Radogno questions “sham” medical marijuana bill

Illinois Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno opposed passage of the medical marijuana bill, but said it calls for further frank discussion. “At the end of the day we’re kidding ourselves if we just think we’ve approved the medical use of marijuana,” said Radogno, whose 41st …

Business outlook key to LaGrange Park president race

LAGRANGE PARK — Two longtime residents have a similar vision but different steps to lead the village to a brighter future.

Jay Miller is challenging two-term incumbent James Discipio in the April 9 election for village president.

Miller ran unsuccessfully for trustee in 2009 and …

State Rep. LaShawn Ford pleads not guilty in court

State Rep. LaShawn Ford pleaded not guilty to bank fraud charges Tuesday morning as he made his first appearance in federal court.

Davis up in 7th Congressional

CHICAGO — Democratic incumbent Danny K. Davis held a large lead and was set to retain his seat in the 7th Congressional District Tuesday.

With 577 of 593 precincts reporting, Democrat Danny Davis had 225,787 votes, versus 28,938 for Republican Rita Zak and 11,711 votes …

Quigley commands in 5th Congressional

CHICAGO — Incumbent Mike Quigley retained a large lead over challengers Dan Schmidt and Nancy Wade Tuesday night for the 5th Congressional District.

With 577 of 586 precincts reporting, Quigley had 168,052 votes, Schmidt 73,553 and Wade 14,501, according to unofficial election results.

If Quigley …

Gutierrez holds lead in 4th Congressional

CHICAGO — With nearly all precincts reporting, Democratic incumbent Luis Gutierrez held a commanding lead over Republican challenger Hector Concepcion in the 4th Congressional District.

With 433 of 434 precincts reporting, Gutierrez had 129,165 votes versus Concepcion’s 26,170.

Gutierrez is in his 10th term in …

Lipinski’s call for debt reduction meets with approval at Chamber

COUNTRYSIDE — A problem-solving, bipartisan approach to debt reduction and job creation is key to the nation’s future, U. S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski, D-3rd, from Western Springs, told business and community leaders Monday.

Lipinski said he was disappointed the Simpson-Bowles budget, developed by leaders of …

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 …

Sandack pushes for state repealer

The Subcommittee on State Government has advanced legislation creating an Office of the Repealer, charged with weeding out and eliminating redundant and outdated laws and regulations. Senate Bill 3681, sponsored by state Sens. Ron Sandack and Kirk Dillard, was introduced in response to the many …

Sandack: Health care contract issues remain

Senate lawmakers worked to move bills through the legislative process before this week’s deadline, advancing hundreds of measures addressing issues that state Sen. Ron Sandack (R-23rd District) said range from criminal justice and procurement matters to state financial reporting and veterans’ assistance.

Also this week, …

Final House primary totals delayed until April

The Democratic nominee for state representative in the 7th District will not be named until at least April 3, according to county officials. Fifteen votes currently separate Rory Hoskins from Emanuel “Chris” Welch in the too-close-to-call Democratic primary. There was no candidate in the Republican …

Welch, Hoskins wait for final vote count in 7th District House primary

The top two vote recipients in the Democratic primary for 7th District state representative are taking a wait-and-see approach before declaring victory or admitting defeat. Although Emanuel “Chris” Welch is considered the winner in the preliminary tally of votes for the Democratic party’s candidate in …

Final House primary totals delayed until April

The Democratic nominee for state representative in the 7th District will not be named until at least April 3, according to county officials. Fifteen votes currently separate Rory Hoskins from Emanuel “Chris” Welch in the too-close-to-call Democratic primary. There was no candidate in the Republican …

Welch leads by 15 votes

Emanuel “Chris” Welch is leading Rory Hoskins in 7th District state rep. race, according to unofficial vote totals. With all 87 precincts reporting, Welch has 39 percent; Hoskins has 38.87 percent; Beyonca Johnson has 13.68 percent and Princess C. Dempsey has 8.45 percent. But both …

Welch votes to hire boss’s son-in-law

Emanuel “Chris” Welch helped to hire his boss’s son-in-law as principal of Proviso East High School. Tony Valente, hired by Proviso High School District 209 in May 2011, is the son-in-law of Manny Sanchez, a founding partner of the law firm Sanchez, Hoffman Daniels, Forest …