Animal Farm

Headed into the weekend, Democrats are scrambling trying to figure out what to do with lieutenant candidate Scott Lee Cohen as questions from his past continue to creep up. Cohen was accused of domestic assault in 2005, though the charges were dropped. He's admitted using steroids, dating a woman arrested for prostitution and previously running with the wrong crowd, though insists his past won't drag down the Democratic ticket.

Meanwhile, Republican lieutenant governor nominee Jason Plummer was getting ready to report for Naval Reserve service this weekend.

This is part of one statewide candidate's election night victory statement. Name the candidate?

"My campaign was not born in the halls of Springfield – it began in the small businesses of Rock Island and the front porches of Belleville. It was built by the working men and women of Illinois, and strengthened by your desire for real political reform in Illinois."

Here's the Federal Election Commission news release ...

Washington – The Federal Election Commission today announced that, due to the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC, it will no longer enforce statutory and regulatory provisions prohibiting corporations and labor unions from making either independent expenditures or electioneering communications. The Commission also listed several actions it is taking to fully implement the Citizens United decision.

Illinois Constitution
Article V -- The Executive
Section 4. Joint Election
In the general election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, one vote shall be cast jointly for the candidates nominated by the same political party or petition. The General Assembly may provide by law for the joint nomination of candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Instant Analysis: Appears to spell out that yes, lawmakers can change how the lieutenant governor and governor are paired without having to change the constitution. They run separately in the primary but as a ticket in the general. The constitution says lawmakers can pass laws that create a ticket for the primary.

But of course we're not past the primary. Can they pass a law taking an election win away?

Dan Hynes comments from his concession speech:

"The people have spoken."

"We rose up, but fell just a little short."

Says he called Quinn and has pledged his support to the governor.

"Illinois needs him to continue as governor."

The Republican unity breakfast is going on downtown. Reporters Joe Ryan and Chase Castle are sending along quotes.

Bill Brady's speech:
"I know this election is tight and I wish Senator Dillard would concede right now (laughter) but I know he is not likely to."

Earlier Brady told Dillard his advice would be to not seek a recount.

Jim Ryan told reporters he blamed his loss on his late entry in the race but said, "I got a lot off my chest."

UPDATE: More quotes from the pre-game:

Adam Andrzejewski
“I view my role going forward for this November election is to help us starting winning state rep seats, state senate seats, so I'm here to unity on Republican principals and values of our platform.”

Marni Pyke files this from Kirk Dillard's suburban HQ:

Edward Rader, a teacher at Westwood College and DeVry University, has always voted Democrat. But Tuesday night, he constantly updated election results on a laptop at Dillard's election night event.
Dillard visited the college recently and got the vote of Rader, who said he became disenchanted with his old party after the corruption arrest of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
"When he shook my hand, he seemed honest and genuine and willing to work with anyone," said Rader who lives in Huntley.

Rod Blagojevich was an Elvis fan, but looking back on his terms in office I'm reminded of Def Leppard: "It's better to burn out ... than fade away."

It was one year ago that the Blagojevich administration came to a sudden end. It was not what I expected when I climbed aboard Rod's reform express train six years earlier for his trip to Springfield.

Here's the story Joe Ryan and I filed at the end of the historic Senate vote last year.

SPRINGFIELD - It was just six years ago that Rod Blagojevich boarded a train at Chicago's Union Station, embarking on a whistle-stop tour as his message of reform propelled him toward the Capitol and inauguration.

Up Today:

For the Democrats:

Gov. Pat Quinn is getting together with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley to tout landing $1.2 billion for high-speed rail projects. Quinn is then hitting the downstate circuit with Durbin to continue celebrating the stimulus funding.

Dan Hynes has a new ad up to close out the campaign on a positive note. The ad features his three sons. The ad is described as Hynes' "closing message." On Wednesday, Hynes told reporters he has no plans to run an ad tying Quinn to Rod Blagojevich.