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Illinois Election 2010: Dan Rutherford’s Fund-Raising Juggernaut Gets Boost from Ex-Governor Jim Thompson
(Chicago, IL) – June 30, 2010. State Senator Dan Rutherford’s fund-raising machine last night rumbled through Chicago, parking at the home of former Governor Jim Thompson. Thompson, and his wife Jayne, held a fund-raiser for the downstate Chenoa Republican who is running for Illinois Treasurer against Democrat Robin Kelly, who is chief of staff to … Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Senator Dave Syverson Makes Outrageous Budget Blooper
State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) yesterday outrageously—and erroneously—claimed that Illinois has “the richest Medicaid system in the country” while criticizing Governor Pat Quinn over the new Illinois budget. Continue reading
Illinois Budget: Rep Patti Bellock, Senator Dave Syverson Attack Governor Pat Quinn on New Illinois Budget as Federal Medicaid Support Fades
State Rep. Patti Bellock (R-Hinsdale) said Quinn wanted the most optimistic numbers he could find, and now the state is going to have to pay the price. Continue reading
Governor Pat Quinn Signs Anti-School Bully Bill at Chicago’s Gay Pride Parade; Analysis Casts Doubts on State Bully Laws
(Chicago, IL) — June 27, 2010. Before Governor Pat Quinn began his march in Chicago’s Gay Pride Parade on Sunday, Quinn signed a bill into law that aims at reducing bullying in Illinois schools, but the measure may do little to reduce bullying behavior. “This new law helps schools protect students so they can succeed … Continue reading
Pat Quinn OK’s Medicaid Fraud, Transparency Reforms
(Chicago, IL) — June 25, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bi-partisan package bills into law that will fight fraud and increase the transparency and efficiency of Illinois’ Medicaid program. “These new laws will help increase transparency and accountability in the state’s Medicaid program and help us to root out fraud and abuse to … Continue reading
Illinois Governor Election 2010: Despite $1 Million of TV Ads, Bill Brady’s Campaign Tanks 9 Points, New Poll Says
(Chicago, IL) — June 25, 2010. Earlier this week, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Carol Marin bewailed Governor Pat Quinn’s political situation: “Gov. Quinn has problems. Big problems.” Marin pointed to State Senator Bill Brady and a GOP governor’s group burst of television advertising as Exhibit A to prove Quinn’s perilous political position. “Quinn’s GOP opponent has … Continue reading
Governor Pat Quinn Signs Ill-Starred STAR Bonds Bills to Boost Southern Illinois Economy
(Marion, IL) — June 24, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law to establish a business development tax credit and controversial commercial construction bonds to bolster Southern Illinois’ economy, which has seen unemployment range from 12 to 15 percent during 2010. The legislation, Senate Bill 2093, will create the Angel Investment Tax … Continue reading
Illinois Research and Development Tax Credit Gets Pat Quinn’s OK
(Chicago, IL) — June 24, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn yesterday signed legislation which extends a key research and development tax credit for Illinois businesses which secured plaudits from the Taxpayer’s Federation of Illinois. “With this new law, we are encouraging more companies to invest in Illinois – and the Illinois worker – by creating an … Continue reading
Rep. Lou Lang Says Illinois Medical Marijuana Bill is 2 Votes Shy of Passage; Looks to Win Approval after November Elections
(Chicago, IL) — June 24, 2010. House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie) reports that he has 58 of the 60 votes he needs to win passage of legislation, House Bill 2514, to legalize medical marijuana in Illinois, the Chicago Sun-Times‘ Vernon Clement Jones reported on Monday. “There is support on both sides,” Lang said … Continue reading
Blagojevich Trial: Appointment of Lisa Madigan to U.S. Senate Was Blagojevich Lie, Alibi, John Harris Says
