It has not been a great week for Republican Congressman and Senate candidate Mark Kirk. Already busy cleansing his campaign website of any mention of military awards he never actually received, Kirk now faces an outing of a different sort. Relying on several anonymous sources and one vague interaction at a party, gay political blogger Mike Rogers reports Kirk is a closeted gay man. more ›

Somehow, the world of -ists managed to make it through the week despite news that Jen & Vince broke up. - Chicagoist had fall on their mind as they made squash and fudge, read "House of Leaves," and tried to figure out what's next for the Cubs. Not fall-related, but still of utmost concern, the whole skinny black pants thing. - Torontoist fought off an evil scourge of raccoons and went to go see... more ›

The fallout from Rep. Mark Foley's resignation from Congress over revelations that he loves the young pageboys has widened to include a number of Illinois politicians. Dick Durbin has been around to wring his hands, although we're sure he'll apologize for it later, and Springfield Rep. John Shimkus, chairman of the House Page Board, is coming off looking rather clueless. But the big local name making the headlines is House Speaker Dennis Hastert, because one... more ›