Sandack says CAT out-of-state expansion may be just the beginning

Illinois’ problems with job creation were highlighted this week when longtime Illinois company Caterpillar acknowledged the state’s poor business and economic climate would have prevented it from considering Illinois for a significant expansion, said state Sen. Ron Sandack (R-21st).

In other news, Chicago Mayor Rahm …

Sen. Kirk’s brain swelling subsides; doctors reattach skull section

Doctors on Tuesday reattached a 4-inch by 8-inch piece of U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk’s skull that was removed to ease swelling in his brain following his Jan. 21 stroke.

News Brief

Sandack reacts to State of the State State Senator Ron Sandack (R-21st) said Gov. Pat Quinn’s State of the State speech last week was full of uplifting rhetoric, but missed the mark on addressing the issues facing the state. “Governor Quinn delivered a very uplifting …

Sen. Kirk upgraded to ‘good’ condition, watched Super Bowl

Sen. Mark Kirk’s condition has been upgraded from “fair” to “good.”

Doctors hope to be able to re-attach the 8-inch-by-4-inch section of his skull that had to be removed after he suffered a stroke two weeks ago.

Then the Highland Park Republican can begin physical …

Gov. Quinn signs bill to allow speed cameras near schools, parks

Gov. Pat Quinn on Monday ended months of deliberation and signed into law a measure allowing Chicago to install speed-enforcement cameras near schools and parks.

Write-in hopeful switches districts, twice in one week

One of Joe Walsh’s former foes in this spring’s Republican primary is plotting what his next move will be, if any.

The other is operating a write-in campaign — but has changed districts, twice, since being officially removed from the primary ballot.

Walsh, congressman for …

County Board member Sheahan goes to Navistar

The latest DuPage County Board member to step down has a new connection to the workings of local taxing bodies. Elmhurst attorney Brien Sheahan, who on Tuesday officially wrapped up a decade representing District 2 on the board, is now a director of government affairs …

Lawmakers react to governor’s speech

State Rep. Jim Durkin, R-82nd of Western Springs, noted the tax increase the governor signed last year as suppose to fix the state’s budget problem. “A year later the state is no better off than we were, not a penny of it went to pay …

Quinn’s State of State address gets cool reception from legislators

Touting a jobs platform, Gov. Pat Quinn pushed modest tax relief for families and businesses that hire veterans, Medicaid and pension reforms, and more spending on college grants in a spartan State of the State speech Wednesday overshadowed by the gloom and doom of Illinois’ crushing financial condition.

Former Survivor member sues Gingrich for using ‘Eye of Tiger’

A founding member of the rock band Survivor says Newt Gingrich is using the band’s biggest hit — “Eye of the Tiger” — without permission at campaign appearances, according to a federal copyright infringement lawsuit filed Monday.

Preckwinkle to meet with worried ministers about morgue mess

Chicago-area ministers want a voice in the planned overhaul of the troubled Cook County morgue and are asking to meet with board President Toni Preckwinkle. “If you don’t hold people’s feet to the fire, the problems don’t go away,” the Rev. Ira Acree said on …

Sen. Mark Kirk upgraded to fair condition

Sen. Mark Kirk has been upgraded to “fair” condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital a week after undergoing surgery for a stroke. “Senator Kirk’s recovery is continuing,” his neurosurgeon, Richard Fessler, said in a written statement. “He is alert, talking and responding well to questions.” Fessler …

Sandack previews State of the State

In anticipation of Gov. Pat Quinn’s State of the State address on Wednesday, state Sen. Ron Sandack (R-21st) said he hopes the governor will propose actions that will right Illinois’ budget wrongs.

In addition to hearing a sensible plan for major pension reform, Sandack said, …

Kirk undergoes more surgery to relieve brain swelling

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk has undergone more surgery to relieve swelling in his brain following the stroke he suffered over the weekend.

Preckwinkle on county morgue mess: People will ‘lose their jobs’

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said Thursday that the management of the county morgue will be overhauled and said some staffers will lose their jobs. The move comes in the wake of Chicago Sun-Times reports about bodies piling up at the West Side facility and workers complaining about unhealthy working conditions.