(Chicago, IL) — June 23, 2010. While Illinois was waiting for its newest U.S. senator to be named, FBI wiretaps reveal former Governor Rod Blagojevich was playing political games. And those games started almost immediately upon the election of Barack Obama to the presidency. “You’re pitting one team against another like a free agent,” he … Continue reading
Bill Brady Breakfast with Right-Wing Media Research Center in Chicago Rankles, Worries Brady Facebook Fans
(Chicago, IL) — June 23, 2010. While Governor Pat Quinn this morning was breakfasting with well-healed swells at an early-morning fundraiser at RL restaurant–Ralph Lauren for the hoi polloi–in Chicago, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) was also in Chicago, but breaking bread with the paranoid, out-of-state Media Research Center types. Based in Alexandria, Virgina, the … Continue reading
Governor Pat Quinn Rakes in Campaign Cash, Gives Away Some of the State’s with Ill-Starred “Star Bonds” Bill Signing
(Chicago, IL) – June 23, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today will rake in a bushel of money for his campaign and shortly after he will give away some of state’s. Quinn starts his day with a 8:30 a.m. fund-raising breakfast—one of a “full calendar” of events in June according to campaign finance director David Rosen–at … Continue reading
Governor Pat Quinn Ends 1,000% Interest Pay Day Loans as Volume Sags
(Chicago, IL) — June 21, 2010. With a swift scratch of his pen, Governor Pat Quinn yesterday banished 1,000% interest “pay day loans” in Illinois. Quinn signed a bill into law that will increase protections for Illinois residents obtaining consumer installment loans–the volume of which has dropped 20% since 2006–cap interest rates charged by consumer … Continue reading
Blagojevich Trial: Ex-Deputy Governor Bradley Tusk “Disgusted” by Blagojevich’s Actions; Judge Zagel Stymies Sheldon Sorosky
(Chicago, IL) — June 22, 2010. The jury in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has repeatedly received firsthand accounts of the former governor’s alleged misdeeds, but the prosecution took a break from questioning co-conspirators on Monday and put one of the governor’s alleged victims, educator Donald Feinstein, on the stand. … Continue reading
Illinois Governor Election 2010: Scott Lee Cohen Finds 130,000 Other Clowns to Follow His Show
(Springfield, IL) — June 21, 2010. Honk, honk. Beep, beep. Vrooooom, vroooom. Disgraced former Democratic Lt. Governor candidate Scott Lee Cohen‘s clown car campaign has arrived in Springfield to file his candidate petitions to run for governor as an independent. Cohen seems to have found a 130,000 other clowns to fill the show’s tent. From … Continue reading
Lisa Madigan Launches Google Search; Investigates Personal Information Collection
(Chicago, IL) — June 17, 2010. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is doing a Google search. Madigan yesterday announced that her office is investigating whether Google collected personal information from Illinois residents while gathering data for its popular Street View service. “It is disturbing that Google has been collecting this data since 2007,” Madigan said. … Continue reading
Illinois Governor 2010 Elections: Human Rights Activists Boost Governor Pat Quinn with Fundraiser Bash
(Chicago, IL) — June 16, 2010. Honesty. Equality. Those words pulsated on tongues last night—like the secret sauce over the beef tenderloin—among the guests at a private, $1,000-a-plate dinner party in Chicago for Governor Pat Quinn and running mate Sheila Simon. “I think Quinn is one of the few true honest politicians today. He does … Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Elections: Senate President John Cullerton Aims for Hyper-Majority
(Chicago, IL) — June 15, 2010. Most Democrats are in a defensive crouch as the November 2010 elections approach. Not Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago). Cullerton, who is serving his first term as Senate President, says he is looking to add seats this year to his current 37-22 super-majority in the Illinois Senate. At … Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Signs New Illinois Telecomunications Act to Expand Internet Broadband, Protect Low-Cost Land-Line Packages
