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  • Rate Giannoulias’ new ad, rate Dillard’s new plan

    Number of comments: 10
    * Democratic US Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias is now running a second TV ad which builds on his first one. The new ad is called “Details.” Let’s rate the new one…. * Meanwhile, Sen. Kirk Dillard has issued a pretty detailed and interesting white paper on economic development. Step one, the [...]
    Posted: December 09, 2009, 1:17pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Question of the day

    Number of comments: 10
    * I get a lot of strange press releases every day, but this one from the National Taxpayers United of Illinois’ Jim Tobin was so far over the top that I thought I’d let you see some of what you’re missing… RACIST GOV. QUINN AND CORRUPT DANIEL HYNES USING VICIOUS ANTI-PETITION [...]
    Posted: December 09, 2009, 11:24am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Arrestoversary roundup

    Number of comments: 10
    * Of all the “arrestoversary” stories today, this one truly takes the cake… As he marked the anniversary of his arrest, ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich today reasserted his innocence by autographing a copy of the U.S. Constitution with his now-infamous catchphrase, “fn golden.” The indicted politician scrawled the near-profanity on the nation’s most [...]
    Posted: December 09, 2009, 11:22am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Budget plans unveiled, sort of

    Number of comments: 10
    * Lee Newspapers has more on the story about the planned state budget cuts which we discussed a bit yesterday… In addition to calling for an increase in the income tax rate, Gov. Pat Quinn is asking some of his state agencies to cut back their spending by as much as [...]
    Posted: December 09, 2009, 10:37am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • A big oops and Quinn vs. Hynes gets even testier

    Number of comments: 10
    * Not good timing, considering the Blagojevich “arrestoversary” and Gov. Quinn’s planned signing of the campaign reform bill today. But this does appear to be an innocent mistake… The campaign of Gov. Pat Quinn has temporarily halted making automated campaign calls after it came to light that some were going to [...]
    Posted: December 09, 2009, 10:06am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

    There is no excerpt because this is a protected post. [...]
    Posted: December 09, 2009, 9:20am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Morning Shorts

    Number of comments: 7
    * The Decline: The Geography of a Recession * State, local authorities reach agreement on high-speed rail * Hard Hats Don’t Deflect Union Workers’ Hardships * Chicago’s hiring outlook bleak for early 2010 Employers in the Chicago metropolitan area expect to be hiring at a slow pace in the first three months of [...]
    Posted: December 09, 2009, 8:34am EST
    by Mike Murray

  • One year later

    Number of comments: 10
    * I spent way too much time putting this little video together. It’s definitely not the slickest thing you’ll ever see, but I wanted to do something different for the one-year anniversary of Rod Blagojevich’s arrest. Plus, I need the editing practice. Be gentle, please. Have a look… [...]
    Posted: December 09, 2009, 12:31am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Quinn to use arrest anniversary to sign reform bill

    Number of comments: 5
    [Bumped up to Wednesday because it was posted so late Tuesday.] * From Chicago Public Radio… Governor Pat Quinn will sign a bill Wednesday to cap some political donations for the first time in Illinois. When the legislature passed the campaign finance bill in October, Quinn called it “excellent,” but said he [...]
    Posted: December 08, 2009, 6:13pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • We’re Number 2!!! - And other updates

    Number of comments: 10
    * Reuters expands on its story from earlier today about the Moody’s bond rating downgrade. We’re now the second-lowest rated state in the nation. Man, this is not good… The downgrade gave Illinois the second lowest U.S. state rating from Moody’s, with California having the lowest at Baa1, a Moody’s spokesman [...]
    Posted: December 08, 2009, 2:18pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Question of the day

    Number of comments: 10
    * We’re running late today because of various breaking news items, so I apologize for that. Anyway, let’s get on with it. Andy McKenna’s TV ads claim the state is “facing bankruptcy.” McKenna repeated the bankruptcy claim to Greg Hinz today… Mr. McKenna did not say how he’d persuade state workers unions [...]
    Posted: December 08, 2009, 1:18pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • More bad budget news

    Number of comments: 10
    * Budget director David Vaught told Chicago Public Radio that he wants state agencies to cut 14 percent from their spending… VAUGHT: We don’t want people to, to think that this is a minor situation. It’s not. We’ve got some serious problems that involve big numbers. And so we’ve got to [...]
    Posted: December 08, 2009, 12:47pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • State Fed neutral in guv’s race and other campaign news

