Surrounded by supporters and wrapped in the mantle of Illinois's favorite son, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias made official his intention to run for the state's open Senate seat next year. "A few years ago, Barack Obama inspired me to run for public office with the simple belief that it was possible for good people to build a state and a nation where everyone, not just the privileged few, had a real chance to succeed," Giannoulias said Sunday. "In this very building, Barack Obama endorsed my candidacy for state treasurer." And while the White House tried to recruit Attorney General Lisa Madigan to run for the seat, Giannoulias struck a tone of camaraderie and partnership in reference to his relationship with the president. "I think the President and I will be just fine. We're excited about this and, again, there's a lot of work. People have very real problems every single day and its important that we do everything we can to turn them around," he said. more ›

A day after the leading Republican candidate, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, officially announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate, the leading Democratic candidate is preparing to follow suit. State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias will formally announce his bid on Sunday. The move is hardly a surprise as Giannoulias had formally formed an exploratory committee to look into running and he became his party's front-runner when Attorney General Lisa Madigan chose not to run for the office. His exploratory committee has already raised $1.8 million for the run. [Trib's Clout Street] more ›

• Gov. Quinn's reform panel made their recommendations today, including limits on campaign money.
• Speaking of politicians and money, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is now mum about issues surrounding the Bright Star program.
• More trouble for the Toddler: the Cook County State's Attorney's office is now poking its nose into the hiring scandal surrounding Tony Cole.