Illinois’ rocky political landscape

By Rich Miller

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady resigned last week just as a new statewide poll showed big trouble for his political party’s brand.Brady had been under pressure to resign ever since

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, May 9,2013

State Senator Matt Murphy out

Injured on ball field and withdraws from state GOP top job

By Rich Miller

In yet another blow to the Illinois Republican Party, state Sen. Matt Murphy, R-Palatine, has withdrawn his name from contention for the state GOP chairmanship job.And, no, it didn’t have anythi

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, May 2,2013

A state divided on guns

By Rich Miller

A new statewide poll shows a majority of Illinoisans favor concealed carry. But an overwhelming majority in every area of the state also say it’s OK with them if Chicago and Cook County police h

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, April 25,2013

Both sides sticking to their guns

Concealed carry bill fails again even though deadline is June 9

By Rich Miller

During the House floor debate over the National Rifle Association-backed concealed carry bill last week, I was told by an intimate of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan that the Speaker wanted to

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, April 18,2013

Full-court press off, Jaffe fumbles

By Rich Miller

I’ve always believed that just because somebody claims to be a reformer, it doesn’t mean the person has the right solutions.Many years ago, an activist named Pat Quinn came up with an idea

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, April 11,2013

Changing tunes on gay marriage

Republicans losing debate because of growing public support

By Rich Miller

You can always tell when somebody is losing an argument because they are constantly backtracking and recalibrating. And it’s no different with gay marriage. Back in January, for instance, newly

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, April 4,2013

Where your state pension sits now

By Rich Miller

As it turns out, the Illinois House Democrats didn’t need the Republicans to put 30 votes on a significant pension reform bill.There’s been worry for at least two years that the Democrats

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, March 28,2013

The trustee fight fumes onward

By Rich Miller

A recent meeting between Metro East legislators and Gov. Quinn’s staff turned heated at times, and as a result nothing was accomplished in the standoff over Quinn’s appointments to the Sou

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, March 21,2013

Politics, politicians and pension reform, oh my

By Rich Miller

“Pardon me,” said Ty Fahner to a nearby microphone which he had accidentally bumped during testimony to the Illinois Senate Executive Committee last week.Fahner could probably be excused f

Politics - Rich Miller | Thursday, March 14,2013

Pension reform problems linger

By Rich Miller

House Speaker Michael Madigan was hoping last Thursday to avoid the same results as the previous week when he presented some new pension reform ideas.The previous week, one of his pension reform propo