* Governor pledges long battle with Ameren: Blagojevich said it’s his goal to see the rates frozen and then help negotiate a new plan with the utilities.

* Ameren’s credit rating would be downgraded to junk status if freeze passes

* Flider wants public comment time during ICC meetings

* CUB lets citizens vent on Ameren rate hikes

* Pat Quinn: Make ICC Commissioners Accountable

* Two natural gas utilities file for rate increases

* Governor clamping down on sharing public information

His administration has clamped down on sharing public information. It refuses to release government documents. It has defied the attorney general’s legal opinions and punished people suspected of cooperating with reporters.

* Are public documents public? Local participation in National Sunshine Week

* Public information comes at a cost

When asked if they’re making a profit charging 50 cents a page for paper that costs less than a penny per page at Office Depot, Urich said, “I doubt we even break even.” Kinko’s charges 8 cents a page for black-and-white copies.

* Editorial: You have a right to know, Sunshine Week

* Key points in Governor’s stance on access to public records

* Kristen McQueary: Governor, roll out the predatory lending program, stat

* Carol Marin: Governor needs to come up with some answers

* Hospital aid plan stalls with failed supplemental appropriation: Here’s how it works

The state borrows money and gives it to hospitals. The hospitals give it back to the state. The state gives it back to the hospitals. The exchange triggers federal reimbursement for state Medicaid expenses that would not otherwise occur.

* Blagojevich allies help state sell off student loans

* Giannoulias polishes off Bright Start with new manager and lower fees

* Exelon gets first OK for new plant in Clinton

* Gun control bill could prove costly to downstate Democrats

* Illinois really is more corrupt than neighbors

* Amtrak study: Train to Rockford could run through Genoa

* Paul Campbell, head of Dept. Central Management Services, resigns after stormy tenure

* CMS chief Campbell leaves to join UnitedHealth Group

* New student costs set to rise by 8% at WIU

* Judge wants to “do the right thing” with man writing threatening letters to public officials

* Boland bill would force city governments to buy alternative fuels; more here

* Luciano: DCFS bill benefits everyone

* The unlikely HPV vaccine coalition

* Rep. Osmond calls for Election Day school closings

However, some lawmakers and school officials are balking at the proposal. They argue such legislation would upset student calendars and waste one of five state-allotted institute days in an academic year.

* Daley changes Burge tune

* Editorial: Alderman should just say no to residential parking spaces

* Dawn Turner Trice: Expecting voters to clear barriers is unreasonable

* ‘Cost of war’ too much for Walter Reed, says Duckworth

* Editorial: Smoking ban in individual’s car goes too far

* Hospitals set to snuff out smoking

* In-school clinics catch on in Illinois, languish in Missouri

* Preparations are done, let the ISAT testing begin

* Poll: Character trumps stance on issues in election

* Election sign thefts, vandalism plague Carbondale & Marion

* Orland Park ranked first in early voting for Southern Cook Co.

* Elgin Community College supporters give view of another tax hike bid