement through ethanol. The latest of the studies is [21]

[edit] Land use
Large-scale ‘energy farming’, necessary to produce agricultural alcohol, requires substantial amounts of cultivated land. Some have claimed that land is acquired through deforestation, while others have observed that areas currently supporting forests are usually not suitable for growing any sort of crops.[52][53] Related concerns have been raised regarding a decline in soil fertility due to reduction of organic matter[54], a decrease in water availability and quality, an increase in the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and potential dislocation of local communities.[55]

As demand for ethanol fuel increases, food crops are replaced by fuel crops, driving food supply down and food prices up. Growing demand for ethanol in the United States has increased corn prices by 50% in Mexico.[56] Average barley prices in the United States rose 17% from January to June 2007 to the highest in 11 years. Prices for all grain crops trend upward, reflecting a progressive increase in farm land devoted to corn for the production of produce ethanol fuel.[57] Prices for U.S. corn-based products, including animal feed, also rise. This translates to higher prices for animal products like chicken, beef, and cheese. June 2007 cheese prices rose to $2 per pound on average, increasing 65% over the same period in 2006. As milk prices in the United States, approached $4.00 per US gallon, [58] many American restaurant franchises announced price increases for their products to compensate for rising food costs.[59] [60] [61]

Alternatively, cellulosic ethanol can be produced from any plant material, potentially doubling yields, in an effort to minimize conflict between food needs versus fuel needs.[62] Instead of utilizing only the starch bi-products from grinding wheat and other crops, cellulosic ethanol production maximizes the use of all plant materials, including gluten. This approach would have a smaller carbon footprint because the amount of energy-intensive fertilisers and fungicides remain the same for higher output of usable material.[63] While the enzyme technology[64] for producing cellulosic ethanol is currently in developmental stages, it is not expected to be available for large-scale production in the near future.[65] Moreover, the production of ethanol for fuel raises a number of land scarcity issues, regardless of what production method is employed. Many analysts suggest that biofuel strategies must be accompanied by fuel conservation restrictions. [66]

[edit] Renewable resource
Ethanol is considered “renewable” because it is primarily the result of conversion of the sun’s energy into usable energy. Creation of ethanol starts with photosynthesis causing the feedstocks such as switchgrass, sugar cane, or corn to grow. These feedstocks are processed into ethanol (see production).

The environmental and economic benefits of non-cellulosic ethanol – including corn ethanol – have been heavily critiqued by many, including Brad Ewing of Environmental Economics & Sustainable Development[67] and Lester R. Brown of Earth Policy Institute.[68] The main criticism dwells on the increasing costs of corn for food as the demand for ethanol production increases. It remains to be seen [vague] if ethanol production can overcome these problems.

Current, first generation processes for the production of ethanol from corn use only a small part of the corn plant: the corn kernels are taken from the corn plant and only the starch, which represents about 50% of the dry kernel mass, is transformed into ethanol. Two types of second generation processes are under development. The first type uses enzymes to convert the plant cellulose into ethanol while the second type uses pyrolysis to convert the whole plant to either a liquid bio-oil or a syngas. Second generation processes can also be used with plants such as grasses, wood or agricultural waste material such as straw.

[edit] Replacement of petroleum
Only about 5% of the fossil energy required to produce ethanol from corn in the United States is obtained from non-US petroleum.[69] Current (2006) United States production methods obtain the rest of the fossil energy from domestic coal and natural gas. Even if the energy balance were negative, US production involves mostly domestic fuels such as natural gas and coal so the need for non-US petroleum would be reduced. Developed regions like the United States and Europe, and increasingly the developing nations of Asia, mainly India and China, consume much more petroleum and natural gas than they extract from their territory, becoming dependent upon foreign suppliers as a resultThe science of Economics is generally defined as the study of scarcity management. Absent scarcity and alternative uses of available resources, there is no economic problem. As such, the subject of economics involves the study of choices as they are affected by incentives and resources.[70] Since land and agriculture have historically served the world as utilities for food production, many believe the alternative use of agricultural resources for ethanol fuel production imposes an artificial scarcity of food on a global scale.[71] [72] [73] [74]

Meanwhile, the United States Department of Energy, finds that for every unit of energy put towards ethanol production, 1.3 units are returned.[75] Another study found that corn-grain ethanol produced 1.25 units of energy per unit put in.[76] As yields improve or different feedstocks are introduced, ethanol production may become more economically feasible in the US. Currently, research on improving ethanol yields from each unit of corn is underway using biotechnology. By utilizing hybrids designed specifically with higher extractable starch levels, the energy balance is dramatically improved. Also, as long as oil prices remain high, the economical use of other feedstocks, such as cellulose, become viable. By-products such as straw or wood chips can be converted to ethanol. Fast growing species like switchgrass can be grown on land not suitable for other cash crops and yield high levels of ethanol per unit areaCritics argue that ethanol is a fancy way of using solar power. The processing and production, as well as burning of ethanol would not significantly improve carbon emissions over the current use of gasoline. Instead, critics propose the widespread adoption of battery electric vehicles (zero emissions vehicles) combined with increased use of nuclear power and solar power.

[edit] Problems
Fuels with more than 10% ethanol are not compatible with some fuel system components.[81][82]
Examples of extreme corrosion of ferrous components,[82] and internal separation of portions of rubber fuel tanks have been observed in some vehicles using ethanol fuels.[citation needed]
Formation of salt deposits, jelly-like deposits on fuel strainer screens
Can negatively affect electric fuel pumps by increasing internal wear[82] and undesirable spark generation. [83]
Is not compatible with capacitance fuel level gauging indicators and may cause erroneous fuel quantity indications in vehicles that employ that system.[84]
Not always compatible with marine craft, especially those that use fiberglass tanks.[85][86]
Decreases fuel-economy by 15-30%; this can be avoided using certain modifications that would, however, render the engine inoperable on regular petrol without the addition of an adjustable ECU, or use of multiple ECUs to run the engine on multiple fuel types. [87][20]
Support for biofuels could keep petroleum prices high in the USA (NY Times – [27])
Tough materials are required to overcome ethanol’s corrosive nature, and the high compression ratio needed to make an ethanol engine as efficient as it would be on petrol; these would be similar to those used in diesel engines (which typically run at a CR of 20:1[88], versus about 8-12:1 for petrol engines [89].) Diesel engines cost significantly more than similar-sized ordinary petrol engines as a result of the more advanced materials used in their construction.
Whether the energy balance of ethanol – that is, whether the fuel contains more energy than was used to produce it – is positive or negative is debatable [90][91], as is whether or not the land used to grow the crop was obtained by, say, chopping down a rainforest, in which case the ethanol produced is just as unenvironmentally-friendly as fossil fuel due to the carbon released by the dead plants. [92]

Q: Illinois iPass toll violations – Is it legal for the state to wait 1 year to send you a notice?
I want to suit the state for the amount of my toll violations. I used my ex wifes iPass when I drive to work, but the state says it has to be registered to my car, not hers, so they sent me a bill for 380.00! If they sent me a notice that I was being fined within say 30 days, I’d have fixed the problem a long time ago and paid the original fine, but waiting for a whole freaking year to send me something!?!? Any opinions?
I did NOT no you couldn’t share an ipass! waiting 1 yr before sending out a notice is unethical.

A: Yes, they can. They are completely right. See the link below for more information. It stinks, but rules are rules I guess. I know someone who got one for $7,000 for just blowing thru the iPass lane with NO iPass. They haggled with them & came down some, maybe you can try that? Good luck!

Q: For all opposed to gun ownership & concealed carry laws? When are we going to outlaw cars & teen drivers?
HEADLINE: 7 dead in likely drag-race crash
It seems that many people again jumped on the anti-gun bandwagon a few days ago over a sensless shooting by a deranged person at the University of Northern Illinois which left 7 people dead. Today the headlines tell of 7 people being killed by another sensless act committed by the driver of an automobile. Does this mean we should demand legislation preventing the American public from owning and/or using automobiles? There is really no difference, and id reality, more people are killed in automobile attacks every year than by guns. Each year 6000 teenagers ae killed by automobiles.

Let’s all write letters to our lawmakers demanding the abolition of any use of automobiles by citizens of the us, besides saving millions of lives, we would eliminate much of the countries pollution, eliminate the expense of the national highway systems trillion dollar budget and solve the worlds need for fossil fuels! Well, what are your thoughts???

A: Good point.

It is well documented that the drivers that get into the most accidents and kill and injure the most people are young drivers.

This is true up to the age of 30.

We should ban driving for all people younger than the age of thirty. After the age of thirty most people become fairly responsible and can be trusted with the use of cars.

That would save tens of thousands of lives every year. In fact, in just a few short months you would save the lives of far more people than the number of all of the American soldiers that have been killed in Iraq.

You would also save far more lives than you ever would with a ban on guns.

If we really want to save lives we must ban the use and possession of cars by anyone under the age of thirty.

This would also be a great political wedge issue.

If you ban cars for everyone you lose the political wedge issue.

As long as you keep the political wedge issue it will be more fun for the politicians and you will get more support.

Politicians love political wedge issues. It is a great way to get people all lathered up.

Q: Tips for traveling with pets?
My husband I are traveling by car from Georgia to Illinois for Christmas and we are forced to take our two cats and one dog. We have taken our cats on long trips before and they have done fine but our dog is at least 90 pounds and under a year and very hyper active. He is only used to short trips in which he becomes very excited. Any ideas on ways to get him to calm down on the car ride?

A: Definitely bring along crates for each pet. Try to give your dog a huge walk before you leave so that he can sleep part of the way. Just like kids make frequent rest stops and stretch a little. If its not too far I would just leave the cats in their crates the whole way as they are very good at escaping. I hope your trip goes smoothly!

Q: does gps use any battery power while pluged into lighter socket?
i have a garmin 330c gps and am going on a long trip illinois to texas does the system use any battery power while pluged into the cigarette lighter im just worried there wont be enough battery to make the trip,or is it all powerd by the car battery

A: If the lighter socket is working correctly, the system should draw all operating power from it when plugged in. Be sure to turn it off and put out of sight when you stop. They are becoming high theft items. Also, most lighter sockets go off when the key is turned off. All depends on the car.

Q: Cannabis paraphernalia in Illinois?
I’m 17, and today I was ticketed for the possession of a small pipe (it was just half of a metal pen). No weed, nothing else. The car was pulled over because my boyfriend’s muffler is way too loud (he was driving) and he was shaking, so the cop asked him to step out of the car. He searched him and found nothing. Also, 3 other cops pulled up, but one left after like a minute. Then the cop told me to step out and leave my purse in the car. He searched and found my one hitter in my pack of cigarettes. I have no extra money, just because most of my paycheck goes to my car payment. I have a court date.

1. What kind of fine am I looking at?
2. Will I get charged less seriously because I’m a minor?
3. How do I get this off my record without telling my parents or hiring a private lawyer? (I plan on using the public defender)

He also broke my retainer case (I’ve already thrown that away), crushed my cigarettes, and I’m fairly positive he was profiling, because my boyfriend drives a beater, we’re young, and it’s Halloween. By the way, I was pulled over at 4:30pm.
By the way, don’t post if you’re not going to give legitimate help. Yes, I realize I shouldn’t smoke pot. I’m really in a bind, and I have a lot going for me and I don’t want my life to be impeded on all because of one 3 inch pen case. My parents love me, but their expectations for me are so high that they’ll be crushed if I tell them. I need to find a way to get out of this with as little repercussions as possible.

I’m mainly worried about my record.

A: You are probably looking at a fine and community service, talk to the court clerk and they will set up a payment plan on the fine for you, also ask the State attorney or the judge for a deferred sentence and once you complete the sentence there will not be a record of it.

Q: Illinois Unemployment Appeal help?
Hi i worked for a repo company in IL i live in IN i worked for the employer for 4 months or so i worked 5-7 days a week 12 hours a day and sometime all day and even sleeped in my truck. When i got hired by the company they paid for the gas for the trucks since the truck was there truck and then i quit when they took my gas card away and wanted me to pay for my gas when i had the biggest area in IL the whole northwest side of IL. I filed for unemployment and i got it for 3 weeks and then i guess my employer appealed it cuz i had a phone interview and then they had a phone interview and they stopped my benefits and i sent in a appeal to re look at the deny part and i am hoping they reserve it and give me my benefits back. do you guys think i have a chance of getting it over turned? plus they took 100 dollars a week for the use of there laptop and photo software and they put that in my 1099 and they took 2800 from me for messing up a car and they put that on my 1099 took is
They are online on a web site lookingfor repo agents and they even state that they pay for gas in the trucks and its the same comany name and the same guy who i listed on the paper for my unemployment

A: Looks to me like you quit…this means that you aren’t going to win the appeal.

Q: Illinois Unemployment Appeal help?
Hi i worked for a repo company in IL i live in IN i worked for the employer for 4 months or so i worked 5-7 days a week 12 hours a day and sometime all day and even sleeped in my truck. When i got hired by the company they paid for the gas for the trucks since the truck was there truck and then i quit when they took my gas card away and wanted me to pay for my gas when i had the biggest area in IL the whole northwest side of IL. I filed for unemployment and i got it for 3 weeks and then i guess my employer appealed it cuz i had a phone interview and then they had a phone interview and they stopped my benefits and i sent in a appeal to re look at the deny part and i am hoping they reserve it and give me my benefits back. do you guys think i have a chance of getting it over turned? plus they took 100 dollars a week for the use of there laptop and photo software and they put that in my 1099 and they took 2800 from me for messing up a car and they put that on my 1099 took is there any way that is illegal even tho they said i made it but kept it and i never got it? please let me know if you think i will win this appeal.
They are online on a web site lookingfor repo agents and they even state that they pay for gas in the trucks and its the same comany name and the same guy who i listed on the paper for my unemployment

A: if u could get one more previous driver that would knock them off u gotta write a proper appeal without being subjective. state the facts clearly without emotions. practise it. and we think u will win. all the best

Q: Illinois Unemployment Appeal help?
Hi i worked for a repo company in IL i live in IN i worked for the employer for 4 months or so i worked 5-7 days a week 12 hours a day and sometime all day and even sleeped in my truck. When i got hired by the company they paid for the gas for the trucks since the truck was there truck and then i quit when they took my gas card away and wanted me to pay for my gas when i had the biggest area in IL the whole northwest side of IL. I filed for unemployment and i got it for 3 weeks and then i guess my employer appealed it cuz i had a phone interview and then they had a phone interview and they stopped my benefits and i sent in a appeal to re look at the deny part and i am hoping they reserve it and give me my benefits back. do you guys think i have a chance of getting it over turned? plus they took 100 dollars a week for the use of there laptop and photo software and they put that in my 1099 and they took 2800 from me for messing up a car and they put that on my 1099 took is there any way that is illegal even tho they said i made it but kept it and i never got it? please let me know if you think i will win this appeal.
They are online on a web site lookingfor repo agents and they even state that they pay for gas in the trucks and its the same comany name and the same guy who i listed on the paper for my unemployment

A: write to the state labor board and the better business bureau about it and wait for your appeal to come through.

generally, an employee who quits is not entitled to unemployment otherwise lots of people would quit there job to get it.

if you had a contract with a company that stated they were to pay for your gas, then you had every reason to quit and will be able to get your unemployment probably. good luck!

Q: Illinois Unemployment Appeal help?
Hi i worked for a repo company in IL i live in IN i worked for the employer for 4 months or so i worked 5-7 days a week 12 hours a day and sometime all day and even sleeped in my truck. When i got hired by the company they paid for the gas for the trucks since the truck was there truck and then i quit when they took my gas card away and wanted me to pay for my gas when i had the biggest area in IL the whole northwest side of IL. I filed for unemployment and i got it for 3 weeks and then i guess my employer appealed it cuz i had a phone interview and then they had a phone interview and they stopped my benefits and i sent in a appeal to re look at the deny part and i am hoping they reserve it and give me my benefits back. do you guys think i have a chance of getting it over turned? plus they took 100 dollars a week for the use of there laptop and photo software and they put that in my 1099 and they took 2800 from me for messing up a car and they put that on my 1099 took is there any way that is illegal even tho they said i made it but kept it and i never got it? please let me know if you think i will win this appeal.

A: You quit…you’re going to lose the appeal

Q: Illinois Unemployment Appeal help?
Hi i worked for a repo company in IL i live in IN i worked for the employer for 4 months or so i worked 5-7 days a week 12 hours a day and sometime all day and even sleeped in my truck. When i got hired by the company they paid for the gas for the trucks since the truck was there truck and then i quit when they took my gas card away and wanted me to pay for my gas when i had the biggest area in IL the whole northwest side of IL. I filed for unemployment and i got it for 3 weeks and then i guess my employer appealed it cuz i had a phone interview and then they had a phone interview and they stopped my benefits and i sent in a appeal to re look at the deny part and i am hoping they reserve it and give me my benefits back. do you guys think i have a chance of getting it over turned? plus they took 100 dollars a week for the use of there laptop and photo software and they put that in my 1099 and they took 2800 from me for messing up a car and they put that on my 1099 took is there any way that is illegal even tho they said i made it but kept it and i never got it? please let me know if you think i will win this appeal.
They are online on a web site lookingfor repo agents and they even state that they pay for gas in the trucks and its the same comany name and the same guy who i listed on the paper for my unemployment

A: If you were getting a 1099, then you were probably an independent contractor, not an employee, and would not qualify for unemployment under any circumstances.

