Our Mission
David Ormsby, Editor
The Illinois political blog--THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER–covers state government-related news and politics.
It focuses on the often strenuous and the occasionally senseless efforts of the Illinois General Assembly, the Governor, not-so-special interest groups, hired lobbyists, citizen lobbyists, organized labor, disorganized labor, reporters, think tank thinkers, public relations wizards, and bloggers to shape or misshape public opinion and pretzel-twist public policy.
THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER, ranked among the top 10 of independent Illinois political blogs, follows many of these unending wrangles over policy and political power or, often over, well, nothing. You can follow along, too.
Enjoy.
THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER- Illinois 2010 Elections: David Schroeder’s State Rep Campaign against Incumbent Ken Dunkin Hit with Petition Challenge
- 2010 Elections: Voters Back Republicans over Democrats as 2010 Elections Approach, New Gallup Poll Says
- Illinois 2010 Elections: Victory Fund Endorses Democratic State Senate Candidate Jim Madigan
- Illinois 2010 Elections–Democratic Primary Governor: Poll Has Pat Quinn Leading Dan Hynes 34-17, Source Says
- Illinois 2010 Elections–Republican Primary Governor: Jim Ryan Trounced in Milton Township Republican Straw Poll
- The Capitol Fax Blog
- Veterans’ Day news roundup November 11, 2009 Rich Miller
- Afternoon odds and ends November 10, 2009 Rich Miller
- Question of the day November 10, 2009 Rich Miller
- *** UPDATED x1 *** Another Kirk flap November 10, 2009 Rich Miller
- Things aren’t always what they seem November 10, 2009 Rich Miller
- Jackson polls, Meister up with downstate TV ad November 10, 2009 Rich Miller
- *** UPDATED x2 *** Ask and ye shall receive November 10, 2009 Rich Miller
- *** UPDATED x1 *** Challenges and withdrawals begin November 9, 2009 Rich Miller
- Question of the day November 9, 2009 Rich Miller
- Campaign 2010 November 9, 2009 Rich Miller
- Blogs – Pat Quinn
- Gov. Pat Quinn concedes his backers may be challenging African ... Obama Chronicles
- Black Dog Hates Skunks: The Mustache Rides, Again. Also Pat Quinn ... Black Dog
- Lowetide: For Pat Quinn Lowetide
- Illinois 2010 Elections–Democratic Primary Governor: Poll Has Pat ... David Ormsby
- Illinois 2010 Elections: Pat Quinn Gets Fritchey, Lang ... David Ormsby
- Pat Quinn's Halloween Costume | NBC Chicago unknown
- OpenlineBlog.com: Corruption of Illinois | Gov. Pat Quinn Aide ... Openline
- Gov. Pat Quinn launches Illinois campaign in 9-city tour - Lynn Sweet Lynn Sweet
- Pat Quinn and the SEIU | Moonage Political Webdream Moonage
- Clout St: Bill to cut seniors' free transit rides stalls Newsdesk
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Recent Comments
- News – Illinois General Assembly
- Elizabeth Double running for Illinois General Assembly House of ... - Quad-Cities Online November 2, 2009
- Gen. John A. Logan Museum to present two programs - Murphysboro American November 9, 2009
- Woman to challenge Moffitt - Galesburg Register-Mail November 10, 2009Woman to challenge MoffittGalesburg Register-Mail... Springfield to establish herself as a Democratic candidate for the 2010 election for Illinois General Assembly House of Representatives for District 74. ...
- Time for campaign finance reform - Chicago Tribune November 6, 2009Time for campaign finance reformChicago TribuneYour editorial denouncing the Illinois General Assembly's recent passage of campaign finance reform is needlessly negative. As someone who has been part of ...
- Haine explains push for bill on Moreth - Alton Telegraph November 11, 2009Haine explains push for bill on MorethAlton TelegraphMoreth had sought the legislation, which was approved by the Illinois General Assembly, signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn on Aug. 8 and became effective Aug ...
- Macomb may consider new primary date - Peoria Journal Star November 11, 2009Macomb may consider new primary datePeoria Journal Star... Liz Wilhelm told aldermen Monday the February city election is stipulated in Macomb's 1882 special charter, approved by the Illinois General Assembly. ...
- AARP Commends Legislature For Saving Critical Health Care Program - Reuters October 31, 2009
- County revamps efforts to ban video gambling - Effingham Daily News November 10, 2009County revamps efforts to ban video gamblingEffingham Daily NewsThe Illinois General Assembly voted this spring to legalize video poker machines effective Jan. 1. Gov. Pat Quinn signed the bill July 13. ...
- Bi-state Democratic dynasties bolstered by ACORN/SEIU - Chicago Daily Observer November 9, 2009
- Fund poison control - Chicago Tribune November 5, 2009Fund poison controlChicago TribuneHaving spent over 13 years as a member of the Illinois General Assembly, I fully understand the complexities and the limitations of our state's budget. ...
