While Barack Obama's former pastor appears to be doing everything he can to complicate the Illinois Senator's presidential bid, Hillary Clinton is receiving unrequested assistance from one former enemy. The Tribune reports how Rush Limbaugh continues to encourage his "12-13 million daily listeners to change their party registration, since the GOP race is settled. And help Hillary. Because it hurts Democrats."
In Springfield a Senate panel passed a bill that would allow voters to recall virtually any Illinois elected official. The plan is more expansive than the recall amendment plan proposed by the House. It is unclear if the bill has any legs as the Sun-Times reports that the "Senate would have to vote by Thursday and the House by Sunday to get the amendment placed on the Nov. 4 ballot."
Also in the State Senate, a proposed constitutional amendment to allow a graduated state income tax failed yesterday. The measure, which was pushed in the Senate ahead of a Sunday deadline, received only 19 of the 36 votes it needed to pass. Meanwhile, Bethany Jaeger reports that, in the House, a revised version of Rep. Mike Smith's constitutional amendment to reform the state's flat income tax may soon see the light of the day.
Ronald Burleson, a $99,000-a-year administrator at Cook County's Health Services Bureau, has been demoted. In January, County Board President Todd Stroger had created a job at the Bureau especially for the former real estate agent, reports the Tribune. His demotion came after the newspaper questioned his qualifications to hold the high-paying county position.
Speaking of the Board President, Stroger was scheduled to meet with residents of Palatine tonight to hear the suburban community's complaints over the recent county tax hike, but has now backed out of the meeting because the town changed the format of the event at the last minute. Initially billed as an interactive get-together with residents, city officials had decided on holding a formal meeting with minutes and roll calls.
In Chicago news, Mayor Daley has announced an ambitious plan to encourage people to leave their cars in the driveway and ride public transportation. As part of the plan the city will designate "bus only" lanes in major traffic corridors, allowing buses to shoot passed car traffic and causing more gridlock for people who chose to drive.
Also in traffic related news, a truck hauling 25 tons of beef ribs went up in flames last night on Highway 80 near Hazel Crest. The incident was reportedly caused by a brake fire in the semi-trailer truck as it headed east. The driver escaped unharmed. Homer Simpson was unavailable for comment.
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