* No House vote yet on electric rates
* Blagojevich’s tollway sign drive push to close loopholes
* McQueary: The intrigue of ethics legislation
* WSIU show explores work of Illinois lawmakers
* In support of HB1500; in opposition
* Civil damages bill could reignite ire of doctors
* Michigan unveils comprehensive business tax relief plan; more here
In a move to jumpstart Michigan’s economy and reward businesses that create jobs here in Michigan, House leadership today unveiled a comprehensive business tax and incentive package that rewards investment, protects Michigan-based companies, and ensures funding for education, health care and the 21st Century Jobs Fund.
* Players ponder state’s power rate debate
* Compromise sought on electric rate freeze
* Electric rates caught in sticky web
* Aaron Chambers: Power politics puts ComEd back in the rate freeze mix
* Editorial: Real leadership is needed to ease electric rate crisis
* Editorial: Political games in Springfield hurt electric issue
Years from now, political science classes probably will be studying the Illinois deregulation/rate-setting issue as an example of how not to do something.
* Statehouse Insider: Electric rates and Media ducking: “It’s pretty much official now. None of the top Democrats in the state is talking to the news media.”
* Public will get to go up in dome of Old State Capitol
* Bill would bring fluorescent light to state buildings
* House votes to expand malpractice damages
* Lynn Sweet: Obama admits being nervous at first debate
Obama replied that while a state senator, “The first bill I ever passed was campaign finance reform legislation.'’ He’s wrong. It was not his first bill. Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney reports that as a chief co-sponsor, Obama played an important role in passing that legislation May 22, 1998. Obama’s first bill passed on his own in the state Senate required the state’s community colleges to publish a directory of students with vocational and technical skills.
* Video: Raw interview with Obama
* Carol Marin: Ald. Preckiwinkle speaks out on Rezko
* Subcontractor with Rezko ties hasn’t shown it’s done any work
* Moseley Braun attacked in failed robbery attempt
* CPS cuts 11% of teaching force
* Tribune Editorial: Another form of TIF abuse
* Hinz: Mayor must allow real community participation in the Olympic effort
* Middle school students get close look at government
* Who says art and politics don’t mix?
* Illinois Reason: Is tipping included?
* Eastern Illinois raises tutition 12%
* States seek ‘robocall’ limits in campaigns
* Editorial: More state funds needed for Pace paratransit program