U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk this afternoon called for additional federal resources to stem corruption in the state and especially Northern Illinois.
Kirk, a Republican, is proposing a bill called the Public Integrity Anti-Corruption Act, that would authorize $25 million more to the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute public corruption.
Although Kirk voted against President Barack Obama's federal stimulus plan, he said he supports the use of stimulus dollars for his proposal. He said that while federal officials did not request additional support, the bill would help the state overcome its reputation for double-dealing. Read more...
Sarah Palin
Former Republican vice-presidential nominee and bane of liberals everywhere Sarah Palin is coming to Illinois this weekend — but it's not to endorse Mark Kirk.
Palin booked a speaking gig with a community center in Washington, Ill., a town of about 14,000 near Peoria. She'll help raise money for a parking lot, youth scholarships and other projects.
Apparently, the other projects don't include the campaign for Kirk, the state's Republican U.S. Senate candidate. Read more...
Harold Washington
While Gov. Pat Quinn's campaign accused his leading opponent of misusing footage of former Mayor Harold Washington to make political points yesterday, a key insider in the Washington administration says the mayor's comments reflected a heartfelt disappointment with Quinn.
Read more...
Pointing to "public outcries for more information," the Dan Hynes campaign has formally sent a second request for details about state prisoners who were released early under the Illinois' now-notorious "meritorious good time" program.
Records obtained by The Associated Press show that, under the "MGT Push," more than 850 prisoners — among them drunk drivers and batterers — left the big house earlier than they otherwise would have been let go.
Several have since returned to custody, charged with crimes committed after their release. Read more...
Update | 4:18 p.m. Quinn's campaign has released a statement on today's AFL-CIO vote:
As a former member of the Teamsters and the United Food and Commercial Workers, Governor Quinn is honored by the support he has received from organized labor. To date, Governor Quinn’s campaign has received endorsements the Service Employees International Union, the United Auto Workers, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council 25 and several other major unions. Together, the labor groups that have endorsed Governor Quinn represent more than 450,000 hard-working men and women.
Union leaders have praised Governor Pat Quinn’s vision of economic development and his effective leadership in passing Jobs and Growth for Illinois, the state’s first comprehensive public works program in more than a decade. Over the next six years, Illinois Jobs Now! will create and retain more than 439,000 jobs, helping to revive Illinois’ economy. Read more...
