The outgoing Department of Transportation secretary talks about his legacy, his best friends in government (Rahm and Joe Biden), and his relationship with the President ("bipartisanship is in his blood"). Read more
Chicagoans did well for themselves in the first Obama term; two still serve in the highly sought-after assignments of London and Paris. As Obama looks to his expensive legacy projects, more look to be on the way. Read more
David Rosen of The Competence Group is a DePaul grad who's worked for Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, and the DNC... and this week, as a go-to guy for getting donors into the inauguration's best after-parties. Read more
After the fusty official balls, the mayor will host a "Chicago-style afterhours" called the "Midnight Underground." What's Chicago-style about it? Well, there's Buddy Guy and Ronnie Baker Brooks, at least. Read more
Between her fundraising prowess and her connections to power via Toni Preckwinkle and her friend-of-the-Obamas campaign manager, Matteson's Robin Kelly—most recently Preckwinkle's chief administrative officer—has the inside track in the 2nd District. Being on top of the ballot won't hurt in the packed race. Read more
Barack Obama has been criticized for the lack of diversity in his cabinet: too white and too male. With two women departing and a third likely to—and Republican Chuck Hagel expected to become Secretary of Defense—could that leave white male Republican Ray LaHood, his well-regarded transportation secretary, without a seat? Read more
The Sun-Times reports that 33rd Ward Alderman Richard Mell—who is also Rod Blagojevich's father-in-law—is looking to retire in the next few months, and has cut a deal with Mayor Emanuel that replaces his City Council seat with his daughter, Deb Mell. Read more
This is not the first time the youngest Daley brother has tentatively lobbed his hat in the ring for elective office. His first flirtation goes back some 20 years, but he has always grabbed the hat back. Read more
