Progress Illinois

Following a disappointing performance in the Indiana and North Carolina primaries, Hillary Clinton is facing pressure to exit the presidential race. The New York Times reports that Clinton is experiencing "waning support from Democratic officials and donors" and some of her "advisers acknowledged privately that they remained unsure about the future of her candidacy." Despite drawing criticism for it, Clinton has indicated she will stay in the race.

Fanning the flames for Clinton's exit, Barack Obama picked up support from four superdelegates yesterday, including former Clinton supporter Jennifer McClellan of the Virginia House. Clinton herself netted two superdelegates.

Despite a Compensation Review Board recommendation, the Illinois House overwhelmingly rejected a pay raise for state lawmakers yesterday. But unless the Senate does the same, state law guarantees that the salary bumps will take effect.

Senate President Emil Jones removed Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson (D-Crete) as chairperson of the influential Rules Committee. Halvorson said she thought the replacement was a result of public battles with Jones on several major issues, including a recall amendment. Her congressional campaign manager emphasized that she's trying to establish independence from Jones and Gov. Blagojevich.

Billions of dollars worth of state-sponsored construction may be put on hold. State Rep. Fred Crespo, a Hoffman Estates Democrat, told The Daily Herald that he and other House Democrats won't vote on a state construction plan until a budget -- and a guarantee on how projects will be divvied up -- is agreed upon.

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Bribery may not be tolerated at city hall any longer. A City Council committee approved an ordinance Wednesday that would give the chief procurement officer power to cancel existing contracts and disqualify contractors permanently who have entered a guilty plea or been convicted of bid-rigging or bribing government employees.

Beset by financial concerns for years, a deal between some of the world's largest telecommunication companies looks to have revived plans for a city-wide wireless Internet network in Chicago. Known as Wi-Max, subscribers would be able to access the signal from homes, streets and traveling vehicles.

Image used under a Creative Commons license by Flickr user jimfrazier.