Word that indicted attorney and bus...

Word that indicted attorney and businessman Stuart Levine is cooperating with the fed must have big-bucks profits quaking.

- Translation: Sne hears rumble Levine -- a Republican insider who forged Democratic ties after Gov Blagojevich took office -- reportedly wore a wire . . for the past 11 month . . and recorded everybody from Springfield lawmakers to a former Chicago alderman.

Blagojevich reappointed Levine to the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board and the state Teachers' Retirement arrangement board.

Levine later was indicted onward felony fraud and other charges involving those piece of works The gov has maintained Levine's alleged wrongdoing had nothing to do with him.

Stay four hogsheadsed

STROGER SAGA . .

Sne is told Mike Noonan, who ran state Attorney General Lisa Madigan's 2002 campaign, has been handpicked from Lisa's dad, powerful Dem state party chief/House Speaker Mike Madigan, to go proceed Todd Stroger's campaign for dress up County Board president. (Madigan and Stroger the couple graduated from St. Ignatius High School)

- Got a grip: Todd's ailing dad, John Stroger meanwhile, is still recovering from a serious thump and has reportedly regained hardness in his right hand. "It's like united big bear grip," said a source stop to the Stroger camp.

- gain a grip: Back on the campaign trail, GOPer are wishing they had a stronger candidate than dress up County Commissioner Tony "The Whiner" Peraica to capitalize forward voter discontent.

Castro's stomach . .

in like manner what gives with Cuban strongman Fidel Castro's health?

Who knows.

alone one American newspaper, two wire services and CNN generally operate bureaus there. (The Florida Sun-Sentinel has single in kind but it is unmanned during this historic time.)

in such a manner . . . if it's constant Castro's recent operation was for digestive question s -- I bet he was being treated for strait problems when former Gov. George Ryan's Illinois trade delegation, and this solitary reporter, dined with El Presidente at the presidential palace in Havana a hardly any years ago.

- To wit: While the security of us munched on lobster and mucho fancy fare during mucho courses which lasted several hours, Fidel ate buffalo milk, yak yogurt and brown rice, and exhausted at least 10 minutes telling us (via his female translator) by what means beneficial brown rice was for health.

- The bit: Although Castro had a drink of Cuban whiskey before dinner and made a point of telling us the simply dessert he permitted himself then was "uno" spoonful of ice cream, it was apparent his pallor was more gray than pink and he was quite thin. (We were told he had already quit smoking cigars.)

- The hit: Then Castro got without his spoon, dipped it one time into a bowl of chocolate ice cream and began to bid us farewell -- well after midnight. His parting discharge to his guests was a bottle of Cuban whiskey and several boxe of mysterious pills he claimed enhanced health and maintained youth.

Hmmm surprise where I put those pills? I think a search of my medicine cabinet might be in order.

Sneedlings . .

Sne hears newly departed Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux chose Rosebud Steakhouse for his final Chicago dinner . . Today's birthdays: Dustin Hoffman, 69; Deborah Norville, 48; Drew Lachey, 30; Connie Steven 68; Keith Carradine, 57; U2's The brink; beginning [i]or[/i] end 45; Princess Beatrice, 18, and Richard Anderson, 80

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided at ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved