Progress Illinois

Specter Joins Democrats; Senate Count May Reach 60
Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania announced Tuesday that he was leaving the Republican Party to become a Democrat, a surprise decision Specter admits was driven by his desire to win a sixth term next year. The defection creates the potential for Democrats to control 60 votes in the Senate when Al Franken eventually prevails in a court fight this summer, bolstering President Obama at a pivotal moment for his policy agenda.

Possible Swine Flu Reports Flood Public Health Office
Because of growing paranoia over the potential pandemic, Chicago's Public Health Department is being deluged with reports of possible swine flu cases. One probable case of swine flu prompted the closure of Kilmer Elementary school in Rogers Park.

Reform Panel Releases Report Of Recommendations
With just five weeks to go before the General Assembly adjourns for the summer, Gov. Pat Quinn's Illinois Reform Commission challenged lawmakers to change significantly the way they've done business inside the Capitol for decades. Term limits on legislative leaders, computer assisted redistricting, cutting back on lawmakers' private meetings, and overhauling a patronage-riddled hiring system were just some of the recommendations made.

Iowa Court Ruling Gives Hope Illinois Could Follow
Although gays and lesbians could officially marry in Iowa this week, many same-sex couples in Chicago who want to marry seem content to wait until they can legally wed in Illinois, demonstrating a sense of optimism about the issue. Also, the rights that come with marriage vanish when couples return to their home state.

Judge Expected To Rule On Burge Subpoena
Cook County Circuit Judge Clayton Crane is expected to rule Wednesday whether former Chicago police commander Jon Burge will be ordered to testify at a May 18 hearing for Cortez Brown, an inmate petitioning to get his murder conviction overturned. Brown claims he confessed to killing two men in 1990 only after detectives under Burge's command beat him with their fists and a flashlight.

Chicago Area Transit Use Spikes Over Last Five Years
Both the number of miles of service available and the number of miles traveled by riders on Chicago-area mass transit rose about 9 percent between 2003 and 2007, according to a Regional Transportation Authority report to be released today. But the cost of keeping the buses and trains running rose faster than the rate of inflation and capital funding sunk, straining the system.

Image used under a Creative Commons license by Flickr user Matneym.