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* “Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, would not say whether he favors a plan to block ComEd and Ameren from implementing a rate hike that will boost residential electric bills from 22 percent to 56 percent. Rather, a spokeswoman said the powerful Senate chief wants to let the Illinois Commerce Commission work on the issue. The ICC is charged with regulating utility companies.”

* Quinn’s tea bag protest could harm mail delivery

* Vacant seat on Cook County board turns into controversy

* State prisons could face smoke ban

* “With the Illinois gubernatorial race entering the final stretch, advertisements on behalf of both candidates have become increasingly combative”

* Dan Seals and Phil Hare are given higher priority by Dems.

* Zinga brings up Gov. Blagojevich in speech

* Durbin talks up Illinois before Amtrak president

* The mayoral race kicks into a higher gear: “Olympic-size surprise for South Side”

* Michael Cooke returning as editor of Sun-Times

* Illinois giving laptops to more than 1,750 students

* “A Democratic candidate for a DuPage County Board seat in the east-central part of the county has an unusual backer in her race: the Republican who currently holds that office.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 8:11 am

Comments

I know he is only lT Gov, but what is Pat Quinn’s worth? I understand people like him, but he has been Blago’s lapdog and constantly pulled stunt’s like this. His work on veterans affairs is valuable, but his silence on Blago’s veteran issues is just as important as the positive.

As for COmed, they have not had a rate hike in 10 years, imagine not getting a pay raise in 10 years. Goodness people!

Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 8:33 am
>Quinnâ€™s tea bag protest could harm mail delivery

If the patriots in Boston acted like this, they would have just printed up flyers to protest the tea tax, rather than getting off their duffs to stage the actual tea party itself, an act which inspired a nation for change.

Typical Illinois milquetoast politicians. ‘Mail in your protest’…nothing inspiring at all. And he expects *my* vote. No way.

Comment by Leroy Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 8:36 am
If Hare is getting priority from the DCC because the district is competitive, isn’t it because Zinga must be giving him some competition?

Seals I can understand if he’s giving Kirk a run for his money… but what was with Hare?

Comment by Bill Baar Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 8:49 am
â€œSenate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, would not say whether he favors a plan to block ComEd and Ameren from implementing a rate hike that will boost residential electric bills from 22 percent to 56 percent. Rather, a spokeswoman said the powerful Senate chief wants to let the Illinois Commerce Commission work on the issue. The ICC is charged with regulating utility companies.â€

Nah, Emil won’t do that. He already has his people filling all the ICC positions.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 9:36 am
Wumpus - there may not have been a rate hike, but aren’t these power companies still pulling in huge profits? I recall seeing somewhere that profits had gone up considerably sine the rate hike started.

BB - my understanding is that a lot of the reasoning behind the DCCC supporting Hare is he is still behind in fundraising because of his late start in the campaign. The DCCC resources will allow the Hare campaign to not have to constantly focus on fundraising.

Comment by Robbie Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 10:01 am
The 95,000 seat white elephant is going to kill the Chicago bid. LA has the Coliseum and San Francisco needs to replace Candlestick. Chicago doesn’t have any need for a large stadium.

Building and teardown into a 10,000 seat stadium will be insane costwise compared to just building the final form.

What track and field events in the US draw anything close to 10K?

Comment by HappyToaster Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 10:53 am
FBI at County Building right now executing a warrant.

Comment by Niles Township Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 10:54 am
Where in the county building?

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 10:58 am
Was wondering when the Feds would get to the County. Looks like today’s the day.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 10:59 am
Human Resources office. Trib. has a short story on their website, Rich.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 11:06 am
Some legislation was passed recently that allows IDOT to own passenger rail equipment, which they haven’t been able to do in the past Anyone know why? Is the state planning on running Amtrak service themselves? Or subsidizing the service through purchase of equipment? Just wondering.

Comment by NoGiftsPlease Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 7:28 pm
Let’s hope tomorrow the Feds go up the street to the Thompson Center. Perp walk, perp walk, perp walk!

Comment by Martha Mitchell Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 10:42 pm