Burris Headlines

Madigan Reconsidering Illinois Senate Race - The Fix

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is reconsidering the possibility of running for the Senate in 2010, according to several sources familiar with her thinking.

Madigan, widely considered the 800-pound gorilla in the state's politics, had previously flatly ruled out a Senate bid in 2010 -- insisting that all of her attention is on the governor's race next year.

But, with Gov. Pat Quinn (D) riding high after having replaced disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and a new poll conducted by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee showing her cruising to the Senate seat, Madigan is at least entertaining the possibility of running to join the world's greatest deliberative body. Madigan would likely still start as the favorite in the governor's race but even those close to her acknowledge that the path to the Senate is less cluttered.

Burris and Durbin: Illinois senators cordial, not close - The Hill

Durbin spokesman Joe Shoemaker said Burris simply hasn’t approached the majority whip for anything besides basic home-state needs.

“There isn’t a bad relationship; there is just not any kind of a deep relationship,” Shoemaker said.

Since January, Burris and Durbin have teamed up eight times to co-sponsor legislation, but only once exclusively: for a bill to rename a post office in Springfield. They have appeared at few press events together and have instead channeled their public appearances into a weekly question-and-answer forum for Illinois constituents every Thursday morning, where they describe Senate activity, field questions and pose for pictures.

IL-Sen: Are the Floodgates Opening? - Swing State Project

Schakowsky ramps up fundraising - Politico