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* Purchase tickets here for the December 16th performance of “No-El or How the Blagojegrinch Stole Christmas” - Our Capitol Fax holiday party

* Role of minority-owned firms in Dan Ryan construction project lagged state goal…

Minority- and woman-owned businesses landed 20 percent of the $933 million in construction, design and engineering contracts from the Dan Ryan reconstruction project, falling short of the state’s 22.7 percent goal.

But the shortfall could be larger if Rohar Trucking — awarded roughly $20 million in contracts on the recently completed project and identified as a black-owned company — was a front for a majority-owned business.

* Georgia ruling on sex offenders prompts other states to reexamine laws

The Georgia court struck down its residency restrictions last week, giving opponents of such buffer zones hope that other state laws will be reviewed and possibly overturned.

“It certainly sends a message that creating laws that render people homeless is not in anybody’s best interest,” said Jill Levenson, a professor at Florida’s Lynn University who has done extensive studies on the effect of residency restrictions. “In theory, I believe this could pave the way for a U.S. Supreme Court case.”

* Hilkavitch: Free or fee? Air pump tiff flares on tollway

* An explanation of the smoking ban and who it will affect

* State’s smoking ban’s effect unclear for Greek houses

* Jesse Jackson Jr: Legacy of tax-fed patronage must end

* McQueary: Nuns on the stand — that would be a challenge

Too bad a certain political challenge concluded. I would have paid to watch a high-brow election attorney quiz Maria High School nuns about whether they really signed a candidate’s petition or whether the signatures were fraudulent.

That scenario never played out, however, because Cook County state’s attorney candidate Howard Brookins dropped his challenge to opponent Anita Alvarez’s signatures.

* Jesse Jr. to Jesse Sr.: You’re wrong on Obama, dad; more here and here

* Report: IL ranks near the bottom in screening problem teachers

* Towns await word on FutureGen project
The competition has been fierce.

Illinois offered $80 million in grants, low-interest loans and tax breaks, while Texas has promised $260 million in cash and tax credits. Both have offered developers protection from liability in the event that carbon dioxide leaks from the ground.

Economists say the project is an attractive economic target for small towns, and a big improvement on the kinds of low-wage jobs they tend to chase.

“Everyone talks about kind of the big score of attracting a Honda plant,” University of Illinois economics professor Fred Giertz said in an interview earlier this year. “The way the economy actually works is hundreds of thousands of small gains and small losses.”

* Sun-Times Editorial: Chicago is No. 1 in nation in dangerous subprime loans

* Blagojevich urges mortgage help from U.S.

* Editorial: Leadership, not insults, needed at county

* Tony Peraica: Enough with politics, lets talk about talk about the taxpayers

The vitriol and personal attacks that have surrounded the Cook County budget discussions are unfortunate, and accomplish little but damage the faith of the taxpayers in our government.

The members of the Cook County board don’t have to love each other.
They don’t have to get along. But we do have to pass a sensible budget that serves the residents and taxpayers of this county.
While they hurl insults, I will continue to discuss the budget.

* Grundy Co. groups hopes to determine what needs people have

posted by Paul Richardson
Monday, Dec 3, 07 @ 9:02 am

Comments

The Jesse v Jesse Obama debate is interesting. I have to give Jr credit for supporting Obama even after Obama put his endorsement behind Sandi’s opponent. Obama did not criticize Sandi, and it was pretty clear he was paying back the favor, but still I have to give Jr. points for this.

Comment by Ghost Monday, Dec 3, 07 @ 9:17 am
On issues not involving state dollars, Ravenswood Rodney says “We have to protect hardworking families from losing what they’ve worked so hard to achieve.” But, when he has an opportunity to help working coal mining families in Macoupin County - those facing layoffs - Rodney takes coal development money and uses it to bail out the CTA and RTA in Chicago. I’m guessing the United Mine Workers are deeply regretting their previous endorsement of Rodney now. I will admit that there is a tenuous relationship between the coal development monies and the mine closing, but the perception of disinterest is still there.