The website says what they are offering to new hires (perhaps including your future replacement). It does not affect what earlier hires (including you) were entitled to receive.

Q: Arrested for having pocket knife from WALMART in ILLINOIS?
This cop arrested me because he pulled me over and found a pocket knife in my car. It is assisted opening, so not a switchblade. The blade is smaller than the palm of my hand and most likely smaller than 3 inches. I was charged with a class A misdemeanor and it says ‘ use of a dangerous weapon’. It also says i ‘knowingly and unlawfully had possession of a dangerous knife with the intent to use it’. i absolutely didn’t have the intent to use it. I had just purchased it like 3 days earlier. Cop said its not illegal for walmart to sell it, but its illegal for me to possess it. Isn’t it a crime as soon as i hand over the money to the clerk then? I am 19 years old. This happened in IL. What may happen to me?
Marshall: he asked if he could search my car, I said no, but they did anyways. They had no probable cause.
For more info and a bigger read check this out : http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AoVGTf3Oby4jdOhVLe_43vrsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20100616023911AAK8SKq
Charles: Thank you for reading my ‘novel’, but you didn’t read carefully. I stated that I didn’t have my DL because I have a speeding ticket which i showed the cops along with a state id. I was released on the night of the traffic stop and arrested when i later returned to the police department to look for my documents.

And thank you to every one who answered, keep the answers coming!!!
This is the knife:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/GERBER-PRESTO-3-SERRATED-KNIFE/11071310

A: f*cking cops… so sick of these f*cking pigs

Q: Saturn SL2, should I buy it?
so, i drive a 1996 lumina with 196000 miles. it’s not a bad car, it’s ugly starting to rust in the rear and will need a new cv boot (if not the whole joint) soon. (It gets 25 mpg when I drive).

The company I work for is eliminating it’s old company cars.
They have a 1997 saturn sl2 that they are looking to trade in on a new civic. They took it to the dealer and they said they’d give 500 for it. My boss who is a good friend said he’d sell it to me for the same.

Should I buy it? It’s a 5 speed sl2 with 178 k. He said it gets 40 mpg on the highway. the car has had EVERYTHING break except the engine, clutch, tranny, and some of the suspension. In the past year the radiator, alternator, exhause, tie rod, wheel balancer, fuel pump, horn relay, and some little stuff has failed.

I figure for 500 bucks i can’t go wrong and the car seems that nothing else can break.

It was used for driving from minnesota to illinois, taking advice, never owned a saturn before.
Is there anything that is going to fail that i need to worry about? Common problems on these cars? other than driving a chick car that is
obviously “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, doesn’t apply on here. Screw It and do it. thanks guys

A: For $500 why not…but I gurantee it doesn’t get 40 miles per gallon on the highway…I drove an 06 Corolla and I got about 36 mpg. I doubt a ten year-old Saturn can beat that. If it last you a year, then the $500 was worth it.

Q: How is it not discrimination when only….?
smokers are being taxed? In Illinois, they are raising the tax on cigarettes 75 cents a pack, and actually trying to raise it to 90 cents a pack…making the total taxes on a pack $1.88 – a 90 percent increase in taxes. The money is to used for public projects…road improvements. Do non-smokers not use the roads??? I thought they did! How is taxing one group of the public not discrimination? What is we just start taxing people with red cars more money then those with other colors? Is that fair? Or what if we start taxing men more than women? Or blacks more than white? None of that would be tolerated.

I know smoking is “bad”, but it is also an addiction. Why punish those with a legit addiction in this way?
The excuse of it can help them quit is bogus. Time and time again it has been proven that raising the price of ciggies doesn’t lower the amount of smokers. An addiction doesn’t get broken so easily. Using our “health” is a nice try, but no dice. No Dr. has ever prescribed raising the price of smokes to help a smoker quit. Dr.s know this doesn’ t work.
Wrong…the $$$ is not going to healthcare on this tax increase…it’s going toward road improvements.

A: The governor of wisconsin is trying to raise the tax too, and he stated in a press conference that the main reason behind this is to FORCE people into quitting… Now I don’t know where the hell you live… But I live in the USA where we have the freedom to choose… Alot of people in wisconsin are trying to get smoking banned in public places… like bars and restaurants… But now I’m confused… every restauraunt in wisconsin that I have been to has seperate seating if they allow smoking… no problem for me… But now bars, this is where I get confused… People want to ban smoking in bars because its UNHEALTHY!?!?!? Hmmmmm wait a minute… what do bars serve as there main product… oh yeah… ALCOHOL!!!! DUH!!! I must be stupid… here I thought alcohol was bad for you… but with how everyone else is thinking it actually must be good for you!!! So hey, lets all go to the bar, drink a crap load of shots, and then DRIVE home… cause when you smoke and drive it causes accidents… but drinking and driving is ok… YEAH…. I think wisconsin has its priorities messed up… smoking is not the problem, and I’m not saying that they should force people into giving up alocohol… I think that the people, and business owners of the united states should be able to make their own decisions…

Q: Is this is OK for neo-libs? Do they seem to worship criminals?
The answers to what you are searching for will be found here

William Jefferson Clinton- Impeached by the House of Representatives over allegations of perjury and obstruction of justice, but acquitted by the Senate. Scandals include Whitewater – Travelgate Gennifer Flowersgate – Filegate – Vince Fostergate – Whitewater Billing Recordsgate – Paula Jonesgate- Lincoln Bedroomgate – Donations from Convicted Drug and Weapons Dealersgate – Lippogate – Chinagate – The Lewinsky Affair – Perjury and Jobs for Lewinskygate – Kathleen Willeygate – Web Hubbell Prison Phone Callgate – Selling Military Technology to the Chinesegate – Jaunita Broaddrick Gate – Lootergate – Pardongate

Edward Moore Kennedy – Democrat – U. S. Senator from Massachusetts. Pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, after his car plunged off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island killing passenger Mary Jo Kopechne.

Barney Frank – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Massachusetts from 1981 to present. Admitted to having paid Stephen L. Gobie, a male prostitute, for sex and subsequently hiring Gobie as his personal assistant. Gobie used the congressman’s Washington apartment for prostitution. A move to expel Frank from the House of Representatives failed and a motion to censure him failed.

DNC – The Federal Election Commission imposed $719,000 in fines against participants in the 1996 Democratic Party fundraising scandals involving contributions from China, Korea and other foreign sources. The Federal Election Commission said it decided to drop cases against contributors of more than $3 million in illegal DNC contributions because the respondents left the country or the corporations are defunct.

Sandy Berger – Democrat – National Security Advisor during the Clinton Administration. Berger became the focus of a criminal investigation after removing highly classified terrorism documents and handwritten notes from the National Archives during preparations for the Sept. 11 commission hearings.

Robert Torricelli – Democrat – Withdrew from the 2002 Senate race with less than 30 days before the election because of controversy over personal gifts he took from a major campaign donor and questions about campaign donations from 1996.

James McGreevey – Democrat – New Jersey Governor . Admitted to having a gay affair. Resigned after allegations of sexual harassment, rumors of being blackmailed on top of fundraising investigations and indictments.

Jesse Jackson – Democrat – Democratic candidate for President. Admitted to having an extramarital affair and fathering a illegitimate child.

Gary Condit – Democrat – US Democratic Congressman from California. Condit had an affair with an intern. Condit, covered up the affair and lied to police after she went missing. No charges were ever filed against Condit. Her remains were discovered in a Washington DC park..

Sowande Ajumoke Omokunde – Democrat – the son of newly elected U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, was booked on charges of criminal damage to property for allegedly slashing tires on 20 vans and cars rented by the Republican Party for use in Election Day voter turnout efforts.

Daniel David Rostenkowski – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Illinois from 1959 to 1995. Indicted on 17 felony charges- pleaded guilty to two counts of misuse of public funds and sentenced to seventeen months in federal prison.

Melvin Jay Reynolds – U.S. Representative from Illinois from 1993 to 1995. Convicted on sexual misconduct and obstruction of justice charges and sentenced to five years in prison.

Charles Coles Diggs, Jr. – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Michigan from 1955 to 1980. Convicted on eleven counts of mail fraud and filing false payroll forms- sentenced to three years in prison.

George Rogers – Democrat – Massachusetts State House of Representatives from 1965 to 1970. M000ember of Massachusetts State Senate from 1975 to 1978. Convicted of bribery in 1978 and sentenced to two years in prison.

Don Siegelman – Democrat Governor Alabama – indicted in a bid-rigging scheme involving a maternity-care program. The charges accused Siegelman and his former chief of staff of helping Tuscaloosa physician Phillip Bobo rig bids. Siegelman was accused of moving $550,000 from the state education budget to the State Fire College in Tuscaloosa so Bobo could use the money to pay off a competitor for a state contract for maternity care.

John Murtha, Jr. – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania. Implicated in the Abscam sting, in which FBI agents impersonating Arab businessmen offered bribes to political figures; Murtha was cited as an unindicted co-conspirator

Gerry Eastman Studds – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Massachusetts from 1973 to 1997. The first openly gay member of Congress. Censured by the House of Representatives for having sexual relations with a teenage House page.

James C. Green – Democrat – North Carolina State House of Representatives from 1961 to 1977. Charged with accepting a bribe from an undercover FBI agent, but was acquitted. Convicted of tax evasion in 1997.

Frederick Richmond – Democrat – U.S. Representative from New York from 1975 to 1982. Arrested in Washington, D.C., in 1978 for soliciting sex from a minor and from an undercover police officer – pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. Also – charged with tax evasion, marijuana possession, and improper payments to a federal employee – pleaded guilty.

Raymond Lederer – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania from 1977 to 1981. Implicated in the Abscam sting – convicted of bribery and sentenced to three years in prison and fined $20,000.

Harrison Arlington Williams, Jr. – Democrat – U.S. Senator from New Jersey from 1959 to 1970. Implicated in the Abscam sting. Allegedly accepted an 18% interest in a titanium mine. Convicted of nine counts of bribery, conspiracy, receiving an unlawful gratuity, conflict of interest, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering. Sentenced to three years in prison and fined $50,000.

Frank Thompson, Jr. – Democrat – U.S. Representative from New Jersey from 1955 to 1980. Implicated in the Abscam sting, convicted on bribery and conspiracy charges. Sentenced to three years in prison

Michael Joseph Myers – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania from 1976 to 1980. Implicated in the Abscam sting – convicted of bribery and conspiracy; sentenced to three years in prison and fined $20,000; expelled from the House of Representatives on October 2, 1980.

John Michael Murphy – Democrat – U.S. Representative from New York from 1963 to 1981. Implicated in the Abscam sting. Convicted of conspiracy, conflict of interest, and accepting an illegal gratuity. Sentenced to three years in prison and fined $20,000.

John Wilson Jenrette, Jr – Democrat – U.S. Representative from South Carolina from 1975 to 1980. Implicated in the Abscam sting. Convicted on bribery and conspiracy charges and sentenced to prison

Neil Goldschmidt – Democrat – Oregon governor. Admitted to having an illegal sexual relationship with a 14-year-old teenager while he was serving as Mayor of Portland.

Alcee Lamar Hastings – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Florida. Impeached and removed from office as federal judge in 1989 over bribery charges.

Marion Barry – Democrat – mayor of Washington, D.C., from 1979 to 1991 and again from 1995 to 1999. Convicted of cocaine possession after being caught on videotape smoking crack cocaine. Sentenced to six months in prison.

Mario Biaggi – Democrat – U.S. Representative from New York from 1969 to 1988. Indicted on federal charges that he had accepted bribes in return for influence on federal contracts.Convicted of obstructing justice and accepting illegal gratuities. Tried in 1988 on federal racketeering charges and convicted on 15 felony counts.

Lee Alexander – Democrat – Mayor of Syracuse, N.Y. from 1970 to 1985. Was indicted over a $1.5 million kickback scandal. Pleaded guilty to racketeering and tax evasion charges. Served six years in prison.

Bill Campbell – Democrat – Mayor of Atlanta. Indicted and charged with fraud over claims he accepted improper payments from contractors seeking city contracts.

Frank Ballance – Democrat – Congressman North Carolina. Pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering related to mishandling of money by his charitable foundation.

Hazel O’Leary – Democrat – Secretary of Energy during the Clinton Administration – O’leary took trips all over the world as Secretary with as many 50 staff members and at times rented a plane, which was used by Madonna during her concert tours.

Lafayette Thomas – Democrat – Candidate for Tennessee State House of Representatives in 1954. Sheriff of Davidson County, from 1972 to 1990. Indicted in federal court on 54 counts of abusing his power as sheriff. Pleaded guilty to theft and mail fraud; sentenced to five years in prison.

Mary Rose Oakar – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1977 to 1993. Pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of funneling $16,000 through fake donors.

David Giles – Democrat – candidate for U.S. Representative from Washington in 1986 and 1990. Convicted in June 2000 of child rape.

Gary Siplin – Democrat state senator Florida- found guilty of third-degree grand theft of $5,000 or more, a felony, and using services of employees for his candidacy.

Edward Mezvinsky – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Iowa from 1973 to 1977. Indicted on 56 federal fraud charges.

Lena Swanson – Democrat – Member of Washington State Senate in 1997. Pleaded guilty to charges of soliciting unlawful payments from veterans and former prisoners of war.

Abraham J. Hirschfeld – Democrat – candidate in Democratic primary for U.S. Senator from New York in 1974 and 1976. Offered Paula Jones $1 million to drop her sexual harassment lawsuit against President Bill Clinton. Convicted in 2000 of trying to hire a hit man to kill his business partner.

Henry Cisneros – Democrat – U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1993 to 1997. Pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of lying to the FBI.

James A. Traficant Jr. – Member of House of Representatives from Ohio. Expelled from Congress after being convicted of corruption charges. Sentenced today to eight years in prison for accepting bribes and kickbacks.

John Doug Hays – Democrat – member of Kentucky State Senate from 1980 to 1982 Found guilty of mail fraud for submitting false campaign reports stemming from an unsuccessful run for judge. He was sentenced to six months in prison to be followed by six months of home confinement and three years of probation.

Henry J. Cianfrani – Democrat – Pennsylvania State Senate from 1967 to 1976. Convicted on federal charges of racketeering and mail fraud for padding his Senate payroll. Sentenced to five years in federal prison.

David Hall – Democrat – Governor of Oklahoma from 1971 to 1975. Indicted on extortion and conspiracy charges. Convicted and sentenced to three years in prison.

John A. Celona – Democrat – A former state senator was charged with the three counts of mail fraud. Federal prosecutors accused him of defrauding the state and collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars from CVS Corp. and others while serving in the legislature. Celona has agreed to plead guilty to taking money from the CVS pharmacy chain and other companies that had interest in legislation. Under the deal, Celona agreed to cooperate with investigators. He faces up to five years in federal prison on each of the three counts and a $250,000 fine

Allan Turner Howe – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Utah from 1975 to 1977. Arrested for soliciting a policewoman posing as a prostitute.

Jerry Cosentino – Democrat – Illinois State Treasurer. Pleaded guilty to bank fraud – fined $5,000 and sentenced to nine months home confinement.

Joseph Waggonner Jr. – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Louisiana from 1961 to 19 79. Arrested in Washington, D.C. for soliciting a policewoman posing as a prostitute

Albert G. Bustamante – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Texas from 1985 to 1993. Convicted in 1993 on racketeering and bribery charges and sentenced to prison.

Lawrence Jack Smith – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Florida from 1983 to 1993. Sentenced to three months in federal prison for tax evasion.

David Lee Walters – Democrat – Governor of Oklahoma from 1991 to 1995. Pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor election law violation.

James Guy Tucker, Jr. – Democrat – Governor of Arkansas from 1992 to 1996. Resigned in July 1996 after conviction on federal fraud charges as part of the Whitewater investigation.

Walter Rayford Tucker – Democrat – Mayor of Compton, California from 1991 to 1992; U.S. Representative from California from 1993 to 1995. Sentenced to 27 months in prison for extortion and tax evasion.

William McCuen – Democrat – Secretary of State of Arkansas from 1985 to 1995. Admitted accepting kickbacks from two supporters he gave jobs, and not paying taxes on the money. Admitted to conspiring with a political consultant to split $53,560 embezzled from the state in a sham transaction. He was indicted on corruption charges. Pleaded guilty to felony counts tax evasion and accepting a kickback. Sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Walter Fauntroy – Democrat – Delegate to U.S. Congress from the District of Columbia from 1971 to 1991. Charged in federal court with making false statements on financial disclosure forms. Pleaded guilty to one felony count and sentenced to probation.

Carroll Hubbard, Jr. – Democrat – Kentucky State Senate from 1968 to 1975 and U.S. Representative from Kentucky from 1975 to 1993. Pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the Federal Elections Commission and to theft of government property; sentenced to three years in prison.

