* Voter Poll Data Show Broad Support For Stronger Gun Laws In Obama Administration

* Penny Pritzker says she is not a candidate for Commerce Secretary.

* Plugged into city’s power

“Do I enjoy seeing our name in the newspaper associated with an extremely troubled property?” Jarrett said. “No I don’t, but I also have confidence that people know our reputation and value the job that we do.”

* Obama boosts Chicago’s Olympic chances

* Reese site again an Olympic Village possibility

Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th) disclosed Thursday that Chicago 2016 Chairman Pat Ryan is closing in on an agreement with Medline Industries, owner of the 37-acre Reese site. An $85 million borrowing to finance the acquisition could be approved by the City Council next month, she said.

* Olympic hopes take Daley to Istanbul

* Ahern to advise 2016 Olympic bid committee

* Daley Defends O’Hare Expansion

DALEY: In an economic crisis, people get mad at each other and they blame each other, but what we’re doing in Chicago, we’re all going to work together and move this agenda forward. Yes, there’s a lot of issues on the table and we’ll discuss those later on.

* Cook Library officials debating temporary move during construction

* These shoulder cameras need rules

First came the ever-expanding use of cameras on street corners. Law enforcement authorities said the cameras will help them stem crime and traffic violations. Then came the news last week that Benedictine University’s Police Department purchased a $700 gadget that can capture digital video and still photography _ all while being worn on an officer’s shoulder.

* Alvarez should speed justice for McKinney

Dropping the charges against McKinney is within her power but, at the least, we are asking her to speed justice for McKinney. His attorney says she has been keeping the state’s attorney’s office aware of developments, so McKinney’s case won’t be a surprise.

* Teens Rally Against Police Assault Weapons Plan

* Stroger foes decry borrowing idea, unpaid bills

* Republican leader returns to Illinois Senate

Watson fought back tears as he waved to his colleagues. Speaking with only a slightly slower speech, Watson told reporters he had stayed in shape but had a history of strokes in his family.

“It’s good seeing you,” Watson told an aid he shook hands. “Good seeing everybody, anybody, for that matter.”

* Lawmakers approve clean coal projects bill

* Carpool lanes approved for state tollways

Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s tollway board approved the still vague $1.8 billion program Thursday as officials sought to ease concerns the “Green Lanes” could actually make traffic worse.

“We are going to ease our way into this process,” said John Mitola, chairman of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority board.

* Answers to your questions about the tollway plan

* Governor restores some spending cuts

“We were able to save some core services today, but in the larger picture, we still have a $2 billion shortfall and need to manage that budget,” Ridgway said. “Difficult decisions are being made this year, but we have to do so while maintaining core services.”

* Governor signs Peoria County referendum bill

* Britt: Cartoon on Gov. Rod Blagojevich and power

* Illinois state parks may be spared from closing

The governor did make it clear that the targeted historic sites were not in the mix by overriding the wishes of lawmakers and vetoing $2.4 million that would have kept places such as the Lincoln Log Cabin, the Vandalia Statehouse and the Blackhawk State Historic Site from closing at month’s end.

* Partial restorations and restored hope

* Governor touts outreach programs

* Governor addresses late payments, other questions

“Here’s the challenge,” the governor said. “The economy has slowed. The situation with regard to the state budget is worse today than it was Labor Day. The expectation of the revenue we thought we were going to get is not as good as it was and because of the economic crisis (nationally) consumer confidence is down and when confidence is down, people spend less money and therefore less sales tax comes in.

* What Will Obama Do With Fitzgerald?

* Obama Insider David Axelrod On Next Steps

* Illinois unemployment rate rises to 7.3 percent

* Why not a citizen senator?

Why not pick a smart, well-spoken, accomplished person brimming with ideas for the U.S Senate?

There are plenty of people out there who would offer vital, refreshing perspectives on Capitol Hill but will never be elected to go there because they have no interest in the grueling, greasy, handshake-and-pretty-please of campaigning

* Friday Beer Blogging: Health and Beauty Edition