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Mayor Emanuel reports gifts from the rich and famous

May 3, 2013
Chicago Tribune

Mayor's disclosure statement lists accommodations, transportation provided by financial, entertainment execs

By Bill Ruthhart, Chicago Tribune reporter

A stay at the house of a Hollywood entertainment mogul, transportation on the tabs of millionaire venture capitalists and, for the second straight year, sports tickets, meals and more from his close adviser Michael Sacks.

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In fundraising race, Lisa Madigan outpaces Quinn

April 16, 2013
Northwest Herald

SPRINGFIELD – Considering how she dismantled her opponents in the last two elections, three-term Attorney General Lisa Madigan's impressive fundraising in the first three months of this year suggests she's looking to broaden her horizons – with, for example, a bid for governor in 2014.

Madigan reported raising $831,000 in the first quarter of 2013, eclipsing what she raised in all of last year and in the first six months of 2009, when she was last gearing up for a statewide race....

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Campaign funds easily abused

March 24, 2013
Champaign Urbana News-Gazette

Bad things happen when foxes guard the hen house.

It's another week in Illinois with another crooked politician going down for the count.

Most people won't recognize the name. Cook County Commissioner William Beavers, a longtime city alderman and Chicago political power-broker, has no statewide reputation.

But he's a big deal in the big city, so it was big news when a federal jury took just two hours before convicting him of a series of tax-related charges related to his personal use of campaign funds.
 

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Democracy Denied

March 24, 2013
Chicago Tribune

A missing word or loose paper clip is sometimes enough to bump challengers, and they're often bounced by allies of the incumbents they were trying to unseat

Tribune Watchdog

By Joseph Ryan and Joe Mahr  | Tribune reporters

Tired of the status quo, hundreds of residents across the region rose up this winter to challenge those running their towns — not suspecting the system was stacked against them.

They knocked on doors. They persuaded neighbors to sign petitions. They filed their paperwork to get a spot on the ballot.
 

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Many state workers listed as Quinn backers in letter

March 23, 2013
State Journal Register

By Bernard Schoenburg (bernard.schoenburg@sj-r.com)

There looks like a lot of firepower behind a letter presenting the argument that Gov. PAT QUINN is doing great and there shouldn’t be a Democratic gubernatorial primary in 2014 — especially if you equate state paychecks with firepower.

Of the 52 Democratic county chairmen listed as issuing that letter, at least 22 have state jobs, and another is on a state board. Combined annual salary for the 18 who work for agencies under the governor tops $1.1 million, comptroller’s records show.

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Democracy Denied

March 23, 2013
Chicago Tribune

A missing word or loose paper clip is sometimes enough to bump challengers, and they're often bounced by allies of the incumbents they were trying to unseat

Tribune Watchdog

By Joseph Ryan and Joe Mahr  | Tribune reporters

Tired of the status quo, hundreds of residents across the region rose up this winter to challenge those running their towns — not suspecting the system was stacked against them.

They knocked on doors. They persuaded neighbors to sign petitions. They filed their paperwork to get a spot on the ballot.

Read More...



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UNO charter schools backers support House Speaker Madigan with campaign cash

February 25, 2013
Chicago Sun-Times

THIS WEEK BY DAN MIHALOPOULOS

I llinois House Speaker and state Democratic Party leader Michael Madigan — long a friend to Chicago’s United Neighborhood Organization — had a campaign fund-raiser last Oct. 30 hosted by the influential group’s chief executive, Juan Rangel, and its lobbyist, attorney Victor Reyes.

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Was Jackson Jr.'s alleged spending spree a victimless crime?

February 20, 2013
Chicago Tribune

Eric Zorn

OK, all mockery, pearl-clutching and indignation aside, who, really, was hurt if, as federal prosecutors allege, former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. used campaign funds to buy decorations for his own personal Planet Hollywood along with assorted other luxury items?

The public treasury?

I'll give you that.

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Overdue garbage bill gets suburban ex-mayor kicked off ballot

February 19, 2013
Chicago Tribune

By Dan Waters Tribune reporter

The name of a former Island Lake mayor seeking to regain the position will be removed from the ballot after a Lake County judge dismissed on Tuesday his appeal of an election board ruling.

Judge Margaret Mullen said that because Charles Amrich, 65, did not properly file his appeal papers, the court did not have jurisdiction to hear the case.

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