* New poll shows Blagojevich popularity dropping

* Michael Sneed: Tibdit on Blago

A Judy win? The election of Operating Engineers Local 150 chief Bill Dugan over Joe Ward is being seen as a loss for Gov. Blagojevich, who pushed Ward for the job as payback to Dugan and his local for strongly supporting former Illinois Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka in her gubernatorial bid.

* Opinion: Claim of ‘record investment’ in schools is hollow

llinois leaders boast that this budget is a win-win for schools, a “record investment” in education. However, the only winners under this budget are those same leaders who will take credit for improving school funding without taking real action to fix our broken school-funding system or strengthen state-supported services vital to the well-being of children and families.

As my grandmother would say: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This budget ignores the core problems plaguing Illinois schools, such as the too-heavy dependence on local property taxes, the disparity in resources available to rich and poor communities, the chronic funding shortfalls in districts across the state, denying many children access to a great education. This budget avoids any attempt to repair Illinois’ inadequate and unfair revenue system, leaving us unable to meet the basic needs of children and families.

* Eric Zorn: Even pork can get too greasy for the Governor

* Budget paring puts squeeze on care groups