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* Rich Miller: Big Three can’t even agree when they agree

* Enron case may help convicted Daley aides

* The 1995 Reader story that got Sun-Times reporter handcuffed

* Madigan joins other AGs in letter regarding Anheuser-Busch’s beer-themed site

* Dick Kay unretires to work for governor

* Obama’s liberalism to draw heat as campaign progresses

During his eight-year stint in the Illinois Senate, Obama carried the reputation of a liberal Democrat, a standing gleaned from his votes on abortion, guns and other key or controversial issues.

* Obama not your typical Chicago politician

* Some Customers Facing Unexpected Power Hikes on Top of the Expected Ones; sparking fresh debate

* More delays for statewide achievement tests

The delays mean schools will have to administer another round of tests next month without having a chance to learn from last year’s results. The state tests are used to judge schools under No Child Left Behind federal standards, and schools face sanctions if too many children fail.

* McCain: GOP can’t give up on Illinois

* Layoffs announced in Cook Co. State’s Attorney’s office: In the first wide-scale job cuts resulting from Cook County’s budget problems, State’s Atty. Richard Devine announced Friday that he was laying off 43 prosecutors and 10 investigators.

* Supreme Court upholds serial killer’s death sentence

* More passengers riding Metra and Amtrak in Illinois

* Tribune Editorial: Illiniwek departure long past due; Zorn advocates understanding

* Tribune sues Fox News over use of RedEye name

* Editorial: Approve bill to shine light on ethics investigations

* Cook Co. Board fee hike debate

* Judges navigate through DUI laws

* Second chance for Ryan: Appeals court to look at juror replacement rulings

* Neil Steinberg on this Presidents Day

* State slow on FOID draw

* Editorial: In favor of tougher teen-drinking responsibilities for parents

* Orland Hills mayor has particularly busy schedule

From 2000 to 2003 Hastings earned $1,250 per month to review the college’s safety procedures and collected another $2,304 for teaching two classes. In total he received $46,679 from South Suburban College, financial documents reveal. All the while, he held down a full-time job as a “business liaison” with the Illinois secretary of state’s office.

* Tribune: Let the llinois Health Facilities Planning Board fade away

* Editorial: We don’t need a law to tell us what to eat

* State to sign new Bright Start deal

* Voting Machines upgraded for Feb. 27th election

posted by Paul Richardson
Tuesday, Feb 20, 07 @ 8:24 am

Comments

In Cook County, a major role of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, in addition to the employment of legions of politically connected Democrats, has been to prosecute legions of poor minorities for minor, usually drug related infractions.

There has always been a cloud of decpetion and secrecy over the activites of the Cook County Board, so any claims of layoffs must be viewed with extreme skepticism until the employees actually walk out the door. Will the state’s atty really lay off 43 prosecutors plus investigators and, apparently (the article is confusing) 45 “administrative workers.” Or will they send them home for a few days for theater, then bring them back at the last minute claiming to have saved Cook County taxpayers from a huge crime wave.

They should stay out. First of all, the attorneys are not going to starve. They are, one presumes, all licensed to practice law in Illinois and easily employable. Those who were planning to hang out a shingle can start a little earlier. And the “administrative workers” and 10 investigators presumably are political hacks who can go work for the state or city or someplace else at the overflowing Democratic patronage trough.

If they stay out, good things could happen. The state’s attorney’s office will be forced to screen its decisions to prosecute or, in Juvenile Court, to remove people’s children for financial reasons…a practice that is epidemic in Cook. Fewer people will sit in our uber-expensive state jails eating taxpayer money. More drug addicts will get to stay in the community instead of living off the taxpayer while trying to get off drugs. And the remaining state’s atty corps can focus on real crime instead of the routine prosecution of poor minorities for minor crimes, their current priority.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 20, 07 @ 9:30 am
RE: FOID story

I wonder if the guy who bludgeoned three of his family members had a HOID (Hammer Owners ID)? Think the Mayor and the Governor need to push for a ban on “assault” tools and the like.

Comment by ANON Tuesday, Feb 20, 07 @ 9:31 am
There is a bill or proposal in the state legislature that would allow people to buy their own energy and Bluestar energy is ready to step in and supply it to Illinois people at half the cost of Amern.Why don’t one of these bright eyed people try to get it passed and forget about a rate freeze.I have already contacted Bluestar and put my name on the list.They claim they are waiting on Springfield.

Comment by DOWNSTATE Tuesday, Feb 20, 07 @ 9:47 am
You don’t have the correct link for the Tribune editorial.

Comment by Levois Tuesday, Feb 20, 07 @ 10:59 am
Thanks for the tip.

I see so many links each day, I have trouble keeping them straight.

One day I’ll learn.

Comment by Paul Richardson Tuesday, Feb 20, 07 @ 11:09 am
“Doogie” has gone over to the Dark Side?!?!

I’d sooner expect to see our Cubs coach go over to the Mets. Or Chicagoans put ketchup on their dogs. Or Blago to suddenly be truthful.

I really don’t get how a reporter who was such a persistent thorn in the side of this governor, constantly pushing him about his ethics and corruption scandals, can now reconcile going to work for the guy, no matter how noble the stated agenda. He’s really fallen in my estimation.

The Gov’s office has a long history thru many residents of co-opting critics from the media to become mouthpieces for them. George Ryan even used to joke about it; any time a reporter got too hot on him about something, he’d say “hey, want a job?”

Retired or not, I find this very unseemly, Mr Snodgrass. I hope it’s just a cover so you can get an insider’s view when the indictments come down.
You make me lose faith in the Fourth Estate.

Comment by Gregor Tuesday, Feb 20, 07 @ 1:08 pm
The meanest man in showbusiness just became the meanest man in politics.

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Feb 20, 07 @ 4:47 pm
I thought that Dick Kay was too honest to get mixed up with public official a.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Feb 20, 07 @ 7:00 pm
All is going according to my design, bwa-ha-ha! Let your hate FLOW, young apprentice journalist!

Comment by Emperor Palpatine Tuesday, Feb 20, 07 @ 7:51 pm