Joining right-wing Reps. Michelle Bachmann and Steve King, Illinois' own Rep. Judy Biggert signed a petition in support of repealing the Democrats' health care reform bill.
The Daley administration said Tuesday
that an ordinance for new city gun regulations could be introduced and
approved by aldermen within the next week. But numerous lawmakers say
they haven't been briefed yet on the city's plans.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says former Chicago Police commander Jon Burge's conviction Monday won't change
how her office investigates allegations of torture. Two of the more
than 20 accusers still in prison have cases pending before a judge.
Altering his position, Republican Bill Brady said that the state minimum wage should be frozen until
the federal level "catch[es] up." Meanwhile, Gov. Quinn said it should be increased every year.
Tom Balanoff, president of the SEIU Illinois Council (which sponsors
this website), began his testimony in Rod Blagojevich's trial today, describing
his role in late 2008 as an emissary between the Obama and Blagojevich
camps regarding the vacant U.S. Senate seat. Balanoff said he
communicated the then-president-elect's wish that Valerie Jarrett be
appointed and also floated the idea of either Jan Schakowsky or Alexi
Giannoulias taking the seat (both of which Blagojevichrefused). Balanoff also recalled
that he and Jarrett laughed together about the then-governor's
suggestion that he might be appointed Health and Human Services
director under the Obama administration.
After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Chicago's long standing gun
ban this week, Mayor Daley's corporation counsel said today that the
administration will propose an alternative ordinance limiting each firearm owner to one handgun.
