Jessie Hellmann –

Gov. Bruce Rauner talks to reporters outside his office at the State Capitol in Springfield on May 31, 2015.

Rauner, Democrats spar on property taxes as stalemate enters 2nd week

May 25, 2019 at 12:58 p.m.

The stalemate at the Capitol entered its second week with more political theater on display, and this time the stage play revolved around property taxes as Democrats, who rule the...

The State Capitol in Springfield, Sunday, May 31, 2015.

Rauner, Democrats dig in for budget fight as effect on services is weeks off

May 25, 2019 at 12:58 p.m.

As Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats who control the General Assembly dig in for a summer of battling over the budget, the pressure points to cut a deal before...

A male bobcat, injured by a car in 2005, resides in an outdoor enclosure at the Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn on Dec. 9, 2014.

Bobcat hunting bill sent to Rauner

May 15, 2019 at 2:46 p.m.

Hunting and killing bobcats could be legal in Illinois for the first time in 40 years if Gov. Bruce Rauner signs a measure the House approved Sunday. The bill would...

Illinois Senate sends Rauner police body camera measure

May 15, 2019 at 2:46 p.m.

The Illinois Senate on Saturday sent Gov. Bruce Rauner a measure that would set standards for how police officer-worn body cameras can be used amid recent cries for more police...

State Sen. Dan Kotowski, D-Park Ridge, sponsored a sweeping measure aimed at curbing heroin use and preventing overdose deaths.

Sweeping anti-heroin use bill sent to Rauner

May 15, 2019 at 2:46 p.m.

The Illinois Senate on Saturday sent Gov. Bruce Rauner a sweeping measure aimed at curbing heroin use and preventing overdose deaths even as critics questioned how the state would pay...

Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, celebrates with Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Evanston, after the passage of a bill banning gay conversion therapy for minors. "The overwhelming consensus of professionals is this is not legitimate therapy," said Bliss, who sponsored the bill.

Illinois Senate sends Rauner ban on gay conversion therapy for minors

May 15, 2019 at 2:46 p.m.

Gay rights advocates scored another victory at the Capitol on Friday after the Illinois Senate sent Gov. Bruce Rauner a measure to ban conversion therapy on minors -- a controversial...

Gov. Bruce Rauner, shown in May 2015 in Chicago, has been trying to get key parts of his agenda, such as reforms to workers' compensation and budget cuts, passed, but Democrats in the General Assembly have so far blocked those efforts.

Senate Democrats block Rauner’s workers’ compensation measure

May 25, 2019 at 12:58 p.m.

Senate Democrats on Wednesday joined their House counterparts in displaying a united front against Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's legislative wish list, blocking his plan to overhaul the workers' compensation system...

Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, shown in 2014, sponsored a bill that passed the Illinois House on May 27, 2015, aimed at curbing heroin use and preventing overdose deaths.

Illinois House approves heroin treatment measure

May 15, 2019 at 2:46 p.m.

The Illinois House on Wednesday overwhelming pushed through a sweeping measure aimed at curbing heroin use and preventing overdose deaths by expanding specialized drug courts that focus on treatment. The...

A dog being watched by walker Natalia Straley plays in the snow Feb. 26, 2015, at the Montrose dog beach in Chicago.

Lawmakers pass bill that penalizes leaving pets outside in extreme weather

May 25, 2019 at 12:58 p.m.

Leaving the family pet outside in extremely hot or cold weather could result in up to a year in jail and a hefty fine under a measure House lawmakers sent...

Illinois Senate passes marijuana decriminalization bill but plans changes

May 25, 2019 at 12:57 p.m.

The Illinois legislature joined the movement to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of pot, passing a measure Thursday that would bar arrest for the offense. Carrying small amounts of...

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