Former President George W. Bush will be entering rare personal territory when he visits later this month for a fundraiser. It'll be one of the few speaking engagements for the ex-prez since he left office in January. (In America, anyway; the former president recently made a few speeches and diplomatic appearances in Asia.) So why is W coming to the city of his successor? He'll be speaking at a private function of the Turnaround Management Association, filling in for former GE CEO Jack Welch who had to back out due to illness. The November 19 appearance is closed to the public and media, but reservations jumped by 50 percent when the announcement was made. more ›

According to the state's senior U.S. senator Dick Durbin, it looks unlikely that outgoing President George W. Bush will commute the sentence of former Illinois governor George Ryan. Durbin had requested the commutation for Ryan, but the Blagojevich scandal likely derailed any chances of that happening. According to Durbin, speaking at a pre-inauguration coffee, “It was very clear to me that scandal had an impact on President Bush’s decision. And I think it is highly unlikely that a pardon will be issued for former Gov. Ryan before George Bush leaves office. I think the atmosphere and environment of scandal and corruption makes it more difficult for President Bush to consider." Earlier, President Bush issued a commutation of sentences for two border guards in a move called "his final acts of clemency." more ›