Durbin

WASHINGTON — As the No. 2 Democratic leader in the Senate, Illinois’ Dick Durbin has the task of marshaling votes for the health insurance overhaul championed by his party and his president.

Sounds like he might not see success any time soon.

“We’re…

Ryan

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - After seven years out of state politics, former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan formally announced his campaign for governor outside the state Capitol a short time ago–and promptly reminded us that the debris from impeached Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s…

WASHINGTON — Maybe, which is why political junkies in places with red-hot races next year — like Missouri and Illinois — will be examining results from three contests tomorrow as a guide for 2010.

There are favorable trends beyond history for Republicans heading into the…

Quinn

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn on Thursday will formally announce his candidacy for election to a full term next year, with a nine-stop statewide fly-around including a Metro East event.

Quinn, of course, became governor in January, stepping up from…

Sen. Burris

WASHINGTON — Illinois Sen. Roland Burris attracted a lot of attention, nearly all of it unwanted, when he took office this year thanks to his appointment by former Illinois’ scandal-tarred former then-governor, Rod Blagojevich.

Burris is attracting attention again for his demand that…

JEFFERSON CITY — With Illinois lawmakers debating whether to institute campaign donation limits; and Missouri quarterly campaign reports trickling out, it might be a good time to have a poll about campaign limits.

Missouri and Illinois are rarities in the national…

Sen. Roland Burris

WASHINGTON — Illinois Sen. Roland Burris served notice a short time ago that Democrats might have problems other than the Republican variety in getting health-care reform legislation out of the Senate.

Burris, a Democrat, announced that any legislation lacking provisions establishing a…

Lisa Madigan

WASHINGTON — White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel danced (he was a ballet dancer, you know) around a reporter’s question at breakfast this morning of whether Barack Obama wants Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to run for the president’s Senate seat.

Emanuel nimbly dodged the questions. But…

Madigan

My colleague Kevin McDermott just posted this report that says Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is being pressured by the national Democratic Party and, perhaps, the White House to run for Senate.

Note that incumbent Roland Burris, who was appointed in a controversial…

Jason Smith

JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri House of Representatives voted today to fill statewide vacancies with a special election rather than a gubernatorial appointment.

Bill sponsor Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, said the bill’s impetus is the impeachment of former Illinois Gov.…