Illinois lawmakers seek study for future east-west passenger rail development

SPRINGFIELD | Lawmakers are signaling for more statewide passenger train service by showing support for the potential creation of an east-west rail corridor.

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.

Zero-tolerance alcohol policy for on-duty police emerges

SPRINGFIELD | Illinois lawmakers are pushing for a zero-tolerance alcohol policy for on-duty police officers, yet recent findings could slow negotiations.

Senate approves measure allowing psychologists to prescribe medications

SPRINGFIELD | Illinois psychologists could soon be picking up a pen and prescribing medication under a proposal approved by the state Senate Thursday.

Bill to enable psychologists to prescribe drugs debated

SPRINGFIELD | Dr. Cynthia Clark said it has been difficult during her 25 years practicing psychology to watch and wait for some of her clients to receive treatment.

State mental health court orders still lacking?

SPRINGFIELD | A majority of Illinois counties still are not submitting records to the state that would ban the mentally ill from owning firearms.

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.

Illinois dentists could someday administer vaccines

SPRINGFIELD | Illinoisans could someday ask their dentist for a flu shot or other kinds of vaccinations under a proposal pending in the Illinois Senate.

Illinois accepting, processing electronically filed tax returns

SPRINGFIELD | Illinois taxpayers have a few more options to take into consideration this tax season.

Doctor asks for statewide tanning ban for minors

SPRINGFIELD | Dr. Judith Knox sees patients with skin cancer every day and many come to her “worried” they developed it from tanning.

Tdap vaccine requirement extended to sixth- through 12th-grade students

SPRINGFIELD | Beginning next fall, the state will require all sixth- through 12th-grade students to receive a Tdap booster shot, following a state increase in whooping cough cases.

40 years after Roe v. Wade, state abortions still slightly down

SPRINGFIELD | Forty years have gone by since the nation's highest court handed down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision and the number of abortions in Illinois continues to slightly decrease.