Illinois

The presence of Paul Newman on our front page Sunday following his death was essentially a matter of course. Newman is well-recognized by all generations (despite a limited amount of work over the last 10 years or so), and the death of a Hollywood icon is unquestionably a presence on our front page.

But it’s a discussion we face here every time a person of note dies. Does that death warrant presence on the front page of the paper? The decision is rarely cut and dried. It often depends on what else is going on during a specific day, the timing of the death, and the passion of the person making the argument.

And that’s not to say we always make the right decision.

(Read the full post about ‘Death watch’…)

ROSSVILLE – The Rossville Community Organization’s first Business After Hours will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday.

The gathering will feature two of the newest members of the organization: Art’s Paperbacks and Crafts, 103-105 S. Chicago St., and Village Art & Culture, 111 S. Chicago St. Light refreshments will be served.

The after-hours program is a new activity for the membership and welcoming committee of the community organization, to introduce members and area residents to new businesses in the Rossville community that become members.

Art’s Paperback and Crafts reopened in Rossville last year on East Attica Street and recently moved to South Chicago Street.

(Read the full post about ‘Rossville group plans first Business After Hours’…)

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a stunning vote that shocked the capital and worldwide markets, the House on Monday defeated a $700 billion emergency rescue for the nation’s financial system, ignoring urgent warnings from President Bush and congressional leaders of both parties that the economy could nosedive without it. The Dow Jones industrials plunged nearly 800 points, the most ever for a single day.

Congressman Timothy Johnson, R-Urbana, voted against the legislation.

Democratic and Republican leaders alike pledged to try again, though the Democrats said GOP lawmakers needed to provide more votes. Bush huddled with his economic advisers about a next step.

(Read the full post about ‘House defeats $700 billion bailout plan; Dow falls 777 points’…)

CHAMPAIGN – Valerie and George Pyle got the word to some of their 30 employees Sunday. The rest would see the sign when they came in Monday.

The Pyles’ restaurant, Papa George, at 505 S. Neil St., C, is closing. Its last day open is expected to be Friday, Valerie Pyle said.

It was open only about a year.

But it was a year in which the economy wasn’t kind to business startups that need time to simmer and build their clientele.

The Pyles opened Papa George in the space formerly occupied by Pickles Food & Fun. They kept some menu items from Pickles, but added many dishes reflecting their Greek heritage.

“People really loved our food,” Valerie Pyle said.

She and her husband made the decision on Sunday to close, she said.

(Read the full post about ‘Papa George restaurant to close Friday’…)

CHAMPAIGN – Gill Athletics’ recently announced expansion in Champaign is likely to boost the local economy by $17.8 million a year, according to projections by the Champaign County Economic Development Corp.

Besides moving 85 jobs to the Champaign area, the expansion is expected to create 56 other jobs in the community as a result of products and services bought by Gill and its employees, the development group said.

It’s the economic effect of all those jobs that’s expected to generate the $17.8 million, said Erik Kotewa, deputy director of the development group.

Kotewa said his organization used economic multipliers developed by IMPLAN software to calculate the figure.

(Read the full post about ‘Agency: Gill expansion to boost local economy by $17.8 million a year’…)

WASHINGTON (AP) – A White House spokesman says President Bush is very disappointed in Monday’s House vote rejecting the administration’s rescue plan for the nation’s financial industry.

“There’s no question that the country is facing a difficult crisis that needs to be addressed,” said spokesman Tony Fratto. He said the president will be meeting with members of his team later in the day “to determine next steps.”

Bush is “very disappointed” with the vote, Fratto said.

Related content

• House defeats $700 billion bailout plan; Dow falls 777 points(9/29/08)

Via web ad, Republican Chicagoan Steve Miller bares his soul to the voters of the 7th Congressional District, emphasizing his willingness to be a truly transparent candidate and congressman.  The Chicago GOP features a short version of the political strip tease, and links to another longer ad on Miller’s website.  We’re not sure how much more Miller reveals about his opponent Danny Davis or himself in the additional footage, but we’re fairly certain by the end he’ll have little to hide.  Not sure if we really want to know any politician that well, but Miller’s willingness to be forthright with the public is admirable and courageous.   

Find the short version HERE or at www.MillerforCongress2008.com.

Blago’s Family Care program is out of line, an appellate court judge ruled today.  From the State Senate GOP:

Governor Rod Blagojevich does not have the authority to arbitrarily expand a taxpayer-paid health care program without legislative authorization, an Appellate Court ruled Sept.

(Read the full post about ‘Breaking News: Court says governor exceeded authority’…)

From Cook County GOP:

The Cook County Republican Party has a simple message for the Democratic candidate for Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez: return the money former Alderman Bill Singer gave your campaign. Singer was identified as the target of a criminal federal investigation during the Tony Rezko trial.

Anita Alvarez takes money from a donor under investigation from the U.S. Attorney’s office and now she wants to be the Cook County State’s Attorney?  This is an office responsible for prosecuting government corruption—not working with those who propagate it.

(Read the full post about ‘Message to Alvarez: Return dirty money!’…)

Texas Republican Party’s new web ad — featuring Obama’s Illinois Senate "Present" votes