A local legislator has been selected for a major post in the Illinois General Assembly. State Sen. Christine Radogno, R-41st District, of Lemont is Republican leader of the Senate. She was chosen by her peers over state Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-24th District, of Hinsdale.

In selecting a town to host the state’s newest casino, officials are using too narrow a goal.

Hermon Lowery is a humble gent. That's why his pals were tickled to surprise and honor the 84-year-old World War II vet. And that's why they're now anguished that vandals ruined their tribute.

What do Springfield’s readers have against George Meredith? George, who died 99 years ago, was quite the big deal in his day. A prolific author and poet, he was mentioned in the same breath as Tennyson.

The Christmas season brings out the best in many folks. Others, well, not so much.

President-elect Barack Obama’s national security team shows a person who is tolerant of strong personalities and has kept his promise to appoint a bipartisan team of rivals.

Black Friday? More like Bleak Friday. Doesn't have to be that way. Doesn't have to be a frantic free-for-all. Doesn't have to be a miserable mob scene.

There’s something special about the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas that brings out the underlying spirit of good cheer in everyone, even the most hardened politicians.

This past week's announcement by Sen. Dick Durbin that he intends to seek reappointment for U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald thankfully puts an end to all the speculation that Illinois' latter-day Eliot Ness will be sent packing or get kicked upstairs where he can't stop the damage business as usual does in this state.

The number of prominent politicians who think former Gov. George Ryan should be shown leniency has grown.

The term “Black Friday,” in its traditional American usage, is somewhat of a misnomer. The term carries a sense of foreboding that is at odds with what many people regard as the start of the commercial portion of a season of joy.

We would love if all of our readers remembered the true meaning of Christmas — not a consumer orgy but a quiet reflection on what is most valuable in our lives.

Sen. Dick Durbin suggested earlier this week that he's thinking about asking a departing President Bush to commute the prison sentence of former Gov. George Ryan. Should that happen, it would send a terrible message to unscrupulous politicians everywhere, but especially in an Illinois that has far too many of them.

U.S. Sen.. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told reporters on Tuesday that he was thinking about asking President Bush to commute the sentence of Illinois’ former governor, George Ryan, who is imprisoned after being convicted of corruption charges.

Today, I give thanks for the most American gift of all, the bailout. No other country is so generous in rewarding failure. Taxpayers should be grateful to have earned that distinction.