Whet Moser

The mayor rolls out a comprehensive, $7-billion infrastructure scheme, elements of which you'll recognize. Meanwhile, federal transportation funding of all kinds nearly came to a halt this week, as the political reckoning got pushed back a mere 90 days. Washington's ideological divide is putting immense pressure on cities and states to deal with overdue infrastructure issues. Read more

Ever wondered why Chicago sounds so much different from the rest of the state (and more like Buffalo than downstate)? It begins with the Erie Canal, probably has a lot to do with the Civil War, and seems to be getting even more distinct. Read more

In vitro fertilization has never stirred the same controversy as abortion or embryonic stem-cell research, in part because evangelical Christians have a wide (and fine-grained) diversity of views on the procedure. But there are rumblings of a consensus, including a row in Naperville over a proposed clinic. Read more

The latest person to express solidarity with Trayvon Martin by wearing a hoodie is veteran Representative Bobby Rush, who was unrecognized by the acting speaker... under the prohibition that you can't wear a hat on the House floor. Read more