    Number of comments: 10
    * As I’ve already told subscribers today, the Illinois AFL-CIO has decided to remain neutral in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. Hynes’ press release just arrived, so I figured it was time the rest of you heard the news… In a major rebuke to a sitting Democratic governor, particularly one who [...]
    Posted: December 08, 2009, 12:41pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - This just in… *** UPDATED xSeveral ***

    Number of comments: 10
    There is no excerpt because this is a protected post. [...]
    Posted: December 08, 2009, 11:00am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Ryan: Tax hike now would be “criminal”

    Number of comments: 10
    * Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Ryan used some extreme rhetoric when talking about tax hikes to the Tribune editorial board yesterday… Ryan, the former attorney general and DuPage County prosecutor who lost as the GOP governor nominee to Blagojevich in 2002, maintained that “to raise taxes during this recession is criminal.” Asked [...]
    Posted: December 08, 2009, 10:32am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Rate Brady’s first ad

    Number of comments: 10
    * Republican gubernatorial candidate Sen. Bill Brady begins running his first TV ad today. I’m not sure yet how many points are behind it. But, let’s go ahead and rate it… [...]
    Posted: December 08, 2009, 9:53am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Morning Shorts

    Number of comments: 4
    * Vice provost: furloughs possible for faculty, staff * Some Caterpillar jobs to leave Illinois Caterpillar Inc.’s new parts distribution plant in Clayton, Ohio, will result in some jobs moving from its logistics center in Morton and will replace the company’s regional distribution center in Indianapolis, the company said Monday. About 170 material [...]
    Posted: December 08, 2009, 9:44am EST
    by Mike Murray

  • Is your primary pick taking the online advantage with eVoter?

    [The following is a paid advertisement.] Is your primary pick taking the online advantage with eVoter? Is your candidate listed on eVoter? How about your competition? Give it a whirl. You can now search for your primary picks from the comfort of Capitol Fax using the eVoter 2010 Primary Election Candidate Search Engine - [...]
    Posted: December 07, 2009, 3:41pm EST
    by Capitol Fax Blog Advertising Department

  • Prosecutors may bring new indictments against Blagojevich

    Number of comments: 10
    * Not unexpected, but it’ll be fun to see what they do… Federal prosecutors are promising to bring a new indictment against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich to avoid issues connected to an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court on the scope of the federal “honest services” statute under which Blagojevich has [...]
    Posted: December 07, 2009, 12:26pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Question of the day

    Number of comments: 10
    * The news reports on how the Chicago police came to the conclusion that Michael Scott’s death was a suicide contained an interesting little tidbit… Much of that investigation involved public surveillance cameras that recorded Michael Scott over a roughly 45-minute time period as he drove to the location along the [...]
    Posted: December 07, 2009, 11:29am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Endorsement season kicks into high gear

    Number of comments: 10
    * The Sierra Club endorsed Gov. Pat Quinn the other day, but don’t expect any endorsement like that for Republican US Senate candidate Mark Kirk… Environmental groups who champion cap-and-trade say Kirk has now cost himself general election support in a decidedly Democratic state. Cap-and-trade tops their agenda and appears to [...]
    Posted: December 07, 2009, 11:24am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Our ever-worsening budget problem

    Number of comments: 10
    * This is just a small example of how the state budget deficit is hurting employers… More than $80 million [in state reimbursements] is owed to 259 agencies surveyed by Metro Chicago United Way during the last fiscal year, which ended June 30. Sixty percent of the groups surveyed said they will [...]
    Posted: December 07, 2009, 10:18am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Reform and Renewal, Part 247,968

    Number of comments: 10
    * Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Chicago), the son of a Chicago alderman, was appointed to his seat last year. He has a no-name challenger, but the Machine, as usual overreacted. Somebody allegedly obtained drivers license photographs of Zalewski’s opponent and the opponent’s father to circulate door-to-door. The Zalewski folks believed that [...]
    Posted: December 07, 2009, 9:50am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Quinn better - and worse - than expected

    Number of comments: 10
    * My syndicated newspaper column takes a look back at the events of last week and puts it all into the context of something I’ve been mulling for quite a while now… For the past several weeks, I’ve been confiding to friends that I think Gov. Pat Quinn has turned out [...]
    Posted: December 07, 2009, 9:08am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Morning Shorts