Joseph Kolter – Democrat – member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from 1969 to 1982 and U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania from 1983 to 1993. Indicted by a Federal grand jury on five felony charges of embezzlement at the U.S. House post office. Pleaded guilty.

Webster Hubbell – Democrat – Chief Justice of Arkansas State Supreme Court in 1983. Pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud and tax evasion charges – sentenced to 21 months in prison.

Nicholas Mavroules – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Massachusetts from 1979 to 1993. Pleaded guilty to charges of tax fraud and accepting gratuities while in office.

Carl Christopher Perkins – Democrat – Kentucky State House of Representatives from 1981 to 1984 and U.S. Representative from Kentucky from 1985 to 1993. Pleaded guilty to bank fraud in connection with the House banking scandal. Perkins wrote overdrafts totaling about $300,000. Pleaded guilty to charges of filing false statements with the Federal Election Commission and false financial disclosure reports. Sentenced to 21 months in prison.

Richard Hanna – Democrat – U.S. Representative from California from 1963 to 1974. Received payments of about $200,000 from a Korean businessman in what became known as the “Koreagate” influence buying scandal. Pleaded guilty and sentenced to federal prison.

Angelo Errichetti – Democrat – New Jersey State Senator was sentenced to six years in prison and fined $40,000 for his involvement in Abscam.

Daniel Baugh Brewster – Democrat – U.S. Senator from Maryland. Indicted on charges of accepting illegal gratuity while in Senate.

Thomas Joseph Dodd – Democrat – U.S. Senator from Connecticut. Censured by the Senate for financial improprieties, having diverted $116,000 in campaign and testimonial funds to his own use

Edward Fretwell Prichard, Jr. – Democrat – Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Kentucky. Convicted of vote fraud in federal court in connection with ballot-box stuffing. Served five months in prison.

Jerry Springer – Democrat – Resigned from Cincinnati City Council in 1974 after admitting to paying a prostitute with a personal check, which was found in a police raid on a massage parlor.

Guy Hamilton Jones, Sr. – Democrat -Arkansas State Senate. Convicted on federal tax charges and expelled from the Arkansas Senate.

Daniel Flood – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania from 1945 to 1947, 1949 to 1953 and 1955 to 1980. Pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge involving payoffs and sentenced to probation.

Otto Kerner, Jr – Democrat – Governor of Illinois from 1961 to 1968. While serving as Governor, he and another official made a gain of over $300,000 in a stock deal. Convicted on 17 counts of bribery, conspiracy, perjury, and related charges. Sentenced to three years in federal prison and fined $50,000.

George Crockett, Jr. – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Michigan. Served four months in federal prison for contempt of court following his defense of a Communist leader on trial for advocating the overthrow of the government.

Cornelius Edward Gallagher – Democrat – U.S. Representative from New Jersey from 1959 to 1973. Indicted on federal charges of income tax evasion, conspiracy, and perjury

Mark B. Jimenez – Democrat fundraiser – sentenced to 27 months in prison on charges of tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud the United States and commit election financing offenses.

Bobby Lee Rush – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Illinois. As a Black Panther, spent six months in prison on a weapons charge.

Bolley ”Bo” Johnson – Democrat – Former Florida House Speaker – received a two-year term for tax evasion.

Roger L. Green – Democrat – Brooklyn Democrat Assemblyman. Pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for accepting travel reimbursement for trips he did not pay for and was sentenced to fines and probation.

Gloria Davis – Democrat – Bronx assemblywoman. Pleaded guilty to second-degree bribe-taking.
Or is it the Clinton, what ever you can get away with mentality?

A: What they will do is to point at the one conservative that messes up and say it all is equal, versus looking at the quantitative numbers and then do an analysis.

so 1 = that entire list.

Talk about fuzzy math.

Q: need a flight to and a rental car in Chicago!?
flying from okc,ok to ORD….
2 passengers from July 8th-11th
i’m having trouble figuring out how to use the traveling sites like Orbitz etc…
Just need a flight there and a rental car to get around.

A: Why not avoid O’Hare and fly Southwest from OKC to MDW. Midway is smaller, easier, and you can get your rental car right across from Baggage Claim on the lower level.

Just take Cicero Ave. North to I-55 North. That takes you right downtown.

Q: What places let you use their car for the driving test?
On chicago’s northside there is a place that takes you on the road to show you how to drive and also lets you use a car to take the driving test at the driving facility located a few miles from it..

Does anyone have a clue of the name or the location of the place or any other places that’s similar to this place

A: I bet if you called the department of motor vehicles in Chicago they would be able to get you this information.

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/facilities/chicago/home.html

Q: I live in chicago and I want to know..how do i get to cantonberry mall in harvey using public transportation?
I’m not sure how to spell cantonberry but its a mall out in harvey by markham. I dont have a car yet so i need to know how to get there by cta….also if you can tell me what time the buses stop running out there that would be helpful too… Thanks!

A: you’d have to take the metra IC (electric line). it stops in harvey. they have cta buses around there but don’t know the schedule. also, be careful in harvey. not a nice area, especially around the train station.

Q: Which of the following cars is best?
scion tc
civic si (2006+)
mustang V6 (2000+)
evo (2005ish)
eclipse (2000+ leaning more towards the 2006 models)
wrx
rsx
Gto (2004+)
srt 4
cobalt ss

1. Which car is best performance wise (STOCK)?
2. Which car is going to be the easiest on gas?
3. Which car is the most reliable?
4. Which car will be least expensive to insure?
5. Which car will be the cheapest to purchase in Chicago (all will be used)?
btw, all will be manual and I am will be 18-19 when i buy the car

A: Well, I can’t answer most of those but I can tell you that the GTO, Cobalt SS, and the Mustang will be the most reliable. And when it boils down to it, isn’t that the second most important thing to safety? All I’m saying is that if you want a good car, an American one will last.

Q: I am planning a trip to Chicago and…?
I am indifferent on how I want to travel there. I was going to drive there and use my car as transportation. Or, I was thinking about taking the train and using this CTA system I keep reading about. The thing is I don’t really want to be confused and scared to ride around all day on this CTA. So, for you people who either have visited and used the CTA or live there, how easy is this system to use?

A: bmh423 – the CTA is EASY to use. If you have ever ridden on a bus or subway before, then you can ride the CTA. You can get a FREE CTA transit map at most CTA el stations or at the CTA office in the Merchandise Mart. Or you can write and the CTA will mail one to you (www.transitchicago.com).

The CTA is also cheaper than driving (and parking), especially in the downtown area of Chicago. Each bus/train ride is $1.75(bus)/$2.00(el) but you can get a CTA Visitor pass for unlimited rides. Passes cost: 1 day – $5, 2 day-$9, 3 day-$12, 5 day – $18 and 7 day – $20.

Q: I own a mitsubishi eclipse 1999 gs and i drive it in chicago so which type of oil should i use? 5w-30or10w-30?
Also which is the best brand of motor oil to use? is shell 10w-30 motor oil good for my car?

A: Mobil extended performance 10w30 the best conventional oil i have used this oil in my engine since new and now i got 200,000 miles and still going.

Q: Do you believe this conservation he had with a radio host?
Keep in mind they have different lifestyles. There are photos of him from 99′ and he was in better shape back then. Scroll below video and listen to audio. He’s not lying. By the way limo’s/town cars can sometimes be cheaper then cabs in Chicago. I used to live there.

http://caosblog.com/7086
Listen to the audio before you respond. This guy isn’t lying.

A: ..I think the republicans are going to have a field day before this is over.

Q: Information on vintage Z Cars?
Hey all, I’m curious about a type of vintage vehicle that we all know and love. Recently my car was stolen and trashed in a joyride, and the insurance payout has finally come.
While I have a motorcycle and can get around easily, I live in the Chicago area and its not practical at all, so a car is needed, preferably a sporty one.

An idea popped into my head not too long ago about what car I should get. I used to own a 92 300ZX Turbo, and I absolutely loved that car before it died. After doing a bit of research and looking around car shows I have come to the conclusion I want one of the original Datsun/Nissan Z cars before they morphed into ZXs.

So my question is this: which year would you guys recommend? How many are there out there in good condition, what problems should I look for above what normal problems a car made in the late 60s or early 70s would have? Anything would be helpful.

Thanks!

A: The most desirable generation of the S30s would be the 240z (mostly the ’70s one).

Just remember that the farther you go back, the harder it ill be to find a clean chassis.

I original wanted a 240z but I can across a 280z that I just couldn’t past up. The frame is ultimately almost the same, except the metal bumpers (yuck!). I’m converting the bumpers on the 280z to resemble the 240z right now.

If you want to get an S30 chances are that you will have to have search long and hard for a good deal on a clean almost rust free chassis. Rust is your enemy. You can always get a motor for the car, but rust is something you want to avoid.

Check out classiczcars.com and hybridz.org for a bunch of info on the S30. You may even find your Z there

Q: Can someone help me find the equation to this story problem?
An express train and a car leave Chicago at the same time and head for a town 280
miles away. The speed of the express train is twice the speed of the car. The train
arrives 4 hours ahead of the car. Find the speed of the train.

I’ve try doing it many times, but the equation i use seems wrong which is why I’m always getting the wrong answer. Thank You.

A: Let train travel at t miles/hour and car at c miles/hour.
Then t=2c.
Time taken by train (in hours) is 280/t = 140/c.
Time taken by car (in hours) is 280/c.
We are told that
4+(140/c) = 280/c
=>4c=140
=>c=35
=>t=70
So the train travels at 70 miles/hour (and the car at 35 miles/hour).

Q: Chicago Pace Bus Route from Chicago Ave. in Naperville to York Rd. in Oak Brook?
I’m looking for a pace bus route that will take me from Chicago Ave. in Naperville to York Road by 22nd Street in Oak Brook. I already went on the Pace website and couldn’t find one so don’t tell me to go there it was too confusing. I’m just getting really frustrated with gas prices and I don’t think I’m going to use my car during the week anymore.

A: www.rtachicago.com….it’s a trip planner

Q: I own a mitsubishi eclipse 1999 gs and i drive it in chicago so which type of oil should i use? 5w-30or10w-30?
Also which is the best brand of motor oil to use? is shell 10w-30 motor oil good for my car?

A: I use Shell Rotella T Synthetic 5w-40 in all my vehicles.

Q: Does anyone use zipcars or igocars in Chicago?
Looking into signing up for one of these shared cars services.

A: Try Oak Park. They initiated a shared car service last year. Try calling the Village Hall in Oak Park on Madison St.

Q: How would you recommend transporting an elderly man from a small town in Wisconsin to Chicago?
My grandfather lives way up north in Ashland, WI and has lived there for years without ever really leaving town. His granddaughter is getting married in Chicago. We are trying to find a way to get him to his granddaughter’s wedding without having to drive up there ourselves and drive him back down (which he would not like because he is not used to long car trips).

He does not drive. He lives alone.

Any advice?
Perhaps I was unclear.

He lives in a rural town. There are no nearby airports. He would either have to take a cab down to the Twin Cities (MN) — and I’m not even sure that there are cabs in the area — or someone would need to go get him.
I am looking for information from anyone who has experience with travel with elderly persons or who is familiar with the bus routes in Wisconsin. I am hoping that there might be an option that I am overlooking.

A: If he is not comfortable in the car, the bus option will not work either. When it comes to car or bus, car is a much better option since you can pull over for a break or whatever whenever you want. The only option remaining is to take a plane.

Q: Do you think I will still be considered a “guy” if i purchase this exact car?
I’m thinking about calling the person and purchasing it but the purple is making me have second choices /= what do you think?

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/oldsmobile-alero-cars357920542;_ylt=AiJLbwE.xJM1noEgXpeSui9UVI54;_ylv=3?individualowner=1&sortcol=mileage&sortdir=up&askpriceub=2000&askpricelb=any&deliverymileageub=any&deliverymileagelb=any&location=Chicago,+IL+60652&listingtype=used&model=&make=oldsmobile&distance=25
Yamaha: thanx a lot, a very wise man you are indeed Lol.

A: Naw, it’s not pink, so you’re good. A word of wisdom though, the Aleros have a bad problem with the front hub assemblies going bad which cause you’re brakes to get sketchy from time to time, but overall, they are a pretty easy car to repair if they develop problems!

Q: Looking to buy a cheap car in Chicago, IL.. Where to search?[pic]?
I dont care if its used or not. I just want a honda civic like this one in the picture but thats in GOOD condition! No need to fix anything or that it has any dents/scratches in the body.

http://www.kris.1000lecie.pl/civicpics/black%20honda%20civic%20wground%20effects%20(1)%20(1).jpg

Im looking for a Black or White Honda Civic.

So where can i find some i can search up and look at including the price?

THx~!

A: www.cars.com
www.craigslist.com
www.usedcars.com

Q: Republicans are screaming that NEVER in the History of our county were we forced to “buy” something, but what?
About Medicare Insurance? Take a look at your paycheck stub. They start taking Medicare taxes out when you start working to “pay” for Insurance when you retire. To my knowledge there is “no” choice in the matter.

By Law if you drive a car you must “buy” car insurance OR your financially punished. Even if you have a good driving record and use someone elses car for years, when you then have your own car and apply for Insurance your PUNISHED with being forced to carry high risk Insurance for 3 years-IT HAPPENED TO ME In Illinois!

So what are they yelling about?

A: You are correct, taxpayers have been paying for health care already. Nearly 50% of health care in the United States is paid by taxpayer money. (Medicare and Medicate) Providing for the elderly and for the poor. The health bill just signed will help to cover more in the middle class and working poor.
Car insurance is also manditory in most states, in some states if you have money in a bank account to cover damages caused by a accident you don’t have to carry insurance. Social security is manditory “retirement fund”. Sales tax is manditory, well only if you want to wear clothes and use toilet paper and stuff like that.

Q: When does is start to snow in Illinois and Stop?
I need to move using a Uhaul Trailer attached to my car
(Which is NOT good in bad weather) to drive in) to move from
Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA.

If I left in the Beginning of November, or by Nov. 15th lets say, do you think it would be really dangerous on the road wetherwise to travel?

I’m Kind of open as far as travel dates, as i can wait (don’t want to though), but when would be the best time to travel, without ice and snow and tons of rain and storms from IL to CA?

(I’m going to Southern way, traveling all the way down to the Arizona, New Mexico region and through San Diego to LA)

A: That would be pushing the end of the window of snow-free weather, but in my opinion, even if it does snow in Illinois in early November, it won’t be a huge snowstorm and it won’t stay on the ground long.

If you could afford to spend a day in a motel in the event that the weather turned bad, I think, in my opinion, you could still make it okay in early November.

Q: Would it be illegal to install these headlights?
I just got a BMW as my first car and I’m trying to do a few upgrades on it. I want to install new headlights but I’m wondering if it will be illegal in Illinois to use headlights that are slightly blue. The link of the headlights below.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-2008-BMW-E90-328i-330i-335i-CCFL-HEADLIGHTS-BLACK_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4a9eae9f21QQitemZ320489824033QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

A: you would be fine. Alot of the new headlights that are brighter than factory made ones are in blue or brighter whie color. It cant be flashling lights and you cant have any other color lights for your reverse or brake lights.

Q: Convert 3 car garage into 2 car?
We have an old 3 car garage that we want to convert into 2. We only have two cars and we’d been parking in front of the garage but we got a ticket the other day and we have to start parking inside cuz the cars were parked a little on the alley. There are 3 single doors and it is a pain in the a** trying to park the cars because it is so narrow!!! You’re guaranteed to hit your car trying to park, otherwise we would be using the garage. So we want to remove the doors and the beams (?) and just put one big beam in the middle to make it two car. We’re not looking to putting in doors becuz we plan on tearing it down in the future, when we have the money to do so. Do we need to put a header of some sort? And do we have to get a permit? Live in East Moline, Illinois

A: If the property is yours, do whatever you want. But if you need to disturb some neighbors like bringing a Terex Titan to do the renovation, you might need the permit. Just a cost effective way since you’ll be tearing it down in the future, just tear your garage down as early as now and cover your cars with a leather coat. Also tie the wheels of your cars with big chains before you sleep at night.

Q: Best car for college car.?
im thinking maybe the mini cooper S, mazda miata, mazda speed3, honda civic coupe/si, used bmw z4, used s2000, used 350z, or a used bmw 1 series.
im looking to spend somwhere between 18k and 28k. by the way, i am going to the university of Illinois, but my parents live in princeton.

A: good choices man.but i would go with honda! i would get an s2000.only a 2 seater but its all about you and the girl!! if you dont mind just having 2 seats get the S2000! they are fun!! and plus your other choices are more expensive to fix.if you want more then 2 seats get the si coupe pretty quick as well and both very reliable.Si would be cheaper when it comes to insurance though

Q: What are LEGAL colors for 9003 Headlights?
Hey, I got a 95′ Civic and I been having problems with the headlights for a while. My car burnt out 2 pairs of 9003 headlights in two weeks. First time I thought I blew it out because I touched the bulb, which I found out can burn it out. But the second time, wore latex and still blew, found out the alternator was shooting up too much power which was resulting in the blow outs.

