State Senator Hendon Resigns

ABC 7 political reporter Charles Thomas is reporting that State Sen. Rickey Hendon has resigned. The West side senator is one of the more colorful politicians in a city full of them.

Hendon caused an uproar last fall when, while stumping for Gov. Quinn in the general election, he called Quinn's opponent Bill Brady racist and homophobic. Hendon also launched a short-lived run for mayor, calling himself the "Black Sarah Palin" and promising to re-open Meigs Field on day one in office. Shortly after his potshots at Brady, a federal judge subpoenaed state records related to state grants sponsored by Hendon. Hendon halted his mayoral candidacy shortly after.

Hendon's spokeswoman, Rikeesha Hendon, said his resignation is not related to the subpoenas, but we'll likely find out more shortly.