Chicago Tribune Springfield Bureau reporter Ray Long discusses statewide political and legislative issues including an update on former Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on Tuesday Dec. 1, 2009 WJJG 1530 AM Radio www.RadioChicagoland.com

David Ormsby of Illinois Observer web blog discusses Illinois election contests ... http://davidormsby.wordpress.com ... on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on Friday Nov. 20, 2009 WJJG 1530 AM Radio www.RadioChicagoland.com

Michael Del Galdo municipal and election law attorney on new laws impacting Illinois on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on WJJG 1530 AM Radio Thursday Nov. 19, 2009 www.RadioChicagoland.com

Radio Host Ray Hanania taunts Gov. Pat Quinn for being a hypocrite to call community reporters when he was an "outsider" fighting the system and then ignoring the community news media now that he is governor and backed by some leaders of the state political establishment on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on Monday Nov. 16, 2009 WJJG 1530 AM Radio www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Republican candidate Dan Proft discusses President Obama's plans to place GITMO prisoners in a federal prison located in Northwestern Illinois onR adio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on Monday nov. 16, 2009 WJJG 1530 AM Radio www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Illinois Senator Kirk Dillard a Republican candidate for governor discusses the issues in the campaign from balancing the state's budget and income tax increase proposals to ethics, health care and President Obama's plans to place GITMO prisoners in an Illinois high security prison in Northwest Illinois on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on Monday Nov. 16, 2009 WJJG 1530 AM Radio www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Ray Long Springfield reporter for the Chicago Tribune discusses election issues for governor on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on WJJG 1530 AM Radio Thursday Nov. 12, 2009 www.RadioChicagoland.com. Long discusses candidates including Gov. Pat Quinn and Dan Hynes, and also Andy McKenna, Dan Proft, Bill Brady, Jim Ryan, Kirk Dillard and others.

Chicago Tribune Springfield reporter Ray Long discusses the legislative veto session and who is responsible for the rising taxation in Cook County with the lifting of the tax cap ... Long also discusses other legislation to be discussed on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on WJJG 1530 AM Radio Tuesday Oct. 28, 2009 www.RadioChicagoland.com

Chicago Tribune Reporter Ray Long discusses various issues being addressed by the Illinois General Assembly during the veto session, including the Cook County veto override vote, the attempt to reduce the repressive 1 percent Todd Stroger Sales Tax increase, taxation and election issues, and also a discussion of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich who will appear on The Apprentice with host Donald Trump. On Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on WJJG 1530 AM Radio Tuesday Oct. 20, 2009, www.RadioChicagoland.com. Also Gov. Pat Quinn and the MAP funding issue for state colleges.

Municipal Law attorney and election law specialist Michael Del Galdo of Del Galdo Law Group www.DLGLawGroup.com discusses the Illinois House effort to repeal the Cook County 1 percent Sales Tax proposed by County Board President Todd Stroger, the veto override vote reduction from 14 to 11, and the impact of late countywide tax bills (10 weeks late) on suburban communities. Plus, Del Galdo discusses the threat to the $31 billion capital development bill with the potential loss of the video gaming machine as the revenue source on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on WJJG 1530 AM Radio Thursday October 15, 2009 www.RadioChicagoland.com.

State Senator Bill Brady on his candidacy for Illinois governor discusses a wide range of issues on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on WJJG 1530 AM Radio Wednesday Oct. 14, 2009 www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Municipal and election law specialist attorney Michael Del Galdo (www.dlglawgroup.com) discusses the specifics and application of the state's new Video Gaming machine law and how it might impact local communities. Del Galdo also discusses the limits of its application, how it relates to municipalities, the role of Cook County government in possibly restricting or banning video gaming machines and more in this interview. Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania Wednesday Sept. 30, 2009, WJJG 1530 AM radio, www.RadioChicagoland.com

Dr. Calvin Morris, executive director of the Community Renewal Society and publisher of The Chicago Reporter and Catalyst, discusses a drive to promote support for the children of incarcerated children. Legislation is being discussed to provide that support. On Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania WJJG 1530 AM Radio Thursday Sept. 17, 2009, www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Progress Illinois (www.ProgressIllinois.com) publisher Josh Kalven discusses Mayor Daley's plunging popularity, the battle for the U.S. Senate race with Mark Kirk, Alexi Giannoulias and Cheryle Jackson and others, the Cap and Trade issue and more on Mornings with Ray Hanania on Radio Chicagoland AM 1530 WJJG Radio, Wednesday Sept. 16, 2009 www.RadioChicagoland.com.

