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More Details On The Cohen Replacement Process

To find out more about the process of replacing Scott Lee Cohen as the lieutenant governor nominee, we caught up with a few members of the Democratic State Central Committee.

Mon, 03:38pm

Federal, State Officials Unveil Asian Carp Strategy

Mon, 03:37pm

Daley Attempts To Expand Inspector General's Duties

Mon, 01:28pm

Quinn: Lt. Gov. Nominee Should Have "Progressive Values" (VIDEO)

Mon, 11:14am

Hynes Not Interested In Lt. Gov Nomination, After All

Mon, 08:10am

State Lawmakers Return To Work

Quick Hits

Bite-sized updates from the PI staff »

Good Question

Today, Mayor Daley proposed giving the Chicago inspector general's office the power to investigate aldermen and monitor City Hall hiring.  Archpundit wonders if this would come with a boost in the IG's budget.  Because if it doesn't, the mayor is just piling more work on their plate -- and giving them less time to "pester" him.  Hopefully, that issue will be raised at Wednesday's City Council meeting.

By Josh Kalven
Monday, February 8th 3:43pm

How Does Quinn Feel About The Hynes Idea? (UPDATED)

This morning, in the wake of Scott Lee Cohen's departure from the race, news outlets across the state are floating the names of possible Democratic lieutenant nominees.  The most dramatic possibility is a Dan Hynes appointment.  But how would Gov. Pat Quinn -- who was pummeled by Hynes during the gubernatorial primary -- feel about that?  We'll find out in about a half-hour when Quinn talks to reporters at Chicago's Allegro Hotel.  Check back for more details later this morning. (UPDATE 11:15 a.m.: Nevermind.  Capitol Fax has learned that Hynes is "not interested" in the position.)

By Josh Kalven
Monday, February 8th 9:58am

Sweet: Madigan Has Done "An Awful Job" As Party Chairman

In her column this weekend, the Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet lays much of the blame for the Scott Lee Cohen debacle at the feet of House Speaker and Illinois Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan, writing that he is doing "an awful job" in the latter post.  "Unlike every other state party chairman in the nation," she adds, "Madigan refuses to run a viable statewide political organization."  To learn more about how Madigan refuses to devote party resources to anything but his own narrow interests, read our previous posts on the matter.

2 comments
By Josh Kalven
Sunday, February 7th 4:41pm

"What The Hell Happened?"

That was MSNBC host Chris Matthews' question to Lynn Sweet tonight regarding Scott Lee Cohen's under-the-radar primary victory.  Watch it.  (A warning, however: Matthews and Sweet assign overblown national significance to this scandal.)

1 comment
By Josh Kalven
Friday, February 5th 7:23pm

The Sweetest Of Sweetheart Deals

Today, CBS 2 Chicago zeroes in on an oft-overlooked aspect of Chicago's controversial parking meter lease: The contract requires the city to reimburse Chicago Parking Meters LLC (the new owners) whenever any meters are blocked by street fairs, construction projects, and the like.  This is what happens when investment bankers write public policy ...

By Josh Kalven
Friday, February 5th 12:53pm

From the archives

2009: The Year In Quotes

It was a long, eventful, and not-always-productive year in Illinois.  We saw lots of good intentions, plenty of bad ones, and way too many of ugly realities.  Relive the year in politics through our collection of quotes.

The Showdown In Chicago: Our Full Coverage

On October 25, 2009, members of the American Bankers Association (ABA) descended on downtown Chicago for their annual conference. But local progressives didn't let the bankers party in peace, holding a string of events aimed at highlighting the growing public discontent with the banking industry.

Getting Creative With Daley's TIF Network

As the city of Chicago grappled with a $300 million budget shortfall, we proposed three potential changes to Mayor Daley's sprawling tax increment financing (TIF) system that could free up some much-needed funds for cash-starved local taxing bodies. 

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