Haley Bemiller

The Illinois State Capitol in Springfield.

Illinois still has no budget, but lawmakers approved almost 500 other bills

May 15, 2019 at 9:20 p.m.

Bickering between Democrats and Republicans that dominated state politics has again left Illinois without a budget, but lawmakers still managed to approve about 500 pieces of legislation in their spring...

Democratic legislators take pictures after the spring legislative session ended at the State Capitol in Springfield on May 31, 2017.

Summer rerun: Session ends with Democrats, Rauner failing to cut budget deal

May 15, 2019 at 9:19 p.m.

Spring session ended with another thud Wednesday, as Democratic fear of blowback from raising taxes trumped a desire by some to put a spending plan on Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's...

Lawmakers begin last scheduled day without budget plan, just like last year

May 15, 2019 at 9:18 p.m.

On the eve of the Illinois Legislature's planned adjournment, Democrats who control the General Assembly remain in much the same spot they were a year ago, with House Speaker Michael...

Illinois House approves Chicago gun bill, immigrant protections

May 15, 2019 at 9:18 p.m.

The Illinois House approved measures to increase penalties for repeat gun offenders, automatically register people to vote and protect immigrants in the face of a federal crackdown during a busy...

Revamped plan to crack down on repeat gun offenders advances in state legislature

May 15, 2019 at 9:18 p.m.

Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson on Thursday implored lawmakers to pass a revamped plan to crack down on repeat gun offenders, saying it was time to hold people accountable for...

Illinois Senate Democrats pass major tax hikes unlikely to become law

May 15, 2019 at 9:18 p.m.

Illinois Senate Democrats on Tuesday opted to go their own way and passed a politically risky measure to hike the income tax and expand the sales tax, drawing the very...

Former President Barack Obama talks to the audience visitsthe South Shore Cultural Center onMay 3, 2017 to host a community event on the Obama Presidential Center.

Obama’s birthday could be commemorated in Illinois

May 15, 2019 at 9:17 p.m.

Former President Barack Obama's birthday would become a commemorative holiday in Illinois under a proposal that state lawmakers voted to send to Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday. The plan would...

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, speaks ata news conference onMarch 1, 2017, at the state Capitol in Springfield.

Illinois Senate Dems push ahead on budget, but many factors are pushing back

May 15, 2019 at 9:17 p.m.

Illinois Senate Democrats on Wednesday voted for a $36.5 billion spending plan that would pay universities and social service providers that have gone months without funding, but the effort may...

Rauner, Madigan start annual push to avoid blame for lack of budget

May 15, 2019 at 9:17 p.m.

With just two weeks left in the spring session, House Democrats led by Speaker Michael Madigan and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner are back in their default positions for this time...

In this May 31, 2016 photo, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, front, and Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan speak at the State Capitol in Springfield. Cullerton said Wednesday that a series of closed-door meetings with the governor in recent days left him "frustrated" and questioning the governor's leadership.

Cullerton blames Rauner for latest snag in attempt to end impasse

May 15, 2019 at 9:16 p.m.

Senate Democrats on Wednesday sought to pressure Republicans to vote for a sweeping plan designed to end the nearly two-year stalemate, an effort that fell flat as the GOP said...

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