Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board says enough evidence to 'consider' requesting intervention; final ruling to come in DecemberAs the political fight over a longer school day heats up, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis is asking a state labor relations board to take the issue to court, which could block more schools from extending their days and perhaps cancel longer days for sc...

Protesters develop list of demands to address economic crisisThe crowd of protesters in downtown Chicago, often criticized for being haphazard and unfocused, has taken steps to make its mission clearer.

New mayor says spending plan targets 'a tremendous amount of political sacred cows'The maxim that timing is everything was on display Wednesday as Mayor Rahm Emanuel unveiled a tough-love budget that asks taxpayers, city workers and aldermen to sacrifice to avoid harsher measures down the road.

More money needed to improve infrastructure, schools, he saysMayor Rahm Emanuel spent most of his political life working in Washington but on Monday night found himself acknowledging that the federal government should be a bit more helpful to cities.

Sen. Mark Kirk holds a little-known but important government position: Keeper of the Senate candy deskWASHINGTON — Here's a sweet story from the nation's capital, a tale devoid, mostly, of its political knife fights and grenades.

Court told of insider's ties to governors Prosecutors stepped back in time Thursday at the federal trial of William Cellini to show how they believe the political insider for years cozied up to Illinois governors and wielded influence with key decision-makers in state government.

Power broker's ties to pension board cited as corruption trial continuesJury selection for longtime political insider William Cellini turned to the topic of teachers Tuesday.

Claypool explains dire financial situation, doesn't rule out fare hikesCTA President Forrest Claypool attempted to prepare transit riders on Tuesday for the possibility of fare increases and service cuts as early as January by explaining the roots of a financial crisis that has culminated in a near-record budget deficit projected at $277 million for next year.

Former Tribune reporter, columnist, political correspondentWhether on assignment at Wimbledon or on a campaign bus with then-presidential hopeful Bill Clinton, journalist Steve Daley had a story to tell.

Broadview arrangement clouds campaign disclosure reportsU.S. Rep. Danny Davis, state Rep. Karen Yarbrough and a township Democratic organization operated for years out of a village-owned building in near-west suburban Broadview.

Springfield insider's trial is the last big corruption case of the Blagojevich scandalWill this week's federal corruption trial of longtime Illinois Republican political boss and gazillionaire William Cellini get as much media coverage as the trial of former Gov. Dead Meat?

Political boy wonder at age 28; a state cabinet member by 35Cellini and politicians

Steele and Murphy tell Preckwinkle's office they will accept salary trims after all, source saysFacing mounting political pressure, at least two Cook County commissioners reversed course Thursday and told Board President Toni Preckwinkle's office that they will take a salary cut to help balance the budget, a source told the Tribune.

Those fat pensions don't grow on trees, ya knowWhat if lawmakers passed a bill that allowed two dozen hand-picked political insiders to fan out across the state and walk up to you and demand your cash?

Durbin, Kirk praise three-term Republican who once considered presidential run During his time in the U.S. Senate, Charles H. Percy, a progressive Republican who harbored unrealized aspirations for the presidency, embodied an era when independence and political pragmatism were often valued commodities compared with the ideological and party purity rewarded today.

Many lawyers, money managers who fueled campaign also ponied up for mayor's installation Mayor Rahm Emanuel's nonprofit inaugural committee collected $1.1 million in private donations, most of which came from heavyweight money managers and lawyers who already had contributed big money to his political campaign, according to a list released Thursday by the mayor's camp.

Public backing of judicial candidates is in contrast to DaleyMayor Rahm Emanuel is billed as the guest of honor Thursday night at a popular Chinatown restaurant for a political fundraiser where "gold sponsors" who throw down $2,000 will be able to greet him at a private reception.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has touted a number of initiatives during his first 100 days in office, but there's a lot of heavy lifting and political wrangling ahead. Among the big items on Emanuel's agenda in coming months:

Since 2000, district enrollment down 5 percent, expenses up 47 percentOf all the sad statistics related to the financial crisis at Chicago Public Schools, one of the most alarming is simply this: The school district is spending millions more every year to educate fewer children.

Emanuel front and center at festive South Side family eventThe Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday signaled the coming end of summer with a new mayor and the same spirit that has brought music, food and old-fashioned politicking to Bronzeville for 82 years.

Move seen as political payback after then-state senator lost a primary challenge against RushPlaying around with district borders offers politicians a way to get a little payback.

Opponents gravitate to both ends of political spectrum; some yes votes come reluctantly WASHINGTON — Five of the 19 Illinois members of the House voted no to the hard-fought deal that led to the Budget Control Act of 2011, which won approval Monday.

Message to campaign staff sent from state cellphoneA top adviser to Gov. Pat Quinn was fined $500 Monday for violating the state ethics act when he sent an email related to the governor's political campaign from a state cellphone.

Islamic organizations hope to raise environmental awareness during annual fastAs Chicago-area Muslims begin the fast of Ramadan Monday, religious leaders are calling on the faithful to keep two causes in their prayers: the health of the planet and the people of Somalia who have been devastated by environmental crisis.

Activist and founding faculty member of Roosevelt UniversityDale Pontius, a political science professor who was on the founding faculty at Roosevelt University, never lacked for a strong opinion.

In the last 10 years, gambling interests have given nearly $10 million to Illinois politicians Nearly three-fourths of the lawmakers who voted on doubling the number of Illinois casinos accepted political contributions in the last 18 months from the gambling industry — a practice several states ban.

Governor hires host of castaways who lost bids for Congress, General AssemblyWhile the political adage holds that to the winner go the spoils, under Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, even some losers have done very well.

Candidate School teaches stump speeches, gives campaign adviceThe spark that led Fanny Diego Alvarez to political activism ignited in Mexico as her father and uncle campaigned in a local election.

Former political editor went on to organize Dan Walker's long walk throughout IllinoisNorton Kay, 83, a Chicago political editor who became press secretary to former Gov. Dan Walker and Mayor Harold Washington, died of complications from Alzheimer's disease Monday, July 4, in hospice care in Park Ridge, his wife said.

Independent aldermen, as well as blacks and Hispanics, investigating alternativesAs City Council heavyweights prepare to redraw ward boundaries in a once-a-decade exercise that will reshape Chicago's political landscape, a group of independent-minded aldermen is raising money to pay for its own high-tech map room.