Author: Serkadis

The America Project: A Teaching Method for Collaboration, Creativity and Citizenship offers a pathway to engage students in the intersection between the academy, the arts and the written word. Includes two DVDs: a film of Sundiata’s major theatrical performance, the 51st (dream) state, and a 30-minute documentary that reveals how Sundiata’s interactions with community members and students through The America Project led to the creation of the 51st (dream) state.

With millions of blogs under its supervision, verifying that everything that gets posted on Blogger, complies with policies or with the law can be a daunting task. Add to this the whole copyright, fair use, DMCA debacle and you’ve got a situation that inevitably leads to problems. After several music blogs were taken down by Blogg… (read more)

One of the downsides of the modern movement to include trademark law under the same “intellectual property” umbrella as copyright and patent law, is that you get people who think that trademark grants the same sort of overreaching monopoly rights that copyright and patent law do. But trademark law is really quite different — it’s designed as something of a consumer protection law, meant only to prevent confusing uses of the trademark in a way that would imply a product is made or endorsed by someone else. But since people still think of trademarks like copyrights and patents, they often conclude that they can try to stop people who aren’t violating the trademark at all.

Reader Reverand Dak alerts us to the news that Lone Wolf Development, a video game developer (who, we’re told, has no relationship with Lone Wolf Roleplaying Games nor with Lone Wolf & Club manga), received a trademark on the term Army Builder in connection with a game that they created under that name. No problems there. But apparently Lone Wolf has been sending out cease-and-desists to websites that have nothing to do with Lone Wolf’s Army Builder, and demanding that the phrase be blocked in forums on totally different subjects. Yes, they’re saying that no one can use the term in conversation:

There are two things that need to be done. First of all, improper references to the Army Builder trademark on the forums must be addressed. This can be achieved in either of two ways, or potentially a combination of both, at your discretion. The first option would be to remove such posts. Since this could appear harsh and potentially disrupt forum discussions, an acceptable alternative would be to revise such posts to utilize a generic term (e.g. “roster construction tool”, “list createor”, or “points calculator”) in place of the “Army Builder” name.

The second thing that needs to be addressed is that your forum users must be educated about the term Army Builder being a trademark and only applicable to our brand of products. This is necessary to avoid an ongoing problem and mitigate the future need for removal of improper posts. I’m sure you would also prefer that the forums continue to run smoothly and without interruption, so your assistance in getting forum users to utilize appropriate terms will benefit us all.

Or, you know, instead of educating all forum users around the world that they can no longer use the term “Army Builder” in conversation, how about we just educate the folks at Lone Wolf Development on the limits of trademark law and why it almost certainly does not apply to random forum users using the term in a way totally unrelated to Lone Wolf Development’s mark.

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It’s not on Abbott’s web site yet (update:  now it’s here), but the FDA has approved a new formulation of ritonavir — a heat-stable 100 mg tablet.  From an e-mail release by the FDA:

On February 10, 2010, FDA approved Norvir (ritonavir) 100 mg Tablets. These tablets do not require refrigeration.  Unlike the capsule formulation [pictured], Norvir tablets must be taken with meals.
–snip–
NORVIR tablets are not bioequivalent to NORVIR capsules. Under moderate fat conditions (857 kcal; 31% fat, 13% protein, 56% carbohydrates), when a single 100 mg NORVIR dose was administered as a tablet compared with a capsule, AUC_{(0- ∞)} met equivalence criteria but mean C_max was increased by 26% (92.8% confidence intervals: ↑15 -↑39%).

This is obviously an advance — the Norvir soft-gel capsule is much-despised for a variety of reasons, one of the most notable being the glob of melted capsules that results if the medication is left in the car, in a warm room in the summertime, near a radiator, etc.  When Kaletra switched from capsule to tablet, the heat-stability was a big improvement in convenience, and also made treatment in resource-limited settings much easier.

Time will tell if the increase in peak levels has any effect on tolerability, a potential concern since much of ritonavir’s toxicity is dose-related.   I suspect Abbott will have both formulations available for a while until this is sorted out.

And for those who still have patients still on 600 mg twice-daily — it’s time to switch to something else!

