Former Blagojevich Adviser Pleads Guilty To Kickback Scheme
Christopher Kelly, a longtime adviser and fundraiser to ex-governor Rod Blagojevich, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to a kickback scheme involving contracts at O'Hare Airport and his roofing company, BCI Commercial Roofing, Inc. Kelly's plea deal calls for a 57-month sentence following a 37-month sentence in a separate tax fraud case.

Chicago Investor Group Bids To Buy Embattled Newspaper Group
A private investor group led by Chicago banker James Tyree has made a $5 million cash bid to obtain the struggling newspaper publisher Sun-Times Media Group in a bankruptcy court auction. The group will assume $20 million worth of the company's liabilities and will it take on existing pension obligations.

Chicago Attorney Enters U.S. Senate Race
Chicago attorney and political neophyte Jacob Meister is entering the Democratic Senate primary race, arguing that it's time "to take back Illinois politics from career politicians."

City Spends More TIF Dollars On United Move
After coughing up $25 million in tax increment financing dollars earlier this year, the Daley administration is dishing off an additional $10 million to entice the parent of United Airlines to move its operations center downtown from the northwest suburbs. The total subsidy amounts to nearly $14,400 per job, according to a report on the TIF deal by the city’s Department of Community Development.

Council Poised To OK Olympics Guarantee Today
After passing the Finance Committee yesterday, Chicago's full City Council appears ready to give Mayor Daley the permission he wants to make an unlimited financial guarantee for the 2016 Olympics.

Chief Justice Wants Probation Cuts Restored
Illinois' chief justice is calling funding for state probation services "dangerously inadequate" after state lawmakers trimmed $30 million devoted to county probation operations from the 2010 state budget.

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