Polar bears are now protected under the Endangered Species Act. [AP, and an excuse to link to one of our favorite Colbert moments]

In a 4-3 decision, the supreme court of California voted to overturn the state's ban on same-sex marriage. [LA Times]

A teenager was impaled with a fencepost in a drunk-driving accident. These are the chapters of MADD in Illinois. [Trib]

The University of Chicago is establishing a $200 million economic research institute in Milton Friedman's name. [U of C]

The Plan Commission hearing about the proposed Grant Park facilities for the Children's Museum has been going for about five hours. Ah, meetings. [Trib]

Eight Illinois lawmakers lease cars on taxpayer money, including Chicago's own Bobby Rush, Luis Gutierrez, Danny Davis and Jesse Jackson, Jr. [CBS 2]

The finalists for the 2008 Alt Weekly Awards were announced yesterday. The Reader only notched one nomination, for Lee Sandlin's TV criticism. [AAN]