The Illinois Supreme Court did Gov. Quinn a solid today, upholding the $31 billion construction bill and the series of taxes to fund it. more ›

One of the subplots to the renaissance of the Chicago Blackhawks is the rehabilitation of the Wirtz family image, thanks in large part to the accessibility and presence of team owner Rocky Wirtz. Wirtz's media-friendly images belies the bottom line businessman lying underneath. more ›

While the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup this past season, accomplishing the ultimate competitive goal in hockey, they didn't fare as well financially. The Blackhawks finished the season in the red in spite of nightly sellouts, record merchandise sales and a long playoff run. Rocky Wirtz first disclosed the team's fiscal issues while speaking at a private forum at the Economic Club of Chicago back in April. In an interview this week, he reiterated that team was overdrawn a number of times which required infusions of cash from other businesses within the Wirtz empire. While a deep playoff run helped, it still didn't add enough to the team's coffers to get the team into the black. Team executives wouldn't disclose the exact shortfall, but the team used the red ink to justify raising season ticket prices by 20 percent for next year. more ›

As Governor Quinn struggles to find ways to balance the state budget without help from the General Assembly, an unlikely duo of litigants have filed separate suits to stop cuts in state spending and further tax hikes. AFSCME, the largest public employee union in the state filed suit in Johnson County earlier this week to prevent the 2,600 layoffs that Quinn has threatened to impose if an agreement can't be reached the cut the state's payroll obligations. And Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz has filed suit in Cook County Circuit Court, challenging the constitutionality of the state’s new video poker law as well as liquor, candy and a menu of other tax increases set to take effect September 1. more ›