Progress Illinois

Obama Addresses Over 200,000 in Germany
Although the McCain campaign called it "a premature victory lap," Barack Obama received widespread praise for his speech to more than 200,000 Berliners yesterday in which he attempted to "burnish his image as a global statesman." Obama has generated immense enthusiasm on the continent, in part because he is seen as an antidote to President Bush.

McCain to Meet With Dalai Lama
Not to be entirely outdone, John McCain is scheduled to meet with the Dalai Lama today, two weeks before the start of the Beijing Olympics. The Arizona Republican will talk with the Tibetan spirtual leader about the treatment of his people by the Chinese government.

House Republicans Still Want Housing Veto
In a letter sent to the White House Thursday, Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee asked President Bush to reconsider his pledge not to veto a housing bill that passed the lower chamber earlier this week. Illinois Reps. Peter Roskam and Donald Manzullo are among the signees who argue the bill is fiscally irresponsible.

Bush in Peoria for Schock Fundraiser
President Bush is in Illinois today to deliver a speech at a $500-a-plate, closed-door luncheon fundraiser for 18th District GOP congressional candidate Aaron Schock. Bush is expected to be on the ground in Peoria for little more than two hours. Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Colleen Callahan is holding a $15-a-plate fish fry across town.

State Study Finds Racial Bias in Traffic-Stop Searches
Vehicle searches during routine traffic stops are both racially biased and ineffective, a new state-funded report shows. The findings led civil rights groups to call for an end to the practice by state police. The opponents cite new statistics that show black and Hispanic motorists are searched more often even though drugs or other illegal items turn up more frequently among white drivers.

Chicago Still Enforcing Gun Ban
While lawyers fight the National Rifle Association and the Illinois State Rifle Association in federal court, Chicago police will continue to enforce the city's strict handgun ban and firearm registration laws. Because Washington D.C. was considered a federal jurisdiction in the controversial Supreme Court case outlawing a similar ban, Chicago corporation counsel Mara Georges is confident the U.S. District Court will dismiss the lawsuit.