This also fits a bizarre and consistent pattern with Rodney: when he is facing criticism for his governing style in Illiois, he immediately finds some another issue and points to the feds for help. He certainly needs help but I don’t think there’s a federal agency (well, maybe the Justice Department) that can help him deal with his inner demons.

Comment by DC Monday, Dec 3, 07 @ 9:23 am
Coal mining is dead in Illinois. The coal is too dirty.It is no good. Wasting money on coal development when the state has so many other needs borders on malfeasance, Thnaks Gov. Blogojevich for putting the money where it can do some good.

Comment by Bill Monday, Dec 3, 07 @ 9:32 am
There is certainly borderline malfeasance. I just think it’s ironic that he selectively chooses working families with sub-prime mortgages over those with mortgages at risk because they’re losing their jobs thanks to his lack of leadership.

Comment by DC Monday, Dec 3, 07 @ 9:44 am
Jesse Jr calling out Beavers for using race. Wow i don’t what to say about that, other than classic double standards. Everything any of the Jacksons have is due to race baiting and now’s he chastises Beavers for making an honest assement. Jesse Jr has his nerve. Will someone credible please run against him.

Comment by B-no name nickname needed Monday, Dec 3, 07 @ 10:07 am
I don’t think we taxpayers should be saving a segment of the coal industry just because it employs people. Why are employees in the coal industry more worthy of being saved than, say, employees of Aon, LaSalle Bank, government employees. Oops, government employees already have
permanent jobs, regardless of whether there is any work. Permanent health insurance and pension credits as well as salaries.

We could take the approach of the French, which is to make it virtually impossible to fire not only
public but also private sector employees with a
“permanent work contract,” which is, I believe, most of them. Despite recent labor protests, the French live pretty well overall. Longer life expectancy too.

With various economic indicators looking really, really iffy these days, maybe such private sector job protections will look much less radical and more attractive to US citizens, Illinois citizens in particular.

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Dec 3, 07 @ 10:33 am
So it’s okay to save the jobs of folks in Chicago at the expense of families in southern Illinois? (Ignore the issue of whether it’s coal or insurance or any other industry– this is a fundamental question)

Comment by DC Monday, Dec 3, 07 @ 10:53 am
Cassandra, I assume you’re joking about the French law. Those laws are becoming ever less popular–even in France–as many won’t hire if their labor obligation lasts a half-century. It’s one of the reasons their young adult unemployment rate is a few times ours.

Comment by Greg Monday, Dec 3, 07 @ 10:54 am
Thought one of the State’s goals in drawing the “FutureGen” pilot was to demonstrate that high sulfur Illinois coal can be burned cleanly. Or at least cleanly enough.

Comment by Ivory-billed Woodpecker Monday, Dec 3, 07 @ 11:05 am
Well, sort of joking.

But still, why would the jobs or workers in any one industry be more worth saving than in any other industry. Are coal miners morally superior to LaSalle bank white collar employees making average salaries (I mention LaSalle only because it comes to mind from recent reports of “synergies.)” Sure, the multimillion dollar execs should take their chances. But numerically, they are a small percentage of the total workforce.

And Sarkozy has a mandate to make some changes. But the basic underpinnings of French social and employment safety nets are unlikely to change substantially as they still have considerable public support. And in France, if do you lose your job, you don’t lose health insurance. The state continues to pick up the tab. That approach may look better and better to Americans as the economy
totters and sways over the next year or so, as many predict will happen.

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Dec 3, 07 @ 12:04 pm
Its nice to see Jessie Jr. carving out a niche and finally taking a stand against the machine. Although the next day he backs a machine member in obama. I hope this means Jessie Jr. is going to be a little more vocal about local politics and might finally take the plunge and run for local office.

Comment by fed up Monday, Dec 3, 07 @ 2:06 pm