It's finally happened - we knew things would come to this. The recession has turned us all into hunter-gatherers, scraping our dinners off the side of the road. We're clearly about 5 months from Soylent Green. According to the Trib, a bill passed the Illinois Senate yesterday which will allow people to pick up and keep roadkill and eat it for dinner. You will still need a permit to do this, and the animal would have to be in season as per regular hunting rules, but according to the language of the bill, citizens can now pick up any "fur-bearing mammal" (our favorite legal term of the day) off the side of the road. more ›

Apparently the recent separation of Al and Tipper Gore was what led Senator Mark Kirk to oppose climate change legislation, and not political or economic considerations. Kirk told the New York Times that his rationale for not supporting climate change legislation in Illinois is the result of Al Gores' personal life, not as a result of political or economic factors. "The consensus behind the climate change bill collapsed and then further deteriorated with the personal and political collapse of Vice President [Al] Gore," Kirk said in what was described as a "brief interview." more ›

The Senate made history yesterday and, frankly, did the right thing yesterday, voting to end the "don't ask, don't tell" ban on gays and lesbians in the military. The vote stands as a landmark in gay rights and helps President Obama fulfill a campaign promise. more ›

Last week phone lines to congressional offices were burning up, as activists on both sides of the political divide were calling their senators and representatives, urging them to vote for or against an extension of the Bush era tax cuts, the Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal, the DREAM Act and an extension of unemployment benefits for out of work Americans. Among the senators who were frequently listed in emails blasts and Facebook posts as needing to hear from constituents was newly-minted Illinois Senator Mark Kirk. Unfortunately, some Illinoisans had trouble reaching Kirk's staff. more ›

Mark Kirk talked big during his swearing in about taking a bipartisan, centrist approach to being Illinois' junior senator. Given an opportunity to walk the walk yesterday, voting with Senate Republicans to filibuster a procedural motion to consider next year's defense authorization bill and, by extension, bring the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy to a vote. This despite support for the repeal from 78 percent of Americans, a majority of military members and the recommendation of Defense Secretary Robert Gates. more ›

NBC Chicago's Edward McClelland wrote a thoughtful post about how Mark Kirk's swearing in yesterday leaves the Senate without a African-American; how Illinois has seated three of the four blacks to serve in the Senate post-Reconstruction; and why the other 49 states can't get on board and do the same. more ›

As Roland Burris prepares for the end of his term in the Senate, he sat down with Sun-Times Washington correspondent Lynn Sweet for an interview in which he indicates that the inauspicious start to his term is now water under the bridge, as Mark Kirk prepares to take his place. more ›

While folks in Southern Illinois are busy blaming Chicago for Bill Brady's defeat in he race for Governor, ballot experts have narrowed the focus to "ticket splitters," those folks who don't always vote straight party. 2 percent of Illinois voters chose Pat Quinn for Governor and Mark Kirk for Senator on election night. more ›

A new poll conducted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University finds Bill Brady holding a nine-point lead over Governor Pat Quinn as the gubernatorial race heads into its final weeks. Which begs the question: How milquetoast does Pat Quinn have to be to be trailing Brady? more ›

Another day, another Rahm Emanuel-related news item. While Rahm is widely expected to announce his candidacy this Friday, a group of Chicagoans are asking Rahm not to leave D.C.: immigration reform advocates. Maria Pesqueira, president of Mujeres Latinas en Acción, has asked Illinois Senator Dick Durbin and Chicago congressman Luis Gutierrez, both Democrats, to ask Emanuel to stay in Washington until immigration reform has become law. more ›

Republican Senate Candidate Mark Kirk is launching a new ad today, targeted at Spanish-speaking voters with roots outside of the United States. The ad, in which Kirk shows off his Spanish-speaking chops, touts the congressman's efforts to bring together families that are split between the U.S. and Mexico. "I coordinated the Project 'Abuelita' that reunited grandparents with their grandchildren in Illinois," Kirk says in the ad. "Working as your Senator, I will help Latino families who want to start their own businesses and combat gangs. These are difficult times. Latino families in Illinois deserve a senator who works for them." Kirk is referring to a program that helped secure tourist visas for Mexican grandparents that have family in Waukegan, which is in Kirk's congressional district. more ›

Republican Senate candidate Mark Kirk received the endorsement of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Tuesday. The endorsement shouldn't come as a surprise, given that the generally Republican-leaning Chamber has only endorsed a Democrat once before - when Dick Durbin ran for re-election in 2002. Nonetheless, Chamber president Doug Whitley told the Sun-Times that they would have considered Alexi Giannoulias had he agreed to meet with the Chamber's board before the endorsement. In describing the Chamber's rationale for endorsing Mark Kirk, Whitley noted Kirk's "depth of knowledge and experience; national defense; his position on international trade," adding that "he supports policies that will bring jobs to Illinois." Giannoulias spokesman Matt McGrath shot back, attacking Kirk on trade policies: "Mark Kirk does have a notable record on job creation, if you count jobs in China." (The Chamber has not responded to our email asking if Hartmarx, which Giannoulias fought to keep open and in Illinois, was still a member of their organization.) more ›

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Alexi Giannoulias strikes back at GOP opponent Mark Kirk in a new ad that addresses his family bank's federal take-over and places part of the blame on Kirk. more ›

