Cook County helps pay downstate’s way

By Rich Miller

I talked with former state senator Howie Carroll last week about state Rep. Bill Mitchell’s (R-Forsyth) proposal to kick Chicago and suburban Cook County out of Illinois. Mitchell’s resolu

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, December 22,2011

After corporate tax break, other companies ask, ‘Where’s mine?’

By Rich Miller

A massive turnaround in the Illinois House may have whetted political appetites for even more corporate tax relief. But don’t count on it just yetAs you may recall, a tax cut plan for corporatio

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, December 15,2011

What to tell the Blagojevich daughters?

By Rich Miller

“I... I... I... I... I couldn’t fathom what I would say to those two girls,” U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald stammered last week when asked what he would say to Rod Blagojevich&rsqu

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, December 8,2011

Why the business tax cut failed

By Rich Miller

It’s a fairly common Statehouse phenomenon that bills will zoom out of the Senate or the House and then flame out in the other chamber. People in the other chamber just don’t always care a

Politics - Rich Miller | Wednesday, November 23,2011

Court to rule on Springfield legislative district

GOP charges racial gerrymandering includes east side with Decatur

By Rich Miller

While all eyes last week turned to the Republicans’ lawsuit against the new federal district map for U.S. congressmen, a similar GOP lawsuit against the legislative district map for Springfield&

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, November 17,2011

When will Quinn learn not to slam legislature?

By Rich Miller

“I love this governor!” exclaimed a jubilant utility lobbyist a few weeks ago. Why would a utility lobbyist express his undying love for our self-proclaimed consumer activist governor? Sim

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, November 10,2011

Another big company threatens to leave

By Rich Miller

In an exclusive interview last week, CME Group Executive Chairman Terry Duffy said he’s more than ready to leave Illinois if he doesn’t get what he believes is a “fair” tax dea

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, November 3,2011

Climbing through a giant loophole

By Rich Miller

An apparent legislative drafting error has created a massive loophole in the state’s new campaign contribution limit law, and ComEd and its parent company, Exelon, have been aggressively exploit

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, October 27,2011

Poll: Illinoisans still believe in budget magic

But reality about cuts and revenues seems to be gaining ground

By Rich Miller

It’s long been a tenet of public opinion that voters want the government to cut its budget and don’t want new revenues, but also don’t want any actual programs slashed. However, the

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, October 20,2011

Democrats are worried, with good reason

By Rich Miller

Illinois Democrats can be excused for feeling more than a little spooked these days. And there’s probably no greater example about why they are so worried than the stunning announcement earlier