Pritzker’s contribution to Margaret Croke’s comptroller campaign has ignited a debate among Democratic candidates over independence, loyalty and the proper relationship between the state’s fiscal watchdog and the governor’s office.

The hamburger was ground, steaks sliced and beef chunks cut up and packaged. Some of the meat we canned as well. By late afternoon, we were all done.

My surgeon expects my leg to recover after some physical therapy, yet to come. He did some scraping to give the nerve more room to heal and do its job.

The teachers unions decried the state for not living up to its Evidence Based Funding law, which was supposed to bring all schools up to 90% “adequate” funding levels by next year.

An early taste of spring brings muddy chores, family gatherings, a joyful baptism service, and gratitude for blessings both big and small, from healing and birthdays to thoughtful gifts.

This past week, we observed Ash Wednesday, which began the sacred season of Lent.

I kept thinking about that moment when new life, soon to be crawling and climbing, meets a life that is shuffling down a slope in time.

Forty Democratic members of the Illinois House and Senate have been meeting weekly to come up with a plan to find some government efficiencies and create new revenue streams to help the state meet its obligations.

I would have forgotten some of the stories I wrote about the children if I hadn’t written them down. If you can find time to write down cute stories about your children growing up, that would be great.