Covering Chicago's nine political influencers
Gov. Quinn: Illinois Has Chance To Make History
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage. Read »
Watchdog Group Says Illinois Must Address Pensions
Gov. Pat Quinn's proposed state budget is a baby step in the right direction, a watchdog group's analysis said Monday, but the governor may be overstating savings from a recent union contract negotiation and not... Read »
Illinois Senate OKs Union-Backed Pension Deal
The Illinois Senate voted Thursday to send a union-supported pension reform bill to the House, leaving lawmakers with two competing proposals for dealing with the nation's worst state pension problem just weeks... Read »
Illinois House Passes Pension Reform Bill
House voted 62-51 Thursday to advance the measure sponsored by House Speaker Michael Madigan. Bill now heads to Senate, where President John Cullerton has his own ideas about reform. Read »
Quinn Wants Pension Guarantees in Any New Deal
Pensions have been Quinn's top issue for more than a year. He says lawmakers' work last week was a step in the right direction but there's further to go. Quinn says any reform package should address... Read »
Illinois House Panel OKs Bipartisan Pension Plan
A House committee on Thursday approved a bi-partisan pension overhaul that requires more employee contributions and floats the issue of shifting pension costs to local school district Read »
Quinn: Budget "Difficult" Because of Pension Mess
The budget Gov. Pat Quinn presents to lawmakers this week is "hard and difficult" because of Illinois' worst-in-the-nation pension problem. Read »
Illinois House Votes Down Madigan Pension Changes
A hearing Thursday on the Illinois House floor intended to gauge lawmakers' support for potential pension reforms turned into a tense squabble between Democrats and Republicans, a sign of the escalating... Read »
City, Police Sergeants Reach Contract Agreement
Four-year contract includes 9 percent pay increase and retiree health care. Read »
Union Poll Finds No Support For Pension Cuts
We Are Illinois releases a poll that finds Illinoisans agree with everything it stands for. 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.
Follow Us
advertisement
Who We're Covering
See more Who We're Covering
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.
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
Rascally alchemist transmutes disgrace into fame. Celeb Apprentice buffoon, jail time looms.
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.
Videos
-
Are CPS Welcoming Schools Better Than The Closed Ones?
-
Rahm, Byrd-Bennett Discuss CPS Closings
-
Meet the Kid Who Took on Rahm
-
A Tale of Two Schools
-
Outbursts, Protests as School Board Closes Schools
-
CTU President Reacts to Closure Vote
-
Mayor on Political Consequences
-
Rahm Pledges With Tornado Recovery If Needed
-
Mayor Not Worried About Political Fallout from School Closures
-
Quinn 'Open Minded' About Medical Marijuana Bill
-
Parents of Sandy Hook Victims Join Quinn in Quest for Gun Control
-
Quinn: Pension Reform Before Gaming Bill
-
Perception Not Reality On Mag Mile Safety: McCarthy
-
Demonstrators Arrested in Final School Closure Fight
-
CTU's Lewis on Re-Election
-
Preckwinkle Takes Issue With School Closures
-
McCormick Place Wouldn't Automatically Get Chicago Casino: Rahm
-
Mayor Seeks to Protect Chicago Interests in State Gun Law
-
Rahm Unconcerned About Low Poll Numbers
-
Downtown Robberies Come as Summer Tourism Season Starts
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.
Most Popular
- CPS CEO: "Our Children in Cleveland are Underperforming"
- Illinois House Approves Concealed Carry Plan
- Mayor, CPS Chief Discuss Next Steps In Closings Plan
- Illinois Senate OKs Health Coverage Exchange Plan
- Quinn Skeptical of Illinois House Concealed-Carry Plan
advertisement
entertainment
Blake Shelton Sets Date for Oklahoma Tornado Benefit- Luke Evans & Gina Carano Talk "Fast & Furious 6"
- "Arrested Development" Cast Dish on Series Return
- Will Smith Reveals His Parenting Techniques
- Nick Lachey on Balancing Work and Family
- Will.i.am's Advice For Justin Bieber: "Continue To Love Music!"