Illinois' New Senator(?), Roland Burris, Would Fit Right In Here In Kentucky.

Read more from the Tribune, or my teasing excerpts below:

Amid the controversy over whether he should become Illinois' next U.S. senator, Roland Burris has been described by friend and foe alike as an earnest public servant with a long history in state politics.

A closer examination reveals a prototypical Illinois politician, who put a relative on the public payroll, steered legal business to political supporters and sought to trade on his ties when he became a lobbyist.

While not in the core circle of power brokers and fundraisers who have dominated the state's pay-to-play culture, Burris has always hovered in the outer ring. His lobbying clients have gotten tastes of state business and favorable rulings from Illinois regulatory panels.