MAD MIKE House Speaker Michael Madigan has had it with big corporations that demand tax breaks under threat of leaving Illinois. Last week he refused to allow a vote on three such tax breaks; this week one of the affected companies -- OfficeMax -- announced it will move its headquarters to Florida. Madigan bids farewell in this strong, terse statement.
ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTING Doug Whitley of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce is ecstatic that the state finally tackled pension reform. But now comes the tricky part. He gives a guided tour of the legal journey to come in this op-ed.
TWITTER ON THE TRAIL Did the candidates for governor use their Twitter accounts wisely in 2013? Click here to check out this timeline reviewing highlights of the five candidates' tweets throughout the year.
Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
FLASHBACK When big corporations get big tax breaks, small business gets the shaft. Elliot Richardson of the Small Business Advocacy Council voiced this opinion back in April. Speaker Madigan's words make it all the more relevant today, Click here.
CLOUT CULTURE The Chicago Sun-Times has harsh words for the clout system that kept a $110,000-a-year Illinois Department of Corrections employee on the state payroll despite his firing from the state's child welfare agency last year for sending lewd and inappropriate emails. Oh, and he also had 24 arrests. More here.
Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
CUTE! Here's a scrapbook of the candidates for governor and lots of cute puppies. And some cute donkeys too. Hey, you have to have some fun sometimes. Click here!
TOP 5 Here's a look at headlines from around Illinois today:
4. Michael Madigan says corporate pressure on lawmakers for tax breaks gives the appearance of “corporate pay-to-play.” (Chicago Tribune)
3. Madigan also wants to review how Illinois decides which corporations get incentives. (Associated Press)
2. Bill Brady and Tio Hardiman will be listed on the top line of their respective gubernatorial primary ballots in March. (Chicago Sun-Times)
1. Opinion: The case of Xadrian R. McCraven is an example of the problem with clout. (Chicago Sun-Times)
