Morning Shorts
Monday, Jul 21, 2008 - Posted by Kevin Fanning
* Part 1 - Pervasive Problems at Cook County Jail
* Police, crisis agencies dealing with runaway kids almost daily
* Is Midway deal losing altitude?
* thecapitolfaxblog.com comments: Baseball liability
* Illinois casinos beat the odds with tighter slot machines
A Daily Herald analysis of statewide casino operations reveals the moored riverboats are rolling out more and more slot machines designed for a better house advantage as declining foot traffic threatens profits.
* Analysis: Grand Victoria, Elgin
* Analysis: Harrah’s Casino, Joliet
* Analysis: Hollywood Casino, Aurora
* Analysis: Empress Casino, Joliet
* Illinois must help problem gamblers
In fact, the $1.5 million set aside in 2001 for that public awareness campaign was reduced in 2002 to $960,000 and it has stayed at that level ever since. Meanwhile, the state takes in more than $700 million a year from its nine casinos and another $600 million a year from the lottery. There’s little interest, however, from legislative leaders to designate more money to the issue.
* Is Illinois gambling with addiction?
* States act to license originators of loans
* Task force to study nuclear power issues in Illinois
The panel - the idea of state Sen. Michael Bond, a Grayslake Democrat - will consist of lawmakers from both parties and both chambers of the General Assembly, as well as representatives of the attorney general’s office, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
* Radio Silence on the Illinois Jobless Rate
* Grant to church spurs suit
* Governor accuses Hospital of violating the Law
* Cahokia Mounds to get audio-guided tours
* Lincoln site may get Indiana treasures
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield is a finalist for a $20 million collection of Abraham Lincoln materials being given away by the Lincoln Financial Foundation, owner of a Lincoln museum in Fort Wayne, Ind., that recently closed.
* Turning election into popularity race
* Turning Chicago into Gotham
* Dark Knight’s kind of town: Gotham City gets windy
* Biggert’s re-election: certainty or surprise?
* Biggert’s challenger keeps fundraising pace
* Roskam statement on illegal immigrant raids
“This week’s illegal immigrant raids are another stark reminder of the failed policies of the Blagojevich Administration – policies that have encouraged illegal immigrants to flock to our state. Illinois is home to more than 550,000 illegal immigrants. Only three states have larger illegal populations, all of which are southern border states – California, Texas and Florida respectively.
* Abboud Reports $13,755 Available for Campaign as of July 1st; Paying Canvassers
* Cash war looms in 11th District
* Schock like Obama?
In a story last week about campaign finances and fund-raising, 18th Congressional District candidate Aaron Schock’s campaign manager, Steve Shearer, said, “Like Sen. (Barack) Obama, Aaron continues to attract new donors who have never given before because of the promise Aaron has for the future.”
* Politics: Schock campaign calls farm-wife opponent ‘nasty,’ then complains about dirty campaigning
* GOP newcomer takes on Durbin
* ‘At Issue’: Durbin Opponent Sauerberg Not Taking Sides On O’Hare Expansion
- Ghost - Monday, Jul 21, 08 @ 8:26 am:
“Governor accuses Hospital of violating the Law” they msised the betetr angle for this story. Instead of complaining about the 18 yr old being an immigrant, they should have looked at how well the administartion is actually paying its bills.
The State is enrolling people in a program with no money. If the State does not pay its bills, does it really matter what program the kids are “enrolled” in? You could “enroll” everyone in the magic happy coverage for life program, but if it has no money, and/or the State never pays the medical bills the program incurrs, then there is no point to the program.
The State is unable to fund its current medical obligations, it seems the Gov should do somthing about this problem.
- Captain America - Monday, Jul 21, 08 @ 11:25 am:
I think Patrick Fitzgerald is the real-life equivalent of the “Dark Knight” in the context of Illinois/Chicago politica and government.
Politicans tremble when they receive federal subpoenas. Fitz should definitely wear a batman costume at all future Halloween parties he might attend.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 21, 08 @ 11:36 am:
Keep an eye on that Nuclear task force. It’s only an advisory panel, but if you look at the resolution, it’s clear they are laying the groundwork for new nukes in Illinois. This was a hidden part of the “compromise” with ComEd to allow the clean coal bill through.
- Amy - Monday, Jul 21, 08 @ 12:22 pm:
note that Fitzgerald said that Cook County has the highest taxes in the nation. maybe he is a republican after all.
- Gregor - Monday, Jul 21, 08 @ 12:57 pm:
And why not more nuclear plants in Illinois? Beats coal. The new plants are much better than the ones from the 70’s. With proper oversight, they should do well. Read a piece about why the French have fewer problems with protests: they make the managers live immediately downwind of the plant. People get it that no matter the technology, the key is putting responsible people in a place of trust.