Barely a week after Pat Quinn launched StandingUpForIllinois.org, urging citizens to sign on to a public letter to Governor Blagojevich calling for an end to pay-to-play politics, state comptroller Dan Hynes has launched his own website, Open Book, a searchable database of state contracts and campaign contributions. Using the site is pretty simple: Just plug in the name of a contractor, and a list of contracts and contributions comes up. Take energy company Ameren, for... more ›

Last May the Supreme Court ruled that states that didn't allow out-of state wineries to sell their product directly to customers (be it via phone, in person, or online) were violating laws protecting interstate commerce. The ruling invalidated laws on the books in 20 states, including Illinois. It was the correct ruling. Allowing direct wine sales to customers spurs growth in the industry. Wine consumers have a wider range of choices and prices to make... more ›