RiverCitiesReader.com Recent cover stories, news, features and commentaries. http://www.rcreader.com Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:28:16 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.rcreader.com/images/M_images/rss.png RiverCitiesReader.com http://www.rcreader.com Recent cover stories, news, features and commentaries. Lopsided Democratic Race for Guv Tightens http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29311&Itemid=1128 In a sign that some truly awful publicity for her father may be hurting her possible gubernatorial bid, Attorney General Lisa Madigan has seen her poll numbers plunge in the... Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:53:56 +0100 The War on Whistleblowers http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29254&Itemid=1026 Without whistleblowers – employees within government and big business, at all levels, who risk their livelihoods and sometimes lives – the American public (and world) would have no knowledge about... Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:41:28 +0100 Lack of African-American Support Dooms Gay-Marriage Bill http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29204&Itemid=1128 There’s more than enough blame to go around regarding the failure of the gay-marriage bill during the final days of the General Assembly’s spring session, which ended May 31. Governor Pat... Sun, 09 Jun 2013 11:17:18 +0100 Audubon School Should Be Saved http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29094&Itemid=1122 (Editor’s note: After this commentary was submitted, the Save Audubon School coalition announced developer interest in the site (news-releases/developer-announces-interest-in-audubon-school/).) Does the Statue of Liberty pay her own way? Does the Chicago... Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:04:06 +0100 Goaded Senate President Punts on Pension Reform http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29066&Itemid=1128 I told my newsletter subscribers several weeks ago that, without a doubt, if Senate President John Cullerton caved in to House Speaker Michael Madigan on pension reform, Cullerton’s legacy as... Sun, 02 Jun 2013 23:01:14 +0100 Gun-Control Advocates Quietly Back Away from Concealed-Carry Bill http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28958&Itemid=1128 Pat Quinn has loved to hold Sunday press conferences for decades. The governor discovered a long time ago that newspapers were desperate for stories on Sundays, so a Sunday press... Sun, 26 May 2013 15:54:34 +0100 The “Why” Behind the IRS Scandal http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28841&Itemid=1122 Let’s begin with a premise: Challenging, delaying, questioning, or bullying organizations about their not-for-profit, educational purposes chills both free speech and a free press. The current ruckus involving Internal Revenue... Tue, 21 May 2013 15:41:55 +0100 Two Republicans Looking Seriously at Attorney General http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28805&Itemid=1128 One of the worst-kept secrets over the past few weeks is that House Republican Leader Tom Cross has been considering a run for Illinois attorney general. Cross has reportedly been asked... Sun, 19 May 2013 11:21:28 +0100 American Lemmings and Crony Capitalism http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28769&Itemid=1129 It’s become a fascination to observe what I refer to as the American “lemming effect.” So far, government overreach – no matter how egregious, harmful, dangerous, or in some cases... Wed, 15 May 2013 11:39:51 +0100 Polls Show Both Major Parties Have an Uphill Struggle with Voters http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28720&Itemid=1128 Illinois Republican Party Chair Pat Brady resigned last week just as a new statewide poll showed big trouble for his political party’s brand. Brady had been under pressure to resign ever... Sun, 12 May 2013 11:36:02 +0100