- Illinois Issues
- Candidates line up in primary races for governor November 9, 2009By Nicole HarbourThe close of the filing period for the February 2 primary last Monday left a large pool of candidates for governor, including seven Republicans, four Democrats and two Green Party candidates. They are:RepublicansAdam Andrzejewski, Hinsdale — Formerly employed by the publishing business he and his brother started, Andrzewjewski sold his share […]Illinois Issues Statehouse bureau
- Veto session wrap-up and goodbye October 30, 2009By Bethany JaegerThis will be my last post as Illinois Issues Statehouse bureau chief. I am moving on to the private sector to be a management consultant with a Springfield-based firm. Thank you for reading and and for sharing a string of unbelievable experiences with me during the past four years.That said, the legislature completed its annual fall veto ses […]Illinois Issues Statehouse bureau
- One more step in campaign finance reform October 30, 2009By Bethany JaegerThe Illinois General Assembly has been here before. Lawmakers are on the verge of making history by approving legislation aimed at limiting the amount of money flowing into political campaigns and reducing outside influence on the lawmaking process.They approved a previous version of so-called campaign finance limits in House Bill 7, but in […]Illinois Issues Statehouse bureau
- Cemetery bill aims to end hodge-podge regulations October 28, 2009By Bethany JaegerAll cemetery owners, managers and employees, including those hired to trim trees or maintain cemetery grounds, would have to register with the state and carry identification cards to prove their clearance to work on site, according to newly proposed legislation. In an attempt to clarify the hodge-podge regulation exposed in the Burr Oak ceme […]Illinois Issues Statehouse bureau
- Back to borrowing October 27, 2009By Bethany JaegerGov. Pat Quinn could propose borrowing roughly $1 billion for the third time since May to keep the state operating through the winter. Tax revenues have slowed, while spending pressures have not. Those pressures include unpaid bills, employee health insurance and financial aid grants for low-income college students.While short-term borrowing […]Illinois Issues Statehouse bureau
- Quinn seeks a full term as governor in 2010 October 22, 2009By Bethany JaegerAt this time last year, Rod Blagojevich was governor and battling with the state legislature to restore funding to human services and to state parks and historic sites. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors continued to indict members of Blagojevich’s inner circle in an ongoing investigation into political corruption, which foreshadowed his impeach […]Illinois Issues Statehouse bureau
- Operation Board Games gets another witness October 20, 2009By Bethany JaegerAlonzo “Lon” Monk is cooperating in the ongoing investigation into extensive political corruption in former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s office and political campaign. Monk pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to one count of wire fraud.That’s just one of 19 counts leveled on participants in “Blagojevich Enterprise," which the feds allege primarily […]Illinois Issues Statehouse bureau
- UIUC chancellor Herman resigns October 20, 2009By Bethany JaegerFallout from the University of Illinois’ clout-heavy admissions process has reached another administrator. Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Richard Herman today announced his resignation, effective October 26.His resignation comes about a month after the Faculty/Student Senate voted 98-55 to urge the board to replace Herman and President B. Josep […]Illinois Issues Statehouse bureau
- MAP grant funding up in the air October 15, 2009By Bethany JaegerAntonio Boyzo is one semester away from graduating from the University of Illinois Chicago. Having worked his way up from earning a general equivalency diploma and transferring from a community college to UIC, as well as earning U.S. citizenship in August, he feared Thursday morning that it would all disappear. He feared he would be one of a […]Illinois Issues Statehouse bureau
- Power to recall governors "up to the people" October 15, 2009By Bethany JaegerWhen voters head to the polls November 2, 2010, they’ll vote on who they want to represent them in the General Assembly, who they want as governor and constitutional officers and whether they want the ability to recall a governor.The ability to recall a sitting governor would require changing the state Constitution, which would require at le […]Illinois Issues Statehouse bureau
- Candidates line up in primary races for governor November 9, 2009
- Blogs – Illinois General Assembly
- Elizabeth Double running for Illinois General Assembly House of ... - Quad-Cities Online November 2, 2009
- Gen. John A. Logan Museum to present two programs - Murphysboro American November 9, 2009
- Woman to challenge Moffitt - Galesburg Register-Mail November 10, 2009Woman to challenge MoffittGalesburg Register-Mail... Springfield to establish herself as a Democratic candidate for the 2010 election for Illinois General Assembly House of Representatives for District 74. ...
- Time for campaign finance reform - Chicago Tribune November 6, 2009Time for campaign finance reformChicago TribuneYour editorial denouncing the Illinois General Assembly's recent passage of campaign finance reform is needlessly negative. As someone who has been part of ...
- Haine explains push for bill on Moreth - Alton Telegraph November 11, 2009Haine explains push for bill on MorethAlton TelegraphMoreth had sought the legislation, which was approved by the Illinois General Assembly, signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn on Aug. 8 and became effective Aug ...
- Macomb may consider new primary date - Peoria Journal Star November 11, 2009Macomb may consider new primary datePeoria Journal Star... Liz Wilhelm told aldermen Monday the February city election is stipulated in Macomb's 1882 special charter, approved by the Illinois General Assembly. ...
- AARP Commends Legislature For Saving Critical Health Care Program - Reuters October 31, 2009
- County revamps efforts to ban video gambling - Effingham Daily News November 10, 2009County revamps efforts to ban video gamblingEffingham Daily NewsThe Illinois General Assembly voted this spring to legalize video poker machines effective Jan. 1. Gov. Pat Quinn signed the bill July 13. ...
- Bi-state Democratic dynasties bolstered by ACORN/SEIU - Chicago Daily Observer November 9, 2009
- Fund poison control - Chicago Tribune November 5, 2009Fund poison controlChicago TribuneHaving spent over 13 years as a member of the Illinois General Assembly, I fully understand the complexities and the limitations of our state's budget. ...
