Preckwinkle launches bid for re-election as Cook County Board president

If re-elected, she’ll focus on public safety and health care, Preckwinkle, 66, said Tuesday night at a a fund-raising event at the Chicago Cultural Center. “We’re working towards the sustainability of our health-care system, and we still have some critical challenges to address in public safety, in particular in reducing the number of nonviolent offenders who are pretrial detainees in our jail,” Preckwinkle said.

Park Ridge mayor, challenger spar over taxes

PARK RIDGE — Though they have not yet faced each other publicly, a debate of the electronic kind has already taken place between Park Ridge’s mayoral candidates.

Through emails to supporters and website postings, newcomer Larry Ryles and incumbent David Schmidt have waged a debate …

Ryles turns down request for second Park Ridge mayoral debate

PARK RIDGE — Park Ridge mayoral candidate Larry Ryles says he is turning down an offer from Mayor David Schmidt to participate in a debate Schmidt has proposed.

“I just don’t think it would be wise for an opponent to attend a forum hosted by …

Electoral Board to hear objections against Park Ridge Park District candidate

PARK RIDGE — The Cook County Electoral Board on Jan. 15 will hear objections filed against the nominating petitions of a candidate running for the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District Board.

Rick Biagi, a current member of the Park Ridge Park Board who is …

Park Ridge mayoral candidates ramp up campaigns

PARK RIDGE — Park Ridge mayor David Schmidt and challenger Larry Ryles have begun planning for their campaigns as they start off on the road to the April 9 election.

Both candidates say one of their first orders of business is to open an official …

McAuliffe takes 20th House

CHICAGO — Incumbent Michael McAuliffe has retain his seat in the Illinois 20th House District.

With 87 of 87 precincts reporting, Republican McAuliffe had 22,671 votes versus Democratic challenger Bruce Randazzo’s 14,751, according to unofficial vote totals.

McAuliffe suggested his vote totals reflected the fact …

County commissioners give preliminary OK to new district map

A proposed map redrawing boundaries for the Cook County Board of Commissioners districts received overwhelming preliminary approval Friday. Fifteen of the 17 commissioners signed off on the plan, which is slated for a final vote Tuesday. The lone dissenting vote came from Commissioner Earlean Collins …

Four Democratic contenders in 10th District spell out positions

Four Democratic contenders are on the ballot for the redrawn 10th Congressional District with hopes of defeating incumbent U.S. Rep. Robert Dold, (R-10th) of Kenilworth, who has represented the district in Washington D.C. since 2011. Campaigning heavily for months in hopes of becoming the Democratic …

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.

Preckwinkle to meet with worried ministers about morgue mess

Chicago-area ministers want a voice in the planned overhaul of the troubled Cook County morgue and are asking to meet with board President Toni Preckwinkle. “If you don’t hold people’s feet to the fire, the problems don’t go away,” the Rev. Ira Acree said on …

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 …