Progress Illinois

Indictment Looms But Blago In Disney World
Under a looming deadline, U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald's is expected to announce an indictment against former-Gov. Rod Blagojevich for a host of alleged crimes as soon as today. Instead of facing the media spotlight, however, the former governor has packed up for a Disney World vacation.

IL Stretching Transit Stimulus
After a meeting with the Prairie State's congressional delegation yesterday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood confirmed that Illinois is in line to net $935 million worth of federal stimulus money, and the money is likely to go farther than intially projected because bids for public works projects have been lower than expected. "[T]hat will enable us, I think, to have money to spend that maybe we didn't really realize," the former Republican Illinois congressman said.  Meanwhile, Rep. Bill Foster (D) announced that he will not move forward with the Prairie State Parkway project earmarked by his predecessor, former House Speaker Denny Hastert (R).

Duckworth Breezes Through Senate Hearing
Former Illinois' Department of Veterans Affairs director Tammy Duckworth breezed through a Senate committee confirmation hearing yesterday, all but sealing up her nomination to serve as an assistant secretary for the federal V.A.

Eugene Moore's Patronage Costs Taxpayers
Cook County Recorder of Deeds Eugene Moore's decision to lay off three experienced employees to save jobs for the politically connected will cost taxpayers $280,000 in legal settlements -- and that's just the beginning. The county board approved the first wave of settlements yesterday, but Assistant State's Atty. Patrick Driscoll says two more tentative settlements, involving similar allegations against Moore, have also been reached.

General Assembly Could Rein In Stroger
A measure handily approved by the Illinois Senate yesterday could deal a significant blow to the power held by Cook County Board President Todd Stroger by reducing the number of commissioners needed to override a veto to three-fifths from four-fifths. Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley has been pushing for the change since 2003. Meanwhile, a mini-revolt over Stroger's borrowing plan ensued at the board meeting yesterday prompting Stroger to concede that $20 million worth of additional projects could be put on hold. 

Image used under a Creative Commons license by Flick user Astrotech5000.