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* Governor appeals health care expansion ruling

Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, said, “As far as the governor coming late and leaving early, it may be obvious to some that he didn’t want to talk to the press.”

* Missed opportunities

* Durbin wants gas price probe

* Bill would raise minimum wage for 18 and younger

* Issues with I-PASS irritate many readers

* O’Hare Airport expansion deadline moved to 2014 to beat Olympic rush

* Dems focusing on 13th House

* Immigrants Confront Federal Official in Chicago

* Juvy center wants security firm’s help to reopen school

* Railway Debate Roars Through County Board, Once Again

* Another buyer lining up for St. Francis Hospital

* Stroger wants employees to sign confidentiality agreement

* Read the agreement here

* Stroger: ‘If you don’t tell people, they won’t know’

* Stroger Workers Must Sign Confidenitality Contract

* Job training program seeks permission to repay $2.5 million to state 10 months after doing so

* Daley farms out screening of minority firms

Instead of struggling with a 1,600-case backlog that has forced minority businesses to wait two years for certification, Chicago will rely on groups that do certification for the federal government and some state and local governments.

* City Hall scraps vetting minority- and women-owned firms, Mayor Richard Daley announces

* Down the drain

A sewer-inspection company in which Mayor Daley’s son and nephew had hidden ownership stakes has shut down, walking away from a $4.5 million contract with the city’s water department in the face of an investigation by the city inspector general’s office and the FBI prompted by reports in the Chicago Sun-Times.

* Daley son’s controversial firm going out of business

* Tree trimmer tops list of patronage case awards

* Stretch of I-57 to be named after retired congressman

A portion of Interstate 57 on Friday will be named the Ken Gray Expressway.

posted by Kevin Fanning
Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 8:52 am

Comments

I actually have abit of sympathy for Stroger, but I think his boat has finally set sail with this confidentiality agreement.

AFter all, the cornerstone of public office should be secrecy! I bet the court would toss those as being invalid under either adhesion, coercion or just plain public policy.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:05 am
Yeah? What’s up with Stroger and the CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT? Is that even allowed for a PUBLIC office???

Comment by The Rookie Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:10 am
And Rich Miller wonders why the media is anti-Stroger.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:14 am
And what a crock from his lawyer - Ted Lechowicz’s daughter - namely ‘Stroger wants to “protect records that are truly confidential” and ensure public records “go through the proper channels” before being released.’ That’s not what her “agreement” says. Read it closely. If you hear a co-worker express an “opinion” about any policy involving the President’s office, you’re forever prohibited from revealing it. This guy has lost his marbles!

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:37 am
He never had any marbles to begin with.

Comment by chiatty Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:40 am
I commend those who are seeking equal pay for these youngins. It is only fair. This way, they will lose their advantage when competing for entry level/part time jobs with older employees.

Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:53 am
I’m not really sure what Stroger is trying to accomplish here. If someone quits or is fired and “discloses” something, is he going to seek damages in civil court?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 9:56 am
Secrecy of a public office is now “official.” I wonder if the Politiburo (uh … “County Board, that is”) will do anything about it? This is what party line voting does to a county (or city, state, etc), and is a perfect example of why we need a two party system in this county. Sadly, half the R’s in Cook County are Republicrats, and the other half are so busy fighting both each other and the Republicrats that building a via party in Cook County has incredibly become a matter for the back burner.

Comment by Snidely Whiplash Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 10:49 am
Correction: ” ‘viable’ party in Cook County”

Comment by Snidely Whiplash Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 10:50 am
The more interesting question, why Stroger though this was a good idea and where his PR people were during the decisionmaking process.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 11:56 am
The Ken Gray Memorial Highway? The Southern Illinois King of Pork strikes again. I guess he wanted to beat Denny Hastert to the punch, although I hear they will name an interchange on the Prairie Parkway after him.

Comment by Truthful James Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 3:39 pm