-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
via Rachel La Corte, The Huffington Post The Washington state Senate is set to take a crucial vote Wednesday on a proposal to legalize same-sex marriage. The bill has narrow support in the Senate, but is expected to pass because supporters have secured 25 “yes” votes – the minimum required for approval. Five senators, two … Continue reading
via Laura Bassett, The Huffington Post To protest a bill that would require women to undergo an ultrasound before having an abortion, Virginia State Sen. Janet Howell (D-Fairfax) on Monday attached an amendment that would require men to have a rectal exam and a cardiac stress test before obtaining a prescription for erectile dysfunction medication. … Continue reading
via AP, Indianapolis Business Journal An Indiana Senate panel has approved a bill that would allow creationism to be taught in Indiana’s public schools. The Times of Munster reported that the Republican-controlled Senate Education Committee voted 8-2 Wednesday to send the legislation to the full Senate despite pleas from scientists and religious leaders to keep … Continue reading
via The Huffington Post The number of abortions performed in Illinois fell to a 37 year low in 2010, according to new data from the Illinois Department of Public Health. While both abortion opponents and pro-choice advocates believe the decrease in abortions is a good thing, the groups disagree on why the state saw such … Continue reading
via Rachel La Corte and MIke Baker, The Huffington Post Gay marriage proponents urged their supporters not to become complacent following news the Legislature has enough votes to make Washington the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage. Democratic Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen says she’ll support the measure, becoming the 25th vote needed to pass the … Continue reading
via Katherine Skiba and Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk underwent surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital to relieve pressure on his brain after suffering a stroke, and doctors say they are hopeful about his recovery. “On Saturday, Senator Kirk checked himself into Lake Forest Hospital, where doctors discovered a carotid artery dissection in … Continue reading
via Amanda Terkel, The Huffington Post Democrats needed to collect 540,208 signatures to trigger a gubernatorial recall election against Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R). On Tuesday, they announced they had far exceeded that number, collecting more than one million signatures. Tuesday was the deadline for recall organizers, led by the group United Wisconsin, to turn … Continue reading
via Associated Press, WBEZ Got a new computer for Christmas? Finally replaced that old cell phone? Ready to toss the fax machine? Don’t plan on throwing old electronics in the trash or setting them out on the curb. Starting Jan. 1, Illinois residents must recycle them under a law aimed at keeping the gadgets — and … Continue reading
via Kate Sosin, Windy City Times In a move shocking LGBT rights groups in Illinois, Springfield’s city government has voted not to extend health benefits to civil union spouses. The Joint Labor/Management Health Care Committee, a Springfield committee comprised of staffers from various city positions as well as retirees, voted to keep its current eligibility … Continue reading
via Chicago Tribune Organizers with Chicago’s annual gay pride parade have agreed to a later start time after one of Chicago’s oldest Roman Catholic churches objected to a newly-proposed route they claimed would block access to Sunday Masses. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church leaders said the new route — which would go by the … Continue reading
via Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune Mark Kirk will formally endorse former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s bid for the GOP presidential nomination on Monday, sources close to the political operation of the first-term Illinois Republican senator said Sunday. Kirk, the state’s highest-ranking Republican officeholder, will join more than 50 members of Congress who already have endorsed … Continue reading
via Rosalind Rossi, Chicago Sun-Times Chicago Public Schools should begin the school day with clubs or extracurricular activities to encourage kids to show up on time. It should double the physical education students get — even if it means merely having kids climb stairs or take a brisk walk through the halls. And to ensure … Continue reading
via Jenniger Brandel, WBEZ Chicago previewed the city’s new branding campaign on Thursday, designed to attract tourists. Enough with the “Second City,” the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau wants everyone to know this town is “second to none.” “We’re shedding that humility, but we’re going to do it in a respectful way so that it … Continue reading
via Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune Congressman Joe Walsh told supporters Thursday night he plans to seek re-election in the 8th Congressional District, a change of heart from three months ago. The decision means Walsh is likely to win the Republican primary but face a stiff general election challenge from a Democratic field that includes Iraq … Continue reading
via Lisa Jennings, Nation’s Restaurant News Chicago will be the next market to see Starbucks locations selling beer and wine and expanded food offerings, the company said Tuesday. Alan Hilowitz, director of corporate communications for Starbucks Corp., said five to seven locations — both new and existing — are scheduled to open or be remodeled … Continue reading
via ABC 7 News After asking the judge for mercy, former governor Rod Blagojevich was sentenced to 168 months in prison on Wednesday. Judge James Zagel handed down the sentence after hearing from Blagojevich, himself, during the second day of hearings. He will surrender to officials on February 16. Blagojevich was also fined $20,000, a … Continue reading
via Joel Hood, Chicago Tribune A new national study shows that while Chicago public school 4th- and 8th-graders have improved in reading and math proficiency over the last decade, they still trail their peers in other large urban districts. Results released Wednesday from the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, indicate CPS students … Continue reading
via The Huffington Post Illinois Governor Pat Quinn finally has some political ammunition to use the next time Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker mocks the Land of Lincoln’s economy. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois added the most jobs in the nation in October, while Wisconsin saw a “significant decline” in employment. As … Continue reading
via Lisa Balde, NBC Chicago Rep. Joe Walsh (8th), not one to steer clear of attention, remained curiously absent this week. The freshman Republican said over the weekend he’d announce Monday which district he picked to run in for re-election. Monday came and went with no answer. In September Walsh announced he would run against … Continue reading
via Monica Davey, The New York Times For Rod R. Blagojevich, the former governor of Illinois, it may be the final campaign. On Tuesday, he is expected to testify at a hearing that will decide his sentence for 18 felony corruption convictions, including trying to sell or trade for his own benefit the United States … Continue reading
via The AP, WBEZ Leaders of one of Chicago’s oldest Roman Catholic churches are objecting to a newly-proposed route for the city’s annual gay pride parade, saying the event will draw large crowds outside the church entrance and block access to Sunday Masses. The parade that has run through parts of Chicago’s North Side for … Continue reading
via Amanda Terkel, The Huffington Post Activists pushing to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) announced on Monday evening that they have collected more than 300,000 signatures for the effort in just 12 days. To trigger a recall election, Walker’s opponents — coordinated by the group United Wisconsin — need to collect 540,208 valid signatures … Continue reading
via Shira Toeplitz, Roll Call Rep. Joe Walsh may switch races to run in Illinois’ 8th district instead of against Rep. Randy Hultgren in the GOP primary next year, according to two well-placed Republican sources. Walsh met with an aspiring GOP candidate in the 8th district, DuPage County Superintendent of Education Darlene Ruscitti, this afternoon … Continue reading
via Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune An ordinance that lessens penalties for those in Evanston caught with 10 grams or less of marijuana received unanimous approval from aldermen at Monday night’s City Council meeting. Originally proposed by Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, the ordinance replaces jail time with a ticket for those caught with 10 grams or less, … Continue reading
via Denise Lockwood, Caledonia, Wisconsin Patch Wisconsin recall supporters outed an anonymous Facebook group called Operation Burn Notice on Tuesday as a coordinated effort designed to destroy petitions signed to force Gov. Scott Walker and other Wisconsin Republicans out of office. Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, denounced the anonymous group, in a Madison … Continue reading
The Brandt Standard 