    Number of comments: 5
    * Unemployment report leaves experts optimistic * Better news on jobs: Not a miracle, but progress * Manufacturing won’t solve next decade’s job woes * State posts 20th bank failure * RTA’s matchmaker plan a win for transit growth * Clean Up Continues on the Canal * Minorities’ death rate for H1N1 is twice whites’ [...]
    Posted: December 07, 2009, 8:50am EST
    by Mike Murray

  • Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

    There is no excerpt because this is a protected post. [...]
    Posted: December 07, 2009, 8:27am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Reader comments closed for the weekend

    * Yeesh, what a week. Glad that one’s over. The Giannoulias folks just told me that there would likely be no decision tonight on whether to approve the governor’s short-term borrowing plan, so I’m done for the day. Adriana Colindres went to Cuba like most of the rest of us Statehouse [...]
    Posted: December 04, 2009, 5:40pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Break-in at Blagojevich lawyers’ office

    Number of comments: 10
    * The easiest wisecrack is to suggest he did it himself, but I would never dare make such a suggestion. Still, it is Chicago… Chicago police are investigating a burglary at the law offices of the attorneys for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, sources said, and are trying to recover computers containing [...]
    Posted: December 04, 2009, 3:05pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Hynes decision at 1 o’clock

    Number of comments: 10
    * 12:48 pm - Comptroller Dan Hynes will announce his decision on whether to sign off on a $500 million short term state loan at 1 o’clock this afternoon. I’ll update this post shortly thereafter. While we wait, take a look at this Trib story which I missed earlier today… When Gov. [...]
    Posted: December 04, 2009, 12:49pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • The dying media is an embarrassment and Durbin needs to be stopped

    Number of comments: 10
    * You’ve often seen me complain about the Peoria Journal Star’s political coverage - mainly their silly columnists who don’t seem to know much about politics. But you’ve never once seen me complain about Adriana Colindres, the PJ Star’s Statehouse bureau reporter. Colindres is top notch all the way. She’s one [...]
    Posted: December 04, 2009, 11:44am EST
    by Rich Miller

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    Posted: December 04, 2009, 11:42am EST
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  • Viewership of ad-supported cable continues to surge

    [The following is a paid advertisement.] People are watching more television than ever. As the audience grows, the percentage watching ad supported cable television grows even more. Cable is no longer a secondary medium; rather it has become an essential marketing medium. Smart political campaigns are realizing that local news alone [...]
    Posted: December 04, 2009, 10:58am EST
    by Capitol Fax Blog Advertising Department

  • Question of the day

    Number of comments: 10
    * Democratic State Rep. Julie Hamos has a new TV ad in her race for the open 10th Congressional District seat. Take a look… * The Question: Rate it? [...]
    Posted: December 04, 2009, 10:57am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Oops x5 and a campaign roundup

    Number of comments: 10
    * When you used to work for Rod Blagojevich, and you’re now running statewide, it’s probably best to make extra sure you file your ethics forms… CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery on Thursday talked with Democrat Cheryle Jackson, who completely missed a deadline several months ago to provide a list [...]
    Posted: December 04, 2009, 10:43am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Gloom and doom and no relief in sight

    Number of comments: 10
    * Yesterday, House Speaker Michael Madigan disclosed one reason why he isn’t thrilled about a tax hike right now… “For those that think that tax increases are the answer, it’s a partial answer,” Madigan told an audience gathered for a panel discussion at the annual Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation meeting [...]
    Posted: December 04, 2009, 10:01am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • A brave heckler

    Number of comments: 10
    * More like this, please… As Daley began to speak, he quickly was interrupted by a heckler at the rear of the crowd. “What about the parking meters?” the man shouted, referring to the controversial long-term lease of city meters that sent rates soaring this year. Daley took it all in stride, [...]
    Posted: December 04, 2009, 9:41am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Morning Shorts

    Number of comments: 10
    * Just 1 Asian carp found sleeping with the fishes “If there aren’t any Asian carp, we still believe it was an essential operation,” John Rogner, assistant director of the Illinois Natural Resources Department, said before the lone 22-pound fish was found. * Kevin Wright: Market-driven power pricing has been good [...]
    Posted: December 04, 2009, 9:24am EST
    by Mike Murray

  • Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

    There is no excerpt because this is a protected post. [...]
    Posted: December 04, 2009, 9:11am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • This just in… IFT to endorse Hynes

    Number of comments: 10
    * 6:08 pm - It hasn’t been officially announced yet, but the Illinois Federation of Teachers’ executive board just voted to endorse Dan Hynes for governor. That’s a significant boost to the campaign, especially ahead of the IL AFL-CIO’s endorsement session early next week. The teachers union has been upset [...]
    Posted: December 03, 2009, 6:09pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • This just in…

