Thousands Losing Unemployment Benefits Daily

According to an analysis from the National Employment Law Project, 400,000 workers exhausted their federally-funded jobless benefits in September and another 200,000 will do so by the end of this month, resulting in an average of 7,000 workers a day seeing their benefits end. By year’s end, 1.3 million workers will exhaust their jobless benefits, reflecting today’s record rates of long-term unemployment.

Click on the following:  NELP: Thousands Losing Unemployment Benefits Daily | Progress Illinois

End to crack cocaine sentencing disparity?

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, second-ranking Democrat from Illinois, introduced a bill Thursday that would eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powdered cocaine.

the fact that under current law it takes 100 times as much, powdered cocaine as crack, to trigger the same mandatory minimum sentence.

This quirk in sentencing policy has resulted in greater arrest among black people, who either use or sell crack

End to crack cocaine sentencing disparity?

Quinn indicates support for ending free rides for all seniors

eliminating blanket free rides for seniors on Chicago area mass transit in favor of a plan that would restrict the benefit to just low-income elderly.

Click on the following for the details: Quinn indicates support for ending free rides for all seniors - Chicago Breaking News

Inside Rod Blagojevich's jobs machine

The Chicago Sun-Times' special report today details how former Gov. Rod Blagojevich doled out jobs based on clout while at the same time declaring a state hiring freeze. 

On his first full day as governor in 2003, Rod Blagojevich ordered a freeze on state hiring.  Only essential jobs would be filled, he said, promising to rein in a record state budget deficit and put an end to what he called "taking care of insiders first and taxpayers last."

Behind the scenes, though, Blagojevich aides flouted the supposed freeze, forging a patronage machine that -- despite their boss' public promises -- eventually would provide state jobs or promotions to nearly 2,500 people

members of Chicago's City Council and members of Congress. Lobbyists and Blagojevich's own top fund-raisers asked for and got people state jobs, too.

Neither Blagojevich nor anyone from his Office of Intergovernmental Affairs is charged with any hiring-related crimes, though U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, whose office charged Blagojevich, said in a 2006 letter that there were "very serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud" under Blagojevich.

Click on the following for more details, such as names of sponsors and recipients:  Inside Rod Blagojevich's jobs machine :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Gov. Blagojevich

Hynes: Plan to fix budget won't be popular

 

Hynes, who will oppose Gov. Pat Quinn in the Feb. 2 Democratic primary, said his campaign will focus on three issues: ethics, the Illinois economy and the state's fiscal condition.

"And they're all intertwined," he said. "Our economy is only going to get better if we get our fiscal house in order.  Our fiscal house will get better only if we can ask people to make the sacrifices that are necessary to bring more money into the state, and to be patient with government as we get out of this fiscal hole that we're in.

$1.6 billion budget cuts that can be made, including eliminating lottery advertising, "scrutinizing" 1,600 appointees of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and reducing agency spending to 2005 levels

Next, he said, the state must look to a number of revenue measures, including expanding the sales tax base to include "luxury" services such as elective cosmetic surgery, country club memberships and dating services; expanded gaming; and closing some corporate tax loopholes.

he "toughest part," he said, will be persuading voters to adopt a new, graduated state income tax, as opposed to the current flat 3 percent individual income tax.

 

Click on the following for more details:  The News-Gazette.com: Hynes: Plan to fix budget won't be popular

Mount Prospect man goes undercover for government

Woodward Governor involved in federal investigation and fraud conviction

Skokie-based MPC, acquired in October 2008 by Woodward Governor Co. and renamed Woodward MPC Inc., also will pay $2.5 million in fines in a related criminal prosecution, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Joe Caputo, a longtime pricing analyst for MPC Products Corp. in Skokie, stands to collect 15 percent to 25 percent of a $22.5 million civil settlement between the company and the government, according to his attorneys.

The government paid high prices for MPC parts. This same payment record allowed MPC to discount their rates to private industry in which it sought to gain a greater foothold, according to court documents.

Click on the following for more details:  Daily Herald | Mount Prospect man goes undercover for government

Once-spurned Burris may become key vote on health care

Not running for election at the end of his term in 2010, Burris says he is in many ways immune from the political pressures many of his colleagues face. Whatever may happen, his Senate career will end next year after he completes one-third of the term for the seat originally held by Barack Obama.

Burris joined 29 fellow senators to sign a letter urging the inclusion of a public option in the health reform legislation.

“I will continue to be a strong advocate for the public option in any health insurance reform bill that comes before the Senate, and will not vote for a bill that does not include a public option”

Click on the following for more details:  Daily Herald | Once-spurned Burris may become key vote on health care

Joe Sosnowski announces bid for State Representative

Who is supporting who? 

Joe Sosnowski, Candidate for State Representative in the 69th District [Mr. Wait’s seat] , is announcing support from State Senator Brad Burzynski, State Representative Robert Pritchard, and House Republican leader Tom Cross.

Click on the following for more of this news story:  The Belvidere Daily Republican. - Joe Sosnowski announces bid for State Representative