If Tony Rezko were young, blonde and disappeared on a Caribbean Island, Greta Van Sustern would have been all over the Rezko trial. And that very particular Chicago definition of 'clout' would have been ingrained in everyone's lexicon.
But Tony (Antoin) Rezko is simply another middle-aged, bald, Chicago developer who was involved in an influence peddling and kick-back...
Convicted political fixer Tony Rezko had a hard time following rules -- even simple ones, like when a federal judge told him: Stay home.
Twice, Rezko violated the home-confinement terms of his bail, formerly sealed court files show, by making "social calls" -- including last September to the home of former top Cook County official Orlando Jones after Jones committed...
Gov. Blagojevich angrily denied being a target of a federal corruption investigation, calling questions about the matter “ridiculous,” “absurd” and “stupid.”
The heated exchange between the governor and reporters overshadowed what was supposed to be a feel-good news conference about Blagojevich beefing up gas-pump inspections statewide. Reporters surrounded the...
Paul Galanti appeared on "Hannity & Colmes" Tuesday night to defend John McCain against mean-spirited charges made by Wesley Clark. According to Clark -- retired general, candidate for the 2004 Democratic nomination, and supporter of Barack Obama -- McCain's experience in Vietnam, especially perhaps his years as a POW, did not necessarily qualify him for the presidency.
Shortly after joining the U.S. Senate and while enjoying a surge in income, Barack Obama bought a $1.65 million restored Georgian mansion in an upscale Chicago neighborhood. To finance the purchase, he secured a $1.32 million loan from Northern Trust in Illinois.
The freshman Democratic senator received a discount. He locked in an interest rate of 5.625 percent...
“Once again we see State Senator Debbie Halvorson knows no boundaries when it comes to attempting to hide from her shameful record as a state senator.
“As Senate Majority Leader, Debbie Halvorson worked feverishly alongside Rod Blagojevich to sweep special funds set aside for veterans to use for Governor Blagojevich’s pet projects.
Sen. John McCain defended his Vietnam War military service against Democratic attacks Tuesday, and he pressed Sen. Barack Obama to remove retired Gen. Wesley Clark from any role in his campaign.
When asked how his opponent should treat Clark, who has repeatedly questioned whether McCain's military tenure qualifies him for the White House, the senator replied, "I...
1. Why did you work alongside your political godfather, Emil Jones, to strip $7.7 million from the state budget for the LaSalle Veterans Home? (Morris Daily Herald, 06/02/08)
2. Why did you as Senate Rules Chairman personally stall legislation that would have prevented Rod Blagojevich from sweeping funds earmarked for veterans? (Kadner, Southtown Star, 09/30/07)
Most Americans do not believe the U.S. government needs more tax revenue and well over half say all tax increases should be subject to voter approval.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 52% of voters say the federal government does not need additional tax revenue for important national programs such as highway repairs and health care reform.
In a new television ad he launched yesterday, Republican John McCain compares his plan to make the country energy independent by 2025 to President Kennedy's 1961 declaration to put a man on the moon.
McCain has been on the hustings for days now, promoting his proposals for conservation, offshore oil drilling, nuclear power, and other initiatives to wean America...
Back in the spring, Dan Goggin was thrown off the ballot as the Republican candidate for States Attorney, after an appeal to his filing was made by Democratic States Attorney Stephen Friedel. And, now after filing his paperwork to run as an independent candidate, that same process will start over again for Goggin. Yesterday, Friedel filed an official objection to the...
Two Republican lawmakers, who have had prison closures threatened that would effect their districts, made a stop at the Vandalia Correctional Center yesterday, asking the Governor to put a moratorium on announcing prison closures until more can be studied on the issue. State Senators Christine Radogno and Dan Rutherford stopped at the Vandalia Correctional Center yesterday...
Fayette County Attends the 2008 Illinois Republican Convention
The Fayette County Delegates to the 2008 Illinois Republican Convention are Randy Pollard, Mike Hall, Dan Palecek, Chad Feldpouch and Matt Hall. A summary from State Party Chairman Andy McKenna is below.
Chairman McKenna's Summary of the 2008 Illinois Republican Convention in Decatur
Circuit Clerk Marsha Wodtka to resign end of next month, no replacement yet appointed.
Fayette countys longest serving officeholder will leave her office at the end of next month. Fayette county Circuit Clerk Marsha Wodtka forwarded her letter of resignation to the county board, to be acted on at last nights meeting. Wodtka says in her letter that her last...
Although they are not ready yet with a final decision, Fayette county board Chairman Steve Knebel says there will be the issue of enhanced 9-1-1 on the ballot for voters to decide on in November. Knebel said the 9-1-1 committee met on Monday night, to discuss different options with the new 9-1-1 system. The meeting included representatives from the city of Vandalia, and...
In the road plan unveiled last week by the Illinois Department of Transportation, it does include dollars to continue the four-lane expansion of U.S. Route 51. Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson says he would have liked to have seen more money for the project. But, he says the important thing is, there is money included in the road plan to continue moving the project...
Schools across Illinois can check one of the things off of their summer to do lists. Districts across the state will not have to wait, and worry, about their last state aid payments from the state. Governor Blagojevich announce late last week he would allow the money, about 400-million-dollars in all, to be released in June and not held until July. Holding the money would...
Frank Watson Decatur Golf Outing 07/11/2008
Frank Watson Greenville Golf Outing 07/25/2008 <...
