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PI Original
by Josh Kalven
10:36am
Mon Dec 22, 2008
1 comment

Schock Ended Campaign With $100,000 In Debts

Aaron Schock

Earlier this month, we questioned GOP Rep.-elect Aaron Schock's statement in a fundraising letter that, towards the end of his campaign, he went "out on a limb financially by $80,000" to combat what he called "insidious, non-stop attacks."  The phrasing of ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
2:24pm
Sun Dec 21, 2008
2 comments

Live From IL-5: Geoghegan For Congress?

IL-5

On Thursday, Prairie State Blue blogger Yoda examined the state-of-play in the 5th Congressional District, where a dozen candidates have already formed committees for the eventual race to replace Rep. Rahm Emanuel.  The post highlighted Cook County Comm. Mike Quigley and ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
6:39pm
Fri Dec 19, 2008

Civic Fed. On Cook Co. Budget: "Extraordinary And Irresponsible"

Cook Co.

The Civic Federation came out with its latest review of Cook County’s finances today. Not surprisingly, the watchdog group is ripping Board President Todd Stroger and his allies on the board for their “stunning failure of fiscal responsibility.” Laurence Msall, who heads ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
4:13pm
Fri Dec 19, 2008

Blagojevich: "I Will Fight. I Will Fight. I Will Fight." (UPDATED)

Rod Blagojevich

Here's the video of Gov. Blagojevich's statement this afternoon for those who didn't see it live:

WGN's Julie Unruh noted something that was missed in the immediate coverage: During a rather belligerent Q&A following Blagojevich's ...

PI Original
by Adam Doster
3:15pm
Fri Dec 19, 2008

Obama Officially Taps LaHood For DOT

Transportation

At a press conference in
Chicago this afternoon, President-elect Barack Obama formally announced retiring Rep. Ray LaHood as the next Secretary of Transportation. During his
introduction, Obama said few Americans understand the nation’s
infrastructure challenges better ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
1:48pm
Fri Dec 19, 2008
1 comment

Spending The Stimulus

Economy

It’s no secret that Illinois
government is a bit unstable these days. Not only is the General
Assembly holding impeachment hearings of Gov. Rod Blagojevich but the
state has run up a huge budget deficit and both parties elected new Senate leaders last month. By ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
12:21pm
Fri Dec 19, 2008
1 comment

A Fork In The Road: The Promise Of Advanced Manufacturing

Labor

“If you are going through hell, keep going.” – Winston Churchill

Every day, we see the painful downward spiral of an economy dominated by speculation and paper profits intended to maximize short-term return at the expense of our nation’s long-term health. In the current ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
11:44am
Fri Dec 19, 2008
1 comment

Mikva Would Back Schakowsky In A Special Election (UPDATED)

Jan Schakowsky

Talking to the Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet, Ab Mikva said that if there is ultimately a special election to fill Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate Seat, he's supporting Rep. Jan Schakowsky:

Abner Mikva, the gold standard for integrity in Illinois politics, told
me ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
10:48am
Fri Dec 19, 2008

Giannoulias: IL One Of Two States Under "Negative Credit Watch"

Economy

State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias appeared on CNBC's Squawk Box yesterday to discuss "The Blagojevich Effect" -- specifically, how the governor's arrest last week cost taxpayers $20 million by driving up the interest rate on the state's short-term bond deal.  During ...