Stupak as the last hope. See Bart Stupak in Chicago  Read More →

Discussions on school choice in Illinois are currently focused on the Rev. Sen. James Meeks’ school voucher bill and the use of public funds to pay for children from failing schools to be educated in private schools. But the debate – and proposals from legislators – shouldn’t stop there. School choice isn’t just about vouchers and failing schools, it’s about making a wide range of educational options available to parents. In addition to the restricted vouchers proposed... 

The Catholic Bishops of the United States have long and consistently advocated for the reform of the American health care system. Their experience in health care and in Catholic parishes has acquainted them with the anguish of mothers who are unable to afford prenatal care, of families unable to ensure quality care for their children, and of those who cannot obtain insurance because of preexisting conditions. Throughout the discussion on health care over the last year, the bishops have advocated... 

As it stands now the Democrats stand to lose at least a half dozen senate seats in November and could even lose their wobbly nine-seat majority if the wobbly independent Joe Lieberman wobbles more to the right. Losing Ted Kennedy’s Massachusetts seat—granted because of a miserable candidate—showed that everything is up for grabs in this anti-incumbent, anti-politician, anti-everything year. The bluest states could turn blood-red—New York with an ill-chosen appointee to replace Hillary Clinton,... 

I was all set to run a column pressing Bill Brady to work harder in his campaign for Governor, until the DuPage Kickoff Sunday knocked this piece out of the park.  Bill Brady, and his fellow McLean County classmate Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady (no relation) have done the unthinkable: The Republicans are unifying behind their chosen candidate for Governor. Kirk Dillard, Adam Andrzejewski,  Dan Proft, Jim Ryan, Bob Schillerstrom, and Matt Murphy (as proxy for Andy McKenna) were all there endorsing... 

Clara Peller asked, “Where’s the beef?” And the people are now asking, “Where’s the money?” There’s a budget problem in Chicago and in Cook County and Illinois is bankrupt. And governor Quinn is now saying taxes will have to be raised. But, even if they’re raised, it won’t add up to enough to cover expenses. And the expenses…ah, the expenses…now there’s the rub. We taxpayers are paying for a huge number of state, county and city employees and their health care and their...