18 Feb 2003

Illinois Governor Hits the Ground Stumbling

By Rich Miller

Just one month into his term as governor, Rod Blagojevich has already alienated legislators and other politicians who should be completely in his corner. Last Tuesday, a group of 20 elected African-American officials from Chicago's west side, including U.

11 Feb 2003

Online Exclusive: Illinois Senate Democrats Unleash Pent-Up Liberal Legislation

By Rich Miller

Ten years in the minority often frustrated the Illinois Senate Democrats to no end. They would sponsor bills that had passed the House with huge bipartisan majorities - and often with significant public support - only to watch them quietly die in the Senate Rules Committee, which was controlled with an iron fist by the Republicans.

04 Feb 2003

Am I a Cloutless Wonder?

By Rich Miller

Every now and then it might be healthy for a reporter/columnist to get slammed in the media and have his motives and integrity questioned. It could be a humbling experience for those of us who make our livings routinely and cynically questioning the motives and integrity of others.

27 Jan 2003

Psst! New Illinois Governor Has Some Secrets

By Rich Miller

Every new governor has problems getting started. But Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has had to learn some hard lessons during his first two weeks on the job. Most of the problems center around Blagojevich's penchant for absolute secrecy.

07 Jan 2003

Is It Time to Jump off the Blagojevich Train Already?

By Rich Miller

As you might have observed by now, Illinois governor-elect Rod Blagojevich promoted himself last year in an almost presidential manner. As soon as the election was over, a sympathetic scribe or two in the media even suggested that our governor-elect might have some presidential material in him.

10 Dec 2002

Despite Attacks from Illinois GOP, Senator Fitzgerald Sitting Pretty

By Rich Miller

Some top Illinois Republicans are making a lot of noise lately about finding a candidate to run against Senator Peter Fitzgerald, a fellow member of the GOP, in two years. But is their publicity barrage against the incumbent freshman a warning that he faces defeat, or is it just a shot across his bow to remind him that he needs to start being more cooperative in Washington, or, at least, be a little more quiet? Whatever.

19 Nov 2002

Illinois Budget Battles Look to Be Bloody

By Rich Miller

You've probably heard by now that Illinois Governor George Ryan has ordered almost all state agencies under his control to come up with 2-percent budget cuts. The idea is to find $250 million in savings to make up for a drop in state revenues.

12 Nov 2002

Times Get Tough for Illinois GOP

By Rich Miller

From the totally pro-life Jim Ryan, to the tough-talking, pro-life, pro-gun prosecutor Joe Birkett, to the "Let's attack Iraq today!" U.S. Senate candidate Jim Durkin, the right wing got its head handed to it last week in Illinois.

05 Nov 2002

Illinois Legislative Leaders Look Out for Number One

By Rich Miller

You'd think that all four state legislative leaders would have busted their humps this fall to win every possible race. But it actually looked like a couple of those leaders threw some races, albeit for different reasons.

22 Oct 2002

Illinois House Races More Interesting Than Expected

By Rich Miller

No real drama was expected out of Illinois House campaigns this year. The Democrats have a lock on the chamber. A combination of a new and loss-proof legislative-district map and the political might of House Speaker Michael Madigan's campaign operation guarantee that the Republicans can't take the House for the next 10 years - barring a cataclysmic political event that would have to surpass the Great 1994 Republican Landslide.

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