In Springfield ...

As Illinois' ongoing budget woes gain national attention, Gov. Pat Quinn insists that lawmakers are "pretty close" to passing a new spending plan. That may be true. But it seems painfully clear that whatever the General Assembly agrees upon won't reform the state's unjust tax structure or raise enough revenue next year to prevent big cuts to public education. As the Illinois Federation of Teachers' Steve Preckwinkle (pic 2) said in Springfield Thursday, it's a budget "built on quicksand."

When Gov. Quinn and legislators return to the capitol later this month to finish off the spring session, the state's finances aren't the only item for them to hash out. Left to discuss is a much-needed bill to close a loophole in the 2005 Payday Loan Reform Act as well as legislation allowing the state to capture $200 million in federal funding to expand health insurance for those with preexisting conditions. (Later this year, the controversial school voucher bill may resurface, as well.)

In the governor's mansion, Quinn will have to decide whether or not to issue an amendatory veto of the telecom rewrite -- which the Citizens Utility Board is advocating. Eventually, Illinois will also have to find a way to refill the state's drained unemployment insurance trust fund. But that's for another day.

In Washington ...

The U.S. Senate devoted considerable energy this week toward amending its financial reform package. Centrist Democrats, to the chagrin of Attorney General Lisa Madigan, are lining up behind a provision that would strip the power of state regulators to enforce stronger consumer regulations on national banks and their subsidiaries. Sen. Dick Durbin (pic 4) followed up his broadside Thursday against the Community Bankers of America by passing an amendment they opposed, which would rein in credit card companies' so-called "swipe fees."

Once the chamber passes its Wall Street reform package, climate and energy could be next on the docket. On Wednesday, Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) released a draft of their climate bill. Illinois enviros applauded the authors for setting a meaningful limit on global warming pollution, but also voiced "serious concerns" with some sections of the proposal. Meanwhile, in the House, just one Illinois Republican reached across the aisle to pass the promising "Cash for Caulkers" program.

In other congressional news, Sen. Durbin said on a liberal radio show Tuesday night that it's "unlikely" the U.S. Senate would take up immigration reform this year. President Obama also formally nominated U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan (pic 1) to the U.S. Supreme Court, a move that was heralded by respected former congressman and judge Abner Mikva and U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias. Republican Senate nominee Mark Kirk said he is reserving judgment on Kagan's nomination.

On the campaign trail ...

Sen. Bill Brady's (pic 6) plan to solve the budget seems to be getting fuzzier over time. During a media availability one week ago, the Bloomington Republican claimed he "never said" he wanted a 10 percent across-the-board cut to the state budget. Capitol Fax intern Dan Weber dispensed of this nonsense on Monday, which Brady dismissed as "semantics."

Similarly, Brady has repeatedly pledged to "eliminate" the Illinois State Board of Education.  But when pressed on the subject Monday night, he made clear that he actually wanted to halve the department's budget. That prompted us to ask whether or not he understands the definition of the word "eliminate." We also questioned Brady's criticism of the state's Medicaid program and his support for cuts to the state's gasoline and estate tax.

In other gubernatorial news, disgraced former Democratic lieutenant governor nominee Scott Lee Cohen (pic 8) announced that Baxter Swilley, Cohen's downstate director during the Democratic primary, will serve as his running mate in his campaign for governor.

Speaking of kooky pols, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (pic 3) headlined a $500-a-plate GOP fundraiser in Rosemont Wednesday night, which Brady attended. Kirk didn't make it, but that didn't stop Giannoulias from reminding voters that Kirk sought her endorsement last year and shares her views about health care. On Monday, the North Shore Republican also went on record in opposition to paid family leave.

In Chicago ...

After the excitement of last year's tax increment financing (TIF) reform discussion, it had been a while since we'd heard any aldermen take to the council floor to criticize the overgrown subsidy system. On Wednesday, Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd Ward) (pic 5) and a few of her colleagues did just that. 

At some point in the near future, the City Council will also debate an expansion of Walmart.  In the meantime, the retailer refuses to discuss its entry-level wages with local journalists.

The draconian Arizona immigration bill (pic 7) is still on the minds of immigration rights advocates throughout the region. On Wednesday, representatives from local Christian, Jewish, and Muslim congregations protested the enactment of SB 1070 at a joint press conference inside the storied Holy Name Cathedral. We also reported on a coalition of Chicago-based legal aid providers that attempted to boycott the American Bar Association's annual Equal Justice Conference, which kicked off in Phoenix Thursday. (While almost 35 percent of participants ultimately backed out, the conference proceeded.) Finally, we took issue with Illinois Minutemen Project Director Rosanna Pulido, who accused the law's critics of "name-calling" (something she knows far too much about).

In one last bit of good news, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago and Cook County officials reached an agreement to overhaul conditions at Cook County Jail.