Senate Democrats want more school money, not cuts

Illinois Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, speaks with lawmakers Friday while on the Senate floor during session at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield.

Lower drunk-driving limit gets mixed reviews in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD | A proposal to toughen drunk-driving laws is getting mixed reviews among Illinois legislators, top state officials and local police.

PHIL WIELAND: We're not the happiest, but it could be worse

If you think of the region as something less than paradise on Earth, apparently you are not alone or even in the minority.

Lake Council appears ready to embark on taxing journey

CROWN POINT | Lake County Councilman David Hamm, D-Hammond, told fellow council members Tuesday they must immediately begin discussing passing an income tax on county residents and employees.

RICH JAMES: Lake County running out of cheeks to turn

If Lake County were a person, he’d probably be a punch-drunk fighter.

Casinos slam gaming bill reversals

A casino bill that riled local communities now is riling casino operators, following changes made by an Indiana Senate committee.

Lake County officials talk income tax to balance spending

CROWN POINT | Lake County officials worry the only thing worse than passing a new tax would be passing one that leaves county government still millions of dollars in the hole.

Lake council contemplates new taxes on income and cars

CROWN POINT | The Lake County Council is researching a local option income tax in addition to a wheel tax for possible passage later this year.

Pence: 'I am not legislator-in-chief'

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mike Pence declared Wednesday he is not, and will not become, the state's "legislator-in-chief," shrugging off critics who claim he should be more directly engaged in House and Senate action.

Bill would pump up Lake Co. presence on NICTD board

A nearly unanimous Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District board on Friday blasted a bill that would increase Lake County's representation on the board from its current two members to five.

Calumet Township, Griffith will duke it out again in General Assembly

Secede is too strong a word for what the town of Griffith wants to do to Calumet Township.

Court ruling on state gun ban sets stage for fight

CHICAGO | Backers of Illinois' ban on concealed weapons vowed Wednesday to fight for continued controls on gun possession, a day after a federal appeals court struck down the nation's last such prohibition as unconstitutional and ordered the state to craft a law allowing it.

Judge rules Hobart can join fight against Lake County tax freeze

HOBART | A Lake Superior Court judge has ruled Hobart can join a lawsuit to end a property tax levy freeze under attack as strangling local government in the county.

Beer garden smoking rules on tap in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD | A legislative panel is asking state health officials to clear the air when it comes to rules for outdoor smoking areas at taverns and bars.

Ill. lawmakers fail to act on pension crisis

SPRINGFIELD | Illinois lawmakers failed to address the state's massive pension problem Friday but did expel a legislator over bribery charges during a day of frustration for officials in a state government already burdened by a reputation for paralysis and corruption.

EDITORIAL: Plan smooth transition to end of townships

Griffith officials aren't giving up on their quest for relief from Calumet Township's heavy tax burden. Nor should they. But state lawmakers need to look at the bigger picture, not just Griffith's situation.

Interview: Mike Flannery digs Illinois politics

With more than three decades of reporting on Chicago politics—which many liken to a blood sport—Mike Flannery, the political editor at FOX Chicago News, probably has the most upfront and personal inside knowledge of city and state politics. Flannery, who grew up in Washington, D.C., and grad…

EDITORIAL: Go to polls today because your vote counts

Predictions for voter turnout in Indiana today are a case study in low expectations. It shouldn't be that way.

EDITORIAL: A recap of our spring endorsements

Over the past few weeks, we've given a series of endorsements in major contested races facing voters in Lake and Porter counties. We recap them today so you can take this handy synopsis of our recommendations with you when you vote Tuesday.

Scheub: State takes too much money from county

LOWELL | Lake County Commissioner Gerry Scheub began his series Thursday of six town hall-style meetings by talking about how the county is coping in a troubled economy.