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 to do while running for office. Peter Fitzgerald criticized Obama, as part of a conference call rallying support for Republican presidential candidate John McCain. Get more over at the Sun-Times.

Outgoing Senate President Emil Jones didn’t sugarcoat what his role was as a senator. At a recent ribbon-cutting, Jones talked about how he brought back a “slice of the pie” to his former University, according to the Chicago Tribune.

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 convicted felon Tony Rezko paid for any or all of the governor’s $90,0000 worth of rehab work on his house. Read more at the Sun-Times.

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 rally for the team Tuesday. Read more at the Sun-Times.

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 gave Gov. Rod Blagojevich a $10,000 donation so he could talk to the governor about state projects. Many have pointed to this as an example of the “pay-to-play” politics that Blagojevich partakes in, but the republican, Martin Ozinga III, said this isn’t the case. The Tribune has more.

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 Tribune has a comprehensive opinion piece breaking down Blagojevich’s troubles and possible repercussions.

What’s the best way to get tickets to a playoff game at Wrigley or (possibly) Cellular Field? Become an Illinois plitician. See the Tribune for more.

Even though legislators voted to restore $220 million worth of budget cuts last week, the budget debacle could be far from over. The SJ-R provides a detailed account of the ongoing budget battle and how it could all play out.

Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain will indeed debate tongiht at the University of Mississippi. The debate had been in question as McCain had said he wouldn’t attend until Congress passed a measure dealing with a bailout of the economy. Read more at the SJ-R.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s plan to expand a health care program funded by the state was squashed by the Illinois appellate court. The Chicago Tribune has more.

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 taking his cause for more school funding to a new place — Wrigley Field. Meeks earlier encouraged a first-day boycott of Chicago Public Schools and now wants the protest to move outside of Wrigley for the Cubs first playoff game. Read more here.

Comptroller Dan Hynes doesn’t think Gov. Rod Blagojevich should be handling the state budget. Lawmakers recently restored about $220 million in Blagojevich’s budget cuts, and it is uncertain what the governor will do with them. Read more about Hynes and the cuts at the SJ-R. 

Now, Mayor Richard Daley is on it. Earlier this week, McCain released an attack ad against Obama, and tied him in a negative fashion to Daley’s brother, Bill. Bill Daley responded on Tuesday, and Mayor Richard Daley threw in his two cents on Wednesday. Check it out over at the Sun-Times. 

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 read the SJ-R’s account here.

A man was arrested Tuesday morning after approaching Obama’s home in Chicago. The Sun-Times reported that there was no indication the man had any weapons.

Blagojevich said Monday he couldn’t explain how his campaign still held onto to a $65,000 donation from convicted felon Ali D. Ata. The governor said he “didn’t pay attention,” according to the Sun-Times.

Bill Daley, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s brother, responded a day after he was featured in an attack ad from U.S. Sen. John McCain. Daley said the ad came different John McCain, not the one “people respected for so many years in Washington.” The Sun-Times has more.

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

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 poll shows Blagojevich has a 34 percent favorable rating, down from 41 percent in January. Check out the Post-Dispatch for more.

Sun-Times reporter Dave McKinney has an interesting article today. He notes that amidst Blagojevich’s push for ethics return, the governor has yet to ret urn $65,000 in campaign contributions from Ali D. Ata, a recently convicted felon.