State, Chicago Threaten BoA Over Ill. Sit-in

Creditors respond to sit-in with loans, severance offer

(NEWSER) - JPMorgan will pay $400,000 toward the severance for 240 laid-off workers occupying a Chicago factory, and Bank of America will extend the bankrupt manufacturer a new loan, Reuters reports. Both banks are creditors of Republic Windows & Doors, which shut down after, BOA says, it "maxed out" on credit. The workers' strife symbolizes growing frustration that the bailout hasn't loosened credit for ailing businesses. More»

Chicago plant employees stage a sit-in demanding severance and vacation pay

(NEWSER) - Laid-off workers at a Chicago window manufacturing company are taking matters into their own hands, staging a sit-in at their former plant to demand severance and vacation pay, reports the Chicago Tribune. Union members have been occupying the plant in shifts since the news—given only three days earlier—that the company would close its doors last Friday. More»

Conservative watchdog slams first lady's 'technical violation'

(NEWSER) - Michelle Obama may have violated Illinois election laws by seeking support for her husband’s agenda at a Chicago polling station, holds the Daily Caller . The first lady was talking with voters, and reportedly urged them to support said agenda—but state laws ban political discussion near polling places, the site notes. Sure, it may be a mere “technical violation,” acknowledges a conservative watchdog, somewhat gleefully. “But what are mere technical violations of voting laws to the Obama administration!” More»

Then-gov considered media titan to succeed Obama as senator

(NEWSER) - As Rod Blagojevich considered possible successors to Barack Obama as US senator from Illinois, he came up with one name "no one can assail": Oprah Winfrey. As the former governor's corruption trial dragged on today in Chicago, prosecutors played a tape from December 2008—after Obama confidant Valerie Jarrett had withdrawn, the Tribune reports , costing Blago what he perceived as leverage with the president-elect—of Blagojevich and an aide tossing around names. More»

(NEWSER) - Roland Burris made it official this afternoon: He won't run for a full term next year, the Chicago Tribune reports. “I love serving the people of Illinois,” the current holder of President Obama's old Senate seat said. But “political races have become far too expensive in this country. And in making this decision, I was called to choose between spending my time raising funds or spending my time raising issues for my state.” More»