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PI Original
by Josh Kalven
12:18pm
Tue Dec 30, 2008
66 comments

Just Two Weeks Ago, Burris Called Blago Allegations "Appalling" And "Reprehensible" (UPDATED)

Roland Burris

Wow.  Just out from the Tribune: Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected today to name former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate. The action comes despite warnings by Democratic Senate leaders that they ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
11:33am
Tue Dec 30, 2008

Conservative Strategy In Obama's Washington

Congress

In a year when the Republican
presidential candidate went down in flames and Democrats extended their
majorities in both the House and Senate, “Drill Baby Drill” was about
the only victory conservatives lawmakers garnered in Washington. It
seems like ages ago when a ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
2:35pm
Mon Dec 29, 2008

IL-5: We're Off To The Races

IL-5

The Tribune is reporting that Rep. Rahm Emanuel will resign from his seat this Friday, January 2.  Under state law, the governor must schedule a special election for the seat to be held within 115 days of that date.

Read Emanuel's letter to Rod Blagojevich below (hit the ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
1:05pm
Mon Dec 29, 2008

Blagojevich Impeachment Agenda: Day 5

Rod Blagojevich

The fifth day of the Illinois House's impeachment hearing is underway, with Blagojevich attorney Ed Genson holding forth before the committee.  Moments ago, he used the Obama transition team's report of contacts with the governor's office to argue that, because the Obama camp ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
12:02pm
Mon Dec 29, 2008
7 comments

Appoint, Then Confirm: An Alternative Senate Selection Process

State Legislature

The public does not like appointments to elected offices.  Whether it’s a group of committeemen, the mayor of a city, or the governor -- the appointment process never seems or feels completely fair.  For starters, the preliminary interviews and vetting typically occur behind ...

PI Original
by Adam Doster
11:35am
Mon Dec 29, 2008

Families USA: More Medicaid Spending Would Stimulate IL Economy

Congress

Although hospital surgeries and
emergency room visits dropped slightly in the third quarter of this
year compared with the same period in 2007, health care consumption is
generally considered recession proof. If people are sick, they go get
checked out, regardless of the ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
10:39am
Mon Dec 29, 2008

Quinn Faces The Nation

Rod Blagojevich

On CBS' Face The Nation yesterday, Lt. Gov Pat Quinn discussed the impeachment proceedings against Rod Blagojevich, predicting that he would no longer be governor by February 12 (the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth).  Quinn also reiterated his support for a temporary ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
2:05pm
Fri Dec 26, 2008

Burns' Plan To Fill Obama's Senate Seat

Rod Blagojevich

At the beginning of the next legislative session in January, incoming State Rep. Will Burns (D-Chicago) plans to put forth what he's calling a "hybrid" proposal to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama.  In the name of both expediency ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
11:39am
Fri Dec 26, 2008

FamilyCare Caught In The Crossfire

Rod Blagojevich

Last week, the Illinois House
impeachment committee heard round after round of testimony about how
Gov. Rod Blagojevich abused power by expanding the FamilyCare
program despite legislative opposition. The topic was raised so often
that Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie had to ...