Progress Illinois

GOP gubernatorial nominee Bill Brady is calling on Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to investigate a large campaign contribution that Gov. Pat Quinn received from Chicago-area Teamsters unions.  Brady is highlighting the fact that the donations came shortly before Quinn issued an amendatory veto of legislation reforming the governance of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (known as "McPier") -- a bill that the union opposed.  Quinn responded that it is hypocritical for Brady -- who voted in favor of legislation that benefited his personal business -- to be calling for an investigation.

At the end of the day Thursday, the Illinois Senate sent a number of bills to Gov. Pat Quinn's desk before adjourning for the remainder of the spring session.  They included: an on-campus early voting pilot program (SB 3012), the emergency budget act for 2011 (SB 3660), the STAR bonds bill (SB 2093), and legislation creating a sales tax holiday in August (SB 3658). The senate also overrode Quinn's amendatory veto on McPier reform legislation (SB 326).

The worst of recession-related job losses are in the review mirror, according to a report released Thursday by Illinois Department of Employment Security. Through the first four months of the year, the state has added 51,000 jobs compared to the same period of 2009. "It’s challenging, but there are some encouraging trends," said spokesperson Greg Rivara.