Illinois Senate approves electronic cigarette ban for minors

SPRINGFIELD | Minors statewide would not be able to buy electronic cigarettes under a plan unanimously endorsed in the Senate Tuesday.

New Illinois casinos could bust Indiana's budget

INDIANAPOLIS | The ink is barely dry on Indiana's two-year state budget legislation, but the potential for new Illinois casinos is threatening to throw the Hoosier spending and tax cut plan out of balance.

Illinois Senate delays vote on gambling

SPRINGFIELD | The Illinois Senate is putting the brakes on yet another attempt to expand casino gambling.

Legislature won't act on marriage amendment this year

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana General Assembly will wait until next year to decide whether to send a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and civil unions to voters for ratification.

Ill. GOP senators get extra work, pay after losses

Illinois Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, speaks to lawmakers during a Senate Executive committee hearing this month in Springfield. Because of the party's November election losses, every one of the 19 Republicans remaining in the Illinois Senate will hold a caucus or lead…

Push for gun limits in Illinois will wait until spring

SPRINGFIELD | A push to ban semiautomatic weapons in Illinois fizzled again Sunday.

EDITORIAL: Quinn should veto gambling expansion

The Illinois General Assembly has approved a massive expansion of gambling that Gov. Pat Quinn must stop.

MARK KIESLING: Casino market already is saturated

The south suburbs need casinos like a fish needs a bicycle.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Parents are key education reform component

Education has long been the whipping child for society's ills. As we recently celebrated the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, we were reminded of how social inequality has affected our nation. As a nation, we continue to strive for educational equality for all students. In the quest f…

Illinois Senate wants checks on gubernatorial appointments

SPRINGFIELD | The Illinois Senate unanimously approved a plan Thursday to reassert its authority over the executive branch.

Multistate fight keeps going after Illinois tax hike is OK'd

MADISON, Wis. | The interstate bickering over tax policy continues between Wisconsin and Illinois politicians.

Crime-fighting panel opposes gambling expansion

CHICAGO | While legislators regroup on how to present a massive gambling expansion proposal in the House, the Chicago Crime Commission has come out against the bill, saying its passage will open the door to infiltration by organized crime.

Hackers crash Illinois Senate Dems' website

SPRINGFIELD | Unknown hackers shut down a state website for several hours Sunday and early Monday.

Study recommends cigarette tax hike

SPRINGFIELD | A report released Monday said the state would gain $377 million in revenue by raising the cigarette tax $1 per pack.

Instant payouts from expanded gaming plan unlikely

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | Quick cash from a proposed gaming expansion in Illinois is anything but a sure bet, according to legislators, lobbyists and history.

Quinn's appointments in legislative limbo

SPRINGFIELD | After nearly 22 months on the job, Jonathon Monken still hasn't been approved by the Illinois Senate as the director of the Illinois State Police.

Senate lawmakers given short timetable to reform Medicaid

SPRINGFIELD | Illinois Senate leaders have charged a few select lawmakers with reforming the state's Medicaid program and workers' compensation system -- by Jan. 3.

Brady returns to Capitol

SPRINGFIELD | Republican Bill Brady was back in the Capitol Tuesday, looking at two more years in the Illinois Senate, rather than four years in the Executive Mansion.