WIFR - Politics

State Budget Update
The budget impasse in Springfield has state government workers and social service agencies wondering how long they can keep moving forward without fresh dollars.
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Judge Sets Blagojevich Trial Date
A judge has scheduled a start date of June 3, 2010, for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's federal corruption trial.
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News Media Urge Court To Unseal Blago Wiretaps
News organizations are urging federal Judge James B. Zagel to unseal materials in the corruption case against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
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State Sen. Murphy Announces Run For Ill. Governor
Republican state Sen. Matt Murphy has announced plans to run for governor next year.
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Quinn Skips Tax Talk At Business Leaders' Event
Gov. Pat Quinn didn't mention raising Illinois' income tax when talking to a group of business leaders.
Sweeping Financial Regulation Changes
The Obama administration has unveiled a sweeping regulatory overhaul that it hopes will restore confidence in the U.S. financial system and prevent a repeat of the worst crisis to hit Wall Street in seven decades.
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Dillard Considering Run For Ill. Governor
A Republican state senator who appeared in campaign commercials for President Barack Obama says he's considering a run for Illinois governor.
Topinka Not Happy About 'Crazy Old Aunt' Mention By Pattie Blagojevich
Republican Judy Baar Topinka contends ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich and "his tarantula-eating wife" don't have any respect for the people of Illinois.
Quinn Hopes For Vote Friday On Ill. Income Tax
Gov. Pat Quinn says he hopes the Illinois House will vote soon on whether to raise state income taxes.
Chicago Alderman Mum On Corruption Charges
Chicago Alderman Isaac Carothers isn't talking about his indictment on federal fraud and bribery charges.
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Quinn: Still Optimistic About Income Tax Increase
Gov. Pat Quinn says he remains optimistic that Illinois lawmakers will raise income taxes to help balance the state budget.
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Sen. Burris Heads Out On Tour Of Central Illinois
U.S. Sen. Roland Burris says he never participated in a pay-to-play scheme despite the release of a transcript in which he offers to "personally do something" for then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich's campaign fund.
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Sen. Burris Has Bumpy Ride From Washington
A spokesman says a plane carrying U.S. Sen. Roland Burris made an unscheduled landing in Pittsburgh after pilots reported mechanical problems.
IL US Attorney Not Interested In Elected Office
Don't look for U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's name on a ballot -- ever.
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Atty: Blagojevich's Wife Mulling Reality TV Spot
An attorney says ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's wife is considering being on reality TV after her indicted husband was barred from traveling to Costa Rica to be on a show.
State Budget on Agenda for Quinn at Civic Club
Gov. Pat Quinn is out pushing his budget and reform agenda as the legislative session nears an end.
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Blagojevich Case Due In Federal Court
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's corruption case is due in federal court Monday morning.
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Durbin Lobby For High-Speed Rail Corridor
Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Claire McCaskill of Missouri are lobbying for a high-speed rail corridor between St. Louis and Chicago.
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Durbin Hands Gavel to Specter
Majority Whip Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) agreed to hand over his subcommittee chairmanship on crime to Republican turned Democrat Arlen Spector (D-PA).
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Obama Announces Plan To Close Tax Loopholes
President Barack Obama is proposing to close tax loopholes for companies and individuals with operations or bank accounts overseas.
Specter Says Obama Promised To Campaign For Him
Veteran Sen. Arlen Specter says President Barack Obama has promised to campaign for him in next year's Democratic primary in Pennsylvania.
Ethics Commission Targets Ill. Legislature
A reform commission appointed by Gov. Pat Quinn says cleaning up Illinois government requires major changes in the operations of the General Assembly.
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Quinn Has Raised $250K For Run For Ill. Governor
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says he's raised about $250,000 with the intent of seeking a full term as chief executive in 2010.
Durbin Outlines Process For Selecting Judge Candidates
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has laid out his process for how he will select candidates for federal judges.
Biden Tours Chicago Factory
Vice President Joe Biden is in Chicago at a window factory that was the site of a labor dispute last year.