Anyway, I on a hunt for headlights. I was about to purchase the standard but ran into “Cool Blue” and “Ultra White” lights. I was wondering if there are other types of bulbs that I can use in ILLINOIS, that are legal. I’ve seen purple on some BMW’s which looked nice. Any suggestions and links will help me decide. thanks.

A: Check the packaging of the bulbs, they should say whether they are DOT legal or not. The purple bulbs on BMW’s and other cars are usually HID’s, and are legal for those vehicles because they are equip from the factory. I had a set of Sylvania Silverstar, they had a slight tint of blue to them and were legal. But they only lasted about a two years until 1 burned out recently. Here’s an interesting discussion on headlight bulbs: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=298500

Q: What is the proper way to denie a traffic cop permission to search my car?
Not too long ago, an Illinois state trooper pulled me over on the interstate. The reason he gave me was because “studies have shown that pickup trucks are the type of vehicle most often used to transport drugs to points north from Mexico”. I told him that was a ridiculous reason to pull me over. After checking my license, registration, and insurance, he asked if I would give my consent for him to search my truck. When I refused, he replied that my refusal implied that I had something to hide and that he now had “reasonable suspicion” and no longer needed my consent. Thirty minutes later a county sheriff arrived with a dog to take a couple laps around my truck. Naturally, they found nothing and I was on my way without even an apology. As far as I’m concerned, cops like that are scum only grasping at straws in hopes that they’ll stumble upon a lucky bust to help further their careers. And if they have no problem violating the rights of citizens like that, I’m sure they would have little hesitation planting drugs, guns, or other illegal items. So, WHEN this happens again, how do I deny consent without giving them “reasonable suspicion”. Do I have to specifically indicate that “I deny consent because it would be a violation of my constitutional rights”? And, was his statement true; did my refusal give him all he needed to search without my consent?

A: Couple of things first…. to the susposed law enforcement officers answering this question, have you ever heard of REASONABLE suspicion? A pick up truck 1700 miles from the mexican border will get laughed out of court.
How to prevent them from entering you car and searching it. When pulled over make sure you are NOT ON A PUBLIC ROADWAY. Pull into somebody’s driveway, a store parking lot, or a private drive. If able, pull completely OFF the road. Get out of the car with your credentials, and lock the doors. Drop the keys over the antenna and step away from the car. You are no longer in possession of the means to enter the car, the contents of the car are no longer accessible to you, and with out a warrant they can not enter the car, dog or no dog.
Yes they can hold you until a dog gets there and sniffs your car. If he finds nothing they have no further recourse. No your refusal DID NOT GIVE HIM REASONABLE SUSPICION.
If that is actually the reason this idiot gave you, I would be contacting an atty and looking into suing.

Q: Will my license be taken away because of this?
I rear ended someone in illinois and got a citation for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. A witness claimed I was talking on my cell phone, but I wasn’t. I was, however, on my cell phone earlier in my car ride. The crash is not that bad, and only my car was damaged. I did get a citation for using my cell phone because I am under 18.
You’re not going to hurt my feelings if you don’t think I was on my phone. I’m looking for a genuine answer, not a sarcastic remark.

A: So you werent’ on the cell phone but just happened to have been on the cell phone earlier. What an amazing coincidence.

Wave bye-bye license.

PS – I’m not trying to hurt your feelings. This IS a genuine remark. You will be losing your license. How else would you like me to put it for you?

Q: Dance clubs in Illinois question?
Okay I got into a car accident like five days ago. and they are holding my liscense until I pay the ticket. Well anyways. I want to go to a dance club. I’m eighteen but I know you have to show I.D. But I don’t have any. But they gave me this yellow slip thing that I can use for my liscense until I get it mailed back to my house. No idea what to do.

A: Without a proper form of ID the majority of dance clubs will not grant you entry. Collect a high school id, birth certificate, social security card and your yellow slip then visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles office.

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/facilities/home.html

Upon arriving, inform the desk clerk that you need a state id card and they will direct you to the appropriate area, expect to pay $10-20 for this service.

Good luck

Q: Who do you contact in Illinois to file a complaint about a police officer using excessive force?
My nephew was arrested for under age drinking. I understand my nephew was wrong. The police officer handcuffed my nephew and kept hitting him with the night stick. The officer put him in the back of his squad car and took him to the station. My nephew was put in a holding cell and the officer came in and maced him. He was also repeatedly hit while in the cell. He was released at 4 am. We took him to the emergency room. He has bruises and scrapes all over his body and a severe broken blood vessel in his hand, I called the police department to complain and they told us to file a complaint on Monday. This is a small town without an internal affairs. Is there anyone else to file a complaint with?

A: File your complaint with the police station and then follow up from there. However, it needs to be stated again that you should take both sides of the story before you go any where with this. A drunk underage kid is not necessarily the best person to relay the absolute truth about what has happened.

Q: Felony Expungement Illinois?
In 1995 I plead guilty to Felony UUW (unauthorized use of a weapon) in Chicago, which is Cook County. I had an unregistered firearm in my car. I was given “Intensive Probation” for 1 year which i completed with no issues.

Does anyone know if its possible to get this felony expunged?

A: Hello Mac. Expungement of a felony conviction is highly specific to the state/crime. That means each state has it’s own rules of what is allowed to be expunged and what is not. Certain other rules also apply.

Only a first time felony can be expunged. Two or more numbers and you will keep them forever.

Time elements apply. Most states demand 5 years free and clear of all legal encumbrances with some states demanding 7 years.

Unauthorized use of a weapon MAY be expungable. It is less than a CCW charge, which cannot be expunged.

Best advice ( although not the cheapest way to go) would be to consult with an attorney in the jurisdiction of the arrest/conviction. He can tell you if you qualify. If you do qualify, he can also draw up your petition and submit it to the court in your behalf. Upon granting, all rights are returned to you.

One other item also. When you first call the attorney, verify the first consultation is free. Most attorney will grant this, but it helps to make sure. Each attorney values their time and expertise differently, so your cost can vary. Expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $2,000, depending on the amount of work needed. With a first consultation being free, it allows you to “shop around”. Dont go with the cheapest one,,,,,,you usually get what you pay for. Try to find one that has experience and contacts in the court that the expungement will be submitted to.

Best of luck to you and I hope this is useful

Q: US State With Public Lands That Allow Shooting?
A few years ago I was out in Los Alamos and did a little off-roading on jeep trail that were on public lands. I saw some ad-hoc shooting ranges guys had set up. One of them was an upside-down abandoned car. Another was a realtor sign used to post the paper targets. Others were just tin cans laid out on the ground.

You just don’t see this in Illinois. What states allow this sort of informal shooting? What type of land is it allowed on? Is this allowed in the deserts and badlands of the west in general or where do you have to look in order to find out where this is OK to do? Or is it not OK to do and they get away with it because the lands are remote?

A: I am guessing that the people that did set those up and didnt clean up where doing it “illegal” most trail and pub use areas are not going to allow target shooting unless it is an area set aside for target shooting Rules will be posted i guarantee ya. check online. what happens when people do that sort of thing will get the place closed to carrying firearms. Signs will say NO FIREARMS Allowed. any National Park with shooting ranges will be posted and listed. Check out http://www.wheretoshoot.org/
and check out the state’s DNR website look for the shooting range icon shoot safe and shoot til they stop!

Q: Lost Identity…Birth Cert., Soc.Sec.,I.D…?
I lost my Birth Certificate,I.D., and Social Security Card. How am I supposed to get all of these when you have to have one to get another. The only other thing that I have is my marriage License. What am I going to do???
I also lost my sons as well…
I think they were in the car and went out the window.
They were all together in the same plastic case… I keep them in the car because I use them a lot.
Also if it helps to know where I live, I live in Illinois.
Someone please help me! I cant get my stimulus check cashed without some form if identification. And I need all of these items anyways! Im freaking out.

THANK YOU!!!
What i meen in – i lost my sons as well… his birth cert. and soc. sec # is gone also. he is 11 months old.. idk his soc #.. but im pretty sure his birth cert. will be easy to get once i get mine back. or i could have my husband-his dad.
i dont have a passport/credit cards/shot records/old ID. the only thing i have left is my marriage license.
thank you for all the suggestions.

A: do you have a passport, credit cards and bills in your name.
first thing go to the ss office and see if you can get another card. was the id a state issued id. if so do you have an expired one, take it and see if you can get a new one

Q: illinois driving laws?
ok so this isnt about me im 19…. but my sister in law is 17 and just got in a 3 car wreck and amits to texting people while she is driving. i know you have to be 19 to use a cell phone while driving. but what would happen to a person if they are caught useing there cell phone while driving?

A: Wow,

Reckless………..

Q: Getting paid to advertise on your car…?
Please, tell me all you know about getting paid to advertise on your car. Do you know anyone who has done this? Would I have to pay any amount to get started? I live in Illinois and will be driving a whole lot starting next month. I think it would be worth it to advertise on my car if I’m getting paid for it. Especially since I hear they pay you based on how much you drive, and/or the area in which you cover while driving. I could use the extra money! Any links I should try? Phone numbers? Anything. I want to get this started as soon as possible because I heard you need to fill out an application, and something about that taking 90 days? Thanks Much!

A: I have looked into this in the past. My impression is that most programs for advertising on your car appear to be scams, or at least make it almost impossible to make any money from it.

If you really wanted to do this I think you should do it all for yourself. Approach local businesses and offer your services.

Just my opinion.

Q: car rentals ?
how old do you have to be to rent a car in the united states/illinois? or at least to drive a rented car under a parents name? are there any places that would rent a car to a 19 year old? the car wouldn’t go anywhere, it would just stay in one spot and be used for about 2 weeks.

A: 25 is the min for most rental Co’s
Budget rents to 21 yrs olds.

Why pay $50 a day for a rental you intend to park, just take a taxi

Q: I hear liquid moving around in my engine and my car doesn’t move?
Ill try to be as specific as possible (I know NOTHING about cars) I drive a ‘98 Grand-Am. Ive had it for 2 months, still getting used 2 it. I live in Illinois, our nights have been about 20 degrees (really cold) My car is good on transmission fluid, water, & coolant.
The ppl who I sold me the car from said they changd my oil, but it doesnt seem like it has been changed. Its really dark, could just be really heavy oil. This happened for the 1st time yesterday, (I had drove 2 school, come home, went inside for an hour, & then returned 2 my car and it did this) & it happened again this morning before I went 2 school: I started up my car (it rev’d, my tacometer said it was running, heat worked, all was good) I put it in reverse 2 leave my driveway & it didnt move at all. so I tapped on my accelerater a little to get it 2 go. nothing happened. after putting my car in drive, then park,then drive, so on, I finally got it 2 move. after driving for a few min, I heard a “liquidy” sound
the “liquidy” sound was a lot like the same sound a half-empty water bottle would make if you shook it up and down (just like a swishing sound) and it continued the whole time I drove my car

I would just like any explanations anyone might have…or if anyone else has had this happen to them?? My dad is the only person I know who is really good with cars and he’s stumped. Our only guess is that it’s cold out and my car is “cold natured” and the air bubbles in my gas might be making it act funny…thanks for any help!

A: I think the reason you have no drive straightaway is that your transmition fluid is getting low and you need to get it checked,
and the fluid like water running could be the engine coolant
flowing through your heater, not a problem as long as your engine/transmition are not leaking fluids.One way perhaps
to find out if it is coolant flowing through the heater is switch it off and see if it make the same noise,and as regards the engine oil it sounds to me like it needs changing.
Hope this may be of some help

Q: What is the process to purchase a car in TX, use for 5 months, then drive back to IL where I live?
I m trying to figure out how to register, etc. a car I plan to buy and use in Texas for five months before I drive it back to Illinois where I reside. I will still have an IL drivers license and will only be in TX temporarily. I will most likely buy from a private party. Do I register in IL or TX? If IL, can I do it via mail/fax? If TX, do I need to get a TX drivers license?

Thanks for your help!

Jason

A: You should register the car in Texas. When you are pulled over for any reason, life will be easier. When you find the car, go to the DMV with the seller. BOth of you in person. The supervisor will tell you the absolute best way to title your new car. I’m pretty sure she will tell you to title it in Texas. You should get a Texas drivers license if you are living there for 5 months but you can get that info online if i’m wrong..

Q: Please Help..My husband was killed recently in auto crash?
Does anyone know of any funding or help available. My husband was a passenger in a car that crashed and died. I live in Illinois. Anyone know of any help I can get for my family. We used every penny we had to use for a down payment for the funeral. Any help out there?

A: So sorry to hear that. I lost my sister in a car accident as well 6 months ago. She was the passenger. We received money from the drivers insurance comapny. Look into that. Also we had fundraisers in memory of her and have collected a couple thousand dollars. We had a chili dinner and charged $5 donations (ppl always threw in more money) also during that chili dinner we had raffles. I made up a letter detailing what happend to my sister and handed it out to local stores. We had a lot of things to raffle off and that helped bring money. Also i know its a hard time and bringing everyone together having dinner or having a lil party, it might help knowing you have all that support for you. IF you need to talk or anymore info im here at jessucah@aol.com. Peace be with you and your family.

Q: neon lights underneath a car? Under body lights?
Where in the so called free america can one use neon lights legally. I don’t want general answers I want specifics. Like for example: the state, the color, and where on the car.

I know in Illinois you can only have white and yellow in front of the car and red and yellow in the rear. But what’s odd is you can still get a ticket for have the orange lights under your front bumper when it specifically says you can have orange lights on your car. Stupid cop says it’s unnecessary yeah well cops are unnecessary.
xoxoxo: awesome response, this helped me a lot.

Leslie S: Well thanks too I guess I just think it’s a right to do what humans can do as long as we have morals. Keep in mind age don’t mean a thing.
Luis: I like to do what I like to do. I’m a leader not a follower.
P.S. I already have HID’s

A: “You can’t have the blue lights, you can’t have the red lights, you can’t have flashing green lights,” Columbia County Deputy Bobby Bradford said.
If deputy Bradford see those lights, he’ll show you his blue lights. “If they’re under the car and the lights are not visible, we cannot stop them. But if the lights are visible and the lights can be seen we do stop them.”
And if you’re stopped, you’ll see red and pay a lot of green, $119 to be exact. So if you decide to customize your ride, you’ll want to stay away from red, blue and flashing green.
If you live in South Carolina, the law there says it’s illegal to have any blue, red or flashing lights anywhere on your vehicle.

Is it legal to have after market lighting on my car?
Any motor vehicle equipped wth after market lighting, other than supplied by the manufacturer, must comply with certain regulations for the State of Connecticut. As specified in Sections 14-137-100 through 14-137-104 of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Regulations manual.

What are the allowable colors for my after market lighting?
Any light visible from a motor vehicle should be the following:

– Any light visible from the front of the vehicle shall be white,
yellow or amber.
– Any light visible from the forward most edge of the rear
tire of the vehicle to the front of the vehicle shall be
amber or yellow.
– Any light visible from the forward most edge of the rear
tire of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle shall be red.
– Any light visible from the rear of the vehicle shall be red
or amber.
(Effective July 25, 1994)

Can I have underbody neon lights if they are shatterproof?
To date none of the manufacturers of neon lamps have certified the color and intensity of their product. If they were to become certified then the color would be limited by the location but white, amber or yellow, and red is the only allowable colors to be displayed while operated on the road in accordance with DMV Regulation 14-137-101.

underglow kits are illegal in new jersey. any neon light can be considered as distractions to other drivers and you can be ticketed for it

ANYWAYS THERE ARE ILLEGAL IN MOST STATES BUT CA , SORRY

Q: Why is it going to cost me over $700 to get my Oregon license transferred to Illinois?
It used to be that you could just move to another state, take your CDL with you, and they would make you take the written test and the vision. I have a 1. regular car license, 2. a semi-truck license with various endorsements, and 3, a motorcycle license. When I moved from Illinois to Oregon, it was $198 and I thought THAT WAS ALOT but now it will be $772 to get the EXACT same license switched over. Dear God! I barely even have that kind of money. They changed the law here in Hellinois so that you have to take the vision, written, and Driving for ALL 3, CAR, SEMI, AND MOTORCYCLE. My dad (who is, believe it or not, a retired judge), and myself, don’t own a car between the two of us that they will let me take the test in ( my truck has Oregon plates and his is missing a marker light and the passenger side handle (deer ripped it off in a deer accident), so we have to rent a car. The the semi. I have to RENT A SEMI TO TAKE THE TEST. That comes to over almost $400 for the day when you include mileage and fuel, and I don’t even know if I can get it DONE BECAUSE I’M NOT A COMPANY, although my argument is that I don’t need a USDOT number because I”m not hauling freight for profit. The motorcycle, well well we have plenty of them, but is STILL COMES TO $772 altogeher. This is rediculous. Should I apply for a grant? – johndeporter@yahoo.com feel free to write me at my private email address

A: IL was one of the states that was issuing fraudulent CDL a few years ago (2001-02 I believe), along with FL & a couple of others. In fact former IL Governor Ryan went to jail over the illegal CDL schemes that was found to be happening in IL.

