Sen. Kirk’s brain swelling subsides; doctors reattach skull section

Doctors on Tuesday reattached a 4-inch by 8-inch piece of U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk’s skull that was removed to ease swelling in his brain following his Jan. 21 stroke.

Sen. Kirk upgraded to ‘good’ condition, watched Super Bowl

Sen. Mark Kirk’s condition has been upgraded from “fair” to “good.”

Doctors hope to be able to re-attach the 8-inch-by-4-inch section of his skull that had to be removed after he suffered a stroke two weeks ago.

Then the Highland Park Republican can begin physical …

Gov. Quinn signs bill to allow speed cameras near schools, parks

Gov. Pat Quinn on Monday ended months of deliberation and signed into law a measure allowing Chicago to install speed-enforcement cameras near schools and parks.

Quinn’s State of State address gets cool reception from legislators

Touting a jobs platform, Gov. Pat Quinn pushed modest tax relief for families and businesses that hire veterans, Medicaid and pension reforms, and more spending on college grants in a spartan State of the State speech Wednesday overshadowed by the gloom and doom of Illinois’ crushing financial condition.

Former Survivor member sues Gingrich for using ‘Eye of Tiger’

A founding member of the rock band Survivor says Newt Gingrich is using the band’s biggest hit — “Eye of the Tiger” — without permission at campaign appearances, according to a federal copyright infringement lawsuit filed Monday.

Sen. Mark Kirk upgraded to fair condition

Sen. Mark Kirk has been upgraded to “fair” condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital a week after undergoing surgery for a stroke. “Senator Kirk’s recovery is continuing,” his neurosurgeon, Richard Fessler, said in a written statement. “He is alert, talking and responding well to questions.” Fessler …

Kirk undergoes more surgery to relieve brain swelling

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk has undergone more surgery to relieve swelling in his brain following the stroke he suffered over the weekend.

Blago lawyers seek new trial, allege jury foreperson broke court rules

Defense attorneys for convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich are asking a federal judge for an emergency hearing to find out if the jury foreperson broke court rules and improperly has a copy of her own questionnaire.

If so, Blagojevich deserves a new trial, his defense …

Dold calls for end to gridlock

U.S. Congressmen Robert J. Dold (R-10th) joined with No Labels, a group of Republican, Democrat and Independent citizens, this week and called on Congress to put politics aside and start getting things done. As a proponent of government transparency, accountability and efficiency, Dold joined a …

Report: College Illinois! could need $1.6 billion bailout

Illinois’ financially tanking prepaid college tuition program could require a $1.6 billion bailout from the state to remain solvent during the next 25 years, a new study shows.

Sente supports traffic safety efforts

Focusing on traffic safety this holiday season, state Rep. Carol Sente (D-59th) has commended law enforcement on their efforts to combat drunken driving while she continues to seek ways to keep roadways safe. In its fifth annual Report to the Nation, Mothers Against Drunk Driving …

Small business legislation gets Dold’s support

U.S. Congressman Robert Dold (R-10th) voted in support of House Resolution 527, the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2011, which would help small businesses better understand the impact of regulations and create more accountability at the federal level. “As a small-business owner, I understand that …

Berrios denies election ‘payback’ after judge rules against daughter

Appellate Justice Rodolfo “Rudy” Garcia accuses Cook County Democratic Party Chairman Joe Berrios of stacking the deck against him in next year’s election for appellate court. Garcia said Berrios sent a message through an intermediary seven years ago that he wanted Garcia to rule a certain way in a case involving Berrios’ daughter.

Former rep endorses Schneider

Democratic 10th District congressional candidate Brad Schneider has received the endorsement of former state Rep. Julie Hamos, who represented parts of the district for more than a decade. Hamos joins two other longtime leaders, state Sens. Susan Garrett and Jeff Schoenberg, who announced their support …

7 state senators to call it quits

Big turnover in the House and Senate usally happens with the redrawing of legislative boundaries that often puts incumbents in the minority party in areas with which they are not familiar or that may be unfriendly politically. But this go-around, there is a sizeable contingent of Democrats who have decided to call it quits.