In early 2006, Governor Rod Blagojevich faced a firestorm of criticism from Jewish leaders for his appointment of Louis Farrakhan's "minister of protocol" to the Illinois Hate Crimes Commission. Several Jewish members resigned from the commission in protest of Sister Claudette Marie Muhammad's appointment, but Blagojevich refused to back down and claimed he didn't know who she was when he put her on the commission.

Normally, a tax hike would be the last thing that state legislators would consider in an election year. Tax increases are usually approved in "off years" to give voters time to forget before they vote. So, you'd think that a large income-tax increase in Springfield would be the last thing being considered.

There could be some loud fireworks the next time the Illinois Senate Democrats meet behind closed doors.

I have no idea if a national recession is likely. Even economists don't seem to know for sure. Nobody really does.

But it has been interesting to watch Washington, D.C., react to the potential of a recession.