This law is due partly to fix that problem & for the simple fact that I truthfully believe IL is an anti-truck state, especially the split speed limits.

And I just researched the IL laws, & when moving to IL, you will have to take all necessary written exams, a vision screening, and the website states “if needed” the road skills tests.

Q: got caught with open liquor in the car and no license?
ok so went out partying with 3 of my friends unfortunately at the end of the night everyone got drunk except me because I was taking medicine n the one that suppose to be the designated driver drank also n e ways I ended up driving with 3 drunks on the car so i got pulled over cause of some shitty reason and got a bunch of tickets no license open alcohol in car because one of them had beer and no insurance but the car was insured and I told them!! and i got pulled over because I used lane that was a turn only but it was not and I went back and checked and had no sing or nothing so should i get a lawyer and fight it? I’m I in big trouble? oh I live in Illinois by the way.

A: Fight No, Lawyer for Advice YES. Judge likely will drop the “Open Container”, You have to have Proof of Insurance “In the Car” but if you can bring Proof to Court that may be dropped also. As for the “No License & Using the Incorrect Lane” I think that’s on you.

Q: Punishment for a Juvenile for Burglary of Car?
My friend who is 16 turning 17 in a couple of months stole from an unlocked car. He said he took a briefcase with personal info and a wallet with credit cards which he used. Now I know him very well. He doesn’t seem to be the type of person to commit an act like that. I think he might of been with friends who peer pressured him into joining. He’s never done anything illegal before. Dang in school he doesn’t even stand up for himself if someone is messing with him. His parents got a voice message from a detective wanting to call him back in regards with the accused (my friend). It hasn’t gotten any farther then that. So I’m wondering whats gonna happen to him. We live in Illinois, Lake County. Does anybody know what this is classified as in Illinois for a minor first offense. Is he going to jail?

Thanks, Jerry
Update: What factors are considered in a case like this? He’s never done anything before and from what I can tell is a good at school, no fights or anything like that. Are these things looked at?
Update 2: Another thought popped in my mind. He did it at age 16 and will be 17 in a couple of months. If this goes to court when he’s 17 can they try him as an adult?

A: since he used the persons credit cards they will probably hit him with identity theft but thats not a guarentee. it also depends on if the persons car he stole from presses charges which i dont imagine him not. he will definatly recieve probation which means he has to go to court…..pay court fees…..and he will also have to pay restitution for the things he stole and money he spent on the credit card. worst case he recieves a couple months (1-2) in juvenile hall and then they put him on probation. house arrest is my best guess right now. good luck with everything

Q: Would you be for more crackdowns on illegals if your SS# was stolen and used by illegals?
Police: Illegal immigrant’s arrest starts with loud car
By Bob Susnjara | Daily Herald StaffContact writer Martin G. Alvarez

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A loud muffler led to the arrest of a man in possession of cocaine and fake Social Security cards, Round Lake Park police said.

Police Chief George Filenko said Martin G. Alvarez, 33, of the 500 block of Laurel Court in Round Lake Beach, was being held at the Lake County jail Thursday for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

Alvarez was charged with driving on a revoked license, no insurance, possession of a controlled substance, no muffler on vehicle and two counts of having altered identification.

Filenko said Officer Hector Lepe was on routine patrol about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday on Washington Street at Linden Drive in Round Lake Park when he heard the loud muffler on Alvarez’s 1997 Volkswagen Jetta.

Lepe then found Alvarez possessing two Social Security cards with his name on them, but different numbers on each, said Filenko. He said investigators will contact the Social Security Administration.

Filenko said investigators believe Alvarez is an illegal immigrant, in part because of the bogus Social Security cards. He said one concern is Alvarez has used real Social Security numbers of U.S. citizens, who might face scrutiny from the Internal Revenue Service if he used the documentation to obtain jobs and didn’t pay income taxes.

“We’re furthering the investigation of those cards,” said Filenko.

Filenko said an unspecified amount of cocaine was found in Alvarez’s Jetta after it was towed to Round Lake Park police headquarters. He said the drug was detected by police dog Blade and his handler, Officer Tony Colon.

It’s not known how Alvarez obtained an Illinois driver’s license, police said.

A: The details of Federal punishment for identity theft and the Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act as posted on the government site is as follows:

· Increase penalties by two years for anyone who commits A “aggravated identity theft” in order to commit another serious Federal offense (including immigration violations, false citizenship crimes, firearms offenses, Social Security fraud, government theft, and other serious crimes);

· Increase penalties by five years for anyone who commits identity theft for the purpose of committing a terrorist act;

· Expand the maximum penalty for identity theft under Federal law from three to five years;

· Clarify that the twenty-five year maximum sentence for identity theft in facilitating terrorism applies to both international and domestic terrorism; and

· Add the word “possess” to the Federal identity theft statute so that law enforcement can target individuals who possess identity documents with the intent to commit another crime.

· Direct the Sentencing Commission to amend its guidelines in order to punish insider offenses that involve an “abuse of trust” of the person’s position.

· Authorize $2 million each year for fiscal years 2005 to 2009 to the Department of Justice for the investigation and prosecution of identity theft and related credit card and other fraud cases.

Now I ask you why aren’t more illegal aliens serving hard time. Why is there even a mention of Amnesty for these horrible criminals.

This is taken from the IRS site

Enforcement Strategy – Criminal Investigation (CI)

The American system of taxation is based on the premise that all income is taxable (which includes illegally earned income). In many instances, proving that a taxpayer willfully attempted to hide income from the Federal Government is an integral part of proving other criminal activity including fraud, money laundering or Bank Secrecy Act violations. Their methods of proof and investigative activities lead IRS special agents into nearly every legal as well as illegal business in America.

There are strict procedures IRS special agents must follow before an investigation is recommended for prosecution to the Department of Justice. These procedures include approval by several IRS officials to ensure investigations are based on factual evidence that tax fraud or another financial crime has occurred.

Even the act of entering the country illegally is a crime

Section 1325 [of Title 8, Chapter 12, Subchapter II, Part VIII]. [U.S. Code as of: 01/06/03]

Improper entry by alien

(a) Improper time or place; avoidance of examination or inspection;
misrepresentation and concealment of facts
Any alien who (1) enters or attempts to enter the United States
at any time or place other than as designated by immigration
officers, or (2) eludes examination or inspection by immigration
officers, or (3) attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United
States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the
willful concealment of a material fact, shall, for the first
commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18 or
imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both, and, for a subsequent
commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18, or
imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.
(b) Improper time or place; civil penalties
Any alien who is apprehended while entering (or attempting to
enter) the United States at a time or place other than as
designated by immigration officers shall be subject to a civil
penalty of -
(1) at least $50 and not more than $250 for each such entry (or
attempted entry); or
(2) twice the amount specified in paragraph (1) in the case of
an alien who has been previously subject to a civil penalty under
this subsection.
Civil penalties under this subsection are in addition to, and not
in lieu of, any criminal or other civil penalties that may be
imposed.

I am not even going to get into the other violations. There is smuggling and human trafficking and the drugs lets not forget that one. Then there is the drunk driving with no license etc. etc etc.

All of these actions are very serious indeed. Horrible crimes and so many that its unimaginable how anyone can say ” Oh they are just taking the jobs Americans don’t want”.

If a citizen of the United States of America was to do this. Every single law that was broken would have been added up to give that citizen almost a life sentence. I know cause I have been a juror so many times I can be a judge.

Whatever happened to the 3 strikes and your in prison thing. I mean is it only being enforced on citizens.

How ridiculous!!!!

Q: Is it illegal to have a MI drivers license and a NC drivers license when you never lived in NC and live in IL?
The MI license is revoked because of a DUI and hes using the NC license for his company car at work so they dont know. He cant get a license in Illinois.

A: This guy is heading for trouble! I’m not even in law enforcement and I can see several possible charges.

Driving while privileges revoked (MI license revoked).

2 counts of presenting false documents for filing (one for fraudulently obtaining a NC license, one for presenting that license to his employer as valid).

1 count failure to notify a licensing bureau of an address change.

1 count obtaining the use of a motor vehicle by fraud/ unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Of course he can’t get a license in IL! I am surprised he got one in NC (particularly since he is not, and never was, a resident of NC!)

This dude needs to come clean now, stop driving the company car (or any other car for that matter), surrender the NC license, and report to his company’s management the truth.

He is living on borrowed time, if he gets caught … WOW! will he have problems!

Q: Has anyone ever used www.sr22filingandinsurance.com or www.dui.com?
So… I got a DUI in Illinois. They require me to get SR22 Insurance. I have never bought insurance online. Is it safe to use like http://sr22filingandinsurance.com or http://dui.com? Is this something I can obtain through my car insurance company?

Thanks,

Robert

A: Robert: You can obtain an SR-22 through your Ins. Co.

An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance coverage, but rather proof that you have insurance.
It is notification from your insurance company to the DMV that you have auto liability insurance in effect in the State of California which satisfies the minimum insurance coverage required by the State.

This insurance notification is typically required by the State for 3 years from the date the original suspension would have ended which can be determined, e.g., by adding 4 months from the date you were given the “pink” temporary license (assuming you are a first offender without a refusal of the chemical test).

If your policy lapses for any reason (miss a payment, get cancelled) the insurance carrier is REQUIRED to notify the DMV who is supposed to then notify you that you will have to file another SR-22 with them by a certain date or your license will be suspended. This form, typically filed electronically, is the only form the The Department of Motor Vehicles will accept. They will not accept any other form as a substitute for the SR-22.

When is the SR 22 required?
This will be required by you if:

(1) you were arrested for a DUI and;
(2) you have your license suspended or restricted and/or;
(3) if you are required to take a DUI program and;
(4) you want to get a restricted license.

To get a restricted license, you have to do 3 things:
(Not immediately – only if you lose your DMV hearing or get convicted in Court)

(1) Pay DMV re-issue fee(s).
(2) Provide DMV proof of financial responsibility (SR-22).
(3) Provide DMV proof of enrollment in approved DUI program.

Insurance minimums in California:
For private passenger vehicles per accident: $15,000 for injury/death to one person.
$30,000 for injury/death to more than one person.
$5,000 for damage to property.

Moving to Another State:
If you currently have an SR-22 and want to move to another state you must maintain the SR-22 like you still live in California – even though you no longer reside here. Also, your insurance policy for the new state must have liability minimums required by law in California. This applies even if you move to one of the states that does not have SR-22 insurance: Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.

Already convicted and need a license?
First, make sure you are eligible for at least a restricted license by calling the California DMV at 1 (800) 777-0133. Then follow the steps above.

Other related information:
If you insurance company cancels your insurance because of your conviction, you will receive a notice indicating that your vehicle registration will be suspended if new insurance information is not submitted within 45 days.

Already agreed to enter a guilty plea or didn’t request a DMV hearing?
If you think you are going to be convicted, make sure you contact an insurance broker BEFORE the conviction appears on your record. A skilled insurance broker can often times save you from being cancelled or having your insurances rates double (typical through State Farm for example) once a DUI conviction appears on your record.

Additionally, you should know that although your SR 22 can be filed electronically you should be able to get an original from your insurance company and hand deliver it to the DMV so that you don’t have to wait for the clerks in Sacramento to do their job – which they do slowly.

I recommend calling John MacDonald at 1 800 346 7370 for all of your insurance needs. John MacDonald Insurance

Or, Generally, How to Downshift Your Insurance Costs with Smarter, Cheaper Coverage

1) Nab Discounts

Most insurers offer price cuts for such things as:
- having anti-lock brakes;
- having been accident-free;
- having taken a defensive-driving course;
- using the same insurer for your home policy.

(For more info., visit the auto insurance checklist at http://iii.org/individuals/auto .)

These can take up to 25% off your premium. But your insurer usually will not come to you with them so you have to call the company and find out what the discounts are.

2) Raise your deductible.

The point of vehicle insurance is to protect you from catastrophic costs (your emergency fund should cover stuff like dents and broken windows). Raise your deductible from say $200 to $1,000 and you could save more than 40% on premiums, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

3) Prune coverage on old vehicles.

Once your vehicle is worth less than 10 times what you pay each year to insure it, get rid of the comprehensive and collision. Find your vehicle’s estimated worth at www.kbb.com.

4) Dig up competing quotes.

This is the most work but could have the greatest payoff. Go to www.naic.org to find your state insurance commission website, where you can download a vehicle insurance buying guide.

Pick the example closest to you an

Q: Can you move out of Illinois at 16?
My parents are married and everything. My mom just chooses not to live with us (she has four children) and live somewhere else and i’m therefore stuck having to care for my sisters. My dad thinks this is all normal, that it’s my responsibility to “serve” my family. I think they’re just using me. The scary thing is it’s my last year of high school this year. I have completely missed out on any…life opportunities, SKILLS, having friends, you know, getting a job. I’ll be so lost if i do become independent which i won’t if i continue living here. My dad has almost psychotic plans for me. He says I’ll go to some free college he found in kentucky and be doctor. He said he’s going to move there (to kentucky) with me and I’ll have to go home and serve my family during any spring breaks, winter breaks, holidays, etc. I know it sounds pathetic and ridiculous, but he’s ruined my sister’s life already and i’m next on line. I can totally see it happening. I have no support or resources, except for my aunt and uncle but my dad has stopped letting me see them ever since i told him i didn’t want to follow his plans and be a doctor.
I don’t have a licence, therefore i can’t get a job or a license or friends and that’s how he has managed to be in control of me this far. I’ve seen the illinois emancipation thing and it says you have to prove financial responsibility. Well, i’ve never had a job so….how can i solve that? I can’t get a job because i was never able (because he never let me) to get a licence because i was had a car. Now it’s too late, it seems. But i want to live with my aunt and uncle and continue school where they live. The only problem they said was my high school transcript. They said my dad would be the only one who could get it but since he’s opposed to me living my own life, he won’t let me. Do i need his permission to get ahold of it, in the first place? School starts right now, in August, but like i said i don’t want to go to school here. I’ll be seventeen in four months. That is way too long. Also, I’ll have to stay at home one more year AFTER i graduate from high school, caring for my little sisters, BEFORE i turn 18. And no, i don’t want to sue my dad or whatever, because i don’t want to prolong living with him. He makes my life miserable. I JUST WANT TO MOVE IN WITH MY AUNT AND UNCLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THAT IS, BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS (the LEGAL, and right, and FASTEST WAY POSSIBLE). I want to move in with them, but i don’t know about my transcript…Any help?

A: Dude, you can do what you want, but that doesnt mean your going to survive on your own, 16 is a risky age to leave your parents

Q: Homeless living in car in Cook Cty IL, need to up-date plates and Drivers license info?
I have been living in my car for about a year now, after being out of work for 4 months, still working steadily, but so far behind now, it will take me at least another 6 months to get enough to get another place. I have a PO Box, but my plates and my drivers license are registered to my old address, and now that things are up for renewal, I can’t use that address any longer, and Illinois will not let a person use a PO Box for drivers information. I use library computer for on-line access, for those wondering.

