The chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board minced no words about what he thought of the gaming expansion bill yesterday. Real talk, y'all. more ›

In two weeks since the bill landed on Gov. Quinn's desk, he’s had 739 phone calls and emails against the bill and 799 in support. more ›

Smokers in Illinois have succumbed to outside only laws and perpetual tax increases. Their haven is the E-Cigarette that entered the market in 2003. It’s an odorless nicotine delivery device that allows them to smoke in doors. E-Cigarettes are a battery charged device that resemble a cigarette and simulate the physical smoking motion. The device heats the liquid inside the nicotine cartridge and the user exhales an almost odorless water vapor that looks like smoke. more ›

The transit crisis has been averted--and let's raise our lunchtime glasses to toast that miracle, shall we? --but it brought out some of the weirdest and worst in our local politicians. These are some of our favorite lines from the entire, oh, what should we call it, bill-capade? more ›

Mike Madigan made it seem like he was ready to deal this week, with a letter to state legislators saying that he'd endorse a bill to expand gaming in the state in order to fund roads and schools. In announcing his "compromise", he said he is "willing to embrace compromise and offer a sincere, serious proposal that will receive my full support and backing." That expansion may not happen, though, as some lawmakers have enough... more ›

The Illinois State Senate is considering a state-wide ban on smoking. Senator Terry Link from Vernon Hills introduced a bill that’s basically the same as what we’re currently living with in Chicago. The bill serves the purpose of easing the woes of businesses in municipalities where smoking has already been banned. They are loosing business as their smoking customers are willing to drive to other bars and restaurants where smoking is allowed. Any statewide... more ›

Last May the Supreme Court ruled that states that didn't allow out-of state wineries to sell their product directly to customers (be it via phone, in person, or online) were violating laws protecting interstate commerce. The ruling invalidated laws on the books in 20 states, including Illinois. It was the correct ruling. Allowing direct wine sales to customers spurs growth in the industry. Wine consumers have a wider range of choices and prices to make... more ›

Earlier this week, Chicagoist reported Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich "roaring" with a new proposed campaign finance and ethics reform. Guess we got a bit ahead of ourselves -- since the proposal has turned out to be little more than a whimper. Ignore for a moment the expected Republican invective against the proposal, but Blago's own State Representative, John Fritchey (D-Chicago), responded to the proposal by, "pick[ing] up Blagojevich's press release, crumpled it and handed it... more ›

Rather than talk about how cool it is that Obama is on the cover of Newsweek this week, Chicagoist thought we'd skip the boosterism and talk about something real: Changing suburbanite voting patterns. more ›