Chicago Tribune backs Libertarian Gary Johnson

The Chicago Tribune, a Windy City newspaper that historically backs Republican candidates, endorsed Libertarian Gary Johnson on Friday, calling him "practical," "agile" and "experienced." "Libertarians Gary Johnson of New Mexico and running mate William Weld of Massachusetts are agile, practical and, unlike the major-party candidates, experienced at managing governments," the paper said.

Allardyce loses job as England manager after newspaper sting

A white Memphis police officer won't face federal civil rights charges in the shooting death of a 19-year-old black man, the federal government announced Tuesday. A white Memphis police officer won't face federal civil rights charges in the shooting death of a 19-year-old black man, the federal government announced Tuesday.

Polls: GOP Closing Fast on Senate Seats

The GOP's chances of holding the Senate just got a big push: Sens. Mark Kirk of Illinois and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin moved into striking distance of the long-favored Democratic nominees, according to recent polls. A poll from Emerson College showed the race in Illinois was close - with Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth leads Kirk by only 41 percent to 39 percent among likely voters.

Former Pro-Hillary Journo Describes Sid Blumenthal s Slimy Rumor-Mongering in 2008

Another journalist --the second one in two days -- came out Saturday to confess that Sid Blumenthal aggressively shopped the rumor to him in 2008 about then-Senator Barack Obama being born in Kenya. In "Confessions of a Hillary Insider," Larry Johnson of No Quarter said that he is "shocked at the audacity of Hillary Clinton to decry Donald Trump as a birther because her campaign not only pushed that item in a bid to discredit Barack Obama, but mounted a sustained campaign attack Obama on a broad array of issues."

R.F.D. NEWS & VIEWS

Hope Danielson and Melanie Kluzek, registered dieticians with County Market, inspect jars of M&Ms, illustrating how much estrogen is present in potatoes compared to a three ounce steak from a steer treated with growth promoting hormones . In this week's news roundup for Illinois farmers and rural dwellers, we'll examine how prolonged rainfall in August and September could impact the corn harvest in McLean County.

Republicans toss Quinn’s remap reform proposal

Whenever you see a statement from the Democratic Party of Illinois, you can feel supremely confident that House Speaker Michael Madigan, the party's longtime chairman, approves of the sentiment. And the same goes for the Illinois Republican Party and Gov. Bruce Rauner, who accounts for 95 percent of the party's total fundraising since January 1st.

Libertarian Party May be Ballot-Qualified in 37 or More States on November 9, 2016

If Gary Johnson polls 4% of the vote in every state on November 8, 2016, and if in certain states other statewide Libertarians also poll 4%, the Libertarian Party will be ballot-qualified in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut , Delaware, D.C., Florida, Georgia , Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. With a 5% showing, Illinois , Minnesota, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and Texas would also be on the list, for a total of 42 .

Police: 1,000 rush stage at outdoor concert in Philadelphia

The remains of Jacob Wetterling, an 11-year-old boy kidnapped from a rural Minnesota road nearly 27 years ago, were identified Saturday, authorities said, providing long-awaited answers to a mystery that has captivated... The first hurricane to hit Florida in more than a decade wiped away beachside buildings and toppled trees onto homes Friday before plowing inland on a path that could send it rolling up the densely populated East... By JESSICA GRESKO The Associated Press The once-and-future Hurricane Hermine regained strength Saturday as it moved slowly up the Eastern Seaboard and made a mess of the holiday weekend.

Donald Trump’s ‘To Be Determined’ Approach Threatens the Democractic Ideal

Only the naive have ever believed that democracy is solely a noble contest over competing ideas, proposals and solutions. Emotion looms large in every human decision, including how we cast our ballots, and smart politicians have always blended appeals to the heart and the gut with their entreaties to reason.

Dionne: Donald Trump, immigration and cynicism

Only the naive have ever believed that democracy is solely a noble contest over competing ideas, proposals and solutions. Emotion looms large in every human decision, including how we cast our ballots, and smart politicians have always blended appeals to the heart and the gut with their entreaties to reason.

5 things to know about the Dakota Access Pipeline

In what looks to be a possible sequel to the Keystone XL Pipeline dispute, another fight has begun over a proposed US oil route. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has sued the federal government, saying the Native American tribe was not properly consulted over the project to construct a 1,168-mile crude oil pipeline that extends over four states.

Former Chicago official gets 10 years in red light camera bribe case

A former Chicago transportation official was sentenced on Monday to 10 years in prison for using his influence to expand contracts for the city's red light traffic camera program in a $2 million bribery scheme. John Bills, 55, was convicted in January on every charge he faced connected to the scheme, including mail fraud, wire fraud, filing false tax returns and bribery.

How the Machine That Created Barack Obama Keeps Power in Illinoisby…

Spendthrift and incompetent government has turned Illinois into a basket case. Barack Obama's adopted state ranks 47th in the nation in fiscal health ; and, as the Huffington Post reported in March, it's dead last in how much it leaves in the pockets of middle-class taxpayers.

Illinois redistricting referendum won’t appear on ballot

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled Thursday a voter referendum seeking to change the system Illinois uses to draw political boundaries is unconstitutional, making it ineligible to appear on the November ballot. The 4-3 decision, which affirmed a Cook County circuit court judge's ruling, said the measure giving the power to draw legislative maps to an independent commission instead of lawmakers didn't meet constitutional muster.

Morning Spin: Why Rauner fears teacher pension board vote

Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. The board that oversees the Teachers Retirement System is scheduled to vote on whether to lower the expected rate of return on investments, a move Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner 's office has warned could blow a massive hole into the state's already shaky finances.