Clout Street - Local political coverage - chicagotribune.com

GE Transportation to move headquarters to Chicago

By Kathy Bergen and John Byrne — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:00:00 GMT

GE Transportation, a manufacturer of equipment for the rail, mining and marine industries, will relocate its global headquarters to Chicago from Erie, Pa.

Obama visiting Chicago for Friday fundraisers

By Katherine Skiba — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:06:00 GMT

WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama will travel to Chicago for three fundraisers Friday and stay through Saturday morning, according to White House and campaign officials.

Internet dating safety check measure sent to governor

By Alissa Groeninger — Tue, 29 May 2012 23:06:00 GMT

Internet dating services would have to provide more safety checks for customers under a measure the Illinois Senate sent to the governor today.

Illinois lawmakers approve $1-a-pack cigarette tax increase

By Rick Pearson — Tue, 29 May 2012 20:22:00 GMT

SPRINGFIELD --- Illinois lawmakers today approved a $1-a-pack cigarette tax hike to generate more money for health care for low-income people.

Illinois pension reform clears first hurdle

By Ray Long and Rick Pearson — Tue, 29 May 2012 17:22:00 GMT

SPRINGFIELD — A pension reform plan that aims to save tens of billions of dollars surfaced at the Capitol today, but questions remain about a controversial provision to shift suburban and Downstate teacher retirement costs onto local school districts.

Illinois House approves $1-a-pack cigarette tax increase

By Rick Pearson — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:18:00 GMT

SPRINGFIELD --- The Illinois House today approved a $1-a-pack cigarette tax hike to generate money for health care coverage for the poor.

Illinois legislature passes deep health care cuts

By Ray Long — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:57:00 GMT

SPRINGFIELD --- Hundreds of thousands of poor Illinoisans would lose health coverage, prescription drug discounts for seniors would be dropped and dental care for adults would be greatly curtailed as part of $1.6 billion in budget cuts lawmakers approved yesterday.

Strip club tax passes Illinois Senate

By Alissa Groeninger — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:23:00 GMT

The Illinois Senate today voted 53-0 to raise money from strip clubs to support rape crisis centers.

Cook County looks at naming rights to raise money

By John Byrne and Hal Dardick — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:34:00 GMT

Cash-strapped Cook County government and the more financially sound Forest Preserve District are looking to bring in corporate cash by selling naming rights, sponsorships and concessions.

Illinois House approves major gambling expansion

By Ray Long and Alissa Groeninger — Wed, 23 May 2012 22:03:00 GMT

SPRINGFIELD — Shunting aside Gov. Pat Quinn’s concerns, the Illinois House today approved a major expansion of gambling in Illinois that would put a casino in Chicago and four other cities, add positions at riverboats and allow slot machines at racetracks.

Panel picks former Stroger aide to run against indicted state lawmaker

By Monique Garcia — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:56:00 GMT

West Side Democratic leaders today picked a onetime aide to former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger to run against indicted state Rep. Derrick Smith this fall.

Alderman's girlfriend among finalists to challenge indicted lawmaker

By Monique Garcia — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:05:00 GMT

West Side Democratic leaders were unable to reach consensus Tuesday on a challenger to indicted Rep. Derrick Smith, but among the three finalists is the girlfriend of 28th Ward Ald. Jason Ervin.

House votes to end scholarship perk, Quinn expected to sign bill

By Alissa Groeninger — Mon, 21 May 2012 22:33:00 GMT

The Illinois House today voted to end a century-old legislative scholarship program beset by decades of abuse by politicians who passed out the tuition waivers to relatives and children of cronies and campaign contributors.

Injuries, arrests in clashes between protesters and police

Tribune staff report — Mon, 21 May 2012 02:30:00 GMT

A standoff between police and anti-war demonstrators near the NATO summit at McCormick Place left several protesters bloodied and led to dozens of arrests, as delegates gathered for the first of two days of meetings.

City of Chicago website hacked, back online

By Hal Dardick — Sun, 20 May 2012 21:05:00 GMT

Officials say the city's website was hacked today, though users were able to access most online services.

Peaceful start to NATO protests

Tribune staff report — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:20:00 GMT

Despite much hand-wringing for city officials, the first rally of the NATO weekend -- and two impromptu marches it inspired -- went off without any major incidents Friday.

Ricketts family moves to control fallout on Obama attack ad

By Hal Dardick and Melissa Harris — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:23:00 GMT

The Ricketts family, owners of the Chicago Cubs, today moved to control the fallout from a now-disavowed plan to politically attack President Barack Obama reportedly funded by family patriarch.

City kicks in $29 million for West Loop office tower

By John Byrne — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:36:00 GMT

The city will kick in $29 million toward a downtown high rise project on a prime piece of riverfront property, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Wednesday.

Strip club tax could fund rape crisis centers

By Alissa Groeninger — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:35:00 GMT

Strip clubs that sell or allow alcohol would have to charge admission fees or pay more in taxes under legislation a Senate committee approved today.

Democrats form third party to challenge indicted Rep. Smith

By Ray Long — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:00:00 GMT

SPRINGFIELD — Chicago Democratic leaders are forming an alternative party to put up a candidate in the November election against indicted Rep. Derrick Smith, a Democrat who won the primary.

Emanuel, suburban mayors join forces on pension reform

By John Byrne — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:00:00 GMT

A crowd of suburban and Downstate mayors sounded the alarm on their pension woes today, standing with Mayor Rahm Emanuel to warn their communities could face bankruptcy if state lawmakers don't fix their police and fire department retirement funds.

Lawmaker accused of taking bribe tells House panel he will clear his name

By Ray Long and Alissa Groeninger — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:38:00 GMT

A Chicago lawmaker facing federal bribery charges delivered his first testimony to House investigators today, saying he intends to clear his name in court and keep his job.

Retired state employees could pay for health coverage

By Alissa Groeninger — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:28:00 GMT

House lawmakers moved today to reduce the $800 million annual cost of insurance for retired state workers by making them pay more for health care that some now get for little or nothing.

Quinn says gambling not the focus this spring

By Monique Garcia — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:30:00 GMT

Gov. Pat Quinn on Tuesday took aim at the latest effort for a major gambling expansion, saying it's not a priority compared to efforts to reform the state's public employee pension system and health care program for the poor.

Emanuel to state lawmakers on pension costs: 'Day of reckoning has arrived'

By Ray Long — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:23:00 GMT

SPRINGFIELD -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel took his case for reining in soaring pension costs to state lawmakers today, saying change is needed or Chicago's "quality of life will suffer."