* NEW Tribune Editorial: Why Chicago needs charter schools
* Four takes on civil unions
* The Statehouse Reeder: On young pols, WIU and gays
* Illegal immigrant driving bill likely called for House floor vote today
* Rockford mayor favors new Springfield lobbying effort
* Editorial: Keep the schools’ physical education class waivers
* Ryan and co defendants pay up on fines
* Zorn: Mandatory silence sends loud message
Constitutional issues aside, that’s a decision for their classroom teachers, not a crew of idle moralists in Springfield with their one-size-fits-all fantasies and their ill-concealed pro-prayer agenda.
* CPS expects to cut 270 teachers
* Duckworth: I’d consider cabinet job
With a Democrat in the White House, Duckworth would likely have sufficient clout to get a job in Washington, possibly even in the Cabinet. Illinois’ senators Democrats Barack Obama and Dick Durbin — one a candidate for president, the other a key Senate leader — were major backers of her unsuccessful suburban congressional campaign.
* Senate passes more training and curfew for teen drivers; more here
* Kadner: AG Madigan calls loan scam ‘just evil’
* Allegations Health Facilities Planning Board members’ of meeting sent to panel
* McLaughlin: Cash and sunshine needed for transportation network
The Illinois Department of Transportation has a system for rating and funding infrastructure projects, but the public and most elected officials have no idea how the process works — which means they would be hard-pressed to explain how the state is spending their money.
* Pace to overhaul Will and Cook Co. services
* Some protest comments of Cook Co. health bureau chief
* Chicago eyes transportation deal for seniors
* Sweet: Chicagoan on popular Obama youtube ad: I ‘own’ rights to 1984:
Rosenblum attorney William R. Coulson — whose wife is state Rep. Beth Coulson (R-Glenview) — said they have not taken any legal action — “yet” but are “monitoring” the situation, serving “notice to the world the Orwell novel is still under copyright.”
* Cool reception for Stroger when he shows up for jury duty
* 50th ward runoff: A battle of extremes
* Détente for Dolar and Brewer
* Haithcock, Fioretti jab over pay raises in 2nd ward