EDITORIAL: Illinois must act on pension reform

The Illinois General Assembly's failure to enact meaningful public employee pension reform is shameful.

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.

Clock ticking down on Illinois pension deal

SPRINGFIELD | Despite high hopes from Gov. Pat Quinn, a push to overhaul the state’s massively underfunded employee retirement systems by a Wednesday deadline remains a tough sell.

Quinn receives casino legislation, has 60 days to act

The fate of proposed casinos for Chicago and the south suburbs, and their potential to drain gamblers and local tax revenue away from Northwest Indiana, rests in the hands of Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn.

Daniels willing to bet on land-based casinos

Gov. Mitch Daniels likely would be on board should state lawmakers authorize land-based gaming in response to expected increased casino competition from Illinois. "I'm open-minded about that," Daniels said last week.

Daniels willing to bet on land-based casinos

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mitch Daniels likely would be on board should state lawmakers authorize land-based gaming in response to expected increased casino competition from Illinois.

GUEST EDITORIALS: May fourth felonious governor be the final one

So Rod Blagojevich is one corrupt cat who does not own nine lives, after all.

Wrangling over state budget may not be over

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | Depending on whom you ask, the new state spending plan either spends too much, spends too little or is just right.

Region may lose millions over casino expansion

NWI communities and the state of Indiana could lose up to 15 percent of their gaming tax revenue if Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signs pending legislation permitting new casinos in Chicago and the south suburbs, according to industry expert.

Survey: Illinoisans reject casino gambling legislation

CHICAGO | A majority of voters oppose the gambling expansion bill recently approved by the Illinois General Assembly, according to a survey by the Chicago Crime Commission.

Billions in construction cash surprises

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | Construction across Illinois is in no danger of stopping, or even slowing down this summer.

House versus Senate on budget?

SPRINGFIELD | A budgetary battle could be brewing in the state Capitol, but not necessarily between Republicans and Democrats.

Illinois delays college construction work

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | There are enough projects and enough workers, but there is not enough money to begin all of the work in Illinois' statewide construction program this summer.

Jackson attacks Halvorson's bid for IDOT chief

The most vocal supporter of a proposed south suburban airport near Peotone is publicly opposing a former colleague's apparent bid to be named head of the state's transportation department.

Illinois gov. bucks trend, achieves liberal agenda

CHICAGO | As Republican governors across the U.S. gain momentum with conservative agendas, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has stood out for signing a string of laws over the past three months achieving longstanding liberal goals: abolishing the death penalty, legalizing civil unions and raising inc…

Cullerton: Quick action expected on cigarette tax

SPRINGFIELD | Illinois' Senate president expects to have a new dollar-per-pack tax on cigarettes soon, but other lawmakers in Springfield are not so sure.

Indiana House Dem visits Illinois capitol

INDIANAPOLIS | State Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster, one of the 40 Indiana House Democrats boycotting legislative sessions in Indianapolis, turned up at the Illinois Capitol in Springfield Tuesday.

Teacher pension costs could shift to local districts

SPRINGFIELD | Local school districts could get hit with a multimillion dollar bill under a pension cost-shifting plan being floated by a top state Democrat.

Illinois Senate wants checks on gubernatorial appointments

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

Senate moves to close loopholes for governor appointments

SPRINGFIELD | After failing to confirm top gubernatorial appointees in the previous legislative session, lawmakers are now looking to tighten Senate rules to prevent a string of government employees from working without proper authorization.