I made a drive up I-57 Sunday evening, returning from a trip to a very thriving Central Illinois, when I was lucky enough to pick up WLS-AM 890 and listen to the Tom Roeser show. Tom’s guests were Jeff Berkowitz a stalwart of independent media in Chicago, and a surprise guest, Charlie Johnson, a political analyst. All three of the pundits are frequent contributors to the Chicago Daily Observer and have a tireless drive to improve political representation in Illinois.

Near the 45 minute mark in the show, the subject came of how Republicans can offer an alternative to the Democrat gridlock in Springfield (as well as Cook County and Chicago). Given that even the international press has noticed that Sen. Obama is one among many politicians in the most corrupt city in the most corrupt county in the most corrupt state in the USA (along with the being the murder capital of the USA), Johnson and Berkowitz gently suggested that Illinois Republican begin campaigning against the Democratic political establishment rather than trying to go along with the disgraceful process.

I had assumed that Tom, Jeff and Charlie were preaching (albeit at 50,000 Watts) to the same listeners who generally are agitated, but feel helpless against the political machinery who have put Illinois in such a rut. Yet, the next caller was none other than Tom Cross (R-Oswego) who did his best to explain that Illinois Republicans are offering something other than co-operation with the kleptocracy of Illinois Government.

Rep. Cross answers were unscripted, imperfect but unique in that they actually responded to concerns of a vast number of Illinois voters. Tom Cross fielded follow up questions from the panel regarding education choice and vouchers, even appearing to listen to the questions rather than going into a canned spiel. In what sounds to me to be a unique Illinois experience, one of our political leaders actually is paying attention to his constituents and Illinois taxpayers, rather than PR consultants.

Reading this Monday’s papers another story bubbled up that has been boiling in the Chicago Daily Observer for some time now. The Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board (former home of Stuart Levine and Tony Rezko) was harshly criticized by Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) and State Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry). The Chicago Tribune also criticized the IHFP Board for thwarting healthcare competition and denying a cancer care facility in DuPage County.

Having 3 Illinois politicians and the Chicago Tribune come out against the bi-partisan corruption machine John Kass has described as “The Combine” strikes me as a near miracle, especially when the Republicans and The Tribune are duly noted as two thirds of the crooked harvester gleaning graft throughout the State. There was even a brief glimpse of light Monday from the Democrats yesterday with Lt. Governor Pat Quinn protesting pay hikes outside (and Emil Jones breezing by) Governor Blagojevich’s speech to the City Club of Chicago.

In its one year of existence, the Chicago Daily Observer claim a only small amount of credit for encouraging adversarial democracy in the State of Illinois. Movements for reform in Cook County still come across as radical in such a fatally flawed system where candidates with the catchphrases of “Hope” and “Change ” can have their lawns owned by Tony Rezko. The Right can rigidly bicker with over just about any subject, while the State is on some kind of criminal cruise control. Apart from an occasional analysis from Chicago Reader, the Left has yet to add much to good government and responsible poltics. Our political system needs constant pressure from both sides to finally tip the combine.