* Flood victims say lack of assistance ‘not fair’…

“The City of Pontiac, the City of Watseka and the County of Iroquois are in a world of hurt,” Pontiac Mayor Scott McCoy said. “We are not asking for the assistance to pay for this on a municipal level, we are looking for individual assistance to help us get back on our feet.”

McCoy said that the numbers of affected homes in reports done by FEMA and IEMA were inaccurate and the denial was “due to grossly underreported numbers.”

“We are all very angry,” McCoy told The Associated Press Monday evening. “They simply didn’t see all the damage.”

McCoy also claimed FEMA overlooked a state that tends to be politically Democratic. President Bush, who oversees FEMA, is a Republican.

* Williamson County requests emergency help from state

* Stroger Talks Compromise

Sources tell Chicago Public Radio Stroger’s new proposal includes a smaller sales tax hike, coupled with some spending cuts. He says he’ll meet all 17 commissioners this week - in a bid to get a majority on board.

* Doctors: Budget cuts would be deadly

* Stroger Hospital receives full accreditation

* Exelon CEO calls for consensus on climate change…

He expressed support for legislation pending on Capitol Hill that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to about 30% below 2005 levels. But, at minimum, using market-based approaches and more nuclear power, electricity prices would rise three cents to five cents per kilowatt hour to meet that goal, predicts the CEO of Chicago-based Exelon, one of the nation’s largest electric utility holding companies.

* ‘This program saves lives’ Senate reviews $12.5 million for CeaseFire

* Madigan, CUB fight ComEd rate hike; more here

* CUB, attorney general oppose ComEd rate hike request

* Ameren rate hike opposed

* U.S. Energy defends its business practices

* Oberweis, Foster duel over Iraq in race to succeed Hastert…

In the 30-second spot scheduled to begin airing today on broadcast channels in the Chicago market, Oberweis is seen clicking off a television carrying the ad of foe Bill Foster, 52 of Geneva.

Oberweis, 61, of Sugar Grove, then turns to the camera and declares, “Bill Foster wants to cut off funding for our troops and raise the white flag. That’s extreme! No matter what you think of the war, we all agree we need to support our troops. General Patreaus’ strategy is working and we’ve already begun a gradual withdrawal.”

* Tom Roeser: Republicans Who Favored Lauzen Now Reconsidering How Lucky They were That Oberweis Won…

…the word seems to be getting around that Lauzen never called Oberweis to congratulate him and that he may continue to be a pouter and sore loser. If so, it would be a tragedy because while the district is heavily Republican all the GOP needs is fratricidal bickering to continue in the race which could open it up for a Democratic upset. What Lauzen out to do is grow up and congratulate the winner. He has his state senate seat and if he wants to pursue a future in the GOP he ought to be a good loser.

* Illinoisans’ views may play role up north

* Sweet: Mike Henry, Clinton Deputy Campaign Manager quits. Read his memo here.

* Obama anti-lobbyist stand isn’t without blurry edges

* Is the Future for the Illinois GOP as Bleak as Pundits say?

For Illinois Republicans this is the midst of a great depression. The news that suburban voters, even in the GOP heartland of DuPage County, pulled more Democrat than Republican ballots in the primary is an ominous foreshadowing of a very bleak November.

* Conflicting Democratic Delegate Counts