(Chicago, IL) — June 15, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law to modernize Illinois’ telecommunications law. “Investment in broadband and wireless technology is a key to creating better jobs and providing unique educational opportunities across Illinois,” said Quinn. The Illinois Telecommunications Act was written in 1985 – well before the widespread … Continue reading
A Majority of Illinois Voters Back Repeal of Barack Obama’s Health Care Reform Law, New Poll Says
(Chicago, IL) — June 10, 2010. A majority of Illinois voters favor the repeal of President Barack Obama‘s health care reform, according to a new poll. According to a survey of 500 Illinois voters by Rasmussen Reports on June 7: Fifty-four percent (54%) of voters in Illinois favor repeal of the health care plan, slightly … Continue reading
Illinois Governor 2010 Elections: Bill Brady’s Campaign Against Pat Quinn Stalls, New Poll Reveals
(Chicago, IL) — June 10, 2010. Despite going up early with his own television ads in the Chicago media market, ads from a GOP governor’s group, and relentlessly bad budget news from Springfield, State Senator Bill Brady‘s campaign against Governor Pat Quinn has stalled, according to a new poll. Fortunately for Brady, he has stalled … Continue reading
Blagojevich Trial: State Rep Deb Mell Challenges Greg Hinz’s Trial Reporting
(Chicago, IL) — June 10, 2010. Rod Blagojevich‘s sister-in-law, State Rep. Deb Mell (D-Chicago), yesterday challenged Crain’s political reporter Greg Hinz’s reporting on the ex-governor’s corruption trial, posting a complaint on her Facebook page. “I didn’t see you in court Greg and I am sure Rod didn’t call you and tell you that. RT @GregHinz: … Continue reading
Blagojevich Trial: Blagojevich Buddy Lon Monk Admits Corruption Conspiracy Began in Summer 2002; Says Ex-Governor Knew of Law-Breaking
(Chicago, IL) — June 10, 2010. A man who was once one of Rod Blagojevich’s closest friends and a top aide said the former Illinois governor knew what he was doing was “wrong” when he met with now-convicted influence peddler Tony Rezko. Alonzo ”Lon” Monk, who served as Blagojevich’s chief of staff when he took … Continue reading
Pat Quinn Signs Law to Allow Illinois Community Colleges to Borrow to Pay Bills
(Springfield, IL) — June 9, 2010. With Illinois’ fiscal crisis continuing unabated, Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation into law to enable Illinois community colleges to borrow money to pay its bills while awaiting already-authorized state funding. And they’ll be waiting a long, long, long, long time. Did I mention long? “We must give our … Continue reading
Illinois 2010 Elections: State Rep Kevin Joyce to Retire
(Chicago, IL) — June 8, 2010. State Rep. Kevin Joyce (D-Chicago) has decided to leave the Illinois General Assembly at the end of his term. Southtown Star reporter Joe Biesk reports: State Rep. Kevin Joyce said he will not seek re-election in the November election, creating an open seat in the General Assembly’s 35th House … Continue reading
Blagojevich Trial: Sam Adam, Jr. Vs. Carrie Hamilton Vs. Mike Ettinger
(Chicago, IL) — June 9, 2010. Opening arguments in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich kicked off on Tuesday afternoon, as the prosecution and defense team met for the first time in open court. The difference in styles was readily apparent. Federal prosecutor Carrie Hamilton took the 18-member jury through the … Continue reading
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s Chief of Staff, Bill Cunningham, Tapped As Pat Quinn’s Communications Chief
(Springfield, IL) — June 8, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today named Bill Cunningham as Director of Communications. Cunningham is replacing Director of Communications Bob Reed, who is returning to the private sector. “Bill comes to us with a wealth of experience from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and I look forward to working with him,” … Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Gives Illinois Public Universities Power to Borrow to Pay Bills
