Observors: Van Til's indictment adds to region's political corruption stain

CROWN POINT | Prominent Lake County Democrat George Van Til's indictment Friday on felony fraud charges has local politicos wondering just how many more black eyes the party will take in the federal government's ongoing corruption probe.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Downstate Republicans want Lake to implement tax

Bravo to Rich James for his April 10 column. James exposed the two Republican members of the Lake County Council (Eldon Strong and Republican County Chairman Dan Dernulc) for playing politics with the Local Option Income Tax.

The Daily Fix

Offering perspective on today's issues

DOUG ROSS: A Democrat who sounds almost Republican

It makes sense that Lake County Democratic Party Chairman Thomas McDermott Jr., of all people, would be a strident liberal, eagerly embracing the party line on every issue. After all, Lake County is one of the most heavily Democratic counties in Indiana.

YOUNG VOICES: I hope Obama's charm offense brings compromise

After recent events, a change might be on the horizon of the American political arena. The beginning of March brought about the sequester. Congress could not come to a consensus, so President Barack Obama signed the budget cuts into law on March 1.

Democratic caucus to pick Kouts council member

KOUTS | The town's three Democratic precinct committeemen will meet at 6 p.m. March 20 at Town Hall to choose someone to fill the at-large council term of Orville Jefferson.

The Daily Fix

Offering perspective on today's issues

The Daily Fix

Offering perspective on today's issues

The Daily Fix

Offering perspective on today's issues

The Daily Fix

Offering perspective on today's issues

The Daily Fix

Offering perspective on today's issues

McDermott wants to re-up as Dem chairman

CROWN POINT | Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said Friday he will ask the Democratic Party faithful to re-elect him as their chairman.

Pensions dog historic Dem numbers at Illinois Capitol

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | Historic numbers of Democrats took seats Wednesday in the Illinois General Assembly, beginning a new legislative session facing unfinished business that involves another historic number: a $96 billion hole in public-employee pension systems.

EDITORIAL: Legislative fines should take a hike

After the Indiana House Democrats walked off the job in 2011 to stall right-to-work legislation, the GOP House leadership pushed through stiff fines for AWOL lawmakers. Then House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis got Republican state Auditor Tim Berry to deduct the fines from Democratic l…

BRIAN HOWEY: Daniels era has obliterated Indiana Democrats

From a political perspective, the decade-long "Mitch Daniels era" has been devastating for Indiana Democrats.

Porter County Dems sworn in, look forward to tackling county issues

VALPARAISO | Porter County Democrats who were elected to office in last month’s election were sworn in to office with family beside them on Saturday morning at the Porter County Courthouse in Judge David Chidester’s Superior Courtroom.

Hamm to replace Repay on Lake County Council

HAMMOND | Longtime Hammond firefighter and former City Council member David Hamm was chosen Saturday morning to replace Mike Repay as the Lake County Council's 1st District representative.

DOUG ROSS: Sifting through fallout from last week's election

The fallout from the Nov. 6 election is still being sifted through. Today, I'm highlighting three observations.

Lake County party leaders predict races as pace of early voting picks up

CROWN POINT | Leaders of Lake County's political parties are drawing comfort from the recent surge of early voters in advance of Tuesday's general election.

Downstate mailers inflame local GOP candidates

Two more Republican candidates for the state legislature have been targeted in attack advertisements sponsored by the Indiana Democratic State Central Committee.