    Number of comments: 10
    * 4:17 pm - Mark Doyle has withdrawn from the treasurer’s race. This isn’t much of a surprise to subscribers. As I told them earlier this week, Doyle, a Democratic campaign operative, had serious petition problems. Doyle’s withdrawal leaves Robin Kelly and Justin Oberman in the Democratic primary. UPDATE: Doyle’s [...]
    Posted: December 03, 2009, 4:20pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Borrowing follow-up and various campaign news

    Number of comments: 10
    * We spent a lot of time yesterday talking about Gov. Quinn’s false claim that Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias had signed off on a $500 million short-term borrowing plan and that Dan Hynes was the lone holdout. Giannoulias hadn’t signed off and Hynes said the governor’s office changed the plan several [...]
    Posted: December 03, 2009, 2:01pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - This just in…

    Number of comments: 10
    There is no excerpt because this is a protected post. [...]
    Posted: December 03, 2009, 12:45pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Giannoulias up with new TV ad

    Number of comments: 10
    * Democratic US Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias is going up on TV for the first time. Here’s the ad… As I’ve told you, rival Democrat David Hoffman is already on the air [refresh your memory and watch it again by clicking here]. He’s reportedly spending in the neighborhood of $250K a [...]
    Posted: December 03, 2009, 11:46am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Question of the day

    Number of comments: 10
    * If you’re an angry Republican and you live in the 10th Congressional District, you might love candidate Dick Green’s new TV ad… I’m not sure I’ve ever heard people repeatedly yelling “Yeah!!!” at the end of a campaign ad before, but it may be right for these “town hall” times. [...]
    Posted: December 03, 2009, 11:06am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Heaps of praise for LIS

    Number of comments: 10
    * It’s not often that I praise a state entity, but one surely deserves it today. As most of you know, we started posting a whole lot of videos on the blog during session days last spring. The videos, most of which contained timely and important news, were warmly received [...]
    Posted: December 03, 2009, 10:39am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Cullerton: No slots and tracks, will push for higher cig taxes again

    Number of comments: 10
    * Senate President Cullerton is turning at least an initial thumbs down on slots at tracks… The president of the Illinois Senate cast doubts Wednesday on thousands of slot machines sprouting up at Arlington Park and other horse tracks. “I don’t think there’s a need for that right now,” Chicago Democrat John [...]
    Posted: December 03, 2009, 10:12am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Looking for Campaign Exposure?

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    Posted: December 03, 2009, 9:34am EST
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  • Viewership of ad-supported cable continues to surge

    [The following is a paid advertisement.] People are watching more television than ever. As the audience grows, the percentage watching ad supported cable television grows even more. Cable is no longer a secondary medium; rather it has become an essential marketing medium. Smart political campaigns are realizing that local news alone [...]
    Posted: December 03, 2009, 9:33am EST
    by Capitol Fax Blog Advertising Department

  • New poll released in Senate Democratic primary

    Number of comments: 10
    * I’m not sure why anyone would release a poll that showed themselves at one percent, but whatever… To: Jacob Meister Campaign Team From: Dave Fako, Fako & Associates, Inc. Re: Meister for Senate Benchmark Survey The U.S. Senate Democratic Primary election is wide open, without a dominant frontrunner and Giannoulias in a weak [...]
    Posted: December 03, 2009, 9:28am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Morning Shorts

    Number of comments: 10
    * One foot out the door? Tribune chairman Zell turns over chief executive reins * Sam Zell out as Tribune Co. CEO, remains as chairman * Ill. broadcasters protest subpoena of students * Daley off her feet for latest cancer therapy * More treatment for Chicago’s first lady * Maggie Daley Being [...]
    Posted: December 03, 2009, 9:15am EST
    by Mike Murray

  • *** UPDATED x3 *** Fire, ready, aim

    Enclosure: [download]
    Number of comments: 10
    * Gov. Pat Quinn went off on Comptroller Dan Hynes today, claiming that his rival in the Democratic primary was dragging his feet on approving a $500 million short-term borrowing plan. Quinn also claimed that Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias had signed on… “I’m ready to go, Alexi Giannoulias is ready to go, [...]
    Posted: December 02, 2009, 1:24pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Question of the day

