Quinn Vetoes Campaign Finance Reform
After months of lobbying by government watchdog groups and angry editorial boards, Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed a major piece of campaign reform legislation he had called "historic" just three months ago. Legislators will get another chance to craft rules that limit campaign contributions during the October veto session.

Cook County Sales Tax Likely Stands
Next week's vote to repeal Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's controversial sales tax hike is expected to fail following the resignation of former Commissioner Roberto Maldonado (D-Chicago), who backed the roll back. Opponents of tax hike say they'll try again after Maldonado's replacement is named next month.

Grave Desecration Probe May Be Extended
State authorities say an investigation of grave desecrations at two south suburban cemeteries may be extended to a third graveyard. Allegations have surfaced that as many as four people are being buried in body bags in single graves at Mount Hope Cemetery in unincorporated Cook County, which adjoins Chicago's Morgan Park neighborhood.

Chicago Jobless Rate Starts To Slide
Like the jobs figures nationwide, unemployment in metropolitan Chicago dropped slightly in July, from 11.3 to 10.7 percent. Although it's the first decline in 10 months, the rate is still at a 26-year high.

University Students Sick With Swine Flu
Over a dozen University of Illinois students are suspected of carrying the H1N1 flu virus and more are expected. Meanwhile, a new report released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that people of color were at least four times more likely to be hospitalized for swine flu infections than whites.

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