Springfield Gridlock

Blagojevich Corruption Scandal Paralyzes Illinois Government

AP | CHRISTOPHER WILLS | Posted 01.27.2009 | Chicago

Read More: Springfield Gridlock, Blagojevich Corruption, Illinois Budget, Rod Blagojevich, Illinois Government, Blagojevich Scandal, Illinois Deficit, Illinois Bond Rating, Illinois Corruption, Blagojevich Taint, Chicago News

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has made a point of regularly going to work at his office in Chicago. He has signed ...

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Blagojevich Loves To Fight, Rarely Wins

AP | CHRISTOPHER WILLS | Posted 01.14.2009 | Chicago

Read More: Blagojevich Politics, Blagojevich Corruption, Springfield Gridlock, Blagojevich Narcissist, Blagojevich Legsislation, Rod Blagojevich, Mike Jacobs, Blagojevich Scandal, Blagojevich Narcissism, Blagojevich Allies, Blagojevich Springfield, Blagojevich Alienating, Blagojevich Investigation, Chicago News

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Anyone who wants a peek inside Gov. Rod Blagojevich's head should look back to last year, when the Illinois House voted on h...

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The Time is Now

Rep. John Fritchey | Posted 12.08.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Illinois Politics, Mike Lawrence, Springfield Gridlock, Illinois Budget Meltdown, Illinois Budget Problems, Illinois Infrastructure, Springfield Dysfunction, Chicago News
Rep. John Fritchey

It is the time for ideas aimed at shaping our state for the next generation, rather than for the next election cycle.

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New Senate President Says Democrats 'Have Embarrassed Ourselves' (VIDEO)

Chicago Tribune | Rick Pearson | Posted 12.25.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Springfield Gridlock, Madigan Blagojevich, Senate Infighting, Cullerton Salem, Rod Blagojevich, Salem Baptist Church, James Clayborne, James Meeks, Blagojevich Madigan Feud, John Cullerton, Chicago News

Incoming Illinois Senate President John Cullerton said Sunday the Democrats who control state government should be embarrassed by the constant fighti...

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John Cullerton Picked As Illinois Senate President

Associated Press | Christopher Wills | Posted 12.21.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Springfield Gridlock, Illinois Senate, James Clayborne, Kirk Dillard, Cullerton Daley, Christine Radogno, John Cullerton, Illinois Legislature, Cullerton Senate President, Chicago News

llinois Senate Democrats picked Chicagoan John Cullerton to become the next Senate president, part of a shake-up Wednesday that could change the atmo...

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Senators Getting Back To Work, But Not To Fix Budget

The Southern | Kurt Erickson | Posted 12.12.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Illinois Budget, Illinois Senate, Illinois Budget Deficit, Springfield Gridlock, Rod Blagojevich, Illinois Economy, Chicago News

The state's financial picture is worsening, but don't look for any quick fix from the Illinois Senate. After a busy election season, Illinois lawmake...

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Voter's Push For Change Stops At Springfield

Daily Herald | John Patterson and Joseph Ryan | Posted 12.11.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Illinois Senate, Springfield, Change, Springfield Gridlock, Rod Blagojevich, Barack Obama Change, Illinois Politics, Chicago News

Suburban voters turned out in droves to back Barack Obama's message of "change" last week, but on the state front, they sent back to Springfield nearl...

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Are Citizens 'Too Stupid' For A Constitutional Convention?

SouthtownStar | Kristen McQueary | Posted 11.27.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Fixing Springfield, Illinois Constitutional Convention, Edgar Netsch, Springfield Gridlock, Con Con, Netsch Con Con, Con Con Opposition, Constitutional Convention, Dawn Clark Netsch, Illinois Con Con, Jim Edgar, Chicago News

T here they stood, like an old Archie and Edith. Gov. Jim Edgar and his 1992 gubernatorial opponent, Dawn Clark Netsch, side by side in the Thompson C...

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Blagojevich Warns Obama Of GOP "Ruse"

Chicago Tribune | Robert Mitchum and Rick Pearson | Posted 10.20.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Obama Ethics, Blagojevich Obama, Springfield Gridlock, Obama Blago, Rod Blagojevich, Obama Emil Call, Obama Emil Jones, Illinois Ethics Legislation, Blagojevich Republican Ruse, Barack Obama, Chicago News

Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich warned home-state presidential contender Barack Obama he is falling into a Republican trap by siding against the gover...

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Jones Caves To "My Friend, Barack Obama"

Chicago Tribune | Ray Long | Posted 10.19.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Illinois Ethics Bill, Emil Jones Ethics, Emil Jones Caves, Obama Illinois Politics, Obama Emil Jones, Illinois Ethics Legislation, Barack Obama Ethics, Obama Emil, Emil Jones Calls Senate, Obama Calls Emil, Emil Jones, Barack Obama, Springfield Gridlock, Obama Ethics Bill, Chicago News

A day after getting a phone call from Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, Senate President Emil Jones decided Thursday to summon senators ...

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Obama Makes The Call

Crain's Chicago Business | Greg Hinz | Posted 10.18.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Springfield Gridlock, Barack Obama Ethics, Illinois Ethics Bill, Emil Jones Ethics, Emil Jones, Obama Illinois Politics, Obama Calls Emil, Obama Emil Jones, Illinois Ethics Legislation, Obama Emil, Obama Ethics Bill, Barack Obama, Chicago News

Responding to pleas from government reformers, Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Sen. Barack Obama on Wednesday phoned Illinois Senate President Em...

