State investigators say DCFS contract fraud could be worse than known
From the Chicago Tribune Political Reporter Monique Garcia 7:45 p.m. CST, January 27, 2012 State ethics investigators say they may never know the full extent of an alleged contracting scheme that they say cost taxpayers at least $18 million and led to last year’s resignation of the head of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The comments came during a legislative hearing Friday examining a probe that found numerous violations by George E. Smith, who held various … more
Sun-Times Editorial on Marriage Equality
The news is moving so quickly on the gay-rights front, mostly for the better, that we can’t guarantee nothing will change before you come to the end of this editorial. The best news of all, of course, in our opinion, would be the passage in Springfield of a law legalizing gay marriage in Illinois. But we’re pretty sure that won’t happen anytime soon, this being an election year when legislators will play it safe. All the same, three representatives again introduced a gay marriage bill in the state House last week, if only to keep the conversation going. We are happy to oblige. … more
Getting personal with state Rep. Greg Harris
by Andrew Davis, Windy City Times The accomplishments of State Rep. Greg Harris, D-13th, are numerous. Since being elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2006, one of the highest-ranking openly gay elected officials to date in Illinois has done everything from addressing the need of comprehensive breast-cancer services to being the chief sponsor of the Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act. He is now meeting with leaders to talk strategy about a marriage-equality bill that … [Read More...]