Law problems & the closing - The Morning Trough

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.

After debating Quinn on WVON in Chicago Thursday afternoon, Hynes is rolling out endorsements from a number of black ministers in Chicago.

For the Republicans:

State Sen. Kirk Dillard ropes in another union endorsement, this time from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150. He is planning a late morning presser in Chicago. The operating engineers union represents workers who operate heavy machinery on construction sites. Dillard supported the $31 billion public works package backed by higher taxes on liquor, higher motor vehicle fees and legalizing video poker. Dillard once told the Daily Herald he didn't like the video poker part of that plan, but felt he "had a gun to my head" to vote for it because of how much businesses, unions and local mayors wanted the projects. Dillard has also locked up the backing of the downstate and suburban teachers' union.

Former Illinois Attorney General continues to try and make the polling issues on Andy McKenna sink sink his campaign.

Hinsdale businessman Adam Andrzejewski is up on air with a close-out ad too teaching voters how to pronounce his name.

Chicago conservative commentator Dan Proft got himself on MSNBC commenting on Barack Obama's State of the Union.

As for Senate:

Democrat Cheryle Jackson is touring Chicago and hitting Northwest University for some handshaking political stops. Cheryle sent out a fundraising plea to supporters recently saying she needed cash to be sure she could stay on the air with her TV ad through the weekend. She also hosted a fundraiser with hip hop artist Lupe Fiasco Thursday night.
Jackson received the endorsement of Lilly Ledbetter, whose name is on the federal equal pay act that passed Congress last year.
Lilly Ledbetter

Democrat David Hoffman is hitting the suburbs for some party rallies and meet-and-greets.

News You Should Know:

Gov. Pat Quinn just 'doing his job' by cutting so many ribbons before primary.

Is video poker a liability for politicians facing the voters? Republicans apparently think so as funding remains funding remains shaky. A move to repeal the Chicago ban on video poker is expected to move quickly after the primary.

More details on that $1.2 billion in high-speed rail money raining on Illinois.

Aurora attorney and judge candidate admits law license suspension.

Elliott Hartstein takes swips at Mike Madigan.

A close look at the race for the U.S. Senate. U.S. Senate.

Rock star Joe Walsh v. candidate Joe Walsh continues.

GOP DuPage County Board candidate Gary Grasso's own Web site gets him in trouble. And some of the candidates show up to debate the issues issues.

Fact checking the state Sen. Chris Lauzen's primary.

Sen. Roland Burris rips Dan Hynes' Harold Washington. And, no, he is not endorsing in the Senate race.

Republicans vying to run against U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean in the 8th District make their case at debate. at debate.

Does President Barack Obama's target on banks rub off on Alexi Giannoulias?

House Republican leader targeted over robo calls apparently aimed to undermine Democrat state Rep. Carol Sente of Vernon Hills.

State Rep. Paul Froehlich is sued by former office worker. office worker.