The International Association for Research on Service-learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE) board now includes Dr. Julie Elkins, Director of Academic Initiatives with national Campus Compact. At Campus Compact, Dr. Elkins provides leadership and strategic focus for Campus Compact’s work to embed civic and community engagement within teaching and research activities at the more than 1,100 member colleges and universities representing over 6 million students.

Dr. Elkins advises and collaborates with the network of 35 state Campus Compact offices on strategies to promote engaged campuses and the scholarship of engagement, including professional development opportunities for faculty and administrators. Dr. Elkins hold a B.A. in Social Work from Central Missouri State University, a M.S. in Student Personnel Service and Counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Doctorate of Education from UMASS-Boston.

Dr. Elkins replaces Patricia Potyka, Executive Director of Texas Campus Compact, who has served on the Board since 2008 and recently resigned from the Board. The IARSLCE is grateful for her service to the association.

A new round of $15.4 million in federal affordable housing funds will help low-income residents, including seniors and persons with disabilities, and landlords rehabilitate more than 420 homes across the state, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced today.

Under the administration of Gov. Pat Quinn, IHDA allocated the federal HOME funds to 36 municipalities and not-for-profit groups for two programs that offer forgivable loans to property owners.

Under the Single Family Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation (SFOOR) and Small Rental Properties Program (SRPP), IHDA is working to preserve and improve affordable housing by creating financial assistance to enable needed repairs.

An estimated 164 jobs will be created as a result of the repair work, which can include roof, electrical and heating repairs.

“With the help of this federal funding, we are helping homeowners and landlords afford much-needed repairs and improvements to ensure costly rehabilitation projects can be made without breaking the bank,” said Gloria L. Materre, IHDA Executive Director.

“These programs also will create more job opportunities for residents of the communities that will be served.”

HOME Single Family Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program

Under the Single Family Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program (SFOOR), 35 sponsoring groups will receive nearly $14 million in federal HOME funds to assist in the repair and upgrade of 338 single-family homes.

Homeowners apply to the sponsors to receive forgivable loans of up to $40,000, based on the amount of rehabilitation needed. For expenses up to $14,999, the loan will be forgiven over five years; and loans between $15,000 and $40,000 are forgiven over 10 years.

If a homeowner sells their home before the loan expires, they must repay a portion of the loan remaining from the sale of the house. Households must be at or below 80 percent of the area median income.

HOME Small Rental Properties Program

The Small Rental Properties Program (SRPP) awarded nearly $1.4 million to five communities – four of which also received SFOOR funds – to help landlords repair their rental properties of no more than 11 units. Eligible applicants can apply for between $2,000 and $14,999 per unit.

Property owners also must finance at least 25 percent toward the rehabilitation. Rental units must meet IHDA property standards, and serve people who earn less than or equal to 60 percent of the area median income. Property owners must adhere to rent and income limits for at least five years.

Each sponsor will manage the application and approval process.