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Obama Prodded To Intervene On Illinois Ethics Bill

Crain's Chicago Business | Posted 10.16.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Obama Illinois Ethics, Springfield Gridlock, Illinois Ethics Bill, Rod Blagojevich, Kirk Dillard Obama, Emil Jones, Kirk Dillard, Obama Emil Jones, Illinois Ethics Legislation, Barack Obama, Chicago News

Illinois lawmakers tried again to draw Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama back into state politics. At a bipartisan press conference meant ...

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House Restores Budget Cuts, Affirms Strong Ethics Law

Greg Harris | Posted 10.13.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Senior Citizens, Illinois Politics, Healthcare, Ethics, Springfield, Springfield Gridlock, Illinois Ethics Legislation, Illinois Pay to Play, Illinois House of Representatives, Chicago News
Greg Harris

The actions of the House, although by overwhelming bipartisan majorities, are only the first step in undoing this damage to the state.

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Obama Dodges Illinois Ethics Gridlock

Chicago Sun-Times | Dave McKinney | Posted 10.13.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Barack Obama, Obama Illinois Ethics, Springfield Gridlock, Obama Reform Illinois, Obama Blagojevich, Obama Ethics Legislation, Emil Jones, Rod Blagojevich, Obama Reform, Obama Emil Jones, Obama Springfield, Illinois Ethics Legislation, Emil Jones Blagojevich, Illinois Pay to Play, Chicago News

While Barack Obama left an imprint on two major ethics packages as a state senator, he ducked a plea Thursday to use his influence to safeguard landma...

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Governor Blagojevich, Do Right on Substance Abuse Cuts

Greg Harris | Posted 10.06.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Substance Abuse, Rod Blagojevich, Rewrite to Do Right, Illinois Substance Abuse Funding, Springfield Gridlock, Blagojevich Cuts, State Budget Cuts, Illinois Budget Cuts, Greg Harris Blagojevich, Illinois Treatment Cuts, Illinois Substance Abuse Funding Cut, Blagojevich Rewrite, Rewrite to Do-Right, Illinois State Budget, Chicago News
Greg Harris

Rather than spread the pain of a difficult budget year across the state budget, the Governor purposefully targeted vulnerable Illinoisans for more pain and suffering. They will pay a steep price, and so will everyone else.

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The Power of Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Illinois Needs a Big Hug

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. | Posted 10.04.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Springfield Gridlock, Bobby Rush, Lincoln Stanton, Debbie Halvorson, Illinois Hugfest, Emil Jones, Rod Blagojevich, Michael Madigan, Illinois Democrats, Jesse Jackson Jr. Hug, Abraham Lincoln, Mayor Daley, Jesse Jackson Jr Obama, Blagojevich Madigan Feud, Madigan Jones Feud, Obama Illinois Delegation, Chicago News
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

When one thinks about the bitter political feuds in recent years - Blagojevich vs. Madigan; Madigan vs. Jones; Jackson vs. Daley or Rush or Halvorson; the Tribune/Sun-Times vs. Stroger - one can't help but think Illinois is in need of reconciliation.

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Blagojevich Vetoes, Re-Writes Ethics Bill

State Journal-Register | Ryan Keith | Posted 09.25.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Blago Ethics, Blagojevich Ethics Bill, Springfield Gridlock, Illinois Ethics Legislation, Illinois Ethics Bill, Gov. Blagojevich, Blagojevich, Rod Blagojevich, Chicago News

Gov. Rod Blagojevich today drastically changed a legislative effort to curb "pay-to-play" political donations, using both his executive order and veto...

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Con-Con? Yes!

Dave Lundy | Posted 09.21.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Illinois Constitutional Convention, Springfield Gridlock, Con Con, Pat Quinn, Con-Con, Concon, Illinois Concon, Cade McNown, Illinois Con Con, Chicago News
Dave Lundy

My biggest pet peeve is the absolute power exercised by our legislative leaders in refusing to allow votes on bills they don't like. For those that aren't familiar with the bizarre ways of Springfield, let me explain.

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Illinois' Feudal Politics

Elizabeth Austin | Posted 09.19.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Illinois Political Rifts, Springfield Gridlock, Madigan Blagojevich, Illinois Tuscany, Illinois Political Fights, Gov. Blagojevich, Michael Madigan, Ghibelline, Blagojevich Madigan Feud, Illinois Politics, San Gimignano, Guelph, Barack Obama, Chicago News
Elizabeth Austin

If you really want to understand Illinois politics, the place you really need to go is San Gimignano, in the rolling hills of Tuscany.

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State Senate Rejects Pay Raise, Keep Cost Of Living Increase

AP | Christopher Wills | Posted 09.13.2008 | Chicago

Read More: Senate Hypocrites, Springfield, Senate Rejects Pay Raises, Springfield Gridlock, Senate Pay Raises, Emil Jones, Gov. Blagojevich, Illinois State Senate, Illinois State Legislature, Chicago News

SPRINGFIELD -- Legislative critics from both parties labeled a special session ordered by Gov. Blagojevich a sham and a farce on Tuesday, but senators...

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