Federal investigators are now looking at 33rd Ward Alderman Dick Mell's role in Blair Hull's failed bid to win the 2004 Democratic Senate primary. Mell, who is former governor Rod Blagojevich's father-in-law, apparently worked as a consultant on Hull's campaign, and was paid as a subcontractor by Fred Lebed's consultancy, the Prairie Group. Mell's take was reportedly $100,000. more ›

With Blago safely out of power in Illinois and awaiting indictment and trial, it would seem that Illinois can begin to move on from the hackneyed political soap opera that dominated the local news these past few years. But with Governor Pat Quinn quickly and quietly purging the state government of Blagojevich's people, and each new statement coming out of U.S. Senator Roland Burris's mouth potentially throwing more dirt on his political grave, the herd of ambitious Illinois pols that were eagerly lining up to make their move on Blagojevich may now be readying to run for the senate. more ›