• Tri-County Opportunities Council (Bureau, Carroll, Ogle, Whiteside, Lee, LaSalle, Putnam, Marshall and Stark counties)$421,000/ 10 homes
• Village of Machesney Park (Village of Machesney Park)
  $601,000/18 homes
• Rock Island Economic Growth Corp. (City of Rock Island)
  $821,000/20 homes
• Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council (Monroe, Perry, Randolph and Jackson counties)
  $570,248/ 14 homes
• Western Illinois Regional Council (Hancock, McDonough and Warren counties) $821,000/ 20 homes
• B.C.M.W. Community Services (Bond, Clinton, Marion and Washington counties) $821,000/20 homes
• Coles County (Coles County) $243,600/ 6 homes
• Project NOW, Inc. (Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer counties)$501,000/ 12 homes
• C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corp. (Christian, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby counties)$332,800/ 7 homes
• City of Canton (City of Canton) $501,000/12 homes
• City of Charleston (City of Charleston) $337,000/8 homes
• City of Mattoon (City of Mattoon) $337,000/ 8 homes
• Community Contacts, Inc. (DeKalb County) $581,000/14 homes
• Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity, Inc. (Peoria County) $581,000/ 14 homes
• Wabash Area Development, Inc. (Edwards and Hamilton counties)$581,000/ 14 homes
• City of Greenville (City of Greenville) $211,000/5 homes
• City of Quincy (Small Rental Properties Program) $314,979/20 homes
• City of Quincy (SFOOR) $379,000/9 homes
• City of Carbondale (City of Carbondale) $379,000/9 homes
• City of Freeport (Small Rental Properties Program) City of Freeport $314,979/ 20 homes
• City of Freeport (SFOOR) $379,000/ 9 homes
• City of Rock Falls (Small Rental Properties Program) City of Rock Falls $125,991/8 homes
• City of Rock Falls (SFOOR) City of Rock Falls $379,000/9 homes
• City of Kankakee (City of Kankakee) $379,000/ 9 homes
• City of Bloomington (City of Bloomington) $378,000/9 homes
• Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency (Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties) $379,000/9 homes
• Village of Brighton (Village of Brighton) $211,000/5 homes
• Village of DeSoto (Village of DeSoto) $253,000/6 homes
• City of West Frankfort (City of West Frankfort) $253,000/ 6 homes
• City of Carterville (City of Carterville) $253,000/6 homes
• Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials (Adams, Schuyler, Brown and Pike counties) $379,000/9 homes
• Village of West City (Village of West City) $253,000/ 6 homes
• City of Christopher (City of Christopher) $253,000/6 homes
• Village of Bush (Village of Bush) $253,000/ 6 homes
• City of Mount Olive (City of Mount Olive) $211,000/5 homes
• City of Moline (Small Rental Properties Program) City of Moline $314,979/20 homes
• City of Moline (SFOOR) City of Moline $253,000/6 homes
• Embarras River Basin Agency, Inc. (Crawford and Jasper counties) $253,000 /6 homes
• City of Pekin (City of Pekin) $253,000/6 homes
• City of Herrin (Small Rental Properties Program) City of Herrin $314,979/ 20 homes
• TOTAL $15,377,555/426 homes

About the Illinois Housing Development Authority

IHDA (ihda.org) is a self-supporting state agency that finances the creation and the preservation of affordable housing across Illinois.

Since its creation in 1967, IHDA has allocated more than $10 billion and financed approximately 210,000 affordable units across the state.

IHDA accomplishes its mission through a number of federal and state funding sources including the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credits Fund, the allocation of federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and HOME Investment Partnership funds.

IHDA is also a bonding authority, and independently sells bonds, based on its own good credit, to finance affordable housing in Illinois.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

It’s that time of the week again, here’s what those in the PAL territories are getting for their Store this week. More content getting markdowns this week, some temporarily, some permanent. The usual batch of minis and

Truth be told, I hadn’t heard of console development plans for Blade & Soul and Guild Wars 2 until now, but apparently everything’s now going smoothly according to NCsoft CEO Kim Taek Jin.
 
[UPDATE] Scratch that. Apparently only

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Europe, Japan, Hatchback, Subaru

Here’s some extra happy news, especially if you’re into that whole turbocharged, AWD rally thing. Autocar reports that legendary English engine tuner Cosworth has gotten its mitts all over the mighty Subaru WRX STI. Described as a “one-off, special project,” it sounds as if Cosworth will be tweaking the engine, suspension and body. Long story short: YES!

As for details, we don’t have any. Autocar says that specifications and pricing will become available when closer to the car’s on sale date in March. A Cosworth spokesperson has said that the improved upon STI, “will raise the bar for all-wheel-drive, high-performance motoring.” Sounds good to us, especially as the current STI has always felt about 85 percent finished to us. For what it’s worth, Cosworth has a pretty special history when it comes to tuning rally cars. Ford RS200 anyone? We’ll let you know more as soon as we can.

[Source: Autocar, CAR]

Report: Cosworth getting its magic mitts on Subaru Impreza WRX STI originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from occupied london, 11 February 2010: “Testimony from the hell of Petrou Ralli by comrades that were detained in the prison wing for migrant women on P. Ralli St. after the occupation of the Keratsini Town Hall in solidarity to the 22 persecuted in the “Resalto” social space on 5th December 2009)… ‘The scene is the same as if it were a high security prison; the difference is that no one has committed any “crime” here. The cameras that are everywhere in the cells, apart from the toilets, are an example of how human dignity is violated in here. The detainees are under 24/7 surveillance, they can’t get a moment of privacy and no personal data protection policy is in effect’…” more

Por tercer año consecutivo, una alumna del Miami Dade College (MDC) ganó un importante premio al servicio otorgado por Florida Campus Compact. Stephanie Del Pino, del Honors College del recinto de Kendall del MDC, es la única estudiante que recibió el Premio a la Excelencia en el Servicio 2009 en la categoría College Community/Estatal, y que recibirá además el Premio Presidencial al Servicio Voluntario correspondiente a este año.…

»Read entire article in Diario Las Americas

CICERO, Ind.  — Police say a 14-year-old boy accidentally killed his 16-year-old brother at their rural central Indiana home when he fired a shotgun that he thought was unloaded.

