* The Tribune’s take on last Friday’s back and forth between Gov. Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes…

The exchange represents an unusual early intensity in an evolving 2010 campaign — a season shortened by a February primary. The rhetoric also provides an indication where each campaign is headed: Quinn is questioning Hynes’ leadership from a lower-level statewide office, and Hynes is tying Quinn to the scandal-tainted Blagojevich.

And this will probably be the next big battle between the two men…

Gov. Pat Quinn is reviewing several major ethics proposals that lawmakers passed earlier this year and says he will decide whether to sign them into law or use his amendatory veto power to make changes “over the next few weeks.” […]

“Sometimes perfection, you may not be able to obtain it at this moment,” Quinn said [yesterday] at a news conference where he signed several veterans’ rights bills. “But if there is a very good piece of legislation I think it is better to move forward with that than not at all.”

* The Sun-Times writes a glowing profile of possible US Senate candidate Cheryle Jackson…

Three years ago, when she conceived the idea of holding the Urban League’s national conference in Chicago this year, it’s unlikely Cheryle Jackson realized she’d be poised to run for the U.S. Senate seat then held by Barack Obama. […]

Her supporters for the 2010 race would prefer to keep the focus on those years and her time as an Amtrak vice president — rather than on the three years she served as communications director for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who has since been indicted for alleged corruption in office.

If she runs, she is expected to argue that she joined Blagojevich’s administration when it looked promising and able to deliver on progressive issues — but that she left before his first term ended as controversies began to bubble to the surface.

In fact, under Jackson, the Urban League went so far as to file a lawsuit against the state — while Blagojevich was still governor — that argued that Illinois’ school funding system violates the civil rights of minority students by giving them an inferior education to those of children in wealthier areas. The suit is pending in Cook County Circuit Court.

A direct connection to Blagojevich (via contributions, contracts, etc.) was the only fatal connection during the 2008 legislative races. She has a direct connection. It may not kill off her primary chances, but it’ll be devastating in a general.

By the way, a lot of Statehouse reporters had trouble getting Jackson to respond to questions. I almost never did. Not sure why. We had a fairly decent relationship, as far as those sorts of relationships go.

* GOP Sen. Kirk Dillard talks about what he’d do if elected governor…

Fundamental to restoring Illinois’ fiscal health is the ability to attract new businesses and keep existing businesses, Dillard said. Illinois is near the bottom of the barrel in job creation. Jobs are leaving Illinois for more favorable business conditions in surrounding states. “I’m going to chase down and court business everyday. We’re not going to demonize business like Rod Blagojevich.”

Dillard says Illinois over-regulates business and has an overly expensive workers’ compensation program. He would use tax incentives to lure firms here, but not cash.

A tax incentive is essentially cash, but whatever. More…

Dillard would also save money by changing Medicaid to a managed care system.

“Medicaid is the largest expenditure in the state. We spend more on Medicaid than education. We’re one of the few states without a managed care program. Folks can go to an emergency room for $3,000 in costs to the taxpayers,” he said. Managed care would concentrate more on preventive care and treatment by doctors in clinics.

Yes, we need to look at managed care, but what gets lost in all these stories is that Illinois currently has one of the lowest cost per patient ratios in the nation.

* Political quote of the day goes to Ethan Hastert, the son of former US House Speaker Denny Hastert who is now running for his dad’s old seat…

“I didn’t get into this race because my dad held the seat,” Ethan Hastert assured.

* And rank this as the oddest political story of the day. It’s from Broomfield, Colorado, which is apparently some sort of weird parallel universe to Illinois…

Two-time mayoral candidate Paul Madigan hopes the third time is the charm. […]

He will face incumbent Pat Quinn…

Madigan vs. Pat Quinn. But only in Colorado.

* Related…

* Redistricting Panel to Meet Wednesday: Illinois lawmakers are set to meet this week about how the state should draw boundaries for legislative districts.

* Slap at Peraica backfires for GOP

* Money keeps flowing from Cook Co. contractors to board prez Stroger: Politically connected Cook County contractors chosen over lower bidders continue to cash in as their projects expand - and continue to contribute to Cook County Board President Todd Stroger’s campaign.

* Rep. Miller eyes run for state comptroller

* Press release: The Young Democrats of America (YDA) will be holding their Biennial National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, August 5-9. The Convention will take place at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, and will host over 1000 young Democrats from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and US Territories.

* Rep. Mike Boland talks about running for lieutenant governor and the U of I scandal

* U. of I. admissions scandal: 3 top legislators turn down invitations to testify

* Go testify: Eight other lawmakers were invited to testify because of their leadership positions or their ties to clouted students, or both. Rep. Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora) is expected to appear next week. The others have declined, ducked or disappeared on vacation.

* U. of I. boss to testify on clout cases

* Oases manager, a big Blago donor, in hole to lender, state

* No-nonsense Blagojevich judge is actor, novelist