Blagojevich tries to restrict campaign donors
Associated Press
September 5, 2008
Governor Rod Blagojevich is being criticized for attempting to bar state officials from accepting contributions from state and local government employees.
Illinois Republican react to McCain speech
Associated Press
September 5, 2008
Republicans in Springfield were mostly quiet as they watched standard bearer John McCain's acceptance speech. But when McCain was finished, they expressed confidence that they had heard from a solid leader.
Recall question on DuPage ballots
Arlington Heights Daily Herald
September 5, 2008
After being deluged with more than 20 ballot questions in the February primary, DuPage County voters are getting some relief when they head to the polls Nov. 4.
Madigan to ICC: Nicor hike too high, unnecessary
Arlington Heights Daily Herald
September 5, 2008
Attorney General Lisa Madigan Thursday filed written testimony urging the Illinois Commerce Commission to deny rate increase requests from Naperville-based Nicor Gas that would raise the company's revenues by $140 million.
Gen. McNabb to take command of U.S. Transcom at Scott
Belleville News-Democrat
September 5, 2008
Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb is back at Scott Air Force Base and will take official command of U.S. Transportation Command in a ceremony scheduled for this morning.
John Edwards backs out of UIUC speech
Associated Press
September 5, 2008
Former Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards canceled an October speech at the University of Illinois and says he won't make any public appearances until after the November election.
Illinois set to unveil renovated Memorial Stadium
Associated Press
September 5, 2008
The University of Illinois will raise the curtain Saturday on a renovated Memorial Stadium after adding $121 million worth of flash and polish to the 85-year-old home of Illini football.
Red Grange wouldn't recognize the place.
DeWitt Co. won't get public hearing on Hopedale toxic waste issue
Bloomington Pantagraph
September 5, 2008
The Illinois Pollution Control Board has ruled there will be no public hearing in DeWitt County on Peoria Disposal Co.'s plan to treat a toxic waste material and store the residue at its Hopedale facility.
It did extend the public comment period to Sept. 25, however.
Expert on Tibetan Buddhism to present lecture
Carbondale Southern Illinoisan
September 5, 2008
Robert Thurman, professor, activist, and author of numerous academic and popular publications on Tibetan Buddhism, will deliver the Charles D. Tenney Distinguished Lecture at Southern Illinois University Carbondale beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 15 in the Student Center Auditorium.
Region's junior colleges show growth once again
Carbondale Southern Illinoisan
September 5, 2008
Community colleges just will not stop growing.
Yet again, community colleges in Southern Illinois have shown some growth in enrollment compared to last fall.
While the rise at all four colleges is in single-digit percentages, representatives from each school see the increased enrollment as a positive sign.
SIUC undergrad enrollment down about 300
Carbondale Southern Illinoisan
September 5, 2008
Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard said a decline of more than 300 undergraduate students since last fall disappoints him, but he also saw some positive signs in enrollment figures.
This year's gross undergraduate enrollment at the 10-day mark was down 310 from last fall. Enrollment in the graduate school held steady around the 4,000-student level, according to the university.
Michel says state GOP has work to do
Chicago Sun-Times
September 5, 2008
A lion of the Illinois Republican Party called the state GOP organization "weak" Thursday in a blunt assessment of how much Republicans still must do to rebuild from the ruin left by George Ryan's corrupt tenure as governor.
CHA makeover boost: $10,000 for home buyers
Chicago Sun-Times
September 5, 2008
Mayor Daley's $1.6 billion plan to dismantle CHA high-rises and replace them with mixed-income communities is already five years behind schedule, in part, because of federal funding cuts.
Police union rips moves to tighten reins on cops
Chicago Sun-Times
September 5, 2008
Chicago's police union is upset that officers will be asked to give up their DNA at crime scenes -- and that GPS will be used to track every cop's car.
All the more galling, according to the Fraternal Order of Police, is that the changes are coming while the union is negotiating with the city over a new contract.
More than 150 take City Hall buyouts
Chicago Tribune
September 5, 2008
Facing a shortage of money needed to run the city, Mayor Richard Daley in July offered a voluntary severance program for non-union workers. The mayor needs to close a projected $420 million hole in the city's checkbook.
Wheaton College won't drink to that
Chicago Tribune
September 5, 2008
For more than a decade, Brigham Young University has stood atop the teetotaler's totem poll, consistently ranked the most sober institution of higher learning in the country. But now, with a new collegiate year under way, a small Christian college due west of Chicago is tapping its root-beer kegs and prepping for a semester of hard-core non-partying that could knock the Mormon powerhouse off its non-alcoholic perch.