A: Would your employer or a coworker allow you to use their address? If that’s not an option, some homeless service providers offer mail-drop services for their clients (for use on resumes, etc.), which would give you the opportunity to provide the physical address that the Secretary of State requires. I don’t know about specifics in your area, but try these:

Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County
www.suburbancook.org
708-345-4035

Connections for the Homeless (Evanston)
www.cfthinc.org
847-475-7070

Q: Why does Access say that the following information can’t be used for a primary key?
I am trying to create a database in Access using the SQL language which contains Information on various movies both past and present. This is a data file I have stuck in one of the tables:

Anaconda, 1997, Action/Adventure, “A National Geographic team must try to save their lives as they are pursued by a large, flesh-eating anaconda snake.”, PG-13
Star Trek, 2009, Action/Adventure, “A film chronicling how the ‘Star Trek’ series began.”, PG-13
Batman, 1989, Action/Adventure, “Batman saves Gotham City from his evil arch nemesis, the Joker.”, PG-13
Batman Returns, 1992, Action/Adventure, “Batman returns in this trilling sequel to save Gotham City from the double threat of the Penguin and Catwoman.”, PG-13
Bolt, 2008, Family, “The canine star of a hit tv show, who believes that his powers are real, embarks on a cross-country adventure to save his master from his evil nemesis.”, PG
The Shining, 1980, Horror, “Based on the story by Stephen King, a family heads to an isolated hotel and must try to survive its menacing and lethal spirits.”, R
Valkyrie, 2008, Thriller, “This film documents an operation by a group of Nazis to assassinate Hitler during WWII.”, PG-13
Kill Bill vol. 1, 2003, Action/Adventure, “A dangerous assassin, known only as the Bride, goes around the world to exact revenge on her colleagues after they killed her family leaving her for dead.”, R
Kill Bill vol. 2, 2004, Action/Adventure, “The second part telling of the Bride and her quest for bloody revenge.”, R
The Dark Knight, 2008, Action/Adventure, “Batman must try to save Gotham City from the clutches of a newcoming villain, known only as the Joker.”, PG-13
Paul Blart: Mall Cop, 2009, Comedy, “When a shopping mall is taken over by a gang of dangerous criminal, its up to Paul Blart, the mall security guard, to save the day.”, PG
The Bucket List, 2007, Comedy, “Two terminally ill cancer patients try to do everything they ever wanted to do before they die.”, PG-13
Batman Begins, 2005, Action/Adventure, “Director Chris Nolan directs this reimaging of how Bruce Wayne became Batman.”, PG-13
The Incredible, 2004, Family, “Mr. Increbile and his superheroic family must save the world from the evil Syndrome.”, PG
I Know What You Did Last Summer, 1997, Horror, “A group of teenagers are in danger from a madman they accidentally hit with their car and dump into a river one year ago during the summer.”, R
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, 1998, Horror, “Julie James and her friends, while spending time at a five star island resort, are in danger once again from the madman Ben Willis and his lethal games.”, R
Gran Torino, 2008, Drama, “A disgruntled Korean war veteran tries to reform the child of his next door neighbor after he tries to steal his Gran Torino.”, R
Casablanca, 1942, Drama, “The owner of a popular bar in the town of Casablanca must try to help his best friend and her husband escape from the evil clutches of the Nazis.”, PG
The Wizard of Oz, 1939, Family, “Dorothy Gale tries to return to her home in Kansas after a tornado takes her to the mysterious and magical land of Oz.”, G
Garfield: the movie, 2004, Family, “When Odie is kidnapped, it is up to Garfield and his friends to save the day.”, PG
Halloween, 1978, Horror, “When homicidal mental patient, Michael Meyers, escapes from an Illinois mental hospital on Halloween night, its up to his doctor, Sam Loomis, to stop him.”, R
Ghostbusters, 1984, Comedy, “The Ghostbusters try to save New York City (as well as the rest of the world) from the evil spirit Gozer.”, PG
Ghostbusters II, 1989, Comedy, “The Ghostbusters reunite to try and save the world from the evil Veego and his minions.”, PG
Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1981, Action/Adventure, “Indiana Jones leads an expedition to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis do.”, PG
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, 1984, Action/Adventure, “Indiana Jones and his friends try to save a village in India by retrieving a stone stolen from the village and taken to the Temple of Doom.”, PG

Now I have tried to make the primary key for this table a combination of both the film title and the year the said film was released in theaters, but every time I try to do this, Access provides a message that states “Index or Primary Key cannot contain a Null value”. Can anyone out there tell me why this is happening and what I could do to fix this?

A: You are best off just adding an autoincrement column and assigning that as a primary key. It will work just fine.

To more directly answer the question you asked, without seeing your database, I can’t give you a specific answer, except that the error message you get means exactly what it says: Somehow, when you try to create the primary key values, you are creating a null value for at least one record, and primary key fields cannot be null.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access/HP051875241033.aspx

You might be best off using a template:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/TC010186441033.aspx

Q: Transferring car titles?
I live in Illinois. A very precious friend of mine is giving me a used minivan that belongs to her father who can no longer drive because of old age. How can we transfer the title in my name (have not done this in years)? Does it cause any thing and if so how much? What sort of ID should I take to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles?

A: The signed title and your check book. You will have to pay use tax on the worth of the vehicle, transfer fees, registration fees…

Q: Good Morning America (and the rest of the world) How are you?
“Riding on the City of New Orleans,
Illinois Central Monday morning rail
Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders,
Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail.
All along the southbound odyssey
The train pulls out at Kankakee
Rolls along past houses, farms and fields.”

I hope everyone has a very nice day!
Peace to all.

A: I love that song! My fave versions are by Willie Nelson, and Joan Baez does a great performance of it for the distaff side.

Funny thing is, the first time I heard the song was Randy Travis singing the chorus in a Maxwell House Coffee commercial! Ha!

Have a great day!

Q: How would you describe someone from Illinois?
I am making these characters for a bunch of different states, trying to base their personalities off of: a) stereotypes, or b) information I gather on the state. For example, Virginia’s character is very patriotic and New Jersey’s is one of the smartest characters, and yet enjoys stealing cars (I found out this morning that New Jersey is the car theft capitol of the world).

But anyway, I researched Illinois and still couldn’t come up with anything for my character’s personality. Can anyone help?

A: Southern Illinoians are all rednecks or idiots (or both), and Northern Illinoians are all snobby murderours.

Q: what does nontransferable mean on my vehicle registration document?
My car is registered in New york but I moved to illinois. I am still paying on the car. does that mean i cannot get the tags changed over to illinois?

A: No, it means you can’t sell (transfer) the vehicle to someone else. (because there is a lien on it) It has nothing to do with switching “tags” to Illinois

Q: what is the breach of peace law for repossesion in illinois?
I WAS WARMING MY CAR UP TO GO TO WORK. WHEN I WAS WALKING OUT THE DOOR I SAW SOME ONE DRIVING OFF IN MY BRAND NEW CAR. I CHASED HIM DOWN THE STREET WHILE CALLING THE POLICE TO TELL THEM WHAT DIRECTION HE WAS GOING IN. I CAUGHT UP WITH HIM AND HE SAID HE Was a repo man i told him that he is not taking my car anywhere cause he has the wrong car and when the light turned green he ran over my foot a draged my boyfriend down the street. in the moring my car lot returned my car and gave me a 25$ gas card and a free car wash what are my legal rights

A: None unless you can identify the perp in some way!

However you can take the car lot to small claims for any and all damages, both bodily and to the car. Also talk to a Lawyer for a contingency suite for the implied slander of your character!

Q: Anyone in New York City available this Monday- Thursday night to show a Friend the “attractions” of the city?
I have a freind he will be in New York this Monday (Aug. 21) through Thursday (Aug. 24th) on buisness. He will have the evenings to do whatever and he is having a difficult time trying to get directions and know what things to see or do while there. He is 43 years old, he will also have a rental car for transportation. We live in a little heck town in Illinois. He is looking to get the most out of this as possible. Anyone available to help him find his way around please let me know…this could be a great expierence for him if he had the right person to do this for us. Also he’ll have the money to do/see thing w/. He is single and no kids. Very well to do.

A: Yeah, you are asking bunch of NYers to trust a stranger from the Internet… seriously, we’re pretty street savvy and are NOT going to put ourselves in some sketchy situation like that. Maybe you think nothing of it because you are naive from a hick town… but just so you know, to a NYer, your story REEKS of a scam… we think EVERYTHING is a scam and that is why people find us insensitive sometimes. Your friend is best off going out with a tour group or something.

Q: Canadian moving to US, trying to make a budget.?
I might be moving my wife, toddler twins and new baby to Illinois and I need to know if we can survive on my single income. If anyone living in the general area can help me figure out the range for the following budget items I would be really grateful.

Home insurance (say 200k home)–
Car insurance (newer car and van, good driving record)–
Phone–
Internet–
Cable–
Utilities (electricity, heat and water)–
Cellphone–
Food (eating almost exclusively at home)–

A: Home insur depends on the location I pay 458 a yr (210k)
I pay for a newer veh and older truck 1600k yr
phone 40-50 a month
internet varies there are a lot of companies depends on where you are.
cable 40-80 a month
cell avg 50 a month
gas is rising over $3 a gall in most states
and don’t forget school and property taxes but you can find that info out online for the area you’re going on avg.
Good luck.

Q: Is the 2005 hyundai tiburon only a V6 or is it both I4 and V6?
And would this be a good car for a new driver in the state of illinois. Terms of insurance, cost, MPG, space (im a big person!) and safety. But if you know any other cars that would meet my requirements then state them. Thanks!

A: It comes with a 4cyl and a 6 cyl, both come automatic or manual trans.

Insurance is probably higher than if you bought an Elantra.

Cost: too high if you ask me; compare to other brands.

Mileage: pretty low compared to other brands. Hyundai is not known for its fuel economy!

Space: if you are 6ft tall, your head will be bumping the headliner all the time. If you get an 06 or later Tiburon, you’ll be more comfortable. The Koreans redesigned the seat track so that you sit just a bit lower and can go just a bit further back with it. I know on an 05 I’d slam the seat back all the way and I would be ok with leg room (but not head room), on the 06, if I put the seat back all the way I had to move it up a notch.

If you meant “big” as in you are 6′ tall when you are laying down, then don’t even think about it. Space is pretty tight inside a Tib.

Safety: It has airbags galore. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hyundai to be the first to have that foam option like in Demoliton Man! Just chip your way out of the car after you hit that tree!

Honestly, Hyundai is ok for a low price, but now their pricing is going up and up. You compare their product to something else, such as a Mazda, and if you actually DRIVE the vehicle, you’ll quickly notice the difference in quality. I have yet to see a Hyundai automatic that shifts well. It is just software, but clearly in Korea they aren’t driving much because those “quirks” get tiresome after a while, and the Koreans still haven’t got it right after 5+ years of trying. Road noise, that gets to you as well after a while. Drive a Tiburon with 18″ wheels over a concrete bridge, listen to the tire’s wail!

Mind you, the Tiburon is not bad, for a certain price. I’ve recommended Hyundai to several friends. But you take a set price for a Tib, then go compare it to other vehicles and you’ll see you really are only getting that extra long warranty for the price. But you are losing a lot of refinement.

Go drive a Mazdaspeed3. Not that I’d recommend that as a first car. For a new driver, go buy a beater. Why? Because you are going to crash once or twice in your first year. You’ll hit curbs and potholes. If you don’t, that means you have Miss Daisy in the backseat, in which case when the inevitable emergency comes up, you’ll freak out and crash anyway because you’ll have no idea what your car does in a panic situation.

Get a worn out car cheap, learn responsibility by keeping it going and repairing what you damage. But in the end you haven’t destroyed a nice car.

After a year, you’ll have driven enough to know what you like and what you want in a car. By then you may know how to drive well enough to be able to handle something with a bit more power.

And if you buy a new car, you’ll know what a worn out car is like so you won’t go bug the dealer with nonsense like “at 100 mph my car is much noisier than at 25mph”.

Q: Illinois license plate renewal?
I live in Illinois and my plates expired 2/09. I was having problems with my car and wast thinking I was going to have to buy a new one and was driving a second car in the meantime. I know regularly that a new sticker is $78 dollars, but Im wondering if now Ill have to pay more since its past February? Does anyone know for sure? Ive heard something about a month grace period but Im not sure how true that is. Thanks in advance.

A: I know in Texas all you would have to pay is the one extra month. So instead of paying for 12 months and it expiring next February, you would pay 13 months and they wouldn’t expire until next March. Also, in Texas you get a 5 day grace period for getting a ticket for expired registration.

Q: if i was born in 1996 and i live in illinois what r the driving rules?
a lot of ppl say that there has bean some new rules made that ppl born in 1995 or later cant get their license till their 18 and can only have one person in the car

???????

anyways im confused plz help

A: If you are age 15 to 17, you may receive your instruction permit only if you are enrolled in an approved driver education class. Your instruction permit must be used in the driver education class when an adult instructor is sitting beside you. You also may practice driving with one of your parents, a legal guardian or a responsible adult approved by your parents sitting in the front seat. This adult must be at least age 21, have a license for the type of vehicle you are driving, and have at least one year of driving experience.

After you have successfully completed the driver education class, you may continue practicing to drive with your instruction permit under the supervision of a responsible adult as outlined above. The instruction permit is valid for 24 months and must be held for at least nine months prior to obtaining a driver’s license when you are age 16 or older. If you are 17 years and 3 months or older, you may apply for an instruction permit without taking a driver education course.

If you drop out of school before you’re 18, you can’t have ‘driver education completed’ placed on your driving record (there are a few narrow exceptions).

To apply for your driver’s license before reaching age 18, you must bring your instruction permit and acceptable forms of identification, as outlined in the Driver’s License Requirements section, to a Driver Services facility at the time of application. Notification of your completion date must have been received from the Board of Education or the Secretary of State and appear on your record before a license is issued. You also must present written certification from your parent, legal guardian or, if there is no parent or legal guardian, a responsible adult age 21 or older, that you have a minimum of 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice time, including 10 hours at night, and are sufficiently prepared and able to safely operate a motor vehicle. Certification forms may be obtained at most Driver Services facilities, in the publications section at www.cyberdriveillinois. com, at high school driver education offices, at commercial driving schools and in the Secretary of State’s Parent-Teen Driving Guide.

You were born in 1996, so you can get a learner’s permit in 2011, and apply for your driver’s license in 2012.

- Stuart

Q: i live in Michigan. I work in Illinois 5 days a week have address in Illinois for work. is this legal.?
bought car brand new got plated at DMV still have Mich liscenses

A: probably not lol

Q: Illinois registration renewal but I moved to Missouri?
My car is registered in Illinois (IL plates and tags). I moved to Missouri a few months ago. Am I allowed to have my Renewal IL tags mailed to my new Missouri address? or will they just tell me I have to get it registered in Missouri (and I’ll have to get new MO plates and tags?) I’ll have to take my car through emissions and safety inspection tests first if I have to switch to MO registration, so I don’t really want to have to go through all that… and renewing IL tags is a lot cheaper than buying new plates/tags for MO.

Any help?

A: As you are now a resident of Missouri, you are required to register your vehicles there. Which means you have to get new Missouri plates. The same applies for your driver’s license as well.

Q: Illinois Drug Laws? First time offense…?
Ilinois drug laws.. First time offense?
What is the possibility of a 48 year old woman being charged with possession of meth <5 grams (class 3 felony) and possession of hypo/needles 1st (class A misdemeanor) being let out on bail and only receiving probation? I know that Illinois passed a new law about drugs, but what I read from it is that it applies to people previously charged. She has no other charges in this state. She has 7 felony charges in Michigan for fraud. She has been off parole since 2006 for them. She wasn't the only one in the car and the guy with her is being charged with the same thing. He told the judge at their first apperance that she didn't know. Do you think they will still charge her or let her go?
Please only serious responses.

A: It’s up in the air! Too many variables for a solid answer, but her past convictions will hurt her. The judge will take very little into account coming from the testimony of the other “drug” felon, he has no credibility. I have very little faith that she had no knowledge of the drugs, myself. If she gets a break, I’ll be surprised.

Q: A new contract for 2008?
A new contract for Santa has finally been negotiated.
Please read the following carefully.

I regret to inform you that, effective immediately, I will no longer be able to serve Southern United States on Christmas Eve. Due to the overwhelming current population of the earth, my contract was renegotiated by North American Fairies and Elves Local 209. I now serve only certain areas of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. As part of the new and better contract I also get longer breaks for milk and cookies.

However, I’m certain that your children will be in good hands with your local replacement who happens to be my third cousin, Bubba Claus. His side of the family is from the South Pole. He shares my goal of delivering toys to all the good boys and girls; however,
there are a few differences between us…

1. There is no danger of a Grinch stealing your presents from Bubba Claus. He has a gun rack on his sleigh and bumper sticker that reads:
“These toys insured by Smith and Wesson.”

2. Instead of milk and cookies, Bubba Claus prefers that children leave an RC cola and pork rinds [or a moon pie] on the fireplace. And Bubba doesn’t smoke a pipe. He dips a little snuff though, so please have an empty spit can handy.

3. Bubba Claus’ sleigh is pulled by floppy-eared, flyin’ coon dogs instead of reindeer. I made the mistake of loaning him a couple of my reindeer one time, and Blitzen’s head now overlooks Bubba’s fireplace.

4. You won’t hear “On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen …” when Bubba Claus arrives. Instead, you’ll hear, “On Earnhardt, on Wallace, on Martin and Labonte On Rudd, on Jarrett, on Elliott and Petty.”

5. “Ho, ho, ho!” has been replaced by “Yee Haw!”
And you also are likely to hear Bubba’s elves respond, “I her’d dat!”

6. As required by Southern highway laws, Bubba Claus’ sleigh does have a Yosemite Sam safety triangle on the back with the words “Back Off!” The last I heard it also had other decorations on the sleigh back as well. One is Ford or Chevy logo with lights that race through the letters and the other is a caricature of me (Santa Claus) going wee on the Tooth Fairy.

7. The usual Christmas movie classics such as “Miracle on 34th Street” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” will not be shown in your negotiated viewing area. Instead, you’ll see “Boss Hogg Saves Christmas” and “Smokey and the Bandit IV” featuring Burt Reynolds as Bubba Claus and dozens of state patrol cars crashing into each other.

8. Bubba Claus doesn’t wear a belt. If I were you, I’d make sure you, the wife, and the kids turn the other way when he bends over to put presents under the tree.

9. And finally, lovely Christmas songs have been sung about me like “Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer” and Bing Crosby’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” This year songs about Bubba Claus will be played
on all the AM radio stations in the South. Those song titles will be:
Mark Chesnutt’s “Bubba Claus Shot the Jukebox,” Cledus T. Judd’s “All I Want for Christmas Is My Woman and a Six Pack,” and Hank Williams Jr.’s “If You Don’t Like Bubba Claus, You Can Shove It.”

Sincerely Yours,
Santa Claus North American Fairies and Elves Local 209

A: haha good1

Q: The new southern santa?
A new contract for Santa has finally been negotiated.
Please read the following carefully.

