* Gutierrez Proposes Weak Reform of Payday Lenders - Powerful Democrat Once Supported a Ban on the Industry: Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), who heads the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, is pushing a loophole-riddled bill that would allow payday lenders to charge annual interest rates of nearly 400 percent — a proposal widely condemned by consumer advocates and some liberal Democrats, who want to put payday lenders out of business altogether.

* Area congressmen hunt for funding

* Schoenburg: Hare concerned by high-profile Schock’s early votes

* Only political will can stop minority contract fraud

* Fighting big-city corruption: Mayor Richard Daley offers script

Absent from his speech at the international event was any talk of city hiring fraud, the Hired Truck program or the myriad other scandals that put Daley aides in federal prison or left them free pending appeals of official misconduct convictions.

A day after yet another city contractor became the target of fraud charges, Daley instead focused his comments on how he has tried to “lead by example,” creating an Office of Compliance to coax ethical public service from his underlings.

The mayor didn’t mention, however, that he started the office in response to a federal probe of a hiring and promotions system that was found to be rigged to reward loyal Daley campaign workers for most of his tenure.

* Chicago is nation’s 5th Best ‘Walking City,’ survey says

* Ill. ethanol producer files Ch. 11

* Early reports: March sales fall, but less sharply

* Chicago falls from No. 1 spot of pokey taxpayers

* Old U.S. Steel South Works in Chicago now a hive of activity for bees

* 2 Chicago Board of Trade floor traders plead not guilty to federal charges

* Bingo thrives amid economic downturn

Caritas Hall Bingo’s parking lot is full practically every night, evidence that even economically turbulent times can’t keep people from their entertainment. Games start about 6:15 p.m. daily and last until 9:15 p.m.

* Teen killed on way to dice game

* City sending in pothole cavalry

* Neighbors take to the street: Chicago wasn’t patching potholes, so West Sider’s became a DIY road crew

* Congrats, Chicagoans: Olympic enthusiasm seemed like the real zeal

* New Asian Carp Barrier to Go Online

* Soldier Field asked to consider World Cup

* Have you been dogging getting Spot a license? City makes it easier

* We’re all aggregators. Get over it, AP.