* Union deals leave lawmakers in dark

“As long as it is a tentative agreement and not a final contract, we believe AFSCME members should be able to review the contract, study its terms and ask any questions in confidence,” said AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindall

* In Cook County, recall alive for November

That recall provision, sponsored by state Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock), would have placed a question on the statewide November ballot, asking if voters supported a recall amendment being added to the Illinois Constitution. Three-fifths of House and Senate members needed to vote “yes” to start the process. While the House voted in favor of the recall bill, the Senate fell three votes short.

* Illinois tightens law on genetic testing bias

* Poverty changes little in Illinois & Chicago in the Latest Census Release

* Illinois $25 Challenge… in two ways.

Think about it. In the first two hours of my day I spent almost $4. Two hours to spend more than some people can afford to spend in an entire day… and I am going out to lunch today because I didn’t get around to packing one last night or this morning.

* Illinois economic growth ranks low

* Many people emotional over closing of Moraine View State Park

* Business owners can’t fathom repercussions of Pontiac prison closing

For example, BesGrove said American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which represents prison workers, buys 500 to 600 turkeys every Thanksgiving. If the prison closes and his sales slow, he’d have to cut some of his own 168 employees.

“The biggest damage, I think, is to the community and how we already have layoffs (from other businesses), an economic downturn and the flood in January,” he said. “It’s been a distressed community for a while.”

* Dana Thomas is Now Homeless

* State Capitol Notebook: The budget ax falls

* New voting machines arrive

* City to cops: No place like home

Mayor Daley vigorously defends the rule. He once said, “If I’m mayor, should I live in Waukegan? If it’s good enough to work and earn your salary, it’s good enough to live.”

* Pinning Chicago’s Olympic hopes on Obama

* CN eyes Joliet yardas regional hub

* At GOP convention, Illinois delegates get the worst seats in the house.

* GOP delegation dines and donates at Guthrie

* Gustav throws Illinois GOP for a loop

* Illinois GOP delegation begins fundraising efforts

* Congressman Kirk Gets Dropped From RNC Schedule

* New RNC Schedule Means No Stage Presence for IL Delegates

* Illinois GOP’s anti-Obama message undercut by hurricane

* U.S. Senate candidate makes a stop in Quincy

* Teen lives saved