* Robert Novak: Innovator’s life marked by passion

* Novak: A lighthearted ‘Prince of Darkness’

* Novak Remembered as Generous, Hard-Working

* Political columnist, commentator Robert Novak dies at 78

* Statewide gains on ACT test

* Ill. ACT scores increase for third year in a row

The state’s composite score for the Class of 2009 was 20.8 on the test’s scale of 1 to 36. The national average was 21.1.

* Teachers and Advocates Question Chicago Schools Budget

Teachers and advocates for students are taking hits at the new Chicago Public Schools budget.

CPS is holding hearings on the $5.3 billion budget. Speakers at the first hearing blasted the city’s use of Tax Increment Financing districts—saying the TIFs are costing the public schools hundreds of millions of dollars in forgone property tax revenues. Others criticized CPS’s investment decisions.

* Downtown condo market perks up in 2nd quarter

* More Illinois homes in foreclosure during July

A new law in Illinois that aimed to help give homeowners facing foreclosure more time apparently led to a spike in problems during July, according to data released today by RealtyTrac.

The state ranked No. 5 nationwide for the number of foreclosure filings of 14,524 for the month, which includes default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions. That overall foreclosure activity was boosted by an 86 percent surge in default notices, which bounced back from low levels in May and June, said RealtyTrac spokesman Daren Blomquist.

“The law just delayed the inevitable for some people,” said Blomquist. “And we’ve seen this pattern in other states that enacted similar laws.”

An Illinois state law enacted April 5 gave delinquent borrowers an extension of up to 90 days before the start of the foreclosure process.

* Free lakefront parking to end in 4 to 6 weeks

* Advisory: IVI-IPO to Sue City of Chicago Over Parking Meter Give-Away

The Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization will file suit against the City of Chicago Wednesday alleging that the deal to lease the city’s parking meters is illegal and should be voided.

Clint Krislov, of Krislov & Associates, Ltd. and IVI-IPO’s attorney on the suit, will be available at a press conference following the filing. Copies of the suit will be available at the press conference. [10:30am today]

* State blocks $2.8 million from use by Cook County President Todd Stroger

Citing financial mismanagement in a long-troubled office that Cook County Board President Todd Stroger now controls, state officials have cut off access to $2.35 million in federal job training grants and demanded the county return another $1.8 million.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity also is requiring its approval for the county to spend the rest of a $5.7 million grant for summer youth jobs as part of the federal stimulus package.

* State smacks Cook County over federal job funds

* Orland Park hedging its bets on video gaming

Pappas estimated the village would have the potential to add more than $800,000 to its coffers. Trustee James Dodge, who opposes expanding gambling in Illinois, said he is skeptical of the revenue numbers, especially since the state estimates 45,000 video machines will pop up in Illinois, reducing the demand.

* Oswego board debates fate of video gambling within village

* Stimulus funds won’t cure Kane’s ills

* Ardis: Budget ‘only gets uglier’

Nonunion wage freezes, the elimination of 17 city positions, and cuts in temporary positions, training and overtime expenses highlighted a laundry list of proposals the city’s department heads introduced to the City Council on Tuesday.

* Union files unfair labor charge against Oak Lawn

* One union left for STC wage freeze

* Homewood official wants to hire jobless residents to cut grass

* Beggars don’t need mayor’s approval in Ill. city

Panhandlers in the southwestern Illinois city of Belleville will no longer be required to get the mayor’s written permission before asking for spare change.

* Chicago Housing Authority Set to Tear Down Historic Church

One of the oldest churches on Chicago’s South Side is slated for demolition. Vandalism, squatters and fires helped ruin the building. But some preservationists are blaming the Chicago Housing Authority.

* Olympic candor

Before Chicago organizers close their sale to the IOC, they need to close their sale to Chicagoans. The best way to do that is to shower Chicago in all of the financing details — and to create a rock-solid protocol for sharing future information with citizens as well. That isn’t too much to ask, given that there will be no Chicago Olympics unless the City Council obligates taxpayers to an open financial guarantee that the games will succeed. The city has already provided a $500 million guarantee; the state has committed to $250 million in the event the Games lose money.

* Third try to fill Boone board seat today