* Managing our water while pouring money out window

* Foreclosures up again in Illinois during February

Illinois maintained its dubious distinction of ranking No. 8 nationwide with the most foreclosures among all 50 states, increasing about 22 percent in February compared to a year ago, according to a report released today by online research firm, RealtyTrac of Irvine, Calif.

* Mayor Daley Supports Taser Expansion

* Daley defends expanded use of tasers

Daley said the decision to more than double the use of Tasers — and place one in every squad car — was designed to minimize injury and reduce liability caused by police shootings.

* Chicago First Lady Maggie Daley out of the hospital

* $16 Million Goes to Ex-Offender Program

Chicago is getting $16 million in stimulus money for jobs and training programs for ex-offenders.

* Work ongoing to rehab Chicago’s foreclosed properties

* School district under fire for suspected drunken bus driver

* School officials to meet about bus driver’s DUI arrest

* Lawsuit: Harvey mayor, cop threatened murder frame-up

* We’re not buying what Mayor Lopez is selling

If we and the residents of Chicago Heights are to take park district Supt. Alex Lopez at his word, then illegal no-bid deals are the norm for the district. Lopez, who also is mayor of Chicago Heights, would have the public believe that he had no clue that a company owned by his mayoral assistant does business with both the park district and the city.

We find his assertions troubling.

* Belvidere students promise to protest teacher layoffs

* Teachers contract extension fortunate

Rockford teachers this week agreed to extend their contract for one more year rather than renegotiate it. The contract was set to expire June 30 and now will extend through June 30, 2011. The extension means a wage freeze for some teachers with seniority, but about half of Rockford teachers have 12 years of experience or less and are still entitled under the contract to a step pay increase.

* Revote would protect public’s right to know

There are good reasons why the Illinois Open Meetings Act has strict requirements for public notice of meetings and timely posting of agendas.[…]

Therefore, it’s heartening to see McLean County Assistant State’s Attorney Hannah Eisner tell the LeRoy City Council that it should have a “do-over” of actions taken at its Feb. 15 meeting, for which inadequate notice was given.

* Local tritium leaks cost Exelon $1 million

Exelon will pay more than $1 million to resolve three civil complaints stemming from radioactive tritium leaks at the Braidwood, Bryon and Dresden nuclear power plants.

The fine was announced Thursday by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the state’s attorneys for Will, Grundy and Ogle counties.

* Macon County Board OKs hiring freeze for some agencies

DECATUR - With 4-H club members voicing seven of the “ayes” Thursday night, the Macon County Board approved on split votes a one-year hiring freeze and a sublease agreement with U.S. Rep. Phil Hare, D-Rock Island.

* Pastrick Ordered To Pay $108 million

* 3 former officials in E. Chicago told to pay $108M

A judge ordered a former East Chicago mayor and two other ex-officials Thursday to pay more than $108 million in civil damages in an alleged sidewalks-for-votes scheme.

* Black firefighters say tensions persist

3 African-Americans discuss their firehouse experiences

* Illinois gets more than $500K for fire departments

* Illinois National Guard wins 8 media awards