As all of us watch the terrible news in Minnesota unfold, many state governments are starting to look at their own inventory of bridges. Illinois ranks in the middle of bridge condition when compared to other states, according to an AP article in The Daily Southtown, with around 10% of our bridges rated "structurally deficient" - slightly better than the national average of 12%. Yesterday Governor Rod Blagojevich ordered immediate inspections of high-volume bridges and... more ›

"The iPhone -- it's goddamn cooler than a missile defense shield!" by TheeErin more ›

Last Thursday, the Regional Transportation Authori-tay (RTA) told Metra, Pace and CTA to start preparing emergency budgets to take effect July 1 due to a $226 million deficit in the big picture of the RTA. Springfield needs to help out or the Chicagoland area is getting some more salt in the public transportation wounds that have been inflicted with deteriorating infrastructures, higher fares and delays caused by massive renovations. The Daily Southtown article quoted RTA... more ›

We're guessing that The Daily Southtown's Paul Ladewski was following his mother's advice when he decided to submit a blank ballot for baseball's Hall of Fame voting. While many players with Hall of Fame numbers eligible for election were passed over because of steroid allegations — yes you, Mark McGwire — Ladewski decided to just forfeit the whole era. more ›

After playing the part of the stern nanny to the entire city of Chicago for most of last year, the City Council is making it easier to booze it up over the holidays. The Daily Southtown reports that businesses throughout Chicago will be allowed to start selling alcohol at 8 a.m. on Christmas and New Year’s eves. Both holidays fall on a Sunday this year, a day when alcohol sales are prohibited before 11 a.m.... more ›

In a strange new twist of the Mell-Blago Saga, Capital Fax has been doggedly reporting the unravelling relationship between Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Mell captain, Dominic Longo. Longo, once convicted of voter fraud, and now the head of Alderman Dick Mell's patronage organization, The Coalition for Better Government, has recently sent the Governor (who's real first name is apparently "Milorad") a cease and desist letter for defamation, claiming that the Governor should stop saying he... more ›