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Palin Supporters Set Up Legal Defense Fund
Supporters of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin have set up a fund to help her pay off more than $500,000 in legal fees incurred while defending herself against ethics complaints.
Gov. Quinn Backs Project To Green 3 Schools
Gov. Pat Quinn is backing a project by the U.S. Green Building Council to retrofit three Illinois schools.
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Burris Says Fundraiser Will Help Pay Debts
Aides at U.S. Senator Roland Burris' first fundraiser since being appointed by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich wore new blue buttons that said "Run Roland Run."
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Arraignment For Ill. Gov.'s Ex Chief-of-Staff
Gov. Rod Blagojevich's former chief of staff, campaign finance chairman and a millionaire lobbyist are scheduled to be arraigned on charges related to the racketeering and fraud case against the ousted governor.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan in Chicago
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Gov. Pat Quinn will be visiting a public school on Chicago's West Side.
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Rockford Man After U.S. Senate Seat
One Rockford man says he has what it takes to make a difference in Washington.
Governor Quinn Signs Law to Protect Against Dishonest Gas Suppliers
Illinois Governor Pat Guinn is making sure we're protected against misleading business practices. Today the governor signed a law that protects consumers against dishonest alternative gas suppliers.
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Burris Says Legal Tab Now $500,000
U.S. Sen. Roland Burris says he's rung up $500,000 in legal expenses tied to investigations surrounding his appointment by indicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
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Quinn OKs Pension Reform
Quinn signed a law Friday that lawmakers approved just a day earlier. The measure dumps the boards of four pension systems and adopts tougher ethics rules.
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Ill. Governor OKs 'Mini' Construction Program
Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a construction program aimed at putting people back to work while lawmakers hash out a much larger public works program.
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Blagojevich Proclaims Innocence
Ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is proclaiming his innocence and vowing to fight his indictment.
Burris Brushes Off Blagojevich Indictment News
A spokesman for Roland Burris says the embattled senator is focused on his work in the Senate, not the indictment filed against the man who appointed him.
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Lobbyist Indicted With Ill. Gov. Denies Wrongdoing
An attorney for one of the men indicted alongside Rod Blagojevich says his client has no connection to the allegations against the former governor.
Ill. GOP Chairman: Democrats Empowered Blagojevich
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna blames Democrats for empowering now-indicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
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McCain Presses Sebelius On Health Care Tax Credit
McCain tried to get Sebelius to agree with his contention that employer-based coverage is unfair because higher-paid employees get better coverage.
Records Show Tribune Co. Lobbying Of Blago
New state records reveal heavy lobbying last year by Tribune Co. representatives looking to get then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich to agree to having the state buy Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.
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Canada agrees with US on rejecting auto plans
Canada's federal government and Ontario's provincial government say they agree with President Barack Obama that neither General Motors nor Chrysler has proposed sweeping enough changes to justify further bailouts.
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Ill. gets $3B for Education in Stimulus Money
Federal officials say Illinois will receive about $3 billion for education in economic stimulus money.
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AP Source: Ex-Miss. Gov To Get Nod For Navy Post
A person familiar with discussions on the matter says President Barack Obama will nominate former Mississippi Governor Ray Mabus to be the secretary of the Navy.
Obama Says More Money, Reform Will Boost Education
President Barack Obama says the best way to improve the nation's education system is with more money and more reform.
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Biden: Social Security Payments To Begin In May
Vice President Joe Biden says people who collect Social Security will get a special $250 payment sometime in May.
Morrissey Campaign Sign Controversy
The man who owns a Rockford women's health center that performs abortions wants to press charges against Mayor Larry Morrissey's campaign manager for plucking campaign signs off clinic property.
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Rockford Mayoral Debate
The four candidates for Rockford mayor take on tough issues and each other, in a debate at the Coronado theater. Here's a look at what's up for discussion between the four very different men.
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Rockford Candidate Forum
Candidates for Rockford mayor, 14th ward alderman and school board, as well two Rockford township posts take some tough questions Tuesday night at a community forum.
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Attorney Terence Gillespie Joins Blagojevich Team
One of Chicago's leading criminal defense attorneys has joined the legal team representing ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

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