Chicago's Political News and Analysis Blog
Covering Chicago's nine political influencers
Mark Kirk
Tuesday, Mar 12, 2013 at 6:59 PM
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By Edward McClelland

Opinion: Embracing Gay Rights, Abortion Would Make GOP the Party of Freedom

Opinion: Embracing Gay Rights, Abortion Would Make GOP the Party of Freedom

Sen. Mark Kirk's defense of GOP Chair Pat Brady shows why he's the only Illinois Republican to win a major statewide office in the last 15 years. Read »

Mark Kirk
Tuesday, Mar 12, 2013 at 6:59 PM
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By Edward McClelland

Opinion: RE: Mark Kirk as a Racial Reconcilliator

Opinion: RE: Mark Kirk as a Racial Reconcilliator

The Illinois Senate casts doubt on a Wall Street Journal columnist who claimed black people are more conservative than whites on gay marriage. Read »

Mark Kirk
Monday, Mar 11, 2013 at 8:38 PM
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By BJ Lutz

Obama Calls Kirk in Continued 'Charm Offensive'

Obama Calls Kirk in Continued 'Charm Offensive'

Sen. Mark Kirk says his Monday conversation with the president was "positive." Read »

Illinois Republican Party
Saturday, Mar 9, 2013 at 1:19 PM
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By Associated Press, Sara Burnett

Illinois GOP Didn't Have Votes to Oust Chairman

Illinois GOP Didn't Have Votes to Oust Chairman

The Illinois Republican Party central committee has canceled Saturday's scheduled meeting in which it was to consider firing party chairman Pat Brady. Read »

Dick Durbin
Friday, Mar 8, 2013 at 6:31 AM
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By Alan Fram

Senate Panel OKs Guns Bills Honoring Hadiya Pendleton

Senate Panel OKs Guns Bills Honoring Hadiya Pendleton

In Congress' first gun votes since the Newtown, Conn., nightmare, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to toughen federal penalties against illegal firearms purchases, even as senators signaled that... Read »

Pendleton
Wednesday, Feb 13, 2013 at 6:45 PM
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By Mary Ann Ahern

Gun Bill to be Named After Hadiya Pendleton

Gun Bill to be Named After Hadiya Pendleton

After sitting with First Lady Michelle Obama at the State of the Union address today the parents of slain teenager Hadiya Pendleton lobbied members of Congress asking them to support stricter gun laws. Read »

Barack Obama
Wednesday, Feb 13, 2013 at 9:30 AM
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By BJ Lutz
      

Obama, Kirk Exchange Exploding Fist Bump

As Obama advanced toward the podium to give his State of the Union address Tuesday, he spied Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk, ushered Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey out of the way, and offered the... Read »

Mark Kirk
Friday, Feb 8, 2013 at 11:25 PM
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By Ward Room Staff

Kirk Invites Therapist to State of the Union

Kirk Invites Therapist to State of the Union

Senator invited Mike Klonowski because he wants to highlight the work physical therapists do, spokesman said. Read »

Mark Kirk
Wednesday, Feb 13, 2013 at 6:49 PM
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By BJ Lutz

Kirk Bill Targets Gun Trafficking

Kirk Bill Targets Gun Trafficking

Sen. Mark Kirk and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) on Wednesday introduced bipartisan legislation that would, for the first time, make gun trafficking a federal crime. Read »

Mark Kirk
Monday, Jan 7, 2013 at 12:28 PM
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By Mary Ann Ahern
      

Senator Mark Kirk Heard Angels

The junior senator from Illinois suffered a debilitating stroke in January 2012 that kept him from office for the better part of a year. During that stroke, Kirk said he heard angels. Read »

About Ward Room
NBC Chicago's award winning politics blog takes a critical look at Illinois' top influence-peddlers, using a mix of news and commentary designed to keep this state's notoriously corruptible politicians honest and accountable.
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Who We're Covering
Barack Obama

Barack Obama

He's in the fight for his political life. Should he lose the 2012 election for the presidency, he'll likely move back to Chicago's Kenwood Neighborhood and instantly become Chicago's biggest celebrity.

Rahm Emanuel

Rahm Emanuel

Foul mouthed, iron-fisted and arrogant. Say hello to Mayor Emanuel.

Jesse Jackson Jr.

Jesse Jackson Jr.

After spending much of the past year and a half out of the public eye Triple J is making a comeback!

Rod Blagojevich

Rod Blagojevich

Rascally alchemist transmutes disgrace into fame. Celeb Apprentice buffoon, jail time looms.

Joe Walsh

Joe Walsh

Tea Party conservative who likes to say no, will have to talk more about his personal life if he wants a second term.

Pat Quinn

Pat Quinn

Accidental gov no longer.

See more Who We're Covering
Authors
Phil Rogers Emmy Award-winning reporter with trenchant insight into Chicago's political machinations.
Mary Ann Ahern WMAQ's Political Reporter since 2006, not afraid of a challenge. Read full bio .
Edward McClelland Author whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Salon and Slate. Reach him on Twitter using @tedmcclelland.
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