The old expression “all politics is local” seems not applicable to
the high-profile 8th congressional district race between U.S. Rep.
Joe Walsh (R-McHenry) and Democratic challenger Tammy Duckworth.
Unlike in the 17th congressional district race in western Illinois or even the
neighboring 10th district contest, there is little in the 8th district race that is of exclusive interest to those particular voters. The battle between Walsh and
Duckworth instead has focused on major national issues such as Medicare
and Social Security, with Chicago and national media attention often covering the money being funneled into the race or the latest histrionics of Walsh, including his
outrageous comments last Thursday on abortion. Read more »
The recent legislative fight in Washington to keep the interest rate
on federally-subsidized Stafford loans from doubling also provided an
unexpected victory for those concerned with keeping invasive species out
of the Great Lakes.
Included within the $120 billion transportation bill
Congress passed last Friday was a measure to extend the student loan
interest rate at 3.4 percent for one year as well as a provision
requiring the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to come up with a plan in 18 months to prevent Asian Carp from entering the Great Lakes.
After months of stop gap measures, Congress is poised to approve a $120
billion transportation bill today to fund highway and public transit
projects over the next 27 months.
The dramatic Chicago Transit Authority announcement yesterday that it would suspend service on all its South Side Chicago Red Line train stations for five months next year could hold a crucial silver lining: CTA may be putting its ducks in a row to extend the Red Line to 130th St.
However, any Red Line extension necessitates either federal funds that are currently not forthcoming, a major private investment, or a combination thereof. Read more »
The old expression “all politics is local” seems not applicable to
the high-profile 8th congressional district race between U.S. Rep.
Joe Walsh (R-McHenry) and Democratic challenger Tammy Duckworth.
The recent legislative fight in Washington to keep the interest rate
on federally-subsidized Stafford loans from doubling also provided an
unexpected victory for those concerned with keeping invasive species out
of the Great Lakes.
The dramatic Chicago Transit Authority announcement yesterday that it would suspend service on all its South Side Chicago Red Line train stations for five months next year could hold a crucial silver lining: CTA may be putting its ducks in a row to extend the Red Line to 130th St.