Kurt Erickson

Short-sightedness reigns in Springfield’s ‘Field of Dreams’

If someone were going to make a movie about the budget problems plaguing state government, it might be a version of “Field of Dreams” — in reverse.

Nov 15, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Short-sightedness reigns in Springfield’s ‘Field of Dreams’

If someone were going to make a movie about the budget problems plaguing state government, it might be a version of “Field of Dreams” — in reverse.

Nov 15, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Filing deadline for primary election clears up campaign picture

About a year from now, Illinoisans will know who is going to be their governor and who will represent them in Springfield and Washington, D.C.

Nov 08, 2009 | 1:40 am | Loading…

State lawmakers, governor continue to duck responsibility

If trying to figure out your health insurance bills isn't a big enough headache, the deadbeat status of the state of Illinois has introduced a new level of confusion to thousands of state workers and retirees.

Nov 01, 2009 | 5:00 am | Loading…

Candidates begin rallying support to get their names on ballot

Like so many squirrels gathering nuts for the winter, candidates for public office have been scampering about the state for months.

Oct 25, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

Playing shell game in Springfield

There is a state program that attempts to educate college students about the perils of piling up credit card debt.

Oct 18, 2009 | 6:55 am | Loading…

Playing shell game in Springfield

There is a state program that attempts to educate college students about the perils of piling up credit card debt.

Oct 18, 2009 | 6:55 am | Loading…

Pols fiddle while state burns

The end of the first quarter of the state's fiscal year showed state revenues off by 11 percent. Expenses during those three months were up 14 percent.

Oct 11, 2009 | 8:10 am | Loading…

Quinn leaves behind the expected entourage of governors past

No doubt, Gov. Pat Quinn is a different kind of governor than his two predecessors.

Oct 04, 2009 | 12:40 am | Loading…

Quinn’s plan sounds too good to be true

Those layoffs the governor has planned for the end of the month won't necessarily result in any prison workers losing their jobs, so they say.

Sep 27, 2009 | 7:35 am | Loading…

State’s finances go further into the abyss

Gov. Pat Quinn finally acknowledged reality last week when he decided that trying to pass a tax hike this fall was not going to happen.

Sep 13, 2009 | 1:15 am | Loading…

Has anything changed since Blagojevich?

Whether you agree with Gov. Pat Quinn's decision to veto an overhaul of Illinois' campaign finance laws, his action Thursday brought some closure to the 2009 spring legislative session.

Aug 30, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Lincoln is popular with political folk

Like any good Illinois politician, Gov. Pat Quinn likes to cloak himself in all things Abraham Lincoln.

Aug 24, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Lincoln is popular with political folk

Like any good Illinois politician, Gov. Pat Quinn likes to cloak himself in all things Abraham Lincoln. He often refers to Lincoln in his speeches and consistently offers up little quotes and other tidbits ab…

Aug 23, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Health issue strange in Illinois

Is there common ground among Democrats and Republicans when it comes to the increasingly emotional debate over health care reform?

Aug 17, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Health issue strange in Illinois

Is there common ground among Democrats and Republicans when it comes to the increasingly emotional debate over health care reform?

Aug 16, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Campaign funds net pizza, flowers

With election season upon us, politicians are out in force raising money to help them win votes in the February primary.

Aug 09, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Governor's hush-hush trip wasn't hiding

After a brutal legislative session in which he was manhandled by lawmakers, it wasn't a surprise when Gov. Pat Quinn's schedule noted that he wouldn't be holding any public events.

Jul 26, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Even creators have nothing positive to say about state budget

On Wednesday, lawmakers and Gov. Pat Quinn finally agreed on a so-called state budget. It came more than two weeks after the state's fiscal year began and more than 45 days past their original target.

Jul 20, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Even creators have nothing positive to say about state budget

On Wednesday, lawmakers and Gov. Pat Quinn finally agreed on a so-called state budget. It came more than two weeks after the state's fiscal year began and more than 45 days past their original target.

Jul 19, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

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