Oct. 10: Fitzgerald blasts Obama, Jones slices the pie, Durbin blames Dems….

Who does U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin blame for the mess that is Illinois politics. His own party, the Democrats. He said it’s embarrassing, and the state is losing out on a lot of money. Read more at the SJ-R.
The former U.S. Senator who held Barack Obama’s seat says Obama hasn’t done what he promised [...]

Oct. 6 — Blagojevich in more hot water, constitutional convention mailer ruled biased

A judge ruled that a ballot question that was mailed to Illinois voters about a constitutional convention was biased, and voters will receive a more neutral version of the flier when voting. However, that’s not enough for some, the Tribune reports.

Add another investigation to the list against Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Authorities are now investigating whether [...]

Oct. 1: Giannoulias says state will bring in less, Blagojevich says he’s the Piniella of politics….

Wall Street may be affecting Springfield’s state finances. Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias said that the economic downtown would likely result in the state bringing in less income. Read more at the SJ-R.
So who does Gov. Rod Blagojevich model himself after? Lou Piniella, the Chicago Cubs’ skipper. Blagojevich compared himself to the Cubs’ manager at a [...]

Sept. 30th: Springfield to Obama: pay up, Blagojevich runs into more pay-to-play accusations…

Springfield is sending U.S. Sen. Barack Obama a bill. The city doesn’t want him to sign it, though. They want a check. The city is looking for reimbursement for extra security and other measures they took when Obama announced running mate Joe Biden in August. Read more at the SJ-R.
A republican congressional candidate said he [...]

Sept. 29th: Case against Blagojevich builds, playoff tickets and budget cuts…

The defense against Gov. Rod Blagojevich could now be overwhelming. Former Blago fundraiser and convicted felon Tony Rezko may cooperate with federal investigators, according to the Tribune. Rezko has been mum since he was convicted and his talking could result in insurmountable evidence against Blagojevich in his alleged “pay-to-play” schemed.
Speaking of the governor’s trouble, the [...]

September 24th: Obama to continue on, Richard Daley strikes back, Meeks wants Wrigley protest…

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama says it’s important to go ahead with plans for a debate Friday with U.S. Sen. John McCain, despite McCain’s request to delay the debate to focus on the economy. Obama said it’s more important that ever to “present ourselves to the American people.” The Swamp has more. 
State Sen. James Meeks is [...]

September 23rd: Senate shoots down veto, Daley strikes back, Blago can’t remember…

The Illinois Senate approved a state ethics bill Monday in a special session by a 55-0 vote. Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s proposed changes were denied just days after U.S. Sen. Barack Obama called Senate President Emil Jones and urged the Senate to take up the Bill. Ray Long at the Tribune has more. Also, you can [...]

McCain ties Obama to Chicago politicians.

Here’s the latest Sen. Johen McCain attack ad, tying Sen. Barack Obama to several people such as Tony Rezko and Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Around the state on September 22

The state Senate and House are in session today after the Governor and Senate President Emil Jones urged party leaders to take up the ethics bill again. For more on the special session, check out the SJ-R.
If a recent poll has any merit to it, Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s popularity is plummeting. The public opinion [...]

Around the state on September 17th

Sen. Barack Obama stepped his way back into Illinois business Wednesday when he called Senate President Emil Jones and urged him to pass ethics legislation. The House was called into a special session earlier this month, and Obama wants Jones to bring the Senate back to weigh in on the topic. Read more at the [...]