Scandals Force Out Illinois Lt. Gov. Candidate

But scandals in both states makes it a close race, notes Gail Collins

(NEWSER) - Illinois and New York both have such awful political cultures that it's tough to decide which state is the biggest loser, writes Gail Collins. Both states have governors who were forced out by scandals and whose successors are mired in controversy, although at least Eliot Spitzer isn't going to be appearing on Celebrity Apprentice, Collins writes in the New York Times. More»

Ex-gov bashes his trial, his successor; jokes about hair and lack of progress on book

(NEWSER) - Morning drive-time radio could be the future for Rod Blagojevich, if the impeached Illinois’ governor’s fill-in stint today on Chicago’s WLS-AM is anything to go by, Jimmy Orr writes in live-blogging the show for the Christian Science Monitor. Amid Elvis theme music and complaints about his successor’s proposed tax hike, the “natural radio host” responded to jokes about his hair and the book he’s writing. More»

Welcome to the capital of Illinois ... doh

(NEWSER) - Chicago hosts a NATO summit later this month, and NATO officials have a handsome new video out trumpeting the choice of the city. The problem, points out the Chicago Tribune , is that said video needed a fact-checker:

• It referred to Chicago as the capital of Illinois. Sorry, Springfield.
• It said President Obama "grew up" in the city. Sorry Honolulu and Jakarta.
• It said the Tribune was founded by Col. Robert McCormick. Sorry James Kelly, John E. Wheeler, and Joseph KC Forest.

Teen beat white because of anger over case: cops

(NEWSER) - A black teenager in suburban Chicago told police that he beat up a white youth during a robbery because he was angry about the Trayvon Martin case, according to the state attorney's office. Alton Hayes, 18, has been charged with a hate crime, as well as aggravated battery and attempted robbery, the Chicago Tribune reports. More»

Last meal before jail: fast food

(NEWSER) - As Rod Blagojevich's car headed to prison from the Denver airport yesterday, it didn't stop at the entrance of the correctional facility. Then it passed by again. Turns out the former Illinois governor and his lawyer got lost, then opted to grab Blago's last lunch before serving his time, according to the lawyer. The meal was provided by fast-food burger joint Freddy's, MSNBC reports. "You're the guy from the Apprentice," said a woman as he posed for photos. More»