The decision by Governor Rod Blagojevich to attend a Chicago Blackhawks game last Wednesday night instead of remaining at the Statehouse while the Illinois House defeated his mass-transit-funding-bailout proposal says a lot about the governor on several different levels, none of it positive.

A new statewide poll shows that, given the opportunity, a majority of Illinoisans would vote to recall Governor Rod Blagojevich. But don't get your hopes up.

In preparation for the November 6 Davenport municipal election, the River Cities' Reader sent a survey to all 22 candidates for office. Twelve candidates answered the survey.

Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes is not generally known for his sense of humor.

Privately, in one-on-one situations, Hynes can be engaging, and even funny. Put him in front of a microphone, however, and he's usually stiff as a board.

So, it was a great surprise last week when Comptroller Hynes regaled a Springfield audience with a "fable" that had attendees laughing with glee.