* Illinois Pols Receive More From Payday Lenders Than Any Other State

Since 1999 the payday loan industry has flooded state lawmakers with campaign contributions in an attempt to fend off efforts to reform predatory lending laws. No state politicians have benefited more from this windfall than those in Illinois, according to a new report (PDF) from the National Institute on Money in State Politics.

* ‘How many of you know a friend or relative who has been shot at?’

* As Chicago experiences violent summer, Catholic communities respond

In response to the violence, parishes have sponsored anti-violence marches; offered opportunities for young people to get off the streets and into activities, such as playing basketball at a church’s gym; and helped people find employment by holding job training and mentoring programs.

* Coming to a Central Illinois Town Near You?

Dubbed Project Exile, the program forms the foundation of a series of local, state and federal law-enforcement partnerships. It focuses on the city’s most violent areas and hands out harsh sentences for any crime involving a firearm, a move that runs counter to traditional city tactics of barring gun stores and crafting onerous licensing requirements.

With concern over crime rising amid budget cuts to local law enforcement, a small but growing number of law-enforcement officials view Project Exile and the cooperative efforts in Richmond as a way to further accelerate the decline. Other cities, including Springfield and Peoria in Illinois have visited to see what Richmond is doing.

* Cops draw hard line on unpaid days

Asked whether officers would be willing to take a pay cut or unpaid days off, he said, “If the city can convince my members of the dire necessity of such a move, the membership would be willing to listen.”

* Jerry Moore: Group alters Web site against homeless shelters

Within a few days of my blogging about the coalition’s error, the group’s Web site was changed significantly. The question about Joseph being admitted in his condition was removed and replaced with the statement, “People at the shelter called police after he became verbally abusive to them for being denied entrance.”

* Keep your party animal on a leash at the office

According to a 2007 survey by career information Web site Vault.com, 66 percent of workers say their colleagues discuss politics at work, and 46 percent say they’ve seen it turn into an argument.

* The price tag on driving may grind gears

Worsening congestion is causing commutes in the six-county region to take longer, costing drivers and businesses $7.3 billion a year in wasted fuel and lost time.

* Legislators want fed railroad board on taxpayers’ side

* Local officials, politicians assail CN rail study

* Legislators hear testimony on EJ&E sale Commuter line in danger, no money for crossings

And from the members of The Regional Answer to Canadian National, a group of roughly 40 communities opposed to the deal, legislators heard that the sale will back up traffic, will endanger schoolchildren crossing the tracks, and will delay emergency-response vehicles from getting sick patients to hospitals on time. Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner spoke against the proposal, as he has done for months.

* Help public service lawyers

* Mass transit key to unclogging roads

* Mayoral aide: City can’t afford stained glass windows

“Two million dollars is not something that the Department of Aviation has to spare right now….Not given the state of the industry and where the city is at right now. Absolutely not,” said Aviation Commissioner Richard Rodriguez.

* How I would save the local newspaper

* CBS Radio Plans to Divest 50 Mid-Size Market Outlets