State Senate moves to kill law that boosted suburban chief’s pension

A former suburban police chief who benefited from an obscure pension sweetener and unapologetically declared “I deserve every penny of it and I deserve a lot f------ more” could wind up getting a lot less. By a 31-18 vote, the state Senate Friday moved to repeal a state law that allowed retired Oak Brook Police Chief Thomas Sheahan — a member of one of Chicago’s better-known political families — to boost his pension by more than $30,000 a year.

State House votes to add $1 to pack of cigarettes to help Medicaid

Another major reform to the state’s Medicaid program fell into place for Springfield lawmakers Friday with House passage of a $1-per-pack cigarette tax increase to help plug a $2.7 billion hole in the state’s health-care program for the poor.

Will County prosecutor wins state Supreme Court challenge on DUI case

`A Will County prosecutor has come out on top in a rare challenge to a judge’s decision to throw out a drunk driving conviction.

The state’s Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Gerald Kinney, chief justice for the 12th judicial circuit court, was wrong to strike …

Durbin: I’ll work with Kirk to pick Patrick Fitzgerald’s successor

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said Friday that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has offered up the name of an acting successor to replace him at the end of June and that “carries a lot of weight.” As for a permanent successor, Durbin said he has approached U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and they intend to convene a “small group of people we trust” to come up with nominees.

Melrose Park cops blistered in lawsuit

The Melrose Park Police Department has been on our radar for months, thanks to a deputy chief whose side business was selling uniforms and radios to his own agency — without bids.

But our antenna was raised even higher by a new federal lawsuit filed …

Illinois House passes bill to cut $1.6 billion from Medicaid

The Illinois House signed off Thursday on a measure to “save the Medicaid program” by making $1.6 billion in cuts that some lawmakers complained would hit the poor hard. A Chicago woman with a child in one Medicaid program said an alternative for her daughter ultimately would cost more.

Cook County looking to cash in by selling naming rights

How does the Coca-Cola lobby at the 26th and California criminal courthouse sound? The Kraft Kafeteria at Stroger Hospital? Or even the Bianchi Busse Woods Bike Trail in the forest preserves? The possibilities abound, Cook County officials say, as they look to sell everything from naming rights to advertising at most of its real estate holdings — from the hospitals to forest preserve paths and nature centers to even the local jail as a means of generating new revenue streams.

Is the Canadian government backing Jesse Jackson Jr.’s third airport plans?

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. says his south suburban airport near Peotone is a fully funded package, with two companies signed on to build it and run it. Now a Canadian governmental agency has offered to help make the project a reality.

U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald: I won’t ever run for elective office

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald says he’s not sure what he’ll do next, now that he’s announced he’s stepping down, but says running for elective office isn’t in his future.

Emanuel: Ricketts controversy won’t block Wrigley Field deal

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Thursday he’s made his point with Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts and won’t let the controversy over family patriarch Joe Ricketts’ conservative politics stand in the way of a proposed $300 million deal to renovate Wrigley Field.

Dems pick Lance Tyson to run against indicted state Rep. Derrick Smith

West and Northwest Side Democratic Ward committeemen have settled on a candidate to take on incumbent State Rep. Derrick Smith, who is charged with taking a $7,000 bribe. Lance Tyson, 40, a municipal bond lawyer who served as Cook County Board President Todd Stroger’s first chief of staff, emerged from a group of three finalists Wednesday to get the nod.

House passes bill allowing Chicago casino — but vote not veto-proof

The Illinois House passed a slightly scaled back version of a casino-expansion package, but the effort fell two votes shy of the supermajority needed to fend off a likely veto if it reaches Gov. Pat Quinn.

Patrick Fitzgerald at a glance

Patrick J. Fitzgerald at a glance AGE: 51 BORN IN: Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of an immigrant father who worked as a laborer and then as a Manhattan doorman. BOYHOOD: Star of his class at Our Lady Help of Christians School, went on attend Regis, …

Rahm Emanuel laughs, walks out of press conference when asked about Cubs’ Ricketts

The deep freeze from City Hall apparently continues for Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel laughed and then walked out of a news conference on Wednesday when asked why he has not returned an apologetic phone call from Ricketts after revelations surfaced about his …

‘Extraordinary job’ for summit by host committee executive director

Lori Healey knows what it’s like to fall off a horse, dust herself off, get back in the saddle and ride to glory. She has done it — literally ­ — falling off her sneezing horse during an equestrian competition a few years ago. Now, she has done it figuratively — by orchestrating a successful NATO Summit two years after serving as president of the 2016 Olympic Committee during Chicago’s embarrassing first-round flameout.