Schneider settles into new office

Democrat Brad Schneider officially became the 10th U.S. House Representative this month, promising to be an advocate for small business and saying he expected to tackle difficult economic issues in the coming weeks. The Deerfield businessman and management consultant, who won a narrow victory last …

Pricey race pits Dold vs. Schneider

It isn’t too tough to get U.S. Rep. Bob Dold going. Just ask the 10th Congressional District Republican representing the North Shore whether he’s affiliated with the Tea Party, as his opponent, Brad Schneider, a Democrat, has repeatedly said in mailings throughout the district. Dold …

County commissioners give preliminary OK to new district map

A proposed map redrawing boundaries for the Cook County Board of Commissioners districts received overwhelming preliminary approval Friday. Fifteen of the 17 commissioners signed off on the plan, which is slated for a final vote Tuesday. The lone dissenting vote came from Commissioner Earlean Collins …

Turelli battles back against Neerhof charge as campaign nears close

As far as Lauren Turelli is concerned, the flap raised by her opponent about her education at Cambridge University is helping her campaign more than eroding her support base. “I’m getting calls from perfect strangers supporting me. They don’t like the negative campaign tactics at …

10th District Dem contenders spell out where they stand

CAMPAIGN 2012: Four Democratic contenders are on the ballot for the redrawn 10th Congressional District with hopes of defeating incumbent U.S. Rep. Robert Dold, R- Kenilworth, who has represented the district in Washington, D.C. since 2011.

Four Democratic contenders in 10th District spell out positions

Four Democratic contenders are on the ballot for the redrawn 10th Congressional District with hopes of defeating incumbent U.S. Rep. Robert Dold, (R-10th) of Kenilworth, who has represented the district in Washington D.C. since 2011. Campaigning heavily for months in hopes of becoming the Democratic …

10th District candidates debate college affordability, taxes

An audience jam-packed mostly with teens welcomed three of the four Democratic candidates in the 10th Congressional District race Wednesday night at Stevenson High School. Stevenson’s Political Action Club teamed up with students from the Mikva Challenge, a civics-minded group in Cook County, to organize …

Sen. Kirk’s brain swelling subsides; doctors reattach skull section

Doctors on Tuesday reattached a 4-inch by 8-inch piece of U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk’s skull that was removed to ease swelling in his brain following his Jan. 21 stroke.

Sen. Kirk upgraded to ‘good’ condition, watched Super Bowl

Sen. Mark Kirk’s condition has been upgraded from “fair” to “good.”

Doctors hope to be able to re-attach the 8-inch-by-4-inch section of his skull that had to be removed after he suffered a stroke two weeks ago.

Then the Highland Park Republican can begin physical …

Gov. Quinn signs bill to allow speed cameras near schools, parks

Gov. Pat Quinn on Monday ended months of deliberation and signed into law a measure allowing Chicago to install speed-enforcement cameras near schools and parks.

Quinn’s State of State address gets cool reception from legislators

Touting a jobs platform, Gov. Pat Quinn pushed modest tax relief for families and businesses that hire veterans, Medicaid and pension reforms, and more spending on college grants in a spartan State of the State speech Wednesday overshadowed by the gloom and doom of Illinois’ crushing financial condition.

Former Survivor member sues Gingrich for using ‘Eye of Tiger’

A founding member of the rock band Survivor says Newt Gingrich is using the band’s biggest hit — “Eye of the Tiger” — without permission at campaign appearances, according to a federal copyright infringement lawsuit filed Monday.

Preckwinkle to meet with worried ministers about morgue mess

Chicago-area ministers want a voice in the planned overhaul of the troubled Cook County morgue and are asking to meet with board President Toni Preckwinkle. “If you don’t hold people’s feet to the fire, the problems don’t go away,” the Rev. Ira Acree said on …

Sen. Mark Kirk upgraded to fair condition

Sen. Mark Kirk has been upgraded to “fair” condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital a week after undergoing surgery for a stroke. “Senator Kirk’s recovery is continuing,” his neurosurgeon, Richard Fessler, said in a written statement. “He is alert, talking and responding well to questions.” Fessler …

Kirk undergoes more surgery to relieve brain swelling

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk has undergone more surgery to relieve swelling in his brain following the stroke he suffered over the weekend.