Hamilton County Sheriff’s Maj. Mark Bowen says Carson Wallace was chasing his younger brother with snowballs Wednesday when the 14-year-old ran into the garage of their home near Cicero and grabbed the shotgun that the two had planned to use on a hunting trip.

Police say the gun went off when the boy jokingly pointed it at his older brother, hitting him in the chest.

Carson later died at an Indianapolis hospital.

Bowen says the shooting “was clearly an accident” and he doesn’t expect any charges to be filed against the boy.

Read the original article from WBBM News Radio.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

Funeral arrangements have been finalized for a Glenbard West High School senior who died following a Jan. 29 automobile accident.

Pierre Washington-Steel’s aunt said visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Midwest Memorial Chapel, 5040 S. Western Ave., Chicago, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at Progressive Life Giving Word Cathedral, 4500 Frontage Road, Hillside.

The funeral will follow at Progressive Life, with a gathering scheduled to end at 4 p.m. Monday at St. Petronille Parish Life Center, 420 Glenwood Ave., Glen Ellyn.

Washington-Steel died Feb. 4, six days after he lost control of a 2008 Ford Fusion and struck a utility pole on Swift Road just north of St. Charles Road in Glen Ellyn.

Fire officials had to extricate Washington-Steel, 17, along with fellow West football running back Demarco Whitley, a 16-year-old junior.

Whitley was released this week from Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. No further information is available on his condition.

Washington-Steel’s aunt, Laveppia Brown, said the three-sport athlete hoped to play baseball and keep his football and track options open at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and had recently visited North Central College in Naperville.

Brown said the outpouring of support from not only Glenbard West but also her son’s high school, Mount Carmel in Chicago, helped the family cope.

“We are so grateful and appreciative for everything they’ve done,” Brown said. “It’s amazing. You still see good in people. We feel like Pierre served his purpose on this earth because of all of the good that has come out of this.”

She said her nephew always smiled and loved to go fishing with his cousin, who would get jealous at times because of Washington-Steel’s skills.

“He was so disciplined, so determined in life as far as what he wanted to do,” she said. “He was such a bubbly guy, so charismatic.”

Every week, Washington-Steel attended services and tried to attend different churches when he could. He was a Los Angeles Lakers fan and loved watching Glenbard West High School’s drum line.

“He was just a good kid, very respectful,” Brown said. “If you had to pick a kid, he would be the one to make you say, ‘I want my child to be just like this.’”

Read the original article on DailyHerald.com.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

Filed under: Honda, Toyota

With a combined recall of over eight million vehicles worldwide, Toyota is now firmly entrenched in the public relations barrel. Those millions of recalled vehicles will hurt the Japanese automaker both in terms of the costs associated with the recall as well the overall loss of sales, which could total well over a billion dollars. But is Toyota the only automaker with the potential to lose out in this story? Honda Chief Financial Officer Yoichi Hojo apparently doesn’t think so.

Honda’s CFO told The Wall Street Journal that the Toyota recalls could hurt consumer’s industry-wide perception of quality, adding “if customers start to harbor doubts, that would be problem for the whole industry.” If Mr. Hoji’s fears are realized, the quality perception gap could lead to the slowing of the auto industry recovery, which could hurt U.S., Korean, German and other Japanese automakers. Also unknown is if the recent pressure put on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will lead to tougher regulations for all automakers in the future.

