Jul 03 Illinois lawmakers return to Capitol after voting to raise taxes By John O'Connor, Associated Press Illinois' financial outlook received a boost from a credit-rating house Monday after a dramatic vote to raise the income tax rate by 32 percent. Continue reading
Jul 02 Illinois House leader: Revenue vote now set for weekend By John O'Connor, Associated Press The speaker of the Illinois House on Saturday scheduled a key vote on a multibillion-dollar revenue package that would finance an end to the longest state budget crisis since at least the Great Depression, ending a day that turned acrimonious… Continue reading
Jul 01 Illinois lawmakers return after missing key budget deadline By John O'Connor, Associated Press Illinois lawmakers are returning to work Saturday after missing a key deadline to prevent the state from starting an third consecutive fiscal year without a budget. Continue reading
Jun 30 Illinois facing dire consequences as budget feud continues By Sara Burnett, Associated Press Illinois is hours away from entering its third fiscal year without a state budget, territory that could mean some universities won't be able to offer federal financial aid, road construction and Powerball ticket sales will halt, and the state's credit… Continue reading
Jun 24 Illinois could be 1st state with ‘junk’ credit due to budget By Sara Burnett, Associated Press Illinois is on track to become the first U.S. state to have its credit rating downgraded to "junk" status, which would deepen its multibillion-dollar deficit and cost taxpayers more for years to come. Continue reading
May 16 Artistic skills and independence bloom for these adults with disabilities By Larisa Epatko The growARTS program grew from a volunteer operation to one run by full-time staff. For the adults in the program who couldn't express themselves verbally, art gave them another outlet for expression. Continue reading
May 03 Obama unveils vision for presidential library in Chicago By Sophia Tareen, Associated Press Former President Barack Obama unveiled plans for his future presidential center, painting a picture of a buzzing hub for youth and community programs on the South Side of Chicago where he raised his family and launched his political career. Continue reading
Mar 04 Keystone pipeline won’t use U.S. steel despite Trump pledge By Associated Press The Keystone XL oil pipeline won't use American steel in its construction, despite what President Donald Trump says. Continue reading
Feb 17 Bob Michel, GOP leader skilled at deal-making, dies at age 93 By Will Lester, Associated Press Bob Michel, an affable Illinois congressman who served as leader of the Republican House minority for 14 years, died Friday. He was 93. Continue reading
Feb 14 Abrupt cuts hinder Illinois violence shelters By John O'Connor, Associated Press Illinois officials waited more than five months to alert dozens of domestic violence programs that their funding had been eliminated, an omission that has forced layoffs and other cuts at some facilities, the Associated Press reported. Continue reading