I regret to inform you that, effective immediately, I will no longer be
able to serve Southern United States on Christmas Eve. Due to the
overwhelming current population of the earth, my contract was renegotiated
by North American Fairies and Elves Local 209. I now serve only certain
areas of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. As part of
the new and better contract I also get longer breaks for milk and
cookies.

However, I’m certain that your children will be in good hands with your
local replacement who happens to be my third cousin, Bubba Claus. His
side of the family is from the South Pole. He shares my goal of
delivering toys to all the good boys and girls; however,
there are a few differences between us…

1. There is no danger of a Grinch stealing your presents from Bubba
Claus. He has a gun rack on his sleigh and bumper sticker that reads:
“These toys insured by Smith and Wesson.”

2. Instead of milk and cookies, Bubba Claus prefers that children leave
an RC cola and pork rinds [or a moon pie] on the fireplace. And Bubba
doesn’t smoke a pipe. He dips a little snuff though, so please have an
empty spit can handy.

3. Bubba Claus’ sleigh is pulled by floppy-eared, flyin’ coon dogs
instead of reindeer. I made the mistake of loaning him a couple of my
reindeer one time, and Blitzen’s head now overlooks Bubba’s fireplace.

4. You won’t hear “On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen …” when
Bubba Claus arrives. Instead, you’ll hear, “On Earnhardt, on Wallace,
on Martin and Labonte On Rudd, on Jarrett, on Elliott and Petty.”

5. “Ho, ho, ho!” has been replaced by “Yee Haw!”
And you also are likely to hear Bubba’s elves respond, “I her’d dat!”

6. As required by Southern highway laws, Bubba Claus’ sleigh does have
a Yosemite Sam safety triangle on the back with the words “Back Off!”
The last I heard it also had other decorations on the sleigh back as
well. One is Ford or Chevy logo with lights that race through the letters
and the other is a caricature of me (Santa Claus) going wee on the
Tooth Fairy.

7. The usual Christmas movie classics such as “Miracle on 34th Street”
and “It’s a Wonderful Life” will not be shown in your negotiated
viewing area. Instead, you’ll see “Boss Hogg Saves Christmas” and “Smokey and
the Bandit IV” featuring Burt Reynolds as Bubba Claus and dozens of
state patrol cars crashing into each other.

8. Bubba Claus doesn’t wear a belt. If I were you, I’d make sure you,
the wife, and the kids turn the other way when he bends over to put
presents under the tree.

9. And finally, lovely Christmas songs have been sung about me like
“Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer” and Bing Crosby’s “Santa Claus is Coming
to Town.” This year songs about Bubba Claus will be played
on all the AM radio stations in the South. Those song titles will be:
Mark Chesnutt’s “Bubba Claus Shot the Jukebox,” Cledus T. Judd’s “All I
Want for Christmas Is My Woman and a Six Pack,” and Hank Williams
Jr.’s “If You Don’t Like Bubba Claus, You Can Shove It.”

Sincerely Yours,
Santa Claus North American Fairies and Elves Local 209

A: Yeehaw! I cain’t wait ’till ol’ Bubba swings ’round the good ol’ state o’ Flor’da! Hell, he best have Earnhardt SENIOR up drivin’ his sleigh, lest he be stuck in th’ mud not goin’ nowhere like Junior…poor kid…

But hey–I gotta give it to good ol’ Bubba–he has ‘nuf sense not t’ include that sorry sonofabitch Gordon. Hell, he’ll be welcome at mah house any day o’ the year!

But I do have one complaint–where’s his southern pride? Hell, if he’s goin’ be serving the South, he best have ol’ Dixie flying proud! (or at least paint his sleigh or sumthin’)

Q: What is the cheapest auto insurance for a student?
I will be starting a college in a few weeks and I got my new car (2006 Mitsubishi Lancer) and I must insure the car because I will be living in Illinois where car insurance is required.
What would be the best auto insurance for me, that will not cost too much money? I am a good student. I am 18 now and I got my license when I was 16. I had no accidents in the past. I have good grades (GPA = 3.8).
I will be having many expenses in college and I don’t want car insurance to be one of my biggest expenses..

A: Your objective is obvious and your purpose is understandable. However be prepare to spend about half a day to reach this goal. Car Insurance market is very aggressive; every company is bombarding you with ton of letters, TV commercials are promising the best rates ever. To check what is true and what is phony in this chaos you need to do following:
1. Acquire multiple car insurance quotes online, here for instance:
http://www.wisepages.com/money/insurance
2. Keeping in mind the best quote you’ve been able to find on an Internet call your local car insurance representative. Don’t disclose to him your numbers and listen to what he will present to you. Then, after he will tell you his numbers, tell him about numbers you’ve found online and see what happened.

Q: Do Americans live more for the convenience; while Europeans live more for the social living?
Social living meaning social interactions. Example, we drive our cars and trucks without much social interaction because it is convenient but in European they use bikes and trains more so they interact socially. This is a general across-the-board question. I know cities like Chicago or New York have metro systems. When Europeans buy groceries they are talking with the vendors etc. Hope you understand the question.

A: I do understand your question and I think there’s some merit to it. I’m an American but I lived in Australia in the early 90’s. Often we would go to a ‘club’ and be seated at a picnic type table with a bunch of strangers. I have to admit, initially it felt odd but I soon learned that it was fun to get to meet and interact with new people. I loved the fact that I didn’t shop at a big super market. I got my bread and pastries at the bakery, the produce at a produce stand and the meat at a meat market. The vendors do have more of an opportunity to get to know their customers and it was fun to be recognized when I became a regular.
I’m guessing it’s more of a cultural thing instead of an indication that Americans are less social.

Q: What is the least expensive way to travel Rte 66 E to W?
I want to rent a car from Chicago [WHERE RTE 66 STARTS] drive to L.A. [WHERE RTE 66 ENDS] and fly home. I also read that taking a train from Albuquerque [IN NEW MEXICO-YES N.M. IS PART OF THE USA] to L.A. was a safe bet considering crossing the desert is pretty harsh. But driving a rental one way costs extra – anyway to get around that?

I don’t think, even if I had the time, that driving my own car would be a wise choice. It’s pretty new, but mechanics have a way of making my cars old fast so i’d rather avoid meeting them on the road.

BTW It’s all about the traveling with my family, not about breaking records.

P.S. IF YOUR NOT SURE AND YOU’RE NOT GOING TO DO ANY RESEARCH HOW ABOUT YOU DON’T ANSWER. I CAN MAKE UP DUMB SCENERIOS ALL BY MYSELF.

A: a couple things about traveling route 66. I suggest that you rent a car and drive to L.A. and fly back (check with Southwest Airlines they have the cheapest routes at this time). The route runs close to interstates all the way so do not be afraid to drive the desert. Count on at least 10 days to make the trip all the way assuming you stop and some of the attractions.

Please take a look at website www.historic66.com. There are maps and guides that tell much about the road and some of its attractions. I bought the maps and guides from there and am well pleased with them.

I wish you a safe and enjoyable trip. If you have more questions, feel free to email me.

Q: what stickers for are required for parking on chicago street ?
Hi,

I want to know if some one owns a personal car from earlier but now going to live in Proper Chicago city. (moving to Condo in Chicago)

What all stickers are required on the car windshield to park on roads ?I have seen some cars having orange and some with green+black and some with 2 stickers with bothorange and green+black on windshield.

is it compulsory because the association has an internal parking facility already ?

The road where condo is situated , parking sign does not indicate any permit number but just the time for cleaning.

This site has information :http://www.chicityclerk.com/licenses/citystickers.html

how much would that sicker cost for a new resident of chicago or free ? ( if required at all )

A: To own a car in Chicago you need a city windshield sticker, valid Illinois license plates and a license plate sticker. Both stickers are about $79 bucks each, but if you buy them after the yearly deadline, the price goes up a bit (not sure how much).

You might see some cars with more than one city stick on their windshield. Most of the time the other stickers are from past years and the driver hasn’t gotten around to scraping them off (like me)

Some residential areas also have special permit parking for their neighborhood. Only residents with those stickers are permitted to park there at certain times. For instance, the area around Wrigley Field has a lot of permit parking that restricts parking by non residents during night games (residents complained that people going to the game would park there for night games and the people who lived there couldn’t park in front of their own house at night when they got off work.) If you live in an area that has restricted parking, you have to get that sticker from City Hall as well. Not sure how much those cost, though.

sorry, new residents don’t get a break. If you have stickers from the previous place you lived and if your car is registered in another city, you can keep those on your car until they expire. But after than you have to either re-register in your old city or get the sickers for Chicago and Illinois.

If you have garage parking, you still need a city sticker and Illinois license plate and sticker, but you don’t need a residential parking permit sticker (if your neighborhood requires it)

Q: what words can be used to describe these?
The sound of a train as it passes through the tracks.
The sound of cars in New York or Chicago

A: clacking
whizz

Q: New Theories…?
2nd RunnerUp

The ‘Why Yawning Is Contagious’ Theory: You yawn to equalize the pressure on your eardrums. This pressure change outside your eardrums unbalances other people’s ear pressures, so they must yawn to even it all out.

1st RunnerUp

If an infinite number of rednecks riding in an infinite number of pickup trucks fire an infinite number of shotgun rounds at an infinite number of highway signs, they will eventually produce all the world’s great literary works in Braille.

HONORABLE MENTION:

The quantity of consonants in the English language is absolutely constant. If consonants are omitted in one geographic area, they turn up in another. When a Bostonian “pahks” his “cah”, the lost r’s migrate southwest, causing a Texan to “warsh” his car and invest in “erl wells.”

THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

When a cat is dropped, it ALWAYS lands on its feet; and when toast is dropped, it ALWAYS lands with the buttered side down. Therefore, I propose to strap buttered toast to the back of a cat. When dropped, the two will hover, spinning inches above the ground, probably into eternity. A “buttered-cat array” could replace pneumatic tires on cars and trucks, and “giant buttered-cat arrays” could easily allow a high-speed monorail to link between New York with Chicago.

A: I didn’t know what this was about…… Then read it …….. Then LMAO. Quality.

Q: Is there anyone too skeptical to see how much pollution we cause by driving?
Seems like most people are in denial. Imagine a big city like Los Angelas or Chicago or New York and ALL of the drivers in each city driving around all day every day back and forth to work. Now imagine all of other 3 dozen Major metropolitan areas from Boston to Phildelphia, Seattle to San Diego, Miami to Pittsburg, St Louis, Minneapolis, Dallas, Phoeniz, San Francisco, the list goes on and on. Now imagine all of the commuters on the nation’s interstate system and the truckers and think about how this cycle goes on day after day, 120,000,000 cars on the road burning gallon after gallon. Now tell me if you think we are not doing irreversable if not, live threatening harm to our future generations quality of life.

A: It is easier to determine pollution levels based on production values. All the oil and coal mined in a year may not be burned in that year, but it is an excellent estimate of the amount of carbon that will be pumped into the atmosphere.

Carbon that had been sequestered since the permian, 300 million years ago.

Q: What are the best places for vacation during Xmas’s/New Years’ time in the U.S If I live in Ohio?
I live in Columbus, Ohio. I have been NY, Chicago,Phili, Pittsburgh, DC for past 2 years. Now, I have 7 days leave (Dec 25-Dec 31). What’s the best websites to find a cheap vacation deal (last min deal is okay). I prefer go to Florida or Rocky mountains. If by car, what places you will recommend me?

A: KIND OF FAR
Vail, CO
Aspen, CO
Lake Tahoe, CA
Las Vegas, NV (las vegas, grand canyon, hoover dam all near each other)
Toronto, Canada (Hockey Hall of Fame)
South Beach, FL
Daytona, FL
Florida Keys

NOT AS FAR
Lexington, KY
Philadelphia, PA
Burlington, VT
Boston, MA
Cooperstown, NY (Baseball Hall of Fame)
East Hampton, NY (eastern tip of Long Island… Gatsby Country)

IN YOUR BACKYARD
South Bend, IN (Notre Dame)
St. Louis, MO

Q: Do you know the history of the Pre Date Civil Electric Cars .?
Talk about an old idea. The first electric cars hit the scene way back in the early 1830s, 30 years before the Civil War (for the record, they’re also older than the Eiffel Tower, Joan Rivers and sliced bread). In fact, the electric car was actually the first popularized car. In the year 1900 of the 4192 cars produced in the United States, 28% of them were electric. And in 1903 electric cars outsold gasoline powered cars, representing about 1/3 of the cars found on the road in New York City, Boston and Chicago.

A: The Flattery for Batteries
The first electric carriage was created by Robert Anderson of Scotland in the 1830s. It was powered by non rechargeable primary cells — basically, a battery. Prior to that, cars were powered by steam engines. France improved the storage battery and thereafter the electric car flourished in France and Great Britain in the late 1800s, and in the US in the early 1900s.Since the transistor based technology limited the cars’ speed to about 20 mph, in the US the electric car was marketed strictly to high-class individuals as a town car. It was also marketed as suitable for women due to its ease and safety of operation, whereas the gasoline powered car was dangerous and difficult to start. Though slow and powered by a non-rechargeable battery, the electric car’s technology was promising. In 1900, the first speed record was set at 66 mph by a vehicle powered by two 12 volt motors, and the first distance record was set by an electric vehicle that drove 180 miles on a single battery charge.How the Electric Became EndangeredSo what exactly happened to cars?

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/15766

Great article! Thank you so much for a great question!

Q: What is the best way to see the most of the USA with a limited VISA?
After University I want to go and travel the USA with 2 of my mates. The original plan was to fly to New York, buy a car and travel down the east coast. If needed we would get a Part-time job to obtain spending money, and then continue travelling across the southern/central part of the USA to the West Coast.

We would then travel up the West Coast, and finally along the Northarn/Central part of the USA heading East through Chicago and Boston back to New York for a flight back home. In general terms it would be a circular route.

After discussing the length of the trip we were planning on travelling for between 8-12 months, but VISA’s restrict us from doing this. The options we have now are to try and do it in 3 months with a visitors VISA.

The question I want to ask is can anyone see anyway around this, or any other options available? I thought about travelling the USA for 3 months, then heading to Australia, then coming back and doing another 3 months. Is this allowed?

A: The best way to see the USA is by automobile. Your idea about traveling along the route suggested is good. You might want to try to go from NY to FLA then pick up I 10 and go across the country to LA. You would see many of the great Eastern and Southern US cities that way. Then go to Australia and apply for another tourist visa, Return to LA and go up the west coast and across the north and midwest ending back in NY. While you would still miss many sites inside this “great circle” it would provide a nice subsection of the US. Seeing the whole 50 states would take you about 3 years. By the way try to stop off in Hawaii on the way to Australia.

Another excellent method would be to travel by Amtrack – no driving and you can also see a lot by train.

Q: What is the max % of tinted glass window allow & still legal?
I want to buy a new minivan & have the car windows tinted as dark as i can & still within the legal limit. I live in IL,Chicago suburb area. The car factory only has it up to 30% tinted glass. Can I have them do it straight from the factory to make it darker? Wonder will it still be those stick on sheet or they actually tinted the glass itself? I never had these done before.

Thanks!

A: its regulated by the states call your local state police branch and ask.

Q: Should Los Angeles City ban the construction of new single-family houses?
Let’s face it: no big city can match the sprawl of Los Angeles, no big city is as car-dependent as Los Angeles, no big city needs as many freeways as Los Angeles… and no big city has as many single-family houses as Los Angeles.

Go to New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Tokyo, Hong Kong, London, Paris… you’ll find greater use of public transport, more places within walking distance, fewer freeways in the downtown area, and more people living in apartments.

The way Los Angeles has developed is simply ridiculous. It’s awfully inconvenient and environmentally unfriendly because there are 10 million people who MUST drive to get anywhere.

Denser cities are less car-dependent. A recent article in Time magazine stated that on a per-person basis, New York City is one of the most energy-efficient cities in the US. Hong Kong’s urban areas are perhaps the world’s densest, but that leaves 70% of the territory for forest and vegetation.

A: No, I think not. Rather than mess with the soul of Los Angeles, smart planning these days works WITH it. We are gradually densifying, but we live in a market economy. As in any city, there are those who can afford to build single family residences, and there always will be. There are ways to control what happens, through zoning, limiting water and sewer connections and the cost of these, but as a practical matter, a downright ban is not in the cards.

Q: How can i get to Rochester, New York ?
Im trying to get to my baby
but i dont know how and im in
chicago illinios and i dont have no money to hop on a bus or a train
do anybody know what i schould do ? or how much a bus ticket is or a train ?
if you do plez help me out cause my friends they dont have
cars like talking about it and my mama
took my cell phone away so i cant call and ask
them so help me and plez dont say no dumb stuff

A: Can you find $2 or $5 to buy a prepaid phone card?
Do that and call. As you are a minor, that’s all I will offer to you.

Q: Why in the US do we have poor public transportation?
I know the one of the best public transportation is in New York, the eastren seaboard, and Chicago. However, in the rest of the US, it’s crappy. If we have more an improved public transportation, then we wouldn’t have to drive our cars around for work. In Europe, the gas prices are ridiculously higher than the US, so people uses either the buses or the trains to get to their destinations. So what is a good idea to help improve the US and their public transports?

