After resigning as Chief of Staff, Bill Daley's D.C. record takes another hit as the president announces that Daley's old department, Commerce, will be axed in the service of paring down the federal bureaucracy. Read more
At a fundraiser in Chicago on Wednesday night, President Obama singled out the rookie Democrat from Missouri. "I just love her so whenever I have an excuse to see her I'm happy," he gushed. McCaskill's presence—and Obama's shout-out—is a sure sign that he is making a slight but real comeback... Read more
Last week, I posted a Q&A with Jodi Kantor, author of The Obamas, a new book about the First Couple. Here is the final part of the interview, in which Kantor discusses Barack's time at Columbia University, Michelle's secret trips to Petco and Target, and key Chicago figures such as Valerie Jarrett and Desirée Rogers. Read more
In 18 months of work, the New York Times correspondent conducted 200 interviews, many with high-level West Wing aides, and gained unprecedented access to the East Wing. Read more
The incumbent's race against 22nd Ward Alderman Rick Muñoz is the juiciest contest in the March 20 primary. Here, Brown talks about Muñoz, working for Arthur Andersen in the 1970s, her unsuccessful bid for Cook County Board president, and more... Read more
Rahm sold out the Hilton Chicago Hotel’s International Ballroom Monday for a speech before the Economic Club. On the dais surrounded by such captains of industry as Lester Crown, Thomas Wilson, Gregory Wasson, Glenn Tilton, the newish mayor started out shaky, occasionally flubbing his lines, his voice rising to resemble his predecessor’s. His reception by the black-tie members of the club and their guests, was chilly at first... Read more
In town to promote his new book, The Donald talks to Carol Felsenthal about his relationship with the Emanuel brothers, Blago on The Celebrity Apprentice, and more Read more
Rod Blagojevich will find out his fate this morning at his sentencing hearing for his conviction earlier this year on corruption charges. Here, Carol Felsenthal looks at some similiarities between Blago and another former Illinois gov. Read more
In the aftermath of Maggie Daley’s death on Thanksgiving night, the citizens of Chicago have shown just how much they valued and loved her. No doubt about that, but now is the time for Mayor Emanuel to revisit the dicey issue of taxpayer-funded bodyguards for political figures. Read more
I asked Ricardo “Rick” Muñoz why an independent alderman who for 18 years has represented a surging Latino population—the heart of his 22nd ward is Little Village—wants to trade that job for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County... Read more