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PI Original
by Josh Kalven
2:03pm
Fri Dec 12, 2008

Mikva: Madigan's Proposal A "Hold Fast" Effort

Rod Blagojevich

Attorney General Lisa Madigan's motion to the Illinois Supreme Court today seeks to temporarily transfer the governor's powers to the lieutenant governor, while anticipating that Blagojevich will either resign or the General Assembly will impeach him.  Below is video from ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
1:06pm
Fri Dec 12, 2008
6 comments

To Elect Or Appoint? That's The Question.

Senate vacancy

Immediately following the Blagojevich arrest on Tuesday, Sen. Dick Durbin began pushing the idea of a special election to fill Illinois' vacant U.S. Senate seat.  At the time, there was great appetite for the proposal and numerous Democrats -- including President-elect Barack ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
12:07pm
Fri Dec 12, 2008

Lisa Madigan Motions High Court To Remove Blagojevich

Rod Blagojevich

Just out from the Tribune:

Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan filed a motion with the Illinois Supreme Court today aimed at removing Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office. [...]

Madigan will hold a  news conference at 11:15 a.m at the state office complex in downtown ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
11:02am
Fri Dec 12, 2008

Kass Gone Wild

Barack Obama

Not surprisingly, Tribune columnist John Kass -- like many veteran political observers here in Illinois -- is as worked up as ever about this week's Blagojevich developments. Due to the scandal, he's also been enjoying a good deal of national media attention.  For instance, ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
10:07am
Fri Dec 12, 2008

After Republic Windows Sit-In, Business Leaders Take Notice (UPDATED)

Republic Windows

This is why actions like the Republic Windows sit-in matter: they don't just address individual injustices by employers, they send a message. 

"This Republic Windows saga, I'm sure, is reverberating throughout boardrooms in America," Rep. Luis Gutierrez told ...

PI Original
by Adam Doster
6:16pm
Thu Dec 11, 2008

Obama Asks Online Supporters To Lobby For Health Care

Barack Obama

At a press conference in Chicago this morning, President-elect Barack Obama announced that former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) will run the Department of Health and Human Services in his administration. Ezra Klein noted last month that the appointment of Daschle was a sign ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
3:16pm
Thu Dec 11, 2008

Bobby Rush Defends Jesse Jackson Jr. On MSNBC

Jesse Jackson Jr.

The folks at MSNBC probably didn't realize it, but by soliciting Rep. Bobby Rush to respond to the controversy surrounding Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., they set a dramatic stage. 

As Illinois political junkies know, the two members of Congress have a good deal of history.  ...

PI Original
by Adam Doster
2:57pm
Thu Dec 11, 2008

Schakowsky Enters Potential Senate Race, Roskam Mulling A Run

Peter Roskam

Last night, Rep. Jan Schakowsky made it clear that, if and when there is a special election to fill Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat, she'll be running.  From The Seminal:

At the end of her speech, Schakowsky threw her hat in the ring,
announcing that she was...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
1:53pm
Thu Dec 11, 2008

"They Got Bailed Out, We Got Sold Out!"

Banking

Below is some video footage from the protest held yesterday in front of Bank of America's Chicago offices in solidarity with the Republic Workers sit-in.

In the first clip, you can see the demonstrators chanting, "You got bailed out, we got sold out!"  Next ...