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.

In a move that has probably fatally poisoned an already toxic Illinois Statehouse atmosphere, the wife of House Speaker Michael Madigan's chief of staff was fired from her state job.