(Chicago, IL) – March 24, 2012. THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER today released its second Illinois blog survey since 2009 in which it ranks 67 independent or “mom and pop” Illinois-based blogs that cover Illinois politics and local government news, and we found once again that the Chicagoist headed up the top 10 list. Independent or “mom and … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – October 14, 2010. State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Chenoa) and Democrat Robin Kelly have both sketched out either small bore or undetailed ideas for the Illinois Treasurer’s office that will likely have little impact on the state, but more likely a greater impact on their campaigns. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – August 3, 2010. The Chicago parking meter privatization issue that has bedeviled Mayor Richard Daley since its controversial inception shows no signs of abating any time soon. Continue reading
Governor Pat Quinn’s gubernatorial campaign yesterday called on GOP opponent State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) to detail his plan for the Illinois budget, arguing that the campaign clock was ticking. Continue reading
Governor Pat Quinn on Saturday signed a bill that added teeth to state law to deter organized dogfights by imposing harsher criminal penalties for dog-fighting offenses. Continue reading
Governor Pat Quinn on Tuesday stretched his executive authority—along with his goodwill with Illinois lawmakers—and rewrote legislation to eliminate the requirement that Illinois residents must declare a party affiliation when voting in a primary election, and in doing so likely guaranteed its doom. Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – July 9, 2010. The Chicago Tribune may hold a nearly 2 to 1 lead over the Chicago Sun-Times in print circulation, but unique visitors to the Sun-Times Web site may soon outstrip those to the Tribune’s if trends continue, according to a new survey of area newspapers’ Web site traffic. The Tribune … Continue reading
(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
(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
(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
(Washington, D.C.) — May 19, 2010. Rick Bayless maybe a Chicago superstar chef who injects zing and spice into the food prepared at his Frontera Grill and Topolobampo restaurants at 445 N. Clark Street , but he tweets inanity like a 12-year old school girl, and thankfully the Obama White House has shut him down … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — March 9, 2010. House Deputy Majority Leader Art Turner or Sheila Simon for the Democrats’ Lt. Governor nominee? Chicago Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed is reporting that former U.S. Senator Paul Simon‘s daughter, Sheila, who wants to be Governor Pat Quinn‘s running mate–her and about 200 people–is also on Quinn’s short list. And … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — March 1, 2010. Scott Lee Cohen had prostitutes and Jason Plummer has platitudes. Neither is helpful to a political candidate. Chicago Sun-Times columnist Carolin Marin filleted the 27-year old GOP Lt. Governor candidate in her recent column for dodging details and pushing platitudes. Referring Plummer’s sub-par interview with WTTW-TV host Phil Ponce, … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) February 8, 2010. Comptroller Dan Hynes has extended an olive branch–and a chance for victory in November–to Governor Pat Quinn. Hynes has signaled that he is willing to consider the Lt. Governor’s post if it is offered, according to Dave McKinney at the Chicago Sun-Times: A source in the Hynes camp told the … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — December 17, 2009. The Chicago Sun-Times editorial board has sent a blunt message to 14th Ward Alderman Ed Burke: Move on Wal-Mart. In an editorial today, the paper said: The time for a South Side Wal-Mart has come. Unemployment in the Chicago region hovers above 11 percent, with higher rates among blacks. … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) – December 17, 2009. Chicago Sun-Times columnist Carol Marin has unearthed a doozy of political consulting contracts light on the work, heavy on the wampum: “A consulting firm headed by former Illinois Senate President Emil Jones Jr.’s stepson John Sterling has been paid more than $787,000 under a Cook County contract funded by … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — November 5, 2009. Illinois 2010 Democratic governor candidate Ed Scanlan of Oak Park is currently leading all Illinois 2010 Republican and Democratic and Green governor candidates in the Web “eyeballs” race, according to a new survey of candidate Web sites. Utilizing Alexa Internet’s Web traffic monitoring tool, THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER submitted the … Continue reading
(Chicago, IL) — November 2, 2009. A new survey released today by THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER ranked 52 independent Illinois-based blogs that cover Illinois politics and government–blogs that are not embedded in or sponsored by major media Web sites such as the Chicago Tribune or the Chicago Sun-Times–and found the Chicagoist headed up the top 10 … Continue reading