Progress Illinois

State Rep. Eddie Washington (D-Waukegan) passed away Friday night at the age of 56 after suffering a heart attack.

Judge James Zagel has started to dismiss potential jurors in the Blagojevich corruption case. Both the defense and prosecutors combined to issue 17 challenges of cause, agreeing on five for dismissal. The prosecution focused most of their challenges on people that are opposed to wiretaps while the defense challenged candidates who didn't like "politicians." Both sides were able to secure one disputed dismissal -- the prosecution chose a former precinct captain for a Democratic candidate and the defense chose an accountant whose cousin is a judge.

Auditor General William Holland has found that in 2009 the Illinois State Fair lost $2.7 million, while the Du Quoin fair lost $646,000. Disparaging as that it, those numbers are better than the previous years losses of $3.7 million and $823,000, respectively. Even though state law says that the fairs must break even, audits show that the fairs have lost $21 million since 2005.

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich appeared relaxed and optimistic on the first day of his well-publicized corruption trial. "I feel great," he said outside the courthouse. "The truth shall set you free." The jury selection process continues today. Judge James Zagel still needs to interview two-thirds the of the trial’s 90 prospective jurors before recess.