    Number of comments: 10
    * A supporter of Adam Andrzejewski’s GOP gubernatorial campaign e-mailed me earlier today to remind me that I hadn’t yet posted his new TV ad. Here it is… * The Question: Rate it? [...]
    Posted: December 02, 2009, 12:05pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • The beginning of the end

    Number of comments: 10
    * Cook County Board President Todd Stroger was not a happy man yesterday when the board overwhelmingly overrode his veto of the partial sales tax rollback. He lashed out at Gov. Quinn, who has been patting himself on the back for signing the reduced override threshold bill into law… “Governor Quinn [...]
    Posted: December 02, 2009, 10:41am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • It’s the jobs, stupid

    Number of comments: 10
    * The Chicago Tribune’s questionnaire for gubernatorial candidates poses just one question about job creation, and it’s way down the list. Odd, considering the state’s unemployment situation. Some candidates offer a few specifics, like Sen. Bill Brady… I am proposing a $2,100 tax credit to businesses for every new job they [...]
    Posted: December 02, 2009, 9:43am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Morning political videos - McKenna, Hoffman

    Number of comments: 10
    * Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy McKenna has a new TV ad. Rate it… The Pat Quinn quote used in the spot is from this Tribune story about McKenna’s earlier ad… Quinn responded to the ad by defending his use of the phrase “missions accomplished” to describe his progress on the budget and [...]
    Posted: December 02, 2009, 8:35am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Morning Shorts

    Number of comments: 6
    * Tribune gets more time to file reorganization plan But a group of credit agreement lenders who hold more than $4 billion in Tribune debt objected to another extension and asked for permission to submit their own reorganization plan focused on Tribune subsidiaries. * Are high school juniors skipping out of [...]
    Posted: December 02, 2009, 8:34am EST
    by Mike Murray

  • Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

    There is no excerpt because this is a protected post. [...]
    Posted: December 02, 2009, 8:30am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • *** UPDATED x3 *** Hynes slams Quinn; County board overrides Stroger; Krislov in the clear

    Number of comments: 10
    * Dan Hynes threw a big punch at Gov. Pat Quinn today. He claimed the governor played politics with the capital bill so long that the state missed the construction season… “Pat Quinn had the opportunity — and the responsibility — to put the people of Illinois back to work, but [...]
    Posted: December 01, 2009, 1:49pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Today’s online and social media roundup

    Number of comments: 10
    * Yesterday was Cyber Monday, when online sales really start to kick off during the holiday season… Cyber Monday sales rose 14% this year compared to 2008 and consumers also bought nearly 30% more items per order versus last year, according to research firm Coremetrics. Also, the firm said shoppers bought 10% [...]
    Posted: December 01, 2009, 12:46pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • This just in… Rep. Mell survives petition challenge

    Number of comments: 10
    * 11:45 am - As I’ve told you before, Joe Laiacona is running against Rep. Deb Mell (D-Chicago) in the Democratic primary and challenged Mell’s nominating petitions because she wasn’t registered to vote at the address she used on her sheets. A hearing officer recommended that Laiacona’s challenge be rejected [...]
    Posted: December 01, 2009, 11:45am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Question of the day

    Number of comments: 10
    * The photo below is of Sen. Roland Burris posing with Michaele and Tareq Salahi, the couple who allegedly crashed the White House State Dinner… Back story here. [This photo is from a previous event, by the way. Ironically enough, the Salahi’s are now being accused of crashing that one, too.] [...]
    Posted: December 01, 2009, 10:45am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Quinn claims federal hiring probe continues

    Number of comments: 10
    * Interesting… Despite no charges yet filed, a federal probe into alleged hiring fraud under impeached ex-Gov. Blagojevich remains active, Gov. Quinn’s office confirmed Monday. This is the statement released by Quinn’s office late yesterday… “There is an ongoing federal criminal investigation into unlawful acts by persons associated with the Blagojevich administration. The [...]
    Posted: December 01, 2009, 9:23am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • No commission for you

    Number of comments: 10
    * Gov. Quinn has appointed countless blue ribbon panels since he took over the state’s top job in January. He created an ethics commission, a budget commission, a cemetery commission among others. He’s now looking at a new one… Gov. Pat Quinn says he may consider a special commission to look [...]
    Posted: December 01, 2009, 9:06am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Morning Shorts

    Number of comments: 10
    * Officials, advocates stress AIDS’ toll in Illinois Illinois’ public health chief Dr. Damon Arnold is joining advocates and state lottery officials to raise awareness about AIDS. Tuesday is World AIDS Day, and the Illinois Lottery will unveil a new Quality of Life scratch-off ticket called “Red Ribbon Bonus Bucks.” All [...]
    Posted: December 01, 2009, 8:45am EST
    by Mike Murray

  • Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

    There is no excerpt because this is a protected post. [...]
    Posted: December 01, 2009, 8:36am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Not so “minimal”

    Number of comments: 10
    * The other day, Alexi Giannoulias tried to explain what happened to his inheritance… llinois Treasurer and U.S. Senate hopeful Alexi Giannoulias said Tuesday that a “minimal” amount of the $70 million he and his siblings received in 2007 and 2008 dividends from Broadway Bank, the troubled Chicago lender the family [...]
    Posted: November 30, 2009, 3:27pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Dillard up with Fox News cable ad and some other campaign news

    Number of comments: 10
    * Republican gubernatorial candidate Kirk Dillard has a new cable TV ad which features former Gov. Jim Edgar. Rate it… It’s a $50,000 buy on Fox News for the week. The ad will be running throughout the day and evening on the cable channel. *** UPDATE 2 *** As some [...] [...]
    Posted: November 30, 2009, 11:30am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Question of the day

    Number of comments: 10
    * Treasurer and Democratic US Senate hopeful Alexi Giannoulias released his tax returns last week… The first-term treasurer has been criticized by Democratic Senate opponent David Hoffman for large Broadway Bank payouts to him and his family. In all, there were $70 million in payouts in 2007 and 2008. Giannoulias’ campaign [...]
    Posted: November 30, 2009, 10:21am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Get your mind outta the Beltway, dude

    Number of comments: 10
    * My latest Sun-Times column talked about Congressman Kirk’s rightward lurch and what it may mean… I try hard not to hate. Hating is bad for your health. Plus, the holiday season has officially begun, so hating should be put off until at least after New Year’s Day. But I have to [...]
    Posted: November 30, 2009, 9:57am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Things that make you go “Hmmm….”

    Number of comments: 10
    * Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Ryan can’t shake ties to corrupt player Stu Levine. The Sun-Times take a look at some contributions to Ryan’s last gubernatorial campaign while Levine was the finance director. The contributions seem curiously timed to some investment votes by the Teachers Retirement System, on which Levine [...]
    Posted: November 30, 2009, 9:22am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Fixing a hole in the ocean

    Number of comments: 10
    * Economists from the University of Illinois’ Institute of Government and Public Affairs say Illinois needs to increase taxes… With a roughly $11 billion budget gap of its own, Illinois can only duck a similar meltdown by raising taxes, says Daniel McMillen, an economist with the U. of I. Institute of [...]
    Posted: November 30, 2009, 8:43am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Morning Shorts

    Number of comments: 5
    * Quinn signs bill to protect telephone consumers * Quinn approves 133 clemency petitions * State sends more funds to help heat homes About 2,000 more local houses will get aid with $1.3M boost to program. * Quinn Expects Sales Tax Veto Overthrown * Chicago budget: Aldermen focus on ward issues rather than $370 [...]
    Posted: November 30, 2009, 8:24am EST
    by Mike Murray

  • Reader comments closed for the holiday weekend

    * I just found out that Kent, a good friend of mine, volunteered to work on Thanksgiving Day so his co-workers with children can have some time off. I love my friends because almost all of them are as cool and kind as Kentola. I don’t spend my off-hours hanging [...]
    Posted: November 25, 2009, 2:06pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • The Social Media Campaign Advantage and eVoter.com

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    Posted: November 25, 2009, 11:48am EST
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  • Wednesday news and video roundup

    Number of comments: 10
    * It’s the day before Thanksgiving, so we’re just gonna do a roundup this morning. If news breaks I’ll post it. Comments are open. * SIU payroll picture improves… Southern Illinois University has $16.5 million to go before it can fully cover its Jan. 1 payroll, President Glenn Poshard announced [...]
    Posted: November 25, 2009, 8:48am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Afternoon campaign roundup: Giannoulias questioned, McKenna backtracks, Hoffman endorsed, Hynes wants ACT adjustment for vets, New Hamos ad

    Number of comments: 10
    * Democratic US Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias unveiled his financial services reform plan today and, as expected, was peppered with reporters’ questions about his own family’s bank… But he immediately was hit with questions about Broadway Bank, which faces huge defaults on loans for high-profile real estate deals, many of [...]
    Posted: November 24, 2009, 2:44pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Question of the day

