RIGGED Illinois' Fourth Congressional District is the masterwork of the "Picasso of gerrymandering," says Jason Jones of "The Daily Show." Meet the artist and learn more about the real harm gerrymandering causes in this video and blog post.
MONEY GAME Are Illinois Republicans trading principle for campaign cash? Rich Miller of Capitol Fax looks at last week's pension vote and the role of Illinois' wealthiest campaign donors in the debate.
REALITY CHECK Illinois education officials have become adept at avoiding reality. Reboot's Madeleine Doubek notes some recent examples showing how Illinois fails its students. If you care about schools, don't miss this.
Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
REFORM OR RIP-OFF? You won't find many Illinois teachers using the word "reform" to describe last week's pension action in Springfield. Here's perspective from two retired educators worried about security under the new law and unhappy about the state's broken promises.
5 STEPS By now, you probably know that Illinois dwells perilously near last place in the country for unemployment. (These Illinois towns are particularly hard hit.) The head of the Institute for Work and the Economy has five ideas to change that. Read them here.
Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
MAXED OUT Illinois lost the OfficeMax/Office Depot corporate headquarters, and 1,600 jobs, to Boca Raton, Fla. But we're trying to get a Boeing plant. We need a better business climate. Learn more here.
FARM BILL In case you were wondering, Chicago Tribune cartoonist Scott Stantis believes the new U.S. farm bill will do very bad things to taxpayers in its path.
TOP 5 Here's a look at headlines from around Illinois today:
5. A report found the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services under reported deaths from abuse and neglect over the past five years. (Chicago Sun-Times)4. Opinion: An Indiana board has the opportunity to do the right thing and vote no to the proposed Illiana Expressway project. (Chicago Tribune)
3. Opinion: Why did Illinois Republicans, including Tom Cross and Kirk Dillard, reject pension reform? (Chicago Tribune)
2. Illinois is one of the states bidding to become the new production site for Boeing’s new 777X airplane. (Chicago Tribune)
1. After the Illinois legislature declined to give Office Max any tax breaks, the company announced it will keep its headquarters in Florida after the merger with Office Depot. (Associated Press)
