Senate Democrats want more school money, not cuts

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | Illinois Senate Democrats want to boost general education funding by $156 million next year, not cut it, key budget negotiators said Friday. But they acknowledged the increase would only keep per-student funding level.

State police prepping for concealed carry law

SPRINGFIELD | Even though lawmakers have been unable to agree on a plan allowing Illinoisans to carry concealed weapons, the Quinn administration has launched the process of building a computer system designed to handle future gun permits.

Winery patrons could drive carrying recorked bottles, Illinois House says

SPRINGFIELD | Patrons at Illinois wineries will be able to drive away with a recorked, partially consumed bottle of wine under a proposal that was unanimously approved in the Illinois House on Friday.

House OKs crackdown on social media 'flash mobs'

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | The Illinois House approved legislation Friday aimed at cracking down on violent "flash mobs" like those that have occurred on Chicago's Michigan Avenue and in other tourist areas.

Illinois Senate committee OKs medical marijuana

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | An Illinois Senate committee has approved a proposal that would allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Mayor, Illinois lawmakers make case for Chicago casino

CHICAGO | Visitors to the nation's third-largest city are usually spotted wandering the Magnificent Mile, snapping pictures of the Willis Tower and sampling Chicago-style deep dish pizza, but if some persistent Illinois lawmakers and Mayor Rahm Emanuel get their way, a glitzy casino would be…

Campus smoking ban rekindled in Illinois Senate

SPRINGFIELD | A proposal to ban smoking on all state-supported universities and community colleges received just enough votes Wednesday to advance out of the Illinois Senate.

Illinois Senate narrowly favors puppy lemon law

SPRINGFIELD | Illinoisans who go to a pet store and buy a dog or cat that turns out to be seriously ill would have additional legal remedies under a proposal approved Wednesday in the Illinois Senate.

Davis' bill assisting women, minority-owned businesses moves to Senate

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | A bill sponsored by state Rep. Will Davis, D-East Hazel Crest, that would ensure equal access to state contracts for minority- and women-owned businesses has advanced to the Senate, his office announced Friday.

DeLuca bill to speed local tax receipts moves to Senate

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | Legislation designed to improve local government efficiency, sponsored by state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, has passed through the House with broad bipartisan support, his office has announced.

Cook County considering its own ban on landfills

CHICAGO | Cook County Commissioner John Fritchey, D-Chicago, remembers all too well the way government sometimes worked when he represented the city’s Northwest Side in the Illinois General Assembly.

House signals support for capping pensions

SPRINGFIELD | The Illinois House approved legislation Thursday to limit the salary upon which retired state workers can base their pensions in the future.

House again tries to ban talking on phone while driving

SPRINGFIELD | For the second year in a row, the Illinois House approved legislation that would ban the use of hand-held cellphones while driving a car.

Illinois House committee approves gay marriage bill

SPRINGFIELD | An Illinois House committee narrowly endorsed legislation to legalize gay marriage Tuesday, setting up a showdown on the House floor that could come in a matter of weeks.

Illinois GOP blasts process for House gun votes

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | The Illinois House on Tuesday completed seven hours of debate on the contentious issue of public gun possession by adopting a comprehensive plan long pushed by advocates.

Concealed carry of guns goes before Illinois House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | Illinois lawmakers will take up carrying concealed firearms with a wide open debate on the House floor Tuesday.

911 funds drying up, lawmaker proposes higher tax

SPRINGFIELD | A proposal to raise taxes on cell phone users has been re-introduced in the Illinois House.

Hearing focuses on concealed weapons law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | A permit to carry a concealed weapon in Illinois could cost about $242, according to an Illinois State Police estimate.

GOP leaders call for more transparent state, local government

CHICAGO | Republican lawmakers are pushing for greater transparency in state and local government with proposed measures that would break down how tax dollars are spent.

No agreement on how to fund medical watchdog unit

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | Illinois officials and the physicians they regulate are at odds over how to fairly cover the costs of a watchdog unit that investigates complaints against doctors.