Patrick Collins

Wanted: Suitable Senate Candidate

Marcel Pacatte | Posted 10.17.2009 | Chicago


Marcel Pacatte

No one in the race has the resume, experience or heft required of a U.S. Senator. In fact, the bench in Illinois is pretty weak right now, among both Democrats and Republicans.

Leave Fitzgerald Alone

Marcel Pacatte | Posted 09.11.2009 | Chicago


Marcel Pacatte

If Illinoisans want to put a stop to the culture of corruption, as they claim in poll after poll that they do, then they have to do something about it. It's not all up to Patrick Fitzgerald.

Unprecedented Campaign Contribution Caps Approved, But Big Loopholes Remain

AP | JOHN O'CONNOR | Posted 06.28.2009 | Chicago


SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Money donated to politicians would be limited for the first time in Illinois history under a plan backed by Gov. Pat Quinn b...

Calling Out The Real Crybabies

Marcel Pacatte | Posted 06.28.2009 | Chicago


Marcel Pacatte

What the bunch in Springfield had better realize is that there are a lot more people lined up with reform than there are with the political status quo.

Julie Hamos Aims to Boost Pat Quinn's Reform Agenda and Gets Undercut by Pat Quinn

David Ormsby | Posted 06.27.2009 | Chicago


David Ormsby

The Quinn episode exposed the inevitable collision between a reformer's principles and the practical politics of an election system that relies on private dough to finance the campaign beast.

Roland Burris, Off The Hook

Marcel Pacatte | Posted 06.26.2009 | Chicago


Marcel Pacatte

Burris knows exactly what he is doing. All these years I thought he was decent but dim. Turns out it was an act that I, and many others in Illinois, bought.

Illinois Senate Puts Off Ethics Votes

Chicago Tribune | Posted 06.22.2009 | Chicago


Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) postponed action today on a series of ethics proposals, with aides saying he wanted to spend more time wor...

Illinois Senate Democrats Talk Ethics Record to New Media, Push Back on Old Media Complaints

David Ormsby | Posted 06.18.2009 | Chicago


David Ormsby

Kwame Raoul introduced legislation for public financing two years ago. His predecessor, Barack Obama, sponsored the same legislation in 2005. What did Chicago newspapers editorialize at the time at the time on the Obama bill? Nothing.

Legislators Mixed On Reform Commission's Proposals

AP | CHRISTOPHER WILLS | Posted 05.29.2009 | Chicago


SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- With one governor in prison and another under indictment, Illinois officials must choose between patching holes in current e...

Illinois Reform Commission: Term Limits For Powerful Politicians, Open Meetings, Cap Campaign Contributions (READ THE PROPOSALS)

AP | ANDREA ZELINSKI | Posted 05.29.2009 | Chicago


SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- After 100 days poring over stacks of data and testimony, a commission appointed by Gov. Pat Quinn has delivered a sweeping p...

Legislators Mixed On Commission's Plans To End Pay-To-Play, Limit Campaign Contributions

The Huffington Post | Tim Taliaferro | Posted 05.02.2009 | Chicago


SPRINGFIELD - Just hours after launching the initial salvo to end pay-to-play in state government, members of a blue-ribbon group traveled from Chicag...

Reform Panel Calls For Campaign Contribution Limits As Part Of Anti-Corruption Plan

AP | Posted 05.01.2009 | Chicago


CHICAGO — The Illinois reform commission launched in response to the corruption scandal surrounding ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich (blah-GOY'-uh-vi...

For Burris, It's Hail Mary Time

James Warren | Posted 03.26.2009 | Politics


James Warren

It's time for an A-Rod-like press conference but with some substantive answers and a set of assurances about Burris' political future.

Burris Perjury Case No 'Slam Dunk': Former US Attorney

AP | MIKE ROBINSON | Posted 03.24.2009 | Chicago


CHICAGO — With the impeachment of a governor, Illinois has already had more political fireworks this year than it has seen in decades. Could the...

Pat Quinn Names Ryan Scandal Victim, Northwestern Football Coach To Ethics Panel

The Huffington Post | Posted 02.16.2009 | Chicago


Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn named the members of his ethics commission, "Reform Illinois Now," Friday. Among those appointed are the Rev. Scott Willis, whose ...

Blagojevich Hurts Ryan's Clemency Hopes: Former Gov. Thompson

AP | Posted 01.11.2009 | Chicago


Former Illinois Gov. Jim Thompson says current Gov. Rod Blagojevich's arrest hurts the chances of a presidential pardon for another former governor, G...