Progress Illinois

Below are our daily picks from the Illinois blogosphere and media at large:

Hard Labor
Chicago-based labor reporter Claire Bushey is launching a new blog at True/Slant. She explains the inspiration for the project in her first post.

Tamms Tour
As part of his 10-part reform plan for the Tamms Correctional Center, Illinois Department of Corrections Director Michael Randle opened the prison to the media this week. To compliment its reporting, the Belleville News-Democrat produced a short video of the tour.

No Legal Barrier
According to OpenLeft's Chris Bowers, there don't appear to be any legal barriers to using leftover Wall Street bailout money to fund a new jobs bill.

To receive our “Around The Horn” update in your inbox every afternoon—along with links to our top stories and the breaking news of the day—sign up for the Progress Illinois Extra.  You can also learn what we're reading via our Twitter feed.

Cullerton: State Lawmakers Have No Gitmo Control
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) says the General Assembly has no formal control over the decision to relocate Guantanamo Bay detainees to an Illinois prison. While a committee could review the proposal, any vote would be advisory.

Illinois Unemployment Hits 26-Year High
The state's unemployment troubles just keeps growing, according to new data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Between September and October, the state's unemployment rate jumped from 10.5 to 11 percent, the highest level in 26 years.

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Below are our daily picks from the Illinois blogosphere and media at large:

A Kink In The Campaign
This week's Reader cover story examines the unorthodox primary race in Illinois' 40th District.

Life Support
At Huffington Post Chicago, Shawn Healy digs into a new study on civic engagement in Illinois.

What Happens Before 2014?
Curious which provisions in the Senate health care bill will take effect immediately if it's passed? Ezra Klein has you covered.

To receive our “Around The Horn” update in your inbox every afternoon—along with links to our top stories and the breaking news of the day—sign up for the Progress Illinois Extra.  You can also learn what we're reading via our Twitter feed.

Nursing Home Task Force Releases Recommendations
A task force investigating safety problems in Illinois nursing homes will meet today to unveil a plan to prevent the assaults, rapes, and murders that have plagued some facilities. Gov. Pat Quinn's senior health advisor, Michael Gelder, is recommending more housing for adults with mental illness, higher standards of nursing home care, and improved screening of potential residents.

State Launches Hospital Review Site
Today, the Illinois Department of Public Health will launch a consumer-friendly website that includes detailed information about how much Illinois hospitals charge for various procedures, how often they deliver recommended care, and how consumers rate their care.

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Below are our daily picks from the Illinois blogosphere and media at large:

Homeless Baby Crying
Ryan J. Down, executive director of Illinois' second largest homeless shelter, ponders the daunting task of eradicating homelessness in America.

Inmate Care
Are prisoners' health care needs being met in Illinois? Mechanics' Sheila Burt reports on a recent panel discussion exploring that question.

What To Expect
The Wonk Room's Igor Volsky previews what provisions might be included in the merged Senate health care legislation, which Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) is scheduled to unveil late this afternoon.

To receive our “Around The Horn” update in your inbox every afternoon—along with links to our top stories and the breaking news of the day—sign up for the Progress Illinois Extra.  You can also learn what we're reading via our Twitter feed.

Cook Co. Board Votes To Scale Back Stroger Sales Tax Hike
By a vote of 12-5, the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted yesterday to reduce the county sales tax by half-a-cent, thereby halving President Todd Stroger's controversial sales tax hike. Stoger has vowed to veto the measure, but a recent change to state law means only 11 votes are required to override the president.

Striking Graduate Instructors Reach Deal With Administration
University of Illinois graduate students that recently went on strike from their teaching assistant jobs reached a tentative agreement with the school's administration yesterday.  The union representing the instructors is set to hold a vote approving a new three-year contract that guarantees the continuation of tuition assistance and could return to work today.

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Below are our daily picks from the Illinois blogosphere and media at large:

Rose's Nomination
One of President Obama's U.S. attorney nominations in Northern Iowa is being criticized for her role in the Postville meatpacking plant controversy. The New York Times has the story.

Casting Its Lot
Matthew Blake reports on the town of Mattoon's "unwavering enthusiasm" as they strive to becoe the international testing ground for "clean coal technology."

Studs' File
Months after Chicago legend Studs Terkel passed away, his FBI file has been released publicly. It contains some interesting tidbits.

To receive our “Around The Horn” update in your inbox every afternoon—along with links to our top stories and the breaking news of the day—sign up for the Progress Illinois Extra.  You can also learn what we're reading via our Twitter feed.

Cross Threatens Legislative Block To Thomson Sale
House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) says he'll introduce legislation that would put to a vote Gov. Quinn's proposal to sell the Thomson correctional center to the federal government. Meanwhile, federal officials say that in addition to housing prisoners from the U.S. military facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the facility could become a site for conducting military trials of alleged terrorists.

U of I Grad Students Continue Strike
Graduate student instructors at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus will continue its strike today that shut down "several hundred" classes on Monday. The graduate students' union and administration have failed to reach a contract agreement, with the sole sticking point being tuition waivers.

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Below are our daily picks from the Illinois blogosphere and media at large:

Burdening The Poor
The debate in Springfield about an income tax hike should focus on reforming an outdated and highly regressive state tax code, writes Galesburg Register-Mail guest columnist Judy Guenseth.

Why Todd Stroger Is Hosed
The Reader's Mick Dumke thinks Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's refusal to show up for a candidate forum yesterday at DePaul University proves he can't win reelection.

The Lifeblood Of Undergrad Ed
Emily Shaw, a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, explains why she and every other graduate assistants at the school are going on strike.  

To receive our “Around The Horn” update in your inbox every afternoon—along with links to our top stories and the breaking news of the day—sign up for the Progress Illinois Extra.  You can also learn what we're reading via our Twitter feed.

Report: Body Of School Board President Found
A body believed to be that of Chicago Board of Education president Michael Scott was found in the Chicago River near the Merchandise Mart this morning. Concerned about his whereabouts, his family had contacted police Sunday night to report he was missing.

Officials To Inspect Thomson Prison For Gitmo Inmates
Federal officials are scheduled to inspect the Thomson Correctional Center on Monday, the maximum-security state prison the White House has identified as one possible facility that could house transfers from the Guantanamo Bay military prison. Gov. Pat Quinn and Sen. Dick Durbin will outline proposals for the prison's future at three news conferences today.

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