Indiana Senator Evan Bayh celebrated President's Day by saying that he was frustrated with the partisan gridlock in Washington. "After all these years, my passion for service to my fellow citizens is undiminished, but my desire to do so in Congress has waned,'' Bayh announced in a press conference. Bayh's announcement was a shock to Democrats bracing for rough midterm elections. But Bayh was hardly the darling of the Democratic Party. “He’s finished,” a Democratic political consultant active in national races told Politico. “His party needed him to stay and fight, and he ran away. People won’t forget.” Meanwhile, former Republican Dan Coats, who replaced Dan Quayle in 1989 and left congress in 1999 has moved back into the state to run for senate, leaving Indiana Democrats struggling to run a candidate that can carry a conservative midwestern state. more ›

The National Republican Senatorial Committee took a swing at Alexi Giannoulias the day after the primaries, launching an ad accusing Giannoulias of alleged mob ties at his families bank, as well as Rod Blagojevich and Tony Rezko. The ad, which played off popular notions of American mafioso lore (with a dash of the Sopranos thrown in for a laugh) caught the attention of the media, and showed what both Kirk and the NRSC had in mind in terms of the tone of this race. more ›

Just because it was a holiday doesn't mean there hasn't been news going on. Here's a few samples of what you might have missed while eating, opening presents, and soaking in some holiday cheer. more ›

Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, the Chicago Democrat running for Illinois's junior senate seat, announced on Sunday as part of his jobs and economic platform his support for "reining in America's $200 billion trade deficit with China" by changing our trade policies to require China to "abide by fair labor, environmental, safety and health standards" that American firms must follow. He outlined three steps he would support in the Senate that would lead to that goal, requiring the U.S. to change its trade policies to discourage China from subsidizing weak state industries, closing tax loopholes that allow American firms to defer paying taxes on income earned abroad and stepping up copyright enforcement to crack down on Chinese counterfeiters that pirate movies, music and software. He also said that he would push for Congress to impose tariffs on Chinese imports if China doesn't end the practice of pegging the yuan to the dollar, which artificially keeps the Chinese currency devalued against the dollar, making U.S. exports substantially more expensive than their Chinese counterparts. "We don't want a trade war with China. But the Chinese government must end unfair trade practices and learn to compete on a level playing field," Giannoulias said. "China plays by its own rules, and only when their abuses are reined in will there be fair trade." more ›

The ballot positions for several races in this February's primaries, including Governor and U.S. Senate, were set yesterday via lottery by the Illinois State Board of Election. For Governor, Andy McKenna drew the top spot for Republicans and William "Dock" Walls III, the subject of a controversial petition challenge, drew the top Democrat spot. On the U.S. Senate ballot, Don Lowery will be at the top for Republicans and Robert Marshall will be in the first slot for Democrats. You can check out all the candidates, including ballot positioning, here. more ›

David Hoffman, the city's Inspector General who has tussled with Mayor Daley many times in the past, is stepping down from his position to make a run at the U.S. Senate. The Sun-Times has a list of some of Hoffman's biggest battles with Daley, the most recent being the parking meter deal that Hoffman claims cost the city almost a billion dollars. more ›

It's exciting times in Illinois politics - and almost impossible to keep track of the players. The 2010 election, about eight months out at this point features three key races - and enough plot twists to keep even the most well-informed political junkie interested. more ›

2010 is shaping up to be a free-for-all for the U.S. Senate seat that Roland Burris is currently keeping warm in Washington. But, finally, a politician has come out and said she will not run for the U.S. Senate: U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (who had way better seats at the Inauguration than we did). Instead, Schakowsky plans to run to keep her current U.S. House seat. She released a statement that said, in part, "I think the next two years present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make progressive change. I want to devote my energy to help make these things a reality, and decided that I simply couldn't do it if I mounted a campaign for Senate." more ›

Illinois casino industry is a step closer to expansion after a 30-28 Senate vote Saturday evening, the Chicago Tribune reports. It is now being sent to the House where reception to the measure has been lukewarm. Speaker of the House Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) was weary of approving the expansion, according to the Tribune. more ›

A Kennedy - yes, one of those Kennedys - is probably going to run for the U.S. Senate seat next year, as we discussed this morning. But what does the head of the other dynasty in town have to say about it? When asked about Kennedy's name helping his cause, Mayor Daley responded, "Sure it does. Yes it does. You better believe it. Yes, it does. And same thing Barack Obama's name. Yes. Those two names, you better believe it. Yes, they do." That's four yeses. He feels very strongly about it then. more ›

Never one to make a fuss about anything, impeached Governor Rod Blagojevich will today make his first appearance at the State Capitol since his arrest on December 9. Blago is on hand to preside over the swearing in of newly elected state senators, something he is required to do by law. Still, we're expecting him to receive a chilly reception at the high noon ceremony. Also occurring at noon will be the swearing in of new House members by Secretary of State Jesse White; the House will then re-vote on the impeachment of Blago, a technicality because of the newly sworn-in members. After the new senators are sworn in, Blago will then preside over the roll call vote for the Senate President, who we already know will be Chicago's John Cullerton. Cullerton will then address the senate and it's expected Blago will exit stage left, though without the traditional escort of senators. more ›

Cartoon for Chicagoist by Tim Daly more ›

U.S. Senate lawyers relented this afternoon and declared that Roland Burris's credentials met the chamber's rules and could be seated as the junior senator from Illinois. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin issued a joint statement, saying: "Barring objections from Senate Republicans, we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in and formally seated later this week...We have spoken to Mr. Burris to let him know that he is now the Senator-designate from Illinois and as such, will be accorded all the rights and privileges of a Senator-elect." more ›

Yesterday, Mick Dumke at the Reader explored the possible identities of candidates named in the Blagojevich complaint, including Jesse Jackson, Jr.

Senate Candidate 5: more ›

AP Photo/Verna Sadock