* Rock Island County Democratic Chairman John Gianulis resigns after leading party for 4 decades…

There are likely to be several suitors for his job. One of the names mentioned today was former Sen. Denny Jacobs of East Moline.

* Judge rejects bid by Tony Rezko to delay fraud trial

Also Thursday, St. Eve declined to bar the testimony of the government’s key witness, Stuart Levine, who pleaded guilty to scheming with Rezko to extort investment firms seeking state business. […]

Court records show St. Eve also declined to reconsider Rezko’s bond on Thursday.

* Moment of silence in schools revisited

* State offers help with housing debt woes

* Rep. Fritchey has Bell’s Palsy, doing better

* Obama to climb on Foster’s bandwagon; view the press release here

* CTA rides to be quieter, faster with $227M boost; more here

* Chicago schools ask state’s help on $180 million shortage

* Briefs: Accused Cook Co. jail guard sues

* State House pays respects to Hyde, Geo-Karis

* U. of I. invents weapon that may fight ’superbug’

* 2 Civil War-era maps are discovered and shed light on Will County

* 40 receive hero awards from Quinn

* Friends find spirited ex-Ald. Leon Despres guilty of turning 100

* Electoral College Pigeonholed, National Popular Vote Adopted in Multiple States

* Friday Beer Blogging: Obama Edition