So far, the ugliest state-legislative primary race is in suburban McHenry County. Two Republicans are battling to challenge state Representative Jack Franks (D-Crystal Lake) in the general election. Perry Moy (R-Woodstock) is the anointed candidate, a popular restaurant owner and county-board member who has widespread support among the local GOP organization.
Last year was one of transition for Illinois' political leadership. The year began with Republican Governor George Ryan leaving office after just four years in office - a term constantly overshadowed by allegations of corruption while he was secretary of state.
"A prosecutor once described political corruption as a 'time-honored tradition' in Illinois, but the scandal outlined in a 91-page indictment against former Governor George Ryan might be the worst yet," claimed the Associated Press last week.
My father is a Barry Goldwater Republican. Goldwater, you will recall, was the Republican presidential nominee in 1964 who once said, "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice." Dad never voted for a Democrat in his life until 1984.
Without a doubt, it was way past time that a giant corporation was rebuffed in Springfield. Every year, at least one of the big boys hires every available contract lobbyist, signs up a PR firm, cuts a deal with some pliable and influential third parties, and descends on the Illinois statehouse with a clever proposal in hand.
Up until last Tuesday afternoon, it looked like Commonwealth Edison had it made in the shade. House Speaker Michael Madigan had signed off on what was thought to be the final draft of ComEd's bill to help it purchase downstate electric company Illinois Power.
The big boys who really run Springfield are at it again. Back in August, Exelon Chairperson John Rowe delivered a very frank speech to his shareholders. Exelon is the parent company of Chicago-based Commonwealth Edison, and Rowe explained how he planned to increase his company's profitability.
You've probably heard that Governor Rod Blagojevich is fighting with the Illinois Legislature again. This time, he's claiming the General Assembly is on a "spending orgy" and tossing around taxpayer money like "drunken sailors" who have "run amok.
Commonwealth Edison has come a long way from the bad old days when it was constantly trying to find underhanded, sneaky ways to bill consumers for its overpriced, and then-unfinished, nuclear-power plants. ComEd's service territory was infamous for having the highest electric rates in the Midwest, and the third highest rates in the country.
Those of us who live or work in Chicago high-rises have been a little freaked out lately since six people died in what at first appeared to be a routine fire at a Loop office building on October 17. From the live television coverage, it looked like the firefighters did a good job of promptly extinguishing the blaze.

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