The Daybook: Back in the Swing of Things

The Daybook: Back in the Swing of Things

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The mid-week break my immune system forced upon me is paying dividends today. I’m fresh and in form, and that makes you the big winner. The blog is up and running before regular working hours, which, paired with the unusually late post from yesterday, yields the unprecedented Double Daybook. Cherish this one, readers. Unfortunately, the part of my brain responsible for coming up with witty and/or interesting side anecdotes is still kind of sick, and has decided to take the day off to stretch this one into a long weekend. So lets get right to it. What We’re Working On:
  • The Olympic deal hammered out by Chicago 2016 and some community groups might be taken up by the City Council’s Finance Committee this morning. Here’s a link to the committee’s in-depth agenda. We’ll see if community groups are satisfied with what the city brass has to offer.
  • President Barack Obama addressed the nation today about sending extra troops to Afghanistan, and more aid to Pakistan. We’ll hit Chicago’s Devon Avenue to get reaction from members of the city’s South Asian community .
  • The Illinois General Assembly continues to push new laws and regulations. We’ll have full details.
  • Governor Pat Quinn is in Chicago and has announced a press conference. We will attend.
  • Senator Dick Durbin holds a Chicago presser as well. We’ll ask him about Obama’s latest plan for Afghanistan.
Law-Making I promised yesterday to give you a run-down of bills being discussed in Springfield. Here’s a highlight package of what’s been debated and voted on so far. Keep in mind, that most of these bills still need to be approved by at least one chamber of legislature, and then get signed by the Governor to become law.
  • A proposal to repeal Cook County’s sales tax hike. Voted down in the House.
  • A measure raising the speed limit for large trucks 65 MPH. Different versions of the bill have been passed by both chambers.
  • A measure prohibiting certain state agencies from making employees work more than 40 hours. Voluntary overtime could be offered. Passed in the Senate, now moves to the House.
  • A plan to extend Illinois’ voter “Grace Period” by a week. Passed the House on partisan lines. Now moves to Senate.
Well, I’m heading off now to listen to Obama’s speech. We’ll have the full audio online.