The Gapers Block political editor Ramsin Canon discusses Illinois and Chicago politics, including the race between Gov. Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes, the fate of County Board President Todd Stroger, and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on WJJG 1530 AM Radio Tuesday Sept. 15, 2009, www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Chicago Tribune Springfield Reporter Ray Long discusses Springfield, the legislature, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's book, former Blagojevich's top fundraiser and aid Chris Kelly's death and more on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania, WJJG 1530 AM Radio Monday Sept. 14, 2009, www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Illinois Policy Institute Director John Tillman discusses taxation in Illinois on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania, WJJG 1530 AM Radio Monday Sept. 14, 2009, www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Host Ray Hanania discusses meeting Mark Kirk at a parade in Lemont and liking him, and also discussing the need for Kirk to "moderate himself more" in order to win the "centrist" Illinois vote (Democrats and Republicans). Kirk could be a far better option than Alexi Giannoulias who is a former banker and has no sympathy for the consumers burdened and raped by the credit card companies and banks with excessive mob-style interest rates on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on WJJG AM 1530 radio www.RadioChicagoland.com Tuesday Sept. 8, 2009.

Gubernatorial candidate William Bill "Doc" Walls discusses his candidacy for Illinois Governor in the February 2, 2010 Democratic primary against incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn on Mornings with Ray Hanania on WJJG AM 1530 Radio www.RadioChicagoland.com, Monday Sept. 7, 2009.

FOX Chicago News reporter Anne Kavanaugh comes to the Radio Chicagoland studios and discusses her interviews with convicted felon and racketeer former Cicero Town President Betty Loren-Maltese who just completed a 7 year jail term and is now in a halfway house in La Vegas (across the street from the Circus Circus Casino) where she will be until the end of January. Kavanaugh brings in a copy of Betty's book: Guilty: A Chicago Story in which she blames everyone else except herself for her problems. Kavanaugh and host Ray Hanania -- a former media and political consultant to Loren-Maltese (before she was charged with federal corruption and stealing $10 million from Cicero taxpayers) discuss the viability of Betty's proposed book and takes calls from radio listeners. On Mornings with Ray Hanania on WJJG AM 1530 Radio www.RadioChicagoland.com Monday Sept. 7, 2009. Ed Vrdolyak. Mike Madigan. Mayor Rich Daley. Jack O'Malley, Jim Ryan, Judy Baar Topinka. Rocco Infelise. The Chicago Outfit, Mafia, crime syndicate, Al Capone. Oak park Ernest Hemingway.

FOX Chicago News reporter Anne Kavanaugh talks about her one-on-one interviews with convicted felon and former Cicero Town President Betty Loren-Maltese who was just released from a seven year prison sentence for participating in a mob-related theft of more than $10 million from the Town of Cicero's insurance program while she was president. Maltese is now serving the remainder of her time at a Los Vegas half-way house, across the street from Circus Circus. Kavanaugh accompanied Maltese as she went from the California prison to the half-way house and she talks about their conversations. On Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on Friday Sept. 4, 2009 WJJG AM 1530 www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Chicago Tribune Springfield bureau reporter Ray Long discusses former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's new book and what is and isn't in it, and Blagojevich's troubles. He also talks about Gov. Pat Quinn and his decision to veto a reform measure that would put limits on campaign fundraising by state elected officials and if the issue will return for re-adoption during the upcoming veto session. Long also talks about the probe of the University of Illinois academic admissions scandal and who is or isn't involved in the probe on Mornings with Ray Hanania on Radio Chicagoland, Tuesday Sept. 1, 2009, WJJG 1530 AM Radio www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown discusses the un-apology "apology" from Mayor Daley over the screw-up of the parking meter contract, and dissects Gov. Pat Quinn's veto of the campaign finance reform legislation on Mornings with Ray Hanania on Radio Chicagoland WJJG 1530 AM Monday August 31, 2009.

Brian Costin of the Schaumburg Freedom Coalition discusses his battle in Schaumburg to hold down taxation and also the fight in Cook County and Illinois on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on WJJG 1530 AM Radio Thursday August 20, 2009 www.RadioChicagoland.com. Also, open telephone discussion with callers on healthcare and President Barack Obama.

