Progress Illinois

Independent gubernatorial candidate Scott Lee Cohen says that he has accumulated more than the 25,000 petition signatures necessary for candidates to appear on the ballot in November. To make sure that his campaign survives a signature challenge, Cohen says that he wants to collect between 100,000 and 150,000 signatures. Independent candidates must submit their petitions by June 21.

According to a report from RealtyTrac Inc., foreclosure activity in Illinois fell in May by more than 20 percent compared with April figures. Still, filings are up nearly 38 percent from May 2009 statistics. Upwards of 15,000 properties received a foreclosure-related notice last month. Illinois' foreclosure rate ranks eighth nationally.

Like their colleagues on the Cook County Board, Chicago's City Council voted by a 46-3 margin yesterday in favor of a resolution urging City Hall to not do business with Arizona companies following the enactment of the state's controversial immigration law. Debate lasted over an hour, despite the overwhelming support in the caucus.