Earlier this week the Illinois House Executive Committee voted for a second time on a plan to offer $100 million to lure Barack Obama's presidential library to Illinois.  This time, all Republican members of the committee voted no but the measure still passed on a 7-4 vote. State Representative Bill Mitchell of Forsyth says things never cease to surprise him in Springfield:

[audio:050114MitchellObamaLibrary2.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Republicans have suggested that the library be privately funded so the State does not have to dish out the 100-million dollars. Senator Bill Brady has introduced a bill that would create a tax check-off which would allow people to voluntarily donate when they file their state income taxes next year.