Rezko expressed surprise that Blagojevich would be so careless as to be caught on wiretap trying to sell the Senate seat, which surprised us since Rezko also admitted Blago also knew about the pay-to-play schemes in which he was convicted. more ›

There's been some drama happening downstate the past day or so. Hell froze over, Michael Madigan blinked and the state may be close to a pension reform deal. more ›

House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie sponsored the legislation, which would allow candidates to ignore the limits whenever an independent committee or individual contributes $250,000 or more to a statewide campaign, and $100,000 or more to legislative campaigns. more ›

The bill passed by a 71-45 vote and now goes to the State Senate for debate. more ›

As proof of the bill's gay bias, the Illinois Family Institute points to its sponsor, openly gay State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago). more ›

The scholarship program, which has been around for nearly a century, has come under criticism in recent years after a series of investigations by the Sun-Times and the Better Government Association into how they were awarded and to whom they were awarded. more ›

Meet the 10th District Unity Party. It's like the Democratic Party, except without Rep. Derrick Smith. more ›

Earlier this week the Conference of Women Legislators hosted a benefit in Springfield called "COWL’s Cruise Cabaret" that saw women state senators and representatives poking fun at Illinois politics in song, dance, rap and other goofy antics. more ›

Quinn, who has yet to sign legislation passed by the General Assembly last year into law that would significantly expand gambling in the state out of a concern that Illinois would turn into "the Las Vegas of the Midwest," responded to a rally earlier this week by local labor leaders in support of the legislation. more ›

A judge has struck down a law intended to increase taxes collected from out-of-state online retailers. more ›

The state's pension fund is underfunded by $80 million at this point and, if Quinn's proposals are approved, would save the state $65 to $85 billion by 2045. Quinn called the pension shortfall “one of the most difficult problems that Illinois government has faced for more than three decades.” more ›

The office of Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) sent a press release to media asking for Smith to get back to work or resign on a temporary basis, saying that Smith has missed nearly 150 votes since he was arrested and charged in March with accepting a bribe. more ›

Surprise! Blagojevich wasn't the world's best boss. more ›

The amendment, which is effective immediately, seems intended to keep Tom Swiss off the ballot for November's general election in the state's 10th legislative district. Swiss, the former chairman of the Chicago Republican Party and until recently the Republican committeeman for the 27th Ward, lost last week's Democratic primary race against State Rep. Derrick Smith, who was charged in the days before the primary of accepting a bribe. more ›

And politicians wonder why voter turnout was so low? more ›

We hate to say we told you so, but we told you so. more ›

U.S. District Judge Marvin Aspen ruled in favor of Personal PAC, an abortion rights committee who sued in February, charging that contribution limits violated constitutionally guaranteed free-speech protections. more ›

State Sen. Derrick Smith (D-Chicago) was arrested today for accepting a $7,000 bribe in exchange for writing a letter recommending a daycare center for a state grant. more ›

When a candidate’s committee doesn’t file the proper paperwork disclosing campaign finances, the Illinois State Board of Elections issues a fine. Currently, fines levied by the ISBE total more than $808,000, some of which date back to 2003. more ›

While Governor Quinn’s budget calls for some pretty deep cuts across the board, at least a few leaders in the state won’t have to face any fiscal austerity measures. more ›

Blagojevich's attorney, Carolyn Gurland, said she hoped her client hoped he could enter prison with—get this—"dignity." more ›

State Rep. John D'Amico (15th, D-Chicago) introduced HB3972, which would amend the Illinois Vehicle Code so that drivers may not talk on their cellphones except in a hands-free capacity. more ›

Saving state taxpayers $12 million a year and eliminating redundancies in the Comptroller's and Treasurer's offices apparently isn't enough for Michael Madigan to support an amendment to the Illinois Constitution merging the two offices. more ›

The three-judge panel agreed that the new map was a blatant attempt at gerrymandering by Illinois Democrats, but that their Republican counterparts "failed to provide a workable standard" to evaluate such claims. more ›

The proposed bill would also link the state’s unemployment rate to the corporate tax rate. more ›

The breaks in the package will cost an estimated $218 million per year, and with the breaks for individual workers included, could jump up to $350 million. more ›

The bill, passed Nov. 29, calls for public pensions to be based on the employee’s regular salary instead of union rates. It also contained language specifically booting two lobbyists from teacher pension programs they nabbed by substitute teaching for one day. But it may be unconstitutional, House Democrats say. more ›

It was a no-brainer of a decision, even for Walsh. more ›

A three-judge federal court panel tossed a lawsuit filed by Illinois GOP leaders that claims the redrawn state legislative maps by their Democratic counterparts was unfair to minority groups and Republican voters. more ›

Judge James Zagel sentenced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to 168 months in prison, for his conviction on corruption charges stemming from his attempts to appoint someone to the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama's election to the presidency. more ›