And while Toyota is down and out right now, Hoji feels Honda will continue to refrain from tailoring incentives towards current Toyota owners, bucking the precedent set by GM, Ford and Hyundai. That doesn’t mean Honda won’t increase rebates, though, because inventories of Civic and Accord models are reportedly rising. Hoji said in the interview that Honda will increase second quarter incentives to about $1,400 per vehicle; $600 more than in the previous quarter, adding that he expects Honda’s global operations to end fiscal 2009 (ending March 31) with a 265 billion yen profit ($2.96 billion in U.S. funds).

[Source: The Wall Street Journal – Sub. Req.]

Report: Honda CFO fears Toyota woes will have ripple effect on other automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slowly but surely, music is making its way online the way users want it to be, free and universally available. We’re not quite there yet, but a new deal between Dailymotion and EMI is taking it one step closer. The European video outlet will begin hosting videos from EMI artists starting April and will make them available across all of … (read more)

Once the 3D firmware update comes along, you can get yourself a compatible TV and treat yourself to the splendor of 3D gaming. That might not be too far off, and you might even get Final Fantasy

An Antioch man who murdered his grandmother in 2008 and then set her ablaze to cover up the crime will spend 50 years in prison, a Lake County judge decided Wednesday.

Jeremy Lowrey, 23, sat emotionless as Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak announced the verdict. On the other side of the courtroom, however, his mother wept.

Lowrey faced up to 60 years in prison. Prosecutors didn’t seek the death penalty, and he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in December.

Lowrey choked, hit and stabbed his grandmother, 68-year-old Jeanie Lowrey of Round Lake Beach, in May 2008. He flew into a rage, authorities said, after she told him she was going to tell police he had stolen some of her checks.

Lowrey set her body ablaze and left the house, according to a video-recorded confession aired in court Wednesday.

After committing the murder, he dumped his clothes in a Wisconsin garbage bin and then went shopping at an area Walmart with a credit card stolen from his grandmother, he told police investigators.

Lowrey was arrested two days after the murder. A knife, a cane and a glass ashtray used in the attack were found wrapped inside a towel inside Jeanie Lowrey’s house, authorities said.

As part of the recorded confession was played in court, Lowrey sat silent at his table, his fingers plugging his ears and his eyes closed. He opened his eyes and dropped his hands once it was over.

Lowrey’s history of mental illness – including diagnoses of bipolar disorder and gender-identity disorder – were discussed at length during Wednesday’s hearing.

So was physical and mental abuse at the hands of his father, as well as schoolyard teasing and other factors that built what defense attorney Keith Grant called “a life of tragedy.”

Potkonjak agreed but said the brutality of the murder “overshadows everything.”

Assistant State’s Attorney Patricia Fix had requested a 55-year prison term. Grant had asked for a maximum sentence of 40 or 45 years and requested Lowrey be incarcerated in the Dixon Correctional Center’s psychiatric unit.

Potkonjak said he would recommend Lowrey be sent to Dixon, but the decision is up to the Illinois Department of Corrections. Due to the nature of the crime, however, Potkonjak noted such an assignment is doubtful.

Read the original article on DailyHerald.com.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

Remember earlier this week we told you that Porsche is planning to hit up Nurburgring 24 Hours race later this year with a hybrid Porsche 911 GT3 R? Well, here it is… almost. Known as the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid, the model hints at new hybrid technology that Porsche will use in its motorsport ventures.

According to Porsche, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid will be used as a study to gather information about how hybrid drive will behave under a racing environment and will also help the German automaker study how it can be applied to its road cars.

Unlike a conventional battery-electric hybrid system the Porsche 911 GT3 R uses a flywheel system, which gathers kinetic energy under braking to power two electric-motors that are mounted in a single assembly and are connected to the front wheel. After each boost of charge, the two motors provide 6 to 8 seconds jolts of power. The extra power is engaged by pressing a button on the steering wheel, providing up to 161-hp to the front wheels, assisting the 911 GT3 R Hybrid’s 480-hp 4.0L inline-6 that powers the two rear-wheels.

Porsche said that the system allows for quicker acceleration out of the corners and during overtaking.

Porsche said that it will definitely use the technology at the Nurburgring 24 Hours on May 15.

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid:

Press Release:

911 GT3 R Hybrid Celebrates World Debut in Geneva

Stuttgart. Exactly 110 years after Ferdinand Porsche developed the world’s first car with hybrid drive, the Lohner Porsche Semper Vivus, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is once again taking up this visionary drive concept in production-based GT racing: During the Geneva Motor Show, a Porsche 911 GT3 R with innovative hybrid drive is making its debut, opening up a new chapter in the history of Porsche with more than 20,000 wins in 45 years scored by the extremely successful Porsche 911 in racing trim.

The innovative hybrid technology featured in the car has been developed especially for racing, standing out significantly in its configuration and components from conventional hybrid systems. In this case, electrical front axle drive with two electric motors developing 60 kW each supplements the 480-bhp four-litre flat-six at the rear of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid. A further significant point is that instead of the usual batteries in a hybrid road car, an electrical flywheel power generator fitted in the interior next to the driver delivers energy to the electric motors.

The flywheel generator itself is an electric motor with its rotor spinning at speeds of up to 40,000 rpm, storing energy mechanically as rotation energy. The flywheel generator is charged whenever the driver applies the brakes, with the two electric motors reversing their function on the front axle and acting themselves as generators. Then, whenever necessary, that is when accelerating out of a bend or when overtaking, the driver is able to call up extra energy from the charged flywheel generator, the flywheel being slowed down electromagnetically in the generator mode and thus supplying up to 120 kW to the two electric motors at the front from its kinetic energy. This additional power is available to the driver after each charge process for approximately 6 – 8 seconds.

Energy formerly converted – and thus wasted – into heat upon every application of the brakes, is now highly efficiently converted into additional drive power.

Depending on racing conditions, hybrid drive is used in this case not only for extra power, but also to save fuel. This again increases the efficiency and, accordingly, the performance of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, for example by reducing the weight of the tank or making pitstops less frequent.

After its debut in Geneva the 911 GT3 R Hybrid will be tested in long-distance races on the Nürburgring. The highlight of this test programme will be the 24 Hours on the Nordschleife of Nürburgring on May 15th and 16th. The focus is not on the 911 GT3 R Hybrid winning the race, but rather serving as a spearhead in technology and a “racing laboratory” providing know-how on the subsequent use of hybrid technology in road-going sports cars.

The 911 GT3 R Hybrid is a perfect example of the Porsche Intelligent Performance philosophy, a principle to be found in every Porsche: More power on less fuel, more efficiency and lower CO2 emissions – on the track and on the road.

– By: Kap Shah

SPRINGFIELD — House Speaker Michael Madigan said he doesn’t have a favorite in the race to find a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor.

Madigan, the powerful Chicago Democrat, had backed state Rep. Art Turner, D-Chicago, in the Feb. 2 primary.

But political newcomer Scott Lee Cohen was the surprise winner in last week’s balloting after spending more than $2 million of his own money to win the nomination.

Cohen announced he was abandoning his bid Sunday after revelations of domestic abuse surfaced.

In the wake of Cohen’s departure, possible candidates have begun lining up to be considered for a spot on the November ballot.

A number of state lawmakers, including Turner, who came in second behind Cohen, have said they would consider running. Among them are state Reps. Mike Boland of East Moline and John Bradley of Marion.

State Sens. Terry Link of Waukegan, Mike Frerichs of Gifford and Rickey Hendon of Chicago also have surfaced as possibilities.

“I’ve committed to no one,” Madigan said. “I think the overriding goal ought to be to find a strong candidate who will be well received by the people of Illinois.”

Former Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth, who now works for the Obama administration, also has surfaced as a possible contender.

“She certainly has got an outstanding record in government,” Madigan told reporters during a break in the Capitol.

The speaker said he plans to sit down with Gov. Pat Quinn and Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, in the coming weeks to discuss possible replacements.

As chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, Madigan will then talk to members of the party’s 38-member central committee about making a final appointment.

That, however, won’t happen until after March 5, when the results of Tuesday’s primary are formally certified by state election regulators.

“My plan is to work cooperatively with the governor,” Madigan said.

Madigan refused to take blame for the lack of public information about Cohen’s shaky background before voters went to the polls.

“I’m not going to engage in finger pointing or recriminations,” Madigan said. “I think we ought to be happy that Mr. Cohen has dropped out.”

Asked whether the person picked as the replacement would undergo a criminal background check, Madigan told members of the media, “I think that this time around that you people will be helpful in that regard.”

Read the original article from Herald & Review.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services