In case you missed it last night, the big awards show was incredible. No, not that awards show. We’re talking about the awards Chicagoist gave out to politicians for outstanding achievement in campaign commercials—The Campaignys. Because none of the nominees were present, the members of the Academy of Campaign Commercial Arts and Sciences accepted their awards (cans of Sparks, a drink near and dear to our blood alcohol levels) and drank them on their behalf.... more ›

Yesterday Governor Blagojevich visited the Sun-Times editorial board and tried to convince them to endorse his reelection bid. Blago, who seemed "larger than life" to Carol Marin, didn’t seem too worried about his primary challenge from Edwin Eisendrath and instead focused on Republican frontrunner Judy Baar Topinka and called her a shill for the National Rifle Association. more ›

Governor Blagojevich officially kicked off his reelection bid this weekend, even though many would say he has been campaigning for quite a while now. more ›

First Governor Blagojevich irritated his political opponents with his All Kids Insurance program, and now he is back at it with his Preschool for All program, which would allow all three and four year olds in the state to attend state-funded preschools. Blago estimates Preschool for All will cost $135 million over the next three years and would enroll around 140,000 students. Blago estimates closing corporate tax loopholes and money from Illinois’ special purpose... more ›

The primary election is just six weeks away, kind of. A newly released Chicago Tribune/WGN-TV poll shows that, not surprisingly, Governor Blagojevich is leading Edwin Eisendrath in the Democratic primary, and State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka leads in the Republican race. more ›

Judy Baar Topinka and Governor Blagojevich are apparently enjoying their leads in the polls and don’t want to say anything in debates that would put their primary victories in jeopardy or give their competition opportunities to be heard. more ›

On Saturday AFSCME, the largest union of state employees, decided to back gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka in the Republican primary. They made no endorsement in the Democratic primary. more ›

Politics and money. Like it or not, the two go together like vodka and tonic (and often leave you with a similar hangover). You can’t get elected without campaigning, and you can’t campaign without cash—preferably lots of it. For all the talk about campaign finance reform and the twisted influence money often has in politics, not a whole lot has been done to divorce the power money confers from politicians and their campaigns. Sometimes it... more ›

After much speculation, former Chicago alderman Edwin Eisendrath has decided to challenge Governor Blagojevich in the Democratic primary this coming spring. Edwin currently serves as Vice President of Academic Affairs for Kendall College. Prior to that he served as alderman for the 43rd ward from 1987 to 1993 and headed the Chicago regional office for the Department of Housing and Urban Development from 1995 to 1997 under President Clinton. Eisendrath lost a 1990 bid... more ›

State Republicans met here on Friday to discuss who will be their party’s best chance of reclaiming Illinois governor’s mansion next year. Not surprisingly, a Republican poll shows Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka leading her fellow GOP candidates, as well as maintaining a 39 to 35 percent lead over Governor Blagojevich. more ›