* Feb. primary voting kicks off today

* State eases absentee voting rule

* Early primary a godsend for incumbents

* Schoenburg: Candidates duel over Bright Start accord

* Republicans Risk Aiding Democrats by Battling Their Own in 2010

* Finke: Quinn may be prisoner of publicity

* Female voters not supporting Quinn

* Democrats, Republicans seeking governor post differ on how best to fix finances

* Governor candidates take stands on social issues

Six of the seven Republican candidates call themselves “pro-life,” while the Democrats, Gov. Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes, support abortion rights. Only Hynes and Green Party candidate Rich Whitney support legalizing gay marriage.

* If William Kelly Does Not Understand Simple Facts About Displays In Illinois State Capitol Building, How Can He Be Comptroller For Entire State?

* Rauschenberger scored another win in political comeback

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Edward O’Brien sided with Rauschenberger in a case that centers on whether the candidate - a veteran GOP lawmaker who heads up a conservative fundraising operation - is really a Republican.

* 8th Congressional GOP candidates toe the party line on health reform

* 10th Congressional Democrats offering intership

* Bernard Schoenburg: Vigils aim to inform Schock and public

A recently formed social justice organization in Springfield is concentrating on areas including immigrant rights, and that plank of its platform has led to weekly vigils outside the capital city office of U.S. Rep. AARON SCHOCK, R-Peoria.

* “No Climate Tax” pledge signers increase to 13 IL congressional candidates

* O’Brien: I have the experience, record to transform Cook Co.

* Jim Mitchell wants one last term on Kane County Board

* Kane Co. Board Dist. 25 hopefuls differ on opinions, strategies

* DuPage County GOP candidates debate H1N1 vaccine preparation

* Census: Illinois remains 5th largest state but may lose 1 representative

* Will Illinois lose say in U.S. House?

* A call to arms

With the new year that begins Friday, you and every other Illinois voter can begin to sweep your state and county governments clean, or leave matters much as they are.