Madigan Calls For Nursing Home Reform
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is dropping the hammer on the Illinois Department of Public Health for its failure to oversee the state's nursing homes properly. Madigan is calling for more comprehensive inspections, better data-keeping of criminal activity, and an amplified state police effort to review quickly the criminal histories of all felons living in the facilities.

Advocates Plan Sit-In For Health Care Reform
Proponents of a national single-payer insurance program are planning to push the health care debate from the left today during sit-ins in cities across the country, including Chicago. The demonstrators plan to meet at insurance giant Cigna's downtown office.

Gaming Moves Forward
Midwest Gaming and Entertainment LLC -- the company that snagged the state's coveted tenth gaming license last year -- has informed the Illinois Gaming Board that they expect to break ground on a new casino in Des Plaines as soon as March 2010. Meanwhile, betting on horse track races could go online as soon as next Wednesday if the Illinois Racing Board approves a plan at its upcoming meeting.

Feds Sending $500,000 To Curb Youth Violence
Following Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Attorney General Eric Holder's visit to Chicago yesterday to discuss youth violence, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it will send a $500,000 "emergency'' grant that Fenger High School and it's neighboring schools can divvy up to hire counselors, improve security, or even extend the school day to help curb violence in the community.

Shakman Files Suit
Michael Shakman -- the attorney who has been challenging Chicago and Cook County patronage for decades -- is back in federal court, this time charging that Mayor Daley's Office of Compliance is acting more as "an advocate for the city as opposed to a neutral fact-finder."

CTA Announces Cuts
In an effort to close a $300 million budget gap, the Chicago Transit Authority plans to cut 70 jobs, freeze salaries, and add furlough days among non-union employees. The cost-cutting moves are anticipated to save $122 million and could help stave off another fare increase.

Image used under a Creative Commons license by Flickr user Pete Zarria.