A: i recommend that the people (from every city) vote to build better public transportation. propose a bill to tax payers that would build or increase the public transportation.
raise signatures from people that would ride the bus or train in a certain neighborhood. have rallies and raise the awareness of those who would like a greener world.

i don’t really know what to say about the US as a whole but, I’m from Portland, Oregon and the public transportation their is wonderful. we have buses that go almost everywhere and a light rail called the MAX.

*MAX stands for the metropolitan. area. express.*

we the tax payers voted and built the MAX. i know it’s been around for at least 1decade.

Q: Traveling in and around Chicago?
Hello everyone,

I am traveling to Chicago next week via car and I was wondering what the best way to get around the city is. For example, in Boston, you can pay a small fee to park outside of the city and take a train in. The same goes for New york. Does something like this exist in Chicago? If not, do you have any suggestions? Thank you!

A: You could find some inexpensive parking, or it may be free at a hotel. From the suburbs it’s very easy to get in – just take the Metra train – these are suburban trains – pretty inexpensive and it will get you to Union Station or another location downtown. Once in the city, take the El trains – they are all around, or buses. I would say Chicago transportation is very comparable to New York.

Q: Moving to Chicago..Questions?!?
I plan on moving to Chicago VS New York City, I’ve heard the cost of living is much cheaper and prices in general. Does anyone have any advice for me just any at all..good neighborhoods Wicker Park, where would be a close place very close to city? or even in the city? Should I take a car? Thanks!

A: I prefer Chicago

Q: I live in IL and buying a car in WI without a title, is it too much trouble?
I found a great deal on a car located in Wisconsin, without a title. How difficult is it to apply for a new title if I live in Illinois? I don’t mind waiting for months. The only problem is how much I would have to pay in fees/charges, or what the probability is of even getting this done. What is involved in this process? Has anyone else been involved in this predicament before? Thanks

A: You asked the same question in Buying and Selling. I answered it there.

Q: How to buy a car out of state?
I want to buy a new Porsche but the closest new Porsche dealer is in Illinois and I live in Iowa. I understand how to buy it and what not but how do you transport it there for service and will that be very expensive, also will it be free to transport it there under warranty?

A: You should also consider that such a car may be expensive to insure. Check your insurance rates before buying one, for example here – carinsurance.yoll.net

Q: How does the insurance company determine the value of your car when it’s totaled?
My car just got into an accident and it looks like it’s totaled. But before I work everything out with the ins co, I need some advice. I only ask because the car is only 9 months old.

I hear that state farm will just write a check for the value of the car, not replace it with a new car. Is that how it works?

And if so, how do I figure out how much is a fair deal with state farm, since I really need to make sure I get the max that I can because I have to pay off my loan and still get a down payment for a new car.

I looked on the Kelley Blue Book but was confused by the three different categories of cars. If anyone knows how this works in Illinois or just in general, I could really use some info and advice.

And before you write me off as an idiot for totaling my new car, please know that my mom took it w/o my permission and got hit by a drunk driver, so please help me if you can cause i’m already overwhemled!!

FYI – It’s an 06 Hyundai Tiburon GS w/13,000 miles

A: I’m pretty sure SF using a 3rd party vendor called CCC. CCC will furnish a long report (about 20) pages of information on your vehicle and then pages of comparable vehicles it used to compare to in the area. Of all those vehicles, it will highlight 2 or 3 vehicles that are closest to yours in order to determine the value. You can ask for a copy of this report from your adjuster if you like.

What you need to do is to make sure that they have the information on your vehicle correct. Appraisers who inspect vehicle love it when the are a total loss. They don’t have to write up complete appraisals and they don’t have to deal with supplemental repairs. However, they also tend to overlook many items on the vehicle. Make sure all the options are listed on their valuation (recently I saw an apprasier omit a sunroof and navigation system in a vehicle). Make sure the mileage is correct. Many newer vehicles have digital odemeters and many times the apprasier does not/cannot start the vehicle to read them.

While you can submit documentation to the adjuster showing other vehicles had higher prices, this information is only sometimes considered. Usually I see people send in the selling price of vehicles. Well, we all know no one is going to pay that inflated price… and it’s the _selling_ price that matters.

Keep in mind that as soon as your vehicle was titled, it’s value dropped. Even if it only had 1 miles on it, it becames a used vehicle once it was titled. Also, your vehicle is 2 years old… it was just bought 9 months ago.

If SF uses CCC I’ve found that KBB’s Private Party value is pretty close.

Q: Do I have to get a new driver’s license if my car is registered in another state?
I am from Illinois and I am moving to Indiana (which I have gone to college in for the past 5 years) for a job. My car is actually in my dad’s name since I bought it when I was younger, so our insurance and all that is for Illinois. Do I need to keep my Illinois driver’s license if my car is registered in IL? Is it illegal to not have an Indiana driver’s license? I hate Indiana and I want to move out in a year or two so I don’t want to go through the hassel if I don’t have to. Will my driver’s license affect anything, like taxes, etc?
I’ve gone to school in Indianapolis for a year and never had a problem with having an out of state plate. I am currently a student so it doesn’t matter though… If the car isn’t even registered in my name, can *I* even get it registered here?

A: If I were you to be in the safe side I would call the local DMV (Dept of Motor Vehicles) just to make sure and talk to them about getting info if you need a new license plate/ drivers license because your from different state, It should be in my opinion that you must have new drivers license and plate on that state to drive around any state, or get a temporary permit as a license plate. What my dad told me when he got a job in California (we live in Hawaii).

Even call your car insurance company if you are okey using that insurance on different states.

That’s what I would do in your case.

Q: Is the Lexus ES300 1998 a good car for road trips?
Im driving from Illinois to Texas this summer ( now that im 18 ) so i can visit my friend, then possibly stop by california.

is my car suitable for long trips ?

i just got it so its very new to me, but an amazing car

A: i own one also. i’ve been on a few trips and this car is good for trips. only thing i would say is to be careful about the cup holders cause mostly anything you put in there without your hand holding it is gonna spill. i don;t understand how a car that was wrth 35,000 dollars brand new they(lexus) could not see that this would be a problem.another peeve is when i get in my foot always hits the e brake. other than that very reliable car.it handles good in the snow also with traction control.good luck with your trip,

Q: Where can I have parts for my car installed?
I have owned a Mitsubishi evo for a while now and I am going to be purchasing upgrades such as a body kit, new wheels and tires, suspension and some minor engine upgrades. The parts are all recommended to be installed by a professional, so where could I get this done at? And also, where could i get a good paint job?I live in a small city in northern Illinois, 61032.

A: Any body shop should be able to do the body kit, automotive repair shops can do all of this for a price…shop around at local places and tell them what you want done and that you have the parts. You will get the normal labor costs, your pretty much just cutting off the part costs they would have charged. I don’t know your local places but look around and you should see em all over the place. Sounds like a good project, hope it turns out fast and sounding good. Not really a fan of Mitsubishi looks though so can’t hope it’ll turn out looking good haha

Q: what do you think about this car?
I want to get a new car ( yeah i know it used) but i want to get a special one. I dont think that i would be overpaying for the car but want to be` sure if its not something that will turn up at a local junk yard or whatever after a ride to and back from school.

1984 Porsche 911 Carrera – $15,995
Location: Buffalo Grove,IL
Mileage: 106,002
Exterior Color: Red
Interior Color: N/A
Transmission: N/A
Engine: Horizontal 6
Doors: 2
Bodystyle: Convertibles
Drivetrain: Rear Wheel Drive
VIN #: WP0EB0918ES160392
Seller Type: Dealer
Stock #: T12473

http://www.automotive.com/1984/65/porsche/911/carrera/illinois/buffalo-grove/121171/1386/images.html

just look at the car dont you think its bueatiful i really like it .
okay i didn’t expect this. I did not ask for someone to be trashing my car. Sure its hideous for you but , honestly i think your ******* pickup truck is awful. I like fine classic cars and in my opinion this is a grat vehicle.

A: Great Car!!! We have a 1982 Porsche 911Sc and it’s great! You’re getting the Carrera so even better! Good time to buy the car too, it’s at it’s lowest value as of now, it won’t get any lower. It will actually start to raise in price every year due to it being a future collectors car. The price is reasonable, our car is around $12,000 and yours is around $4,000 more but its 2 years newer and is a Carrera. The car should be fine, 1980’s Porsche’s are well kept by their owners, just make sure it was adult owned.

Q: Job? Car? Money? Answers?! (:?
If I worked part time $7.25 an hour in Illinois, how much would I get total at the end of the week?
If I wanted to buy a new car, about maybe around $50,000 how much would I need to save to make a down payment? How much would estimated guess be my monthly payment for so many years?
As you can probably tell I want a new car, any additional information you think i may need to know are welcomed.
*All answers are greatly appreciated!
*A part time job 6 days a week, and a estimated deposit.

A: This all depends on how many hours you work and what your car dealer wants as a deposit on a car.

A $50,000 car on a part time salary is very ambitious

Q: how much does it cost to switch plates from one car to another?
i used to own a 1992 plymouth acclaim 4 door sedan, tomarow i am planing on buying a 1991 chevy cavalier 4 door sedan, now i got the plates from my 92 acclaim still and it updated, the sticker and plates are still good, ok i want to switch the plates from my 92 acclaim to my new 91 chevy cavalier cuz it would save me some money, after i switch the plates and get registration and all that good stuff to my new car how much is it goin to cost? i now there is a 65.00 dollar fee to do the title in my name, also i live in illinois, thanks

A: Anytime you want to transfer plates to another car,you can. The only prohibit is if your plates state “Truck” like some states do and you want to transfer them to a car, then you can’t. Here In New York It cost $12.75 to transfer plates plus any weight differential. For Instance If your car that the plates are on weighs 3000 lbs and the new car weighs 3100 that’s 100 lb difference and will cost you $1.80 more. This is in NY but Illinois is about the same. If you buy a new car from a dealer they will try and get you brand new plates. You don’t have to do this. BTW The acclaim weighs more then the Cavalier so you will only pay the flat fee. Oh, one more thing. The Tax. Yes if you purchased the Cavalier then you will owe sales tax. Good Luck

Q: New ruling that it’s illegal to search a car if pulled over…?
I was told that in a recent court case (about two weeks ago) it was determined that it was illegal to search a car if someone is pulled over for suspected DUI or something close to this. I’m from Illinois and I’m not sure if it’s federal or state.

Does anyone know anything about this? Can you explain it to me?
My young adult son was pulled over and arrested for reckless driving. He passed all sobriety tests but was still arrested. After he was cuffed they searched the car and found a pipe and a little pot. When we arrived at court, our case still hadn’t been filed? so it would be continued for discovery. Our lawyer said the district attorney took him aside and told him that due to this ruling his search might have been illegal. The lawyer said something like until the ramifications of this ruling are clear the state might drop charges in cases like my sons. It was likely son would only face reckless driving charge. So I was curious what the ruling was. My son is now a very humble guy that he might be so lucky as to get a chance to get his act together without a record. This arrest was a wake up call to grow up.

A: The case you are referring to is Arizona v. Gant. It was decided by the US Supreme Court on April 21, 2009.

It does not prohibit vehicle searches, but it does require more than just an arrest to justify the search.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_v._Gant

Edit: Whoops! I see someone gave a “thumbs down” to the US Supreme Court! Please email me and explain why my answer is wrong, or at least read the link first before you rate my answer!

Q: Tinting Windows on a 2 door car?
I previously owned a 4 door car with limo tints in the back and 35% in front and didn’t have any problems even though tints on the front windows in Illinois are illegal. But I’m going to be getting a new 2 door car and was wondering if those were legal to tint the big windows that are on the door or is it still illegal?

A: Windshield Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 6 inches of the windshield.

Front Side Windows No tint can be applied legally to this window.

Back Side Windows Any darkness can be used.

Rear Window Any darkness can be used.

Q: I have to have a bedroom set moved from a friend’s house to my house. I have no car. What’s the best way?
This is in the small town of Champaign in central Illinois. I want as little to do with the move as possible. Would moving companies move a bedroom set across town? It’s just a mattress, boxspring bedframe, dresser, mirror, and nightstand. How much would it cost? Any recommendations on movers? I’m new to this.

A: arrg … go to menards and rent a truck for90 min for 20 dollars or go to uhall and rent a van — that should be about 20-30 — do NOT use a movers unless you have lots of stuff or lots and lots of stairs….. best way – rent a truck – get some friends together and offer pizza and beer AFTER the move!!!

Q: How do I get rid of a 2008 car I can no longer afford?
I am only 19, in college and living in Hawaii. I needed a new, reliable car so with my uncle’s help, we got one. Yep, its a brand new one. We had already made arrangements for it to be paid through financing and with the help of another family member, and this fell through. Now I am stuck with the payments, that I of course cannot pay. I am moving to Illinois and am stuck with this car in financing. Is there any way that I can get out of it?

A: Your Uncle probably Co-Signed on that car so ask him if he wants to pay for it. . Then call the financial company that made the loan. ASK a Car dealership that sold the car if they need a almost brand new car. The problem is you may have to pay the difference between the loan and what the car is actually worth. You could sell the car for the loan amount or walk away from the loan but that will ruin your credit. Hope you had a nice stay in Hawaii. Good Luck

Q: Can I tint my front windows in IL?
I know in IL you can tint your back windows as dark as you want as long as your front driver windows are not tinted. I recently bought a new car. After doing a little research on the web I found some info that said in October 2009 a new Illinois law made it legal to tint your front windows if you tint all your windows no darker than 35%. In July I went to a place and asked them about this and they said 35% all around is legal, but that I still may get pulled over because not all cops know this.

I proceeded to get my windows tinted at 35% all around, and just last week I got pulled over for illegal tint. I tried to explain to the officer that it was 35% all the way around, but he told me they revised the law in January of 2010. Is this correct? I called the tint place and they told me if its 35% all the way around it is legal…..WHO IS RIGHT?? I need help!

A: the law states you can only tint 6 inches or less at the top of the front windshield . any tint that reaches down wither than that is illegal. always go with the law. also you can go back to the company who tinted the windshield and get you money back as they did it illegally . they can loose there business license for doing it .

Here is current law !!

Window Tinting and Illinois Safety Laws
Tinting is allowed in Illinois provided it conforms to the following car tint restrictions:

Tint Darkness

■Windshield: Non-reflective window tint is allowed on the top six inches.
■Front side windows: Car tint must allow more than 35% of light through the window.
■Back side windows: Auto tinting must allow more than 35% of light through the window.
■Rear Window: Window tint must allow more than 35% of light through the window.
Reflective Tint

If you’re unfamiliar with this term, imagine mirrored sunglasses.

■Front side windows: Non-reflective only.
■Back side windows: Non-reflective only.
Miscellaneous Tint Law Regulations

■Restricted Colors: No color restrictions.
■Side mirrors: Dual side mirrors required if back has tint.
■Sticker requirements: No decal identifying legal tinting is required.
IL Tint Laws and Penalties
Because there is no annual safety inspection in Illinois you cannot be denied vehicle registration due to tinted windows.

You can, however, be fined. Being caught with illegal tinting carries an initial fine of no less than $50. Any subsequent violation is treated as a Class C misdemeanor and comes with a minimum penalty of $100. Chicago, however, takes a more ironhanded stance, charging tint law violators $250.

I do window tinting so i get a copy of all laws for all 50 states so i can comply to them .

Q: Illinois child support?
My ex is remarried and has already been held in contempt of court once for non-payment of child support. He and his new wife (who only works part-time) just purchased a new car. He is self-employed and states that his business is not doing well at all. My question is how do you think a judge will react when this is brought up on the next petition for rule. I mean his business is supposedly not doing well, his wife only works part-time but they feel good enough to buy a new car, come on!

A: I sure believe in a father taking care of his obligations towards his children because I have an ex who was injured in a car accident, but even before that did little financially to help take care of our children. But how does putting dads in jail financially support the children & what does it do to a child psychologically to know their father is in jail?

I learned to trust God’s word that He will never let his children go hungry. We’ve never been without the things we need and just recently we were awarded back-social security and current payments until my children turn 18. And the payments from social security are twice what his child support was.

In this same period of time my husband’s ex-wife did have him put in jail because he was also almost killed in a car accident & couldn’t work for 2 years due to multiple surgeries. Until he was finished with his surgeries & be released back to work, he offered to keep the children instead of her having to pay $700 a month in day care costs. She would even have saved money because his child support was $450/month. She tried to get into my paycheck but the law didn’t allow that. I worked 2 jobs to keep a roof over our heads. My husband just recently got his back social security which paid off all his back child support & now I’m able to be a stay at home mom.

His ex took loans from family for 2 years rather than let him watch his children in lieu of her paying day care & now the $12,000 that she got for back child support didn’t even go to her or the children but to pay back loans.

I would be careful about getting into his wife’s salary.
How would you feel if you get married and you work hard for what you & your children have, whether full or part time, and your new husband’s ex starts questioning what type of lifestyle she thinks you should live.

Just remember the law of reaping what you sow. When you put mercy & goodness in other people’s lives mercy & goodness comes back to you.