Bad news hit the Chicagoist offices late yesterday afternoon as word came through that SB572 — the bill that would have raised sales taxes in Cook County and the five surrounding "collar" counties, as well as the real estate tax in Chicago, to help fund regional transit — failed to reach a "supermajority" of 71 votes in the Illinois House. Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston), sponsor of the bill, halted voting and placed it on the... more ›

State Representative Jack Franks is a pro-life, pro-gun, anti-tax Democrat. He's also just about the friendliest guy you could ever meet and dominates politics in his home county, northwest exurban McHenry County. He also doesn't want to be a state rep for ever. He clearly wants more. And so he seems to be riding pretty hard a bill he's authored for honesty in advertised movie start times. The guy seems to be everywhere. Today he's... more ›