This Week’s Biggest Gainers

1 Rod Blagojevich
A judge approved the former governor’s plan to pay parts of his legal bills with campaign funds.

2 Jake Peavy
The new White Sox starter—who’s still rehabbing with injury—put up good numbers in minor league play and could be up in the bigs by the end of the month.

3 Martha Lavey
The artistic director of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company was appointed chairman of the Theatre Communications Group.

4 Paula Wolff
Governor Quinn appointed the civic leader as chairman of the Illinois Tollway Board.

5 Jerry Angelo
His Cutler deal looked even better when Kyle Orton—now on the Denver Broncos—threw three interceptions in a preseason game.

This Week’s Biggest Losers

1 Johnny Macchione
A citywide manhunt for the Cubs fan who threw beer from the bleachers on an opposing outfielder finally came to a close when the 21-year-old turned himself in.

2 Jay Cutler
A lackluster first preseason game had detractors saying “I told you so.”

3 Barack Obama
The president’s public-option health-care reform proposal continues to get battered by the chattering pundits and the right.

4 Lovie Smith
Sure, it was preseason, but the 27-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills was rather disheartening.

5 Kevin Gregg
After blowing yet another save, the Cubs closer could finally (finally!) be out of a job, as Sweet Lou made some “we need to make a change” statements immediately afterward.