Chicago Tribune reporter Stacy St. Clair discusses the story focused on the College and University admission clout scandal where underqualified students were enrolled in colleges because of clout from their political sponsors. The University of Illinois is a state college and funded by taxpayer money and therefor must abide by legal processes that cannot be compromised by clout and political interference. St Clair discusses the story and the issues involved. On Radio Chicagoland's "Mornings with Ray Hanania" Tuesday July 28, 2009, WJJG 1530 AM Radio, www.RadioChicagoland.com

Pundits Dan Proft, who is running in the Republican Primary for Illinois governor, and Monroe Anderson, who is running from his critics only (LOL) discuss and debate the Obama Health Plan, the strengths of the Republican Party and more on RadioChicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania Tuesday July 21, 2009, WJJG 1530 AM, www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Sheila Weinberg of the Institute for Truth in Accounting review indicates each Illinois family's share of state debt is now more than $20,000. Northbrook, IL - On Friday Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes finally issued the State's financial report for its fiscal year ended June 30, 2008. On Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania, Thursday July 16, 2009, WJJG 1530 AM, www.RadioChicagoland.com. "As they saying goes, 'better late than never,'" commented Sheila Weinberg, founder & CEO of the Northbrook-based Institute for Truth in Accounting. "Just as Gov. Quinn committed the State to spending another $32 billion, the State financial report indicated that we were more than $82 billion in the hole." The report, which was issued more than a year after the State's fiscal year end, indicated that each Illinois family's share of the State's debt is $20,850.During fiscal year 2008 the amount owed to the State employees' retirement plans funds increased by more than $12 billion.Illinois pension funds are underfunded by more than $54 billion.The financial report indicated that only $1.2 billion has been put away to pay for the $23.9 billion of health care benefits promised state retirees. These underfunding amounts do not include the massive downturn experienced in the market value of pension assets. The financial report was issued more than a year after the fiscal year end."Public corporations are required to issue their financial statements two and half months after their year end," said the Institute's chairman, Roger Nelson. "The federal government lives up to this standard, why can't the state of Illinois?" Even though Governor Blagojevich and the legislature claimed the FY 2008 budget was balanced, the income statement reported a deficit $3.5 billion. Weinberg noted, "For more than twenty years Illinois' governors and legislators have been saying the state's budgets have been balanced." She questioned, "Then how can we be more than $82 billion in the hole? How much further will the current 'balanced' budget put us in debt?" For more information, contact Darlene Porteus at 847-835-5200 or visit www.truthinaccounting.org. About the Institute for Truth in AccountingThe Institute for Truth in Accounting (IFTA) is dedicated to promoting honest, accurate, and transparent accounting at all levels of government. As a non-partisan, non-profit organization, the IFTA works to expose accounting deficiencies while promoting better, more accessible delivery of accurate government financial data-and, in turn, providing a foundation for more informed public policy. The IFTA provides its expertise to develop more effective accounting standards and deliver accurate government financial information to policymakers, opinion leaders, and citizens so that they can work for a more secure financial future. To learn more, please visit our website at www.truthinaccounting.org. #####

Josh Kalevn publisher of Progress Illinois (www.ProgressIllinois.com) and Ramsin Canon, editor of The Mechanics political section of The Gapers Block blog (www.GapersBlock.com) discuss issues in the news in this weekly segment every Wednesday morning including the budget battle in Springfield and the performance of the Chicago Public schools and cuts on teachers and principals. They also discuss Daley's political missteps, the 2016 Olympics and take questions from callers on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on WJJG 1530 AM Radio Wednesday July 15, 2009 www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Josh Kalven, the publisher of Progress Illinois news and opinion blog (www.ProgressIllinois.com) joins Ramsin Canon, editor of the Gapers Block news and opinion blog (www.GapersBlock.com) take on the issues in this weekly series "This Week in Chicagoland" broadcast every Wednesday morning at 8 am on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania, Wed July 8, 2009, WJJG 1530 AM Radio, www.RadioChicagoland.com. Josh and Ramsin discuss the budget impasse in Springfield, the 2016 Olympics bid by the city of Chicago and the race to replace Cook County Board President Todd Stroger. Josh and Ramsin also give Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down reviews on each topic during the discussion from will Chicago win the Olympics bid to who is leading in local election contests.

Springfield Bureau Reporter Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune discusses the failure to enact real reform legislation in the Illinois General Assembly and why reform failed or stopped short of the teeth required and how incumbents protected their interests. He also discusses the feud between Gov. Pat Quinn in the wake of the ouster of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. On Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on Tuesday July 7, 2009, WJJG 1530 AM Radio, www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Jeff Junkas discusses his candidacy for the 37th Illinois House District state representative seat against 12 year incumbent State Rep. Kevin McCarthy on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on WJJG 1530 AM Radio, Monday July 6, 2009, www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Chicago Tribune Springfield Correspondent Ray Long, followed by State Sen. Christine Radogno each discuss what they see as the challenges of balancing the Illinois budget. Long discusses the political aspects of the issue during the first 20 minutes and then Radogno discusses what she feels is the blame that falls squarely on the shoulders of Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and the Illinois Democratic party on Radio Chciagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on Friday June 26, 2009, WJJG 1530 AM Radio, www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Fox Chicago News and Fox Good Day Chicago reporter Anita Padilla on stakeout at the northside Chicago home of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich as word comes that Patti Blagojevich will be returning from the reality TV series taping of I'm a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here. On Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania, Thursday June 25, 2009, WJJG 1530 AM, www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Pundit and media consultant and writer Dan Proft, a regular on Radio Chicagoland and also WLS with Don and Roma, announced his candidacy for Governor in the Republican Primary in February 2010 on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania Wednesday June 24, 2009, WJJG 1530 AM Radio, www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney discusses a wide range of issues including the controversy surrounding Regional Schools Supt. for Cook County Charles Flowers and the scandals involving his hiring of relatives, borrowing of government funds of unaccounted expenditures, unpaid loans, and a deficit of $1 million, equal to his department's budget; the growing rift between Gov. Pat Quinn and Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan over the income tax hike proposal and the call for a special session to approve a new budget; and more. On Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania, Tuesday, June 16, 2009, WJJG 1530 AM Radio, http://www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Chicago Tribune Springfield reporter Ray Long explores the dynamics of the failed effort to pass the income tax increase proposed by Gov Pat Quinn and the political balance between Republicans and Democrats on the issue on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on WJJG 1530 AM Radio Monday June 1, 2009, www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Arlington Heights Daily Herald columnist Burt Constable discusses a wide range of issues from casino gambling to video gaming machines, to local stories  on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on Thursday May 28, 2009 on WJJG 1530 AM Radio, www.RadioChicagoland.com.

National Taxpayer's United of Illinois President Jim Tobin discusses the fight to oppose taxation in Illinois and Gov. Pat Quinn's excessive 50 percent increase in the Illinois income tax  on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on Thursday May 28, 2009 on WJJG 1530 AM Radio, www.RadioChicagoland.com. Tobin also discusses excessive pension payments.

Former Illinois Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka discusses President Barack Obama's selection of a new member of the US Supreme Court, including Sonia Sotomayer, the likely contender, and follow-up on former Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on Wednesday May 26, 2009, in a special edition substitute hosting for Judy Baar Topinka (who calls in from home) on WJJG 1530 AM Radio www.RadioChicagoland.com

Chicago Tribune Editorial Page Editor R. Bruce Dold discusses the newspaper's high profile front-page campaign to force Illinois and local governments to release all public records to the public  on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on Tuesday May 26, 2009, WJJG 1530 AM Radio, www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Jim Tobin of National Taxpayers of Illinois criticallya nalyzes the state's pension crisis and also discusses the effort to prevent Gov. Pat Quinn from increasing the income tax 50 percent on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on Monday May 25, 2009, WJJG 1530 AM Radio, www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Longtime Chicago journalist Elizabeth Brackett discusses her new book "Pay to Play" on the rise and fall of disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Brackett discusses Blagojevich's background and childhood, the impact of his Serbian and Bosnian immigrant parents and his personality growing up in an ethnic background in Chicago on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania on Thursday May 21, 2009, WJJG 1530 AM Radio www.RadioChicagoland.com.

Natashaa Korecki, the Chicago Sun-Times federal beat reporter and the writer for the newspaper's popular "Eye on Rezko" blog which follows the exploits of former fundraiser and political influencer Antoin "Tony" Rezko, discusses the Rezko case and his expected role testifying in the criminal prosecution of disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania, Friday May 15, 2009, WJJG 1530 AM Radio, www.RadioChicagoland.com. Ali Ata. Tony Rezko, Stuart Levine, Ed Vrdolyak, Patti Blagojevich, President Barack Obama.

Josh Kalven, editor of the online magazine Progress Illinois (www.ProgressIllinois.com) discusses the array of candidates running for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Roland Burris. Candidates include leader Lisa Madigan, Jan Schakowski, Alexi Giannoulias, Chris Kennedy and Bill Daley, and also Mark Kirk on the republican side. On Radio Chicagoland's Mornings with Ray Hanania Thursday May 14, 2009, WJJG 1530 AM Radio, www.RadioChicagoland.com. Kalven also updates us on the Hartmarx bankruptcy and closing and battle with Well Fargo.

Ray Long, Springfield bureau chief for the Chicago Tribune, discusses the issues that are anticipated in this Spring Session of the Illinois Legislature, the fate of Gov. Pat Quinn's 50 percent income tax increase, healthcare, unemployment and growing debt. Long also talks about the impact of House Speaker Michael Madigan's plan to trim 3,000 jobs fromt he state payroll Madigan says are tied to the administration of disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Radio Chicago's Mornings with Ray Hanania Wednesday May 13, 2009 WJJG 1530 AM Radio www.RadioChicagoland.com.