    Number of comments: 10
    * The setup… Fifty-three percent (53%) of Americans say they are more thankful this Thanksgiving than they were last year at this time. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 11% are less thankful, while 35% are about as thankful this year as they were last year. * [...]
    Posted: November 24, 2009, 11:54am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Unsolicited advice

    Number of comments: 10
    * Dear spammers, This is definitely not your best work… Goodday, I require a partner to transfer $8.6m that belonged to a dead customer of my bank. Reply for more information on the procedure. Regards, Liu Yan. Yeah. I’ll get right on it - just as soon as I finish writing a very large check to Rod [...]
    Posted: November 24, 2009, 11:42am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Taking a breath and looking closer

    Number of comments: 10
    * One of the better responses I’ve seen to this Thomson prison situation was from state Sen. Tim Bivins (R-Dixon)… Bivins said much more information is needed before a decision is made. “At the briefing and tour Monday … I asked the Governor’s (Pat Quinn) chief of operations Jack Lavin if there [...]
    Posted: November 24, 2009, 11:05am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Viewership of ad-supported cable continues to surge

    [The following is a paid advertisement.] People are watching more television than ever. As the audience grows, the percentage watching ad supported cable television grows even more. Cable is no longer a secondary medium; rather it has become an essential marketing medium. Smart political campaigns are realizing that local news alone [...]
    Posted: November 24, 2009, 10:22am EST
    by Capitol Fax Blog Advertising Department

  • Rate the responses

    Number of comments: 10
    * Gov. Pat Quinn has responded to Andy McKenna’s new TV ad, which accuses the governor of “hiding the truth,” via a press release… [Yesterday], former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna launched an ad that claimed Governor Pat Quinn is attempting to hide the state government’s deficit from taxpayers, citing [...]
    Posted: November 24, 2009, 10:18am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Morning Shorts

    Number of comments: 7
    * Stroger says no again to county tax rollback But this time, commissioners confident they have override vote * Todd Stroger vetoes roll back in Cook County sales tax * It’s your call, Cook County * Chicago aldermen balk at property-tax relief plan Finance Committee questions how much it would help [...]
    Posted: November 24, 2009, 9:52am EST
    by Mike Murray

  • Backlash, hinky numbers, conservative questions, and questionable promises

    Number of comments: 10
    * At least one Tribune reporter is not pleased with Andy McKenna’s new TV ad. A mid-morning Clout St. article, “McKenna’s misleading campaign ad on Quinn,” makes some of the same points that I did with subscribers earlier this morning… It’s not the first time that a Republican statewide candidate for [...]
    Posted: November 23, 2009, 12:02pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Question of the day

    Number of comments: 10
    * We spent much of last week discussing the governor’s controversial plan to sell the Thomson prison to the feds so that the Gitmo detainees can be moved there, along with hundreds of other inmates. * The Question: Do you support or oppose this proposal? Explain thoroughly, please. And try to [...]
    Posted: November 23, 2009, 10:40am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Viewership of ad-supported cable continues to surge

    [The following is a paid advertisement.] People are watching more television than ever. As the audience grows, the percentage watching ad supported cable television grows even more. Cable is no longer a secondary medium; rather it has become an essential marketing medium. Smart political campaigns are realizing that local news alone [...]
    Posted: November 23, 2009, 10:29am EST
    by Capitol Fax Blog Advertising Department

  • Budget horror stories

    Number of comments: 10
    * Cook County Board President Todd Stroger has said he wants to stem the flow of out-of-county patients to Stroger Hospital. As of last year, they were still streaming in… In 2008, 26,000 patients came from the Collar Counties; 25,000 were from downstate counties; 1,800 came from Indiana; and 5,200 were [...]
    Posted: November 23, 2009, 10:07am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • McKenna’s new ad; Hynes in the dark

    Number of comments: 10
    * Andy McKenna’s campaign has a new TV ad. Rate it… It has already sparked controversy… This time, McKenna goes after the man who replaced Blagojevich, Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn. The ad says the state budget deficit is growing quickly while Quinn “hides the truth.” The ad cites the Chicago Tribune to support [...]
    Posted: November 23, 2009, 9:11am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Morning Shorts

    Number of comments: 6
    * What happened to all of Chicago’s conventiongoers? McCormick Place has seen nearly a third of its business vanish this decade, a period that saw two recessions. Attendance at major events in Chicago’s main convention center declined from 3 million in 2001 to 2.3 million last year. Las Vegas and Orlando [...]
    Posted: November 23, 2009, 8:52am EST
    by Mike Murray

  • Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax

    There is no excerpt because this is a protected post. [...]
    Posted: November 23, 2009, 8:46am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Reader comments closed for the weekend

    * My old buddy Hank Sinatra puts on some fantastic shows down in Austin - in his back yard. I gotta get myself back down there one day soon. This is from one of those shows. It’s the Flyin’ A’s… * Also, don’t forget Bob Waldmire’s last art show… “Bob’s Last Art [...]
    Posted: November 20, 2009, 4:59pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • eVoter.com: Where Candidates and Voters Connect

    [The following is a paid advertisement.] eVoter is the first site dedicated exclusively to helping candidates and political organizations share their message, receive donations and reach voters. At a minimal cost, candidates on any level of the ballot will have a unique web URL and a one-stop web spot to communicate with [...]
    Posted: November 20, 2009, 2:33pm EST
    by Capitol Fax Blog Advertising Department

  • More GOP township endorsements for Proft, Andrzejewski

    Number of comments: 10
    * Conservative GOP gubernatorial candidate Dan Proft has received yet another endorsement from a Republican township organization… Last night the Southern Will County Republican Organization (SWCRO) which comprises six rural townships in Will County endorsed conservative Republican candidate Dan Proft for Governor. ]…] “By endorsing my candidacy, the Southern Will County GOP [...]
    Posted: November 20, 2009, 1:55pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Action hero moment for state Senator

    Number of comments: 10
    * Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is the epitome of a gentle soul. But his public demeanor may just be a Clark Kentian cover. Check it out… A state senator from Peoria says he fought off an armed robber who interrupted him while he was doing some remodeling at his business. Democratic [...]
    Posted: November 20, 2009, 1:49pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Question of the day

    Number of comments: 10
    * It’s Friday, we’ve had a long, emotional week, so let’s lighten it up a bit. The Question: Will you miss Oprah Winfrey’s Chicago-based TV show when it ends in 2011? Why or why not? [...]
    Posted: November 20, 2009, 12:36pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • The furor and the damage done

    Number of comments: 10
    * I’m glad to see that the state’s GOP congressional delegation is finally starting to act like grownups… Illinois’ Republican congressional delegation attempted to tone down their rhetoric Thursday over housing detainees from Guantanamo Bay at a state prison by issuing a series of questions to Gov. Pat Quinn. “As we move [...]
    Posted: November 20, 2009, 12:03pm EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Viewership of ad-supported cable continues to surge . . . .

    [The following is a paid advertisement.] People are watching more television than ever. As the audience grows, the percentage watching ad supported cable television grows even more. Cable is no longer a secondary medium; rather it has become an essential marketing medium. Smart political campaigns are realizing that local news alone [...]
    Posted: November 20, 2009, 11:20am EST
    by Capitol Fax Blog Advertising Department

  • Fighting the fantasies

    Number of comments: 10
    * Perhaps the dumbest report I’ve seen in years was former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman’s “analysis” of the city’s parking meter lease deal. According to Hoffman’s report, if the city had just increased parking meter rates on its own, it would’ve reaped twice the amount of money of leasing [...]
    Posted: November 20, 2009, 11:17am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • This just in… Senate Ethics Committee blasts Burris, but finds no “actionable” law violations

    Number of comments: 10
    * 10:24 am - Read the Senate Ethics Committee’s report on Roland Burris by clicking here. From the report, which is technically a “Public Letter of Qualified Admonition”… The Committee found that you should have known that you were providing incorrect, inconsistent, misleading, or incomplete information to the public, the Senate, [...]
    Posted: November 20, 2009, 10:25am EST
    by Rich Miller

  • Morning Shorts

    Number of comments: 7
    * Missing juniors: Illinois officials to crack down on testing loophole Taking aim at a loophole used to exclude academically weak 11th-graders from state testing, Illinois education officials said this week they want to create a single standard to determine when students are counted as juniors and therefore must take the [...]
    Posted: November 20, 2009, 10:18am EST
    by Mike Murray

  • Quinn [gently] shoots back

    Number of comments: 10
    * Earlier today, I showed you a video of Gov. Quinn nodding off during a question asked by a woman whose pregnant daughter-in-law died because she had no health insurance. Well, the Quinn campaign has countered with a video of their own. Apparently, the governor approached the woman after the event [...]
    Posted: November 19, 2009, 2:21pm EST
    by Rich Miller
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