(Springfield, IL) June 8, 2010. With Illinois unable to pay its bills, Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law that allows Illinois’ public universities to borrow money in anticipation of already-authorized state funding. “This legislation will give our public universities an important fiscal tool to manage through this unprecedented economic crisis,” said Quinn. … Continue reading
Asian American Leaders Endorse Dem State Rep Candidate Daniel Biss over GOP Opponent Hamilton Chang
(Chicago, IL) — June 8, 2010. More than 25 leaders of the Asian Pacific American community of Chicago’s northern suburbs last week endorsed Daniel Biss, Democratic candidate for 17th District State Representative, over GOP opponent Hamilton Chang. At the press conference held at Biss’ Skokie campaign office, Jae Choi Kim, a Korean-American from Wilmette and … Continue reading
Elections 2010: Anti-Incumbent Moods Exceeds 1994 Levels; Tea Party Support Erodes, New Poll Says
(Washington, D.C.) — June 8, 2010. Americans’ foul political mood is deepening and spreading. It is tainting both Democrats and Republicans and is even souring on Tea Party types. However, its wrath is especially focused on incumbents, according to a new poll. A fresh survey by The Washington Post-ABC News says voter support for U.S. … Continue reading
David Ormsby, Editor
Gov. Pat Quinn
- McHenry County Blog | Pat Quinn Tells Truth about Pension ... Cal Skinner
- Illinois General Assembly, Gov. Pat Quinn Must Reconcile ... Marge Berglind
- Pat Quinn Criticizes Scott Walker On Jobs The Huffington Post News Editors
- Will Governor Pat Quinn Sign Illinois Budget on Thursday? « Child ... Marge Berglind
- Quinn: Lawmakers Must 'Show Some Fortitude' On Pension ... Todd Feurer
- Governor Pat Quinn Puts His Foot Down On Gambling Expansion ... Mark
- Senate narrowly backs Quinn on facility closures - Capitol Fax.com Rich Miller
- Democurmudgeon: Gov. Pat Quinn exposes Scott Walker as a fake ... Democurmudgeon
- Advocates Seek Illinois Child Welfare Vision from Governor Pat Quinn Marge Berglind
- Chicago News Bench: No, Really, Pat Quinn Still Sucks More Than ... TM-1000
IL General Assembly
- General Assembly puts health exchange bill on back burner - Crain's Chicago Business May 10, 2012
- IL educators react to proposed state budget cuts - WREX-TV May 11, 2012
- Violence Against Women Act Survives Partisan Fight, Quinn Told Not To Close ... - Patch.com May 9, 2012
- American Progressive Bag Alliance Urges Illinois General Assembly To Pass ... - MarketWatch (press release) May 1, 2012
- You Paid For It: IL General Assembly Scholarship Program - FOX2now.com May 7, 2012
- Our Opinion: Anti-bully bill should get OK - The State Journal-Register May 10, 2012
- Illinois State University considers 4.4 percent tuition increase - Herald & Review May 10, 2012
- American Progressive Bag Alliance Urges Illinois General Assembly To Pass ... - PR Newswire (press release) May 1, 2012
- Asian-Americans to have state caucus - WBEZ May 8, 2012
- Suburban mayors also urge state to pass pension reform - Chicago Sun-Times May 10, 2012
The Capitol Fax Blog
- Question of the day May 10, 2012 Rich Miller
- Political cover or political payback? May 10, 2012 Rich Miller
- Illinois Needs Private Sector Jobs Now! Why Labor Leaders Support Senate Bill 1849 May 10, 2012 Advertising Department
- Senate narrowly backs Quinn on facility closures - Chamber backs Quinn pension reforms May 10, 2012 Rich Miller
- House approves bill to effectively end free employee health insurance premiums May 10, 2012 Rich Miller
- *** UPDATED x2 - VIDEO *** Smith hearing resumes today (LIVE Coverage and Video) May 10, 2012 Rich Miller
- *** UPDATED x2 *** Not a big deal at all, but it’s probably time to delegate a bit more May 10, 2012 Rich Miller
- Morning Shorts May 10, 2012 Owen Irwin
- *** LIVE SESSION COVERAGE *** May 10, 2012 Rich Miller
- Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - COWL review, supplement to today’s edition and a Statehouse roundup May 10, 2012 Rich Miller