Ill. special session expected to form pension committee

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois lawmakers are convening a special session as called for by Gov. Pat Quinn.

Quinn uses commencement speech to tout ammunition magazine restrictions

SOUTH HOLLAND | Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn used graduation ceremonies Sunday at South Suburban College to urge support for a proposal that would ban the sale or delivery of ammunition magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds at a time.

Watchdog group says state must address pensions

CHICAGO | Gov. Pat Quinn's proposed state budget is a baby step in the right direction, a watchdog group's analysis said Monday, but the governor may be overstating savings from a recent union contract negotiation and not putting enough toward roughly $9 billion unpaid bills.

Quinn: State stalled until pensions fixed

SPRINGFIELD | Gov. Pat Quinn proposed severe spending restrictions Wednesday in what he called the "most difficult budget ever," telling a joint session of the General Assembly that the state is virtually paralyzed until it fixes its public-employee pension crisis.

Lawmakers predict gloomy budget plans from Quinn

SPRINGFIELD | Gov. Pat Quinn won't have a very cheery message when he unveils his latest budget plan Wednesday, say members of the General Assembly.

Quinn creates committee to bolster environment, recreation on Southeast Side

CHICAGO | Gov. Pat Quinn on Friday created a committee of business and government officials who will work to implement the Millennium Reserve, a plan to enhance wetland and other open spaces around Lake Calumet and the Calumet River.

AFSCME, Quinn's office reach tentative agreement

CHICAGO | Illinois' largest union and Gov. Pat Quinn's administration reached a tentative contract agreement Thursday, averting the threat of the first state worker strike in decades.

Quinn makes appointments to boards, commissions

CHICAGO | Gov. Pat Quinn has named a Chicago lawyer to the Illinois Commerce Commission.

South Suburban College to get $41.6M for new medical training center

SOUTH HOLLAND | About 80 percent of the cost of constructing a new allied health facility at South Suburban College to train future health care professionals will be paid for by a state government capital construction program, Gov. Pat Quinn said Thursday.

South Suburban College to get $41.6M for new medical training center

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, left, thanks Illinois state Sen. Donne Trotter after Trotter spoke to the audience. Quinn on Thursday announced a grant of $41.6 million for expansion at South Suburban College in South Holland. Quinn said Trotter was instrumental in providing the funding.

South Suburban College to get $41.6M for new medical training center

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, right, greets South Suburban College Board of Trustees Chairman Frank Zuccarelli as he arrives at the college. Quinn on Thursday announced a grant of $41.6 million for expansion at South Suburban College in South Holland. Zuccarelli is also Thornton Township supervisor.

Quinn's ethics proposal raises questions

SPRINGFIELD | The idea seems simple enough: Ban Illinois lawmakers from voting or taking action on anything that might benefit them personally, all in the name of honest government.

Ill. governors OKs money for roads, child services

SPRINGFIELD | Illinois road construction projects will get a $675 million boost this spring under a package of short-term spending projects Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law Thursday. Republicans complained that the package was rushed through with little input from taxpayers.

Many Illinois issues being decided by judges; critic says lawsuits are symbolic of chaos in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD | While the major political skirmishes in the Capitol are often cast as a battle of wills between Gov. Pat Quinn and the Illinois General Assembly, the judicial branch of government has been playing a significant role in guiding state policy in recent years.

Panel calls for massive boost in Illinois school funding

SPRINGFIELD | A panel dedicated to figuring out how much Illinois should spend on education is calling for more than $4.7 billion in additional school funding in the coming year.

State readies for revamped early prisoner release program

SPRINGFIELD | The Quinn administration began taking the first steps Wednesday to restart an early inmate release program that could reduce the population of the state’s overcrowded prison system.

Quinn wants to see movement on gay marriage bill

CHICAGO | Gov. Pat Quinn says he hopes a bill allowing gay marriage in Illinois moves through the General Assembly next month.

Emanuel, Quinn close to a deal for Chicago casino

CHICAGO | Mayor Rahm Emanuel says he and Gov. Pat Quinn are "very close" to a deal for a Chicago casino.

Senate panel could endorse ban on casino contributions

SPRINGFIELD | Gov. Pat Quinn’s effort to stop casino owners from giving money to politicians could get a boost from a legislative panel on Wednesday.

Quinn cancels contract with state's largest employee union

SPRINGFIELD | Illinois prison guards, public health workers and thousands of other members of the state’s largest employee union are now working without a labor agreement after Gov. Pat Quinn announced late Tuesday that he was refusing to extend the already-expired contract.